2 Contact Details for Rushen Parish Vicar: Rev’d Joe Heaton ([email protected]) 832275 Rushen Vicarage, Barracks Road, Port St Mary 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, Cregneash 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 middle 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 Isle of Man, 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.