Colchester Christ Church News – December 2017

and January 2018

Christ Church Anglican Congregation Vision Statement “Through our worship, mission, nurture and service we want to enable all

people to enter into a living relationship with Jesus Christ”

In this month’s news:

• The Rector writes – Advent and Christmas – Preparing and Celebrating

• Bishop Stephen’s Christmas Message

• Christmas Prayer

• New Year’s Day: Church Bells

• Have you opened all your presents?

• Alone at Christmas

• Response to Worship Questionnaire

• Lighting up Advent 2017

• Operation Christmas Child

• Carol Singing 2017

• Christmas at Christ Church

• Flames Remembrance Prayers

• Breakfast Café Pop Up Christmas Bazaar

• Christmas at the Rectory

• Carols for Kids

• Carols by Candlelight

• Nativity

• Café Church

• Messy Church

• Support in Loss Group

• Fairtrade Christmas Pudding Biscuits

• What’s on

• December and January diary

The Rector Writes December 2017 ‘Advent and Christmas – Preparing and Celebrating’

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1

I’ve noticed a change in Cambridge Road; the Christmas lights have appeared and we have only just inched into Advent! The focus of the town is Christmas, the lights have been switched on, the shops are brim full and the tills are ringing – “Glory to Debenhams in the Highest and poverty to pound strapped people on earth!” Bah Humbug Rector! ‘There is a time for everything’ and this is Advent time. There is ‘a season for every activity under heaven’ and this is the season of preparation; not yet I might add for Christmas. There is time for celebration but it is a time to come! Big business has not been slow to consider the merits of Advent. Here is a word from one retailer. Angus Thirlwell is the chief executive and founder of chocolate chain Hotel Chocolat, which has been selling a "posh calendar" pitched squarely at adults for nearly a decade now. He says people are generally buying calendars in addition to their usual Christmas gifts - not instead of them - and Advent has now become "a season in its own right".

"That's why we like it," he says. But isn't festive commercialism getting a bit out of hand? "It's difficult to take the hedonism out of Christmas, the genie has already escaped the bottle," says Mr Thirlwell. To quote again, “Advent has now become a season in its own right".

Bishop Stephen reminded us at a recent Diocesan Synod that Advent is not the ‘new retailers thing’ but for Christians it is traditionally a time of preparation and meditation on what are known as the ‘Four last things’: Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. He said, “Let us not be abashed to talk about the reality of sin and its consequences in our lives, and of the joy and release of forgiveness. Let us not be embarrassed to talk about death.” You might understand why some folk might just want to skip this moment and get tucked into the turkey! Throughout November, we have already explored some aspects of these ‘Four last things’ where in the hearing of Matthew’s gospel we have received instruction as to how and why we must be prepared for Jesus’

coming again. It is as though Jesus has been saying, “whatever you think is important, think again – remember this! Remember the ‘bridesmaids’, wise and foolish. Make sure your lamps are primed and oil found in abundance for the arrival of the groom, the return of King Jesus. Then not knowing the time of his arrival, use your time well, not burying your ‘talents’ but be fruitful and energetic in how you use your gifts in nurturing faith and life. Lastly, on the great festival of ‘Christ the King’, there is the question as to whether we are a faithful obedient sheep or a wayward smelly goat! Judgement comes upon those who are not ready, who have not taken the in-between time seriously or who in relationship with Jesus have not maintained a responsive heart of grace, mercy and love to those in need. So much speaks of the nurture of our hearts and discipleship of the people with whom we seek to share the gospel. This is the setting for Advent and definitely a season in its own right! It is a season of getting to grips with the ‘approaching’ of our Lord Jesus Christ as we consider his coming again and then celebrating together his first coming; Christ the saviour is born’.

How can we encourage one another in this season to remain alert, be alive in our faith, nurtured and accountable to those who we are called to love and indeed all who are charged to love us? How do we stop and take ‘time for everything’ but especially this season of Advent? We will all have our own ideas but this year the church is offering a daily guide which has a reading, reflection and prayer. It provides a valuable space to turn away from whatever we feel is important to grab a moment in time to be challenged, enriched and encouraged on our journey through Advent to Christmas. As with the season of Lent, Advent is a good time to check things out with God, to be honest and open to his good work in us. Read again the gospel of Matthew chapters 24 and 25. One of the most effective ways of reading is in ‘lectio style’ reading the text aloud, pausing to listen, and then again listening in the silence for a phrase which strikes you. Follow up in a conversation with God or if together with others, share your thoughts and pray. The word of the Lord is rich and full of promise for us all. These are but two ways of taking time to ‘retreat’ amidst the business of shopping for gifts, writing Christmas

cards, then of course to advance into the joyful celebrations of Christmas day. I think it is wonderful that on Christmas Eve morning we will be remembering the annunciation, the angel’s visit to Mary and the foretelling of Jesus' birth and later that night celebrating his long promised coming among us. Together, the collect prayers morning and night share this wonder where Advent is fulfilled in the fullness of love come down at Christmas!

Eternal God, as Mary waited for the birth of your Son, so we wait for his coming in glory; bring us through the birth pangs of this present age to see, with her, our great salvation Jesus

Christ our Lord and Lord Jesus Christ, your birth at Bethlehem draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth: accept our heartfelt praise as we worship you, our Saviour and our eternal God. Amen May we take seriously this time of preparation; truly ‘a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven’ that we may celebrate a new birth in us, for Christ has come and will come again.

With joy to you for Advent and

Christmas,

Paul

Bishop Stephen’s Christmas Message Peace on Earth? Dear Friends, Venting his fury at a potential rival, Herod plays a percentages game. He spreads the net of his anger widely and kills every boy under two in order to ensure he kills just one. He fails. Fury and anger usually do – though that is scant consolation to the mourning families of the innocent victims who suffer. Meanwhile, Jesus the Saviour who is saved, is visited by unlikely people: in this case, shepherds and foreign rulers. The shepherds, virtual outcasts in their own society and looked upon with grave suspicion, hear a song of peace. It is deeply attractive, and it sends them to Bethlehem. The wise men have followed a hunch in the form of a star. They are about to learn that their maps are wrong. They will return by a different route. Tyrants like Herod still strut about the world today, their vanity and arrogant

self-importance still causing havoc and misery. But the door of the stable at Bethlehem still stands open for those who long for peace and those prepared to have their lives redirected. Might you be one of them? Have an interesting Christmas! Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell Bishop of Chelmsford

Christmas Prayer A Baby born with heavenly hands and feet, yet marked with nails, nails in the manager. A Baby celebrated by shepherds yet to be the shepherd of the sheep. A Baby taking succour from his mother's breast who would succour the world through bread and wine. A Baby innocent -- yet to be convicted of crime. A Baby crying -- who would yet weep over Jerusalem and Lazarus. A Baby to bring truth against the lies, corruption and deceit of humanity. A Baby who stared up at stars created by him. A Baby: Son of Man, Son of God, Friend and Brother Redeemer, Salvation, quite simply for us.

New Year's Day: Church Bells

Not the bleak speak of mobile messages,

The soft chime of synthesised reminders,

Not texts, nor pagers, not data packages,

Not satnav or locators ever find us

As surely, soundly, deeply as these bells

That sound and find and call us all at once.

"Ears of my ears" can hear, my body feels

This call to prayer that is itself a dance.

So ring them out in joy and jubilation,

Sound them in sorrow tolling for the lost,

O let them wake the Church and rouse the nation,

A sleeping lion stirred to life at last,

Begin again they sing, again begin,

A ring and rhythm answered from within.

By the Rev'd Canon Malcolm Guite, poet and singer-songwriter and

Chaplain to Girton College Cambridge, and who was with us at the

Diocesan Conference "Refresh" in July.

Have you opened all your presents? The turkey's all gone, there's nothing upon, Yesterday' s Christmas tree, But does there still stay, a young child in the hay, Waiting for you and for me? Was it hankies or socks, wrapped up in a box, Perfume, a trowel or a knife, Or was it, let's guess, something no less, Than pure ever lasting life. So why don' t we lift, our God' s precious gift, And keep it right next to our heart? Right there it has power, yet sweet as a flower, His love true and guidance impart. We must not gape, at the paper and tape, Covering the gift from our Lord, Let's open with pride, and see what's inside, His presence, His peace and His word. When we're sure that our Lord, is welcome aboard, And carried wherever we go, We can show to the gate, our envy and hate, And peace and serenity know. Is it wealth, is it money, or God's love like honey, Which sweetens the way that we live, For one is sure, there's nothing so pure, As the blessing we get when we give. Colin. Jan 2007

Alone at Christmas

This takes on a particular meaning for those who have been bereaved, particularly if this is the first Christmas without that special person beside you. Strange to say but I have felt the keenness of aloneness most when I have been in the company of family at celebration times, Christmas being top of the list. I am deeply grateful to have a family who have gathered me into their heart at such times and I am very aware of those who do not have this particular support to turn to, but when everyone gathered had their partner and mine was missing I felt that absence most acutely and I have heard others say the same.

What can help? If it is of any comfort, I would say that anticipation of what I feared it would be like has always proved much worse than the reality of what it was actually like, come the day. There is no escaping the facts, of course, and nothing can change what has happened, but memory is a wonderful thing and taking out treasured photos, taking time to revisit special places and events in my mind, I found to be a comfort. Thank God for what has been and is still so precious.

Looking outside ourselves to those less fortunate helps keep things in proportion. Is there perhaps

someone else in a similar position who might appreciate being invited round for a cuppa? Is there a charity asking for practical help? Is there a phone call that will relieve someone else’s loneliness? My mother was a widow longer than she was a wife and for most of that time was housebound, and yet somehow her life was filled with people who wanted to be with her and she was rarely lonely. What was her secret? I think she was genuinely interested in those people and truly cared about their lives, and in doing so lost sight of her own woes. Well, there’s a thought!

In our Support in Loss group Gordon and I give a small candle to all who come to the last meeting before Christmas. We ask that all of us put our candle on the table at lunch/dinner on Christmas Day and as it is lit remember the one we love but see no longer, but also remember and pray for the rest of us in our shared journey through grief.

Perhaps, if you find yourself in a similar position this Christmas you too might like to light a candle and know you are not alone on the journey. The one who said ‘I am the Light of the World’ shines still even in our darkest moments and he also

promised ‘Lo! I am with you always, to the end of time.’

May the blessing of Christ be with you this Christmas and always

Pat Prestney

SILS meet on the first Friday of the month, usually from 10-11.30 at 36 Inglis Road CO33HU.

On January 5th we are meeting a little later at 11.30 and sharing a New Year lunch together. If you are journeying through bereavement and would like to join us, please ring Gordon or Pat on 01206 574287 for further details.

Response to the Worship Questionnaire

Thank you so much to all of you who took the time to respond to the worship questionnaire earlier this year. From your responses has emerged six weeks of sermons focussing on the Eucharist and trying to deepen our understanding of how God speaks to us through this act of worship and how we respond to him through it. This will begin at Epiphany – celebrated this year on Jan 7th

Some of the other questions that were asked can be answered fairly straightforwardly in this article.

Why do we have a small bottle of wine on the table some time? There is usually a small container with communion wafers in it as well as the container of wine and these are consecrated (blessed) along with the bread and wine used at the main service so that the housebound or ill can receive communion and know that they are still part of the worshipping community.

Who can do what? This is going to be explained further in an article by our Licensed Lay Ministers, Sara and Clive. Suffice at this point to say that it is the role of the Priest to preside at the Eucharist and to offer absolution after confession. Other licensed roles within the community, undertaken after study directed by the diocese, include Pastoral Assistant and

Evangelism Enabler. There is no reason that other responsibilities within worship, reading, leading prayers, taking up the offertory, prayer ministry, welcoming can not be undertaken by any lay person invited to do so by the parish priest.

Are there set lessons each week and how are they chosen? Yes – the lessons are set out by the Liturgical Commission and run over a three year cycle,. following one of the Synoptic Gospels ( Matthew, Mark and Luke ) at the main Sunday service each year , with the Gospel of John being used every year amongst this rota, particularly at Festivals. There is the choice of an Old Testament lesson, a Psalm, New Testament lesson ( from Acts of the Apostles, the letters of Paul , Peter etc. or Revelations, ). There are lessons laid down for every day of the year, for Morning and Evening Prayer and a daily Eucharist, and for provision for three services on a Sunday. We are able to choose from the selection and occasionally, if we are following a preaching pattern that demands it , can choose relevant Bible passages. More of this later!

How are sermon subjects chosen? The starting point is usually the readings for the day, unless we are following a preaching theme over the course of a few weeks. Seasons like

Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Ascension and Saints’ Days all influence the choice of sermon too.

How many blessings are there? Lots! They relate to the liturgical ( church) season we are in and come from various sources.

How many need to be in the congregation? Interestingly enough, Priests are not meant to celebrate the Eucharist alone – it isn’t for their

benefit but for their congregation! Other than that – a full church is the best for worship – but then I am biased!

Watch this space for more responses to that questionnaire and ‘tune in’ from January 7th to explore more of our relationship with God through the central act of church worship - The Eucharist.

Hopefully, helpfully yours in Christ

Pat

Lighting up Advent 2017!

We hope that, with this December edition, you have picked up your copy of “Light Has Come”!

This is a booklet of short Bible readings and prayers for ourselves and the Christ Church family, one for each day of Advent. There is a copy for each person (or family). We’ll try to get your copy to you if you’re not able to pick it up at Church on Advent Sunday.

We really hope that we can enjoy “fellowship apart” as we share in these readings and prayers in our own homes, knowing that the whole

Church family is with us on the journey through Advent to Christmas.

And who knows what invitation, what challenge, what new comfort God may have for us this Advent? Spending these extra minutes with a Bible verse and reflection, and some prayers, may help us find the Advent

Light, in company with others at Christ Church.

Special thanks to Liz Bird and Sheila Godwin for their work in bringing the booklet into being.

Sara Humphreys on behalf of the Nurture Group.

Operation Christmas Child Well done everybody! We have collected 72 boxes this year which are now in process of being transported abroad. The exact destination is not known yet, but they will be delivered to the children in time for Christmas. Please pray for them. Grateful thanks are due to the Brownies for their valuable contribution and interest in this Charity. Again Liz Bird has assisted with the Foyer display on the notice board and with the help of Jill's very

efficient and amusing knitting made a very colourful impact this year. It's never too early to start collecting items for next year's boxes, so don't forget the January sale bargains! A very Happy Christmas and Blessed 2018 to all. Angela Ennals.

Flames Prayer from Remembrance Sunday 2017

Fairtrade Christmas Pudding Biscuits

Ingredients • 25 g (0.9oz) currants • 25 g (0.9oz) mixed peel • 25 g (0.9oz) raisins • 2 tsp brandy • 100 g (3.5oz) unsalted butter,

softened • 65 g (2.3oz) soft light brown sugar • 0.5 tsp vanilla extract • 1 tbsp finely grated orange zest • 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest • 2 tsp treacle • 1 tsp ground cinnamon • 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg

• 25 g (0.9oz) flaked almonds, toasted

• 200 g (7.1oz) self-raising flour, sifted

• 25 g (0.9oz) ground almonds • 1 cup demerara sugar • 100 g (3.5oz) white chocolate • 1 cup holly sprigs made from

icing, or chopped glace cherries

Method: • Put the currants, mixed peel and raisins in a bowl with the brandy. Stir, cover

with cling film and put in the fridge to steep for anything from 1 hour to a week. When you’re ready to use it, strain off any remaining liquid, then finely chop the fruit or whizz in a food processor.

• Preheat the oven to 200ºC/Mark 6 and line two baking trays with non-stick baking paper.

• Cream the butter, sugar, vanilla and zests. Warm the treacle in the microwave for 10 seconds on High and add to the butter mixture along with the spices. Mix well to combine.

• Roughly crush the toasted almonds with your hands and add to the butter mixture along with the flour, ground almonds and chopped fruit. Mix well to combine.

• Roll the mixture into walnut-sized balls with your hands, then roll each ball in the demerara sugar and place on the prepared trays, spacing them at least 2 cm apart. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the biscuits look dry and slightly cracked on the surface. Set aside to cool on their trays for about 5 minutes, then use a palette knife to transfer them to a wire rack.

• While the biscuits are cooling, melt the chocolate, stirring regularly. Slide a sheet of greaseproof paper under the rack and spoon about a teaspoonful of chocolate onto each of the biscuits, letting it run down the sides. Allow it to set a little, but while it is still sticky, press some pretty decorations onto the top. Allow the chocolate to set completely before serving.

December 2017 Diary Sunday 3rd December 8.00 am Holy Communion 9.30 am Morning Worship 4.30 pm Messy Christingle Monday 4th 10.00 am Coffee + Tuesday 5th 9.00 am Morning prayer 10.00 am Time Together 3.15 pm Messy Crafts Wednesday 6th 10.00 am Holy Communion Thursday 7th 9.00 am Breakfast Café Pop Up Christmas Bazaar Friday 8th 8.00 pm Youth Group Sunday 10th 9.30 am Holy Communion 6.30 pm Spirit Space Monday 11th 10.00 am Coffee + Tuesday 12th 9.00 am Morning prayer 10.00 am Time Together 3.15 pm Messy Crafts Wednesday 13th 10.00 am Holy Communion Friday 15th 7.30 pm Christmas at the Rectory 8.00 pm Youth Group

Sunday 17th 9.30 am Café Church 6.30 pm Carols by Candlelight Monday 18th 10.00 am Coffee + Tuesday 19th 9.00 am Morning prayer Wednesday 20th 10.00 am Holy Communion Sunday 24th

9.30 am Holy Communion 6.00 pm Carols for Kids 11.30 pm First Communion of Christmas Monday 25th 10.00 am Family Celebration Wednesday 27th 10.00 am Holy Communion Sunday 31st 9.30 am Family Worship

January 2018 Diary Tuesday 2nd 9.00 am Morning prayer 10.00 am Time Together 3.15 pm Messy Crafts Wednesday 3rd 10.00 am Holy Communion Thursday 4th 9.00 am Breakfast Café Friday 5th 8.00 pm Youth Group Sunday 7th 8.00 pm Holy Communion 9.30 am Morning Worship 4.30 pm Messy Church Monday 8th 10.00 am Coffee + Tuesday 9th 9.00 am Morning prayer 10.00 am Time Together 3.15 pm Messy Crafts Wednesday 10th 10.00 am Holy Communion Friday 12th 8.00 pm Youth Group Sunday 14th 9.30 am Holy Communion Traidcraft stall 6.30 pm Spirit Space Monday 15th 10.00 am Coffee + Tuesday 16th 9.00 am Morning prayer Wednesday 17th 10.00 am Holy Communion Thursday 18th 9.00 am Breakfast Café Friday 19th 8.00 pm Youth Group

Sunday 21st

9.30 am Café Church 6.30 pm Holy Communion Monday 22nd 10.00 am Coffee + Tuesday 23rd 9.00 am Morning prayer 10.00 am Time Together 3.15 pm Messy Crafts Wednesday 24th 10.00 am Holy Communion Thursday 25th 9.00 am Breakfast Café Friday 26th 8.00 pm Youth Group Sunday 28th

9.30 am Holy Communion Monday 29th 10.00 am Coffee + Tuesday 30th 9.00 am Morning prayer 10.00 am Time Together 3.15 pm Messy Crafts Wednesday 31st 10.00 am Holy Communion

www.colchesterchristchurch.org.uk 01206 542307

christ-church-vestry@btconnect.com

www.facebook.com/christchurchcolchester

Rector: Associate Priest:

Revd Canon Paul Norrington Revd Canon Pat Prestney

(01206) 563478 07825 222780

Church Wardens: Church Treasurer:

Rod Green Brian Taylor

(01206) 768242 (01206) 827207

Judith Cronshaw Church Office:

(01206) 543178 Liz Bird

(01206) 542307

christ-church-vestry@btconnect.com