The Scottish Episcopal Church The Parish Magazine of St John the Evangelist Forres Charity Number SC010346 The Eagle Volume 9 Issue 9, 10, 11 Sept/Oct/Nov 2011 Out of body experience I recently had an out of body experience. No, I didn t have an accident or operation and see bright lights at the end of tunnels, or anything of that sort, so please don t be alarmed. But I did have a consultation with an Audiologist who had a clever device that allowed her to look inside my ear. This device was also linked to a computer screen so when she used the device to look in my ear I could also see inside my ear by looking at the screen. That was a first for me as I have never seen inside my ear before. It was like an out of body experience. The reason I was visiting an audiologist was to have a pair of earplugs made for use on my motorbike. Earplugs are important when riding a motorbike because the noise can cause serious damage to your hearing, not the noise of the bike but the noise of the wind. It is important from a safety point of view that you can hear the bike, other traffic and emergency vehicles. So in order to hear what you need to hear and to not hear the wind you need to wear earplugs fitted with special filters that remove or filter out the wind noise. As well as damaging your hearing, wind noise can be very distracting and ruins your concentration, with the earplugs in place you can hear what you need to hear and nothing else. Wouldn t it be wonderful, as we approach the season Continued overleaf
of Advent, a season of anticipation, a season for preparation, a time to listen to God as we ready ourselves for the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas, wouldn t it be wonderful if we could be fitted with a special pair of Advent Earplugs, to filter out all the distractions, the commercialism, the greed, the marketing that is associated with Christmas. Well the really good news is that such a device is available and the even better news is that it is free of charge! Custom made earplugs for motorbike riding are quite expensive but Advent Earplugs are totally free of charge you can find them anywhere and everywhere and the brand name is prayer. Father Cliff La Jimena news Today (24.10) is the first day of rain here in Andalucía this autumn and I am finding time to write a few lines for you, having been meaning to do this for a while now. The summer has been nice, warm and dry. The great news and the main achievement this summer for la Jimena is a new workshop space and barn now, so feels, we do have a proper farm with a farm building and a central reference point for all farming activities, this does indeed make a difference. The olive orchard is shaping up bit by bit and once again we are about to start the olive harvest. The fig harvest has been good, the olives for brining are in the barrel. Overall we feel that we are on time with our program of preparations for the delivery in February of your finest olive oil and fruit to St John s. All going well in the coming weeks, we will be in touch again soon with our offer to you. all the best Mathis, Marrianne and family 2
Easter Eggs Despite selling over 80 million Easter eggs a year, supermarkets initially turned down The Real Easter Egg, unsure if there was a place for a charity-faith egg in their Easter range. In September 2010 a campaign to prove demand for The Real Easter Egg was launched by the Church of England s Bishop of Manchester. It received national and international attention and was backed by the Archbishop of York and other church leaders. Campaign organisers asked church schools, churches and individuals to place a direct mail order for The Real Easter Egg from October 2010 onwards. Over 70,000 eggs were ordered in the first few weeks overwhelming the manufacturer who had to increase production in an attempt to meet demand. Manchester based Meaningful Chocolate Company, who developed the egg and ran the campaign, believe it is the UK s biggest selling direct mail order Easter egg. The campaign donated 21,000 to Traidcraft Exchange and 4000 to Baby Lifeline and in addition a fee was paid to Fairtrade Foundation to support their work. Well done to everyone at St John s who took part and thanks to Tina Coffey who organised all the orders for St John s. THANK YOU I would like to extend a very warm and heartfelt thank you to all of you who attended the funeral of my Mother, Anne, in July. I was deeply touched to see the church half filled with people who had not even met my mother and your support was very much appreciated. I had dreaded, having brought my Mum up to Forres where she knew no one, the thought of a funeral in an empty church. She was so well loved and had so many friends in her time, mostly gone now. St John s did us proud and the day was a graceful one. I ll be having a memorial service in Bolton for friends and neighbours who were unable to attend. Judith Hampson 3
Christmas Services at St John s The Fourth Sunday of Advent Sunday 18 th December Holy Communion 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.00 am Carol Service 7.00 pm In aid of Riding for the disabled Mulled Wine and Minced Pies Midnight Mass Saturday 24 th December 11.30 pm Christmas Day Holy Communion 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am (Children's Address) St Stephen Monday 26 th December Holy Communion 10.00 am St John the Evangelist Tuesday 27 th December Holy Communion 10.00 am The Holy Innocents Wednesday 28 th December Holy Communion 10.00 am 4
Letter from America Thank you to the Clark family for sharing the above picture from their summer holiday in Florida New Bishops The Rt Rev Dr Nigel Peyton (pictured left) was consecrated and installed as the Bishop of Brechin in a special service on Saturday 8 October in the Cathedral Church of St Paul, Dundee. The Diocese of Edinburgh, following the retirement of Bishop Brian, is also seeking a new bishop. The election process is well underway, please hold in your prayers the Preparatory Committee, the Electoral Synod and the candidates. 5
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing! A traditional concert performance of Nine Lessons and Carols. Enjoy and sing along with the best-loved 18 th - and 19 th - century carols performed by Musick Fyne and the Coronach Gallery Band, with festive mince pies and mulled wine. Tuesday 13th December 2011 at 7.30pm St John s Episcopal Church, Forres [Retiring collection] St John s are planning an Antiques Valuation Day on Friday 30 th March 2012 to take place in Forres Town Hall. The valuers are the internationally renowned Lyon & Turnbull. Not only are Lyon & Turnbull highly regarded in the auction world but they are also one of the leading specialist valuation companies in the UK. There will be a number of specialist valuers available on the day so this is your chance to have your antiques and collectables valued by real experts. Please note the date. More details to follow 6
ALL SOULS Wednesday 2 nd November 6.30 pm Eucharist. Please add names to be remembered to the list. St JOHNS NOTICES COFFEE MORNING Saturday 5 th November in the Town Hall. Usual Stalls, please see leaflets in the Pews, donations welcome. ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday 6 th November following the 10.00 am Eucharist. Mrs Daykin and Mrs Meiklejohn have served three years on the Vestry and therefore retire at the ACM. Nomination Forms for their replacement are available. FAIRTRAiD STALL the next stall will be Sunday 6 th November. FELLOWSHIP MEETING - on 7 th November at noon in the Parish Room. Gordon Biggs will be giving us a presentation entitled "Rambling About Rumania". All are welcome. THE ST DROSTAN REGIONAL SYNOD - will be held in St John's Church Hall, Forres on 12 th November starting at 10.00 am. The Hall will be open from 9.00 am with coffee and tea available. ALL WELCOME. CHRISTMAS CARDS Grant Swain plans to make Christmas Cards again this year. The designs will be the same as in previous years, hopefully with a couple of new ones. Orders will be taken early in November for delivery before the end of the month. Cards will be priced at 1 each, order forms will be available soon. CHRISTMAS CHOIR - Choir practices for Christmas services will begin on Sunday 30 th October at 09.00 am. We would be delighted to welcome additional voices. The intention is that the choir will perform special pieces at the Service of Lessons and Carols to be held on Sunday 18 th December as well as leading the congregation in some favourite Christmas carols. Please speak to Sheila Biggs or any choir member for more information. 7
READERS ROTA DATE READER OLD TESTAMENT NEW TESTAMENT GOSPEL 30 October ALL SAINTS 6 November Three before Advent 13 November Two before Advent 20 November Christ the King 27 November Advent 4 December Advent 2 Handley Barrett Kirsteen Mitcalfe Gareth Whymant Anne Docherty Derek Bedford Gill Horrocks Revelation 7.9-17 1 John 3.1-3 Amos 5.18-24 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18 Zephaniah 1.7,12-18 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11 Ezekiel 34. 11-16,20-24 Isaiah 64.1-9 Ephesians 1.15-23 Matthew 5.1-12 Matthew 25.1-13 Matthew 25.14-30 Matthew 25.31-46 1 Corinthians 1.3-9 Mark 13.24-37 Isaiah 40.1-11 2 Peter 3.8-15 Mark 1.1-8 11 December Advent 3 18 December Advent 4 24 December Midnight Mass Naomi Zair Wiz Latham Sheila Biggs Christmas Day George Latham Isaiah 61.1-4,8-11 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24 John 1.6-8,19-28 2 Samuel 7.1-11,16 Romans 16.25-27 Luke 1.26-38 Isaiah 9.2-7 Titus 2.11-14 Luke 2.1-20 Isaiah 52.7-10 Hebrews 1.1-12 John 1.1-14 This edition of the Eagle is available in full colour on St John s Website. The Very Reverend Clifford J Piper The Rectory, Victoria Road, Forres, IV36 3BN Phone: 01309672856 Email stjohnsforres@btinternet.com St John s website: www.stjohnsforres.wordpress.com Diocesan website: www.moray.anglican.org Provincial website: www.scotland.anglican.org 8