December 2008

Run-up to Christmas | The Art of Listening | 150th Anniversary | Christmas Market| New Year's Day Lunch

Quiz Night | UNICEF | Methodist building | Carol Singing | From the Registers | Calendar

Run-up to Christmas

A couple of weeks ago I went to a meeting in Woking looking at how the Church can respond to debt issues, with speakers from the Citizens' Advice Bureau and two Christian organisations which help churches set up debt advice centres. Some of the statistics they quoted were amazing, both about the levels of household debt in Britain - something like 1½ trillion pounds! - and the proportion of people who find it difficult to understand everyday financial matters. Of course with the current economic and financial strains debt problems are likely to get worse. Nor is it an issue that only affects people on low incomes: Surrey residents often have a lot of money coming in, but also a lot going out, and it doesn't take much to tip things in the wrong direction.

Ironically and sadly, the approach of Christmas often causes its own particular problems in this area. We sing carols about peace and goodwill, but run ourselves ragged trying to get everything done and can be tempted to spend money we haven't got. This is all from the best of motives - usually that we want others to enjoy themselves. But we've become convinced that we can only really enjoy ourselves in ways that involve buying lots of stuff! In our heart of hearts we know it doesn't really hit the spot, but we seem trapped into the cycle. The run-up to Christmas, which the Church calls Advent - the 'coming time' - is a special and lovely period of the year. Naturally it's full of quiet excitement and joy as the great day is prepared for and approaches. It's also a time of reflection and thoughtfulness: as well as celebrating the coming of Jesus twenty centuries ago, we are encouraged to look forward to his coming again at the end of all things, and to remember that there are things in us and our world which will need to be put right.

It would give me enormous pleasure to think that the people of Englefield Green were taking time for themselves this Advent, drawing a line around the things that really matter. Fun and joy are found in simple things - the company of family and friends, and sharing good food and drink. Rushing around less and living more takes a bit of doing, though: it requires setting aside time to think and rest, putting limits on what we spend and try to do, and that means being ready sometimes to say 'no' and resist the pressures this time of the year can so often bring, and all the guilt and harassment that goes along with them. Perhaps take some time this month to reflect about what it is you really enjoy.

Finally, joyful things are made complete by saying thank you for them. We'll say thank you to one another for the gifts we'll receive and the pleasures we'll share this Christmas time. I'll also be saying thank you to God, who delights in the joy of all his children.

Have a peaceful Advent and a happy Christmas!

James Rattue

CHRISTMAS MARKET
The Christmas Market on Saturday 22nd November raised £957 for USPG. Many thanks to all those helped and supported.

ART OF LISTENING
Listening is sometimes described as a lost art? How important is it that we, the Church, listen to others? Canaan Ministries and St Jude's United Church offer you the opportunity to improve your listening skills.

A five week course starts this autumn and finishes in the New Year.

Venue: The Village Centre (Methodist Building in Victoria Street)

Time: 7:30pm coffee 7:45pm start - 9:30pm finish

Tuesday 2nd December Session 3 - Knowing your boundaries. Confidentiality / supervision. Legalities.

Thursday 15th January Session 4 - Listening to God. Wisdom. Offering personal prayer.

Thursday 29th January Session 5 - Dealing with some specifics - case study - resources that are available to us.

Costs - £2 per session. This would be £10 for the course.

150th ANNIVERSARY
On 28th October 2009, St Jude's Church will be 150 years old. To celebrate this anniversary throughout 2009, there will be regular events of many kinds. The celebrations have been launched with a special calendar featuring some spectacular photographs of places of significance in and around Englefield Green. These calendars which will make excellent Christmas presents for family and friends, are available for you buy at £6 each from the Church. We now also have celbration mugs on sale.

The concerts and recitals have now been finalised as follows:

3rd January at 4.00pm - Organ Recital by Geoff Chew

7th February at 4.00pm - Brass Quartet "Davo"

7th March at 4pm - Organ Recital by Sam Rathbone

4th April at 6.00pm - Piano Recital by Val Ward

2nd May at 4.00pm in Royal Holloway Chapel - Summer Concert

6th June at 4.00pm - Mosaic Choir directed by Karen Falkner

4th July at 4.00pm - Vocal Recital by Ruth Hopkins and Edward Small (piano)

1st August at 4.00pm - Jazz Trio - Two Bats and a Bass

5th September at 4.00pm - Mixed Recital - local musicians

3rd October at 4.00pm - Voices Anon Choir directed by Guy Bunce

7th November at 4.00pm - Students from Royal Holloway Music Department

5th December at 4.00pm - Christmas Concert - Brass and Organ

UNICEF GIFTS AND CARDS
Joan Wintour will be selling UNICEF cards, calendars, gifts, etc after the 9.30am service on 7th December. She can also be contacted at home on 01784 437796. UNICEF supports children in need in over 150 countries (including Afghanistan and the UK). It is within the UN family but depends entirely on voluntary contributions from governments, institutions and individuals.

NEW YEAR'S DAY LUNCH
Lunch is available in the Village Centre (Methodist building), Victoria Street on Thursday 1st January at 12.30pm for 12.45pm. The cost will be £4.00 and all proceeds will go to the Medical Clinic in Skopje, Macedonia.

QUIZ NIGHT
A thoroughly entertaining quiz night was enjoyed in the Church Hall on Saturday 15th November. About fifty people answered eight rounds of questions including a ‘name the face’ picture round. We would like to thank Tangerine and Green, Ruby Wines, Genevieve’s, and Honeychurch Deli for their generous donations of raffle prizes. The Quiz raised in the region of £300 for the Parish Centre Appeal.

METHODIST BUILDING
Please note that the Methodist Church in Victoria Street is now to be known as The Village Centre.

CAROL SINGING
Carol singing this year will be on Monday 22nd December. We meet at 7.00pm at St Jude's Church.

COFFEE MORNING
On Saturday 6th December, there will be a coffee morning in the Porch at St Jude's Village Centre, Victoria Street. There will be coffee and tea, cakes, books and bric-a-brac. The proceeds are for TEAR FUND. Please come. Offers of help and items for sale will be appreciated. Please contact Rita on 01784 433560.

FROM THE REGISTERS

Holy Baptism:
(2nd November) Finlay Cunnison; (16th) David Sprackling.

Confirmation:
(25th November in St John's Church, Egham) Hannah Harrison.

Holy Matrimony:
(31st October) Steven Griffin and Anna Martin; (8th November) Simon Page and Priscilla Vassodaven.

Funerals:
(3rd November) Averil Selmes; (21st) Vera Belchamber.

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CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 2008

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