Rushen Parish Magazine

November 2016

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Contact Details for Rushen Parish

Vicar:

Rev’d Joe Heaton (rev.joeheaton@gmail.com) 832275

Rushen Vicarage, Barracks Road, Port St Mary

Readers:

Mrs Margaret Galloway, Cumbrae, Athol Park, Port Erin 837946

Mrs June Harper, The Barns, Strawberry Fields, Colby 834466

Mr Richard Clague, 4 Eagle Mews, Port Erin 834606

Mr Harry Dawson, Thalloo Reagh, Cregneash 478050/835770

Mr Adam Kelly, Berwyn, Beach Rd, Port St Mary 833850

Active Clergy

Rev Roger Harper, The Barns, Strawberry Fields, Colby 834466

Rev John Gulland, 3 Snaefell House, Port Erin 834548

Rev Brian Shephard, Keayn Ard, Queens Rd, Pt. St Mary 833315

Retired Clergy:

Canon John Sheen, Kentraugh Mill, Colby

Church Wardens:

Mr Gerry Callister, 60 Ballamaddrell, Port Erin 474924/834627

Mr Arthur Cregeen, 23 Close Famman, Port Erin 832488/422737

Mr Harry Dawson, Thalloo Reagh, Cregneash 478050/835770

Mr Peter Hayhurst, Fois Fraon, Fistard 832974/495630

PCC Secretary:

Mr David Bowman, The Old Bakery, Qualtroughs Lane, 837117/260539

Port Erin

PCC Treasurer:

Mr Stephen Curtis, Clybane Cottage, Phildraw Road, 823475

Ballasalla

Parish Administrator and Safeguarding Officer for Children and Vulnerable People:

Mrs Claire Jennings, admin@rushenparish.org.uk 830850

More contact details on the inside of the back cover

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Dear Friends,

The month of October has given us some barmy weather. It can be remembered for the unseasonal warm temperatures, the distinct lack of wind (or even a light breeze), the sunshine – yes even on the IOM the ball of fire in the sky has made more than a few appearances. Even some of the trees have blossom on again and so you could be forgiven for thinking that we are still in the month of May rather than rapidly heading towards the winter months. It’s perhaps only the nights drawing in and the clocks going back that gives a true indication of the actual season that we’re in.

For me, the arrival of November always signals the beginning of a series of festivities; be it Bonfire night and fireworks, or the Christingle Orange, or carol services, or Christmas Day. It can feel like putting on an old but comfortable pair of shoes, or a well-worn coat – the familiarity is comforting. Things are as they should be.

But stop, wait! A brief glance at the news headlines over the last month tells a story that things are far from as they should be. A hurricane in Haiti causing untold damage, refugees continuing to flee Syria, conflict in Iraq, closure of the camp in Calais. I am sure you could add a few more to the list. What does one do when faced with such overwhelming turmoil in the world?

There are (I think) but two options. The first is to put our fingers in our ears and says it’s got nothing to do with us and suggest somehow that it was their own fault that they managed to get caught up in a war or a hurricane. But to do so, makes us less human, less compassionate, less caring. The second option is to acknowledge that we are connected by our shared humanity and to respond. We might never meet a refugee or a person who’s lost family, home and livelihood from the ravages of a hurricane but let that not stop us from responding. That might mean finding out more about a situation and beginning to donate to a charity, it might mean praying daily for the many human lives affected (all with have a story).

To respond is to be human, and to be human is to respond.

Best wishes

Rev Joe Heaton

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spent much time in prayer as a hermit. He was brought back into community life to become Abbot of Bath and later Bishop of Winchester. He stayed at Winchester for two decades and gained a wide reputation for his care of the poor. It was said that in his diocese there were no beggars, thanks to his generosity. He was also known for his gifts of diplomacy and the king, Ethelred the Unready, called on him to mediate with the Danes who had invaded his kingdom. Such was his charisma that even the Danish chief Anlaf converted to Christianity. In 1005 Alphege was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury and six years later another Danish invasion force arrived, demanding gold and silver. The Danes laid siege to Canterbury. This time the outcome was far less happy. The cathedral was plundered and the Danes threatened to slaughter the inhabitants of the city. The archbishop volunteered to be taken prisoner if the citizens were spared. He was put in a dungeon and a ransom of £3000 was demanded for his release, a huge sum in those days. When an epidemic of sickness struck the Danes, he prayed that they might be healed. Nevertheless, on 19th April 1012, when the archbishop was being held at Greenwich, the Danes became increasingly impatient with their prisoner. He persistently refused to allow anyone to buy his freedom. He was seized by a party of drunken Vikings and pelted with animal bones and ox-heads He was so badly wounded and his suffering so great that, according to one story, a Christian Viking took pity and dispatched him swiftly with a blow to the head. After his death, which shocked all England, he was much venerated. The Danish king Canute had his body taken to Canterbury. Alphege was canonised by Pope Gregory VII in 1078, and honoured not just for the manner of his death, but for his steadfast holiness. He became the patron saint of kidnap victims.

Ted Harrison

Alphege – the kidnapped Archbishop of Canterbury

Countless Christians have died for their faith. This month we continue with the series on martyrs looking at St Alphege. It has always been a fairly hazardous job being Archbishop of Canterbury, but in the past several even went on to meet a gory end. The tenth century Alphege was a pious and austere monk, who

Clocks It is told of the great preacher C H Spurgeon that after preaching at length one Sunday he said: “I don’t mind people looking at their watches, but I do dislike to see them holding them to their ears, to see if they are still going.”

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If you would like to make some cakes, or donate something for the Bring & Buy stall, please let the ladies have them before the event, or alternatively come with it on the day. Anything that you offer will be most appreciated. If you would like to become a member of the Ladies Working Party, please contact Sue Maddrell (833151) or Margaret Moore (832399).

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‘He gave us eyes to see them’ The Altar

St Stephen’ Church Walbrook

In ‘The Temple’ the reader travels through the poems of George Herbert and makes a pilgrimage through the church to arrive finally at the altar where Love bids us welcome to make our communion. For the poet and for us, the altar is a sign of Christ: His presence in the sacrament of His body and blood. At the Reformation stone altars gave way to wooden holy tables, but in 1972 a stone altar was created for a London church that was designed not only as a sign of Christ, but as a reminder of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem – the place where Abraham was ready to offer Isaac. The altar is a focus of offering. Its sculptor was Henry Moore who began his work 300 hundred years after Sir Christopher Wren designed the new church of St Stephen, Walbrook in 1672. Neither Wren nor Moore was afraid of innovation and experiment. As a result, Wren created one of the most beautiful of London churches, famous and admired throughout Europe, with its central dome carried on twelve columns. His concern was that in worship all should hear and see, just as Moore’s concern was to show the altar at the heart of the church, and consequently a church that is at the heart of the city. The placing of that altar led to a lengthy court case in 1987, and opinions may still vary over this marriage of stone and building. But it remains as a focus for offering and worship, just as the church of St Stephen stands nearly 350 years after it was rebuilt. Both take us in faith and prayer to an earlier age when Jesus shared a meal with His disciples in the Upper Room. We rejoice that the same Jesus welcomes us to the Eucharist now at this altar of St Stephen and at the altars of all our churches.

The Rev Michael Burgess

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work” - and in a couple of hours the church was looking beautiful! The children from Scoill Phurt le Moirrey held their harvest service in the church on the 30th. We are very grateful to them for their contributions. Joe and Margaret Galloway led the Harvest service. Gerry read the Epistle and Amelia read the Gospel – the Mustard Seed. Joe led an interactive version of Psalm 67. The children sang their two songs with the congregation joining in. In the Learning together section Margaret showed everyone a mustard seed – so tiny! She then told the story of the Enormous Turnip with the help of volunteers from the congregation – Peter and Jane Gunn, Hannah, Evan, Thomas, Megan and – last but not least – Charlie the church mouse! Together they managed to pull up the turnip and make enough soup for the whole of Rushen Parish. The old man and woman had to put their trust in God that he would help their crops grow – God helped – and everything grew. We need to put our trust in God too and he will help us. At the end of the service Margaret gave out small bags each containing a mustard seed. The children led the prayers – Thomas, our newest member, reading in church for the first time – well done Thomas. Those who were able to stay enjoyed refreshments in the hall after the service. On the 9th October we began our new Scripture Union material – a five-week series entitled “Love in Action”. Jesus brings life, Jesus brings freedom, Jesus brings challenge, Jesus bring salvation – based on Luke's gospel – the fifth being Jesus brings light John 8:12. There will be a joint All Age service on the 30th October, Sunday school on the 6th November and Remembrance services on the 13th. Our thanks go to the children's parents for their continued support of the Sunday School.

With love from all of us at St. Mary's Sunday School

Carole Coole

News from St. Mary's Sunday School

On the 25th September we came together to prepare for our joint Harvest Service. We practised our two songs – Faith as small as a mustard seed and the Farmer sows his seed. We prepared the letters for our acrostic poem and also illustrations to accompany it. Members from all four churches came together to decorate the church on the 29th. We were very grateful for all the donations of flowers and produce. “Many hands make light

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will mean that Christmas services will be held at the church as usual. The second phase of the repair involving the re-plastering of the chancel and sanctuary will commence in early January 2017. The joint Harvest Festival service was held on 2nd October at St Mary’s Church. This was well attended with the St Mary’s choir leading the singing. It was enjoyable to see the Sunday School children taking part during the service. The Faith Supper and sale of harvest produce was not so well attende4d but nevertheless the total raised, including a donation, was £170.65. This was added to the total raised at the Port St Mary School Harvest Festival service, held on the Friday 30th September, which was £135. The total of £305.65 was donated to the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal.

Gerry Callister

News from St Catherine’s

The last two weeks of October have been rather busy. The contractors, T S Keggen and Sons have commenced the work required to repair the chancel and sanctuary at St Catherine’s Church roof. This is likely to continue until late November when hopefully this aspect of the repair to the church will have been completed. This will

Good old Advent!

On the last Sunday in November the Church celebrates Advent. In popular thought this is seen as the start of the Christmas season. Advent Calendars are on sale in the supermarkets. Christmas, our annual festival of excess, is just a few weeks away. Good old Advent! I yield to no one in my enjoyment of Christmas, with all the trimmings, but where Advent is concerned I have to be a bit of a party-pooper. It’s not the start of the ‘run-up to Christmas’, whatever the shops think. In any case, they’ve been ‘running up’ since September. Advent is a solemn but exciting reminder that Christmas is not the end of the Christian story, but the beginning. The end, with which Advent is concerned, is the ultimate triumph of love and goodness over evil and cruelty. The final loving purpose of God will be achieved. The kingdom of heaven will lie before us, its gates permanently open. ‘Death will be no more, mourning and crying and pain will be no more’. God says, ‘I am making everything new’. ‘Advent’ simply means ‘Coming’. The first Advent was Christmas; the second Advent will be when all that the coming of Jesus promised will be fulfilled. Yes, it’s a bit more complicated than a cattle shed and a manger, but it’s a wonderful prospect. Good old Advent!

Canon David Winter

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Down

2 ‘We have a building from God, an eternal house

in heaven, not built by — hands’

(2 Corinthians 5:1) (5)

3 Uncommon excellence (Proverbs 20:15) (4)

4 ‘You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine — have been poured upon me’

(Psalm 92:10) (4)

5 — Homo (‘Behold the Man’) (4)

6 ‘He has given proof of this to all men by — him

from the dead’ (Acts 17:31) (7)

7 ‘Our — is in heaven’ (Philippians 3:20) (11)

8 ‘This is a day you are to —’ (Exodus 12:14) (11)

12 Assault (Psalm 17:9) (6)

14 ‘Jesus found a young donkey and — upon it’

(John 12:14) (3) 15 Liverpool dialect (6)

19 ‘Remember the — day by keeping it holy’

(Exodus 20:8) (7)

20 Nineteenth-century German physicist after

whom the unit of electrical resistance is

named (3)

24 Nazirites were not allowed to eat this part of a

grape (Numbers 6:4) (5)

25 ‘If anyone would come after me, he must — himself and take up his cross and follow me’

(Mark 8:34) (4)

26 Evil Roman emperor from AD54 to 68,

responsible for condemning hundreds of

Christians to cruel deaths (4)

27 See 18 Across

November Crossword

Across

1 In David’s battle with the Arameans, 700 of

these were killed (2 Samuel 10:18) (11)

9 ‘No —, impure or greedy person has any

inheritance in the kingdom of God’

(Ephesians 5:5) (7)

10 City on the banks of the River Nile (5)

11 Stamped addressed envelope (1,1,1)

13 Taverns (4)

16 ‘Be on your guard; stand — in the faith’

(1 Corinthians 16:13) (4) 17 ‘He will not always —, nor will he harbour

his anger for ever’ (Psalm 103:9) (6)

18&27 Down: Where the magi came from and

what guided them (Matthew 2:1–2) (4,4)

20 Ancient Celtic alphabet of 20 characters (4)

21 She married Esau when he was 40 years

old (Genesis 26:34) (6)

22 A great-grandson of Noah

(Genesis 10:7) (4)

23 Title accorded to certain Roman Catholic clerics (abbrev.) (4)

25 ‘My house will be a house of prayer; but

you have made it a — of robbers’ (Luke

19:46) (3)

28 Annie (anag.) (5)

29 Plead with (Zechariah 7:2) (7)

30 Tenth foundation of the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:20) (11)

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October Crossword Solution

There were ten entries to the September competition. Many of them told me that it took approximately 20 minutes to complete the Sudoku puzzle which I think is about right. Douglas Couper, who was number four on my list, won the competition and I thank Doreen Longton for choosing him as the winner of the £5 prize. (Editor)

The Power of Fruit Please eat more fruit. Eating a piece each day significantly lowers your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. In fact, a recent Oxford University study has concluded that a piece of fruit each day can even have similar effects to taking a statin. Although Oxford researchers do NOT recommend swapping statins for fruit, they do say that increasing fruit in your diet may provide an extra boost if you are at risk of heart problems. About 17.5 million people are currently eligible for statins in Britain, which means that most men over 60 and most women over 65 are offered the drug. But many stop taking the pills within a year because of muscle pain, weakness and fatigue. The research was published in Science Translational Medicine.

October Sudoku Solution

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For your thought-provoking articles

‘Warfare’

What time-bomb’s ticking in my brain? I hope to see my man again. In rank and uniform so grand Now fighting in some stranger’s land.

The ideal’s great; set straight the score And crush the evil which is war. But daily fear, I can’t ignore – That ominous knock upon the door.

We lived, saw dawn, felt sunset’s glow; Loved and were loved as lovers know. Presently, life’s lost its flow Our family’s been dealt a blow.

The child, God’s gift, grows on a-pace; A bundle full of joy and grace. Will you survive to touch her face? Her smiles and cuddles to embrace.

In war, in waste, I here remain, While others seek to break the chain. Free from this agony and pain, Will people learn to love again?

When duty’s done and war’s affray Has turned the tide the other way; Grant us reunion Lord, we pray And strength to live from day to day.

Margaret Couper

Autumnal Garden

Exuberance – why falter? Brilliance – why fade? Look! Rose has lost her petals; On weary ground they’re laid. Green sap’s no longer flowing,

Pleasure’s become a toil. My energy’s exhausted, To rejuvenate the soil – Hence! To plump red berries; To chrysanthemums I flee –

The mistiness of autumn, Softly beckons me …. “….. plant gardens and eat what they produce.” (Jer. 29:5)

Margaret Couper

Bread

This product is often taken for granted, and sadly often wasted. Many people are needed to produce a loaf – the farmers who plant and reap the grain, the millers who grind it into flour, the bakery staff who make the loaves, and the shopkeepers who sell it.

Bread is an ancient food, and there are several references to this in the Bible, and a special loaf is put as a focal point at Harvest Festival services. Jesus’ birth happened at Bethlehem – the name means ‘The House of Bread.’

Jesus distributed the five loaves and fishes at the miracle of the feeding of the multitude, and the devil urged Him to turn stones into bread when He was fasting in the wilderness – to no avail.

‘Give us this day our daily bread’ is said in the Lord’s Prayer, for sustenance, either spiritual or material. The most poignant of all comes the moment when Jesus breaks bread at the Last Supper – and says that bread is His body, broken for us.

Submitted by Inez Joughin

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time, were responsible for looking after the guests. If men turned up it was the women’s role to offer food and drink. Suddenly, Martha’s role was to be in the kitchen while the men were elsewhere, sitting and talking! So when Martha saw Jesus, it was a time to get busy. A meal had to be prepared quickly. As this was a massive task she didn’t like seeing her sister sitting around and doing nothing! Surprisingly, Martha didn’t address her sister directly but spoke to Jesus wanting Him to intervene and issue the order that Mary should help with the work. Jesus gives Martha a gentle rebuke. Her concern for hospitality was good, but at that moment it was the wrong decision. Mary ignored the catering to be with Jesus because this was a special moment and she didn’t want it to pass. Mary’s need to be with Jesus was so intense she went against Jewish convention and stayed with the men. Martha was so caught up with everyday concerns, important as they probably were, that listening to Jesus took second place. Of these two characters, which one resembles us? Are we like Martha, always busy with a hands-on approach to life, task-orientated, concerned and anxious with so many things? Or are we like Mary, calm, reflective, unrushed and discerning about what needs to be done? Jesus knows what craves our attention and gently says ‘Pause awhile in your busy times and listen to Me. Then, return to your responsibilities with a renewed purpose.’ As Christians we have to get the balance right between service and solitude, the work-place or the private place. If we do not discern when and how to have quiet times with God, we will become busy like Martha, and not be blessed. The temperaments of these sisters show us the need for a balanced life: a practical hand and a devotion to God; the worker and the worshipper.

Lester Amann

Worker or Worshipper?

What would you do if someone famous unexpectedly arrived at your home? No doubt you would invite them in and have a good chat! When Jesus came to the home of Martha and Mary they reacted differently. Martha carried on working, but Mary sat with Jesus and listened to Him. (Luke 10:38-42) Perhaps Martha wanted to be with Jesus but women, at that

Did Noah fish?

A Sunday school teacher asked, "Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark?" "No," replied Johnny. "How could he, with just two worms?"

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In the November Garden

Parish Magazine editorial from www.perfectplants.co.uk. Garden plants, house plants, garden equipment, garden accessories and gifts for the garden lover. An on-line shop that delivers across the whole of the UK, including to Highlands and Islands. Tel: 01323 833479.

Six of the best winter bedding beauties

The autumnal feel to the weather sends many of us scurrying indoors, but this is a great time to get outside and plant some winter bedding. It will uplift the spirits throughout the darker seasons. Now there's an investment!

Here's six of the best plants for pots, containers and even borders. Make sure you can see them from your windows and en-route to your entrance. They will uplift the spirits and keep you interested in the garden right through until spring.

1: PANSIES

Who can resist those cheerful, smiling flower faces? There are so many luscious sounding names, they are bound to raise the spirits. How about Cassis Mix with its bright yellow 'eye' and delightful magenta coloured petals combined with burgundy and white. There’s also a whole family of pansy 'blotch' varieties including blue, white, rose, red and yellow. Pansy 'Rose Blotch' will warm you up all winter through! Pansies just have to be the easiest bedding plant of all. Just pop them in some multi-purpose compost, keep them watered and dead-head them to ensure you get continuous flowering all through the winter. What's our favourite? Pansy Purple & Orange Mix is just so beautiful, it gets our vote.

2: VIOLAS

Violas are very much like small pansies, but they do often have a subtle and rather delightful scent. An abundance of smaller flowers in a compact mound. They will also flower all through the winter. Viola 'Yellow Blotch' is like a ray of sunshine which will continue to shine throughout the winter. Here’s one to make your mouth water: Viola 'Raspberry Sorbet'. It’s a wonderful colour that looks like winter warmth.

3: PRIMROSES

Everyone loves a primrose. And now they've been given attention by plant breeders they flower from winter right through until spring and even beyond. This pretty cottage garden plant comes in a host of bright and beautiful colours as well as the wonderful, traditional cream. It can be treated as a hardy perennial. Pop it in a pot, in the border or on banks. It will definitely make you smile.

4: POLYANTHUS

These are very much like their primrose cousins but the flowers are produced on stalks. They are raised higher off the ground and have studier stems. Polyanthus come in many different bright colours and they really are joyful. They'll flower right through the winter too. Cont’d….

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5: CYCLAMEN

These little, ground-hugging beauties look wonderful grouped under trees. Cyclamen coum are true winter-flowering plants, but even the brighter coloured Cyclamen persicum are considered hardy. They will keep flowering through the darkest months and are well worth having. There's nothing quite as wonderful as seeing a naturally-occurring group of Cyclamen flowering on a woodland edge.

Be bold with your winter pots and containers and you'll be noticed! We all need some brightness during the darkest months of the year.

6: LAST, BUT NOT LEAST - FOLIAGE!

Heuchera can look just as stunning as bedding plants if you plant them en-masse. Phormium stems can be brightly coloured and these stately plants give great structure as well as brightness. Have fun with foliage as well as flowers.

All these and more, available from www.perfectplants.co.uk

The pictures are best seen on the parish website as they are in colour. Just go to: www.rushenparish.org.uk, look for ‘publications’, choose ‘parish magazine’ and ‘November 2016’. There you will see the magazine in colour. The pictures on this page, in order, are polyanthus-red, primroses-cottage cheese, and viola-raspberry sorbet. The picture on page 12 is pansy- purple and orange. Editor

Died in the services Little Alex was staring up at the large brass plaque that hung on the side wall of the church. The plaque was covered with names, and seemed to fascinate the seven-year old. “All those names,” he said to the minister. “Who are they?” “Well, they were people who used to go to this church,” explained the minister. “This is a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the services." Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque. Little Alex's voice was barely audible when he asked, "Which service, the 9 o’clock, or the 11 o’clock?”

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All in the month of November

100 years ago on 21st Nov 1916 the British hospital ship HMHS Britannic hit a mine and sank off Greece. 30 people were killed and 1,036 survivors were rescued. The Britannic was the sister ship of the Titanic, converted for war service shortly after its launch. It was the biggest ship lost in WWI.

90 years ago on 11th Nov 1926 Route 66 was established in the USA. It was one of the most famous highways in the country and was celebrated in popular culture.

80 years ago on 2nd Nov 1936 the BBC Television Service was launched in the UK.

70 years ago on 1st Nov 1946 Karol Wojtyla (later Pope John Paul II) was ordained a priest in Krakow, Poland.

60 years ago on 5th Nov 1956 the first Premium Bond was sold in Britain (to the Lord Mayor of London).

40 years ago on 2nd Nov 1976 Jimmy Carter was elected as the 39th President of the United States. (Inaugurated 20th Jan 1977.)

30 years ago on 6th Nov 1986 Alex Ferguson was appointed manager of Manchester United FC.

25 years on 5th Nov 1991 Robert Maxwell, Czech-born British newspaper publisher, media proprietor and politician, died. His body was found in the sea near his boat, off the coast of Tenerife. Also on 14th Nov 1991 Britain and the USA accused two Libyan intelligence agents of carrying out the bombing of the Pan Am jet that crashed in Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, and demanded that Libya hand them over to face trial. Also on 18th Nov 1991 C of E envoy Terry Waite and American educator Thomas Sutherland were released by Islamic Jihad in London after being held hostage since Jan 1987 and Jun 1985 respectively.

20 years ago on 12th Nov 1996 the European Court of Justice ordered Britain to comply with the EU mandate of a maximum 48-hour working week. Also on 15th Nov 1996 England handed the Stone of Scone back to Scotland after 700 years.

15 years on 16th Nov 2001 the first Harry Potter film, ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ was released.

10 years on 5th Nov 2006 Saddam Hussein, the former President of Iraq, was sentenced to death for his role in the massacre of 148 Iraqi Shi’ites in 1982. (He was executed on 30th Dec)

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From the Registers

Funeral (September 2016)

Wednesday 7th September 2016 Douglas Gordon Hands Kirk Christ @ 2pm

Weddings (September 2016)

Saturday 10th September 2016 Amy Louise Pointon Ashley Norris Kneale St Mary’s Church @ 12.30pm Emma Cregeen Kevin James Kniveton Kirk Christ @ 2pm Saturday 17th September 2016 Karen Trowbridge Simon Daniel Keeling St Catherine’s Church @ 1pm

Baptisms (September 2016)

Sunday 25th September 2016 Jacob Blake Oscar Jacobs Scarlet Jacobs St Mary’s Church @ 11am Morning Service

Confirmations (September 2016) Sunday 11th September 2016 Alex Reynolds Nathan Reynolds Kirk Christ @ 11am Confirmation Service

Compassionate Father

You are Sovereign. Your plans and timing are not always easy for us to understand, but we trust you and know that you love us and only want good things for us. At this time of Remembering, when so many are so sad, thank you for giving your only Son, Jesus, so that if we believe and trust in Him we have the promise of eternal life and re-union with all who loved Him too. We choose to believe and trust, in Jesus’ name.

Amen

By Daphne Kitching

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Monday 12th December in St Mary’s Hall at 2pm. Please forgive me for trying so hard!

Sue gave us a very appropriate reading from “The Servant Queen” – what a lovely book that is, and Mr Watterson presented his talk and DVD about Buckingham Palace.

Mrs Kathleen Trustrum will lead our next meeting in St Catherine’s Hall on Monday 14th November and the speaker will be Mrs Jean Hall who will talk about “An RAF Wife” which sounds interesting!

Guests are very welcome. Many thanks

Elsie Faragher

Rushen Mothers’ Union

It was so nice to welcome so many of our members to the first meeting of our winter session, and to give a special welcome to our guests. Jane led the meeting and Margaret Couper played the piano for our hymns. I apologised for the errors on the printed cards that members had received. These all revealed the Mothers’ Union Advent Service on Tuesday 6th December at Kirk Michael at 7pm, but some of them did not include the date for our Christmas meeting on

20 years since Scotland got back her Stone of Scone

Twenty years ago, on 30th November 1996 – St Andrew’s Day – the Stone of Destiny returned to Scotland for the first time in 700 years.

In a service at St Giles Cathedral the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt. Rev. John MacIndoe, formally accepted the return of the Stone – also known as the Stone of Scone or Lia Fail (the speaking stone).

The Stone is a symbol of Scottish independence, and was used as part of the crowning ceremonies of the Scots kings. It arrived in Scone, Perthshire, in 840AD, having originally been located in the west of Scotland.

Long before that, legend had it that it was the same stone that Jacob used for a pillow at Bethel and that became the pedestal of the Ark in the Temple.

The Stone remained at Scone until it was snatched by the English King Edward I in 1296, and taken to Westminster Abbey. The current Coronation Chair was made to house the stone in 1301, and it has been used in the crowning of every subsequent English monarch.

There is doubt, however, surrounding the authenticity of the Stone now in Edinburgh Cathedral. It is a simple oblong block of red sandstone geologically similar to the stone found around Scone, lending credence to the story that the monks of Scone hurriedly removed the Stone of Destiny and hid it as Edward I approached, replacing it with another stone of similar size and shape.

Tim Lenton

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stones. We won’t face somebody like Goliath, but will face other giants in our lives (fear, insecurity, loneliness, failure etc). What five stones can help overcome the giants that we face?

Courage: David was unafraid of Goliath, ‘Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.’ We need courage to face the giants in our lives.

Confidence: David’s experience as a shepherd gave him confidence in facing Goliath. ‘The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.’ We also can be confident in God’s help to overcome our problems.

Preparation: ‘Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.’ Like David, are we using the gifts and experience that God has given us in the fight?

Trust: David didn’t trust in his own abilities, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty’. Will we put our trust in God alone?

Victory: ‘for the battle is the Lord’s’. When we turn our battles over to God, He will give us victory!

That little stone took Goliath by surprise; such a thing had never entered his head before!!

Paul Hardingham

The Top Ten Must Know Bible Stories

Number 8 – David and Goliath Five Smooth Stones!

This month’s Must Know Story, about Goliath’s defeat by David (1 Samuel 17), is one of the best known in the Bible. Goliath was nine feet tall, dressed in bronze armour and carrying a sword and spear. However, David was a young shepherd, whose only weapon was a sling and five smooth

Scare it A man had the courage - but not always the skills - to tackle any home-repair project. For example, his garage was littered with the pieces of a lawn mower he had tried to fix. One day his wife found him in the living room, attacking the vacuum cleaner with a screwdriver. "I can't get this thing to cooperate!" he exclaimed. His wife replied, "Why don't you just drag it out to the garage and show it what happened to the lawn mower?"

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Children’s Page

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God is our

strength and

refuge

My wife Pam and I recently watched again the British war film ‘The Dambusters’ – and all that lay the behind RAF Squadron 617’s historic ‘bouncing bomb’ attack on the dams that resourced Hitler’s industrial heartland. At a ‘Bible Week’ once in Germany, I was driven by my generous hosts to see the initial target of the 1943 raid - the Mohne Dam. Some of the original scars were still visible on the great repaired structure. But there is always another side to war. For, back in England, a church friend whom Pam and I greatly love is ‘Inge’ – a sweet German Christian woman. Her family home had been in the valley, just below the Mohne Dam, the night of the fatal 17th May. Somehow Inge survived. “How could I ever forget it?” she confided. “We heard the planes and explosions; then came the crashing water - sweeping homes, people, whole families to destruction. Almost the worst sound,” she went on, “was that of the animals all around us, in their terrified baying and shrieking, as they were swept away.” War…. It occurs as an ever-repeated reminder of our own fallenness and need of redemption through the cross of Christ. And yet – according to the Psalmist - we were originally made only ‘a little lower than the angels,’ capable – even in our fallenness and at the height of war – of acts of incredible heroism and selfless care. I decided to write a hymn on Psalm 46, and obtained copyright permission to set it to the film’s theme music – ‘The Dambusters’ March.’ Since then, ‘God is our Strength and Refuge’ has gone all over the world, and is used in many churches on Remembrance Sunday. A hand-written letter once arrived for me from an RAF veteran who had been rear-gunner in one of the Lancaster bombers flying in the famous 617 Squadron. He had been thrilled “to hear our own squadron’s Dambuster’s March now set to words of peace!”

Prebendary Richard Bewes

God is our strength and refuge, our present help in trouble, and we therefore will not fear, though the earth should change! Though mountains shake and tremble. Though swirling waters are raging, God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore! There is a flowing river, within God’s holy city, God is in the midst of her – she shall not be moved! God’s help is swiftly given, thrones vanish at his presence – God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore! Come, see the works of our maker, learn of his deeds all-powerful; wars will cease across the world when he shatters the spear! Be still and know your creator, uplift him in the nations – God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!

The Story Behind the Hymn

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Rushen Parish Prayer Diary

Help me to live each day Quietly, easily,

To lean on your great strength Trustfully, restfully,

To await the unfolding of Your will Patiently, joyously, To face tomorrow

Confidently, courageously Amen

2016 This is your invitation to pray day by day for:

1st All saints, known or unknown, now in heaven 2nd People we have known and loved, but no longer see 3rd Christians around the world 4th Children who are affected when families break up 5th Safety for all those involved in firework and bonfire celebrations 6th The work of the British Legion in preparation for Remembrance Sunday 7th The refugees seeking better opportunities for themselves 8th Older people who need warmth as winter approaches 9th Port Erin United Men’s Fellowship meeting in Port Erin Methodist Hall at 7.30pm 10th Those who are ill, or in hospital, and the people who look after them 11th The Armistice which is remembered today 12th The work of charities both at home and overseas 13th Those who died in two world wars and subsequent conflicts to give us freedom 14th Fishermen who risk their lives to provide us with food to eat 15th The PCC meeting taking place in St Catherine’s Church Hall this evening 16th Babies born today and the families into which they are born 17th The importance of the Bible as a teaching aid for all Christians 18th People in prison seeking to improve their lives 19th Preparations for Christmas in shops and other retail outlets 20th Christ the King – the last Sunday in the church year 21st Couples who are preparing for marriage at some point in the future 22nd Our congregations throughout Rushen which meet in fellowship and faith each Sunday 23rd Port Erin United Men’s Fellowship meeting in Port Erin Methodist Hall at 7.30pm 24th People who are suffering hardship through loss of earnings 25th Preparations throughout the parish for our Christmas services 26th Those who intercede at our services throughout the parish 27th A new church year beginning on this Advent Sunday 28th Our PCC Treasurer, Stephen Curtis, for the work he does in maintaining our finances 29th Voluntary helpers in schools who give their time to help the children 30th Saint Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland, and brother of St Peter the Apostle

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2nd November 11.45am Southlands Holy Communion (CW) 2pm St Mary’s Play & Praise 7pm Kirk Christ All Soul Service 6th November 8am St Catherine’s Holy Communion (BCP) (3rd Sunday before 9.30am Kirk Christ Morning Prayer (BCP) Advent) 11am St Mary’s Holy Communion (CW) 11am St Catherine’s Morning Prayer (CW) 3.15pm St Peter’s Evening Prayer (BCP)

13th November 10.45am Kirk Christ Remembrance Day Service (Remembrance) 10.55am St Mary’s/St Catherine’s Joint Remembrance Day Service

3.15pm St Peter’s Evening Prayer (BCP)

20th November 8am St Catherine’s Holy Communion (BCP) (Christ the King) 9.30am Kirk Christ Morning Prayer (CW) 11am St Mary’s Holy Communion (CW) 11am St Catherine’s All-Age Service (CW) 3.15pm St Peter’s Holy Communion (BCP)

27th November 9.30am Kirk Christ Holy Communion (CW) (Advent 1) 11am St Mary’s Morning Prayer (CW) 11am St Catherine’s Holy Communion (CW) 3.15pm St Peter’s Evening Prayer (BCP) 4th December 8am St Catherine’s Holy Communion (BCP) (Advent 2) 9.30am Kirk Christ Morning Prayer (BCP)

11am St Mary’s Holy Communion (CW) 11am St Catherine’s Morning Prayer (CW) 3.15pm St Peter’s Evening Prayer (BCP)

(The services listed above are subject to change)

(CW) Common Worship (BCP) Book of Common Prayer

Services November2016

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Contact Details for Rushen Parish

St Mary’s Sunday School Leader:

Carole Coole, Cronk-NyGreiney, Fisher’s Hill, Arbory 827545

St Mary’s Ladies Working Party

Mrs Susan Maddrell, Athol Lodge, Fistard, Port St Mary 833151

Mrs Margaret Moore, 51 Ballamaddrell. Port Erin 832399

St Mary’s Hall Bookings:

Mr G Callister, 60 Ballamaddrell, Port Erin 474924/834627

St Catherine’s Morning Coffee

Mrs Suzanne Ali, 25 Sunnydale Avenue, Port Erin 834456

St Catherine’s Hall Bookings:

Mr & Mrs G Callister, 60 Ballamaddrell, Port Erin 474924/834627

Web Site/E-mail:

www.rushenparish.org.uk admin@rushenparish.org.uk

Magazine Editor

Mr David Bowman, The Old Bakery, Qualtroughs Lane, 837117/260539

Ballafesson, Port Erin

e-mail: dbow43@manx.net

Articles for the magazine should be submitted to the editor no later

than 20th of each month. This arrangement is subject to change.

Parish Director of Music:

Mr M D Porter, 10 Fairway Drive, Rowany, Port Erin 832143

Churchyard Enquiries:

Please contact Mr Harry Dawson: 478050/835770

or Mr G Callister: 474924/834627

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November Sudoku Competition

I am so grateful to those of you who took the time to see how long it takes you to solve the puzzles I set you. Most of those who replied stated that it took approximately 20 minutes to solve a puzzle. I think that is about right, after all I don’t want you spending your days worrying about completing the Sudoku puzzle. One person suggested that I put two puzzles for you to solve, one easy and one slightly harder. I will consider doing this if I receive an overwhelming response! As usual the competition needs to be completed and sent, or given, to me by the last Friday of the month. That means that 25th November is the last day. The winner will be chosen on the following Sunday at the 11am service at St Mary’s Church. If you are the lucky one and you happen to be there you will receive the prize of £5 there and then. If not, I will send it to you in the post. It is therefore imperative that you put your name and address on your entry. I am hoping that there will be more than ten entries this time!

David Bowman (Editor)