Monthly News—January 2020 Free

parties, music, etc.) used to The official liturgical color of begin just after Thanksgiving the Christmas Season for most Day (in the United States), but Churches is white or gold, not now seems to begin just after green and red, as many people Halloween (Oct. 31), if not be- assume. fore! When people hear about Popular culture often associates the "Twelve Days of Christ- Christmas with a combination mas" (or sing the song by that of greens and reds (such as in title), they might think it refers Poinsettia plants), in addition to to the last 12 shopping days the use of white (snow?) and before Christmas. silver, gold, or other shiny me- In most Christian traditions, tallic colors (stars? bells? musi- however, the "Christmas Sea- cal instruments?). son" properly begins with By contrast, green is the proper Christmas Eve (after sunset on liturgical color for "Ordinary Dec. 24), while the "Twelve Time," while red is used on Days of Christmas" refers to feasts of the Holy Spirit, the the period from Dec. 25 to Jan. Apostles, or martyrs. Welcome 5. What is a Crèche and where Firstly, may the Wardens and In different Churches, the does this tradition come from? Clergy wish you all a Happy and Christmas Season might end on In the weeks before or during Holy Christmas and Peaceful Jan. 6 (the traditional date of the Christmas season, many 2020. the Feast of the Epiphany), or people set up a "manger scene" The Christmas Season might last until the Feast of the in their churches, homes, or When and how long is Christ- Baptism of the Lord (usually the public places, depicting the ba- mas? by Jesus sur- Christmas Day, liturgically rounded by called "The Solemnity of the Mary, Joseph, Nativity of the Lord" in the angels and Catholic Church, technically in- shepherds, cludes both Christmas Eve sheep and other (Dec. 24, after sunset) and animals, and Christmas Day (Dec. 25) itself, possibly also but, Christmas is not just one the magi or day, rather an entire season, "wise men." lasting anywhere from 12 days The French to 40 days in different ecclesi- word crèche is astical traditions. Sunday after Epiphany), or even similar to German Krippe and In the modern secular world, all the way to Feb. 2 (the Feast English "crib", while the word Dec. 26 already begins the of the Presentation of the Lord, "manger" comes from the "after-Christmas" sales, and or Candlemas, 40 days after French mangeoire (derived Christmas decorations are often Dec. 25). from mangier = "to eat"); these removed before New Year's words correspond to Latin Day! The "Christmas Sea- What are the liturgical colours praesēpe or Greek phatne (Luke son" (for shopping, decorating, for Christmas? 2:12), all of which originally re- ferred to a "feeding trough" for nus in 627AD. "I now look forward to return- animals, but also came to be It is a key position in the ing and being a voice for the used for an "infant's bed." Church of England, second only North, sharing the liberating The Gospel of Luke says, to the Archbishop of Canter- good news of the gospel and "While they were there [in bury. helping to address the discrep- Bethlehem], the time came for He is taking over the position ancies of wealth and opportuni- her [Mary] to have her child, from Dr Sentamu, who is retir- ty that too often favour the ing in June 2020. South." Bishop Cottrell praised Dr Sen- The Archbishop of Canterbury tamu's legacy and said he was said he was "delighted" by the "humbled and excited" to be nomination of Bishop Cottrell. appointed as the next Archbish- "Archbishop Sentamu's ministry op of York. has been extraordinarily signifi- "I will receive the baton from cant. In Bishop Stephen there is Archbishop Sentamu," he said. a worthy successor," he said. "These aren't just big shoes to "He is someone who radiates fill, but a big heart and a big vi- the joy and love of Jesus, mak- and she gave birth to her sion. ing his hearers want to meet firstborn son. She wrapped him "However, I am not daunted. and know Christ better." in swaddling clothes and laid Archbishop Sentamu and I have "He is committed not only to him in a manger, because there worked together in mission on speaking of Jesus, but to the was no room for them in the many occasions and I hope to renewal and reform of the inn." (Luke 2:6-7) Church of England in every as- The tradition of displaying a pect, as a church with a living, crèche did not arise until the spiritual presence in every com- mid-12th century; it is attribut- munity. He is committed to the ed to St. Francis of Assisi, who church as a place of safety, of wanted to emphasize the poor growth and of hope. and humble circumstances in "He leads on the work of tack- which Jesus was born. ling our past failures in our The use and design of crèches attention to diversity, to outer reflects a wide variety of artis- estates. He has deep experi- tic and cultural traditions. Some ence of both urban and rural people set up a simple crèche work." long before Christmas, add Congratulating Bishop Cottrell more figures as Christmas ap- on his nomination, Dr Sentamu proaches, with the baby Jesus said: "I am glad he is returning not placed in the manger until to the Northern Province Christmas Eve, and the wise build on the work he has pio- where he with others devel- men not arriving until Jan. 6. neered." oped the Emmaus course for A church's or family's crèche is He continued: "Working along- evangelism, nurture and disci- usually blessed on Christmas side the Archbishop of Canter- pleship. His greatest passion is Eve with a simple blessing pray- bury, I hope to help the church to share the Gospel with every- er. be more joyful and more effec- one in a friendly and accessible New Archbishop of York tive in sharing the gospel and way. The Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell has bringing hope and unity to our "Bishop Stephen, God is bless- been announced as the next nation. ing you." Archbishop of York, succeeding "Although I was born and grew Candlemas Dr John Sentamu. up in Essex, I lived and served Egeria, writing around AD 380, He is the current Bishop of in Huddersfield for nine years. I attests to a feast of the Presen- Chelmsford and will become know and love the north of tation in the Jerusalem Church. the 98th Archbishop of York, a England. Two of our children The day was kept by a proces- title that dates back to St Pauli- were born there. sion to the Constantinian basili- ca of the Resurrection, with a yard damaged. The law en- Sunday Gospel Readings homily on Luke 2:22-39. How- forcement and insurance au- ever, the feast had no proper thorities have been informed name at this point; it was simp- and we ask the public to be ly called the 40th day after aware of the damage and be Epiphany. vigilant and notify Bill Cottam 5 January Epiphany In regions where Christ's birth of any problems. Matthew 2: -1 12 12 January Baptism of Christ Heritage Restoration and Matthew 3: 13-end Renewals 19 January The lads on site are making John 1: 29-42 good progress. 2 February Candlemas Presentation of Christ in the The north and south gutters to temple the Wilton Chapel have been re Luke 2: 22-40 -formed in timber to the new levels and installation of gutters The next work is to stabilise, re- has commenced in the north roof and clean the North Porch parapet. This will be largely and install new downspouts complete by Christmas. and fix any other minor issues. All is going to plan and on The contractor still needs to budget. Here’s hoping the line the new outlet through the weather holds. Purification of the Virgin15/16 Century. wall from the south gutter but Collection of the Metropolitan See of this will be done during the East wall before and after re- Christmas week and they hope plastering prior to decoration was celebrated on December to line the whole gutter and be 25th, the feast began to be cel- watertight by Monday and ebrated on February 2nd, Tuesday also of Christmas where it is kept in the West to- week. They expect to start day. slating the north and south slope of the Wilton Chapel Churchyard Action after the holidays. We are all very grateful for the time and energy taken by the The gutter and outlet on the Churchyard Action Group in Lever Chapel staircase roof has making our churchyard a pleas- been completed with a new urable and peaceful place sur- large sump and overflow chute. rounding the ancient holy place of St.Mary’s. They have started pointing the In recent weeks we have had a south clerestory and raking out joints on the south porch.

Re-plastering in the Lady Chap- el is virtually complete and the last coat of plaster is being ap- plied on the staircase walls. Re- moval of all paint from the south wall of the Lady Chapel will start after the Christmas break, followed by redecora- number of the monuments in tion. the older part of the church- SUPPORTING OUR RESTORATION Regular worship at St Mary’s What’s on

5 Jan Epiphany 16 Jan PreSchool Praise re- turns 9 Jan School Eucharist returns 12 Jan Baptism of Christ 12 Jan Youth Group Sunday 14 Jan PCC—7-15pm 8.00am Eucharist 19 Jan Epiphany 2 10.30am Sung Eucharist CHOIR PRACTICE 26 Jan Epiphany 3 Tuesday 7.30am Morning Prayer Thursday evenings 8-15am Eucharist Wednesday 7-30pm till -9 00pm 7.30am Morning Prayer Please see Gary for details 8-15am Eucharist Thursday 7.30am Morning Prayer *9.10am Eucharist in St Mary’s St Mary’s parish prayer School Loving Father, we pray your blessing on our parish. Help us to *10.00am Pre-School Praise have hearts open to your Holy Spirit. Friday Give us the courage to follow the way of Christ. Strengthen us to 7.30am Morning Prayer be faithful in prayer and loving service. Help us to play our part in 8-15am Eucharist building up your Kingdom here and now. Amen. *during term time

C 2 A F N E D B Website: www.stmarysprestwich.org L R Twitter: @stmaryprestwich E U Post: M A St Mary the Virgin, A R Church Lane, S Y Prestwich, M25 1AN

Assistant Curates: Rev. Carole Barnet tel. 0161 766 2774 Rev. Adele McKie tel. 07946 383024

Church Wardens: Stewart Barnet tel. 07950 354445 Susie Mapledoram tel. 07710 557833