Ambassador December—January 2020
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Ambassador December—January 2020 Parish magazine of the Roughton Benefice - comprising Roughton, Bessingham, Felbrigg, Sustead, Metton and Hanworth with Gunton Rector, Reverend Janet Frymann 01263 768075 45p www.roughtonbenefice.uk 1 Who's Who in our Benefice Rector: Revd Janet Frymann Prayer Group Co-ordinator Helen Mortimer 01263 511132 The Rectory, Church Loke Mothers Union Roughton. Simone Hume 01263 711346 NRII 8SZ Ambassador Newsletter: Telephone number 01263 768075 Please Email copy to Mobile 07766 712545 [email protected]. Email [email protected]. General Enquires 01263 768075 Please contact Janet in the first in- Advertising stance for Baptisms, Weddings or Derek lanson 01263 712159 Funerals. [email protected] Hon Assistant Minister Website manager Revd Stephen J G Seamer Peter Frymann 01263 768075 Roughton Church School Readers Church member Governor Peter Frymann 01263 768075 David Wiltshire 01263 768104 Authorised Worship Assistant Rev’d Janet Frymann 01263 768075 Simone Hume Clerk to the School Governors Churchwarden Bessingham Donald Mayes 01263 761392 None (contact Revd Frymann) Churchwardens Felbrigg Mary Llewellyn 01263 513072 Robert Brown Trust - Trustees Hilary Kirkland 01263 514380 Revd Janet Frymann 01263 768075 Churchwardens Hanworth with Helen Mortimer 01263 511132 Gunton David Wiltshire 01263 768104 Richard Harbord 01263 768732 Dorothy Kendall 01263 513038 Churchwardens Sustead Priscilla McDougall 01263 577247 Clerk to the Trustees Glenn Davenport 01263 768877 Jane Blackburn 01263 833512 Churchwardens Metton None (contact Revd Frymann) Safeguarding Officer for Child and Churchwardens Roughton Vulnerable Adults: Helen Mortimer 01263 511132 Rev Janet Frymann 01263 768075 Dave Wiltshire 01263 768104 Alternatively: Sue Brice 07958 377079 The Bishop’s Adviser for Safeguarding 2 Dark Days and Nights I am writing this letter at the invitation of Rev’d Janet. It’s November. The clocks have gone back. The nights start earlier and earlier. The mornings are later and later. Fogs and mists appear over the fields. If feels very dark and miserable. In our national life we are being asked to vote in a general election to choose a new government and a new national by Unknown Author is licensed under leader. The choice is not easy. Parties are publishing manifestos late meaning that we have less time to reflect on the policies on offer before making our choice. One potential leader is reluctant to commit himself on major issues. Another has been shown to be either wilfully deceitful or at the very least unreliable in his pledges and promises. Many in Parliament were, apparently, more concerned with tribal loyalties (i.e. to their party) than the national interest. They seemed to be more concerned with their own careers than serving the people of this country. What are we to do? How are we to vote? It all feels very dark. But, we are not the first people to be in a dark place individually and nationally. The Children of Israel were sent to exile in what we know as Iraq, having been disobedient to God. They had turned their back on worshipping God and what they knew to be his plan for their society. It was a dark time for Israel. Into those circumstances God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and told them that “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep by Unknown Author is licensed under 3 darkness - on them light has shined.” (Isaiah 9:2) God does shine light into darkness. The people saw the light. They were on their way to a return to their homeland, both geographically and spiritually. Both aspects are important, that fact that God shone light into the situation and the fact that the people saw that light. In December we celebrate Christmas when we remember that Jesus was born as the Son of God. In the gospel of John, we read of Jesus, “In him (Jesus) was life, and the life was the light of all people”. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5.) The Amplified translation puts it like this, “The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it]”. There is such a richness in that verse. Darkness cannot overcome light in any way. That is encouraging as it emphasizes that darkness will not win out. God will show us the way. Jesus said of himself ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ (John 8:12). The “Whoever” in that verse includes all of us. This offers us all hope in bleak times. May we find God’s light in whatever darkness we encounter, now and in the future. With our best wishes to you all at this Christmas season. Peter D Frymann 4 Time for Prayer Prize Christmas Bingo Tuesday December 10th at 7.30, at @ 5 Orchard Close, Roughton, led by Felbrigg Village Hall Heather Wrighton Friday December 6th at 2pm Tuesday 7th January at 7.30, Free tea or coffee and @ Sylvan Lodge, led by Hilary. a piece of cake Tuesday 21st January at 7.30 All proceeds will go to @ "The Owls" led by Helen Felbrigg and Merton Village * * * * * * * * * * Halls Things to Come * * * * * * * * * * FESTIVE GREETINGS Craft Workshop The New Sheringham Singers, conducted by Ro Curtis, are looking The craft group are busy with forward to presenting their annual Christmas preparations, so have decided not to meet in December. seasonal concert. Our regathering is on Monday 6th Entitled Festive Greetings, it will January 10- 12.30 . include beautiful winter songs, fun pieces from Christmas films and Come and join us and craft away the carols from faraway places. It also winter blues. A warm welcome awaits at Roughton village hall. features the talented young musician Surina Fordington playing Simone. alto saxophone. For further information please contact The concert is in aid of Sheringham Simone on 01263 711346 Stable Door, a small housing trust * * * * * * * * * * that provides accommodation for people with housing needs with a Roughton & District WI connection to Sheringham. We meet in Roughton Village Hall Sunday 1st December, The on the second Wednesday of the Lighthouse, Cromer Rd, month: 7pm. for 7.30pm. Sheringham. 3.30pm Visitors very welcome. For more Tickets £7.50 (including information, visit our website refreshments) at the door. Under www.roughtonwi.org.uk 12s free. * * * * * * * * 5 Our Craft Group The Ambassador Our Craft Group meets twice a The cost of the Ambassador is 45p month at Roughton Village Hall. We per copy or £4.00 per year welcome W.I. members and * * * * * * * * * * visitors. Tea, coffee and biscuits are This is just a reminder that we have a provided. Our Craft Group members dedicated e-mail address just for the also belong to Norfolk Knitters & Ambassador, namely Stitchers and crochet/knit rugs, [email protected]. shawls, hats and dementia “comforts”, as and when needed for Please note that copy for future issues various charities and hospitals. We will need to be emailed to meet on the second Monday of [email protected]. the month from 10am. to 12 noon Editors are: Peter Raynor, Peter (£3), and the last Tuesday of the Frymann & Richard Harbord. month from 9.30am. to 12.30pm. (£1.50 per hour). A wide range of Deadline for the February issue is crafts, including knitting, stitching, Friday 17th January 2020 crochet, embroidery, quilting and patchwork is pursued, and members General Enquires 01263 768075 are always willing to share their ex- * * * * * * * * * * pertise if you are keen to learn some- thing new. It pays to Advertise Your firm could benefit and you would For more information please contact be supporting your community Angela Newton (01263 514476) or magazine at the same time for only [email protected] £l.45 per word per annum. For more information about advertising in "The Ambassador" * * * * * * * * * * Ring DEREK on 01263 712159 Village Hall Bookings Felbrigg - Julia Bayle Disclaimer: The views expressed by 01263 513103 individuals in this Magazine are not Hanworth - Jeanette Ayling necessarily the views of the group of 01263 768875 (580070) Churches in this Benefice. Advertising in Roughton - Chloe Bennett this magazine does not imply an 01263 5168 endorsement or promotion of the advertisement, nor its content, products or services. Errors and omissions, whilst regrettable, may occur. Please advise the Editor and appropriate action will be tak- 6 The Pattern of Services - Sundays You may have noticed recently a slight change in the pattern of weekly services. Until last year we held frequent services in Bessingham and no services were held in Felbrigg during the winter months of December to March. Early last year the care of Bessingham Church was handed to the Norwich Diocesan Church Trust. We still conduct 6 services a year (in addition to Occasional Offices of baptism, weddings and burials). As with Gunton we still provide pastoral and spiritual care for the residents of Bessingham. Since the track across the field to Felbrigg Church has been covered with new stones it is now passable all the year. The need for the transfer to Metton during the winter has therefore diminished and Felbrigg will now be used throughout the year. It has been agreed that Metton and Hanworth should hold one service per month, Metton on the second Sunday and Hanworth on the fourth Sunday. There will be one service of Holy Communion and one of Morning Prayer between the two churches each month. The aim is that each church will celebrate Holy Communion once in two months. Where there are 5 Sundays in a month (as happens four times a year), there is one service (usually Holy Communion) at 11am and this Combined Service migrates around the benefice.