Articles from the December 2011 Parish Magazine
GOOD NEWS AT CHRISTMAS AND
NEW YEAR HOPE
There is an enormous amount happening, of course, as we come up to Christmas and the New Year but there is also a lot to report back about from last month….
First some news about our close partnership with St Barnabas School – the Church sent £125 donation from Mission money and personal gifts which the teachers were able to take out on their visit to the Tanzanian school after Harvest. Amazingly this paid for all the work and materials to re-plaster and re-paint the badly worn walls of one of the school’s big classrooms, together with a tin of blackboard paint which was more than enough to renew all the school blackboards and the teachers have bought back pictures of the difference that our Harvest gifts made, which is really encouraging.
Another important partnership, of course, has been the Church’s monthly afternoon club held in school, BBatS (Barney’s Bunch at the School). In November we took the theme of Operation Christmas Child - giving a shoebox-full of toys and essentials for children who would get no Christmas gifts otherwise. We acted out the Parable of the Good Samaritan, a Bible story which inspired the organisation that oversees this (who call themselves “Samaritan’s Purse”). The school are sending around 20 boxes abroad themselves and helped prepare some of the 50 boxes we sent from Church. These boxes were all blessed at the special joint service we had on 20th November at Christ Church, and once again the children there reminded us of the meaning behind the story of the Good Samaritan for us. It was a most inspiring service with many people contributing to its success, not lease a joint Parish music group, and of course afterwards there were refreshments for all.
The previous week had been Remembrance Sunday and there was a very moving Morning Service at St Barnabas where the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, together with Brownies and Guides, all played a key role; be it in their procession to Church, the standards and flags which were dipped at the 11 o’clock silence or the poppies which they had made and brought up to the altar during the reading out of the names of the fallen. We also linked in with Rainbow Hill Ex-Servicemen’s Club who sent representatives to it and there were wreathes from all the Uniformed organisations and others as well. A display at the back of church outlining the history of War Memorials proved interesting to the many who stayed behind afterwards for the excellent refreshments, some of which were kindly provided by parents of the Uniformed organisations. A new Book of Remembrance in which people had had the opportunity to inscribe names of loved ones who had died or been injured in conflict was also brought up and dedicated during the Service. Thanks also go to those who helped put the service together on PowerPoint, ensured the screening technology worked and who did the readings and prayers on the day. In the evening nearly 40 people also came to our annual Memorial Service where we remembered the names of those who had died in the Parish over the previous year. So the whole day was a poignant bitter/sweet mix of fond remembrance and the sadness of loss.
In the last issue, our new Community Minister, Rick Tett, shared something of how he has already begun to have a real impact on how the Church can contribute to community life in Tolladine and in late November we heard the excellent news that the project is one of an initial 10 applications for funds to trail-blaze ways of bringing the faith alive for those who have had little time for the Church and finding ways to better serve localities with few facilities and resources – and so now Rick can be funded full time for the whole 5 years of the initial phase of the project. This month we reproduce a press release that has come from the Diocese to say a bit more about the national scheme and why they felt our work here might help the wider church to engage better with unchurched areas; Along with the team working out of Christ Church producing some child-friendly and imaginative worship, time and energy is also going into exploring how we can work with local people and agencies to enrich community life.
One of the current activities is a four week hour long discussion group for Advent on Tuesday evenings up at Rick’s house (from 7.30pm to around 8.30). It is designed to appeal to people who haven’t had a lot of experience of these informal groups and if you want to know more then get in touch with Rick (on 01905 723590). Nancy Murray-Peters is leading a different course on Tuesday afternoons at the Chalmers’ Home in Kingston Avenue. Again if you want to know more then get in touch with Nancy (on 01386 553286).
There will also be a set of four Advent services with meditation and discussion in St Barnabas Church each at 7.30pm. On Wednesday November 30th the theme is Freedom; on Tuesday 6th – we are looking at Compassion; (The guides and brownies have a longstanding tradition of holding a readings and carols evening on the first Wednesday in December, so we have shifted our Service night for this week only); on Wednesday 14th we are thinking about Justice and finally on Wednesday 21st Love is the theme. Everyone who would like to carve out an hour of quiet and reflection on the busy run up to Christmas is welcome to just turn up to any of these you can make it for.
Another Advent Course with a difference will be Sue and Guy Martyr and Alma Organ’s putting together of a Nativity Play after the four 10am Sunday Services in Advent, at Christ Church. Like last year, which was their first such venture for a good while, it will be performed in the Crib Service on Christmas Eve at 4pm. The other special Christmas Service at Christ Church will be a Christingle on Christmas Day at the usual service time of 10am. As with the Crib Service all are very welcome.
That brings me on to the long list of other Christmas Services and celebrations. We are pleased to be hosting at St Barnabas Church a Christingle for St Barnabas School on Tuesday 6th December, a Nativity for the pre-school on Monday 12th and a Christmas concert for Gorse Hill School on Tuesday 13th. Things to which everyone is welcome include Carols by Candlelight in aid of our Magdeburg Link funds on Friday 9th December 7.30pm in Church Hall, our Readings and Carols Service at 6.30pm on Sunday 18th and our short service there to bless the boxes for homeless people (co-ordinated as ever by Mary James) which will follow immediately after the 10am Eucharist in Church on Wednesday 21st.
The Crib Service in St Barnabas is on Christmas Eve. But, this year, after taking soundings from those with young children, we have decided to bring it forward from its traditional time of 6.30pm, to the earlier time of 5pm. The Christmas Midnight Communion begins as usual at 11.30pm on the 24th and on Christmas Day we have our usual said Communion at 8am and the Christmas Family Communion at 10am. There will be no evening Service on the 25th. Those who would like to go to communion on Boxing Day are encouraged to go to St Stephen’s Barbourne to help them celebrate their Patronal Festival at 11am.
There will be carol singing around the Rainbow Hill area on Friday 16th December, starting with some mulled wine at 6.45pm in the back of St Barnabas ahead of starting off round the streets (and pubs!) at 7pm. We will also be going Carol Singing round the streets in Tolladine on Monday 19th, meeting outside Christ Church, at the earlier time of 6pm.
As for 2012, with New Year’s Day falling on a Sunday, it was felt we should transfer the Baptism Eucharist to 10am on January 8th and the requiem Eucharist to 6. 30pm on that evening. That then brings us to the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which will be the theme for our first BBAtS afternoon of the year on Friday 13th and the ATIC (All Together In Church) Service on the 15th. As we have done for the past few years now the North East Worcester Churches (NEWC) will be organising a special service to mark this too. It will be at Warndon Community Centre on Sunday 22nd at 4pm, which means there will again be no evening service at St Barnabas. With January being a month with a 5th Sunday the following Sunday Evening will also be a cluster Service at 6.30pm at St Wulstan’s, so once again there will be no Evening Service at St Barnabas. 6.30 services every Sunday evening will be resumed for February, though!
Finally, a few more reasons to be looking forward to February, when our next issue is due out; We have continued to respond to the many excellent points – both good suggestions and issues you wanted us to try and tackle – that arose out of our 7 Marks of a Healthy Church initiative. There will be an outline of plans and responses that the planning group will be reporting back to the next PCC about, and we plan to send out an update to everyone who received the original survey to keep everyone in the loop on these things. A follow up Sunday session including another shared lunch is being pencilled in for February and the letter will have details of the suggested date, as will the next magazine. In that issue Sue Martyr will also be sharing some of her reflections on beginning her Pioneer Ministry training this Autumn and there will be more fundraisers and socials, details of our plans for Lent and advance dates for Easter, too along with some more of the popular “Crafternoons” which, on a number of Monday afternoons starting at 2.30pm, have got a number of folks back into the habit of creative making. All sorts of things have been produced; some for our boxes for both children and for homeless people, some for the imminent Christmas Fayre, which will by then be a receding memory. But there are lots of ideas for what else people can contribute to, and that goes for the life of the Church, the Tolladine Community Mission, & “7 Marks” debate or more events, services or courses… Which is where we began. So as Advent ushers in a new Christian Year let us celebrate some encouraging new beginnings and give thanks for the many other things that make the everyday special, as Christmas reminds us we need to constantly try and appreciate anew.
So a Happy and Holy Christmas-tide and every blessing for the New Year – both Advent and 2012!
Peter Haddleton
BOXES FOR THE HOMELESS IN WORCESTER
Once again, as soon as the boxes for Operation Christmas Child have gone, please can I ask you to think about contributing towards Christmas boxes for the homeless in Worcester.
As usual we aim to give boxes filled with goodies to each homeless person in the city through the Maggs Day Centre and St Paul’s hostel. We also aim to give boxes to women at the Refuge and to people with no families at the YMCA.
We seem to get enough women’s boxes, so please, if possible, could you make up men’s boxes. (There are many more homeless men than women)
Here is a reminder of what to do and some suggestions for contents:
Cover an empty shoebox with Christmas paper. Include gifts such as toiletries, comb, brush, toothpaste, soap shampoo, hat scarf, gloves, mirror, torch and batteries, pens, notebooks, sweets, cracker, phone card, book, small game, plus a Christmas card.
Please put an elastic band round the box and please don’t seal it. Label it e.g. ‘man’ and bring to St Barnabas by Monday 19th December. They will be blessed at 10.45am on Wednesday 21st December (after the 10am midweek Communion Service) and then distributed to the agencies.
I can supply boxes if you need them – no excuse!!
Thank you to everyone who makes up boxes, or donates gifts. They are very much appreciated by the recipients on Christmas Day.
Mary James 01905 455214, mary_e_james@btinternet.com
TOLLY CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Saturday 10th December
2pm-4pm
all welcome!
ST RICHARD’S RAFFLE
For £1 a ticket you are in with a chance to win £10,000 cash in St Richard’s Hospice annual raffle.
Tickets are now on sale and the draw will take place on 30th March. Tickets are on sale in the hospice shops, St Richard's at Wildwood Drive, Worcester; Startin Honda Worcester and various other venues.
Their annual raffle raises more than £45,000 towards caring for patients and families living with life-threatening illnesses. St Richard's Hospice relies on donations and Gifts in Wills to provide care. For more information please visit http://www.strichards.org.uk
WORLD HIV/ AIDS DAY
1st DECEMBER
Please pray for all victims of HIV/AIDS and their families. Pray that they might be able to access the drugs that they need to improve their quality of life and life expectancy.
Pray for grandparents who are now responsible for up to 30 grand children.
Give thanks for the work of the church in the field of education and the prevention of transmitting the disease.
Give thanks that churches have taken on board hundreds of orphans and house, feed and educate them in the cathedral or church buildings.
Rev Alma Organ
PATRONAGE SCHEME
If you would like to mark a special date, maybe a birthday or anniversary, you could become a Patron of St Barnabas and pay towards the running costs of the church building for that day (cost £25). Patrons names are recorded in a special book kept at the front of the church by the piano. Speak to Jackie Campbell for more into.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
AT ST BARNABAS
Fri 9th Dec 7.30pm Carols by Candlelight in Church Hall
Fri 16th Dec 6.45pm Carol singing round Parish
Sun 18th Dec 6.30pm Lessons & Carols followed by mulled wine &
mince pies
Christmas Eve 5.00pm Carol & Crib Service
11.30pm Christmas Midnight Communion
Christmas Day 8.00am Said Eucharist
10.00am Christmas Communion
AND CHRIST CHURCH
Mon 19th Dec 6.00pm Carol singing round Tolladine
Christmas Eve 4.00pm Carols in Church
Christmas Day 10.00am Family Communion
You are very welcome to join us
at any service
TOLLADINE CHURCH PROJECT AWARDED MAJOR GRANT
Extract from Diocesan Press Release
The Tolladine Church Mission project is one of 10 projects to be awarded a grant of £100,000 by the Archbishops’ Council and Church Commissioners of the Church of England as part of a nationwide move to help develop successful church growth projects in deprived areas.
In September Captain Rick Tett, a Church Army Community Missioner, was licensed by the Bishop to Tolladine as on a part-time basis he began to set up a Christian Missional Community to offer hospitality, spiritual resources, practical activities and a vision of a different way of life to the local people. This grant will enable Rick to work full-time in the area over the next five years. Already Rick has started a number of projects including an Urban Community Garden in the grounds of the mission house.
Diocesan Secretary Robert Higham said: “It’s fantastic that the Church Commissioners are supporting this kind of project that has the ability to make a real impact in the community.”
Rick said: “Becoming full-time means that I’ll be able to dedicate more time to getting out and about in the community and really understanding what is needed. We’ve got lots of exciting projects just starting to take shape – for example, we are bringing a bus into the area to provide a meeting place for teenagers who would otherwise just have street corners, and we are planning additional initiatives such as uniform exchanges and a toy library. The local team are developing new forms of worship that are proving to be meaningful to the young people as well as the traditional Sunday morning congregation.”
The congregations of St. Barnabas with Christ Church have been looking at how they can meet the spiritual and social needs of the local community since 2009, setting up projects in local primary schools such as Open the Book, in which they help young people to engage with the Bible in imaginative ways, and running break-dancing sessions. Rick is now enabling the church to continue to develop such outreach work by dedicating more time to building relationships with local organisations and offer support and activities for the community. He is supported by a team of volunteer missioners from St. Barnabas with Christ Church.
JOHN BAILEY MBE
For the last 10 years the DAC has been chaired by Mr John Bailey MBE. However at 87, John has decided it is time to step down.
Trained in law, John has a passion for church building and architecture, which flourished during his years as Diocesan Secretary in Leicester from 1979/1990. On returning to Worcester, John's wife, Robin, founded the Worcester branch of NADFAS (the National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies), and John gathered a group of like minded individuals who set about cataloguing the contents of various churches in the diocese.
In recent years, John has concentrated on learning about stained glass windows and metalwork, and has been a guide at Worcester Cathedral. He has been heavily involved in the 'Three Choirs Festival', latterly as Chief Steward. He has also been a member of General Synod, Chair of the Friends of Worcester Cathedral and Churchwarden of St Barnabas as well as a school governor at Bishop Perowne School.
The voluntary membership of the DAC comprises a number of construction professionals together with other volunteer members or advisers with other specialisms (such as heating, textiles, lighting, audio systems, woodwork, bells, organs), and a number of "lay" (parish representative) members. The committee's role is to offer advice to parishes and the diocese on the care of church buildings - an enormous remit by anyone's standards.
FROM THE REGISTER
May they rest in peace … and rise in glory
FUNERALS:
31st October Yvonne Jacqueline Brooks 68 years
And he took them in His arms and blessed them
BAPTISMS:
6th November Owen Mark Kelly
Lilia Joy Doherty
Olivia Isabelle Cornish