From the Benefice Team…

November is a month when autumn starts to give way

to winter with the darker, damper mornings and days

that can be bright, crisp and sunny, but disappear into

misty cold evenings. The smell of bonfires and sound

of fireworks start well before Bonfire Night, and down

by the river in The Basin the soft call of the birds on the

mudflats can be heard in the distance.

It’s also a time for remembering. We remember our

family and friends who have died at All Saints and All

Souls and then we remember those who have given

their lives for our country in times of war. It’s a time for

remembering past times, times of happiness and

sadness and of people and places. Through Remem-

brance, we not only remember those who die in war but

also those who return and what they live with. We

remember what they gave. We remember those who

supported them and continue to support them. We

remember those they left behind. We remember the

respect we owe to so many ordinary people who gave

so much and we remember what war is truly like. On

Remembrance Sunday, at memorials, cenotaphs and

churches throughout the country, we remember the

sacrifice that so many have made in war, and there will

be a special service in each of our 3 churches on

Sunday 12th November.

In the Bible, Jesus is called the ‘Prince of Peace’ and

he came ‘to turn swords into plough shares and spears

into pruning hooks’. He taught us to ‘love our neigh-

bours as ourselves’ and if only we were all able to

follow that one teaching, we would never have the

need to go to war again. We still call our country a

Christian country – our laws and culture are based

upon the morals of Christianity, but there are many

who are trying to erode the freedom and democracy

that we take for granted, and which has been fought for

so fiercely so many times over the years. It is therefore

vital that we perform these acts of remembrance every

year; a reminder of what has been given for us all over

the years, and to ensure that we go on remembering

and thinking about what we have to lose. So please, if

you are able to, attend a Remembrance Service this

year, to keep the memory alive.

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HEYBRIDGE BASIN NOTES It was good to again see many of our friends and neighbours at the Harvest thanksgiving and auction of produce at the Jolly Sailor. Many thanks to Vicky for her hospitality and to our auctioneer, Dave Brock, ably assisted by Andrew Fawcett. The singing of the old harvest hymns was, as always, rousing. Money raised from the auction totalled £140, which we have sent to the charity WaterAid, to further their aim of providing clean water and sanitation to schools and communities around the world. What’s On?

Coffee Mornings in the Community Room: Saturday 4th November 10am – 12 noon

This will include a Friends of St George’ Cake stall as well as the usual refreshments and bring and buy books and bric a brac.

Saturday 2nd December 10am – 12 noon

Christmas Coffee morning and Bazaar The Friends of St George’s will have holly and evergreen wreaths on sale, to be taken away and decorated in readiness for the Wreath display in church on Saturday 9th and Sunday10th December.

St George’s Carol Service Thursday December 21st 7.30 pm Christmas Day – Holy Communion service with carols at St George’s 10.30 am

JLM

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CHURCHES TOGETHER IN MALDON

We had our quarterly meeting on 11th October and as usual, a lot has happened and we have some encouraging plans for the future. So here goes: Schools’ and Youth work – Open the Book, which has been running for a few years now in some primary schools, continues to be well received and thoroughly enjoyed by the children, helpers and school staff. For those of you who haven’t come across this before, a group of CTiM volunteers take Bible stories into school assemblies, by arrangement with the head teacher, and present them in a fun way, usually as a piece of drama. Much fun is had by all and the adult partic-ipants are frequently recognised in the street, even by children who have now left the school. Rob Sefton, the Elim pastor, went to Maldon Court school to give a talk about the Food Pantry and ‘happened’ to mention Open the Book. The staff were very interested, so it looks like we might have another opening there. We are also hopeful for Heybridge Primary School – discussions are under way. After half term, an interactive IT project, Key to Life, will take place in two Maldon schools. The Phoenix Youth Hub, though successful, has had its wings clipped recently, due to shortage of volunteers. They hope to reopen at the begin-ning of November and hopefully the youngsters will return. This is a particularly important piece of work, as the group reaches some of the youngsters who would-n’t usually go to an organised event, some with behavioural issues. We have heard reports that some youngsters have come to faith through the group, which is very encouraging. The Food Bank continues to help local people in need – over 7,000 food parcels have been given out since its inception. Rob Sefton is particularly grateful to local churches and schools for their Harvest Festival contributions – he had to allocate more space to store them! But due to the level of need, this stock will quickly be depleted, so donations are always gratefully received. Andy Mugford (Fullbridge Church) has started up a job club for unemployed people in need of help and facilities, which runs weekly at the church. Harbour, for people with mental health problems, has been running for about ten years now, at the Octagon, on Mondays. For the future, the Town Carol service is at the URC, on 10th December at 5.00 pm. Open to everybody, I know I start to feel some of the Christmas spirit after I’ve been to this service (yes, I do know that it’s Advent up to Christmas Eve!) Details in the December magazine. Not that we are wishing our time away, but we are already having preliminary discussions about Easter and Pentecost; these things need quite a bit of planning. I will keep you up to date with any developments, but if there is anything you want to know about what Churches Together does, just come and talk to me. Julia MacGregor October 2017.

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The Loneliest Caterpillar - A Tale of Bravery

Once upon a time there lived a very small caterpillar. She was quite shy, meek, and timid of small crowds. She would even go out of her way to avoid confrontation with the other insects until one very important day. One day she saw danger coming to her caterpillar envi-ronment and so she had to go out on a limb in order to get the attention of all the other insects. She had to make her presence known and forget all about her shyness. She even had to dress a little bit differently and carry a different tune in her heart. She had to help the rest of the caterpillars see that there was true danger on the horizon. She needed to show them what the future would bring. A certain amount of time had passed and small tragedies began to happen in her neck of the woods. The branches of her tree began to shake and the apples all began falling from the trees. She tried to warn everyone up until this point in time, but no one would pay attention to her. Now her popularity grew and half the insect population came to hang out on her branch of the tree. She could not rest day or night. She was barraged with requests to speak to the other insects.

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Soon enough the weather changed and the leaves began to fall. It was now autumn time and a mighty gust of wind came and took them all up. Up, up, and away to a mightier tree than they were perched on before. It was the mightiest oak tree of all. It made the tree they were previously perched on look like a small sapling. Once they arrived atop the new tree their entire existence began to change. They were now safe. They had solid shelter. They also had a view like none other. What is the moral of this story you might ask? The moral of this story is that it takes a small meek caterpillar to accomplish great things! It also takes a brave caterpillar to go out on a limb to ensure the safety of the rest of the community. And thirdly, if you want to do something mighty for your community you must imagine yourself carrying out the task even before the opportunity presents itself. Jeremiah 17:7 But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.

Copyright © Gwendolen Song | Year Posted 2015

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Visit to Saint Paul’s Cathedral. At a meeting in the summer Michael Hampel, Patron for St Andrew’s on behalf of St Paul’s, kindly offered to give members of our congregations a tour of the cathedral. These are the details he sent following an enquiry I made:

A group of about 30 arrives at 2.15 p.m. and is welcomed by me

The tour (led by me) starts at 2.30 p.m. and we explore the church floor for about half the time

We then climb up into the triforia, west gallery, and model room (housing Wren’s great model of the cathedral)

We move down to the crypt and gather at Wren’s tomb where the tour ends

Pilgrims then have half an hour to use the cafe, shop and loos before re-turning to the church floor

For reserved seats at Evensong at which they are welcomed, prayed for, and any clergy with them invited to read the second lesson

Michael offered Saturdays in January and I suggest we go for 27th Jan. Evensong is at 5 o’clock, finishing at 5.45pm. How we travel and the cost of travel will depend on the amount of interest shown. If you would like to take part in this trip please sign the list in church, giving your email address if you have one and/or your phone number. Rosemary Taylor

David Baxter There will be a short service for those who would like to attend, at 1.15pm on 1st November, at Chelmsford Crematorium, followed by a Memorial Service at St Andrew’s Church - all welcome. Passed away peacefully on 1st October 2017.

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Langford Notes – November 2017

Benefice Letter Having written the Benefice letter for October I was horrified to see that the little piece I looked up online (about Germany) still had all the ‘connecting’ pieces left in. That just shows you should never rush things, and ensure that everything is right before you send it on. However, I hope I can be forgiven for that one small error – the item in question was too interesting to miss out! Harvest Festival – 8th October Sadly so many people were away at the time of the Harvest Festival, so numbers were very much down. This meant that WaterAid didn’t receive as much from us this year as they did last year, but £121 has been sent off as our contribution. The church looked lovely as always, and our grateful thanks to Andy Cullen for supplying the ‘stooks’ of corn which looked lovely. Thanks also to everyone who made food for the evening, which was delicious. Supper – 14th October As the magazine will go out before this will be held, I’ll let you know the details in the December issue, but so far over 40 people have bought tick-ets! Saturday 18th November Our Christmas Fayre will be held in Church (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) with lots of wonderful things for the season, including our, now famous, Christmas Tombola. But there will be other stalls, Soup and rolls, and a huge raffle, so we do hope you will come and give us a look. And further on… Sunday 3rd December – Candlelit Christmas Extraordinaire (6.30 p.m.) The theme this year is ‘Christmas Traditions’. Come and find out why we do all the things we do at Christmastime. So come and join us for some fun! Irene Allen

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Heybridge WI

The October meeting began with Jerusalem, followed by the mailing received, all of which is always available for members to read on our notice boards. Maureen then introduced speaker Steve Beechey who spoke to us about bees, not one of people's favourite insect but it was quite fascinating to know that there is more than one kind, they don't all sting and not all produce honey. They are busy insects who we should take care not to kill but en-courage into our gardens to aid pollination in plants and foodstuffs. Doreen gave the vote of thanks. After tea details were given out for the December meeting which will be a bring and share lunch, members were reminded that as there are no serving dishes available in the hall, food should be prepared at home and covered with cling film. This year we will again have a secret santa sack to the value of up to £3 (please be imaginative). As people left in a hurry last month and we did not end the meet-ing with the National Anthem a vote was taken to see if we should end meeting thus or just on special occasions, the majority vote was for special occasions only. The Committee has asked members for ideas, problems, likes and dislikes of meeting format, therefore a suggestion box is to be provided to protect anonymity. Flower: Joint 1st Rita, 2nd Val, 3rd Ellen General 1st Freda, 2nd Pam, 3rd Ellen Tea hostesses for November, Pam and Margaret Yell Next meeting, Friday 3rd November 1.30 for 2pm in Plantation Hall when the speaker is Philip Regan from Kelly Bronze Turkeys. The competition is a Christmas Cake Decoration. The December competition is a hand made Christmas Stocking. Visitors always welcome.

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Taking a Stand

For both the injured and the lost I ask you to keep count with me Of all the wars and what they cost I ask you to be silent with me Quietly grateful for our lot As I expect you're as thankful as me For the health and life we've got I ask that you wish them well with me All those still risking their all And I ask that you remember with me The names of those that fall I expect that you are proud like me Of this great nation of ours too So enjoying all its freedoms like me Support those upholding them for you I hope that you are hopeful like me That we'll soon bring an end to wars So you'll have to stand no more with me And mourning families no different from yours 'Til then be thankful you can stand with me Thinking of those who now cannot For standing here today with me At least we show they're not forgot

John Bailey © Copyright May 2011

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MUSIC IN THE BENEFICE

St Andrew’s Church Organist - Gerald Matthews (01245 472860)

St. George’s Church Organist - Joy Norman (01621 857004)

St. Giles’ Church

Organists - Gerald Matthews & Rosemary Taylor (01245 472860) St.Giles Singers practise in Church 5.45pm Tuesdays

New members and musicians always welcome

WELCOME WORKSHOP

Meets every Friday (term times) 9.30-12.00. Bring your own craft

or come along and knit and natter, and maybe learn a new craft skill!

More info contact

Lynne Wood 01621 856216

ST. ANDREW’S CRAFT CLUB Card making and crafts for

teenagers and adults. Meets 7.30pm in The Waring Room on 2nd & 4th Thursday each

month

Lynne Wood

01621 856216

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CUBS AND SCOUTS

Group Scout Leader

Clive Searle 01621 855275

MAGAZINE EDITOR

Sue Howat 01621 853638

suehowat@hotmail.co.uk

SEA CADETS Telephone: 01621 740692

maldonsea-cadets@hotmail.com

COFFEE MORNINGS St.George’s Heybridge

Basin 1st Saturday each month

St.Giles Langford

2nd Saturday each month

Judith Manley 01621 859957

Irene Allen 01621 855447

USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS

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Prayer Diary – November 2017 Wed 1 For all the Saints Thu 2 For all those who have gone before Fri 3 Those who look after our churches Sat 4 The work of the Diocesan Area Youth Adviser Sun 5 For those thinking of going into the ministry Mon 6 For the Church’s ministry among other religious groups Tue 7 For ourselves Wed 8 Those who find it difficult to forgive Thu 9 For our armed forces overseas Fri 10 Those who are bereaved Sat 11 Armistice Day Sun 12 Remembrance Sunday – for the fallen in conflict Mon 13 All involved with Spiritual Direction in our Diocese Tue 14 For all who are in love Wed 15 The victims of domestic violence and the culturally oppressed Thu 16 Our Pastoral Staff Fri 17 Pleshey Retreat House, its staff and visitors Sat 18 For those who earn their living at sea Sun 19 For all who work in the Emergency Services Mon 20 Those finding life difficult Tue 21 For the needy of the world Wed 22 The work of Theological Colleges Thu 23 Those who are living with anger Fri 24 Those who cannot let go of their grief Sat 25 For those who find it hard to pray Sun 26 Christ the King Mon 27 For those involved in world affairs Tue 28 The gift of music in our churches Wed 29 For Missionary work of the church Thu 30 Saint Andrew the Apostle

URGENT - CLEANER REQUIRED If you feel able to give a couple of hours up once every 4 to 5 weeks we would be very grateful for your time. We need a temporary cleaner to help out with light cleaning duties at St George’s Community Room in Heybridge Basin. Please contact Paula 01621 856049 Sharman 01621 858193 Many thanks

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IN YOUR PRAYERS

PLEASE REMEMBER Those who are unwell: Allison, Steve Clark, Jay Stables, Janet, Hope, June Slack, Chris

Spong, Pam, Michael Shrimpton, Betty Moody and George Gribble.

Loving Father, have mercy on those whose lives are crippled by strain and

anxiety in themselves, release their tension, give them inward peace,

restore them to the wholeness which is your will for all. Amen

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Deadline for the magazine The deadline for the next (December) magazine is 12.00 on Sunday 12th November (2nd Sunday).

COULD YOU BE AN ‘INTERCESSOR’?

Following recent discussions at PCC and with Rev Penny Sayer, we think it may

be a good time to re-introduce an Intercessions rota, as has been done success-

fully in the past. However, we are a bit short of Intercessors! If you feel you

could lead our prayers, please speak to Lynne or Julia and we will explain what

is involved. We would give you some training and not expect you to participate

until you felt ready to do so. Only two Sundays out of four would be involved,

i.e. the second and fourth Sunday Eucharists, so if we have enough volunteers,

it may not even come around very often. Please do give it some thought and

personal prayer and come forward if you think it is right for you.

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