Christ Church Chronicle - January 2021 - Christ Church, Nailsea
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January 2021
Christ Church
Chronicle
The Parish Magazine of
Christ Church, Nailsea
£5 annually or 50p per copy
Christ Church Nailsea
in the United Benefice of Christ Church, Nailsea
and St Quiricus and St Julietta, Tickenham
Priest in Charge: Rev. Julie Harris
Tel: 859105/07857946576 email: jules.rectorccsqsj@gmail.com
Enquiries about banns, weddings and baptisms can be made via Louise Maby, Bene-
fice Administrator on 859210 or church.office@Christchurchnailsea.org.uk
Website: www.Christchurchnailsea.org.uk
Readers Bobbie Shannon 856260
Richard Wheller 07974 160280
Churchwardens Robin Lambert 464461
Pastoral Care Coordinator Rhona Winter 855718
PCC Secretary Jill Martin 851559
Treasurer and Gift Aid John Bickerstaffe 855605
Verger Chas Norman 854232
Electoral Roll Officer Jill Martin 851559
Mothers’ Union Chris Mahony 857724
After-Eights Rhona Winter 855718
Magazine distribution Linda Randall 790593
Magazine Editor June Slater 852550
Church Flowers Angela Wheller 858613
Vestry Hall bookings Louise Maby 859210
Events Group Jacqui Broughton 858304
Worldwide Church Com. Liz Everitt 851174
Lifts to church Jo Hatcliffe 858149
FFC &Tots@Christ Church Beverley Kelly 07790 0178641
Choir & Junior Choir Phil Lawrence 01454 777719
Benefice Prayer Chain Bobbie Shannon 856260
Safeguarding Elizabeth Wood 851722
Child Contact Scheme Duty Officer 07749 712699
Piecemakers and CC Crafts Val Cave 854892
Breakfast Run Kim Rockett 07894 563205
Food Bank Paul Murray 235722
Webmaster Richard Wheller 07974 160280
Christ Church Nailsea is a Registered Charity No 1145020
2
Hello Everyone
Let me start this letter by saying a huge thank you, to everyone, who
decorated Christmas trees in our Churches this year. From lights that
took on bees, to baubles made from j-cloths, we had them all. Both
Churches looked amazing and I hope went some way to helping us
celebrate this very strange Christmas!
It may be very different than previous years, but I do pray that all of you
have managed to celebrate our Saviours birth?
It goes without saying that I think we will all be glad come December 31st
to say farewell to a year that none of us could ever have dreamed of!
Whilst remembering those whom we’ve lost along the way, with love, we
must now turn our attention to the coming year.
As we enter this time of Epiphany my prayer for us all is that we
acknowledge our incarnate God as Jesus Christ with renewed hope for
our future.
I’m sure 2021 will be a year of hope for us all, a hope that should be built
very firmly upon the promises of Christ in 1 Peter 1:13:-
‘So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your
hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is
revealed’ (NLT).
I am so very blessed to have a wonderful ministry Team in Richard and
Bobbie and I wanted them also to share their hopes for this coming year
Richard writes.
‘I am looking forward to a great New Year because our churches are
3
open and we are free to worship our God who doesn’t change, who
understands us and our difficulties, who made a sacrifice for us to draw us
closer to Him because of His great love for us. That is worth celebrating!
So, don’t let the irritations and restrictions we live under take away your
joy and trust. Be thankful and love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your mind and with all your strength and don’t forget your
neighbour as well!’
And Bobbie
Wait, Trust and Hope.
As many of you know Lee Abbey is a very special place for me which I
have tried to share. A few days ago I found an Epilogue on you tube and
the main message seemed to be that we should be prepared to wait, to
trust and to hope.
As we enter a new year I think these words are very significant for us, a
people of God and of course as a church.
As you read this many will still be waiting for a vaccine against covid19
and will have to be patient and keep to the rules and restrictions for a
time. Praying for patience as we wait for that day when we will be free to
leave our homes without fear and give someone we know and love a hug
etc. Let us thank God that a vaccine has been found and be prepared to
wait patiently. God always keeps his promises but sometimes he does
require us to wait. So let us wait with thankful hearts.
We also need to trust. It is easy when things seem to be going wrong to
give up on God. But I’m sure that if we can continue to trust God to lead
us, He will guide us and comfort us and help us and when we put our
trust in Him, this will automatically lead to hope. So my prayer for us, as
we enter this new year, is that we will be prepared to wait on God with
patience, to trust in God our redeemer and to have hope for the world,
because He who loves us, gives us that sure and certain hope, that no
matter what happens to us in 2021, He will see us through.
With my blessings for 2021.
Jules
4
HOME
TUTOR
I am a teacher with special
needs experience that
offers a fusion of tutoring
and child led learning to
cater for academic, social
and emotional needs.
Melanie Street
www.melaniemahony.co.uk
mahonymelanie@gmail.com
0751 8050205
DAVID’S GARDENING SERVICES
Do you need help in your garden?
Regular garden maintenance
including: Grass cutting Hedge
Trimming Weeding and
garden clear up Pruning
Call David on 07561119504
E-mail David at
davidsgardeningservices@live.com
Please note: the magazine editor has a new email address.
From now on, please send all items for the magazine to
MagazineEditor@Christchurchnailsea.org.uk . Thank you.
5Children’s News!
I am sure we are all hoping for a more healthier year in 2021
But there were still lots of things to be thankful for last year and God
showed us new ways of reaching out to families.
A lovely lot of Birthdays to celebrate in January:
David Pemble will be 7yrs old on the 5th
Seren Slee-Evans is 6yrs on the 6th
Holly Morris will be 9 on the 9th
Jacob Daynes is 10 on the 18th and
Jorge Searle will be 5yrs old on the 25th
Have a lovely Birthday from everyone at Christ Church.
At the time of writing this I am hoping these events will be allowed to
take place.
The Z Club will definitely be able to get together this month on Zoom
but it will just be on the 16th January at 6.30pm Any young people
attending Senior School are welcome to join in, please speak to Jules
or myself.
Sunday 3rd January at 10.15 starts with a Children's Church 'Hope in
the New Year' Places for a Family pew will still have to be booked
through me at the moment for this service.
Faith For Children (FFC) will be in the hall from 10.15 to 11.15 on the
10th, 17th, 24th and 31st, hoping that it won’t be long before we can
join everyone in Church.
Tots @ Christ Church will be back with 'Bubbles' only on Tuesday
mornings starting on the 5th and now a Friday afternoon on the 8th
Nearly all the sessions have been booked up in January, so looking
forward to seeing the families again
It will be a different January this year as no Wells Children's Festival
and no Fun@4 Christingle, but we had a wonderful Children's
6Church Christingle in December. Please remember to bring back any
Children's Society collecting candles by the end of February either on a
Sunday or into the office when it is open, thanks.
Lastly I would like to say thank you for the lovely messages on my
appointment as 'Family and Children's Worker' at Christ Church. I was very
touched to be asked and I am looking forward to this year and working with
Jules and everyone at Christ Church.
It seems that at the start of this year we are all hoping for things to get better
but whatever happens God is still Sovereign.
Every Blessing as we start 2021
Beverley Kelly
Family and Children's Worker
7CHRIST CHURCH RE-ORDERING The re-ordering of Christ Church continues to lumber along, albeit at a much slower pace than anyone would like. Now that I have managed to secure initial quotations from the many potential contractors that we shall need to use, I have developed a detailed schedule of works and also a budget for our anticipated costs. The total budget is £200,000, which includes a contingency, as no doubt prices will rise between now and when we are actually able to start the work. The PCC has approved this budget, so now our Fund Manager Brian Slater, has the difficult task of trying to identify possible sources of funding to cover our costs. Brian has already received a registration of interest in contributing towards our costs from an outside organisation, which is truly encouraging. So you may wish to check under your mattress, inside your cupboards, or maybe other places where you keep your money hidden away, to see what spare cash you have lying around. At this Covid restricted time, grants are proving to be very diffi- cult to access but we will continue to keep searching. Legacies are always a bonus, so have you considered up-dating your will and leaving a bequest to Christ Church? I have recently submitted our second informal application to the DAC for their approval for our planned re-ordering and we are definitely getting nearer the stage when they will give us their formal approval. They have stated that they are in agreement with our proposed re-ordering, but they have identified some small matters of detail which we need to resolve, agree with our architect, and the application can then be re-submitted. Let’s hope for 3rd time lucky. We remain totally committed to this exciting project and I am convinced that as we move forward into the New Year we shall get the final approval from the DAC and we will then be in a position to increase our level of activity and move forward at a pace. The other way, of course, of ensuring that we move forward is through the power of prayer. I ask you to keep the project in your prayers, and to say an extra prayer in support of our next application to the DAC. Malcolm Pemble 8
All services and activities mentioned in this magazine are based on the
assumption that we are in Tier 2 for all January
Otherwise, please see the website and the weekly Newsletter for
updates.
Both of our churches are open for private prayer, Christ Church on Monday to
Friday mornings and Tickenham Church 12-4 pm on Sundays.
Social distancing will need to be observed for the foreseeable future,
therefore face coverings must be worn and only 45 people can be accom-
modated for each Service. People may not enter the building in groups of
more than 6. To book a place you need to contact the office by email at
church.office@christchurchnailsea.org.uk or by phoning 859210 and
leaving a message by 12 noon on the Friday before the Sunday on which
you would like to attend.
Both churches now have the NHS Tracing App code at the entrance. Please
Pastoral Care
If anyone hears of a church member who is ill in hospital or at home
and would welcome prayer or a listening ear either by a personal visit
or a phone call please contact me either by email
rhonawinter@hotmail.com or ring Rhona on 0777 9933959
scan the bar code if you have the App on your phone.
Speak your kind words soon, for you never know how soon it will
be too late. - Anon
9Companion Care
Experienced, qualified support
for you or your loved one.
Home help
Companionship
Carers respite support
Memory support
Keeping active
01275 463604
Companioncarenorthsomerset@
gmail.com
www.companioncarenorthsomer set.com
Order
Happy to visit his local pub before it closed again, a man found himself
near two nuns. Eager to talk to anyone after weeks in Tier 3, he ventured:
“What is your order?” (Meaning their religious community.)
The nuns happily replied: “Sausage and chips.”
Left behind
Shortly after the funeral of a local wealthy man, two friends were discuss-
ing the Will. “How much did he leave?” wondered one. His friend thought
a moment, and ventured: “Well, I suppose, everything!”
10JOHN BROWN
FOR QUALITY HARDWARE & COOKWARE
A family run concern offering the
PERSONAL SERVICE
You would expect from
NAILSEA’S LONGEST RUNNING BUSINESS (Est. 1957)
90 High Street, Nailsea. Telephone 01275 853368
NAILSEA COUNTRY MARKET
Homemade bakes & preserves,
local cheese, butter, eggs,
plants and craft
Christ Church Vestry Hall
Fridays 10.00-11.15am
facebook.com/nailseacountrymarket
Choice of Chauffeur Driven
Genuine Vintage Cars for Hire
Nailsea Podiatry Practice
HPC Registered Chiropodists/Podiatrists
Ground Floor, The Old Vicarage,
Somerset Square, Nailsea,
Bristol, BS48 1RN
Tel: 01275 855384
Roger and Andrew Triggol Mrs M.L. Burt BSc (Hons), MChs
Mr I. Phillips BSc, MChs
Tel 01275 852440 Surgery and Domiciliary Visits available
11News from Kingshill Church School
Life-long Learning - Community - Friendship
HAPPY 2021
from everyone at KINGSHILL to all our friends
at CHRIST CHURCH
Our new term, Term 3, starts on Tuesday 5th January 2021 and I know eve-
ryone in the school community will be looking forward to being with their
friends and teachers again, still in our class “Bubbles” though. There will be
lots of news to share about the Christmas holidays, especially as for some
this will have included seeing family members not encountered for so very
long.
The school value that we shall be focusing on this term is
“RESPONSIBILITY”. In the material that Mrs Thomson provides for each
class to use in their own class collective worship the bible stories that will
be included are Joseph, Creation and The Lost Sheep. I wonder how you
would link those to the term’s value? We shall also be having class
Christingle services at the end of January, sad though that we won’t be
able to come together as a whole school for this.
Governors will continue to meet remotely on Teams (a Zoom equivalent),
with all the technological issues that that brings. Our school Ethos Com-
mittee will also meet on Teams to look at how the school is daily demon-
strating its Christian vision and values, including in Collective Worship and
RE. Do contact my colleague Foundation Governor, Malcolm Pemble, or
me, if you have any questions about our church primary school.
Most of all please hold this branch of our Christ Church family in your
prayers.
Liz Everitt. Foundation Governor
12CHRIST CHURCH CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
Here are a few examples
13Mothers Union Literacy and Skills Programme
Illiteracy holds women back, severely. It simply pushes them to the bottom
of society, and robs them of the opportunities and confidence needed to
combat the gender inequalities they face on a daily basis.
Theresa is one of those women. As a girl, Theresa attended primary school,
but when her mother and father died, so did Theresa’s education. She was
forced to join her aunt, selling food in the market, and when she was still
very young, she got married. Their first child was a girl, which made her
husband angry. ‘Why do you give us girls?’ he would rage. ‘Why can you
not give us a boy? I need a boy.’ Theresa’s husband beat her and she cried
every day. Eventually, she fell pregnant again and had a boy.
Though her husband worked, he drank a lot, so there was never any
money left. It fell to Theresa to put food on the table for her family. She
took up dressmaking and provided household support for local ministers.
They helped her learn to speak French, but not to read or write. Illiterate,
she was still left out of opportunities in her community and unable to
challenge the real issues that affected her, especially at home.
Finally, Theresa enrolled on a Mothers Union literacy and skills programme,
where she learned not only how to read and write but how to plan and
manage her finances. Her confidence and awareness of her rights, and the
support available, grew so much, she left her abusive husband to make her
own way in the world with her children.
Today, Theresa’s life has completely changed. She’s a leader in her
community now. Not only does she teach other women how to make
dresses but inspires them to learn to read and write too. As the saying
goes, ‘when you educate a woman, you educate a community’.
Chris Mahony
14North Somerset Child Contact Centre
A Child Contact Centre is a safe, neutral place where the children of sepa-
rated families can meet with their non-resident parent. The North Somerset
Centre operates twice a month in Clevedon or Nailsea and is run and man-
aged by the Mothers' Union. It is staffed by a team of volunteers, male and
female, who are all DBS cleared and trained. This is a valuable service bring-
ing much happiness to "absent parents" and their children. Referrals are
always welcome and a few more volunteers would also be gratefully wel-
comed. If you feel that you could spare a couple of hours on a Saturday
afternoon occasionally, or would like more information please phone Chris
on 01275 857724
Who does the allotment in your family?
As men take on more domestic household chores, here may be a surprise
result: more women are tackling the family allotment, and often taking the
children along to help out.
Nationally, half of all allotment holders are now women. This is up from two
per cent in 1973, and 20 per cent in 2003. It is thought that the example of
celebrity gardeners, especially Charlie Dimmock, may have helped.
The average age of holders is 57, with men typically older than women.
Demand for allotments has quadrupled since 2006, with the average wait-
ing list in London now five years
15PRAYER DIARY FOR JANUARY 2021
1. Let there be peace and let it begin with me.
2. The changing seasons.
3. Our thanks for the many blessings we receive.
4. For staff and students in all places of education.
5. Bristol Eye Hospital: all staff and patients.
6. For integrity within the justice system.
7. The power of the wind and sea.
8. For all creation.
9. Our hope that restrictions on all sports and the arts may soon be eased.
10. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions
never fail. (Lamentations 3: 22)
11. New every morning is the love our waking and uprising prove (Hymn 467)
12. Animals used as helpers in all walks of life.
13. People who have worked so hard to improve lives and all who continue to do
so.
14. For literacy projects worldwide.
15. Fair distribution of world resources so that none shall go hungry.
16. Let us bring life’s hope to many who have never been loved.
17. In our prayer times help us to listen quietly for the Lord’s voice.
18. Our homes and families—places where people want to be.
19. Flowers, tunes … and all things that conjure up happy times.
20. The gentle promise of lengthening days.
21. How lovely it will be when Christ Church family can happily return to normal
events.
22. To all who have dealt with rules and restrictions concerning the running of
our Churches over such a long time — thank you so very much.
23. Those in despair who feel they can longer go on (see 1 Kings 19:3 & 4).
24. Victims of earthquakes and other natural disasters.
25. Authors and illustrators of children’s books.
26. Concerns about pollution and irresponsible damage to the natural world.
27. ‘Dear children, let us not love with words or tongues, but with actions and
truth’ (1 John 3:18)
28. Foster carers — that their homes provide love, happiness and protection.
29. ‘My people will live in peaceful dwelling places in secure homes and undis-
turbed places of rest’ (Isiah 32:18)
30. Aid projects to make clean water available to all.
31. Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) (Luke 2:22).
16FEBRUARY 2021
1. Help us to consider our words carefully — once spoken they cannot
be taken back.
2. Television programmes showing the wonders of this remarkable
world.
3. The air ambulance service South West.
Parish Prayers
In January, as we continue to remember all the Parish in our pray-
ers, please pray especially for those who live, work and worship in
Stockway North, Friendship Terrace, Friendship Road, Friendship
Grove, French Close, Taveners Walk, The Willows and Withy Close.
From the Registers
Funerals
Maurice Eveleigh (85)
John Chivers (87)
17A crossword to start off, all solutions are on page 30
Across
1 ‘Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a — began to
crow’ (John 18:27) (4)
3 Fetters (Job 33:11) (8)
8 Perform on a musical instrument (1 Samuel 16:23) (4)
9 Paul describes it as ‘the third heaven’ (2 Corinthians 12:2–4) (8)
11 Loyally (Deuteronomy 11:13) (10)
14 Hens? Me? (anag.) (6)
15 Not visible (Matthew 6:6) (6)
17 Predicted site of the final great battle (Revelation 16:16) (10)
20 Jacob’s youngest son (Genesis 35:18) (8)
21 One of Zophar’s eleven sons (1 Chronicles 7:36) (4)
22 For example, London, Paris, Rome (8)
23 United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (1,1,1,1)
18Down
1 Favourite church activity: Fellowship round a — — — (3,2,3)
2 Divinely bestowed powers or talents (8)
4 Pile together (1 Thessalonians 2:16) (4,2)
5 Commanded to justify (John 8:13) (10)
6 Timothy’s grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5) (4)
7 Killed (Psalm 78:34) (4)
10 One of Graham Kendrick’s best-known songs, — — King (3,7)
12 Indecency (Mark 7:22) (8)
13 Unceasing (Jeremiah 15:18) (8)
16 He prophesied ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ (Matthew 24:15)
(6)
18 British Board of Film Classification (1,1,1,1)
19 Pans (anag.) (4)
A Sudoku for you
19And a maze Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards. If you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book. - Ronald Reagan 20
ORCHARDS
THE FURNITURE PEOPLE
Quality & Service
At Realistic Prices
28 Somerset Square Nailsea Bristol BS48 1RP
Tel: 01275 855
www.orchardsthefurniturepeople.co.uk
Nailsea Dental Practice - Family Dentistry
New patients welcome Sedation for nervous
Full range of quality dental patients
treatment Payment plan available
Tooth straightening without Evening appointments
tooth removal Practice car park
Hygienist service
01275 856179 22/24 High Street, Nailsea BS48 1AU
www.nailseadentalpractice.co.uk
21Nailsea District Leg Club
Most importantly a very happy New Year to everyone, we’re all hoping
that 2021 will bring the vaccine results and normality that is craved,
though we are very aware that patience and care must continue.
With days showing signs of lengthening and excesses of Christmas be-
hind us, now is the time to start thinking about more exercise again. It’s
been said so many times that moving is vitally important to keep healthy
both mentally and physically. The weather might be on the cool side, but
sunlight and fresh air, even if only for a short time, are so very beneficial,
don’t let cabin fever and lethargy set in. There are lots of online exercise
classes or local walks to follow, of which there are abundance in this area.
Sadly we’ve lost two of our wonderful volunteer drivers Keith and Diane
Stevens, who recently moved. But thanks to a successful garage sale of
household items they no longer required and the generous donations
from volunteers and supporters who found some great bargains, our
funds have benefitted to the tune of £375. We thank them for such a
generous and inventive idea. We wish them many happy years in their
new home. This does mean we will be looking for more volunteer drivers
as and when we re-open, but news of the drop-in clinic re-opening will
be publicised as soon as it is safe to do so, rest assured we will definitely
be back!
Plants in your front garden
What’s in your front garden? If it is sparse, why not consider add-
ing some plants this year? Apparently, the presence of greenery
can lower your stress levels as much as two months of mindful-
ness sessions. Plants can also help you to feel happier.
A recent trial study by the Royal Horticultural Society found that
people who introduced ornamental plants such as juniper, azal-
ea, clematis, lavender, daffodil bulbs and petunias had a signifi-
cant lowering of the stress hormone, cortisol, and many reported
that they felt ‘happier’.
22DELIVERING AND PAYING FOR THE CHRIST CHURCH CHRONICLE IN
2021
It is our current plan to continue to deliver paper copies of the Christ
Church Chronicle to all those to whom we’ve been doing so over recent
months. It has been good to hear how much those of you who don’t use
the internet have appreciated this, and our Special Delivery Team are get-
ting fitter by the month!
Our Christ Church Chronicle will continue to be available on the church
website and copies will also be available for collection before services.
IF YOU NO LONGER WISH TO HAVE A COPY DELIVERED OR NEED TO
BE ADDED TO THE LIST please ring the church office on 859210 and
leave a message if necessary.
We will be calling to collect magazine subscriptions only if you specifically
ask us to by ringing the office. If you are able to put yours in an envelope
labelled with your name and MAGAZINE and pop it in the church letterbox
just outside the main door we’d be most grateful.
THE COST OF THE MAGAZINE IN 2021 WILL BE 50p PER MONTH, OR
£5 FOR THE YEAR.
As you know our church finances are not in great shape and we cannot let
the magazine be a further drain on our resources. Our advertisers provide
some income, but even production of the online version has a cost impli-
cation in terms of the purchase of software and website fees.
Numbers
When the minister announced the first hymn on Zoom, “Ten thousand
times ten thousand!” the little boy turned anxiously to his father. “Does
he want us to work that out?”
23Keep it in the family!
Start children off on the way they should go…. Proverbs 22:6
Suppose you bought your child a football for Christmas. You all go
outside to the garden, and in front of the family you show them
how to score a goal. Then they have a go, but accidentally kick the
new ball straight at your neighbour’s greenhouse, which breaks
some glass. Are you legally responsible for the damage?
Or supposing you buy them a bicycle, and they then try it on the
road, and cause an accident. Will you have pay for any loss?
A parent is not generally legally responsible for a child who
causes an accident. There are some exceptions and some of
them are these:
If the child was doing something at your request for you (acting
as your agent),
The parent was in charge of the child at the time,
The parent is negligent in allowing the child something which is
risky
Where the parent is not in proper control of the child.
If you were showing your loved ones how you used to score a goal,
you may be legally responsible for the greenhouse, if you are not a
good coach. But if the child is just playing and accidentally breaks a
window, the position may be different. If you give your child some-
thing that is dangerous, like an air rifle or a firework with which they
then do damage, you may well be legally responsible.
Law and morality are different. As a good neighbour, you would
want to pay for any damage, even if the law says you do not have
to. Children should be brought up to admit mistakes and be re-
sponsible. Sometimes the risks increase, especially if a youngster is
on the road. Any parent would want to be especially careful near a
main road.
If someone else’s child does you or your property significant dam-
age, what can you do? If you cannot sue the parent, you could
claim against the child, but that is unlikely to be worth it unless the
child has money of their own.
24Did you know you can advertise here for a whole
year?
11 issues from just £18 for one-eighth page
£36 for one-quarter page and £55 for one-half page
or take a whole page and make a splash for just £80!
Margaret Stanton
STAMPS ALCM DIP.ABRSM
Did you know ......... Piano Tuition to
The Children’s Hospice can make Grade 8
money from used postage stamps?
Children and Adults welcome
Please pop them in the special Also Theory to Grade 5
box at the back of the Church.
Thank you on their behalf, For more information please
Gordon Newton call: 01275 852644
25One more step By Bishop Peter January takes its name from the Roman god, Janus, who is usually de- picted as having two faces, looking both to the future and the past. At the start of a New Year it is good to do the same. 2020 will sadly be remembered as the year disrupted by COVID-19. Cracks in our care for each other have been revealed and it has had a disproportionate effect on those already vulnerable or deprived. It showed us that those who are most essential to our needs, those who clean and serve and care, are often those valued least in our economy. However, we also saw extraordinary acts of kindness and compassion, as churches and communities worked together to provide comfort, support, and practical care. So, what of 2021? The temptation may be to forget what we have learnt, to paper over the cracks, ignore what has been uncomfortable and to seek comfort in the familiar. I hope we don’t. 2020 opened our eyes to the harm caused when people are excluded on the basis of race, ability, gender, sexual orientation or wealth. Jesus calls us to a better way. Jesus broke the bounds of exclusion, refusing to accept the social norms and speaking to Samaritans, women, Gentiles, tax collectors and sinners. He teaches that the first shall be last and the last first. He reconciles humani- ty to God through his death and resurrection. As we look forward to 2021, we need to think again what it means to follow Christ and to build our lives and communities based on mutual love, respect and service. ‘For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many’. 26
May we all know the Lord’s leading and guiding as we step out into a New
Year.
With my warmest greetings,
Rt Rev Peter Hancock
Bishop of Bath and Wells
When Faith Gets Shaken
By Patrick Regan OBE, Monarch, £9.99
What do you do when life falls apart, and it
feels as if God has left you? How do you keep
going when your faith is rocked to the
core? Sometimes things get so hard we're not sure where God is - or
what He's up to.
For Patrick there was illness, and loss in his family and community. Then
a series of excruciating operations took him to the brink physically, emo-
tionally, and spiritually.
Writing during his journey of recovery, Patrick explores how we find God
in times of suffering. He wrestles with how we can know God's peace
when life is anything but peaceful, what the true nature of courage is,
how we allow ourselves the grace to rest when we're running on empty,
and how we can stay fully present in the moment.
27SERVICES FOR JANUARY 2021
CHRIST CHURCH TICKENHAM
3rd 8.30 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Holy Communion
Epiphany 10.15 am Children’s Church
10th 8.30 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Family Service
Baptism of 10.15 am Holy Communion
Christ
17th 8.30 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Holy Communion
Epiphany 2 10.15 am Service of the
Word
24th 8.30 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Service of the
Word
Epiphany 3 10.15 am Holy Communion
31st 8.30 am Holy Communion
Presenta- 10.15 am Holy Communion
tion of Christ
at the
Temple
28Where did the Wise Men come from?
Magi from the East – it isn’t a lot to go on. The Magi had originally been a
religious caste among the Persians. Their devotion to astrology, divination
and the interpretation of dreams led to an extension in the meaning of
the word, and by the first century the Magi in Matthew’s gospel could
have been astrologers from outside of Persia. Some scholars believe they
might have come from what was then Arabia Felix, or as we would say
today, southern Arabia.
In the first century astrology was
practised there, and it was the
region where the Queen of She-
ba had lived. She of course had
visited Solomon and would have
heard the prophecies about how
one day a Messiah would be
born to the Israelites and become their king.
Matthew’s gospel (chapter 2) is clear that the Magi asked Herod: ‘Where
is the One who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the
east and have come to worship Him.’ So it is possible that in southern
Arabia the Queen of Sheba’s story of how a Messiah would one day be
sent to the Israelites had survived. Certainly, there are a number of other
early legends that connect southern Arabia with Solomon’s Israel.
To many people this makes sense: that the ancient stories of a Messiah,
linked to later astrological study, prompted these alert and god-fearing
men to the realisation that something very stupendous was happening in
Israel. They realised that after all these centuries, the King of the Jews, the
Messiah, was about to be born.
One more interesting thing that gives weight to the theory that the Magi
came from southern Arabia is this: if you study any map of Palestine as it
was during biblical times, you will find that the old Arabian caravan routes
all entered Palestine ‘from the East’.
**
29If biblical events were being covered by today's media...
On Red Sea crossing:
WETLANDS TRAMPLED IN LABOUR STRIKE
Enforcement Officials Killed While Pursuing Unruly Mob
On the birth of Christ:
HOTELS FULL, ANIMALS EJECTED FROM SHELTER
Animal Rights Advocates Enraged by Insensitive Couple
On feeding the 5,000:
LAY PREACHER STEALS CHILD'S LUNCH
Disciples Mystified Over Behaviour
On healing the 10 lepers:
QUACK PREYS ON TERMINALLY ILL
Authorities Investigating Use of Non-traditional Medical Procedure
On raising Lazarus from the dead:
ITINERANT PREACHER RAISES STINK Sudoku solution
Will Now Being Contested by Lawyers of Heirs
Crossword answers
ACROSS: 1, Cock. 3, Shackles. 8, Play. 9, Paradise. 11, Faithfully. 14, Enmesh. 15, Unseen. 17,
Armageddon. 20, Benjamin. 21, Beri. 22, Capitals. 23, USPG.
DOWN: 1, Cup of tea. 2, Charisma. 4, Heap up. 5, Challenged. 6, Lois. 7, Slew. 10, The Servant. 12, Lewd-
ness. 13, Unending. 16, Daniel. 18, BBFC. 19, Snap.
30POETRY CORNER
When I first came to Christ Church
I was a stranger and new.
So I found a quiet corner at the end of a pew.
I watched other people as they greeted
each other
“Good morning Beryl, how is your mother ?”
HAPPY NEW YEAR
In Sunday best to Christ Church they came
And sat in their places – always the same. Heaven’s gift of another year
Familiar like family they knew one another As the old departs and the new is
While I sat in my pew watching them born,
gather.
Plans for a future and a hope
The organ was playing to welcome them Preparing us for each new dawn.
on
As I waited in silence for prayers to
Yesterday has gone forever,
begin.
Then Maurice appeared right by my side New days and ventures lie
He stopped and he asked me my name. ahead,
His manner so gentle, so kind and sincere Even darkness turns to light
And he hoped I’d be coming again.
When we make the Lord our
Now I’ve joined the church family head.
Thanks Maurice to you. Yielding to the Holy Spirit
No longer a stranger alone in a pew
Ever mindful that He’s there,
Bur ready to welcome all through the
door As we live our lives before Him
And speak to the people I’ve not seen Rejoicing in His loving care.
before.
Your are now amongst angels By Megan Carter
Your work on earth finished.
But the memory of Maurice
Will never diminish
Tina Hellawell
31The normal activities at Christ Church are:
Weekly:
Sun 10.00am - Children are always welcome at our services.
There are always toys and books in the children’s corner in Church for tod-
dlers and babies. First Sunday of each month is Children’s Church, for
young children and their families, in Church. All other Sundays, Faith for
Children (FFC) 3-11 years meet in the Vestry Hall during the service in
church. For information in advance, please contact the Church Office.
Mon 8.30am Morning Prayer, Bible readings & intercessions
Tue 9.30am Tuesday Tots in Vestry Hall (term time)
Fri 1.30pm Tots in Vestry Hall (term time)
7.00pm Choir Practice
Sat 10.00 - 10.30 Morning Prayer and Intercessions
10.30 - 12.00 Church open for quiet prayer
10.30 - 12.00 Coffee morning in Vestry Hall (unless special event)
Louise Maby, the Benefice Administrator, is available in the Church Office
on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9.45 –12 and Wednesday 9.45 –11am.
Alternatively phone 859210 or
e-mail: church.office@Christchurchnailsea.org.uk
Church Website: www.Christchurchnailsea.org.uk
Monthly:
Mothers’ Union 1st Wednesday alternate months starting February
7.30pm Vestry Hall
3rd Wednesday every month 2.30pm Vestry Hall
After-Eights 3rd Monday each month 8.00pm in local homes
Midweek Communion 2nd Wednesday 10.00am Holy Communion
Boys’ Night Out First Thursday 8.30pm at White Lion
Church Breakfast 2nd and 4th Sunday each month after 8.30 service
Game On 2nd and 4th Tuesdays 2.30-4.30 in Vestry Hall
Girls’ Chat Time 4th Monday 4.00pm at Costa in the Precinct
Piecemakers 1st & 3rd Tuesday each month 1.30 Vestry Hall
Christ Church Crafts 2nd & 4th Tuesday each month 2.00 - 4.00pm
at 63 Westway
Items for the magazine should be emailed to
MagazineEditor@Christchurchnailsea.org.uk
or handed into the church office
by the 14th of each month, thanks
32You can also read
