Magazine December 2016
Parish Magazine ~ December 2016
30, The Ridgeway,
Dear friends,
You may have noticed that we have increased the cover price of the magazine, for the first time this Millennium… I’m sure everyone understands that twenty pence isn’t what it used to be, and with those funny edges on the small coin that it is, it’s doesn’t roll as far as it used to! We also hope that the introduction of colour and the material-packed editions, makes half a quid still a reasonable proposition. We don’t seek to make a profit, but it would be good to break even on this illustrious publication. That said, we would not want anyone to pay more than they can afford or want to and it is effectively a donation towards the cost, rather than a price charged. And we would welcome your comments and feedback, as always.
Christmas is coming, on a Sunday this year, and we clergy love it when Christmas Day is a Sunday! In a parallel universe I would make Easter Day the second Sunday of April and Christmas Day the fourth Sunday of December… In fact, an act of parliament in the 1920’s made the former the case but the churches have to agree. The case for moving Christmas Day to a Sunday is actually a better one. Christmas Day – the feast of the Nativity of our Lord - was imposed by the early church onto the celebration of the birthday of the Roman God Mithras (just as other saints’ days were often used to displace pagan festivals, such as Valentine superseding Lupercalia, for example). It is unproven, and indeed unlikely that Jesus was born in December anyway, and what with calendrical changes and cultural variations, the rigid adherence to a particular and fixed date says more about human nature today than it does about divine dating. Before the Victorian period (1841-3 to be more precise), Christmas wasn’t what it now is, having been bolstered by Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’, Prince Albert’s Christmas Tree and the invention of the postage stamp and Christmas card, and the emphasis was more on the feast of the Epiphany, as indeed it still is in some parts of the world. And Father Christmas was invented by Coca-Cola (that’s why he wears red and white).
So, as we enter Advent and Christmas, let’s prepare to enjoy ourselves, but let’s enjoy what we are truly celebrating, the incarnation of our Lord, Emmanuel, God with us. And we can celebrate that, of course, on any day!
Gordon
From the Parish Registers
Marriage
18 November 2016
Rosamin and Christopher Sutherland
Interment of Ashes
30 October 2016
Phaedra Christina Kwakua Cofie
Ronald Frederick Carr
If anyone is celebrating a birthday or anniversary and wishes to take up the elements please inform the churchwardens.
The Hall Roof and Church
Folk may have noticed scaffolding on the Church Hall Roof during November. Previously you may have noticed the Cross on top leaning worryingly! The scaffolding was put up, at great cost, so we could inspect. It became clear that the large iron cross (which is now in the Chapel) was attached by a thin strand of rusting metal, so it was immediately removed. Subsequently an emergency faculty was obtained to remove it and also the wooden structure supporting it, which itself was rotten. It has been carefully dismantled and can be re-erected in the future in a repaired and restored form.
On a brighter note… (ha ha!)…
… you may have noticed that every light bulb in church has been changed for more economical, greener spec’d LED bulbs. While using less energy, we have better and perhaps even brighter lighting!
Gordon
Date for Your Diary
I cannot believe another year has gone but will you please put a note in your diary for my Christmas Coffee morning in aid of the organ.
It is at Flat 3 Anabelle Court, Slades Hill (020-3726-1068) and to gain entry please press 3 followed by the little bell symbol.
It is on MONDAY 12th DECEMBER @ 10.30 a.m. and we will be singing Christmas Carols accompanied by Eleanor on the keyboard and Gordon on flute as well as enjoying coffee and seasonal goodies. I look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible.
Rita Barker
Christingle
Would members of the congregation like to take part in, or help with, the Christmas Story to be performed at this year’s Christingle Services on Saturday 24th December at 3.00pm and 4.30pm? If so, please could you let either Chris Moon or Gordon know by Sunday 18th December. If you are only able to take part in one of the performances that would be absolutely fine. The rehearsal will be in the Church at 8.00 pm on Wednesday 21st December.
Chris Moon
Christingles
Please come and help us make Christingles on Friday, 23 December 2016 at 2:00 pm in the Vestry.
News From The Home Group
Our Concept:
We extend a warm, open invitation to share prayer and fellowship; encouraging one another's walk of faith, to know God more clearly, love him more dearly and follow him more nearly, day by day.
Having attended two of the four events, we’re looking forward to the third instalment of “Find Your Voice”, at Saint Mellitus College, detailed in November’s Parish Magazine. President of the college and Bishop of Kensington, The Right Revd Dr Graham Tomlin introduced and led us through the first evening. The atmosphere was pleasant and friendly and the exercises we were guided to participate in encouraged and clearly demonstrated how relaxed, natural and informal speaking about our faith in Jesus Christ can be. All attendees received a copy of Graham’s book “The Provocative Church”. “This is without a doubt the best, most honest, most theologically grounded and therefore most practically helpful book on evangelism I have read for a long time.” Church Times
“Jesus the heart of it all”, the title for our second evening was a delightfully accessible, engaging, illuminating and inspiring lecture from the Assistant Dean and Lecturer in Systematic Theology Dr Jane Williams. Among her numerous books “Faces of Christ”, was recommended. Jane uses beautiful, visually stunning images of Jesus in art to investigate his life and character including the shepherd, victor and broken.
Film Night schedule:
December 19th “God’s Not Dead 2”
January 30th “Scrooge”
February 27th “It’s A Wonderful Life”
Please follow, friend or message us on Twitter and Facebook; you’ll find my/Laura’s posts at "Happy Daiz", Ken at “Ken Cope” and Dawn at “Dawn Joy Cope”.
God bless. Love Laura, Ken and Dawn Cope.
Meetings every Monday.
Please note: The Home Group will not be meeting on December 12th and 26th.
Just in case you missed it
This Peal board was blessed by Gordon on Sunday 18th September 2016. It is now hanging proudly for all to see in the ringing chamber, in the tower with all the others. There are 39 steps to climb if you wish to view them.
Peter Rossiter
Five Priests and a Mayor
Carol and I were fortunate to be invited to the Mayor’s Thanksgiving Civic Mass which was held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St George’s Church on 22 October 2016.
It was an inspiring service conducted by five priests each participating in different aspects of the formal mass. The accompanying music was provided by an Feith au Cheoil School of Traditional Irish Music, which reflected the family background of the Mayor.
The Mayor, Councilor Bernadette Lappage, is a lifelong worshipper at the church and in her short contribution to the service produced her first communion dress, which also took place at St George’s. After the mass there was a reception with Irish dancing and music. A wonderful afternoon.
The Mayor hopes to attend our Carol Service on 18 December.
Peter Lamb
Lunchtime Recitals
Luca Luciano, an Italian clarinettist played at the November recital. He included some of his own compositions and really showed, in a dramatic way, what the clarinet is capable of.
At 12.30 pm on Wednesday 14 December, Marion and Michael Smith will present the recital. As a younger man, Michael was our organist and very popular with the congregation. Hopefully Christmas music will be included in the programme. Do make space in a busy time to come and relax to music and perhaps enjoy a ploughman’s lunch afterwards, with hot soup.
We must thank Ann Tivnann who for some years has been the majordomo of the lunches but now feels she must take a back seat. The load will be shared with other members of the team, but if anyone else would volunteer to help out, we would be grateful. Please speak to me or another member of the team if you would like to help.
Eleanor Pritchard
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm
Retiring Collection
Ploughman’s Lunch £3.50, if required, in the Choir Vestry afterwards
Concert Programme For 2016
14 December
Marion and Michael Smith - Piano and Organ
Carol Singing
The Carol Singing dates booked so far appear below. All are welcome to join in at any! We will be collecting for Alzheimer’s Charity. Enfield Chase Station is now problematic because of the ticket barriers and health and safety concerns, so will probably not happen. Instead we will sing in Enfield Market on two dates.
There are opportunities to join in at Amesbury Court on Friday 16th (speak to Ken Cope about that), or at Paddington Station on December 4th (speak to me about that)!
Gordon
Mon 19 11.00 am Christmas at Springview
Tues 20 7.30 pm Drama Group Carol Singing
Thurs 22 11.30 am Carol Singing in Enfield Town Market (1)
Fri 23 11.30 am Carol Singing in Enfield Town Market (2)
Christmas Day
Please note that on Christmas Day there is only a service at 10:00 am. On New Year’s Day, the Sunday Communion Service will be at 6:30 pm.
Magazine
Due to rising production costs it has been decided to suggest a donation of 50p per copy of the magazine from January 2017.
Magazine Stapling Rota 2017
7 January 2017
Peter and Carol Lamb, Eleanor Pritchard
4 February 2017
Vic Harrington, Pam Hagan, Helen Clarke
5 March 2017
Ken and Laura Cope, Gill Bird
2 April 2017
Peter and Carol Lamb, Eleanor Pritchard
30 April 2017
Ken and Laura Cope, Gill Bird
4 June 2017
Vic Harrington, Pam Hagan, Helen Clarke
29 July 2017
Ju(Yezi) Lan Zhen, Fal Hayes
26 August 2017
Ken & Laura Cope, Gill Bird
23 September 2017
Peter & Carol Lamb, Eleanor Pritchard
21 October 2017
Vic Harrington, Pam Hagan, Helen Clarke
If you know of any lady or gentleman who would be able to help with stapling or if you are unable to keep the above dates please contact either Michael or Janet Dixon or Janet Whelpdale.
Irish Dance Classes
Classes starting January 2017
Taught by ex champion dancer and fully qualified teacher.
First Class FREE
Wednesdays 5.30pm – 6.30pm
In the Vestry
St Mary Magdalene Church
Windmill Hill, Enfield, EN2 7AJ
Contact Hayley on 07932417731 or
hayleyloconnor@gmail.com