I begin by wishing you all a Very Happy New Year – and if you have made any – strength to keep your New Year Resolutions! I am always wary of these resolutions and have frequently resolved not to make any more! Two things have conspired to make me change my mind this year. One was our Advent Study Group – we were looking at a passage from the eleventh chapter of St Matthew’s Gospel – it was verse 5 that took my eye. John, who has been imprisoned by King Herod, has sent a message to Jesus asking if he really is the Messiah – Jesus replies

‘Go and tell John what you see; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.’

The other was a small piece in my newspaper reporting a speech by Baroness Warsi, the Islamic peer who was helpful in securing the release of the teacher imprisoned in Sudan for inappropriately naming a class teddy bear. The Baroness has set up a group to explain to others who may be going to work in countries subject to Islamic law how they should behave to avoid similar treatment. What was really interesting however, was her comments about Islam and the teachings of the prophet Mohammed. Amongst other things she said that nowhere does he advocate arranged marriages – and certainly not the killing of women to maintain family honour. She says that nowhere is there teaching about keeping women as second class citizens – she says they should be educated and have a right to work equally with men. All things I learnt years ago when I was teaching comparative religions. I was delighted that she was actually making the point that cultural influences from some Islamic countries have been confused with the teaching of Islam itself – and it is up to the Muslim population of Britain to correct this.

The two pieces of writing taken together made me think hard. I have reached the age where I tend to know what I think - and I may be entirely wrong. I may be one of the deaf, the blind, the lame – those about whom Jesus was talking in St Matthew’s gospel. I may need to throw out all my old cultural accretions and start from scratch – just as Baroness Warsi is advocating. One thing is certain – if we are to achieve the Kingdom of God here on earth, if we are to build a world fit for our children and grandchildren to live in, something has to change. We can no longer sit looking across the great divide of East and West with all the different faith groups just hoping something will happen to make them go away. We can no longer go on thinking all we do is right and all the rest are wrong. We at least have to dip our toe into the water and maybe the crabs won’t get it! We have to have ears that can really hear and eyes that can really see. After all, it is not so many years ago that it would have been unthinkable for the Protestants at one end of the village to sit together in perfect amity with the Roman Catholics from the other end of the village to ponder the teachings of Our Lord – and what a lot we all gain.

Please pray that I may have strength to keep my resolution – and that it brings some benefit.

Yours in Christ

Jo Spray

Those who are different, especially those of different faiths.

Those persecuted because of their faith – or because of their gender

Our brothers and sisters of other Christian denominations – especially for the work of Turvey Abbey

to all who sent Christmas greetings to Rob and me at the Rectory. It is impossible for us to send individual cards to everyone in the village, but we do appreciate your kind thoughts and wishes - and all your love and care throughout the year.

Jo Spray

From a church bulletin.

Eight new choir robes are currently needed to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

While we are on the subject of choir robes…...

About four weeks ago, one of our regular choir members could not find her choir robe or hat hanging in the wardrobe with the others. The hanger was there, but no sign of the robe. We searched to see if it had been moved, we searched the floor and others looked to see if they had put on the wrong robe. It had completely disappeared. We asked the workmen if they had seen anybody go to the cupboard, but that brought no joy. We could only come to the conclusion that someone had walked off with it when no one was about. So – we ordered a new robe, at a cost of £80 – and a new hat. Last Sunday the robe had reappeared, hanging on the hanger marked with the owner’s name and together with the hat. It doesn’t take much deduction to work out that it had been ‘borrowed’- for what purpose I cannot tell!

We are often asked if people might borrow robes – for plays, occasionally for fancy dress and so on – we always try to help if we can. If you know who might have taken our property without asking – do show them this article and suggest that next time they want something a polite enquiry would save a lot of time, upset and unnecessary expense.

The Epiphany is an ancient Christian feast day and is significant in a number of ways. In the East, where it originated, the Epiphany celebrates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. It also celebrated Jesus’ birth. The Western Church began celebrating the Epiphany in the 4th century where it was, and still is, associated with the visit of the magi (wise men) to the infant Jesus when God revealed himself to the world through the incarnation of Jesus. For many Protestant church traditions, the season of Epiphany extends from 6th January until ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent leading to Easter. Other traditions, including the Roman Catholic tradition, observe Epiphany as a single day, with the Sundays following Epiphany counted as Ordinary Time. The Epiphany is also known as Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day).

The first coffee morning will be at 10:15on Saturday the 12th January at 78 Bridge Street by kind invitation of Cathy Swift. There will be a bring and buy stall and a raffle for which contributions (including any unwanted Christmas presents) will be very welcome. 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. We always hold these events on the second Saturday of each month except August and December.

For all of you who might be out partying over the festive season.

Don’t’ drink and drive, you’re not quite ready to meet me yet. God

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking. "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and we have come to pay him homage" when King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judaea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

"And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel".

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem saying, "Go and search diligently for the child: and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage". When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, was the star that they had seen at its rising until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star has stopped they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of Gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The funeral of Terence Edrich took place in church on the 6th December. Terence lived in Turvey for 37 years and worked for Turvey Estates. He was a real countryman who enjoyed fishing and shooting—his real passion was sea fishing and he enjoyed his holidays in Padstow. He was well known and well liked in the village—he will be missed. We send our sympathies to Adam and Alex and to Dorothy.

Oh what a joy to join little lights on Monday the 26^th November. There were lots of mums, dads, helpers and of course quite a few babies and children. The normal attendance varies but about ten children is the average. Little lights meets on the fourth Monday of the month except for December and is open for any child between birth and five years. Little Lights was started by Cathy Venebles and Sarah Beecham in January 2001. Although Sarah has now left Cathy still leads the group. It all started because Sarah and Cathy were overwhelmed by the thought of taking their children into the service and the youngsters not sitting still or being quiet.

Jo would normally be here but she is unwell this month so Cathy started with a few of the older children lighting the Altar candles and said:

"Lord Jesus Christ", then they looked at the cross and bowed and said "Light up the world, have mercy on us", and then put the candles out. Then all the children sat on the carpet in the choir stalls (generally they are at the back of church but because of the building works this month, they moved to the choir area) to sing songs. The first song was Jesus Love is very wonderful and then came this Little Light of Mine, to which the children did the finger motions. After that they had this months Birthday celebrations and sang Happy Birthday to the relevant recipients. Cathy then asked the children "What happens that is important in December" amongst the answers were, Baby Jesus was born and we have the Nativity play and we celebrate Christmas day.

After this Rosemary told the children a story about Jesus. The children all sat quietly and listened to the wonderful story about baby Jesus' birth. Rosemary had a box on her lap with a cloth cover on it and she proceeded to get a special person (in turn) out of the box, first out is the figure of Mary, God loved Mary and she is a good person, next out of the box came the Angel Gabriel flying down from the sky, sent from God with a special message for Mary. The angel tells Mary she has been chosen to have a special baby to be called Jesus, son of God. Mary agrees to have this baby because she loves God. Next to come out of the box is Joseph, Mary told Joseph that she was going to have a special baby boy called Jesus, son of God. At first Joseph was worried but the angel said God was sending the baby to be his son. So Joseph looked after Mary and baby Jesus. The last thing to come out of the box was Jesus in his crib and the angel Gabriel watched over them all.

The afternoons end with an activity, and today each child was given a card with his or her name on it and inside was a picture that they could colour. While the children were colouring the adults had tea and cake and I had a chance to ask a few of the grownups why they joined in. Betty said she has always come because she wanted to support the group and really enjoys it. Rosemary came originally with Ben and she liked it so much she stayed and Ruth enjoys all of the experience, she likes holding the babies, talking to the mums, and she also likes to see the children learn, and learn they do, they are really quick to pick up and absorb, just like blotting paper.

I really enjoyed being with our younger ones, you too can come along to Little Lights, whether you have children, grandchildren or no children at all, you are all welcome.

A young lad was visiting a church for the first time, he checked all the announcements and posters along the walls. When he came to a group of pictures of men in uniform, he asked a nearby usher "Who are all those men in the pictures?" The usher replied " Why, those are our boys who died in the service". Dumbfounded, the youngster asked. "Was that the morning service or the evening service?"

I am not going to give you any tips for surviving the next week because I don’t want you just to survive. I want you to flourish as you prepare to spend time with friends and family. You cannot get a litre into a pint pot, so don’t even try. Just do what you can to make this Christmas time special for you and for those with whom you will share it. Whatever Christmas means for you we hope that it will be a time of peace and joy.

The flower rotas for the altar and Lady chapel are now in the church porch. Please sign up sooner rather than later if you would like to help. Thanks Anne.

Today dear Lord, I’m 80, and there’s much I haven’t done.
I Hope, dear Lord you’ll let me live until I’m 81.
But then, if I haven’t finished all I want to do.
Would you please let me stay awhile, till I am 82?
So many places I want to go, so very much to see,
Do you think you could manage to make it 83?
The world is changing very fast, there is so much more in store,
I’d like it very much to live until I’m 84.
And by then if I’m still alive, I’d like to stay to 85!
More planes will be in the air, so I’d really like to stick
And see what happens in the world when I turn 86.
I Know, dear Lord, it’s much to ask, (and it must be nice in heaven)
But I’d really like to stay until I’m 87.
I know by then I won’t be very fast, and sometimes even late,
But it would be so pleasant to be around at 88.
I will have seen so many things, and had a wonderful time.
So I’m sure I’ll be willing to leave at the age of 89...maybe.
Just one more thing I’d like to say, dear Lord, thank you kindly
But if that’s okay with you I’d love to live past 90.

by Lord Alfred Tennyson

"Ring out, wild Bells "

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind
For those that here we see no more;
Ring our the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out, my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller Minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

A reminder that the Newsletter is now 20p which includes the SeeRound, please pay the person that delivers to you, many thanks.