G'day from the Vicarage - Dec2010

Dearly Beloved in the Lord

 Spire

The big and sad news at the end of 2010 was having to have our spire taken down. We had arranged for the cross to be put back on the top of the spire, but when the steeple-jacks had put up the scaffolding and started work, they found that more and more of the timbers inside the spire were rotten. There is only a quarter of the spire left, and even that stump is only there because they hadn’t brought a big enough scaffold to take the whole lot down. Early in the new year we will lose the rest of the spire, and then have to plan what to do next. Preliminary estimates for replacement are near £50 000: but we wouldn’t want to bequeath the same problem to the church in another fifty years. I am sure if any readers wish to give or leave some money to the church towards a Spire Fund that would be welcome!

 Irene Namono

We have enjoyed the fellowship and service of Irene Namono, our Careforce Volunteer, since January 2010. Irene’s last Sunday will the 9th of January. Irene has been a great help in the Golden Link Club, Cricket Club, Parents and Toddlers, @toms, New Kids on the Block, Real Food, Mothers and Others, the Luncheon Club, and the Youth Group. We pray for God’s blessing on her as she returns to Uganda, and we are grateful for all God has done through her with us.

 Thursday Fellowship

Attendance at the fellowship on the 16th of December was affected by the very cold weather, [surely that was the reason we were depleted!] but those who came were able to hear me sing some of my old Australian Christmas carols. Out on the plains the brolgas were certainly dancing.

Christmas activities

The Nativity Play had wonderful singing and choreography. Giorgio and Luigi Sterlini had made a fine stable as a backdrop. Many thanks also to Peachey David, Stella Roberts and all the other teachers – the singing was fantastic.

The choir worked hard for the Carol service, with Sarah Archer accompanying on the flute a new anthem written by Margaret Hobbs. There was a large offering for the work of Tear Fund.

Summer Camps

The time has come to begin booking for Summer Christian camps

23-30 July: Danehill 1 (Ricky Vaiphei, Philip Hobbs, Hadleigh Turnbull)

26 July – 2 August: Brambletye 1 (Tom Brown, Donald Hobbs)

2-10 August: Sparkford 2 (Matthew Hobbs)

Madness and Mayhem (Run by Urban Saints in Wolverhampton – speak to Sarah Morris):

Sunday 24th July - Sunday 31st July (11-14s, 15-18s)
Sunday 31st July - Saturday 6th August MAX (8-11s)
Saturday 6th August - Saturday 13th August (11-14s, 15-18s)

We at the Vicarage would like to wish you a very happy Christmas and a New Year growing in Christ. Thank you for your fellowship in the gospel,

 Christopher Hobbs

From the Registers

Baptism

Stephanie Yoon

 Funerals

Winifred Bailey

Maurice Edward Forbes

Henrietta Teacher