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Bullseye News from the Parish of Hornchurch
December 2014
D ec e mb e r
2014
Take a copy for a friend
St Matthew's Churches
&
St George's
St Andrew's
News from the Parish of Hornchurch
CHRISTMAS
there is so much pressure on parents
today - mainly because of advertising
- to buy the latest gadget or designer
toy.
Cute nativity scenes are very popular,
with a baby in a manger,
shepherds and kings. We might think
that we have finally got to the
meaning of Christmas, but many
people consider that Christmas is just
a time for children. That is to miss the
point because that baby grew into a
man who suffered, died and rose
Have you started writing your
again for our redemption.
Christmas cards yet? Have you
Last of all we have cards with a
bought them? These days they are in
message of peace on earth or Jesus is
some shops before August is over!
the heart of Christmas. Jesus came to
There are so many to choose from and
earth that first Christmas to bring a
Christmas cards can tell us a lot about
message of hope to a world that
how different people view Christmas.
needed it and that still needs it today.
First of all there are cards with snowy
Christmas can be a very busy time but,
scenes, or robins. Christmas
as we send and receive our cards this
can be a picturesque time of the year
year, let us pause for just a moment
and these remind us of the beauty of
to remember the real
the world that God has created, but
meaning of
there is more to Christmas than that.
Christmas.
Then we have ones with pictures of
food and drink. Some people view
Christmas as a time for feasting and,
of course, there is nothing wrong with
that. We know from the Gospels that
Jesus was invited to meals and
Pat Bromhall
appears to have enjoyed them.
However, when we consider how
much food and drink is bought over
the Christmas period, we should also
be aware that there are still places in
the world where people are starving.
We also have cards featuring Father
Christmas, reminding us that
Christmas is a time for giving, in
remembrance that God gave His only
Son to be born into our world. Giving
and receiving gifts is not wrong, but
www.parishofhornchurch.co.uk
1
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December 2014
Bullseye News from the Parish of Hornchurch
Events for this column: please send them to the editor
[email protected]
or “M” pigeon hole
Weekly meetings
Mon. 10.15 am
Tadpoles St Andrew’s large hall, for children and their adults
8.00 pm
Time Out (2nd)
8.30 pm
Escape (1st & 3rd) small hall
Parish Mission
Statement
What is our purpose?
We strive to:
Tues. 1.15-2.30 pm ABC pre-school group St Matthew’s church. Stories, songs,
toys, and refreshments
Love God
Women’s Fellowship St Andrew’s. New members welcome
Jesus said - “Love the Lord your God with all
your heart, soul, mind and strength”
Mark 12.30 NIV
Wed. 9.3011.00 am
0-2 Playgroup St Andrew’s hall. Toys, songs and craft,
refreshments. All enquiries to Parish Office
“Worship in spirit and in truth”
John 4.24 NIV
Thur. 1.30 pm
Little Fishes St Andrew’s large hall. Toys, stories and craft,
refreshments, all welcome
Fri.
~~
2.00pm
~~
Uniformed organisations meet on various nights of the week.
Please contact their representatives for times (see page 12 for telephone numbers)
Grow in Faith and
Understanding
St Paul said - “Grow up in Christ until you
reach the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ”
Ephesians 4.13 & 15 NIV
Bring others to knowledge of
and faith in Jesus Christ
Jesus said - “Make all nations My
disciples” Matthew 28.19 NIV
HANDYMAN
Serve the community
Decorating, Carpentry, General Maintenance
No job too small
Call Brian 07749 698 664 or 01708 229182
Jesus said - “Love your neighbour as
yourself” Mark 12.31 NIV
B u l l sey e p ro g r a m me
Contents to the Editor 2015
January Bullseye Sunday 30th November
February Bullseye Sunday 4th January
Collating
January Bullseye Wed. 17th December
February Bullseye Wed. 28th January
The Bullseye for January will be in
the churches by
Sunday 28th December 2014
KC Electrical
Domestic Installation & Portable
Appliance Testing (PAT)
Lights Sockets
Wiring Telephone extensions
For free advice or estimates please
contact:
Keith Chamberlain
Tel:07501251899
DDM Chimney Sweep Ltd
(Qualifications : C&G including
17th Edition Regulations)
David Moore 29 Francis Close, Horndon on the Hill, Essex SS17 8NT
07905 720934 and 01375 360956
Disclaimer
City and Guilds Qualified ~ NVQ in Chimney Engineering
www.chimney-sweeper.co.uk ~ [email protected]
CSCS Card Registration 02984744
[email protected]
2
Neither the Vicar, Parish Wardens, Parochial Church
Council, nor the Editor take responsibility for the
information given or views expressed in the
Bullseye. Nor is any culpability accepted in work
undertaken by advertisers
www.parishofhornchurch.co.uk
Bullseye News from the Parish of Hornchurch
December 2014
Charity of the Month:
Children’s Society
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
30th November St Andrew’s at 6.30pm ~ Advent Carol Service
The Children’s Society is doing
valiant work in safeguarding
children and promoting their
welfare, especially in the Midlands
and the North, but also through the
Essex Young People’s Drug and
Alcohol Service based in
Chelmsford.
9th December St Andrew’s at 1.10pm ~ Tuesday Lunchtime Carols
14th December St Andrew’s at 10.40am ~ Toy, Gift and Parade Service
St Matthew’s at 11.00am ~ Messy Church and Christingle
21st December
St Andrew’s at 10.40am ~ Christingle and at 6.30pm ~ Nine Lessons and Carols
St George’s at 10.30am ~ Carol Service
St Matthew’s at 9.00am ~ Holy Communion with Carols
CHRISTMAS EVE
Reaching out to children who have
run away from intolerable situations
at home or children’s home is vital.
St Andrew’s at 11.30pm ~ Midnight Communion
Please help.
St George’s at 4pm ~ Christingle
See the website.
St Matthew’s at 4pm ~ Carols by Candlelight
http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/
EYPDAS
CHRISTMAS DAY
St Andrew’s at 8.30am ~ Holy Communion BCP and at 10.40am ~ Family Communion
St George’s No Service
Peter Evans
Micah Group
St Matthew’s No Service
John Jeffrey
John Jeffrey was born on the 27th
November 1921.
On 6th June 1944 John was one of the
many thousands of men who took part in
the D-day Landings. He landed on Juno
Beach at Ver-sur-Mer on D-Day and finished
fighting through France, Belgium and
Holland where he was wounded.
I have taken John to Normandy on two
occasions as a member of the Normandy
Veterans Association.
On Thursday 16th October 2014 I took John
to St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey
for a service to mark the 70th Anniversary
of D-Day and the Normandy campaign. It
was also a service for the Laying Up of the
National Standard of the Normandy
Veterans Association. The Standard was
placed upon the altar and will remain in the
church for all time.
The Duke of Gloucester who is the Patron of
the Normandy Veterans Association read
from St Matthew 5:1-12. There were three
hymns: O God our help in ages past, I vow
to thee my country and Eternal Father,
strong to save.
After the Blessing and the National Anthem,
the many hundreds of Normandy Veterans
who were present made their way to their
coaches for their long journey home. Some
had come from Scotland for the service.
Alan Taylor
www.parishofhornchurch.co.uk
Life at St George’s
A big thank you to all those who
supported St George’s Autumn
Bazaar, which was held on 1st
November and raised £700. Numbers
were down on last year — although
over 100 people came along.
However, most of those who came
commented about how nice the hall
looked and there was a warm and
friendly atmosphere. This year we
had also invited some charities to
take part, which were a welcome
addition to our regular stalls.
Special thanks go to our new curate,
Revd Ken Wylie, who was attending
his first St George’s Bazaar. He not
only kindly opened the bazaar for us,
but also stayed for most of the
morning, together with his family.
Last, but not least, a big thank you to
all who took part, before, during and
after the event. It was much
appreciated.
Finally, our carol service is taking
place on Sunday 21st December at
10.30am. It would be good to see as
many people as possible on that
occasion.
We must never allow anything to blind us
to the true significance of what
happened at Bethlehem so long ago.
Nothing can alter the fact that we live on
a visited planet.
J B Phillips
It is no use saying that we are born 2000
years too late to give room to Christ…
Christ is always with us, always asking
for room in our hearts…. And giving
shelter or food to anyone who asks for it,
or needs it, is giving it to Christ.
Pat Bromhall
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December 2014
Bullseye News from the Parish of Hornchurch
Poppies at the Tower
pushing on a series of very tight washers
resulting in very sore thumbs! The second
task was to push the stick into the ground
and apply the poppy. In all I planted
about 40 Poppies that afternoon just in
front of the weeping window which many
will have seen. There was a crowd of
spectators there throughout and
occasionally we were applauded! As I
neared the end of my shift I had a little
wander amongst the poppies and was
struck by the huge numbers that were
there, at that point only about 650,000,
and the significance that a life was lost for
each one of those beautiful and
individually made flowers. I found it a
really humbling experience and one which
I was hugely honoured to have been a
part of.
One sunny Saturday afternoon in
September I had the honour of being
involved in the planting of ceramic
poppies at the Tower of London. There
were about 200 planters on that shift and
we worked solidly for four hours. There
were two parts to the task – firstly
constructing the sticks which involved
Hornchurch Parish
Men’s Group
Sarah Wilding
Prayer for Christmas Presence
Generous Father,
At this busy time of year, help us to remember the important things. In all
the rush of sending cards and giving presents may we make time to be still,
to acknowledge Your sending and giving of the greatest gift of all, Jesus.
Thank you that He didn’t stay in the stable in Bethlehem, but lived and died
and became the Saviour of all who put their trust in Him. May we receive
afresh the gift of Your presence with us in Jesus, now and for ever, with
great thankfulness. In His name, we pray. Amen.
Daphne Kitching
At Messy Church
We Learn about God Welcome all the Family
Activities & Crafts Eat Food Hear Bible Stories
Join us for Nativity and Carols on Thursday
4th December at the
North Street Hall between 4.30pm and 6.30pm
and
Sunday 14th December at St Matthew’s Church , Chelmsford Drive,
Hornchurch, RM14 2PH from 11.00 am – 12.30pm
Time Out,
The winter lunch programme for the
Men’s Group is now well under way.
We meet in St Andrew’s Church Hall
from 12.00 midday onwards for a pre
lunch drink and chat and lunch is served
at 12.30. We have a main course,
dessert and coffee all prepared by our
lady volunteers, followed by a speaker.
Lunches cost £7 (December is £8) and
there is a £4 annual membership fee.
Most members are retired but the
Group is open to all men working or
retired from both within and outside the
Parish. All are welcome. Lunch dates
and speakers are as follows:
3rd Dec 2014: Christmas
Entertainment (Laura Dunn)
7th Jan 2015: Upminster/Romford
Railway Line (David Newell MBE)
4th Feb 2015: Warley Place, Past and
Present (Olive Baldwin/Thelma Wilson)
4th Mar 2015: Rainham Hall (Sally
James, National Trust)
If you are interested please come along
and join us. Friends and guests are
always welcome. Please contact
Peter Fanning
on 01708 456578 to let him know you
are coming or for more information.
Visiting
an informal ladies’ social group
Monday 8th December at 8pm in small hall
'Xmas Jamming'
enjoy a sing along with percussion, plus mulled wine and mince pies
Jenny Clarke 07932 160576 or
Mary Scott 07985 223406
For further details call Lindsey on 07855192943
Or email [email protected]
[email protected]
If you know of anyone who would like a home visit or
hospital visit, please contact either of the Pastoral
Assistants:
4
www.parishofhornchurch.co.uk
Bullseye News from the Parish of Hornchurch
Trick or Treat?
It was a hard decision to make back on
Halloween, do you dress in black (or
white if you’re a ghost) then go out and
walk the streets knocking on doors in the
hope of some sweets (because you don’t
get those every day, do you?), or do you
go to a boring old church Light Party? I
mean, there wasn’t much to do – just
choose which of the 16 different crafts to
make, from rolling your own beeswax
candles to making a ‘bonfire’ cup cake
with butter-cream icing, chocolate
‘matchsticks’ and sweets. We all wore
bright clothes and some of the children
got dressed up as a ‘hero’, we had a
Spiderman and Disney princesses.
It did get a bit warm in St Andrew’s
church halls with over 130 people from
parents with babies in the soft play area
to teenagers helping out with the face
painting, but it was cool in the church
which was filled with white and silver
helium balloons containing battery
nightlights, as well as candles on all the
windowsills. After a short service we
went back into the halls for our ‘bangers
and jackets’ supper and a brightly
decorated trifle pudding, before the
indoor fireworks were lit on the tower of
profiteroles held together with drizzled
caramel. Our thanks go to Le Moulin
Patisserie for the cake tower and cooking
100+ jacket potatoes for us. Huge thanks
also go to Karen and team for all their
hard work providing the crafts and
decorating the church, also to Jane and
her catering team. After 3 hours of fun
(we over-run because there were so many
people) everyone took a Bag of Hope
party bag home with them.
Keep a look out next year in case you
want to choose between light or dark,
good or evil . . .
Terry Keens
December 2014
Nigel Beeton was commissioned to write a Carol to
the tune of the Iona Boat Song. He writes: “I
listened to the tune, and I was touched by the
haunting, mysterious melody. Of course, the whole
Christmas story is a mystery, but I think the story of
the journey of the Magi, following a star across the
deserts to find a King, most suited the melody.”
King of the Star
Churches Together in
Hornchurch present
Voices for
Christmas
The story of the Nativity
from the people who
were there
Monologues written and
performed by Kevin
Walsh with well-known
carols to sing
Yonder star in the sky
Shining bright in our eyes
As we travel the wilderness wide;
And we travel by night
With the star in our sight
May the heavenly sign be our guide.
For the star is a sign
Of a new king divine
So we come with glad hearts from afar;
When a new king is born
And a new age shall dawn
Then we’ll worship the King of the Star.
Precious burdens we bear
Gifts of frankincense, myrrh
And of gold for the new coming king;
Then we’ll all bow the knee
When the new king we see
And we’ll offer the gifts that we bring.
Wednesday 3rd and
Thursday 4th December at
8.00pm in
St Michael and All Angels
Church, Main Road,
Gidea Park,
RM5 5EL
Tickets are £6 available on
the door, including
complimentary glass of
mulled wine and mince pie
All profits aid the
Yet these gifts are a sign
That this new king, divine
Will wear thorns for a crown and be scarred;
But He’ll rise from the grave
Through Him all can be saved
So we’ll worship the King of the Star
The Hornchurch
Passion Play 2015
For the star is a sign
Of our new king divine
And we come with glad hearts from afar;
For the new king is born
And a new age has dawned
And we worship the King of the Star.
Well, let us pray that new hearts will worship the
King this year!
Nigel Beeton
Supporting St Francis
Hospice
‘Christmas Voices
2014’
An evening of Christmas
Music for Choirs and
Audience Conducted by John
Morris
Featuring: Sound Company,
The Can’t Sing Choir,
St Francis Hospice Choir,
St Andrew’s Church Choir
at St Andrew’s Church,
Hornchurch
Saturday 13th
December at 7.30 pm
Entrance by programme £5
at the door
www.parishofhornchurch.co.uk
5
[email protected]
December 2014
Bullseye News from the Parish of Hornchurch
On why Carol Services are so dangerous
The Rectory, St James the Least of All
My dear Nephew Darren,
BARTON TIMBER CO. LTD
www.barton-timber.co.uk 01708 448805
● Softwood ● Plywood ● Blockboard ● Mouldings
● Stress Graded Timber ● Fencing Materials etc. ● Doors
Board & Timber Cutting Service
Complete range of DIY Products
DECKING SPECIALISTS ~ PARKING AVAILABLE ~ DELIVERY SERVICE
50 North St ,Wedlake Close, Hornchurch RM11 1SR
(rear of Hornchurch Fire Station)
So: you are excited about being invited to plan your
first Carol Service. The dangers involved are only
slightly less than being invited to judge the best cake
made by the Ladies’ Group. You seem to have no
idea of the lifelong offence you will inevitably cause.
In decades to come when you will either be a
seasoned old clergyman – or more likely a double
glazing salesman – you will be remembered as “the
Curate who offended Mrs Smith.”
First, you have to decide which groups are going to
be represented to give the readings. If the Brownies
were asked last year, then it has to be the Cubs this
time. But don’t forget that every third year, the Boys’
Brigade must be asked, or they will take their
revenge and get their flag tangled in the nave
chandelier come Remembrance Sunday. If someone
represents the choir, then over a four year period all
four voice parts must be called on – and, if the
organist isn’t asked on the fifth year, then all hymns
subsequently will be played at double speed and with
one verse missing. Should one person have been
invited to read for two successive years, then their
annual appearance thereafter will be taken as an
inalienable right for the rest of their lifetime – and
probably longer than that. To drop them may well
invoke legal proceedings.
Then there is the batting order to be considered.
Someone from the church council will take it as a
deliberate slight if they are placed lower in the order
than a representative of the Men’s Fellowship and no
self-respecting bell ringer would voluntarily follow a
brass cleaner.
If you do not specify where they should read from
and how the readings should end, then a form of
ecclesiastical inflation will happen. If the first reader
speaks from the chancel step, the next one will go to
the lectern; after the sanctuary and pulpit have been
utilised, the final reader will probably ask you to
move so he can take your place. The variations on
“Here endeth”, “This is the Word of the Lord”, and
“Thanks be to God”, are endless and will increase in
length as the Service progresses. The final reader will
probably end with a lengthy exegesis on what he
thinks the passage means, correcting whatever you
said in your sermon.
I once made the mistake of not telling all readers
which Bible translation to use. One, an Old
Testament expert, therefore decided to read in
Hebrew. Not to be outdone, another read her Gospel
passage in Greek – apologising beforehand that it
may not be a perfect rendering, as she was
spontaneously translating it from the English. And
some say Christians are not competitive.
You have two alternatives: either repeat last year’s
service without any alteration, saying that it could
not be improved, or design your own and then take
Christmas off.
Your loving uncle,
Eustace
[email protected]
6
www.parishofhornchurch.co.uk
Bullseye News from the Parish of Hornchurch
December 2014
MAKE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS ANGEL
You can make a whole host of angels, one for
the top of the tree and a row of them, all
different sizes, to go on a windowsill. To alter
the size simply draw a bigger or smaller circle,
you could use a dinner plate or a small tin to
draw round. You could even make a giant angel
using a dustbin lid!
How do angels greet each
other?
They say, Halo.
What do fish sing at Christmas?
Shark, the herald angels sing.
You will need:
Scissors, thick white paper or thin white card,
some felt tip pens and something circular to
draw round (use a small plate or saucer to start
with).
ANGELS
We hear a lot about angels at
Christmas. A lot of the carols we sing
have angels in them – like ‘Hark the
Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘While
Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by
Night’.
Angels are God’s messengers and you
can read about the good news they
brought to the shepherds in Luke’s
Gospel, chapter 2, verses 8-20.
Draw a circle on the paper and cut it out. Mark
the centre of the circle (lightly fold it into
quarters to find the centre).
Copy the face and features on to the circle and
colour them in.
Mark the dotted lines and cut around them and
around the halo and hair as marked.
Fold the angel into a cone by putting one wing
over the other and slotting them together. A
little piece of sellotape will hold it firmly.
xx
New Opportunity Groups
Havering
Hornchurch Library
Not just for books ~ talks, workshops and exhibitions too
Creative opportunities for adults with
a learning disability
December 22nd at 2.30pm ~ Children’s Christmas Craft
Come along and make beautiful Christmas decorations. Tickets £4/£5.50
Groups provided ● Sensory Music and
Movement
● Music and Movement workshop
● Sensory and Creative Art ● Drama Workshop
● Pom Pom dancing
At 44 North Street Hornchurch ~ Contact the librarians on
01708 434903 for more information
Very reasonably priced – refreshments included
No one is turned away – All Welcome
Contact Joanne Metcalfe 07912947953 or
[email protected]
Xxx
Events in December at Thames Chase Forest Centre,
Pike Lane, Cranham
Friday 12th from 2pm to 4pm ~ Cream Tea with Carols £8 per person (booking
essential)
Sunday 14th ~ Community Market and Christmas Celebration. Christmas gifts, food and
music, Carols with Churches together
Sunday 21th 11.30am until 12.30pm ~ A Winter’s Tale
A journey of Christmas traditions through narrative verse, songs and Carols
For all the family
Specialist Carpet & Upholstery
Cleaners
WE CLEAN Carpets - Fine Rugs Upholstery - Hard Floors Curtains
The Thames Chase Wildlife Group meet every first Wednesday in the Ford Education
room in the Forest Centre.
Wednesday 3rd December ~ The Holly and the Ivy
For a free consultation call us on
01708 701 973 or 07530 296 742
The Junior (family) Group meet every first Saturday from 10.30am until 12.30pm. Enjoy
the wider Thames Chase with the Thames Chase Walkers, every second and last Friday
of each month, programme from the Visitor Centre
Or visit our website at
www.CleaningBROS.co.uk
All enquiries to the Friends of Thames Chase telephone 01708 642970
www.parishofhornchurch.co.uk
7
[email protected]
December 2014
Bullseye News from the Parish of Hornchurch
St Andrew's Women's Fellowship
meet every Tuesday during term time, at
2pm in the Church hall at
St Andrew's The fellowship is now a social
group and welcomes new members to come for
a chat and refreshments
All welcome
NEED A NEW DOOR?
Tadpoles
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For pre-school children and their
adults
Mondays at 10.15 in the large
hall at
St Andrew’s
A REMOTE SECRETARY
Variety of secretarial/typing work
undertaken
Enquiries:
•
•
www.majorglass.co.uk
01708 525 996 [email protected]
Local established family business
Design and build bespoke conservatories and
orangeries
•
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Design and build porches of all kinds
•
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Specialist in Sash windows and conservation properties
Replacement uPVC, aluminium and timber windows
and doors
Replacement soffits, fascias and gutters
Replacement double glazed sealed units
Window and door repair
Telephone:
07527325996
E-mail:
[email protected]
3rd Hornchurch Girls Brigade
Company
We have vacancies for Girls aged 4-8 years. We
meet at St Andrew’s Church during term time
on a Friday night between 6pm and 7.30pm
Come and have fun and make lots of new
friends
We go on trips, play games and do craft and
badge work
For further details contact Captain Karen
Speller on 01708 442848
xxx
Emergency glazing board up and repairs
***
Cater for all of your glass and glazing requirements
14th Hornchurch Brownies
We have vacancies for Girls 7-10 years
We meet 18.45 to 20.15 on a Thursday in
St George’s Church,
Kenilworth Gardens, Hornchurch
Contact Amy Saunders 07969 871805 or
[email protected]
[email protected]
8
www.parishofhornchurch.co.uk
Bullseye News from the Parish of Hornchurch
Upminster Horticultural Society
December 2014
December at The Old Chapel
Tuesday 9th December 2014
Pruning fruit trees: talk by Michael Abel
Vintage Christmas Fun on
Sunday 14 December, 2pm-5pm
Michael has an MSc in Horticulture, ten years commercial fruit and
vegetable growing, twenty years lecturing in horticulture at Writtle
College in Chelmsford and a lifetime of gardening experience. He is
currently working for Agralan Ltd, who are suppliers of bumblebees
for pollination and biological controls to commercial growers and
amateur gardeners. This evening we shall learn how and when we
should be pruning our fruit trees to improve our crops.
The Old Chapel will be getting into the 1940s Christmas
spirit! There will be 1940s singing at 2.30 and 3.30, hair and
make-up artists to help complete the vintage look and
activities for the family. Festive refreshments will also be
available. Free entry.
Come along and have some vintage Christmas fun!
All bookings and queries please contact Gemma Smith,
Heritage Officer, The Old Chapel, Sacred Heart of Mary
Girls’ School, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster, Essex, RM14 2QR,
01708 222660 or [email protected]
www.theoldchapelupminster.co.uk
The talk takes place in the New Windmill Hall, from 7.45 p.m. –
9.45 pm. Doors open 7.15 pm. Admission £2, non-members very
welcome. For further information about Upminster Horticulture
Society visit: www.upminsterhorticulturalsociety.co.uk
December 6th St Nicholas ~ Patron Saint of children
Father Christmas seems to be as old as
Europe. Once he was Woden, lashing his
reindeer through the darkness of
northern midwinter. Then he
encountered the Church, and She
transformed him into a saint, the muchloved Nicholas, Bishop of Myra (in southwest Turkey) in the fourth century.
St Nicholas became the patron saint of
children, and was given 6th December as
his day.
Since the 6th century St Nicholas has
been venerated in both East and West,
though virtually nothing is known of his
life. Some believe he may have been one
of the fathers at the Council of Nicea
(325), imprisoned during the Emperor
Diocletian’s persecution.
According to legend, Nicholas was an
extremely generous man. He revived three
schoolboys murdered by an innkeeper in a
tub of pickles. He rescued three young
women from prostitution by giving their
poverty-stricken father three bags of gold.
(Hence the use of three gold balls as the
pawnbroker’s signs.)
Over the centuries many, including
children, sailors, unmarried girls,
pawnbrokers and moneylenders have
claimed him as their patron.
Perhaps it was on account of St Nicholas’
generosity that in recent centuries children
began to write little notes sometime
before 6 December, to tell him about the
toys they specially wanted. These notes
were then left on the windowsill at night or else on a ledge in the chimney.
But St Nicholas Day chanced to lie in the
magnetic field of a much more potent
festival.... and after awhile his activities
were moved towards Christmas. Then in
Bavaria the children still left their notes on
the windowsill, but they addressed them
to Liebes Christkind - Krishkinkle as they
knew him - and the saint’s part in the
matter was simply to deliver the letters in
heaven.
The most popular result of the cult of
St Nicholas has been the institution of
Santa Claus. He is based on Nicholas’
patronage of children and the custom in
the Low Countries of giving presents on
his feast. Santa Claus has reached his
zenith in America, where the Dutch
Protestants of New Amsterdam (New
York) united to it Nordic folklore legends
of a magician who both punished naughty
children and rewarded good ones with
presents.
Kristina Haywood
Dip MCFHP MAFHP
Home Visiting
Foot Healthcare
Practitioner
Fully CRB
Checked: Fully Qualified and Insured:
Sterilized Instruments
Services Offered * Toenail and
Fingernail Cutting and Filing *
Reduction of Thickened Toenails *
Corn Removal * Callus Reduction*
Diabetic Foot Care * Management of
Ingrowing Toenails * Verrucae
Treatment * Fungal Infection
Treatments *
To book an appointment or if you just
have any questions or need advice,
please contact
T: 07528 752187
E: [email protected]
www.parishofhornchurch.co.uk
Floodlighting of St Andrew’s Church, Hornchurch
Many thanks to all below for sponsoring the floodlighting during December 2014:
Derek Foster ~ Enid, Happy Birthday wishes for 4th December and memories of
the 65 years we spent together - Love and blessings, Derek; Roz Johnston ~ In
loving memory of dear Bill; Meryl Bird ~ In loving memory of my husband Don
Bird on his birthday 7th December; Ernie Jones and family ~ In loving memory of
Frances on her birthday, 19th December and anniversary on Christmas Day. Gone
from sight, but always in our hearts, love is eternal; Maureen Pudney ~ In loving
memory of Bob, a loving husband and Dad - Maureen, Andrea and Stephen; Mr
KC Morrant ~ In memory of Stanley and Florrie Morrant; June Chilcott ~ In
loving memory of Vie Bard on her birthday 27th December from June Chilcott and
family; Charmaine Broom ~ For Mum and Dad (Connie and Bill Caisey) Happy
Christmas Mum and Dad, always in our hearts, never forgotten, loved so much.
Charmaine, Rob, Robbie, Victoria and Ryan xxxxx; Doreen and
Stephen Green ~ In loving memory of our beloved Harry on his birthday
28th December, loved and missed forever darling; Gwen Bailey ~ In loving
memory of Maurice Bailey, husband and father, on his birthday 20th
December.
If you are interested in being a sponsor please telephone the
Parish Office on 01708 441571
9
[email protected]
Bullseye News from the Parish of Hornchurch
Across
1 Provisional meeting place of God and the Jews (Exodus
25:9) (10)
7 David’s third son, killed when his head got caught in a tree
during a battle with his father (2 Samuel 18:14–15) (7)
8 They ruled much of the west coast of South America in the
15th and early 16th centuries (5)
10 Small deer of European and Asian extraction (4)
11 Seized control of (Numbers 21:25) (8)
13 Terror (Luke 24:5) (6)
15 First World War heroine shot by the Germans in Brussels,
Nurse Edith — (6)
17 Stormy (8)
18 A bitter variety of this, together with lamb and unleavened
bread, was the Passover menu for anyone
‘unclean’ (Numbers 9:11) (4)
21 Arson (anag.) (5)
22 How John Newton described God’s grace in his wellknown hymn (7)
23 Habitation (Isaiah 27:10) (10)
Down
1 ‘ — and see that the Lord is good’ (Psalm 34:8) (5)
2 ‘The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the
righteous are as — as a lion’ (Proverbs 28:1) (4)
3 One of the exiles, a descendant of Parosh, who married a
foreign woman (Ezra 10:25) (6)
4 He escaped from Nob when Saul killed the rest of his
family and joined David (1 Samuel 22:19–20) 8)
5 City and lake in Central Switzerland (7)
6 ‘Offer your bodies as living — , holy and pleasing to
God’ (Romans 12:1) (10)
9 Pouches carried by horses (Genesis 49:14) (10)
12 One who accepts government by God (8)
14 Aromatic substance commonly used in Jewish ritual
(Exodus 30:1) (7)
16 He asked Jesus, ‘What is truth?’ (John 18:38) (6)
19 Are (Romans 13:1) (5)
20 ‘You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will —
his people from their sins’ (Matthew 1:21) (4)
Crosswords reproduced by kind
permission of BRF and John
Capon, originally published in
Three Down, Nine Across,
by John Capon (£6.99 BRF)
December 2014
ACROSS: 1, Tabernacle. 7, Absalom. 8, Incas. 10, Roes.
11, Captured. 13, Fright. 15, Cavell. 17, Cyclonic.
18, Herb. 21, Sonar. 22, Amazing. 23, Settlement.
DOWN: 1, Taste. 2, Bold. 3, Ramiah. 4, Abiathar.
5, Lucerne. 6,Sacrifices. 9, Saddlebags. 12, Theocrat.
14, Incense. 16, Pilate. 19,Exist. 20, Save.
[email protected]
10
www.parishofhornchurch.co.uk
Bullseye News from the Parish of Hornchurch
December 2014
Christmas 1914 ~ The First Sportsman’s Battalion
of the earth and art, science, literature
and all the professions were represented
in the rank and file of this remarkable
body of men. Authors, men of letters,
artists, clergymen, schoolmasters,
engineers, doctors, archaeologists,
journalists, actors and comedians were all
there, many of them bearing names which
are household words in the realms of
sport of today. Mighty hunters of big
game, cricketers, footballers, boxers and
scullers were amongst the representatives
In November 1914 a new era opened for
of this remarkable battalion.
our ancient village, owing to the arrival of During the winter months which followed
the First Sportsman’s Battalion, the 23rd
our sleepy little village became astir with
Fusiliers, under the command of Colonel
life...
Viscount Maitland and Hornchurch became And then came Christmas. Every hut has
for the first time in its history a war-time
its banquet and the festivities included a
camp. The home of the late Colonel
football match, a concert in the afternoon
Holmes, Grey Towers with its beautiful
and a ball at night. At the concert the
park, was selected as the Headquarters of piece de resistance was a highland sword
the Battalion. For several weeks before
dance by the Colonel, and a very gallant
their arrival hundreds of workmen had
gentleman he looked, too, in his gorgeous
been employed erecting huts for their
highland costume. The ‘Sports’ knew right
accommodation, and, when all was
well how to keep Christmas and it is
completed, Grey Towers was considered
hardly likely that any of them will ever
to be quite a model camp, and, at that
forget the Christmas they spent at Grey
time, probably the best in the kingdom.
Towers in 1914.
The Battalion arrived on the afternoon of
It was certainly a unique experience to
November 4th at the camp. Their
some of us to be present at one or other
reception in London was of a most
of their entertainments on that day of all
enthusiastic character and Hornchurch folk
extended a similar greeting to them, as,
headed by the Cottage Homes Band they
marched in magnificent order through
Grey Towers gates for the first time.
The Sportsman’s Battalion was raised by
Mrs Cunliffe-Owen; she obtained a special
concession from the King for men up to
45 years to join. This opened up the way
for a large number of men, hitherto
ineligible to become soldiers of the King.
It was a sine qua non that a man who
joined this Battalion should be an adept in
some branch of national sport, and so it
came about that men, whose fame was
worldwide, were brought together to train
for a more serious game than they had
ever played before.
I suppose that, in its way, this Battalion
was unique in the British Army. The
Sportsmen came from all the four corners
the year which is especially dear to some
of us as a home-festival and when long
custom demands that the fireside shall
claim the whole of the family circle. But
those were abnormal times and many of
us, who would not have dreamt in former
years of going outside the homestead on
a Christmas Day were with the Sportsmen
in their festivities and thoroughly enjoyed
the novelty of the experience.
An extract from Hornchurch During the
Great War written in 1920 by CT Perfect,
who at that time was the Vicar’s Warden
at St Andrew’s. Taken with permission
from the Havering Museum Archive reprint
of 2007
The Sportsman’s Battalion stayed in
Hornchurch for nine months. At the end of
June 1915 they marched out of camp to
take a train from Romford and eventually
to France. They saw action at Vimy Ridge,
the Somme and the battle for Delville
Wood. 769 men gave their lives.
Wednesday Music Evenings Autumn Programme at Hornchurch Library
Wednesday 10th December ~ Seasonal Music & Readings
A varied mix of music and prose for the Christmas season. Many of our regular presenters will take part. Mince pies and hot punch
will be served in the interval.
We take a break over the Christmas and New Year period and resume again in January 2015
All are welcome to these FREE music evenings although a small donation is requested for interval refreshments. We meet in the
1st Floor main meeting room in Hornchurch Library, North Street commencing 7.30pm and ending at 9.30pm. All music is from
recorded media and played on high quality reproduction equipment. For more information contact Stephen Raindle 01708 470670
or email [email protected]
www.parishofhornchurch.co.uk
11
[email protected]
December 2014
Bullseye News from the Parish of Hornchurch
S U N D AY S E R V I C E S i n t h e P a r i s h o f H o r n c h u r c h
8.00 am: Holy Communion at St Andrew's Church
9.00 am: Parish Worship at St Andrew’s, St George’s and St Matthew’s (on the 1st Sunday, the daughter churches have a
xxxcombined Holy Communion at St Andrew’s)
10.40 am: Family Service for all ages at St Andrew’s including Sunday School
6.30 pm: Evening Services at St Andrew's and St George's Churches 1st & 5th Sunday combined service at St Andrew’s
St Andrew's Church
222 High Street RM12 6QP
St George's Church
Kenilworth Gardens RM12 4SG
Hornchurch Parish Churches
St Matthew's Church
Chelmsford Drive RM14 2PH
October 2014
Baptisms
19 Evan David SMITH
Francesca Caroline BROWN
George Leslie LLOYD
Navaeh Jacqueline BARTON
Alexander Nathan PEROU
29 Freddie Daniel Terry NELSON
Bella Bow DODD
Ellie J PHILLIPS
Harry Michael WOODWARD
Marriages
4 Daniel James PITT/Nicola Helen MYERS
24 Ben James LATTIMORE/Jill Caroline MILLER
25 Stuart Keith DICKSON/Jessica Frances WILDING
In Memoriam “I am the resurrection and the life” John 1v25
28 Stanley Robert Albert MANSFIELD 87
29 Jean Francis BAKER 65
29 Christine REID 85
30 Egon Walter FRANK 91
The Editor and the Bullseye team
wish all our readers
a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
WHO’s WHO in the Parish of Hornchurch
PARISH STAFF
(Days off in brackets)
Vicar: Revd Barry Hobson (Mon)
01708 454594
Curate Revd Ken Wylie
01708 441571
Revd Sonia Groombridge
01708 441571 (Mon & Fri)
Revd Barbara Baker (Mon & Sat)
01708 441571
Pat Miller Youth Worker (Friday)
01708 441571
PARISH OFFICE
222 High Street,
Hornchurch, RM12 6QP
www.parishofhornchurch.co.uk
Office hours: 10.00am - 4.00pm
General enquiries about Baptism, Marriages and
Hall bookings should be made to St Andrew’s
Parish Office
Staff: Arlene Trump and Jackie Bruniges
Tel: 01708 441571
Fax: 01708 620781
e-mail: [email protected]
PARISH WARDENS
Anne Jarrett 01708 444754
Sandra Cox 01708 442625
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Andy Losq
01708 345725
CO-ORDINATORS
Prayer Network
Jane Harder and Jacquie Humphreys
01708 441571
BULLSEYE
READERS
Pat Bromhall
Carole Sherratt
01708 455901
01708 449311
PASTORAL ASSISTANTS
Jenny Clarke
Mary Scott
07932 160576
07985 223406
Editor:
Carol Metcalfe 01708 451535
[email protected]
Advertising:
Mike Clarke 01708 446883
[email protected].
Distribution:
Martin Withers 01708 229564
UNIFORMED ORGANISATIONS
Scouts & Cubs:
Andrew Rice 01277 262702
Beavers:
Sue Cruse
01708 223651
Girls Brigade:
Karen Speller 01708 442848
Guides & Brownies:
Sandra Cox
01708 442625
Copyright: The contents of Bullseye is either original work or taken from the Parish Pump to which the committee subscribe. Before copying any articles
please obtain the permission of the editor of the Bullseye
[email protected]
12
www.parishofhornchurch.co.uk