2 Contact Details for Parish Vicar:

Rev’d Joe Heaton ([email protected]) 832275

Rushen Vicarage, Barracks Road, Readers: Mrs Margaret Galloway, Cumbrae, Athol Park, Port Erin Mrs June Harper, The Barns, Strawberry Fields, Colby 834466 Mr Richard Clague, 4 Eagle Mews, Port Erin 834606 Mr Harry Dawson, Thalloo Reagh, 478050/835770

Mr Adam Kelly, Berwyn, Beach Rd, Port St Mary 833850

Active Clergy Rev Roger Harper, The Barns, Strawberry Fields, Colby 834466 Rev John Gulland, 3 Snaefell House, Port Erin 834548 Rev Brian Shephard, Keayn Ard, Queens Rd, Pt. St Mary 833315

Retired Clergy: Canon John Sheen, Kentraugh Mill, Colby

Church Wardens: Mr Gerry Callister, 60 Ballamaddrell, Port Erin 474924/834627 Mr Arthur Cregeen, 23 Close Famman, Port Erin 832488 Mr Harry Dawson, Thalloo Reagh, Cregneash 478050/835770 Mr Peter Hayhurst, Fois Fraon, Fistard 832974

PCC Secretary: Mr David Bowman, The Old Bakery, Qualtroughs Lane, 837117/260539 Port Erin

PCC Treasurer: Mr Alan Kershaw, Ballakilley Barn, Church Road, 838117 Port St Mary

Parish Administrator and Safeguarding Officer for Children and Vulnerable People:

Mrs Claire Jennings, [email protected] 830850

More contact details on the inside of the back cover

3 From the Vicar: Dear Friends,

As you will probably be aware we have two people in the Parish of Rushen training to be Priests in the Church of England. As Vicar, I am keen to give them a wide variety of opportunities in their training and hence have asked them to write a letter for the magazine on my behalf. This month’s letter has been written by Alex Brown.

Season’s Greetings to you all!

As Christmas fever sets in everywhere, and in the Church we prepare for one of our most sign ificant festivals, there are so many parts of the Christmas story that ring out with the truth of what happened those two thousand years ago. We think about the faith of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the wonder of the shepherds, the insight of the Wise Men, the hospitality of the inn- keeper, the obsession of Herod, the joy of Elizabeth and, of course the first cries of the Saviour of the World.

For me, a tiny prophecy in the of Matthew’s version of the events (taken from the prophet Micah) give me a huge sense of hope for us Manx folk living on an Island that is often overlooked, ignored or even missing from maps! Seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth, Micah tells us that God planned for the Messiah (Saviour) to be born in a small town called Bethlehem.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Why there? Why this little, forgotten backwater town, small in significance? Yes, because King David was born there – but it seems that again and again through the Bible God loves to do extraordinary things with people and places that are in no way extraordinary! As Jesus grows up in Nazareth the same thing is said of that place, “Can anything good come from there?” (John 1:46).

Whilst some in the world at large may not even have heard of the , God knows we’re here, and I believe He delights in the things he’s doing here that affect the whole world. So this Christmas, let’s pray blessings on the global companies that are based here. Let’s pray God flourishes the financial institutions, the web-based companies and our industries like farming, film, fishing and sport. Let’s also pray that spiritually we as an Island punch well above our weight. God is just as able to raise up from our beloved Island men and women who will affect faith both locally and on a world-scene.

Finally, sometimes we feel personally forgotten, passed over, small among the others we know. Let us remember our Immanuel – God with us – who gives us everything we need to become more and more vibrant and alive in our faith day by day by day. As we embrace the Christmas Child who became the Easter man we embrace possibility, forgiveness, transformation and hope. Let us bring that to others, from the unexpected places deep within us through the power and presence of God at work. Let this Christmas be one of surprises as we recognise the deep impact faith can have in the transformation of God’s world around us.

Alex Brown

4 The Star of Bethlehem?

What exactly was it? No scientific theory has ever gained common acceptance. Some speculate that it might have been a conjunction of Jupiter and Halley’s Comet. But if the Star of Bethlehem was anything as mundane as that, while it might have excited the interest of the Gentile wise men (‘the Magi’) from the East, it would hardly have caused them to make a 300-mile journey to investigate further.

These Magi were not idiots. Although they would not have benefited from the privileges of Judaism or its Scriptures, it is very likely that they knew a prophecy uttered centuries earlier – by another Gentile, Balaam, from their own area near the Euphrates. (Numbers 22: 4-5):

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel. (Numbers 24:17)

Further lines predicted the widespread rule of this coming Individual. So it was no wonder that when this new and miraculously unique star appeared, remembrance of the prophecy surfaced.

The Magi followed the star not because of anything to do with horoscopes or divination. They were simply responding to God-given revelation from above. And - they persisted in their search. For although Herod’s religious advisors checked the prophecy of Micah 5: 2 that Israel’s future Ruler would be from Bethlehem - none of them thought to make the seven mile journey. What identifies the Magi as The Wise Men was their supreme desire to find and worship the Child of the Manger.

So – God sent a star to mark the birth of Jesus – in a way that had never happened before and would never happen again. It was a unique star to herald the beginning of a unique life – that changed the course of world history.

Throughout the life of Jesus, we find other God-given and miraculous phenomena. These all came at various significant stages of Jesus’ saving work. As well as the angelic singing and star of Bethlehem at his birth, there was the dove at his Baptism, the transcendent light at the Transfiguration, the midday darkness and earthquake at Crucifixion, the visible angels at the Resurrection, the receiving cloud at the Ascension, and the flames and wind at the giving of the Holy Spirit.

Richard Bewes

Footballer’s carol What is a football supporter's favourite Christmas song?

'Yule never walk alone'.

5

Ladies Working Party – St Mary’s

In November we always hold our big event: ‘The Christmas Tree and Sale of Work’, which we held this year on Thursday 19th November. What a wonderful event it turned out to be. Mr David Bowman agreed to open the afternoon, and his wife Pauline joined him on the top table. In the absence of our vicar the Rev Brian Shephard joined them at the top table. We are so lucky to have these retired people always willing to help out in the parish. David is a retired Headmaster and is the editor of Rushen Parish Magazine.

When the Rev Brian introduced David it was apparent that he had really done his homework by telling everyone a little about David’s working life, and then he introduced David and asked him to say a few words. After a short talk to us David declared the afternoon open. At this point Grace Bowman, one of Sunday School children, presented the Rev Brian with a buttonhole, and then David with a buttonhole and a gift and Pauline with a basket of flowers. Grace, who is no relation to David and Pauline, happens to have the same surname. Later that evening our treasurer informed me of the excellent total of one thousand three hundred and eleven pounds (£1,311) that had been raised.

In December we always go out for a Christmas lunch. This year it will again be at the Cherry Orchard. We have a kitty which Judith, our treasurer, runs during the year and on the day gives us what we have saved. Usually it covers what we have ordered. We always enjoy this meal. The following week we have our last Tuesday meeting before we close for a break over the Christmas period. We return very early in January 2016.

I will take this opportunity to wish you a Peaceful Christmas and Healthy New Year.

Love Brenda for the Ladies Working Party

January’s Edition of the Parish Magazine

The editor would like to remind contributers to the magazine that the last day for submission of articles for January’s edition will be Tuesday th 15 December 2015. This will enable the magazine to be printed and ready for collection at the first Sunday service in January. Whilst every effort will be made to publish articles which arrive late, there is no guarantee that they will appear. Thank you so much for your cooperation. David Bowman (Editor)

6 Psalms Quiz (Part 2)

How well did you do in the first part of the Psalms quiz? The answers can be found at the bottom of this page. The second part of the quiz can be found below. Remember the pew Bibles are my source. This month the 12 quotations can be found between psalms 35 and 81. Good luck!

13. And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

14. Hear, O daughter, consider and incline your ear; forget your people and your father’s house.

15. God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

16. Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city.

17. Moab is my wash basin; on Edom I hurl my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph.

18. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

19. You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.

20. The singers in front, the musicians last, between them girls playing tambourines.

21. Upon who I have leaned from my birth, it was you who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.

22. May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.

23. He rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim.

24. Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our festal day.

Answers to Part 1 1. [Ps 4: v4] 7. [Ps 19: v 5] 2. [Ps 8: v 5] 8. [Ps 22: v 21] 3. [Ps 10: v 9] 9. [Ps 27: v 4] 4. [Ps 14: v 1] 10. [Ps 29: v 7] 5. [Ps 18: v 8] 11. [Ps 33: v 7] 6. [Ps 18: v 12] 12. [Ps 34: v 10]

7 St. Mary's Sunday School & Junior Church

This month we have been looking at the second book of Kings in the Old Testament. The Kings had unusual names, there was Hezekiah who was a good King and tried to make his people live as God wanted. Then came his son Manasseh who destroyed all the good his father had done and worshipped false gods, forgetting all about the one true God. Then we heard about King Josiah who set about destroying all the false idols and restoring things to God's way. We discussed the themes: God protects, God restores, God is forgotten, and God is remembered.

We did not have an All-Age service this month as it fell on Remembrance Sunday and there was a joint service of Remembrance at St. Catherine's Church.

th We are now looking forward to the Parish Christingle service on the 6 December which takes place at 4pm at St. Catherine's Church. Help with the making of the Christingles th would be appreciated on Saturday 5 December from 10am at St. Catherine's Church..

The following week on 13th December we will have our final All-Age Service of 2015, and the following week, on the 20th we will have a morning of Christmas activities and refreshments for Sunday School and Junior Church members.

Finally on Christmas Eve there will be our annual Crib Service at St. Mary's Church at 4pm. We look forward to seeing you there.

With love from St. Mary's Sunday School and Junior Church

Carole Coole

Are you dreading some Christmas presents?

Do you expect to like all the presents you will receive this year? Not if last year was anything to go by… in fact, it seems that more than two-thirds of us expect that we will unwrap at least one item that we do not like this Christmas.

What do you do with those weird gifts? One in four of us admit to dumping them – straight into the bin. Yet we are very polite about it – two in five of us pretend delight so that we do not hurt anyone’s feelings. Only one in ten of us is ruthlessly honest, and express disappointment.

Marks & Spencer, who helped to carry out the research, suggests that a better way of getting rid of unwanted presents is to donate them to charity, or use their ‘Shwop’ service instead, which sends everything on to Oxfam.

8

News from St Catherine’s

Twelve month's have passed by since last Christmas and we now look forward to the beginning of the Christmas services and the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus.

Two events will have already passed by the time you

will have read this report. They will have been the

‘Cameo Christmas Tea’, and the ‘Advent Meal’, both at St Catherine’s. We now look forward to the Christingle Service on Sunday 6th December.

Prior to that on Saturday 5th December there is the Trader’s Event in Port Erin where there will be many craft tables, and entertainment for the children who attend on the day. Refreshments will also be served and these will include warm mince pies. It is hoped that many people will call in to the church hall and enjoy fellowship with each other.

I would like to take this opportunity in wishing everyone a very happy Christmas and a healthy New Year. With our Lord’s Blessings Gerry Callister

Organ Scholar Appointment

It is with great pleasure that the PCC and Director of Music announce the appointment of Alice (Ali) Waters as Organ Scholar to the Parish of Rushen.

Ali was born in Huddersfield in November 2000, moving to the Island in 2008.She was initially a student at School, before moving to Phurt Le Moirrey after the family took up residence in Pt St Mary. At present, she is a year 10 student at Castle Rushen High school. She started the piano at the age of 5 and is, at present, working towards her Grade 7 examination. She has achieved Grade 5 singing, can also play the cello and has just started learning the saxophone. She was also a member of the Manx Children’s Choir.

Ali will be based at St Mary’s where she is singing in the choir and learning church repertoire. She has made a good start to her organ studies and it is expected that she will be seen at the organ console later next year.

Mike Porter

9 December Crossword

Across

1 Rely (Psalm 62:7) (6) 4 A group assisting in the governance of the 4 ‘He stretches out the heavens like a — , and Roman Catholic Church (5) spreads them out like a tent to live in’ 5 One of the gifts Joseph’s brothers took with (Isaiah 40:22) (6) them on their second journey to Egypt 7 What the dove carried the olive leaf in, when it (Genesis 43:11) (4) returned to Noah’s ark (Genesis 8:11) (4) 6 ‘Reach out your hand and — — into my side. 8 Annoy (1 Samuel 1:6) (8) Stop doubting and believe’ 9 Judah’s last king, who ended his days as a blind (John 20:27) (3,2) prisoner in Babylon (Jeremiah 52:11) (8) 10 Be outstandingly good 13 ‘They all — and were satisfied’ (Luke 9:17) (3) (2 Corinthians 8:7) (5) 16 Eliphaz the Temanite was one; so was Bildad 11 ‘What — — that you are mindful of him, the the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite son of man that you care for him?’ (Job 2:11; 16:2) (4,9) (Psalm 8:4) (2,3) 17 National Association of Evangelicals 12 Horse’s feet (Judges 5:22) (5) (of the USA) (1,1,1) 13 Notice (Deuteronomy 17:4) (9) 19 Popular song for New Year’s Eve, Auld — — 14 Comes between 2 Chronicles and Nehemiah (4,4) (4) 24 Able dock (anag.) (8) 15 One of Israel’s northern towns conquered by 25 The number of stones David chose for his Ben-Hadad (1 Kings 15:20) (4) confrontation with Goliath (1 Samuel 17:40) (4) 18 Narnia’s Lion (5) 26 Elgar’s best-known ‘Variations’ (6) 20 One of the two rivers in which Naaman would 27 Soak (Isaiah 16:9) (6) have preferred to wash (2 Kings 5:12) (5) 21 Avarice—one of the evils that come from Down inside people (Mark 7:22) (5) 22 Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St 1 Money owing (Deuteronomy 15:3) (4) George (1,1,1,1) 2 Conciliatory (Titus 3:2) (9) 23 Jacob’s first wife (Genesis 29:23) (4) 3 ‘Do this, whenever you — it, in remembrance of me’ (1 Corinthians 11:25) (5)

10 November Crossword Solution

November Sudoku Solution

The winner of the October Sudoku competition was Susan Inch. Well done Susan! The draw took place at St Mary’s Church just prior to Morning Prayer at th 11am on 25 October. Jude Sille drew her entry from the 4 which were presented to me. Susan was given her £5 prize money at the service.

The Twenty and the Five

A well-worn five-pound note and a similarly distressed twenty-pound note arrived at the Bank of England to be retired. As they moved along the conveyor belt to be burned, they struck up a conversation. The twenty-pound bill mused: "I've had a pretty good life. Why I've been to London and Las Vegas and Hong Kong and even a cruise to the Caribbean." "Wow!" said the five-pound note. "You've really had an exciting time!" "So tell me," says the twenty, "Where have you been?” The five-pound note replied, "Oh, I've been to the Methodist Church, the Baptist Church, the Anglican Church, and once even to the United Reform Church..." The twenty-pound note interrupted, "What's a church?"

At 3pm Many people will stop everything at 3pm on Christmas Day to listen to Her Majesty’s annual address to the nation. But what does the Queen call her Christmas Broadcast? The One Show!

11

Visit from Sri Lanka

On Friday 30th October we were privileged to have a visit from Mrs Barbara Praesoody, the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Ceylon. She spoke to a group of over 20 in St. Catherine’s Church Hall. The Anglican Church in Sri Lanka is a Province of Canterbury and has two dioceses Colombo and Kurunegala. She lives in Kandy, which is part of the latter diocese, and is in the hill country North East of Colombo towards the centre of the island. It was a favourite resort of the British rulers who needed to escape the summer heat. Although it is not a rich place, it has many buildings of character.

Some of the problems in Sri Lanka are similar to ours. It, like us, is trying to modernise its liturgy, and Barbara felt that the new liturgy was being accepted too slowly. Its new prayer book has alternative versions of services and is heavy, as was our Alternative Service Book 1980. Every four Years most of Every year we sing carols and retell the same story of the donkey, innkeeper, stable, angels, its vicars move parish at the same time, thus avoiding interregnums. Kandy is an exception. Barbara’s vicarshepherds, has not star,moved wise for some men, time gifts and and Kandy’s Mary church and Joseph is conservative with baby! with It’sa very interesting, fine building because that houseswhen we500. celebrate The congregation other birthdays, is about 250. we don’tAs usual, recall finance the detailsis a problem. of the The pregnancy Colombo or diocese birth. is a much wealthier diocese than Kurunegala . The Bishopric of Kurunegala is vacant at present, but ColomboSo why dois generous we do all and this? is transferring In a nutshell, some it's funds about to Kurunegala. God, who has seen the mess of this world and stepped down to meet our deepest need of relationship with Himself: The greatest problem facing the Church in Sri Lanka is the aftermath of a horrible civil war that continued‘When the for time about came, 25 years He settill aside2009 .Both the privileges sides committed of deity atrocities. and took The on country the status and itsof tourista slave, industrybecame is human! recovering, Having but become there is much human, reconciliation He stayed to human. be done. It was The anreligious incredibly spread humbling in the country is Buddhism 70%, Hindu 13%, Muslim 10%, Roman Catholic 6%, Anglican 0.5%, and other process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, He lived a selfless, obedient life and then Protestants 0.5%. Although the church is small, it is playing an important part in the reconciliation. died a selfless, obedient death.’ (Philippians 2, The Message)  Our diocese may set up a link with the Church of Ceylon. I note the Islands have many Reflectingsimilarities: on Jesus inBoth the had manger 3 Periods is a ofgreat foreign place Domination: to start, but Sri there'sLanka had so Portuguese,much more Dutc thanh a cute babyand lying English in the periods. bed of We straw: had Viking, Scottish and English periods.

 Both are influenced but not dominated by a larger neighbour. If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator;  Legend says an outstanding figure brought religion miraculously by air: Prince Mahinda to If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist; Sri Lanka and St to us. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist;  The early histories of the Islands were recorded by monks: The Mihavamsa (5th Cent AD) If our greatest need had been pleasure,th Godth would have sent us an entertainer; But our greatestand The Chroniclesneed was offorgiveness, Man (13 -14 so God Cent sent AD). us a Saviour.  Both Islands are famous in an international sport: Sri Lanka in Cricket, we in Cycling.  There is a North South divide in the population of both Islands: In Sri Lanka Tamils live mainly in the North and Sinhalese in the South. The Fairy Bridge divides us.  Sri Lanka has 2 ancient cities Anuradhapura (4th Cent BC) and Polonnaruwa (11th Cent AD). th th We have 2 ancient castles: Castle Rushen (12 Cent) and Peel Castle (12 Cent).  Both use water famously: Sri Lanka 3rd Cent BC irrigation Tank, we the Wheel (1854).  Sri Lanka has many Stupas like our Tumuli but built with masonry.  Many gems are still mined in deep pits in Sri Lanka. Our famous mines are now closed.  Films set elsewhere have been made; ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’ in Sri Lanka, ‘Waking Ned’ here.  Both parliaments have meetings outside the capital: The Sri Lankan Parliament meets at Sri Jayewardenepura, we have Hill. Brian Trustrum

12 The ‘wonder’ of the shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem

(The writer considers that first Christmas night…and how it might guide us in our proper reaction to Jesus’ birth – Editor)

Shepherds in first century Palestine would have been attuned to the wonders and ravages of nature: star-lit nights, cold and heat, storm and calm, and the unwelcome attention of predators, both animal and human. They would have been more aware than we of human dependency on the seasons, and more respectful than us of the precarious nature of existence. Fear, as well as appreciation, would have shaped their religious sensitivities.

Some think the shepherds near Bethlehem may have been guarding sheep for the Jerusalem Temple, which used them as part of the sacrificial ritual of Judaism in those days. Yet the kind of work shepherds did and the hours they had to keep barred them from orthodox religious observance; they were regarded as uncouth and untrustworthy and were not allowed to give testimony in law courts.

It was typical of St Luke (the only New Testament writer to refer to the shepherds) to put them in the forefront of his narrative. Luke is the writer who favours the underdog: tax collectors, sinners, women, old and poor people and non-Jews all figure favourably in his account. Deliberately he sets before us shepherds as the first Christmas worshippers. They already knew how to wonder.

William of St Thierry wrote: “A man who has lost his sense of wonder is a man dead”. th The 19 Century scientist Michael Faraday wrote: “Let us consider... how wonderfully we stand upon this world. Here it is that we are born, bred and live, and yet we view these things with an almost entire absence of wonder…” This is no plea for anti-intellectual

13 faith, but rather for the discovery of an extra dimension. Wonder is the prime ingredient of worship and we need to recover it and use it. It takes practice.

William Blake encouraged us to look into the ordinary and see the extraordinary:

“To see a World in a Grain of Sand, And a Heaven in a Wild Flower: Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour…”

The late Michael Mayne, Dean of Westminster wrote, “A sense of the sublime leads to a sense of awe, which is I suppose that combination of wonder and fearfulness you may feel in the presence of what takes your breath away. It is not afraid in the sense of feeling scared, but rather an awe-struck sense of amazement that the ordinary is rather more extraordinary than the extraordinary… it is not the rabbit out of the hat but the rabbit out of the rabbit that is so surprising…”

So, in the astonishing story of heaven-come-to-earth in Bethlehem, of divinity in a cowshed, it is shepherds who receive the revelation. Not priests, not presidents, not philosophers. “An angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” For all they knew it might have been bad news. “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord’.”

The response of the shepherds was to go and see. Not to question or even to reason. The main constituent of their belief was already wonder. They were accustomed to marvelling, for they were surrounded by a world of marvels. So they went to look. And as they looked, they marvelled. Later, they were to return “glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard.”

The Venerable John Barton

Christmas Prayer 2015

Dear loving, giving Father, thank you for Jesus. Thank you that he came at Christmas and is alive and just as relevant today as he was all those years ago, and will be forever. As many of us celebrate your coming to us, with our families, in warm, safe homes, on a democratic island, we pray for everyone who has left their homeland because of persecution, for everyone who is without shelter, or food, or family. Give us compassionate hearts, like yours, Lord. Help us, as Christ’s body here on earth, to love and serve and make room for each other this Christmas.

In Jesus’ name

Amen

14

Rules for Dogs

during the

Christmas Period

1. Be very patient with your humans during this time. They will be more stressed-out than usual, but oddly, may not want to spend time in long comforting dog cuddles.

2. Instead, they will spend long hours writing Christmas cards. Let them do this, but insist that you accompany them to the post-box to post them.

3. They will come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

4. Be tolerant if your people put decorations on you. Even fake antlers won’t kill you – except perhaps through embarrassment.

5. At some point they will bring a large tree into the house and cover it with lights and decorations. This is their tree, and they are very protective of it. Don't drink the water in the container that holds the tree. Don’t even wag your tail near it, and certainly do not use it as a toilet!

6. Soon after this, your humans will start wrapping presents. However fascinating this is, do not stand on the wrapping paper while they are doing this. Especially, do not walk off with the present.

7. Next, the wrapped packages will start appearing under the tree. Leave these alone – even if they have your name on them.

8. Your humans may invite lots of strangers to come and visit during this season. These parties can be great fun, but remember that not everyone will want to share

the couch with you. Also, some greedy strangers may even object to sharing their plate and glass with you.

9. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important: don’t think about using your host’s Christmas tree as a toilet!

10. Above all, remember this: on Christmas Eve a big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh will emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. Do not bite him!!

15 All in the month of December

500 years ago on 24th Dec 1515 Thomas Wolsey was appointed Lord Chancellor of England.

150 years ago on 4th Dec 1865 Edith Cavell was born. This British nurse and WW1 heroine saved the lives of injured soldiers regardless of which side they were on, and was eventually shot by the Nazis. Also on 6th Dec 1865 The Thirteenth Amendment to the US Constitution was officially th adopted, abolishing slavery in the USA. Also on 30 Dec 1865 Rudyard Kipling was born. This short story writer, novelist, poet and children’s author was best known for The Jungle Book, Just So Stories, and Kim.

100 years ago on 8th Dec 1915 the war poem In Flanders Fields, by Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, was first published in Punch magazine in the UK.

75 years ago on 12th Dec 1940 the Sheffield Blitz began. The city was devastated by bombs. More than 660 people were killed, 1,500 injured and 40,000 made homeless. Also on 29th Dec 1940 Germany dropped thousands of incendiary bombs and high explosives on the City of London, causing the worst fire damage since the Great Fire of 1666.

60 years ago on 1st Dec 1955 African American civil rights activist Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama, violating the city’s racial segregation laws. This incident led to the birth of the modern American civil rights th movement. Also on 20 Dec 1955 Cardiff was proclaimed the capital city of Wales.

50 years ago on 8th Dec 1965 The Race Relations Act (1965) went into effect in the UK. It nd banned racial discrimination in public places. Also on 22 Dec 1965 Richard Dimbleby died. This pioneering British journalist and radio/television broadcaster became the BBC’s first war correspondent. He is reckoned one of the greatest figures in British broadcasting history.

st 25 years ago on 1 Dec 1990 construction workers on the Channel Tunnel broke through the last wall of rock separating the two halves, and Britain and France were linked for the nd first time in tens of thousands of years. Also on 22 Dec 1990 Lech Walesa, leader of the once-outlawed Solidarity trade union movement, became President of Poland.

20 years ago on 8th Dec 1995 head teacher Philip Lawrence was stabbed to death outside his th west London school while trying to protect a student from a gang of youths. Also on 20 Dec 1995 the Queen urged the Prince and Princess of Wales (Charles and Diana) to seek an early divorce.

10 years ago on 6th Dec 2005 David Cameron became leader of the Conservative Party. He th became Prime Minister in May 2010. Also on 13 Dec 2005 US President George W Bush admitted that much of the intelligence used as a basis for invading Iraq had been wrong. But he defended the invasion because it had led to the removal of Saddam Hussein.

Parish Pump

16 CMS IOM mission partner visit - Marjorie Gourlay

The evening of Monday 26 October saw the visit to St Catherine's church hall of the Church Mission Society (Isle of Man Association)'s mission partner Marjorie Gourlay to share in a faith supper and also share her experiences in the Middle East.

Around thirty members of the local churches and home study groups braved a thoroughly grim Monday night's weather to attend and brought with them a wonderful array of food and drink for a bounteous faith supper!

Marjorie's talk consisted of an informal interview conducted by Canon Malcolm Convery, CMS IOM Chairman, covering her work in Lebanon (especially amongst the local women there) - supported by CMS and her local church in Scotland - and also her current Arabic studies back home, and her plans for future mission. Marjorie also then took many questions from a clearly interested audience on a wide range of aspects of her life and work.

With the plight of the Syrian refugees being such a topical and pressing issue for us, it was a privilege to hear first-hand from someone who's spent considerable time out amongst them long before we in Europe became more directly involved.

A much-appreciated £169.00 was donated to CMS on the evening in the form of a retiring collection and this has since been sent to Marjorie to help her in her future mission work.

Many thanks on behalf of the CMS IOM Committee to everyone who helped in so many ways to make the evening such a success... and for welcoming Marjorie so warmly to our parish on such a chilly Manx night! Fionn Geddes (Treasurer, CMS IOM)

A Christmas Quiz Fionn Geddes Treasurer,Here’s a CMSbit of IOM fun just before Christmas. See if you can answer all 10 questions. The answers will appear next month. Editor (Details of the work of CMS IOM and our three mission partners are found in last month's article1. by BrianAccording Trustrum.) to the 1st chapter of Matthew, ‘Immanuel’ is interpreted to mean ______. 2. The Moabite widow, Ruth, is mentioned by name only 12 times in the book named after her, and not again until Matthew 1:5. What makes this woman’s life so significant to the birth of Jesus Christ? 3. An angel of the Lord told Joseph, Mary’s betrothed, ‘Do not ______to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’

4. What caused Elizabeth’s unborn baby to leap for joy in her womb, when she was visited by her relative Mary? 5. What was the angel’s name who visited Mary to tell her she had been chosen to be the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ? 6. What does Bethlehem mean? 7. Why did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem? 8. What did the angels say to the shepherds? 9. What did the chief priests tell Herod that worried him so much? 10. Why was ‘a voice heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning?’

17 Rushen Mothers’ Union

Unfortunately the November meeting had to be cancelled as the speaker was poorly on the day and had to return to her bed. It left me with very little time to find a replacement at such short notice. I did try to ask other speakers to do a swap but had no success at all. Manx Radio was very helpful and put it on the radio, again I had no success.

Our next event is the Diocesan Advent Service on Tuesday 1st December at St Paul’s Church, Ramsey. It commences at 7pm. This year members have been asked to provide gifts of non-perishable food, and household cleaning items to be brought to the service. This is in aid of ‘Women’s Aid’. It would be ideal if we could get some of our members to drive to the venue as there are one or two of us who don’t like driving at night. It might be possible for us to hire transport and pay to be taken. Maybe the branch treasurer will be able to make some enquiries. If anyone can help please contact me as it would be lovely to support this event, especially as the branches in the north of the island travel to our events in the south. We will do our best.

A little later in the month on Monday 14th December we are holding our Christmas Bells afternoon and I am already receiving replies. I hope to get a programme sorted out soon. Until then I will remind our members that they bring food for our guests to share on that afternoon. We also provide a cup of tea. The Christmas Bells afternoon is being held in St Mary’s Church Hall at 2pm. Until then, my love and prayers to you all.

Keep warm and well during this cold spell!

Brenda Watterson

From the Registers

Funerals (October 2015):

Tuesday 13th October 2015 Noreen Mona Atkinson St Catherine’s Church @ 2.00pm

th Tuesday 20 October 2015 Rene Bramall Kirk Christ @ 2.00pm

Keep it a surprise Three-year-old Lily was helping her mother wrap a present for her father. While wrapping, her mother told Lily about keeping the present a secret so it would be a surprise. After the present was wrapped, Lily proudly put it under the tree. When her father asked her if he could shake it and guess what's inside, she said, very seriously, "No, T-shirts don't rattle."

18 A Manx Christmas at St Mary’s

At 3pm on Sunday the 3rd January there will be a special Manx Christmas service held at St Mary’s Church. This service is held every year on the Sunday nearest 11 days after the modern Christmas. The Manx service for some reason never adapted to the 11 days being taken out of the calendar back in 1752 and stick with the old times! Whatever the reason there is less competition for time in January, it is a real celebration of Christmas, and a last chance to hear the Christmas story and sing Christmas Carols before we put the music away for another year.

The service is organised by Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh (The Manx Language Society) and has been running since the days when Manx was regularly used in the more remote churches over 100 years ago. Up till about 11 years ago there were four services a year at different churches throughout the Island. However since there were no longer any priests, readers, ministers or lay preachers, authorised to lead a normal service and with enough Manx at them to prepare a sermon, the services might have come to an end.

The custom had always been for the Christmas service to take the form of the traditional nine lessons and carols (which has lots of music and requires no sermon). This had always been the most popular of the services and was too good a tradition to allow to die. So since 2007 Julie Matthews and myself from the society have continued to organise the Christmas service, taking it around the Island on a South / West / North / East rotation in friendly churches of any denomination with about the about the right seating capacity (there is usually about 100 in the congregation). Last year St Olave’s Church in Ramsey made us very welcome, so this year is the South’s turn.

The service is almost entirely held in the Manx language, but that doesn’t mean English speakers are not welcome. Whilst the Carol words are in Manx, the tunes will mostly be well known to everybody. Several of the carols are performed by choirs such as Caarjyn Cooidjagh, Cliogeree Twoaie and the Bun Scoill. The lessons tell the Christmas story from Genesis to the gospels and will be read by Manx speakers from all over the South of the Island (and hopefully several familiar faces from our own parish).

After the service we meet together for refreshments, cake and the chance to meet old friends, catch up on the news of the year and celebrate our Manx heritage. After all, for many of us, the next time we see each other again will be Tynwald day – (which due to that same Manx fondness for tradition, is mid-summer without the 11 days taken away!).

Peter Hayhurst

Peter Hayhurst Thank you I would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year. I hope you have enjoyed the editions that have been published in 2015 and that you will continue to enjoy those that will follow in 2016. I would also like to thank all those of you who have contributed over the past year. Your articles are really appreciated.

David Bowman (Editor)

19 Children’s Page

20 The Story Behind the Carol

Each year at Christmas we sing about good King Wenceslas looking on the Feast of Stephen… ever wonder who on earth he was? Here are three of the five verses…

Good King Wenceslas looked on the Feast of Stephen When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even. Brightly shone the moon that night, tho’ the frost was cruel When the poor man came sight, gathering winter fuel…

Bring me flesh and bring me wine; bring me pine logs hither; Thou and I will see him dine when we bear them thither. Page and monarch forth they went, forth they went together, Through the rude winds’ wild lament, and the bitter weather…

In his master’s step he trod where the snow lay dinted; Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed. Therefore Christian men, be sure wealth of rank possessing, Ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourself find blessing.

This carol was 900 years in the making… and started with a brutal murder in Bohemia, for Wenceslas was a real person, the Duke of Bohemia, who lived in the early 10th century. He seems to have been a rare ruler, in that he was just and had compassion for the poor. His goodness made him enemies, and when he was only 22, he was assassinated on the steps of a church in Prague in 935.

But that was not the end of Wenceslas. Deeply mourned by the common people, he was soon considered a martyr and a saint. A cult of Wenceslas grew up in Bohemia, influencing the High Middle Ages idea of the rex Justus – or ‘righteous king’ - that is, a monarch whose power stems mainly from his great piety.

The story of Wenceslas came to England sometime before 1853, when Queen Victoria’s envoy to Stockholm sent some rare books to a friend, John Mason Neale, Warden of Sackville College, East Grinstead. Here Neale found the story of Wenceslas in an ancient poem by Czech poet Václav Alois Svoboda. Neale published his translation as a carol in 1853. He made the ‘Duke’ into a ‘King’, as a later Pope had conferred the regal title on Wenceslas.

The carol tells the poignant story of a young king and his page braving harsh winter weather in order to bring food, wine and fuel to a poor peasant on the Feast of St Stephen (26 December). The journey is terrible, and the page only gets through by following in the king’s footprints, step by step, through deep snow. There are themes here of following Christ, through suffering, to do good to the poor.

If the story is ancient, so is the melody that Neale chose for his carol - it goes back to Finland in 1582.

Good King Wenceslas… today, a millennium after his brutal murder, he is still remembered in Prague, where a statue of him stands tall in the middle of Wenceslas Square. His goodness is not forgotten.

21 Rushen Parish Prayer Diary

During this season of Good Will Let us pray that we can do our part to bring Peace to the world: God our Father, Creator of the world, please help us to love one another. Make nations friendly with other nations; Make all of us love one another like brothers and sisters. Help us to do our part to bring peace in the world and happiness to all people. Amen

December 2015 This is your invitation to pray day by day for:

st 1 The Mothers’ Union Diocesan Advent Service in St Paul’s Church at 7pm 2 nd All Christians preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ 3 rd The hope that Christmas will bring families together again who have been apart 4 th St Nicholas, the patron saint of children, who will be remembered on Sunday 5 th The Port Erin ‘Trader’s Magical Christmas’ event taking place today 6 th The annual Christingle Service at St Catherine’s Church at 4pm this afternoon 7th Our fellow neighbours and the love and respect we have for them th 8 Nativity plays being performed at our island’s primary schools at this time 9th The Port Erin Men’s Fellowship meeting being held this evening th 10 People in hospital hoping to be home during the Christmas season 11 th Shopkeepers during the busy build up towards the Christmas period 12 th Those people who work at Ronaldsway and the Steam Packet during this busy time 13 th The third Sunday of Advent and what it means to us as Christians 14 th ‘Christmas Bells’ the Mothers’ Union get together in St Mary’s Church Hall at 2pm th 15 People in care homes preparing for Christmas and all that it means to them 16th The Carols, Candles and Cake event at St Peter’s Church this evening at 7pm th 17 The Port Erin Commissioners’ Carol Service at St Catherine’s Church at 7pm 18th Sportsmen and women providing enjoyment and competitiveness 19 th Children with disabilities which require them to be cared for by others 20 th The Parish Carol Service at Kirk Christ at 6.30pm this evening 21 st Those travelling away from the island to celebrate Christmas and their safe return 22 nd Rushen Parochial Church Council and the work it does for the parish 23 rd All Christian children and their many expectations during this Christmastide 24th The Crib Service taking place in St Mary’s Church at 4pm this afternoon th 25 Peace throughout the world 26th St Stephen, the first martyr, who is remembered today th 27 The Parish Joint Service taking place at Kirk Christ the morning 28 th Those who have suffered, in one way or another, during the Christmas period 29 th People who have had to work throughout Christmas to maintain vital services 30 th Preparations for the New Year and the hope it brings for everyone 31 st New Year celebrations throughout the world and the hope for peace

22 Services December 2015

2nd December 11.45am Southlands Holy Communion (CW) 2pm St Mary’s Play & Praise

th 6 December 8am St Catherine’s Holy Communion (BCP) (Advent 2) 9.30am Kirk Christ Morning Prayer (CW) 11am St Mary’s Holy Communion (CW) 11am St Catherine’s Morning Prayer (CW) 3.15pm St Peter’s Evening Prayer (BCP) 4pm St Catherine’s Christingle Service

13th December 9.30am Kirk Christ Holy Communion (CW) (Advent 3) 11am St Mary’s All-Age Service (CW) 11am St Catherine’s Holy Communion (CW) 3.15pm St Peter’s Evening Prayer (BCP) 6.30pm St Mary’s Meadowside Carol Service

20th December 8am St Catherine’s Holy Communion (BCP) (Advent 4) 9.30am Kirk Christ Morning Prayer (CW) 11am St Mary’s Holy Communion (CW) 11am St Catherine’s All-Age Service (CW) 3.15pm St Peter’s Holy Communion (BCP) 6.30pm Kirk Christ Parish Carol Service

24th December 4pm St Mary’s Crib Service (Christmas Eve) 7.30pm St Peter’s Holy Communion (BCP) 11.30pm St Catherine’s Holy Communion (CW)

25th December 10am Kirk Christ All-Age Holy Communion (CW) (Christmas Day)

th 27 December 11am Kirk Christ Holy Communion (CW) (Christmas 1)

3rd January 2016 8am St Catherine’s Holy Communion (BCP) (Epiphany) 9.30am Kirk Christ Morning Prayer + Baptism (CW) 11am St Mary’s Holy Communion (CW) 11am St Catherine’s Morning Prayer (CW) 3.15pm St Peter’s Evening Prayer (BCP)

(CW) Common Worship (BCP) Book of Common Prayer

23 Contact Details for Rushen Parish

St Mary’s Sunday School Leader:

Carole Coole, Cronk-NyGreiney, Fisher’s Hill, 827545

St Mary’s Ladies Working Party & St Mary’s Friendly Lunches

Mrs Brenda Watterson, Cair Vie, Linden Ave. Port St Mary 833618

St Mary’s Hall Bookings: Mrs Brenda Watterson, Cair Vie, Linden Ave. Port St Mary 833618

St Catherine’s CAMEO & Morning Coffee

Mrs Suzanne Ali, 25 Sunnydale Avenue, Port Erin 834456

St Catherine’s Hall Bookings:

Mr & Mrs G Callister, 60 Ballamaddrell, Port Erin 474924/834627

Web Site/E-mail:

www.rushenparish.org.uk [email protected]

Magazine Editor

Mr David Bowman, The Old Bakery, Qualtroughs Lane, 837117/260539 Ballafesson, Port Erin e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Articles for the magazine should be submitted to the editor no later than 20th of each month. This arrangement is subject to change.

Parish Director of Music:

Mr M D Porter, 10 Fairway Drive, Rowany, Port Erin 832143

Churchyard Enquiries:

Please contact Mr Harry Dawson: 478050/835770 or Mr G Callister: 474924/834627

24 December Sudoku Competition

Here is this month’s Sudoko competition. If you would like me to send you a copy I will do so with pleasure. When completed, you can submit your entry to me at my address which can be found in the magazine, or give it to one of the wardens, or telephone me so that I can collect it from you. You must ensure that your name and address is printed somewhere on your entry.

There is a prize of £5 for the winner. The solution will be printed in the January edition of the magazine. If possible the draw will be made at the joint service at Kirk Christ on 27th December. The closing date is Wednesday 23rd December 2015. The very best of luck!

David Bowman (Editor)