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THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS
Minister: The Reverend Patrick McManus
Jersey (01534) 861386 and Guernsey (01481)264109
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From The Minister
December 2008
My dear Friends,
As this letter is written we are approaching Advent, and the four candles on the Advent Wreath will lead us to Christmas. Now this can be an exciting and hopeful time or one which brings panic.
Every new candle brings us nearer the 25th December and reminds us of things left undone – cards, cakes, gifts, buying, stocking up and preparing. But every new candle also reminds us what is still to come – the renewed presence of the incarnate God in our world and in our lives, even Jesus Christ himself. The question is, which is more important, the things left unfinished or the reminder of Immanuel “God with us”? My message for Advent and Christmas is simply to say don’t worry about “the presents” but try to capture something of “The Presence” of the Word made flesh and dwelling among us.
And with this thought is also coupled the good wishes of the Manse family – may Christmas be a time of peace and joy for you and your families and may those things which you receive be lasting gifts from God.
This edition of The Messenger also invites us to look back on the year and forward to 2009. Perhaps there are things that you regret about this, or at least some things which you want to leave behind you.
I can do no better than remind you of some words from the Bible:
Isaiah Chapter 43.
“The Lord says, “Do not cling to the events of the past, or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do - it is happening already, you can see it now!”
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May 2009 be a time of blessing for us all and may we watch out for what God is doing for us and rejoice in those things.
With every blessing at Christmas and for the New Year.
Patrick and Gillian, Matthew and Andrew
Readings FOR SUNDAYS - DECEMBER 2008
7th Dec Isaiah 40. 1-11; Psalm 85. 1-2, 8-13;
2 Peter 3. 8-15a; Mark 1. 1-8
14th Dec Isaiah 61. 1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126 or Luke 1. 47-55;
1 Thessalonians 5. 16-24; John 1.6-8, 19-28
21st Dec 2 Samuel 7. 1-11, 16; Luke 1. 47-55;
Romans 16. 25-27; Luke 1.26-38
28th Dec Isaiah 61. 10 - 62.3; Psalm 148;
Galatians 4. 4-7; Luke 2. 22-40
Readings FOR SUNDAYS - JANUARY 2009
4th Jan Isaiah 60. 1-6; Psalm 72. 1-7, 10-14;
Ephesians 3. 1-12 Matthew 2.1-12;
11th Jan Genesis 1. 1-5; Psalm 29;
Acts 19. 1-7; Mark 1. 4-11
18th Jan 1 Samuel 3. 1-10, (11-20); Psalm 139. 1-6, 13-18;
1 Corinthians 6. 12-20; John 1. 43-51
25th Jan Jonah 3. 1-5, 10; Psalm 62.5-12
1 Corinthians 7. 29-31; Mark 1. 14-20
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JERSEY U.R.C.
St. John
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JERSEY'S DECEMBER DIARY
SUNDAY 7th 10.30am Morning Worship with Holy Communion
Mr Philip Fowles. Coffee
Charity Fund - Jersey Women's Refuge
Tuesday 9th 7.30pm Elders Meeting in the Vestry
Thursday 11th 7.00pm St John's Group of Churches: Carol
Singing in St Helier outside BHS
Saturday 13th 7.30pm Music Appreciation Evening in Church
SUNDAY 14th 10.30am Morning Worship.Revd PatrickMcManus
Amnesty Letter. Coffee
6.00pm St John's Church: Carol Service
SUNDAY 21st 10.30am Service of Carols and Lessons.
Revd PatrickMcManus Coffee
All Age Service
Wednesday 24th 11.30pm Midnight Christmas Service
Sion Methodist Church
Thursday 25th 10.00am Christmas Day Worship
Revd Patrick McManus
SUNDAY 28th 10.30am Morning Worship.Revd PatrickMcManus
Coffee
JERSEY'S JANUARY DIARY
Friday 2nd 10.00am Bible Study in the Manse
SUNDAY 4th 10.30am Morning Worship. Mr Michael Sheldrake
Coffee. Charity Fund: Amnesty International
SUNDAY 11th 10.30am Morning Worship. with Holy Communion
Revd Patrick McManus
Amnesty Letter.
Induction of new Elders Coffee
Copy for FEBRUARY Messenger please
Tuesday 13th 7.30pm Elders Meeting in the Vestry
18th to 25th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
SUNDAY 18th 10.30am Morning Worship.Revd PatrickMcManus
Coffee
Tuesday 20th 7.30pm Church Meeting in the Church
SUNDAY 25th 10.30am Morning Worship.Revd PatrickMcManus
All Age Service Coffee
Church Lunch (details to be announced
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Thursday 29th 8.00pm Bible Study in the Manse
preceded by refreshments at 7.30pm
February
SUNDAY 1st 10.30am Morning Worship with Holy Communion
Joint Service with Sion Methodists at
URC. Revd Patrick McManus. Coffee
Charity Fund: to be confirmed
Welcome Team
Dec 7 Maggie Fowles and Ian Sperry
14 Laura Westwater and Sue Wheeler
21 Jean and Ray Robinson
25 Sandra Nicolle and Iris Prigent
28 Richard and Sheila Charles
Jan 4 Maggie Fowles and Margaret Pirouet
Duty Elder READERS
Dec 7 Brian Nicolle & Michael Ruskin
Michael Ruskin
14 Philip Fowles Laura Westwater
21 Michael Sheldrake Jean Robinson
25 Michael Ruskin Michael Ruskin
28 John Verbeyst Sheila Charles
Jan 4 Philip Fowles & Maggie Fowles
Brian Nicolle
As a result of the Annual General meeting being deferred until 18th November, it has not been possible to finalise schedules for Duty Elders, Welcome Teams or Readers for the remainder of January. Details will appear in Orders of Service when these have been confirmed.
FLOWERS COFFEE FELLOWSHIP
Dec 7 Christmas Margaret and Ron Welling
14 Christmas Margaret Pirouet
21 Christmas Betty and John Du Fresne
25 Christmas Christmas Day (no coffee)
28 Christmas Jim and Laura Westwater
Jan 4 Jan Sheldrake Jeanette Sheldrake & Sue Wheeler
11 Kevin Mason Jean and Ray Robinson
18 Jean Gray Noelle Johnson and Margaret Pirouet
25 Beryl Richard Margaret and Ron Welling
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WEEKLY Offerings for OCTOBER
Loose cash Envelopes
Oct 5 £46.40 £625.00
12 £26.00 £ 98.00
19 £55.00 £ 82.20
26 £25.50 £137.00 £1,095.10
NEWS OF THE FAMILY
Birthday Greetings in December to: George Patterson for the 1st, Lucy Sheldrake for the 2nd, Oscar Warr for the 4th, Tilly Holcroft for the 5th, Christine Holcroft for the 7th, Siobhan Bentley for the 9th, Marilyn Gaskell for the 11th, Charlie Breese and Noelle Johnson for the 13th, Nathan Nicolle for the 15th, Ron Welling for the 18th, Gillian McManus, Michael Ruskin and Ray Robinson for the 19th, Phil Osborn for the 20th, Chris Bentley for the 25th and Brian Nicolle for the 31st .
And in January to:
Sandra Nicolle for the 3rd, Christine Papworth for the 8th, Harold Gaskell for the 13th, Dominic Wheeler for the 15th, Margaret Welling for the 18th, Sheila Vetier for the 23rd, Graeme Mauger for the 26th, Jeanette Sheldrake for the 29th and James Vetier for the 31st.
Everyone was very pleased to see Jan Sheldrake looking so much better following her recent few weeks illness and all wish her well for the future.
As the curtain came down at the close of St Martin's Musical Society's latest production, two cast members became engaged on stage at the Opera House. To the cheers of the near capacity audience, Greig McDonald went down on one knee and proposed to Morag Westwater, who accepted with a mixture of surprise but evident delight. We extend our own congratulations to the happy couple and with them well for the future.
My knowledge of Norwegian being on a par with my Jerriaise, I regret to find that I made an error when recording John and Pauline Bint's new address in last month's edition: the first line should read Oyaveien 42 not Oyven 42. Please accept my apologies and amend your copy of the Directory accordingly.
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS CARDS
As usual there will be a Post Box available in the vestibule from Sunday 7th December for cards to be exchanged with church friends. The last date for distribution will be Sunday 21st December.
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If, as an alternative, you prefer to leave a single card for display in the church, please consider making a donation, either to church funds or a charity of your choice.
CHARITY FUND
As a result of your generosity in October I was able to send £70 to WaterAid. It is still too early to be able to provide a figure for November but if you still have any boxes, envelopes, bags etc. for Commitment for Life it is not too late to pass them on to me. This month’s report from Jamaica appears below.
In December we are again supporting a local charity and it is always good to focus on one where we know some of those involved. Representatives from The Jersey Women’s Refuge visited 3M’s earlier in the year and I am sure that even if you were unable to attend that presentation the work of the Refuge will be known to you. Its stated aim is to offer safe and secure temporary accommodation to women and children suffering physical, verbal, mental and sexual abuse in the home. It is a 24 hour service providing advice and support.
Also in December, at the Carol Service at St. John’s Parish Church on 14th, there will be a special collection on behalf of The Bible Society Christmas Appeal for Nepal. 2008 is the first year that Christmas Day will be a national holiday in Nepal and so we will be celebrating with them and giving practical support by subsidising the cost of Bibles for people in the world’s 12th poorest country.
As usual the February edition of The Messenger will include a full statement of the Charity Fund’s income and distributions during 2008.
Jamaica
We have often featured the work of Christian Aid partner Jamaicans for Justice. This press release from July this year shows the work they do.
Friday, July 18, 2008, Kingston, Jamaica – Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) and Angela Fennell Reid are celebrating the fact that justice has finally prevailed in the saga of her case. Today Ms. Fennell Reid was acquitted of the charge of Perverting the Course of Justice in the matter of Regina v. Fennell Reid. This is the second charge brought against Ms. Fennell Reid of which she has been acquitted.
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The incident that led to the first charge against Ms. Fennell Reid occurred in February 2005, when Constable Leemour Palmer of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) assaulted Ms. Reid, breaking her nose and knocking her unconscious. Arising out of that incident both Ms. Fennell Reid and Constable Palmer were charged with Assault Occasioning Grievous Bodily Harm. Three days before testifying in the case against Constable Palmer, Ms Fennell-Reid was shot by a gunman who told her to, “tek this to court on Monday.” After being shot Ms. Fennell Reid was placed on the Witness Protection Program yet simultaneously was charged with Perverting the Course of Justice.
The first victory for Ms. Fennell Reid and justice occurred in November 2007, when Constable Palmer was convicted of Assault Occasioning Grievous Bodily Harm in the matter of Regina v. Leemour Palmer. He was sentenced to six months hard labour. At that time the similar charge that had been levelled against Ms. Fennell Reid was dismissed.
Despite that victory it has taken another eight months and a lot of dedicated work by Attorney Walter Scott of the law firm Rattery Patterson Rattery, for Ms. Fennell Reid to be acquitted of the charge of Perverting the Course of Justice.
With today’s ruling, Ms. Fennell Reid has been acquitted of both charges and may now begin the battle of regaining her life. It will be a difficult struggle. Ms. Fennell Reid has endured police intimidation, being shot at and constant fear for her safety and life. She remains concerned and unsure of her safety.
“The fight for justice is too steep for poor Jamaicans,” Ms. Fennell Reid said today as she reflected on the case. “It has pulled my heart out of my body but today I feel as though a million trillion weight has come off my head.”
Her courage in fighting for truth, justice and her rights are commendable and the JFJ family honours her bravery. It is through the strength of such citizens that Jamaica will emerge as a more just society. JFJ and Ms. Fennell Reid see this victory of due process as a small step on the road to building a Jamaica in which justice and truth can be “ours forever.”
A later press release states that Angela has again been harassed by police officers. Michael Ruskin
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Annual General Meeting - 18th November 2008
The elders proposed the re-election of Michael Sheldrake and Brian Nicolle as Secretary and Treasurer respectively, and there being no other nominations, the proposition was carried nem con. Maggie Fowles, Gill MacManus and Ian Sperry were elected elders and a list of church posts, proposed by the elders was approved by the members, again nem con.
In his annual report, the Secretary referred to the developing relationship with Sion Methodist Church and the raising of the church's profile in the community. He also commended the Minister's work in support of friends and members of the church and also his ecumenical commitments with CTJ, Jersey Radio and his Hospital chaplaincy. He went on to highlight the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Patrick's ordination, in both Islands. The Secretary then thanked retiring elder, Michael Ruskin, for his immense contribution to not only URC in Sion, but also his commitment to the cause of relieving injustice and poverty in the third world. In bringing his report to a close, The Secretary talked of the preparations for and the challenges to be faced by the church as the bi-centenary celebration loomed in the New Year.
The Treasurer reported that, despite both the generosity of members and their sterling and energetic fund raising efforts, it was almost inevitable that the church would still be in deficit by the end of the year. It was agreed that, in the circumstances, the church was not in a position to increase its contribution to M/M in 2009.
ST. JOHN’S GROUP OF CHURCHES
. Carol Singing on Thursday 11th December 7.00 – 7.45 pm outside BHS.
Every year members from the three churches gather in St. Helier to sing carols on behalf of the Shelter. It is always fun – whatever the weather – and very worthwhile. £200 for three-quarters of an hours work can’t be bad. But to make an impression on those passing by, and hopefully stopping to put coins in our buckets, we do need a good sized ‘choir’. You don’t have to be a chorister though. It is quantity rather than quality that matters, so please join us and help yourself get into the Christmas spirit at the same time.
Michael Ruskin
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Musical Appreciation Evening
December 13th
You are all invited to a musical appreciation evening on Friday December 13th at 7.30pm. Bring along a tape or CD of a favourite piece of music and be prepared to tell us why you have chosen it. It will be a bit like Desert Island Discs but with everyone contributing. To make the evening go with a swing, bring along some liquid refreshments but nibbles will be provided.
So come along and enjoy a range of types of music, good stories and good company. We meet in the church at 7.30pm.
St John’s URC -The Early Days
Whilst the land contract for the St John’s Church was agreed in 1809 and the first sitting of the church was in 1810, Crichton Jack records that formal establishment of the church and its officers occurred in 1812. It is recorded that 62 former attendants at Halkett Place Church now worshipped at St John’s Independent Church. These people mainly came from the parishes of St Lawrence, Trinity, and St Mary but, unlike today, the core of the new congregation was from St John and lived close to the church.
Jean Le Sueur who had donated the land to the church lived only 200 metres away and influential families such as the Esnoufs, Coutanches and Picots also lived within the Vingtaine of Herupe. Jean is recorded as being one of two elders in 1812 and was the first church treasurer, but clearly had significant family responsibilities. In 1810 his son was baptised in the new church by Francois Perrot (this is likely to have been the first baptism at St John’s) and this was followed in 1812 by Daniel, a daughter Marie in 1815 and a further son Francois in 1818.
Similarly, Abraham Esnouf who had been married to Marie Perree in 1805 in the Parish church, had his eldest son Abraham baptised at St Johns in 1811, daughters Mary and Emelie in 1812 and 1814 and a further son Francois in 1816. Like Jean Le Sueur, Abraham became an active member of the church as a young man with a growing family.
Therefore, it was clear that the average age of the church would have been much younger than today with a number of young families included in its membership. It is known that the growing families contributed to a thriving
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Sunday school which was run by Francois Perrot’s wife Susanna, but Crichton Jack claims that 282 children attended in June 1812!! He explains this by stating that the St John’s Sunday School was the only one in St Johns and the adjoining parishes. Nevertheless, it is an astonishing number and poses the question of how were they organised and where did they meet since the only building on the site was the church. To indicate the structures needed to administer a Sunday School of this size, Crichton Jack states that there were 180 children at Halkett Place and that required 19 teachers to provide spiritual tutoring!
It is also clear that the congregation was very loyal and committed to the church. When, the church decided that a Manse should be built on the site in 1850, Daniel Le Sueur, Jean’s son provided the land at a price of £62 10s. However this was largely covered by a gift of £60 from Philip Picot and other donations and the costs of construction were reduced by the local members being prepared to cart stone and timber to the site. Philip Picot was a longstanding member of the church and began serving the church as treasurer with Jean Le Sueur in 1812 at the age of 30. His family would continue to attend the church generation after generation and our present oldest member is a direct descendant of that same Philip Picot.
Michael Sheldrake
Winter Fayre
We offer our grateful thanks to all who baked, cooked, collected, donated or in any other way contributed, either beforehand or on the day itself, to the outstanding success of our major fund raising event, which was held at St Brelade’s Parish Hall on Saturday, 15th November.
Despite the usual plethora of competing functions, our combined efforts, subsequently augmented by several donations, realised the very satisfactory total of £1,000 for Church Funds made up as follows:-
Raffle 183.00 Jewellery 65.44
Nearly New 176.26 Groceries 62.55
Lunches etc 130.18 Crafts 40.00
Bottle stall 108.50 Books 38.50
Bric-a-Brac 107.95 Toys 21.23
Cakes 87.39 Donations 40.00
Grand Total £1061.00
Gill and Sandra
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THE KONEVETS ARE
COMING!
Dear All
Our next fundraising event is a very special one - a candlelight concert in Trinity Church to be given by a superb Russian Male Quartet called 'The Konevets' on Monday 8th December at 8pm.
The Quartet come from St Petersburg and having heard the Quartet a few times I can assure you that they are fantastic. I have asked them to sing a selection of Russian Christmas music - both sacred and secular.
I hope that the demand for tickets (£15 each) will be high and as we only have a small seating capacity in the Church I have prepared a seating plan which you will find on the piano in the Lady Chapel. You can write your name and telephone number in "seating squares" and that seat is yours. A tin (also on the piano) is for taking your cheques - no cash please - and please make these payable to 'Holy Trinity Church Appeal Fund'. If you have no cheque with you now do not worry, book the seats that you want and bring a cheque next week or drop in a cheque during the week. The church is usually open between 8am and 4pm.
Please tell your family and friends about the concert and book your tickets early.
Holy Trinity Church Appeal Fund
Should anyone wish to attend the above concert, please get in touch with Laura Westwater as soon as possible, as it is understood that tickets are selling fast, for what is expected to be a very impressive and enjoyable performance.
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GUERNSEY U.R.C
Grande Rue, St Saviour's
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People in mind
After more than five weeks Peter Challoner is beginning to come out of the induced coma he has been in. He is not out of the woods yet, but there is a glimmer of hope. Our prayerful concern and caring are with him and also with Margaret who, apart from her worry about Peter, is also waiting for the result of a recent scan.
The following are particularly in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
Pat and Ivy Ferbrache. Barbara Tostevin. Phyl Brouard on the death of her sister. Eric, Alan and Andrew Gaudion and their families on the death of their mother Vi Gaudion, a faithful member of our church.
VIOLET GAUDION 1929 – 2008
Vi Gaudion was a loyal member of our church for over 50 years but, due to caring for her beloved husband, Len, before he died and due to increasing disability and constant pain, she had been unable to attend church services and events for very many years.
Somehow she continued to care for her son, Alan, and their home. Those of us who used to visit her were full of admiration for the determination to carry on despite all her frailty.
Vi was a very gentle and loving person who never complained and saw the good in everyone. Marion, who visited most weeks, knows how interested she was in all church matters and in all of us. She also appreciated Patrick taking communion to her.
I was always amused that such a person loved gory murder mysteries (particularly medieval) which she listened to on her cassette player as she went about her work. They helped to take her mind off the pain and worries over her family’s health. By the time she had moved to Les Ormes Care Home she had listened to just about all the Library’ talking books!
Sadly Vi was only at Les Ormes for two months when she died aged 79, but there she was enjoying being cared for and having such a well deserved rest.
We have lost a dearly loved member of our church.
Jeanne
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in December to Michael Veillard for the 5th, Gillian McManus for the 19th, Vi Duquemin for the 25th and Thomas Veillard for the 27th.
Happy Birthday in January to Karen Leaman for the 11th, Neal Duquemin and Jacob Bough (10) for the 12th, Frank Keyho for the 21st, Lindsey Veillard for the 22nd and Debby Duquemin for the 28th.
Special greetings and congratulations to Charles and Eileen Pratt for their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on the 16th December.
HARVEST GIFTS
friends of Romania are very grateful to everyone who gave so generously at the Harvest service. The excellent total of £95 was collected.
Many thanks also for the ten well-filled shoe boxes which are on their way for Christmas to either Tanzania, Montenegro or Romania.
Jeanne
CHURCH DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS
Help is needed please on Monday 1st December at 6pm to decorate the hall and Christmas trees ready for our Christmas events and services. The more that come to help the less time it will take to complete.
Marion
TODDLERS CHRISTMAS PARTY
Wednesday 3rd December is our Toddlers Christmas Party. Everyone is welcome from 10 - 11.30am. There will be refreshments before going into the church to tell the story of the Nativity. Amanda, Rosemary and Marion will welcome you.
CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
St Saviour's Parish Church is holding a Candlelight Service with Advent music on Sunday 7th December at 6.30pm. This promises to be a musical delight and everyone is welcome.
ST MARTIN'S ADULT DISABILITY GROUP (Formerly Mignot)
On Friday 19th December at 2.30pm you are invited to join the St Martin's Adult Disability Group for a Nativity Service to be held at St Martin's Parish Church. Please come along if you can. Last year was a very moving service.
Marion
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GUERNSEY'S DECEMBER DIARY
Monday 1st 6.00pm Decorating for Christmas
Tuesday 2nd 4.30pm Rainbows
6.30pm Brownies
7.30pm Elders Meeting
Wednesday 3rd 10.00am Toddlers Christmas Party
Thursday 4th 10.00am Coffee Morning
Saturday 6th 11.00am Christmas Brunch
SUNDAY 7th 10.30am Morning Worship, Holy Communion
and Junior Church led by Revd Patrick McManus Coffee
6.30pm Candlelight Service with Advent
Music at St Saviour's Parish Church
Tuesday 9th 4.30pm Rainbows
6.30pm Brownies
Wednesday 10th 10.00am Mums and Toddlers
SUNDAY 14th 10.30am Morning Worship and Junior Church
led by Mr Roger Browning Coffee
Tuesday 16th 4.30pm Rainbows
6.30pm Brownies
Wednesday 17th 10.00am Mums and Toddlers
Friday 19th Schools Break Up
2.30pm St Martin's Adult Disability Group
Nativity Service at St Martin's Church
SUNDAY 21st 10.30am Family Christmas Nativity led by Mrs
Sarah Bough & Mrs Lindsey Veillard
Coffee
Monday 22nd 2.30pm Junior Church Christmas Party
Wednesday 24th 11.30pm Christmas Eve Candlelit Pyjama
Service led by Revd David Knight
preceded by Mulled Wine and Mince
Pies at 10.45pm
Thursday 25th 9.30am Christmas Morning Meditation led
by Mr Brian Veillard
SUNDAY 28th 10.30am Morning Worship and Junior Church
led by Revd David Knight Coffee
Monday 29th Visit to see Cinderella at Beau Sejour
Communion - David Knight
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GUERNSEY'S JANUARY DIARY
SUNDAY 4th 10.30am Morning Worship, Holy Communion
and Junior Church led by Revd Patrick McManus Coffee
Monday 5th 7.30pm Church Meeting
Tuesday 6th Back to School
4.30pm Rainbows
6.30pm Brownies
Wednesday 7th 10.00am Mums and Toddlers
Thursday 8th 10.00am Coffee Morning
SUNDAY 11th 10.30am Morning Worship led by Mr Keith
Le Cheminant Coffee
Tuesday 13th 4.30pm Rainbows
6.30pm Brownies
Wednesday 14th 10.00am Mums and Toddlers
Thursday 15th 10.00am Coffee Morning
SUNDAY 18th 10.30am Pulpit Exchange
Morning Worship and Junior Church
Copy for FEBRUARY Messenger please
Tuesday 20th 4.30pm Rainbows
6.30pm Brownies
Wednesday 21st 10.00am Mums and Toddlers
Thursday 22nd 10.00am United Communion with the Parish
Church followed by Coffee in the Hall
SUNDAY 25th 10.30am Morning Worship and Junior Church
led by Revd David Knight Coffee
Tuesday 27th 4.30pm Rainbows
6.30pm Brownies
Wednesday 28th 10.00am Mums and Toddlers
Thursday 29th 10.00am Coffee Morning
Communion - Brian Veillard
Rotas Vestry Door duty
Dec 7 Brian Veillard Frank Keyho
14 Marion Batiste David Le Poidevin
21 Brian Veillard Jeanne Gathercole
24 Marion Batiste Brian Veillard
28 Marion Batiste Enid Batiste
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Rotas Vestry Door duty
Jan 4 Brian Veillard Joyce Le Poidevin
11 Marion Batiste Vi Duquemin
18 Brian Veillard Lloyd Le Poidevin
25 Marion Batiste Frank Keyho
Sunday coffee JUNIOR CHURCH
Dec 7 Lloyd and Joyce Lindsey and Gillian
14 Sue and Debby Sarah and Jeanne
21 Pam and Enid Nativity
28 Marion and Ruth Lindsey and Karen
Jan 4 Jeanne Sarah and Gillian
11 Lindsey and Nikki Lindsey and Jeanne
18 Julie and Gary Sarah and Nikki
25 David and Jean Lindsey and Karen
League of love flowers
Dec 7 Mrs M. McIntyre
14 Mrs L. Le Poidevin
21 Miss M. Jehan
28 Mr F. Keyho
Jan 4 Mrs R. Rich
11 Mrs D. Le Tissier
18 Mrs B. Rumens
25 Mrs B.E. Veillard
THURSDAY COFFEE MORNING
Jan 8 Julie and Gary
15 Jean and Dave
22 No Regular Coffee Morning.
Joint service with St Apolline
29 Debby and Marion
CLEANING
Dec 5 Jeanne and Mike
19 Marion and Enid
Jan 2 Phyllis and Pam D.
16 Sarah and Andrew
30 Jeanne and Mike
Feb 13 Marion and Enid
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CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME
The GADOC Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, is being held at Beau Sejour between 20th December and 3rd January. Julie Doggett is organising for a group of us to attend on Monday 29th December. There will be a meal beforehand at Le Friquet Country Hotel for those who wish it.
Christmas Eve Candlelit Pyjama Service.
At 11:30pm on Christmas Eve we will hold our Candlelit Pyjama Service. Before the Service, from 10:45pm, there will be a time of fellowship where non-alcoholic Mulled Wine and mince pies will be served to help warm us and get us in the festive mood.
This candle lit service for children and families will open up the meaning of Christmas through prayer, the singing of carols and meditation. It is called a pyjama service so that the young people can, if they wish, come in their pyjamas brandishing their favourite Teddy Bear, comfortable and cosy, ready to be swift into bed upon their return home.
The service will be an informal celebration leading through the last half hour of Christmas Eve into Christmas Day where we will greet and meet Jesus on His birthday. We will, with joy, come face to face in faith with Immanuel, God with us. And you will see that God will be truly with us as we worship and welcome in the dawning of this special Holy day. What better way to start Christmas Day than in joyous celebration of the birth of our Saviour King.
Come and join us, bring along your family and friends for this time of Christian fellowship.
Come and join us and see what a difference this Christmas celebration can make in your life and that of others.
Come and join us and see that Christmas is not just here today and gone tomorrow.
Come and join us and see what a huge improvement Jesus will make to your life.
Come and join us so that our worship this Christmas season will be filled with fresh, captivating wonder as we sing with angels and archangels, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom His favour rests."
See you there.
David Knight
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CHURCHES TOGETHER IN GUERNSEY
Notes from meeting of CTG held on Thursday 9th October at Forest United Methodist Church.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Meeting at 7.30pm and opened with a reading from the Prophet Jeremiah and prayer.
Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 July, signed as a true record of the Meeting, were adopted by Mrs Boden-Heaume and seconded by Mr Lloyd Le Poidevin.
Matters arising :
a. Guardians of St Appoline’s Chapel : The Chairman said he had spoken to Advocate Roger Perrot who is keen to release Jurat Mr Jim Jehan from the responsibility of being a guardian of the Chapel. Sir de Vic Carey, Mr Alan Bisson and Mr Francis Paul have all agreed to become Guardians together with the Church Wardens of St Saviour’s. Mrs Boden-Heaume proposed that Miss Meg White be asked to become a Guardian in view of her father’s connection with the Chapel in the past. Mrs Boden-Heame also said she would like to invite the Guardians to a Service at St Appoline’s Chapel in the Spring, together with Roger Perrot and any others, and she agreed to let the Secretary know the date in due course.
b. Mrs Harvey reported on her continuing meetings with workers from Slovakia who are very keen to improve their English. They now meet at the new Holy Trinity Centre at the invitation of Rev Jon Honour between 9.30 – 11 am on Tuesday mornings. Irene also talked about her visit to the Welcome Centre in Jersey which is reaching out to the Portuguese community as well as Polish migrants. Mrs Harvey is planning to create a poster/fliers in different languages, which will be given to hotels and others places where migrant workers are employed, advertising the “Welcome Centre” and she asked that if people would like to be involved, or know of anyone who might be interested, to contact her.
Constitution : The Chairman mentioned that he wished to co-opt Mrs Harvey, as ex-Chairman, onto the Executive Committee in order to benefit from her advice and experience and also Mr Roger Browning, previous lay Methodist Minister on Sark, adding that a Vice-Chairman needs to be found and if anyone could think of a suitable candidate would they please bring names along to the next Meeting.
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of Events :
a. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity : 18 – 25 January 2009. The Ecumenical Service, under the leadership of Cpt Chris Herbert, will be held at Les Cotils Christian Centre on Sunday 25 January at 3pm, the preacher being Rev Andrew Sharp. Pulpit exchange is being arranged by Rev Canon Marc Trickey for Sunday 18 January. It is recommended that when a preacher is going to another church he finds out exactly what is expected of him. Also visiting preachers should be encouraged to take half a dozen of their congregation with them.
b. Lent Groups : more about this in the New Year but the Chairman asked if members would advise the Secretary or himself what might be happening in their church so that the events can be advertised through CTG.
c. Good Friday Penitential Walk : 10 April – this is, as usual, in the hands of Father Philip Carrington of St Stephen’s.
d. Easter Dawn Service at Les Cotils : 12 April - Rev Stephen Robinson usually oversees this event but Mr Hart suggested contacting Les Cotils to make sure the Centre will be open over Easter, it being closed over the Christmas period.
e. Liberation Day Service 2009 : The Chairman reported that the Executive had discussed this and he proposed that the Service running alongside the official Service at the Town Church should be held at a Catholic Church this time, St Joseph’s being his choice.
Rev David Hart closed the Meeting with prayer at 8.55pm.
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity runs from 18th to 25th January. An exchange of pulpits will be on Sunday 18th January but as we go to print we have not heard who will be leading our worship.
Our United Communion Service with the Parish Church will be held on Thursday 22nd January at 10am. Coffee will be served after the service.
JUNIOR CHURCH CHRISTMAS PARTY
This is being held on Monday 22nd December from 2.30 to 5pm. The children will have presents from the tree at the end of the afternoon. If you would like to pop in for a cup of tea around 4pm you will be very welcome.
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CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
SEASONS GREETINGS from Jean and David Le Poidevin to our
friends in the URC, wishing you all good health and happiness at
Christmas and throughout the new year 2009!
Vi, Neal and Debby Duquemin wish the congregations in both
Guernsey and Jersey a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year.
Alice Le Page wishes members and friends of both Jersey and Guernsey a Happy Christmas and God's Blessing in the New Year.
Mike and Jeanne Gathercole wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a healthy and enjoyable 2009..
Joyce and Lloyd Le Poidevin send Christmas greetings to all friends
at Church and wish you all a peaceful and healthy New Year.
Sue and Brian Veillard wish you all a very happy Christmas and a
peaceful, healthy and happy New Year.
Lindsey, Richard, Thomas and Mary hope everyone has a happy
and joyful Christmas.
Gary & Julie wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy and
peaceful New Year.
David, Nikki, Laurie, Ellie & Ibby Knight wish all their friends in the Guernsey and Jersey URC God's blessing over Christmas and into the New Year.
Happy Christmas and love and best wishes to all our friends in Church
from Andrew, Sarah, Harry and Jacob Bough
CHRISTMAS BRUNCH
Don't forget the Christmas Brunch on Saturday 6th December. Bring the whole family and invite your friends. There will be the usual light lunch served, together with stalls such as Cakes, Tombola, White Elephant, Books and a raffle. This is our major fundraising event of the year so let's make it really good.
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