St Barnabas Parish Church Woodfield Road Hadleigh Here For Everyone!

Transcription

1 Winter 2017 St Barnabas Parish Church Woodfield Road Hadleigh Here For Everyone!

2 St Barnabas Parish Church Church Road Hadleigh SS7 2EJ Parish Office Priest-in-Charge: Revd Ruth Cartwright ruth@cartmann.eclipse.co.uk Focal Minister: Guy Negus guynegus1@gmail.com Churchwardens: Richard Ambrose Sue Pektas Associate Priest: Revd Christine Robinson crrob75@aol.com Organist: Josie Main (for updates go to - What s On page) 8.00am 10.30am 1st, 3rd, 2nd 4th Sunday Holy Communion Holy Communion Morning Worship Contemporary Worship For All Ages + Craft Activities for Young People 10.30am Holy Communion 4.00pm pm Messy Church

3 Revd Ruth Cartwright licensed as Priest-in-Charge St Barnabas Hadleigh & St James-the-Less Hadleigh by the Bishop of Chelmsford 4th September 2017 Ruth with Bishop Steven As I write there are a mere 50-odd shopping days til Christmas. How are we ever going to get everything sorted out in time? We have to buy food, decorations, presents; write and send all our Christmas cards; we have to organise who is going where over the festive season and try not to upset any of our relations; juggle leave from work and make sure our home is clean, tidy and welcoming. The list of things to do gets longer and longer; looking at it we can become more and more panicky. I haven t got a solution, but I have got a suggestion. Before you launch into all the preparations, sit and think about what is essential. The retail trade will try and convince us that we need to buy so much and organise things just so in order to have a good Christmas, but (shock, horror) they do have the ulterior motive of wanting to sell you as much as possible. What do you really enjoy at Christmas? Often it s the simple joys of being with friends or family, catching up, chatting, playing silly games all of which do not cost money or take a huge amount of effort. Another easy way to get into the Christmas spirit is to come along to church for a carol service, Christingle, and/or crib service (full details, p 11). The first Christmas was both very simple and a true family event as Jesus was born in a stable. There were visitors, the shepherds and the wise men, and presents of gold, frankincense and myrrh, but there was no rushing out to the shops and making sure the table decorations matched the tree decorations and that all the lights were working (they had a rather splendid star of wonder for illumination). So whether you are young or old, have children, grandchildren or great grandchildren, or have no children at all, make time to let the church take the strain and remind you about the real meaning of Christmas. 3

4 Cover Picture The Crib Service at St Barnabas, glowsticks provided, is perfect for children and tired parents! Children are invited to come close to the crib and help place the figures and animals in the stable. It is one of the best loved services of the year; a lovely lead-in to the excitement and fun of Christmas Day. This year, the Crib Service is at 5.00pm on Christmas Eve, Sunday 24th December. Children of all ages are welcome; a family occasion for everyone. Crib Service

5 Pet Blessing Service Sunday 10th September 5

6 Garden Tips in Winter Orchids are a popular Christmas gift and 90% of these are of the Phalaenopsis group or 'Moth Orchids'. Phalaenopsis are the easiest orchids to propagate and the easiest to keep at home. They always come in clear pots showing the roots; this is not pretty and the first thing many people do is to place the plant in a beautiful pot Marion s Orchids cover. Unfortunately, this may be putting the orchid into its coffin! Phalaenopsis come from the forests of Southeast Asia; some live in trees and some on the ground where seeds settle. All of them develop aerial roots that must be exposed to light; bury them in soil or cover them and they will rot. The rot spreads to the subterranean roots and the plant dies. If you do cover clear containers with fancy pots, take them out between times so that the roots are exposed to light. Orchids should be watered with rainwater if available; water that has been boiled and cooled is a good substitute. Orchids prefer high humidity, so try to keep water off the leaves but keep the roots moist. Wiping any dust from the leaves and a light misting during summer helps. If you re-pot orchids, only use orchid compost and clear pots, not too large. Looking forward to next spring, remember to save your begonia corms. Plant them in pots or seed trays at the end of February or in March, they will need a little protection. Plant with smooth side down on the surface of the soil; cover the sides with soil but leave the little hollow at the top uncovered. Check your hardy annual packet seeds. Hardy annuals can be scattered in the garden during March; half hardy annuals need to be planted in seed trays. Happy Gardening! G & R 6

7 Morning Reflection Footprints on a beach at first light; those of a person and of a faithful labrador. Sometimes together, side by side, sometimes divergent, scattering the sand. A wordless picture of pleasure, canine and human, and a parable of life. We walk life's journey together, sometimes close, at other times apart. The way may be even and smooth, on occasion upset, rocky or rough. It is not simply physical closeness, but love which binds us wherever we may be. Likewise our partnership with Christ: together or apart, peaceful or disturbed. We remain for ever united in the love of God he unfailingly brings. 7

8 Shahpura faces and farewell 8

9 Picture With A Story - Faces From Sharpura Following on from the previous edition of The Buzz From St B s, a collage of faces from the same trip to India: In addition to well known places, we were very privileged to spend a few days in a small village far away from the tourist trail called Sharpura. We stayed in recently opened accommodation, part of the property called Shapura Bagh belonging to the equivalent of the squire. The family no longer hold official status but are nevertheless well respected by local people to whom they are very generous. We shared gin and tonics on the lawn with our hosts and ate meals with them, surrounded by family pictures dating back over many years. The nicest thing for us however, was being able to walk freely around the village and, when language allowed, talk with the inhabitants. Very few Europeans had visited Sharpura and we attracted much interest. People, old and young, wanted to see us, speak to us and be photographed. Looking on the internet, it is clear that many more people now enjoy visiting Sharpura. The whole experience was magical. It was after we returned home that we put together a collage of faces, shown on the opposite page, all of people from the village of Sharpura. We will almost certainly never return there, but we will never forget our visit and the lovely people we met. People matter most in life; we matter to one another, and to God. 9

10 CHRISTMAS SERVICES Saturday 2nd December 4.15pm CHRISTMAS LIGHTS at St James the Less and Carol Singing round the Christmas Tree Sunday 10th December 10.30am CHRISTINGLE at St Barnabas hear the Christmas Story and help The Children s Society Sunday 17th December 4.30pm CHRISTMAS CAROLS at St Barnabas Traditional, Joyful and Inspiring CHRISTMAS EVE Sunday 24th 10.30am FREEDOM 5.00pm CRIB SERVICE at St Barnabas with Glowsticks Perfect for Children AND tired Parents! 11.30pm MIDNIGHT COMMUNION in the peaceful beauty of St Barnabas CHRISTMAS DAY Monday 25th (at St James the Less) 10.30am (at St Barnabas) CHRISTMAS HOLY COMMUNION 10

11 Making Contact Just Do It is the strap-line of a well known sports equipment manufacturer; it s a punchy three-worder, full of immediacy, enthusiasm and urgency, persuading the reader to get out and run, walk, cycle play sport At the time of writing we are entering the time of year for remembrance: All Souls, All Saints and Remembrance Sunday, and it s as good a time as any to catch up with old friends and acquaintances I always feel ashamed when I ve neglected mine. See you soon, I ve said, the last time I saw them (we ve all done the same); often a meaningless figure of speech. Yesterday I heard of a friend who died 3 weeks ago and I hadn t been in touch for some years.if only. Making arrangements for funerals, family members and friends often express sadness that contact hasn t been made for some time or that their last conversation had not been the friendliest. As a Christian I am firmly convinced that our friends and relatives are sent to us by God they are a gift from Him. But more than that, they frequently have a message for our lives that I can only say I ve often found is Godinspired. God responds to our needs by sending people into our lives who tell us something important or help us in some way, not coincidence, but to quote Mike Ketley: Godincidence. We aren t always aware of this at the time, but with hindsight we can see that such and such a meeting was not simply coincidence, it s what was wanted and needed, and it was God-inspired. In the weeks leading to Christmas; think about/remember old friends and acquaintances especially those you haven t seen or heard of for some time; and make contact if you do you won t be surprised when they say, I was just thinking about you too. I m sure that you have a story to tell about a Godincidence. Some people say that they are embarrassed about coming back to church; maybe they haven t come for a long time or even never before. Have no fear, we are not going to judge, only welcome you and make you feel at home in your parish church. Whether it s renewing old acquaintances or visiting church at Remembrance or Christmas time, don t think twice just do it! 11

12 DO YOU ENJOY SINGING FOR FUN? DO YOU LIKE SONGS FROM THE SHOWS- FILMS - MUSICALS - EASY LISTENING? THEN COME & JOIN IN WITH ST BARNABAS COMMUNITY SINGERS LED BY VICTOR PATTERSON at ST BARNABAS CHURCH HADLEIGH (Corner of Church Road / Woodfield Road WE MEET EVERY 2nd & 4th MONDAY 2.00pm pm 3 (INCLUDING REFRESHMENTS) for further information call

13 Craft Story Song Food Activities to Enjoy Simply Told Easy Words & Tunes Everyone is Invited to a Meal, but you don't have to stay No charge is made, but voluntary contributions to help with costs are welcome MESSY CHURCH DATES Monday 13th November Monday 11th December Monday 8th January Monday 12th February all Mess Church times 4.00pm-6.00pm For more information call Marion

14 Halls for Hire To suit all your needs Children s Parties Clubs & Dancing Functions & Meetings St Barnabas Church has 3 halls for hire WOODFIELD HALL - up to 100 people JUBILEE HALL - up to 60 people PEARSON LOUNGE - up to 24 people Please contact the Parish Office for details (messages left will be answered) The Church of St Barnabas is usually Open Every Day 10.00am to 4.00pm Your Parish Church is here for Everyone It offers a place of quiet for prayer or reflection or simply to be still Barny Bus Preschool The children at Barny Bus Preschool enjoy playing in a happy, fun and caring environment, while receiving a top quality education from highly qualified and experienced staff. We have excellent facilities including a free flow outside play area throughout the year. Come and visit us anytime and give your child a fantastic start on their learning journey. For more information call or

15 ST. BARNABAS PRAYER TREE If you would like a prayer for another person, or for yourself, there is a Prayer Tree in the Church porch where you can write your request. Prayers are said during Church Services and at our Prayer Group meetings. We are here to help. If you would like to explore the Christian faith or you feel you would like your faith to be confirmed, please contact Guy or Christine. We d love to hear from you. Holy Communion At Home If you are not able to come to Church and would like to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion in your home, please contact Guy Negus A member of the ministry team at St Barnabas will then contact you to arrange a date and time. Please articles, preferably no more than 250 words, and pictures, as high quality as possible, to: revket@aol.com If you do not have access to a computer, deliver or post paper copy and pictures to: Mike Ketley, 40 Commonhall Lane, Hadleigh SS7 2RN. COPY DEADLINE 31st JANUARY

16 Revd Ruth Cartwright Revd Christine Robinson Open Tuesdays & Fridays 10.00am-11.00am Tel Messages left are answered Please call the Parish Office 4.00pm pm 2nd Monday every month Marion Ketley Monday to Friday 9.15am 12.15pm Lunch Club pm Andrea Jordan Tuesday evening 5.00pm to 6.00pm Tuesday evening 6.00pm pm Debbie Horne meet 3rd Tuesday each month 2.30pm Marion Ketley Every Wednesday 2.15pm pm Ann Lowes F e Women s l i p l o w s h