Priory News, February 2005

Deepings St James Parish Church Magazine

Photographs of some parish events are available in our Photograph Album elsewhere on the site

To:
Scripture readings for Sunday
Archive of past editions of Priory News
Cooking with Margaret

Mark Warrick

Thank You......................

MANY THANKS

I would like to thank Mrs Betty Mates (Bet Washbrooke's mother) for her contribution of 'fillers', as she likes to call them. The first of these will be found on page 12. To me, as Editor, I call them 'Lifesavers' that help to fill this magazine with interesting and amusing articles.

As always, the Editorial Team would be grateful for YOUR article.
Dave Merchant

The Leprosy Mission

We wish to thank all who have contributed to the Leprosy Mission during 2004.

The total amount collected was £314.98.

Bernard and Sybil Babb

THANK YOU

Mavis, Margaret and Brian wish to thank all those who sent cards, flowers and their prayers following the sad loss of their mother Betty Goodliffe.

CHRISTIAN AID BIBLES

There are still some copies available of the Christian Aid edition of the anglicised New Revised Standard Bible which we use almost exclusively in church now. Please see Sonia if you would like to buy one of these for personal study, for preparing a lesson to read in church or for following the lesson in context either in church or when you get home.

For those with good internet connections the Oremus Bible Browser, which has a direct link from the front page of the Priory Church's website dsj.org.uk, uses both this version of the Bible and the traditional Authorised Version for those who prefer it. Those who read in church can print out their reading in advance if they wish in order to prepare - the Oremus Bible Browser even copes with the passages with selected verses!

News from Explorers, Climbers and Scramblers

The New Year began with the theme of 'God sets the standard' which followed on from last term's work on God's creation of a perfect universe. Inspired by the key players in 'The Fall' story we made people and snake biscuits to remind us that when we do wrong we separate ourselves from God. There are tough consequences, as Adam and Eve found out, when we choose to do what God has said not to do and not keep to his standards. However, God loves us enough to give us choices and we contrasted Abel choosing to give his best to God with Cain choosing to give the leftovers. Icing two biscuits, one with a happy face and one sad, helped to reinforce the point!

Noah was a man who, with his family, did keep God's standards. The children enjoyed revisiting this favourite story and it was good for the older ones to be able to share some action songs about the ark which they had learnt at school. Do come and hear us (and join in!) when we perform one of these at the first of the 'Family Worship' series which is planned for the afternoon of Sunday 13th February.

At the end of last year one of our members summed up our activities rather well: 'Climbers, Scramblers and Explorers meet at the Church Hall every Sunday at 9.50am. In the last year we have made models, painted, cooked (quite a lot), done some experiments, organised cake sales, been to the Good Friday activities and the Rose and Sweet Pea Show, learned some new dances, lots of new songs and made a full size 'mummy' and an eight metre long sunflower.'

New members are always welcome. Please contact Andrea (Climbers and Scramblers) on 344926 or Alison (Explorers) on 345890 for more details.

Celtic Blessings

This is the title of one of my favourite presents last Christmas. It just a small book but I've found it a real treasure house. There are blessings for all sorts of situations and occasions. Here's one I love to read when I feel a bit down.

Blessing in Dissatisfaction

Many a time I wish I were other than I am.
I weary of the solemn tide;
Of the little fields;
Of this brooding isle.

I long to be rid of the weight of duty
and to have my part in ampler life.

O Thou, who art wisdom and pity both,
set me free from the lordship of desire.

Help me to find my happiness
in my acceptance of what is my purpose;
in friendly eyes;
in work well done;
in quietness born of trust,
and, most of all,
in the awareness of your presence
in my spirit.

TRIO CON BRIO

(A ditty for those who live alone)

Me, Myself and I
We make a super team,
And never do we disagree
Happiness the theme

Me can get quite hungry
Myself and I do too!
But don't get indigestion
As in unison we chew.

Sometimes Me decides to sing,
Myself and I join in,
And never are we out of tune
When we start warbling.

Me, Myself and I
Occasionally get 'blue',
Then it's one for all and all for one
To help each other through.

We always try to be content;
And when the days have gone
-then Me, Myself and I, we know,
That we'll just journey on.

News From The Tower

Christmas is over once again and the New Year is starting well. Thanks to Bill Flegg and his committee who suggested the Christmas Tree Festival which was a great success. We are sure many people enjoyed seeing the church decorated in this manner.

There will be no ringing practice on the 25th February.

This is only an extract from some of our magazine. Residents of Deeping St James can subscribe to the printed version.

Registers for December 2004

Baptism

we welcome to the Lord's family:

5th December

• Benjamin Kyle Sugarman

Funerals

we commend to God's keeping:

• 8th Frances Mary Smith
• 22nd Peter Dawson (75)