12
— 1 —
Parish LifeThe Magazine of Holy Trin i ty Pari sh Church Kenda l
December 201 5 / January 201 6
40p
— 2 —
Church Office: Clergy, Hilary Murphy, Diane Letheren 721248Open 09:30am–4:00pm (Friday, morning only)
Website: www.kendalparishchurch.co.ukGeneral email: [email protected]: Kendal Parish Church, Kirkland, Kendal LA9 5AF
— 3 —
FromThe Vicarage
Dear Friends,
Last week, I was asked to do an interview for RadioCumbria about the news that the Starbucks coffee chain haddecided to leave Christmas off their coffee cups. Instead,they are going to have a simple red cup and leave all thesnow flakes, baubles and reindeer off. Predictably, this hascaused a storm in a (cough) coffee cup. An MP has calledfor the marketing department of Starbucks to be sacked andTwitter and Facebook users have raged back and forthabout whether this is taking Christ out of Christmas andpolitical correctness gone mad (does political correctnessever do anything else, one asks?). I was wheeled out to playthe part of ‘Outraged Vicar ’, but the problem was that Iwasn’t outraged.Firstly, Starbucks were generating a whole raft of free
publicity. Their marketing department had played a blinder.Secondly, the coffee cups were never going to have picturesof the nativity on anyway, and should we really insist onmillions of disposable paper cups having ‘Merry Christmas’on just to protect our vulnerable sensibilities?Please bear with me whilst I make two observations
about this ‘slow news day’ spat, which has become anannual part of the build up to Christmas.It is vital that we should not take Christ out of Christmas.
To do so does not make it more inclusive. It only makes itgreyer. The story of Jesus Christ is full of hope, love,humanity, joy and peace. In a world where there is so muchpain and suffering, surely we need this more than theproffered alternative – a physical and financial hangover?Yet we should not feel so threatened by those who seek
to take Christ out of Christmas. God does not need to bedefended by us. Some of the reactions in the press suggestthat Christians believe that God cannot take care of himself,and that the faintest whiff of opposition demands that werush to His defence. What does this say about God? What
— 4 —
does this say about us, and our confidence in God?We need not be so worried. Christmas shows that God
comes in great humility. God does not fear becomingvulnerable. As one theologian put it, this God is worthbelieving in because his love is so great that he does notneed to be God. To quote John Betjeman, ‘The Maker of thestars and sea, Become a Child on earth for me.’ A God whois so fragile that he requires mortals to write angry letters ortweets in his defence would not come as a baby to anordinary family in Palestine.Christmas, instead, shows us that God’s love is so great,
so undimmed, and so unquenched by scorn and abuse, thatit compels him to be born as a man, live amongst us andbring life to us in word, deed, death and resurrection. ThisGod refused to defend himself, and in weakness andvulnerability he redeems the world.
Then let us all with one accordSing praises to our heavenly LordThat hath made Heaven and earth of noughtAnd with his blood mankind has bought.Noel, Noel, Noel, NoelBorn is the King of Israel!
Every blessing,Rob
Christmas FairWith none of the halls being available on the day wewanted, the dilemma was – do we cancel any thoughts of aChristmas Fair this year or do we try holding it in thechurch?Not without some concerns, we plumped for the latter
on the basis that a different Christmas Fair was better thannone at all and any money raised would be a bonus. Ourdecision was more than justified. Thanks to the efforts ofmany who baked, made crafts, ran stalls, providedrefreshments, set up and tidied away we made a wonderfulprofit of £857. (This was actually an increase of over £100 onlast year but did not take into account the ‘£5 talents’
— 5 —
initiative whose money came in at a later date).There was a general positive feel about the day, with lots
of chatting and laughter and, after an initial slow start, asteady stream of visitors passing through. It was quiteinteresting to note how many folk commented on just hownice it was to see the event being held in church which waswarm, inviting and where we had carols playing in thebackground through our sound system. And it wasencouraging to see so many of our young people –Brownies , Guides, Boys Brigade and Ketchup – helping invarious ways on the day.So we are left with another dilemma – do we use the
church again next year or go back to the halls? A niceproblem to have though!Thanks again to everyone for making the Fair a success.
Ashley
NoticesBuilding Work
As the magazine goes to print, the work in the Vestry blockcontinues apace. All being well, the toilets in the formerWardens’ Vestry will be finished at the beginning ofDecember in time for all the events over the coming weeks.The work will then stop for Christmas and then resumeearly in the New Year. This second phase will involve newtoilets and a small meeting room downstairs in the Vestryblock (there will still be some kitchen facilities in this area),and the kitchenette in the right-hand horse box. Workshould be complete early in March. Thank you to everyonefor your patience during all this upheaval. A particularthanks to Clare Bates and others who have worked so hardto keep things running as smoothly as possible.
Website
At the beginning of December, the church will have a newwebsite. Designed by a local web developer, DavidAlexander, the website will contain all the currentinformation but will be much easier to keep up to date than
— 6 —
the current website. This means that it will be a useful, andcurrent source of news and information about life at KendalParish Church.
Toilet Twinning
Thank you to all those who have given money to twin ournew toilets. We are now able to sponsor seven toilets.
Changes affecting ‘Evensong’
With the Christmas Season approaching rapidly, please notetwo changes to our usual pattern on Sunday evenings thismonth:
Sunday, 13 December: Our Music Director, Duncan Lloyd,will be conducting Kendal Choral in ‘The Messiah’ at7:30pm. All are welcome to what promises to be amemorable and spiritually uplifting evening – a fittingpreparation for the coming season.
Sunday, 20 December: Our traditional Nine Lessons andCarols Service will be held on 20 December, 6:30pm.
Alternative Nine Lessons
As well as our traditional service of Nine Lessons andCarols on Sunday, 20 December at 6:30pm, Mark Houston isalso organising a couple of ‘Alternative Nine Lessons’ atCosta Coffee in K Village on Saturday, 19 December at10:00am, and in the Ring o’Bells on Thursday, 17 Decemberat 8pm. The Christmas Story will be retold and there will becarols to sing. Please do invite others who might not cometo our more traditional fare in church.
Alpha Course
Mark Houston and Brenda Sykes are organising an AlphaCourse after Christmas to run between January and March.Alpha is an opportunity to explore Christian faith in arelaxed environment where questions are encouraged.Please do pray for the team and for the course, and doinvite anyone you think would be interested, or come alongyourself to find out more. Further details from Mark orBrenda.
— 7—
House needed …
Charley Stockley, who has been working for MissionAviation Fellowship in Northern Australia, is seeking ahouse to rent in the Kendal area for himself and his familywhen they return to the UK next summer. If you know ofanyone who might be able to help, please contact Rob.
Two books published by members of KPC!
The last couple of months have seen the publication of twobooks by members of our church. Bonnie Quantz haswritten a super illustrated book for young children, HappyDays Out in the Lake District. On a slightly different subject,Marten Julian has published his book, Strictly Classified –Insights into the trainer’s mind, an in-depth insight into theminds of the leading horse trainers in world racing.Both books are available from all good booksellers! What
other books are waiting to be written by our churchmembers?
Church Flowers
A donation to the church flower fund was received from thefamily of Mary Cross in memory of their mother.
Charity Christmas Tree FestivalCome and see a wonderful display of 40 trees uniquelydecorated by different charities including St John’s Hospice,North West Air Ambulance, Muscular Dystrophy andAlzheimer’s Society, plus many others.Please come and give your support at this special time ofyear.
Opening times:Fridays: 4, 11, 18 December, 4pm – 6pm;Saturdays: 5, 12, 19 December, 11am – 6pm;Sundays: 6, 13, 20 December, 3pm – 5pm.Homemade refreshments are available throughout theFestival.
— 8 —
From the Deanery and Diocese …
Ignite the LightHundreds of young people from all over Cumbria packedinto Stricklandgate Methodist Church, Kendal, on Saturday,24 October to see the Message Trust’s band Brightline.
Eight Churches from across Kendal had been workingtogether for the last six months to put on the Ignite theLight event, with the aim to reach out to young people withthe good news of Jesus. Rev Angela Whitaker, Rural Deanof Kendal Deanery commented ‘Ignite the Light is a greatexample of Christians and local churches of alldenominations working together, with the common aim ofsharing God’s good news in Jesus with young people. Onthe night it was wonderful to see so many young peopleresponding to the message they heard. For us locally, thework continues now as we seek to help these young peoplegrow in faith; which we plan to do together. It makes sense,we’re better together.’
Ignite the Light brought together many churches in thearea and also many Christians who volunteered on thenight of the event. Event co-ordinator Rev Jonny Gios said:‘This outreach brought together churches that might nothave worked together naturally. It was such a delight to see70 volunteers from different churches work together.’
Methodist district chair, Rev Richard Teal said ‘It wasgreat to have so many young people gathering together inCumbria to experience the gospel. It was wonderful to haveso many respond to the message. Thanks to all whoarranged and supported Ignite the Light and pray for thosewho made a commitment to Christ.’
‘Our prayer for the future is that churches will continueto work together in Kendal, churches in the other areas tobe inspired to try what we have done here with Ignite theLight, and for the young people that they grow in their faithand tell their friends about the hope we have in Jesus.'
— 9 —
Holy Land Ecumenical PilgrimagePlans are being drawn up for an eleven-day ecumenicalpilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2017.The tour includes direct flights from Manchester, a three-
centre pilgrimage taking in Galilee, Bethlehem andJerusalem, half-board accommodation and licensed guides.It will run from 6 to 16 March 2017.The Rev'd Robert Jackson, Priest-in-Charge at St James
Whitehaven, is currently booking appointments to visit allDeanery Synods to provide more information about theplanned pilgrimage and can be contacted for furtherinformation on 01946 696932.
‘A Celebration of Christmas’Kendal Choral Society Choir and Orchestra conducted byDuncan Lloyd will perform:
‘A Celebration of Christmas’
at Kendal Parish Church during the Charity Christmas TreeFestival on Sunday, 13 December, at 7:30 pm ( doors open at7pm).
It includes Christmas music from Handel’s Messiah andcarols old and new.
Soloists: Emily Robinson , Anastasia Mickelthwaite , IanJones and Keir Mc Gregor, with an invited orchestra, leaderWendy Cann, organist Andy Plowman and accompanistMichael Critchlow.
Tickets £10 (children free) on the door or ring 01539 730702,includes mince pie and soft drink. Tickets available fromMade in Cumbria, Branthwaite Brow, Kendal, or tel:01539730702 to reserve, or buy on the door on the night.
— 10 —
Sunday, 6 December
8:00am Holy Communion (BCP)9:30am Choral Communion (BCP)11:00am The Gathering with Communion6:30pm Evensong (BCP)
Sunday, 1 3 December
8:00am Holy Communion (BCP)9:30am Parish Communion (CW)11:00am The Gathering6:30pm No Evensong (see Notices)
Sunday, 20 December
8:00am Holy Communion (BCP)9:30am Parish Communion (CW)11:00am The Gathering – Ketchup Nativity Play6:30pm Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
Thursday, 24 December – Christmas Eve
4:00pm Crib Service11:15pm Midnight Communion
Friday, 25 December – Christmas Day
9:00am Holy Communion (BCP)10:30am Christmas Day Service (CW)
Sunday, 27 December
8:00am Holy Communion (BCP)9:30am Parish Communion (CW)11:00am The Gathering6:30pm Evensong (BCP)
Sunday Services — December 201 5
— 11 —
Sunday Services — January 201 6
Sunday, 3 January
8:00am Holy Communion (BCP)9:30am Choral Communion (BCP)11:00am The Gathering with Communion6:30pm Evensong (BCP)
Sunday, 1 0 January
8:00am Holy Communion (BCP)9:30am Parish Communion (CW)11:00am The Gathering6:30pm Epiphany Carol Service
Sunday, 1 7 January
8:00am Holy Communion (BCP)9:30am Parish Communion (CW)11:00am The Gathering with Communion6:30pm Evensong
Sunday, 24 January
8:00am Holy Communion (BCP)9:30am Parish Communion (CW)11:00am The Gathering6:30pm Evensong (BCP)
Sunday, 31 January
8:00am Holy Communion (BCP)9:30am Parish Communion (CW)11:00am Matins11:00am The Gathering in Kirkland Hall6:30pm Evensong
© Holy Trinity Kendal Parish Church, 2015.Any views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily thoseof the editors or the Anglican Parish Church.
— 12 —
Holy Communion (BCP) 8:00amParish Communion 9:30am(Common Worship, except 1st Sunday BCP)The Gathering 11:00am(with Communion 1st & 3rd Sundays)(Except Matins BCP on 5th Sunday)Evensong 6:30pmMid WeekMorning Prayer Tuesday, Thursday 9:00amMorning Prayer Wednesday 10:00amMeditation Tuesday 10:00amHoly Communion (BCP) Thursday 10:30am
(Saints’ Days and Holy Days as announced)
