The Parish of Burchetts Green
The Parish of Burchetts Green
St John's Catch up........
Dear All,
We are kicking off our Christmas celebrations with the Christingle service this coming Sunday. The service follows the kick off to Christmas village lunch and starts at 2.15. Jenny and team have been busy preparing the Christingle oranges for the children. Those at the lunch will have a quiz to solve as they walk from the hall to church. Others will make their way from home. So, if you can please do join us. The collection at the service will be sent to the Children’s Society.
This is the service where you can bring a children’s toy, new please and wrapped. Could you please mark boy or girl and indicate an age group. All toys are being donated to Social Services, who will distribute them to less fortunate children.
The word Christingle comes from the German word Christkindl meaning “Little Christ Child” and celebrates Christ as the “Light of the world” I am sure Fr John will be explaining the meanings behind the various symbols on the orange.
This week we dressed our Christmas Tree, sitting in front of the book cases, and erected the Crib in the centre of the aisle. Oh... I also have Christmas carols playing on the sound system. I could almost smell the mince pies and mulled wine! Speaking of which, I understand that we will be providing the mince pies and mulled wine after the Carol service on the 19th Dec.
Our Parish Christmas Card is being delivered this week, detailing all of our services , including the Carol singing at the Cricketers on the 22nd at 7.30. but just to remind you they are as follows:
5th December 2.15 Christingle and Toy Service.
12th December 9.15am Family Communion.
19th December 5.00pm Family Christmas Candle lit, Carol Service: mince pies and mulled wine being served afterwards!
22nd December 7.30 pm Carol singing at the Cricketers...all monies collected will be donated to The Children’s Society,
24th December 2.00pm Crib Service..that’s the one where Mary rides to Church on a ‘ donkey’ read horse, and all the children dress up to tell nativity storey. Jesus is being played by 8 week old George..we recruit them young at St John’s!!
25th December 9.15 am Family Christmas Eucharist... when we celebrate the Birth of Jesus .
THE LITTLEWICK LYCHGATE CHALLENGE
I am again going to place an empty Stable in the Lychgate, illuminated with 600 led lights. We challenge all the village children to fill it with the animals, Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds, wise men and of course Jesus and Angels all before Christmas Day. Decorate the area as you like and why not pin up drawings and paintings on the pillars? Let’s make this a wonderful celebration of the Birth of Jesus. Perhaps a few Mums and Dads would like to contribute?? I will place the stable there by this weekend, so keep an eye out and let’s get cracking!
Could we please ask you to come to church with a mask and sanitize your hands at the entrance. We are not asking for masks in the pews, that will be down to you but please wear them as you walk around the church.
As you know, our lovely village church is open 7 days of the week. I went in to lock up this week to find a “Lady of the Road” enjoying the relative warmth and the music. She left a note in our visitors book and on looking back I see that she visits us once or twice a year. She tells me that she has travelled across the country, sleeping when it gets dark and waking with the dawn. How wonderful that our church can offer such peace to someone who wrote, NFB in the book.....God Bless Her..
Thanks and God Bless you too.
A HAPPY AND Peaceful CHRICTMAS.
Richard.
p.s. this week I pressed the wrong button and deleted my Catch Up contacts...having found a way to recover it, or I think I have, could a few of you acknowledge this email so that I know I was successful!!
A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT CATCH UP From St John's.
Dear All,
It is will such joy that I am able to announce that after some 18 months since Keith left us, the Rev Tom Etherton has been appointed as the next Vicar of Burchetts Green. I have attached the actual notice that was read out in all three churches yesterday, as well as in his own church in Hampshire.
Tom and his wife Hannah, with their two children Alice(5) and Robyn (2) will move into the vicarage in January ready for his Licensing on 1st February. I hope to be able to send you more information about Tom and his family over the next few weeks and also details regarding the Licensing service.
We now look forward to welcoming Tom and his family to St John’s and our Parish.
Fr John.
We have been so lucky to have had Fr John with us for the whole of the Interregnum. Jenny and myself are indebted to Fr John as he has ensured that we have been able to hold a normal pattern of services as well as Baptisms, and Funerals. The Pandemic created many problems for us and Fr John has steered us through this most difficult of times.
He has decided to finish his ministry with us at the end of December after which he will be joining the ministry team at All Saints Boyne Hill. His last service with us at St John’s, will be our Carol service on the 19th December at 5pm. Having thanked Fr John, after I read out the announcement yesterday, the congregation spontaneously applauded him.
So, may I ask that we keep both Tom and his family as well as Fr John, in our prayers as they prepare for their moves.
LOOKING BACK...............................
We had a very moving Remembrance service on the 14th, attended by just over 100 people. It was nice having the Littlewick Scouts with us as well as representatives from White Waltham Parish Council , Hurley Parish Council and Littlewick Green Society, who all laid wreaths at the war memorial as did Sandra, representing St John’s.
Yesterday, we enjoyed our Family Eucharist and it was lovely having Eleanor with us, playing the Piano.
Now that brings me to a request for help!
We are very lucky to have Nigel playing for us each week and usually when he cannot, Eleanor plays the Piano. However, in planning our December services, and finding music for most of them, I am unable to find anyone available to play at the Crib service on the 24th December at 2pm., Both Nigel and Eleanor are otherwise engaged.
The crib service is a wonderful celebration of the Nativity and we sing the story through our Christmas Carols, whilst the little one’s act the story...Mary will arrive on a horse and our little Jesus will be 7 week old George, who was baptised yesterday.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE VILLAGE WHO COULD HELP US OUT AND PLAY THE PIANO, OR DOES ANYONE KNOW SOMEONE WHO COULD. THE MUSIC WILL BE OUR FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROLS. (tel: 01628 822282 or email me)
More details about our Christmas services will follow later and we will also be sending out a Christmas Card in the village, with all details included. As a summary and for your diary..................
5th December 2.15 pm Christingle service.
12th December 9.15am Family Eucharist.
19th December 5.0pm Family Carol Service .
22nd December 7.30pm Carol Singing in The Cricketers.
24th December 2.0pm Crib Service.
25th December 9.15am Christmas Day Family Eucharist, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Finally.....
Sandra’s Traidcraft event was very successful, particularly on the Saturday and her stall will appear again at the Coffee morning at Stubbings on 1st December. Sandra would like to thank all of you who continue to support Taidcraft.
God Bless
Richard.
St John's Catch Up......REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Dear All,
This coming Sunday we will remember all those who gave up their lives for us. At St John’s our service will start at 10.45 inside the church. We will then be led out to the War Memorial ready for the 2 minute silence. Wreaths will be laid by Littlewick Green Society, St John’s Church, White Waltham Parish Council, Hurley Parish Council and the Littlewick Cubs and Scouts. After the names of those who died and came from our village, have been read out, we will return to church for a service of Remembrance. Please do come and join us if you can. Jenny and Viv have arranged coffee for afterwards...the first time in nearly 2 years!
Looking back....we had a lovely Family Eucharist on Sunday with the Sunday Club meeting for the second time. Again 11 young ones with their families came to the service and 9 children went off to the Cabin. They returned during the last hymn, and then came to the front to talk about the things they had made. With Christingle on the first Sunday in December, Helen and Sally will have the next Sunday Club on the first Sunday in January. I will flag up the date nearer the time.
On Sunday 21st November we will have our Family Eucharist at 9.15. John will lead us and Eleanor will be playing the Piano for us.
DECEMBER SERVICES,
With so much lost last Christmas I am pleased to let you know that we have a full schedule of Christmas services and just to give you a taster the following services are taking place. You may wish to make a note of some dates although I will remind you again later in the month:
5th December, 2.15pm Christingle, following the Kick Off To Christmas lunch in the village hall. If you are going to the lunch, the children will have a quiz to take them from hall to church. If not then just join us for this lovely service.
12th December 9.15. We will have out Family Eucharist and Dilys will again lead us .I am sure there will be the odd Carol..oh and our tree and Crib will be all lit up.
19th December 5pm. Our Carol Service by candlelight. We are inviting representatives from village organisations to read the lessons.
22nd December ( Wednesday) Carol Singing in The Cricketers, starting at 7.30pm. Join us and sing your hearts out!!!
24th December 2pm. Our fabulous Crib Service led by Tina.
25th December 9.15. Christmas Day Family Eucharist led by Tina, when we celebrate the Birth of Jesus.
So a wonderful calendar of Christmas services..
As a final reminder, Sandra’s Traidcraft coffee mornings are this week. Friday 10.30 to 1.30 and on Saturday 10.30 to 1pm. Come and do some Christmas shopping and help the third world suppliers as the same time. (Oakleigh, Green Lane Littlewick Green SL63 RH) we have plenty of parking.
That’s it for now.
God Bless.
Richard.
St John's Catch Up
Dear All,
This coming Sunday we will be celebrating All Saints Day and All Souls Day, at our Family Eucharist at 9.15. We will be able to remember those loved ones who are no longer with us. At St John’s you have the chance to place a red rose in the church in memory of a loved one. Their name/s will then be read out at the end of the service. If you would like to buy a rose, they cost £3.50, please let Yvonne (822862) or Jenny (822886) know. It would help if this can be in the next day or so, as Yvonne will be buying them shortly. Even if you do not want to buy a rose, just come to our service and have time to reflect on those no longer with us.
Looking back to the 17th October, it was a joy to have Dilys with us again after nearly 2 years. Thanks Dilys and we look forward to your next visit.
SUNDAY 7th NOVEMBER 9.15
Our Sunday Club meets for the second time during our Family Eucharist service. I know Sally and Helen have been doing much planning. The children loved the first Sunday Club meeting and I am sure they will do so again. If your child/children have not yet attended and would like to, please just come along. I am sure they will enjoy themselves.Fr John will lead us now that he is back from some holiday.
SUNDAY 14th NOVEMBER. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 10.45.
Our Remembrance service will be led by Tina. Unlike last year, we are hoping for a full church. Wreaths will be laid on behalf of St John’s, The Littlewick Green Society, White Waltham Parish Council , Hurley Parish Council and the local Scout group. Jenny tells me that she will be providing refreshments for after the service.
SUNDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 9.15.
Our Family Eucharist will be led by Fr John with Nigel playing the organ
SUNDAY 28th NOVEMBER. No service but our church will be open for private prayer 11am to 4pm.........
..... and before you know it, we will be planning for our Christmas services!!!!
TRAIDCRAFT COFFEE MORNINGS.
Just as a reminder, Sandra will be holding her Traidcraft coffee mornings on Friday 121th and Saturday 13th November, at our house...OAKLEIGH, GREEN LANE, LITTLEWICK GREEN. 10.30am to 1.30pm Please do come and support Sandra, and of course, the suppliers from the Third World.
Finally, during these last 18 months, our various rotas came to a halt. In particular, our cleaning rota and coffee rota. It would be very good if we could try and get these stated again. So, if you were involved or would like to help out, can you let me know .I will pass your details on. Neither takes up much time, and in the case of the cleaning one, it will relieve me of one of my many jobs!!
That’s it for now,
God Bless.
Richard.
St John's Catch up ..........and Minecraft Church on Sunday 10th October
Dear All
There are many times in one’s life, when you look forward to an event but suffer the anxiety as the date gets closer, that it may not work out as you expect. After 4 years of planning, constructing and preparing, I had just that feeling as we approached last Sunday and our first Sunday Club meeting and not least, as we waited in church for the arrivals! The cabin heating was on, blinds up and Helen and Sally with Sophie eagerly waiting.
We needn’t have worried. By the start of the service, we had 13 children in church, 11 who joined the Sunday Club and left with Sally and Helen during the first hymn, the two remaining were just a little too young for the time being. Staying in church was also Bonnie the dog and almost Seb and Tamar’s cat!!..the cat follows Seb around the village and was quite eager to join in the fun......Dog and Cat, well No, I could see the possible implications!! The children returned during the last hymn and then talked to Fr John about the activities they had done.
What a great start, the first Sunday school at St John’s for possibly 30 years. Sally tells me that she will be contacting the families before the next meeting on November 7th, to let them know what the children will be doing. I can tell you that all the children loved the club and are excited to come again. Jenny’s daughter, Vicky has also offered to lend a hand, which will help to cater for the numbers and the age range. Tina did take a few photo’s, and with the parent’s permission, these have now been placed on our parish web page .www.burchettsgreenparish.org If you would like to let Sally know if your child/ children would also like to attend, please email her at: davidcamerongray@hotmail.com or email Helen at : helen@habershon.co.uk
LOOKING FORWARD..................
This Sunday 10th October, at 4pm, we have Rev Kevin Colyer with us who is going to give us an insight into Minecraft Church. Yes, that’s the computer game MINECRAFT!! The big screen will be up and Kevin will illustrate how this all works. Children as well as adults can come along with their laptops or ipads and help Kevin build on the big screen. Many of us...me included will just come to listen!!!This will also be a first. Should it prove successful, we may well see if we can start a Minecraft Church here at St John’s next year, probably not on a Sunday, to cater for the older children and early teens. Please do come along and support Kevin. Old or Young welcome.
AND FURTHER FORWARD.......... On Sunday 17th October 9.15. we will welcome Rev Dilys back to Littlewick so do please join us .
AND FURTHER AGAIN..................
On the 31st October at 9.15, we hold our All Saints/Souls service. This is the time when we remember those loved ones who have left us. Jenny Robinson and Yvonne Tomlins are now taking orders for red roses. You can buy one for anyone you want to remember, they cost £5 and these roses will be placed around the church, with the names of those to be commemorated. These names will also be read out at the end of the service. To book your Rose, please telephone Jenny on 01628 822886 or Yvonne on01628 822862. I am told that it would really help to have the orders early for planning reasons.
INTERREGNUM UPDATE.
It does seem a long time since Keith left us. In that time much work has been done to prepare for and advertise for our new Vicar. I am pleased to confirm that we have received a number of applications in response to our recent advertising, and we will be interviewing candidates on Friday 16th October .
The Parish is indebted to Fr John, who willingly came to us last Year, to support and encourage us whilst we looked for a new Vicar. He has served the three churches unstintingly and with dedication, making sure that all three churches were and are able to offer services, weddings, baptisms and of course funerals, during the most challenging of times!
Finally.......Sandra tells me that she is now ordering a supply of TRAIDCRAFT Advent Calendars’ .......I know it’s early but apparently they go quickly and we need to get an order in soon. They cost £4.99 for milk or plain chocolate or if you prefer, without chocolate at £3.99 Please ring Sandra on 822282 or email her at sandra@oakleighlg.co.uk Her mail order service is going so well....all helping the Third World!
God Bless.
Richard.
ST John's Catch Up..........................AND SUNDAY CLUB
6 DAYS AND COUNTING............................................................
After some 4 years of planning we are just 6 days away from our first Sunday Club ( Sunday School) session. This is being held on Sunday 3rd October at 9.15. Helen and Sally have been planning the fun for some months and we are so excited that at last we will be able to offer the children of Littlewick Green a Sunday Club on the 1st Sunday of each Month.
I do hope you will join us next Sunday at our Family Service. The children will be led out of church during the first hymn and brought back during the last hymn. The plan is for them to be led back into the side aisle ready for a blessing and to present any work they have done, or to tell us what they have done, just before the end of the service.
I even have a buzzer so that I can warn them when to return from the back of the church.....although knowing me I will pop my head out just to make sure.
At 11am on Sunday, after the service, Thomas and George are being Baptised. Thomas was our little Jesus in the Nativity play 3 years ago . Lizzie and Daniel have signed Thomas up for Sunday Club so I hope he keeps clean!!!!!!
Helen tells me that quite a few have said they are coming and if you have not and would like your children to join in the fun, then just come to church on Sunday and your children can join the others...all are welcome. Of course, you can also get in touch with Helen or Sally, their details are on the notice I have attached
Thanks to all of you who came to our Harvest service last Sunday and who left gifts in the porch. The Montessori School came during that week and left a very large assortment of tinned food, so we had a very good selection of food and some clothing. Keith Robinson and myself, filled a large box for Food Bank and the rest was taken to Yeldall Manor on the Wednesday. I also had two donations of money that also was given to Yeldall Manor. The church looked splendid with the many flower displays prepared by Yvonne, Lynn and Gail.
Yes, this really is Minecraft! On Sunday 10Th October, the Rev Kevin Colyer will be introducing us to his Minecraft Church, at the All Age 4pm Service........I know, I can almost hear you say “ what’s that all about”
Well, to most 8 to 14 year olds, it’s a computer game...my own Grand Son Sam, is so in to Minecraft that he walks around the house in a Minecraft dressing gown and he’s 11.
Kevin developed Minecraft Church during lockdown. He is Curate at St Michael’s in Bray. He will demonstrate it using our big screen and anyone coming into church with a laptop or IPad will be able to help him build something which will illustrate a bible story!! How mad is that. If it works we may well be able to form a Minecraft Church Club for the older children/teen next years?
I am told that this is very much open to all so, why not come to the service and see for your selves.
To add to our month, I am so pleased to tell you that Dilys will be preaching and leading us again, on the 17th October...the first time in over 18 months. Please put that in your diary.
Finally, On Sunday 31st October we will celebrate All Saints Day and remember those known to us who have died. Jenny is once again going to arrange for the red roses so, look out for more information and purchase them in memory of loved ones.
Gosh, what a month we have...I look forward to seeing you all and hope you can join us at one of our services in October.
God Bless
Richard.
