at Dalton Piercy, Elwick and Hart Produced for the Villagers by Hart and Elwick Churches Revd. Janet Burbury, The Vicarage, Hart, Hartlepool. TS27 3AP [email protected] Tel. 01429 262340 Mob 07958 131271 Dear friends, Is there anything about Christmas of which you are afraid? We all have Christmas delights to look forward to and the huge challenges that Christmas time concern ourselves with, whether it’s the big spend – or that lack of ‘Christmassy’ feel (whatever that means)! There are concerns about our family members and friends especially if they can’t be with us this time of year. One of my concerns is that an increasing number of people are losing touch with the true meaning of Christmas and fewer people celebrate it as a way of showing gratitude for God’s gift to the world through the Christ child, displaying to us how heaven came to meet earth, with the purpose of taking humanity up to meet God. In other words folks are less willing or able to recall how God showed us the way to the truth and the fullness of life. There’s a plethora of church initiatives we are planning for the next few months, where people on the edge of our churches can be reminded of the gospel mes- sage. One main project will be held between 2-5th March when we’ll have Bishop Christine from Newcastle and Bishop Mark of Berwick and their teams to visit Har- tlepool. Hart and Elwick will support 3 main initiatives out of several events being present- ed by all our churches and going on at that time :- One is our photo exhibition where we can capture our favourite places in Hartle- pool that inspire us to think of peace, joy and heaven on earth. Anyone can enter a photo and we’ll get together on the evening of the 3rd March to enjoy each others pictures and listen to our bishop talk on the topics the photos are expressing. Another event we will be supporting is the theatre group ‘Saltmine’ who will act out parts of John’s gospel on the evening of the 4th March. I think lots of people inter- ested in the gospel will want to sit and enjoy, learn and maybe even challenge what this group shows us! The third event will be at St Hilda’s church when a re-enactment group will show us the life of Bede and Hilda. The bishop’s team will of course visit both St Peter’s and St Hild’s school children and staff. More details on this project will follow later. What a great opportunity these events will present those who are even vaguely interested in the Christian faith. I hope people will be enthused – encouraged and inspired to invite their friends and family to come along and join in the various events. Another initiative is where we at Hart and Elwick are encouraged to produce a cul- ture within our churches that embraces servanthood towards our local communi- ties. What I wonder, will we be turning our attention towards? The church has been a great teacher to humanity through the ages where the gospel message of finding our way to the truth and the life has inspired, educated, offered spiritual ful- filment and inspiration to turn away from the dark ways of this world to the ways of God that bring light and joy into our lives – We should continue to do that …….How could you be part of this ? What about dropping in to Christmas services at a place in which to begin? Hope to see you there! My most kind regards ~ Revd. Canon Janet 3 Regular Church Services ST PETER’S, ELWICK HALL 1st Sunday in the month: 10 am ~ Family Service with Holy Communion. A service for all ages. 6 pm ~ Holy Communion (1662 Book of Common Prayer). A quiet service lasting half an hour. All following Sundays: 9.30 am ~ Holy Communion. A traditional service with hymns and a short address. 1st Thursday in the month— 1st December 2.00 pm ~ Holy Communion in Elwick W.I. Hall. A quiet short service ST MARY MAGDALENE, HART 1st Sunday in the month: 8 am ~ Holy Communion (1662 Book of Common Prayer) A quiet service lasting half an hour. 11am ~ Family Service with Holy Communion. A service for all ages. All following Sundays: 11 am ~ Holy Communion ( Sunday school is during this service). A traditional service with hymns and a short address. Also every 3rd Sunday: 4pm ~ Family Service. 3@4 A relaxed style of worship with a hint of fun! Every Wednesday Evening at 6.00 pm A service of evening prayer PLEASE NOTE SUNDAY 1ST JANUARY 2017 The following services 8.00am at Hart and 6.00pm at Elwick will NOT be held on New Years Day. If you wish to book a baptism please contact Hilary Squires Tel: 01429 861605 [email protected] Church Web Sites www.elwickchurch.org.uk www.hartchurch.org.uk Deanery Web Site www.churchofenglandhartlepool.org.uk 5 HART VILLAGE HALL ACTIVITIES Tuesday…………….. PARENTS and TODDLERS: 9-30-11.00 am SEQUENCE DANCING: 1.30-3.30 pm DANCE FIT: 6.00-7.00pm Wednesday…………. TAI CHI: 9.30-11.00 am HISTORY CLASS: 10.00-11.30 am Thursday……………. PILATES: 6.30pm-7.30pm TAI-CHI: 7.45-8.45 pm Friday……………….. FRENCH CLASS: 10.00 am-12 noon TAI CHI 7.00—8.30 pm WHIST GROUP: from 7.00--8.30 pm Sunday……………….YOUTH GROUP: (2nd Sunday of Month) 5.00-6.30pm COSMIC DANCE CLASS: 7.00– 9.00pm Bookings : contact Frances Brown on 0429 273 475 Events: www.hartvillagehall.co.uk ELWICK WI HALL ACTIVITIES WOMEN’S INSTITUTE: 1st Monday of the month from 7-9.30 pm PAINTING CLASS: Tuesdays from 9.30 am-12.30 pm COMPUTER CLUB: Tuesdays from 2.00pm—4.00pm YOUNG FARMERS CLUB: Tuesdays fortnightly at 7.30 pm CRAFT MORNING: Wednesdays from 10 am-noon WHIST: Wednesdays at 7 pm. New members welcome Bookings: contact Sylvia Jobson 01429 275340 Mobile 07503 332 927 Email [email protected] ST PETER’S CHURCH A Service of Holy Communion will be held on Thursday 1st December at 2.00 pm in Elwick W.I. Hall. ALL WELCOME Seaton Decorators Commercial and Private Free Estimates Reliable, clean job All Exterior & Interior Ken Kidson Tel: 07887 518459 4 Special Services for Christmas are as follows: Services for December and New Year 2016 - 2017 St Mary Magdalene, Hart 4th December, 11am ~ Christingle Service 15th December 6.30pm ~ Nine Lessons and Carols – a traditional service cele- brating Christmas. 18th December 4pm ~ ‘3@4’ Family Service. We’ll make a Nativity Scene. Children are welcome to come dressed in readiness to join in. 20th December 6.30pm ~ Christmas Celebration with refreshments – Feel welcome to wear your Christmas jumper for this light hearted celebration! 24th December 11.00pm ~ Midnight Mass is at St Peter’s Elwick. 25th December 11am ~ Family Service with Holy Communion 1st January 2017 11am ~ Family Service St Peter’s, Elwick 4th December 10am ~ Christingle Service. 24th December 6pm ~ Carols round the Tree on the village green. 24th December 11pm ~ Midnight Mass. 25th December 9.30am ~ Family Service with Holy Communion. 1st January 2017 10am ~ Family Service Dalton Piercy 24th December 4pm ~ Carols round the Tree on the green. Please note the 8.00am service at Hart and 6.00pm service at Elwick on Sunday 1st January 2017 have been cancelled. Fetching Feet Chiropody– For the treatment of corns, callus, verruca, ingrowing toenails, sports injuries and foot problems Sophie Louise Odgers BSc (Hons) Podiatry M.Ch.S Tel: (01429) 232 526 Mobile: 07828 540793 Email: [email protected] Registered with Health and Care Professions Council Evening & Saturday Morning Appointments and Home Visits Available 6 We spend the first twelve months of our children's lives teaching them to walk and talk and the next twelve years telling them to sit down and shut up The only time I ever enjoyed ironing was the day I ac- cidentally got gin in the steam iron. “Thanks very much for the beautiful jumper,” said Charles, kissing his grandmother du- tifully on the cheek. “Oh, there’s nothing to thank me for,” she murmured. “That’s what I thought, but Mum said I had to.” EVA CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY Tuesday 27th December, 2-4pm in the WI Hall I/we would love to come: Name/s……………………………………………………………. Age/s………………………… ……………………………………………………………. ……………………….. …............................................................. …....................... Please return this slip by Friday 16th December to: Louise Parks, 42 The Green: Hilary Thompson, Holmlea The Green: or Sylvie Howe, 6 Greenlea ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- 7 Some News from ELWICK www.elwickchurch.org.uk 200 Club Draw for November £30 No 7 Jack Smurthwaite £25 No 114 Peter Smith £15 No 121 Stan Laws £10 No 81 Sarah Hanwell £10 No 132 Ken Bellerby Why not join our “200” Club and have a chance to win one of our monthly prizes for just £12 per year. Money received through this draw helps towards the upkeep of St Peter’s Church. If you would like to take part please contact Penny Heslop on 274650 to receive your number. THE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY Pat Horsley will be collecting the blue boxes for emptying in the New Year. NEED A GARDENER? For Grass Cutting Contact CRAIG MULLOOLY of Elwick Village on 07795 522243 AINSLEY’S OSTEOPATHIC PRACTICE REGISTERED OSTEOPATH 114 The Innovation Centre, Queen’s Meadow Business Park Hartlepool tel 01429 239550 Effective techniques for the relief of joint and muscle pains, back problems and sports injuries.