PURLEY PARISH NEWS NOVEMBER 2004 35P For the Church & Community of PURLEY ON THAMES ST. MARY THE VIRGIN PURLEY ON THAMES RECTOR Rev. Roger B. Howell The Rectory, 1 Westridge Avenue Purley on Thames Tel: 0118 941 7727 Email: [email protected] CURATE Rev. Jean Rothery —Oaklea“, Tidmarsh Road Tidmarsh Tel: 0118 984 3625 ORDAINED LOCAL MINISTER Rev. Andrew Mackie 12 Church Mews Purley on Thames Tel: 0118 941 7170 CHURCHW ARDENS Sally Robertson Lorna Herring Tel: 0118 962 5978 Tel: 0118 942 1547 CHURCH HALL BOOKINGS Lorna Herring Tel: 0118 942 1547 BAPTISMS, W EDDINGS AND FUNERALS All enquiries should be made to the Rector www.stmarythevirgin.fsnet.co.uk 1 FROM THE CURATE Dear Friends Whether or not you are a regular churchgoer, it is very likely that you enjoy singing hymns. Of all church related activities, the singing of hymns seems to be one of the most popular. ”Songs of Praise‘ is watched by many people who do not come to church and sing exactly the same hymns. It is difficult to speculate on why this should be so, and no doubt there are as many reasons as there are people, because staying away from church may not be a deliberate decision, but more a habit born of individual circumstances. The singing of hymns however, does seem to meet a deep need within many people, which attendance at church does not. Those of us who believe God offers everybody so much more through church life need to understand why this is so, if we are to attract the interest of non church goers. Hymns and religious songs are often sung to very singable tunes, so is it the tune that attracts people? Certainly we soon get complaints if we introduce dreary or difficult tunes into our church services, whether they are traditional hymns or more modern songs. Somehow I feel that there must be a deeper reason than this for the popularity of ”Song of Praise‘ For people above a certain age hymns can represent memories of childhood, whether of school assemblies or Sunday school. Again this does not seem a strong enough reason for people of all ages to have an interest in continuing to sing hymns. The only explanation which rings true to me is that there is a deep need or yearning within each one of us which can be expressed in the singing of hymns. There is something about singing a hymn that is deeply satisfying. The words of our favourite hymns are very meaningful and express thoughts which perhaps we cannot find words of our own to express. The wonder of nature for example may be something we want to give thanks for and we find a ready made way of doing this through hymns such as ”All things bright and beautiful‘, still one of the most popular of hymns. In the same way the sheer act of singing enables us to express feelings of joy, which we may find difficult to express in other ways. Singing is a healthy exercise spiritually as well as physically. Perhaps you share the views of the Cornish lady who was heard to say ”They ”ymns mean more to me th‘n all they preachers‘ 2 2 It would be interesting to hear from you why you like singing hymns, but better still, why not come and join us in singing both traditional and modern songs during our church services. You are warmly invited. Jean PARISH REGISTERS FUNERALS 22 Sept Raymond Joseph Chaplin aged 79 years (Cremation) 11 Oct David Arnold Pamment aged 63 years (Cremation) 19 Oct Emily Grove aged 81 years (Cremation) COMMUNITY HARVEST SUPPER About 105 people attended the Community Harvest Supper this year, which was held at The Barn and sponsored by Purley Parish Council and St. Mary's Church. A sit-down 2-course meal was provided with wine and tea/coffee, during which Brenda Jenkins spoke briefly about the work of Macmillan Cancer Relief. At the end of the meal an auction of donated items was held and the goods were sold by Auctioneer Simon Jones. There were about 90 separate lots, and some amazing bargains were had! A total of £859.85 was sent to Macmillan Cancer Relief. It was an enjoyable event and served once again to draw different sections of the community closer together. MOBILE LIBRARY Orchard Close 1.45 œ 2.00 Memorial Hall 2.05 œ2.20 Hazel Road 2.40 œ 3.05 Farm Close 3.15 œ 3.30 Purley Church 3.35 œ 4.20 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr 11 2 23 13 3 24 17 7 3 CHURCH SERVICES 7 Nov 9.30 a.m. Family Worship with visiting speaker 11.15 a.m. Holy Communion with visiting speaker 6.00 p.m. Holy Communion 14 Nov 9.30 a.m. Family Worship 10.55 a.m. Remembrance Day Holy Communion 21 Nov 9.30 a.m. Family Communion 11.15 a.m. Morning Worship 6.00 p.m. Evening Worship 28 Nov 10.30 a.m. Advent Communion - St Mary‘s Purley Advent Sunday 6.00 p.m. Advent Carols - St James the Less, Pangbourne 5 Dec 9.30 a.m. Family Worship 11.15 a.m. Holy Communion 6.00 p.m. Holy Communion ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR We hear a lot about anti-social behaviour these days in the papers and on TV news. What do you think of when you hear about it? It is quite likely that such things as smashed phone boxes come to mind, and we have had many instances of that in Purley! I had a new slant on this one recently whilst waiting to conduct a funeral service. Standing at the Lych Gate at the entrance to the Churchyard I had to be careful where I placed my feet, for there was vomit on the floor tiles. Not very pleasant at any time, least of all for mourners to negotiate when coming to the church for a sad event! I suspect that this was connected with youngsters (under-age?) using the churchyard as a drinking place. There are often empty beer cans and bottles thrown on the ground - despite the fact that there are no less than 4 bins into they could be placed. In the car park on the same occasion I also noticed a dirty baby's nappy that had been discarded! Roger Howell (Rector) 29 NOVEMBER Don't miss the opportunity to pray with Christians from many denominations about issues that affect everyone living in Purley. We meet at St. Mary's church at 8 p.m. Contact Sally Robertson (962 5978) for more details. 4 4 HOT FLUSHES AND MR. DARCY. There can't be too many TV screens which in 1995 on a Sunday night, didn't smoulder as Mr Darcy invaded our sets in hot pursuit of the taunting Elizabeth Bennett, alongside the neurotic Mrs. Bennett trying sadly to marry off her five daughters. With this in mind, an advert in the Newbury newspaper sent an avalanche of would-be "extras" along to Basildon Park to sign up for four days of cinema filming of Pride and Prejudice. We arrived and were asked for name and addresses and given a tape measure for vital statistics (HELP!) and after a week were invited along to the House for costume fittings. This was every little girls dream, a large marquee full of ball gowns, satin slippers, long gloves, pretty headgear, and boxes of corsets and bodices. After 2 hours of trying on five gowns my "dresser" then happy sent me through to another marquee to be fitted and glued into a wig. The attention for EXTRAS was phenomenal - detailing was very exacting. Catering for the mass was satisfactory, breakfast, dinner, tea and bottled water was always available, even while on set, trying to get the many scenes just right. With foresight, you didn't have another breakfast until you were corseted up! Laces became tighter and tighter, and bosoms were reshuffled somewhere else, like so high you ended with "ear muffs". Needles to say if your satin laces came undone, bending down was a no go area. What a good excuse to ask a young handsome and virile soldier to help out. Even taking a natural break was a marathon effort, especially as your gown could be wider than the w.c. It rained heavily for the first two days and in respect of costumes and satin shoes, we were ferried from the marquees to the House in mini buses. (Mr Darcy in a Mercedes of course!). An amusing sight was soldiers in their striking red jackets, gold braiding and white breeches, plus their trainers, chatting on their mobiles, a real ancient and modern syndrome. You are aware there is much hanging around, so you prepare with your favourite activity, reading, tapestry work, word and card games. We even became involved with a lady making fairy dolls that occupied one whole day. There were many new friends to be made; after all we were a very mixed bunch. There were noisy hod carriers, delicate upholstery ladies, musicians reviewing their scores, plus many young students with time on their hands needing cash, which included us O.A.P.'s. Muslin gowns were mostly cream or off-white in colour, remembering that the Bennetts were not high on the social structure, and the upper crust wore clothes of lusher colour and material. So many young girls looked a dream, with much detail on their ball gowns, including buttons, gathers, feathers, beads and fanciful fobs for the men.