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Three Congregations: One God, One Parish
December 2015 Hanborough Parish News Hanborough Parish & January 2016
Contact InformaƟon
David Tyler ‐ [email protected] Parish News ‐ [email protected] No ce Sheet ‐ [email protected] Website ‐ [email protected] Hitchhikers ‐ [email protected]
Communica on Team Members Parish News Editor ‐ Zoe Preston No ce Sheet Editor ‐ Megan Pawley / Sarah Lindon
Parish News ContribuƟons Please do support your local Parish News by le ng us know what you or your group have been doing recently. Please submit news, ar cles, adverts for future events, poems, jokes, etc for the next issue to the Editor, Zoë Preston (Tel 886637), by Tuesday 12th January 2015. By Email: [email protected] Or by post to: 63 Church Road, Long Hanborough, Oxon, OX29 8JF If you would like to receive a PDF version of this monthly newsle er via email, or if you know someone else who would like to receive a paper or PDF version, please contact the Editor.
Cut-off Date for Contributions To aid publication of the Parish News in Hanborough we have decided to bring the cut-off date for articles forward to the 12th of the month. Please can you ensure that any items are with the Editor, Zoe Preston ([email protected]) by the 12th of the previous month.
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Christmas Services December 2015
Hanborough Parish
20th 6pm Carol Service St Peter & St Paul (followed by refreshments at The Hand and Shears)
24th Christmas Eve 3pm Crib Service with Carols St Peter & St Paul 11.15pm Holy Communion St Peter & St Paul
25th Christmas Day 10am Family Worship Manor School with Holy Communion (Children, bring your presents!)
There will also be a service led by the Methodists at Christ Church, Long Hanborough at 10am on Christmas Day.
St Mary the Virgin, Freeland
24th Christmas Eve 5pm Christingle Service St Mary's 11.15pm Holy Communion St Mary's
25th Christmas Day 10am Holy Communion St Mary's (Children, bring your presents!)
You are warmly invited to join us for any of our services
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The Methodist Minister, Rev Paul Weir, writes this month... Christmas is almost upon us once more! It seems to come around ever so quickly. I am assured that as we grow older me passes even more quickly. Well we know it doesn’t really but it shows how our percepƟons vary. Our percep on of Christmas is o en interes ng too. For many, the roman c and sen mental aspects are important, baby in the crib, snowflakes coming down outside, music on the radio ‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas’ and nsel, decora ons and lots of nice food and drink. A lot comes from Victorian mes and has diverted us all a bit. Shops have used this as a way of making you believe that you must spend hundreds of pounds each on presents – I say shops but actually people have fuelled this themselves and is now the expecta on. However, it contrasts with the stark reality of what happened in the real story of Christmas. It’s a story of homelessness, a pregnant mother with her husband trying to find a roof over their heads before she gives birth and then having to shelter in a smelly animal stable with poverty and des tu on all around them. Sounds like an episode for a soap! Of course, it's nice to give and share presents, enjoy the fun and innocence of it all and relive the mes that we had throwing snowballs and si ng in front of the fire warming ourselves. I think it’s the an cipa on and excitement that s rs us and that’s important. However, the cross is never far from the crib. Seems a funny thing to say, but it isn’t really. The central message of Christmas is that God became man. It is such an amazing and incredible truth. How can life ever be the same again? Dickens’ ‘Scrooge’, highlights a good summary of what Christmas is all about. Ebenezer Scrooge is converted, changed and transformed. We all know the story (bah humbug). But why is it a good summary? It's because he examines his Christmas past, his Christmas present and his Christmas future (was there a pun there?). That is what we are asked to do, the Bible readings over this Christmas will ask you to do exactly that – examine our past, present and our future. This is what Christmas should be forcing us to do in the light of God becoming man. Life a er that can never, never be the same. So don't ex nguish the religious side of Christmas. We know it has become synonymous with high spirits, high jinks, par es and having a good me. Many people do not iden fy with the true meaning of it – for many it has become an irrelevance. And for many it is a me of feeling low, isolated or depressed, a difficult me because there is great pressure to conform to the ‘norm’ whatever that may be now. But Christmas isn’t about conforming at all. In the way the Christmas story happened, there was complete non‐conformance! It wasn’t happening in a 5 star hotel, with hot and cold running water, en‐suite and mini‐bar with the flash car outside. It was the complete opposite. In fact, I’m sure a straw poll at the me wouldn’t have expected God to arrive in the back of an animal stable. Which really comes back to our percep on which is what I started this newsle er with. Jesus' arrival overturns the ‘norm’. He overturns our percep ons and transforms our lives. The Christmas story is one of great hope and great joy. In a world where both of these things seem in short supply, this is one story that will gladden our hearts immensely. So in all your celebra ons don’t forget the one reason why you are having a good me, remember whose birthday you are celebra ng – and make sure you really have the right person at that birthday party! (with thanks to J.John for thoughts incorporated into this newsle er) Jane and I would like to wish you all a lovely and peaceful Christmas. Every good wish, Reverend Paul Weir Methodist Superintendent Minister Witney and Faringdon Circuit
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And our Rector, Rev David Tyler, writes this month… Dear friends, It seems that we have been ge ng ready for Christmas for at least 3 months already ‐ the prepara ons seems to start earlier and earlier each year. (I don't think it's just because I no ce it more because I have a November birthday!) But now in the church calendar we are also preparing for Christmas as we enter the season of Advent. I suspect many of you are well on in your prepara ons ‐ cards, presents, food, working out who you will visit and when over the holiday period and perhaps trying to clear your desk at work. But the season of Advent is about a different sort of prepara on. Many of our prepara ons for Christmas make us busier and busier and busier; Advent is about trying to find space and quiet in the busyness to remember the prepara ons God made for that first Christmas. I worry about the 4 months of prepara ons that are made each year for Christmas, but in fact God had been preparing for the first Christmas from the very beginning of me ‐ a bit longer than 4 months! In the very first book of the bible we get the hint that Jesus will be coming. God had always intended to send Jesus that first Christmas. So in the midst of your prepara ons for Christmas I pray that you might find the space and the peace to ponder the prepara ons that were made for Jesus' birth ‐ prepara ons which dated back hundreds and thousands of years and I pray that you may find space to consider how much God loves you ... enough that he sent his own Son to be born in a stable 2,000 years ago.
Praying that you enjoy a frui ul and blessed Advent.
With best wishes
David 5
Forthcoming Events & News Christmas Unwrapped 1st December, 7.30pm At High Street Methodist Church, Witney. Bring your friends and neighbours to a carol service with interna onally acclaimed speaker J.John. Free entry, but ckets may be booked in advance: www.thefillingsta on.org.uk
Messiah Sing In 5th December, 7pm At St Mar n's Church, Bladon. Rehearsal 3.30 pm. Performance 7 pm. Tickets £10. Vocal scores can be hired for £2 (Watkins Shaw version). More details from Mollie Hance. Email: mollie.hance@ scali.co.uk Tel. 01993 811354
WICS' Christmas Performance 5th and 6th December WICS' Christmas performance this year will be the cantata ‘Love Transcending’ and various Christmas songs at Congrega onal Church, Witney. Sat 5 December @ 7.30pm and Sun 6 December @ 6.30pm Tickets from St Andrews Bookshop.
Christmas Concert at St Mary Magdalene Church Woodstock 11th and 12th December, 7.30pm An evening of sublime Christmas music by Bach, Mendelsohn, Ru er and Corp performed by the Woodstock Music Society and Orchestra with baritone soloist Quen n Hayes. Tickets available from Peter Young (01993 881578) or Susan Sugden (01993 881522).
We will be running an Alpha course star ng in January 2015. If you would like to come or know someone who would please speak to Robin Feast or David.
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Please Pray For... For our Alpha course to run in January. For the growth of our churches. For those unwell and recovering including Megan Pawley, Marie‐Jo and Janet Pa erson. For those recently bereaved.
Prayers For Our Community The churches in Hanborough will be focusing some of their prayers on the community and will be praying for a part of the villages' community each month. This month, the focus of prayer will be Freeland and Main Road & Witney Road in Hanborough.
Fellowship Group / Lent Course 2016 We have 3 fortnightly Fellowship mee ngs planned before the Lent Course begins. All are warmly invited to join us! We are currently using the book ‘Immeasurably More’ by Cris Rogers as a focus for our thoughts and discussions, but it is not essen al to have the book. There are around 13 of us ‐ so no need at all to feel you have to join in the discussion! It’s good to have this me together to relax and get to know each other be er and grow in our faith. We meet on the following Tuesdays at 7.30pm in Christ Church, beginning with coffee etc as folk gather, with the session commencing at 7.45pm and closing no later than 9pm ‐ 5th, 19th Jan; 2nd Feb. As there will be no January newsle er, please note the dates for our 5 session Lent Course ‐ Tuesdays 7.30pm ‐ 9pm in Christ Church ‐ format as above ‐ 16th,23rd Feb; 1st, 8th, 15th March. We shall be using the new York Course ‘The Psalms ‐ prayers for today’s church’. Course booklet: £3.49. Further details in Feb newsle er or contact Anne e (882833) for further info or to order a booklet.
Hanborough Parish Website Don’t forget to visit the Hanborough Parish Website, where you can find further informa on on what is happening in your parish. hƩp://www.hanboroughparish.co.uk/ 7
Advance NoƟce LIVING WELL IN THE END TIMES We are fortunate as members of the congrega ons in the Benefice of Hanborough and Freeland to have the opportunity of hearing the Revd. Dr Joanna Collicu present her booklet ‘Living Well In The End Times: A Chris an Resource to support people in making peace with the prospect of death’, on Monday 22nd February 2016 at Christchurch 7.30 pm for 8 pm. Coffee & Tea will be served at the start of the mee ng which is expected to end at 9.30 pm. Revd Dr Joanna Collicu works three days a week for Ripon College, Cuddesdon. The rest of the week she works as Oxford Diocesan Advisor for Spiritual Care for Older People. She studied experimental psychology and theology at Oxford University, and clinical psychology at the Ins tute of Psychiatry, University of London. She is a chartered clinical psychologist and specialist neuropsychologist, registered as a prac oner with the Health Professions Council. A er many years working in the health service, Joanna moved into the field of psychology of religion and was director of the MA programme in psychology of religion at Heythrop College, University of London un l 2010 when she joined the staff at Cuddesdon. Her interests are wide ranging, reflected in publica ons on cogni ve behaviour therapy, brain and behaviour, natural theology, psychological approaches to the Bible, psychological trauma, the spirituality of children and people with special needs, and medical ethics. She currently has two books in press: one on psychology and spiritual forma on (SCM), and one edited volume on neurology and religion (CUP). She has been a trustee of Godly Play UK, and Chair of the Bri sh Associa on of Chris ans in Psychology. She is an associate priest in a west Oxfordshire parish.
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Benefice of Hanborough and Freeland Advent Carol Service
by Candlelight
Sunday 29th November, 6pm St Peter & St Paul, Church Hanborough All are welcome
OperaƟon MobilisaƟon and Logos Hope Winter 2015–2016 Many will know James Berry who grew up in the village, was part of the Church here and volunteered for several years with Opera on Mobilisa on on their ships. Recently, OM needing extra officers, had asked James to help for three months. James' job would have prevented this, but he was made redundant at the beginning of November and, sensing God's ming, has volunteered to serve again. The ship will visit the Seychelles, then Mauri us and Madagascar and a number of African countries beginning with Tanzania and Mozambique. The ship's ministry is powerful. At James' Church in No ngham we met a former missionary who was working in the Seychelles when a previous OM ship visited and she tes fied to its enormous impact. Churches are encouraged, people come to Christ and hope and help are brought to poor and disadvantaged people. OM's vision for Africa is to raise up 5000 African missionaries to reach the con nent with the gospel. All this costs money, fuel for the ship is a major item and there are other costs even though the staff are unpaid volunteers. If you would like to help financially there is a matching fund currently, so if you give £10 to the fuel fund the ship will benefit by £20. For further details contact Peter Langley or Clive and Pam Berry.
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The Fireside Group The Fireside Group is one of several groups and organisa ons in the Benefice of Hanborough and Freeland that always welcomes new members. Everyone is welcome to join in at 8pm on Wednesday evenings, when we study the Bible and its applica on to our everyday Chris an lives. Our mee ng place is the home of John & Ann Applegate for whose hospitality we are grateful. Epiphany 2016: Religious Music In the new year, we will be studying the place, influence and effects of music in the Bible, the Church and in our lives as Chris ans. We welcome our new speakers, Ma hew & Sinead Andrews, Sarah Lindon and Margaret Stringer and the return of Phil Cooke to the Fireside Group. When: 8pm on Wednesday evenings Venue: 9 Glyme Way, Long Hanborough Led by: John Fox (01993 881384)
Programme for January & February: 6th Jan IntroducƟon to Music and the Bible Speaker: The Revd. Dr. Phil Cooke 13th Jan Music at Evensong Speakers: Ma hew and Sinead Andrews 20th Jan Bach – St MaƩhew’s Passion Speaker: Mrs. Sarah Lindon 27th Jan Music for Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving Speaker: Mrs. Margaret Stringer 3rd Feb Favourite Hymns The Members of the Fireside Group
Reading the Bible in a homely se ng, with opportunity for discussion and prayer. All mee ngs conclude with coffee/tea and biscuits.
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Toddlers at St Mary’s St. Mary’s church in Freeland, welcomes all families and children to join a toddler group with a Chris an theme. There will be toys and ac vi es for children aged 0–4 years and we offer you me to play and chat NOW ON with coffee and cakes to enjoy together, all for a small dona on of 50p. WEDNESDAYS! Toddlers at St Mary’s will be running every Wednesday at 10.00–11.30am, term‐ me only. We would love to see you there and if you want to know more please contact Alice Harden on 886833, or David on 881270.
Jennifer Ashdown Jennifer has recently moved from North Leigh to Yarnton Residen al & Nursing Home, Ru en Lane, Yarnton, Kidlington, OX5 1LW Room 7 Personal telephone: 01865 ‐ 375553
Show You Care at Christmas The Christmas catalogue is out now. I am happy to order anything for you and have a sample of all the Christmas cards if you would like to see them. Divine have brought out some chocolate Christmas shaped lollies (snowmen and reindeer) and I have 30 of these at £1.20 each. I am also planning to buy some gold coins at £2.30 a bag, so let me know if you want me to reserve some for you. Remember, you can also order all sorts of everyday Fairtrade products. I do an order every week or so and delivery is free. Please e‐mail me or let me know in person. Thank you for suppor ng Traidcra who work with small producers across the world to give them a fair price and decent working condi ons, bringing God’s jus ce to the marketplace. Catherine Tyler ([email protected]).
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Regular Church Events Monthly Prayer Time: 1st Wednesday at the Rectory 8pm. All welcome. Commuters Prayer Time: Fridays 6.45–7.15am, 33 Churchill Way (880462). Christian Fellowship: Contact Margaret Stringer (882112). Lunch Club: Meets once a month on the first Wednesday, 12.45–2.15pm at Christ Church. Two-course lunch is £3 incl. coffee for up to 40 members. Please contact Carol Bower (881930) first as there is a waiting list. Drop-in Coffee Morning: Tuesdays 10–11am, Christ Church. Tea/coffee, home-made cakes. All are welcome. Men's Beer & Curry: All men welcome; it involves talks from speakers or watching a DVD, some of which have a Christian theme; good home delivery curry on offer. It is also simply a chance for men to socialise! For details contact Robin Feast (882897 or [email protected]). Ladies’ Pizza & Wine: A social evening for ladies, arranged every few months, usually a Friday. Contact Zoë Preston (886637). Cycle Ride (15–30 miles): Saturdays 7.45am, starting from 33 Churchill Way. Contact David Dobson (880161) or Simon Gundry (880462). Home Groups (term-time only) Tuesday 2pm at 113 Broadmarsh Lane, Freeland – contact Peter Langley (883775) 8pm at a venue in Hanborough or Freeland – contact Emma Young (883345) Wednesday 8pm at The Rectory – contact Robin Feast (882897) 8pm The Fireside Group at 19 Isis Close, Long Hanborough – contact John Fox (881384) Thursday — Ladies’ Daytime Bible Study Group 12.45pm at the Lindon’s home. Contact Susan Sugden or Sarah Lindon. Friday — The Fellowship Group Meets once a month on Friday evening at 7.30pm at various venues (usually the first Friday of every month) - contact Edna Harris (708708) Exegesis group meets every 5 weeks (or so) – contact David Tyler for more details and venue info (881270) Young People’s Groups (term-time only) Wayfarers & Focus: Sunday School for children aged 3–16 years, which meets term-time most Sundays at the Manor School. Contact Zoë Dobson (880161). Crèche: For babies and toddlers is run most Sundays at the Manor School. Toddlers @ St Mary’s: Thursdays at 10–11.30am. See page 8 for more info. Hitchhikers: Sundays 7.00–8.30pm in the Methodist Chapel. All 11+ year olds are welcome. Contact Val Richens (880143).
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Some Useful Contact Details Rector: The Reverend David Tyler – 881270 The Rectory, Swan Lane, Long Hanborough OX29 8BT Email: [email protected] (Rev David Tyler normally takes his day off on a Saturday, unless there is a wedding.)
For Baptisms/Funerals – contact Rev David Tyler
For Weddings – first contact organist Margaret Stringer – 882112 Fornsete, 23 Pigeon House Lane, Freeland
Church Wardens: Clive Berry – 882080 Email: [email protected] Richard Wilkins – 882482 Email: [email protected]
PCC Secretary: Susan Sugden – 881522 Email: [email protected]
Associate Ministers: Rev Peter Ball – 882859 Email: [email protected]
Curates: Rev Phil Cooke – 01865 881366 Email: [email protected]
Rev Sue Spankie – 01993 706469 Email: [email protected]
Licensed Lay Ministers: Hugh Dalton – 881742 Clive Berry – 882080
Lay Pastoral Assistants John Fox – 881384 Peter Langley – 883775
Pastoral Care Pastoral Care is an essential part of our life together in Hanborough. The members of the Church and the Community care for one another in all sorts of informal ways and the Pastoral Care Team* assists in the ministry of visiting and prayer.
*The Revd. David Tyler has oversight of the team whose members are: Kath Wheal, Gillian Hunt, Robin Feast, Bernard Melvin and John Fox, any of whom may be approached in confidence.
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January 2016 Services (December 2015 services on back page)
Hanborough 3rd 08.00 Holy Communion (Rev David Tyler) St Peter & St Paul Jan 10.00 Morning Worship Manor School 18.00 BCP Holy Communion (Rev David Tyler) Christ Church
10th 10.00 Holy Communion (Rev Phil Cooke) St Peter & St Paul 10.00 Holy Communion (Rev David Tyler) Manor School 18.00 Evening Prayer (Rev David Tyler) Christ Church
17th 08.00 Holy Communion (Rev David Tyler) St Peter & St Paul 10.00 Worship Together (Rev Phil Cooke) Manor School 10.00 United Morning Prayer (Rev Sue Spankie) Christ Church 18.00 Compline (Rev David Tyler) Christ Church
24th 10.00 Holy Communion (Rev David Tyler) St Peter & St Paul 10.00 Morning Worship Manor School 18.00 Evening Prayer (Rev David Tyler) Christ Church
31st 10.00 Holy Communion with children’s ac vi es Manor School (Rev David Tyler)
7th 08.00 Holy Communion (Rev David Tyler) St Peter & St Paul Feb 10.00 Holy Communion (Rev Phil Cooke) Manor School 18.00 Healing Service (Revs Sue Spankie and David Tyler) Christ Church
St Mary the Virgin, Freeland 3rd 10.00 Family Service (Rev David Tyler) Jan 18.00 Taizé (Rev Peter Ball) 10th 08.00 Holy Communion (Rev David Tyler) 17th 10.00 Holy Communion with Junior Church (Rev David Tyler) 24th 08.00 Holy Communion (Rev David Tyler) 7th 10.00 Family Service (Rev David Tyler) Feb 18.00 Taizé (Rev Peter Ball)
15 December 2015 Services (January 2016 on previous page) Hanborough 6th 08.00 Holy Communion (Rev David Tyler) St Peter & St Paul Dec 10.00 Morning Worship Manor School 18.00 BCP Holy Communion (Rev David Tyler) Christ Church
12th 19.30 SSAFA Oxfordshire Carol Service St Peter & St Paul
13th 10.00 Holy Communion (Rev David Tyler) St Peter & St Paul 10.00 Holy Communion (Rev Phil Cooke) Manor School 18.00 Evening Prayer (Rev David Tyler) Christ Church
20th 08.00 Holy Communion (Rev David Tyler) St Peter & St Paul 10.00 Worship Together (Rev Sue Spankie) Manor School 10.00 United Morning Prayer Christ Church 18.00 Benefice Carol Service (Rev David Tyler) St Peter & St Paul
24th Christmas Eve 15.00 Crib Service (Revs David Tyler and Sue Spankie) St Peter & St Paul 23.15 Midnight Mass (Rev David Tyler) St Peter & St Paul
25th Christmas Day 10.00 Methodist Service with Holy Communion Christ Church (Rev Paul Weir) 10.00 Family Worship with Holy Communion Manor School (Rev David Tyler)
27th 10.00 Holy Communion with children’s ac vi es St Peter & St Paul (Rev Peter Ball)
St Mary the Virgin, Freeland 6th 10.00 Family Service (Rev David Tyler) 18.00 Taizé (Rev Peter Ball)
13th 08.00 Holy Communion (Rev David Tyler)
17th 10.00 Freeland School Christmas Service
20th 10.00 Holy Communion with Junior Church (Rev David Tyler)
24th Christmas Eve 17.00 Chris ngle Service (Rev David Tyler) 23.15 Midnight Mass (Rev Peter Ball)
25th Christmas Day 10.00 Holy Communion (Rev Phil Cooke)