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Whether you are a baby, toddler or well into your 90s,
on your own, a couple, or with lots of kids...
you can be assured of a friendly welcome at St.Paul’s.
your church and community magazine
£4 annually
if paid Feb’y
Christmas 2014
& New Year 2015
Published by St.Paul’s Church, Parish of Sticklepath with Roundswell, Barnstaple
Page 4
First woman bishop
Page 6
Page 9
Home Schooling?
Page 11
Still Celebrating
Christmas
Page 14
Helping children
Explore Christmas
Page 17
Page 20
Some artwork and copy by subscription from Parishpump
Blessings at Christmas,
and for the New Year
www.barnstaple-st-paul.org.uk
A better 2015
plus: news, features,
diary, children’s page,
cartoons, jokes & more
[email protected]
We are the Parish Church for Barnstaple
west of the river Taw. We have a
varied pattern of worship, both new and
old. We value the Church of England
tradition of basing all worship on the
Bible. Our congregation includes a wide
range of
folk from
lots of
different
Christian
backgrounds, as
well as
those
without
previous
experience.
Even young
children are
encouraged
to get
“hands-on”
in worship,
through use
of tactile or
visual
material and
percussion
instruments in songs/hymns. There are
particular activities for 3-13yr olds
through Seekers during part of the 10am
service except in school holiday periods.
photos: Guy Chave-Cox
St.Paul’s Link
Here is a
photo of
our unique
magnetic
story wall.
St Paul’s was refurbished in late 2012, Drawing
replacing pews & tiles with comfortable materials
and a
chairs and carpet. With a new heating
system, we also offer an ideal venue for children’s
library are
weddings, concerts and meetings..
also in the
Discovery
Main worship on Sundays &
Corner, and
Wednesdays
there are
low tables
with books
Current 8am, 10am & 6.30pm Sunday
and child
worship services are indicated on the
chairs in
back cover of this magazine. Only the
10am is every week. We tend to follow the main body of the church.
a similar pattern most months, except
We welcome any visitor who normally receives
when it is Harvest or Mothering Sunday the bread & wine at Communion services, to do
so here. If you are Coeliac we always have
(when the 10am is always All-Age
gluten free
Worship (usually 3rd Sunday each
wafers
month ). Throughout the year, we are
available;
sometimes joined by uniformed
please ask.
children’s groups. As well as the
Scouting/Guiding groups, Barnstaple
Coffee, tea
Sea Cadets also chose to affiliate to our and squash
are served
church. On Wednesdays, there is a
after the
traditional communion at 9.30am and
main service.
Open Fellowship/Exploring at 7.30pm.
If you are new to the area...
[email protected]
Copy/News Items: to the Vicarage,
Welcome, we hope you enjoy your
please. Delivery Requests/ changes:
not-for-profit Parish Magazine. Local
344400 Advertising: 376965
news and items thought to be of
interest to the wider community should
Annual reader subscriptions: £4
be sent for consideration by
per annum if paid by
the date indicated on page 22.
February.
The magazine is edited by
Mrs. Eileen Angrave and the
Pastoral Assistants:
Vicar. Thanks are also due to
A team of trained visitors,
Mrs Pauline Wills (assembly),
who are authorised to share in
our advertisers, and Mrs. Gita
the pastoral work of the parish,
Bowman (advert contact)
is available to call on people at
home.
The Hall behind the Church is
Contact: Mrs Pauline Wills,
the original “dual purpose” church
T: 371650, who will pass the request
building. It is available to groups, or
to an appropriate Pastoral Assistant,
for functions and children’s parties,
our lay Reader, or to the Vicar.
subject to availability and the suitability
of hire purpose. Very modest hire
Reader  327437, Mr John Hartfield.
charges assist the cost of running,
Sacristan / Verger  373646
maintaining and improving our
community buildings. See page 12 for Mrs Anna Courtier, 17 Wrey Av.
current Hall bookings and slots that are Parish Giving Scheme  371248
Mr Paul Cooper, 64 Lynhurst Av.
free for new hire agreements.
Gift Aid; Standing Orders; Envelopes.
Hall Booking Contact :
Administrator : Mrs Eileen Angrave
Please direct all enquires about the
hall to the Vicarage, preferably to the [email protected]
Administrator on a Tuesday morning. in office  344400 usually Tues. am
St.Paul’s Church Leadership Team
Chairman of the Parochial Church Council: Vicar, T: 344400 [email protected]
Vicarage/Office address: St.Paul’s Vicarage, Old Sticklepath Hill, B’ple, EX31 2BG
Churchwardens: Mrs Carol Jennings15, 13 Old Torrington Rd.
 378938
Mr John Hartfield17*15, 3 Higher Elmwood, R’well  327437
Secretary: Mr Paul Cooper17*(& Vice Chair) 64 Lynhurst Ave EX31 2HY  371248
Treasurer: Mrs Sue Boyle16, 15 Grange Av. EX31 2DS
 ex-dir
other elected members of the PCC:
*Deanery Synod reps Mrs Pauline Wills17; Mr Geoff Broster17;
Mrs Heather Chave-Cox15; Mrs Sandra Richards15;
Miss Bryony Chave-Cox16; Mr Mike Nance15.
term of office: 15to 2015,16to 2016, 17to 2017 non-PCC Mrs.Gita Bowman, Ch’wdn Emeritus
- 1-
Vicar: The Revd. Guy Chave-Cox
Guy has been the Vicar of
St.Paul's and a member of the
local C of E team of clergy for 23
years. He is 58 years old and has
been married to Heather for 34
years. They have three children:
called Bryony (27), Dominic (25),
& Zachary (17). Guy is one of
the longest serving ministers in
North Devon, within the same
community, and is also a
Governor of the local primary School, with particular roles in helping to
encourage rising academic standards and development of a creative and
forward-looking curriculum. He is seconded voluntarily to the Diocese
(approx. one day a week) to continue supporting Mission Community
development in the Barnstaple Archdeaconry, and he is a member of the
Bishop’s Diocesan Council, the Diocesan Synod, and the Archdeaconry
Mission & Pastoral Committee . Roles in the wider church include being a
member of the enabling group of Churches Together in Barnstaple, an
Adviser for Alpha Courses, and a Chaplain of the Order of St. Luke.
St. Paul’s Vicarage is the detached house almost opposite the entrance to
North Devon College on Old Sticklepath Hill.  (01271) 344400
E-mail: [email protected]
We have developed a shared leadership role within the Church Council,
whose members are listed on page 1. Details about our church, are
also on our website at www.barnstaple-st-paul.org.uk . At the heart of
our life is a belief in Jesus as the only Saviour, the relevance of the
Bible in context as the inspired word of God, the call to bring Christ’s
kingdom life into ourselves and our community by service, ministry and
witness, and the continuing guidance of the Holy Spirit to the Church.
Pastoral work is shared with a team of trained lay visitors (see page 7) or
our licensed Reader John Hartfield ( 327437). As a church we are
available to help anyone living in the parish, particularly the distressed,
seriously ill, or recently bereaved, whether or not they are a church
member. A message on the Vicar's answerphone is the quickest way to
contact him, if there is no-one available when you phone.
Our Mission Action Plan for the parish and church is reviewed each year.
under our guiding vision of “Together, changing lives for good !”.
The key elements of that can be found on page 24 of this magazine.
-2-
The Vicar Writes...
Sudoku
answer is on page 22
Each row, column and square of 9
blocks must contain numbers 1 to 9.
Church & Community
news & information
see also pages 5,7 & 21
First woman as a bishop
Please return your completed
worship quesƟonnaire to church or
to the vicarage by mid January.
Lost track of the budget?
ALL CHANGE…
The Rt Revd Nick McKinnel who
became Bishop of Crediton in late
2012 has become instead Bishop
of Plymouth, also in this Diocese.
Bishop Nick was formerly based
at St.Andrews Minster Church,
and was before that a priest in the
Archdeaconry of Totnes.
Bishop Robert has announce that
the Revd Preb. Douglas Dettmer,
the Chair of the House of Clergy,
is to be the new Archdeacon of
Totnes, and the Revd. Dr Mark
Butchers from the Oxford Diocese
will be the Archdeacon of
Barnstaple, both from late March.
From our Registers

Rest in Peace
Margaret Flora Elizabeth WHITE
after a service at the Crematorium
on Friday 5th December
To be interred 30th December in
the Garden of Remembrance
St.Paul’s Churchyard
-3-
At this me of year, as the credit
card and bank statements come
through the le er box, many
people realise that their financial
planning could have done with
some working on before they got
into a mess. But, it is not too late
to get help. The churches in
Barnstaple help people get out of
debt through a well established
agency called CAP. Jeremy, the
local Centre Manager and
volunteers help people in their
own homes. Details on capuk.org
or phone 0800 3280006 to book
an ini al mee ng with Jeremy.
The first woman appointed as a
bishop in Libby Lane, photo Kippa Matthews
the
Church
of
England
is to fill
the
vacancy caused when Bishop
Robert moved to Exeter to be our
Diocesan Bishop. Will we see
another woman filling the vacant
post of Bishop of Crediton (see
page 3)? Such a move would
face far less opposition than
elsewhere in the diocese.
The government is now fasttracking legislation to allow
women to occupy some of the 26
places reserved for C of E
bishops in the House of Lords. An
historic right as the established
church, suitably reduced in
number when the size of the
House of Lords was changed.
PRAYING FOR YOU: In January we
Our new, free community group
starts 8th January 2-4pm
See page 7 for more details.
pray for residents of Clifton St. & Terrace,
Signal & Osborne Terr., Old Sticklepath
Hill, Copley Drive, and a new year together.
If you would like prayer for a particular
person or situation, we can say one for you
in private, or visit to pray with you.
Please contact us through our Pastoral
Coordinator (details on page7).
-4-
NEW YEAR? GET
FIRST AID TRAINING
BEATING THE COLD
Here is a very worthwhile New
Year’s resolution: consider doing
some First Aid training this year,
especially if you are a parent with
young children.
In a survey by the British Red
Cross, 96% of parents agreed
that their main fears were their
children choking, or finding them
unconscious – when seconds
could make the difference to their
survival. Even 15 minutes of
proper First Aid training is enough
to give you knowledge that could
save someone’s life in an
emergency.
For details of your nearest First
Aid Course, visit:
www.redcross.org.uk
B.I.B.L.E.?
A father was approached by
his small son, who told him
proudly, "I now know what
the Bible means!"
His father smiled and asked
him to explain.
“It’s easy. It stands for
Basic Information Before
Leaving Earth.”
If you are older, winter can be a
challenging time of year. Age UK has
offered the following tips to help you
1 Stay active. Try never to sit still for
more than an hour at a time. Keep moving
around - even if it is just walking to the
kitchen and back a few times.
2 Eat well. Aim for at least one hot
meal a day, and regular hot drinks. Stock
up cupboards with basic food items well in
advance, in case bad weather arrives.
3 Keep your home warm, around 21C.
Being cold can increase the risk of a heart
attack, stroke and breathing difficulties.
4. Keep your hands, face and feet warm.
Wear several layers of clothing as layers.
Wool and fleecy garments trap warm air.
5 Get a flu jab. Flu can develop into
pneumonia, so take preventative
measures!
6 Order any repeat prescriptions early,
especially if bad weather is forecast. Does
your pharmacy offer a delivery service?
7 Keep in regular touch with friends and
family, even if just by phone or email.
8 Check your benefits. Most people born
before 6 January 1952 will receive a
Winter Fuel Payment.
9 Reduce your energy bills with
insulation and draught-proofing. For info,
call the Energy Saving Advice Service on
0300 123 1234.
10 Keep on top of your energy bills – talk
to your energy supplier about repayment
plans or even grants. See the articles on
page 16 in this magazine.
-5-
A NEW YEAR’S
RESOLUTION YOU COULD
KEEP
Try eating one apple a day.
Apparently, it really does keep the
doctor away. Evidently it can be
almost as effective as statins in
preventing strokes and heart
attacks. Researchers at Oxford
University believe that more than
8000 deaths a year might be
prevented if over 50s who are not
already on statins simply ate an
apple each day.
Apples are high in soluble fibre
which slows the build-up of
cholesterol-rich plaque in the
arteries. Also, apples, unlike
statins, have no side-effects. So –
they are worth trying!
ACHIEVE YOUR
RESOLUTION IN 2015
Every year millions of people do it
- make New Year Resolutions.
The most common resolves are to
give up smoking or to achieve
some planned weight loss. They
embark on the enterprise on 1st
January, but we all suspect that
by the end of the month they’ll be
back on the fags or have resumed
tucking into the burgers.
But what about other resolutions?
Experience tells us that there is a
better chance of success if we set
ourselves, initially at least, more
modest but important goals. How
about a resolution not to complain
about the weather? Or to go to
bed at a sensible time? Or to
smile at the neighbour who keeps
putting his bin where mine should
go? Or to say ‘thanks’ to the bus
driver as I get off? Or to make
time every day for reflection,
prayer and perhaps a short Bible
reading? Or to go back to church?
‘Resolution’ has two meanings: a
‘resolve’ to do something, and the
result of doing it (the ‘resolution’
of the problem). Perhaps it might
help all of us if we concentrated
on the latter rather than the
former this New Year, keeping our
eyes on that desirable goal rather
than the difficulties of getting
there.
Excerpt from an article
by David Winter
-6-
Need some help...or someone to talk to ?
The Vicar is available to help anyone in the parish, alongside
a trained and authorized team of volunteers in supporting the
bereaved, troubled, housebound or those who are ill, or in
difficult circumstance. As well as helping to pastor the
members of the church, they are also contacts for the
general community.
Requests, information or enquiries:
Mrs Pauline Wills  371650, who will contact
the appropriate Pastoral Assistant,
the Reader (John Hartfield), or the Vicar
Our Volunteer Pastoral Assistants
Current Team of Visitors: Mrs Wendy Essery; Mr Glyn Harding;
Mrs Sandra Richards; Miss Bryony Chave-Cox & Mrs Pauline Wills.
Previously Trained: Mrs Anna Courtier & Mrs Dorothy Prince.
PETE PARKER & SON
Est. 1967
INDUSTRIAL & DOMESTIC
WINDOW CLEANING SERVICES
ALSO CLADDING, FASCIA
GUTTER CLEANING
DRIVE & ROOF CLEANING
FULLY INSURED
Call Jeff on 01271 346613
Give your house a Spring Clean – see the difference
-7-
£1/child includes refreshments
for adults & children.
NOT
MEETING
ON
JANUARY
FIRST
from10 to11.30am
photo: Guy Chave-Cox
We are starting a free monthly community group called Open
Doors ,where people can simply meet and enj oy each other’s
company with a cup of tea, or coffee, and a cake. Since we
refurbished the inside of St.Paul’s it is a
comfortable place with upholstered
chairs (some with arms). There are
pictures of the interior of the church on
the inside cover of the magazine, but the
seating will be arranged around tables.
The church has an efficient heating
system and a toilet inside the building.
You are welcome on the first Thursdays in the month (open 2pm
to 4pm), BUT starting January 8th.
Mo re info : 01271 371650
Thursday mornings in
St.Paul’s Church
learning skills, having
fun,
making friends
play, art/craft, music
growing together
-8-
TO YOUR CREDIT
HOME SCHOOLING ?
A new money website, ToYourCredit,
has been launched to showcase the
Church’s work on responsible credit
and savings, including supporting
credit unions. The website has been
created by the Archbishop of
Canterbury’s Task Group on
Responsible Credit and Savings and
contains personal testimonies,
videos, and blogs from initiatives
across the country.
Most older folk were home schooled, as
well as actually attending a school…
Here’s a rather tongue in cheek guide:
Their vision is “to create a fairer
financial system focused on serving
the whole community, where
everyone has access to responsible
credit and savings and other
essential financial services.”
The Task Group has also proposed a
network of savings clubs in Primary
schools to give pupils practical
experience of money management.
The programme would build on a
number of successful small-scale
initiatives already in place in parts of
the country and evidence of what
makes for an effective financial
education programme.
Sir Hector Sants, chair of the Task
Group, said: “Savings clubs can
transform lives through helping
establish a responsible approach to
money from an early age. For more
information visit
www.toyourcredit.org.uk
Our mothers taught us tp
APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE: "
If you're going to kill each other, do it
outside. I just finished cleaning."
Our fathers taught us RELIGION:
"You better pray that that will come out
of the carpet."
Our mothers taught us LOGIC:
"If you fall out of that swing and break
your neck, you're not going to the
shops with me."
Our fathers taught us MORE LOGIC:
"Because I said so, that's why."
Our mothers taught us about
CONTORTIONISM : "Just you look at
that dirt on the back of your neck!"
Our fathers taught us about the science
of OSMOSIS:
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
Our mothers taught us about
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION:
"Stop acting like your father!"
Our fathers taught us about
ANTICIPATION:
"Just wait until we get home."
Our mothers taught us about ESP:
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I
know when you are cold?"
And finally, our fathers taught us about
JUSTICE: "One day you'll have kids,
and I hope they turn out just like you!"
-9-
- 10 -
Barnstaple Floral Art Club
St.Paul’s Church Hall
offers affordable space and
comfort for meetings, activities,
and catering. The heated hall is
also available for hire by private
individuals for functions and
children’s parties. There is a
stage, newly fitted kitchen, main
hall, meeting room, and toilet
facilities.
For one-off bookings, phone the
vicarage (pref Tues am)  344400
[email protected]
Still Celebrating Christmas
Sun. 21st Dec 4.30pm Candlelit Carol Service
Wed. 24th Dec 4.30pm A-glow at Christmas.
With safe glowsticks
Join in our fun, ‘all-action’ journey
for the children to
hold and take home. to Bethlehem. Carols for children.
Wed. 24th Dec 11.30pm Midnight Communion.
Thur. 25th Dec 10.30am Round the Crib. A short
carol communion service for all ages.
th
Sun. 28 Dec 10am All-Age Celebration & carols.
Whether by the skilled eye of a
Churchwarden, luck, or divine
guidance, John got a tree that is
just touching the ceiling, and
without resort to a saw or tape
measure . Here it will stand in
all its glory un l 5th Jan., the eve
of Epiphany. Thanks also for the
decora ng done by Carol, our
other Churchwarden, assisted
by volunteers fuelled by carol
singing, ‘fes ve nibbles’ and
mulled wine from grapes grown
in the vicarage garden. As usual,
hidden amongst the decora ons
are symbols of God’s plan and
our journey to salva on through
Jesus, the Christ. Come and see.
- 11 -
photo: Guy Chave-Cox
Proper job !
2014 Rates to April: £5.50/hr. Deposit
£10 - returned if hall cleaned to a
satisfactory standard. Heating included
4th Thursday evening in the months
Jan-July & Sept-Nov. Demonstrations,
talks, and involvement in flower events.
Mrs Pat Bissett  01271 343405
Arabic Belly & Folk Dancing
Alternate Tuesdays 7.30-9pm. Dancing
for fun and fitness—LADIES ONLY.
Contact: [email protected]
Mon & Wed (term-time evenings) used
by the Guide Group - see below.
Saturday afternoon hire for Children’s
parties occasionally available
Reserved Sundays,
& Friday afternoon.
Mon, Wed, Thu & Fri
Mornings are currently available
Alternate Tuesday evenings.
Jiggy Wrigglers. 10-11am Tuesdays
£3/£3.80 under/over 1 Music,
singing, puppets, activities.
There are two new trial classes by
[email protected]
Project Dance on Friday evening.
Clare  07870 628681
Line Dancing (beginners welcome)
Mon 8-10pm.
Julie Tollafield  07765 128856
Lindsay Ballet Studios (term-time)
Thurs (4-6pm). Tuition for those aged
4yrs upwards, from "music & movement"
to ballet grade I to VI, & adult ballet.
Marion Lindsay  01271 374272
Project Dance: Wednes. 1-4pm &
8.30-10.30pm & most Sat. 8.30am—3.30pm
subject to below. Teach a variety of
styles—see www.projectdance.co.uk
Karen&Steve Moss mob: 07795 201249
Private adult ballet group Tuesday
lunchtime & most Thursday evenings.
Saturday even’g hire may be
possible.
UNIFORMED GROUPS
Guide Group
(in the Hall)
Brownies: Mondays, 6-7.30pm.
Sharon Heard  01271 345593
Guides: Wednesdays 7-8.30pm.
Leonie Shields  01884 235888
or Sue Shields  01271 861365
or Jo Pollard  01271 344015
(Rainbows: Mrs Mandy Dawes)
Scout Group
(Scout Hut, Ellerslie Playing Field)
All enquiries concerning Beavers,
Cubs, or Scouts should be made to
Clare Young  01271 328494
- 12 -
(A.W., D.W. & J.E. Gayton Dip FD)
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Private Chapel of Rest.
Personal attention
LAUDERDALE, BICKINGTON, BARNSTAPLE
Established 1910
Telephone Barnstaple 342196
Golden Charter Prepaid Funeral Plans
Helping children from our community
primary school Explore Christmas
photo: Guy Chave-Cox
W.S. GAYTON AND SON LTD
On the 16th December, Recep on,
Year 1, and Year 2 enjoyed a treat
for Christmas from the Open The
Book Team. Volunteers from
St.Paul’s Church, Roundswell
Church, and S cklepath Methodist
Church gathered a few more
helpers to devise and prepare cra
ac vi es, and help on the day. The
Open the Book team leads popular
assemblies, usually in the school
every other week, based on a
drama c re‐telling of a Bible Story.
Visiting Chiropodist
Mrs. Lynda. P. Wren MSSCh & MBChA
Health Professions Council Registered CH20702
For an appointment or information, Tel: 01271
- 13 -
378403.
photo: Guy Chave-Cox
photo: Guy Chave-Cox
150 children with their teachers, ‘TA’s,
and a few parents visited St.Paul’s
Church in two groups, one in the morning
and another in the a ernoon to listen to
the GOOD NEWS Na vity story, sing, and
then chat about four different parts of
the Christmas message as they got
“hands on”. There were scrolls to make;
reminding of God’s GOOD NEWS
promises; angels to assemble and
decorate as we thought about the
messengers of GOOD NEWS; shepherds
from lumps of playdough – as they were the first to hear the GOOD NEWS;
and a search to find their own name, and add it to a star decora on for their
own home, as we remembered the GOOD NEWS sign in the sky. The one
which would guide the Wise
Men to find the promised
Saviour‐King. The children
rewarded us with some
wonderful singing . We all had
a lot of fun exploring
Christmas together.
- 14 -
CosyDevon,
backed by nine local authorities and Devon
County Council, is being delivered by the energy supplier E.ON in
order to address fuel hardship this winter.
Anyone can apply - homeowners, landlords or private tenants (not
only EON customers) for free or subsidised loft/wall insulation. Also
for replacement boilers for those installed before 2005
These offers are open to all homeowners and private tenants
regardless of income.
Call 0800 0511 548 . Lines open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday
and 9am – 1pm on Saturday.
CosyDevon uses a call centre based in Barnstaple. Or check at
www.cosydevon.com
All eligible applicants will be given a FREE, no obligation Energy
Performance Certificate (EPC) survey. The surveyor will visit their
home to check things like their walls, loft and if necessary their
boiler. The visit usually lasts 2 hours.
On completion of their EPC, if they have applied for insulation an
installer will contact the homeowner to arrange a more thorough,
technical survey to make sure it is fine to proceed with the work.
You can also email CosyDevon at [email protected]
EDF ENERGY DEBT HELPLINE
This is a national service run from Plymouth where debt/benefit
advice is provided to EDF Energy Customers. This is done over the
telephone using assessors and caseworkers. Customers of EDF
Energy will obtain their number from the back of bills or can be
transferred or referred by EDF Energy. Customers will receive a full
debt service and they will also look at ways to get clients out of fuel
poverty such as ensuring they get the correct benefits, are energy
efficient and also receive the cheapest tariffs and discounts that they
can. Telephone: 0800 269 450 http://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/
help-support/energy-bill-debt-advice
EDF also submits applications to the EDF Energy Trust Fund. The
trust fund provides discretionary grants to overcome fuel poverty
such as paying off electric and gas debt, providing energy efficient
white goods or providing insolvency fees. This is principally done on
the phone: 01733 421060 email: [email protected]
http://www.edfenergytrust.org.uk/
- 15 -
- 16 -
“WE SAW… AND WE CAME”
““We saw his star in the east and have
come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2)
The visit of the wise men gets celebrated
on 6th January - the
season of
‘Epiphany’ (Greek:
the‘Manifestation’ of
Jesus to the non-Jewish
world of the Gentiles).
These eastern visitors
highlight the theme of
Jesus as Universal
Saviour. They ‘saw his
star in the east’; that is, it
was from the place where they lived - in the
east - that they saw the star.
If ‘the star’ had been simply a combination
of, say, Jupiter and Halley’s comet, then
these learned men from Mesopotamia
might have been interested and even
excited – but it would hardly have signified
to them the one, unique and life-changing
event that required a 300-mile journey!
Don’t even try to reduce the star of
Bethlehem down to something like a
conjunction of planets – or you will never
grasp what happened. This was a
supernatural event, greater even than the
crossing of the Red Sea or the gathering to
heaven of a godly man in a fiery chariot.
These were learned men – but also
reverent and prayerful. It is probable that
they would have read of the future ‘star’ and
‘sceptre’ that would arise in Israel – foretold
centuries earlier in Numbers 24:17 by
Balaam, also a Gentile from their own area
(Numbers 22:5).
And Matthew 2 has nothing to do with
astrology or horoscopes. It connects with
the supernatural happenings in nature
that highlighted each stage in the life of
Jesus – the dove (his
baptism), the shining
light (transfiguration),
the darkness and
earthquake (his death),
the cloud (his
ascension). Hence the
star around the time of
his birth. So “We saw…
and have come.”
1. There are those who see – but don’t
‘see.’ It took Gentile visitors to shame
Jerusalem and its leaders. Every
generation has to be educated afresh
about Jesus Christ, the world’s Messiah!
2. There are those who see - but don’t
come. All saw the star, and the local
scribes knew the prophecy of Micah 5:2
that the new King would come from
Bethlehem – but ironically it was the
Gentile visitors who alone made the
pilgrimage.
3. There are those who do see - and do
come. From Herod onwards – right up to
today – murderous efforts are made to
wipe out all reminders of the Babe of
Bethlehem. But in the current
unprecedented and astonishing advance
of evangelism world-wide, the
international worshippers of Jesus form
the widest and fastest-growing family of
belief ever!
- 17 -
Padfields Funeral Service
Independent, family owned Funeral Directors
Caring, personal and professional 24 hour service
from Mr Chris Eastaugh
01271 342024
Members of the National Association of Funeral Directors
AMAZING
Start at the top in
the left hand corner
and work your way
down to the
opposite right hand
lower corner:
Details of costs of adverts & printing charges
Annual rates Full page (A5) £112, Two-thirds page £75, half page £67, third
page £45. Small adverts: Fifth page £30, Text boxes £2.20/month.
Pro rata for part year March to February.
Digital Printing—from paper or “Office” computer file.
A4 single sided 4p each, two sided 6p (1p/sheet discount for own paper)
A4 full COLOUR just 20p each, two sided 38p (discount as above)
01271 344400 [email protected]
Copying/printing subject to availability of machine and staff.
- 18 -
THE FIRST CHRISTIAN INTELLECTUAL
On 25th January, the Church celebrates
probably the most famous conversion
of all. At least, what happened to a
young man called Saul on the road to
Damascus has become a byword for all
instant conversions - what is known as
a ‘damascene’ moment. Saul was a
devout Jew, a Pharisee, a student of
Gamaliel and a fierce critic of the
followers of Jesus, then a very new sect
on the religious scene.
On his way to Damascus to organise a
purge of Christians in that city, he was
blinded by a bright light and heard a
voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you
persecuting me?’ He asked the identity
of the voice, and it replied, ‘Jesus,
whom you are persecuting’. Stunned by
the experience, he followed further
instructions which led him to a Christian
man in Damascus, who prayed with him
and Saul’s sight was restored.
The experience convinced him that
Jesus - crucified in Jerusalem four or
five years earlier - was in fact the
Messiah and had risen from the dead.
After a period of instruction, Saul was
baptised and took the name by which
history has recognised him, Paul. At
first, some Christians were wary about
the reality of his conversion, but over a
period of time he was accepted and
indeed eventually recognised as an
’apostle’, a ‘special messenger’ of
Jesus Christ.
His intellectual stature and leadership
gifts quickly marked him out, and within
a few years he became a leading figure
in the emerging Christian Church,
preaching and founding churches all
over the Middle East, largely of Gentile
converts. He was eventually martyred
in Rome, probably in 65AD.
Paul was the first intellectual of the
Christian Church, the man who was
able to set the events of the life and
teaching of Jesus, and especially his
death and resurrection, into a coherent
theology, with its roots very clearly in
the Jewish faith of his own upbringing.
He’s not always easy to follow. Even
the New Testament admits that: ‘there
are some things (in his letters) hard to
understand’ (2 Peter 3:16). But at the
same time he gave the new faith a
foundation and credibility which have
stood it well down the centuries.
Many people think of Paul as a rather
negative, narrow misogynist, but even a
quick reading of his letters actually
reveals a person of great warmth, who
evoked enormous affection and
devotion from others. ‘You would have
plucked out your eyes and given them
to me!’ he writes to the Christians at
Galatia. He was, of course, a man of
his time and culture, in days when
women were disregarded in terms of
status and leadership.
But read his letters, and see how large
a role women play in them and how
much scope he gave them to lead and
teach in the Church. In terms of the first
century, St Paul was a liberal!
The amazing Paul of Tarsus, after
whom our church is named, deserves a
bit of celebrating on 25th January.
- 19 -
A
BETTER
HOW CAN YOU HELP
CHANGE THINGS
FOR THE BETTER?
A great challenge for local
churches choosing their New Year
Resolution for 2015 is a simple
fact. There can only be a revival
of Christianity in England if there
is a revival of PRAYER.
So believes the Archbishop of
Canterbury, Archbishop Welby.
In several recent speeches he has
made clear his
conviction that
prayer really does
change things.
“There have been
105 Archbishops in
Canterbury; the first
one was in AD 597.
In all that time, there has never
been a renewal of Christian life in
this country without there first
being a renewal in prayer…
There is only one source of true
reconciliation in this world and it
is the power of Jesus Christ
working through us by his Spirit.”
Part of the churches’ mission
locally is linked to work in the
community. This goes alongside
our faith and hope for Christian
revival. Here are just three of the
projects local churches work
together on, who have asked for
prayer at the current time:
2015

We are relocating the local
Foodbank to St.Johns
Community Centre in Rose
Lane. Please pray that its
new location will provide
the opportunities the team
leaders hope and plan for
in expanding the churches
help to those in need.

On Saturday nights, a
dedicated team of
volunteers helps reduce
violence, clear up glass,
listen to those who need
someone to talk to, or help
those who are ill and need
help getting home or to a
safe place. There is
another team of volunteers
praying in a practical way
and linked by walkie-talkie
radio. Would you join them
sometimes in praying?

In 2014 a CAP debt centre
was established based in
Barnstaple and wholly
supported by churches. As
the work expands please
pray for the Centre
Manager and for the
volunteer visitors.
Training & Equipping in prayer
will be led by Jonathan Oloyede
from “National Day of Prayer”
on 25th January in North Devon
House of Prayer ( below the hall
in St.Peter’s Churchyard) 2-4pm
- 20 -
Barnstaple
Police
Surgery:page 24
PC Nick Daffern:
Neighbourhood
Beat Manager
photo: Devon&Cornwall police
Alistair Summers was replaced by
PCSO Daniel Rolfe in November.
The Surgery at the Children’s
Centre within the S cklepath
Community School grounds is
now on the LAST TUESDAY in
the month at 2pm.
Next local police surgery
2pm Tuesday 30th December
Daniel’s email contact is below. We
have no further update specific to
our area at the moment, which is
understandable given the amount of
work needed when such a change in
personnel takes place. But at this
me of year past advice has been to
make sure your Christmas present
shopping is out of site if you leave it
in your car. Also to remember the
advice: don’t drink & drive
Our Local Police Contact:
Telephone: 101 Textphone 18001 101
[email protected]
- 21 -
During a wedding recep on
the mother of the bride
managed to keep from crying
un l she glanced at the
grandparents. The
grandmother had reached
over to the grandfather's
wheelchair and was gently
touching his hand. That was
all it took to start the
mother's tears flowing. A er
the wedding, she went over
to the grandmother and told
her how that tender gesture
triggered her outburst.
"Well, I'm sorry to ruin your
moment," Grandmother
replied, "but I was just
checking to see if he was s ll
awake."
The week aŌer the
month before
A er a hec c December full
of Christmas events at the
church, the vicar went wearily
into the chemist’s shop. He
asked: ‘Have you got anything
for laryngi s?’
The chemist replied: ‘Good
morning sir. What can I do for
you?’
STICKLEPATH NETWORK FELLOWSHIP
2:45pm Jan. 28th Revd. Marilyn Tricker
For details of meeting venues and
for further information, contact …
Secretary: Mrs Sandy Peters 325602 or
Programme Secretary: Mrs Mary Monk 374151
Our February edition will be
available from 25th Jan. Items for
inclusion to the Vicarage
by 9am on 15th January, please.
local news / photos welcome
Guy is NOT available Tuesday am & Thursday aft’n,
(mostly archdeaconry role). Friday is his day off.
Eileen, The Parish Administrator is often in the Vicarage on
Tuesday Mornings to answer queries if Guy is unavailable.
REMINDER: Annual Subscriptions
£4 are due by the end of February.
M.C. below = Mission Community.
Fellowship/Study/Explore :
on Wednesdays, 7.30pm home/church.
Ask Glyn, or phone Pauline 371650.
Seedlings: on Thursdays from 10am
to 11.30am. Further details on page 8.
We do not meet on New Year’s Day.
Alpha Course : For details of the
next course or further information,
contact 01271 344400 or send an email
[email protected]
SUDOKU ON PAGE 3
Old love
United Prayer & Praise
tivals may be celebrated at Wednesday Communion
3rd Sunday
on the
evening for Christians
living in West Barnstaple, and the
churches based on this side of the town.
Next opportunity: 6.30pm 18th January.
St.Paul’s Church.
Flowers in Church
If you would like to help with flower arranging
or donate money for flowers in church to mark
a special date, please get in touch. .
- 22 -
The History of the Parish of
Sticklepath with Roundswell
SARAH ANASTASIADES
JOE SIMMONDS
Please help St.Paul’s to make a difference
Financial support of service to our community is more important than
ever. We now operate a flexible monthly donation scheme through
variable direct debit controlled by the donor. Contact Paul (see page 1)
for more information about the Parish Giving Scheme, Gift-Aid,
Envelopes, or Standing Orders. However, in these uncertain times, many
people do not have the resources to give as much as they would like to
from their income or pension. Please consider leaving a legacy gift.
Some people do this by a simple written instruction to their family, but
the best way is to include a gift in your will (perhaps simply by adding a
Codicil) “for the general purposes of the Parochial Church Council of
St.Paul’s, Sticklepath with Roundswell in the Diocese of Exeter ”.
There is a special website www.churchlegacy.org.uk
which provides general help in preparing to visit a
solicitor to make out a will. There are simple free
leaflets and forms available, and confidential help and
photo: churchlegacy
advice available from the National Legacy Officer
Eleanor Gill on 08455 870875 [email protected]
This is one of only a few parishes in Devon created in modern times. We began
as a separate district to meet the spiritual needs of the expanding population of
Barnstaple—a process that
PILTON
FREMINGTON
continues. The area
covered parts of three
includes Bickington
from Lower Cross Rd
separate civil parishes,
which tend to follow old
church boundaries. From
it’s original base in what is
now our hall, a new church
with Roundswell
was built, then consecrated
in 1956 when Sticklepath
Parish was created. The
parish was renamed and
expanded in 1996 and
TAWSTOCK
in1999 to include all the
For a detailed map of the parish boundaries for the purposes of banns of
area north of the A39
marriage see: www.acny.org.uk/parishfinder.php?EX312BG
except Lake village.
The parishes in and around the town now form Barnstaple Mission Community.
We continue also to work in partnership with other local churches & agencies
on specific projects.
As a church we are committed to:
 continue our personal growth as Christians,
especially through developing faith, worship, prayer, and practical ministry.
 effective action that seeks to meet spiritual and practical need,
both locally and globally.
 be welcoming to families and individuals,
encouraging awareness of forgiveness and life abundant in Christ.
 work for the good of our community
with other churches, groups and organisations.
Please leave a separate letter to your Executors if there is a particular use that you would like the
gift to be put towards. Our church council will use such a legacy to help fund significant projects.
More details about the church, parish and our Mission Action Plan are available
on our website www.barnstaple-st-paul.org.uk
- 23 -
- 24 -
For Sale / Lost / Wanted / Anniversary / Services
The boxes below are available for your private advertisements.
(£2.20 each per issue, free to not-for-profit community groups )
Advertise in here for one month for £2.20.
Black & white, text only - sized to fit
Cheque payable to St.Paul's PCC,
cash, or postage stamps.
Text & payment in envelope marked
"Magazine Advert Box" to the vicarage.
Nightstopdevon
LOCAL POLICE SURGERY
at the Sure Start Centre
(Sticklepath School
grounds). Last Tuesday in
the month at 2pm.
Memory Café
offers emergency accommodation
one night at a time to young people For people with memory
aged 16-25 years, who have noproblems or a dementia
where to stay.
and their carers
All guests undergo a thorough risk
assessment and Nightstop works
Contact Telephone: 0844 2553791
with what volunteers are comforta- Email: [email protected]
ble with. Hosts are paid £15 and
out of pocket expenses. Full trainfirst Friday of most months
ing and support is given.
from 10.00am—12.00
If you are interested in volunteering
and making a practical difference to
at the Castle Centre,
vulnerable people, please phone
01392 274835
25 Castle St. Barnstaple.
Sunday Worship at St.Paul’s Church
Old Sticklepath Hill, Barnstaple, Devon
28th Dec’14 & January 2015
28th Dec Christmas 1
Gal 4: 4-7,
Lk. 2: 15-21
10am All-age Celebration with Carols
including a simple communion
Featuring post-Christmas Carols. We invite you to enjoy some refreshments after.
4th Jan
Eph. 1: 3-14
Jn. 1: 10-18
Christmas 2
0808 800 5000
is the NSPCC Helpline number.
If you are worried about a child’s safety or wellbeing, we’re here to offer
help, advice and support.
You don’t have to say who you are.
Advertise in here for one month for £2.20.
Black & white, text only - sized to fit
Cheque payable to St.Paul's PCC,
cash, or postage stamps.
Text & payment in envelope marked
"Magazine Advert Box" to the vicarage.
An advert in this magazine does not constitute our recommendation.
Our thanks to those who support this community & church publication.
Chosen by God
8am Holy Communion (trad’l form)
10am Worship with Communion
At the 10am service, there will be a separate activity for children during the sermon.
11th Jan
Acts 19: 1-7
Mk. 1: 4-11
Baptism of Christ
Which baptism?
10.30am United Covenant Service (Methodist Ch)
6.30pm Holy Communion (trad’l form) - St.Paul’s
There is no separate provision for children at the Methodist Church as present.
18th Jan
at 8am Rev. 5: 1-10
Jn. 1: 43-51
Epiphany 2
25th Jan
Revelation 19: 6-10
Jn. 2: 1-11
Heaven’s rule on Earth
8am Holy Communion (trad’l form)
10am All-Age Worship
We are all together for the 10am service
Please save this number on your mobile
adopted as sons
6.30pm United Praise & Prayer (here)
Conversion of St.Paul
Invited
10am Festival Communion
6.30pm Evensong (trad’l form)
Psalm 128
We are together at 10am service: includes members commissioned to our Pastoral Team.
see inside front cover for a description of the pattern of worship each month
Holy Communion also every Wednesday 9.30am
for other mid-week services, or details of events, see the diary on page 22.