December 2013

St Mark’s

Parish News For Natland and Oxenholme 60p per copy or £6.00 per year

Priest-in-Charge

Rev Angela Whiaker

015395 60355

Assistant Priest:

Rev Marn Jayne

015395 60942

Assistant Priest:

Rev Marion Mashiter

01539 731957

Rered Priest:

Rev Hazel Carter

015395 60429

Church Wardens:

Keith Clarkson Marion Thornton

015395 60531 015395 61253

PCC Secretary: Treasurer:

Bill Wood John Chandler

01539 739326 015395 60169

Stewardship Secretary:

Paul Singleton

015395 60016

Choir:

Gill Walkley

01539 723482

Organist: MU Families Group Sunday School Co-ordinator:

Jonathan Hall Barbara Nelson Andrew Whiaker

015395 60120 015395 60355

PUSH Youth Group:

Keith Clarkson

015395 60531

Magazine Distribuon Co-ordinator:

Meg Payne

015395 61980

Magazine Subscripon Co-ordinator

Peter Crossley

01539 734835

St Mark’s School Head Teacher:

Peter Barfoot

015395 60719

SUNDAY NOTICE SHEET Angela Whiaker

ang.whi[email protected]

Diane Letheren

diane.letheren@bnternet.com

Please send a copy to the above address ideally by noon the previous Wednesday or at the latest Friday for inclusion, in the following Sunday’s noce sheet. MAGAZINE TEAM Angela Whiaker Marion Mashiter Diane Letheren

[email protected] The Vicarage, LA9 7QQ 015395 60355 5 Esthwaite Avenue, LA9 7NN 01539 731957 22 Long Meadow Lane, LA9 7QZ 015395 61103

Arcles for the January edion of the magazine to be handed in by Monday 9th December If sending by hard copy please make sure your contact is not away from home. The team welcomes arcles for future edions of the magazine. The maximum for one page is approximately 350 words. The Editorial Team reserves the right to decline to publish any item or to amend or shorten material. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the contributors, not necessarily those of the PCC, or the editorial Team.

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Dear Friends, I’m reliably informed it’s only thirty four sleeps to Christmas as I type this letter. The ‘BBQ’ and ‘Halloween aisle’ in Asda has given way to Christmas aisle (or two or three and more). Blackpool ‘Lights’ are switched off by and large until next September and Kendal lights are on! The nativity plays are all in the diary, as are a few Christmas lunches, and I’ve just taken a phone call about Lent Groups – they start in March. In fact before we know it, it will be 365 sleeps to Christmas once again. But meanwhile it’s the season of Advent. Traditionally the season for waiting and for preparation on a grand scale – a season in which to reflect on the ‘last things’ – death, judgement, heaven and hell. A season and themes which, if we’re not careful, get lost in the early arrival of Christmas. I’m not suggesting solemnity until Christmas Eve, or indeed overwhelming feelings of guilt when Christmas seems to rush in too soon once again, but I do encourage you to take some time to wait and to prepare. Perhaps by time for reflection? Time to listen and to be quiet. Time to pray. Time to simply rest. All of which we might do on our own or in the company of others. I believe we will be the better for all these things. And when Christmas does arrive — love and blessings to you all! Angela

Waiting Why? And for what? And, In what way? Trusting and tirelessly? Intrigued and inquisitive? I’ve Never been very good at waiting. My excuse is Got far too much to do. Lord, teach me to wait on you and for you. 3

2nd Charity Christmas Tree Festival December 2013 at Kendal Parish Church A Celebration of Christmas' This year's display of 50 Christmas Trees decorated by and in aid of local Charities will be open for viewing on the three weekends before Christmas. Fridays from 4-7 pm, Saturdays from 11 am -6pm and Sundays from 3-5pm. Entry £1 children free. Refreshments available. The Church will be alive with colour and light and we warmly invite you to join us. Please come along to see the Helm group tree, decorated with Chrismon symbols and collecting money for the Food Bank.- We will be decorating this tree on Thursday 5th from 1.30 if anyone wishes to help- also if you want to make any Chrismon decorations we can always use more- contact Janet 015395 61257. You are invited to the Festival Concerts Saturday 7th December at 7.15pm, Official Opening Ceremony by the Mayor of Kendal followed by one of UK's leading Barbershop choirs' The Cottontown Chorus'. Tickets £12 or £10. Saturday 14th December at 7.30pm 'KPC Festive Favourites' an eclectic musical extravaganza - including Kendal Choral Society, the Millennium Youth Choir and Carnaffin Jazz. Tickets are only £4 and include mulled wine and mince pies. Friday 20th December at 7.30pm sees the return of the popular Burneside Brass Band. Tickets £5. For tickets email [email protected]. Further details are on Church website www.kendalparishchurch.co.uk

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Mike and Anne Bagnall will be running a second hand book stall at the Christmas Coffee Morning on Saturday 14th December. If you have any books you would like to donate please leave them in the box at the back of church. Thank You. 5

Have you thought about giving a different type of giB this year? Manna House have a few suggesons for you. An ‘unwrapped GiB’ in your friends’ or relaons’ names could go a long way at Manna House where we have real needs, especially at Christmas me. We would be very grateful for your help. Your money could help us provide the following (more suggesons can be found on the donaon form in church):♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

£3 for coffee, tea and biscuits for 15 people £5 for vegetable seeds for the garden £10 for recruitment and inducon of 2 volunteers £15 for one hour of Client Support £20 for soup for 40 £25 a meal for 25 people £50 for one night’s emergency accommodaon

Please take a moment to consider this alternave giB at Christmas me. More informaon can be found on the Friends of Manna House, Christmas Card Donaon Form which are in church. Thank you Margaret Myers Assistant Co-ordinator, Friends of Manna House

14th Annual Craft Fair and Exhibition Natland and Oxenholme Village Hall Management Committee THANK EVERYONE who came to the Fair, bought raffle tickets, used the café and helped to make the day a success. Special thanks also to the exhibitors who lent items for the Exhibition. £729 was raised for the Village Hall funds.

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Flower Rota Dec

Jan

1st

ADVENT

8th

ADVENT

15th

ADVENT

22nd

ADVENT

29th

CHRISTMAS TEAM

5th

CHRISTMAS TEAM

Decorating Church with lowers for Christmas

Church Flowers

Thank you to all who have provided the altar flowers in church over the past year – and to those who have given and/or arranged flowers at the special festivals too. Church has looked particularly beautiful and our worship has been enhanced. There will be a rota in church this month for next year’s altar flowers. If you are able to help by being willing to donate and arrange the flowers, or would like to make a donation but ask someone else to arrange the flowers, please sign up on the rota at the back of church. As the altar flower arrangements seem to last for two weeks, we would be most grateful if you would sign up in two week blocks.

Help is needed with the arranging of lowers and displays for Christmas. If you would like to be involved please come along to church on Monday 23rd December at 10am. Any donations of money, evergreen foliage and variegated holly would also be much appreciated. Thank you.

Thank you.

CHURCH CLEANING December

7th 14th 21st 28th

Rhian Peters & Elizabeth Chandler (dusting) Joyce Watkinson & Kirsten Cannon (sweeping) Bill & Linda Wood (dusting) The Whittaker family (sweeping)

January

4th

Anne & Michael Bagnall (dusting) 7

On behalf of the Ministry Team

‘Advent Reflections’ at The Vicarage

A very Happy & Hope-filled Christmas & New Year Coming soon ……… The Grumpy Shepherd

Tuesdays 3rd, 10th & 17th December from 7.30-9pm ALL WELCOME

For the past four years an allage cast have helped us to think about the Christmas story through song and drama. This year we hope to do the same and would appreciate your help. We need narrators and actors of all ages. No previous acng experience is necessary – just the enthusiasm to share the Christmas story in this special way. Please contact Angela if you are interested in helping out. ‘The Grumpy Shepherd’ will be performed during the Morning Service on Sunday 15th December at 10am. Thank you.

Please note there will no service of Holy Communion on Thursday 26th December 2013.

CHRISTINGLE SERVICE Christmas Eve 4pm in church with a collecon for the work of the Children’s Society If anyone would like to help to make the Chris)ngles please come along to church on Monday 23rd December a*er the Carol Singing on the Village Green. Thank you. 8

Come Carol Singing Wednesday 18th December at 6pm at Kendal Care Home, followed by singing on The Oaks Friday 20th December at 6.15pm at Oxenholme Station followed by singing through Oxenholme Monday 23rd December at 6.30pm on Natland Village Green followed by refreshments in church All are welcome for any or all of these event – just listen out for the wonderful singing and join us en-route or in-situ!

Thank you to everyone who filled a shoebox for this year’s Shoebox Appeal. The boxes brought to church were taken along to St Mark’s CE School from where they have now been collected. Fi*y seven boxes are now making their way to Romania from our community.

You are invited to a PARTY in the Village Hall on Saturday 11th January 2014 6pm - 8pm. It’s a party for all ages, with music, games & entertainment. There’s no charge, just bring some food to share.

Thank you once again.

This event is co-ordinated by St Mark’s Church ‘fun-raising’ group.

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MONTH of D Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wed

1

2

3

4

10am Parish Communion 4pm PUSH at New Hutton 6.30pm Advent Carols

3.45pm Craft Club at St Mark’s School (also on 9th & 16th)

7.30pm Advent Reflections

7.30pm Fam Church

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9

10

11

10am Parish Communion 4pm Families@4 6pm PUSH Surprise

2.30pm Holy Communion at Kendal Care Home

1.15pm Age UK Christmas Lunch in St Mark’s School followed by entertainment

Morning - S School rehe Church

Parish magazine articles deadline

7.30pm Advent Reflections 15

16

17

18

10am Parish Communion 6pm PUSH at New Hutton 8pm Pro Nobis Concert

2pm & 6.30pm St Mark’s CE School Christmas Celebration in church

7.30pm Advent Reflections

12.45pm C the Tree in School 6pm Carol Kendal Car

22

23

24

25

10am Parish Communion 4pm Carol Service

10am Decorating Church with flowers

4pm Christingle 11.30pm 1st Communion of Christmas

9am Holy C 10.15am Fa

2.30pm Carol Service at Kendal Care Home

Happy Eve

6.30pm Carol Singing on the Green and 7.45pm (ish) Making Christingles 29

30

31

10am said Morning Prayer 10am Helm Group Communion at Crosscrake 10

DECEMBER

dnesday

milies Group in

St Mark’s earsing in

arols Around St Mark’s CE

Thursday 5

Friday

Saturday

6

7

12

13

14

10am Holy Communion

Morning - St Mark’s School rehearsing in Church

10am-12noon Christmas Coffee Morning

19

20

21

10am Holy Communion

6.15pm Carol Singing at Oxenholme Station and Oxenholme Village

26

27

10am Holy Communion 11am Reception Class to Church

6.30-8pm Christmas Fair at St Mark’s CE School

Singing at e Home

Communion amily Service

28

Please note no service of Holy Communion today

Christmas eryone

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Supporting St Mark’s Church From time to time members of our community ask to make a contribution or donation to our Church. The donation might be in gratitude for a special event such as a wedding, an anniversary or a baptism. Sadly it might be to remember the passing of a loved one or indeed their anniversary. Perhaps it might just be to say thank you. For any or all of these reasons we gratefully receive gifts of whatever size to support our ministry in Natland, Oxenholme, The Oaks and beyond. Many who wish to give do so when attending services, regular or special ones. Most do this through regular giving or through the yellow gift aid envelopes. Perhaps there are occasions, such as those indicated above, when you wish to give but are unable to attend church for whatever reason and you are not sure how to achieve this aim of giving. There is now a new way. BT are supporting a donation site for charitable giving. Originally intended for sponsorship events the site can nevertheless be used for any donations you may wish to make to St Mark’s Church. The site can be accessed by entering BTmydonate into a search engine and then clicking on Donate to a Charity and finally entering St. Mark’s Church, Natland, Kendal. This will bring up a picture of our Church together with further instructions. If you decide to support our Church through this site at any time then I would like to thank you in advance for your donation. John Chandler.

Come away to a quiet place and rest awhile TABOR Carmelite Retreat House Tabor offers an ideal location for those seeking a quiet place for rest and prayer. It is especially suitable for those wanting to get away for a few days on their own in an atmosphere of quiet and stillness. For more information see www.carmelite.net Miggy Scott 12

Pro Nobis Singers Christmas Concert Sunday 15th December at 8pm. Our annual Christmas concert takes the form of music and readings as in previous years. We follow the Christmas story through from the Annunciation to Epiphany in music wide-ranging in style covering a period of over four hundred years. We begin in France with a lovely Noel - music by Charpentier - and move to Italy for a tuneful setting of the Magnificat by Pergolesi in which we are joined by a string quartet. As this is a celebratory year for composer Benjamin Britten (he was born in 1913), we include in our programme two short carols written when the composer was only seventeen and still at school; and following the death of John Tavener, we shall sing his lovely setting of William Blake's poem 'The Lamb' as a tribute. The popular composer Bob Chilcott is also represented in the programme. Programmes, £8, are available from Gill and Clive Walkley (Tel: 01539 723482) and you are invited to join the choir for mince pies and a glass of wine or fruit juice after the concert. Clive Walkley

Adrian Walkley Regular worshippers at St Mark's will have no)ced that the name Adrian Walkley has appeared on the prayer list recently. Adrian is my younger brother who lives with his wife, Hilary, in northern France. He has not enjoyed good heath for a number of years but, in August, he slipped in the kitchen and severely damaged his vertebrae and had to be airli*ed to hospital where he has remained ever since. Following a series of painful opera)ons, he has been told that he may never walk again. However, being a determined Yorkshire man, he does not give up easily and in the last week there have been some signs of improvement in his condi)on. Although Adrian and Hilary have no contact with the church, it is our prayer that he may recover some more movement and, whatever the outcome, that they will both remain strong in spirit. Please remember them both in your prayers; and thank you to everyone who has already asked me about Adrian's condi)on. Clive Walkley

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Christmas Lunch Following the successful Harvest Lunch, you are invited to come along to St Mark’s Primary School on Tuesday 10th December at 1.15pm for a Christmas lunch. Be waited on by the children, enjoy a delicious meal for only £3.50 and get into the Christmas spirit by listening to carols sung by the school choir. Places are limited, so to book a place please ring Ruth Taylor on 01539 728180 or 07787 201259 by 2nd December. This event is in partnership with St Mark’s Church and St Mark’s School. Join us at ‘Young at Heart’- a social group for older residents on Monday 13th January at Natland Village Hall from 1.45pm- 3.45pm, At this friendly group, make new friends and join in with a variety of activities from dominoes and curling to crafts, quizzes and scrabble. Cost £2.00 including refreshments. There is no meeting in December. A monthly Cancer Support Drop In is held every 2nd Thursday of the month at Milnthorpe Methodist Church Hall 2- 3.30pm. Next session is on Thursday 12th December. This informal and friendly drop - in is for anyone affected by cancer. Join us for tea, cakes and companionship and this month we are going to have a sing along! We also have a range of useful information leaflets available. In January we will meet on Thursday 9th. Remember you can pick up a free copy of the Age UK magazine from the village shop and from church. To find out about the services which Age UK South Lakeland can offer older people, please contact Ruth Taylor, your Village Agent on 01539 728180 or 07787 201259 or visit her at St Marks Church in the vestry on 5th December or 9th January from 10.3011am, or she would be happy to visit you at home.

Families Group will meet on Wednesday, 4th December in the Church vestry at 7.30pm. Kathleen Ward will be showing us how to make Christmas cards.

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Women’s World Day of Prayer 2014 The Women’s World Day of Prayer service will be on 7th March 2014 and it has been prepared by the Chris!an women of Egypt. The theme is “Streams in the Desert.” The Kendal commi)ee of different church representa!ves is in need of a new secretary. Without a secretary they will be unable to prepare a WWDP service in Kendal. Could you step into this role? If so help is available from Sue Rowley Tel: 01539 738428 or [email protected]

PUSH The Youth Group of the Helm Churches MEETINGS IN DECEMBER ‘Messy Christingle’ at New Hutton Church starting at 4pm. Lifts from the Vicarage at 3.15pm. 8th Mystery Night 15th Carols at New Hutton Church at 6.30pm, lifts from the Vicarage at 5.45pm. Bring a musical instrument if you play one. 1st

We won’t meet on the 22nd & 29th December or 5th January. We next meet on Saturday 11th January for a party from 6-8pm in the Village Hall, Natland — please bring family and/or friends and some food to share. Further details from The Rev’d Angela Whittaker 015395 60355 [email protected]

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St Mark’s School News It has been so good to experience an Autumn with dry leaves on the ground and the colours of nature changing so gradually. In school we have been celebrating the season through all the things that fall from our trees at this time of year. Everything is interesting to a 5 year old, from horse and sweet chestnuts to acorn cups and pine cones. Children often come into school with objects they have found and put them on our school altar table at the front of the hall. We make it part of our collective worship time to look at what has been offered and thank God for it. This offering in worship includes trophies and certificates for sports and activities the children enjoy in their own time out of school. Over the years this has included an incredible range of activities: music, dance, martial arts, Cumbrian wrestling, swimming, football, trail running . . . almost anything you can imagine. Our children live in a very busy world which is evident the way they live their lives. This makes it even more important to include times of reflection in the school day which we can use to celebrate the wonderful gift of our bodies and minds. During the half term break I had the opportunity to travel to China with a group of local Headteachers. We visited schools and university campuses to gain a better understanding of the way in which children are taught in the largest and potentially most influential country in the world today. It was fascinating to find that smiles and laughter are a universal language and that children are children everywhere in the world. Although the curriculum and the fundamentals of some aspects of the philosophy of education are very different, it was easy to focus on the overwhelming similarities rather than the differences between East and West. What is always humbling is the way in which education and particularly the learning of English are valued so highly around the world. I am looking forward to sharing my experiences and exploring the Chinese language and culture in school over the coming months. This morning the sound of Christmas carols began to filter down the corridor from the hall. We are practising in readiness for our celebration of the coming season of peace and goodwill. In a primary school it is very important to remember how new the story and message of the Christmas story is to each generation of children. It is a real privilege to be involved in guiding their thoughts, experiences and worship. I hope that local residents and members of the church will be able to join us for our Christmas Celebration in church on Monday 16th December at 2.00 or 6.30 p.m. Peter Barfoot, Headteacher November 2013 16

CANDLEMAS Martin preached last year on the traditions of Candlemas which falls every year on 2nd February. During Candlemas, candles were blessed, lit, and borne in a procession in celebration to Jesus being the light of the world. In AD 638, Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, proclaimed the importance of the celebration in his sermon to the church, stating: "Our bright shining candles are a sign of divine splendour of the one who comes to expel the dark shadows of evil and to make the whole universe radiant with the brilliance of his eternal light. Our candles also show how bright our souls should be when we go to meet Christ." The candles are generally considered to represent the inner light of Christ, which he brought to share with the world. Traditionally at Candlemas candles enough for the whole year were brought into church and blessed. In modern times we use candles for ceremony and as part of our liturgy but no longer rely on candles to light the whole church. We are fortunate to have electricity. The PCC proposes to bring this tradition of having the means to light the church for the coming year into the 21st century by inviting sponsorship of the cost of our electricity for the year ahead. In January the PCC will be inviting individuals to sponsor the cost of our electricity for a week or several weeks to cover the next twelve months. The cost will be between £5.00 and £30.00 a week depending upon the season. We hope you will feel able to support this idea. More details will follow in the January magazine Each month, on the 2nd and 4th Monday’s of the month, we meet for worship in Kendal Care Home. Why not come and join us? The service is at 2.30pm (although we’re welcome to arrive from 2pm onwards). December dates: Monday 9th December (Holy Communion) & Monday 23rd December (Carol Service) Also Carol Singing at Kendal Care Home on Wednesday 18th at 6pm. 17

Prayers from Christian Aid Creator God, this is an awe inspiring planet, wonderfully but fearfully made. In Typhoon Haiyan we see again the vulnerability of humanity to the full force of nature’s energy. We pray for all those affected: those who have lost loved ones, those who have had to witness mass burials, those who make up the faceless millions affected, those who need shelter, water, food, sanitation and medicine. We pray for the emergency response teams: for safety and strength as they assess the damage, for communication lines to be restored, for a quick and effective response to their findings, for the resources required to be made available. We pray for the long term recovery and resilience work: that the growing intensity of typhoons would not be ignored, that the erratic nature of recent monsoon rains would be noted, that this vulnerable nation would not carry the challenge of climate change alone, that the international community would respond with generosity and with justice. Amen.

Christmas Grace For the year that is past, its joys and its tears, we give thanks that you have been, God with us. For this Christmas, in feas)ng and celebra)ng, we give thanks that you are, God with us. For the year that is to come, in our hopes and dreams, we give thanks that you will be, God with us. 18

Prayer before opening presents In the opening of presents and the delight in what we find inside we remember those who will not find joy today or who mourn the loss of someone to share them with. Help us to be a gi* and a blessing to others as we celebrate Immanuel, God with us. Prayer before Christmas dinner In the bang of crackers and the spread of dinner with all the trimmings we remember those who labour hard for li@le reward or who will go to bed hungry tonight. Help us to be generous in sharing what we have as we celebrate Immanuel, God with us. Prayer before a Christmas walk In the breathing of cold air and the need to walk off a Christmas dinner we remember those who are unable to go out through illness or disability or age. Help us remember to pop in to say hello as we celebrate Immanuel, God with us.

From the Registers Baptism 5th November 2013 Grace Elizabeth German 12th November 2013 Ruby Ella Jackson ‘God has called you by name and made you his own.’

Please remember to pray for all our friends, especially those who are ill or are unable to worship with us. Every Thursday there is a said Holy Communion Service at 10am. 5th Sunday is a joint service for the Helm Team. Tuesday to Friday, Morning Prayer is usually said at 8.45am. Sunday School, for Primary School aged children, meets every Sunday at 10am in the Vestry during term time. PUSH for older children, meets every Sunday evening during term time. 19

Services 1st December - Advent 1 10am Parish Communion 6.30pm Advent Carols 8th December - Advent 2 10am Parish Communion 4pm Families@4 15th December - Advent 3 8am Holy Communion 10am Morning Service with Nativity 22nd December - Advent 4 10am Parish Communion 4pm Carol Service 24th December - Christmas Eve 4pm Christingle Service 11.30pm Holy Communion 25th December - Christmas Day 9am Holy Communion 10.15am Family Service 29th December - Christmas 1 10am said Morning Prayer

R Peters M Wild

Readers

Isaiah 11.1-10 Matthew 3.1-12

Romans 13.11-14 Matthew 24.36-44

Readings

Di Outhwaite, Rhian Peters Derek Ashworth

Meg Payne, Paul Singleton Marlene Williamson

Sides people

ST. MARK'S CHURCH NATLAND & OXENHOLME

M Scott W Wood

Michael Dickinson

George & Hazel Procter Marly Hunter

Audrey Ireland, Mike Trelogan, David Willan

Philippians 4.4-7 Luke 3.7-18 tbc Isaiah 7.10-16 Matthew 1.18-25

Collin Mansfield, David Tiffin

M Bagnall K Tiffin

Hebrews 1.1-4 John 1.1-14

Meg Payne, Jean Dobson P Mansfield C Sutcliffe

Whittaker Family

Michael Dickinson

A Ireland

Isaiah 9.2-7 Luke 2.1-14 Luke 2.1-14

10am Joint Helm Group Worship at Crosscrake

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