A Word or Two from the Editor

Welcome to our May edition of the Angelus. I hope you will enjoy reading it. I trust you all had a peaceful Christmas and Easter.

A lot has happened since the last publication. We had to say Goodbye to Father Peter who has looked after our congregation during this year of interregnum. We have been richly blessed by his presence and I for one have learned a lot from him. I would like to say thank you to Father Peter for guiding us all with patience towards this new chapter in our lives and preparing us for our new Vicar Camilla Walton. Camilla was licensed at St Michael and All Angels on 17^th April 2008.

I think I can speak for all of us and welcome Camilla to Beaconsfield and especially to St Michael and All Angels. This is a very exciting time for us and we are all looking forward to working with Camilla to explore and widen our faith and taking God’s Word into the wider community. Ulrike Heyworth

Grandmothers

(by an eight year old school boy)

A grandmother is a woman, who has no children of her own, so she loves the boys and girls of other people.

Grandmothers have nothing to do, they only have to be there. If they take you for a walk they go slowly past beautiful leaves and caterpillars.

The never say “Come along quickly”, or “Hurry up for goodness sake”.

They are usually fat, but not too fat to tie up my shoe laces. They wear spectacles and sometimes take out their teeth.

They can answer any question, for instance why dogs hate cats, and why God is not married.

When they read to us they never leave anything out. They do not mind if it is always the same story.

Everyone should have a grandmother, especially those who do not have a television. Grandmothers are the only grownups who have plenty of time.

Sent to us by Helen Baker

Dear friends,

It is a great joy for me to be writing in this issue of the Angelus newsletter for St Michael and All Angels church. It has been said already but I wish again to say a huge ‘thank-you’ to you all for your warm welcome to Ken, and me and by extension to our family and friends. Your care in the preparation of the church for the licensing service was so kind and I know many shared in the preparations.

Hospitality of course can play a large part in our expression of Christian living and can be seen not just in our churches but in retreat houses and Christian communities. When St Benedict was writing ‘the Rule’ - a document to guide the brothers under his care in the daily life of holiness; he included guidance on the reception of Guests.

“All guests who come should be received as Christ, for He will say: I was a stranger and you took me in. Matt 25.35.

The rule continues with details of how to welcome, care, feed and tend any guest visiting the community. So the ministry of hospitality need not be seem as a social nicety or something extra to our Christian living. No, joy of joys, it can be at the heart of our lives! So we can cast aside any fear or trembling of inappropriate action and enter into sharing food and wine, smiles and stories comfortable in the knowledge we are living the second part of the great commandment ‘to love God and love our neighbour as ourselves’.

But hospitality can be more than food and drink. It can be reflected in our ways of access into our own circle of church, in our graciousness towards those of differing ages or experience. Stones, paper and people all share the message of hospitality that we extend. I already feel a part of your family here, due to your hospitality. In the next few months I shall hope to get around to knowing more about St Michael’s and its life and share in your ministry to others.

There will be things for us to learn about each other, and things for us to discover that God calls us to. All these things will come in time. I hope you will forgive any blunders I make as I pick up the reigns here. As we approach the end of Spring and move into Summer let us pray that God will guide us into furthering our own rule of life for our church: one of joyful ministry to others, fed by the blessing of knowing God in Jesus Christ.

With love, Camilla

WE WELCOME OUR NEW VICAR…..Revd Camilla Walton

After much planning by the Church Wardens and many within our church, we eagerly anticipated the Licensing Service of Camilla to enable her to take up the position of Vicar at St. Michael’s. This took place on Thursday, 17^th April at 7.30pm when the Bishop of Buckingham, The Right Reverend Alan Wilson, came to license Camilla and the Installation was carried out by The Archdeacon of Buckingham, The Venerable Karen Gorham.

This all took place at St. Michael’s with 180 people attending. Many of the congregation were guests from Camilla’s previous parish in Hampshire, plus clergy from the Amersham Deanery and local dignitaries. The service was a very happy occasion with Bishop Alan giving a sermon on “round tables” not “square”. Most of the congregation came into the hall after the service to share in fellowship and enjoy the wonderful “spread” which had been provided by members of the church.

Now Camilla is spending these first few weeks of her ministry here in getting involved in all the activities at St. Michael’s which will enable her to find out what goes on within the church and to meet “her flock”.

Zoe Cook

Spring Fair

Come and join us on Saturday 17^th May from 11.30am – 2.00pm for our annual spring fair. Our ‘green fingers’ have been working very hard to put together a wonderful display of bedding plants, vegetables and shrubs.

The kitchens will be busy to! Our chefs will be baking cakes and making preserves. So why not come and stock up your larders with our homemade produce.

There will also be plenty to do for all the family. Frome Face Painting, Treasure Hunt, Tombola, Bottle Stall to Books, Bric-a-Brac and DVD’s. Lunch & Refreshments will be served throughout. Please come and join us on the day.

Ulrike Heyworth
Saint Michael’s Knitters for Premature Babies

A reminder and update for the benefit of any newcomers, and for all those who have forgotten us.

There are a great many groups all over the country, mostly attached to churches, W.I.s, M.U.s etc., all busily knitting for the premature babies in their local hospitals and maternity units. A friend of mine was involved in one of these, and this gave me the idea of starting a group at St. Michael’s.

Then Liz Lewin’s baby grand-daughter was born prematurely at Wycombe Hospital. Her mother Sarah confirmed that many hand-knitted cot blankets and tiny garments were donated to the Special Care Baby Unit there – she introduced me to the lady to contact there (who was overjoyed at our offer) and we were up and running in May 2006.

In the 2 years since then we have made and delivered over 100 cot blankets of various patterns and a very large number of sets of baby clothes (a set comprising jacket, bonnet and bootees). They are all very pretty – white and lots of different pastel shades – and we greatly enjoy making them. We also enjoy the chance to deliver them and perhaps catch sight of the babes through the protective glass! We have regular get-togethers to compare notes and share patterns and problem, and really enjoy it all. Assistance with provision of patterns and wool can be provided.

Our numbers have stayed pretty steady, but unfortunately two of our most prolific knitters have recently moved, which is a real blow, so new helpers would be even more welcome than ever! Don’t worry, you don’t have to be an expert knitter, you really don’t! (We have even been known to cast on for each other if necessary!)

If you are interested and feel like a chat you can find me in the hall during the Spring Fair on 17^th May displaying and demonstrating some of our knitted items or you can contact me on 01494 674406. JOY GREEN

Children’s Thanksgiving Service & Church Garden Party

This very popular annual event with prize giving of books for all the children and followed by a Garden Party in the church grounds will take place on

13^th July 2008 at 10am. So don’t forget to put this date into your diaries.

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Holiday Club at St Michael & All Angels Church

27^th – 29^th August 2008

Every morning from 10 – 12

This club is for children aged 4-11 years. Each day there are different crafts, cooking, flower arranging and face painting in the main hall and games outside in the sun. There will be a story time or a talk and music for the children at the end of the morning. This event is usually very popular so don’t forget to register your little ones nearer the time with Margaret Sharp on 689986. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact Zoe Cook on 672949

Beaconsfield Open Gardens

16 Gardens are opening in support of Iain Rennie Hospice at Home.

All Gardens open from 2.00 – 5.00 p.m.

Entrance Fee £3.50 per day

Registered Charity No 297847

11^th May 2008

Alison Palmer, St Mary’s Court, Malthouse Square

Trish & Stuart Fletcher, 66 Burkes Road

Bernadette & John Thompson, 18 Brownswood Road

Liz & Stephen Webster, 7 Netherwood Road

18^th May 2008

Pam & Alan Heal, 7 Walkwood Rise

Lorna & Dick Barnard, 39 Hogback Wood Road

Joan & John Hoar, 9 Curzon Avenue

Jenny Topping, 3 Blyton Close

25^th May 2008

Gillian & Bob Russell, 17 Hampden Hill

Mary & Chris Bischoff, 9 Westfield Road

Sue & Steve Cuthbert, Long Meadow, 61 Burkes Road

Judy & David Lyell, Burkes Wood House, 10 Burkes Cresent

1^st June 2008

Helen & David Baker, 6 Mynchen Road

Lorraine & Tom Johnson, 19 Brownswood Road

Maggie & Jeff Stanton, 9 Brownswood Road

Sue & Steve Lynch, 17 Chiltern Hills Road

Beaconsfield Quiet Garden

Do you want to experience a quiet morning of prayer and Christian meditation, weather permitting, in a beautiful garden?

(Indoors if wet).  Then please come along to 23 Grove Road from 10 am to 12 noon on ~ April 28th, May 12th & 26th,

June 9th & 23rd, July 14th.  Contact: Muriel Hargreaves on 01494 673289 or Jean Gell 813243 for further information.

You would be made very welcome.

Bible Society

We are still looking for a volunteer to join a small ecumenical team that meets about twice a year. The team will organize a fund raising dinner/speaker event for the Bible Society that takes place once a year in the Fitzwilliams Centre.  Please contact Sheila Holyer (676373) for more details.

St. Michael's Miles

After a long winter sojourn it is about time we started our 2 hour ‘First Sunday in the Month' walking afternoons (weather permitting, as always!!) Please join us on the 1st June at St. Michael's at 1.30 p.m. (to share transport). Please contact Tom Holyer (676373) for more information.

Christian Aid

Thanks to everyone who took part in our 'Count Your Blessings in Lent'. It was a very meaningful exercise in comparing how much we had in Beaconsfield and how little the majority of the World's poor had. As a fund raising exercise we raised just over £800 from the Beaconsfield and Penn CA Group.

Our thanks also to all who donated their time collecting and /or giving during the 'Christian Aid Week'. The plight of the Third World never seems to diminish and fund raising must continue as a consequence. Therefore the following events are for your diaries, for which your support would be most welcome:-

Sunday, 3rd August

'Ploughman's Lunch in the Garden' at the home of Sheila and Tom Holyer (7, Caledon Close) from 12.30 to 3 p.m. Proceeds to be split 50-50 with Sharon International Ministries (directly involved in our school for the Untouchables in rural India).

Saturday, 27th September

Coffee Morning at The Fitzwilliams Centre from 9 a.m. till noon, coinciding with the Farmer's Market. 

Monday, 17th November

Afternoon Charity Bridge Drive with Tea from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Fitzwilliams Centre.

For any queries please contact your Christian Aid church representatives - Allen Hobbs(671330)  and Tom Holyer(676373).

Anglicanism

An easy commerce of the old and the new?

A Series of Four Talks

To be given by

The Rev. Dr Robert Tobin

At

Fitzwilliam Centre, Beaconsfield

8.00 – 9.30pm

Wednesday May 28

Wednesday June 4^th

Wednesday June 11^th

Wednesday June 18^th

The talk will be followed by questions and discussions after a coffee break.

THANK YOU

Dear Lovely Friends,

How can we thank you enough for your prayers, wonderful taxi service and care. We have been overwhelmed with your support but that is the essence of St Michael’s. Mount Vernon Hospital is certainly a superb centre of excellence and their care has been excellent. Many thanks and every blessing to you all.

Love Helen and David

Update on the School project in Rural India

Sheila and Tom Holyer are very committed to this project which is to provide basic education for the 'Scheduled Castes ('the untouchables') as a means to make some progress out of their desperate position. We visited the area in January this year and saw the school near to completion of the first stage, namely 6 classrooms, built to withstand the severe monsoon period prevalent out there every year. The school will open in June with 200+ children from 5 to 10 in 6 classes. Basic requirements such as desks and chairs have been purchased from funds raised mainly by people in Beaconsfield. One of the main events was a fantastic concert given by a 55 strong Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir to an audience of over 200 people in St. Michael's Church in February, which raised just over £2500. This amount helped provide the bulk of the classroom furniture. Ongoing requirements will be the payment of the teacher’s salaries. The next fund raising event will be our ' Ploughman's Lunch in the Garden' (together with Christian Aid) on Sunday, 3rd August. Please come along and support a very enjoyable social event. Details from Tom Holyer (676373).

Would you like to advertise your business in this newsletter? It goes out to 800 homes in the parish of St Michael and All Angels, Beaconsfield. Please contact Ulrike Heyworth on ulrikeheyworth@btinternet.com for further details.

£25 for a half page advert and £40 for a whole page advert.

A Japanese Wedding

Last December, it was with great excitement that I flew to Tokyo with my friend Jill. We were to attend the wedding of her barrister son John (my godson) to Sachiko. John and Sachiko had already celebrated a Christian wedding at the Temple Church in London but Sachiko wanted to go home to be married amongst her friends and family in her local Shinto shrine. December 15^th was a beautiful sunny day as Jill and I made our way by train across Tokyo to the shrine in Ginza. On arrival we were invited in to a waiting area where we were to rehearse the ceremony. John and Sachiko were waiting for us in full kimono dress. Sachiko looked wonderful in a stunning white kimono and an amazing head-dress whilst John was wearing a grey and black kimono with a divided skirt, long jacket and toggles!! The priests arrived and after the rehearsal we went through a cleansing ritual, washing our hands over pine leaves. We were then very carefully lined up in twos and marched along the path into the Shinto shrine. After some beating of drums the ceremony commenced with the three priests (two men and one woman) chanting around John and Sachiko. This was followed by the exchange of rings and vows. Jill and Sachiko’s father then took up the sacred tree branches to the altar. A great deal of bowing took place!! The chief priest had a large pole covered in white paper and ribbons which he waved around everyone. His chanting was very loud and very high!! After more drum beats we sat down and were given glasses of warm sake – very welcome as it was nearly lunch time. As is the custom at all weddings a photo session took place but it was very long with many detailed, stylised poses. The photo shows John drinking traditional cherry blossom tea and Sachiko delightedly waving her marriage certificate. Fascinating and a very different way of life.

Shintoism

It is more a way of life, combining ancient animism with ancestor worship. Typically, Japanese will visit a Shinto shrine for success in exams or to get married. Eventually they will be interred or cremated according to Buddhist rites. Helen Baker

God in the Life of … Monthly 4^th Sunday Evening Services

The next God in the Life of … service will be on Sunday 25^th May at St Michael’s at 6pm. Humphrey Norrington will be the guest speaker, his talk being Making Ethical Decisions: in the City and in the Charitable World. Humphrey is a retired director of Barclays Bank and will cover his career in the City and, in his retirement, with various charities, both Christian and secular, including helping children: against poverty and with education and Christian development.

So far in 2008, we have had two services with very interesting talks from local people. In January, Alison Caw spoke on Walking the Labyrinth. She is a priest at St Margaret's Tylers Green and Holy Trinity Penn and previously spent many years as part of the Beaconsfield Team. Born in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) and having lived there much of her life, and then more briefly in South Africa, Alison’s talk was full of personal recollections of moving closer too and further from God during different stages of her life. She also talked on the influence of various difficulties in her life, including being compelled to leave her home country, violent attack and illness: a talk both inspirational and entirely pragmatic.

Paul Cornelius spoke in February. He is churchwarden at St Thomas’ Holtspur and had recently given up a successful career, working internationally, to pursue his long-term desire to work in the charitable sector. His address, with title Walking with the Poor: A Humbling Experience, covered particularly his recent experiences in Africa, though starting with teenage influence, including a pledge in prayer for the life of his very sick brother. There were concerns over physical danger, coping with an inappropriate original work plan, and finding hope, spirituality and success in unexpected ways. Tape recordings of both of the above services are available for short loan.

The idea behind GILO services is to allow us all to learn from the experience of others in whichever way they feel that God has influenced their lives; be that through good works, spirituality, attitude to life, person-to-person relationships, or otherwise. Though we meet in the form of a church service, the format is lightweight, suitable for all Christian denominations and for those who are not regular churchgoers. Services should also be suitable (with just a little flexibility) for those holding to no religion at all, and for those of other religions. Why not give a personal recommendation to friends and colleagues who you think might be interested to come and listen, especially those who are less likely to see this Parish Magazine, church notices, etc. Nigel Sedgwick

Christian Schools Work in Beaconsfield

Did you know that there is a thriving Christian schools ministry in Beaconsfield?

The Youth workers from the Anglican Team Rob and Sam and The Baptist Church Tom and Ben work together to support the two local Secondary Schools of the town.

At The Beaconsfield School, we often take Assemblies; these are interactive and focus on life issues from a Christian perspective. As we have been doing this for several years now, the young people know us and most respond positively.

We also run a lunchtime club every Wednesday called ‘Lunchbox’ for the lower school, which is a mixture of games, food and a chance to chat about issues which are important to them at this stage in their life.

At Beaconsfield High School we also take the occasional assembly and help run two lunchtime clubs on Fridays. ‘Mysoul’ is a group for lower school, which again is a mixture of food, games and discussion. ‘T.G.I Friday’ is the group for upper school, where we watch part of a movie before discussing how that relates to our faith, and life in general.

It is fantastic to be involved in both schools on such a regular basis, sharing our faith and building supportive relationships with both students and teachers.

Alongside this work we also run lounge youth café, which provides a place for young people to meet outside of school. This helps us to continue to develop relationships and care for the young people in and around our town.

We would really value your prayers for this work, the schools, students and teachers.

If you would like more information about what we do, or would like to be involved (lounge especially is looking for more volunteers) contact Rob Hayden on 01494 674506 or email robhayden@hotmail.com Rob Hayden

Toddler Group

Every Friday during Term Time  10.00 to 11.30am

BULRUSHES is a voluntary run group for children under school age.  It is supported by St Michael and All Angels Church and meets every Friday 10.00 to 11.30 in St Michael’s Hall.

Mothers, Fathers and Carers all enjoy chatting and making new friends in a happy atmosphere while children play.

There are plenty of toys and things to do.  The cost is just £1.00 per family per session including refreshments for the children and adults.