The Vicar Writes
Help needed to keep our Jumble Sales running.
We are struggling to keep our regular Jumble sales running. Unfortunately they are a labour
intensive operation. Setting up the tables and
sorting out all the jumble before the sale takes
quite a bit of doing. The sale itself is not too difficult, though we still need enough hands, and at
present have barely enough. It is when the sale is
over that the hard work begins, just when we are
already beginning to be tired. Bagging up the
jumble, stacking it in a cupboard, ready for next
time, and then putting the tables away, and last of
all, a run to the tip with whatever is not worth
keeping.
After our January Jumble, I was exhausted,
and I worry about continuing to ask our regular
helpers, most of whom are older than I am, to do
more than is good for them.
If we judged the worth of the Jumble sales,
just on the money raised, though it is welcome,
and needed, the amount gained is not much for
the time and effort involved But it is not just the
money that matters. Jumbles are a real form of
recycling, and we value the contact they give us
with the community.
One thing that would make a big difference
would be if extra helpers could arrive at the end
to help with the clearing up. Rather than being
needed for virtually the whole afternoon, it would
be just for about 45minutes, and would make a
huge difference.
Another big help would be a volunteer to
take the unwanted stuff to the tip. Usually just a
few bags or boxes.
When I was a boy, I helped with setting up
tables for Jumble sales on Saturday mornings, so
I wonder whether any young people would like to
lend a hand. Maybe for the uniformed organisations, or those doing The Duke of Edinburgh's
Award, it could count as “helping in the community”.
So we would be delighted to hear from anybody who could help. I want to add a very big
“thank you” to all our regular helpers, to all who
bring us new items for our Jumbles, and for our
customers. It is always good to see you and we
thank you for your support.
Yours, in Christ, Peter Low.
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IN YOUR PRAYERS
PLEASE REMEMBER
Those who are unwell:
Kate Lawson, Allison, Felix Baulch, Edith Norman,
Enid and Steve Clark, Jay, Penny Broderick,
Mike Shelley and June Slack.
Loving Father, have mercy on those whose lives are crippled by strain
and anxiety in themselves, release their tension, give them inward
peace, restore them to the wholeness which is your will for all. Amen
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FUNERALS
The funerals of Michael Bannister (22nd January at St
Andrew’s) and Bill Erith (23rd January at the
Crematorium) have taken place.
As they pass into the nearer presence of God, may
they rest in pace.
Spent Ink Cartridges and old Mobile Phones
For those of you who did not know, there are boxes at St Giles,
St Andrews and St George’s churches for the sole purpose of collecting
old, unwanted mobile phones and spent ink cartridges for which money
can be raised in aid of Christian Aid. Please will you let Rita know if you
have any of these items which are no longer needed.
Tel: 01621 852314.
Thank you
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I Can't Believe It’s Not A Fairy Story
by Jock Agnew of Langford
As you turn the pages of this book, you will be amazed by
the wit and intelligence jumping out from every page. It is
wonderful that an eighty year old man could so have his
finger on the button! I bought it because it was for sale in
our little shop, and the proceeds go to our three local
churches. But, what a find. Now I want everyone to read
it! The artwork is by Lynne Wood, from Heybridge.
You can purchase the book from Heavenly Supplies price
£5, or contact Jock Agnew or Irene Allen on 01621
855447.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 27th
February 2014 at Joy Norman’s house in Heybridge
Basin.
See pew sheet for details.
Heybridge Parish
Common Purpose Statement
“Through worship, prayer and loving action we
will help all the community to discover
Jesus and develop their faith”
Heybridge Basin Notes
Coffee Morning
Saturday February 1st 10.00am -12 noon
Talk by Roger Slade marking the
centenary of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s trans-Antarctica expedition on the
Endurance.
Saturday February 8th
Quiz Nights at The Old Ship raising funds for the Friends of
St George’s Church project.
February 19th
March 19th
April 16th
7.30pm for 8.00pm start. Why not make up a team and join
in the fun, maximum 6 members per team. Entry £2 per
head,
JLM
MALDON LUNCHTIME CONCERTS
UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
MALDON
February 13th at 1.00pm
Alan Green plays classical guitar
Refreshments available for a donation
Langford Notes – February 2014
What a wet and windy winter it has been – flooded fields, trees
over and the misery of interminable rain. Many fields in Langford
have been under water for some time now, but at least the village
itself has been spared the usual flooding at the bridge.
Christmas Services
We had a wonderful carol service on Sunday 22nd when the church
was packed – such a lovely feeling. We were fewer at the Christmas morning service with several people away, including Gerald
and Rosemary so music was provided by Jock and myself on bagpipes and concertina or, as Peter put it, “the village band”!
Note for your diary…
Tuesday 18th February at 8 p.m. in Langford and Ulting Village I
will be giving a talk for the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigational
Trust on Langford entitled “Water, water everywhere…” dealing
with the waterways of the village and the joys and problems of
having so much water. Everyone is welcome, so do come along.
Grateful Thanks
On a personal note I would like to take this opportunity to thank
my neighbours for all their support over the Christmas period, but
especially to Roy Pipe who came to my rescue when I had a flat
tyre and went that extra mile – literally – to help me, to Colin
Ashby for giving me advice on my fallen elder tree, and to Alan
Marks who brought his chainsaw and cut it into logs for me and
cleared away the encumbering mass of ivy. Sadly this now means
that the ‘block of flats’ for the birds has gone, but I will try and ensure that they still have lots of places to nest this year.
Let’s hope that 2014 is a much better year than 2013!
Irene Allen
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TIME TO SPEND
...walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time.
Ephesians 5:15,16
A government agent was sent to a remote and undeveloped country to tell the people about plans to build a road
through their territory. They objected strenuously. Trying to
reason with then, the official asked, “How long does it now
take you to deliver your goods to market by donkey using
the existing trail?” “Three days,” they replied.
The agent, thinking he had a convincing argument, said
with an air of confidence, “If we build that road through
here, you will be able to go to market and come back home
all in a single day.” A Man who had been listening carefully
responded, “But tell me , sir, what are we ever going to do
with all that extra time?”
Don’t you wish you had a “problem” like that? For most of
us, it seems there just aren’t enough hours in a day. That’s
why we must make wise use of the time we do have,
Someone has offered these guidelines:
Take time to pray - it’s a source of power,
Take time to read - it’s a fountain of wisdom.
Take time to play - it’s a secret of youth.
Take time to be friendly - it’s a path to happiness.
Take time to laugh - it’s the music of the soul.
Take time to dream - it’s a road to greater vision.
Take time to love - it’s Godlike.
Yes, let’s spend time wisely.
Taken from ‘Our daily Bread’
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CHURCHES TOGETHER IN MALDON
We had our first meeting of the New Year on 15 th January, with
Major Stephen Huyton from Maldon Salvation Army in the chair. A
new regular item on our agenda is Sharing Joys and Sorrows and
at our next meeting, will be looking at our involvement with
dementia care, and at a later date, looking at the more general
issue of mental health. With an ever-increasing older population,
this will become more and more relevant, also, mental health issues can affect anybody at any time. Harbour, which meets at St
Mary’s Octagon every week, already caters for people with such
problems, and we had the very welcome news that funding has
been guaranteed for the next five years, which means that more
people can be helped and those who are there already can continue to benefit from what the group has to offer.
Rob Sefton, the Elim pastor, reported on the continuing success of
the Food Pantry, which has now distributed a staggering 2,700
food parcels in Maldon, which included 77 Christmas hampers to
needy individuals and families. Rob particularly thanked church
members, as this is where most of the food comes from. Rob is
also working on expanding the service; giving budgeting advice to
people on very limited incomes and is starting a job club for those
looking for work. However, it is important that our work complements that of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau rather than clashes with
what they do, so this has to be planned carefully. Donations are
still being gratefully received, so either leave them in church, drop
them off at the Elim church (there is a ‘cat flap’ for when the
church is closed), or let me know, and I will pick them up and arrange delivery.
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Many of you will be aware of Meeting Point, which has been meeting at
the URC church for about 30 years now. Unfortunately, numbers of
attendees and volunteers has been dwindling for some time. Those
remaining are keen for it to continue, so it will relocate from 11 th February to the D’Arcy Room in All Saints’ Church. The location is more
central, so hopefully a few more people will find out about it and come
along.
Even in these dark and damp evenings, Bar n Bus still attracts a good
number of young people on a Friday night. There is a lot of very valuable work being done with these youngsters, who would often be found
hanging around the streets, with the potential for getting into trouble.
The Bus could do with a few more volunteers though, so if you feel
called to work with the town’s teenagers- or make them some cakes let me know and I will give you the contact details of the organisers.
The Town Carol service was very well attended and enjoyed by all who
came. There was involvement by different sections of the community,
including the children from All Saints’ School, with their very competent
choir. Thanks to Rev Jo Jones, Curate at All Saints’ Church, who
planned and led the service and to her band of helpers.
Our next meeting won’t be until 30 th April, so Lent and Easter will have
already passed. Details of Lent groups and Easter arrangements have
not yet been finalised, so I will let you all know these once I have
them, probably in March’s magazine.
We seem to be going from strength to strength with our various projects, so do pray for these, for God to provide what is needed.
Julia MacGregor, January 2014
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BIBLE QUIZZ
1.
How much time did Jonah spend in the belly of the whale?
2. The name of God is not mentioned in only one book of the Bible. Which
one?
3. What kind of wood was used to make Noah's Ark?
4. Who was the only Englishman to become Pope?
5. For what event in February 1964 did evangelist Billy Graham break his
definite rule against watching Tv on Sunday?
6. According to the Bible, what substance was used to caulk Noah's ark and
to seal the basket in which the baby Moses was set adrift on the Nile?
7. How old was Moses when he died?
8. How tall was Goliath, the Philistine giant slain by David with a stone
hurled from a sling?
9. What biblical Babylonian king cast Daniel into the lion's den for praying
to God in defiance of a royal decree?
10. What is the longest name in the Bible?
11. In the Bible, which of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse rides a red
horse?
12. How many books of the Bible are named for women?
13. What language is Jesus believed to have spoken?
(Answers page 20)
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COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS
The Ambulance Service aims to respond to the most
urgent 999 calls within 8 minutes. This target is frequently
achieved but it is clearly not possible to reach local
villages in this time when the nearest ambulance is in
Chelmsford or Colchester. Community First Responders
are local volunteers who assist on these occasions.
Trained by the Ambulance Service, they carry basic life
support equipment and can usually reach patients quickly,
providing immediate treatment that may prevent a condition from deteriorating. In the extreme case of cardiac arrest, this rapid response may make the difference
between life and death.
IMPORTANT NEWS FOR HEYBRIDGE BASIN
Heybridge Basin now has First Responder equipment permanently located in the village, including oxygen and a
defibrillator. This is mobilised by Ambulance Control when
an appropriate 999 call is received from the village. David
Brock has possession of it but he needs help from previous Responders or new volunteers. Training will be given
by the Ambulance Service. This is your opportunity to help
the village in a worthwhile cause. Please help if you can.
Many thanks.
email debrock@sky .com or phone 01621 842134
Further information on First Responders can be found at
www.basinheartwatch.co.uk .
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Prayer Diary – February 2014
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The work of Farleigh Hospice
All those persecuted for their faith
Our Churchwardens and staff team
Those who are preparing for marriage
Those who clean and care for our churches
Those involved in the ministry of healing
The Community of Heybridge
The Diocesan Office
Those who have yet to find Christ
All those new to our Benefice
For those who seek love
Churches Together in Maldon
Our Choirs and organists
Those who have life-limiting illnesses
Our armed forces serving overseas
Those who seek the peace of our churches
The Community of Heybridge Basin
Young Christians
Those in hospital or prison
Those who live alone
Our regular congregations
Those whose marriages are in difficulty
The Community of Langford
Enthusiasm to share our faith
Our Nursery Schools
For those recently bereaved
Those preparing for baptism
Our fundraising efforts
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What’s On In Maldon
The Excavations of Beeleigh Abbey
Friends Meeting House, Butt Lane, Maldon
4th February, 19.30-21.00, cost free
Talk by David Andrews
Enqs Tim Howson 01621 875725
Stow Maries Aerodrome - a talk by Roger
Smith
Maldon Little Ship Club, The Hythe Maldon
7th February, 19.15, £3.00
In support of the Farleigh Hospice Raffle
Enquiries 01621 853760
Maldon and East Essex District Scouts with
the Maldengiedoo Roadshow Pantomime
‘Trouble at the North Pole’
Maldon Town Hall, Market Hill, Maldon
21st/22nd February, 19.30,
Enquiries Maldon Tourist Information Centre
01621 853760
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MUSIC IN THE BENEFICE
St Andrew’s Church
Organist - Gerald Matthews (01245 472860)
St. George’s Church
Organist - Joy Norman (01621 857004)
St. Giles’ Church
Organists - Gerald Matthews & Rosemary Taylor (01245 472860)
St.Giles Singers practise in Church 5.45pm Tuesdays
New members and musicians always welcome
EDWARD BEAR CLUB
For parents and carers with under 5’s
Every Friday during term time
1.30 in The Waring Room
ST. ANDREW’S CRAFT CLUB
Card making and crafts for teenagers and
adults. Meets 7.30pm in The Waring Room
on 1st & 3rd Thursday each month
More info contact
Lynne Wood
01621 856216
Lynne Wood
01621 856216
The deadline for the next (March) magazine is 12.00 on
Sunday 9th February. (2nd Sunday)
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USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS
CUBS AND SCOUTS
Clive Searle
01621 855275
Group Scout Leader
MAGAZINE EDITOR
Sue Howat
01621 853638
[email protected]
SEA CADETS
COFFEE MORNINGS
St.George’s Heybridge
Basin
1st Saturday each month
St.Giles Langford
2nd Saturday each month
Telephone: 01621
740692
[email protected]
Judith Manley
01621 859957
Irene Allen
01621 855447
Flowers in Church
If you would like to make a donation towards the floral arrangements in St. Andrew’s Church, whether this be in memory of
someone or for any other reason please contact Ivy Thomas –
853693
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Your Local Electrical Contractor
Installations / Modifications
Full / Part Rewires
P.A.T Testing
Periodic Testing & Inspections
Audio Visual Installations
Domestic, Commercial & Industrial
07754 587477
[email protected] www.palmerselectrical.co.uk
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Langford Parish Mission Statement
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To love and worship God faithfully
To follow the example of Christ by loving and serving
others.
To seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for our Church
and in our lives
To bear witness to our faith
ANSWERS TO QUIZZ
1. Three days and three nights.
2. The Book of Esther.
3. Gopher wood, agreeing to Genesis 6:14.
4. Nicholas Breakspear, who was Adrian Iv from 1154 to 1159.
5. The Beatles' first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
6. Pitch, or natural asphalt.
7. He was 120 years old, agreeing to the Bible (Deuteronomy 34:7).
8. "Six cubits and a span,"
9. Darius the Mede (Book of Daniel, Chapter 6).
10. Mahershalalbashbaz, which is also written Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
(Is 8:1)
11. War (Book of Revelation).
12. Two - Ruth and Esther.
13. Aramaic
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