August 2003 Parish News
ST ANDREWS CHURCH
Services & events for August
|
Sun
3 |
10.30am |
Family
Communion |
|
|
|
|
|
Sun
10 |
10.30am 2.30pm |
Morning
Praise Ramblers
meet at Church |
|
|
|
|
|
Sun
17 |
10.30am |
Holy
Communion |
|
Sun
24 |
9.15am 10.30am |
Holy
Communion at Holy Trinity Morning
Praise |
|
Wed
27 |
10.30am 2.30pm |
Family
day out to Dunstable Downs Nursing
Home Service |
|
Sun
31 |
10.30am |
Morning
Praise |
Note ( Childrens and Young Peoples Groups do not meet during August)
Congratulations and Best Wishes to Village couples being married elsewhere
Sat
22 Aug
Greg White and Danielle McCormick
Sat
30 Aug
Stephen Birt and Sharon Kennedy
ST ANDREW'S WEDDINGS.
Sat 2 Aug 2-00pm
Emma Atkinson & Rob Davis
An extra special wish to Rachel from St Andrew's Church family. Rachel has been very involved with the church since she started at the Sunday School many years ago. She went on to be a leader there and then joined Footsteps where she now helps out. She also plays her flute for the Orchestra. We wish her every happiness for her future with Andrew.
Sat 16 Aug 1-00 pm
Rachel Buttery & Andrew Parslow
Love is very patient and kind,
Never jealous or envious,
Never boastful or proud,
Never haughty or selfish or rude.
Love does not demand its own way.
It is not irritable or touchy,
It does not hold grudges
And will hardly even notice
When others do it wrong.
It is never glad about injustice,
But rejoices whenever truth wins out.
If you love someone you will be loyal to him, no matter what the cost.
You will always believe in him,
Always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.
All the gifts and powers from God will some day come to an end,
But love goes on forever.
…..the greatest …….is love
NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE
July 8th 2003
Asylum - resources produced for parishes and individuals
Parishes and individuals wanting to examine the vital issues around asylum seekers and immigration now have access to resources to help them engage in the debate. The report of the diocese's Working Party on Asylum Seekers has been placed on the diocesan website, along with actions that Christians could take, other helpful material and a range of links to organisations working on asylum, refugee and immigration issues. More information in August's SeeRound and at
http://www.stalbans.anglican.org
Financial presentations A series of presentation evenings setting out the diocese's 2004 budget have been made to parish treasurers in each Archdeaconry in recent weeks. The presentation, giving detailed information, is now available to view or download on the diocesan website
http://www.stalbans.anglican.org
TV, radio & media skills for young people
An intensive weekend's training for young people in TV and Radio production skills is being held on Friday/Saturday October 3rd/4th at London Colney, near St Albans. The training marathon offers young people, aged between 16 and 19, 'hands-on' experience of writing, filming and directing for television and of recording and producing material for radio. Application forms from: Dave Green, St Albans Diocesan Youth Officer, telephone 01707 386019, email:
admin@voicemail.org.uk
August SeeRound
The August edition of SeeRound features: a Letter from the Bishop of St Albans reflecting on the Jeffrey John debate; an interview with Raman Bedi, England's Chief Dental Officer, whose family came to the country when he was four years old; the Herts vicar who swapped places with a pub landlord; the Luton service celebrating 100 years of Vauxhall; and a competition to win 'Asylum Voices,' a new book telling the stories of numerous asylum-seekers. Plus more details of the e-Round stories; conferences and courses; and lots of parish news and events.
Issued by:
Peter Crumpler, Communications Officer
Diocese of St. Albans,
41 Holywell Hill,
St. Albans, Herts, AL1 1HE
Tel: 01727 869506; Fax 01727 844469
http://www.stalbans.anglican.org
THOUGHTS ON BEING A NEW VICAR
" How are you settling in" " How do you like living in Slip End"
" It must be hard being a Vicar" " I would not like your job"
--------------------------------------------------
Just a few of the remarks I have been receiving, as I have been meeting and getting to know people,
Settling down in my new job here and at East Hyde. The answers are that we have settled in very well and feel very much at home here. It is a real joy to be part of the Village community as well as the Church family at St Andrew's and Holy Trinity.
Everyone has been very warm and welcoming, which has helped us enormously to feel part of what is going on. It certainly is very different to a town parish where there is not much chance of meeting most people at all.
However I am very conscious that there are many people I have still not yet met or had an opportunity to visit, please do not be shy, come and introduce yourself when you see me around. I am still at the stage of fixing names to faces. This first year has seemed like a whirlwind of events, meetings and services, most involving new names and faces,
You must forgive me if I have not yet made it to your organisation or front door.
One of the parts of my job, which I most enjoy, is being alongside people at the important times in their lives, It is a pleasure and a privilege and has helped me to meet many of you already.
A particularly rewarding part of my ministry is heading up the work of the Church at St Andrew's. The Church family are a loving, accepting body of believers with a heart to share the love of God, and serve the local community. There is a real desire to serve the Lord and openness to where he may lead. They have born bravely the oversights and mistakes of a new Vicar and warmly supported me throughout. It is always a privilege to lead and speak at services, but the worship at St Andrew's is varied, warm and inviting as are the people, which makes it a real pleasure.
There are real challenges facing all village Churches in this day and age.
Certainly to us at St Andrew's to look after our Church building and keep a "Roof over our heads"
But we are facing the future in hope and faith that God has a purpose and a work for us to do.
So do come and join us, get involved with us.
Revd Joy Daniel.
Slip End Toddler Group
Birth - Pre School
Meet at Slip End
Village Hall
Tuesday's
1.30 - 3.00pm
term time.
Great fun for your children
First week free -
Come and try it
Ring Paula on
01582 650552
for further details
1ST & 2ND WOODSIDE BROWNIES
We are now looking forward to a break for the holiday. We finished up with a Fun night, and then a picnic in the park. All the girls that passed their swimmers and Conservation Badges were awarded them on the night.
We start again on Wednesday September 10th and we still have a few places left so if you are interested please give Gillian a ring on 723109.
ALLOTMENTS & GARDEN ASSOCIATION
Vegetable Garden
When you come to the end of the first early potatoes make a start on the second early or mid season varieties, lifting a few roots at a time. Onions from January and March sowings will now be approaching ripeness, and you can hasten this by bending over the leaves just above the neck of the bulb. Make preparations on allotment or vegetable plot for next year, clear and dig where peas and beans are over and remember your rotation plan in deciding what will go there for next year.
Flower Garden
Chrysanthemums should now be budded and side shoots rubbed out. Early bulbs for next year such as snowdrops and so on should be planted this month and the larger bulbs can also be put in pots and kept in a warm corner in the open. Remove all faded flowers.
Fruit Garden
Continue to bud fruit stock, keep an eye on apple trees for American blight (woolly aphis) during this month and throughout September continue to pick apples and pears. Plant out strawberry runners. Feed late fruiting varieties with a high potash fertiliser.
General Work
Repair damaged lawns caused by heavy summer use. Clip privet and other fast growing hedges.
Gill Plummer
WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
July meeting
First and foremost a big thank you to Mrs Su Martin for another fantastic mystery trip. How she manages to keep it a secret baffles me. This year we had a most interesting guided coach tour around North Bedfordshire. I couldn't believe that I hadn't heard of some of the village names. We rounded up the evening with ham salad and liquid refreshment, hic!
"Yoga from your chair" was the subject of our July speaker Julie Simmons. She had us all in the palm of her hand, so to speak, all Happy and calm. 'What a horrible sight' I can hear your say but fear not, because we have the last laugh. If only I could retain all her instructions I would be a different person.
Forthcoming events……
Members were asked for their help in the refreshment tent, of course, for Shuttleworth Steam Engine rally - Sat/Sun 13/14th September
October 27th Autumn Federation Meeting
- Corn exchange Bedford 7.30pm Speaker is Graham Walton the father of the Worlds only all girl sextuplets.
Next three meetings
Aug 19th - Mission to Zambia & weekender clothes - Helen Turner
Sept 16th Birthday meeting
Oct 21st - Pottering at Sothebys.
You would be welcome to join us at our monthly meetings at the Baptist Church hall in Caddington at 7.30: see you there.
Patricia Crick
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Foil Appeal
Bring you foil to:
67 Five Oaks
Caddington
Or call K. Baker
on 480107
SLIP END PARISH COUNCIL.
Crime Figures.
Theft of Motor Vehicle: 3, Theft from Motor Vehicle: 3, Theft of Pedal Cycle: 1, Theft (Other): Burglary (non dwelling): 4,Robbery (Personal):1, Domestic:1, TWOC:1,Criminal Damage Vehicle: 1.
Skateboard Park.
We have received a couple of requests from young people, and their parents, about the possibility of setting up a skateboard park somewhere in the village. We are keen to follow this through and will be identifying possible sites or locations, and looking at funding. I will keep you informed as to the progress.
Legal Action against BCC.
We met with counsel at the beginning of July, and following on from their advice we will be meeting with the Chief Executive of BCC to see how we proceed.
Traffic Calming.
It seems we are waiting for 24/7 to arrive and connect the last set of lights. When this has been completed, the final road and signage works should be done.
Thats all folks, hope you have a great summer.
Christine Benson.
Slip End Parish Council.
MOTHERS UNION
The members of St Andrews Mother Union extend a warm welcome to anyone who would like to come and join our meetings. For any additional information, please contact Mary Barker on 738435.
Forthcoming events:
Wednesday 27th August - Family Day out. Meet 10.30am
Enjoy a day at Dunstable Downs.
Saturday September 6th
Day out to Kew Gardens
Contact Mary nearer the time for travel details 738435
Tuesday September 30th - 8pm
"Pilgrimage to the Holy Land"
Talk and photos by Sue Cowell at 15 Markyate Road
Thursday November 13th - 8pm
Lorraine Crossett - "Bangers & Mash" plus Winter Cooking at 19 Crawley Close
The John Bunyan Oak, Harlington
I was interested to read about the "Bunyan Oak" in last month's Parish News. I too have visited this impressive tree near Harlington, which is only accessible by foot. I am aware that there are quite a few locals enjoy a good walk and I have gone along on one or two Sue Wiltshire's Sunday afternoon rambles.
Last year my Dutch friend, Kleine Möranjïe, and I walked a bit further afield, taking on the "Chiltern Way" which loops around this area. Using a guidebook (published by Book Castle) we took on this circular walk in stages as, in our advancing years,130 miles in one go was a bit too much for us! So we started walking in March, the route taking us west along the southern ridge from Gaddesden, almost reaching Wallingford in Oxfordshire by mid summer. From there, along the northern side back to Dunstable Downs before looping around Luton via Harlington, Lilley and East Hyde, arriving back at Gaddesden early in November. We thoroughly enjoyed all this, not least Springtime bluebells, Summertime Red Kite sightings, Autumnal fungi and, throughout all the seasons, the continuous call of the hostelries en route.
I talked to Kleine on the phone last week: he told me that he was looking forward to our next venture and hoped to enjoy a few more pints of English bitter in favour of the ubiquitous Amsterdam Heineken, all his parts long since having been reached!
Happy Rambling!
J. Walker
RED KITES IN THE CHILTERNS "NEST WATCH"
I have been "volunteered" to act as Footpath Warden for Slip End Parish Council. In this capacity I represented Slip End Parish Council at a talk on the introduction of red kites in the Chilterns.
On the 23th May 2003 a member of each Parish Council that was in the Chiltern Hills area was invited to an informative talk, site visit and live closed-circuit televised view of red kites nesting. The actual nest site was kept secret but it was near Stokenchurch. Many red kites could be seen soaring overhead, sometimes as many as ten at any one time.
Cathy Rose, Red Kites in the Chilterns Officer, was responsible for organising the day. It was extremely well attended by around 50 people. We met at Blooms of Bressingham Garden Centre for coffee and a buffet lunch. During this time Cathy introduced the project, explaining the reasons for it, after which Sir John Johnson of the Chilterns Conservation Board, Ian Carter from English Nature, Paul Forecast of RSPB and the manager of the garden centre all gave short talks on the project.
In medieval times, red kites were a familiar bird of prey in our skies. Their scavenging lifestyle helped keep our settlements clean. This changed in the mid 16th century when Parliament passed the "Preservation of Grain" Act to encourage the destruction of vermin. Red kites were added to this list in 1565. Further persecution of the red kite by the Victorians led to extinction of the bird by the end of the 19th century. Only a small number existed in mid-Wales.
A reintroduction programme led by English Nature and the RSPB in the early 90's saw 93 fledgling red kites released into the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The birds have adapted well and in 2002, 139 breeding pairs reared 219 chicks. The Welsh population, too, has recovered to well over 250 pairs in 2001 but their range of expansion is very slow as they rarely undertake long-distance flights. They tend to remain within 4km of their nest site throughout the year.
The pair on the "Nest Watch" CCTV had been using the nest since last year. We were able to see the young chicks being fed by the parent birds at about 15 minute intervals.
After lunch we were split into two parties and, with a guide, we were escorted on a 4km walk through Beacon's Bottom wood and open areas where we could see the red kites flying overhead nearly all the time. Various woodland features, flora and fauna were pointed out to us en route.
A rare sighting of a pair of red kites has been seen over Slip End both last summer and once, this summer so keep a look out! They have a large wingspan (nearly 2 metres) and a distinctive forked tail.
For further details about the project contact Cathy Rose at:- Chilterns AONB office,
8 Summerleys Road,
Princes Risborough,
Buckinghamshire, HP27 9DT.
Tel: 01844271306
email: crose@chilternsaonb.org
BBC THREE COUNTIES RADIO - "MELTING POT"
"Melting Pot" has moved to the new time of 3 - 6 pm every Sunday afternoon. Church events may be advertised by email to
lucy.newman@bbc.co.uk or by contacting: Melting Pot, BBC Three Counties Radio, Box 3CR, Hastings Street, Luton LUl 5XL
CONGRATULATIONS
Well done to Karen Wiltshire, who graduated on the 4th July at the Great Hall in Reading. Karen is now Dr Karen Wiltshire, Master of Chemistry.
Also, very well done to my daughter Amelia who graduated on July 21st at The Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool with a 2:1 in BA (Hons) International Journalism. What a proud day it was for me and my family and look out for her name in print!
Congratulations also to Philippa Scott who gained a 2:1 degree in Geography from the University of Luton.
WORDS OF WISDOM
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
(Beverley Sills 1929)
A tree that reaches past your embrace grows from one seed.
A structure over nine stories high begins with a handful of earth.
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
(Tao 64)
This is what knowledge really is. It is finding out something for oneself with pain, with joy, with exultancy, with labour, and with all the little ticking, breathing moments of our lives, until it is ours as that only is ours which is rooted in the structure of our lives.
(Thomas Wolfe - 1900 - 38)
Do not fear going forward slowly, fear only to stand still.
(Chinese Wisdom)
Learn from the past. Do not come to the end of your life only to find you have not lived. For many come to the point of leaving the space of the earth and when they gaze back, they see the joy and the beauty that could not be theirs because of the fears they lived.
(Clearwater)
CORONATION GARDENS
I wonder how many people like myself take the Parish News and flick through it with little more than a scant interest for what is being written. Busy lives, family commitments, social activities leave little time for people to appreciate the efforts of those who contribute the articles which fill the pages. Whilst I applaud Muriel's musings or whatever you like to call them, I was particularly irritated by her comments relating to the Coronation Gardens and the fact that £1000 had been given by Caddington Council in 2001 to update the gardens. I would like to ask Muriel if she is more concerned with the fact that the £1000 has not been spent or the fact that the Coronation Gardens are, in her view, so outdated as to be in need of a total re-design. I wonder if Muriel has any idea of how much such a change would cost and whether she would consider it money well spent in view of the numerous other projects she appears to have in mind for our parish councillors to allocate our limited funds. It is very easy to criticise changes for which one does not approve and to forget how much time, effort and money is being spent by our parish council in doing their best to improve our village.
Please Muriel, spare a thought for those whose efforts are made with good intentions.
Pauline Smith (often seen mowing the grass at Coronation Gardens)
SAMARITAN'S PURSE (OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD) CONFERENCE 2003.
After leaving Caddington mid morning on a bright sunny day in June , Tony and I decided to take the scenic route to Telford where the Samaritan's Purse Conference (Operation Christmas Child) was being held. The trip was a real pleasure, taking us through Oxfordshire and Warwickshire where the countryside was looking its best. We even managed to find a Pub that was open for lunches and after some wholesome grub we continued on our way arriving at the hotel mid afternoon. We were warmly greeted by the familiar face of Ruth Jones, she was the person responsible for organising our stay at the conference, and it put us at ease straight away.
That evening (Friday 13th) we attended a Gala Dinner where we sat with other volunteers from Rugby, Leamington Spa and Buckingham. The welcome and Grace was said by Dave Cooke, the man who first started OCC in 1990. After the meal Gottfried OseI- Mensah said the Epilogue of the evening and we finished the evening with songs of praise from Carlton & Gloria two sisters who are extremely talented.
Both Tony and I managed to attend one of the early morning pray meetings on the Saturday, which turned out to be very soul searching for both of us. We then enjoyed a hearty breakfast before attending the morning sessions of devotions, a talk from Dr Patrick Dixon on how AIDS and HIV are reaching epidemic levels in Eastern European countries and how it's affecting the children there. This led on to the Review of OCC 2002, which stressed just how important the shoeboxes were to the children of these countries. Here in the UK we managed to send over 1million shoeboxes with love, to just some of these children. We were also introduced to the Overseas Guests who work with children on a day-to-day basis, they told us of children who share clothes on a rota system so they can each attend school. In Russia young men between 16 and 18 years old held in prison for crimes as little as stealing a loaf of bread. Thankfully the Governor of the prison allowed a team of SP volunteers and Soccer Training Professionals to set up a Soccer Project. I understand while they were there a football matched was arranged and only ended when the referees whistle froze. Well it was January and the temperature was -38 degrees. The aim of this project is to get children playing football and show them they have not been forgotten, despite the desperate circumstances in which they find themselves.
We were touched by the dedication and commitment of the volunteers; they spoke about other children and their suffering, too many to mention.
Although this sounds all doom and gloom it wasn't, there were slides showing happy faces of children receiving their shoeboxes and what a difference it made to them.
SPI have introduced other Projects that can help support families and children, such as Boxes of Hope, Photocopier boxes filled with family food/clothing/hygienic items and educational products. Supporting a child and family each month for as little as an Indian or Chinese take away! This support is one way of helping a family out of the poverty trap.
We were also given ideas for home made fillers for the Christmas Shoeboxes. I have managed to acquire a pack of these ideas, so if you're interested a pack will be left at the back of the church for your use. We will also try to include some in the Parish Magazine every month. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
On the Saturday evening we attended the dinner and was fortunate to be invited onto the table of David Vardy, the Executive Director of SPI in the UK. David has only just joined SPI and as "the new boy" (his words not mine) is anxious to get to know each and every volunteer. Not only did David come over as a very dedicated man wanting to help people in need but also a very humble and spiritual man, as he so eloquently put it "Earthly praise and recognition is insignificant compared to the rewards which await at God's throne".
The meal was then followed by "This is your life" for David Applin who has partially retired from the position of Executive Director of SPI and has now taken the part time position of Church Relation Director. The evening ended with the Epilogue lead by Gottfried Osei Mensah.
The Sunday morning service we attended in the main hall was packed and it was a wonderful experience to celebrate in praise and worship with so many Christians. Good spiritual food for
the soul. We left the conference just after lunch and arrived back in Caddington by teatime.
The whole weekend had been that of love and friendship with the aim of CARING no matter what colour, creed, religion or background people come from. We were taught by Jesus to love one another. Why don't we just do that?
I would like to round up by asking if anyone is interested in getting involved with the Shoebox appeal this Christmas or any other items I have mention please contact me on 01582 482681.
With warmest Christian greetings.
Teresa Willson
|