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Diocese of Winchester
Parish of North Stoneham and Bassett
All Saints † St. Michael & All Angels † St. Nicolas
Parish Magazine
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given ... and
His name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 KJV
December 2019/ January 2020 £1.00
December 2019 / January 2020
J. LAWRENCE & SONS
(UNDERTAKERS) LTD.
A sympathetic and personal service
from a family-owned business
since 1870
Chapel of rest
Day & night service
Prompt attention for all areas
17 St Denys Road
Portswood,
Southampton
Tel 023 8055 4801
Registered Charity No. 1175931
/nsabparish @ nsabparish
Please note that:
commercial services advertised in this magazine do not, necessarily,
have the endorsement of the PCC.
views and opinions expressed in this magazine do not represent the
publishers’ or the PCC’s opinions, unless stated.
This magazine, its title and contents are copyright of the PCC. Material
may not be re-used without the formal consent of the PCC.
Front Cover Photos Credit: pixabay.com/photos/christmas-baby-jesus-nativity-3882868/
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w
December 2019 / January 2020
e invite you to share in the Christian
worship and witness of the Anglican
community in our Parish.
We are part of the world-wide Anglican
Church, in the Deanery of Southampton, within the
Diocese of Winchester. We are also members of the
ecumenical Churches group Love Swaythling & Bassett.
Regular services are held at our churches in the Parish:
St Nicolas, Stoneham Lane, SO50 9NW
All Saints, Winchester Road, SO16 7DL
St Michael & All Angels, Bassett Avenue, SO16 7FD
Inside this Edition
4-5 Rector’s Report
6-9 What’s Going On in NSAB…
10 From the Registers
11 Monday Company’s Communiqué
12-14 A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
15 Harvest Festival at St Michael’s
16 Give as You Live - Fundraise for PCC of NSAB
17 Puzzle Corner
19 All Saints’ 50th Anniversary
20-21 Letter from the Ministry Team
22-23 Half-Term Friday? It must be Singing Day!
25 Christmas Hampers for Basics Bank
27 Nativity Scene Festival @ St Nicolas Church
31 PCC Matters
33 Collation and Induction Service
33 Parish Magazine 2020 Subscription
34 Bishop's Commission For Mission - Spring 2020 Programmes
35 Poetry Corner
36-37 Parish Notice Board
38-39 Contacts
40 Christmas @ NSAB
-3-
December 2019 / January 2020
Rector ’s Report
The Little Road to Bethlehem
W
e’re beginning our journey worship at the
towards Christmas now traditional site of
that Advent is upon us. Jesus’ birth which is
And we think about the journeys found in a grotto
involved in the Christmas story – under the Church
perhaps most especially the journey of the Nativity in
to Bethlehem undertaken by Mary Manger Square.
and Joseph – donkey or not!
Politically, Bethlehem is under the
A few weeks ago, I undertook my control of the Palestinian authority
own journey to Bethlehem as part of and has been since the Oslo accords
a pilgrimage group from about six of 1995. However, Bethlehem is also
local churches. This was my fourth effectively controlled by the state of
visit there and each one has been Israel which has built a separation
extraordinary in its own way. barrier around it, completed with
Bethlehem today is not really the watchtowers and checkpoints. Entry
“Little Town” we sing about in our and exit for Palestinians is controlled
Christmas carol. With a population by permit, and it is recommended
of over 25,000 people it is a busy that Israeli nationals do not enter the
place – and derives the vast majority area – in common with the rest of
of its income from tourism. There are the West Bank and Gaza. Visitors
many hotels there, but at Christmas with foreign passports like our group
there is probably still no room at pass through the controls with
the inn, as many pilgrims gather to minimum fuss, but the story is
different for Bethlehem residents
who need to leave the town to work
in Jerusalem which is only 6 miles
away. The separation barrier is an
eight metre high concrete wall and
while this has proved effective in
reducing the number of suicide
bombers in Jewish areas of Jerusalem,
it is difficult to imagine how this is a
long-term strategy for peace. On one
of my earlier visits to Bethlehem, I
met with Clare Anastas. Her family
has lived in Bethlehem for generations
and her family’s apartment block is
surrounded on three sides by this
wall. She runs a gift shop, far from
the main road now and like many
Christmas Tree in Manger square Christian families in the Holy Land,
-4-
December 2019 / January 2020
feels caught in the middle of an our prayers and support. If you are
increasingly difficult situation. In 1947, ever able to buy any olive wood
85% of Bethlehem’s population was goods from Bethlehem, you are
Christian – and now it is nearer 16%. helping the economy there. After this
Many have left to seek last trip, I have also
an easier life elsewhere. thought a lot about the
reality of being pilgrims
So Bethlehem itself is together in Christ’s
not an easy place to live
church. Because
for its residents – and it Christ’s church includes
can be difficult for us as Christians who are not
visitors too to see the like me. I felt excluded
political and social
by the behaviour of
reality on the ground. some of my fellow
But on my most recent pilgrims in the grotto
visit, I found it equally of the church of the
difficult to be a visitor Nativity, but that led
and pilgrim there. Our me to ponder who I
group waited patiently
might be excluding
with many others to get Entrance to the Church of the Nativity from the fellowship of
down into the grotto, the traditional Christ’s church because of my own
site of the birthplace of Jesus, marked
behaviour, deliberate or otherwise.
on the floor by the star of Bethlehem
on marble. It’s a small space, and most As we re-tell the wondrous story of
pilgrims want to spend a moment in the incarnation this Christmas, and as
prayer, kneeling in wonder at the I worship God through the carols,
place where God in human form took the choral music, the nativity scenes,
his first breaths. But as I got closer to the readings, and as I share yet again
the spot a number of pilgrims from in the joy of the shepherds and the
other countries who perhaps did not praise of the angels, I’ll remember the
quite have a British approach to Bethlehem of today which continues
queuing jostled in around us. One to teach me so much about faith and
woman actually pushed me out of the God. Many of our images of the
way so she could kneel (and take a nativity are sanitised beyond any link
selfie) at the star and I found myself with reality – but God is with us in
unable to kneel in the quiet moment I the difficulty and mess of life and God
had hoped for. I left feeling a little came because he loved all of us
bewildered. abundantly and eternally – even
those who are not the same as me.
On reflection afterwards, I remem- May you know peace and joy this
bered how Bethlehem continues to
Christmas and in the new year –
haunt my thoughts, especially at
and may you find a
Christmas. Over a number of visits I moment to pause in
have learned from Christians who live wonder at God-with-us.
there a good deal about resilience
and perseverance in faith in difficult
situations. They continue to ask for Sheena
-5-
December 2019 / January 2020
What’s Going on
December 2019
08.00 St Michael’s Holy Communion
Joint All Age Eucharist
10.00 St Michael’s
Toy Appear Service
1st Sunday
of Advent
10.00 All Saints Joint Service @ St Michaels
1st 10.30 St Nicolas Eucharist
12.30 All Saints’ Community Lunch
16.00 St Nicolas St Nic @ 4
18.30 St Michael’s Advent Carol Service
5th Thu 09.30 St Michael’s Eucharist
08.00 St Michael’s Holy Communion
Patronal Festival
2nd Sunday
10.00 St Michael’s Sung Eucharist
of Advent
8th 10.00 All Saints’ Eucharist
10.30 St Nicolas Patronal Eucharist
16.00 St Nicolas St Nic @ 4
Eastleigh Football Club
9th Mon 18.00 St Nicolas
Carol Service
12th Thu 09.30 St Michael’s Eucharist
14th Sat 16.00 St Nicolas Christmas Carol Service
08.00 St Michael’s Holy Communion
3rd Sunday
10.00 St Michael’s Sung Eucharist
of Advent
15th 10.00 All Saints’ Connect
10.30 St Nicolas Morning Praise
16.00 St Nicolas St Nic @ 4
09.30 St Michael’s Eucharist
19th Thu
10.00 St Michael’s Great Oaks Carol Service
-6-
December 2019 / January 2020
in NSAB...
08.00 St Michael’s Holy Communion
10.00 St Michael’s Sung Eucharist
4th Sunday
of Advent
10.00 All Saints’ Carol Service
22nd
10.30 St Nicolas Connect
16.00 St Nicolas St Nic @ 4
18.30 St Michael’s 9 Lessons & Carols
16.00 All Saints’ Crib Service
Christmas Eve
16.00 St Nicolas Crib Service
24th 17.00 St Michael’s Crib Service
23.30 St Michael’s Midnight Mass
23.30 St Nicolas Midnight Mass
08.00 St Michael’s Holy Communion
Christmas
10.00 St Michael’s Christmas Day Communion
Day
25th
10.00 All Saints’ No Service
10.30 St Nicolas No Service
08.00 St Michael’s Holy Communion
after Christmas
10.00 St Michael’s Sung Eucharist
The Sunday
29th 10.00 All Saints’ Morning Praise
10.30 St Nicolas Morning Praise
16.00 St Nicolas St Nic @ 4
January 2020
2nd Thu 09.30 St Michael’s Eucharist
08.00 St Michael’s Holy Communion
Epiphany
Sunday
5th 10.00 St Michael’s Joint All Age Eucharist
10.00 All Saints’ No Service/Community Lunch
-7-
December 2019 / January 2020
What’s Going on in
January 2020 Continued
Epiphany 10.30 St Nicolas Morning Praise
5th Sunday
16.00 St Nicolas St Nic @ 4
Collation and Induction of
7th Tue 19.30 St Nicolas
Revd Sheena Williams
9th Thu 09.30 St Michael’s Eucharist
08.00 St Michael’s Holy Communion
Baptism of Christ
10.00 St Michael’s Sung Eucharist
10.00 All Saints’ No Service
12th
10.30 St Nicolas Morning Praise
16.00 St Nicolas St Nic @ 4
18.30 St Michael’s Epiphany Carol Service
16th Thu 09.30 St Michael’s Eucharist
08.00 St Michael’s Holy Communion
of Epiphany
2nd Sunday
10.00 St Michael’s Sung Eucharist
19th 10.00 All Saints’ Eucharist
10.30 St Nicolas Eucharist
16.00 St Nicolas St Nic @ 4
23rd Thu 09.30 St Michael’s Eucharist
08.00 St Michael’s Holy Communion
10.00 St Michael’s Choral Eucharist
of Epiphany
3rd Sunday
10.00 All Saints’ Morning Praise
26th
10.30 St Nicolas Connect
16.00 St Nicolas St Nic @ 4
18.30 St Michael’s Evensong
30th Thu 09.30 St Michael’s Eucharist
-8-
December 2019 / January 2020
NSAB… Continued
Please remember to check the NSAB website and weekly News Sheet to
get the most up to date information.
Other Regular Bits...
Morning Prayer — All welcome!
All Saints’ 07.30 Monday — Thursday
St Michael’s 09.00 Monday, Wednesday, Friday
St Nicolas 09.00 Tuesday
Evening Stillness — Come pray with us!
St Michael’s 17.30 Monday
Weekly
Wednesday 10.00 Parish Hall Community Coffee Morning
Thursday 10.15 St Michael’s Morning Bible Study Group
14.30 All Saints’ Afternoon Bible Study Group
Saturday 10.15 All Saints’ Coffee Call-In
Monthly
All Saints’ Wives Group
(meetings held at 2.00pm All Saints’ Church Centre SO16 7DL or in
members’ homes unless otherwise stated)
December: 9th
January: 13th & 28th
Monday Company
(meetings held at 2.30pm)
December: 2nd & 16th at All Saints’ Church Centre SO16 7DL
January: 6th & 20th at Parish Hall SO16 7FD
Love Swaythling & Bassett Ladies Group 2.00pm
(for more info, contact Wendy Rowe at stephenrowe0248@btinternet.com)
December 20th - Bring & Share Christmas Tea at Baptist Church
January 17th - TBA
-9-
December 2019 / January 2020
From the Registers
Baptism
Date Names
27 October 2019 Millie Elizabeth Bonnar
Holy Matrimony
Date Names
09 November Benjamin Yi Kai Loh - Kleio Tan
Rest in Peace
Date Names
03 Octobeer 2019 Dorothy O’Brien
11 October 2019 William Hickman
22 October 2019 Frank William Cave
12 November 2019 Patrick John Rogers
19 November 2019 John Robert Guy
Gentle Reminder
Deadline for the February-March issue of the magazine is:
14 January, 2020
Writer’s Guidelines:
If you are submitting an article for the Parish Magazine, please keep in
mind that the length of your article should not be more than a two-
page spread.
For a 2-page article: approximately 650 - 700 words with 1 or 2 photos
For a 1-page article: approximately 300 - 350 words with 1 photo.
-10-December 2019 / January 2020
Monday Company’s
Communiqué
M
onday Company has met Our next meeting on 2nd December
four times since our launch is an afternoon of “Making Stars”-
in September. The first talk decorations and cards, or just come
by Richard Willcox (of All Saints’) and have a chat and a cuppa, and we
about visiting ships in the Docks then will have our bring and share
wit h Missions t o Seamen was Christmas tea on 16 th December.
extremely interesting, and created a
Thank you for your continued
lot of interests about the history of
prayers for us, and whether you’ve
the docks, and has resulted in
come already or have yet to join
several people knitting hats for the
us, do know that you’d be very
sailors, which Richard and his
welcome at Monday Company.
colleague t ake on board. T he
illustrated talk, by Doris Street, (a
member of Monday Company),
Glynis Wenyon
assisted by Chris Thomas, about
artists who’d come from or been (on behalf of Monday Company Team)
based in Southampton, prompted
some lively discussion about which
To find out more about Monday
painting people preferred, and also
Company, please contact Glynis
some of the paintings of old views of
Wenyon at 023 8079 0816 or
Southampton had us all guessing
mondaycompany@nsab.org.uk
the locations, and what the places
looked like now.
Both Activities afternoons have had
lower numbers of attendees (twelve
each time) but have resulted in
people getting to know each other
better in the smaller group – and
having a great deal of fun and
laughter, as folks worked together
at knitting or jigsaws or card -
making, or became very excited at
throwing a six when playing a board
game!
-11-December 2019 / January 2020
A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
28th October - 6th November 2019
I
suspect it is the desire of most how very hilly and barren was the
Christians to visit the Holy Land surrounding terrain. There was no
and experience the places where “green hill far away”, it was rocky and
Jesus conducted His ministry. And so
37 of us boarded our coach, ably
driven by Malcom Loades, to begin a
trip which would confirm or change
the perceptions we had gleaned from
reading our bibles.
Our first encounter with Israeli
security was slightly daunting:
serious, black suited personnel who
questioned us individually before
passing us on to check-in. On arrival
at Ben Gurion Airport, the long difficult. Jerusalem itself, as with
queues were enlivened by the variety other towns and villages, is built on
of visitors, especially of interest being top of a hill and we had an impressive
the orthodox Jews in their distinctive panoramic view of the old walled city.
large black hats, ringlets and black silk We made our way down to the
coats. Garden of Gethsemane and here,
with the ancient olive trees, it was
Our hotel was in the Arab area, very certainly possible to imagine the
close to the Damascus Gate entrance
to the old city. Shops opened to late
evening and everywhere were the
sights and sounds of a different and
exciting place.
Early on the first morning (and we
were generally up by 6am) we met
our guide, Nael, a Christian from
Nazareth, who proved to be very
knowledgeable, not only of the
historical significance of the places scene on the night of Jesus’ arrest.
we visited, but, more importantly, of Such were the number of pilgrims
the scriptural background. that it was difficult to have a time
for quiet reflection, but that came
Our first major impression, as we after lunch when we celebrated
drove to the top of the Mount of communion in the Sisters of Sion
Olives on the first morning, was Convent in Ein Karem.
-12-December 2019 / January 2020
The Western Wall caught some of us The Holocaust Memorial at Yad
by surprise, eliciting quite a strong Vashem proved to be as harrowing as
emotional response. The Wall, which we had anticipated. It was superbly
is part of the surrounding wall of the designed, allowing passage physically
Temple Mount, is the nearest Jews and historically through this
can get to the site of the Temple. particularly awful time in human
Divided by a barrier into a male and history. Of especial impact were the
female sections (the latter being filmed testimonies of survivors.
shorter) the devotion of those of all
That evening we met with the Dean
ages and nationalities is very moving.
of St George’s College who spoke of
We then crossed the large square
the work of the diocese and the
and entered the busy, narrow, shop-
difficulties of being a small minority in
lined streets of the old city, walking
Jerusalem and beyond. On the
along the Via Dolorosa to the
following Sunday we joined the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre where
congregation of St George’s Cathedral
we had our reading, prayer and hymn
for morning worship in both English
and Arabic. The cathedral was full
and the singing hearty.
The Jordan River, which separates
Israel from Jordan, was again not
quite how I had pictured it. Where
we stopped it was very narrow
and brown, though this did not
deter other pilgrim groups from
before passing into a very busy and undergoing full submersive baptism.
sometimes sombre interior. Here Erica and Sheena stood in the
four denominat ions command shallows and made the sign of the
different sections of the church and, cross on our foreheads.
as there is seldom consensus, very
little is done in the way of
improvements. It was very busy, but
those of us who rose early next
morning could walk around it at
leisure before the influx of pilgrims.
A visit to the pool of Bethesda
allowed a view of the actual place
where Christ healed the crippled
man and it was easy to picture the Having seen fragments of the Dead
scene in the excavated remains. As Sea Scrolls, we visited Qumran
always, Nael was there to give a new where they had been discovered by a
way of interpreting this miracle. shepherd boy. En route to the Dead
Continued overleaf
-13-December 2019 / January 2020
Sea we travelled through the Judean the land is more fertile, abundant in
desert where Christ’s days in the crops and greenery. The hotel was
wilderness took on a more vivid situated on the very edge of the Sea
i m a g i n i n g , p a r t i c u l a r l y o f t he of Galilee and with its choppy nature
temptation to turn stones into bread.
After lunch, we all enjoyed floating or
paddling in the Dead Sea, though the
rock crystals on the sea bed were
quite painful on the feet.
One of the most joyous visits was to
the Jeel-al-Amal children’s home and
school in Bethany supported by the it was not hard to picture the wind
McCabe Educational Trust, the whipping up a storm and the disciples
c o m p a n y w h i c h a r r a ng e d o u r fearing for their lives. Here there was
pilgrimage. Prior to this we crossed a communion celebration by the
the border, through the wall which shore and a trip on the lake.
separates Palestine from Israel and
found a stark contrast between the This was a unique and amazing
two territories. The home, however, pilgrimage. With vicars Erica and
was a delight, run by an impressive Sheena we could have regular
woman whose parents had started worship, and at every church (too
the home with just 5 children. The numerous to mention individually)
buildings were not luxurious, but we managed to find a quiet place for a
imbued with an obvious care and reading, prayer and hymn. We met
love, and the children reflected this. new Christian friends from other
They were happy and eager to local churches and were given
connect with us, particularly enjoying hospitable welcomes in our two
hotels - not to mention the vast array
of food on offer!
The weather in Jerusalem was sunny
with a very pleasant low twenties
which increased to 30 degrees in
Tiberias, so it was a shock to return
to 6 degrees and driving rain when
we arrived back at Highfield. We
scuttled away in the darkness, but
with, I’m sure, an indelible memory of
playing games and having their the Holy Land and one which will
photographs taken - and then shown inform our bible reading and lives in
to them. the years to come.
Our second base was in Tiberias to
Janice Oram
the north of Jerusalem. In this region,
-14-December 2019 / January 2020
Harvest Festival at St Michael’s
6th October 2019
A huge thank
you to everyone
who helped to
make the church look
so beautiful for this Harvest.
-15-December 2019 / January 2020
Fundraise for
PCC Of North Stoneham And Bassett
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Charity: PCC Of North Stoneham And Bassett
Charity number: 1175931
Promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church.
-16-December 2019 / January 2020
Puzzle CORNER
Christmas Around the World
‘Merry Christmas’ is one of the seasonal greetings around the world in
different languages during this time of the year. How many different languages
can you recognize? For each flag, please identify the country and main
language used. Then match the Christmas greeting phrase with the country
flag. See how many you can get before peeking into the answer on page 30.
United Kingdom
English • • Merry Christmas
________________
________________
• • Joyeux Noël
________________
________________
• • Nadolig Llawen
________________
________________
• • Feliz Natal
________________
________________
• • God Jul
________________
________________
• • Mutlu Noeller
Gëzuar
________________
________________
• • Krishtlindjen
________________
________________
• • Glædelig Jul
Frohe
________________
________________
• • Weihnachten
________________
________________
• • Meri Kurisumasu
________________
________________
• • Buon Natale
-17-December 2019 / January 2020
-18-December 2019 / January 2020
All Saints’ 50th Anniversary
All Saints’ Church
Pointout Road, SO16 7DL
Sunday 23rd February 2020 @ 10:00am
Put this date down on your diary, come and celebrate with us!
A
ll Saints’ building will be turning 50 in February!
The parish has used a number of different buildings as mission halls
and churches in the Pointout area of Winchester road since the 1880s
but the building that we now know as All Saints’ Church Centre was
dedicated on 24th February 1970, which means that this February it will
celebrate its 50th birthday. We’re holding a special celebration service on
Sunday 23rd February at 10:00am at which Bishop Debbie, the Bishop of
Southampton will preach and preside; there will also be displays about the
history of All Saints’ Church. In the summer, we hope to hold Community
celebrations too.
Some improvements and updating to the building will be undertaken in
January before the birthday celebrations take place which means that some
groups and some services will not be able to take place while the
redecoration is ongoing. Keep an eye on the news sheet in January for up to
date information!
-19-December 2019 / January 2020
Letter from the Ministry Team
Look up!
T
he modern world is a complex part of life. But there
one. Never before have we is a wider picture. I
been bombarded with so have come to know
much information. Never has society that even in the most
been held up to such scrutiny. What’s unlikely situations
more, we have become increasingly there is joy to be
polarised. You are either in or out, found, so many
for or against, yes or no, up or down. things that we can
Negativity is no more just for Eeyore, easily take for granted. For me, the
pursuit of genuine relationship is the
real wealth of life.
Yet we spend our time looking
sideways. Materialism and
commercialism propagate a kind of
one-upmanship: the bigger house, the
faster car, the more exotic holiday.
You only need to read the
newspapers or follow social media to
Source: pixabay.com/photos/winnie-the-pooh-wall-painting-437940/ see society’s obsession. We are
blinded by it, we do not look up, we
the donkey from Winnie-the-Pooh, but
forget what we are working towards.
as we head to a General Election, our
We forget that life is so precious.
society seems to be filled with his
The fragility of our mortality is
pessimism and gloom. Wherever we
hidden behind the camouflage of
look there seems to be an undertone
social norms. Brexit has encouraged
of resentment and anger that is
us to be more inward thinking and
contagious. But what might we find if
downward looking. Jesus though, is
we look up?
always calling us to look up.
Ever since I began the journey into
We are to look up to Jesus because
foster care aged 15, I have tried to
we are His disciples. We are not our
look up. This is not to say that I have
own, and we are not on our own.
not ever looked back, far from it, I
The Church is called to be a learning
learnt and received a great deal
community: learning to love, growing
from my past and understanding
in depth of relation with each other
forgiveness was a big part of that. The
and God. Being a disciple of Jesus is
good decisions, the bad ones, the
not about turning up on time, but
successes, and the mistakes, are all
-20-December 2019 / January 2020
‘being a student’ — in a relationship between those of divided opinions,
that continues because we have an and serve the common good, and
expectancy of what God will do, so most importantly, look up. We are to
we look to Him. Church is important keep going and keep looking up. We
because it is the place where we can are to keep sharing the love of Christ
be in the company of the people who to everyone. We are to keep building
also seek to love and know Jesus up faithful leaders — people like you
more fully. and me — to share the good news of
Jesus.
The current task for the Church
is simple: it is to reconnect As you pray this week, why not use
imaginatively with the people of the this prayer from Bishop Tim, Bishop
twenty-first century in their everyday David and Bishop Debbie, who have
lives. To do this, individual Christians asked us to be actively praying with
need to speak with confidence about and for our local communities and
their own story of faith. We need to leaders during these uncertain times?
understand how God’s story still has
the power to transform the lives of
others as it has ours. When we look God of hope,
up to Jesus in prayer, in action, and in in these times of change and
our giving, we tell a unified story that uncertainty,
leads to God and that has wisdom to bring together our communities
offer the whole world. Scripture is and guide our local leaders with
where we find this unbeatable your wisdom.
message. So, this week, how might Give us courage to overcome our fears,
we spend a bit more time reading or to be patient and compassionate
listening or even watching videos with one another,
about Scripture? Perhaps you could and to seek a future
join a local Bible study. Whatever it in which all may prosper and share;
is, find your way to proclaim this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
good news with confidence and Amen.
conviction. .
With negativity, pessimism and Craig Philbrick
gloom on the rise within our society,
it is understandable that these
events will have raised anxieties and
tensions within us all. We do not
know what will come of the political
processes our country is engaged
with, nevertheless, as disciples
of Jesus we must maintain a strong
sense of hope within our
communities, support reconciliation
-21-December 2019 / January 2020
Half-Term Friday?
It must be Singing Day!
O
n Friday 1st November, the This term we are preparing for the
third Half-Term Singing Day C h r i s t m a s C r i b Se r v i c e at St
of 2019 got off to a great Michael’s, so many of the songs had a
start with Penny Hastings warming Christmas theme, including some of
up bodies and voices with the the children’s favourites, “I throw my
“Banana Song” - replacing all the hands up in the air sometimes saying
vowels in the song with ah, eh, ee, oh, Ayo!” and a drumming song called
oo. Yes, it sounded bananas, but it “Patapan”. But the singing day didn’t
was great fun! just involve singing.
A team of willing
Penny goes to All
adults from St
Saints’ Church.
Michael’s senior
She is a music
choir were on hand
teacher and an
to lead the games,
experienced
serve the drinks and
choir leader. We
snacks, and help out
were grateful she
with the challenging
took some time
“T re as ur e Hunt ”
out in her half- Children enjoying the singing and games
round the church.
term to come before performing the songs at the end of
the day. Great fun was had by all. Probably even
and lead the
regular member of
children’s singing
the congregation
day at St
might not know
Michael’s. The
how many musical
church is still
instruments there
searching for its
are in the church.
next Director of
Or where to find a
Music, since
bishop’s mitre? How
Colin Davey
many pictures and
m o ved to
statues of St Michael
Wimborne
are there? Or when the rood screen
Minster, and leading the children’s
was built? Anyone know who was
singing day is just a small part of that
appointed rector of the parish in
job spec! (Don’t forget to mention
1266 for example? Just ask one of our
this to any potential DoM’s you
treasure hunters if you’re stuck!
happen to meet!)
-22-December 2019 / January 2020
At the end of Singing Days, the the church building and to our choir.
children perform some of the day’s In due course, we hope more
songs for parents and friends. This children will consider joining the
time the songs included a Gospel jun io r c hoi r . T hi s i s a bi g ger
Medley with a sporting theme (the commitment than a one-off day, but,
England Rugby team didn’t benefit as so many of us have discovered
t he next day, sadly, from the (not to mention all the famous
children’s rendition of “Swing Low”, musicians, sportsmen, and celebrities
any more than “O When the Saints” who started in church choirs!), sing-
helped Southampton FC’s nine goal ing in a choir teaches you so much,
defeat by Leicester City the previous and often leads on to a lifetime of
week!). There was also a beautiful enjoying and making music.
ballad by Michael Head called “The
The next opportunity for children to
Little Road to Bethlehem” which was a
get involved is the half-term singing
particular highlight. This song will
day is on Friday 21st February. Find
feature at the Crib Service, when we
out more on the website at
hope many of the children will be
nsab.org.uk/music-at-st-michaels/
returning – with our junior choir
singing-days/, or contact the parish
regulars – to sing it again on
office. If your children, or children
Christmas Eve.
you know, are in the age range,
Although our Singing Days are encourage them to join us for a great
stand-alone musical education events day’s music making!
each half-term, it does give us an
opportunity to introduce children to Andy Carmichael
Friday 21st February 2020
9.30am - 3.00pm
St Michael & All Angels Church
Bassett Avenue SO16 7FD
Years 3-7 (ages 7 - 12)
£5 per child To book a place, please go to:
(£2 per additional sibling) www.nsab.org.uk/booking
Bring a packed lunch For more details please contact:
The Parish Office • 023 8098 2836 • office@nsab.org.uk
-23-December 2019 / January 2020
-24-December 2019 / January 2020
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS FOR BASICS BANK
T
his year has seen an you not wish to make hampers, if you
unprecedented rise in the bring the food on the week before,
number of users of food with the help of others I will make up
banks, and the demand on the Basics hampers.
Bank has been greater than ever, last
As a suggest ion for cont ent s,
year from Jan-Oct 7931 people were
something for breakfast (small
fed, for the same
cartons of cereals or
period this year
sachets of porridge),
9745 have been
for lunch (tinned
fed, a 23% increase.
meat or fish), for tea
Since 2014, I have (mince pies or cake)
made an a nnu al plus anything which
appeal for the reminds them it is
Parish to make Christmas.
C h r i s t m a s
If you could bring
Hampers, which
your hampers to the
will be distributed
services on Sunday
by the Basics Bank
15th December, they
to their clients on
will be collected
the week prior to
after the services,
Christmas.
which will enable me
There is no right or to deliver them to
wrong way to make the Basics Bank on
these hampers, th
17 December for distribution prior
each will be unique to the donor, to Christmas.
whether large or small all will be
O n behalf of t he Basics Bank
welcome, as for the contents, this I
volunteers, and the actual recipients,
leave to your imagination, bearing in
may I thank you again for your
mind that the majority of recipients
kindness and generosity.
will be families with children, should
you like to enclose a Christmas card
that would be even nicer. David Gasson
To assist you, I will put some empty
boxes on the week before, at the
back of the church, should however,
-25-December 2019 / January 2020
-26-December 2019 / January 2020
Nativity Scene Festival
@ St Nicolas Church
Stoneham Lane
14 - 15 December 2019
N
ativity scenes will be displayed on at St Nicolas Church on
Saturday 14th December 10.30am - 3.30pm
Sunday 15th December 10.30pm - 3.30pm
Christmas Carol Service at St Nicolas Church will be on
Saturday 14th December 4.00pm
followed by mulled wine & mince pies
For more information,
please contact Mary Adams at
023 8051 2262
emwadams@btinternet.com
Junior Choir @ St Michael’s
Our choir offers children the opportunity to be part of the centuries-
old tradition of English church music that is envied the world over.
Our choristers receive a thorough training in music, with free singing
and music theory tuition.
Choristers are usually in school years 3–9 (age 7–14).
Prior experience and musical skills are not necessary.
Choir practice: Wednesdays 19.00 – 20.15 (term times only)
Sunday morning service: 9.30 – 11.15
(first and third Sundays of each month)
If you’d like to learn more about our junior choir,
please come and visit us on
a Sunday or email Rachel at
music@nsab.org.uk
-27-December 2019 / January 2020
We clean your oven so that you don’t have to.
Call today to have your oven, hob, extractor or Aga
professionally cleaned
for more information, contact Paul Lewis
Tel: 023 8001 1446 Mob: 07584 321 529 www.ovenwizards.com
6 College Place, London Road, Southampton, SO15 2XL.
Email: enquiries@abels-solicitors.co.uk
Tel: 023 8022 0317 Fax: 023 8033 5245
Private www.abels-solicitors.co.uk
Family & Children
Business
Employment & Housing
Commercial Property
Personal Injury
Commercial Leases
Wills, Trusts & Probate
Buying/Selling a Business
Lasting Power of Attorneys
Social Housing
Residential Property
Advising Elderly Clients
Court Representation
-28-December 2019 / January 2020 -29-
December 2019 / January 2020
Solution to Christmas Around the World on page 17:
United Kingdom
English • • Merry Christmas
Sweden
Swedish • • Joyeux Noël
Denmark
Danish • • Nadolig Llawen
Japan
Japanese • • Feliz Natal
Germany
German • • God Jul
France
French • • Mutlu Noeller
Italy Gëzuar
Italian • • Krishtlindjen
Wales
Welch • • Glædelig Jul
Turkey Frohe
Turkish • • Weihnachten
Albania
Albanian • • Meri Kurisumasu
Portugal
Portuguese • • Buon Natale
St Michael and All Angels • Parish Hall • 10am
ith
rate w !
Celeb d crackers
s a n s!
cake nd join u
a
Wednesday 18th December Come
last coffee morning before Christmas.
-30-December 2019 / January 2020
PCC Matters
A copy of the full version of the latest PCC Meeting Minutes is placed on Church
noticeboards. This article is a summarised version of the main issues discussed at the
most recent meeting.
A SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PCC MEETING ON 03 OCTOBER 2019
Parish Mission Plan (pMAP) Use of All Saints’ by Christ our
The pMAP has been submitted to the Hope Fellowship
Diocese. It is hoped that the pMAP PCC voted unanimously in favour of
will be ready to be presented to our Christ our Hope Fellowship being
congregations towards the end of granted use of the All Saints’ building
October or early November. for four hours on the second and
fourth Sundays of every month and
Fair Trade
five hours on the third Saturday of
The PCC agreed that we would
each month.
become a Fairtrade Parish with
immediate effect. We will therefore Lifting of Suspension of Right of
be using Fairtrade tea / coffee / Representation and Appointment
biscuits / sugar at our after service of Rector
refreshments and we will be The PCC approved the Bishop’s
promoting Fairtrade Fortnight (in proposal that the Reverend Sheena
February 2020). Williams be collated as incumbent
and the resolution was passed
North Stoneham Park Project
unanimously amongst those PCC
David Curtis and Revd Jono Harvey
present and voting.
brought us up to date with our
faculty application, fundraising and
the recruitment of a Children and Jacqueline Williams
Families Worker. The “St Nics at 4” (PCC Secretary)
on a Sunday is being very well
attended.
Parish Giving Scheme
The Parish Giving Scheme will be
promoted in services on Sunday 27th
October 2019. If anyone requires
more information please speak with
Please join the PCC and ministry team
Adrian Thomas, PCC Treasurer, who
in praying regularly for the life of this
will be happy to assist with any
parish.
questions / queries.
-31-December 2019 / January 2020
Photocopying service is now
Established 1973 available at the Parish Office
K. J. Wooldridge, Photocopying Charges
Landscape Contractor
Colour Printing:
A4 1-Sided 15p
Reliable Gardening,
A4 2-Sided 25p
Landscaping
A3 1-Sided 25p
and Maintenance service A3 2-Sided 35p
Black & White Printing:
Fencing, Tree work, Paving, A4 1-Sided 10p
Stonewalling, lawns, Pruning, A4 2-Sided 15p
Planting etc.
A3 1-Sided 15p
For free estimates A3 2-Sided 20p
Single Staple 10p
Tel 01722 710 291 Double Staple 15p
For more info, call 023 8098 2836 or
email office@nsab.org.uk
Pilgrim Electrical &
Gary Deighton Property Services Ltd
For all your electrical requirements,
Painting, decorating New consumer units (fuse boards),
electrical rewiring, extra sockets and
& lights. Electrical safety testing
incl. landlord certification.
house maintenance Property maintenance.
Local company with all work with
insurance backed guarantee.
No VAT Call Peter
07919 597 397 or
07743 443 022 023 8036 0349
Email: peter@pilgrim-electrical.co.uk
18 Dunnings Lane
www.pilgrim-electrical.co.uk
North Baddesley
SO52 9GL
-32-December 2019 / January 2020
Collation and Induction Service
T
he right of presentation of the incumbent by the patron of this parish
has been suspended for a number of years but it has now been lifted.
This means that there will be a service of Collation and Induction of
Revd Sheena Williams as Rector here. It will take place on Tuesday 7th January
2020 at 7.30pm at St Nicolas Church and Bishop Debbie as well as the
Archdeacon Ven Peter Rouch will be officiating. Everyone is welcome to
attend!
H
aving received permission to press ahead with phase one of the St.
Nicolas project we are making some of the pews and chairs available
for local purchase. Suggested donation for each item is below. All
the money raised will go towards the cost of the improvement work.
Bodley pews - various lengths - £100 each
Modern light oak pews - £70 each
Choir pews - £50 each
Rush seated chapel chairs - £10 each
If you would like to reserve any items or for more details, please contact
Jono at jono@nsab.org.uk or 07907 054763 and let him know which items
you would like to reserve. If there is sufficient interest, we will arrange
a delivery service which would cost £15 per pew and £2 per chair.
Items will be reserved on a first come first served basis.
PEWS AND CHAIRS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
Parish Magazine
2020 Subscription
The price for the Parish Magazine will be increased next year, it will be
£1.20 per issue. However, for the annual subscription, we are keeping it as
£6 for 6 bimonthly issues, saving £1.20!
The 2020 Magazine subscriptions will be due at the end of January 2020.
So, please subscribe now, and perhaps you would like to consider a gift
subscription for a friend or two. Details can be found on the subscription
form inserted in this issue.
If you have any queries, please contact the Parish Office.
-33-December 2019 / January 2020
Bishop's Commission For Mission
Are you a lay person? Would you like some input for your existing
ministry, or for a developing vocational path? More interested in
learning from passionate practitioners and others in ministry than in
g et t in g a fo rm a l qu a lif i c at io n? Wa nt h el p t o se e yo u r m in ist r y
through a missional lens? Then Bishop’s Commission for Mission
could be for you.
BCM is a lay training programme focused on enabling church
members to live missionally in every part of their lives, equipping
them to live out their vocation to the full. Through participating in the
programme we believe God will shape you for your place in his
mission.
The relational nature of the programme requires attendance at all
sessions. You will also need to be recommended by your incumbent
and PCC, who should pay your training costs. Once you have successfully
completed the programme, you will be commissioned by the Bishop of
Winchester for your role.
Daytime Programmes: Old Alresford Place SO24 9DH
(18 January 2020 - 29 March 2020)
BCM Prayer Champions (Creating Encounter) is for those who have a
passion to see churches engaging with God in prayer. It aims to help you make
prayer a priority in different contexts and in different ways.
BCM Pastoral (Caring for the Vulnerable) aims to equip you to be pastoral in
different contexts in the church and in the community. It is about developing
your skills and exploring your vocation to this ministry.
Evening Programmes: Wolvesey SO23 9ND
(18 January 2020 - 29 March 2020)
BCM Children, Families Youth (Building The Future) is aimed at those who
are in leadership in any area of children, family or youth ministry. It will
resource and equip you to lead those who work alongside you and help you
see these key ministries develop in your parish/community.
BCM Evangelism (Making Jesus Known) aims to envision those who have a
heart for equipping others to share the good news, as well as building your
skills in evangelism.
For more details, please visit
https://www.winchester.anglican.org/bcm/
The Winchester Diocese School of Mission (WSM)
-34-December 2019 / January 2020
Poetry Corner
The Donkey *
by
Gilbert Keith Chesterton
1874—1936
When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born;
With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil's walking parody
On all four-footed things.
* This poem is shared by Joy Owlett
The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.
Fools! For I also had my hour; Annunciation **
One far fierce hour and sweet: by
John Donne
There was a shout about my ears,
1572—1631
And palms before my feet.
Salvation to all that will is nigh;
That All, which always is all everywhere,
Which cannot sin, and yet all sins must bear,
Which cannot die, yet cannot choose but die,
Lo! faithful Virgin, yields Himself to lie
In prison, in thy womb; and though He there
Can take no sin, nor thou give, yet He’ll wear,
Taken from thence, flesh, which death’s force may try.
Ere by the spheres time was created thou
Wast in His mind, who is thy Son, and Brother;
Whom thou conceivest, conceived; yea, thou art now
Thy Maker’s maker, and thy Father’s mother,
Thou hast light in dark, and shutt’st in little room
Immensity, cloister’d in thy dear womb.
** This poem is shared by Brenda Hunt.
-35-December 2019 / January 2020
Parish Notice Board
Do you have a
notice to go on
this board?
Email
office@nsab.org.uk
to publish in the next
edition
Community
Coffee Morning
A community event for
ALL to attend.
Every Wednesday
@10.00 am
Parish Hall
Please note that Community
Coffee Morning will be
closed on Christmas Day and
New Year Day.
Happy Holidays!
-36-December 2019 / January 2020
Parish Notice Board
All Saints Wives Group
Mondays @ 2.00pm - All Saints’ Church Centre, SO16 7DL
or in members’ homes unless otherwise stated
09 December: Christmas Themed Afternoon
13 January: New Year Lunch (Venue: TBA, 12.00 noon)
Please bring a small present.
28 January: Theatre Outing (TBA, 7,30pm)
Monday Company
rch Centre, Winchester Rd, SO16 7DL
December meeting at All Saints’ Chu
orations and cards
02 December: Making Star - dec
16 December: Christmas Tea
the rear of
January meeting at the Parish Hall, at
Avenue, SO16 7FD
St Michael & All Angels Church, Bassett
y - Talk by Chris Thomas
06 January: My Patchwork Journe
rd games
20 January: Activities—jigsaw / boa Mondays @ 2.30pm
Coffee
Please note that All
Saints’ Church Centre
Call-in
will be closed from 01
All Saints’ Church Centre
January to 24 January Winchester Rd
for refurbishment.
Every Saturday
We are sorry for any 10:15 - 11:30am
inconvenience! (Closed in January
due to refurbishment)
ALL WELCOME
-37-St Michael & All Angels Church • SO16 7FD
Sunday 01 December 18:30 Advent Carol Service
Thursday 19 December 10:00 Great Oaks Carol Service
Sunday 22 December 18:30 Nine Lessons & Carols
Tuesday 24 December 17:00 Crib Service
Tuesday 24 December 23:30 Midnight Mass
Wednesday 25 December 10:00 Christmas Day Communion
Sunday 12 January 18:30 Epiphany Carol Service
All Saints’ Church • SO16 7DL
Sunday 22 December 10:00 Carol Service
Tuesday 24 December 16:00 Crib Service
St Nicolas Parish Church • SO50 9NW
Monday 09 December 18:00 Eastleigh Football Club
Carol Service
Saturday 14 December 16:00 Christmas Carol Service
Tuesday 24 December 16:00 Crib Service
Tuesday 24 December 23:30 Midnight MassYou can also read
