WYMONDLEY GARDEN CLUB
On Monday 14th October at 7.30pm. Michael Hooper will be giving one of his interesting talks, and this time the subject is Uganda.
On Wednesday 2nd October from 2.00pm. we meet up for our Craft afternoon.
Both meetings are held in Wymondley Chapel Hall, and entry is £2.50 including refreshments.
Lynda Garner
CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX APPEAL
You will have seen from the note in last month’s PAX that our three churches are once again supporting Link to Hope in sending Christmas shoeboxes to Romania, Moldova, the Ukraine and Bulgaria. As previously, you can choose to fill a box for either a family or for an elderly person. To take part you will need an instruction leaflet and an empty shoebox - both of which are available in all three churches. Then, just follow the step by step instructions on the leaflet.
We do already have a number of items that you may want to put into your shoebox. These are available for you to help yourself to free of charge, and we will have them at most of the 9.15am. services at St. Ippolyts. (If you want to
check and/or need more help, then ring Christine and Arthur Sibun on 01462-459145).
You will see from the front of the leaflet that all boxes must be at a collection centre before Tuesday 5th November. As we will be using a different centre this year, in order to achieve this, all boxes must be wrapped and returned to church (or direct to Christine and Arthur) by Sunday 3rd November at the very latest. (The end of October would be even better).
One or two people have commented that: ‘it can’t be shoebox time already can it’? By way of an answer to that, one local centre received a consignment of 40 finished boxes in July. Perhaps just a tad early?
Thank you for all of your help.
Arthur Sibun
STRENGTHENING UNITY
It may be odd to admit this in deepest Hertfordshire but I am an enthusiastic follower of Gloucester Rugby Club - the Cherry and Whites. Scarcely a fan since I was last at Kingsholm in 1956, but as one who was brought up and then married in Gloucester (to a Gloucester girl of course) the club has always had a special place in my affections. So when Bedford played Gloucester and won in 1988 I was so horrified that I realised that no matter how long we lived in this part of the world we would always be Gloucestrians (you can take the couple out of Gloucester but you can't take Gloucester out of the couple). Even after 40 years in this area we get a warm feeling when we cross the county boundary heading west near Chipping Norton.
Rugby is to Gloucester what soccer is to Manchester or Liverpool. Ironically I played the game at school and absolutely hated it, giving it up at the earliest opportunity in favour of cross country running (what's the point of running around in the cold and wet while someone puts a muddy hand in your face or removes your legs from under you?). Nevertheless I love watching it on television and throughout October I shall be glued to the World Cup in Japan as time allows. Less hyped than the soccer one, but hopefully just as exciting as the cricket one with the same result. I mention this because events like this have an important place in the world as a force for good.
One Rugby World Cup had as its theme tune a song called 'World in Union'. This is something that is desperately needed these days. Much has been made over the past century (and throughout history) about disunity; history is one long saga since before records began of conflict between races and nations. As I write this in early September there are endless divisions over Brexit and there is unease between ourselves and the rest of Europe. There are continual tensions in the Middle East, over Kashmir, and in other places as well. Over and beyond this, racial and religious tensions simmer beneath the surface and emerge horribly from time to time. World sporting events are times when representatives of nations can get together and recognise that they are part of a common humanity, that the things that unite are far greater than those that divide. They are times for unity rather than division. This is very badly needed in the 21st century.
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The Christian Church was born into a divided world, one that was far more divided even than it is today. Apart from racial and cultural differences there was a huge class divide between freemen and slaves that today seems utterly abhorrent. Christ died for everyone, regardless of their race, creed, colour and social status. He spoke of being lifted up on the cross to draw everyone to Himself, and I see those arms outstretched on the cross as enfolding everyone. This remains the same today and the world must recognise its unity and work towards strengthening that unity. If global sporting events like the Rugby World Cup can be small steps along that road then whether we enjoy the game or not they are worthwhile.
Happy Watching! Paul (Lanham)
BIKE RIDE
It’s not too late to take part in the annual Bike Ride in aid of Beds. and Herts. Historic Churches Trust. The ride takes place on Saturday 14th Septemberso there is plenty of time to get a pack from me which will have a sponsor form and details of the churches in Herts. and Beds. which are open for you to visit. Then you’ll need to find friends and family - and maybe some church members - who would be happy to sponsor you. Half of the money you raise comes back to our church and half goes to the Trust and is then distributed to churches which are fund raising for repairs or renovations. You choose your own route from the list of churches and you should find someone at the churches; some have loos and lots have drinks and biscuits. You should be able to sign in at any church from 10.00am. to 6.00pm.
I am Shelagh Cox and I can be contacted on 01462-432445, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or for texts 07884-406523. The mobile phone is rarely answered in time because I never know where it is, but I am quite good at texts! I will give anyone who wants to ride an information pack, and I have done it myself so I may be able to answer your questions.
Shelagh Cox
QUIZ NIGHT - Saturday 26thOctober at 7.30pm.
We are all set for another Quiz Night in St. Ippolyts Parish Hall. Why not join us for an evening of fun and perhaps an opportunity to tax your brains. Make up a team of 6 to 8 friends or family and enjoy a Ploughman’s Supper washed down with wine, beer or soft drinks from the bar. Doors open at 7.00pm. for a prompt 7.30pm. start. Tickets will be on sale from the end of September available from Jane Veasey (H.434254) or Mary Hooper (H.457350) at £10 per person.
Mary Hooper
COMMUNITY LUNCH
The next Community Lunches will be on Wednesday
4thSeptember and 2ndOctober from 12.45pm. till 2.00pm. (Serving time 12.45pm. till 1.00pm.) Cost £4. Everyone welcome.
Anne Steel
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FRIENDS OF ST. IPPOLYTS CHURCH
Friends will not be meeting on Tuesday 10thSeptember. The new date for our meeting is Wednesday 18thSeptemberat 10.30am. for coffee/tea and an 11.00am. start. This will be at Little Almshoe House, St. Ippolyts. We look forward to seeing you on that morning.
Frances Williams, Carol Scott and Joan Pinkstone
CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX APPEAL
As well as being the month that marks the beginning of autumn and a new academic year, September is a time when our thoughts turn to events like harvest and the start of our Christmas shoebox preparations. Once again we will be supporting ‘Link to Hope’ the Sussex based charity who send shoeboxes to Romania, Moldova, the Ukraine and Bulgaria at Christmas. As in previous years the choice will be whether to fill a shoebox for a family, or whether to do one specifically for an elderly person.
HOWEVER, just when we thought that we had got the hang of how to do them, the charity have revised their requirements based on the actual needs of the people they have been giving the boxes to. As a result, they are requesting that everybox should contain 6 specified essential items, plus 5 (or more) others. This is not as complicated as it sounds and is all made very clear in their new leaflet.
By the time that this article appears, leaflets and empty shoeboxes will be available in all of our churches, so do pick up one of the leaflets and have a read. If you think that you might like to fill a box, just help yourself to a leaflet and a box (if you don’t already have one). Due to people’s generosity we already have a number of items that you may find useful to put into your box. These are freely available, so please help yourself. We will aim to bring a selection of them to most of the 9.15am. services at St. Ippolyts from early September. (Should you have any queries or need any help just ring Christine and Arthur Sibun on
01462-459145). Completed boxes should be returned to church for onward transportation. Further details and deadlines etc. will be
published in next month’s PAX.
Arthur Sibun
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SUMMER TIME
I can’t believe it is September already!! The last couple of months seem to have whizzed by and I always feel that once the children go back to school I’m on a countdown until Christmas.....I think it’s a vicar thing!! I’ve had a good summer though, busier than usual but with plenty of high points that have made me extra-thankful that I do what I do.
I am writing this article shortly after our annual Horse Blessing Service. It was one of those high points (literally!) as I sat upon Ringo the horse, looking across the churchyard which was filled with horses and people and thought that ‘Vicar School’ simply doesn’t prepare you for this! Last year was the first time I had taken the service on horseback and I was petrified, but this year I was a lot more confident and I confess that I actually enjoyed it! It was lovely to see so many horses and riders gathered outside the church along with lots of other people who joined us for the service. There are plenty of photos on the church website if you’d like to take a look - although I’m rather hoping that the extremely unflattering one of me, taken from behind, mounting the horse with my cassock lifted high has been removed, after I all but begged the editor to do so. No-one needs to see that!!
There’s plenty to look forward to as well; our Benefice Service at 9.30am. on Sunday 29thSeptember will be held in The Vicarage garden and followed by breakfast - at least I think it’s something to look forward to.....my cooking isn’t that bad these days!!! We’ll be praying for a dry morning, bring a chair and let me know if you’re coming so I can get enough sausages in!!
On Sunday 6thOctober, we will be joining forces with Wymondley Baptist Chapel again for a joint Harvest Service (at the Chapel) followed by a Harvest Lunch and there will also be the return of our much-heralded Beer and Hymns service in the Buck’s Head - date to be confirmed - look out for posters! And following on from last year’s successful Light Party on All Hallows Eve, we will be hosting it again this year
at St. Ippolyts Church.
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Another date not to be missed is the ‘Evening with Eric Knowles’ on Tuesday 15thOctober at the Priory Barn in aid of St. Mary’s Church Great Wymondley Restoration Fund. This promises to be a wonderful evening and tickets are selling fast so if you’d like to join us please do buy your tickets as soon as possible. (Details on page 7.)
I hope that you have all had a good summer and have managed to spend some time with those you love. My prayers are with the young people in our Benefice as they return to their schools after the holidays, and especially those who are starting at a new school. May they start the new school year refreshed and full of enthusiasm and anticipation.
With love - Ginni
SEND A COW
John and Audrey Burr would like to thank everyone who supported the Send a Cow Coffee Morning held at the end of June. An amazing total of £517 was raised on the day and from donations after the event. Send a Cow has
a project to provide coffee plants and training to rural families in Rwanda so that they can grow this profitable crop and further increase their standard of living. Thank you all.
Our annual Horse Blessing Service was held this year on the afternoon of 11thAugust. In spite of the high winds and scurrying rain clouds we had a remarkably dry service on the freshly mowed grass outside the church. A group of about 50 attendees waited expectantly to see not only how many horses would bring their riders to the service but also to see Revd Ginni astride a charger.
The spectators were not disappointed with 24 horses coming along to be blessed. Ginni did not disappoint either as she was soon up into the saddle and confidently parading down the footpath to her chosen location to conduct the service. She looked resplendent and the other horses whinnied their approval.
After a short reading, the hymn ‘Morning has broken” and prayers Ginni proceeded to bless each of the horses and riders. Each horse was given a special treat of a carrot.
A collection was taken for the two North Herts Riding for the Disabled groups and a total of £345 was given to split between them.
Thank you to all the horses and riders, all the ladies who baked the cakes sampled by everyone, of course, to all those who came to enjoy the service and spectacle.
Upon departure the horses left a few presents, which the churchyard maintenance crew will have to tackle!
To see more photos look in our gallery.
Sithney, the patron saint of mad dogs; a Breton legend has it that God asked him to be the patron saint of of girls seeking husbands, but Sithney replied that he would rather be the patron saint of mad dogs and get some rest!
