Deeping St James Parish Church Magazine
| Editor: Sonia Marshall | Layout: Dave Merchant | Web version: Mark Warrick |
Photographs of some parish events are available in our Photograph Album elsewhere on the site
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From the Curate
Dear Friends,
It has been a fascinating experience to watch, over the past few days, the progress of the technicians who are installing our new lighting system.
Church architecture reflects theology; in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries new technology enabled vast window arches, Trinitarian in form. to let God's light come flooding in. Programmed spotlights are the twenty-first century equivalent, though on a more mundane level they will be a boon for all who struggle to read God's word at evening services.
The installation has been challenging in several ways. For the electricians, it has been the most difficult project they have worked on: the angle of the north wall, the heating pipes in the aisle and the fixed pews made the erection of scaffolding impossible in many areas of the building and we watched with awe as they carried out their work on ladders. Also frustrating was the disappearance of their ladders one Sunday afternoon. For the Church, it has meant restricted access while the work was in progress, but as old light fittings came down the space above was suddenly opened up and the sheer impact of this sacred building made itself felt afresh.
Christian life itself is not without its struggles but in Christ we are assured of its final outcome - our heavenly home where 'God himself will be our light' and 'there will be no more night'. We look forward to the completion of the project and its dedication to the glory of God and illumination of all who gather here for worship.
Readings for July
2nd July,3rd Sunday after Trinity:
- Morning: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2: 23-24; 2 Corinthians 8: 7-end; Mark 5: 21-end
- Evening: Jeremiah 11: 14; Romans 13; 1-10
9th July, 4th Sunday after Trinity:
- Morning: Ezekiel 2: 1-5 (08:00 only); 2 Corinthians 12: 2-10; Mark 6: 1-13
- Evening: Jeremiah 20: 1-11a; Luke 10: 1-11, 16-20
16th July, 5th Sunday after Trinity:
- Morning: Amos 7: 7-15; Ephesians 1: 3-14; Mark 6: 14-29
23rd July, 6th Sunday after Trinity:
- Morning: Jeremiah 23: 1-6; Ephesians 2: 11-end; Mark 6: 30-34, 53-end
Tuesday 25th July, James the Apostle, Patronal and Dedication Festival:
- 19:30: Acts 11: 27- 12: 2; 2 Corinthians 4: 7-15; Matthew 20: 20-end
30th July, 7th Sunday after Trinity:
- Morning: 2 Kings 4: 42-end; Ephesians 3: 14-end; John 6: 1-21
Home Groups
- Bible Study: Fridays at 10am at the Vicarage
- Priory Prayer Group: 13th and 27th July at 19 Ascendale
- House Group: Every Wednesday, 7.30 pm at 45 Crowson Way - Everyone welcome
TAXI !
A minister dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy who's dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans. Saint Peter addresses this guy, "Who are you, so that I may know whether or not to admit you to the Kingdom of Heaven?" The guy replies, "I'm Joe Cohen, taxi-driver, of Noo Yawk City."
Saint Peter consults his list. He smiles and says to the taxi-driver, "Take this silken robe and golden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven." The taxi-driver goes into Heaven with his robe and staff, and it's the minister's turn. He stands erect and booms out, "I am Joseph Snow, pastor of Saint Mary's for the last forty-three years."
Saint Peter consults his list. He says to the minister, "Take this cotton robe and wooden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven." "Just a minute," says the minister. "That man was a taxi-driver and he gets a silken robe and golden staff. How can this be?" Up here, we work by results," says Saint Peter. "While you preached, people slept; while he drove, people prayed."
Three Wise Women
You do know what would have happened if it had been three wise WOMEN instead of 3 wise men, don't you? They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought disposable nappies as a gift.
From the Christian Aid Website
I once heard that Mother Teresa had said that she wanted people in their last moments of life to have a moment of love. I don't know what we can do about the suffering but we can be there with people.'
Gladís María de León (23), who works for Onè Respé in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Music on the Lawn
On Saturday 15th July we see the return of the Springfield Jazz Group and the first ever performance from "The Cranmore Singers". See the posters for more details. Tickets are available from Bill Flegg.
NEWS FROM THE TOWER
Sorry we missed the June magazine, our correspondent's fault. On 28 April five of the ringers attended a hand-bell concert held in Grantham, at St Anne's church, by the St Wulframs hand-bell team. There were 13 ringers and a conductor and between them they had a selection of 123 bells. Some of the treble ringers were in control of up to 12 bells each. The concert was held in St Anne's church and was part of their centenary celebrations. The music they played varied between hymn tunes and full orchestral pieces. It was a most enjoyable evening with free food and wine.
The bells were rung half muffled on Monday 8th May in memory of Mrs Mitchell who passed away during the previous week-end. They were also rung for her funeral on Tuesday 16th May. We look forward to the time when the electricians have completed the renewal of the lighting and power circuits in the church, (no more unexpected power failures, fingers crossed).
News from Explorers, Climbers and Scramblers
The theme for the Rose and Sweet Pea Show Children's Activities this year was 'Sea, Sun and Sand' and we were very busy preparing collages for the competition and making clay models of sea creatures. The tasks were differentiated with the Climbers and Scramblers producing 2-D creatures and Explorers branching out into three dimensions. The Church was decorated for the Rose and Sweet Pea Show by illustrating the second line of the song 'Who's the King of the Jungle?' - which happens to be 'Who's the King of the Sea?' - with a wall display in the Children's corner.
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.
The Climbers and Scramblers (lack of) Magic Carpet
Somewhere, somehow, someone has rubbed a Magic Lamp and the Genie has spirited away the Climbers and Scramblers carpet from the Church Hall.
This floor covering is sometimes instrumental in helping to provide our young people produce some of their magical offerings that we are all privileged to see at the end of out Sunday Eucharist.
If you have a large piece of carpet in reasonable condition residing in your loft or garage that is surplus to your requirements Please tell Aladdin, oops, sorry! Alison (345890) or Andrea (344926) They really would be very grateful
THE CHRISTIAN AND THE SENSES
Hearing
one of the very characteristic sayings of Jesus was, 'He that hath ears to hear let him hear.' In various forms the phrase occurs in all the synoptic gospels. I like the translation given in the Revised English Bible: 'If you have ears then hear' (Matthew 11.15).
The well known and charming story of the call of the child Samuel, recorded in I Samuel 3, tells how God spoke to the boy in the night and Samuel thought it was Eli calling him. On enquiry when the call occurred the third time, Eli said it was God speaking to him. 'Speak Lord, your servant is listening.' He was told to say,and sure enough Samuel began to learn the art of prophecy. We should do likewise. So often when we hear some word of wisdom and it goes 'in at one ear and out at the other'. We learn by using hearing. So often, family, friends, neighbours and our mentors can be the means by which we learn about ourselves. And, like Samuel, it is by listening to God that we learn how to respond to his calling.
It is just the same with human talking. The art of conversation turns not on one person pontificating on their favourite subject, but in an exchange of views between two people. Of course the pupil will attend to his teacher, but, when talking with a friend, always allow the conversation to develop naturally. Never cap a remark: always allow the conversation to grow. This way friendships develop and knowledge increases. Another great failure in conversation is not really listening to what the other person is saying. If you are always waiting to get in your own comment you are not really listening.
Hearing is vital to prayer. It will not be for our 'much speaking' that our prayers are heard but rather for our simplicity, sincerity and attention. The old response to the phrase: 'Lord hear our Prayer' was 'And let our cry come unto thee.'
This has been replaced today in the Alternative Service Book by a better phrase.' Lord in your mercy' with the response 'Hear our prayer.' The stress must always be upon hearing. Listening also plays a large part in counselling, and it is the secret of healing a disturbed and strained personality. One thing we have all learnt in this century has been the great art of really hearing what is being said to us. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
N.W.G
COOKING WITH MARGARET
Gooseberry Creams
(Serves 4)
- 3 tbsp Cornflour,
- 1oz Sugar,
- 8 fl oz Fresh milk,
- ½ oz Butter,
- Few drops of Vanilla essence,
- 8 oz Gooseberries,
- 2 oz Icing sugar,
- ¼ pint Fresh whipping cream,
- Lemon rind to decorate.
MICROWAVE INSTRUCTIONS
Mix cornflour, sugar, milk, butter and essence in a bowl. Cook on high for 3½ minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir well and cool.
Place gooseberries and icing sugar in a bowl. Cook on high for 3 minutes. Puree in a food processor or blender. Fold into custard. Cool.
Whip cream until softly stiff. Fold into custard. Spoon into 4 glass dishes and chill. Decorate with lemon rind before serving.
Registers for May 2006
HOLY BAPTISM
We welcome to the Lord's family:
- 14th: Kelly Marie Sheridan, 8 Towngate East, Market Deeping
- 14th: Chloe Elizabeth Brooker, 10 The Lees, Deeping St James
MARRIAGE
We congratulate:
- 13th: Ryan Francis Kelly and Amy Rachel Oliver
FUNERALS
We commend to God's keeping:
- 16th: Jean Margaret Alice Calver Mitchell (93)
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