CONTROL the VIRUS STAY ALERT SAVE LIVES June 2020 July 2020
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UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ST GILES’ CHURCH OF ENGLAND Contact Secretary: John Miller Rector: The Revd Felicity Davies Tel: 01895 904556 The Rectory, 38 Swakeleys Road Administrator: Shellie D’Arcy Ickenham, UB10 8BE Tel: Church: 01895 634280 Tel: Church 01895 622971 STTAYAY CCONTONTRROLOL SAAVEVE AALELERRTT THHEE VVIRUSIRUS LLIVESIVES Icke nd nham ngla URC ch of E covenanted with St Giles’ Chur June 2020 July 2020 WHAT’S ON AT ST GILES’ CHURCH? The Church building may be shut – but you can still enjoy your favourite services on the St Giles’ YouTube channel: see page 4 for more details Personally, as a grandmother who did LOCKDOWN LOVE... spend all week helping with It is with humility and a love for grandchildren I would have struggled Ickenham that I am writing this mentally during lockdown (particularly article, first ever for ICN, at a as I was blessed with two more in dramatic time in the world. We March) but I have been saved by the all know that there are many ‘For the Love of Scrubs – Hillingdon difficulties locally, nationally and Work Group’ members. What a globally. But I wanted, for a moment, fabulous team we have. Another to draw your attention to the neighbour and I have been sharing the wonderful positives I have personally delivered pre-cut sets and since the end experienced during lockdown. of March we have sewn 33 tops and 23 I found crossing over and walking away pairs of trousers as scrubs for the NHS. from people to practise social distancing I have re-ignited my love of sewing and to be very unfriendly and rude so I have become quite obsessed (thank decided to smile with a thank you or goodness hubby is keeping the cooking friendly greeting. Not one person in and cleaning under control). Ickenham has ignored this gesture and So, whilst I do not under estimate the this has made it feel such a warm place terrible suffering this virus has caused full of comradeship. We have lived in so many, I wanted to show the positives Ruislip for 30 years and for 7 years in I have been blessed to find. Ickenham and yet, during lockdown our God Bless and Stay Safe. daily exercise has given us time to BARBARA LeMMoN discover wonderful walks and made more special by asking for photography opportunities. recommendations for cake makers etc. I am vulnerable and my husband is over on the ‘Ickenham’s Just the Best Village’ 70 so we have not been to any shops facebook page. The most moving to me since lockdown but have managed with was the request from abroad to help online deliveries – a lot easier since with an elderly vulnerable uncle living Sainsbury’s made specific slots available in Ickenham, the response from a for the over 70’s. But two dear wonderful resident was ‘I can cook neighbours have kept a particularly meals for his freezer and deliver them’. close eye on us, one leaving delicious The lockdown has given time for spring curries on our doorstep regularly and cleaning and unselfish sharing of those the other offering to buy any additional unwanted items – books, toys, DVDs, items we may need. plants etc, are in abundance in people’s People in the village have always pulled driveways for others to take; and so together but perhaps it’s more many home have teddies and rainbows noticeable during lockdown – everyone in the windows to show gratitude to the puts the effort in for lost and found dogs, NHS and all the keyworkers who have keys, soft toys etc. Birthdays have been been so brave. HILLINGDON FOODBANK See page 7 VE DAY CELEBRATIONS See pages 9 & 10 Editor: Jim Lee Email: [email protected] Visit ICN Online at: www.ickenhamchurchnews.co.uk For events: Submit online at www.ickenhamchurchnews.co.uk For advertising: [email protected] or 07789 900048 Donations: c/o Alison Summerfield at The Office, St Gile s’ Church, Ickenham, UB10 8BG Ickenham URC at: www.ickenhamurc.org.uk St Gile s’ at: www.stgileschurch.co.uk Ickenham Church News / June & July 2020 / Online 2 LOCKDOWN - THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS I was looking online, which I seem to be doing more of these understanding, give help where we days, and found this quote from Maddie aged 10... can and be more patient. Long may “Mum, I know it seems like everything is falling apart, no it continue! school, stuck at home and all that stuff….but is it not a better Though our churches are closed we time for this to happen? I mean think about how beautiful it has have still managed to connect with been to be outside - it’s spring and the sun is shining and we people through on-line services from St. have been going on walks”. Giles, recorded by Felicity, and services We, of a certain age group, are all in an enforced lockdown at the and daily devotions from the URC behest of our government and our children, who keep telling us to Synod. God has never left our side and stay indoors. “How are we going to pass the time?”, we heard early is always with us in times of adversity. in March. Have you noticed how much bluer the blue sky is; how the New skills are being honed… tried the new patience and birds now sing to us (or least we can now hear them); nature keyboard skills game called online shopping. I maybe over 70 has responded to our needs of peace and tranquillity. but not, fortunately, with any underlying problems and Not all of us have been blessed to enjoy these moments: the therefore not on the government’s list to receive their magic nurses, doctors and staff of the NHS; Home Carers; post office letter, that for some of those who do need it, never comes. So workers, delivery people, teachers, farmers, food stores and other skills come into use - social distancing and queuing. all those key workers still toiling to keep this country great and The old jigsaws, found safely stored in the loft, have seen a new safe. our thanks and hearts go out to you all. renaissance and now take up 50% of the dining table. The garden We also take a moment to reflect on all those people who have has never looked better and the boys from the council must be died during this pandemic and all their families and friends very pleased to see all the number of garden bags sitting in front who miss them dearly. To you all, we pray for your peace of gardens ready for collection. mind and happiness in the future. However, one skill that has come back into use is social God Bless you all. communication. We have rediscovered that the phone can be used Keep safe, keep healthy and carry on, to bring people together. Also with Skype, Zoom and FaceTime we with God‘s blessing and love. see our families and friends that we cannot meet. We also seemed to have re-discovered how to be nice to people, show love and JoHN MILLeR – URC e LDeR THREE INTO ONE WON’T GO... “Two’s company and Three’s a crowd” is a saying that suggests two people hanging out together is great, but three is one too many. It was certainly my experience growing up as one of three that there was always an ‘odd man out’. But we share family traits and characteristics that are obvious when ‘outsiders’ see us together, because we share DNA, half from each of our parents. Trinity Sunday can be a preacher’s ‘nightmare’ sermon. How to begin to explain the concept of one God – but three persons: I’m not at all surprised to see these very same traits popping Father, Son and Spirit? each one of the three has the same up all over our community during this time of crisis and essential nature, or ‘DNA’, but is a different person of God. lockdown – people who would never call themselves faith- My go-to illustration is H 2o (which is not altogether based are constantly doing small (and big) acts of kindness and satisfactory, but the best I can manage!). H 2o is the chemical showing selfless generosity for others. make-up of Ice, Water, and Steam. one molecule of each one We’d all probably agree that every human being is capable of has the same essential chemical components of 2 hydrogen doing good and amazing things. I suppose from my standpoint atoms plus one oxygen atom – but appear quite separately as as a Christian, I’d say that we are all made in the image of God, solid, liquid and vapour. and share something of his inherent goodness. It seems to me What about Church? No – not the building – the people! that our present situation has brought that good stuff to the every Christian possesses the same essential DNA – the Spirit fore in our community, so that ever increasing numbers of of God. We begin to exhibit his care and compassion for people are inspired to grow in generosity, kindness and people, and grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness. Lots of us, but one community... all sharing one goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Lots of us, essential nature... all pulling in the same direction. but one body of people... all sharing one essential nature... all I love being part of the Ickenham community! Felicity pulling in the same direction. With love, Now it is more important than ever to get into your gardens.