December 2014 Magazine

We aim to show how God through the Church, with its worship, teaching and service is relevant to modern living.

Every Friday

10am-12 noon

Knit2gether in Greyfriars Restaurant.

Tue 2nd

10.30am

After the Cards (at Greyfriars)

Wed 3rd

10.15am

Richmond Flower Club, Hudswell Village Hall

Fri 5th

3-4.30pm

Richmond C of E Primary Christmas Fair

Sat 6th

morning

St Mary’s Church Christmas Coffee Morning at the Town Hall

Sun 7th

7pm

Free to Be at St Mary’s Church Richmond

Thurs 11th

7.30pm

Gilling West and District Gardening Society Christmas Supper

Thurs 11th

7.30pm

Hudswell Gardening Cub

Fri 12th

11.30am

Deanery Mothers’ Union Advent Service at St Anne’s Catterick

Tue 16th

2pm

Mothers’ Union Advent Eucharist at Holy Trinity followed by tea and mince pies at the King’s Head Hotel.

Christmas Eve

4pm

The Crib Service at St Mary’s Church Richmond

P1 Calendar and Contents

P10 All in the month...

P2 Ministry Team

P11 Mothers’ Union

P3 Home-Start Richmondshire

P12 Richmond C of E Primary

P4 Register, After the Cards, Knit2gether, and Car Transport

P13 My dearest nephew...

P5 From Our Curate

P14 Free to Be, Palestinian Wood, Traidcraft

P6 Prayer Diary December 2014

P15 Christian Aid, Fun-Key Church, Hutchinson Gilling Trust, The StoreHouse

P7 What’s On December 2014

P16 Book Recommendations, Bible Study, Community Group Services

P8 Richmond Chase The Pud, Thank you

P17 Services in December across group of churches

P9 BRF Information

P18 Rotas, 200 Club

www.richmondhudswellparish.org.uk

http://funkeychurchatstmarysrichmond.wordpress.com/ 1

THE PARISH OF RICHMOND WITH HUDSWELL AND DOWNHOLME AND MARSKE

www.richmondhudswellparish.org.uk

MINISTRY TEAM

RECTOR Rev’d John R Chambers The Rectory, Church Wynd 821241 0787 5348245 j_echambers@btinternet.com CURATE Rev’d Antony Kirby 850349 07594615180 antonykirby01@btinternet.com HONORARY CLERGY

Rev’d Mark Beresford-Peirse

Rev’d Jennifer Williamson

READERS

Mrs Joy Hornsby Mr Scott Lunn Mrs Joan Plowman

Rev’d Bill Simms

2 Olliver Road 2 Hurgill Road 7 White Friars Gardens

PASTORAL ASSISTANT

Mrs Jennifer Patrick

1 Roper Court

ACORN CHRISTIAN LISTENERS

Mrs Jennifer Patrick Mrs Ruth Brown

850693 825270

Dr Sheila Harrisson

826490 826895 822792 850693 822059

CHURCH OFFICERS - THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, RICHMOND Mayor’s Warden Rector’s Warden Assistant Warden Organist & Choir Director Upbeat & Anacrucis Dir Bell Captain Head Verger Church Booking Secretary and Parish Administrator

Mr David Frankton Mr Roy Morel Mrs Janet Morel Mr Colin Hicks Mrs Carol Gedye Mrs Susan Welch Mr Leonard Scrafton Claire Murray

8 Alans Court 22 Olliver Road

823531 823278

1 Willow Crescent 55 Maison Dieu 8 Maple Road 14 Pilmoor Close

821464 824795 823700 824106

pa.richmondhudswellparish@gmail.com 07737482611

Assistant Treasurer

OFFICERS OF THE PCC AND OTHERS Mrs Jennifer Patrick 1 Roper Court 850693 Rebecca Simpson Flat 2, 4 Hildyard Row, Catterick Garrison, DL9 4DH 07716608948 Claire Murray 07737482611

FWO Secretaries Magazine Editor Magazine Distribution Magazine Adverts

Mr Don & Mrs Joy Wade 11 Moorside Road Gillian Lunn 2 Hurgill Road Gillian Hardy 11 The Green Mr Frank Gibbon 23 Westfields

Secretary Treasurer

Organist

821062 826895 449850 821002

FOR THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS, HUDSWELL Mrs Valerie Strawbridge 15 Boundary Way 821440

FOR THE PARISH OF ST MICHAEL Reader Mr George Alderson Church Warden Mrs Jean Calvert Church Treasurer Mr John Horseman

Reader Church Warden Deputy Warden Organist Treasurer

AND ALL ANGELS, DOWNHOLME 68 Brompton Park, B on Swale 818865 Thorpe Farm, Reeth Road, Richmond 823001 Echlinville, Hudswell, Richmond 826216

FOR THE PARISH OF ST EDMUNDS, MARSKE Mr David Stoneham Ivy Cottage, Marske Mrs Ruth Tindale Skelton Lodge, Marske Mrs Ann Stoneham Ivy Cottage, Marske Mrs Jennifer Wallis 1 School Terrace, Marske Mrs Elizabeth Withers e.withers30@hotmail.co.uk

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822418 823371 822418 822930 825262

A day in the life of Home-Start Richmondshire’s Co-ordinator Often when I tell people what I do they say how lucky I am to do something so worthwhile. They are absolutely right. I love my job and it is a privilege to work with a fantastic group of volunteers and to be welcomed into a family’s home particularly when there are stresses or difficulties and they don’t feel at their best.

Just in case you don’t know, Home-Start Richmondshire is a charity, part of the leading family support charity in the UK and we support families where there is a child under the age of 5. Volunteers, who are all parents themselves, offer 2-3 hours of their time each week in the family home – a parent offering another parent help through a difficult time.

My days are always busy and very varied but undoubtedly the best bits are the contact with families and volunteers! Following a referral, at my first visit to a family, I ask the parent, very often the mum, to tell me as much as they feel they can to help me to understand the difficulties they are experiencing and how they are feeling. It is so hard for a mum to ask for help. She so often feels guilty and that she should be able to cope.

An exciting part of my day is when I introduce a volunteer to a family. We go together to meet mum and the children, to discuss our support and to arrange the first visit. I know it can be difficult at first for the family – after all, the volunteer is effectively a stranger to them. But the volunteer understands that and will gently build the relationship and trust of the family.

When a volunteer has visited a family about 6 times, I visit the family again to see how things are going. I call this a review visit. At a recent review visit a Mum told me how she looks forward to the volunteer’s visit each week. This mum’s world is full on. She has 2 young children one of whom is autistic. Her volunteer helps her by playing with the children so she has time to catch up on jobs. She says her volunteer steps into her world by understanding the joys and the difficulties and not judging like so many others do.

We take training and supporting our volunteers very seriously at HSR. I have 1:1 meetings with each volunteer about every 6 weeks but they know I am at the end of the phone if needed. These sessions are an opportunity for the volunteer to tell me how they feel things are going, for us to think about other ways we may be able to support the family and to share any concerns.

Preparing our volunteers for supporting a family is vital to us. Once or twice a year my weeks are taken over by running our Preparation Course for all new volunteers. I love running the course. The course is the chance to understand Home-Start, the families we support and the role of the volunteer . It is the chance to explore Home-Start in depth and for the volunteer to decide if it is right for them.

So at the end of my day when I flop down with a welcome cuppa, what do I think? I think that if the team at HSR has, in some small way, made the life of a family in Richmondshire a bit easier, then it has been a good day!

P.S I will be running a Preparation Course early in the New Year – so if you are a parent or a grandparent, why not make it your New Year’s resolution – to help a Richmondshire family through a difficult time. Please ring Kerry or Maria on 01748 850079 or email Kerry: Kerry@homestartrichmondshire.org.uk.

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FROM THE REGISTERS We have baptised 19th October 2014 9th November 2014

16th November 2014

Willow Barker-Bowman Michael Bagley Claire Bagley Emma Nelson Rowan Woodhouse Maximillian Ridley Amelia Ridley Rafe Dixon

Sadly we have laid to rest

10th October 2014 George (Keith) Balls Aged 86 26th October 2014 Alan Young Aged 82 3rd November 2014 Joan Kassell Aged 94 May they rest in peace and rise in glory

AFTER THE CARDS AND VISITORS Bereavement is a very difficult time for the spouse/partners left behind. Starting again on their own is even more difficult.

Carrie and Anne would like to help with the next step by meeting recently bereaved spouses/partners for coffee at Greyfriars on the first Tuesday of the month at 10.30am. Contact Carrie on 850103 for further information.

KNIT2GETHER - FRIDAYS BETWEEN 10 AND 12 AT GREYFRIARS RESTAURANT - A weekly Knitting, Crocheting and Hand Sewing group continues to meet in The Restaurant @ Greyfriars, Flints Terrace, Richmond between 10:00 - 12:00. All will be made very welcome. Bring your own projects and enjoy Coffee and a chat whilst making new friends. Please see Claire Murray.

ST MARY’S PARISH CHURCH PASTORAL CARE TRANSPORT ASSISTANCE

Transport to and from Church (C), Hospital (H), Shopping (S)

Ruth Brown Michael and Margaret Clayson John Dickinson Joy and Don Hornsby Graham Merlane Rosemary Oliver Edna Roberts Eileen Simms Anne Simpson Pamela Wheatley Linda Drury

26 Whitefields Drive

CHS

825270

35 Springfield, Skeeby 5 West End Avenue

CH CH

822631 826803

2 Olliver Road 1 Gallowfields Road 3 Stanley Grove 70 Ronaldshay Drive 56 Ronaldshay Drive 56 Gilling Road 32 Whitefields Drive 25 Darlington Road

CH CHS C C HS CHS CH H

826490 826109 823081 822970 821511 822277 822428 850243

More drivers are always welcome and much appreciated so if you wish to volunteer for this very important service, contact this magazine on 826895.

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From Our Curate

December 2014

Is Christmas hidden to many people, people who go through the motions, but fail to recognise the Christ Child?

We see in part, but part is hidden from us. I suppose that will always be for many of us but we are reminded that in the end all shall become clear.

At Christmas we have choices, choices of how much to spend, choices of who to send cards too and so the list goes on, but the real choice is between the Mystery and the absurd.

If we embrace the Mystery we have the opportunity to discover what is real. When we discover the Mystery of Christ we begin a walk into the light and we follow the star which points us to Jesus. We catch his sight from time to time and begin to discover that Jesus is real.

He is with us on our discovery. The ray of light is not futile but significant as it’s message is expressed in Jesus, God Emanuel.

When we look into the light Jesus begins to appear and we are able to see some sense in the darkness that so often surrounds us, our eyes begin to pick out the significance of the child, the presence of the one who gives meaning and purpose to life.

If we are to discover Christ we must fix our eyes on him. If we do not, then our celebration will be an empty celebration, because the whole point of our Christmas celebration is to remember that God became man. In this light we recognise the good news by which we must live and we must share that good news with others. The good news of Christ is the very centre of our lives as Christians and Christmas is the beginning of that recognition.

As Christians in this community we must always be proud of our faith and not be afraid to profess it, but at the same time we must walk with those of other understandings and other faiths, respecting them and them respecting us. If this is to be possible we must always be true to ourselves, so let us start our preparation for Christmas by making Christmas special and celebrating Christ’s birth knowing that in the Mystery of Christ, God is with us.

On behalf of Reverend John and his family, myself and my family, may I wish you all a very happy Christmas and may the new year be enriched with the love of God who brings his light to all people.

Every Blessing, Rev’ Antony.

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PRAYER DIARY FOR DECEMBER 2014 - we pray …...

MON

1

TUE WED

2 3

THUR

4

FRI

5

SAT

6

SUN MON

7 8

TUE

9

WED THUR

10 11

FRI

12

SAT

13

SUN MON

14 15

TUE

16

WED

17

THUR

18

FRI SAT

19 20

SUN MON

21 22

TUE

23

WED

24

THUR

25

FRI

26

SAT SUN MON TUE

27 28 29 30

WED

31

We pray for all who mourn loved ones. We pray for all who attend the “After the cards” group - for friendship and support.

We pray with hope for the world at this Advent time.

For the Christians Together in Richmond . For our Mayor, local councillors, for our MP and MEPs, and for integrity and wisdom for all involved in politics.

With thanks for all God’s blessings. For vets and veterinary staff.

For all who look after our animals when they are poorly.

For people caught up in conflict throughout the world. For medics who minister and Aid Agencies who assist.

For all who support the Storehouse held at Influence church. Bless all who organise the foodbank and all who need its services.

For friends and family living near and far away.

For our Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales. For our Bishops Nick and James, and all overseeing change. For the Archbishops of York and Canterbury, their work and their families For people who work unsociable hours. We pray for people who are in prison and all their families and victims of their crime.

For our armed forces here and abroad, and their family and friends For our Rector John, curate Antony, for Rev’d Mark Beresford-Peirse and Rev’d Jennifer Williamson and their families.

For farmers. For all who come to our churches for funerals, baptisms and weddings.

For our Readers Joy, Joan and Scott, and warden Rev’d Jennifer Williamson For the love and friendship, for HomeStart and Samaritan’s Purse.

For all who provide emergency service relief. For families coping with the increasing financial demands For Traidcraft and the Fairtrade movement. For Swale Womens Institute. For friendships and love.

For all who suffer religious persecution, including those in Syria, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia.

For all our congregations at St Mary’s Richmond, St Michael and All Angels in Hudsell and Downholme and St Edmund’s Marske.

For all who feel dissatisfied with life. May they feel fulfilled.

For our Royal Family we give thanks. For the Bible Society, HomeStart Richmond and all who volunteer and give of their time.

For the schools in our town. For the Girlguiding and Scouts.

With thanks for all who use their talents for worship, amongst them musicians, florists, choir, listeners, cleaners, the unseen workers.

For Mothers throughout the world, and for those who are mothers and family to us. For the Mothers Union.

For all who are sick in body, mind or spirit, and for all who look after them whether as medical staff or family, friends and carers.

We give praise and thanks for the birth of Jesus, and for his life, death and resurrection. We pray for those who find today hard.

For rest, relaxation and space to refuel. For those working at ths time, a sense of being appreciated.

That we may always love God and love our neighbours as ourselves.

For all who are lonely, sad or depressed - encouragement and love.

For space and time to listen to God We pray for the world, we thank God for the beauty and wonder of creation. We pray that we may always nurture it.

We give thanks for the year now past and pray for the year ahead with hope and love.

WHAT’S ON IN DECEMBER 2014 WEDNESDAY 3RD DECEMBER - RICHMOND FLOWER CLUB IN HUDSWELL VILLAGE HALL - 10.15AM Enquiries to Judy Farrar on 01748 824514 FRIDAYS BETWEEN 10 AND 12 - KNIT2GETHER AT GREYFRIARS RESTAURANT - A weekly Knitting, Crocheting and Hand Sewing group continues to meet in The Restaurant @ Greyfriars, Flints Terrace, Richmond between 10:00 - 12:00. All will be made very welcome. Bring your own projects and enjoy Coffee and a chat whilst making new friends. Please see Claire Murray.

FRIDAY 5TH DECEMBER RICHMOND C OF E PRIMARY CHRISTMAS FAIR - 3PM til 4.30PM. Everyone welcome.

SATURDAY 6TH DECEMBER - CHURCH CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING AT THE TOWN HALL - Come along and join the happy atmosphere, good coffee and good stalls. Help would be appreciated - if you have Tombola Prizes please give them to John Harland, Cakes and Raffle to Janet Morel, Bric a Brac and Christmas Crafts to Claire Murray and Jams, Jellies and Jewellery, handbags and scarves to Susan Scrafton.

SUNDAY 7TH DECEMBER - FREE TO BE AT ST MARY’S CHURCH RICHMOND - 7PM (Please see page 14) THURSDAY 11TH DECEMBER - GILLING WEST AND DISTRICT GARDENING SOCIETY - 7.30PM Christmas Supper Bag your seat for our fabulous Christmas Supper for members and their partners - scrumptious food (with a few tweaks to the usual menu), drink and a new-style quiz, all for just £10 a head members, friends £12. If you haven’t yet booked your place, call Susan Wallis now on 01748 518575.

THURSDAY 11TH DECEMBER - HUDSWELL GARDENING CLUB Christmas Meal - Details to be arranged FRIDAY 12TH DECEMBER—DEANERY MOTHER’S UNION ADVENT SERVICE AT 11.30AM AT ST ANNE’S CATTERICK TUESDAY 16TH DECEMBER—MOTHERS’ UNION ADVENT EUCHARIST AT HOLY TRINITY AT 2PM, followed by tea and mince pies at the Kings Head Hotel.

THE CRIB SERVICE CHRISTMAS EVE AT 4PM. This highly popular service is a highlight of the year, and many of the children attend dressed as a character in the nativity story. As the Christmas story is told through singing carols, everyone is invited to gradually form a wonderful tableau. (We have plenty of costumes you can borrow on the day, and if you do not wish to dress up that is great too!)

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RICHMOND CHASE THE PUD On behalf of the British Heart Foundation William Gedye and Maureen Gibbon invite you to come and join them at the BHF Santa Mile on Saturday 6th December 2014.

This is a perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit and raise life-saving funds to keep vulnerable hearts beating.

Registration opens at 9am at the Swimming Pool followed by a Children’s Fancy Dress Competition. At 10.30am a warm up, then ready for the fun. The first mile, toddle, walk or run to catch the “Christmas Pud” or take part in a 3 or 6 mile new route via Easby Abbey.

Personalised love notes are provided to attach to your Santa Suit. Everyone taking part in the event will receive discount vouchers for local businesses and there will be free parking throughout the town on the day!

If you can get sponsored for the event even better!

Come along enjoy the atmosphere, have a coffee and a free mince pie.

Thank you to our partner Richmondshire Leisure Trust who has made this event possible. You can now book at the Swimming Pool. Thanks also to sponsors Newroc, Seaton Springs and SG Petch.

For more information to register go to bhf-org-uk/chasetthepud call 03003303322 or email frsupport@bhf.org.uk

A very big thank you to everyone who supported the two coffee days for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The wonderful amount of £1080 was raised.

I could not do this without the support of you all. It is very much appreciated.

Love Olive

Richmondshire Landscape Trust Presents: Christmas Craft Fair, Richmond Town Hall Sunday 14th December 10am to 4pm Local Art and Craft Stalls, with coffee, cakes, and music from Susanna Pell and Jacob Herringman richmondshire.landscapetrust@gmail.com 8

PLYGAIN or COCK-CROW CAROLS Never heard of them ? Nor had I until reading a December article in my Bible Reading Fellowship notes a year or two ago. They are lullaby carols which are sung in the early hours of Christmas morning. The author of the particular fortnight’s commentary gave us some lovely examples which reflected passages from the nativity chapters of Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels.

Ann Griffiths, a Welsh poet and hymn writer born 1776 died in childbirth at the age of 29, never having written down any of her work.

But her verses were learned and passed on, and later translated.

Wonder, wonder, for the angels, Wonderful to eyes of faith, To see the giver of existence, Gracious sustainer and ruler of all.

Wrapped in cloths and in a manger, Without a place to lay his head, And yet around, the host of glory, Come to worship at his birth.

The comments which follow then remind us of the link between heaven and earth which is at the heart of Christmas, and the contributor gives us another Plygain or Cock-crow Carol by the same author : O to have faith To explore with the angels The plan of salvation The mystery within it two natures, one God, Purity without confusion Perfect through and through.

The Bible Reading Fellowship is a wonderful source of teaching, of enlightening, of reflecting. There are different levels of depth for readers young and old. There are numerous different contributors coming from Universities, Monasteries, and Parishes. As well as a form of discipline, using these notes opens the mind and warms the heart.

Joy Hornsby

Richmondshire Choral Society Christmas Concert Saturday 20 December, 7.30pm St Mary's Church, Richmond Vaughan Williams – Fantasia on Christmas Carols, Britten – A Ceremony of Carols, Rutter – Requiem Catrin Woodruff (soprano), Musicians from Cleveland Chamber Orchestra, Conductor Su McCormack Tickets £10, u19 free, no ticket needed Buy online at richmondshirechoralsociety.org.uk or from Castle Hill Books or choir members.

9 Available by post from 01325 374112 or see form on flyers

The Beacon, Catterick Garrison, Homestart, Richmond and The Station Singers present A Christmas Concert by Candlelight Saturday 13th December at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Richmond.

Doors open 7pm Come and join us for a great evening of Song led by all the community choirs of the Station Singers Tickets in advance@ £8 Tickets on the door @ £10 Children free but by ticket only Tickets available from the Wives Kitchen, Castle Hill Bookshop, Richmond TIC, Homestart at the Volunteer Centre, 6 Flints Terrace, Richmond Market Place on Sat 6th December and St Mary’s Church All in the month of DECEMBER 10 years ago:- on 26th Dec 2004 that the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami (also called the Boxing Day Tsunami) occurred. A massive undersea earthquake near Sumatra caused a devastating tsunami that swamped coastal areas in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Africa. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, and killed more than 230,000 people in 14 countries.

100 years ago:- on 24th-25th Dec 1914 that the WW1 Christmas Truce took place.

British and German troops observed an unofficial ceasefire at several points along the Western Front, singing songs and exchanging greetings from their trenches and even crossing into ‘no man’s land’ to exchange food and souvenirs and play football.

800 years ago:- on 4th Dec 1214 that William I (William the Lion) King of Scotland, died. 800 years on, following the recent vote, the UK continues to share a Queen.

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The Deanery MU Advent service will be hosted by St. Anne’s Catterick on Friday the 12th Dec at 11-30 am and will be followed by soup. This is open to all . Any one needing transport please speak to Margaret Clayson.

Our Mothers Union Advent Eucharist will be held in Holy Trinity on Tuesday 16th December at 2pm followed by tea and mince pies in the King’s Head.

Every one is most welcome to join with us.

Our October meeting was held in the Methodist hall and we welcomed MU members from Bedale and Catterick as well as members from the Womens Fellowship the Methodist Tuesday FelLowship and visItors including men who had heard about our Speaker Susan Degnan Manager of Family Help the Womens Refuge in Darlington spoke passionately and very movingly of her work.

She explained there were many forms of " Domestic Abuse" both physical and mental, it comes down to power and control of one person over another .

The victim either female or male is worn down and can take years of constant put downs, scorn, and violence both physical and sexual before plucking up the courage to seek help, many are killed in what should be the safest place their home.

Susan was most grateful for the toiletries we had collected reminding us again that when they come to the refuge they have only the clothes they are wearing often taken by the police through the night in just their night clothes and of course the children go also.

Susan also pointed out the increase in abuse via social media and mobile phones Domestic Abuse includes all kinds of behavior that hurts or frightens you It can happen to anyone of any age, social background, faith or sexuality Everyone has the right to live without fear of abuse / violence We took a collection for the refuge which amounted to £100 which Susan asked if she could put towards tickets so she could take the children living at the refuge to the Pantomime.

If you or anyone you know needs any kind of help or advice please make contact for confidential non - judgemental advice to Family Help Darlington & Districts Women`s Refuge and Outreach Services Telephone 01325 364486 Email familyhelp@btconnect.com www.darlingtonrefuge.org.uk Family Help offers refuge accomodation 24 hour service,outreach and aftercare support, emotional and practical support confidential helpline , options and information.

On a lighter note we finished with tea and11cake as we celebrated Jean Simmons

It’s been another busy half term at school with so much to fit in while we still have relatively good weather.

This is the time of year when children take part in our two residential visits. The Y4 children have three days at the centre at Marrick and take part in no end of adventurous activities including archery, beck scrambling and the famous night walk! The Y6 children have a full week at East Barnby where they also get a chance to try new things. Sometimes they are new for staff too! Mr McCulloch braved his demons to have a go at surf-boarding.

This year we have become a Heritage School which means that we are building up sustainable projects to help the children to learn about the history of the local area. A number of events will be taking place across the school under this umbrella and the Y5/6 children started this half term with a workshop on ragrugging and felting. They have made a beautiful display of the felting in the meeting room and their Richmond town rag-rug is a great work in progress!

The whole school took part in a charity event in mid-October when we worked with members of the Richmond Rotary club to plant crocus bulbs around the trees at the school entrance. Children had donated money which then goes to the Rotary’s campaign to eradicate polio around the world. Everyone planted a bulb and we are looking forward to spring when we will have a purple carpet of flowers.

Our youngest children in school, in Foundation Stage 1 (Nursery) and Foundation Stage 2 (Reception) had a fun day when they held their first “Learn with me” day and invited parents in to school to learn through play with them. The children enjoyed showing off what they could do and parents always love to see what the children get up to at school!

The half term finished with our first “super team” afternoon. Every child in school is part of a mixed age super team with their siblings. They collect points each week for good work, excellent and polite behaviour and then once a half term they all get together to have a fun afternoon on a project. This half term children are creating ideas for a heritage mural which will be put up in school later in the year.

For a number of years a group of staff and governors have met each term to help plan school’s collective worship. This year we have decided to widen the remit of this group to focus on all our aspects as a church school and we also have some new members. It’s a good opportunity to reflect on what we have done so far and where we see ourselves going next.

So with all these things going on plus the day-to-day lessons, after school clubs etc you can see how busy we have been. So we broke up at the end of October for half term, with everyone ready for a rest and gathering energy for all the fun to come as we work towards the very exciting time of advent and Christmas!

With good wishes to everyone, from all the children, staff and governors at Richmond Church of England Primary School.

Alexa Barber

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ON GIVING THE AFTER DINNER SPEECH The Rectory St. James the Least My dear Nephew Darren I had been slightly surprised that in your ministry so far, you have never been asked to give an after-dinner speech. Now you have delivered your first one, I can understand why. Speeches after any dinner come at the point where stomachs are dealing with a little too much food and brains with about the same quantity of wine.

They should be short and witty; sadly, yours was neither.

An hour-long speech on the Herodians and Second Temple Judaism at the time of the birth of Christ was not quite what we had expected. Of course, I applauded your enthusiasm, but I was the only one; the rest of them were asleep. Long after you had left, the catering staff gently vacuumed the carpets around the audience and it was only when the night security guard arrived that the last diners were woken and politely sent home. I suspect you will have put many marriages under strain as husbands, returning home in the early hours of the morning, had to explain to wives why they were so late. Their truthful answers would have been unbelievable.

When the head waiter appeared in a dressing gown and started placing chairs on tables, even you must have suspected that hints were being dropped and I have never heard of a hotel manager interrupting a speech to place his keys on the top table and asking if the last person to leave would kindly lock the main door.

I know that your clerical attire is more usually T-shirt and jeans, but borrowing the curate’s dinner suit from your next-door parish was also not a good idea. He is a foot taller and several stones heavier than you. The result was quite worrying – several people wondered if you had just recovered from some dreadful disease that had made you shrink.

In the light of your qualified success, thank you for offering to come to repeat your speech after our annual Christmas dinner, but no thank you. The verger’s son wants to share with us how many potholes he has counted in and around the town, and that should be most interesting.

Your loving uncle, Eustace

Easyfundraising.org.uk is an easy way to raise money for St Mary's Disability Access Toilet Fund. Shop with any of over 2,700 retailers and a percentage of what you spend is donated to the fund at no additional cost to you. Retailers include Amazon, John Lewis, eBay, Tesco and many more. Please register to support us today -http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ 13

You are warmly invited to Free to Be at St Mary's on December 7th 2014.

Free to Be is an ‘after hours’ contemplative worship event that gives us the space to think, pray, awaken our senses and simply be with God in the candlelit, inspiring space of St Mary's after dark. There will be a simple Eucharist during the evening which everyone is welcome to join. Doors open at 7.00pm and the event ends at 8:30pm, as the event is 'free flow' you are welcome to join and leave at any point. The Eucharist will be at 7:45pm. Entry is, of course, free.

Keep Hope Alive for Palestinian Christians Once again this year I have olive wood articles made by Christian families in Bethlehem for sale. They will be at church after the 10am services, or contact me.

Liz and Denys de la Hoyde, from Harrogate, have a Christian friend in Bethlehem, Ibrahim, who sends the goods over, and then distributes the money raised here to the local families in time for Christmas.

Life for Palestinians in Bethlehem and throughout East Jerusalem and the West Bank is very difficult under the Israeli occupation, especially since the construction of the Separation Wall. Many have lost their olive groves, or are separated from them.

Liz and Denys go over every year, and see the difficulties for themselves. They ask us to continue to pray for justice and peace for both Palestinians and Israelis, whose present and future are inextricably bound together.

Joan Plowman

Fair Trade The Traidcraft stall will be in church on 1st and 3rd Sundays as usual after the holiday season, and I will have some different things as Christmas approaches. Do take a catalogue to browse through; anything you order through me will be post-free!

Joan Plowman

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Send Christmas greetings and help Christian Aid In previous years we have raised money at Christmas for Christian Aid by asking if members of our congregation would like to greet their friends at church by displaying one Christmas card at the back of church. Donations in lieu of saved cards and postage is then sent to Christian Aid. We would like to do this again and this Christmas your donation is twice as important. The UK Government will match every donation you make between 7 November and 6 February 2015.

Donations can be given to Graham Merlane, Judith Barber or Anne Simpson.

FUN-KEY CHURCH @ ST MARY’S RICHMOND We do not meet in December but return on Sun 25th January. Gathering for refreshments from 3.40pm, made by Mothers Union, the service will begin at 4pm. This service is very relaxed and informal, with words, songs, hymns, stories, crafts, prayers and refreshments available throughout.

See blogs for more images and info http:// funkeychurchatstmarysrichmond.wordpress.com/ , find us on Facebook or tweet @fun_keychurch.

Gillian 07592016476/826895 Helpers are always welcome, and as Fun-Key Church is for all ages and not just for children, if you are perhaps concerned that you might “not be good with children” then fear not, there are many more adults than children!

Hutchinson Richmond and Gilling Trust Did you know that if you live in: Richmond, Gilling West, Eppleby, Eryholme, South Cowton, North Cowton, West Layton, Hutton Magna, Cliffe, or Barton, you may be eligible for a small grant towards:Educational courses, Necessary medical equipment Household appliances, And many other expenses.

For further information, please contact either Mrs C Wiper Gentry (Clerk to the Trusts) 3 Smithson Close, Moulton, Richmond DL10 6QP, or the Rector.

STOREHOUSE Thank you to all who support the Storehouse Foodbank with donations left in the large box at the back of church. Your contributions of in date food are much appreciated.

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Love So Amazing: 40 Reflections on my favourite hymns

By Pam Rhodes, £9.99 BBC Songs of Praise presenter Pam Rhodes is well known for her love of great hymns. Love So Amazing is a collection of 40 recordings of her favourites. Compiled from a variety of artists and choirs, it reflects traditional arrangements of the timeless classics and will be recognised by people from all generations and walks of life.

“Hymns are prayers in our pockets, a spiritual first aid kit that has its home amongst our memories,” says Pam. “Hymns speak to us and for us, heart to heart, soul to soul, connecting us in fellow feeling to the writer, whoever they were, and whenever they wrote.” As a companion to the album, Pam Rhodes has written a meditation for each of the 40 hymns featured, reflecting on the stories behind them and their meaning. These are published in a book entitled Love So Amazing: 40 Reflections on my favourite hymns.

Angel Small by Karen Langtree and Gill McLean (£5.99 with £1 donation to either St Mary’s Church or Richmond C of E Primary depending on where bought).

Available in church, on line or at school from Gill McLean A beautifully told and illustrated book (perfect gift) - “There’s a buzz of excitement in heaven. It’s Christmas Eve. ...One little angel wants to join the Good News Party but they say he’s too small” www.monkeyislandpublishing.com THE WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY GROUP MEET AT THE LUNN’S AT 2 HURGILL ROAD @ 7.30pm. Currently looking at 1 Peter to

be followed by 2 Peter. Everybody welcome to join us for cake, chat and discussion. Please call Scott on 826895 if you wish to know more.

THE THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY GROUP AT JENNIFER PATRICK’S AT 1 ROPER COURT @ 7.30pm - This is

another very friendly group. We are studying Acts, with a commentary by Tom Wright .Please call Jennifer on 850693 for more information.

Date and Time

Community Group Services or concerts at St Mary’s Church.

Wed 10th at 7pm

The Mayor’s Carol Concert

Sat 13th at 7.30pm

The Station Singers Carols

Wed 17th at 7pm

The Lodge Carol Service

Thurs 18th at 10am

Richmond C of E Primary Carol Service

At 6pm Fri 19th at 7pm

Richmond School Carol Service The Company of Mercers, Grocers, and Haberdashers, and Fellmongers Carol Service

Sat 20th at 7.30pm

Richmond Choral Society Concert

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ST MARY’S RICHMOND Sunday 7th December Advent 2

8am 10am 7pm

HOLY COMMUNION (BCP) SUNG EUCHARIST FREE TO BE

Sunday 14th December Advent 3

8am 10am 6.30pm

HOLY COMMUNION (BCP) SUNG EUCHARIST ADVENT EVENSONG

Sunday 21 December Advent 4

8am 10am 6.30pm

HOLY COMMUNION (BCP) SUNG EUCHARIST NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS

Christmas Eve

4pm 11.30pm

THE CRIB SERVICE SUNG EUCHARIST

Christmas Day

8am 10am

HOLY COMMUNION (BCP) SUNG EUCHARIST

Sunday 28th December

8am 10am

HOLY COMMUNION (BCP) SUNG EUCHARIST

EVERY WEDNESDAY

9.00am

HOLY COMMUNION

HOLY TRINITY EVERY THURSDAY

10.30am

HOLY COMMUNION

ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS HUDSWELL ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS DOWNHOLME Sunday 7th December

9.30am

HOLY COMMUNION

Sunday 21st December

3pm

LESSON AND CAROLS

Christmas Eve

11.30pm

HOLY COMMUNION

ST EDMUND’S MARSKE Sunday 7th December

11am

HOLY COMMUNION

Sunday 14th December

2.30pm

LESSONS AND CAROLS

Sunday 21st December

11am

HOLY COMMUNION

Christmas Day

11am

HOLY COMMUNION

Sunday 28th December

11am

HOLY COMMUNION

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St Mary's SIDES PEOPLE 10.00 am 7TH DECEMBER C&J BILBROUGH, F&M GIBBON 14TH DECEMBER J&R MOREL, P WHEATLEY, L COPELAND 21ST DECEMBER J&A ROBERTS, D&J WADE 28TH DECEMBER G&M MERLANE, A MCDONALD, A GUY

ACOLYTES D A B C

FLOWERS 7TH DECEMBER 14TH DECEMBER 21ST DECEMBER 28TH DECEMBER

ADVENT ADVENT ADVENT A MCDONALD

COFFEE ROTA 7TH DECEMBER 14TH DECEMBER 21ST DECEMBER

C BLENKIRON, M GIBBON, R MACAULAY J STEELE, B RIDLEY, E CHAMBERS E ROBERTS, O HARRISON

28TH DECEMBER

L COPELAND, J SMITH, P CROFT, J EMMERSON

200 club winner MR PHIL COOK

Big Christmas Clean It is time to clean up for the Christmas season at church .

There will be a working party on Saturday December 13th from 9.30am to approx.

12 noon.

Please come and lend a hand.

Bring your own dusters.

Usual refreshments available.

The deadline for the JAN 2015 issue is 3RD DECEMBER 2014.

Please forward any contributions to Gillian by hand or gillian.lunn@yahoo.com 18