Local Services Parish Letter - January 2020 Dear Friends - Happy New Year! During January we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. Epiphany is the time we recall the arrival of the three wise men in Bethlehem to visit the Messiah. The wise men, also known as Kings or Magi, were called wise as they gained their wisdom through astrology and scripture but, perhaps more importantly, as they recognised when to respond to the signs from God. The wise men could have ignored the planets aligning, thinking this could not be happening in their lifetime, but instead they chose to acknowledge the signs and follow the star. These Epiphany moments were not given just to the Magi 2000 years ago, they are given to us today if we are wise enough to travel out of our comfort zones and look for the God-given moments, when all becomes suddenly clear. The ‘A-ha’ moments! As some of you may know, I have recently taken on a temporary Chaplaincy role at St Bede’s and, on reflection, this has been an ‘Epiphany’ moment for me. I had never anticipated working alongside secondary schoolchildren. My opinion of teenagers, which was mainly influenced by the media, was not, if I am honest, a positive one. But here was a Church of England school with no chaplain to assist with pastoral care for the children and staff, so I felt compelled to put my head above the parapet and offer help. Being part time in the church, I felt God nudging me to do this as I had time available and my daughters had just started in year 7. Ordinarily I would never volunteer to be amongst teenagers, let alone 1500 of them! However, as a result, I am gaining the trust of the students and staff but, most importantly, a deeper understanding and awareness of the pressures and struggles these children face on a daily basis, as they find their identity and place in the community. It is an honour and a privilege to be able to walk beside them as they ask questions, and explore their understanding of God and what being a Christian means in today’s society. Good connections are also being forged between the school and the Deanery, including Duke of Edinburgh students assisting in parishes. So, overall, what proved to be a daunting step has enlightened me to a ministry which I had not considered before, and new relationships are being formed, as the connections to the school, the parishes and support networks are strengthened, thus building the Kingdom! In light of my role at St Bede’s, I have had to re-adjust my working week to ensure that part-time is given to the parish and part-time to the school. So, in a 6- day working week, my 3 days at St Bede’s will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and my 3 days in the parish will be Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, with Saturday being my day of rest! This has been approved and is supported by the Bishop of Croydon and Area Dean - if anyone has any concerns please do come and speak with me. (cont. overleaf) Parish Magazine 32 Betchworth January 2020 Parish Magazine 1 Betchworth January 2020 Church Reports and Notices Local Services . One thought may be ‘that we do not see much of the Rector’, which is a valid observation but, with two parishes to lead in 3 days, my time is very limited compared to my predecessor, Carol Coslett, who, unlike me, was full time. However, having said that, I am never too busy and if you would like me to visit or would like a chat, I am a phone call or email away. Please be reassured I am here for the community I serve and ask for your prayers in this new chaplaincy role, as I too continue to hold the community in my daily prayers. So, with all our New Year resolutions at the ready, perhaps a resolution could be for us all to pray for wisdom to make the right decisions, to be open to new journeys and new opportunities, no matter how scary, with a sense of curiosity and wonder. Then, like the Magi, we can still recognise and experience those God-given moments - those Epiphany moments! Thank you for making 2019 such a wonderful year in becoming your Rector, and may I wish you all a prosperous and wise 2020! God Bless Anna SERVICE CHANGES You may have noticed that the services have slightly changed for the 1st Sunday of the month at St Mary’s Buckland. After consultation, we have decided to bring the Iona service forward to the 1st Sunday of the month as it facilitates a sung Eucharist for the following 3 weeks. Under the old rota we were struggling to find a suitable service without an organist - we attempted a ‘said service’ but it was not right for the church. We hope that people will enjoy the regularity of the services at 9.30am at St Mary’s Buckland and 11am at St Michael’s Betchworth. The 8am BCP service will alternate 1st & 3rd Betchworth, 2nd & 4th Buckland, which allows a Eucharist to be held every week in both churches. May I take this opportunity to say a huge “thank you” to Revd David Eaton & Revd Neil Vigers for their kindness and support to both churches. Without their help we could not maintain the number of services we have, and we are blessed to have them; Thank you! If you have any suggestions for the churches or would like to see a new idea put into action, we are all ears and would love to hear from the communities that the churches serve. God Bless, Revd Anna CHURCH COLLECTIONS NOVEMBER Gift Aided £627.42 Non GA £323.34 Sundries £50.25 Total £1001.01 Parish Magazine 2 Betchworth January 2020 Parish Magazine 31 Betchworth January 2020 Local Services Church Reports and Notices Richard Mason, NCH Arb JANUARY SERVICES AT ST MICHAEL’S AND ST MARY’S Qualified and insured Tree Surgeon and Arboriculturist Date St. Michael’s Betchworth St. Mary’s Buckland Logs and Woodmulch 20, The Borough, Brockham, 5th January 8 am Holy Communion Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7NB The Epiphany 9.30 am Iona Tel: 01737 8 44916 11 am Family Service ** Mobile: 0797 6 751 277 5 pm Evensong 12th January 8am Holy Communion Baptism of 9.30am Parish Christ Communion 11am Parish Communion** 5 pm Youth Group www.viviencresswell.co.uk 19th January 8 am Holy Communion 2nd Sunday 9.30am Parish of Epiphany 11 am Family Parish Communion Communion** 3pm Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service 26th January 8am Holy Communion 3rd Sunday of Epiphany 11am Parish Communion** 9.30am Parish Communion 2nd February 8am Holy Communion Presentation 9.30 am Iona of Christ 11 am Family Service ** 5 pm UMG Service (Leigh) * In the Hamilton Room ** Coffee and soft drinks served in Church after these services. Even if you are just visiting, do please join us for a convivial get-together Parish Magazine 30 Betchworth January 2020 Parish Magazine 3 Betchworth January 2020 Church Reports and Notices Local Services CLEANING ROTA – JANUARY 2020 Date Chancel Nave Aisles Julie Hardy Bridget Ridley 3rd Jan. Pam Armitage Barbara Pruszynska Diana Fitchett Heather Hutton 10th Diana North Charmain Stow Jan. Gaye Wickens Barbara Pruszynska 17th Lynn Scotcher Eiluned Slot Sarah Chalker Jan. Jane Ferrett 24th Geri Hollingworth Anne Forrest Jan. Gaye Wickens Sarah Chalker 31st Julie Hardy Eiluned Slot Diana North Jan. Lynn Scotcher 7th Feb. Jane Ferrett Diana Fitchett FROM THE REGISTERS WEDDINGS We send our congratulations to Samuel Francis Gardener and Amy Jacqueline Stevenson who were married at St. Michael’s on 14th December. FUNERALS We extend our sincere sympathies to the families and friends of Beryl Tinker, who died on 8th November, aged 85, and whose funeral was held on 2nd December at Randalls Park Crematorium. Shirley Rose Knight, who died on 28th October and whose memorial service was held at St. Michael’s on 17th December. Parish Magazine 4 Betchworth January 2020 Parish Magazine 29 Betchworth January 2020 Local Services Village Reports and Notices LITTER PICK The litter pick held on 16th November was very successful in terms of the volume collected, about 40 bags of mixed litter. This included many car parts, hub caps, beer cans, Macdonald and KFC wrappings, plastic bags, energy drinks and, of course, plastic water bottles. It has become a sociable event, which is enjoyed by the hardy volunteers who come along to help. We start with a cup of Jeannette’s fabulous home-made soup before setting off on our designated routes. We actually need more villagers to join us - the next litter and rubbish collection will be held in March 2020 and all will be welcome. Watch out for the village email and flyers around the village for more details. We don’t of course only collect litter, we also assist our police in the recovery of stolen items! ‘What?’.. you might say. Well one of our pickers found a handbag which had been stolen from a car in Flanchford Road, and we were able to reunite it with its owner following our own investigations. Personal and heartfelt thanks to all who helped, including some who could not do Saturday so collected in their own time on Sunday. What a difference it would make if we all kept our own area litter free to preserve the pleasant atmosphere which pervades Betchworth. Perhaps this is a scheme for the future.