S W O R DL E P. April 2011 PARISH MAGAZINE. ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS CHURCH (Anglican) Mildred Ave. / Durban Rd. Watford

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1 April 2011 S W O ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS CHURCH (Anglican) Mildred Ave. / Durban Rd. Watford R DL E P PARISH MAGAZINE Price 60p WEST WATFORD FREE CHURCH (Baptist) Church opposite the shops Tolpits Lane, Watford 1

2 A Pastoral Letter... Dear All, For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3: 16, RSV) How can we reconcile God's love for the world with such terrible natural disasters as the Japanese earthquake and tsunami? I will start by saying that I do not believe that God controls such events in any direct way. It is a fact that the world we live in is a world of dynamic change. If we go fell walking, we may be seeing the glorious scenery left by earthquakes of millions of years ago. If we glory at something like Niagara Falls, we are looking at the huge power of water carving through layers of rock themselves produced by different cataclysmic geological processes over ages. Tides, currents, winds, all produce the glories of nature we so enjoy. Equally the nature of the world as a place in constant flux and change is essential to our survival. It is the flux of winds and currents that provides the rains for our crops. Long lasting biological and geological changes produced the fossil fuels we depend upon, and even when we manage to use renewable energy sources, they depend upon those same forces produced by changes in the world's i.e. winds, currents etc. When we live in a constantly changing world, there will be many occasions when those changes will be harmful and destructive, as well as positive and constructive. If we go back to John 3:16, we are told how God loved the world. He loved the world by giving his Son in self sacrificing love. This is how God works in the world, through people. He inspires people to self denying and self sacrificing love. He sent his Son so that we might learn how to make this self sacrificing love a reality, and to inspire us with the strength of love to do it. The most important thing which strengthens us to love in this self sacrificing way is the knowledge that we ourselves are loved by God in this way. If we want to find God working in these dreadful natural disasters, it is surely in the actions of those who respond, not by despairing or complaining, but by acting with self denying and self sacrificing love. In the Japanese situation, we have seen many people responding with a desire to help in whatever way they can, regardless of their own needs. People have worked in official and unofficial capacities, both Japanese people and people from around the world, professional and volunteer. Many people around the world have asked for ways in which they can help. We live in a world which is glorious and destructive by turns, and I believe we cannot have the glory without sometimes having the destruction. The way in which God works in the world is by inspiring people to respond in all situations with self denying and self sacrificing love. During Lent, we are called to find ways to tune-in to God's inspiring love and make it a reality for ourselves and all those within our reach. Fr Geoff 2

3 NEWS FROM MARIANNE REES - No. 10 New Zealand (North Island) and Figi I took my bus back round to Christchurch where I caught the Trans-Coastal train to Picton, jumped on the ferry and headed over to Wellington. The train journey took me through most of what I had already seen from Christchurch to Picton but the ferry journey was spectacular. The ferry took 3.5hours and travelled out through Marlborough Sounds before crossing the Cook Strait over to the North Island the weather was fantastic for the ferry. In Wellington I decided to go to St Paul s Cathedral on Sunday morning for Choral Eucharist, the service welcomed back the HMNZS Wellington navy and had music from the Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy. After the service I walked by the Parliament building which looks like a beehive they offer tours and the opportunity to sit in the gallery. On my walk I went round to the Botanical gardens where they had the spring flower festival on with a Tulip garden dedicated to the occasion. Also in Wellington I went to the Te Papa museum where you can spend a whole day playing around with scientific gimmicks. The highlight of the museum has to be the colossal squid that was captured in Antarctic waters back in 2006 its eyes are the size of a soccer ball. They also had a house that would reenact how an earthquake would feel now that is something I have felt in reality. On another clear and sunny day I walked up Mount Victoria which was very steep and took about half an hour, the views at the top were defiantly worth the effort. I sat on the Mount for a while looking out over Wellington and the Cook Strait before heading back down via Oriental beach and along the waterfront. I d spent enough time in Wellington and hopped back on the bus to Napier, it took most of the day to drive through the hilly Rimutaka Ranges. As I was only in Napier for the one night we went into the town to explore the famous art deco buildings, due to a major earthquake in the 1930 s the city had to be rebuilt and was named The Art Deco Capital of NZ. The town is on the coast and was the first time in weeks I actually got my shorts and t-shirt on to enjoy some mid twenties weather on the beach. After I left Napier I got the bus for a short journey to Taupo, Lake Taupo is an old volcanic crater which can fit Singapore and its harbour s inside it. The crater is classed as dormant but navy divers have noticed there is still a small amount of larva erupting from beneath the lake. As the weather was predicted to be wind and rain we were unable to walk the Tongariro Alpine crossing this is supposed to be the number one walk in New Zealand where you walk inside volcanic craters. Instead we hired a car and visited some of the local attractions one of which was the Orakei Korako cave and thermal park. We wondered through a valley of unbelievable colour, bubbling hot springs, gushing geysers 3

4 and bubbling mud pools. Also during the day we went to see Hukka falls which is a magnificent rush of water along the River Waikato where it narrows. In the afternoon we drove a little way around Lake Taupo before heading to Hot water baths for some relaxation time in natural mineral baths. After Taupo we caught the bus to Rotorua which is renowned for it s smell, the smell is like egg and comes from the geothermal activity in the town. As I only had one day in Rotorua I walked to the sulphur lake and back through some of the town, as it was a beautiful sunny day I enjoyed a glass of wine and some chips in a nice pub along the main high street sitting in the sun. Once we left Rotorua we went to Mount Maunganui which is by the coast and a few hours outside of Auckland. We decided to stay here for 2 nights as the weather was beautiful, being the last few days I was spending in New Zealand before I head off to Fiji I was relaxing in the sunshine and went to the beach. The last bus was to Auckland where I got ready to leave for Fiji to enjoy a ten day mini holiday island hopping. Fiji I flew to Fiji and landed at Nadi airport (pronounced Nandi ) I made my way to the resort I was staying for my first night to find it was near enough empty. Thankfully I only stayed there for one night before I headed off to the Yasawa Islands. There are 333 islands in Fiji most of which are volcanic with some smaller coral or limestone Islands. I met two girls from Portsmouth who were doing a similar trip and we ended up on the same island Tavewa in the Coral View resort. The resort was at the top of the Yasawa islands and took 5 hours on the boat. The Fijians have a welcoming song and kava ceremony which they sing to you when you arrive on the islands, Kava is a muddy water drink that comes from a root plant. The traditional word to say hello in Fiji is bula which everyone says all the time, the Fijian guys on the islands would put on a dance and they were called the bula boys they were very good movers. I spent 2 nights in Coral view before heading down to Korovou resort which is on Naviti Island. I met Alex from Guernsey here who I ended up spending the rest of my island trips with which was nice as he was a very funny guy. The next island I went to was Waya Lailai where we arrived on Fiji Day, which was when the country became independent from Britain. As this is an important day in Fiji the resort had put on a games afternoon where we all played tug of war, eating bun, egg with spoon and volleyball on the beach - I made lots more friends here and had a fantastic time with Mikey, Patrick, James, Charlotte, Hannah, Loic, Nicole, Brad, Claire, Carl and his girlfriend. Carl asked me if the Cook Strait in New Zealand had a bridge like the river Seven from Wales to get to the south island.. Not quite! The last island I went to was Beachcomber known as the party island, I had such great fun here for one night I decided to extend it and stay another night. I also met a few more 4

5 friends here who knew other people I had already come across on the islands Will, Alex, John, Stefanie, Sarah, Anders. We played the drinking game flip the cup and I seemed to be pretty good at it even though I had never played it before. We did a lot of dancing and the theme was animal moves there were a lot of chickens, elephants and birds jumping around. As we all had a great time a few of us who were heading back to the mainland decided to meet up and have a last evening few drinks and dinner at smugglers cove resort in Nadi there was a lot of hammock and hot tub jokes. I think this was by far my favourite place so far and I made some fantastic friends who I will keep in contact with. I had one day in Nadi before I left to go back to Auckland so Stefanie and I went into the town to buy some souvenirs as on the last 3 days in Fiji all it did was rain on us can t complain as it was nice the rest of the time and they were desperate for some rain. Stefanie and I coincidently had the same flight to Auckland so we travelled back together but then she left for LA. New Zealand Bay of Islands Back on the bus I headed off to Paihia which is in the very north of New Zealand, the weather was surprisingly nicer than I expected so we decided to have a few drinks looking out over the bay of islands. This region was the first for European settlers and the treaty of Waitangi was signed in1840 officially making New Zealand part of the British Commonwealth. From Paihia I went on a day trip to Cape Reigna where we travelled north through the farmland and got caught twice by a herd of sheep and cows being moved along the road. When we arrived at the cape we took a walk to the lighthouse and watched as the Tasman Sea and the Atlantic Ocean s waves collided. Once we left the cape we went to the huge sand dunes and went sand boarding which was great fun, after this we drove most of the way back down 90 mile beach enjoying the scenery. For the rest of my time in Paihia I went on a bike ride with Karla and Helen to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to see the famous Maori canoes and the walk along the beautiful coast line. We also took our bikes to the start of a 10km walk to see Haruru Falls which were quite spectacular. During the time we were walking our bike lock had unfortunately been vandalized and we were unable to unlock the bikes, luckily our hostel manager was in good spirits and drove down to save the day. I headed back to Auckland the next day along the west coast through Hokianga and into the Waipoua Forest where I got to see the Tane Mahuta, god of the forest. This is a giant Kauri tree, estimated to be between 1250 and 2500 years old, the tree is important to Maori mythology. 5

6 I didn t get much opportunity to explore the surrounding areas of Auckland but I did find out that Auckland is New Zealand s biggest city with more people living there than the entire south island and has had three capital cities Auckland, Russell and Wellington. Few facts for any of those pub quizzes! One of the traditional things I have not seen in New Zealand is the Haka dance made famous by the All Blacks rugby team before a game it is aimed at psyching up the team and scaring the opposition. I spent the rest of my time preparing for my next destination to South America Santiago Chile. Marianne Rees COFFEE MORNING & SALE There will be an event on Saturday 9 th April from 10.30am 12 noon. This is in aid of the masonry work being carried out around the church. There will be coffee, tea, raffle and bring & buy. Your support would be most welcome. Yours most sincerely, Norma Twitchin, & Sylvia Moring FINAL COPY DATE FOR MAY SWORD:- MIDDAY on Sunday 17th April 2011 Please submit copy before this date if possible - hard copy, floppy disc or to dhbeach@sky.com It is essential that I receive copy by the time stated above as there are only four working days prior to the Easter Holidays in which to produce the May edition of SWORD. Thank you for your cooperation. Ed. 6

7 EASY TOMATO SOUP Serves gm (1 oz) butter or marg 2 medium onions coarsely chopped 1 garlic clove crushed 1 tbsp plain flour 1.25 litres (2 pints) vegetable stock 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes 1 bay leaf Salt & black pepper 4 tbsp ready-made pesto Single cream or crème fraiche & basil leaves to garnish. NB Recommend Knorr veg stock cubes (3 or 4 cubes in 2 pints METHOD 1. Melt better in large saucepan, add onions & garlic, cooking gently stirring from time to time until soft but not coloured. 2. Add flour, cook for 1 minute stirring constantly. 3. Pour in stock, tomatoes, bay leaf, salt & pepper to taste. Bring to boil, cover and simmer gently for 20 min. 4. Remove bay leaf and discard. Puree soup in food processor or blender until smooth. 5. Return soup to pan add pesto and heat through. Check seasoning. 6. Serve garnished. Even quicker substitute 750 ml (1¼ pints) bottled or canned passata for canned tomatoes and cook as directed above. The above recipe was a talking point at the recent Lent lunch. No one liked making tomato soup but everyone who tried it liked Valerie O Riordan s soup very much indeed and asked for the recipe. The Lent lunch was a very busy and happy occasion. We had Brownies serving everything; so many came that soup bowls were being washed non-stop to keep up with demand. 7

8 Together with a bring-&-buy stall and a raffle the occasion raised 188 which will be sent to the Church Army together with the proceeds of the Lent boxes. Sylvia Moring Musical Soiree Friday 6th May at 8.00 pm Michael Bracegirdle & Lise Christensen accompanied by Andrew Benoy In aid of the Masonry Fund Are they growing? (not your problems) Your seedlings ready for The plant sale 14 may 2011 At st michael s 8

9 DIARY OF EVENTS FOR APRIL END OF MARCH Lent Groups will be meeting until Holy Week. 27th SUN THIRD of LENT British Summer Time begins Holy Communion 8.00 am SUNG EUCHARIST (Pres & Preacher: Fr Geoff) (Crèche 9.30 am and Sunday School) followed by a Bring-&-Buy Sale Evening Lenten Meditation arranged by the Pause Group 6.00 pm 30th Wed Publicity Committee (Choir Vestry) 8.00 pm April 2nd Sat Parish Walk leaving church at 10 am 3rd SUN MOTHERING SUNDAY Holy Communion Mothering Sunday Service with distribution of flowers followed by simnel cake Baptism 8.00 am 9.30 am 1.00 pm Evening Prayer (Off: Fay Storey) 6.00 pm 4th Mon Service at River Court 3.00 pm 6th Wed Bring-&-Share lunch pm 7th Thu Fairhaven during morning Choir Practice pm 9th Sat COFFEE MORNING WITH SALE in aid of the Masonry Fund am 12 noon 10th SUN PASSION SUNDAY Holy Communion 8.00 am SUNG EUCHARIST (Pres & Preacher: Fr George) (Crèche 9.30 am and Sunday School) Service of Thanksgiving and Praise Youth Group Lunch Evening Prayer (Off Graham Mordue) am pm 6.00 pm 14th Wed Service at Home Manor 3.00 pm 15th Thu St Anthony s during morning Choir Practice pm 17th SUN PALM SUNDAY Holy Communion Sung Eucharist (Pres: Fr Geoff) with Passion Narrative (Crèche and Sunday School) Youth Group lunch Service at River Court The Six o Clock Series - Choral Passiontide Service am 9.30 am pm 3.00 pm 6.00 pm

10 DIARY OF EVENTS FOR APRIL (continued) 18th Mon Meditation on 3 stations of the Cross followed by Eucharist 8.00 pm 19th Tue Service at The Chase Care Home 2.30 pm Meditation on 3 stations of the Cross followed by Eucharist 8.00 pm 20th Wed Meditation on 3 stations of the Cross followed by Eucharist 8.00 pm 21st Thu MAUNDY THURSDAY Eucharist of the Last Supper followed by Maundy Watch 8.00 pm overnight 22nd Fri GOOD FRIDAY Stations of the Cross The Second Hour at the Cross 1.00 pm Good Friday Liturgy 2.00 pm 23rd Sat HOLY SATURDAY Easter Vigil and Eucharist 9.00 pm 24th SUN EASTER DAY Holy Communion 8.00 am SUNG EUCHARIST (Pres & Preacher: Fr Geoff) including 9.30 am Baptism Evening Prayer (Off: Fr Geoff) 6.00 pm 25th Mon Bank Holiday Pilgrimage to St Albans 26th Tue Bible Study (Choir Vestry) 8.00 pm 27th Wed ANNUAL PAROCHIAL MEETINGS 7.45 & 8 pm 29th Fri Royal Wedding Bank Holiday Advance dates in May 2nd Mon Bank Holiday 3rd Tue Prayer Group (in Choir Vestry) 2.30 pm 6th Fri MUSICAL SOIREE in aid of Masonry Fund 14th Sat PLANT SALE in aid of our missionary giving Morning Prayer is said daily in the Lady Chapel (Monday to Friday) at 9.00 am. A service of Holy Communion is held every Thursday at am. Both this and the 8 am on Sunday morning are Order One in Traditional Language. The Toddlers Group meets in Church (or Choir Vestry) every Monday from am except on Bank Holidays. Tea, Coffee & Squash are served in Church every Wednesday from until noon. On the first Wednesday of the month this is followed by a bring-and-share lunch. Details of all special services and discussion groups to be held during Lent are available on noticeboards and special leaflets in Church. 10

11 SUNG EUCHARIST DUTY LIST (April) Sunday 3rd April (Mothering Sunday) Deacons V Allen-Smith, M Simon, (B Hutchinson) Intercessor Chalice M Simon, A Eccleshall Lesson Readers S Abood Sidespeople J Alexander, P Hart, J Hart Crèche A Makin, A McDonald Sunday 10th April (Passion Sunday) Deacons M Simon, V Alvarez Intercessor V Alvarez Chalice V Alvarez, A Kiddle Lesson Readers M Matthews, M Benoy Sidespeople D Beach, H Moring, V Blacklock Crèche L Kinch, F Mepham Sunday 17th April (Palm Sunday) Deacons V Alvarez, J Wareham Intercessor A Eccleshall Chalice J Wareham, B Hutchinson Lesson Readers P Ricketts Sidespeople P Allen-Smith, A Coley, P Coley Crèche A Makin, A McDonald Sunday 24th April (Easter Day) Deacons V Allen-Smith, A Eccleshall Intercessor P Jenkins Chalice A Eccleshall, P Gough Lesson Readers P Chandler, A Ochola Sidespeople J Ochola, J Andrews, A Andrews Crèche L Kinch, A Makin 11

12 ST MICHAEL S MOTHERS UNION DIARY We hope to have a garden meeting in May weather permitting. Thursday 16th June Friday 8th July Corporate Communion followed by coffee and meeting in the Choir Vestry. The Wave of Prayer - Watford branches o'clock. We will be given our slot later Pat Gandy 12

13 St Michael & All Angels Church Mildred Ave., Watford WD18 7DY SUNDAY 17th APRIL 2011 at 6.00 pm 13

14 PASTOR: GARTH WOODHEAD Regular services: Every Sunday: 10.30am Family service. The children leave the main service at around 11am for Sunday School. Holy Communion is celebrated the 4th Sunday of each month. Refreshments are served in the back hall after the meeting. In addition: Every Sunday at 3.00pm the French speaking church meet for bible teaching and worship. Every Friday at 7pm the Indian speaking church meet for bible teaching and worship. Prayer Guides:- None of the prayer guides are available yet so here are a few things from the current news which we can pray for. Japan:- Many 1000s have died or been injured and / or left homeless. Pray for them and their families; for those looking at evacuation who will need re-entry visas etc. and also for everyone who is trying to get help to them. Christchurch - Again many 1000s of lives have been affected by the earthquake. As we pray in the comfort of our homes remember their loss. Pray not only for the families but also for those involved in the rescue work and those bringing in aid. Libya:- Many are dead and injured and many 1000s are leaving their homes to go to Tunisia and Egypt. Pray for all those involved in the conflict: Civilians, politicians, armies and for those who are trying to bring peace. Israel:- As the tension and conflict continue so we must continue to pray. There are numerous scriptures exhorting us to do this but I will use only 14

15 one: Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may they prosper who love you. The U.K.:- At this time we are able to openly worship the Lord with very little opposition. We have few natural problems, ie earthquakes, floods etc; we don t have the political unrest of other nations and so we are able to sit in relative comfort and pray for others. Pray for this nation that this will continue. Pray that we will be a Christian Nation not only in name but in practice. Those in leadership:- Whether world-wide, nation-wide or in the church God s word says pray for those in authority, 1 Timothy 2:1-4. Pray for them for wisdom and strength in leadership and guidance. For ourselves:- We need to know both God and His Word. Jesus talked about what was to come in Matthew 24:1-31. All scripture is God breathed, 2 Timothy 3:16. It will happen. Local:- Please pray for Cafe West and the work God is doing. Each week we see regular faces and new people coming in. There is the whole spectrum across society; elderly, young, those with disabilities, those who work & those who don t. God can meet everyone. Please pray for all involved. Pray also for all the churches who meet here each week: English, French and Indian, all the children who come and the pastors and leaders. Spring Jumble Sale:- We don t, as yet, have a date for the next sale but please start looking at the things you no longer want or need which we could perhaps sell. All proceeds will as always go to our friends in India. The money goes towards food, clothes, education etc in places where they need it the most. Lilly Gnanapragasam will be in Watford from Thursday 12th - Tuesday 31st May. She will be talking at both the Mission Church and West Watford Free Church about the work she does with the orphans and the poor in India. If you would like to know more Lilly will be here on Friday evening 7.30pm 20th May and on Sunday morning 22nd May 10.30am. April Birthdays: April 1st Beatrice Collings April 5th Sneha Matthew (10yrs) April 7th Enid Ashby April 21st Amazing (1yr) 15

16 Final thoughts: Skills When a friend went to live in a small village she joined the Women s Fellowship at the local church. The secretary asked her if she had any special skills. No Ivy replied, adding that she was not musical at all. Well perhaps you could do some needlework. Embroider the hassocks or something like that? Ivy shook her head. Well how about giving a talk? the secretary persisted. Again Ivy had to disappoint, but suddenly she had a great idea. I m quite good at clapping, she offered. The secretary laughed but had the good sense to reply, Well, that s splendid! We have a lot of folks who do things, but very few who appreciate them. We could do with a few good clappers. **** News Flash **** Congratulations Alan and Catherine on the new addition to the Cockram family. Welcome Reubin Cockram. Born 12.30pm, Wednesday 16th March Weighing 9lb 3oz Lesley Paterson 16

17 St Michael & All Angels Church Mildred Ave./Durban Rd., Watford, WD18 7DY Tel:- (01923) Web:- Vicar * Revd Geoffrey Calvert St Michael s Vicarage, 5 Mildred Avenue Hon. Asst. Curate * Revd George Ochola BTh 57 Whippendell Road Readers * Mrs V Allen-Smith 40 Park Avenue * Dr M Heath 72 Harwoods Road Churchwardens Mr P Chandler 115 Kensington Avenue Joint PCC Secretary Mrs S Moring 6 Cassiobury Park Avenue Mrs P Beach Mrs V Matthews 18 The Gardens 134 Mildred Avenue PCC Treasurer Mrs C J Deeley 5 Greenbury Close, Chorleywood Hall Secretary Mr P Jenkins 86 Mildred Avenue Sacristan Mr J Wareham 26 Belgrave Avenue Organist & Choirmaster Mr A Benoy Flat 1, Prince Michael of Kents Lodge, Stratford Road SWORD Magazine Mr D Beach 18 The Gardens Gift Aid Secretary Mr R Ward 67 The Chase Electoral Roll Secretary Mr H Moring 6 Cassiobury Park Avenue The Children s Soc. Secretary Mrs N Twitchin 78 Princes Avenue Brownie Guides Mrs S Mulligan Creche Mrs A Makin 37 St James Road Sunday School Mrs K Jenkins 86 Mildred Avenue Kids Club & Youth Group Mrs J Talbot 35 Kings Avenue Young Children & Grown-Ups Lesley Kinch Flat 21, Ashridge House, Chenies Way Mothers Union Mrs P Gandy 15 Lynbury Court Social Committee Revd Geoffrey Calvert St Michael s Vicarage, 5 Mildred Avenue The names of members of the Parochial Church Council and their membership of the various committees will be found on the Church Notice Board. * Members of the Pastoral Team. For the Month s Diary of events and details of all Church Services please turn to the centre pages of this magazine. West Watford Free Church (Baptist) Pastor Mr Garth Woodhead 184 Hagden Lane Church Secretary Mr A Cockram 139 Briar Road, Kingswood St Michael s Reg. Charity No