St. Thomas’ Church, Upshire
Newsletter May 2008
Vicar: During the interregnum contact Revd Joyce Smith, St Lawrence House,
46 Mallion Court, Ninefields, Waltham Abbey, EN9 3EQ. 01992 767916.
Parish Office: Mrs Margaret Wackett, 01992 763712
Website: www.highbeach-upshirechurches.co.uk
Editor: Mrs Lyn Wackett, 94 Upshire Road, Upshire, Waltham Abbey EN9 3PA.
01992 711573.
Copy date for June Newsletter: 14th May
SERVICES AND DIARY FOR MAY
Sunday 11th Day of Pentecost (Whit Sunday)
9 a.m. HOLY COMMUNION (CW)
Readings: Acts 2:1-21 John 20:19-23
Hymns: 114, 615, 67, 419
Saturday 17th 10am onwards Churchyard tidy
12noon-2pm Shared Lunch – all welcome
Sunday 18th Trinity Sunday
9 a.m. HOLY COMMUNION (BCP)
Readings: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 Matthew 28:16-20
Hymns: 685, 167, 684, 286
10.15 FAMILY SERVICE (Informal)
Hymns: 286, 434, 511
Saturday 24th 11am-3pm PLANT SALE in the churchyard; refreshments
Sunday 25th 1st Sunday after Trinity
9 a.m. HOLY COMMUNION (CW)
Readings: 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 Matthew 5:38-48
Hymns: 19, 98, 509, 636
2.30-5.30pm Afternoon Teas and Plant Sale
Monday 26th 2.30-5.30pm Bank Holiday Teas and Plant Sale
Wednesday 28th 12noon-2pm Mothers’ Union Ploughman’s Lunch in Village Hall
Sunday 1st June 2nd Sunday after Trinity
9.30am ALL AGE WORSHIP
READERS ROTA SIDESPEOPLE FAMILY SERVICE
11th: Mike & Sue McK Sue McK & Harry H
18th: Myrtle E & Margaret W Janice A & Margaret W Muriel A & Stephen B
25th: David & Lyn Wackett Doreen & Clifford M
1st June: Sue McK Lyn & David W
Dear Friends,
Christmas and Easter dominate our spiritual horizons. So it can feel like Ascension and Pentecost have somehow dropped off the “Christian” horizon. This should not be, as in generations past they have had their proper place. In our modern world the spirituality behind Christ’s Ascension and the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost seem not to matter so much.
Yet, I was reading an article which pointed out that in the last ten years the interest in spirituality has risen by some 50%. The search for the divine is not denied nor is it fed by just supposing we don’t need God any more.
As I lead and plan services I sense the challenge that comes to the church to make connections for people between their own experiences, feelings and insights and the great opportunities to find Christ through the festivals of the Christian Year.
Ascension has suggestions about the incorporation of the human with the divine. The taking up of our humanity into God.
Pentecost has links to the presence of God in the midst of everything, animating the whole of life – not least the church.
So I hope that you will be making these connections yourselves whenever you watch the television, or walk the dog, or talk to a friend. The coming of Christ brought a new vision of what it is to live and love and a new understanding of life and death. This seems far too important to let it slip ‘off the horizon’.
Best wishes for Ascension and Pentecost
Martin and Joyce
COPPER JAR
Our thanks to the people who donated their coppers and small change to the Disability Fund via the Copper Jar, raising £40 in March.
FLOWER ROTA FOR MAY
4th: Vacant 11th: Miss M. Ellis 18th: Vacant 25th: Mrs L. Wackett
MUSIC IN WALTHAM ABBEY CHURCH
Music for Lunch: Saturdays at 12.30pm
10th: Stadler Trio (clarinet, cello and piano)
In association with the Royal College of Music
17th: Marcelle Zahra and Neysun Rouhani (piano duo)
In association with Trinity College of Music
24th: Michael Davies (baritone and Jo Ramadan (piano)
In association with the Royal College of Music
31st: Anne Marie Christensen (violin and Amelie Addikson (cello)
In association with Trinity College of Music
Admission free; retiring collection. Refreshments.
Saturday 10th at 7pm: Christian Aid Variety Show:
Come and show off your talents!
To take part please contact Stephen Bullamore.
Saturday 17th, all day: Early Music workshop with Philip Thorby
SCHUTZ and PRAETORIUS
Large-scale music for voices and instruments
Includes an informal concert at 5pm
Joint event with Thames Valley and Eastern Early Music Fora
EVENTS AT THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS,HIGH BEACH
Saturday 10th May between 7pm and 9pm. A concert by Felicitas Chamber Choir (www.felicitas.org.uk). The programme will be a mixture of music ranging from the 16th century to the present day including a range of motets by Byrd, Victoria, Viadana, Bruckner, Stanford and Durufle, music by Croft and Purcell, Tavener’s “Song for Athene”, English madrigals from the 16th century, English partsongs from the 19th and 20th centuries. Tickets £10 to include light buffet, glass of wine or soft drink from Jane Begley on 0207 421 3854 (day time) or 0208 989 4975 (evenings) or on the door.
THE LEVERTON EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION awards grants to young people, to support some specialist element of their education. Applicants must be under 25 years of age and live in the Waltham Abbey area, including High Beach, Sewardstone and Upshire.
Applications are invited from individuals and organisations. To be considered for a grant this year, an application, in the form of a letter, should be sent to the Clerk to the Trustees, c/o The Abbey Church Centre, by 31st May.
For further details, please contact Waltham Abbey Parish Office, The Abbey Church Centre, Abbey Gardens, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1XQ or telephone 01992 767897.
THE COPPED HALL TRUST
The next of the regular tours of the grounds and mansion of Copped Hall is on Sunday 18th May. Access is from the gates in Crown Hill only between 10 and 11am. There is no access from the Epping entrance. Tours take approximately 2 hours, starting between 10 and 11am, price £7 per person, members of the Friends of Copped Hall and accompanied children under 14 are free. Dogs are welcome but must be on a lead at all times. Coffee/tea, home made biscuits and cakes are available.
SPECIAL GARDEN OPENING: Sunday 4th May between 10 and 11am, £3.50 per person, accompanied children under 14 and members of the Friends are free. Dogs must be on leads at all times. Shop, coffee/tea, home made biscuits and cakes available. This is not a guided tour, visitors are welcome to wander around the grounds and admire the work being done by the band of volunteers. Parking is free in the Mansion car park. Gardens close at 1.30pm.
OPEN DAY: Sunday 25th May between 11am and 4pm. Entrance £3.50 per person with an additional £3.50 per person for a tour of the mansion. Accompanied children under 14 and members of the Friends are free. Refreshments, lunches and bar. Various stalls and exhibitions, plus The Copped Hall Shop.
Access as above.
Sunday 15th June: 4pm The Greek Theatre Company are making a welcome return with their performance (in the grounds) of THE TEMPEST by William Shakespeare. Admission by ticket, £10 per person, from Frances Dennett, 7 Highfield Green, Epping, CM16 5HB. Cheques payable to the Copped Hall Trust, please enclose a SAE. E-mail f.dennett3@ntlworld.com or telephone 01992 610713.
Saturday 28th June: The internationally acclaimed Fitzwilliam Quartet will perform 18th century music in the mansion at 7pm. Phone 01992 610713 for further information.
WALTHAM ABBEY TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE
Come and join us on our outings from Waltham Abbey! All coaches are boarded from Quaker Lane Bus stops. To book for any of these outings, or for further information, call in at the Tourist Information Centre (in front of Waltham Abbey Church) or phone 01992 652295.
e-mail: tic@walthamabbey-tc.gov.uk
Friday 30th May: MYSTERY TOUR departing at 9.30am. We can’t tell you where we are going, that would spoil the surprise. You will have an enjoyable time! Cost Adult £13, Senior £12, Child £10.
Saturday 21st June: DE PANNE, BELGIUM departing at 6am. We travel by ferry, then cross the border into Belgium. There is plenty to see and do in this bustling seaside town with a beautiful beach; there are plenty of bars, cafes and shops and has a very relaxing atmosphere.
*A VALID UK PASSPORT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP! Cost: Adult £30, Senior £28, Child £27.
Wednesday 30th July: EASTBOURNE departing at 9.30am. Eastbourne is a stunning location, Sussex by the Sea, with traditional charm, Blue Flag Beaches and colourful Promenade, traditional Victorian seaside pier, shopping centre and plenty of eating establishments to visit. One of our most popular resorts! Cost: Adult £15, Senior £13.50, Child £12.50.
Signs of the times
My 10 year old niece says her prayers every night and instead of “amen”, she says “click, send.”
You asked for it
The student, when asked by the teacher to write an essay on ‘The Effects of Laziness’, handed in a blank sheet of paper.
THREE VALLEYS MALE VOICE CHOIR
CONCERT
in St. Thomas’ Church on
Saturday 21st June 2008
at 7.30 pm
The Choir, consisting of 26 enthusiastic men, was formed in Waltham Abbey in 1994.
The Members thoroughly enjoy singing,
especially songs from the shows,
well-known old favourites, pieces from opera
and the traditional male voice songs.
Tickets £5 include light refreshments
from Lyn Wackett on 01992 711573
FROM THE REGISTERS
Burial of Ashes
29th March Janice Hayford
12th April Ian Luck
100 CLUB NEWS – APRIL 2008
Congratulations to our March winners, who were:
1st: No.35 Mrs Joan O’Mullane of Upshire
2nd: No.72 Mrs Glenis Fletcher of Upshire
3rd: No. 4 Mr Harry Harvey of Upshire
UPSHIRE MOTHERS’ UNION
We had our Corporate Communion Service in St. Thomas’ Church on Wednesday March 26th. We thank Revd Joyce Smith for conducting the service and Malcolm Bush for playing the organ.
After the service we went across the road to the Village Hall for our tea and meeting when our Committee was voted for en bloc except for Audrey Watts who wished to retire from the Committee. We welcome Ann Smith who was voted on to the Committee in Audrey’s place.
Our next meeting is our Ploughman’s Lunch on Wednesday May 28th between 12 noon and 2pm in the Village Hall, still at only £4.50 for a delicious meal of lunch, dessert and tea or coffee. We also have a bring and buy table and raffle. All are welcome to come along and enjoy a friendly lunch – a great chance to relax and meet up with friends old and new.
THE WAY (Youth Group) Sponsored 3 mile circular walk starting from High Beach Church approx 7pm on 11th May. Open to adults and accompanied children, sponsorship for Christian Aid. Contact Danny Bruton (610852) or any other group leader to take part or sponsor others.
OUTINGS
You are invited to join us on our outings. We have a good time on the journey, with sweets being passed round and a raffle, sometimes a further competition, too. Our outings this year are to the following places:
BARLEYLANDS AND SOUTHEND on Wednesday 25th June. We leave Upshire at 9am with several pick-up points down to Waltham Abbey before continuing with our journey. Barleylands is a craft village and farm centre where you will be able to watch some of the craftsmen at work. We then move on to Southend to get our lunch at any of the many eating places – or sit in a deck chair with fish and chips! Southend has much going for it now, with many shops, amusements and lovely gardens. Price £11.
GREAT YARMOUTH on Saturday 26th July. We leave Upshire at 8.30am. Great Yarmouth is Norfolk’s capital of fun with its Golden Mile, Pleasure Beach and amusement arcades. The area has 15 miles of sand beaches and wonderful countryside to enjoy. There’s also a rich and proud maritime heritage stretching back almost 2000 years which visitors can discover as they explore the ancient buildings and heritage walks in the town. With the many shops and market, the world’s largest rock shop and plenty of places to have a meal, we should have a brilliant day! Price £13, children £11.
EASTBOURNE on Saturday 30th August, leaving Upshire at 8.30am. With its long promenade with beautiful gardens, good shops, plenty of places at which to have a meal, amusements, etc, Eastbourne is always very popular, so book early! Price £13, children £11.
To book for any of these outings contact Lyn or Dave Wackett on 01992 711573. Several pick-up points en route to Waltham Abbey, money with booking appreciated.
CHURCHYARD TIDY AND SHARED LUNCH
We will be meeting in the churchyard on Saturday 17th May from 10 o’clock onwards for one of our major churchyard tidying sessions. Everyone is invited to come along and help, some tools and mowers can be supplied or please bring your own.
Refreshments are available all day, but we have a break some time between 12 noon and 2pm for the shared lunch. Again, all are invited, you don’t have to work in the churchyard to come to the lunch, all we ask is that you bring some food, either sweet or savoury, that can be shared with others.
After the lunch we continue to work in the churchyard until about 5 o’clock (or whatever time suits you). If you can spare an hour or so during these times we’d be delighted to see you. Do come and give your support to our few regular volunteers who work so hard to keep the churchyard looking neat and tidy throughout the year.
If you are not able to come on this day, Dave is usually to be found working in the churchyard any dry Friday evening from 6 o’clock onwards and always appreciates any help, or feel free to call in to the churchyard and do some mowing whenever it is convenient to you. Contact Dave on 01992 711573 for further information.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON TEAS
Afternoon Teas start again on Sunday 4th and Monday 5th May between 2.30 and 5.30pm. How time flies! There will be the usual wide range of cakes on offer including cakes suitable for special dietary needs.
Items are always appreciated for the charity stall, but please remember that we can only take articles that are good enough to be sold, and no electrical goods, thank you. We are looking for extra helpers on the stall as we will be short staffed this year. The money raised on this stall is divided – two-thirds to various charities and one third to the Disability Fund. We intend to use this fund to improve the access to the church.
If you fancy a change of venue, our sister church at High Beach, Holy Innocents, will be open for teas and home-made cakes between 2 and 5pm from 17th May until 21st September. Occasionally there will be live organ music inside the church and there will be the opportunity to ring the carillon.
PLANT SALE
St. Thomas’ Plant Sale will be on Saturday 24th May from 11am to 3pm in the churchyard, and also on Sunday 25th and Monday 26th during Teas between 2.30 and 5.30pm.
There will be the usual great variety of plants for sale, including bedding plants for the instant show of colour in the garden, also perennials, shrubs, biennials, vegetable plants, etc. All at very reasonable prices.
Refreshments will be available throughout the day on the Saturday, with the usual choice of delicious cakes and savouries during Teas on Sunday and Monday.
Any donations of plants would be much appreciated, please remember us when you’re pricking out those seedlings!
Do come along to the sale and bring your friends too, you’ll find many interesting bargains.
CONSECRATION SERVICE
It was good to see so many people in our church for our Service of Consecration on Sunday 20th April.
The Rt. Revd David Hawkins, Bishop of Barking, gave a very interesting sermon and soon had everybody laughing.
Towards the end of the service the Bishop was led out to the new area of the churchyard to be consecrated. This piece of land was given to St. Thomas’ by the late Ernest Padfield in memory of his brother, Leslie, who died in 1942 whilst a prisoner of war, and also in memory of his comrades in the 1939-1945 World War. A memorial depicting this is already in place in the churchyard. It was a great pleasure to have Richard Padfield, brother of Ernest and Leslie, and his daughter, Pebble, with us for this occasion.
The Bishop, led by the churchwardens, and with the Revd Joyce Smith and the rest of the congregation following behind, proceeded to each corner of the new churchyard where he blessed the land. We all gathered together to sing the wonderful hymn “Great is thy faithfulness”.
Finally, the Bishop completed the planting of a Wild Service tree, hoisting up his robes to tread the soil down! He obviously watches ‘Gardener’s World’! The children then planted cowslips round the base of the tree.
Back in the warmth of the church for some welcome refreshments, everyone was saying what a lovely service it had been for an occasion not very often witnessed. A special ‘thank you’ to Revd Joyce Smith and everyone else involved for arranging this most enjoyable and memorable service.
Check out our website www.highbeach-upshirechurches.co.uk for photos of this wonderful occasion.
The Language of Church-going
AMEN: The only part of a prayer that everyone knows.
HOLY WATER: A liquid whose chemical formula is H2OLY.
HYMN: A song of praise usually sung in a key three octaves
higher than that of the congregation’s range.
BULLETIN: Your receipt for attending the service.
PEW: A medieval torture device still found in many
Anglican and Catholic churches.
RELICS: People who have been going to church for so
long that they actually know when to sit, kneel, and stand.
TEN COMMANDMENTS: The most important – and
oldest – Top Ten list.
JUSTICE: When kids have kids of their own.
JONAH: The original ‘Jaws’ story.
INCENSE: Holy Smoke!
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St. Thomas’ Church, Upshire
Newsletter
April 2008
Vicar: During the interregnum contact Revd Dr Joyce Smith, St Lawrence House,
46 Mallion Court, Ninefields, Waltham Abbey, EN9 3EQ. 01992 767916.
Parish Office: Mrs Margaret Wackett, 01992 763712
Website: www.highbeach-upshirechurches.co.uk
Editor: Mrs Lyn Wackett, 94 Upshire Road, Upshire, Waltham Abbey EN9 3PA.
01992 711573.
PASSION PLAY – OBERAMMERGAU 2010
I write to give you advance notice of taking a party to the Passion Play in 2010. I will be assisted by Revd Dr Joyce Smith who will act as chaplain.
I have registered with McCabe travel to go on 21st June 2010 for an eight day tour staying primarily at the Inntalerhof Hotel Mosern. The approximate cost will be in the region of £1045 for half board but includes everything else.
At the moment I have booked space enough for a party of around 25 but this can be extended if there are enough people who have signed up early enough.
The main brochure and booking forms will be with me in March. There will be an initial deposit of £200 per person. Then in July 2009 a further sum of £300 will have to be paid, this reflects sums that have to be paid to Oberammergau in advance. There can be some flexibility with cancellations and name changes up to July 2009 but thereafter if you had to drop out you would have to claim on your holiday insurance (McCabe can provide this at £30.
The spaces I have pre-booked will be held until the end of May 2008. So it will require an early indication and commitment by then, hence my early notice! We will be in Oberammergau on Friday 25th June. You can check out McCabe on their website www.mccabe-travel.co.uk
Any questions etc back to me.
Yours in Christ,
Revd Canon Martin Webster
Tel: 01992 762115. martin-webster@rectory1952.demon.co.uk
FAMILY CARE COUNSELLING SERVICE is urgently in need of receptionists for their office at
5a Greenyard, to greet clients and answer the phone. 2/3 hours afternoon or evening, pay £5.35 per hour. If you are interested please contact Anne or Vivien on 01992 788499.
100 CLUB
Congratulations to our February winners, who were:
1st: No.13 Mrs Lydia Bradshaw of Forty Hill, Enfield
2nd: No.67 Mrs Maureen Butterfield of Waltham Abbey
3rd: No. 7 Mrs Pennie Murphy of Eaton Socon, Cambs.
COPPER JAR
Our thanks to the people who donated their coppers and small change to the Disability Fund via the Copper Jar, raising £28 in February.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON TEAS
Sunday afternoon teas begin again on Sunday 4th May and Monday 5th May from 2.30 until 5.30pm. Make a note in your diary now!
A date for your diary:
The Village Hall Committee is arranging a TABLE TOP SALE on Saturday 14th June, 10 am – 2pm.
Tables are £6, to book contact Margaret on 01992 763712. Refreshments.
PLANT SALE
Don’t be tempted to buy your bedding plants now just because the sun is shining, wait until the end of May when there is no risk of frost destroying those tender new shoots. Come to St. Thomas’ Plant Sale in the churchyard on Saturday 24th May between 11am and 3pm.
If you are sowing seeds, taking cuttings or dividing plants and have a surplus, we’d be really pleased to accept any donations to sell on the stalls.
Other events to look forward to at St Thomas’:
Saturday 17th May: Churchyard tidy and shared lunch
Saturday 21st June The Three Valleys Male Voice Choir
Saturday 12th July Churchyard tidy and shared lunch
Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th July: Summer Fair
OUTINGS
Luxury coaches have been booked for our outings again this year for the following dates:
Wednesday 25th June: Mothers’ Union outing to BARLEYLANDS AND SOUTHEND, leaving Upshire at 9am. Barleylands is a craft village and farm centre where you will be able to watch some of the craftsmen at work. We then move on to Southend, now a beautiful seaside resort (no longer Southend-on-Mud!) with a vast range of shops, eating places and amusements. Price £11.
Saturday 26th July: GREAT YARMOUTH, leaving Upshire at 8.30am. This is the first time we have organised an outing to Great Yarmouth, so we can visit the many shops and market, visit the world’s largest rock shop, try our luck in the amusement arcades or spend the day sitting on the beach soaking up the sunshine! With 15 miles of sandy beaches we should have plenty of space! Price £13 (children £11).
Saturday 30th August: EASTBOURNE, leaving Upshire at 8.30am. A long promenade with lovely gardens, good shops, plenty of eating places – need I say more! Price £13 (children £11).
Through negotiation with the coach company we have managed to keep the prices to a minimum which is reflected in the price of the seats – we look forward to seeing you on the coach!
To book for any of these trips contact Lyn or Dave Wackett on 01992 711573. Money with booking appreciated as deposits have to be paid to the coach company.
CHURCHYARD MOWING
Mowing has already started in the churchyard as with the wet and reasonably mild winter the grass is growing strongly. If you are able to help in any way please phone Dave on 01992 711573 or come to the churchyard on Friday evenings after 6pm. You are obviously very welcome to work in the churchyard on any other day if it is more convenient for you. Dave is semi-retired now so may be available on the day you prefer. Your help will be much appreciated.
Our first churchyard tidy and shared lunch will be on Saturday 17th May from 10am onwards.
UPSHIRE SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB
We are looking for new members for our club meetings, everyone is welcome, no experience necessary.
We meet on: Monday afternoons from 2.30-5.30pm
Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 7-10pm
For more information call Pat Matthews on 01992 711242 or Fred Corsham on 01992 711720 or just come along to a meeting.
UPSHIRE MOTHERS’ UNION
Our meeting on February 27th was our A.G.M. Jane Gottschalk was re-elected as Branch Leader and Gwen Dale as Secretary. Doreen Smith was elected Treasurer; Doreen had very kindly been doing this job since the death of Sheila Matthews.
Our outing on June 25th will be to Barleylands and Southend-on-Sea, tickets £11, contact Lyn Wackett on 01992 711573. All welcome to come with us.
Our next meeting will be on April 23rd at 2.15pm in the Village Hall; our speaker will be Mrs Anne Ball who will talk to us about ‘Working with the church in Africa’.
Tea Hostesses: Janice Adcock and Ann Smith. Raffle: Eva Berry.
AT THE FAIRGROUND
I tottered round the fairground With scornful look I picked up gun,
Complete with zimmer frame, took careful aim and fired.
And came across a rifle range; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 I shot –
I thought, ‘I’ll have a game’. Five targets out of five!
I used to fire a useful gun, With open mouth and new respect
When in my wilder days. The lad gave me my prize.
I’d drop the targets one by one Now little cottage stands on shelf;
And walk off with my gains. And I look at it with pride.
So I paid my 50p (ten bob!) And what was hubby up to
To grinning youth who said, While I was wielding gun?
‘Hi, there, Gran. Want any help? Riding on the roundabouts –
Shouldn’t you be in your bed? Not bad at 81!
EASTER FLOWERS
Thank you to everyone who contributed so generously to the Easter flowers and lilies, also to the ladies who decorated the church with these flowers to make it look so beautiful.
LOUGHTON FESTIVAL is staging several events at the church of The Holy Innocents, High Beach.
Saturday 10th May – Felicitas will be singing for us between 7 and 9pm. Tickets £10 includes light buffet.
Sunday 11th May at 10am – Walk with the West Essex Ramblers: Loughton’s Literary Heritage led by John and Pat Juchau and David Stevenson – light lunch at Holy Innocents.
Sunday 11th May at Holy Innocents
1.30pm Kipling (Sharad Keskar, The Kipling Society)
2.30pm Baden Powell (Pat Styles, The Scouts Association)
3.30pm Midsummer Night’s Dream – Adrian Eckersley
£5 per talk.
DEAR GOD,
I want to thank you for what you have already done in my life.
I am not going to wait until things in my life look better –
I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry –
I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears –
I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves –
I am not going to wait until I get the job -
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier –
I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief;
I am thanking you right now.
I am thanking you because I am alive.
I am thanking you because I made it through the day’s difficulties.
I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.
I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.
Most of all, I’m thanking you, God… because you haven’t given up on me.
Could you save someone’s life?
Have you ever wondered what you would do if someone collapsed in front of you, or had a serious accident? If you have no idea at all, why not consider taking a course offered by St. John Ambulance? One day it might mean the difference between life and death.
Each year more than half a million people are trained in first aid by St John Ambulance, on a variety of courses designed to suit people of all ages. Emergency first aid can be taught in just three hours – while a 28 hour course will equip you with a wide range of skills to help people needed first aid. If this interests you, visit: www.sja.org.uk
The hedgehogs are coming!
With Spring and increasing warmth of the sun, hedgehogs around the country are waking up from a long hibernation this month. They are in need of food and water as soon as they emerge, as they need to replenish lost fat reserves in time for the breeding season.
If you have hedgehogs in your garden, you can do a lot to help them. Offer them meat-based pet food and fresh water - and soon they will be repaying you by snacking on your slugs and snails. Please take care when tidying up the garden from winter mayhem – many hedgehogs suffer terrible injuries every year from strimmers, garden forks, etc.
For more info on helping these enchanting, prickly garden visitors, visit the British Hedgehog Preservation Society at: www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk
Dawn Chorus
The Dawn Chorus peaks in April and early May. Our garden birds such as robins, bluetits and blackbirds are advertising their territory boundaries and either inviting females to mate for the first time or returning to previous partners. The male’s singing prowess is a signal to the choosy female.
Have you walked in the garden?
(Mark 14:33-34,42, John 20:16)
Have you walked in the garden of desolation, Let him lead you from the garden of your suffering,
Do you know what it’s like to fall down? Let him show you to the place beyond the night.
Have you trusted and shared and been rejected, He has overcome the darkness by his death upon the
Has the broken heart within you turned to stone? Cross,
Have you known the pain of misinterpretation, He has won for you his glorious Easter light.
Of betrayal by the ones you knew as friends? There is life and joy within his resurrection,
Have you pleaded that your nightmare might be There is freedom and forgiveness for the past,
lifted, Let him lead you in the garden of his triumph
Just to waken to a night that never ends? As he calls your name and offers peace at last.
Have you walked in the garden of desolation? Let him lead you from the garden of your suffering.
Jesus walked in your garden. Daphne Kitching
What are you doing with your food?
How much food do you buy – and then throw away? According to recent research, it is a staggering third of all you buy. Nationally, that means £8 billion-worth of food a year. That comes to about 6.7 million tons – imagine filling Wembley Stadium eight times over.
The Government-funded Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap) estimates that if households could cut out such waste, 15 million tons of carbon dioxide a year would be averted – the same as if we took one in five cars off the road.
It seems we let too much food go off in the fridge and cupboard, and also cook more than we need or can eat – and then throw it away.
FROM THE REGISTERS
Funerals
21st February Richard O’Connor Service in church followed by committal at
Parndon Wood Crematorium
22nd February Daniel Palfreyman Service in church
The Good Samaritan
A young minister was telling his church the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. He got carried away and described the situation in vivid detail, wanting his congregation to catch the drama of it all. Then he asked rhetorically: ‘If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?’ A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, ‘I think I’d throw up.’
Lost in translation
A Polish man moved to the UK and married an English girl. Although his English was far from perfect, they got along very well until one day he rushed into a solicitor’s office and asked him if he could arrange a divorce. The solicitor explained that getting a divorce would depend on the circumstances, and asked the Polish man the following questions:
“Have you any grounds?”
“Yes, an acre and half and a nice little home.”
“No, I mean what is the foundation of this case?”
“It made of concrete.”
“I don’t think you understand. Do either of you have a real grudge?”
“No, we have carport and not need one.”
“I mean, what are your relations like?”
“Some are weird, but all are still in Poland, and don’t bother us.”
“No – I’m asking if there is any infidelity in your marriage?”
“Sure, we have hi-fidelity stereo and good DVD player.”
“Well, does your wife beat you up?”
“No, I am always up before her.”
“Well, why on earth do you want this divorce?”
“She going to kill me.”
“What makes you think that?”
“I got proof.”
“What kind of proof?”
“She going to poison me. She buy a bottle at shop and put on shelf in bathroom. I can read, and it say: ‘Polish Remover’.”
WALTHAM ABBEY TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE
Come and join us on our outings from Waltham Abbey! All coaches are boarded from Quaker Lane Bus stops. To book for any of these outings, or for further information, call in at the Tourist Information Centre (in front of Waltham Abbey Church) or phone 01992 652295,
e-mail: tic@walthamabbey-tc.gov.uk
Friday 30th May: MYSTERY TOUR departing at 9.30am. We can’t tell you where we are going, that would spoil the surprise. You will have an enjoyable time!
Cost: Adult £13, Senior £12, Child £10
Saturday 21st June: DE PANNE, BELGIUM departing at 6am. We travel by ferry, then cross the border into Belgium. There is plenty to see and do in this bustling seaside town with a beautiful beach; there are plenty of bars, cafes and shops and has a very relaxing atmosphere.
*A VALID UK PASSPORT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP!
Cost Adult £30, Senior £28, Child £27
THREE VALLEYS MALE VOICE CHOIR
CONCERT
In St Thomas’ Church on
Saturday 21st June
at 7.30pm
The choir, consisting of 26 enthusiastic men,
was formed in Waltham Abbey in 1994.
The members thoroughly enjoy singing,
especially songs from the shows,
well-known old favourites,
pieces from opera
and the traditional male voice songs
Tickets £5 including light refreshments
from Lyn Wackett on 01992 711573
The little things
I come in little things, I come in little things,
Saith the Lord: Saith the Lord:
Not borne on the morning’s wings Yes! On the glancing wing
Of majesty, but I have set my feet Of eager birds, the softly pattering feet
Amidst the delicate and bladed wheat. Of furred and gentle beasts.
I come in little things saith the Lord.
From Immanence, by Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941)
When a Devonshire rector had faithfully served
his parish for 60 years he received a letter of
congratulation from his bishop with the tactful
suggestion that he might now like to think of
retirement.
The rector replied that when he was instituted in
1888 he was given to understand that it was not a
temporary appointment.
When a rector had been in his new parish twelve
months a parishioner asked him what he thought
had been his main contribution to the life of the
church. He replied, “People here didn’t know
what sin was till I came.”