The Quarterly Newsletter of Christ Church, Warwick, Bermuda For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 Ordination of New Elders Sunday November 4th, 2018 A Joyful Day for our congregation (excerpts from the service) There are different gifts, but it is the same spirit who gives them. There are different ways of serving God, but it is the same Lord who is served. God works through different people in different ways but it is the same God who achieves his purpose through them all. Each one is given a gift by the Spirit, to use it for the common good. Those who are chosen for the office of the eldership have the particular responsibility of caring for God’s people Newly ordained elders: (from left) Arthur Wightman, and exercising oversight and leadership. Fiona Kelly, Ashela Boyd, Bruce Sinclair Pictured below: Vows - “Do you believe the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith? Do you promise to Jill Davidson, who seek the unity and peace of this Church? To uphold its doctrine, worship, government and will also soon be discipline; and To take your due part in the administration of its affairs?” ordained as an Elder at Christ Church. The Lord Bless you and enable you faithfully to keep these promises. Alistair’s prayer: “Loving God, you have chosen for yourself a church in which your Holy Spirit inspires men and women to serve your purposes of love. We give you thanks that by your grace you have called Ashlea, Fiona, Bruce and Arthur, these your servants, to lead and care for your people as elders in your church. We commend them to you now as we ordain and admit them to the Office of Eldership. Grant them the gift of your Holy Spirit, that their hearts may be set on fire with love for you and those committed to their care. Make them pure in heart as those who have the mind of Christ. Give them vision to discern your purpose for the Church and for the world you love. Keep them faithful to the end in all their service. To You - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be glory forever. Amen” Christmas 2018 Page 2 The Manse 17th November 2018 Dear Friends Last Saturday I was privileged to participate in a Pre-Remembrance Day Service at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in a commemoration of the 100th year since the ending of the First World War. The service included the Re-dedication of the Warrior Chapel Window, Bermuda’s National Memorial honouring the men of this island who gave their lives in what became known as the Great War for Civilisation. In the United Kingdom the anniversary was observed by many and in many ways. I was interested to hear from my sister that in St. Michael’s, Linlithgow, a pre-Reformation church of cathedral proportions where I began my ministry as the assistant, there was standing room only. In addition to church services throughout the land the anniversary was observed in creative ways – on beaches, and as occurred here in Bermuda, the ringing of church bells and the lighting of beacons. It was clear that a great deal of thought and effort had been put into the marking of the anniversary. It would be a terrible pity if that energy now disappeared when there still requires an overcoming of the divisions now being experienced at national and world levels. It seems a terrible irony, indeed sadness, to be witnessing the growth of nationalism at a time when we mark the end of a conflict which engaged so many countries worldwide, including Bermuda, where young men found themselves involved in a war which had in roots in an assassination in Sarajevo – a city of which many had probably never heard. The Armistice of 11th November 1918 was eventually followed by the Treaty of Versailles which tragically had within it the seeds which would result in the Second World War. After the Allied victory, the victors divided up the lands of their formal enemies. In the space of just seventeen months they created the borders of Yugoslavia and the most of the Middle East, and also in that timeframe the partition of Ireland. The years and decades since have witnessed the terrible consequences for the peoples of these lands. As we enter the season of Advent and prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ, whose many titles include the “Prince of Peace,” we are surely challenged to reflect where we expend our time, resources and energies as individuals, a congregation and a society. As the prayer concluding the Act of Remembrance offers, “May we live as those who are not their own but who are bought with a price”. May for you all the Advent and Christmas season be a time of joy and celebration spent with family and friends or exchanging loving greetings with those elsewhere. May it also be a time of peace for ourselves and those whose dream is of peace in the midst of conflict. Yours sincerely, Alistair Bennett Christmas 2018 Page 3 Church Calendar DECEMBER 1st “Meal & Movie” - Home Alone - ALL WELCOME! 6:30 p.m. - Thorburn Hall 9:30 a.m. - Christmas Tree decorating in the church (need some strong men!) 2nd Sunday Worship Services at 8 a.m. & 11 a.m. Services Salvation Army Gift Service at 11 a.m. Service 5:00 p.m. - Bereavement Service 9th Sunday Worship Services at 8 a.m. & 11 a.m. Services Christmas Lunch (tentative) after 11 a.m. Service 15th CCY Dress Rehearsal for Nativity - 3 p.m. 16th Sunday Worship Services at 8 a.m. & 11 a.m. Services CCY Nativity Programme “New Star” at 11 a.m. Service 23rd Sunday Worship Services at 8 a.m. & 11 a.m. Services Christingle Sunday at ll a.m. Service - (CCY - all-age crafts) 24th Christmas Eve Family Service 6:00 p.m. 11:15 p.m. - Carol Singing 11:30 p.m. - Christmas Eve Watchnight Service 25th 10 a.m. Christmas Day Service 30th Sunday Worship Services at 8 a.m. & 11 a.m. Services (No CCY) JANUARY 6th Sunday Worship Services at 8 a.m. & 11 a.m. Services CCY All- age programme 13th Sunday Worship Services at 8 a.m. & 11 a.m. Services CCY resumes Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others. Christmas 2018 Page 4 Our New Elders Ashlea Boyd I was born in 1983 in Northern Ireland on a potato (now onion) farm as the eldest of five children. I attended Limavady Grammar School (where I met Richard, my future husband). We then went to University of Bath, England together. I earned a degree in International Management and French - none of which prepared me to "manage" three crazy kids! I have lived in Paris, where I worked in HR, and then in Brussels, where I worked lobbying the MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) on behalf of UK Farmers’ Unions. Richard and I moved to Bermuda in 2007 when he got his job at Orbis after completing his Masters degree in Chemical Engineering. We arrived in January, and swam in the sea on our first day in Bermuda! We got married later that year. I worked doing legal administration work for a couple of years, and then happily hung up my smart clothes for shorts and tee in 2009 to raise Alex (9), Caitlin (7) and Matthew (4) in sunny Bermuda! Jill Davidson I was born in Canada, and arrived on the Island in 1998. I was raised in the United Church of Canada, with faith always an important component of my upbringing. After marrying into the local Davidson & Smith clans, I was also welcomed into the larger family of Christ Church, Warwick. As a pediatric Occupational Therapist, children & music inspire me, which quickly led to my involvement with CCY. I am married to Michael Davidson, and we have two children, Jonah and Gwendolyn, who are also active CCY members of Christ Church. Bruce Alexander Sinclair I am married to Stefanie and we have 2 children, Gianna 10 and Ciaran 9. I hail from the heavenly Canadian little town of Nelson, British Columbia, and have been in Bermuda since August of 2002. I have been coming to Christ Church since Alan Garrity was minister in 2006. I enjoys spending time with my family especially when we are pursuing some kind of outdoor adventure. I am especially fond of hiking and skiing and any time spent in the mountains. Stefanie and I are looking forward to exploring Patagonia this Christmas holiday. Arthur Wightman I was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on March 28, 1976 and am the brother of three sibling sisters, Jane, Catherine and Anna. I went to school in Edinburgh and University in England and France. Sophie and I were married in 2004, by Reverend Dunsmore in London and then began our married life together in Bermuda. We are very fortunate to be blessed with a daughter, Fenella, born in 2007, and a son, Fergus, born in 2009. I am the senior partner at PwC and Sophie is a tutor with the Reading Clinic. I enjoy swimming and cycling and have a passion for cars from the 1960’s. Christmas 2018 Page 5 Our New Kirk Session Structure Kirk Session Reorganization Doug Frith, Session Clerk In the last newsletter we reported that the way in which the Kirk Session operated was to be significantly altered.