Parish Newsletter - April 2007
SANDRA'S LETTER
Dear friends,
One of my favourite books as a child was "What Katy Did" by Susan Coolidge. The heroine Katy is seriously injured following an accident and the story follows her transformation from selfish girl to noble woman!! In the early part of the story the household has what we would know as ‘a bad day' that begins with a broken shoelace. Later the father [another noble person] talks to Katy and quotes a proverb to her..
"for the sake of the nail.. the battle was lost". He goes on to talk about how small things can have big consequences..
I often find myself thinking about this. We don't know where tiny things lead, whether for good or ill. The post-office is closed, the stamp not bought, the letter unposted: could be someone feels forgotten, could be that it's just as well you never sent it!
Some of us find it easier to look at the detail in life, others of us move swiftly to the big picture and the end result [I'm definitely in this category!] but there is in fact a great harmony between these two things. As the eponymous Chinese proverb says, to walk 1000 miles you have to take the first step." Jesus also talked about offering a cup of water to a little one "Whoever offers a cup of water to one of these little ones, offers it to me." We don't know what part the little things play in the bigger plan..
At Easter time the Church is about both the big vision and the details. Time slows down for us from Palm Sunday as we follow every step of the events of Holy Week, culminating in the one hour service on Good Friday when we stay still at the foot of the cross and concentrate on that one moment in history, that single place, those nails, that individual.. But then we arrive at Easter Day, and our vision lifts and suddenly we see the whole of God's great plan for creation bursting forth in resurrection life. But without the nails of Good Friday there could be no empty tomb.. without the nail the battle would be lost.
God is indeed the God of small things.. and is also the God of eternity and beyond. This Easter may you find that looking and doing the small things - whether pausing to pay attention to someone or taking a first step - will lead you to the place of new beginning and the opening up a whole new vision.
Every blessing,
Sandra Millar
Changes to the Baldons Village Hall
Following the work of our Buildings Subcommittee, the Village Hall Committee has broadly endorsed the outline of a proposal for changes to the Village Hall. In summary it consists of an extension to accommodate a sizeable community room, a small stage, more storage space and making the exterior cladding more presentable; all at a ball-park cost of £120-150,000. This proposal is not dissimilar in scope to the outline floated at the open meeting on this subject last year.
However the Committee has become aware of views expressed in some quarters that any new build should be more ambitious and forward-looking than that now proposed. In this regard the Committee would be happy for a second Working Party to be formed under its auspices to draw up another plan, to run concurrently with the first so that the two concepts can be evaluated against each other.
This, however, depends crucially on volunteers to come forward and be prepared not only to sit on the working party but also to follow the scheme through to its final conclusion including planning permission, securing funds and eventual construction. I would be delighted to hear from any interested persons. John Wright, Chairman. Tel: 343276
The Baldons Ceramic Café
Here's your opportunity to show your creativity! From 2-4.30pm on Sunday 22nd April the Baldons will have its own Ceramic Café at the Village Hall. Come and decorate a mug, plate, bowl, small animal (or suchlike) or for those who are more ambitious, bigger items such as a cake stand or very large plate. Suitable for all ages from 0 to 99. Children under 13 please bring a grown up with you, unaccompanied adults and older children all welcome! For more details or to book places phone Fran Butler on 343330 or (preferably) e-mail ceramics@roottoot.freeserve.co.uk. Pre-booking is essential, by 15th April please.
(Approximate prices including glaze and firing - mug or plate £6, large teacup and saucer £8, large jug £10, there will also be smaller things to decorate at lower prices.)
Services
1st April 8am Holy Communion - Berinsfield
Palm Sunday 9.30 Children's Service - DSL
11am Family Service - Berinsfield
5pm Tea followed by Palm Sunday procession from Marsh to Toot (arriving approx. 6pm)
CLUSTER EUCHARISTS FOR HOLY WEEK
2nd April 8pm Toot Baldon
3rd April 8pm Berinsfield
4th April 8pm D. St.L
5th April MAUNDY THURSDAY - Berinsfield
7pm Eucharist and supper for Cluster
6th April GOOD FRIDAY
10am Cluster Service at Marsh Baldon
10-12 "Hot Cross Club" at Berinsfield Church Hall for children aged 5-11 - fun activity morning.
1-3pm Devotion led by Revd. Helenann Hartley
in Dorchester Abbey.
7th April 7pm Confirmtion and Service of Light
in Dorchester Abbey.
8th April EASTER DAY
9.30 Holy Communion Marsh Baldon
11am Holy Communion Berinsfield
15th April 8.30 Holy Communion Marsh Baldon
9.15 Family Service Marsh Baldon
9.30 Holy Communion D.St.L
11am Holy Communion Berinsfield
22nd April 9.15 Holy Communion Toot Baldon
11am Holy Communion Berinsfield
6pm Holy Communion D.St. L CLUSTER EUCHARISTS for HOLY WEEK2nd April 8pm - Toot Baldon3rd April 8pm Cluster Eucharist for Holy Week at8th April Easter Day15th April
29th April Team Service 10.30am, Long Wittenham.
'Freedom from Slavery'. This will be a service to remember the The 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade and to give thanks for our freedom in Christ.
Sidesduty
Marsh Toot
1st April Richard Barnett (6pm) Ann Druce
2nd April (8pm) Graham Hobbins
8th April Peter Barclay-Watt (9.30)
15th April John Mason (9.15)
22nd April (9.15) Jenny van Dijk
Flowers
Help from everyone for Easter please on Saturday 7th April
22&29 April June Shepherd Sandy Greenaway
Iris Wright Angela Avis
Annual Church Meeting: Wednesday 11th April at 8pm in St. Peter's, Marsh Baldon with cheese & wine.
Prayer in St. Peter's: 8am on Thursday 12th April.
Being in touch with the vicar: phone 01865 340460;
e-mail: revdocsand@aol.com; or visit girlvicar.blogspot.com
REG ALLNUTT
Josie, Linda and Carol would like to express their thanks to all those who attended the funeral and all the beautiful cards received from so many friends. Everyone has been so kind and it has helped us so much through this very difficult time. Reg was a well loved gentleman and will be greatly missed and never forgotten by his family and friends. We are grateful for donations to McMillan Nurses, although we have not yet received the total amount we will let you know in the next edition.
Items for May Newsletter to: Sonia Hewitt (tel & fax 343398, e-mail: ronsonhewitt@btinternet.com), Nicola Barclay-Watt (343224, e-mail: barclaywatt@btinternet.com) or Sherry Rix, e-mail: sherry@travelafricamag.com by 16th April at the latest please.