pear tree parish magazine€¦ · no service in pear tree right royal tea party on pear tree green...

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Pear Tree Parish Magazine April/May 2018

Pear Tree Parish

Magazine

Jesus Chapel, St. Mary Extra, Pear Tree Avenue, Southampton

SPRING EDITION APRIL/MAY 2018

30p

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A Message from the Pulpit ................................................................ 3

Church Diary ...….……………………………………….......................... 4, 5

High Days and Holy Days for April ………………………………………. 6

Why Easter will never go away …………………………………………… 7

Family News, From the Church Registers, Poem ………………………. 8

Can you Help?, Prayer Corner, News from the Friends of PT Green … 9

Annual Church Meeting, Vocation Sunday ……………………………… 10

Uncle Eustace ……………………………………………………………… 11

Billy Graham ……………………………………………………………….. 12

History Corner ……………………………………………………………… 13

All in the Month of May, Right Royal Tea Party ………………………… 14

News from Communicare, What’s in the Offering? ……………………. 15

Christian Aid Week ………………………………………………………… 16

A Celebration of Ascension Day, Why “Call the Midwife”? …………… 17

Community News …………………………………………………………… 18, 19

Pear Tree Puzzle Page .......................................................................... 20

Children’s Page ...................................................................................... 21

Smile Lines ............................................................................................ 22

Fitness for Mums Classes, Puzzle Solutions ........……………………. 23

Advertisements …………………………………………………………...... 24, 25, 26

Services, Who’s Who in Pear Tree Church ……………………………... Back page

The deadline for the June/July magazine is Sunday 6th May. Any items may be left in the Church,

sent to Doris Pratt at 64 Gainsford Road, Bitterne, Southampton SO19 7AU or e-mailed to [email protected].

Pear Tree Parish Magazine © Pear Tree Church PCC Any views or opinions expressed in this publication, unless specifically

stated otherwise, are those of the writer. Advertisers in this publication do not necessarily carry the endorsement or

verification of Pear Tree Church PCC.

CONTENTS

At Pear Tree Church WE AIM to love God and our neighbours.

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THE PURPOSE of the Church in Pear Tree is to provide a place of worship where all people are welcome and encouraged to experience God’s love in

faith and prayer; where we will reach out as witnesses to discover the needs of the local and wider communities using our gifts and resources and proclaim

the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Revd Miles Newton (Tel. 80441124) is Priest-in-Charge of Pear Tree Church and Vicar of St. Mark’s Church, Woolston

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Dear Friends

D o you remember the spaghetti trees?

They were shown on television, on BBC1.

I can’t remember what year it was, but I do remember the date: April 1st, of course.

APRIL FOOL!

I wonder if anyone was taken in!

We actually saw them on television. Seeing is believing. It’s true, appearances can be very

convincing - and deceptive.

In fact, nothing that we see (and touch and hear and smell and taste) is what it seems. Just read

the list of ingredients in the small print on the packet.

The whole physical world isn’t what it seems. It’s made up of atoms. You can’t see them. Each

atom consists of sub-atomic particles - billions of them - protons and electrons and quarks and

photons. When you look at the sky at night some of the things you see are no longer there. By

the time the light (photons) they emitted had travelled across the vastness of space and reached

us, they had exploded or burned up, or perhaps become “black holes”, long before we were born.

APRIL FOOL!

This year, April 1st is Easter Day, the day of Resurrection. Jesus was dead, there was no doubt

about that. Crucifixion wasn’t survivable. The Roman soldiers made sure of that by breaking the

prisoner’s legs if they seemed to be hanging on to life. That finished them off. When their legs

were broken they couldn’t heave themselves up in order to breathe. It wasn’t necessary in the

case of Jesus. He was already dead. His body was taken down and placed in a tomb with a great

boulder sealing the entrance. No one could get in or out. That was the end of him. So everyone

thought, even his disciples.

They couldn’t have been more wrong.

APRIL FOOL!

If we think the world of our senses, the physical world, is the real world, the only world, we

couldn’t be more wrong. All the things that seem so real are transient. They pass away. It is the

unseen, that we call “spiritual”, that is real, eternal. The people we love die. Our own lives one

day will come to an end. The whole earth we inhabit will eventually be swallowed up by the sun.

So that’s the end. There’s nothing more to hope for. Perhaps we feel, fear, that to believe

otherwise is wishful thinking. Until we wake to hear the voice Elijah heard long ago on the sacred

mountain murmuring gently: APRIL FOOL!

Revd John Hodgson

Hon. Assistant Priest

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SUN 1 APR

7.00 a.m.

10.00 a.m. 11.15 a.m.

Sunrise Service on Weston Shore with the Salvation Army Band, followed by breakfast at Weston Church Hall Parish Communion, followed by our Easter Bonnet Parade Mission Table in the Church Hall

TUE 3 APR 9.30 a.m. 7.30 p.m.

Morning Prayer in the Church - all welcome Compline in the Church - all welcome

FRI 6 APR 7.00 p.m. Pear Tree Quilters in the Church Hall - see page 18

SUN 8 APR

10.00 a.m. Parish Communion

TUE 10 APR 9.30 a.m. Morning Prayer in the Church - all welcome

FRI 13 APR 10.30 a.m. Messy Church in the Church Hall - see page 19

SAT 14 APR 7.00 for 7.30 pm Quiz Night with Fish and Chip Supper - see page - see page 19

SUN 15 APR

10.00 a.m. Worship Together with St. Mark’s Church at Pear Tree Church

MON 16 APR 10.00 a.m. Crafty Coffee Morning in the Church Hall - all welcome - see page 19


FRI 20 APR 7.00 p.m. Pear Tree Quilters in the Church Hall - see page 18

SAT 21 APR 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.

Pear Tree Quilters Workshop in the Church Hall

SUN 22 APR

10.00 a.m. Parish Worship (non-Communion)


SAT 28 APR 10.30 a.m. Jumble Sale in the Church Hall - see page 18

SUN 29 APR

10.00 a.m. 11.30 a.m.

Parish Communion Annual Parochial Church Meeting in the Church Hall - see page 10

MON 30 APR 10.00 a.m. Crafty Coffee Morning in the Church Hall - all welcome

April Diary

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TUE 1 MAY 9.30 a.m. 7.30 p.m.

Morning Prayer in the Church - all welcome Compline in the Church - all welcome

WED 2 MAY 1.00-4.00 p.m. OPEN CHURCH FRI 4 MAY 7.00 p.m. Pear Tree Quilters in the Church Hall - see page 18

SAT 5 MAY 1.00 p.m. Wedding in the Church SUN 6 MAY

10.00 a.m. 11.15 a.m.

Parish Communion Mission Table in the Church Hall

TUE 8 MAY 9.30 a.m.

7.00 p.m. 8.00 p.m.

Morning Prayer in the Church - all welcome Standing Committee meeting in Woolston Community Centre Joint Standing Committee meeting in Woolston Community Centre

WED 9 MAY 1.00-4.00 p.m. OPEN CHURCH THU 10 MAY

7.30 p.m. Worship Together at St. Mark’s Church SUN 13 MAY

10.00 a.m.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK Parish Communion

TUE 15 MAY 9.30 a.m. 7.00 p.m. 7.30 p.m.

Morning Prayer in the Church - all welcome Holy Communion for the new PCC in the Church, followed by …. PCC meeting in the Hall Committee Room

WED 16 MAY 1.00-4.00 p.m. OPEN CHURCH FRI 18 MAY 7.00 p.m. Pear Tree Quilters in the Church Hall - see page 18 SAT 19 MAY 1.00 p.m.

3.30 p.m. Wedding in the Church Wedding in the Church

SUN 20 MAY

11.00 a.m.

3.30 p.m.

Worship Together at St. Mark’s Church, followed by a Christian Aid Lunch in Woolston Community Centre NO SERVICE IN PEAR TREE Right Royal Tea Party on Pear Tree Green - see page 14

MON 21 MAY 10.00 a.m. Crafty Coffee Morning in the Church Hall - all welcome TUE 22 MAY 9.30 a.m. Morning Prayer in the Church

- all welcome

WED 23 MAY 1.00-4.00 p.m. OPEN CHURCH SUN 27 MAY

10.00 a,m 12.30 p.m. 3.00 p.m..

Parish Worship (non-Communion) Baptism in the Church Baptism in the Church

TUE 29 MAY 9.30 a.m. Morning Prayer in the Church - all welcome

WED 30 MAY 1.00-4.00 p.m. OPEN CHURCH

May Diary

OPEN CHURCH

Commencing 2nd May, Pear Tree Church will be open

1.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. every Wednesday during the

summer months. If you have not been inside our church before, please

feel free to drop in and have a look around, have a chat,

or sit quietly.

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HIGH DAYS AND HOLY DAYS FOR

1st April - EASTER - the most joyful day of the year Easter is the most joyful day of the year for Christians. Christ has died for our sins. We are forgiven. Christ has risen! We are redeemed! We can look forward to an eternity in His joy! Hallelujah!

The Good News of Jesus Christ is a message so simple that you can explain it to someone in a few minutes. It is so profound that for the rest of their lives they will still be 'growing' in their Christian walk with God.

Why does the date move around so much? Because the date of Passover moves around, and according to the biblical account, Easter is tied to the Passover. Passover celebrates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and it lasts for seven days, from the middle of the Hebrew month of Nisan, which equates to late March or early April.

Sir Isaac Newton was one of the first to use the Hebrew lunar calendar to come up with firm dates for Good Friday: Friday 7 April 30 AD or Friday 3 April, 33 AD, with Easter Day falling two days later. Modern scholars continue to think these the most likely.

Most people will tell you that Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox, which is broadly true. But the precise calculations are complicated and involve something called an 'ecclesiastical full moon', which is not the same as the moon in the sky. The earliest possible date for Easter in the West is 22 March, which last fell in 1818. The latest is 25 April, which last happened in 1943.

Why the name, 'Easter'? In almost every European language, the festival's name comes from 'Pesach', the Hebrew word for Passover. The Germanic word 'Easter', however, seems to come from Eostre, a Saxon fertility goddess mentioned by the Venerable Bede. He thought that the Saxons worshipped her in 'Eostur month', but may have confused her with the classical dawn goddesses like Eos and Aurora, whose names mean 'shining in the east'. So, Easter might have meant simply 'beginning month' - a good time for starting up again after a long winter.

Finally, why Easter eggs? On one hand, they are an ancient symbol of birth in most European cultures. On the other hand, hens start laying regularly again each Spring. Since eggs were forbidden during Lent, it's easy to see how decorating and eating them became a practical way to celebrate Easter.

23rd April - St George and Hiccup and the dragon Have you seen the film How to Train your Dragon?

It's set in a Viking village under attack from dragons, who steal livestock and burn down houses. Hiccup, the village Chief's son, invents a machine to capture dragons. However, when he catches one of the most dangerous dragons, he cannot kill it, when he sees that the dragon is just as frightened as he is. Through this friendship, the people and dragons eventually live in harmony.

This month we celebrate St. George, the patron saint of England. He is famous for slaying a dragon, a tradition which became popular in the Middle Ages. Whether he killed an actual dragon is open to question! However, we do know that the original George was a Roman soldier at the time of Emperor Diocletian. He refused to renounce his faith, as commanded by the Emperor, resulting in his death on 23 April 303 AD.

The contrast is clear: St. George slayed the evil dragon, while Hiccup refused to kill one. However, they also have something important in common. Both acted according to their conscience, defying the popular understanding of those around them and not worrying about the personal cost to themselves. St. George was martyred for standing up for his faith in Jesus before a pagan emperor, while Hiccup risked rejection by his father and village because of his compassion.

Today, we are still called to stand for Christ against wrongs and injustice in daily life, whatever the personal cost. However, we also need to be ready to look our enemies in the eye and meet their hostility with love and compassion. This is why we also remember this month that Jesus died and rose again, so that we might have God's power to do this in our lives.

29th April - Mark: disciple, apostle, writer of the second gospel Mark, whose home in Jerusalem became a place of rest for Jesus and His 12 apostles, is considered the traditional author of the second gospel. He is also usually identified as the young man, described in Mark 14:51, who followed Christ after his arrest and then escaped capture by leaving his clothes behind.

Papias, in 130, said that in later years Mark became Peter's interpreter. If so, then this close friendship would have been how Mark gathered so much information about Jesus' life. Peter referred to him affectionately as his 'son'.

Mark's Gospel, most likely written in Italy, perhaps in Rome, is the earliest account we have of the life of Jesus. Mark died about 74 AD.

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Why Easter will never go away

How do you make sense of the Resurrection? Dead men don't rise, so why believe that this particular dead man did rise?

At the end of St Luke's Gospel we read that: "they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement" (Luke 24.4). This is highly significant. The

Gospels do not show us a group of disciples who were in a receptive frame of mind. After the crucifixion, they were in hiding, frightened and scattered. Then suddenly, they came out of hiding and were totally different; excited, joyful. By Pentecost they were confident, with one firm message: "You crucified Jesus, but God raised him up!"

How did they know this? Because of direct personal experience. Some of them had visited the tomb of Jesus: it was empty. Others claimed to have seen and touched the risen Lord. Were they hallucinating? People can hallucinate in groups - when taking drugs, for example. But, of course each one will see a different hallucination. But the disciples all saw the same thing. Or rather, the same person. Jesus. Were they lying? Jesus had died a humiliating death as a criminal. Perhaps they wanted to rescue His good name. So did they pretend they had seen Him?

This theory has a big problem. Their preaching led them into trouble with the authorities. They were beaten and imprisoned and some of them killed. People will die for ideas and causes which they believe in passionately. But not for things they have made up. We might suffer for our convictions, we will not suffer for our inventions.

What about the 'swoon' theory? That Jesus didn't die on the cross, despite terrible wounds. He recovered in the tomb, and then escaped. The disciples nursed Him back to health. But Roman soldiers knew when a man was dead; and there was the guard on the tomb. Also, the events which followed simply don't fit. If the disciples had been hiding Jesus, they would have kept very low-key, and out of the way, so that the authorities did not come after Him again. Besides, to preach that God had raised Jesus from the dead - which is exactly what they did preach - would have been a lie. Beatings and threat of death would soon have loosened their tongues. Inventions crumble under pressure; convictions hold fast.

Another reason for believing in the Resurrection is this: Jesus' continuing impact. Thousands and soon millions of people in every generation since have shared an inescapable sense of being 'accompanied' through life. Though unseen, they identify this presence as the Risen Lord. Sometimes this experience of meeting Jesus is gentle and fitful. Sometimes it is dramatic and life-changing. This reminds us that the resurrection of Jesus is not just an interesting historical puzzle. It is a vital, present day reality. It brings wonderful comfort, assuring us of the central Christian truths: death is dead; Jesus is alive; God is love.

This central notion was captured, most movingly, by the great Albert Schweitzer: 'He came to those men who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: "Follow thou me", and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfil for our time. He commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the suffering which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and, as ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience who He is.' Have a joyful - and a challenging - Easter.

Jesus' appearances after His Resurrection

The following list of witnesses may help you put all those references in order….

Mary Magdalene Mark 16:9-11; John 20:10-18 Other women at the tomb Matthew 28:8-10 Peter in Jerusalem Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5 The two travellers on the road Mark 16:12,13 10 disciples behind closed doors Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25 11 disciples WITH Thomas John 20:26-31; 1 Corinthians 15:5 7 disciples while fishing John 21:1-14 11 disciples on the mountain Matthew 28:16-20 A crowd of 500 1 Corinthians 15:6 Jesus' brother - James 1 Corinthians 15:7 Those who saw the Ascension Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:3-8

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Special congratulations go this month to Avril Bresnan, celebrating her 95th birthday,

and belated congratulations to Joyce Holland, who was 92 in March.

Another cause for celebration is the news of the birth of baby Ruby Sophie Louise (6lbs 12oz), to Nicky (daughter of Sue Ives) and Chris, on 27th March, which was also a

wonderful present for Nicky as it was her birthday!

Each week in Pear Tree we remember the bereaved, the housebound, all those who may be ill at home or in hospital and all those who care for them.

In particular, we would ask for prayers for the Ockelford family, Les Beard, Dave and Joanne Isaacs, Win Stead, Mary Stone, Rosemary Nutburn, Arthur Collins, Mary Hallerton, John Burrows, Bethany Mullen, Bill Kerr,

Alan and Margaret Harding, Ian Fry, Aimee, Fred and Edith, Emily Thomas, Dylan Hunt and Joan Dunnings.

Many of our older congregation may remember Reg Bartlett, who sadly passed away

in February. Reg was a great friend and supporter of Pear Tree Church, usually attending the 8.00 a.m. service. A larger than life figure, Reg was a great sportsman and golfer, living for many years in Knighton Road before retiring to The Hawthorns

for the last year of his life. We send our deepest condolences to all his family.

FROM THE CHURCH

REGISTERS

Funerals May they rest in peace

Betty Davidson - 89 Reginald Bartlett - 98

Baptisms May they grow in faith, supported

by their parents and godparents

Iris Walters Arthur Currey Elsie Currey

Daniella Denton

He is Always There

It is funny that when we’re in trouble

We immediately kneel down and pray,

And expect that the good Lord in heaven

Will all of our fears allay.

It’s amazing that when we’re in crisis

We turn to the Lord straight away,

But we barely spare him a moment

When everything’s going our way.

When our family is stricken with illness

And at hospital bedsides we stay,

It’s surprising how quickly we turn to the Lord

When most times we push him away.

We seem to seek God when it suits us

And we fail to keep in touch each day,

Yet regardless how badly we treat him

His love means he’s not far away.

So perhaps we should stop for a moment

And give thanks to the Lord in a prayer,

For no matter how neglectful of him we may be

For us, he will always be there.

Colin Hammacott

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Pear Tree Green has been declared a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and is the third LNR on Southampton City Council open space, sitting between Sholing Valleys and Chessel Bay. Pear Tree Green is a diverse habitat of approximately 20.8 Hectares (51.4 Acres) which offers a valuable green space for exercise and relaxation. It also offers a varied wildlife environment of insects, flowers, birds and small mammals, to be explored and enjoyed by local school children.

Join the Friends on SATURDAY 7TH APRIL to help celebrate the granting of Local Nature Reserve status to Pear Tree Green. Meet at the children's play area.

Programme of events …..

9.00 a.m. Walk for dog owners 10.00 a.m. Formal Declaration of Local Nature Serve Status and Ceremony on Pear Tree Green. United Reformed Church Hall available for refreshments and facilities. Children’s Nature Hunt to commence - available all day. 2.00 p.m. Guided Walk - dogs on leads please - with Ecologist, Phil Budd 3.30 p.m. Close of event

Other events …. Sunday 13th May - Dawn Chorus Walk, 4.30 a.m.-7.00 a.m. Meet at the children’s play area Sunday 20th May - Wild Flower Walk, 2.00-4.30 p.m. Meet at the children’s play area

NEWS FROM THE FRIENDS

OF PEAR TREE GREEN

CAN YOU HELP?

Jan Sydenham would like to thank all those who have been collecting used stamps for HEARING DOGS FOR THE DEAF. These are sold to collectors and sent to other collectors all over the world. It costs approximately £14,000 to train a hearing dog for the deaf and last year, through the sale of stamps, the charity

raised nearly enough to pay for a dog’s training for a year.

Also …. Jan would appreciate any knitted or crocheted blankets for the animals at the Blue Cross Animal Sanctuary - any colours, approximately 24” or more in size. These are needed by 21st April. Please leave in the Church.

A reminder that tinned goods for BASICS BANK are always needed and appreciated. Please leave your donations in the special box on the table.

Thank you to all those who donated toiletries for our special LENT CHALLENGE on behalf of the Salvation Army for the victims of human trafficking and modern slavery.

This was the result of a talk given in February by Major Mike Smith from the Salvation Army, who gave us a very disturbing

insight into human trafficking and modern slavery both throughout the country and here in Southampton.

Once the victims have been rescued they are taken to a safe house and Major Mike mentioned the need for toiletries for use in these safe houses, resulting in the donation of several boxes

by the congregation of Pear Tree

Thank you to all those who always respond so generously to all our appeals, which is so much appreciated by all those in need.

PRAYER CORNER

Lord God, we pray for the victims of human trafficking and the

Salvation Army as they work to free those caught up in

modern slavery.

Stephen Boulain-Gerrey

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This month sees Vocation Sunday…...

Try locating the people who responded to a job invitation by saying:

(A) I can’t. I’ve just got married. (B) I’m too young. (C) I’ve got a speech impediment. (D) Nobody will take any notice of me. (E) I’m not qualified. (F) There’s a lion outside, I’ll be killed. (G) I’m not good enough.

Answers: (A) Luke, Chapter 14, verse 20. (B) Jeremiah 1.6. (C, D, E) Exodus 3.11, 4.1; 4.10. (F) Proverbs 22.13. (G) Isaiah 6. 5 & Luke 5.8. But the ultimate award for evasion goes to Jonah. He was called to be a missionary to foreigners whom he detested, so he took off in the opposite direction.

What does God’s voice sound like? It sounds exactly like that of a friend or family member, who sees things in you that you can’t see yourself. When they ask you if you have considered full-time teaching, or volunteering to be a Street Pastor, or becoming a Vicar, or applying for promotion, or anything else which might be God’s will for you, that may be God’s voice.

Often it will confirm a thought which you have had yourself. Don’t say, “Oh no, I couldn’t”, because, as we’ve seen, that’s what everyone says and it won’t wash. At least we ought to try it out. St Paul wrote, “The one who calls you is faithful”, because we won’t be abandoned along the way.

22nd April is Vocation Sunday. Here’s how the Church of England explains vocation: "The young are called; the elderly are called. There is no retirement from the Christian pilgrimage. …...Women are called and men are called…..God 'has no favourites' ….We are all called no matter what our occupations may be. There’s no special status in the Kingdom for those in 'top jobs' or 'important responsibilities'”.

It’s Spring, and Annual Church Meetings are in the air.…

There is a feeling of spring in the air. The gardens and verges are full of daffodils. Time for a Vicar’s heart to turn to thoughts of....

Annual Parochial Church Meetings.

Annual Parochial Church Meetings are bearable if a vicar has charge of only one or two parishes, but spare a thought for the

clergy with six, seven or more parishes.

In each parish, there must be a meeting every year before 30th April. The purpose is to receive reports on the work of the Parochial Church Council and the Deanery Synod, the parish’s accounts, the fabric of the church building and many other aspects of parish life, as well as to elect people to serve on the Parochial Church Council and as sidespeople. Every person whose name is on the

parish’s electoral roll is entitled to attend, speak and vote.

So when you attend the APCM, should you stand also for the PCC this year? It is something to pray about, and to consider before God whether your gifts may be of use to your local church.

Your PCC has a number of duties and responsibilities: it must look after the financial affairs of the church, the care, maintenance and insurance of the fabric of the church and its goods and

ornaments, and the care and maintenance of the churchyard. So we need people with talent and skills! The PCC meets 6 times during the year and each member usually joins one or two

committees, which meet, on average, every eight weeks.

A nomination form is on the Church notice board. You are encouraged to step forward and offer to stand for election.

If you want to learn what our church does, what it’s ministry is all about, and what the various church officers do, come to our Annual Parochial Church Meeting on

SUNDAY 29th April, 11.30 a.m. IN THE CHURCH HALL

You’ll probably be surprised to learn how much goes on.

PLEASE NOTE - to stand for election to the PCC, or to vote at the meeting, you must be on the Electoral Roll of the Church.

To qualify for the Electoral Roll in a parish, you have to be: over 16 baptised a communicant member of the C of E, or at least of a Church in communion with the C of E

a resident in the parish, or be registered as a non-resident elector.

For further information, please contact Jean Inglis (80252292), our Electoral Roll Officer.

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On how to run a church council meeting

The Rectory St. James the Least of All

My dear Nephew Darren

Clearly, the sight of your Vicar running out of the room half way through your last church council meeting, saying he should have stayed as a traffic warden, where he was universally liked, has unnerved you. It would have unnerved me too, since a universally popular traffic warden is an exceptional creature.

But perhaps it is necessary to give you some advice for the day when you do chair your first church council meeting.

1. Consider every agenda issue carefully beforehand and decide what you would like to do. Then, at the meeting, consult widely, listen to every opinion, weigh all the arguments, and then do precisely what you had decided before the meeting ever took place.

2. Never, ever, let council members discuss hymns, which avoids getting blood on the carpets.

3. Arrange the seating in rows, all facing the front, so that everyone has to respond directly to you. The last thing you want is for council members to be able to discuss matters freely with one another.

4. Start smoking a pipe. At those times when you are faced with an issue when you really are unsure of how to respond, taking out your pipe, dismantling it, searching for a pipe cleaner, squinting down the stem to see if it is clean, mopping out the goo in the bowl, searching for your tobacco pouch, filling the pipe, tamping it down, asking if you can borrow matches and attempting to light it several times over, will give you more than sufficient time to formulate a reply. Once you have perfected the routine, the silence will have been so protracted, that most of the committee will have long forgotten what the question was anyway.

5. If someone is talking too long, consult your diary, noisily and obsessively, about next month’s appointments, or write a note to a committee member who is at the back of the room and get it passed to him. The speaker should soon get the message.

These are the simpler techniques of committee management. The advanced procedures must wait until you are strong enough to bear them.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

The Rev Dr Gary Bowness continues his tongue-in-cheek letters from “Uncle Eustace”

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Billy Graham - godly man with a simple message

Billy Graham, the renowned American evangelist, was remembered with great fondness by Christians the world over when news of his death was announced on Wednesday 21st February. He died peacefully in his sleep, aged 99.

Billy Graham leaves a unique legacy: he preached to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history - nearly 215 million of them, in 185 countries and territories. Hundreds of millions more were reached through television, video, film and webcasts.

Born William Franklin Graham on 7th November 1918, four days before the Armistice ended World War I, Billy Graham was reared on a dairy farm in Charlotte, N.C. He grew up during the Depression, working hard on the family farm.

In late 1934, when he was 15, Billy Graham was converted to Christianity through the ministry of Mordecai Ham, a travelling evangelist, who visited Charlotte for a series of revival meetings. He was ordained in 1939 by Peniel Baptist Church in Palatka, Fla. (a church in the Southern Baptist Convention) and studied at Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College of Florida) and Wheaton College Illinois, before going into the ministry. He also married a fellow student, Ruth McCue Bell, daughter of a missionary surgeon to China.

Billy Graham's gift of evangelistic preaching was evident early on, but it was the 1949 Los Angeles Crusade which vaulted him into the public eye. He astonished the churches and people of Los Angeles by drawing 350,000 people over eight weeks, and leading 3,000 of them to make decisions for Christ. In the nearly 60 years of ministry that followed, Billy Graham preached the gospel in nearly every corner of the world. His last 'crusade' was at Flushing Meadow in New York in 2005.

Many Christians in the UK can trace their own faith in God back to Billy Graham's crusade to Harringay in 1954, or Earls Court in 1966 or 1967, or to Mission England, in 1984, as well as other, shorter visits. Hundreds of men went for ordination because of his preaching.

Billy Graham's son, Franklin, writes: 'My father's journey of faith on earth has ended. He has been reunited with my mother and has stepped into the eternal joy of Heaven in the presence of his Saviour, in whom he placed his hope.'

The words of Billy Graham …..

“The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”

“God never takes away something from your life without replacing it with something better.”

“I’ve read the last page of the Bible, it’s all going to turn out all right.”

“It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge and my job to love.”

“The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course.”

“A real Christian is the one who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip.”

“Heaven is full of answers for which nobody ever bothered to ask.”

“Take one day at a time. Today, after all, is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”

“World events are moving very rapidly now. I pick up the Bible in one hand, and I pick up the newspaper in the other. And I read almost the same words in the newspaper as I read in the Bible. It’s being fulfilled every day round about us.”

“God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he’ll be there.”

“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion – it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.”

“Someone asked me recently if I didn’t think God was unfair, allowing me to have Parkinson’s and other medical problems when I have tried to serve him faithfully. I replied that I did not see it that way at all. Suffering is part of the human condition, and it comes to us all. The key is how we react to it, either turning away from God in anger and bitterness or growing closer to him in trust and confidence.”

~ 13 ~


This month we take a nostalgic look back in time with the memories of those who lived in Woolston in the early part of the last century

(taken from “Woolston before the Bridge” published by Southampton Oral History Team)

“Woolston was a little place on its own. Everybody used to talk about going down into the village in those days

because Portsmouth Road wasn’t tarmaced. It was still gravelled and they used to send water carts round to damp down on hot days. Woolston and Weston were nice little places on their own, separate entirely to Southampton.”

“It was a nice little compact area. There was Victoria Road, Church Road, Swift Road (which used to be Onslow Road) and all of the people I knew we went to school with, all of the mothers knew one another; and it is right to say they were very kind people - if they didn’t see people about for a day or two or knew that somebody was ill, there was always a hand offered to help. We never had the hospitals then available to rush to. Many a time, if somebody was ill for a period, someone would definitely come in and sit up of a night, help out for shopping, take away washing to do.”

“As you went through to West Road there were all fields - where the Labour Exchange is now there were houses, but where St. Patrick’s School is there were just fields. You could go and pick buttercups and daisies and that sort of thing - you can’t imagine what it was like.”

“Horse drawn cabs would carry passengers from the floating bridge. Milk was delivered by horse drawn carts, not in bottles but by a measure in a jug at the door. The fresh fish was sold from a donkey and cart by a fishmonger called Mr Wake who shouted out what he had to sell.”

“In those days all the school teachers lived in the area where they were teaching. They would cycle to school and all the doctors lived in Portsmouth Road. Pear Tree Avenue was always well-to-do people. I know that was always my mum’s ambition, to live in Pear Tree Avenue.”

“There was a water fountain at the crossroads of Portsmouth Road and Victoria Road where people could get a drink; they had iron cups on chains and also round the sides there were horse troughs for the horses.”

“The old Police Station, before they built the one in Portsmouth Road, was in Woodley Road right opposite where my grandmother lived, and along the side of it was three cells with doors three-to-four inches thick with bolts on the outside. The building was then owned by Mr Bert Foot who was the blacksmith in the Ferry Engine Company.”

“We had one gas light in the kitchen and one at the end of the passage from the front door which was a back-swing flame. If we went to bed we took candles. Electricity wasn’t brought up the road for ages. We didn't have it for years. My father used to work with a paraffin lamp in his shed if he worked late at night. We also had a paraffin lamp in the front room of the house but there was no light anywhere else.”

“On the quay in Itchen Ferry Village there were an awful lot of little tiny houses and I would say there were six to eight children to a family and they were only two up and two down houses.”

“I don’t remember much apart from The Ferry. Water, every day of your life we used to get down there. I remember one day we got up and the tide had come into our house, up to our knees in water we were.”

“We had no bathroom when we were kiddies. We used to bath in the galvanised bath on the kitchen table, but as we grew older we had to go to Porchester Road slipper baths to have a bath.”

“Many times I remember going hungry as a child. If there were other kids better off than us we used to hang around them and when they finished an apple we used to ask for the stumps and eat everything except the stalk.”

“I can even remember the policeman knocking at the door because the rates hadn’t been paid and he was going to take my father. My grandfather lived with us and he said, ‘Officer, will you give me an hour?’ and he packed up his best suit and his button boots and his gold Albert and he went over and pawned them and then came back and paid the rates. The men used to go to prison for a week or a fortnight because they couldn’t pay the rates. Some men used to go to Winchester every year.”

“I remember when they launched a ship at Thornycrofts, my father brought the Russian tallow home and it was put in a tin and if you had a chesty cold out would come the tallow and square of brown paper and slapped on your chest and a square of camphor in a bag around your neck. We must have smelled terrible. If you had an ache or pain you used to take a new-laid egg, mix it with vinegar and turps, put it in a bottle , shake it up and rub yourself with that.”

~ 14 ~


It was:

400 years ago: on 23rd

May 1617 that Elias Ashmole was born. This English antiquarian and collector left most of his collection to Oxford University, thereby starting the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology.

175 years ago: on 13th May 1842 that Sir Arthur Sullivan, British composer of operettas, was born.

Best known for his collaboration with W S Gilbert, which produced H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado, etc.

125 years ago: on 11th May 1892 that Dame Margaret Rutherford, award-winning British stage and film actress, was born. She was loved for her roles as an English eccentric.

100 years ago: on 21st May 1917 that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission was founded. It

records and maintains the graves and places of commemoration of Commonwealth military service members who died in WW1 and WW2.

90 years ago: on 20th

-21st May that the American aviator Charles Lindbergh made his historic first

non-stop solo transatlantic flight from New York to Paris, aboard the Spirit of St Louis.

80 years ago: on 12th May 1937 that the coronation of King George VI took place. This was also the

BBC’s first official outdoor television broadcast.

75 years ago: on 4th May 1942 that Germany bombed Exeter, destroying the city centre. Several

weeks later, on 30th

-31st May, more than 1,000 British Royal Air Force bombers carried out a 90-minute

air raid on Cologne.

50 years ago: on 28th May 1967 that the British sailor and aviator, Sir Francis Chichester, became the first person to complete a true solo circumnavigation of the world from west to east, via the clipper route and great capes.

20 years ago: on 1st May 1997 that the Labour Party won the British General Election in a landslide

victory, ending 18 years of Conservative rule. Tony Blair, aged 43, became Britain’s youngest Prime Minister since 1812.

15 years ago: on 30th May 2002 that a solemn ceremony was held to mark the end of the clean-up

operation at Ground Zero in New York City, after the 9/11 attacks.

10 years ago: on 3rd

May 2007 that the Scottish Parliament General Election saw the Scottish National Party (SNP) win by a single seat, and form a minority government. Alex Salmond took office as First Minister on 16

th May.

All in the month of

right royal tea party

to celebrate

harry and meghan’s wedding

3.30 p.m.

Sunday 20th may

on Pear Tree Green or in the Church Hall if wet

Bring a cake to share

Come dressed as a Prince or Princess

all welcome

~ 15 ~


Valentine's Tea Party at Woolston Community Centre It was Communicare's last community tea party of the year, held under the funding received by Comic Relief, which has helped facilitate these events along with the kindness of volunteers and supporters.

There were 15 attendees at the Valentine's Tea Party in the east of the city which was held at Woolston Community Centre. Guests consisted of Communicare clients and others who had heard about the event through adverts at a local church. The theme was about love but not strictly in a romantic way; there were love hearts, sweets, a Valentine's themed quiz, and red decorations but the focus was on making sure guests had a fun afternoon. Entertainment was provided by The Elderlys who played golden oldies, which were very well received by everyone. A total of £40 in donations was given on the day by guests. Driver Recruitment - can you recruit a driver? More recently we have not been able to fulfill 11% of requests which equates to 28 journeys over a period of a month; as you can imagine, this is less than ideal for our clients who have no other options to get out and about to appointments. We are very short of volunteer drivers during the week and are having to turn down quite a lot of requests for help. Would you be able to help us spread the word about help with driving? Transport volunteers can sign up for a regular commitment or just say yes to requests when they are free so it can be a very flexible form of volunteering and fit round other commitments. We are struggling to fulfil transport requests in the daytime on week days. If you could put up a poster, give out some leaflets or have any ideas about places we could recruit more drivers please get in touch with the volunteer coordinator team - [email protected] 023 8021 6016. Finance Update Communicare has recently been asked by city commissioners to look at extending the service we offer to folk newly discharged from hospital who aren’t sick enough to need a care package, but would benefit from a bit of TLC and support when they get back home. This has come with some useful funding, which has allowed us to recruit a Projects Leader, who will head up planning for the expansion. Hannah Silver is due to join us in March and is looking forward to meeting our existing team and recruiting new members to meet the demands. Our mailing address is: Communicare Southampton Communicare in Southampton, Southampton Voluntary Services Kingsland Square, St. Mary's Southampton, Hampshire SO14 1NW United Kingdom Opening Hours: Voluntary Action Centre: Mon-Fri, 9.00 am - 5.00 pm Shirley Baptist Church: Tues, 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm & Thurs, 9.30 am - 12.30 pm St. Mark’s Institute, Woolston: Tues & Thurs, 9.30 am - 11.30 am

NEWS FROM COMMUNICARE

What’s in the offering?

I love to count the offering One never knows what lies within The plates and bags of offertory – What have we here? Now let us see!

For “humbled” is the word for me To see the generosity Of folk who dig so very deep To give that money every week.

But, other things within the plate! I stand there, and with laughter shake! Sometimes I can’t believe to see The offering’s variety!

Empty wrappers cause a fuss; Used tickets from the local bus; In foreign coins – a tidy sum, I’ve even found some chewing gum!

And, while I count, my dinner waits But once I found within those plates, From one who knew I’d peckish be – A chocolate coin, just for me!

You know, within my mortal puff Among the cash, and other stuff I would not find it very odd To find an IOU to God!

So thank you, people, from my heart To those who from their money part; And thanks to all and everyone Who make a boring job such fun!

Nigel Beeton

~ 16 ~


CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

The week we love every neighbour

Marcelin still hasn’t recovered from Hurricane Matthew, which hit Haiti in September 2016, destroying his home, possessions and livestock.

'I lost pigs, goats, everything in the house. I have nothing left,' he says.

He now lives in an old concrete shower block, a tiny space he shares with his teenage daughters. There are no windows or doors, and the only furniture is a single bed that the girls sleep on.

‘If another hurricane came through, we’d just die.’

Marcelin has fought hard to raise his children alone but can no longer afford to send them all to school. He gets up at dawn each day to work the land, but the changing weather frequently destroys the food he grows and the family often go hungry.

Marcelin fear his daughters’ hunger could lead them to be exploited by predatory men in exchange for food.

How we are helping Our local partner in Haiti is helping people prepare for disasters. Ahead of Hurricane Matthew, we warned communities, helping evacuate around 5,000 families, potentially saving many lives. We then gave out much-needed shelter kits, hygiene kits, food seeds and cash transfers.

We're also building disaster-resistant homes to give people safe, secure places to live. Of the

dozens of new houses we built before the hurricane hit, only one lost its roof in the disaster.

But there are still lots of people like Marcelin we haven’t yet reached, and we need your help.

Could you donate to help people like Marcelin?

A gift from you could help families like Marcelin's to thrive

£25 could... buy a hygiene kit to prevent disease after a disaster.

£50 could... buy basic building tools to help people build secure homes.

£210 could... pay for two days' construction training for a local builder in Haiti to help build people secure homes.

From 13th - 19th May, our church will join with more than 20,000 others across the country for the sake of people like Marcelin. Cross the UK and Ireland we will deliver 7 million envelopes to our local neighbours to raise money for our global neighbours in need.

Christian Aid envelopes will be available in Pear Tree Church during

Christian Aid week. Please remember to pick one up.

If you are a taxpayer, you can also Gift Aid your contribution by completing the simple

declaration on the envelope, thus adding 20p to the value of every pound collected.

You are invited to join us for our CHRISTIAN AID LUNCH

12.00 p.m. Sunday 20th May

in Woolston Community Centre, Weston Grove Road, Woolston

£5 pp, £2.50 children All proceeds to Christian Aid

Contact Elizabeth Cleverley (80440242) to book your place

~ 17 ~


Why ‘Call the Midwife’?

For months – indeed for years, apart from the ‘Bake off’ phenomenon - Britain’s most popular television programme by some distance has been the Sunday night ‘Call the Midwife’. The competition for top spot encompasses the whole range of human obsessions: comedy, drama, murder, rape, quizzes, food, fashion and sport – something for every taste. Yet a homely drama about some midwives working with an Anglican order of nuns in London’s East End 60 years ago beats them all. The BBC clearly recognises its value – several more series have been commissioned. I think it’s worth wondering why.

The first two series of ‘Call the Midwife’ closely followed the best-selling books by Jennifer Worth about her experiences as a young midwife in precisely those circumstances. Someone recommended the first book to me and I found it compelling reading, and said so in print. To my surprise, I got a letter from the author, answering a question I had posed. She told me that the example of the sisters in the Order and their unquenchable faith amidst the squalor and poverty of the area in those post-War years eventually led to her embracing the Christian faith herself.

Sadly, Jennifer Worth died just as the first series was being aired, and I feared the story line might lose its authenticity. But it hasn’t. These are stories of some nuns and midwives struggling to help people in need. Without ever being preachy, it faithfully depicts a very mixed group of people putting faith into practice. I think the nine million viewers, most of whom are probably not regular church-goers, appreciate seeing prayer, faith, hope and love at work, even if not every practitioner is saintly, not every sick baby saved, nor every human problem solved.

Canon David Winter

A CELEBRATION OF ASCENSION DAY - 10TH MAY

One of the most extraordinary passages in the Bible tells the story of Christ’s goodbye, which we call the Ascension:

“While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they, after worshipping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God.”

It was the last time the apostles would see Jesus. They had experienced the utter catastrophe of His death, followed within days by the triumph of His resurrection. Later, He left them. Instead of the sadness we might expect after His final farewell, they were exuberant and went back to Jerusalem. What an extraordinary reaction. Jesus had gone, Jerusalem was fraught with danger, yet they seemed brimful with confidence.

Ringing in their ears was His repeated teaching about the Kingdom of God and the commission to preach forgiveness of sins throughout the world, beginning at Jerusalem. They were to wait there until they were “clothed with power from on high.” Far from feeling abandoned, they were full of hope and eager to be equipped for their vocation. They and the Christian community would represent Christ on earth, as He represented them in heaven, “seated at the right hand of the Father”, in the words of the Creed.

All this is temporary. God has not planned the world to remain in its present state in perpetuity. Our particular era may seem to be particularly grim, but it is but one strand in human history and we are no more distinctive than any other generation. Although the world as it is seems to be lasting a long time, we are living in what the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews calls ‘the final age’. We are to anticipate a finale, when Christ’s rule will be apparent to all. There’s an Old Testament proverb which is particularly apt: “Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Isn’t that exactly what we hope for every time we pray for God’s will to be done on earth, as in heaven?

Join us for our Worship Together Service as we celebrate Ascension Day at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday

10th May at St. Mark’s Church

Waiting (Acts 1:1-11)

He told us to wait, then went away. After all the excitement, all the joy of having Him back, He has gone again. Yet this time there is hope, This time there is His promise Of power, of His Spirit, Of a new dimension of His presence. This leaving is different Now we know He’s forever alive. And we wait in confidence and anticipation to witness to the world…

and we wait for His Spirit to come…

Daphne Kitching

~ 18 ~


Step into spring with Mayfield Nurseries

Did you know you have a garden centre on your doorstep which also supports vulnerable people to bloom? Mayfield Nurseries is a charitable social enterprise which supports people

with mental health problems and dementia to lead a fuller life in the community. We are holding our Spring Fayre on Saturday 28th April from 10 am to 4 pm to raise vital funds for our charity. It’s a fantastic time to stock up on all your spring plants and enjoy them all summer long. There will be music, a BBQ and refreshments, information stalls, miniature

garden planting for kids and lots more. If you cannot make it to the event, then we are open every day in April, May and June and 6

days a week from July onwards for all your planting needs. Support us and make a difference to the lives of people in our community.

Mayfield Nurseries, Mayfield Park, Weston Lane, Southampton, SO19 9HL Website: www.mayfieldnurseries.org.uk

10.30 a.m. Saturday 28th April Pear Tree Church Hall

Admission 30p

Volunteers would be appreciated from 9.00 a.m. to help set up and clear away afterwards

PEAR TREE CHURCH

FORTHCOMING EVENTS AT SHOLING SALVATION ARMY

North East Road, Southampton SO19 8AF.

April 1st - 10.00 a.m.

Easter Sunday Celebration "Jesus is alive"!

April 22nd - 4.00 p.m.

Messy Church 'A family time of fun, food

and craft'.

May 13th - 10.30 a.m. Visit of General Andre Cox

(Worldwide leader of the Salvation Army) leading morning worship

All welcome to attend

Further details regarding all these events are available from

[email protected]

PEAR TREE QUILTING AND

CRAFTS GROUP

now meet regularly on Friday evenings twice a month, 7.00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.

in Pear Tree Church Hall. See our diary on pages 4-5 for full details.

All level of abilities welcome

Regular workshops are also held 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. on various

Saturdays during the year. The next workshop will be held on

Saturday 21st April.

For information, please contact Liz Spencer-Fleet (02380 560055)

~ 19 ~


St. Mark’s and Pear Tree Church invite you and your family to a morning of fun, friendship and MESS, with craft,

song and celebration

10.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. FRIDAY 13TH APRIL

in Pear Tree Church Hall

Light lunch provided - free entry, but donations

appreciated

Please ring Anne Gerrard (80433820) to book

FORTHCOMING EVENTS AT WOOLSTON METHODIST

CHURCH Manor Road North

May Fayre and Plant Sale 10.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.

Saturday 12th May Lunches available

Family Beetle Drive 7.30 p.m.

Friday 25th May Adults £3, children £1, including refreshments

All welcome

NEWS FROM SOUTHAMPTON FLOWER CLUB who meet at 2.00 p.m.

in Pear Tree Church Hall on the third Thursday of every month

We began our year with an in house workshop when the ladies created landscape

arrangements.

On April 19th we are looking forward to a demonstration by Katie Baxter entitled "Recycle and re-use" which sounds

interesting and then on May 17th we have our Ladies Day, when we shall be

celebrating our 65th anniversary with a tea and talk.

We meet in the church hall at 2 pm. Visitors are welcome; there is a small charge,

payable at the door. Hazel Roberts

QUIZ NIGHT with Fish and Chip Supper

7.00 p.m. for a 7.30 p.m. start Saturday 14th April

Pear Tree Church Hall

Tickets £6 available from Liz and Peter Spencer-Fleet (80560055)

Tea and coffee available or bring your own refreshments

Remember to book your Fish and Chip Supper before the Quiz

CRAFTY COFFEE MORNING 10.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon

1st and 3rd Monday of each month, excluding Bank Holidays, in Pear Tree Church Hall.

Anyone who has a hobby or might like to learn one is welcome - we help each other.

We enjoy a chat over coffee/tea and biscuits, and work at embroidery,

painting, beadwork, knitting, crochet, card-making, decoupage - in fact, anything of personal interest. Cost is £1 per visit.

Why not come along and try our brand of community spirit? You will find a warm

welcome awaiting you.

Contact Googie Diaper (80490148) for more information

~ 20 ~


Across 1 ‘The baby in my — leaped for joy’ (Luke 1:44) (4) 3 A ‘don’t know’ in matters of faith (8) 9 In the distant past (Jeremiah 2:20) (4,3) 10 Armada (1 Kings 10:22) (5) 11 Where Moses was confronted with the burning bush (Exodus 3:1) (5) 12 Hair colour indicative of skin infection (Leviticus 13:30) (6) 14 ‘The worries of this life and the — of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful’ (Matthew 13:22) (13) 17 Expel (2 Kings 13:23) (6) 19 What Jesus wrapped round his waist when he washed his disciples’ feet (John 13:4) (5) 22 The sixth plague to afflict the Egyptians (Exodus 9:9) (5) 23 For nine (anag.) (7) 24 Where there is no time (Psalm 93:2) (8) 25 Goliath’s challenge to the Israelite army in the Valley of Elah: ‘This day I — the ranks of Israel!’ (1 Samuel 17:10) (4)

Down 1 ‘I will become angry with them and forsake them; I — — my face from them’ (Deuteronomy 31:17) (4,4) 2 Usual description of prophets such as Amos, Hosea, Micah, and so on (5) 4 ‘They cannot see the light of the gospel of the — — — ,

who is the image of God’ (2 Corinthians 4:4) (5,2,6) 5 An animal’s internal edible parts (Leviticus 4:11) (5) 6 Popular 20th-century religious novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, which became a 1953 film starring Richard Burton (3,4) 7 ‘A — on a hill cannot be hidden’ (Matthew 5:14) (4) 8 One of the exiles, a descendant of Bebai, who married a foreign woman (Ezra 10:28) (6) 13 Old Testament hymn-singing (8) 15 ‘And O what transport of delight from thy pure — floweth’ (7) 16 Of felt (anag.) (3,3) 18 ‘So — the — sets you free, you will be free indeed’ (John 8:36) (2,3) 20 Comes between ‘bad’ and ‘worst’ (John 5:14) (5) 21 ‘Neither height nor depth... will be — to separate us from the love of God’ (Romans 8:39) (4)

SUDOKU Each row, column and box must contain

the numbers 1-9 - simple!

Answers on page 23 - the Bible version

used in our crossword is the NIV

~ 21 ~


WO

RD

SE

AR

CH

Answers on page 23

~ 22 ~


When you mix children and religion... You get some unexpected gems. The following are extracts from religious exam papers…

In the first book of the Bible, Guinness, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off.

Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was Joan of Ark, because Noah built an ark. The animals came on in pears.

The Jews are God's chosen people, but throughout history they've had trouble with unsympathetic Genitals.

Moses led the Jews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients.

The Seventh Commandment is: Thou shalt not admit adultery.

Moses died before he ever reached Canada.

Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

Jesus enunciated the golden rule, which says do unto others before they do one to you. He also explained a man doth not live by sweat alone.

The people who followed the Lord were called the twelve decibels.

St Paul cavorted to Christianity down the Damascus Road. There he preached holy acrimony, which is another name for marriage.

So you think English is easy? Read on:

1) The bandage was wound around the wound. 2) The farm was used to produce produce. 3) We must polish the Polish furniture. 4) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert. 5) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present. 6) A sea bass was painted on the head of the bass drum. 7) The insurance was invalid for the invalid. 8) They were too close to the door to close it. 9) After going out after having done some sewing, a sewer fell into a sewer. 10) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

Your mind is like a television; when it goes blank, it's a good idea to turn off the sound. Some people are scared of church like they are scared of helicopters – they are frightened of being sucked into the rotas. A recession is a period when people do without the things their parents never had.

It was a posh parish. Over drinks in the church hall, the church warden informed the visiting archdeacon: 'My family can trace its ancestry back to William the Conqueror.' 'Well,' ventured the archdeacon with a smile, 'my ancestors were in the Ark with Noah.' 'Well, mine weren't,' came the quick reply. 'My people had a boat of their own.'

Common sense is a flower that, sadly, doesn't grow in everyone's garden.

In the days before WW 2, phonecalls cost two pence. 'Can you lend me tuppence to ring a friend?' a widely disliked MP once asked Winston Churchill. The great man scoured his pockets. 'Here's four pence,' he said. 'Ring them all.'

~ 23 ~


PUZZLE SOLUTIONS (page 20/21)

Fitness for Mums Classes Mondays 1:45 – 2:30 pm Pear Tree Church Hall

Keeping active and eating well is vital for your health and wellbeing. The Fitness for Mums class has a lovely group of women attending and provides a friendly supportive environment for women to come along and exercise, get fitter and healthier after having a baby. As babies and toddlers are welcome to come along too, there is no need to arrange childcare. We have a blanket and put toys out so that they can play. Often thought the older ones will join in and copy their mum, which is fantastic and great to see. The exercises we do are a mixture of cardio and strength training exercises, and change each week. The class is suitable for all levels of fitness from beginner to experienced as I can adapt the exercises to your ability. I will also support you with any post-pregnancy changes such as weak core and pelvic floor. For the class you will just need to wear comfortable clothing and trainers and I’d recommend bringing a bottle of water to keep hydrated during the session. I provide all the sports equipment that we use.

Your first class is free so you can see if you like it. After that, each session is £5 Please contact me if you are interested in coming along to training or if you have any questions about the class. Look forward to you joining us, Anna Contact 07792067073 [email protected] Web: www.haywood-health.co.uk Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haywoodhealth

~ 24 ~


Woolston Lodge Surgery NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS!

Purpose built surgery with onsite Pharmacy & Car Park

Extended Hours – 2 Early Mornings & 1 Late evening per week & 1 Saturday per month

Online Services – Book/Cancel appointments, request medication + more even when we’re closed!

We are open Monday to Friday 08:00 – 18:30

Why not register today?

Woolston Lodge Surgery, 66 Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Tel: 023 8044 6733

www.woolstonlodgesurgery.co.uk

The Icing on the Cake Live life to the full ....... Always lick the bowl!!

Patissier - Valerie Adair

Specialising in personalised cakes and wedding cakes made to order

Telephone: 07922458030 Email:

[email protected]

Find on google, yell.com and facebook facebook.com/theicingonthecakesouthampton

Simply Buffets

Quality hot and cold food at reasonable prices.

All occasions and allergens catered for.

Tablecloths and vintage china can be supplied.

Please contact Jill on

023 80431067

mobile 07735329064

email: [email protected]

~ 25 ~


Barry Rogers

Make & Mend

Same Day and Next Day Service

Specialist in Repairs and Alterations

02380 446797 43A Bridge Road

Woolston, Southampton

ROOFCARE

Fascia boards repainted or UPVC renewal

Guttering repairs: Cleaning/Clearing/Unblocking

Main roof repairs: Slates/Tiles/Hips/Ridges/Vents

Chimney repairs: Leadwork Replacement/Trays/Repointing, etc.

No job too small/15% OAP Discount/Free estimates

Please ring Les … 02381 781 364

~ 26 ~


JONATHAN TERRY Est 1998

Independent Funeral Directors and Memorial Consultants

Providing Professional and Personal Funeral Services to Pear Tree, Sholing, Bitterne, Woolston and all surrounding areas.

Jonathan Terry has worked within this local area since June 1985 and has operated his own business since 1998 together with his dedicated team. We continue to maintain a tradition

of local knowledge in funeral services and commitment to our community.

We invite you to visit our website www.jonathanterry.co.uk to view our full company profile.

Golden Charter Pre-Paid Funeral Plans Memorials for all types of graves

Bitterne Office:

101 Pear Tree Avenue, Bitterne Southampton SO19 7JJ

Tel. 023 80434444

Southampton Office: 3 College Place, London Road

Southampton SO15 2FB Tel. 023 80234533

Carers in Southampton is a service in the city which provides support for anyone who helps look after a family member or friend who needs support. If you are providing support you may help with practical household tasks,

making and attending appointments, personal care, provide emotional support or help with sorting paperwork; any one of these things makes you a carer who is entitled to access our help.

Carers in Southampton offers advice, guidance and information as well as learning and social opportunities to help empower the ‘Silent Army’ of carers in the city. Specialist advice is available for those caring for someone with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairment, mental health conditions, substance misuse, complex health issues or who is an older adult. We are also able to give support in a number of different languages including Polish, Hindi and Punjabi, Dari, Farsi. Pushto. We also have a Resources Room where carers can drop-in to carry out research and get information about other relevant organisations in the city.

If you are a carer, and live within Southampton city limits, Carers in Southampton is here to help you!

Contact us: Tel: 02380 582387 Email: [email protected] Or visit: www.carersinsouthampton.co.uk Find us on Facebook by searching ‘Carers in Southampton’ Follow us on Twitter @CarersinSoton

For an appointment please call: Rosemarie Parker Therapist Belever Sholing Road Pear Tree Southampton Telephone 023 8044 7307

Rosemarie’s Treatments include: Reflexology Facials Indian Head Massage Back/Neck and Shoulders Massage General Foot Care

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SERVICES

1st Sunday in the month: 10.00 a.m. Parish Communion

2nd Sunday in the month: 10.00 a.m. Parish Communion

3rd Sunday in the month: 10.00 a.m. Worship Together (alternating between Pear Tree and Woolston)

4th Sunday in the month: 10.00 a.m. Parish Worship (non-Communion)

5th Sunday in the month: 10.00 a.m. Parish Communion

PLEASE NOTE THAT MONDAY IS THE VICAR’S DAY OFF

PEAR TREE PARISH

PRIEST-IN-CHARGE: REVEREND MILES NEWTON, St. Mark’s Vicarage, 117 Swift Road, Woolston, Southampton SO19 9ER (Tel. 80441124)

LAY MINISTERS: Mrs Carolyn Jennings, 36 Merridale Road, Bitterne (Tel. 80422708) Mr Maurice Keys, 27 Archery Grove, Woolston (Tel. 80441699) LAY MINISTER (EMERITUS): Mr Keith Sydenham, “Orwell”, Sholing Road, Bitterne (Tel. 80449948)

CHURCHWARDEN: Mrs Pat Hawkins, Cherry Top, Cecil Road, Woolston (Tel. 80438103)

PCC TREASURER: Mr Peter Spencer-Fleet, 44 Denzil Avenue, Netley Abbey (Tel. 80560055)

PCC SECRETARY: Mrs Doris Pratt, 64 Gainsford Road, Bitterne (Tel. 80435602)

CHURCH ORGANIST: Mr Andy Ingram

MUSIC GROUP: Mrs Vanessa Wilkinson, Tree Tops, 9 Chine Avenue, Bitterne (Tel. 07434 964097)

YOUNG PEOPLE: Mrs Pat Hawkins, Cherry Top, Cecil Road, Woolston (Tel. 80438103)

PCC SAFEGUARDING OFFICER: Mrs Vanessa Wilkinson, Tree Tops, 9 Chine Avenue, Bitterne (Tel. 07434 964097)

HALL BOOKINGS: Tel. 07387 581617

PARISH MAGAZINE: Mrs Doris Pratt, 64 Gainsford Road, Bitterne (Tel. 80435602)

CHURCH HALL ACTIVITIES

CRAFTY COFFEE MORNINGS: Mrs Googie Diaper (Tel. 80490148) Meets 1st & 3rd Monday 10.00 a.m.-12.00 pm

YOUNG MUMS’ FITNESS GROUP: Ms Anna Larden (Tel. 07792067073) Meetings Monday 1.45 - 2.30 p.m.

KARATE CLUB: Mr Ian Knight (Tel. 07887 742546) Meets Monday 7-10.30 p.m.

PARENT & TODDLER GROUP: Mrs Jessie Williams (Tel. 07399 993549 ) Meets Tuesday 9.45-11.30 a.m.

2ND PEAR TREE GUIDES: Mrs Cathy Brear (Tel. 07859437242) Meets Tuesday 7-9.00 pm

1ST WOOLSTON RAINBOWS: Miss Nicola Barnett (Tel. 80449633) Meets Tuesday 5.45-6.45 p.m.

“ACTING UP” DRAMA GROUP: Ms Rosanna Sloan (Tel. 07519 754829) Meets Wed 7.30-9.00 p.m. Term-time

SLIMMING WORLD: Ms Claire Brant (Tel. 07917851640 ) Meets Wed 9.30 a.m. - 1.30 p.m.

SO’TON FLOWER CLUB: Mrs Pauline Furness (Tel. 80769265) Meets 3rd Thursday 2.00-4.00 p.m.

ZUMBA CLUBBERCISE: Ms Leah Tomlin (Tel. 07930 144198) Meets Thursday 7.15 - 8.15 p.m.

PEAR TREE QUILTING GROUP: Mrs Liz Spencer-Fleet (Tel. 80560055) Meets alternate Fridays 7.00-9.00 p.m.

PLAYERS THEATRE GROUP: Contact [email protected] Meets Sunday 6.00-8.00 p.m.

Website: http://www.peartreechurch.org.uk

FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT BAPTISMS IN PEAR TREE CHURCH please contact Pam West (80448256) or e-mail [email protected].

FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT WEDDINGS AND PUBLICATION OF BANNS OF MARRIAGE AT ST. MARK’S CHURCH AND PEAR TREE CHURCH

please contact Pat Hawkins (80438103) or e-mail [email protected].

The Pear Tree/St. Mark’s Church Parish Office is now open 10.00 a.m.-12.00 p.m.

every Wednesday in St. Mark’s Institute, Victoria Road, Woolston. Contact No. 07392 075204)

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