Deepings St James Parish Church Magazine
| Editor: Sonia Marshall | Layout: Dave Merchant | Web version: Mark Warrick |
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Cooking with Margaret
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From the Vicar
It may be that by the time you read this the General Election will have been announced. Whatever Her Majesty’s government decides about that, the elections for our Churchwardens and for Representatives of the Laity in the Deanery Synod and the Parochial Church Council have already been fixed for Tuesday 12th April at our annual meetings, to be held in the Church Hall at 7.30pm.
Both in our local parish church and in our national parliament much effort has been put into devising electoral systems and decision-making struc- tures to allow everyone a chance to participate - and in the case of our nation and parliament many have given their lives for our right to partici- pate in the choice of our leaders.
There are those who will not vote, saying they want none of those standing for election, but if you feel that way I would urge to reconsider, on two grounds. The practical ground is that no matter what you may want you will get one of those on the ballot paper, so it is as well to vote for the one you dislike the least! More fundamentally, though, is that although our systems may be imperfect, they will not be improved by lack of participation. I know from my own experience that feeling supported by a large number of votes gives a leader confidence in decision-making, and our government needs to have that confidence.
When it comes to local matters such as our church’s annual meetings, I would similarly urge everyone on the roll to participate, and in this case also to consider whether God may be calling you to offer yourself for election. With much decision-making now delegated from Diocesan level to local Deanery Synod, this term’s Deanery Synod elections are espe- cially important. I look forward to seeing many of you on 12th April.
Readings for April
3rd April, 2nd Sunday of Easter:
- Morning: Acts 2: 14a, 22-32; 1 Peter 1: 3-9; John 20: 19-end
10th April, 3rd Sunday of Easter:
- Morning: Acts 2: 14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 1: 17-23; Luke 24: 13-35
- 18:00: 1 Corinthians 3: 10-17; John 2: 13-22
17th April, 4th Sunday of Easter:
- Morning: Acts 2: 42-end; 1 Peter 2: 19-end; John 10: 1-10
24th April, 5th Sunday of Easter:
- Morning: Acts 7: 55-end; 1 Peter 2: 2-10; John 14: 1-14
THE ANNUNCIATION
When does life begin? At birth? Or even earlier? Photographs of babies in the womb are amazing and prompt us to think more deeply about the subject
The celebration of Our Lord’s birth, Christmas, will always be a major festival …Emmanuel, God with us, the dawn of a new age for mankind. It is always a joy to welcome so many to our worship at this time. The feast of the Annuncia- tion, commemorating the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary announcing the forthcoming joyous event, is not nearly so well attended, yet this surely was the very beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ. An important feast, although it is often referred to as ‘Lady Day’ it is a feast of Our Lord as well as his mother. Gentlemen as well as Ladies are most welcome to join in the celebrations! Normally kept on 25th March (nine months before Christmas!), if that date falls on a Sunday or during Holy Week or Easter Week it is transferred. This year it falls on April 4th.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Season, the Annuncia- tion gives us space to ponder more leisurely the wonder of God coming down to earth, sharing in human life from its smallest beginnings, and the even greater prospect that through this action we might one day be raised to share in the divine life that is his.
The Priory Prayer Group
Being grateful to Eileen now leading the prayer group and enjoying the hospitality and use of her home, it gives me this opportunity to express my thanks on behalf of those regular attenders now that I am just one them. We are always hoping and praying for more of our congregation to join in praying on behalf of others as we all need our Lord’s healing touch, there is great joy in hearing about the answer to prayer being so positive and successful. We all hope that more prayer can be offered up through an evening group being led by an inspired and willing member of our parish church. Philippians 4: 4-9 NRSV
Bernard Babb
Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).
CHURCH LADIES FELLOWSHIP
Welcomes YOU as a visitor
We are a small group of 28 members meeting every fortnight. Our meetings are held in the Priory Church Hall, Deeping St. James, at 7.45 p.m. on Thursday evenings.
During the year we have various guest speakers. Once a year, we have an outing (this year we are going to Tolthorpe, to the outdoor production of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’); also a meal out (this time at ‘The Goat’ at Frognal).
Our annual membership fee is £6.50, but on-members are welcome at individual meetings for which we charge 50p, including a raffle ticket, homemade refreshments and tea or coffee. Free friendship included! What a bargain!
Carole Mills
News from Explorers, Climbers and Scramblers
Our latest Module is called 'A Holy God - Jesus is faultless to the end'. We examined the evidence that Jesus is the Son of God via the story of His baptism. The holiness of Je- sus was spoken of by John, seen by the crowd and de- clared from heaven, so we are quite convinced! For a bit of light relief honey sandwiches reminded us of John the Baptist's unusual lifestyle - as did the pickled locust which we found in the Sunday School cupboard. We looked at how good a role model Jesus is from the point of view of resisting temptation, which was very appropriate during Lent. This was put to the test when we dipped strawber- ries into melted chocolate, transferred them from the skewer to a plate to harden, and then resisted the temp- tation to lick our chocolatey fingers.
Many thanks to all those members of the congregation who have donated mini eggs, ribbon, sequins and other materials for the Good Friday Activities. More about these next month!
Explorers (7 - 11), Climbers (5 - 7) and Scramblers (under 5) meet every Sunday morning (except during the Summer holiday period) at 9.50am in the Church Hall. They join older worshippers in Church for their blessing, final hymn and refreshments. New members are always welcome. Please contact Andrea (Climbers and Scramblers) on 344926 or Alison (Explorers) on 345890 for more details.
News From The Tower
We held our annual dinner at the Towngate Inn on 25th February when some 20 ringers and guests had an enjoyable and convivial evening.
On 4th February we held our AGM where our involvement in the Rose And Sweet Pea Show was discussed, also our annual “Tower Clean Up Day”. The social events outside ringing were also arranged. These include our annual barbecue, ten-pin bowling and other outings.
We are also delighted to announce that two people have joined us to learn the art of ringing and are making very good progress.
MAKE POVERTY HISTORY
GLOBAL WEEK OF ACTION FOR TRADE JUSTICE
10-16 APRIL 2005
Trade justice, more debt relief and more and better aid are the three demands of Make Poverty History –an alliance of charities, trade unions, campaigning groups and celebrities taking action together in 2005.
Trade Justice, not free trade. Free trade is being forced on poor countries with disastrous effects. Their governments are being forced to open their markets to rich countries and to reduce the support they give to vulnerable farmers and industries. Thousands of the world’s poor are struggling to survive. In the unfair competition between rich and poor, they will never win.
Why a global week of action? It is only with united global action that we can change the minds of the governments of rich countries and the financial institutions who promote free trade. Around 80 of the world’s countries will be taking part.
Why April 2005? In July, Britain hosts the G8 summit of world leaders. This gives our government a unique opportunity to change the unjust trade system. By campaigning in April, we have a chance to influence the agenda of these vital meetings.
I can’t go to London, what can I do to take part? You may not be able to join the vigil in Westminster on 15/16th April but you can help by simple actions such as filling in a postcard to register your vote for trade justice. Cards will be left on the table at the back of church; fill one in and post it to vote. Alternatively, text ‘justice’ to 84118.
Social Committee Notices
Forthcoming events:
- 12th April. Food for those attending the Annual Mmeeting.
- 8th May. Christian Aid Lunch. Names attending required, please!
Bill
COOKING WITH MARGARET
ORANGE CRUMB SALMON
Ready in 35 mins, serves 2.
- 1oz (25g) Fresh Breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil, plus extra for greasing
- Finely grated zest and juice 1 medium Orange
- 2 tbsp Chopped fresh parsley
- 2 boneless skinless salmon fillets, about 5 oz (140g) each
- 1½ tbsp mayonnaise
- salt & pepper.
Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6. Mix together the breadcrumbs, oil, orange zest, half the parsley and seasoning.
Put the salmon fillets on a baking tray lined with lightly greased foil, press on the mixture until it sticks to the salmon.
Bake for 15 – 20 mins. until the salmon is cooked and the top- ping is golden. Mix the remaining parsley into the mayonnaise and thin with a little orange juice until it has a consistency of single cream. Serve the salmon with boiled new potatoes and the mayonnaise.
Registers for February
Baptism
We welcome to the Lord’s family:
- 13th Alice Elizabeth Gamman 34 Eastgate
Funerals
we commend to God's keeping:
- 21st Geoffrey Ellis Fitzjohn (55)
- 3rd Ronald Thomas Hamilton (73) at Peterborough Crematorium
- 7th Louisa Beatrice Richards (99) at Peterborough Crematorium
This is only an extract from some of our magazine. Residents of Deeping St James can subscribe to the printed version.