Deepings St James Parish Church Magazine
| Editor: Sonia Marshall | Layout: Dave Merchant | Web version: Mark Warrick |
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From the Curate
'No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member -
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no birds, no leaves,! -
November!'
Thomas Hood
So wrote the pessimistic poet Thomas Hood. As autumn comes to an end and winter approaches and the liturgy focuses on the departed, we can more readily be affected by the gloom of dark days and feel more keenly a sense of loss.
Now more than ever we need to keep the darker side of life from getting a hold on our spirits. St. Paul was quick to point out that the one things Christians must never preface with 'no' is the resurrection; we misrepresent God and are to be pitied if all hope is only for this life (1 Corinthians 15:12-20). Christ Himself reminds us that although life on Earth comes to a natural termination it is not 'the end' for those in Christ Jesus: 'those who believe in me, even though they die will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.' (John 11:25)
In November, we need to remember.....with thanksgiving, those who have fought against dark forces and prevailed - the saints who have witnessed to the light of Christ in every generation, and those who died in conflict so that we might live in peace. We need to remember with affection those to whom we were close during their lifetime, whose warmth and influence remains with us still. We need to remember that they have not dissolved into nothingness but have crossed into the life of the world to come a foretaste of which we have through prayer and Holy Communion. So in November, remember.....................and be joyful.
Readings for November
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Readings for November
7th November, 3rd Sunday before Advent:
- Morning: Job 19: 23-27a; 2 Thessalonians: 2: 1-5, 13-17; Luke 20:27-38
- Evening: 1 Kings 3: 1-15; Romans 3: 31-39
14th November, 2nd Sunday before Advent, Remembrance:
- Morning: Malachi 4: 1-2a (08:00 only); 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13; Luke
- 21: 5-19
- Evening: Daniel 6; Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23
21st November, Christ the King:
- Morning: Jeremiah 23: 1-6; Colossians 1: 11-20; Luke 23:33-43
28th November, 1st Sunday of Advent:
- Morning: Isaiah 2: 1-5; Romans 13: 11-end; Matthew 24: 36-44
Remembrance Sunday
14th November
The annual Parish Remembrance Service this year takes place on Sunday 14th November at 3pm, with a traditional Act of Remembrance and prayers for those who have suffered in conflict and for the peace of the world. Tea will be served after the service. All are welcome at this event which becomes more and more important as conflict continues around the world, and our soldiers and even civilians are involved.
House Groups
- Bible Study: Fridays at 10am at the Vicarage
- Priory Prayer Group: 4th and 18rd November at 19 Ascendale
- House Group: Every Wednesday, 7.30 pm at 45 Crowson Way Everyone welcome
News from Explorers, Climbers and Scramblers
Explorers worked out that it would take 5 chickens, 2 pizzas, 40 sausages, 2 huge bags of crisps, 3 drums of 'Shapes', 30 chocolate biscuits, half a gallon of coke and a treacle tart to provide a reasonable lunch for our group. The seven crisp rolls and few cheese-on-pitta-bread fish which we did prepare looked a little sparse so we wondered how 4,000 men (not to mention women and children) would have managed! Fortunately Jesus, who had God's power, was able to take a small amount of food and multiply it in much the same way as God created the universe from nothing.
Our new topic is 'Jesus in Command'. We studied his authority over nature when he stilled the storm, his power to create when he fed the 4,000 and also how kind he was when he healed a leper. Because Jesus is God, we too can trust his love and power to help as he did the Centurion's servant.
Explorers (7 - 11), Climbers (5 - 7) and Scramblers (under 5) meet every Sunday morning (except during the Summer holiday period) at 9.50 am 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.
Letter to the Editor, Priory News
May I offer a somewhat belated word of thanks to Russell Newton for his article in the September magazine about his experiences with Crossfire at Treacle. It was a joy to read of so many young people experiencing and witnessing to the power of God's love and this young man's witness and sharing of his experiences with us should be an inspiration to all, young and old alike. As Russell said, we should not cower or be hesitant, but honour God in everything we do. I pray that the Lord continues the good work he has started in Russell and so many other young people, and that the fun, fellowship and above all the power of the Holy Spirit continues to fill their lives. Thank you Russell.
Rita Gostick
News From The Tower
October 2004
The bells were half muffled as a token of our feelings for the execution of Ken Bigley and for all others who have been so shamelessly killed in the conflict that is taking place in Iraq.
We were visited by ringers from Canterbury on Friday evening, 22 October, who commented on the lovely bells we are privileged to have in our church.
The ringers had one of their non-ringing activities on the 23 October with a successful evening at Peterborough greyhound stadium for a meal and social event.
The challenge from Bill Flegg to decorate the church is being taken up seriously with consideration of a tree in the church and something different in the ringing chamber. (Watch this space for what the second item maybe!!).
The Lincolnshire Southern Branch Bell Ringers Guild are meeting at Deeping St James Church on Saturday 11 December for a practice evening.
The tower cleaning is taking place on the 6 November. Any volunteers will be made most welcome.
Watch Your Language!
The trend for so called "Political correctness" which attempts to change language in the often mistaken belief that quite innocent words might just possibly offend people can make it impossible to say anything worthwhile: why describing coffee as "black" or "white" should be any more offensive than calling a shirt "brown" or "yellow" I cannot begin to understand. So I am not calling for the sterilization of language which this would bring about, but simply care not to cause real offence by words which have different connotations to different people.
What prompted these thoughts? Obvious if you know the others' story: the annual burning-in-effigy of the Roman Catholic Guy Fawkes, of course! We might well celebrate the saving of our parliament, but to remember with relish the brutal punishment given to the conspirators and others of their faith does not exactly aid Church unity!
Mark Warrick
Registers for Sept 2004
Baptism
we welcome to the Lord's family:
12th:
- Charlotte Rose Bacon 110 Church Street
- Lucy Emma Tunnard 1 Campion Drive
- Stewart William Albert Prentice 37 The Brambles
Marriage:
We congratulate:
- 11th Paul Richard Bonham & Sarah Adams
Funeral:
We commend to God's keeping:
- 24th Joan Michelson Pearson (81) Interred in Langtoft Church
Christmas Book Stall
I am organising our Christmas book stall on two consecutive Sundays, 21st and 28th November. Our suppliers are the Christian book shop in Stamford, who will provide us with a variety of items including seasonal books for adults and children, Christmas cards, candles and Advent calendars. If you have a particular request, please let me know in good time (01778 341982, bet@washbrooke.fsnet.co.uk). Please make a note of the dates of our book stall and give us your support. Many thanks.
Bet Washbrooke
PS: Any offers of help on either date would be appreciated
COOKING WITH MARGARET
SOMETHING FOR THE CHILDREN
PUDSEY BEAR COOKIES (makes 9)
You'll need. A Mixing bowl, a round bladed knife, a rolling pin, Pudsey Bear Cutter (sold by Lakeland) 2 greased baking trays. 4oz Plain Flour, 2oz Cornflour, 2oz Caster sugar, 4oz Butter or Margarine.
Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Tip the flour and cornflour into a bowl, add the sugar and butter, then using just your fingertips rub the mixture together to form crumbs.
Dust your hands with flour and squeeze the crumbs together to make a ball, gather any crumbs and knead in. Dust clean working surface and the cutter with flour then roll out the dough thinly (about 3 mm). Starting at the edges, cut out biscuits and put on baking trays with a little space apart. Re-roll the trimmings and continue cutting out until all dough has been used up. Chill for 5 minutes then bake in oven for about 10 – 15 minutes until pale golden. Cool on tray for 5 minutes then put on wire rack. Decorate with icing and icing pens.
Before starting always wash your hands then ask a grown up to help.
This is only an extract from some of our magazine. Residents of Deeping St James can subscribe to the printed version.