in touch 50p

All Saints’ Church, Springfield

DECEMBER 2018www.allsaintsspringfield.org.uk

The postcode for Sat Nav users is CM1 7HS

All Saints’ Church,Springfield

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Meeting held in Springfield Green WI Hallat 7.30pm – members only

For reservations contact Andrea Londors:118-120 Springfield Road,

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Christmas Party NightChris Gordon – singer

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From the Revd Susan

Dear Friends

Emmanuel - God is with us

I think I finished my Christmas present shopping before the endof October, though I’m sure there’ll be a bit more to do nearer

the time when the excitement heightens and I find out who’s actually going to be homefor Christmas.

There’s plenty going on this Christmas in church, in our schools, pubs, workplaces,homes and families. Sharing Christmas with friends, colleagues and family can be sucha special time. Yet sometimes, despite all the festivities of Christmas, we can feel veryalone. On the surface we might look like we are having fun and joining in with theChristmas shenanigans, but catch us unawares and you might see past the tinsel andsmiles.

For some of us Christmas brings to mind the loved ones no longer there to share thefestive fun and food. Perhaps for you a broken heart blurs the Christmas lights. Weretell the story of the Christ child who joined the mayhem and madness of this worldfor a short time and whose love and forgiveness flood through the frailty of humanChristmases past and present.

In welcoming this tiny baby, we can allow him to remind us that, small and vulnerable,he entered our way of life, that through his great love for us he came to be with us. Hecame alongside us then and can do today too, to show us that he loves us and knowsthe challenges life throws at us. He offers friendship on the journey and a promise tolove us just the way we are, not how we think we should be.

Our challenge is to accept his love, compassion and forgiveness as readily as a brotheror sister does a hug from someone they love. He wants to be with us this Christmas inwhatever we are going through, this Christmas and all year through. Reach out andshare the love and peace of this Christmas season with all you hold dear and anyoneyou find for whom you can be present this Christmas. Remember it’s not the presentsthat mean the most, it is the presence we offer one another and make your presenceyour real gift this Christmas.

With love and prayers.

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The Great Organ Fix fundTotal at mid-November is £44,556

As we go to press the total raised so far is£44,556. There will be another Gift Aidclaim to add to this.

We have RFID blockingsleeves for sale (seephoto) with the organfix logo. These are toprotect your contact-less credit and debitcards from electronic‘pickpocketing’ whilein your pocket, walletor handbag *. Only £1 each, buy 3 – get 1free. Share with family and friends. Lookout for them at events or at coffee onSundays.

On Sunday 2nd December there will be astall of Christmas items and gifts after the10.30am (Angel Tree) Worship Togetherservice – so bring some extra cash andgrab some lovely stuff. Donated itemswelcome to add to the selection.

And for an unusual present, there’salways a gift of a sponsored pipe!

* Techopedia explains ElectronicPickpocketing – In recent years, it hasbecome easier for hackers to use existingwireless hotspots and move through acrowd to steal credit card data using RFIDwireless technologies. Credit cards aremade with an embedded RFID strip thatcan be read by some wireless devices.RFID wallets use a solid layer of materialto shield the credit cards and preventwireless technology signals from reachinginside someone’s wallet.

Saturday January 26thfor a

food tasting evening

to raise funds forthe Great Organ Fix

further detailsin the January magazine

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Sunday 16th December – Advent 3

8.00am Holy Communion 10.30am Morning Prayer 10.30am ‘Sunday Special’ Family Communion 6.30pm Service of Nine Lessons & Carols

EMBRACE the Middle East – www.embraceme.org

Sunday 23rd December – Advent 4

8.00am Holy Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 10.30am ‘Sunday Special’

Monday 24th December – Christmas Eve

3.00pm Children’s Crib Service The Children’s Society – www.childrenssociety.org.uk

4.30pm Children’s Crib Service YMCA Chelmsford – www.ymcaessex.org.uk

6.00pm Carols for Christmas Church Mission Society – www.churchmissionsociety.org

11.30pm First Communion of Christmas Chelmsford CHESS – www.chesshomeless.org

Tuesday 25th December – Christmas Day

8.00am Holy Communion Church Army – www.churcharmy.org.uk

10.30am Communion Together Church Army – www.churcharmy.org.uk

Services for Christmaswith details of the charities that we will support

(There will be opportunities to use Gift Aid– please use the charities’ websites to find out more)

There will be a Watchnight Service to see in the New Year at 11.30pm on Monday 31 December

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These are extracts from the parish magazine from 100 years ago.

The Springfield Magazine – All Saints’ Churchwith the Church of the Holy Trinity

Springfield Rectory,

My dear Friends.

Since last month’s Parish Magazine wasissued, great events have happened,making such history as will never beforgotten. The victory for which wehave so often prayed has now beengranted, and we as a Nation have offeredour thanksgiving to God, the only Giverof victory. This was emphasized by thePrime Minister when, in announcingthe terms of the Armistice, he movedthat the House of Commons proceed atonce to St. Margaret’s,

And Mr. Asquith, in seconding the mo-tion, said

The King, whosepopularity has never been more mani-fest than to-day, not only officially at-tended the thanksgiving Service at St.Paul’s Cathedral, but bore testimony inhis message to the Navy and Army thatit was God

The Kinghas always by word and deed led hispeople to the Throne of Grace.

Sir Douglas Haig struck the same chordin his answer to the Archbishops of Can-terbury and York.

And we in our Parish Church, withcountless thousands of others, havesought to express our overflowing grati-

tude. We did so in the spirit of MarshalFoch who, when congratulated on hisamazing victory, replied in the words ofthe Psalmist, “Non vobis, Domine.”“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us butunto Thy Name give the glory.”

From this victory the world is re-bornand the future is full of possibilities–

“Much remains to conquer still:Peace hath her victories no less re-nowned than War.”

How much our Statesmen need theprayers of all Christians that the re-con-struction of Europe and the many re-forms that are needed in our own landmay proceed on the right lines. Normust we forget that if the responsibilityof the Government is great, the respon-sibility of the voters who will put thatGovernment in power is equally great.In view of the General Election whichwill soon take place, the Archbishopsand Bishops have addressed a letter tothe electors which is worthy of carefulstudy. They also give us a Prayer forgeneral use. Let us be worthy of all theself-sacrifices and heroism of our bravelads at the Front, and, above all, of thosewho laid down their lives for us. Let usavoid small-minded or selfish views ofthe great problems before us. Let usnever think that our vote or our influ-ence is of little value amid the millionsthat form our Empire. It is the individu-al that makes the Nation.

May God grant that we as a Nation mayrise to all the possibilities of our greatposition and influence among the otherNations of the world, by “seeking

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the Kingdom of God and His Righteous-ness.”

Yours very truly,FRANCIS S. PAYNTER

The following letter from the Archbish-ops and Bishops to the men and womenwho have been admitted by Act of Par-liament to full political privilege as elec-tors has been issued:-

Lambeth Palace, S.E.

We Bishops of the Church of Englandoffer our heartfelt greeting to the menand women of our nation who, in theforthcoming General Election, will exer-cise the franchise for the first time.

The possession of a vote in the choice ofrepresentatives of the people in Parlia-ment is at all times a solemn trust. Toyou it has been committed at an hourwhen the nation’s responsibilities andopportunities are so great, so clear, sosolemn, that the most unthinking canhardly fail to be impressed.

Here at home the most urgent problemsof national welfare await solution. Ar-rears have to be made up; arrested prog-ress resumed; new ventures attempted.Your help is needed in securing thatlong-standing abuses are taken awayand much-needed reforms are broughtabout to improve the health, the hous-ing, the education, the moral standardof the nation. Your help is needed infiling our political life with that spirit offellowship and service for the commonweal which has wrought so mightily inthe peoples of the Empire since we wentto war. Your help is needed in makingEngland a land to which her sons anddaughters may be more and more proudand thankful to belong. We shall rise tothe height of the occasion only if the

energies of the whole nation are unitedand controlled by the force of a citizen-ship instructed and self-disciplined,sustained by a high ideal and devoted tothe common good.

Nor can we forget that now, more thanever, our political responsibility isworld-wide. Among the nations of theearth, as well as at home, the old orderchanges and a new order begins. It is forus as a nation to do our part in seeingthat the new order shall be firmly estab-lished on the foundations of righteous-ness and liberty. Whatever of addedinfluence our victory has brought usmust be used to strengthen the tieswhich shall bind all nations in one fel-lowship for the peace and welfare ofmankind.

Remembering these high responsibili-ties, you will realise that in the choiceof representatives in Parliament it isnot enough to be satisfied with partyzeal or fluency of speech. You will wishto choose members who are marked bywidth of outlook, by single-minded ser-vice, and by sterling character.

God is making a new world, and He iscalling upon all who, loving good andhating evil, desire to seek first His King-dom and His Righteousness, to be Hisfellow-workers. If we are ready to obeythe call, we may hope to do something inour generation to hasten the day when infuller measure than we have known asyet, God's Kingdom shall come and HisWill be done in earth as it is in heaven.

You may wish to read this letter again –especially what it says about beingdevoted to the ‘common good’ and aboutstrengthening the ties between nations –in the light of our current politicalsituation 100 years on. Editor

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Carols at The Tulip PubThe Tulip is happy to welcome us

to sing Christmas carolson Thursday 20th December

from 6.30pm.

If anyone would like to join us thereon that date and sing some Carols

it would be wonderful.

The Curate

With the introduction of The Osteopaths Act 1993, Osteopathy hasestablished itself within the medical profession as a recognised form

of treatment for a variety of muscular and skeletal complaints.

SOME OF THE CONDITIONS THAT CAN BE HELPED Leg Pain � Sciatica � Arm Pain �

Arthritic Pain � Joint Ache & Pain � Muscle Spasm �

Back Pain � Neck Ache � Shoulder Pain �

All medical insurance policies accepted subject to policy conditions.Please check as many are subject to a GP referral - BUPA – AXA PPP – AVIVA – HSA etc.

Mr Tim Everett D.O (GOsC) is registered with:The General Osteopathic Council

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1996

Tel: 01245 280027 For more information see www.mrtimeverett.co.uk423 Springfield Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6APAlso see www.thebadbackcompany.co.uk for tips, advice & products to support your recovery

SpringfieldOsteopathic & Sports Injury Clinic

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Limited spaces available at All Saints’ Pre-School

Focussing on learning through play, we give children theopportunity to take part in structured, adult-led activities, as wellas developing their independence through child-led activities.

We offer 5 sessions per week:Mon/Tue/Thu (9.15am –12.15pm)

Wed/Fri (12.15pm – 3.15pm)

If you would like to arrange a visit or enquire about a placeemail: allsaintspsch@gmail.com, call Sue: 01245 350556 orvisit: https://www.facebook.com/pg/allsaintspreschoolspringfield

From the Registers

Holy Burial and Cremation 23rd October Dorothy Herbert aged 90 years 29th October Kenneth Hart aged 78 years 30th October Rosina Bugg aged 91 years

“I am the Resurrection and the Life”

Holy Baptism 28th October Rosa Toni Hughes, Noah James Bradbrook, Grace Georgia

Griffin and Elliott Arthur Baker.“We welcome you into the Lord’s family”

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Ten months ago the officers of 7thChelmsford Boys’ Brigade Company sat intheir regular Officers’ Meeting discussingtermly business of the Company. One of theOther Business items was Battle’s Over, ANation’s Tribute, commemorating thecentenary of the end of World War 1. Thiswas an initiative brought to our attentionthrough the BB Gazette e-newsletter. BBHeadquarters were asking for Companies toget involved somehow if they had buglers,and if their churches had bells.

We spoke to Susan about getting togetherfor the evening service, to see if there wasany way we could do something and, overthe months, the initial idea evolved. Weknew we had two or three buglers; wecontacted the All Saints’ Church bellringers to see if they had their own plansor if they would ring for us. Fortunatelythey said they would be doing somethingbut would fit it to our time schedule; wesent invitations to the 2nd and 3rdChelmsford Companies as neither of theirchurches have bells and we also extendedthe invitation to attend to their respectiveGirls’ Brigade Companies.

Another initiative we got involved withwas the ‘There But Not There’ silhouettes.It wasn’t until we had installed them in thechurch that we truly appreciated themeaning of their presence.

The Order of Service was growing - wenow had one Curate, one photographer,two audio visual operators, four Colourbearers, five buglers, 10 ‘There But NotThere’ silhouettes, 11 readers, a cateringteam preparing and serving refreshments,and the bell ringers.

In the week leading up to RemembranceSunday, we spent time rehearsing, andinstalling the silhouettes and ponderinghow the service would come across tothose attending and whether it presentedthe respect and honour we intended tothe fallen. We sat there with pride at thefull turnout across all sections of our

The silhouettes caught in the camera’s flash

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Company, and were amazed at the level ofsupport and attendance of the 160 peoplein the congregation.

A very big thank you goes to all involved inthe planning, participation and attendance of

this memorable service. We hope theservice meant as much to you as it did to us.

Nicki LeeOfficer in Charge of Anchors7th Chelmsford Boys’ Brigade

The buglers and colour bearers prepare for the silence

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The Tulip Pub in Springfield has catered in thepast for many functions in conjunction with

All Saints’ Church.

The Pub has a nice saloon bar area with a tradi-tional feel and a cosy open fire.

For larger functions the Sports Bar can be used.

We have a nice garden and play area for the kidsand a large car park – 5 minutes walk to the church.

For more details ring Martyn or Lynette at the Tulip

Church Lane, Springfield, Chelmsford, CM1 7SF

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Bishop Stephen’s Christmas messageHave a disruptive Christmas!

Most of us avoid disruption if we can. We go to great lengthsto avoid the M25, M11, A12 and A13 at the merest whiff ofdisruption, delay or diversion. We give trouble a wide berth.We are unlikely to give shelter – even in the garage – to apregnant teenager with nowhere to stay.

But during Advent, stress is still etched onto our faces as wescurry around Lakeside, Westfield, Chelmsford or Colchester,queueing for cards and piling up presents, buying things thatpeople don’t necessarily want at prices we can’t really afford.It makes the carefree summer of 2018 and its scorching heatwave seem like a distantdream.

Yet Christmas is supposed to be disruptive. God needed to cause unprecedenteddisruption to the world. He had to generously transform his relationship with us byopening himself up to the reality of the dangers faced by a vulnerable baby and then asa provocative young man. This was the only way to change us.

The lives of Mary and Joseph were certainly turned upside down. From that Christmasmorning onwards, the lives of billions of others have been shaken and transformed.

This Christmas, I look forward to all the joy and laughter that go with family gatheringsand the usual trappings of a traditional Christmas. And I also look forward to findingpeace and stillness with God. But I am increasingly aware that I probably needsomething else as well. I need the disruption of Christmas. I need the surprise. I needthe challenge. And so does the world. So I will also be looking for the signs of theglorious disruption that Jesus continues to bring to our world and pray that youencounter that true spirit of Christmas too.

in touchThe copy date for the January edition of this magazine isSunday 9 December. Please send contributions by email (ifpossible) to Robin Stevens at rmsrobin@icloud.com or inother ways to 3 Aldeburgh Way.

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Calendar for December Sa 1 9.30am (to noon) Please come and help to tidy up the churchyard 12 noon Luncheon Club

Su 2 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

8.00am Holy Communion10.30am Worship Together – Angel Tree Gift Service and nativity

4.30pm Evening PrayerMo 3 Tu 4 2.30pm ‘Cuppa and Chat’ Club meets 7.30pm North Springfield WI: Christmas Party NightWe 5 9.30am Children-in-Church

10.00am Holy Communion 7.30pm Meeting for prayer in the Quiet RoomTh 6 Fr 7 Sa 8

Su 9 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

COPY DATE FOR THE JANUARY MAGAZINE 8.00am Holy Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 10.30am ‘Sunday Special’ in the hall 6.30pm Evening PrayerMo 10 1.30pm Boswells School rehearsal (to 3.30pm) 7.00pm Boswells School Carol Service Tu 11 7.45pm Springfield (Evening) Townswomen’s Guild meets in the WI

Hall: Christmas Party with musical entertainmentWe 12 9.30am Children-in-Church

10.00am Holy Communion Th 13 2.30pm Women’s Fellowship: Carol Service Fr 14 12.30pm Chelmsford Cathedral Lunchtime Music – Carols for everyone Sa 15 3.15pm “A Merry Christmas Afternoon” with the All Saints’ Orchestra

Su 16 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

8.00am Holy Communion 10.30am Morning Prayer

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10.30am ‘Sunday Special’ Family Communion in the hall 6.30pm Service of Nine Lessons & Carols followed by mulled wine and mince piesMo 17 10.30am Tyrrells School rehearsal 1.45pm Perryfields Infants School Service Tu 18 1.45pm Tyrrells Carol Service 2.30pm ‘Cuppa and Chat’ Club meetsWe 19 9.30am Children-in-Church

10.00am Holy Communion Th 20 2.00pm ‘Chat & Do’ meets in the Paynter Room 6.30pm Carol singing at The Tulip Fr 21 Sa 22

Su 23 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

8.00am Holy Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 10.30am ‘Sunday Special’ in the hall

Mo 24 CHRISTMAS EVE 3.00pm Children’s Crib Service 4.30pm Children’s Crib Service 6.00pm Carols for Christmas 11.30pm First Communion of Christmas

Tu 25 CHRISTMAS DAY 8.00am Holy Communion 10.30am Communion TogetherWe 26 STEPHEN, DEACON, FIRST MARTYRTh 27 JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST Fr 28 THE HOLY INNOCENTS Sa 29

Su 30 FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS

8.00am Holy Communion 10.30am Holy Communion (using the Book of Common Prayer) 10.30am ‘Sunday Special’ in the hall 4.30pm Evening PrayerMo 31 11.30pm Watchnight Service

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Shoe Box AppealI am delighted to report that, together, wehave wrapped and filled a total of 45 shoeboxes. This is a wonderful result and it isgood to imagine the smiling faces of thechildren and families receiving them thisChristmas.

Many thanks to all who filled boxes,donated items and made generous gifts ofmoney. The boxes and donation will be ontheir way to Eastern Europe very soon.

Liz Belsham

in touchAs we come to the end of another year, Iwould like to thank everyone involved indistributing the magazine each month.Especially this year our thanks go to JillHowitt, who is retiring (not sure how manydecades she has done this for!).

If you pay for your magazine by cheque,may I remind you of the correct wording:“All Saints Springfield PCC”.

Many thanks

Mary Bartlam

ChurchyardAn unseasonably warm Saturday inNovember saw our great team ofgardeners hard at work again in thechurchyard. We trimmed more laurel,weeded and tidied the rose beds and thecourtyards and raked up barrow loads ofleaves! It has been so mild that thedahlias were still in bloom in one of thememorial beds. Weather permitting, wewill meet again on 1 December and start2019’s efforts on 5th January and 2ndFebruary. Do come along any timebetween 9.30am and noon to help out.

Many thanks to the grass cutting teamwho have now completed this season’swork. It makes such a difference tokeeping the whole churchyard lookingwell maintained.

All good wishes for a very Happy Christmas,and thank you all for your kind commentsabout the church grounds this year.

Many thanksBarbara Garside

Steve Ashley and his son tending the bedat the front of the churchyard.

The two loads of boxes

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Walking TallBarbara Gregory has drawn our attentionto this poem by Patience Strong.

Yesterday’s steps you can’t retraceby slowing down or quickening pace,changing course, or turning back –you still will be on the same old track.

The only change worthwhile you’ll find,will be a change of heart and mind –leading and directing you –on towards that lovely view.

Keep to the rules and bear your load,along the rough and rutted road,on that wayside seat awhile –gathering strength for the second mile.

Keeping an eye on that distant height,that draws you on by day and night –walking tall and walking straight –the better world to recreate.

Women’sFellowshipDue to unforeseen circumstances ourspeaker, Tatiana Swainston, was unableto be with us at our November meeting. Arevised programme was quickly puttogether with our members enjoying abeetle drive, some having not played thisbefore. A lively afternoon was enjoyed byall. The winner’s prize went to BarbaraCurtis who had the highest score.

The meeting ended with our usual tea andbiscuits.

Our next meeting will be our annual carolservice on 13th December. All ladies willbe welcome.

Doreen Cox

Why does Christmasbegin at midnight withHoly Communion?The hour was first chosen at Rome in thefifth century to symbolise the idea thatChrist was born at midnight – a mysticalidea in no way hindered by historicalevidence! No one knows the hour of Hisbirth.

Certainly in recent times, Holy Communionat midnight on Christmas morning hasproved popular with modern families. OneBritish writer pointed out its “domesticconvenience” in 1947: “for where thereare children and no servants, husband andwife may be unable to communicate atany other time.” (So things don’t change,then!)

The story ofmince piesDid you know that mince pies have beentraditional English Christmas fare since theMiddle Ages, when meat was a keyingredient? The addition of spices, suetand alcohol to meat came about because itwas an alternative to salting and smokingin order to preserve the food. Mince piesused to be a different shape - cradle-shaped with a pastry baby Jesus on top.

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General physiotherapy Mobility problems & falls Stroke rehabilitation Weakness after surgery Shortness of breath Trouble clearing phlegm

Chronic conditions (MS, Parkinson’s disease)

www.physiotherapychelmsford.co.uk

Registered with BUPA, AXA PPP and all major insurance companies

17

Barbara and Dick (Garside) wish all our friends at All Saints’ a veryHappy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year!

Christmas greetings to all our friends and acquaintances at ‘ALLSAINTS’ and the wider area. Good health and happiness for the comingyear.

Julie and Colin Brown send Christmas Greetings to our friends at AllSaints’ and wish you all a healthy and peaceful New Year. Our loveand best wishes to you all. xxxx

Wishing you all the Blessings of a happy, peaceful and healthyChristmas and New Year. With love and thanks for your friendship.Liz Belsham

We would like to wish all our friends at All Saints’ a very happy andholy Christmas. With our love. John & Lesley (Mann)

Wishing all at All Saints’ the blessings of Christmas. Keith and PatOtter

Warmest Christmas best wishes to all our new friends at All Saints’.Greg & Sue P

Wishing all my friends in the choir and congregation a lovelyChristmas and happiness in 2019. Sally Brown

Janet and Roger hope that all their friends at All Saints' have a veryhappy Christmas and also send best wishes for 2019.

Christmas Greetings

18

What a treat we had on Saturday 20th

October, when the church hall vibrated tothe sounds of the 1920s, 30s and 40s.Publicised as a “20s Night”, we dressedappropriately for the era and enjoyed adance spectacular as members of “JiveSwing” and others spontaneously “LindyHopped” and we attempted to“Charleston”!

The hall was beautifully decorated withtables around the edge, and subduedlighting, as if in a club. In line with theperiod of Prohibition, tea, coffee and cakewere provided. A huge thanks goes to allthose who supplied the cakes, and thosewho served the refreshments. We knowwho you are and we are grateful!

Our own Sally Brown, from the choir,organised the whole evening. She hasbeen attending the Lindy Hop group for anumber of years, and she arranged for theperformance group “Seaside Stompers”,led by Pete and Nicola, to demonstratethe Charleston for us. Encouraged by alove of Strictly, and grateful that CraigRevel Horwood was not in attendance, weattempted to follow Nicola’s routine,remembering to include that evasiveswivel! Much laughter was heard, but if Isay so myself, we managed pretty well.

The event was held to raise money for theGreat Organ Fix and, including thespectacular auction, the sum raised wasan incredible £791. Well done Sally!

Carol Leverett

20s Night

The dancers enjoy the evening in themood lighting

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On Saturday 15th Decemberat 3.15pm

All Saints' Orchestrainvites you to

A MERRY CHRISTMASAFTERNOON

in the Church Centre.

Special ChristmascollectionsAs is our usual custom the cash collectionsat Christmas services will be given to anumber of charities (see list of services onpage 3 for more information).

This means that any Gift Aid envelopes forthe specified charity and all loose moneyin collection bags will be given to thecharity. Any white Planned Giving or Blueenvelopes in the collection bags will go tochurch funds as usual.

If you would prefer to donate loose cashto the church, not to the charity, pleaseput it in the wooden bowl on the font.

Thank you.The Churchwardens

Do you someone whocould be our new

Church CentreManager?

The person would ideally live locally to thechurch; gets on well with people and isgood at doing odd-jobs.

It would be useful if they could beavailable during the day to meetcontractors when necessary – it might suitsomeone who has retired early. Holidaycover can be available.

If this is you, or you know someone whofits this description, please speak to theRector or the Churchwardens.

Service at Chelmsford CathedralWednesday 19th December at 7.30pmJoin us for a traditional carol servicewith a time for reflection andremembrance

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Prayer CornerThe bells of waiting Advent ring!

The bells of waiting Advent ring,The Tortoise stove is lit againAnd lamp-oil light across the nightHas caught the streaks of winter rainIn many a stained-glass window sheenFrom Crimson Lake to Hookers Green.

John Betjeman “Christmas”

Dear God,We thank you for this special time ofAdvent,a special time of waiting and preparation.Help us, while we go about ourpreparations,to find time to think of the gift of Jesusthat you gave to us at that first Christmas.Amen.

I remember our form teacher saying oneChristmas at secondary school when shewas teaching us in a religion lesson,“We’re ready for Christmas, not when wehave all the gifts, but when we are readyfor Christ – when we’re ready to give all ofourselves to Him” – it wasn’t really untilquite a few years afterwards that I trulyfelt what she meant!

During the four weeks of Advent, we canprepare for the celebration of Christ’s birththrough prayer and reflection. We cancontemplate the coming of Jesus asSaviour. Amid the flurry of Christmaspreparations, we can look for practicalways to observe the holiness of the seasonin our everyday lives.

Advent is a spiritual journey that Christianscan take, through the truths of Scripturethat point to the birth of Jesus, to a

reaffirmation that he has come, is presentin the world today and will come again inglory. It mirrors the journey of faith thatChristians make after that moment ofrealisation and acceptance of who Jesusis, in that we renew our faith and feelingof commitment. We can continuehopefully to walk the road of faithincreasing the understanding of what ourfaith means to us.

The church’s season of Advent marks thebeginning of the Christian Year. Veryoften this season is lost in the commercialpreparations for Christmas. It is a time ofpreparation, similar to Lent, in its spiritualaspect. Christmas needs no explanation.Yet many forget the reason for Christmas.John Betjeman reminds us in his poem“Christmas” of the true meaning:

“And is it true, this most tremendoustale of all, Seen in a stained-glasswindow’s hue, a Baby in an ox’s stall?The Maker of the stars and sea,become a Child on earth for me?”

So how will you prepare for Christmas? Ihave some suggestions for you includingsome readings of the Christmas storywhich you can use in the weeks ofAdvent:

St Luke 2:1-20 - St Luke tells thetraditional nativity story.

John 1:1-18 - the Prologue to St. John’sGospel reveals how Jesus was destined tobe born from the very beginning of time.

1 John 4:7-14 - reminds us of God’s lovefor us in giving His son to be born as ahuman baby.

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Isaiah 9:2, 6, 7 - the prophet Isaiahforetells the coming of the Prince of Peace.

After each reading take time to reflect onwhat the words mean to you, resting inGod’s peace and His special silence.

We thank you, Lord God, for the prophetsand leaders who looked forward to thecoming of Jesus the Saviour. We thank youfor those who prepared the way for him,like John the Baptist. We thank you for theangels you sent with the message aboutJesus, and we thank you for Mary, whobelieved the message and was willing todo your will. We thank you most of all forJesus, who was born to save us. Amen

In this Advent time, when we get ready forChristmas, help us to hear your message,to be excited that you want to be with us,and help us to be part of your plan for thisworld you care so much about.

Select a time and a place that is best foryour time of reading and prayer and as youbegin know that God is really present andwants to draw close to you. Ask Him toguide and inspire you. You may wish to usethis prayer to prepare yourself.

Here I am Lord before you just as I am. I sitin your presence in peace and tranquillity.I am in your presence and allow myself tobe directed by you. I open myself to youwho are near and allow you to permeatemy whole being. Let your peace dwellwithin me and let me be filled only withyou my dear Father as we spend thisprecious time together. Amen

Father when Your precious Son became atiny baby in a stable in Bethlehem inpoverty and simplicity, you changed ourworld. As we imagine those surroundings,we join with the shepherds and the wisemen in wonder and praise. We thank youfor our material lives, praise you for ourspiritual lives, and trust in you for oureternal life. Amen.

May the Glad Tidings of great joyproclaimed by the angels bring that samejoy to you and your loved ones at thismost special time.

We all need this time of Advent to slowus down, to open our ears to God’s quietvoice, to guide us through the chaos ofthe consumerist culture that Christmashas become. As we make our way throughthis busy season, let us allow God toshape our minds and hearts — to becomea part of God’s “coming into being” inJesus’ birth.

Love Joy and Peace

Marion Hodges

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Thank you for forwarding a donation of £255.28 from All Saints’ Church,Springfield towards our Indonesia Tsunami Appeal.

Your donation is helping us to support our sister agencies Yakkum EmergencyUnit, Church World Service and Pelkesi to deliver emergency supplies tosurvivors. This support includes providing food, shelter, clean water, sanitationand other relief supplies, as well as medical support. Your support is enabling ourpartner agencies to work in the city of Palu and the district of Donggala in CentralSulawesi, two of the worst-hit areas.

More than 1.5 million people have been affected by the earthquake and tsunamiin Indonesia which has killed at least 1,400 people and left an estimated 48,000displaced. The devastating toll of death and displacement is set to rise once thefull extent of the damage becomes clearer. Victims of the tsunami — especiallythose in remote areas — are in desperate need of food, water and medicine.

Thank you for enabling this vital work to continue.

We held a collection in church over a couple of weeks in October for the appeal to helpthose in Indonesia who had suffered from an earthquake and tsunami. The followingletter of thanks has been received.

Boys’ BrigadeOn the 3rd of November, 3 members of the 7th Chelmsford headed overto Great Leighs to represent the Company in the annual Battalion Chesscompetition. 14 Boys from several different companies competedoverall with several very good games being played. All 3 of our Boys wongames but sadly it wasn't quite enough on the day to bring back thetrophies with the overall winner recording a 5-0 scorecard! The Boys didus proud as always and we look forward to next year’s competition.

Liam WhiteJunior Section Lieutenant

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RectorRevd Susan Iskander..............356720 4 Old School Field

revsusaniskander@gmail.comCurateRevd Simon Pearce.......07544 126990

revdsimonpearce@outlook.comLicensed Lay Minister &Contact for joining Home GroupsRoger McFarland....................263112 79 Humber RoadReader & Sunday SpecialRos Webb...............................469362 24 Weymouth RoadPTO ReadersKeith Otter, Pat Otter..............267093 11 Green ClosePTO Reader,Magazine & weekly sheet editorRobin Stevens.........................268042 3 Aldeburgh WayChurchwardensBarbara Garside.....................258343 26 Coppins CloseNicola Howard........................420745

nj_howard7@hotmail.comAssistant Warden, PCC Secretary& Authorised Local PreacherDavid Gauld...........................357276 28 Totnes WalkAssistant WardensRichard Brenchley..................256724 36 Wallasea GardensCarol Leverett.........................221379

carol.leverett@btinternet.comPCC TreasurerIan Poston...............................264124 14 Coppins Close

ianas@poston.ukDirector of MusicWilliam Warns.............07875 894946

willwarns@outlook.com

Mothers’ Union &Church Centre Enquiries contact:Jane Britter............................257362 30 Tavistock RoadChurch Flowers & Children-in-ChurchChristine McFarland...............263112 79 Humber RoadSunday SpecialVic Leverett............................221379

vic.leverett@gmail.comBoys’ BrigadeMark Lamb.............................469796 47 Sheppard Drive, Chelmer VillagePre-SchoolSue Tokley..............................350556 9 Peel RoadWomen’s FellowshipDoreen Cox.............................355227 128 Falmouth Road‘Cuppa & Chat’ & ‘Chat & Do’Elizabeth Belsham..................256792 14 Lawn LanePrayer Ministry TeamMarion Hodges.......................261388 63 Tees RoadRinging MasterPhilip Saunders......................460209 2 Shire CloseAll Saints’ OrchestraJoy Bome...............................258629 90 Bodmin RoadRamblersKarin Seeman.........................466167 21 Leybourne DriveElectoral RollJanet Shilling.........................460786 5 Paddock DriveChild Protection RepresentativeNick Milbank..........................460306 27 Stirrup ClosePlanned Giving & Gift Aid RecordersTim & Angela Pearce................465577 75 Oak Lodge Tye

The Parish Office is open at the church on Wednesday evenings from7.00pm to 8.00pm for initial enquiries about baptisms and weddings 352274

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01245 352803www.broomfieldopticians.co.uk

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