St John the Baptist In the Wilderness

Cragg Vale

Benefice of Erringden

Newsletter

December 2012/January 2013

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CHURCH SERVICES in December 2012 / January 2013

CW1 = Yellow book CW2 = Green book

2 Dec Advent 09.30 Family Communion

7 Dec 18.30 Christingle

9 Dec Advent 1 09.30 CW1 Holy Communion

16 Dec Advent 2 09.30 CW2 Holy Communion

23 Dec Advent 3 09.30 9 Lessons & Carols

24 Dec Christmas Eve 16.00 Crib Service

24 Dec Christmas Eve 23.30 Midnight Communion

25 Dec Christmas Day 09.30 Christmas Communion

30 Dec Christmas 1 09.30 Matins

6 Jan Epithany 09.30 Family Communion

13 Jan Epithany 2 09.30 CW1 Holy Communion

20 Jan Epithany 3 09.30 CW2 Holy Communion

27 Jan Epithany 4 09.30 CW1 Holy Communion

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We give them back to you, O God, those whom you gave to us. You did not lose them when you gave them to us – and we do not lose them by their return to you. Death is only an horizon – and an horizon is only the limit of our sight. Open our eyes to see more clearly and draw us close to you. You have told us that you are preparing a place for us. Prepare us, that where you are we may be – always. AMEN

Presents

A friend's three year old daughter, along with the rest of her family, was observed opening Christmas packages. As is often the case, my friend had recycled some bows from previous times, and their daughter grabbed one and then placed it on top of her head. The old tape left on it caused it to stick to her hair. That sight caused everyone to begin laughing which excited her. In the midst of their laughter, she cried, "Look, I’m a present!"

...And, in the end, aren’t we all? .....On the other hand, are we a present’ worth keeping and using in the Kingdom of God? So often we open a present with great anticipation "It's just what I wanted," we cry, and then later we wander back to the gift with the thought in our head, "What is it, what do I do with it?" This Advent as we wrap and prepare presents for friends and family, give some thought, " Are we a present worth keeping and using in the Kingdom of God?"

Rev Sandie Maude

Sandie Maude

We were shocked and saddened last Sunday to hear the news that our Assistant Minister, Sandie Maude, had passed away. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kirstie and the rest of the family. It does not seem possible that Sandie’s indomitable spirit, her dry and sometimes caustic humour, will no longer be with us, but we know that her suffering is now over and she is resting in the arms of the Lord in whom she had such perfect faith. Sandie will be greatly missed by all of us in Cragg Vale.

Her funeral will take place at St Michael’s at 1.30 pm on Friday 7th Dec.

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Churchwardens’ Report

We are now without a Vicar, but services and social functions will carry on almost as normal over Christmas and into the New Year.

We are grateful to the ministry team who are having to work harder and are all unpaid volunteers. The Parochial Church Council is well on the way to getting the necessary paperwork done to get the process moving for the appointment of a new incumbent. The process is thorough and will take many months before an appointment can be made and the earliest we can expect the position to be filled will be midsummer.

The process for the approval of the re-ordering of the Church is also thorough and there is no progress that we can report. The Church Tower roof repairs have now been completed and should be good for a generation or two. It means that the clock can be set to work again, it has probably never been idle for so long in its 140 year history.

As we approach Christmas we will have the usual services and several social functions, and the Cragg Carols will get another airing. We are very conscious that we must continue the traditions which we hold dear.

We always make a point at this time of the year to thank all those people who are not regular Churchgoers who have helped us in various ways over the year from strimming to bottle washing. Thank you all.

We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Ed Talbot Geraint Harris

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Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association

Cragg Vale Branch

The November meeting was the A.G.M. at which Beryl Horsfall gave a résumé of the last year’s meetings. Speaker Finder, Betty Disley, told members of the speakers she has booked for the next year, which look very interesting and varied. Treasurer, June Mowbray, presented a Balance Sheet for the last year, and Chairman, Muriel Morgan, thanked all members of the committee for their help and commitment, she also thanked all members for their attendance at meetings. Special thanks were offered to our honorary Member, Joy Wilson, for hosting the committee meetings.

The following members were elected to serve on the committee for next year: Beryl Horsfall, June Mowbray, Betty Disley, Jane Redman, Sue Whitehead, Anne Beard and Muriel Morgan. Members voted and elected Muriel Morgan as Chairman.

Jean Smith gave a demonstration of useful ideas for Christmas decorations, for which Muriel Morgan thanked her. Jane Redman won the raffle and the evening closed with a Jacob’s join supper.

Muriel Morgan

Grimshaw’s Groaners

Overheard at the Olympics: Q. Are you a pole vaulter? A. No I am German, but how did you know my name was Walter?

This brush has been with me man and boy for 40 years. It's had 7 new heads and two new handles. They don't make 'em like this anymore! Q. What is Santa's favourite pizza? A. Deep pan, crisp and even.

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Christingle Service at St Johns

   Friday  7th  December  at  

6.30pm    

Come  and  join  us  at  our  Christingle  service    

in  aid  of  the    Children’s  Society  

 All  money  collected  will  go  to  the  Children’s  Society  who  will  use  it  to  help  children  in  the  UK  who  are  in  need,  especially  

at  Christmas  time.    

Christingles are made up of different parts, each one being there to remind us of something. The orange represents the world whilst the candle is to remind us of Jesus because Christians believe Jesus to be the light of the world. The red ribbon goes all round the ‘world’ and reminds Christians that Jesus died because it represents the blood of Jesus. The four cocktail sticks could have either of two meanings: the four seasons or the four corners of the world. The sweets (or sometimes dried fruit) are to remind us of God’s gifts to the world including kindness and love.

The service will be followed by the official switching on of the Community Christmas lights and refreshments provided by the Community Association.

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A School Nativity

The following poem is a headmaster’s reaction to the

performance of his school’s Nativity Play. I hope your

response to reading it will be equally conclusive.

‘Twas on a night near Christmas, a week or two ago As children gathered in the Church, bright faces all aglow, And I looked on with jaundiced eye, while in sheets and towels dressed, For the same unchanging story. Oh lord, I was depressed! Rehearsals has been dreary, and the singing pretty bad. I’d almost cancelled the blasted play – and now I wished I had. The Church blacked out, a spotlight gleamed and voices rose in song. The volume swelled as adults joined in to help the kids along. The music ceased; I fumed inside, ‘twas just a waste of time. I had so much to do that week, I felt impatience climb. The first voice spoke, so resolute, loud and clear, Another answered sweetly, a pleasure to the ear. And slowly – though unwillingly, I could not help but feel The children were not acting, to them the play was real. So as I watched and listened, almost against my will, I then recalled that here on earth was born peace and goodwill; And though the lambs were fleecy toys and the star was made of tin, Some little shepherds led me to Bethlehem, to an inn. I entered with the Three Wise Men and minded not at all, That the tiny Baby Jesus was Peter’s sister’s doll. Many thanks to Betty Disley for sharing this with us.

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Crib Service

All are welcome at our Crib service at 4pm on Christmas Eve. It’s a service geared to children and tells the Christmas story in a fun way, and the story is interspersed with popular Carols. It’s a great chance to get excited children out of the house for an hour and is a reminder of what Christmas is really all about!

Gift Day - Thank You

We are very grateful to the generous response that we received from the recent Gift Day appeal. Gift Day is the anniversary of the opening of the original Church on the site nearly 200 years ago. The money will be used to keep the Church thriving within the community. We were also pleased with the expressions we heard of how many of you value the Church in the village. Hopefully when we get the inside renewed you will be able to come to come and see where the money went. The Churchwardens

Bonfire - Thank You

Thanks to all who turned out for the bonfire and firework display on November 2nd. The weather was appalling and at 6.30 we had three people sheltering in the tent ! Ten minutes later we had 130 people in the field enjoying the fire and waiting for the fireworks!

Thanks to Gordon for letting us use his field again, Geraint and Sam for all their hard work in building the bonfire, Amy and Gordon for being on the gate, Geraint and Phil for the firework display, Jackie for her hard work in the catering tent and all the people who helped us tidy up afterwards. We managed to raise about £150 for church funds despite the weather.

Julie Harris

And from Ann Ramsden - Thank You

May I say a big thank you to the church and the friends and neighbours who kindly sent me best wishes while I was in hospital. I had a double hip replacement and was in great pain, but they did a good job and I am only using one stick now. I have had some lovely get well cards and flowers, some from the church, and I am glad to be walking around again.

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Book Club

The next Book Club meeting will be on Tuesday, 11th December at 7.15pm in the Erringden Room at St. Michaels when the group will discuss "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” by Deborah Moggach. The January meeting will be on 11th January, the book to be advises. Anne Beard

Christmas Get-Together at Castle Cragg Barn

Vicki and Ian Walkden invite you to join

them for a light lunch, mulled wine

and good company.

From 11am Sunday 9th December

Tickets £5

Carol Singing round the Village

Sunday23rd December, meet outside

the Robin Hood at 5.30 pm

All welcome, songsheets provided. Ring Jackie Scarf Tel: 01422 882555

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Candles for Charity Many of us love to have candles burning to cheer up the cold, dark winter evenings, and particularly over the Christmas period.

When the candles have burned down, please don’t throw away the stubs, they can be melted down to

make new candles that can be sold to help a charity that is dear to the heart of one of our Cragg Vale residents.

Carol Martingale supports CART, a Christian African Relief Trust. Established over 25 years ago, this Huddersfield based organisation is run entirely by volunteers, both here and in Africa; there are no paid staff. Their aim is to support self-help schemes in Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Kenya and Tanzania.

If you save your candle stubs they can be brought to church or passed on to a church member. This simple act could really help to change somebody’s life. Thank you

Cragg Vale Christmas Supper and Sing

Thursday 20th December, 7 for 7.30 pm

The Church has been decked for Christmas

Come and admire and enjoy a Jacob’s Join supper And a glass of mulled wine

Followed by a Concert with all our favourite Christmas songs and Carols

With guest singer Joanne Buckley

Tickets £5

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Date Sidesmen Readers Servers Coffee

2 December Dorothy & Barry Shepherd

Sylvia Maudsley & Hugh Morgan Mary Hey Doris

Wheelwright

9 December Gordon Nelson & Amy Harris

Ed Talbot &Carol Wolstenholme

Gordon Nelson

Carol & Patrick Taylor

16 December Sylvia Maudsley & Doris Wheelwright

Gordon Nelson & Pat Benson Anne Beard &

Beryl Horsfall

23 December Anne Beard & Amanda Farthing 9 Lessons &

Carols Terry Wilkinson

Dorothy & Barry Shepherd

24 December Volunteer please Doris Hirst Victoria Macdonald

25 December Volunteer please Hugh morgan

30 December Betty Disley & Beryl Horsfall Jean Smith

6 January Dorothy & Barry Shepherd

Carol Wolstenholme Doris

Wheelwright

13 January Margaret Greenwood & Pam Talbot Jackie Scarf Carol & Patrick

Taylor

20 January Gordon Nelson & Amy Harris Ann Kilbey Anne Beard &

Beryl Horsfall

27 January Sylvia Maudsley & Doris Wheelwright

Dorothy & Barry Shepherd

The Nine Lessons

Lesson 1: Genesis 3, vv 8-15, 17-19 Gordon Nelson

Lesson 2: Genesis 22, vv 15-18 Carol Wolstenholme

Lesson 3: Isaiah 9, vv 2, 6, 7 Ed Talbot

Lesson 4: Isaiah 11, vv 1-3a, 4a, 6-9 Pam Talbot

Lesson 5: Luke 1, vv 26-35, 38 John Dixon

Lesson 6: Luke 2, vv 1, 3-7 Beryl Horsfall

Lesson 7: Luke 2, vv 8-16 Hugh Morgan

Lesson 8: Matthew 2, vv 1-12 Ann Kilbey

Lesson 9: John 1, vv 1-14 Terry Wilkinson

Rotas for December & January

Published by St John the Baptist in the Wilderness, Cragg Vale, in the Benefice of Erringden.

Parish Contacts

Assistant Minister Rev Martin Macdonald 01422 881543

Churchwardens Geraint Harris 01422 885183

Ed Talbot 01422 884435

Editor Ann Kilbey 01422 882858 ann.kilbey@btinternet.com

Quick Guide to Forthcoming Events

7 Dec Christingle and switch on of lights 8 Dec Santa’s Grotto at Mytholmroyd 9 Dec Christmas get-together at Castle Cragg Barn, 11 am 11 Dec Book Club, Erringden Room, Mytholmroyd, 7.15 pm 20 Dec Supper and Sing at St John’s, 7 for 7.30 pm 23 Dec Village Carol Singing – meet 5.30 pm at Robin Hood 23 Dec Carols by Candlelight at St Michaels, 6.30 pm

For more information about what’s going on in our Benefice Log on to www.erringdenbenifice.org.uk

Deadline for contributions for the February magazine is 20th January please.