Churchwardens Chat
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Information, facts and opinions of our Churchwardens Nora Bootman and Carol Hardy.
So! what has been happening at St. Paul's Church in the lead up to Christmas. Well, firstly we had a really brilliant, well attended, Christingle Service. Our thanks must go to Holly Joynson who organised the service and made it such a wonderful afternoon for adults and children alike. Of course, we all (well mostly all) had our Christingle oranges and I got to wondering whether people knew the origins of these and what they meant. So below, for those who do not know, is some information which I am sure you will find interesting, although of course I cannot vouch for its accuracy. The story of the Christingle is that there were three children, who were very poor, but wanted to give a gift to Jesus, like the other families at church were doing. The only nice thing they had was an orange, so they decided to give him that. The top was going slightly green, so the eldest cut it out, and put a candle in the hole. They thought it looked dull, so the youngest girl took her best red ribbon from her hair and attached it round the middle with toothpicks. The middle child had the idea to put a few pieces of dried fruit on the ends of the sticks. They took it to the church for the Christmas mass, and whereas the other children sneered at their meager gift, the priest took their gift and showed it as an example of true understanding of the meanings of Christmas. The Christingle consists of:
Sounds lovely, even if not strictly true doesn't it?
We had our Carols by Candlelight service the following Sunday. Not so well attended this year, regrettably. The church looked wonderful with around 100 candles alight and the windows dressed by the ladies of the village in their traditional green and red foliage and berries. We were very pleased to welcome the Rev. Colin Williams to take the service - I thought the singing could have been a bit "lustier" though. I tried, but a sore throat saw me croaking my way through all the Carols. We had nine readings and six Carols and the service was followed by Mulled Wine and traditional Stollen bread. Thanks to Judith Roele for organising this very welcome finish to the service.. On Christmas Eve a Eucharist was held at 11.30pm and was very well attended with 34 people present. Fr. Richard Green took this service which is always a wonderful start to Christmas and we all piled out afterwards into the night air, which was very different from last year when we slipped and slithered to our cars in snow!!, to make our way home to bed, ready for Christmas Day. Watch out on Richard's page for details of what is happening regarding the church in the future or if you take the parish magazine Knowbury News, look inside the front cover or under PCC news to find out about future services. The repair work to the chancel roof was completed in July so we know that we will be dry inside the church at least this year (I cannot guarantee that the same will be said of outside). The work was done to a very high standard and the workmen most accommodating as we had a wedding due and needed the site clear. All was clear for the big day. So the first part of the Restoration programme is complete and we have now started to look at our next project which is the organ. I am sure that as soon as quotes have been studied and a decision made Richard will put details in the magazine. Meanwhile, if there is anyone who lives locally, who plays the organ and would like to "have a tinkle", please get in touch with one of the Churchwardens. A couple of months ago, the PCC decided after consultation, that the pathway leading from the road to the church was actually becoming dangerous. The surface had broken up in many places leaving humps and bumps which it was felt could cause an accident should nothing be done before the dark evenings and bad weather started. Quotes were obtained for the work and thankfully this will be started on Friday 6th January. So we can look forward to a nice even surface from then on and also be in compliance with our insurance company's requirements. Since we had the steps into the church repaired and levelled earlier this year the old ramp does not fit. Mind you it was a bit wobbly I think and quite old as it had been out in all weathers. So we have made enquiries about a new alluminium ramp and to start the fund raising process a coffee morning was held on the 10th August at Knowbury Hall, courtesy of Judith and Arno Roele. It was very well supported and we raised over £200 towards the ramp. We have also received donations from villagers and the donations for Christmas greetings page in the Knowbury News this year raised £130 and was for the ramp fund. We now have over £400 - Hurrah!! we are almost there, it will be great not to have to lift wheelchairs into the church. If anyone would like to add to this that would be wonderful, send your donations to the Treasurer of the PCC at Clare Cottage, Caynham Road, Clee Hill, Ludlow, SY8 3JQ. It was originally intended to order the ramp now, as measurements had been taken etc., but due to the fact that the pathway is being redone it was felt that it would be better to wait until this was completed so that the measurements could be checked since the height might have changed. The ramp will be ordered once this has been done. Many, many thanks to all who have contributed in any way towards this, it will be much appreciated by the wheelchair bound and the infirm. On New Year's Day Brian and I attended the joint service at Middleton Chapel. It was the first time that we had been inside. What a delightful little church, some very old features and a very warm welcome. If you get a chance do go and have a look inside.
Sadly, we have have already had a two funerals in St. Paul's church since Christmas. The news of the passing of Pam Coles on the 19th December was a shock to us all. A service of Thanksgiving for her life was held on Friday 30th December and this was attended by 186 people, a sign of the regard in which Pam was held. I know that our thoughts and prayers will be with Adrian and his family at such a sad time for them all. We have also heard of the death of Sheila Breakwell on the 26th December, after a long illness. A service of Thanksgiving was held for Sheila in St. Paul's on Thursday 5th January, again attended by a very large congregation. Again our thoughts and prayers are with Leonard and the family.
Don't forget that St. Paul's church is open every day of the year from around 10.00am until just before dusk thanks to an army of people who volunteer to open and close it. Please do go in when you feel you need a quiet moment, I promise you that just five minutes within the peaceful surroundings is very sustaining. Well that is all for now. Just time to wish you, one and all, a very Happy, Prosperous and above all, Healthy New Year. I wonder what 2012 will bring? More soon, Carol |