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ADVENT begins on the 2nd December and is often referred to as ‘a time of
preparation’. All of us know how easily we can get caught up in our
Christmas preparations and so miss out on the opportunity which God gives to
us in these few weeks of the Season of Advent.
The word ‘advent’ comes from a word meaning ‘coming’ and one of the
themes of Advent is the looking forward to the time when Jesus Christ will
come again, in all his power and glory, as our Lord and Judge: his ‘second
coming’. The more popular theme for the Advent season is as a time of
preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ coming into our world as a human
child: ‘Emmanuel – God with us’. It would be good if, in the middle of all
the other things which have to be done, we could make some time really to
focus on this great truth. We believe that God, in the person of Jesus
Christ, really has come into the world: born into a poor and very ordinary
family, growing up sharing in all the experiences of human life just as we
do. But then going on to do something truly amazing in giving his life on
the cross for us, dying and rising again that we might share in his risen
life.
How might we focus our preparations? One suggestion is to use the
familiar figures who appear in the nativity story. Perhaps to stop for a
moment and try to imagine yourself as one of those shepherds, for example,
experiencing the awesome beauty of the hosts of angels proclaiming the good
news. Hurrying to Bethlehem, to the stable or outbuilding and finding the
tired but elated parents with their newborn child, all wrapped up against
the cold of the night. Knowing somehow, sensing deep within your soul that
this child is more special than any child that has ever been born and ever
will be. Falling to your knees, overcome by the urgent need to bow down and
worship, to worship the newborn King. And there are the other familiar
nativity figures; you could try this imaginative way of praying with one of
them!
However you prepare yourself during this Advent season, when Christmas
really arrives, join the shepherds, the wise men, Mary and Joseph, the whole
host of heaven, and one another, to worship the Saviour of the world.
‘Emmanuel’: ‘God with us’.
 Fr Michael
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I am very pleased to be able to announce that a new curate will join us
next year to replace Fr Grant. David Gardiner is
currently in his final year at Westcott House Theological College in
Cambridge and will be ordained as a Deacon in Gloucester Cathedral on Sunday
29th June 2008. David will then begin his training with us as a
full-time stipendiary curate in the North Cheltenham Team Ministry.
David is in his 20s and recently married Sarah. They will live
in Boulton Road.
Fr Michael
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New Team Vicar
Progress on this appointment has not been so good. A second round of
advertising produced only one applicant, who has not been invited for an
interview. I have had some discussion with the Archdeacon of Cheltenham
about the way forward and the PCCs in Prestbury and All Saints’ will also
need to discuss this. We have to ask ourselves why people are not responding
to our advertisement, especially when we are told that we are offering a
very good post in a highly desirable area! Some difficult questions will
need to be addressed before we advertise again. In the meantime I am very
grateful for your support and understanding for me as the only full-time
priest in our Team Ministry. I would also like to pay tribute again to all
the clergy who support us and to all those members who take such active
roles in ministry.
Fr Michael
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Welcome to Diane Bruckland
On Sunday 20th January we welcome Diane Bruckland, who is joining our
Team Ministry on an eight-week placement. Diane is in the second year of her
training for Reader Ministry and will be with us until Easter Sunday.
Fr Michael
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We have become increasingly concerned over recent years about the health
and safety implications of the very large number of people who attend the
Crib Service in St Mary’s on Christmas Eve. It is wonderful to have so many
of all ages (over 400 last year) but the building is simply not large enough
to accommodate so many people safely.
This year we are trying something new! There will be two Crib Services in
St Mary’s on Christmas Eve: at 4pm and at 6pm. They will be identical, but
admission will be by free ticket. Tickets will need to be obtained in
advance and will be available from various sources around the village.
Details of where to collect tickets are listed
elsewhere in this magazine.
Please make a note of these arrangements and do your best to let people
know. We hope that the numbers attending both services will be reasonably
balanced and more safely manageable.
There will also be a Candlelit Nativity Service in St Nicolas’ at 6pm on
Christmas Eve.
Fr Michael
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It is December again, Advent again, and here in Prestbury and All Saints
Fr Michael has been our Priest-in-Charge for a whole year. A lot has
happened and many things have changed, though not always how and when we
expected. We have learned a lot, though. The power cut during Fr Michael’s
licensing service taught us not to take electricity for granted. More
recently we all had to cope with no running water in our houses.
We are also learning to do without the luxury of three full-time priests,
which is actually giving the rest of us the opportunity to explore our own
potential for ministry. Just as in July we found ourselves talking with
neighbours, and even strangers, at the bowsers, so we are discovering how we
can minister to each other at services where there is often no priest –
Celebrate!, Compline, Morning and Evening Prayer – and how then to extend
that ministry out into our everyday lives. After Jesus had performed the
servant’s task of washing his disciples’ feet he told them to ‘wash one
another’s feet’ (John 13:14), which is sometimes so hard to contemplate
doing.
The North Cheltenham Team Ministry hasn’t happened yet, but the North
Cheltenham Mission Area is up and running, and we have the opportunity to
visit the other churches for social events as well as for services. We can
start putting faces to names.
 Frances Murton
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A letter about the Sidmouth weekend
Just to say a big Thank You to Marion and Fr Michael for all their hard
work and organisation. This was my first visit with St Mary’s to Sidmouth.
The hotel and food was excellent especially as I am a vegetarian. We had
lovely weather and the weekend was very relaxing and enjoyable, and I am
looking forward to the next trip.
Lyn Jones
Prestbury Hall, Bouncers Lane, was originally built in the late 1950s as
the Church Hall for St Mary’s. In 2005 it was leased by the Parochial Church
Council (PCC) to a committee of Trustees for management.
The Trustees drew up a programme for refurbishment and improvement and
have been able to attract considerable funding principally as grants from
Gloucestershire Environmental Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council.
During this summer holiday some major work has been completed:
- a metal roof enclosing a layer of insulation has been set over the
original felt roof
- low temperature hot water heaters have replaced the old gas wall
heaters
- the toilet facilities, male, female and disabled access, have all been
refurbished
- the interior and exterior have been redecorated
The Playgroup and parents, the regular morning users, have raised
considerable funds for the redecoration and for the creation of a secluded
garden and play area in the surrounding space. Financial help was received
from Premier Products Ltd and the Early Years Seed Challenge Funding of
Gloucestershire County Council
The hall is now a warm and welcoming environment for meetings, parties,
receptions, concerts or dances and the Trustees hope that it will be put to
good use as a worthy hall for all the community.
Bookings can be made by email to
prestbury.hall prestbury.net.
or by telephoning 239590.
 Bob Lyle, Trustee
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PPY’s Alternative Fashion
MONTHS of work creating staging, dyeing T-shirts and hunting out
‘ethical’ fashion came to a climax with the eagerly awaited Fashion Show.
The atmosphere was one of excitement on the day. Much of the hard work of
sorting out staging had already been done by Pittville Youth Action Group –
but there were still lights, PA, and visuals to set up as well as routines
to finalise. The moments we snatched to pray together that God would be at
work through it all were invaluable!
 A packed St Nicolas’ saw Anna and Tom introducing the event with
energy, insight and humour. Their role was pivotal in making the evening go
so well. The worship group cranked it up with renditions of some of the
favourite Synergy worship tunes. The mood went reflective as we all took on
board the working conditions of many within the garment trade.
The evening was not about feeling guilty though, but about a practical
response. Squatt::Orange were one example of an outlet for fairly traded
(and stylish) T-shirts – displayed by individuals and the youth work team.
There was a humorous look at fair trade and sport with our own Gary Lineker
and Simon the keepy-up king. It was fantastic to have Mary and Esther from
Tearcraft with exquisite jewellery, scarves and bags – all fairly traded. It
was very powerful to hear the stories of the individuals who had made the
items!
We then turned to the makers in our own groups as homemade dresses,
‘recycled’ T-shirts and tie-dyed shirts were paraded. The emphasis was on
‘reducing, reusing and recycling’ – there was a guest appearance by Fr
Michael to acknowledge his contribution to ‘lived-in fashion’ by
consistently wearing black! There was even a chance for Chloe and Ben to
take to the stage in the ‘mini-me’ category. This section ended with the
capturing on video of the ‘charity shop challenge’ by Charis and Sophie.
They clearly had great fun and managed to find real bargains!
 The evening drew to an end with the hilarious ‘newspaper
fashion challenge’ with two teams from the audience producing masterpieces
from newspaper – Fr Michael was attired very ‘creatively’! As the laughter
died down the worship group led songs reflecting the foundations of faith –
the unfailing love of God for all – especially the poor.
The evening raised over £300 for Prestbury and Pittville Youth. (Please
do get in touch if you would like further information about giving regularly
to PPY.)
Reflecting afterwards, it had been an evening of nervousness and
excitement, but most of all an evening which highlighted the diversity of
PPY’s youth work and of the gifts and talents we all have to bring. The
young people were fantastic, but don’t forget the youth work team (and
guests) whose unassuming support made it all possible. Perhaps it was one of
those rare moments when God brings it all together and you can say ‘this is
what it is all about – life in all its fullness’. Thank you to everyone who
helped make it such a great night.
 Andy Macauly
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Young People Today ……
HOW OFTEN have we all heard conversations beginning with ‘Young People
Today… they are rude, rebellious, troublesome, lazy etc’? Not True!!
The Prestbury & Pittville Youth Alternative Fashion Show produced a large
number of young people who were enthusiastic, committed, respectful and
certainly far more environmentally aware than my generation ever was. We saw
their efforts in showing how we are not clothing the poor as instructed in
the Bible, but are allowing the poor  to
clothe us. This is often work done in dire conditions, for very little pay
and extremely long hours, so that we can wear that designer labelled outfit.
All too often child labour is used to produce products to make our children
look good.
Our young people certainly drove home the message about being careful
about what we buy: re-using what we have; recycling our clothes; and
shopping at charity shops rather than at High Street stores for our clothes.
Well done to all our young people, who have such a lot to teach us ‘older
folk’ – they can often see what we can’t and we should give them a voice and
listen to it, rather than criticising them, as all too often is the case.
 Marion Beagley
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The PPY Alternative Fashion Show
This was held in St Nicolas’ on 10th November and was a marvellous event;
if you missed it then you missed a real treat! I would like to thank all
those who put so much hard work into making the evening so successful. Young
people from all of our different youth groups and from all three of our
churches took part, all making their own contributions to such a varied,
enjoyable and also thought-provoking evening. Very special thanks must go to
Andy, Sharon and all the youth leaders for their tremendous effort. Well
done!
Fr Michael
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In anticipation of the new North Cheltenham Team Ministry the webmasters
have decided it would be appropriate to have one website for the enlarged
Team. This is our way of welcoming the other parishes and demonstrating
everyone is included. There will need to be a new start on the website, a
complete makeover from what we have at present.
If you have any suggestions or comments we would like to hear them. We
would also like a new logo. To get you thinking try to answer these simple
questions:
- What three things do you like most about the present parish website?
- What three things do you like least?
You can contact us on
weballsaintschelt.net
and webprestbury.net.
  Jennifer Swinbank & Brian Wood
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To help alleviate the ventilation problem at St Nicolas’ the triangular
window above the entrance to the church is to be replaced. The new window
will have the two centre sections as opening windows.
This will not solve the ventilation problem but, as agreed with the
architect, it is phase one of a possible solution.
 Jackie Moles
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On the evening of 26th October we held a Bridge Drive and Supper in St
Mary’s to raise funds for the Fabric Appeal. It is not easy for an organiser
to judge what the participants thought of the event, but they seemed to
enjoy it. In particular there were complimentary remarks both about using
the church itself for a social function and about how attractive the nave
looked with all the tables set out for a meal.
Thirty-six people played bridge. Of these, eighteen came from the parish
(and were a mixture of regular church-goers and those who were just
interested in supporting the church) and eighteen came from Cheltenham and
outlying villages. So often the burden of fundraising falls on those who
already give much to the church. So it was nice that we were able to attract
‘outsiders’ to support the cause.
In total the evening contributed £500 to the Fabric Appeal.
Jim Mackie
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May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him
tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. May all kings fall
down before him, all nations give him service.
Psalm 72:10-11 (NRSV)
These words are taken from a Psalm of Solomon, the wise Old Testament
king, to whom the rulers of the nations flocked to benefit from his wisdom.
At Epiphany however, the Church uses this Psalm to point us to the Magi,
those wise men bearing gifts who came to worship the Christ child.
Their arrival in little Bethlehem must have caused quite a stir amongst
the neighbours, wondering who on earth they were and why they should have
travelled such a long way, just to see a baby. But I suspect there would
have been an even greater stir had they understood the ultimate significance
of that visit.
Epiphany is the time when we remember the revelation of Christ to the
Gentiles, quite an alien concept for Jews, brought up in a religion which
emphasised their special place as God’s chosen people. Psalm 147 v 20
declares ‘He has not dealt thus with any other nation.’ and even sounds a
note of triumphant one-upmanship in its final ‘Praise the Lord!’
When Christianity started to spread out beyond Jerusalem in the first
days of the Early Church, there was quite a lot of tension between Jewish
Christians loyal to the old teachings and practices of Judaism and new
converts to Christianity, who had not been brought up as Jews.
St Luke tells us in his Acts of the Apostles that it took quite some time
for the two schools of thought to come to a common agreement. It must have
been difficult for those first Jewish Christians to accept that God could
care as much for other people as for them; not easy to accept that He would
not be offended if they chose to eat pork or share to a meal with a
non-believer.
I guess that for some of us our journey of faith may have been something
like that. Perhaps the ideas and preconceptions developed in our early years
as Christians were challenged as our understanding matured. Maybe we were
obliged to change the way we had always done things – moving to a new area
and worshipping at a different church, where things were not the same as we
had been used to, a different order of Service or unfamiliar hymns.
At first, this sort of experience can be very unsettling. It might even
lead to a sense of bereavement at the loss of something precious, but with
hindsight we may begin to realise that these new experiences have actually
enriched rather than diminished the way in which we are able to express our
belief.
In the Prestbury and All Saints’ Team we are lucky to have three quite
different churches, each contributing its own special insights to our shared
faith. In addition we already have Ecumenical links with other churches in
Prestbury and our fellowship is now further extended to include the parishes
of Swindon Village and Elmstone Hardwicke.
Perhaps it is more than a coincidence that the Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity always falls within the season of Epiphany, a time for us to
remember the Magi who came from afar and to join in worship with Christians
the world over; celebrating God’s love shown for us in Christ Jesus, and
inviting people everywhere to share in the salvation that He was born to
bring.
Jen Swinbank
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Journey with Jesus
Once again we begin our journey through Advent. The past
couple of years have seen the start of a new tradition in Prestbury during
which figures of Mary, Joseph and the infant child have journeyed through
the Parish residing in homes of parishioners for a night or two. If you
would like to participate in this witness please speak to
Sylvia McKenzie at St Mary’s or
Linda Biggs at St Nicolas’.
On Saturday 8th December 2-5pm we will
again be celebrating the ‘Real Christmas’. Our Christmas tree will be up and
decorated. The Christingle oranges will be assembled during the afternoon,
there will be some Christmas activities for the younger visitors, seasonal
refreshments for everybody, a small number of charity stalls will be selling
Christmas Goodies, and there will be live festive music during the
afternoon, including carols sung by our Choir. Father Michael will send us
all off with some thoughts on the real meaning behind the celebrations. All
our village churches are going to be represented once more.
 Lynda Hodges
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St Nicolas’
Patronal Festival
United Team Sung Eucharist at St Nicolas’
at 9.30am on Sunday 9th December
followed by Advent refreshments
There will be a said Eucharist at 8.00am as usual at
St Mary’s and All Saints’
BUT no 10.30am service at All Saints’ and no 11am service at St Mary’s
We hope you will all join us at St Nicolas’!
Christingle Service 2007
Shining light into darkness…
This year we shall be holding the Christingle Service in
aid of the Church of England Children’s Society in St Mary’s Church,
Prestbury, on Sunday 9th December at 4.00pm.
Christingle is a simple, moving service with great appeal to children, young
people and their families. Christingle oranges are presented to everyone who
brings a gift of money for the work of the Society. We hope that you will be
able to come and help raise money to brighten the lives of children for whom
Christmas would otherwise be a rather bleak time. We hope to see you there!
Rachael Buttress
Three Annunciations –
Bible Study Group
The last Bible study session this term will be on
Tuesday 11th December when we shall look at the angel’s annunciation to
Joseph in Matthew chapter 2. We meet in All Saints’ church at 6.45pm for a
7pm start, and we hope you will be able to stay afterwards for the short
service of Compline at 8pm.
In the New Year we return to our studies of Matthew’s
gospel, picking up again at chapter 16, on Tuesday 8th January. Copies of
the study guide (price approx £4) are available from Jen Swinbank. Do join
us even if you can’t come every time.
Frances Murton
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Christian Aid Carol Singing
 On Saturday 15th December we shall be singing
carols for Christian Aid: St Nicolas’ will be at Sainsbury’s in Priors Road
from 10-11am and St Mary’s at Sainsbury’s in Tewkesbury Road from
11am-12noon. Please join us if you can.
There will be another opportunity on Thursday 20th
December when the Salvation Army invite us to join them in singing in the
Beechwood Arcade from 7 8pm.
Thank you to those who helped or supported at the
Christmas Fair on 3rd November at Holy Apostles’ Church Hall, which raised
the excellent total of £1,114.
  Gill
Ashman & Paddy Spurgeon
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Mothers’ Union
Our next meeting is a Christmas Social with Readings on
Tuesday 18th December at 7.30pm hosted by Sheila and Cyril Beer. Anyone
welcome to join us even if not a member of the MU. Please bring a small
plate of food to share.
On Tuesday 22nd January John Mead will give a talk
entitled William Hogarth – a Truly English Painter. We shall meet at St
Nicolas’ at 7.30pm. All are welcome.
Marion
Beagley
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Monday 24th December
4.00pm & 6.00pm
Admission by free ticket
tickets available from Infant & Junior Schools; Bakery Stores and
Prestbury Post Office
for more information see the
page about the tickets
or phone parish office 244373 Mon-Fri 9.00-12.00
Candlelit Nativity Service
St Nicolas’ Church
Monday 24th December
6.00pm
Do join us for this wonderful time of
Worship on Christmas Eve
All welcome!
Ephiphany Supper –
Saturday 5 January 2008
Early notice for the new 2008 diaries! The Epiphany Supper
will be taking place in St Mary’s church as in recent years to complete the
Twelve Days of Christmas. There will be the usual Supper and Desserts,
followed by entertainment.
Tickets and further details will be published in the
pewsheets nearer the time. It really was a sell-out last year, so please
plan early if you intend to be there.
Lynda Hodges
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Kings or Commoners?
An Epiphany Presentation by Fr Tim Raphael on Sunday
6th January in St Nicolas’ Church at 4.30pm, followed by tea and cakes.
The afternoon concludes with a service of Epiphany Carols at 6pm. Do join us
for this Team-wide event.
Jen Swinbank
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St Mary’s Bakestall
There will be NO bakestall in December, as is now our
custom. The next one will be next year on Sunday 20th January, when members
of all three teams are invited to contribute so that we make a good start
with our giving in 2008.
Thank you to everyone who brought and bought in 2007,
enabling us to send donations exceeding £400 in total to the Charities we
support. Do read the details on the list on the notice board in the porch
and feel free to make suggestions for future giving.
Margaret Waker & Linda Matthews
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St Mary’s Organ Fund
With the proceeds of the three concerts to date, together
with other gifts and donations, we have over £2000 towards the repairs to
the Walker Organ in St Mary’s Church. There are three more concerts planned
for the New Year. Grateful thanks to everyone who has contributed to the
fund.
 Christine
McKelvey
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So what is Rockers?
Do you have pre-school children and would like to meet new
friends? Then come along to Rockers on Thursday afternoons at St Mary’s
Church from 2-2.45pm (term time only).
Rockers offers children a relaxed atmosphere to introduce
them to the Church, by singing action songs, listening to a short bible
story, encouraging them to take part in a creative activity or play with
toys. There is also an opportunity for the adults to enjoy a cup of tea and
a chat. Fun and friendly, please come along.
Our last meeting this term is 13th December and we start
back in the New Year on Thursday 10th January.
For information please contact Vicky Dunn on
rockers prestbury.net.
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LENT 2008
Next year’s Lent Course will be taking place in House
Groups looking at the Chronicles of Narnia with a Study Guide by
Hilary Brand, writer of the popular Christ and the Chocolaterie. Lent
begins early, on Wednesday 6th February, so we need to begin identifying
venues NOW.
Are YOU
- Able to provide a venue where a group might meet?
- Willing to lead a group, either in your own home or at
somebody else’s house?
- Able to lend out a copy of the video or DVD, for the
use of a House Group?
If you can help, please contact:
Karen Winder or Jennifer Swinbank at All Saints
Colin Holman at St Mary’s
Margaret Compton at St Nicolas’ |
