Deepings 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 Vicar
Harvest Home
It has not been a good August for the harvest. Many of us might have had reasonable holidays (I did, only one wet day) but the heavy rain has played havoc with the grain harvest especially. So our thanksgiving might be tinged with, "... But it might have better, Lord"! So we pray for those individual farmers whose incomes may have been badly affected, but we know we shall not starve.
In this age of the global village we do not rely on our local harvest. We do not even rely on our national harvest: we can eat food grown anywhere in the world. This brings with it new responsibilities to trade fairly with the people we shall never meet but from whom we buy our food. Just as we need them, they also need us. So we give thanks for the food we enjoy, and for all those who grow it and who bring it to us. We also pray for those everywhere who do not enjoy the standard of living that we enjoy. Even in what we call a bad year we are very, very much better off than millions of people in many countries.
On the one hand rejoice that God has given us so much. On the other repent on behalf of humankind for our failure to share it well. And give generously to help those in need, an important part of our Christian duty.
Readings for October
oremus bible browser to prepare your reading
3rd October, Harvest Thanksgiving:
- Morning: Deuteronomy 26: 1-11; Revelation 14: 14-18; John 6: 25-35
- Evening: Philippians 4: 4-9; Luke 12: 16-30
10th October, 18th after Trinity:
- Morning: 2 Kings 5: 1-3, 7-15c(08:00 only); 2 Timothy 2: 8-15; Luke 17: 11-19
- Evening: Nehemiah 6: 1-16; John 15: 12-27
17th October, 19th after Trinity:
Morning: Genesis 32: 22-31; 2 Timothy 3: 14 - 4: 5; Luke 18: 1-824th October, Last after Trinity:
- Morning: Ecclesiasticus 35: 12-17; 2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14
31st October, All Saints' Sunday:
- Morning: Daniel 7: 1-3, 15-18; Ephesians 1: 11-23; Luke 6: 20-31
Remembering our Loved Ones
A Memorial Service for All Saints Sunday 31st October 3pm
A service of readings, prayers and hymns to remember before God those from we are parted by earthly death.
All welcome
House Groups
- Bible Study: Fridays at 10am at the Vicarage
- Priory Prayer Group: 9th and 23rd September at 19 Ascendale
- House Group: Every Wednesday, 7.30 pm at 45 Crowson Way Everyone welcome
HARVEST 2004
Harvest Thanksgiving is on 3rd October with harvest hymns at the Sung Eucharist and Choral Evensong. Produce this year will be for the Peterborough Soup Kitchen to help local homeless people, and the following are requested, please:
- Tea bags;
- Coffee;
- Longlife milk;
- Longlife fruit juice;
- Squash;
- Biscuits;
- Tins of soup, meat, fruit and vegetables.
Any other produce will be sold at the Harvest Lunch and the proceeds donated to the Soup Kitchen. Tickets for the Lunch are available from members of the Social Committee. Please bring your harvest gifts in advance or to the morning services on 3rd October.
DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES
Scattered throughout this issue are real conversations Directory Enquiries operators had with callers, as revealed in interviews with staff at the Cardiff Directory Enquiries Centre.
Caller : I'd like the number of the Argoed Fish Bar in Cardiff, please.
Operator : I'm sorry, there's no listing. Is the spelling correct?
Caller : Well, it used to be called the Bargoed Fish Bar but the B fell off.
News from Explorers, Climbers and Scramblers
Our new term began with a PowerPoint Presentation introducing our September topic 'The big picture' This is the overview of God's amazing plan to save his people. He created a perfect world, which sadly, through the consequences of sin, we spoilt. However, by hearing the parable of the Prodigal Son we learnt that God is ready to forgive us and a feast awaits us in Heaven.
It has been a busy month for activities with the Climbers and Scramblers making mirrors (you look at the mirror to see who it is God loves!) and gingerbread hearts - again to remind them of God's love. Explorers dipped raisins, which come from grapes, into chocolate to remind them to say 'Yes' to God and not sin in the way the tenants in the parable of the vineyard did.
Explorers enjoyed studying Psalm 104. This is a song written by someone who thought that the world was such a wonderful place that he just had to write a song thanking God for making it. Do read it and see if you feel the same.
We were delighted to meet Alice - Andrea and Richard's new daughter and Edd, Georgina and Helena's new sister - and look forward to getting to know her better when Andrea returns from her Maternity leave!
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.
DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES
Caller : The water board please.
Operator : Which department?
Caller : Tap water.Operator : How are you spelling that?
Caller : With letters.Caller : I'd like the number for a reverend in Cardiff, please.
Operator : Do you have his name?
Caller : No, but he has a dog named Ben.Caller : The Union of Shopkeepers and Alligators please.
Operator : You mean the Amalgamated Union of Shopkeepers?On another occasion, a man making heavy breathing sounds from a phone box told the worried operator: "I haven't got a pen so I'm steaming up the window to write the number on."
ROAD SAFETY:
a local concern for local people
The Parish Council frequently receives letters, email messages and telephone calls about road safety issues. The Council is promoting awareness of road safety over a fortnight at the beginning of October and is calling a public meeting in the Church Hall on Tuesday 5th October at 7.30pm when we shall be able to put our questions, suggestions and concerns to the Police and the Highways authority.
There will also be a new issue of the popular car stickers urging us to keep to 30 mph within the village and a few other little surprises to help to promote the need for safe driving.
In a community the size of the Deepings most of the traffic is local: it is ourselves going to the shops, the schools and each others' homes. So most of the accidents involve only local people and most of the traffic offences are committed by local people. Thus the enhancement of the safety of our roads rests with us. It is in our own power to make this village a better place and a safer place.
DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES
Caller : I'd like the RSPCA please.
Operator : Where are you calling from?
Caller : The living room
New Season, New Bible?
As we move into Autumn many of us will be changing into warmer wear. If we are lucky, we'll perhaps be adding something new to update our wardrobe or replace something that has become too worn to be suitable. How about your Bible?? Is the cover starting to fall apart, or is it a translation that is no longer in use in Sunday Services?
Christian Aid is sponsoring a special edition of the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), the translation now used by the Church of England (and many other Christian Churches) as the norm for its readings.
If just thirty people are willing to place an order a generous discount of 25% is available bringing the price down from £14.99 to a very reasonable £11.24 post free.
The edition, produced in conjunction with Oxford University Press, includes an introduction with notes and guidance on Christian living, prayer and worship.
Interested? Please speak to Sonia who will be happy to include your request as part of a larger order from the Priory Church
DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES
then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven:
Operator : Woven? Are you sure?
Caller : Yes. That's what it says on the label - Woven in Scotland.
News From The Tower
September 2004
Another busy month with ringing for weddings, ringing at West Deeping on the second Tuesday and moving to Crowland Abbey on the 17th for our practice evening when we found out that the Priory Players were performing in the church hall.
During October/early November the ringers hope to be carrying out their mammoth task of cleaning up the tower. (Any volunteers will be made most welcome).
Ringing is progressing and fresh methods are being practiced on Friday nights. Our latest recruit is also making very good progress.
It is with great pleasure that we enjoy carrying out the noble art of change ringing and hope that all who hear our lovely bells enjoy them as much as we do.
EDENHAM
I don't suppose I'm much different from anyone else in craving peace and quiet. As the days scurry by, words and sounds seem to fill every waking moment at work and home; from those we love, those who we find hard to relate to, from T.V., radio, newspapers and telephones – especially those ubiquitous mobile phones.
As I have tinnitus, it's even harder to distance myself from sounds. I wrote this poem when I was particularly hard pressed.
Invasion
As the insistent decibels within my ears Invade my being, I long for silence. Music I love And the sound of children's laughter, Spontaneous as a sigh. Voices I cherish Especially those I will never hear again This side of eternity. They say For the dying Hearing is the last sense To leave. I welcome the gift of sound In all its myriad forms….. And yet I crave Enfolding silence To restore my soul.
What has all this to do with Edenham? Well, at the Regional House Bishop Alistair is leading an Advent Quiet Day on Saturday 4th December. I booked my place early as I know I will find peace, quiet and inspiration there. If you would like to go too, please contact the Revd. Andrew Hawes, tel. 01778 591358.
Bet Washbrooke
Registers for August 2004
Baptism
we welcome to the Lord's family:
1st:
- Lucy Ann Battley 32 Buttercup Court
- Arthur James Battley 32 Buttercup Court
29th:
- Leigha-Marie Long 76 Northfield Road, Market Deeping
- Alex Francis Long 76 Northfield Road, Market Deeping
- Oliver James Ward 46 Francis Gardens, Peterborough
Marriage:
We congratulate:
- 14th Mark Harrison and Kathryn Anne Hurst
- 21st Peter Griffiths and Louisa Marie Dean
This is only an extract from some of our magazine. Residents of Deeping St James can subscribe to the printed version.