PURLEY PARISH NEWS DECEMBER 2003 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 CHURCHWARDENS Sally Robertson Lorna Herring Tel: 0118 962 5978 Tel: 0118 942 1547 CHURCH HALL BOOKINGS Lorna Herring Tel: 0118 942 1547 BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS All enquiries should be made to the Rector www.stmarythevirgin.fsnet.co.uk 1 FROM THE LOCAL MINISTER Dear Friends, I feel sorry for those people who live in places like Australia and New Zealand and go for a barbecue on the beach to celebrate Christmas. As part of my "day job" I travel the country to have meetings with people working on projects from Aberdeen to Guildford. That means I have become a frequent user of Virgin Cross-Country trains, particularly the one which leaves Reading at 0605. The company I work for has big projects in both Manchester and Nottingham, and the 0605 enables me to get to either in time to schedule my first meeting for 1030. This summer, going for the 0605 was generally a pleasant experience. The mornings were relatively cool, the sun not yet having had time to boost the temperatures to the heights we experienced for weeks on end this year. It was fun driving along deserted roads towards Reading, with gleaming blue skies as far as the eye could see. On the train, many of my fellow-passengers displayed their excitement of setting off on holiday. "God's in his heaven and all's well with the world." Now that winter's here, I don't face the prospect of going for the 0605 with the same sense of joy. It's jolly cold some mornings. On other days the wind is howling and the rain hammering down. My fellow-passengers are few in number, and no more cheered by the weather than I am. Worst of all, it's pitch black when I get out of my nice, warm bed, and no different when I reach the station. Two thousand years ago I think the people of Israel knew how I feel on these winter mornings as the wind cuts through Reading station. The Old Testament is an account of God intervening in their lives and then communicating to them through the prophets. And then there was silence. That silence lasted four hundred years. By the end of that time their lives must have seemed pretty cold and dark. And then Jesus was born. And one thing which the Bible makes very clear about that night is that it certainly wasn't dark any more! There was a bright star, and an angel choir lit up the sky. The experience certainly lit up the lives of the shepherds, lowest of the low in these days, whose job it was to protect the flocks from wild animals. 2 So why do I feel sorry for those who live in Australia? It's because I suspect that it is more difficult for them to experience the contrast between the darkness of winter and the brightness of the joy of Christmas, just as the people of Israel experienced the sheer joy of God communicating with them after 400 years of silence. This year, whether or not you have done so in the past, we invite you to come and experience something of the joy of that first Christmas with us at St. Mary's - you'll find the times of the services in this magazine. And if you haven't already done so, I hope that you experience the joy of God communicating with you. I wish you and all those whom you love a very Happy Christmas. With warm Christian greetings, Andrew PARISH REGISTERS BAPTISM 26 October Lucy Hope Everitt WEDDING 1 November Scott Bannister and Melissa Benstead FUNERALS 17 November Mary Barringer Aged 84 years (Cremation) 24 November Dick Wilcox Aged 80 (Cremation) A THOUGHT FOR CHRISTMAS A friend said “write a poem for the Purley Parish Mag.” I’ll have to mention Jesus, could that be a snag? “What’s so very wrong with that?” my friend then quickly said, Some say why mention Jesus when he’s already dead. But I know that He lives today in all who believe in Him. So to mention Him at Christmas can’t really be a sin. When all the shopping’s done and party time arrives, Just think – why is it that Christmas time survives? Janet Jordan 3 CHURCH SERVICES 7 Dec 9:30 a.m. Family Worship 11:15 a.m. Holy Communion 6:00 p.m. Holy Communion 14 Dec 9:30 a.m. Family Worship 11:15 a.m. Holy Communion with the laying on of hands See below for Christmas services CHRISTIAN MINISTRY OF HEALING We continue to have the laying on of hands for healing on a monthly basis at St. Mary’s. The next services will be on Sunday 14 December at 11:15 a.m. and on Sunday 4 January at 6:00 p.m. We are always willing to pray for those in need - please let us know, and we will visit you at home or you can come to church on one of these Sundays, or on any other Sunday. CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT ST. MARY ’S CHURCH Sunday 21 December 10:30 a.m. Family Communion 6:00 p.m. Carol Service Christmas Eve 4:30 p.m. Crib Service 11:30 p.m. Midnight Communion Christmas Day 10:30 a.m. Family Communion Sunday 28 December 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion We invite you to celebrate CHRIST mas this year at your Parish Church 4 PURLEY ON THAMES PARISH COUNCIL The remaining stocks of travel tokens have now been returned to West Berkshire Council. Any further enquiries should now be made direct to the Concessionary Fares Team on 01635 519800. The Council are very concerned about the large increase in vandalism throughout the parish over the last couple of months. Indeed a recent incident at the Goosecroft Recreation Ground forced the closure of the childrens's play area for a while on health and safety grounds. There have also been a number of cases of arson. The cost of repairs or replacement will of course hit the pockets of local residents through increased council tax. Whilst the Police are increasing their patrols the assistance of the public is needed to ensure this problem is stamped out as soon as possible. Parents, do you really know what your children are doing or is it possibly your neighbours? Please be aware and do not turn a blind eye to criminal damage or worse. Crimes in progress should be reported on the usual emergency numbers but information will also be welcomed on the police non emergency number 08458 505 505. Thames Valley Crime Stoppers can also be contacted on 0800 555 111. Your call might make the difference. Despite the above the Parish Council would like to take the opportunity to wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all residents and to advise you that the Parish Office will be closed from Monday 22 December 2003 to Friday 2 January 2004 inclusive. Brian J. Smith Clerk to Purley on Thames Parish Council The office is located near the tennis Purley on Thames Parish Council courts and is open: Parish Office Goosecroft Lane Mondays: 5.45 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. off Beech Road (except bank holidays) Purley on Thames Reading Thursdays: 9.00 a.m. to 3.15 p.m. RG8 8DR Tel/fax: 0118 984 4507 A Sunday School teacher had asked her class to draw pictures of their favourite Bible stories. She was puzzled by Thomas’ picture which showed four people in an aeroplane. So she asked him which story it was meant to represent. “The flight to Egypt,” replied Thomas. “I see . and that must be Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, but who is the fourth person?” asked the teacher. “Oh, that’s Pontius the Pilot.” 5 PURLEY RISE POST OFFICE STORES We were pleased to read in November’s issue that the local Post Office is regarded as vital and needs to be kept at all costs. We totally agree and are pleased to let you know that we are not on the Post Office list of closures. Therefore, we can remain open as long as we can stay financially viable. At the moment, the monthly salary is on a decrease. This is mainly due to loss of revenue from benefits being transferred to bank accounts. If we are to remain open, then we need to replace this loss of business. The following is a list of transactions that we carry out at the Post Office counter and, if everyone could help by using our services more frequently, then we would be able to remain solvent. If you need cash, you can withdraw from the following. It’s free, easy, convenient and secure. Alliance and Leicester With card and PIN or cheque book and Barclays card Lloyds } Co-Op Cahoot With cheque book and card Smile } Payment of cash or cheques can also be paid into any of the above, with a personalised paying in slip. The new Post Office card account and some basic bank accounts can also be cashed.