Newsletter, December 2007
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There is something exquisitely beautiful about candlelight – especially when it shines on people’s faces. The faces themselves seem to become more radiant in the glow (and it is also extremely flattering for ladies of indeterminate years!)

I have to confess to a silent prayer each year for dull weather on the day of our annual Christingle service so that the glow from each candle is seen more vividly. It is one of my favourite services. I love it as we stand round the church in the quiet, looking at the lights of the candles and I am always moved by the range of people who are there. From the young children who need help to hold the Christingle to some of our more elderly church members, all faces are transformed and captivated by the tiny lights, which together shed such a bright glow.

Christingle was established by the Moravian Church in 1747 as a symbol of Christ’s light and love and was introduced by the Children’s Society into the Church of England in 1968 – it has grown steadily in popularity since then. The orange represents the world, the red band around the orange reminds us of the blood of Christ – spilt for those whom he loved. The cocktail sticks of dried fruit and nuts signify the four seasons and the fruits of the earth. They are symbols of God’s creation.

By far and away the most beautiful and important symbol in the Christingle, however, is the candle – this represents Jesus, the Light of the World. The Light that came into the world at Christmas time – a tiny Light, born as we were all born, a helpless baby who needed the love and care of his earthly parents. But the Light grew in strength and vigour – and even the dreadful death on the cross could not extinguish the Light. More than two thousand years later it still shines as brightly as ever despite the best efforts of humankind to snuff it out. Like the Christingle candles, it has the power to transform, to make beautiful, to bring light and warmth into the darkest and coldest of places – even into the darkest and coldest of human hearts.

Each Christingle candle makes quite a glow, even though they are so small; together they have enough power to light up the whole church – even on the dullest of days. We are called on to be Lights of Christ in our dark world – individually we can make quite a glow – but united together with all the other Lights we can shine so brightly that the warmth and light will spread into the darkest and coldest places where Our Lord has long since been shut out. This Christmas, let us make an effort to spread the Light of Christ into the world – and to keep the light shining long after the transient magic of secular Christmas is past.

I wish you all a peaceful and blessed Christmas, full of the light and warmth of the Christ Child.

Jo Spray

All children for whom Christmas will not be a time of joy – and for the work of the Children’s Society.

Those who will miss loved ones this Christmas

The people of Palestine and Israel – the land of Our Lord’s birth

Last months coffee morning raised £200 towards church funds. Many thanks to Rod and Carol Petty for hosting it and to all those helped with and supported this event. Because of the Christmas Fair, there will be no December coffee morning. We are now planning the programme for 2008, kicking off on the 12th January at 78 Bridge Street by kind invitation of Cathy Swift. If any of you would like to host a coffee morning in 2008, please contact Anne Claypole White on 881661 who would be delighted to hear from you.

Give Jesus your Christmas presence

An elderly woman died last month. Having never married, she requested no male pall bearers. In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service she wrote "They wouldn't take out while I was alive, I don’t want them to take me out when I’m dead.

I have recently received two letters – I wanted to share the contents with you.

The first was from BECHAR - the Hostel for the Homeless and Rootless on Prebend Street in Bedford – thanking us for gifts from our Harvest Thanksgiving. People were so generous that it was not possible to auction everything; so many of the non-perishables were taken to Bedford where they have been much appreciated.

The second was from Mrs A Jeffcott nee Warren, who wrote to say how sad she was to hear about the lead having been stolen from the church roof. She added news about herself, which I will share

‘I have moved several times from Norfolk Road, 1954, to live in London and now retired to the village of Milton, Southsea. I am proud to have been a Warren as G B Warren & Sons built a large number of beautiful houses 1948 – onwards. My father, Stanley George and his brother Lesley Bennett re-started the firm in 1948. I really must stop otherwise it will become an Epistle’

Mrs Jeffcott went on to explain that the cheque she had enclosed was to help towards the cost of materials for keeping the church brass ‘shiny’ – especially the brass plate to her father in the choir stalls. When I read the length of time her father served in our choir, I was astonished – see if you can find his memorial! I am happy to say it was already very shiny – so thank you to all who keep our brass sparkling clean! I really enjoyed reading Mrs Jeffcott’s letter – no doubt many of the long-standing parishioners will remember her.

Jo Spray

The Church will be decorated for Christmas on the 24th December. This is a busy time for everyone, but the more help we have the sooner it will be done! Please let Anne know if you can help. Any contributions of holly and other Christmas foliage would be greatly appreciated.

RIP

Alan Hardy.

The funeral of Alan Hardy took place in All Saints on Thursday 8th November. Alan had been ill with cancer for many months but he remained constantly cheerful and positive throughout his long and difficult illness – and he remained a faithful Christian. He used to say he was not interested in complicated theological debate – quite simply he lived his faith in his life and in the positive influence for good he had on others. He will be sadly missed as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather – and as a true and loyal friend – he was a thorough going Christian gentleman.

Many thanks to all who made a shoebox of gifts for ‘Operation Christmas’

They were duly delivered to Olney Baptist Church in time for central collection and I was pleased to see a room containing a huge number of parcels – perhaps five hundred or more. I hope those of you who were able to fill a box had fun – certainly I think the children who open them will!

Jo Spray

By the time this reaches you the Christmas Market will be almost upon us – where has this year gone? It is a hugely important day for All Saints, both in terms of outreach into the village – and beyond – and in helping to raise money to keep our church open. Ever increasing heating and insurance costs make huge holes in our weekly giving, not to mention incidentals like cleaning materials, requirements for services, the organist’s salary and so on – in fact, without coffee mornings and days like the Christmas Market we could not meet the day to day running costs of the church. It is sometimes difficult in people’s minds to separate this giving from that which keeps the fabric of our church in good repair. We are fortunate in Turvey to have some very generous supporters and we have been able to do a lot to maintain the fabric of our beautiful building but it is no good just having a museum at the centre of the village – we need to continue to provide good and vibrant worship for the increasing numbers who come.

For the last seven or eight years, the fair has been masterminded by Gill Betts and Pat Cartwright. They have received wonderful support from a great many people, which is splendid. They have decided, however, that this year will be their last year ‘in charge’ – so unless any one else comes forward to take over the general organization and running of the day, this year’s Christmas Market will be the last – with all the implications that has for the future. Gill says quite simply they have run out of ideas and it needs fresh minds and enthusiasms. So HELP! Is there anyone out there who will take on this challenge? I know Pat and Gill have had fun – as well as a few headaches on the way! There is generous support in the village for all these events – many people are willing to run stalls, games etc, but what we need is someone to pull it all together. Gill and Pat took over in the year 2000 – so they deserve a rest! On behalf of all who worship regularly at All Saints, I say a huge thank you to them for all they have done to ‘keep the show on the road’ – or perhaps more properly, to keep a living Christian witness at the heart of Turvey.

Jo Spray

Laraine kindly offered to write her own profile for which I am very grateful as this month is a busy one. Cindy Woods

‘Oh to have the fervour of Saint Joan!’

This was my hearts desire after seeing the play performed in London, recently. Alas! - I am who I am and this is me…………………

Laraine was born in December in the 1950’s in east London to working class parents. Her father was a police constable who worked additionally as a pall bearer to make ends meet and her mother worked as a machinist, making bow ties at home - for a miserable rate of pay. Laraine has two younger sisters.

Laraine’s father died in 1997 and her mother moved from London to Olney the following year, due to ill health. Laraine left school at 16 with a few CSE’s and went to work in a bank in the City. In 1973 Laraine married the boy that had wanted to dance with her friend but was too slow and got to dance with Laraine instead! They were married in Barnet Register Office one year after ‘the dance’ and celebrated in style at a ‘Focus’ (a Dutch instrumental band) concert at the Sundown Theatre in Edmonton, it’s a long walk back from the theatre to Barnet - as they found out that night!! They moved from London to escape the rising cost of housing and settled in Emberton. in 1981.

Although Laraine was baptised in the Catholic church, it was the local church she turned to when she lived in Emberton. It was a difficult time, moving here with two babies, no transport and with no family and friends around. I went to the Church mainly because of this loneliness. I did find companionship but much more than that, I took up that journey of trust in Christ. I have also been part of the Methodist and Baptists communities during my life - the experience was very inspiring.

Laraine returned to part-time work in 1990 with a local Multimedia Production company and will be celebrating her 18th year, shortly. By working part-time I have been fortunate to work as a volunteer on a variety of projects with the Children’s’ Country Holiday Homes, Willen Hospice, Crisis at Christmas and MK Hope. I also spent 2 years working as a carer in a local Residential Home. I love nothing more than gathering around a table to share food with others. Being involved in these organisations enabled me to do just that! I am currently part of the Turvey Lunch Club. I love cooking, especially vegetarian and Indian cuisine.

Keith and Laraine have two children, Laura 28 who is a nurse, the first person in our two families to go to University. Their son, Adam is a musician and composer, who divides his time between Hackney and Paris.

I love music - for me it’s the perfect form of communication. I often feel an overwhelming tsunami of emotion in it’s presence. I enjoy singing, can’t read music but wish I did! During Choir practice, Paul, our Church organist is great at providing tit-bits of music and composers that I have no knowledge of! I also enjoy knitting, buying second hand clothes and community theatre. I recently joined TATS and love being part of the work they do.

Saturday 1st December Christmas Market and Bazaar in the Village Hall, 10.30am – 12.30am, followed by Lunch in the Manor Room

Sunday 2nd December Advent Sunday
11.00am Parish Eucharist
6.00pm Evensong

Friday 7th December Turvey Lunch Club Christmas Lunch in the Village Hall

Saturday 8th December ‘Cantamus’ Music for Christmas in Church at 7.30pm – Mulled Wine and Mince Pies

Sunday 9th December
11.00am Christingle Service in Church
6.00pm Holy Communion (BCP)

Saturday 15th December Carols by the Tree on the Lancelot’s Piece – 5.00pm followed by refreshments in the Three Cranes

Sunday 16th December
11.00am Parish Eucharist for 3rd Sunday in Advent
6.00pm Evensong

Sunday 23rd December
9.45am Family Eucharist
6.00pm Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols – In Church

Monday 24th December Christmas Eve
4.00pm Crib Service and Nativity Play
11.30pm Midnight Eucharist for Christmas

Tuesday 25th December Christmas Day
10.30am Parish Eucharist for Families

Sunday 30th December
11.00am Matins followed by said Holy Communion

There will be Carol Singing round the village on two days during the week before Christmas.

The story goes that some time ago a man punished his five year old daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became even more upset when the child pasted the gold paper so as to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "this is for you daddy" the father was embarrassed by his earlier reaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty. He spoke to her in a harsh manner "don’t you know young lady when you give a present there is supposed to be something inside the package" The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said "oh daddy it’s not empty, I blew kisses into it until it was full". The father was crushed, he fell on his knees and he begged her to forgive him for his unnecessary anger. An accident took the life of the child only a short time later and it is told that the father kept the gold box by his bed for the rest of his life and whenever he was discouraged or faced difficult problems he would open the box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember the child who had put it there. We have all been given a gold box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family, friends and God.

See amid the winter’s snow,
Born for us on earth below:
See the tender lamb appear,
Promised from eternal years.

Hail, thou ever blessed morn;
Hail, redemptions happy dawn;
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

The above photo was taken at our November lunch, a beef stew followed by autumn fruit crumble - beautifully served by Sheila Hope! The club inspired by church members, supported by the PCC, encouraged - under the watchful eye of the Bedford Health and Safety officer and enjoyed by both cooks, servers, drivers and members alike.

We try and serve seasonal food and each of our cooks get to chose their menu and shop for the ingredients. Our first lunch was served in August and once a month since then. On average 25 people attend. We are looking forward to our Christmas lunch on the 6th December when hopefully, a record number of 36 will be attending.

Laraine Coney - on behalf of TLC

You have just been hugged!
That’s right, there's no getting out of it,
This is the start of a full-scale hug o’ war
So hug everyone you know,
Hug your friends, your enemies, everyone.