NEWSLETTER OF THE

MARCH-APRIL 2011

DIARY Page 6 ● READINGS Page 9 ● NOTICE BOARD Page 11

www.costachurch.com

OF THE COSTA DEL SOL WEST

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Alan’s BitAlan’s Bit

Christianity is a life-long journey with many significant steps on the way.

You will be able to see and to read about some significant steps made by

people in this edition.

We talk about baptism and confirmation and we also have articles telling

about other sorts of commitment. These should encourage each of us to

realise that God’s love is real and still at work in our world today.

Other steps on our Christian journey are celebrated with special birthdays

for Gloria and Bob. But we should be able to celebrate every day that God

is with us and cares for us.

A period of self-examination is never a bad thing and Lent is

upon us. Maybe we should set aside a few minutes each

day to pray for those mentioned in this magazine, especially

those newly baptised and confirmed.

Lent ends with the great celebration of Easter. Please join

us to celebrate the death of Jesus that gained our forgive-

ness and the Resurrection of Jesus that assures us of new

life. Alan

© © © © WWWWELCOMEELCOMEELCOMEELCOME! ! ! ! is published by Anglican Church of the Costa del Sol West. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form

without the publisher’s written permission. All advertisements are accepted for inclusion in good faith; the publisher cannot be

held responsible for claims made by advertisers nor for the content of advertisements.

WWWWELCOMEELCOMEELCOMEELCOME! ! ! ! is edited by Fred Wallis (952 812 151), Peter Rogers (952 855 087) & Andrea Bennett.

The next issue is due out on May 8. May 8. May 8. May 8. Printed by Digiprint, Estepona.

Cover picture: The Bishop and friends — see page 13

Chaplaincy House C/ Juan de Fuca 27, Urb. Beverly Hill,

29680 Estepona Tel: 952 808 605

alanmaude@googlemail.com

For baptisms, marriage blessings, home For baptisms, marriage blessings, home For baptisms, marriage blessings, home For baptisms, marriage blessings, home

and hospital visits, and for any pastoral and hospital visits, and for any pastoral and hospital visits, and for any pastoral and hospital visits, and for any pastoral

needs...Call Alan on 952 808 605needs...Call Alan on 952 808 605needs...Call Alan on 952 808 605needs...Call Alan on 952 808 605

Steps along the way

4444

Items from the minutes

MATTERS ARISING MATTERS ARISING MATTERS ARISING MATTERS ARISING Canon Alan thanked Cathy Braithwaite for her work as treas-

urer, Father Maurice for his assistance over the Christmas period, and all those who

had worked hard to fund raise, especially those involved with the Christmas Fair and

the Calendar production.

FINANCE FINANCE FINANCE FINANCE Treasurer Cathy Braithwaite reported that a final deficit of € 803 for the

year to December was much less than originally anticipated (€ 15,750). In 2011 fund-

raising will be concentrated on a Christmas Fair and an auction. However it was de-

cided that the year’s only appeal would be the Harvest Appeal. Some special events

are therefore needed, in particular to replace the summer garden fete and in place of

last year’s Ely Choir visit.

CHURCHGOING CHURCHGOING CHURCHGOING CHURCHGOING Church attendance is up and the Sunday Club at Sotogrande in

particular has seen encouraging growth; 14 children took part in a recent Songs of

Praise service there.

CHARITABLE DONATIONS CHARITABLE DONATIONS CHARITABLE DONATIONS CHARITABLE DONATIONS There was a strong feeling that local charities should

take precedence when deciding which would be supported by the Church’s charitable

giving in the coming year, particularly in the light of the high unemployment levels in

Spain where unemployment benefit is only given for two years, after which there is

nothing. Gordon and Cathy again praised Shelter Box and Water Aid, two of the chari-

ties the church has supported in the past.

AWAY DAY 2011 AWAY DAY 2011 AWAY DAY 2011 AWAY DAY 2011 An Away Day will be held on Saturday, May 14, once again to Cor-

tijo Papudo. Alan has asked the Revd. Andrew Tweedy from Barcelona church to lead

it, following his excellent Bible Studies at Synod this year.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Gordon, Cathy and Janet are due to stand down after

three years on the Council but they will be eligible for re-election. Lorenzo will stand for

re-election to Synod, but two more representatives are needed.

TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING Thea Horsey will be attending an intensive training weekend in London

towards ordination. No help was given in obtaining accommodation, etc, and the

Council will ask for this situation to be improved in the future.

5555

Members of the PCC Chairman:

Canon Alan Maude 952 808 605

Vice-chairman:

Gordon Braithwaite

Treasurer:

Cathy Braithwaite

Secretary:

Ros Burns

Synod Representatives:

Lorenzo Wilkendorf

Marjorie Maude

Electoral Roll Officer

Bob Hilton

Church Warden — San Pedro:

Mavis Tolfree 952 792 454

Church Warden — Sotogrande:

George Grice 951 276 095

Other members:

Joan Robertson Thea Horsey

Dorothy Horsey Barry Mason

Gina Young Roy Stoddard

Janet Humpidge Penny Hale

Debbie Tan Gadjia Burne

Barry Mason

George Mavis

Church AGMChurch AGMChurch AGMChurch AGMChurch AGMChurch AGMChurch AGMChurch AGM Sunday, April 10 (11.15am)Sunday, April 10 (11.15am)Sunday, April 10 (11.15am)Sunday, April 10 (11.15am)

At San Pedro (following the At San Pedro (following the At San Pedro (following the At San Pedro (following the

Morning Service)Morning Service)Morning Service)Morning Service)

The service at Sotogrande that The service at Sotogrande that The service at Sotogrande that The service at Sotogrande that

morning has been cancelledmorning has been cancelledmorning has been cancelledmorning has been cancelled

If you are a regular member of our

Church you are able to vote for Church

Council members at the General meet-

ing. To be eligible to vote you must be

on our Electoral Roll.

This year we will have

several vacancies on

the Council, we will

also be electing

Church Wardens

(which is necessary every year) and

three members who will be our repre-

sentatives on the Archdeaconry Synod.

These are important elections in the life

of the Church. Please pray for the elec-

tions and make sure that you can nomi-

nate and vote for the people who you

think will serve God and our Church.

If you want to check you are on the elec-

toral roll contact Bob Hilton Bob Hilton Bob Hilton Bob Hilton on 671 169 671 169 671 169 671 169

430430430430 or 661 037 133661 037 133661 037 133661 037 133. You can also

email him on:

carobmcp@hotmail.comcarobmcp@hotmail.comcarobmcp@hotmail.comcarobmcp@hotmail.com

Chaplaincy

6666

fundfundfundfund----raising for the churchraising for the churchraising for the churchraising for the church

Saturday, June 4Saturday, June 4

Watch for further details nearer the time — including how to get to the venue in Soto-Soto-Soto-Soto-

grandegrandegrandegrande. Meanwhile, please look out saleable items — the kind of stuff you see on ‘Flog It!’

— and tell one of the regulars at Church, or speak to Marjorie Maude, Penny Hale or

Peter Rogers (952 855 087)

SUNDAY, MARCH 6

Holy Communion San Pedro (10.15am)

Methodist Service Sotogrande (11.45am)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9

ASH WEDNESDAY

Quiet Day (10am – 3pm)

at the home of Evelyn &

John Whittaker 956 887

321 Details from Thea

Horsey 663 984 968

SUNDAY, MARCH 13

Holy Communion San Pedro (10.15am)

Holy Communion Sotogrande (11.45am)

SUNDAY, MARCH 20

Holy Communion San Pedro (10.15am)

Methodist Service Sotogrande (11.45am)

SUNDAY, MARCH 27

Holy Communion+Baptism San Pedro (10.15am)

Informal Service+Holy Communion Sotogrande

(11.45am)

SUNDAY, APRIL 3

MOTHERING SUNDAY

Holy Communion San Pedro (10.15am)

Methodist Service Sotogrande (11.45am)

SUNDAY, APRIL 10

Holy Communion San Pedro (10.15am) followed

by AGM (11.15am) — see page 5

No Service at Sotogrande

SUNDAY, APRIL 17

PALM SUNDAY

Holy Communion San Pedro (10.15am)

Methodist Service Sotogrande (11.45am)

Chaplaincy Diary

7777

Holy Week & EasterHoly Week & Easter

THURSDAY, APRIL 21

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Agape Meal & Last Supper

Holy Communion in (7.30pm)

San Pedro – Venue to be announced

Sotogrande – Ros & John Burns 956 695 178

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

GOOD FRIDAY

Service San Pedro (2pm)

Service Sotogrande (4pm)

SUNDAY, APRIL 24

EASTER DAY

Holy Communion San Pedro (10.15am)

Holy Communion Sotogrande (11.45am)

Home Groups

Lorenzo & Margarita Lorenzo & Margarita Lorenzo & Margarita Lorenzo & Margarita (956 792 151)(956 792 151)(956 792 151)(956 792 151)

March 10 & 24, April 7, May 5 (7.30pm)

Joan & Douglas Joan & Douglas Joan & Douglas Joan & Douglas (956 615 457)(956 615 457)(956 615 457)(956 615 457)

Every Wednesday (11am)

ChaplaincyChaplaincyChaplaincyChaplaincy (952 808 605) (952 808 605) (952 808 605) (952 808 605)

Every Monday (5.30pm)

Yvonne Vince Yvonne Vince Yvonne Vince Yvonne Vince (952 883 685)(952 883 685)(952 883 685)(952 883 685)

Every Wednesday (6pm)

Men’s Prayer Meeting Men’s Prayer Meeting Men’s Prayer Meeting Men’s Prayer Meeting (952 808 605)(952 808 605)(952 808 605)(952 808 605)

March 5 &19, April 2, 16 & 30 (9.30pm)

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Readings from Scripture

for March & April

March 6

Exodus 24.12-end ● 2 Peter 1.1-16

Matthew 17.1-9

March 9 Ash Wednesday

Isaiah 58.1-12 ● 2 Corinthians 5.20b-6.10

John 8.1-11

March 13

Genesis 2.15-17, 3.1-7 ● Romans 5.12-19

Matthew 4.1-11

March 20

Genesis 12.1-4a ● Romans 4.1-5, 13-17

John 3.1-17

March 27

Exodus 17.1-7 ● Romans 5.1-11

John 4.5-42

April 3 Mothering Sunday

I Samuel.20-end ● 2 Corinthians 1.3-7

Luke 2.33-35

April 10

Ezekiel 37.1-14 ● Romans 8.6-11

John 11.1-45

April 17 Palm Sunday

Isaiah 50.4-9a ● Phillipians 2.5-11

Matthew 21.1-11

April 21 Maundy Thursday

Exodus 12.1-14 ● 1Corinthians 11.23-26

John 13.1-17, 31b-35

April 22 Good Friday

Isaiah 52.13-end of 53 ● Hebrews 10.16-25

John 18 & 19

April 24 Easter Day

Jeremiah 31.1-6 ● Acts 10.34-43

John 20.1-18

According to WikipediaWikipediaWikipediaWikipedia, the word

‘Maundy’ may be derived from the Latin

’mandatum’ as in ‘Mandatum novum do

vobis ...’, ... ‘A new commandment I give

unto you.’

9999

10101010

11111111

BAPTISMBAPTISMBAPTISMBAPTISM February 20 Sofia Will

CREMATIONCREMATIONCREMATIONCREMATION January 4 Phillip Makin

January 27 Ken Scarfe

January 29 Irene Grant

February 9 Peter Simms

A wonderful Songs of Praise service at

Sotogrande in January was led by Cath-

erine Kemp, and attended by more than

50 people. It began with 14 children

from the Sunday Club singing ‘Give me

oil in my lamp’. After they left there were

three inspiring testimonies by Gerrit van

Wyk, his fiancé Nikki Wilson and Gloria

Pearson.

A shared finger buffet lunch followed the

service with the table piled high with

food but very little standing space in the

church house! There must have been

about 50 people including the

children.

Then Roy Stoddard staged a new take

on the Three Kings, a witty play which

incorporated the ‘three queens’ (not

mentioned in the Bible unfortunately, an

oversight!). This featured a speaking

camel on which the Queens took in turn

to ride. At the end Herod's spy repented

and brought his gift to baby Jesus.

Hopefully this production will be brought

to other audiences, but in the meantime

it was much enjoyed by adults and chil-

dren alike!

See page 12See page 12See page 12See page 12

Testimonies, kings,

queens and a camel

From the Registers

This moth –

Conistra haleae

Pinar del Rey –

has a special sig-

nificance for Soto-

grande parishioner Penny Hale, be-

cause it is named after her. This honour

was bestowed by Michael Fibiger, a

Danish friend and leading expert on the

Noctuidae family of moths. In 2009

during a visit to Penny’s home in

Casares, she organised a visit to the

Pinar del Rey woods nearby where he

found the moth. Eventually its status

was confirmed and Penny learned of

her place in history when Michael com-

pleted the editing of ‘Noctuidae Eu-

ropaeae Vol. 12’. It is a huge distinction

to have a new species named after you,

but the story has a sad ending, as Mi-

chael died shortly afterwards. He was

an expert of world renown (he was pre-

sented with the Bloomer Medal from

the Linnéan Society in London for his

contribution to natural science). He was

also a Christian.

12121212

The editors would like to receive any pictures of yourself or fellow parishioners. Email as JPG files to pr.obe@tiscali.co.uk or

Centre stage

The children led the singing

at a Songs of Praise service

at Sotogrande in January.

But kings and queens and a

camel took centre stage

afterwards in this re-telling

of the Epiphany produced

by Roy Stoddard — see

page 11. Thanks go to him

and his talented cast .

13131313

The editors would like to receive any pictures of yourself or fellow parishioners. Email as JPG files to pr.obe@tiscali.co.uk or abennett@sis.ac

In late February Bishop Geoffrey visited the Chaplaincy and on the Saturday attended

a Church Council meeting. This was followed by a buffet. On the Sunday there was a

joint service at Sotogrande when the Bishop confirmed three candidates (below). The

congregation included church members from both ends of the parish. A shared lunch

followed the service at Rosemary and Nigel Dale’s home in Sotogrande (above).

14141414

For many people this is the first step

on a life-long walk with God. God

wants us to turn to him and he calls

us to himself. When we come he

blesses us. Baptism is a symbol of

God’s blessing and our response. In Baptism God receives us as his children as we

confess our faith in Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord.

Many people are baptised as babies and the confession of faith is made by parents

and the Church. Other people come to faith as adults and are baptised because they

believe for themselves. At San Pedro in February Joanna, and Jason brought their baby

daughter, Sofia, to be baptised. They chose to ask for God’s blessing on their baby and

promised to bring her up in a Christian way until she is old enough to decide to follow

Jesus for herself. In the Church we can pray for them and encourage them to become

members of God’s family.

Step 1 ≈ baptismStep 1 ≈ baptismStep 1 ≈ baptismStep 1 ≈ baptism

By Canon Alan

15151515

In the Anglican Church, if you are already

baptised and wish to become an adult

member of the Church, the next step is

to be confirmed. At the end of February

the Bishop came and confirmed the faith

of three of our members.

Bethany, Naomi and Linda decided to

make their own commitment to Jesus in

the service held at Sotogrande. Please

pray for them and their families.

Step 2 ≈ confirmationStep 2 ≈ confirmationStep 2 ≈ confirmationStep 2 ≈ confirmation

Step 3 ≈ commitmentStep 3 ≈ commitmentStep 3 ≈ commitmentStep 3 ≈ commitment

Of course, services and ceremonies are

only relevant if the people mean to live in

God’s way. It is important that we con-

tinue to grow in our faith and many times

we can tell the next step in our Christian

journey in words. It is good to have op-

portunities to share these steps.

Gerrit and

Nikki (right)

have been

members

of our

Church for

a short

while and

they

shared their faith with us at a recent

Songs of Praise. In the next issue we will

publish part of their testimony.

Pray for them and their family, especially

as they get married in March.

Bethany, Naomi and Linda with Bishop Geof-

frey and Maurice, Alan and Barry following

the confirmation service at Sotogrande

16161616

All birthdays are special, but the one’s with an ‘0’ are extra special...so,

congratulations to two of our members who celebrated their 70th’s during

February — Gloria Pearson and Bob Hilton (left).

Another joyful baptism at San Pedro, as Alan Christened baby Sofia watched

by parents Jason and Joanna and the godparents

17171717

Bible Class A child was watching his mother sift

through and delete junk e-mail on the com-

puter. Suddenly the child said: “This re-

minds me of the Lord’s Prayer.” “How

so?” the mother asked. “You know...that

part about ‘deliver us from e-mail’.”

A father reading Bible stories to his son

read: “The man named Lot was warned to

take his wife and flee out of the city, but

his wife looked back and was turned to

salt.” After a pause, his son asked: “What

happened to the flea?”

A young girl asked her Sunday school

teacher: “If the people of Israel are Israel-

ites, and the people of Canann Canannites,

are the people of Paris called Parasites?”

A Sunday school teacher was telling her

class the story of the Good Samaritan, in

which a man was beaten, robbed and left

for dead. She described the situation in

vivid detail so her students would catch

the drama. Then she asked the class: “If

you saw a person lying on the roadside all

wounded and bleeding, what would you

do?” A thoughtful little girl broke the

hushed silence: “I think I’d throw up!”

The largely rural was in recent times the centre of instability and civil war which has left

a lasting mark. Luweero Diocese has 29 parishes and a total of around but there are only

about 50 trained clergy.

The Healthy Vine Trust aims to improve life for the people of Sekamuli, one of Luweero’s

poorer parishes. Over the last five years the Trust has established nine new boreholes to

provide clean water and over 50% of homes now have proper latrines and 40% have clay

cooking stoves. The provision of mosquito nets has helped reduce the incidence of malaria

and other illnesses. In addition the local health clinic (above) now operates 24-7.

This year’s Lent Appeal will help fund a maternity wing at Sekamuli, a tree planting

programme near Sekamuli Secondary School, and a new motorcycle for diocesan staff —

clergy and staff have a large geographical area to visit, often on dirt roads.

Further information visit www.healthy-vine.org

Bishop Geoffrey’s Lent AppealBishop Geoffrey’s Lent Appeal Proceeds from this year’s Lent

Appeal by Bishop Geoffrey of

Gibraltar, will support the work of

the Diocese of Luweero in Uganda.

18181818

Thinking Aloud

LET MY PEOPLE GO!

The people of Egypt have won their battle for freedom. President

Mubarak their dictator has gone. Now is the long road ahead for the

people to work for a true democratic country.

Way back into Old Testament history the Israelites were slaves in Egypt.

Moses their leader rebelled and went to Pharaoh, the then President, and

demanded that they be freed. “Let my People go!” he said. Pharaoh, like

ex-President Mubarak, did everything to resist but eventually had to let the

people go.

In our lifetime Nelson Mandela has led the long road to freedom. Here

Spanish people remember their long road to freedom from dictatorship.

But what can we do as Christians to help those who are enslaved and are not yet on the road to free-

dom?

Archbishop Desmund Tutu was once a very young server in the late Archbishop Trevor Huddleston’s

Anglican Church in South Africa. One day Desmund’s mother was ill. “Can you come to my home and

pray for her,” he said to his vicar.

As Fr. Huddleston came into his house he took his hat off to Desmond Tutu’s mother in greeting. Des-

mond Tutu had never seen a white man do this. This small act was to start Archbishop Desmund Tutu

on the long road to work for love and freedom for people regardless of their colour.

God may be calling us whatever our age to take one step however small to help someone, somehow,

somewhere on the road to freedom in His world. He is the God of the unexpected. Listen to His voice!

By

Father Maurice

Thanks all round...Thanks all round... In the last issue Welcome! Editor Fred Wallis appealed for your help to at-

tract more advertising revenue to help offset rising costs — not easy in the

present financial climate.

Guess what? It worked! In this issue (thanks largely to Fred, Penny and

Ed) we have no fewer than seven new advertisers — Santec, El Capitan ,

E.I.E.R.A., ATR, Supplements in Spain, Nutrition in Spain and Tango. Our

thanks to them for their support. Please support them in turn and men-

tion Welcome! when you do. Thank you.

■ Holiday Rentals

■ Property Management

■ Event Management

We offer a complete service to

Owners and Visitors

Contact Janet Humpidge on:

English & Spanish spoken

20202020

21212121

Team Sunday Club Regular helpers include:

Marjorie Maude, Sheila

Wilkinson and Janet Humpidge.

Call Janet for more details:

952 762 348

What Jesus said Exploring some of the

pictures-in-words that

Jesus created

Open to all children, Sunday Clubs meet every week during the

morning services at San Pedro and Sotogrande.

Attendance is free. Why not bring your young ones?

Coming soon…..

The confirmation service on 27th

February in Sotogrande Church

brought children and leaders from the

Sunday Clubs together. As the children

saw the confirmation service in

progress they made little churches with

opening doors, through which they

could see a confirmation happening.

Jonah the runaway Jonah the runaway Jonah the runaway Jonah the runaway ---- God’s goodness and mercy are explored through the story of Jonah

The children love hearing the stories each week, one of the recent favourites was the

story of Jonah. Over two weeks the children heard how Jonah didn’t want to listen to

God’s instructions and so ran away, but later realised he should have done what God

had told him and said sorry. With the aid of a large paper whale and Jonah with a pull

tab, the story was brought to life for the children. They took turns to pull Jonah into the

whales mouth and then push him out again as they heard how God sent a whale to res-

cue Jonah from the storm. The story continued the following week; once again God

showed mercy, this time when the people of Nineveh said sorry.

22222222

HOW TO There are two congregations in the Chaplaincy

One is based on San Pedro, the other on

services at either location.

Services at San Pedro are

held in a hall adjoining the

Parroquial del Virgen del

Rocio, a Roman Catholic

church at the western end of

the town.

Services of Holy

Communion are held every

Sunday morning.

Services begin at 10.15am.

After the Service we meet

for coffee in the Ruta de

la Plata café

San Pedro congregationSan Pedro congregation

Major roadworks in San Pedro are dis-

rupting traffic and the A7 at the point on

the map is closed to East-West traffic.

From EsteponaEsteponaEsteponaEstepona and MarbellaMarbellaMarbellaMarbella—Traffic is

diverted along a temporary ‘by-pass’

south of the A7. Following signs for

‘Glorieta del Ingenio’‘Glorieta del Ingenio’‘Glorieta del Ingenio’‘Glorieta del Ingenio’ will bring you to

what was the original roundabout on the

main road at Km 170 .

Continue northwards and follow

the map. Parking is plentiful in

the streets close by the church.

The Sunday Club Sunday Club Sunday Club Sunday Club for children is

held in the same building.

The San Pedro team Mavis Tolfree (Church Warden)

Gadjia Burne, Joan Robertson,

Cathy & Gordon Braithwaite

Carlos Llorente, Margaret Bennecker

Janet Humpidge, Nicky Lowden

Barry & Ethne Mason

Carol & Bob Hilton

Martin & Cindy Holmes

Yvonne Vince, Pamela Alba

Gadjia Burne

23232323

FIND US of the Anglican Church of the Costa del Sol West.

Sotogrande. You are very welcome to attend

In charge is CANON ALAN MAUDE

Sotogrande congregationSotogrande congregation

The Sotogrande team George Grice (Church Warden)

Paul Martin, Penny Hale

Val Morgan, Diana von Ahlefeldt

Janet Grice, Lorenzo Wilkendorf

Douglas Allan

Roy & Di Stoddard Rosemary Dale

Debbie Tan

Norma Sutton, Ros Burns

Gloria Pearson

Cindy & Martin Holmes

Val Morgan

The ‘Big church’ is visible from the A7

autovia. Exit the A7 at Km 130 and take

the coast-side service road heading

northeast. This brings you to a round-

about . Take the first exit (right). Pass

the security point barriers and go

straight on for about 200m. On the right-

hand side there is the first of a series of

white-on-blue signs to the

‘IIIIGLESIAGLESIAGLESIAGLESIA’. Follow these through

a large housing development

to reach the church and its

large car park.

Join us for coffee after the

service at the back of the

church

Services at Sotogrande are

held in La Iglesia de Nues-

tra Sra. de la Merced (the

‘Big church’). Many mem-

bers of the congregation

participate in both Method-

ist and Anglican services.

■ 1st & 3rd Sundays —

Methodist Service

■ 2nd & 4th Sundays —

Holy Communion

■ 5th Sundays —

Songs of Praise

Services begin at 11.45am

One is based on San Pedro, the other on