S W O R DL E P. November 2012 PARISH MAGAZINE. ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS CHURCH (Anglican) Mildred Ave. / Durban Rd. Watford

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1 November 2012 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

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3 A Pastoral Letter... Dear Friends, The time between Michaelmas and All Saints, along with All Souls, always feels to me one of special poignancy, a sort of in -between time compounded (if we are lucky) by autumnal mists and sun, hinting at the life we share with the Angels, the Saints and our departed loved ones when the veil between earth and heaven is briefly parted and past, present and future are seen to be all of a piece. For a number of reasons I ve found myself thinking recently of how much of our life is lived in the future, in anticipation, waiting for something to happen a holiday, a better job (or just a job) recovery from sickness, an exam result, the healing of a damaged relationship and so on. Often the attainment of our hopes lies within our grasp we know what we want and can plan how to get there. But not always. For all of us there are those situations when we seem to be powerless, not knowing what to do, much less how to get there and where all we can do is watch and wait not easy but nonetheless integral to our spirituality. Which doesn t mean we have to be simply passive, for the best way of helping to shape the future is by affirming the present. Every day should be well lived wrote the late Fr Henri Nouwen did I offer peace today? did I bring a smile to someone s face? did I say words of healing? did I let go of my anger and resentments? did I forgive? did I love? Sainthood doesn t belong only to the big names in the Church s history to those whose witness was public and heroic; it belongs also to others now whose witness may be low key and even anonymous but who, in the manner of their living as they watch and wait, make a difference - both to the present and to the future. So, the next time you brighten someone s life and are told that you re a saint it ll probably be true! With love and prayers 3

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5 ST MICHAEL S MOTHERS UNION DIARY Thursday, 15 November Saturday, 17 November Members will attend the 10 am service of Holy Communion and afterwards have coffee and a business meeting. Members will look after the cake and preserves stall at the Church Christmas Fair. We also hope to have a Christmas cake to raffle. Help from members will be appreciated both by serving on the stall for part of the fair and by providing cakes and preserves to sell. Pat Gandy HARVEST OFFERINGS Many thanks to all who contributed to our Harvest Sunday this year. At the 9.30 service the children enjoyed Father Geoff s demonstration of How to make a Cake. If you missed that you will have to ask one of the children to explain it to you! Many bags of useful items were given for the Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Project and these were soon collected and are, no doubt, being distributed, and thankfully received by those they care for. The envelope cash collection for the Christian Aid Harvest Appeal amounted to of this was Gift Aided which will, at 25%, add another Pat Beach (On behalf of Mission Committee) All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above; then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all his love. 5

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7 HELLO FROM LITTLEBURY CHILDREN S CENTRE We are in the fortunate position of using Littlebury Hall during the daytime to run a Surestart Children s centre for parents and under fives in the local area and I thought it might be useful for church colleagues to know a little about children s centres and why we have them. Surestart children centres are government funded and ultimately the responsibility of the local authority, in this case Herts County Council. The council have delegated the management of the Children s Centres to lead agencies, in our case it is the Watford YMCA. We have a manager, an administrator and two workers and it s our job to put on a range of services which local parents would like to see. These range from Stay and Play sessions, baby massage courses, groups for new mums and babies, parenting courses, healthy eating courses, we are open all day most days throughout the year. There are also other regular events e.g. we have a baby clinic run by the health visitors every Wednesday morning where families can come in and have babies weighed and talk to staff. We run different events during the holidays, this year we took families to the seaside and had a fantastic time, some children had never seen the sea before, so it was quite an exciting day!!! We also have different people in to speak to the parents and children during the sessions, we ve had speech and language colleagues, money advice information, we promoted safety in the home by giving out safety packs and most recently the firemen came in to speak to the children and parents about bonfire night ( very popular with the mums!!).. Do come along and have a chat, if you are a parent, a carer, a volunteer, or just want to know more we d love to see you. Barbara, Baljit, Angela and Jess. 7

8 BIKE & HIKE - 8' SEPTEMBER 2012 Thanks to your generosity as sponsors my ride has raised.over 300 which I will hand over to Phil Gough in due course, he being the Historic Churches Bike Ride coordinator for St Michael's. He may way wish to give a full and final report in a subsequent edition of SWORD, for he has monies to add from other participants. As for the ride, there were no excitements such as a puncture which bedevilled me on the last occasion I cycled. The route I followed comprised 9 church in NE Watford and 19 in St Albans. I had hoped to ride back through Kings Langley and down Hempstead Road, but that proved too optimistic. Also, we were to attend a function in the evening at Whitton. Time as a commodity was too short. I know - excuses, excuses. One of the churches visited was Gary Russell's (St Mary in Marshallswick). He asked me to pass on his regards. I chose not to wear a lycra one-piece outfit in bright colours like the Tour de France riders as I lack that kind of courage. As to quality of ride and general fitness, there was no cause for either Bradley Wiggns or Sir Chris Hoy to suffer sleepless nights. I underestimated just how hilly St Albans is. I know now. Robert Bilson QUIZ NIGHT - 6 OCTOBER 2012 Your support for the evening raised a net total of 375 arising from ticket sales, donations, and participation in the raffle. It seems participants enjoyed the evening and we received some useful feedback. We would have liked more people to attend, but many thanks to those who did attend. Five teams took part and each scored high marks on their joker rounds. Iola and I are grateful to Jane Talbot for preparing the food in advance but was unable to attend in the evening. Thanks are due also to Norma Twitchin who leapt out from behind pillars to sell raffle tickets. As to the future, we think there should be quizzes more than once a year, but we have no desire to monopolise the quiz scene. We are prepared to carry on but if there is to be more than one in a year, others should have a go and do it their own way. As it is, we will review the way we do it. Nothing is set in a tablet of stone so far as we are concerned. Robert Bi/son 8

9 17TH WATFORD BROWNIES We had a great evening at Lees Wood using the Boulder Box. The girls enjoyed it although some of them complained that their hands were hurting afterwards! A few of the more confident ones were looking longingly at the climbing wall so that might have to be our next Lees Wood adventure but perhaps not until next summer. Although the weather had been very wet during the day, the rain actually stopped while we were there, and we were able to enjoy a torchlight walk through the woods after everyone had finished climbing. This visit to Lees Wood enabled some of the girls to complete their Lees Wood Challenge badge. We have made balloon-powered cars, some of which worked better than others, and made compasses using magnets and needles. We have also had an evening of different Promise-related activities, leading up to our four new Brownies making their Promise. We had a visit from the Guide leader and two of the Guides who told the girls about what to expect at Guides. After half term some of the older girls are going to visit Guides for an evening to experience it for themselves. Marilyn Tozer GOLDEN WEDDING On behalf of Roy and myself, I would like to thank all friends from St Michael s and further afield (who must have read it in the electronic version of SWORD or on the church s website) for the lovely Anniversary cards. Your kindness is truly valued, Yours sincerely, Norma 9

10 DIARY OF EVENTS FOR NOVEMBER 1st Thu ALL SAINTS Holy Communion with reading of Chantry List 10.00am Fairhaven during morning Choir Practice pm 2nd Fri ALL SOULS Holy Communion 7.30pm 3rd Sat (The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church All day) 4th SUN MEMORIAL SERVICE Holy Communion (Fr Geoff) SUNG EUCHARIST (Pres and Preacher: Fr Geoff) (Sunday School) Names of the recently departed will be read and candles lit Evening Prayer (Off: Fr Geoff) 5th Mon Schools return after half term 8.00am 9.30am 6.00pm Service at River Court 3.00pm 6th Tue Social Committee (6 Cassiobury Park Avenue 7.45pm 7th Wed PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL 7.55pm 8th Thu St Anthony s during morning Choir Practice pm 10th Sat RSCM Examinations Choir Vestry) 9am-3pm 11th SUN REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY Holy Communion (Fr George) 8.00am SUNG EUCHARIST (Pres & Preacher: Fr Geoff) ( Sunday 9.30am School) Laying of wreath on War Memorial in Lady Chapel Service of Thanksgiving & Praise 11.15am (The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church 1-5pm Evening Prayer (Off: Fay Storey) 6.00pm 12th Mon Emmaus Course (Vicarage) 1.00pm 13th Tue Emmaus Course (Vicarage 7.00 m 14th Wed Service at Home Manor 3.00pm 15th Thu Meeting of Mothers Union in Church after the o clock Service of Holy Communion Choir Practice 10.00am pm 16th Fri Set-up for Christmas Fair 2.30 pm onwards 17th Sat CHRISTMAS FAIR pm Followed by clearing up after 2.30 pm 18th SUN SECOND BEFORE ADVENT Holy Communion (Fr Geoff) SUNG EUCHARIST (Pres: Fr Geoff; Preacher: Violet Allen- Smith) (Sunday School) The SIX O CLOCK SERIES CHORAL EVENSONG am 9.30am 6.00pm

11 DIARY OF EVENTS FOR NOVEMBER (continued) 19th Mon Emmaus Course (Vicarage) 1.00pm 20th Tue Service at The Chase Care Centre Emaus Course (Vicarage) 2.30pm 7.00pm 22nd Thu Choir Practice pm 25th SUN CHRIST THE KING Holy Communion (Fr George) 8.00am SUNG EUCHARIST (Pres and Preacher: Fr George) 9.30am (Sunday School) followed by Bring-and-Buy Sale (The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church pm Evening Prayer (Off: Fr Geoff) 6.00pm 26th Mon Emmaus Course (Vicarage) 1.00pm 27th Tue Emmaus Course (Vicarage) 7.00pm 28th Wed (Wedding rehearsal 7.00pm) ADVANCE DATES FOR DECEMBER 1st Sat Wedding 1.00 pm 5th Wed Christmas Coffee morning th Sat Performance of Amahl and the Night Visitors 5.00pm 9th Sun CHRISTINGLE SERVICE 11.15am Service for Compassionate Friends?6.00pm 15th Sat Concert by the South Oxhey Community Choir 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. Tea, Coffee & Squash are served in Church every Wednesday from until noon. The Toddlers Group meets in Church (or Choir Vestry) every Monday from am except on Bank Holidays FINAL COPY DATE FOR DECEMBER SWORD:- MIDDAY on Sunday 18 th November 2012 Please submit copy before this date if possible - hard copy or to:- dhbeach@sky.com 11

12 SUNG EUCHARIST DUTY LIST (November) Sunday 4 th November (9.30 am) Deacons M Simon, V Alan-Smith Intercessor V Allen-Smith Chalice V Alan-Smith, B Hutchinson, A Kiddle Lesson Readers tba Sidespeople A Makin, C Dixon, P Ricketts Tea/Coffee Duty J Alexander, P Hart, E Jones Sunday 11 th November (9.30 am) Deacons J Wareham, V Alvarez Intercessor P Jenkins Chalice V Alvarez, P Gough Lesson Readers B Bilson, I Bilson Sidespeople J Ochola, H Moring, V Blacklock Tea/Coffee Duty V Matthews, M Matthews, B Bilson Sunday 18 th November (9.30 am) Deacons V Alan-Smith, J Wareham Intercessor S Dunning Chalice J Wareham, S Moring Lesson Readers J Alexander, P Chandler Sidespeople J Hart, J Alexander, P Hart Tea/Coffee Duty A Makin, M Watkin, E Watkin Sunday 25 th November (9.30 am) Deacons V Alvarez, V Allen-Smith Intercessor G Mordue Chalice V Allen-Smith, M Watkin Lesson Readers M Watkin, E Watkin Sidespeople J Chandler, P Allen-Smith, J Talbot Tea/Coffee Duty P Gandy, E Vidler, G Heath 12

13 St Michael & All Angels Church Mildred Ave. Watford,WD18 7DY THE SIX O CLOCK SERIES CHORAL EVENSONG SUNDAY 18 NOVEMBER A Positive Start 13 to the Week

14 St Michael & All Angels Church Mildred Ave./Durban Rd. WD18 7DY CHRISTMAS FAIR In Church Sat 17 November am pm 14 Come for gifts, cards, cakes, preserves, fun & lunch All proceeds to Church funds Please come and support your parish church St Michael s Reg. Charity Number

15 WEST WATFORD FREE CHURCH (BAPTIST) TOLPITS LANE, WATFORD PASTOR: GARTH WOODHEAD NEWSLETTER Regular services: Every Sunday: 10.30am Family Service am The children leave the main meeting to go into the Sunday School. Holy communion is celebrated on the 4th Sunday of each month. Tea, coffee and biscuits are served in the church at the end of the service, please stay and get to know new people or chat to long-standing friends. Either way enjoy a time of fellowship. 3pm L EGLISE FRATERNITE meet for worship and bible teaching. This is of course the official name of the French speaking church who meet here. Everyone is welcome and they do have an interpreter for those who are not fluent in French. 7pm Glory Of God Illuminated Church (Tamil) meet for worship and bible teaching. Children are welcome and have a separate time in the back hall. What else is happening? Monday 10am - 12noon: Prayer meeting Tuesday 9.15am pm: Cafe West. Wednesday 7pm: Bible study / Prayer meeting BMS Prayer guide:- November 4-10: Latin America. Although within South America BMS personnel are present only in Peru and Brazil, partnerships are still active in Paraguay and Ecuador with Baptist conventions. Please pray for the 15

16 leaders and workers that God may guide them to minister according to His will through His love. November 11-17: Nepal. Education is highly prized in Nepal and families make big sacrifices to enable their children to learn. Small children walk miles over rough and mountainous terrain to attend school. Many local churches have opened Christian schools as part of their contribution to the community. Please pray that these will be well organised and a good example in society. November 18-24: Lebanon. Lebanon is seen by tourists as the home of liberty and luxury in the Arab world. What they probably don t see is that 30% of the population lives below the poverty line, these figures do not take into account migrant workers and refugees. Pray for the Christian Churches in Lebanon, unity and the emergence of more leaders. November 25 - December 1: World Aids Day: Aids was officially recognised in 1981 and since then more than 30 million people have died from Aids related diseases. Pray for those who live with Aids and for their families as many will feel excluded, stigmatised, lonely and afraid. Other things to pray about: The homeless: Pray for all who are sleeping rough as the weather continues to deteriorate and for those working so hard to provide for them. Missionaries: Especially for those who go abroad that they would settle quickly into the new culture and be able to learn their new language easily in order to spread the gospel effectively. Operation Rudolf: Pray for those who are organising this event again for wisdom in the use of the donated gifts; for workers to distribute them and that those in need will be put forward for a hamper. For all in leadership: Pray for all who are in authority. Church leaders; teachers; police; governments and monarchs. The emergency services: For many of them in order to help others they often have to put their own safety at risk. Thank God for them. Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 16

17 November birthdays:- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 10th 13th 19th Christian South-Davies (9yrs) Garth Woodhead George (11yrs) What is a Grandparent? Written by an 8 year old. Grandparents are a man & woman who have no children of their own. They like other peoples. A grandfather is a man s grandmother. They don t say Hurry up. Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie their shoes. Grandmothers can take their teeth and gums out. Grandparents don t have to be smart. They have to answer questions like Why isn t God married? How come dogs chase cats? Everyone should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don t have television - they are the only grown-ups who like to spend time with you. And finally... A little girl is out in her garden digging a large, deep hole. Her neighbour glances over the fence and asks her Why are you digging that large, deep hole?. My goldfish died she replied with a sob I m really sorry to hear that answered the neighbour but why such a large hole? The little girl gave the neighbour a truly filthy look and said Because it s inside your cat. 17

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