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For Christians Ash Wednesday means the beginning of Lent - a time when we
give concentrated and careful thought to the personal self-discipline needed
to develop our discipleship to make it stronger and tough enough to
withstand the demands which are put on it. Lent is the period when we aim to
make our commitment to the Gospel more total and complete.
Yet just at the moment to write about such things is hazardous.
Everything we are planning today may well be overtaken by events. We have
been given a warning by some that tomorrow (14 February) could mark a
definite turning point in world affairs from peace towards war. If that
happens, these sentences will almost certainly prove to be inadequate and
perhaps hopelessly shallow. A very dark shadow lengthens around us and we
have been warned that this heightened state of alert is likely to remain in
place not only for the weekend of the present Muslim religious festival but
much, much longer; perhaps for years to come.
So this year's observance of Lent is bound to be different and difficult
for anyone who takes it seriously. The Christian world with its ancient
customs and inspiring teachings seems more and more like life on another
planet, hardly touching the world we see daily on TV and read about in the
media. But there is a link - a vital connection in fact - for Lent too has a
dark shadow at its centre. The shadow which lengthens as the weeks go by is
of course the cross. We believe the death of Jesus marks the all-pervasive
and irreversible turning point in world history. A crucified Jew from long
ago is the saviour of all humankind. At times that sounds an arrogant and
preposterous claim, which in many contexts it is. So Lent is provided to
give us time specifically to deepen our understanding of its truth. But then
truth is as much something which grasps us as something we struggle to
grasp.
Brother Roger of Taizé asks this question in one his letters, 'if you
want to carry a fire right into the darkest nights of humanity, will you let
an inner life grow deep within you?' Lent is a time of interior growth but
there is nothing private about it. Few realise that it may be hidden but its
power is very public and can bring enormous changes to the world around us.
Another contemplative, Thomas Merton, points in the same direction, 'we have
to remember that we look for solitude in order to grow there in love for God
and in love for others. We do not go into the desert to escape people but to
learn how to find them: we do not leave them in order to have nothing more
to do with them, but to find out the way to do them the most good.'
No one quite knows what we shall be facing between now and Easter but,
however events turn out, there is nothing which cannot be coped with better
when we contemplate the death of Jesus and the cross which brought it about.
More: whatever happens, still there is nothing which can separate from the
love of God which we know in Christ Jesus our Lord - if only we take up our
own cross and follow him.
Fr Paul
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Malcolm McKelvey came to Prestbury having retired as Director of Music at
Christ's Hospital, a post he had held with distinction for well over 20
years. No words can express our gratitude for the contribution that he has
made to the worship and life of our parish over the past thirteen years.
Sadly, illness has meant that he should now take a less active part in the
musical life of the parish. This is a tremendous loss to us.
Malcolm is invariably kind, supportive and encouraging to all who come
into contact with him. He is an instinctive accompanist of worship, a rare
ability that springs from his faith. He has inspired so very many people.
He has been a wonderful support and friend to all the parish clergy.
He has trained and encouraged very many choristers. Together with the
number of his pupils, their names would probably fill this magazine. Many
have gone on to distinguished musical careers; many others would give thanks
for the profound enjoyment of music that he helped them to discover.
Visiting singers and instrumentalists invariably comment on his
sympathetic accompaniment.
Malcolm has always been so very strongly supported by Christine, whose
own musical contributions have contributed greatly to the life of the
parish. He directed both Musica Vera and the Prestbury Camerata -
choirs that have brought enjoyment to very many.
Eagerly anticipated choir outings, usually to cathedral cities, have
always been meticulously planned. In every place, Malcolm has contacts and
friends, and their welcome of the Prestbury visitors always enhanced the
trips.
We have delighted in his compositions: organ works, settings for the
Eucharist, settings for psalms, hymn tunes. I once mentioned to Malcolm that
I found the traditional tune, Ratisbon, rather dreary for Wesley's majestic
'Christ whose glory fills the skies'. Within a week he arrived at the
Vicarage door with a hymn tune he had written - appropriately named 'Viveash'
- and now we would sing it to no other.
The PCC have asked Malcolm to accept the title of Music Director
Emeritus. He holds a place of special honour and huge affection amongst us.
We give thanks for the very special ministry of this good and extremely
modest servant of God.
On Saturday 15 March at St Mary's church, we shall celebrate
Malcolm's contribution as Director of Music. There will be a service of
thanksgiving, beginning at 6pm. Then some of his former pupils will
entertain us. Afterwards we shall have a party and make a formal
presentation to Malcolm. Do come. Everyone is welcome!
Fr Stephen
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Preparations for the 2003 Christian Aid Week are already gathering steam
- and this year we are appealing for more people than ever before to
volunteer their help!
The long-standing Christian Aid representatives for the parish, Gill and
Paddy, have been working with the Mission & Outreach team to find helpers
who may be willing to take on a task in the coming weeks, and during
Christian Aid Week itself - could you be among them?
Top of our 'wish-list' is that both new and existing volunteers will come
forward this year to help with door-to-door collecting. This is a very
straightforward job that involves delivering envelopes to houses in one road
just before Christian Aid Week begins, and then collecting those envelopes
during the Week itself.
There is also a great need for people who may be able to take on the job
of 'local co-ordinator' to organise collecting in a small area of the
parish. A typical area consists of about 10 streets, and we ask you to find
enough door-to-door collectors to cover your allocated 'patch'. Lots of
information and support is available to local co-ordinators - why not talk
to Gill or Paddy to find out more?
In Prestbury we strive to push an envelope through the door of every home
in every street, road, cul-de-sac and avenue! It is an enormous task for a
few people - but with more volunteers this enormous task could be lightened,
and could be enormous fun! It would be wonderful to have enough people to
work in pairs during the door-to-door collection - indeed, this is something
that Christian Aid actively encourages.
Please pray about Christian Aid Week and the preparations, and
think about the part you could play. All offers of help - even an hour here
or there - gratefully received!
Caroline Sexton, Mission & Outreach Committee
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Since November the children at Rockers have been tracking four-year-old
William's journey round the world.
In November William and his parents flew to Bangkok, Thailand, and then
spent a week at the seaside in Hua Hin. 'It is VERY HOT!'
says the email. They settled into a routine of going to the beach for a
quick paddle first thing - warm, clear water and lots of little crabs to
chase and bury in the sand - then back for a breakfast of banana pancakes.
The bananas are very small, very yellow and taste of vanilla.
 A visit
to an elephant orphanage was exciting. William thought the big ones a bit
too big but enjoyed feeding the little one bananas. Elephants are hairy, all
covered in two-inch prickles.
Back in Bangkok, William enjoyed a ride on a boat up the Chao Prya River,
passing temples and houses on stilts, some modern ones looking really
luxurious.
Next stop was Hong Kong where William met his uncle and family. One day
they had a lovely walk down from a monastery and through a forest. Another
walk went through the Botanical Gardens to the zoo, where a visitor was
feeding chips to an orang-utan!
Then William had a really long day on an aeroplane via Singapore to Perth
in Australia. During his stay in Perth he went to a park where he could
stroke and feed kangaroos, and to a zoo where there were more orang-utans.
 He also went camping for a few days in the Margaret
River winery area. The campsite was full of trees and a possum feeding up a
tree was dropping twigs on everyone! Later on a kangaroo bounced past.
William's Dad took part in a Triathlon and came third in his age group. He
also enjoyed a hot day watching cricket at the WACA - England v Sri Lanka.
William spent Christmas in Canberra, staying with his aunt and family. It
was really weird going to the local church for the children's carol and
Nativity service in summer clothes and sandals! Father Christmas managed to
track William down and he enjoyed opening cards and presents from people
here in the UK. Christmas afternoon was spent by the pool and William and
all his new friends enjoyed splashing around.
During January William travelled along the Great Ocean Road between
Melbourne and Adelaide and celebrated his fourth birthday with a trip to
Adelaide Zoo. Then on to Tasmania for a lovely week with his Grandma, who
had flown out from England. (It was usually Grandma who brought William to
Rockers.) The latest email says: 'She and William have hardly left each
other's side.'
Frances Murton, rockers prestbury.net
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Following Raymund Waker's article 'Experience China -
China Experience' in the February Magazine, I would like to ask all
those who visit China with a tour company to remember that the places they
visit, food they eat, hotels they stay in, etc are chosen by that company
with the main aim of trying to suit Western tourists' tastes.
My son and daughter-in-law live in Shanghai. It is the second largest
city in the World, with 17 million residents, vast, varied and cosmopolitan.
In 1990 it was made an Economic Development Zone and has undergone a massive
building boom since then. I am sorry that Mr Waker's tour company does not
seem to have taken him beyond these development areas, for instance, to see
the rich interiors of some of the magnificent old European-style buildings
along The Bund waterfront or around the areas which were British, Russian
and French-owned trading concessions in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Nor, it seems, did they give him a chance to visit one of the many
well-stocked local produce markets, in streets and market halls in the
traditional Chinese residential areas, which are still widespread but
regrettably disappearing fast. He could have bought the ingredients to make
his own really tasty dumplings! Nor was he able to watch, or even join in,
the kite flying, ballroom dancing, choral singing, calligraphy, Tai Chi or
any of the other activities in one of the many lovely parks, where caged
songbirds are taken for outings on sunny days.
It is not only impossible, as a tourist, to get the true flavour of
Shanghai, it is also difficult to comprehend just how many different Chinese
peoples there are, with their regional languages, local dishes, unique
spices, spectacular costumes and ancient customs. Some of them were making
fine porcelain when we were trying out recipes for woad!
I would recommend everyone to visit China, but, please, do so with an
open mind and don't blame China and the Chinese people for the inevitable
shortcomings of tour operators!
Tricia Wilson
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Further details are now emerging of the Bank Holiday
weekend of celebrations for the completion of the
work at St
Nicolas'.
On Saturday 3 May, the church
will be open from 12 noon and will contain displays of the history of St
Nicolas' Church, the restoration work and current activities associated with
the Church and Hall. There will also be a Fete in the grounds and
ploughman's lunches will be served.
At 4.00pm there will be a Thanksgiving Service which will be attended by the Bishop of Gloucester, the Mayor of
Cheltenham and representatives of those who have been working on the
building.
On Sunday 4 May, there will
be a Thanksgiving Eucharist at 9.30am and then the church will be open for
visitors. Cream teas will be served during the afternoon and there will be
musical entertainment. At 6.30pm, both choirs will sing Choral Evensong.
On Monday 5 May, the Church
will again be open during the afternoon. There will be a barbecue at 5.00pm
followed by a Talent Show organised by members of the Parish Youth Groups.
As you can see, there will be lots happening, so make sure
you have the weekend booked in your diaries and let other people know all
about it!
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The Parish Annual Meeting
This will be held on Sunday 6 April at 6.30pm in St
Mary's Church. Please be considering whom you might wish to nominate to
serve on the PCC. Nomination forms will be available in both churches.
S.O.S. Wheelchair!
Is anyone in possession of a wheelchair which is no longer
required? If so, would you be prepared to loan or donate it to St Mary's
Church where we could make very good use of it? Please speak to Jean Axton
or to one of the Churchwardens.
Many hands make light work!
Helpers desperately needed for churchyard tidy-up and
church spring-clean at St Mary's on Saturday 29 March from 10am.
Bring light tools if you can. Free coffee. Fish-&-chip (shop) lunch for all
who order by 11am.
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Dreams
Iain Godden, former choirboy,
server and sacristan at St Nicolas', is running the London Marathon on
13 April raising money for Dreams, which provides treats for
terminally ill children. If anyone would like to sponsor Iain please contact
his mother, Marion, at St Nicolas'.
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