St Michael & All Angels, Bude Haven

St Winwaloe, Poundstock Our Lady & St Anne, Widemouth Bay

St Mary the Virgin, Week St Mary

St Marwenne, Marhamchurch

St DECEMBER Free 2020

MAIN CONTACTS FOR OUR CLUSTER: Please contact any of the following for information or enquiries about Anglican Church life in the Cluster: Our Parish Priest & Rural Dean: Father David Barnes,The Rectory, The Glebe, Week St Mary,

EX22 6UY Tel: 01288 341670 [email protected]

Our Churchwardens: St Anne’s, Whitstone: Mervyn Collins: 01288 341598 Phyllis Walter: 01288 341699 St Marwenne’s, Marhamchurch:

Rob Corney: 01288 359754 Angela Grills: 01288 361247 St Mary the Virgin, Week St Mary: Lesley Booker: 01288 341221 Dick Sowerby: 01288 341348 St Michael’s, Bude Haven:

Our Lady & St Anne’s, Widemouth Bay: Judy MacDonald: 01288 362254 St Winwaloe’s, Poundstock: Hilary Kenny: 01288 361504 Barry Smith: 01288 361716

Stratton Deanery website: www.strattondeanery.co.uk/

Editor of Voices Together: Clare Hicks, Trelowen, Lynstone, Bude EX23 0LR. 01288 352726; [email protected] Copy deadline for Jan & Feb 2021 issue— by Friday 11 December please (NB a week earlier than normal)

ELECTRONIC COPIES OF VOICES TOGETHER If you would like to receive a copy of this magazine please email Lesley Booker: [email protected]

2 PARISH NEWSLETTER

Dear Friends I write this letter mid way through November, midway through lockdown and not really knowing what December will bring. I guess that each one of us would wish for Christmas to be back to normal, like it used to be, with gatherings, parties, carol singing and the like. However none of us can say with any certainty what Christmas will bring. One thing is for certain Christmas will still be about a baby, a manger and a young mother far from home and that has not changed.

James Simpson, moderator of the Church of Scotland, was attracted to an advert in a local paper which read:- “Loving kitten desires position as companion to child In exchange for a little mouse work”. In a similar vein, an egotist was defined as a person who is :- “Always me deep in conversation” And Christmas is a time :- “When the world breathes a great sigh of belief”

I wish the latter was true. Unfortunately many of us get so engrossed in buying and wrapping presents and involved in preparing Christmas dinner and parties that belief aspect can easily be put to one side or worse forgotten.

As we move into the month of December the Church begins to look forward to the celebration of Christmas (albeit very different this year to what we are used to). The four weeks prior to Christmas is the period of Advent (“Coming”), it is a time for getting spiritually ready, a time of preparing to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

During Advent the colours of the Church are invariably purple signifying Advent as a time of repentance and a time

3 of reflection. It is a time in which we can seek to grow near- er to God and nearer to our friends and neighbours so that the feast of Christmas becomes even more exciting and relevant. During Advent we are given chance to think and reflect on God and what Christmas really means to us.

As we busy ourselves in our preparation for Christmas let us allow ourselves time to think about its true meaning. Through this special time of preparation we will be able to see Christ- mas more clearly through the eyes of faith. Let us all make time to “breathe a huge sigh of belief” this Christmas.

Yours in Christ’s service David

Two things from the Editor

The Editor would like to wish all readers, contributors, sponsors and advertisers a peaceful & happy Christmas and a more normal 2021. Thank you all for your support, long may it continue. Secondly, please note that the deadline for the Jan/Feb issue of Voices Together will be Friday 11th December, a week earlier than normal, to avoid getting the magazine out over the Christmas holiday.

Clare Hicks

This month’s magazine has been kindly sponsored by an anonymous donor: Remembering all in our cluster of churches Peace and goodwill to all at this time

4 December details for “Zoom” Services at time of going to print All the details below are subject to change depending on circumstances prevailing at the time and to the internet being willing. Every Wednesday at 9 am there will be Morning Prayer on zoom. Please contact Lesley Booker if you wish to be included on the zoom service contact list: [email protected] There will be a service in at least one church each Sunday in the month which will also be available on zoom—for details please see pages 14 & 15.

Voices Together during the Coronavirus pandemic As the churches still have limited opening, there are various places where you will be able to collect your magazine. David Williams has kindly offered his house, Rock Haven, Upton, as a collection point and you can also collect one from the Crescent PO and shop in Bude, the Beach House shop at Widemouth and usually in the village shops. The magazine will also be available on the Voices Together facebook page and St Michael’s facebook page and also on the Stratton Deanery website. Lesley Booker will also send out as a pdf attachment to emails (see bottom of page 2 for Lesley’s details). Any problems with obtaining a copy please contact either Heather Whit- lock (07771 964672) or Clare Hicks (01288 352726)

Why not lend your copy of this magazine to a neighbour or friend when you have finished with it?

5 MOTHER* & CAMEO TODDLER COFFEE POT CLUB Come And Meets every Tuesday 10am— Meet Each 12pm in Other Week St Mary Parish Hall. Contact Emma Woolfe or Kathy Jef- Next meeting: frey 2-4– pm (Search for Coffee Pots in Fa- Contact: cebook Groups) Sue Dickenson (*Grannies, Grandads, Carers etc) All Welcome 01288 341016

Widemouth Bay Summerhouse Activities We meet on the 2nd & 4th Friday of each month Join us and off load any prob- lems, have a cup of tea and cake. Some- times we play a game. Whatever we do it get us out of our house to enjoy time with friends. Ring Hilda on 01288 361323 for more details

6 Meet ’n’ Eat STRATTON Next Soup and Sweet DEANERY Lunches BOOK CLUB We are reading:

'WHY' writ- Held in WSM Par- ten by ish Hall at Russell Stannard. 12.30pm on the First Monday of each month first Mon- day of 14 Monterey Close, Bude, each month (not EX23 8DX at 7.30pm August) Gail Brace: 01288 352412 Everyone is very New members always welcome

Locally reared, pasture fed beef and lamb Restaurant quality, rare breed beef and traditional lamb. Low food miles, supporting local jobs, local delivery available. 10 or 15Kg Beef boxes, mixed joints, steaks & mince etc. !/2 Lamb packs approx 10 Kg Email [email protected] or phone 01288 361 666 to order

7 Persecuted Christians in Turkey

As Christians, we are familiar with the south western part of modern day Turkey through the accounts of the missionary journeys of Paul, Barnabas and others in the book of Acts, and in some of the pastoral letters, Then it was known as Asia Minor, Galatia, Cilecia, and Cappado- cia.

Here they established Christian church groups in many of the towns and cities, reflecting the fast spread of Christianity in this area. In spite of frequent bouts of persecution, Christianity grew and spread, eventually becoming the main religion of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine in the 4th century.

With the arrival in the area of the Islamic faith in the 6th and 7th centuries, coinciding with the decline of the Roman Empire, the Christian presence and influence shrank. By the 13th/14th centuries the whole area had come under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, which lasted until it collapsed during and soon after the turmoil of World War 1. During this turmoil some 3 million Christians, mostly from Armenian, Assyrian and Greek ethnicity were either killed or deported.

With the establishment of modern Turkey, the place of Islam has become enmeshed with a fierce fanatical nationalism. Although supposedly a secular state, the ingrained antipathy of the past towards Christians and non-Turkish communities has continued to this day. The number of indigenous Christians is now only about 180,000 out of a population of some 80 million.

In spite of this there are still quite a lot of active Christian churches in the country. But following Jesus Christ in Turkey comes at a price, both collectively and personally.

Under the present government, which has recently taken a further swing towards becoming an Islamic State and echoing the position of the old Ottoman Empire, restrictions on Christians have increased. These new government restrictions curtail the rights of churches to own property, conduct services, open other facilities, train leaders, manage their own affairs and carry out evangelism and education, especially for non traditional churches. In spite of this, many Turkish believers use modern media platforms to share the gospel with their fellow Turks.

Against this background Church buildings have been attacked and anti- Christian slogans daubed on their walls by hard line Islamists. Christians have no access to state employment, and suffer discrimination in private employment. Christians from Muslim backgrounds face ostracism by their families, even divorce and loss of inheritance rights. Leaving Islam is seen as a betrayal of their Turkish identity and a source of shame on 8 their family. Some Christians have even received death threats, and others face harassment in the street.

In 2019, at least 23 expatriate Christians received an entry ban or were otherwise forced to leave the country with their families. A huge blow to Turkish church groups where they have been working as missionaries for a long time. This has ignited fears that this action may herald more restrictions for the local Turkish church.

The plight of thousands of Iraqi and Syrian Christian refugees is uncertain, with many claiming they are being neglected and ignored by the Turkish authorities and the general population.

Prayers

Thank God for the small remaining Christian groups and churches, and pray for their protection from Islamic extremism.

Pray for new converts to Christianity from Islam for strength of faith and fortitude as they come under pressure from their families and friends.

Pray that the government’s programme of Islamisation, particularly among the young, will be restrained by bold opposition voices.

Pray for those conducting media outreach, for wisdom, guidance and protection.

Pray for all the Christian refugees from neighbouring countries, that they will receive the help and shelter that they seek and need.

Michael Davey

St Marwenne’s House Group

The aim of the group is about growing in discipleship. It meets every Wednesday evening, currently on Zoom. Contact Janet Ward on 01409 255759 or email her at [email protected] for more details and a zoom invitation.

9

BUDE, STRATTON & DISTRICT BRANCH

November’s issue of “Keeping in Touch with “Kledh Kernow” focused on The Refugees in Lesbos, poems and photos for Remembrance Day, and four pretty premature baby jackets made by Ann Farbrother and Freda Hockin. Gill Cole gave me more prem baby hats in a variety of soft colours, made by Barbara and Gwen. Again the mag had a bit of everything, patterns, recipes and puzzles, MU articles, cartoons and jokes! eg, for December’s issue: “Who hides in the bakery at Christ- mas? A Mince Spy!” and “How will Christmas dinner be differ- ent after Brexit? No Brussels!”

On a serious note, I want to share these lovely words from my book All Age Worship: It’s difficult to describe heaven, but we do have some idea. Some of the joy of heaven split out into the sky above the shepherds’ field near Bethlehem the night Jesus was born, and that it was full of angels singing and praising with great delight.

All MU members & friends, wish everyone a peaceful, meaning- ful, Happy Christmas with prayers of hope for a less stressful New Year. May Brigid bless the house wherein you dwell Bless every fireside every wall and door, Bless every heart that beats beneath its roof, Bless every hand that toils to bring it joy, Bless every foot that walks its portals through,

May Brigid bless the house that shelters you. ~ ~ St Brigid of Kildare ~ born. 451 ~ died 525 May each and every one of you, keep smiling, stay positive and safe. Don’t let this pandemic steal your hopes and dreams for the future. With love and best wishes, Sandy Cheshire xxx Branch Leader [email protected] ~ 01288 382958

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Messy Church is putting together 60 Messy Church craft bags for Christmas as we have not been able to meet for our regular celebrations

These will be put together and quarantined before being given out.

They will be available from 15th December

If you would like one, please either message on Facebook@stmichaelschurchbude or Text / call 07817084190 to arrange collection or delivery

Alternatively, pick up from the St Michaels church porch on Friday 18th December between 1pm and 4pm

Unfortunately, it looks as though there will not be a Crib Service in church this Christmas in its usual form, but the BBC religious studies website has an animated story of the Nativity. It's well done. Type in 'The Christmas Story' and scroll down to www.bbc.co.uk - Religious Studies KS1 - The Christian Story of the First Christmas

We hope you enjoy the crafts and the Messy Church team wish you all a very Happy and Joyful Christmas

11

T.M. O’SULLIVAN & ASSOCIATES VETERINARY SURGEONS Buller Cottage, Marhamchurch, Bude, Cornwall EX23 0EW Providing Veterinary care for Farm Animals, Horses and Companion Animals in North Cornwall, North & West Devon Tel: 01288 361984 Email: [email protected] 24 hr Emergency Service

12

13 Zoom services: for details of zoom services scheduled for December in the cluster, please see page 5. IF we are able to open the churches, below are the Sunday & Wednesday* services which will be held in church, some of which will also be available on zoom (internet willing) for those who cannot be present at the services. If you would like to join in by zoom and are not already on the list, please contact Lesley Booker: lesleymbook- [email protected] * Check first before attending!

SERVICES FOR DECEMBER

DATE READINGS TIME SERVICE CHURCH LEADER

Sunday 6th Isaiah 40: 1—11 9.30 am Holy Communion BH 2nd Sunday of Psalm 85: 1-2. 8-13 9.30 am All Age Worship WSM LWL Advent 2 Peter 3: 8-15a

Mark 1: 1—8

Wednesday 9th 10.00 am Holy Communion WB

Sunday 13th Isaiah: 61: 1-4. 8-11 9.30 am Holy Communion M 3rd Sunday of Psalm 126 OR 9.30 am Morning Prayer P LWL Advent Luke 1: 46b-55 11.15 am Holy Communion W 1 Thessalonians 5:

16-24 John 1:6-8. 19-28

Wednesday 16th 10.00 am Holy Communion BH

Sunday 20th 2 Samuel 7:1-11.16 9.30 am Holy Communion BH 4th Sunday of Psalm 89:1-4. 19- 11.15 am Holy Communion WSM Advent 26 OR Luke 1:46b-

55 Romans 16: 25-27 Luke 1: 26—38

14 SERVICES FOR DECEMBER continued

DATE READINGS TIME SERVICE CHURCH LEADER

Wednesday 23rd 10.00 am Holy Communion WB

Thursday 24th 9.00 pm Holy Communion M Christmas Eve 9.30 pm Holy Communion W 10.30 pm Midnight Mass BH Friday 25th 9.30 am Holy Communion P Christmas Day 10.00 am Holy Communion WSM

Sunday 27th Isaiah 61:10-62:3 9.30 am Holy Communion M 1st Sunday of Psalm 148 Christmas Galatians 4: 4—7

Luke 2: 15—21

Wednesday 30th 10.00 am Holy Communion BH

KEY: CHURCHES: BH = Bude Haven LEADERS: DB = Rev David Barnes M = Marhamchurch JC = Rev John Cotton P = Poundstock RD = Rev Rob Dickenson WSM = Week St Mary LWL = Local Worship Leader W = Whitstone MM = Methodist Minister WB = Widemouth Bay

15 Come to us BUDE DOG TRAINING/AGILITY GROUP for all your TEL: 01566 86500/01288 321922

Christian Resources HELPING LOCAL DOGS AND OWNERS FOR 26 YEARS THE ARK ANGEL CHRISTIAN BOOKSHOP PUPPIES, PET DOG TRAINING, PROBLEM DOGS, FUN AGILITY, Large range of Bibles CLICKER TRAINING, ONGOING Wide selection of Christian books CLASSES

CDs Gifts & Cards ALL PROFITS TO CHARITY “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”

o Reg. Charity N . 294313 01288 356886 Mon – Sat 10am – 4pm (5pm BST) Lansdown Mews, Bude [email protected] www.arkangeltrust.org.uk

R. J. BROWN PAINTING AND DECORATING Tel: 01288 354701 Rob Mobile 07970 969297 Matt Mobile 07875 748035 Established 1982

Congdon’s Hospital Road, Stratton Carpet and Furniture Centre Large stocks of carpets, divans and furniture Tel: 01288 354575 Tel & Fax: 01288 354111 email: [email protected] www.congdons.co.uk

16 P & B Interior Design 2 Lansdown Mews, Lansdown Road, Bude EX23 8BN 01288 356303 For all your soft furnishing requirements Blinds ~ Curtains ~ Tracks & Poles Haberdashery ~ DMC Threads Farrow & Ball Paints & Wallpapers Fabrics Nets & Voiles from £1.99 per metre

THE CRESCENT POST OFFICE & STORES, BUDE Newspapers, Magazines, Groceries, Tobacconists, Stationers Greetings Cards, Fresh Bread and Cakes Daily Off Licence Post Office Tel: 01288 352048

17 News from St Marwenne’s

With the hope of Christ’s birth celebrations in our minds I wonder how we can celebrate this year? No one knows yet whether our church will be open again for services, but you can join us on zoom by letting Lesley Booker know you wish to join. [email protected]

Thinking about Christmas I came up with this:

Church is not just a building Hope that next year will be better Rest assured that God cares I believe and trust in God Send your love around the world Try to be more like Jesus Make everyday special Ask the Lord for prayer focus Say “Thank you" to God

We wish all of you a peaceful and blessed Christmas.

Janet Ward

Week St Mary HUBS House Group This group is now meeting on Thursday mornings at 9.30 on zoom. Everyone is most welcome to join us. Please call Sue Dickinson on 01288 341016 if you would like to receive the zoom connection.

18 Samaritans Purse 2020

On 16th November, Bob and I went up to Barnstaple with 20 Shoeboxes of gifts for Operation Christmas Child. We had to take the gifts to The Entertainer shop which was the nearest drop off point for us. Unfortunately the usual vast number of church drop off points had been much reduced by COVID. I also know of at least 6 boxes which were packed online.

I believe that you can still send Shoeboxes by packing online which is easy and efficient, all through December. Just go to the Samaritan’s Purse website for details under Operation

Christmas Child.

Thank you very much everyone who joined in – your gifts will be very much appreciated by deprived children in many parts of the world. Thank you again Lesley Booker (Week St Mary Church)

BESPOKE FACE MASKS MADE TO ORDER

Individual cotton, washable face masks made to order. Please state small (child), medium or large (adult sizes) and the kind of pattern required. At present there is also a range of Christmas prints including holly, snowflakes and skiing penguins! Please place your order at: [email protected]

Advertising in Voices Together If you run a business and would like to advertise in this magazine, please contact Heather Whitlock on 07771 964672. If you are a not-for-profit local group or organisation and would like to put a one-off advert in for an event or similar, please contact Heather as above or the Editor (contact details p 2). We would ask for a small donation, depending on the size required. Adverts accepted at Editor’s discretion. Thank you.

19 GREENFINGERS— in the garden in December

Yes, this can be a miserable month, especially with the depressing consequences of Covid-19, but Christmas and its meaning can never be subdued or altered.

When the weather permits, a general tidy-up of the borders and lawn can be done. Stakes and canes should be firmly in the ground but may have loosened in strong winds, so take a look at that. In heavy or persistent rain, pots of bulbs should be covered until we have a dry day. Weeds are ever with us, so hoe them out.

If you have a living Christmas tree, it is a good idea to soak the roots before planting in the tub and taking it indoors. This will help to prevent needles from falling. A few shrubs may need a light pruning. Leave the dead blooms of Hydrangeas for winter texture and for protection of the new buds which will be forming. If you are using secateurs on tough branches, do not twist the blades but use the tree clippers. If you want to plant a bare-root Rose, this is a good time unless we have a very frosty spell. The same applies to Lily bulbs, which seem to be increasing in popularity. If you have any Autumn-sown Sweet Peas, pinch out the leading shoots when two sets of leaves have appeared, which will give you nice bushy plants.

Bad weather is no excuse for not going into the shed or garage where you keep your tools! Clean them, and arrange shelves and hooks so that you will be able to find what you are actually looking for next year! We all make this mistake, Greenfingers included. Also, dispose safely of any old or unwanted chemicals. As far as possible, aim for their zero use in 2021.

Finally, when confined indoors, there is always armchair gardening, plan- ning for the Spring and consulting the many seedsmen's catalogues which have arrived.

Greenfingers wishes you all a Very Happy Christmas and the best of gardening in the New Year.

See how from far upon the eastern road the star-led Magi haste with odours sweet

Zoroaster prophecy circa 620 BC

20 The Red Letter Days December 2020

The Red Letter days this month start with Christmas Day and then St Stephen on the 26th, St John on the 27th and the Holy Inno- cents on the 28th.

How can we approach the Great Festival of the Birth of Jesus? Like me I expect that many watched the Remembrance service at the Cenotaph. The silence seemed to make it more relevant and as usual brought tears. Maybe a quieter Christmas will also help us to think about what we are celebrating. My family for many years have been spending the day with their immediate family and coming to me on Boxing Day. We thought years ago that we did not want any of the seven children to be saying ‘Who is going to have them this year?’. This means that we went to Church and spent the day quietly so no change for me.

But for thousands it will be a very sad time. Hearts broken by the loss of fathers mothers, brothers, sisters and friends, not just in our country but among refugee camps and places that have no health service like ours, all over the world. Jesus came to bring us Love; may we be able to share love with all that we come into contact with: ‘You in your small corner and I in mine’

One wonders if we shall ever get back to what we think of as ‘normal life’ which has led me to think about what is ‘normal’? For some it is possessions, food, pensions and money in the Bank. For others it can be dependence on the State pension and the ability to eat simply. For some it can be a continual struggle. Often when I watch the television I think how we have been brain washed into thinking what is ‘normal’. You need a fitted wardrobe and a sofa, to be able to go out for meals, to buy Costa coffee, and drink wine - so many things that in my youth were not even thought about. 21 Most people never owned their home and yet lived happy lives. (Sherry and port at Christmas was drunk in glasses that are considered to be too small now). Perhaps we need to return to a new ‘normal’ with a fresh outlook. What about the Church - what is normal there? You must change we are told. Instead of keeping them as places of sanctuary and worship we must use them for other things. It seems that you should have lots of people coming to the services. The ‘normal’ use on a weekday was three or four and no one thought that we should get more to come. Throughout history Churches have fallen into disrepair and been restored. We have seen the rise of Methodist and Wesleyan Churches with large congregations come and go. I take heart when I read John Betjeman in his poem Septuagesima; he praises the cleaners, the organist, the treasurer and the ringers ‘who come to ring in cold and shower’ and ends: But most of all let’s praise the few/ Who are seen in their accustomed pew /Throughout the year, what e'er the weather,/ That they may worship God together./ These, like a fire of glowing coals,/ Strike warmth into each other’s souls/ And though they be but two or three/ They keep the Church for you and me.

Prayer: God help us, use us Forgive us our failures. Help us to be born again and share the life of our Saviour Jesus Christ Help us to accept our crosses.

Hilda Walter

22 LOCAL AREA SOCIAL ACTION FUND

Bude-Stratton Community Project (Neetside Community Centre) and Bude Coastal Community Team have partnered to establish a Bude-Stratton Social Action Fund. The Fund will provide small grants to organisations addressing the impacts of Coronavirus in the wider Bude area – such as food and fuel poverty, loneliness

and mental health. A Crowdfunder campaign to help raise money towards the Social Action Fund will go live on 1st December. If you’d like to donate to- wards the Social Action Fund, please search for ‘Bude-Stratton Social Action Fund’ on the Crowdfunder website from 1 December: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/search/projects If you don’t have access to a computer but would like to make a donation, please contact me:

Ian Saltern Community Projects Manager Bude Coastal Communities Team 07932 306940 01288 356212 [email protected]

A BIG THANK YOU David Williams has raised an aston- ishing amount from his book sales— more than £4,300 so far this year for St Michael’s funds. David has also branched out into offering facemasks made by the ladies of St Michael’s Church, Susan Cotton in particular has made over 250 assorted masks; an amazing feat. The masks have been in constant demand and added to David’s book income. You can now order your own bespoke masks—see advert on page 19.

David welcomes more book donations—fiction only at the moment please

23 SHAREAWAY PHOTO COMPETITION Lesley Booker writes: For each day of the month of December, you need to enter a photo inspired by the word listed below against the date. The words all describe the waiting period of Advent and we hope they may help you to prepare for Christmas. Email the photo to [email protected] and every day a collage will be made and printed, added to a display in the church and displayed on Facebook. At the end of each week a local person will be asked to choose their favourite picture and at the end of the month the overall winner chosen from those four photos, will be announced and shared. You may use existing photos or take new ones for the competi- tion. We hope that you will enjoy the challenge, help us to beautify the church and reflect carefully upon the importance of Advent as a time of waiting. 1. Light 13. Peace 2. Patience 14. Family 3. Good news 15. Faith 4. Trust 16. Promise 5. Inspire 17. Prayer 6. Preparation 18. New Life 7. Courage 19. Holy 8. Waiting 20. Rest 9. Joy 21. Wonder 10. Hope 22. Blessed 11. Grace 23. Gentleness 12. Kindness 24. Love

A Prayer For Families We pray for families around the world. For the family of our parish community; For our own families; For families who are separated at this time of year; For those with no family. That Christmas may be a time of preparation and thought; That Jesus will be at the centre of our lives; That we may unite and forgive each other; That we may look forward with confidence, Showing true love for one another.

24 December Postcard from Hayling Island— in Lockdown again!

Here we are again! We do hope that the lockdown goes away and eventually we all get used to the restrictions again. The church has closed once more and we are all settling down again although I don’t think we will ever really get used to it all. A large shock for us was the death of Sara Rowe, at home. We had spent two holidays here with Sara and George, exploring the Island. It is so sad that we cannot attend the funeral, to say goodbye properly. Our thoughts are very much with George at this difficult time and we pray for him and his family. Our son in law has finally succumbed to Covid and has had to stay on the Isle of Wight in quarantine with Rachael stuck at home doing her sewing. She is busy making Christmas Decorations and potato storage bags just now, so we can store local potatoes! We can buy most of the weekly vegetables and the weekly meat whilst the lockdown is still functioning. We have written our usual Christmas letter already, but will send it next month ready for the next magazine. Until then, enjoy yourselves and prepare for the festive season. We already have a small turkey, venison steak or a 3 fish roast! from which to choose, depending how many we end up being. Bye for now, enjoy the preparations. Mary and Peter.

25 PLEASE SAVE USED POSTAGE STAMPS! Thank you to all who have been saving used postage stamps to raise funds for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. Hearing Dogs no longer collect stamps but do please continue to save your used stamps (cut or tear them out leaving a 1 cm surround) as I am now collecting for another very worthwhile charity—Medical Detection Dogs. These amazing dogs are trained to detect disease by odour; dogs are currently in training for Covid-19 detection. Please collect and save stamps at home for now, when allowed I will replace the collection box in St Michael’s. Do please contact me for further information or to arrange collec- tion or to drop-off stamps. Thank you all so much. Heather Whitlock 07771 964672

St Petrocs Society Christmas appeal St Petrocs is a Cornish charity working to reduce homelessness in the county. Their 2 centres— Breadline Centre in Penzance and Truro Resource Centre—have remained open throughout the pan- demic. 600 indivduals received help and support in the first 6 months this year. St Petrocs currently has 19 houses providing accommodation for 123 individuals. St Petrocs aims to increase the number of bed spaces available over the next 12 months. St Petrocs has launched its Christmas appeal and has supplied some envelopes for donations. If you find an envelope in your magazine and wish to make a donation, or would like to make a donation anyway, there are options for you to do so: your envelope can be delivered to church if it is open and safe for you to do so; or you can send your envelope or just the donation to the Editor (contact details p2) or Peter Hillenbrand (Bryndale, Underlane, Marhamchurch); or send direct to St Petrocs (St Petrocs Winter Appeal, Peat House, Newham Road, Truro, TR1 2DP); or donate online at localgiving.org/ winterappeal2020. There are a lot of calls on our purses at this time of year but please give what you can. Thank you. Join in with the Virtual Carol service on 4 December at 7 pm: stpetrocs.org.uk/events

26 Sara Rowe RIP

Sara and I came to live in Surrey over 5 years ago now, and we have enjoyed news flashes and conversations still shared with friends from those days in Widdy Bay. Now it is my sad task to share with you the news that my beloved Sara passed into her eternal rest on the evening of the 3rd November 2020, just 2 weeks before her 78th birthday. May she through the mercy of Christ, rest in peace and rise again in glory. Her cremation took place at Guildford Crematorium on Friday 20th November.

She had endured the pain and suffering of a vicious cancer, which left us very little time together. I want to thank all friends who sent cards and kind words to us/me over the last couple of weeks for their support. I send greetings to our many friends in "The Circle" hoping that you all continue in good health. We were fortunate to renew our friendship with Fr. Peter and Mary Judson when they moved to Hayling Island. Love and blessings to all. Fr. George

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN THIS MAGAZINE PLEASE CONTACT HEATHER WHITLOCK ON 07771 964672

Sponsoring Voices Together Please would you consider sponsoring our magazine? It is partly through the generosity of our readers that we are able to keep the magazine free of charge. Any amount, small or large, will be grateful- ly received. For more information please contact Heather Whitlock on 07771 964672 or Clare Hicks on 01288 352726.

27 Printed by EASYPRINT Unit 1, Red Post Workshops, Red Post, Bude EX23 9NW 01288 381700 [email protected]

28