OnnyCamlad Parishes Rev Norman Morris, Rector of Wentnor with Ratlinghope, Norbury, Myndtown, Lydham, More & Snead, & Priest in charge of Churchstoke & Hyssington 01588 650244 David Jelves, Reader 01588 620434 Jon Price “Fresh Expressions” Community Evangelist 01588 620693 The Rector writes…. Happy New Year! Our new year in the life of the church began on Advent Sunday 28 November and ushered in that very special season of preparation for Christmas when we celebrate the birth of our Saviuor! Of course, the run up to Christmas has everyone every busy but our Advent season gives us wonderful hymns, readings and prayers at our church services which helps us to reflect on the extraordinary Christian claim that God the Creator of the Universe and all that is, actually took human form in the Person of Jesus Christ and was born into our world. In this dark and often difficult and terrifying world this claim, this truth, has sustained millions down the ages. An opportunity to use Advent – which means coming – creatively is being extended to everyone by the Local Ministry Team who are holding four mid-week meditative acts of worship[p in four churches (details below) I hope many will be able to come and experience the wonder and expectation there is in reflecting on how promises made way back in Old Testament times came to be fulfilled in the coming of Jesus , the one we believe to be the Christ, the Son of God, who came into our world to be our loving Saviour and whom we welcome again at Christmas. A MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE! SUNDAY SERVICES TUESDAY 30 NOVEMBER Benefice Advent Service 1 Hyssington Village Hall 12 Noon SUNDAY 5 DECEMBER ADVENT 2 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham 9.30 St Nicholas Festival Service (Jon Price) Churchstoke 10.30 ALL AGE SERVICE & Holy Communion Ratlinghope LICENSING OF CANON JULIA FRANCIS as READER Preacher & Celebrant: The Bishop of Hereford 6.30 “ADVENT SERVICE OF LIGHT” Wentnor TUESDAY 7 DECEMBER Benefice Advent Service 2 Norbury Church 12 Noon SUNDAY 12 DECEMBER ADVENT 3 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 9.45 Holy Communion Wentnor 10.00 Morning Praise Hyssington 11.15 Holy Communion More 2.30 St Nicholas Church/WI Carol Service Churchstoke 6.30 Evening Prayer Norbury TUESDAY 14 DECEMBER Benefice Advent Service 3 Ratlinghope Church 12 Noon FRIDAY 17 DECEMBER 6.00 Ratlinghope Carol Service 7.30 Hunt Carol Service More SATURDAY 18 DECEMBER Churchstoke “Roving Nativity “ 5.00pm SUNDAY 19 DECEMBER ADVENT 4 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke (Preb. Michael Pollit) 6.30 BENEFICE “CAROLS BY CANDLE LIGHT” More TUESDAY 21 DECEMBER Benefice Advent Service 4 St Nicholas, Churchstoke 12 Noon FRIDAY 24 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS EVE 4.00 “CAROLS ROUND THE CRIB” Churchstoke Norman 6.30 “CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT” Hyssington Norman 11.30 MIDNIGHT COMMUNION Wentnor Norman 11.30 MIDNIGHT COMMUNION Churchstoke Jo Evans SATURDAY 25 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS DAY 10.00 Family Communion with Carols Norbury Rev. Martin Evans (Chaplain of the Ark Royal) 10.00 Family Communion with Carols Snead 10.30 Family Communion with Carols Churchstoke (Preb. M Pollit & David Jelves) 11.15 Family Communion with Carols Lydham SUNDAY 26 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS 1 8.30 Holy Communion BCP Wentnor 10.00 Holy Communion BCP Hyssington 6.00 Myndtown Carol Service SATURDAY 1 JANUARY NEW YEAR’S DAY WALK LYDHAM VILLAGE HALL 10.30am SUNDAY 2 JANUARY CHRISTMAS 2 8.00 Holy Communion BCP Lydham 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington (Canon Julia Francis) 9.30 Family Communion Churchstoke 11.15 BENEFICE NEW YEAR COVENANT SERVICE WITH HC NORBURY (Rev Norman with Julia Francis) 6.30 BENEFICE NEW YEAR COVENANT SERVICE WITH HC WENTNOR THURSDAY 6 JANUARY THE EPIPHANY 10.00 Holy Communion (BCP) Wentnor 12 Noon Holy Communion Churchstoke (David Jelves Ministry of the Word) SUNDAY 9 JANUARY EPIPHANY 1 THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST Plough Sunday 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 9.45 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 10.00 Morning Praise Hyssington 11.15 Holy Communion More 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke (David Jelves & Jon Price) 6.30 Plough Service Norbury SUNDAY 16 JANUARY EPIPHANY 2 World Religion Day Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 18 -15 January 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope (Julia Francis) 10.00 Holy Communion Snead (Hyssington Methodist Chapel) 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke 11.15 Morning Praise Lydham (Julia Francis) 6.30 Evening Prayer Wentnor SUNDAY 23 JANUARY EPIPHANY 3 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Holy Communion Myndtown 9.45 Morning Praise Ratlinghope (Lay led) 11.15 METHODIST COVENANT SERVICE Churchstoke (Ian Waugh & David Jelves) 11.15 Morning Prayer More 2.30 Hyssington United Service SUNDAY 30 JANUARY EPIPHANY 4 10.30 BENEFICE HOLY COMMUNION LYDHAM (followed by Coffee in Lydham Village Hall) Wednesday Morning Prayer 8.30am All are welcome to this short weekly act of worship from all the parishes. 1 Dec Ratlinghope; 8 Dec Norbury; 15 Dec Lydham; 22 Dec Hyssington; 29 Dec No service; 5 Jan No service; 12 Jan More; 19 Jan Wentnor; 26 Jan Myndtown. AT THE CHURCHES: The Local Ministry Team runs a Prayer Line which is like the School Snow Line. You phone the first number and we phone several volunteers to pray for any worrying situation you feel you need help with. Prayer request number: contact 0782 7750 665. The Local Ministry Team members are Ann Remfry (Ratlinghope) ; Anita Bright (Wentnor & Myndtown), David Hardham (Ratlinghope), Oliver Goode (Norbury), Trish Macmullan (Snead); Janet Wilcoxon (Lydham & More), David Jelves (Churchstoke), Capt Jon Price, Canon Julia Francis, & Rev Norman Morris. Margaret Wallsgrove (Hyssington) attends. Rev Dr John Daniels is the new Diocesan Local Ministry officer. We always welcome new members, especially at this four year stage when we are renewing for another four years. “Calling out” is being called for so please look around and if you think someone young or old would be a good potential team member, please put her or his name forward. If you wish, talk to an LMT member beforehand about what’s involved. A Youth Alpha course is being run by run by Captain Jon Price, starting in January. He will be assisted by the Rector and the Local Ministry team. Many young people have been involved with “Sunday Stars” over the years so we hope that they will feel like joining in this Youth Alpha course which may lead onto Confirmation. Young people from all the parishes are invited to join in! Do talk to the Rector 01588 650244 about this if you wish or know of someone who would like to be involved. Adults who are interested are very welcome to discuss getting confirmed too. IONA 2012 Hilary Jackson is organizing a Week at Bishop’s House, Iona 21st to 28th April 2012 – there are a couple of places still available – anyone interested please be in touch with the Rector 01588 650244 ASAP please – we had Benefice pilgrimages there in 2007 and 2009 which were much enjoyed. NEWS ROUND On Friday 29 October at 7.30pm the Norbury Quiz was held at the “Inn on the Green” and was a great success. Many thanks to John Glover and many others at Norbury, and the team at the Inn on the Green, for all they did to make the evening such a success. Thanks too to all who organized the More Quiz on Friday 19th November. A report will be published in the next issue. Regretfully the Norbury Nativity had to be cancelled this year as the date chosen was also the evening when the Bishops Castle Christmas Lights switching on ceremonies were taking place…hopefully we shall have a Norbury Nativity next year but the Rector would welcome expressions of interest. UP AND COMING EVENTS Saturday 11 December Lydham Christmas Fayre – supporting the Lydham Church East Window Appeal A Christmas Children’s Craft & Activity Day is likely to take place on Tuesday 21 December at Norbury Village Hall 10.00 – 1.00pm TBA Details will out later. We are looking for volunteers to help run these Craft Days for children so please be in touch with Rev Norman Morris or Sue Cooke. All children are welcome – older ones as “carers” and those under fives with a parent, please. Advance Notice: Lydham will be having a major Exhibition, organized by David & Janet Preshous in the Spring called “Yesterday & Today: a celebrating Life in three border parishes (Lydham, More & Snead)” Further details later – in aid of the Lydham East Window Appeal but also supporting the other two Churches of More & Snead. Please be in touch with the Preshous’ or Rev Norman if you can help with stewarding or refreshments. More details will appear in due course but I know how much an earlier exhibition was enjoyed back in the 1990s so I am sure this one will be a great success! On SATURDAY 1 JANUARY there will be the NEW YEAR’S DAY WALK this year meeting at LYDHAM CHURCH 10.00am for 10.30am for a 11.00am start. Neil Hird will lead a fascinating and interesting morning’s historical walk through Lydham & More, ending back at Lydham car park at lunchtime. Please bring waterproofs, boots…Cost for the Walk plus a Soup & Roll Lunch £5 inclusive – children free - proceeds to the Lydham Church East Window Restoration Appeal. Should suit all walkers. Please support All welcome! Contact for bookings Neil Hird 01588 638379 or the Rector 01588 650244. The Bible Study Group Meets at the Rectory, usually occasional Fridays - new members always welcome! Currently studying St John’s Gospel at the Wentnor Rectory. Contact: The Rector 01588 650 Benefice Book Group: Meets at The Rectory Thursday 2 December 7.30pm to discuss Kafka and his novels, especially “Metamorphis”.