From the Rectory

From the Rectory

Dear Friends,

Our Church is dedicated to All Saints – and what a lot of saints there are! A quick look at the back of the Penguin ‘Dictionary of the Saints’ lists a saint for almost everyday of the year – even Christmas Day is dedicated two of them, Anastasia and Eugenia; two women who were martyred for their faith in the early days of the Church.

So what is a saint? The word is often used in modern times about someone who does good works for people around, generally without thinking of the cost to themselves but the word was originally used of people who were considered to be set apart for a sacred purpose or office - set apart to serve God or to point others to God in some particular way. The idea of a saint being someone who lived in a way unattainable to ordinary mortals has been attached later. Very often those who have served God best have been robust, tough individuals who knew well what the world was about and lived very much in and amongst the people of their day.

The day set apart for us to remember and give thanks for the lives of these hundreds of individuals is 1st November, but because that falls on a Saturday this year, our main celebration will be on Sunday 2^nd November. It is a very important day in our calendar. It is a day when we can give thanks not only for the people mentioned in my ‘Dictionary of the Saints’, but for those countless hundreds who have proclaimed the message of God’s goodness and greatness by their lives and by their deeds here, in Turvey, Those who have been leaders in the village and have provided facilities to enrich our lives. Those whose Christian beliefs have led them to work for better social conditions. Those who through the generations have taught the faith to their children and grandchildren. Those who openly profess their Christian faith in today’s cynical world.

The ‘Dictionary’ gives as the definition for All Saints Day ‘The feast to celebrate all the Christian saints, known and unknown.’ In our Church, may we make it a special day. May we make it a day when we really give thanks for all who have gone before and have made All Saints Turvey such a special place – those whom we remember as ‘Dictionary Saints’ and the ordinary men, women and children of our village who have kept the faith through generations. Please try to come if you can.

Yours in Christ,

Jo Spray

Please pray for…

Our Parish, for all who live, work and worship here.

For the work of USPG - The United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel

For all involved in conflict, especially for British Service personnel and their families

For the work of the Royal British Legion.

All Saints Day (kept on 2^nd November)

Please try to join us for this special day. Mr Martin Heath, formerly International Relations Officer for USPG, is coming to preach. He is an excellent preacher and we are lucky that he can join us. We shall also celebrate the day with a glass of wine after the service, as well as our usual coffee.

Remembrance Day…

is to be kept this year on 9^th November. The service will begin, as usual, at 10.40am, by the War Memorial so that we are in Church to observe the two minutes silence at 11.00am. In the evening of that day, at our evening Holy Communion Service, we shall remember all those whom we loved who have gone before us. If you would like to remember by name someone whom you loved who has died, please will you add their name to the list at the back of the Church.

Jo Spray

Have you an hour or two a week to spare?

We have been asked if anyone on our Parish can help to give English lessons to immigrant families who live in the area. You do not need any teaching qualification but you do need to be free to see your family on a regular basis, at least once a month. If you can help, please telephone Hilary Horn , 01234 881664, who will give you more details.

Confirmation

Advance notice that four members of our parish are currently preparing for confirmation. The confirmation service is in one of the Stodden group of churches on the afternoon of Sunday 7^th December. Please put this date in your diary and remember in your prayers all who are preparing to confirm their faith.

Bible Study

We are hoping to run joint Bible Study groups during the month of November with the congregation and Community from Turvey Abbey. If you would like to join one of these groups please sign the notice at the back of Church or in the Abbey. We expect that they will meet on Monday evenings and Wednesday afternoons. More details later.

Little Lights

Mondays 3^rd November, 1^st December and 12^th January, 2:30 pm in Church. All very welcome.

Mothers Union. Next meeting on 20^th November, 2:30 pm in the Manor Room. Please bring with you a special reading to share and ideas for future meetings.

Christmas Bazaar and Lunch

The Bazaar and Lunch will be held in the Village Hall on Saturday 6th December, starting at 10:30am. Light Lunches will be available in the Manor Room from 12:15pm. Tickets for lunch, priced at £3.50, are available from Church, Georgina Elliott (881732) or Gill Betts (720615). Prior booking would be appreciated to give us some idea of numbers.

The next coffee morning will be at 10:15am on Saturday 8th November at 10 Barncroft, hosted by David and Sandra Nightingale. There will be a raffle and bring-and-buy stall for which contributions of cakes and produce will be especially welcome. Last month's coffee morning hosted by Michael and Margaret Marshall raised £300 for Church funds. A big thank you to them and to all who helped with and supported the event.

We are now planning our 2004 coffee mornings. If any of you would be willing to host one of these, please contact Anne Claypole White, Gill Betts or Pat Cartwright.

Travelling Crib

With Advent nearly upon us it is time to arrange the Travelling Crib. The crib is taken from one home to another, each day, during Advent with a short ceremony as it is passed on. If you are interested or would like further information, please contact Betty Hewett on 881738.

Harvest Supper

Very many thanks to all who supported the Harvest Supper, especially those who helped with setting up the hall, cooking and serving food and clearing up afterwards. We don't yet have a final figure but we expect, after all the bills are paid, to have raised about £700.

Sandra Nightingale.

The Harvest Sale raised £250 for the Harvest for the Hungry appeal. Many thanks to all who gave produce and bid in the auction.

And finally, a last minute reminder of the Cheese and Wine and talk about the Ukraine starting at 7:30 in the Village Hall on Friday 31^st October. Tickets and further details from Gill Betts, ( 720615.