Christmas at St Nicholas

The church was beautifully decorated for Christmas with red and green floral displays, candlelit windowsills and brass candelabras and a beautiful Christmas Tree.  As usual the church offered a rich variety of services, from the traditional Lessons & Carols, to the informal Children's Crib service and the quiet Midnight Communion. 

 

 

 

Many local families came along to the Christmas Eve Children's service which Andy Bell led, telling the Nativity story with the help of his puppets.  Lots of children dressed up and were able to take part, helping with the puppets including a camel sporting a black leather jacket!  The atmosphere was warm and friendly and many stayed behind for a welcome drink and cake. 

 

 

 

Lessons & Carols

4pm December 22nd

St Nicholas

This traditional service is based on The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, first held at Kings College, Cambridge on Christmas Eve 1918.  It is a service of Christian worship celebrating the birth of Jesus that is traditionally followed at Christmas.  The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and choir music.

Christingle 8th December 2013

 

The church was beautifully lit and decorated for the annual Christingle Service. It was full of children who each received a Christingle to remind us of the gifts God has given us, an orange (the earth), with 4 sticks of sweets (the seasons and fruit of the earth), a red ribbon (the sacrifice of Jesus for the world) and a candle (Jesus the light of the world).   The trainee vicar Max reminded us that we are the crumpled up bit of silver foil whose job it is, is to reflect that light in to the world around us.   The children held their candles very carefully while anxious mums stayed close to ensure nobody singed their hair! Then they all blew them out in unison and tucked in to their sweets.  It was a beautiful and sweet service that has become a lovely Christmas tradition.  A collection was taken for the Children's Society.  Many thanks to all.

The Coming of God

Meditations for Advent using scripture, music, poetry and art led by Ann Persson

8-9pm  at St Mary's, Long Crendon

 

5th December - The Promise

12th December - The Fulfilment

Toy Service

Christingle

 

Crib Service

 

3pm Christmas Eve

St Nicholas Church

Christmas is very much a festival for children and this informal service is arranged especially with them in mind.  Andy Bell will be leading the service with the help of some of his puppets!  Come along to sing some songs, and help to recreate the lovely Nativity story.  Everyone is welcome, whether you're a child or just young at heart!  If you would like to come in costume there will be an opportunity to take part in the Nativity Tableau and have a photo taken. 

Rock Choc Church

Next sunday, November 17th at 6pm in the evening, St Nicholas will be opening its doors especially for our young people in year 5 and above.  There will be loud music, mugs of hot chocolate, chat, debates, cake, fun and laughter and the chance to ask John the vicar anything you like.   Parents are welcome to stay and share a glass of mulled wine or tea/coffee at the back of the church.  Please come along and bring a friend to what is hoped will be the first of many Rock Choc Church sessions.

Family Communion

This Sunday in Junior Church, the younger children will be looking at the story of Zacchaeus who climbed a tree to get a good view of Jesus.  In Rock Solid, the older children will be taking part in a quiz where they can earn biscuits and icing and see which team can construct the tallest tower.  As usual, the children will start off in the main church and then go out to their individual groups, re-joining the service for communion later on.

Jock Scholefield

 

 

It is with great sadness that the Chearsley community heard of the death of Jock Scholefield who passed away on the afternoon of Friday 4^th October, very peacefully at home with his wife Mary. Mary and Jock have been Chearsley residents for 22 years and celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary last year.  Jock had a great love for music and photography and was a Senior Lecturer at the City University Business School.

Jock’s funeral will take place at 11am on Tuesday 15^th October in St Nicholas, Chearsley. All are welcome to attend.

 

 

 

Morning Celebration

 

There is a Morning Celebration service this Sunday at 10am.  As usual it will be informal and lively.  This month we will have a little quiz and then a drama which all the children can join in with.  Afterwards, please stay for coffee/tea/squash and Angela’s flapjacks!

Memorial Service

St Nicholas Church

Sunday November 3rd at 3pm

At this time of year in particular, we remember those who shared our lives in times past, whose passing has left an emptiness and often an ache in our heart.

This letter is an invitation for you to come to a service being held at St. Nicholas Church, on Sunday November 3^rd at 3.00pm.

It is a service of quiet reflection, of prayers and readings, music and a short talk. There will be an opportunity to light a candle as an act of remembrance and tea will be served at the end.

We bring into the presence of God all our different thoughts and feelings from sharing in the life and death of a loved one. Looking back often evokes sadness but also thankfulness as we also remember times of happiness and enjoyment.

Everyone is welcome and I invite you to bring with you other members of your family or friends.

May God give you His comfort and peace.

John

John Wynburne      

Vicar

 

(01844) 201424 

07860664214

The Parable of the Talents

Harvest Festival

Bells Update

Meadowsong raised £2450 for the Bells Project.  Many thanks to all those who helped and all those who came along to support it.

This brings us to a current total of around £24,000.

This does not include money Libby has been raising by making peg bags and Catherine has been making selling homemade cakes and lemonade.  Keep it up folks!

Morning Celebration

 

 

There is a Morning Celebration this Sunday at 10am in church.  As usual the service will be informal and modern.  This month we are focusing on the story of the Wise and Foolish builders  and we will be showing the lego version as a video clip.  The little children can use musical instruments and blue scarves to act out the rain and rising waves and there will be a chance for some children to come up the front and help with a sand and rock activity!  Finally we have a quiz for the adults and older children.

Meadowsong

Helpers Needed

Helpers and leaders are needed for a new after school Church club starting in Cuddington in January on Thursdays at 3.15.  If you would like more information or can help, please contact Sonia.storey1@btinternet.com or ring 01844 291883.

Shack Attack Photos

Follow this link to find out how Shack Attack went.

Shack Attack - Update

Well Shack Attack is nearly here and the weather is looking very promising!  Please come along to the fields of Long Meadow house in Dark Lane any time after 3pm on Saturday.  Build a shack and sleep in it overnight or just come along to enjoy the merriment, BBQ and bonfire. 

Shacks
Please bring along any scavenged materials you can find at home, tarpaulins, old doors, ropes, pipes etc.  Then attempt to build a shelter to sleep in overnight.  You are welcome to pitch a tent for backup or for the softies in your party!  Please take all materials home with you the next day.

Timetable
Saturday
3pm                All kicks off, start building your shacks and pitching tents
4pm                Unfair Funfair opens
5-8pm             BBQ available, sausages in rolls, jacket potatoes with cheese and beans, salad, cakes
6pm - late       Bonfire (bring some marshmallows)
Sunday
8am                Shack judging. Will yours be the most luxurious, most waterproof or most inventive?
10am              Morning Celebration informal service at St Nicholas
12 noon          Picnic Lunch back at the campsite (bring and share)

Unfair Funfair
Come along and try out our Unfair Funfair including a Blind Hoola Hoop, Tin Can Alley and Origami Challenge.  All activities are designed to raise awareness of unfair practices around the world that are contributing to world poverty.  There will also be a team water challenge involving buckets and drainpipes.  Expect to get wet!

Wanted
If you can bake some small cakes for the cake stall or bring along a salad, please let Sharon@cloverdale.biz know.  All the other BBQ food will be available to buy at cost price.

Small Print
Adults are responsible for their children at all times, especially around the bonfire.  Please take home any shack materials and rubbish.

Cars
If you would like to bring materials down by car, please can you park in the corner near the gate and not drive further in to the field.  We do not want any free range children run over and your car will be in danger of getting stuck in a rut.  Thank you.

Shack Attack

or "Chearsley Camp" with a difference!
 

Where: Long Meadow

When: 8th/9th June from 3pm

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a shanty town?  With no water, heating, toilet or washing facilities? 

Would you like to try, for 1 night and help raise awareness for those living in poverty?  Well read on.......

We challenge you to build a shack out of scavenged materials like tarpaulins, cardboard, ropes and pipes and then sleep in it for 1 night. 

In the morning, if it is still standing, we will test it with water pistols. Then there will be prizes for the most comfortable shack, the most inventive, the smartest etc.

There will be BBQ food available and a bonfire to sit around in the evening and toast marshmallows.  You are welcome to bring a tent just in case your shack does not survive the night.  Spectators are more than welcome to come and join in the BBQ and bonfire.

NOTE: we have decided not to make this a fund raising event after all as there are so many fund-raisers going on this summer. Instead we will concentrate on raising awareness and having fun!

For more information contact sharon@cloverdale.biz or ring 208740
or watch this video about H4H and their work and this video about a previous Shack Attack.

This Sunday

At 10am we have a Morning Celebration service, an all-age informal and modern service.  This month we are looking at the Parable of the Good Samaritan and have a drama, video clips, gift bags and of course biscuits.

At 6pm we have a Traditional Sung Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer with sung responses, psalms, Nunc Dimittis and Magnificat . Our very own Jeremy Pratt will be playing the organ with music from the Parish Psalter.

Toddlers - Farm Visit

The Chearsley toddler group had a visit to a local farm on 19th April.  We were lucky enough to see twins being born, bottle feed some tiny lambs, cuddle some Collie puppies, climb on straw bales and have a ride in a tractor trailer.  Many thanks to Caroline & Rob Mole for inviting us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 If you would like to come along to Chearsley Toddlers, contact Sharon (above) on 208740 or sharon @cloverdale.biz

 

Auction 18th May

Rob Atkinson

Sue and Emily Atkinson would like to thank everyone for their support and kind wishes following Rob’s death.

 

"We were touched by the number of friends and colleagues (present and former) who made the journey to celebrate his life.

We would also like to thank everyone who donated to the chosen charities.

Over £300 was raised for Cancer Research UK and £400 was forwarded to Dogs Trust."