The Sunday Archive: The Pilot, July 1997 - Part 2
PARISH LETTERS
ST LUKES
From DAVID JONES Priest-in-Charge
LOOKING AFTER THE ROOTS
UNDER the trees in the Vicarage garden previous owners have cut out borders and beds for shrubs and flowers. Under the great oak, by the front wall, a semi-circular border around the tree is shaded and cool. The gardeners amongst you will know that it is also dry from the shade of the tree. It is a lovely place to sit but needs some plants with simple colour and beauty, but most of all it needs some good compost to nourish and feed the little plants throughout the summer with its hot sun. Well, the work has been done and the plants are growing well. I hope they look a picture for our Church Summer Tea and later our Fun Day in August for all ages. Looking after the roots makes such a difference.
How true that is for our faith as well; the "feeding" of our friendship with Jesus. It is always sad to see someone who has become a Christian lose their grip on faith. However, Jesus warned that it could happen and his words act as a warning to us all. He gives us, like a good gardener, three "tips" to help us be fruitful (or if you prefer, blooming) Christians.
First, we need to hear His word. Committed to a regular encounter with Him in the Scriptures and the nourishment of the Sacrament. But sadly those who meet with Him in the reading of the Bible each day are in a minority in the church today. Just like those who meet him in the Sacrament in one of the six other days of each week. Is there someone you could encourage to become a regular Bible reader and attendee at a weekday service? If you don't hear Him, you don't grow!
Second, we need to understand what we read, hear and pray. Jesus gives us gifted Bible teachers and priests. Many of our churches have Bible groups, prayer groups and "prayer schools" to help us grow in understanding as well as help each other.
Third — and vitally — we need to allow this nourishment and feeding of God to "produce a crop" in us. Good feeding will be seen. Good well-fed "Roots" will produce good, joyful and "colourful" Christians who will stand out. Jesus has harsh words to say about "hearers" who were not also "doers."
Well, how are your Christian roots? Do you need some good God-given "Compost" so that you can "Bloom" better for Him? Then take the opportunities all around, services, groups, books, and don't be barren unproductive "soil" for Jesus. Feeding the roots makes all the difference.
DIARY DATES
1st: W.I. Concert, 8 pm in church.
9th: Jersey Senior Girls Choir Concert, 7.30 pm in church.
11th-12th: 'The Water Babies' by St Luke's Community Theatre, 7.30 pm in the church hall.
13th: Sunday School Sports Day at Green Island, 2 pm.
15th: St Cecilia Concert, 8 pm in church. 19th: St Luke's Summer Fayre, 10 am
20th: Songs of Praise in support of Help the Aged in Jersey.
24th: Millennium Brass Concert, 8 pm in church.
25th: Barn Dance, 8 pm in the church hall.
REGISTERS
HOLY BAPTISM. 4th May, Lucy Jane Bevis, Travis Lee Berthou; 1st June, Alexander John Lopes.
HOLY MATRIMONY. 24th May, Mark Coxhall and Emma Pini.
FUNERAL. 12th May, Colin Veitch.
From DAVID JONES Priest-in-Charge
LOOKING AFTER THE ROOTS
UNDER the trees in the Vicarage garden previous owners have cut out borders and beds for shrubs and flowers. Under the great oak, by the front wall, a semi-circular border around the tree is shaded and cool. The gardeners amongst you will know that it is also dry from the shade of the tree. It is a lovely place to sit but needs some plants with simple colour and beauty, but most of all it needs some good compost to nourish and feed the little plants throughout the summer with its hot sun. Well, the work has been done and the plants are growing well. I hope they look a picture for our Church Summer Tea and later our Fun Day in August for all ages. Looking after the roots makes such a difference.
How true that is for our faith as well; the "feeding" of our friendship with Jesus. It is always sad to see someone who has become a Christian lose their grip on faith. However, Jesus warned that it could happen and his words act as a warning to us all. He gives us, like a good gardener, three "tips" to help us be fruitful (or if you prefer, blooming) Christians.
First, we need to hear His word. Committed to a regular encounter with Him in the Scriptures and the nourishment of the Sacrament. But sadly those who meet with Him in the reading of the Bible each day are in a minority in the church today. Just like those who meet him in the Sacrament in one of the six other days of each week. Is there someone you could encourage to become a regular Bible reader and attendee at a weekday service? If you don't hear Him, you don't grow!
Second, we need to understand what we read, hear and pray. Jesus gives us gifted Bible teachers and priests. Many of our churches have Bible groups, prayer groups and "prayer schools" to help us grow in understanding as well as help each other.
Third — and vitally — we need to allow this nourishment and feeding of God to "produce a crop" in us. Good feeding will be seen. Good well-fed "Roots" will produce good, joyful and "colourful" Christians who will stand out. Jesus has harsh words to say about "hearers" who were not also "doers."
Well, how are your Christian roots? Do you need some good God-given "Compost" so that you can "Bloom" better for Him? Then take the opportunities all around, services, groups, books, and don't be barren unproductive "soil" for Jesus. Feeding the roots makes all the difference.
DIARY DATES
1st: W.I. Concert, 8 pm in church.
9th: Jersey Senior Girls Choir Concert, 7.30 pm in church.
11th-12th: 'The Water Babies' by St Luke's Community Theatre, 7.30 pm in the church hall.
13th: Sunday School Sports Day at Green Island, 2 pm.
15th: St Cecilia Concert, 8 pm in church. 19th: St Luke's Summer Fayre, 10 am
20th: Songs of Praise in support of Help the Aged in Jersey.
24th: Millennium Brass Concert, 8 pm in church.
25th: Barn Dance, 8 pm in the church hall.
REGISTERS
HOLY BAPTISM. 4th May, Lucy Jane Bevis, Travis Lee Berthou; 1st June, Alexander John Lopes.
HOLY MATRIMONY. 24th May, Mark Coxhall and Emma Pini.
FUNERAL. 12th May, Colin Veitch.
ST HELIER
JOHN SEAFORD Rector
THE social highlight of May was undoubtedly the Georgian Evening at the Assembly Room in the Town Hall, attended by the Constable. It was an enjoyable evening with an amusing and fascinating talk by Peter Le Rossignol about life in a grand house some 200 years ago, including some of the naughtier bits! Hopefully, when all the financial arithmetic is settled, the profit should allow us to close the special project fund for the time being. The screen to enclose the narthex area should be in place before the end of the summer.
Our thanks to all who have contributed in any way to ensure that this scheme has been so successful. The support of the Constable and assistance of the Town Hall staff has been much appreciated. The generosity of one or two major donors, and the ongoing financial support of many others over many months, with the administrative skills and innovatory enthusiasm of a few, particularly Dina Sewrey and Helen Seaford, and the steady efforts of cake-makers, musicians, barbecue chefs, et alia, have all combined to provide our Parish Church with a greatly admired aesthetic and practical improvement. Thank you, all.
This month includes St Helier Day. The traditional annual Pilgrimage to Elizabeth Castle for an ecumenical service, and a visit to the Hermitage, takes place on the preceding Sunday. Many churches in the Island are now supporting this event, and it would be good if a larger number of our own congregation sup-ported our choir, which always turns out in great numbers. You can either join the procession, or go across in your time, on foot or by transport. Because of the tides, the pilgrimage procession leaves the Town Church at 4.30 pm. Why not take a picnic tea, and enjoy fellowship after the service with others as we all commemorate our patron Martyr.
On his feast day, 16th July, the anniversary of his martyrdom, there will again be a short service of Holy Communion out in the Hermitage at 1 pm. Because of the tides it will be impossible to walk out at that time: and our main parish celebration will take place in church at 7.30 pm, followed by a reception at the Deanery. All members of the congregation are invited.
Over the following days, the Town Church will provide the setting for a Flower Festival, "A Pocketful of Posies", to celebrate the centenary of the work of the Children's Society in Jersey. The theme will be nursery rhymes. Please tell your friends about it; and do come and see it. I know it will be worthwhile; and the work of the Children's Society will benefit greatly.
We are becoming more conscious of the needs of others. After small beginnings with various shoe-boxes, the call for handbags received a splendid response. Nearly 100 handbags, all crammed with necessities and luxuries, were provided by the ladies of the congregation, and their acquaintances at work and play, for their displaced and deprived "sisters" in Bosnia.
Next month, on Friday 1st August, we shall be pleased to host a concert by Heidelberger Kammerorchester (The Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra) who are on tour. They will perform works by Vivaldi, Mozart, Purcell and Telemann.
REGISTERS
HOLY BAPTISM. 25th May, Ryan Jordan Cheshire, Taylor Jay Hooson; Mia Traynor; 1st June, Georgia-May Catherine Gabb; 8th June, Charles Felix Zaman.
FUNERALS. 13th May, John Sheehan; 15th May, John Albert Botrel; 3rd June, Euphemia Neasham.
JOHN SEAFORD Rector
THE social highlight of May was undoubtedly the Georgian Evening at the Assembly Room in the Town Hall, attended by the Constable. It was an enjoyable evening with an amusing and fascinating talk by Peter Le Rossignol about life in a grand house some 200 years ago, including some of the naughtier bits! Hopefully, when all the financial arithmetic is settled, the profit should allow us to close the special project fund for the time being. The screen to enclose the narthex area should be in place before the end of the summer.
Our thanks to all who have contributed in any way to ensure that this scheme has been so successful. The support of the Constable and assistance of the Town Hall staff has been much appreciated. The generosity of one or two major donors, and the ongoing financial support of many others over many months, with the administrative skills and innovatory enthusiasm of a few, particularly Dina Sewrey and Helen Seaford, and the steady efforts of cake-makers, musicians, barbecue chefs, et alia, have all combined to provide our Parish Church with a greatly admired aesthetic and practical improvement. Thank you, all.
This month includes St Helier Day. The traditional annual Pilgrimage to Elizabeth Castle for an ecumenical service, and a visit to the Hermitage, takes place on the preceding Sunday. Many churches in the Island are now supporting this event, and it would be good if a larger number of our own congregation sup-ported our choir, which always turns out in great numbers. You can either join the procession, or go across in your time, on foot or by transport. Because of the tides, the pilgrimage procession leaves the Town Church at 4.30 pm. Why not take a picnic tea, and enjoy fellowship after the service with others as we all commemorate our patron Martyr.
On his feast day, 16th July, the anniversary of his martyrdom, there will again be a short service of Holy Communion out in the Hermitage at 1 pm. Because of the tides it will be impossible to walk out at that time: and our main parish celebration will take place in church at 7.30 pm, followed by a reception at the Deanery. All members of the congregation are invited.
Over the following days, the Town Church will provide the setting for a Flower Festival, "A Pocketful of Posies", to celebrate the centenary of the work of the Children's Society in Jersey. The theme will be nursery rhymes. Please tell your friends about it; and do come and see it. I know it will be worthwhile; and the work of the Children's Society will benefit greatly.
We are becoming more conscious of the needs of others. After small beginnings with various shoe-boxes, the call for handbags received a splendid response. Nearly 100 handbags, all crammed with necessities and luxuries, were provided by the ladies of the congregation, and their acquaintances at work and play, for their displaced and deprived "sisters" in Bosnia.
Next month, on Friday 1st August, we shall be pleased to host a concert by Heidelberger Kammerorchester (The Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra) who are on tour. They will perform works by Vivaldi, Mozart, Purcell and Telemann.
REGISTERS
HOLY BAPTISM. 25th May, Ryan Jordan Cheshire, Taylor Jay Hooson; Mia Traynor; 1st June, Georgia-May Catherine Gabb; 8th June, Charles Felix Zaman.
FUNERALS. 13th May, John Sheehan; 15th May, John Albert Botrel; 3rd June, Euphemia Neasham.
ST LAWRENCE
From
ALASTAIR FORMAN Priest-in-Charge
WE have made some good progress with our Restoration Project at St Lawrence. After the Ecclesiastical Assembly of 28th April, an Appeal Group was formed to manage the financing of the work. The group consists of the following: Myself as Chairman, Steve Meiklejohn (Deputy Chairman), Duncan Baxter (Treasurer), Anne Bougourd (Secretary), Anne Binney (Events), David Edwards (Publicity) and Julie Reeves (Parishioners Abroad).
Members of the Appeal Group will be looking for help in their particular tasks, and we hope to involve as many church members as possible in this long term project.
At the Ecclesiastical Assembly we committed ourselves to the first two phases of the project, at a cost of £150,000. The overall "ball park" figure, however, is £285,000. Although substantial help is coming from the Parish (£100,000 this year), we need to begin work on raising the rest.
The Appeal will be launched on 19th July at a Summer Party at Domaine Des Vaux, by the kind invitation of Marcus and Anne Binney. A Buffet Supper in a marquee will be followed by dancing to live music. Tickets can be bought from Anne Bougourd (Tel. 862649) and Julie Reeves (861241) at a cost of £15 each. We look forward to seeing as many as possible there - bring a friend!
The Ecclesiastical Court sits at St Lawrence on 14th July at 10 am. The Court's approval of the project is required before we can begin the work. We would value your prayers for wisdom and goodwill.
We hope to have much enjoyment in working towards this project. I'm sure that there will be great side benefits in terms of fellowship and increased faith. My prayer is that as the project develops, so God will be shaping our lives individually and corporately, and creating a building and a people to be used together in gathering many to the Lord Jesus Christ.
ST MATTHEW
THERE is much to thank God for at St Matthew's, not least the fact that about 40 per cent of our congregation is made up of young people under 16. The work, however, is not confined to the church site on a Sunday. There is a thriving JAM (Jesus and Me club) for 7-10 year olds meeting at the St Lawrence Community Centre on Fridays, from 4.30 to 6 pm (further details from Pam Hewlett on xxxxxx). Many of the children who come are not churchgoers, but they are introduced to the gospel through the friendship of the leaders, and through a short talk from a guest speaker each week. Activities include sports and games, craftwork and cooking.
Some of our Pathfinders are involved in the Oasis Youth Club at the St Paul's Centre on Saturday evenings. Their faith has grown considerably through this work, and they have developed friendships with other Christian young people in the Island, which must be a good thing.
It is good to open our doors to one another, and to the non-church going community. Our Tuesday Evening Celebrations (2nd and 4th Tuesdays in the month at 8 pm in St Matthew's Church Hall) are open to members of other churches, and also to those who are interested in Jesus, but who find the formality and traditions of much Christian worship difficult. Our belief is that, although the message cannot be changed, the methods by which we express it and preach it can. Different sections of the community are reached in different ways, and the church is duty bound to find every way possible, and not to be bound by side issues. The particular style of Tuesday evening is informal and relaxed. The worship is lead by a band: it is followed by teaching and ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. Coffee and buns are on hand throughout, and all are welcome
From
ALASTAIR FORMAN Priest-in-Charge
WE have made some good progress with our Restoration Project at St Lawrence. After the Ecclesiastical Assembly of 28th April, an Appeal Group was formed to manage the financing of the work. The group consists of the following: Myself as Chairman, Steve Meiklejohn (Deputy Chairman), Duncan Baxter (Treasurer), Anne Bougourd (Secretary), Anne Binney (Events), David Edwards (Publicity) and Julie Reeves (Parishioners Abroad).
Members of the Appeal Group will be looking for help in their particular tasks, and we hope to involve as many church members as possible in this long term project.
At the Ecclesiastical Assembly we committed ourselves to the first two phases of the project, at a cost of £150,000. The overall "ball park" figure, however, is £285,000. Although substantial help is coming from the Parish (£100,000 this year), we need to begin work on raising the rest.
The Appeal will be launched on 19th July at a Summer Party at Domaine Des Vaux, by the kind invitation of Marcus and Anne Binney. A Buffet Supper in a marquee will be followed by dancing to live music. Tickets can be bought from Anne Bougourd (Tel. 862649) and Julie Reeves (861241) at a cost of £15 each. We look forward to seeing as many as possible there - bring a friend!
The Ecclesiastical Court sits at St Lawrence on 14th July at 10 am. The Court's approval of the project is required before we can begin the work. We would value your prayers for wisdom and goodwill.
We hope to have much enjoyment in working towards this project. I'm sure that there will be great side benefits in terms of fellowship and increased faith. My prayer is that as the project develops, so God will be shaping our lives individually and corporately, and creating a building and a people to be used together in gathering many to the Lord Jesus Christ.
ST MATTHEW
THERE is much to thank God for at St Matthew's, not least the fact that about 40 per cent of our congregation is made up of young people under 16. The work, however, is not confined to the church site on a Sunday. There is a thriving JAM (Jesus and Me club) for 7-10 year olds meeting at the St Lawrence Community Centre on Fridays, from 4.30 to 6 pm (further details from Pam Hewlett on xxxxxx). Many of the children who come are not churchgoers, but they are introduced to the gospel through the friendship of the leaders, and through a short talk from a guest speaker each week. Activities include sports and games, craftwork and cooking.
Some of our Pathfinders are involved in the Oasis Youth Club at the St Paul's Centre on Saturday evenings. Their faith has grown considerably through this work, and they have developed friendships with other Christian young people in the Island, which must be a good thing.
It is good to open our doors to one another, and to the non-church going community. Our Tuesday Evening Celebrations (2nd and 4th Tuesdays in the month at 8 pm in St Matthew's Church Hall) are open to members of other churches, and also to those who are interested in Jesus, but who find the formality and traditions of much Christian worship difficult. Our belief is that, although the message cannot be changed, the methods by which we express it and preach it can. Different sections of the community are reached in different ways, and the church is duty bound to find every way possible, and not to be bound by side issues. The particular style of Tuesday evening is informal and relaxed. The worship is lead by a band: it is followed by teaching and ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. Coffee and buns are on hand throughout, and all are welcome
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