November 2009

VICAR: The Revd. Martin Fredriksen Tel: 694109

PARISH OFFICE (Mondays to Fridays 9.30am - Noon) Tel: 697641

FROM THE VICAR : It may be only the beginning of November, the month of Remembrance, and to talk of Christmas may be somewhat premature. But why not? – after all, the commercial world has been preparing since the end of August, with 'christmassy things' on display and cards for sale.

We may look down our noses at all this, but as Christians we are notoriously bad at making our own preparations.

In earlier times, the season of Advent was observed as strictly as Lent – a period of penitence and fasting – in order to prepare carefully and properly for the celebration of our Lord's Birth. Without preparation, Christmas can be just one more thing that we have to 'do' in the midst of all the presents, cards, eating, drinking and all the rest.

Advent has some beautiful readings and music to mark the season – much of which is rarely heard. Our Worship Committee has suggested that we should mark the beginning of Advent with an additional special service of readings, carols (Advent and definitely not Christmas ones!) and candles. This will be at 6.30pm on Sunday 28th November – the First Sunday of Advent. Readers will be needed and volunteers asked for.

It is going to be a busy day because we will be having the annual Advent Party in the afternoon, for all those children who have been baptised in recent times – but it will be a good opportunity to focus on our priorities this year.

I hope to put our current small crib scene in the Hall porch as a reminder to all those who pass by, that Christmas is a lot more than just trees and red-nosed reindeer. There will be a brand new set of figures (almost half life-size) at the front of the church from Christmas Eve onwards, as a focal point for our celebrations.

In this wonderful and lively parish, may our Lord Jesus continue to be glorified among us – and may his Birthday, when we come to celebrate it, be a time of great rejoicing.

Martin Fredriksen.

HOLY BAPTISM

9th August	Phoebe May Rigler and Myah Tappenden
16th August	Harvey Michael Alexander Lewis-Batcock and Chloe Indiana Sylvia Lewis-Batcock
23rd August	Alexander Matthew White, Jennifer Brooker Turner and Jessica Mae Gates

We welcome them into the Lord’s Family