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Scripture readings for Sunday
Even those of us with little or no connection with education find our lives dominated by the rhythm of the academic year. The Christmas and Easter holidays, of course, are fixed by the Christian year anyway, but the most dramatic change from normal is in the summer and it is marked by lower church attendances, not higher. So many people are away for so much of the time that it is impossible to carry on as normal. Getting cheques signed, calling meetings, finding someone at home: everything needed for the running of a parish church is so much more difficult and takes somewhat longer.
September, then, comes to the church just as fresh and new as it does to a school or college. Everyone is back: lost time is made up in gossip and real news, tans compared and changes since last term are remarked upon. Will the main aisle seating be back to normal, will the stained-glass windows be repaired? Will the Vicar have learnt to get the information on the news-sheet correct? And then there is the "curriculum": what will the magazine and the sermons hold for us this year? What are the children's and youth groups going to produce?
New this "term" will be an Alpha Course, and I hope that many will sign up for it, and that several will bring along friends to hear basic Christian teaching. Look out for the separate publicity and consider whether it is something of interest to you. Arising out of the recent Thy Kingdom Come conference, this course will address the needs of both those who already think of themselves as disciples of Christ but feel they need to know more and those who would like to consider whether the Christian faith is for them at all. Everyone is welcome to join this exciting addition to the life of our local church.
A programme of wind music which will include music by Poulenc, Mozart, Strauss and others.
Especially for the children, there will be a performance of 'Hansel and Gretel' with a narrator.
Admission will be by programme (with the usual concessions) available in early September from Victoria Worthington. Proceeds will go towards the Leprosy Mission and the Priory Church Organ Fund."
The children's groups had a really good time last year, and thanks are due to all those who have contributed so much to our work with children. Planning has continued over the summer and the groups are set to return to work this month.
The new term begins on 9th September and adult leaders and helpers will renew their commitment to their ministry at the start of the Family Service at 10am, and then take the children to their group meetings for a slightly shorter session than usual. It is recommended that new children who wish to join the groups for the first time come along on 16th September and go straight to the group meetings in their usual places at 9.50am: Explorers (7-11 years) in the Church Hall and Climbers (5-7) and Scramblers (3-5) in the Vicarage. Parents are welcome to stay with their children if they wish, especially for the first few times.
If anyone would like more details of our work with children, please speak to Petra (343370) about the Climbers and Scramblers or Alison (345890) about Explorers, or see www.dsj.org.uk and follow the link to Children in Church.
After the long journey from Goa airport the visitor finally arrives at BLH, its compound set among tropical trees - teak, mango and guava. The temperature hits 36oC and in these hot days water is short and precious. Mosquitoes and flies buzz through the air.
The hospital is a hive of activity. There have been 76 new cases of leprosy over the last 3 months and 118 other patients have been admitted for ulcers or other complications. Sixty surgical operations have been carried out - all of them successful, but for two patients, Ashok (42) and Annappa (65) there was no alternative but to amputate their limbs below the knee, the ulcers could not be healed. Outpatient days are always busy. Some come for multi-drug therapy. Others, anxious, no doubt that they have contracted the disease come with a host of other skin complaints, all of them painful in themselves - eczema, psoriasis, itching lesions and allergic conditions.
Inside the wards, the heat and the flies have been alleviated by the installation of some nets and some electric fans. If you are lucky enough to be in a certain ward there is some entertainment from an old donated TV set. However, a lot of basic equipment, not only medical equipment but amenities such as fire extinguishers, hot water geysers and an individual washing machine (out workers will not accept patient's laundry).
Despite all these handicaps, the long hours and disturbed nights, the staff remain cheerful and motivated because they are working in Christ's name. There is much to arrange - not only patient care but after-care, rehabilitation, disease prevention and visits to outlying districts. Lunches arranged by local supporters provide companionship and a change of diet for the patients. Their spirits will be lifted further by a full day retreat designed to give them hope and encouragement as they convalesce; they will hear speeches, watch religious and educational films and the wards will ring out with joyful hymns and songs; and thankfulness for the 292 people cures at Belgaum last year.
Next month:- The Way Ahead - Plans and Projects.
Another successful Rose and sweet Pea Show has been and gone. The ringers came up with the novel idea of "guess the weight of the old school bell" which had hung for many a year on the Church Hall. The bell was cast in 1862 by Taylors of Loughborough. Since its removal from the Church Hall because it was unsafe, it has been kept in the care of the bell ringers.
The fuchsia, donated by Peter Collins, was again a great success as were the trips up the tower.
In June the Rose and Sweet Pea show
Took place on the vicarage lawn.
Preparations had been in hand
From early on Salturday morn.
The weather was kind - occasional clouds -
But not a drop of rain.
All augured well for a day full of fun,
And hopes that the Church fund would gain!
Hoopla, Tombola, find the treasure that's hidden,
Try riding a wobbly bike!
A trip up the tower to see all the bells,
In the capable hands of Mike.
Guess the weight of the bell from the old village school
(As opposed to the weight of a cake)
And a beautiful fuchsia from Peter to raffle,
We wondered how much that would make?
Inside the Church displays had been mounted,
With fruit and flowers on show.
Pony rides down the path were eagerly taken,
With plenty of children in tow.
Then the Rose Queen presented the prizes to winners,
Each one receiving applause,
And the vicar said thanks to all who attended
For helping support a good cause.
Daphne Willson June 2001
Bill Flegg suggested that I put my own recipe for custard with this, so here goes: Take one tin of Bird's and open it. Heat and Pour !!.....Dave
Serves 4
Split the sponge cakes in half horizontally and place in buttered ovenproof dish. Prepare the apples and cook with 2 tbs of water and lemon rind. Sweeten the apples with half the sugar and pour over the sponge cakes. Pour the custard over the apple. Beat the egg white and mix in the remainder of sugar and use to cover custard. Bake in moderate oven for 20-25 minutes. Serve hot.
We welcome to the Lord's Family
We commend to God's keeping:
We congratulate:
Services of Prayer & Dedication following civil marriage were held as follows:
This is only an extract from some of our magazine. Residents of Deeping St James can subscribe to the printed version.
Copyright © 2001 Deeping St James PCC
Created by WebEdit, 3 September 2001