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St Benet’s at Waxham
and Tunstead
Deanery Digest
December, January, February 20142014-15
Dear Friends,
I recently saw in the back of a car a sticker with the words “Spread the Love”
and as I reflected upon those few words I realised that this is something not
only we are all called to do, but there is no better or easier time for us to do
this than at Christmas. Many of our churches have been involved in Operation
Christmas Child, where shoeboxes are filled with gifts and sent to foreign
countries as a way of providing a gift or present for Christmas to children less
fortunate than our own. It shows that we care about them and want to
“Spread the Love” and show them that God cares too.
Love is the most precious gift we have to give, to our families, to each other
and, of course to God. Love is always precious. There has never been any
more precious gift or present of love than the very Son of God, Jesus, born
for us all to redeem humankind. Presents and gifts sometimes come in the
strangest and most unlikely wrappings. God chose to wrap his gift of love to
us in the form of a tiny baby born in a stable. This was His way of being able
to “Spread the Love” of God to us on earth so that we might be able to share
it with others through every time and in every place. So as you spread the
love this Christmas remember to spread the love of God too, amidst your
present opening, and your celebrations with family and friends.
A very Happy and Peaceful Christmas to you and your families and God’s
Blessing for the coming New Year.
Simon (Rural Dean)
Creative Crafts
A new group - Creative Crafts in the Church - has been formed in
Stalham and meets on the last Wednesday of the month in the church
rooms at St Mary's. We are working on individual interpretations of
"Creation, in the beginning….” using textiles (felt, quilting, weaving,
patchwork, collage....) etc., and will be holding an Exhibition at St
Mary’s in August 2015.
We are hoping other groups or individuals in the Deanery might be
inspired by the subject and would like to join our exhibition too?
Any contributions are welcome; flowers, painting, gardening, baking,
stitching, knitting. If you or your group are interested in exhibiting in
August or joining our monthly get-togethers, please e-mail
[email protected] for more information.
The Broadland Area walk at Blickling in September took place on a glorious autumn
morning, starting and finishing in the car park and walking through the park and round
the lake. I should like to thank everyone who took part and/or sponsored one or more
of our walkers. Good publicity and hundreds of pounds were made for our MU projects
in a wonderful spirit of fellowship.
Our next Area event is the Advent Carol Service in St. Michael’s, Sutton, at 2 pm on
Wednesday December 3rd. Those of you who have been before will know what a
special occasion this is, and I do hope you will be able to come.
Next year we are changing to our new Wave of Prayer dates – January 4th – 7th, as well
as starting to get to know something about our new Worldwide Links in Swaziland,
Tanzania, Nigeria, and North India. There will be a special Worldwide Members Day
on February 23rd in St. Luke’s Centre, to learn more about MU members in our new
link dioceses.
Branch Contacts: Aylsham: Barbara Lacey (01263 731380); North Walsham: Stephanie
Cooper (01692 408994); Smallburgh: Hazel Furness (01692 536450); Stalham: Mavis
Smith (01692 583398); Wroxham: Suzanne Barnett (01603 782002)
Visitors are always welcome at any of our monthly meetings. If you would like to know
more about us please do contact me.
Val Ovenden (Broadland Area Leader)
01603 782466
THE NEXT ISSUE OF DEANERY DIGEST…
Items for the autumn edition of Deanery Digest (covering March, April and May) should be
sent to Emma Lawrence by 17th February please, either by post to The Rectory, Camping
Field Lane, Stalham NR12 9DT or by email to [email protected]. Thanks.
News and Events from our Parishes
Coastal Group
http://www.coastalgroup.org.uk/
Time out with Mark for Advent! 6th December 10am
All are welcome to Happisburgh Rectory as we read through
Mark's Gospel together, with a cup of coffee! Bring a Bible.
Let Catherine know if you are planning to come - 01692 650359
BACTON
Christmas Tree Festival Sat 13th Dec, 10am-4pm, Sunday 14th Dec 2pm-4pm
Crib Service 24th December 4pm
HAPPISBURGH
Sunday 14th Dec Christingle Service 3.00pm Friday 19th Dec Carol Service 7.00pm
24th Dec Crib Service 5.00pm, Midnight Mass 11.30pm
Carol Service atThe Hillhouse Pub Saturday 20th December, 6.00pm
New Years Day - Church Tower open 1pm-4pm. Adults £2 Children £1.
Mardle Lunch Mon 5th Jan, Mon 2nd Feb. Church Rooms. Coffee at 11.30am, and 2
course meal at midday. No charge, donations to the Churchroom Maintenance Fund.
Lent Course begins Tuesday 24th Feb 7 - 8.30pm at Happisburgh Church Room.
LESSINGHAM
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 18-25 January 2015 United service at 11am on
Sunday 18th January at Lessingham Methodist church - everyone welcome.
RIDLINGTON
Christmas Carol Service Sunday 7th Dec, 3.30pm, a candlelit service of readings and
carols followed by mulled wine. Proceeds from the festive raffle to 'Send a cow'.
Candlemas will be our next service at Ridlington, on 1 February, when we will again
be lighting our church with candles for Morning Prayer at 9.00 am.
SEA PALLING WITH WAXHAM
First Wednesday Lunches Dec 3rd: Not in Jan; Feb 4th. Lunch served 12 noon 1-30pm in the Church Room. Donations for Church Funds.
Scrabble & Cribbage Church Room £1 inc refreshments. 2-4pm Dec 8th; Jan 12th;
Feb 9th. All welcome.
Carols & Readings at WAXHAM Sunday Dec 14th, 4pm (Friends of St. John's)
Songs & Carols in the Nissen Hut Friday Dec 19th at 7pm. Seasonal refreshments.
Christmas Eve; Crib Service at 3pm; Holy Communion at 7.00pm
Christmas Day; All Age Service at 10.30am.
Ash Wednesday Feb 18th - Holy Communion at 10.30am.
Lent Soup Kitchen begins Weds 25th Feb in Church Room at midday. Donations.
WALCOTT
Carol Service in the village hall on December 14th at 10.30am.
Carols at The Lighthouse Inn December 17th at 6.30pm followed by refreshments.
Candlelit Service in church around the crib on Christmas Eve at 3pm.
Family Communion on Christmas morning at 10.30am.
Café Chat every Tuesday afternoon in the village hall 2.30 - 4pm from January 6th.
King’s Beck Benefice
CHRISTMAS IN KING’S BECK
Sunday 21st December, 3pm
Carols by Candlelight at St Giles Church, Colby
Wednesday 24th, 4pm
Crib Service at St Andrew’s Church, Felmingham
Wednesday 24th, Christmas Eve
Midnight Mass, 11.30p.m.
St Botolph’s Church, Banningham
Christmas Day
Family Service and Eucharist
10am St Andrew’s Church, Felmingham
Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th Dec
Country Christmas Fair
Suffield Village Hall
10 – 4pm
Handmade Christmas wreaths
will be on sale (can be
pre-ordered if required).
This year there will be a range of stalls offering
Christmas gifts, decorations and stocking fillers.
Do come along and join us and enjoy a glass of
mulled wine and mince pie, tea or coffee and
there will also be a barbecue.
For further information -please contact
Patricia Spencer 01263 768164.
SKIFFLE AT
CHRISTMAS
With Local Band
“The Sit-Down-all-Stars”
St Andrew’s Church, Felmingham
Saturday December 13th, 7.30pm
Admission £5 - includes refreshments
During the interval the draw for 6
Christmas Hampers will take place.
Felmingham Church SecondSecond-Hand Book Sale
Sat Dec 6th 1010- 12
including Christmas crafts for all the family.
Come early to join in the fun of making tree decorations,
cards, calendars and gifts for grandparents and loved ones.
“The Meeting Place” – a place for all ages to meet together and for little
ones to play. Every Thursday 9am to noon at St Andrew’s, Felmingham.
North Walsham & Edingthorpe
ADVENT SUNDAY on 30th November we start to prepare for Christ’s
coming again and there will be a special Candlelit Advent Carol Service
at 4pm.
The ST NICHOLAS BOY BISHOP Service which takes place on Sunday
7th December at 10.00 am. This is the ancient tradition when one of our
choir boys leads the Service and preaches the Sermon.
At 4 pm on Sunday 7th there will be a quiet reflective Service called
“Cloth for the Cradle” drawing on the worshipping tradition of the Iona
Community.
POSADA – an opportunity for you to welcome to your home the lovely
knitted figures representing Joseph, Mary and the donkey as they make their
journey round the Parish, staying overnight in a different home each day.
PRAM SERVICE NATIVITY Thursday 18th Dec, 1.45pm in Church
NORTH WALSHAM SCHOOLS will be singing Carols in St Nicholas’
starting on 16th December. Details in the Porch.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES will start with the Candlelit Festival of Lessons
& Carols on Sunday 21st December at 7.00pm.
THE CHRISTINGLE SERVICE for Children and Families on Christmas
Eve is at 6.00 pm.
THE MIDNIGHT EUCHARIST OF THE NATIVITY starts at 11.30pm
on Christmas Eve Wednesday 24th December .
CHRISTMAS DAY there is a Book of Common Prayer Service of Holy
Communion at 8.00 am and a Family Parish Communion at 10.00am
CONCERTS INCLUDE:
The Norwich Citadel Band of the Salvation Army on Friday 5th Dec
at 7.30 pm playing Christmas Music and sharing proceeds between St
Nicholas Tower fund and the Methodist Church’s new sound system
St Nicholas’ Choir Christmas Concert on Saturday 13th Dec at 7.00 pm
Carols, choir favourites and unexpected surprises. £5 towards the tower
fund.
Further details on parish web site www.saint-nicholas.org.uk
or phone Parish Office on 01692/408971, Email: [email protected]
Smallburgh Benefice
Christmas in the Smallburgh
Benefice Churches
Sunday 7th Dec at 4pm: Christingle at St Nicholas Dilham
Sunday 14th Dec at 10am: Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols Smallburgh
Sunday 21st Dec at 3pm: Carols Smallburgh Village Hall
Sunday 22nd Dec: at 2pm Carols by Candlelight at All Saints Crostwight
Christmas Eve: at 5pm Crib Service Honing
Christmas Eve: at 11.30pm Midnight Mass Dilham
Christmas Day: at 10am Family Service Smallburgh
Winter Warmer
Saturday 6th December
12 – 4pm
Honing Village Hall
Seasonal Crafts, Cakes, Lunches, Refreshments,
Tombola, Raffle, Face Painting
Christmas Tree Festival
St Peter & St Paul’s Church Honing
Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th, Monday 15th December
10am - 4pm
An exhibition of Christmas Trees and Snowmen
Christmas Fayre at Dilham Village Hall
Saturday 6 December, 10.30 am to 1.30 pm.
Lots of craft stalls, refreshments and the Norfolk Wherry Brass
Academy Band will be playing.
The Worstead Weavers’workshop will be open.
th
www.honing.churchnorfolk.com; www.crostwight.churchnorfolk.com
www.dilham.churchnorfolk.com; www.smallburgh.churchnorfolk.com
Stalham Benefice
Sutton Christmas
Bazaar
Christmas Tree Festival
at St. Mary’s Church
Stalham
Sat. 6th - Sun. 14th Dec.
10am - 4pm (from 12pm Sundays)
6pm - 8pm on Wednesday 10th
More trees than ever!
Admission free - refreshments available
all day throughout the Festival.
We will also be open on the evening of
Weds. 10th, from 6pm to 8pm. Come and
see the trees in a “different light” and enjoy
mulled wine and mince pies, and perhaps
even a bit of carol singing!
We look forward to seeing you.
Annual Street Fair - Sun 7th Dec, 2pm-5pm
The dates of our
Christmas Services
this year are:
Carol Services:
Sutton: Weds 17th December, 7pm
Stalham: Thursday 18th December, 7pm
Brunstead: Saturday 20th December, 6pm
Ingham: Sunday 21st December, 4pm
East Ruston: Sunday 21st December, 6pm
Crib services: 4pm on Christmas Eve at
Stalham, Sutton and Ingham.
Midnight Mass: Christmas Eve, 11.30pm,
Stalham
Christmas Morning services: 9.15am at
Sutton and Ingham, 10.30am at Stalham.
We would love to see you at any of these
services.
6th December
2pm - 4pm
Sutton Village Hall
Tombola ~ Cake stall ~ Bric a brac
Games ~ Bottle stall
Refreshments ~ and much more!
Tuesday 23rd Dec, 10am - midday
St Mary’s Church, Stalham
Christmas Praise Party
with John Hardwick
Juggling, Puppets, Songs,
Stories, all with a
Christmas theme
The whole family is welcome to come.
Under 7s must have an adult with them.
Refreshments. This is a free event!
Burns Night
Saturday 24th January
7pm
in
St Mary’s Church
Room, Stalham
Tickets: £5, children £2.50
Haggis, neeps and tatties
Shortbread
Entertainment
Please book your ticket by
phoning Emma on 580250
or Elizabeth on 581389.
http://www.stalhambenefice.org.uk/
United Benefice of St Benedict
CAROLS ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE on Horning Village
Green by the river on Wednesday 17th December at 6.30 pm
followed by mulled wine and mince pies in St. Benet’s Hall.
CAROL SERVICE IN ST. BENEDICTS CHURCH, HORNING
on Sunday 21st December at 6.30 pm.
St Swithin’s Church Ashmanhaugh
Saturday November 29th 10-11.30 am Christmas Minimarket Preston Room.
Inexpensive toiletries and Christmas decorations; great value new range of
books old and new; and all the usual- tombola, home made cakes raffle.
Friday 19th December 7.30pm the Christmas Thank You! FREE! Drinks and
refreshments at the Preston Room – tickets for the Grand Christmas Draw now available.
Carol Singing around village date tba (phone Anne 01603 784874) meet
outside Preston Room. Eats and drinks afterwards at the Coach House.
Everyone is also most welcome to the Carol Service on 19th December
at 6.30pm and the Christingle Service on 14th December at 11am both at
St Swithin’s church.
The Friends of St Peter’s Neatishead are organising a social
event on Tuesday 10 February at 6.00 pm in St Peter’s,
Neatishead, to include nibbles, mince pies and mulled wine
(with a donation pot) and a small stall for unwanted
Christmas gifts for sale. Everybody is invited to attend.
‘CHRISTMAS CAROL FANTASIA’
Saturday 6th December, 7.30pm at Barton Turf Church
Barton Turf Choral Society with their new Musical Director, Jonathan Stamp
The evening will include ‘Fantasia on Christmas Carols’ by Vaughan Williams and also
many well-known Christmas carols with some for the audience to join in. The Choral
Society will be joined by Bass soloist - Ben Schilperoort and Cellist - Kristina Bartlette,
with David Dunnett playing the organ. Seasonal refreshments will be served after the
concert and are included in the admission price. Admission by programme is £8 for
adults and £4 for children. Advanced bookings from 01603 760669.
St Michael and All Angels, Barton Turf
Christingle and
Candlemas
Sunday 8th February, 4pm
Followed by tea
All Welcome
NIB (Neatishead, Irstead Barton Turf)
Churches now on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/NIBChurches
For those on Facebook please search for
NIBChurches to find out what is happening
at our churches and villages. If you like
what you see do ‘Like’ and ‘Follow’ us to
keep up to date.
Waterside Benefice
Christmas at St Mary’s Hickling
Friday Dec. 12th Village Carol Service with refreshments. 7.00p.m.
Sunday Dec. 14th Christingle Service 11.00a.m.
Wednesday Dec. 24th Crib Service 2.30p.m.
Thursday Dec. 25th Christmas Family Service. 11.a.m.
Everyone very welcome to join us.
Gospel Choir ‘Voices’
St. Catherine's Church, Ludham
Friday 5th December
7:30pm
Tickets £5
on the door
or from
Ludham
Butchers
Lent Services and Activities
Benefice Holy Communion
for Ash Wednesday
at St. Catherine's Ludham.
Wednesday 18th February,
7:30pm
Churches Together in Ludham. Lent Course.
We will be looking at a "York Course" entitled
"Handing on the Torch - Sacred words for a
secular world". Monday evenings 23rd Feb
and 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd March at 7pm in High
Street Methodist Church Ludham, led by The
Revd. John Stride. All welcome.
Carols By
Candlelight
After last year's success, the Broadland
Bells are coming back to St. Nicholas
Church Potter Heigham.
If last year was anything to go by it
should be an atmospheric afternoon with
both the acoustics of the Church and the
Candlelight, so why not come and enjoy
the music and join in with some Carol
Singing.
As usual, refreshments will be available
and there will be a raffle. It all happens
on Sunday 14th December at 4.30pm.
St. Valentine's
Supper
Ludham Church Rooms
Saturday February 14th
Tickets £17
Please book early as tickets sell
out quickly!
On 24th December, Catfield are having a 2.30pm Crib service and the 11.30pm Christmas
communion service this year. On Sunday December 14th Broadland Bells are doing a
concert in the church at 7.30pm. On January 17th we are having an audio visual presentation
in the village hall by Derek and Judy Leak, 7.30pm.
Worstead Benefice
The Worstead Group of Parishes
Services for Advent and Christmas
Sunday 30th November, Advent Sunday
10.30am - Group Sung Eucharist, St Mary the Virgin, Worstead
4.00pm - Evensong, St Michael and All Angels, Swanton Abbott
Friday 12th December, 6.30pm
Carol Service, St Bartholomew, Sloley
Saturday 13th December, 7.00pm
Carol Service, Westwick (followed by mulled wine & mince pies)
Thursday 18th December, 7.00pm
Carol Service, St Michael and All Angels, Swanton Abbott
Friday 19th December, 6.30pm
Carol Service, St Mary the Virgin, Tunstead
Saturday 20th December, 4.00pm
The Choir, Christmas Carol Concert, Worstead
Sunday 21st December
10.30am - Group Sung Eucharist, Swanton Abbott
6.30pm - Carol Service, All Saints, Scottow
Christmas Eve
4.00pm - The Blessing of the Crib, St Mary the Virgin, Worstead
11.15pm - Midnight Mass, St Mary the Virgin, Worstead
Christmas Day
8.45am - Mass of the Dawn, Swanton Abbott
10.00am - Mass of the Day, All Saints, Scottow
Friday 26th December, St Stephen’s Day
11.30am, The Mass of Stephen, St Mary the Virgin, Worstead
followed by wine and nibbles
Wroxham Benefice
Christmas Tree
Festival
Saturday 29th November Sunday 7th December
St. Mary’s Church,
Wroxham
Open 10.30 - 5.00pm
There will be 50 trees for you to vote for, in four groups:
Charities; Childrens; Businesses; Organisations and Clubs.
Visitors are asked to judge their favourite tree in each group.
The winner of each group will receive a prize.
Refreshments will be available throughout the festival.
Admission (includes programme) £3.50 adults/£1 under 10s
All welcome
This is an event for the Wroxham, Hoveton, & Belaugh
group of churches.
Carols by Candlelight
St Mary’s Church Wroxham
Friday 19th Dec
7.30 pm
Followed by
seasonal
refreshments
Coffee morning
Monday 19th Jan, 10am-midday
Wroxham Church Hall
Marion’s Gifts & Cakes
£2.00 for as many
coffees as you like!
Everyone welcome
Proceeds to St Mary’s Church
Prayer Diary
Please pray this week for...
30th Nov6th Dec
Wroxham Benefice - for Liz and Jane. For Christmas Tree Festivals in
Wroxham this week & Stalham, Bacton & Honing next week, for all
who will visit, & for all fundraising/social events being held this month.
7th - 13th
December
Stalham Benefice - Simon, Margaret, Richard, David, Jeanette, Richard.
For Bizzy Bees baby & toddler group, Green Shoots and M:POWER
services, & for all work with children & young people in our Deanery.
14th - 20th
December
Worstead Benefice - for Anthony and for Andy the Sub-Deacon.
For the Carol Services this week in this Benefice and throughout our
Deanery, and those taking place in our schools.
21st - 27th
December
This week we pray for all who will attend Christmas services in our
Churches - that they will feel welcome, and that the familiar words of
the Christmas story may speak afresh to all of us.
28th Dec 3rd Jan
North Walsham & Edingthorpe - for Paul, Nigel, Valerie, Susanna, Ivan,
and John. For our Mothers’ Union members, and for the work of the
MU around the world.
4th - 10th
January
Waterside Benefice - for John, Diane, Helen, Ian and Peter.
For the schools within our Deanery, the children and teachers as they
return after Christmas holidays, and those who serve as Governors.
11th - 17th
January
We pray for our Bishops, Graham and Alan, and for our Archdeacon,
Steven. During these cold months we pray for people who are
homeless and for charities and agencies who work to help them.
18th - 24th
January
The King’s Beck Benefice - for Keith, Sue and Coryn.
During this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we pray for our
fellow Christians of different denominations within our Deanery.
25th - 31st
January
Smallburgh Benefice - for Barry, Marina and Betty.
We give thanks and remember in our prayers all the retired clergy in
the Deanery and their ministry in our parishes.
1st - 7th
February
United Benefice of St Benedict - for Sandra, Rob, Jonathan, Barbara
and Pauline. We pray for Messy Church, meeting at Barton Turf this
Sunday and the first Sunday of each month.
8th - 14th
February
In our Deanery we pray for Simon our Rural Dean and Sonia our Lay
Chair. We pray for the Deanery Synod meeting later this month
(26th) and for all our parish representatives.
15th - 21st
February
The Coastal Group of Parishes - for Catherine, Eiler, Geoffrey, Pamela
and Ray. As Lent begins this Wednesday we pray for all the services
and Lent Groups that will be taking place over the coming weeks.
22nd - 28th
February
This is the first week of Fairtrade Fortnight. We pray for the people
who work to grow and supply the goods we use each day, and for
those who work to improve conditions for them.