Newsletter: March, 2003

Life with Snow Ploughs

Letter From America

Tuesday, 18th February 9.00am

Before leaving England last Monday for a short winter break, I expressed a wish to see winter snow in the mountains – the same mountains with trees in full leaf that I had enjoyed last summer. Like some fairy story my wish was to be granted to the full. Yesterday we had a 10 inch snow fall.

Snow started gently falling as I arrived in New York. The second leg of my journey north to Rochester was delayed by snow and by the time we arrived there an hour later a heavy snowstorm had established itself. Friends with a heavy four-wheel drive van were at the airport to greet me complete with extra clothing in case I felt cold. The outside temperature was some 4 degrees Fahrenheit. The journey to Belmont some 70 miles normally takes 90 minutes but this particular one took considerably longer. Dusk fell rapidly and there was an increase in the swirling snow (by this time in England all road systems would have ground to a halt, but not in Western New York). I noticed for the first time reflective road markers every few feet showing the edge of the road and soon we encountered snow ploughs efficiently clearing the road way.

In the following days I have seen snow ploughs of varying shapes and sizes. These ranged from the tiny snow blowers that clear the pavements heaping up snow in piles on each lawn, to small machines which cut individual paths to isolated homesteads, and finally the huge interstate machines which clear everything in their path. Last evening our drive way was ploughed at 10.00pm so we can take to the road this morning. In spite of a ten-inch snowfall yesterday, today is not classed as a snow day. Government offices, schools and all public facilities are operational. Shops seem to be the last thing to close!

Lights shining every window of a house acts as a welcome and encouragement to the traveller. The light shines, the house is occupied in extreme weather which means there could be vital warmth and shelter to the traveller. When I first came to the USA I asked why these lights were so prolific and received the reply – it is to remind us all of the Christ Light. Jesus is the light of the world and his light shines out in darkness giving hope and inspiration. The single candle-shaped light that we might use as part of a Christmas decoration burns the whole year through.

How can I relay the sheer beauty of the landscape, tree covered hillsides with snow blanketing the pine trees and etching the branches of the maples, sun glinting on fields of glistening snow, the night drive where the verse in the Psalms the night is as clear as the day – to you darkness and light are both alike came true? The moonlight and reflected light from the snow is a memory not to be forgotten. The Genesee River is almost frozen at the falls with just a little icy water forcing its way through creating deep glacial icicles, layer upon layer.

Belmont has had snow most days since 1st November and people here are longing for the spring and the eventual thaw. This year the winter has been particularly cold and icy and yet life goes on as near normally as possible. The churches where I preached on Sunday morning had good congregations and the youth fund raising Soup Supper was well attended.

The Christians here are looking forward to Lent with the extra study groups and activities and even more to a joyful celebration of Easter. Here late April really signals the start of spring – of green grass being rediscovered and bulbs bursting into bloom.

Lent begins on Wednesday 5th March and I pray that it will be a time of growth for us all.

Lorna Smith

NEWS IN BRIEF
The Methodist Church is planning a Coffee Morning in aid of the Crusaders on Saturday 1st March from 10.00am to 11.45am. This will be in the porch of the Church in Victoria Street.

There will be a Thames Valley Hospice Table Top Sale in the Literary Institute, High Street, Egham on Saturday 15th March from 10.00am to 12 noon.

JOINT STATEMENT FROM ARCHBISHOP AND CARDINAL
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams and the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor have, following a recent private meeting, issued the following statement about the crisis involving Iraq:

War is always a deeply disturbing prospect; one that can never be contemplated without a sense of failure and regret that other means have not prevailed, and deep disquiet about all that may come in its train.

We are very conscious of the huge burden of responsibility carried by those who must make the ultimate decision in these matters. They are daily in our thoughts and prayers, as are all those who would find themselves caught up directly or indirectly in a war.

The events of recent days show that doubts still persist about the moral legitimacy as well as the unpredictable humanitarian consequences of a war with Iraq.

We recognise that the moral alternative to military action cannot be inaction, passivity, appeasement or indifference. It is vital therefore that all sides in this crisis engage through the United Nations fully and urgently in a process, including continued weapons inspections, that could and should render the trauma and tragedy of war unnecessary.

We strongly urge the government of Iraq to demonstrate forthwith its unequivocal compliance with UN resolutions on weapons of mass destruction. "The season of Lent is now approaching, a time when all Christian traditions encourage us to examine ourselves honestly, to acknowledge our shortcomings and to seek reconciliation with God. We must hope and pray that, with God's guidance, an outcome that brings peace with justice to Iraq and the Middle East may yet be found." ACNS 3314

WORKAID
Workaid is a charity which collects together various handtools and other equipment which is refurbished and then sent to some of the poorest countries in the world. At the moment they are in desperate need of chisels, planes, hacksaws, leatherwork and shoe repair tools, garden hand tools, construction & maintenance tools and Singer manual and treadle sewing machines. If you have any of these items which you would like to donate, please bring them along to St Jude’s between 1.00pm and 4.00pm on Saturdays..

WANTED — BUTTONS AND BOWS!
The Saturday Afternoon Club (those who mind the Church between 1.00pm and 4.00pm) has decided that St Jude’s Church’s stall at the Royal Holloway Garden Party in June will sell interesting buttons dating from Victorian times to the 1960s, pre-decimal coins (real money!), and old lace etc as well as other collectable items.

ELECTORAL ROLL REVISION
Following last year’s complete replacement of the Electoral Roll , it is now time to update the current list. If you would like your name to be included, please collect an application from Church either after services or between 1.00pm and 4.00pm on Saturdays. This revision will be completed by Sunday 16th March.

ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will be in St Jude’s Church on Sunday 6th April following the 9.30am Eucharist service. This is the occasion when the Churchwardens are elected, accounts and annual report are presented, members of the PCC are elected and everyone has an opportunity to review the events of the previous year and look forward to the forthcoming events.

ENTHRONEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
The Enthronement Service of Dr Rowan Williams as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury will be in Canterbury Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Anglican Communion on Thursday 27th February. TV coverage will be on BBC2 from 2.30–4.30pm. At the ceremony will be many of the Primates of the Anglican Communion and prominent ecumenical participants including Cardinal Walter Casper from the Vatican and the Patriarchs of the Orthodox Churches, Lutheran Arch-bishops of the Porvoo Communion and representatives of Jewish, Moslem, Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist faiths.

FROM THE REGISTERS
Funerals:
(29th January) Tom Crooks; (31st) Kathleen Otterway; (7th February) baby Harry John Baldwin (stillborn), Margaret Ann King.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS AND INFORMATION

COFFEE MORNING AT THE VICARAGE
Tuesday 11th March is a significant day in the life of our Vicar. Lorna will be 60 years old on that day. To celebrate the occasion, she will be holding a Coffee Morning in aid of the Parish Centre Appeal at the Vicarage from 10.00am to 11.30am. There will be cakes and preserves on sale and a raffle as well as coffee and cake. Lorna has said that she would prefer donations to the Centre rather than cards and gifts.

DEANERY CONFIRMATION
It has now been announced that Bishop John will officiate at the next Deanery Confirmation which will be in St Jude’s Church on Wednesday 14th May at 8.00pm.
Anyone who is interested should give their names to the Vicar — preparation will start in March. This will also be an opportunity for those aged 10 years and above to be baptised and confirmed, and for anyone who wishes to renew their confirmation vows.

SHROVE TUESDAY
Pancakes and popcorn will be served at a Musical Evening (Music by Scott Joplin, Gershwin, etc, poetry and prose) at the Vicarage on Tuesday 4th March. Tickets are £5 available from the Vicarage.

CALENDAR FOR MARCH
2 SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP)
9.30am Youth Eucharist 11.30am Holy Baptism
4 Shrove Tuesday An Evening of Entertainment 7.30pm at the Vicarage
5 ASH WEDNESDAY 10.00am Holy Communion and Ashing
8.00pm Holy Communion with Hymns and Ashing
7 Friday Women’s World Day of Prayer Service
2.00pm at The Church of the Assumption, Harvest Road
8 Saturday 2.00pm Holy Matrimony
9 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 11.30am Holy Baptism
6.30pm Evensong and sermon Meditation group in Church 8.00–9.00pm
based on Signs of your Kingdom by Michael Perham
10 Monday Compline and Meditation group at St Jude’s Church 8.00–9.00pm
based on Signs of your Kingdom by Michael Perham A Grain of Wheat
11 Tuesday 10.00am–11.30am Coffee Morning at the Vicarage
8.00pm PCC at the Vicarage
16 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
17 Monday Compline and Meditation group at St Jude’s Church 8.00–9.00pm
Fruit of the Vine
19 Wednesday (St Joseph) noon–2.00pm Lent Lunch at the Vicarage
23 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT 4.00pm Churches on the Green Service
Stations of the Cross at The Church of the Assumption
24 Monday Compline and Meditation group at St Jude’s Church 8.00–9.00pm
Mountain of his holiness
25 Tuesday The Annunciation of our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary
9.15am Holy Communion
30 THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (Mothering Sunday)
31 Monday Compline and Meditation group at St Jude’s Church 8.00–9.00pm
Oil of Gladness