Old Heath Parish and Community Magazine February 2021 50p THE IRIS A FLOWER OF JOY AND HOPE FOR FEBRUARY My dear Friends, We continue to soldier on and make the best of things in these difficult times. I will not dwell on the current situation because we all know all there is to know and we are all living in genuine hope of a light at the end of the tunnel. Some of you are now getting the ‘jab’ thank God and hopefully all of us over 70s will have it soon. Last month I said I couldn’t let you know how Christmas went because we hadn’t got there but I can now say that we had a joyful Christmas Day mass at full capacity (with restrictions) so Christmas was celebrated. Baby Jesus arrived later than usual because I cancelled the midnight mass because of lack of numbers. First time I have missed Midnight Mass for about 50+ years. I now know how awful the TV is on Christmas eve ha ha. I wasn’t able to see my Sister and Brother in law because they live in London so I cooked my own dinner and snoozed for the rest of the day. I hope that most of you were lucky enough to have some company. Happy New Year to you all. February is usually a quiet month with only Candlemass, Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday to look forward to, I live in hope that we Page | 2 will be able to celebrate those events but time will tell. Candlemass brings us to the end of Christmas when the Crib will close and our home Nativity Scenes will be packed away for another year. Ash Wednesday, of course, brings us to the next stage of our Christian journey as we enter Lent. Plenty of time to pray for deliverance from the pandemic and to journey with the Lord towards the Cross. I, and my brother priests in other parishes, have done our best to continue to minister to our people and to keep the churches going and our congregations have really worked hard to bring in the money to keep things going. Like businesses, we still have to pay all the bills so a big THANK YOU to all who continue to send in their collection money. Our church continues to be beautified and prepared for the various seasons and festivals and the prayer life and Eucharist continue. As many will know, I continue to offer a ministry to the bereaved and to visit those who need me-even if it is a chat through a window. You will see, at the back of the magazine, some tributes to those who have died and their story is important and valuable. Every one was loved and truly missed by friends and relatives and every funeral was moving and full of love and celebration. My people have been very kind to me too. Many of you whether church goers or neighbours and friends, have asked after my wellbeing and offered to shop for me and even bring me meals. I am not ill but the kindness and concern for me has been truly and greatly appreciated. As we move towards Lent I am full of hope. I am, perhaps, a little lonely because I enjoy seeing people socially but my spirits are uplifted by our services and by chatting to those I may meet in the street. Though it seems we have lost a year of our lives in fact we have achieved so much in the past year and if we keep at it I am sure we will overcome our emotional stress and we will overcome the virus. I trust in God and I trust in the men and women who are doing all they can to protect and save us. My thanks goes not just to the Health Workers but also to all Page | 3 those who are providing our food, our post, our transport, collecting our rubbish and keeping the streets safe. I must also thank the Army (for whom I am Padre) as they now prepare to bring the ‘jab’ to us. I wish you all a very Happy New Year and look forward to the days ahead when we can resume our wonderful community and social life. Your Priest and VIcar Father Richard FATHER RICHARD in the Christmas spirit on Christmas Day Page | 4 Holy Days in February Candlemass Tuesday 2nd February This feast is also known as “The Presentation of Christ in the Temple.” Forty days after his birth, the Lord was taken by Mary and Joseph to the temple. It was also the time for the Purification of Mary after childbirth; this is the basis for our tradition of the Churching of Women. (Book of Common Prayer) At the “Presentation,” Simeon looked at the child and proclaimed, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace……” These are the words of the Nunc Dimittis, part of the daily evening office of the Church. On this day, the candles to be used in our worship during the next year will be blessed. The Presentation of Christ in the Temple. 40 days after his birth Jesus is taken to the Temple to be received and blessed, you have already read what Simeon said on seeing the baby. Jesus was the light to the world and not just for the Jews. On Candlemas we bless all the candles which will be used during the course of the year. These candles symbolise Christ, the Light of the World and the Great Paschal Candle is especially blessed on Easter Day and burns on all very special ‘Holy’ occasions. There is still a service in the Church of England to this day called ‘The Churching of Women’. This is also supposed to take place 40 days after childbirth as a thanksgiving. I think I have only conducted such a service 3 times at St Barnabas but it is a wonderful thing when a Mother comes forward for such a blessing. Page | 5 Daily Prayers and Eucharistic Intentions February 2021 Monday 1st Those seeking work Tuesday 2nd That we may be lights in the world Wednesday 3rd The Hospital Chaplaincy team Thursday 4th Religious communities Friday 5th The hungry and homeless Saturday 6th Soldiers and families of Colchester Garrison Sunday 7th The parish/ Peace in our hearts Monday 8th The Emergency services Tuesday All entrusted with authority Wednesday 10th Residents of Warwick Court Thursday 11th Those suffering for their faith Friday 12th Those seeking the Lord Saturday 13th Peace in the world Sunday 14th The parish/stronger faith Monday 15th Grace to resist temptation Tuesday 16th Families and family life Wednesday 17th The sick and those who care for them Thu rsday 18th Healing in our lives Friday 19th Residents of Waterville Mews Saturday 20th Vocations to the sacred ministry Sunday 21st The parish/ generous hearts Monday 22nd The worldwide Scout movement Tuesday 23rd Bishop Norman and the Richborough parishes Wednesday 24th Residents of Westminster Court Thursday 25th Lapsed Christians Friday 26th Outreach to young families Saturday 27th Reconciliation among us Sunday 28th The parish/ Our town and community Page | 6 Sweetie quiz It was extremely pleasing to receive so many responses to the Quiz in the December Magazine. Thank you to everyone who participated for returning the quiz answers. All the correct answers were put in a hat and the lucky winner was Kirsty Cox- well done and congratulations!! With kind regards Jane Collen Answers can be found further in the magazine! Baptism If any of you wish to be baptised (or have your children baptized) and Christened, please get in touch with Father Richard. Those of you who may be asked to be God Parents also need to be Christened, so if you are not Christened and wish to undertake the honour of being a God Parent then please call Father Richard well before the time when you are likely to be invited to be a God parent. Page | 7 Where is It? Where was this photo taken? Who’s walk goes past this scene? Charities We have resumed our charity collections! September MacMillian Cancer Support £341 October Children’s Air Ambulance £50 November Royal British Legion £90 December Children’s Society £70 January Ghana February Leonard Cheshire March Sue Ryder Page | 8 Books and DVDs If you are short of something to read or watch; there is a wide selection of books and DVDs available on the shelves in the Church Hall entrance. Books are only 25p each. Also available: OLD HEATH MEMORIES £6 HISTORY OF ST. BARNABAS CHURCH £2 Book donations welcome - especially general fiction and non-fiction. Weddings If you are thinking of getting married and would like to be married in our beautiful Church, please get in touch with Fr Richard. The total cost of a church wedding at St. Barnabas (which is a legal wedding as well as a church wedding) would be £475 if you both live in the parish, which includes the price of the organist. If you live in a different parish there would be an additional £27 for Banns to be called in the parish. Page | 9 Physiotherapy Chartered & State Registered Respiratory & Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Services General physiotherapy Mobility problems & falls Stroke rehabilitation Weakness after surgery Shortness of breath Trouble clearing phlegm Back & Joint assessments Amputees Chronic conditions (MS, Parkinson’s disease) Home Visits only Treatments in the privacy of your own home Contact: Suzanne Maddison 07958 408825 www.physiotherapychelmsford.co.uk Registered with all major insurance companies Page | 10 Mick Leatham LOCAL HANDYMAN AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE SERVICES Including the following Floor and wall tiling Window and door repairs Clean guttering Replace soffits, fascia’s and guttering Door easing and lock replacement Flat pack assembly Painting and decorating Refurbish tired old furniture Carpentry Willing to take on any DIY or small repairs.