january/february parish magazine 2016

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Linch Christmas Party

Linch Crib Service

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The United Benefice of Linch with Iping Marsh and Milland

Telephone code 01428 unless otherwise stated

Rector Reverend Trish Bancroft Tel: 741285 email: [email protected]

Parish of St Luke’s Linch with Iping Marsh

Churchwardens

David Alderman 13 Mill Vale Meadows, Milland GU30 7LZ

Tel: 741397

email: [email protected],

Carol Stacey 12 Hazelbank Close Liphook GU30 7BY Tel:722966

email: [email protected].

Treasurer

Anne Alderman 13 Mill Vale Meadows, Milland GU30 7LZ

Tel: 741397

Parish of St Luke’s Milland and Rake

Churchwardens

Michael Cartwright The Spinney, Hillbrow Road, Hillbrow. Liss GU33 7PS

Tel: 01730 892602

email:[email protected]

Treasurer

Anne Alderman 13 Mill Vale Meadows, Milland GU30 7LZ

Tel: 741397

Organist Leslie Lloyd Tel.. 01730 892998

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LOCAL CONTACTS Code 01428 unless otherwise stated

POLICE CONTROL CENTRE 0845 6070 999

CLERK TO THE MILLAND PARISH COUNCIL Lorraine Grocott 741393

BRAMSHOTT AND LIPHOOK VOLUNTARY CARE 723972

COMMUNITY TRANSPORT 723972

HOLLYCOMBE SCHOOL Tamsin Austoni 741332

MILLAND AND RAKE SCHOOL David Bertwhistle 01730 892126

PRE SCHOOL Sara Marston 01730 892754

LITTLE FISHES TODDLER GROUP 741668

PUDDLEDUCKS NURSERY SCHOOL, LISS

Caroline Ashton-Milton 01730 895351

MILLAND MEMORIAL HALL Booking Clerk 07500 10709

REDFORD HALL Lisa Butlin 741435

RAKE VILLAGE HALL Emma Crofton 07770 808937.

BORDEN VILLAGE HALL Sasha Boam, 01730 818453

MILLAND EVANGELICAL CHURCH Patrick Honour 07518 761548

741668

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Jeremy Parker 741811

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Rogate & District Wyn Davies 01730 818443,

MILLAND STORES Claire Findlay 741066

MILLAND BADMINTON Allan Jones 741440

MILLAND CRICKET CLUB Lorna Clue 01730 814506

MILLAND FOOTBALL CLUB Justin Whitehouse 07752 658847

MILLAND STOOLBALL CLUB Sue Strike 01730 821783

MILLAND TENNIS CLUB Guy Darby 741568

MILLAND SPORTS CLUB Justin Whitehouse 07752 658847

MILLAND GARDENING CLUB Mu Bullingham 741237

MILLAND LUNCH CLUB Jess Coombs 741316

MODEL RAILWAY SOCIETY Tony Bettger 741551

WESSEX CANCER HELP CENTRE 01243 778516

SUNDAY LEAFLET CONTACT Bob/Alison Ireland 713392

MAGAZINE CONTACT:

Alison Ireland email: [email protected] 713392

mailto:[email protected]

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email:[email protected]

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MILLAND PICTURE FRAMING

Est 1991 A professional job at reasonable prices

Discount given to Villagers

Telephone DAVID GODFREY

Milland 01428 741386

Contents Page

From the Rector 4

January and February Services 6

Diary Dates 9

St Luke’s Milland PCC Jottings 30th November 10

Magazine Deadline 8

Milland 200 Club winners 8

From the St Luke’s Milland Church Warden 12

Benefice Website 12

From the St Luke’s Linch Church Wardens 13

Christmas at Linch

The Christmas Party 14

Twas the Night Before Christmas 15

Christingle 15

Crib Service 16

Notes from by the Font 17

As with gladness... 18

Messy Church 19

Our Vanessa 20

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It was all in the month of February… 23

Children’s Pages 24/25

Contacts 27

Roger Poat & Partners

Independant Funeral Directors & Memorial Consultants

Duck Lane Midhurst GU29 9DE

Telephone: 01730 812094

24 Hour Personal Service

Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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From the Rector…

God has an idea So God made potatoes and planets and puppies, giraffes and goril-las, goldfish and guppies, kangaroos, kittens, cows that go moo. Then, last, best of all he made me, he made you to care for his world, to care for each other. To love and respect him like good sons and daughters And when he had finished, God smiled and said. “This is good and it makes me glad.” But something went wrong. We thought we knew best. We ignored what God said, made the world a big mess. So I laughed at you, and you called me names just because we were different and not all the same. We hit and we hurt and we bullied and fought. And the great God that loved us we simply forgot. And it made God so sorry and that’s why he said “This is so bad and it makes me sad.” The very first Christmas But God’s love was bigger than the mess that we made, he knew what to do, so here’s what he said. “I’ll send them my son to show them the way to love one another and live like I say.” And give them my power, deep down in their hearts to fight what is bad, to make a new start. And live in this world, just like I first planned. And turn what is sad into glad again. So a woman called Mary, just minding her business was asked to be part of the very first Christmas, by and angel called Gabriel, shiny and bright, who showed up. One day, and gave her a fright. “No need to be scared,” the angel explained, “I come here with good news, sim-ple and plain, you’ll give birth to God’s baby! It’s all in God’s plan. To turn what is sad into glad again. Then Mary and Joseph, her husband, went down to be counted by Caesar in Bethlehem town. With no empty rooms left to rent for their stay, they stopped in a place where the animals lay. And there, in the hay, she gave birth to God’s son, and cuddled and cradled her small special one, who would grow up to do all the things that God had planned. And turn what is sad into glad again. Some shepherds were watching their sheep, down the way when an angel ap-peared like a firework display, and shocked all the shepherds and shook all their sheep and made sure that no one would get a night’s sleep. “Run to Bethlehem! Go!” the bright angel said, “See the babe in the manger, hay under his head, He’s amazing. He’s special. For only he can, turn what is

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sad into glad again.” Jesus surprises everyone Thirty years passed and Jesus grew older, he went to a wedding – his mum touched his shoulder – “There’s a problem” she whispered “the wine has run out, I think you can fix that. In fact, I’ve no doubt.” So Jesus turned water to wine – and it flowed! He did it to help out, but also it showed that he could make nature obey his command. And turn what was sad into glad again. A small man in Jericho, whose first name was Zak, was disliked by his neigh-bour for gathering tax, and perhaps taking coins that he shouldn’t have kept. So when Jesus came by, Zak sneaked past and crept behind all his neighbours and climbed up a tree. But Jesus forgave him, so the whole town could see, that love and forgiveness are part of God’s plan. To turn what is sad into glad again So Jesus healed sick people, cared for the poor, gave food to the hungry, five thousand or more. Welcomed the lonely, raised up the dead, lived what he taught, did what he said. But some didn’t like him – they wanted to rid the world of the things he said and he did. So they put him to death – it looked like the end of God’s plan, To turn what was sad into glad again. But Jesus came back, came back from the dead! And went to his friends, and here’s what he said, “Tell the whole world my sto-ry, please tell everyone, I want to forgive them all the bad things they have done and give them the power to live like I do to care for their friends and enemies too.” So that’s why we have Christmas, and welcome the day, and sing and eat turkey and put on a play and dress up like angels and get some new toys, it’s not just because of that sweet baby boy, it’s because of the man he grew up to be who changed people’s lives, and who can change you and me. To live and to love just like God always planned. And to turn what is sad into Glad again And to turn what is sad into glad. Amen.

Written by Bob Hartman for the Bible Society

I hope you had a happy and restful Christmas, ready to start the New Year. I pray it will be a positive one, it won’t be free of problems because that is life, but I hope and pray that any problems will be small. And there will be plenty of glad times. Remembering God’s gift to us, Jesus, we can learn through his teaching to pull together to make this world, our home, a better place. Happy New Year

Rev Trish

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SERVICES FOR JANUARY 2016

SUNDAY 3 January Epiphany and Second Sunday of Christmas

Linch 9.30 am Said Communion

Readings Jeremiah 31: 7 – 14; Ephesians 1: 3 – 14; John1: 1 – 18

Sidesman Madeleine Oram and Greg Carter

Milland 11.00am Benefice Epiphany Carol Service

Lessons Various

Sidesman Michael Cartwright

Readers Various

SUNDAY 10 January 1st Sunday of Epiphany The Baptism of Christ

Linch 9.30 am Holy Communion

Readings Isaiah 43: 1 – 7; Acts 8: 14 – 17; Luke 3: 15 – 17, 21 - 22

Sidesmen Mary Turton and James Caulfeild

Milland 11.00am Matins

Lessons Isaiah 43: 1 – 7; Acts 8: 14 – 17;

Sidesman Julia Hughes

Readers Janet Farnes and Peter Anson

SUNDAY 17 January 2nd Sunday of Epiphany

Linch 9.30 am Matins

Readings Isaiah 62: 1 – 5; 1 Corinthians 12: 1 – 11; John 2: 1 - 11

Sidesmen Lorraine Grocott and William Alcock

Milland 11.00am Holy Communion

Lessons Isaiah 62: 1 – 5; 1 Corinthians 12: 1 – 11; John 2: 1 - 11

Sidesman Harry Scott

Readers Harry Scott, Elizabeth Cartwright

SUNDAY 24 January 3rd Sunday of Epiphany


Readings Nehemiah 8: 1 – 3, 5 – 6, 8 – 10; 1 Cor.12: 12 – 31a;

Luke 4 : 14 - 21

Sidesmen Margaret Young and Lesley Aylwin


Lessons Nehemiah 8: 1 – 3, 5 – 6, 8 – 10; 1 Cor. 12: 12 – 31a;

Sidesman Bob Ireland

Readers Brian Porter and Mora Wells

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All in the month of FEBRUARY

It was:-

500 years ago:- on 18th Feb 1516 that Mary I, Queen of England (1553-58)

was born. She was also known as Mary Tudor or Bloody Mary.

400 years ago:- on 26th Feb 1616 that Galileo was ordered by the Catholic

Church to abandon his opinion that the Earth and planets revolve around the

Sun (known as the Copernican theory). He was banned from holding the opin-

ion, promoting it, or teaching it.

200 years ago:- on 20th Feb 1816 that Rossini’s opera ‘The Barber of Seville’

was performed for the first time, at the Teatro Agentina in Rome, Italy. It was

poorly received, but quickly became a huge success.

100 years ago:- on 28th Feb 1916 that Henry James, American-born British

novelist (The Turn of the Screw, Daisy Miller, etc) died.

60 years ago:- on 11th Feb 1956 that two members of the Cambridge spy

ring, British diplomats Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean, announced that they

had defected to the Soviet Union. They had both vanished in mysterious circum-

stances in 1951.

40 years ago:- on 11th Feb 1976 that John Curry won Britain’s first-ever

Olympic gold medal in figure skating. (It was also Britain’s first medal at the

Winter Games for 12 years.)

25 years ago:- on 1st Feb 1991 that South Africa President F W de Klerk

announced his intention to repeal all apartheid laws.

Also 25 years ago:- on 24th Feb 1991 that during the Gulf W ar/Operation

Desert Sabre, that the US-led coalition launched a massive ground offensive

against Iraqi forces. Kuwait was liberated on 27th Feb, after 208 days of Iraqi

occupation, and the war ended at midnight on the 28th Feb.

20 years ago:- on 1st Feb 1996 that US President Bill Clinton met Sinn Fein

President Gerry Adams at the White House to discuss the Northern Ireland

peace process.

Also 20 years ago:- on 10th Feb 1996 that the IBM supercomputer Deep

Blue defeated reigning world chess champion Garry Kasporov in one of their six

games. This was the first time a computer beat a world champion under tourna-

ment conditions.

15 years ago:- on 19th Feb 2001 that the first case of foot-and-mouth disease

in the 2001 UK outbreak was detected at an abattoir in Essex. On 21st Feb the

European Commission banned all British milk, meat and livestock exports.

10 years ago:- on 18th Feb 2006 that British rock band the Rolling Stones

played the world’s largest free rock concert on Copacabana Beach, Rio de

Janeiro, Brazil. An estimated two million people attended.

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Shrove Tuesday – Pancake Day – 9th February

It’s odd, really, that confessing one’s sins to God should ever have involved

making pancakes. And yet the beginning of Lent brings us both – Shrove Tues-

day is Pancake Day, and is followed by Ash Wednesday, and so Lent begins.

In centuries gone by, the pancakes were made to use up the milk and eggs before

the fasting of Lent. More recently, many readers will have childhood memories

of the wonder of watching our mothers break an egg, mix it with milk and flour

– and out of that gooey mess, to produce a light and delicious pancake.

These days more and more of us buy pancake mix, or even ready-made pan-

cakes. It seems we prefer the certainty of ending up with pancakes - to the risk

of having made nothing BUT a mess of the kitchen.

In many parishes they used to hold pancake races on the day. Why anyone

would want to run around a field while holding a pancake is not clear, but in

Olney, Bucks, they have held a pancake race almost every year since 1445.

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SUNDAY 31 January 4th Sunday of Epiphany Candlemas


Readings Ezekiel 43: 27 , 44: 4; 1 Cor. ch. 13; Luke 2: 22 - 40

Sidesmen Rosemary and Julian Cartwright


Lessons Ezekiel 43: 27 , 44: 4; 1 Cor. ch. 13;


Readers Julian Wells and Sam Pope

FEBRUARY

SUNDAY 7 February Last Sunday of Epiphany

Linch 9.30 am Family Communion

Readings Exodus 34: 29 – end; 2 Corinthians 3: 12 – 4.:2;

Luke 9: 28 – 36 (37 – 43a)

Sidesmen Mary and Joe Gallagher and David Angela

Milland 11.00am Eucharist

Lessons Exodus 34: 29 – end; 2 Corinthians 3: 12 – 4.:2

Luke 9: 28 – 36 (37 – 43a)

Sidesman Harry Scott

Readeers Janet Price and Harry Scott

Wednesday 10 February Ash Wednesday Linch 8.45 am Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes

Readings Joel 2: 1 – 2, 12 – 17; 2 Corinthians 5: 20b – 6: 10;

Matthew 6: 1 – 6, 16 – 21

Milland 7.30pm Holy Communion Lessons Joel 2: 1 – 2, 12 – 17; 2 Corinthians 5: 20b – 6: 10;

Matthew 6: 1 – 6, 16 – 21

Sidesman John Dawes

Readers Flick Langley and Leslie Lloyd

SUNDAY 14 February 1st Sunday of Lent


Readings Deut.26: 1 – 11; Romans 10: 8b – 13; Luke 4: 1 - 13

Sidesmen Nigel and Juliet Cartwright


Lessons Deut. 26: 1 – 11; Romans 10: 8b – 13;


Readers Bob Ireland and Michael Cartwright

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SUNDAY 21 February 2nd Sunday of Lent

Linch 9.30 am Matins

Readings Genesis 15: 1 – 12, 17 – 18; Philippians 3: 17 – 4: 1;

Luke 13: 31 - end

Sidesmen Olive Fleming and Gina van Dyke

Milland 11.00am Holy Communion

Lessons Genesis 15: 1 – 12, 17 – 18; Philippians 3: 17 – 4: 1;

Luke 13: 31 - end

Sidesman Julia Hughes

Readers Julia Hughes and Jean Mallows

SUNDAY 28 February 3rd

Sunday of Lent


Readings Isaiah 55: 1 – 9; 1 Corinthians 10: 1 – 13; Luke 13: 1 - 9

Sidesmen Mu Bullingham and David Alderman


Lessons Isaiah 55: 1 – 9; 1 Corinthians 10: 1 – 13;


Readers Maureen Keel and Janet Farnes

SUNDAY 6 March Mothering Sunday

Linch 9.30 am Family Communion

Readings Exodus 2:1 - 10; 2 Corinthians 1: 3 - 7; Luke 2: 33 - 35

Sidesmen Madeleine Oram and Greg Carter

Milland 11.00am Mothering Sunday Service

Lessons Exodus 2:1 - 10; 2 Corinthians 1: 3 - 7; Luke 2: 33 - 35


Readers Rake School

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around the BBQ.

At Christmas time Colin and Vanessa were renowned for their mulled wine at

the road Christmas party – small part wine, small part fruit juice and topped up

with brandy – as the wine ran out the brandy increased!

In the summer, when the road needed repairing, the men filled the pot holes

whilst Vanessa, Suzanne and I cooked bacon butties on the Stopher lawn and

made gallons of coffee.

I could go on and on but so many of these things mean more to us in Mill Va-

le than to the rest of the Village. But of one thing you can be sure – we will all

miss the laughter and we will all miss Vanessa. You were taken from us all too

soon and too quickly – God Bless you.

Mu Bullingham and all of the neighbours.

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OUR VANESSA

Alison has asked me to write a small tribute to Vanessa Stopher and I must say

that I feel very inadequate in doing this. So many of you have known Vanessa

for much longer than I have – from the school gates where so many new friend-

ships are forged up until now, as a Weight Watcher’s leader, flower arranger,

Friday Lunch club helper and badminton player to name but a few of the things

she did. I have known Vanessa a mere 10 years - but in that time she became,

not just a neighbour but a good friend.

We all knew her for her flower arranging – every birth, death and wedding in

Milland and the Linch Church became a tribute to her talent and so many brides

and grooms will remember that she helped to make their day so extra special.

And she loved doing it – I never ever heard Vanessa say otherwise – it was nev-

er, to her, a chore.

But whilst the rest of you can tell me about her earlier life I can only tell you

about the relationship that I had with her.

She was the President of the Milland Gardening Club and as her Secretary I

know how determined she was to keep the Annual Show alive. We competed

against each other – in a friendly way - in the cookery but in no way could I

even begin to rival her in the flower arranging. She was in a class of her own.

In the summer we looked after each others garden at holiday times, watering and

deadheading and making sure that the vegetable patch thrived so that we would

have something to show in August.

But most of all I think I shall remember Vanessa at BBQ time. We have sat

out in the garden, ours, hers or one of the neighbours, so many times and in all

weathers (yes, even pouring rain) until nearly midnight - and at times round a

fire pit to keep warm – just eating, drinking and laughing. I’ve lost count of the

times that Colin and Vanessa have asked us over ‘just for a quick drink’ at

lunchtime and we have finally got home at midnight! I’ve stood in the kitchen

with Jonny next door, peeling potatoes for 10 whilst other guests have laid the

table, made a lot of noise and drank copious wine and beer. But most all of we

have laughed! We always did a lot of that – even the time when about 40 of us

sat in their garden to celebrate some occasion – not sure what it was but does it

matter – and it was so cold that we all wore boots, hats and gloves and huddled

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DIARY DATES

JANUARY

Mon 11 4pm George Street Trustees Meeting The Spinney

Mon 18 - 25 Week of Christian Unity

FEBRUARY

Tues 2 10.30am Diocesan Presentation on Milland

Renewable Energy

Weds 10 Ash Wednesday

MARCH

Sun 6 Mothering Sunday

Mon 14 Mar P.C.C. Meeting Milland

Please look out for details of the Lent Lunches and the Lent

Course in the weekly pew sheet.

D Findlay Tree Services

We are a fully insured and NPTC certified tree surgery company

For further details and a FREE quotation please call or email

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Email: [email protected]

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St Lukes Milland PCC Jottings; 30th November 2015

Bob Ireland confirmed that he is in communication with lawyers at Mackarness and Lunt regarding ensuring access to the Rake War Memorial in perpetuity and they are conducting a search of relevant documents.

Bob Ireland also confirmed that St Lukes Milland had been selected as a potential vanguard site for a Diocese Energy Conservation project and there will be a meet-ing/presentation in early February.

Michael Cartwright outlined the issues learnt at the DAC Seminar on ensuring that the APCM Annual Report meets all the requirements of the Charities Commission.

Michael also highlighted the current shortage of sidesmen to set up the church pri-or to services.

The Rector outlined the Benefice Away-Day and the issues discussed, the need to report to the Diocese on new initiatives such as Messy Church and also the plan to have a Talents Questionnaire distributed to the church membership in the New Year

The Rector reported on the most recent Messy Church, which had gone extremely well as a Benefice event.

Jean Mallows started a discussion on the use of the King James Bible for all read-ings. The Rector and others emphasised the importance of understanding by new church attendees to bring more people to Christ; and the agreed policy of the read-er selecting the Bible version which they feel is the most understandable.

RI confirmed that stlukesbenefice.com, stlukesbenefice.co.uk & stlukesbene-fice.org have been registered for the Benefice web site, and its construction is about to start.

A ‘Back To Church’ service in late spring of 2016 on Tuxlith Green was proposed and agreed, a date is to be agreed and the records trawled for the names of all those to be sent invitations.

The possibility of a ‘A Midsummer Celebration of Flowers” was discussed, in con-junction with the Tuxlith Arts Weekend and cream teas for sale on the Saturday afternoon. Other local organisations to be asked to participate.

The Rector also proposed a jazz band and B-Y-O picnic on Tuxlith Green next summer and a Gift Service with invitations being distributed locally asking people to bring a donation for our major maintenance projects.

A written report on the fabric had been provided by John Dawes giving details on the refurbishment of the windows in the west wall and work could start after East-er.

The removal of the flagpole from the tower has been approved by the Archdeacon.

The architect, Simon Dyson has proposed a short-term fix for the water proofing required in the Tower with a longer term solution in 3 or 4 years’ time.

The need for a sound system was re-emphasised and RI confirmed that he is seek-ing quotations. £1800 is currently reserved and 50% of any cost will be met by the GST.

The need for a larger Notice Board in the porch was also re-emphasised, and will be considered by the Standing Committee.

Churchyard: following recent issues related to the TPO in the southern area, the

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Messy Church At the end of November, about 20 children brought along some grown- ups to

have fun at our second Messy Church. The theme of the day was Advent –

looking forward to and preparing for the arrival of Jesus at Christmas. Milland

church rang with the sound of happy children and adults as they made advent

candle wreaths, assembled signposts, iced crown shaped biscuits and decorated

Christmas cards. The bible story was about how John the Baptist prepared the

people for the coming of Jesus. The children thought that dining on wild honey

was scrummy but were not so sure about the locusts! After prayers, the worship

finished with singing Silent Night and then the children sat down to a splendid

tea provided by Maureen and her team.

Ann Alderman

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As with gladness… As with gladness men of old, Watched their business plans unfold, Their successors, to this day, Know how to get folk to pay. The results are what you see In the sales of January. Shoppers queue right out of sight – Some have been out there all night! When the doors are opened wide A stampede to get inside. One would think the goods are free In the sales of January!

People fight like dog and cat For a bit of half-price tat; Max their credit cards, but feel That they’ve got a splendid deal. They enjoy their spending spree In the sales of January! So the tills go ‘ring ting ting’, As the cash comes rolling in, Even with the goods half price, Profit margins are still nice. So shop bosses smile with glee In the sales of January! by Nigel Beeton

Things are not what they used to be! Nigel Beeton offers a modern rewrite of a well-loved carol.

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MAGAZINE DEADLINE

20th February 2016

All copy please to

[email protected]

contact Alison Ireland on

01428 713392

The magazine will be in the Church

on the first Sunday of the month.

St Luke’s Milland

200 Club

This month’s winners

1st Ken Negus 2nd Julia Hughes 3rd Sam Pope Please contact Julian Wells if you would like to join the 200 club.

PCC confirmed that they wish to see the churchyard ‘preserved in a tidy and attrac-tive way as befitting a burial ground’ and not as a nature and wildlife reserve. It was also agreed that the area of the Churchyard given over to a wild flower area during the spring months needed explanatory signage.

The maintenance of graves and related donations was discussed and requires fur-ther consideration and work.

Rake School: Sheila Pim confirmed that all is well at Rake School, which is now full with 109 children in 5 classes and 2 new teachers. Years 5&6 have been on a residential week away and the Christmas Services at the church are coming up. The Rector is visiting the school regularly. She is also visiting Hollycombe School.

Finances: Special collections had included £205 collection at the Harvest Service, plus £523 from the Harvest supper providing a total of £728 for the Bishop’s Har-vest Appeal, Remembrance Sunday collection totalled £294.10, which had been passed to the Milland British Legion coordinator, the retiring collection at the ser-vice to celebrate Ted Maslen-Jones’ birthday had raised £197 for Combat Stress.

Outward Giving currently represents 5% of total church income/receipts and The Rector stated that, whilst appreciating the costs of running the parish and the on-going financial deficit, the church should be targeting a percentage closer to 10%.

She proposed that St Lukes Benefice considered supporting the orphanage/school visited by the pilgrims during the recent trip to Palestine, which looks after 350 boys and girls from the Bethlehem region, who were homeless, the initial sugges-tion was for £200 from each church to cover the cost of looking after a single child (£400 per year). There could also be additional funds from specific fund raising activities. The donation would be channelled via the McCabe Educational Trust.

Sheila Pim confirmed that she had raised £125 from the Christmas coffee morning and was congratulated and thanked by the PCC.

Anne Alderman confirmed the estimate that the deficit for the year would be around £3,500.

The Rector reported on successful second Messy Church, in the week before the PCC meeting.

The next PCC meeting will be held on Monday 14th March at 8.00pm at the Church, with the review of the 2015 accounts and the Annual Report being the crit-ical agenda items.

The APCM will follow a service of Evensong at 5.00pm on Sunday 17th April.

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From the St Luke’s Milland Church Warden We were away for Christmas this year and so did not attend any of the services at our church, but I understand they were joyful and happy events. Indeed, I think joyful and happy is a good way to describe the period between Advent and Epiphany as most of the services involved carols and/or children. We had two excellent services before Christmas- the Benefice Advent service on 29th November and our own Nine Lessons with Carols on 13th December. On 3rd January we hosted the Benefice Epiphany Service, and so will have had three carol services in six weeks. I always enjoy these enormously and Leslie's choice of hymns is superb. It would be wonderful if the church could be even a quarter as full for a normal service as it is when the schools hold their periodic events. Rake School gave us two super Carol Services, and the Hollycombe School Christmas Service was also of a very high standard. In my view, hosting the schools is a very important part of our community outreach and one can always hope that when the children and their parents see what the inside of a church looks like they might be encour-aged to come again. Finally, the flower decorations and Christmas tree made the church look really beautiful, and we owe a huge thank you to Sheila Pim and her team of helpers for their hard work. May 2016 bring you every happiness

Michael Cartwright

ST LUKE’S BENEFICE WEBSITE

A new Benefice web site is currently under construction, we plan to have a Ben-efice ‘Landing Page’ with common details such as the Rector’s contact co-ordinates, a Benefice calendar, News & Events, information on the George Street Trust, the weekly pewsheet and back issues of the Benefice Magazine etc.; and then separate sub sections for each Parish. The Parish Sections will include Service Times and details, information on spe-cial services, how to book weddings, baptisms and funerals, Parish contacts, how best to arrange Giving and Legacies, arrangements for the Bettesworth Room, details about the Bellringers and Choirs, PCC membership, pastoral care, buildings and facilities, Annual Reports and a gallery of pictures related to the churches and church activities. We should also be able to insert links to other sites, such as Rake and Holly-combe Schools and other local organisations. If anyone has any suggestions for web pages which could be included or photo-graphs that could be included in the gallery, please contact Bob Ireland on 01428 713392.

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Notes from by the font For the past 25 years or so Christmas for me has started with the Linch service of lessons and carols held on the last Sunday before the 25th. This centuries’ old chapel on the edge of the woods in the western edge of the Weald with, I always think, its echoes of Kipling and “Puck’s song” has seen many such events. There is always a real sense of the community and its families, some members arriving from far and wide, all coming together to remember the birth of Jesus in the warm glow of candles (54 or so lighting the nave chandeliers alone). It ends with us leaving to sounds of the owls hunting in the woods and fields ad-joining, setting very much an English country parish scene on a (mostly) crisp and clear night, unchanging over the many centuries a church has been on this site. This year’s service, held the 20th, did not disappoint, save as to the unseason-able weather, the warmest for many a long year. The nave and altar had been dressed by the flower ladies and their many helpers, the tree ‘top left’ shining in its usual corner, Alan Drake as organist in the opposite tinkling gently as the congregation assembled to fill the church to the font and beyond. Reverend Trish Bancroft in her second Christmas in the valley welcomed us all and start-ed the lighting of our individual candles, taking the total lit to well over 200 (we were not cold…) and then led us off with the traditional opening ‘Once in Royal David’s city’. Churchwarden David Alderman took the first lesson from Gene-sis, our journey was then from the fields above the town, winter snow, the shock of the Annunciation, Joseph’s part in the story via Silent Night where the chil-dren of the parish took us to the side of the manger under Anne Alderman’s careful direction. The choir rehearsed by Alan and under Carol Stacey’s direc-tion added Saint-Saen’s Christmas Oratorio to its repertoire and led us to a slightly radical ‘While Shepherds watched’. We were taken through the arrival of the Wise Men then the readings culminated with the Rev. Trish and the key opening passage from John’s gospel “…and the Word was made Flesh”. All was rounded off by a rousing and equally traditional “O Come all Ye Faithful”, descant from the choir, and a retiring collection for Stone Pillow Night Shelter in Chichester for which £135.00 was raised and where many Linch parishioners have helped out over the years. And, yes, the owls were hunting in the fields as we left…

Martin Coakley

P.S. Shepherds ‘washing their socks’ to the tune of “On Ilkla Moor Baht’at” is not so radical, it is quite correct, being the work a Canterbury cobbler and church musician Thomas Clark from about 1805 and named after Cranbrook, a small town between Maidstone and Hastings at the eastern end of the Weald, which is where we came in…

Readers – David Alderman, Trevor Fairhurst, Lorraine Grocott, Patrick May-field, Lesely Aylwin, Jeremy Willings, Christine Mayfield

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As we sat in our corner of the world we had our responses, but as most peo-ple arrived and sat where they usually sat we had an overload of wests, but it didn’t matter the other three corners of the more than made up for their lack of people.! It was a joyous service enjoyed by everyone, especially the children when they could eat the sweets. It was also super to see so many people attend as it was on the same Sunday as the Carol Service.

The Crib Service

by Janet Werner

The Crib Service was full to burst-ing and if any more people had arrived we would have had to say “no room at the inn”. However, we squeezed everyone in and as the children processed from their “pen” by the font we were able to seat the standing. The children who were given readings were impressive, they read with clarity and confidence. The first verse of Away in a Manger was sung

by the children, which was perfect. At the appropriate time children took the crib figures from the font to place them in the crib which was high enough up for all to see. It doesn’t matter how many times we have seen children perform a Nativity, each time is fresh and reminds us about the true meaning and importance of Christ’s birth.

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From the St Luke’s Linch Church Wardens Many of the activities of late November and December have been covered else-where in this magazine - i.e. Messy Church, Advent Carols, the Christmas Par-ty, Christingle, the Carol Service and the Crib Service - but we would just like to mention the wonder of the First Communion of Christmas where a full church was led by Rev. Bill Johnston throughout and towards the singing of 'Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning' and so to that happy Christmas morning itself where, again, a packed church heard the age-old mes-sage from that first Christmas morning and where Rev. Trish was ably assisted by the many children who had brought their parents to share in the story of the Babe in the Manger. Christmas 2015 has now been and gone but we look forward with faith to 2016 and send our very best wishes to all for peace and happiness during this year. It may seem a little while ago now but, in late November, there was a lovely Thanksgiving Service held in memory of our dear friend, Mary Alcock. The church was packed to remember Mary and William spoke movingly of his life with her and also of her life before they met and what made Mary the person she was. Mark also recalled wonderfully happy days spent with his mother and, although we knew it already, we were reminded of what a warm, fun person she was. Many other members of her family took part in recalling the life of this lovely lady whom we remember here with great affection.

David and Carol

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CHRISTMAS AT LINCH

The Christmas Party:

What an evening! – And although not billed as an ‘annual’ event, it seems to get better every year. As per usual, the main organisers were the Bullinghams and Gallaghers, ably assisted by Mary T and our hosts, the Redford Hall Committee. The hall looked brilliant and was full to capacity with guests from both parishes. The arrival of everyone seemed suitably animated (no shortage of gossip) and after a welcoming drink and two graces from Trish and JP (the latter in Latin I am reliably informed), we had an amazing three course meal that would not have been out of place in any top restaurant. Entertainment consisted of a fiendish quiz, monologues from David Alderman and Jeremy Willings, an ‘Olive’ raffle and Christmas singing. Anyone who did not attend missed an altogether brilliant evening. In spite of the very low cost for all the above, there was a profit of £560 to swell church funds. Well done! Many thanks to all those who helped make the evening so successful.

DWR (see photos on back cover)

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Twas the Saturday before Christmas

Saturday dawned, the birds awoke and Linch church opened its doors to another busy day. First came the choir for their final rehearsal before the Carol Service – not easy first thing in the morning when voices haven’t warmed up! As the choristers left, the flower arrangers arrived en masse to dress the church in its Christmas finery and what a marvellous job they did! Whilst this was going on, Trish rearranged the seating into north, south, east and west ready for the Christingle service the following day. After lunch it was the turn of the Christingle makers to occupy the premises. Eight Sunday club children (with a little adult help) had great fun transforming the oranges with red ribbon, stars, candles and fruits of the earth (grapes, raisins, marshmallows and jelly sweets). After refreshments, there was just time to practise some singing. At this point the church building settled for the night but members of its congregation gath-ered at the Rising Sun to lead community carol singing. Ben kindly provided mulled wine or cider to moisten the vocal chords and everyone joined in from the tiny tots to the OAPs. What a wondrous sound was made and what a fitting

way to start the Christmas festivities! Ann Alderman

Christingle by Janet Werner No one knows for certain when the word “Christingle” was first used or from what it is derived. Various suggestions have been made. One is that it comes from the old Saxon word “ingle” (fire), meaning “Christ-fire or light”. Another is that it derives from the German “engel” (angel), meaning “Christ-angel”, or it may derive from the German “kindle” (child), meaning “Christ-child”. Although it’s history goes back to Germany about 1747 it was only introduced into the Church of Eng-land in 1968 as a fundraiser for the Children’s Society. As there isn’t a set pattern for this service it means that, using material from the Chil-dren’s Society, each church can “do it’s own thing” This year Trish based the service around the four corners of the world so the chairs were arranged north, south, east and west. In the centre of the nave, one of the Sunday Club tables, was covered with the Christingles. These had been beauti-ful decorated by the families with help from Trish, Anne, Elaine and Mary.

David Angela with his granddaughter Ella at the Christingle Service

january/february parish magazine 2016

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