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St. Augustine’s

St Augustine’s stands in the liberal catholic tradition of the Church of England. Our worship has a degree of formality with sung texts; vestments are worn on most Sundays. Together we seek to express the Christian faith in liberal and inclusive terms.

Every Sunday The service is at 1030

Children are welcome

Afterwards refreshments are served in the Hall

The service uses material from Common Worship

The Bible readings follow the Common Lectionary

The text of the readings is provided on a printed sheet

On the First Sunday of each month, Morning Prayer with hymns,

sung canticles and a sermon. The service is usually led by one of team of Readers from other parishes.

On all the other Sundays the Parish Eucharist follows the Common

Worship order with hymns, sung sections and a sermon.

On the Second Sunday the service is simplified to give children a

greater role. There are activities for everyone, children and adults, in the first part of the service.

Mike West usually leads the service on the second and fourth Sundays; Pedr Beckley on the third. For details see www.staugustinessheffield.org

Christ Church Endcliffe holds its services at St Augustine’s at 4 p.m.

every Sunday. The services are informal, focussed on Bible teaching and followed by a meal. For details see www.endcliffechurch.co.uk

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Vicar’s Letter

Once upon a time, Advent was simply a time of preparation for Christmas. A time when the church helped people to prepare spiritually for the great festival of the coming of Christ. A time to think and meditate and so be in the right frame of mind and of heart to welcome the great gift of God in the coming of the Saviour. Then someone invented Advent calendars. To start with, from Victorian times onwards, the little windows opened to reveal nativity scenes or at least, snowy scenes of carol singers or some such thing. But times have changed. Now it seems that an Advent calendar is a real disappointment if it does not have a chocolate behind the window! But, it gets worse as we move further away from any Christian content. The Ship-of-Fools website has decided to expose the worst “badvent” calendars which includes an Ann Summers calendar featuring a naked male model holding a present to preserve his modesty - but I’d better not tell you what the chocolates behind the windows are shaped like! It seems so sad that people and organisations have to take all the best bits of Christmas and strip the Christianity out of them, thus destroying the very thing that it is all about in the first place. The clue, as they say, is in the name - Christmas is named because of Christ and if you don’t like that - then don’t have Christmas at all. As we prepare for Christmas I do pray that you won’t miss the real reason we have a celebration which is because of Jesus. Do come to one of our Christmas services and worship the great God whose Son is the great Gift. Come and enjoy singing carols - either in a service or at The Greystones Pub on 17th December in conjunction with St. Gabriel’s. But above all, come as God has come to us.

Pedr

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Who’s who at St. Augustine’s

Pedr Beckley is Priest in Charge of St

Augustine’s and Vicar of St. Gabriel’s, Greystones, dividing his time between the two adjacent parishes. He is responsible for leadership over all aspects of the life of the parish. Contact him on 266 7686 or pedrwb1@gmail.com

Maureen Fischer and Pam West are Churchwardens, the elected

leaders of the congregation, with certain legal responsibilities for the building and finance. They can be contacted on MF 255 2443 maureen.fischer@blueyonder.co.uk PW 266 2188 pam.west23@tiscali.co.uk

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Viv Smith is our Children’s Minister.

She collaborates with the clergy in providing a range of activities during the Sunday services. On the first Sundays children work with her in the Hall at “Godly Play”. On the second Sundays she leads everyone in church, children and adults in the first part of the service. During the services on the other

Sundays Viv provides activities for children at the back of the church. There are books and toys for those not yet old enough to take part in those activities. Contact her about children’s work on 266 0370 or vivsmith85@aol.com

Mike West is a retired priest and Associate

Priest. He usually takes services on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. He can be contacted on 266 2188 or mike.west23@tiscali.co.uk

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Church Family News

Maureen Fischer has had a successful hip operation. We wish her a speedy recovery. Mark Dixon is recovering from a cycling accident. Our scout group celebrates its 100th anniversary next year. Congratulations to all concerned. There will be a special service on 8th February.

Children at St. Augustine’s

Children of all ages are welcome at St. Augustine’s and are able to contribute to the life of the church at their own level. A range of activities is available to help children grow in faith. At the All Age Service on the second Sunday of each month they take part by reading the Bible and leading prayers as well as other activities.

On the first Sunday of each month Godly Play takes place in the hall. This is a structured activity in which children learn a Bible story or about the church and also reflect and create.

When children and their parents feel they are ready they can receive communion after a short family course.

To meet the changing needs of our older children (those who have been admitted to communion) we have begun an addition to our programme for them. On the 3rd Sunday in each month (i.e. January 18th and February 15th) there will be a class for them during the first part of the service led by Mike West, helped by one of the students.

The Choir

St. Augustine’s choir is looking for new members! If you would like to join us, please contact Peter Verity, Director of Music, on 250 0509. Children aged 8 and upwards are also welcome. Rehearsals for the Christmas Carol service will start on Friday 5th December at 7pm.

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Sustainable Patterns of Ministry Or if the pool is leaking faster than you are filling it the level will fall

The Church of England was an exciting place in the 1950s 60s and 70s – the introduction of Parish Communion as the main service in many churches, new hymns, building new churches on the post-war housing estates. The number of people (men!) being ordained grew, at least keeping up with the retirement and death of those ordained before the war. That cohort (including me ordained in 1966) are now retired or worse. There was a period in the 70s and 80s when retirements outweighed ordinations when clergy were rationed and many small country parishes were amalgamated. The situation was helped by the number of people (still !) men who became priests in mid-life, either as a change of profession or to continue in their secular work (as Ian Draffan did). That group are also now retiring and over the next few years the pool of clergy available for full time paid ministry is dropping sharply. This would be a crisis rather than a problem if we did not have the growing number of women priests (and next year women Bishops). But it is a problem which leaders in every Diocese have been working on for several years. Bishop Steven has set out two areas of development. First to increase the number of trained and commissioned lay workers – like our Viv Smith. Secondly an increase in the number of Ministers in secular employment’ But although these ministries will enhance and increase ministry in parishes, they cannot replace the responsibility of a paid Priest in Charge. The overall plan for the Diocese is not to close any parishes but to assemble them in twos. threes or fours with an average of two paid clergy for three parishes. St Augustine’s belongs to the Ecclesall Deanery, a cake slice area from the city out along Ecclesall and Abbeydale Roads. These 15 parishes will be allocated 8 clergy from 2018. Groups are already beginning to form, based on a detailed plan produced by a Deanery Working Party. The plan for us was unclear at the beginning but is now taking shape. The most likely arrangement is for St Augustine’s and St Gabriel’s to retain their separate identities and activities , but to work together under one Priest in Charge to strengthen our mission in this part of the city. So watch out for new joint activities, and for a formal report at the Parish Annual Meeting in April 2015.

Mike West

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Calendar

All services are at 10:30am unless otherwise stated

December 7th 10.00am JOINT SERVICE AT ST GABRIEL’S No 10.30 service at St Augustine’s 14th All age (Toy) service Mike West 21st Parish Eucharist Pedr Beckley 21st 5.30pm Carol Service Mike West 24th 4.00pm Christingle Pedr Beckley 11.30pm Midnight Communion Mike West 25th Family Christmas service Ed Pennington 28th Parish Eucharist Mike West January 4th Morning Prayer Geoff Snell 11th All age service Mike West 18th Parish Eucharist Pedr Beckley 25th Parish Eucharist Mike West February 1st Morning Prayer Tina Powell-Wiffen 8th 59th Scouts Centenary Mike West 15th Parish Eucharist Pedr Beckley 18th Ash Wednesday Service 8pm at St Gabriel’s 22nd Parish Eucharist Jim Moore 2.00pm Mi Amigo service Pedr Beckley

At our Toy Service on 14th December we collect toys for the children who are sheltered at Haven House with their mothers.

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Events

Saturday 6th December - Parish Christmas Dinner, 7pm

There are no events planned for January and February as we are waiting to see what the weather will be like. Any activities planned will be advertised on the weekly pew sheet. For details about any of our activities see Christine Markham.

The Church Hall

The Hall is approx. 60ft x 40ft and has a well equipped kitchen. There are padded stacking chairs and folding tables. The hall is available for hire day and evening for a variety of uses, children’s birthday and christening parties are particularly popular. The hall is currently used for many activities: keep fit, knights in battle, film making and dog training. We also have mother and toddler groups, band practices, choir rehearsals and second hand baby/toddler clothing and equipment sales. Hall Bookings are handled by Sandra Corker, who will work with potential users to find a suitable date and make best use of the facilities. Contact her on 07896 474493 or ma_corker@hotmail.co.uk

Keep in Touch

There is a St. Augustine’s group email list, which is used to circulate the weekly news sheet and other information. If you would like to receive this, please email mike.west23@tiscali.co.uk

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Profile: John Eddershaw

John was born when his father was vicar of St. Augustine’s and they lived in the vicarage next door. He has no memory of this as they left in 1937 when he was only four. They moved to Conisborough where his father was vicar until his death when John was eight. The family stayed in Conisborough for a while and John went to St. Hugh’s School. They moved back to Sheffield in 1951 to be nearer family members and also St. Augustine’s. John went on to Broomsgrove public school and to Christ College, Brecon where he states he was happiest. He chose to extend his national service for three and a half years and went to the Sudan and to Egypt during the Suez Crisis. He was a member of the TA for ten years. He worked on the shop-floor for steel firm Edgar Allen and then for Dormer Tools in Cemetery Road and later in Worksop. In 1957 John entered the Star Walk competition and came third. This started a lifelong interest in competitive road walking. He holds the Sheffield record of nearly 124 miles in 24 hours. He has completed 13 over-100-mile races and has competed all over Britain and abroad. He continued to race until his mid 50s and continues to take an interest by officiating and judging races. Cricket has always been his passion, inspired by the great Yorkshire teams of the 1930s and 50s. He passed the examination to be a cricket umpire in 1958 and has been in regular demand since his retirement in 1997. He attends county games when he can. Johns other great passion is chess. He was taught by his father in the summer before he died and has played ever since. He has played league chess since 1961 and since retirement attends chess congresses. Chess tournaments take place all over Britain and this gives him the opportunity to explore all the various places he visits. John lives in the Woofinden Homes, where his ability to tackle small jobs, and his kindness to neighbours is much appreciated. John looks after our church hall and can be seen most Sundays carrying the cross as crucifer. John was interviewed by Pam West.

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Porter Croft is Outstanding!

In addition to the inspection regime of Ofsted, church schools are also inspected by The National Society, a joint Anglican Methodist body, checking the schools Christian character. Porter Croft was visited by an inspector on 21 October. His report states: This is a vibrant and exciting school closely focused on Christian values which are embedded in all aspects of its daily life. High expectations for its pupils’ achievements and their successes, complements their individual spiritual journeys. This is a unique school whose mission lies at the very heart of the community it serves. The school’s mission statement encapsulates its approach to inclusion: ‘Together we are Porter Croft.’ Porter Croft’s features judged to be outstanding are:

Its distinctiveness and effectiveness as a Church of England school

Meeting the needs of all learners through its distinctive Christian character

The effectiveness of religious education

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the school as a church school.

St Augustine’s congratulates, all the staff ably led by Jim Dugmore and all the children. If you would like to see the full report (3pp) ask one of our Governors - Sandra Corker, Viv Smith and Mike West.

Christmas can often be a time of hardship for people. This year the Church Urban Fund has produced an Advent Calendar to help us think about ways in which we can respond to poverty in our community. You can find the calendar online at www.advent.cuf.org.uk and you can also donate to support the amazing work the Church Urban Fund does to help those in poverty and despair.

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Pilgrims learn about responding to poverty

On Saturday 18 October Church Action on Poverty held its sixth annual pilgrimage on the theme “What makes a Good Society?” Participants heard repeatedly how the four church based projects they visited depend on, and value, volunteers to support their work with the homeless, helpless and vulnerable. The route began at St Wilfrid’s, one of the largest day centres in northern England, which has been helping homeless men since 1991. The workshop, education programme, community concerts, drama and sports all contribute to building confidence in the clients, who can then make friends and improve their self esteem and life skills. The pilgrims then moved to the Sheffield Christian Council for Community Care office behind St Matthews Church. S4C provide volunteers to help isolated older people at home and as they are discharged from hospital. They provide a listening ear and loan practical items, such as raised chairs, rollator frames and temporary key safes. The lunch break was held at head office of the Church Army the Wilson Carlile centre, just off the Inner Ring Road. Their café provides a drop-in centre for listening to people with problems and worries. This connects with their mission on the local streets. Lastly to the Cathedral Archer Project, now located in a purpose built space below the cathedral. Here a wide range of services are provided to assist homeless people. There are regular visits by a dentist, doctor and chiropodist, training in Food Hygiene and Catering, and is an on-line centre for City and Guilds qualifications. Former clients have become volunteers, and many local firms fundraise by “sleeping on the street” for a night, and help sort out the hundreds of food parcels donated by schools and churches (including St Augustine’s and the 59th Scouts) at Harvest time. In the closing discussion, pilgrims agreed that their visits had shown how far we are from a “Good Society”. Inequality continues to grow in our country, caused in part by changes in benefits. The stock in food banks flies off the shelves. These four centres go beyond emergency help by treating clients as fellow human beings with potential for tackling their difficulties. It is good to know that in our city, churches are making a major contribution in the response to increasing poverty.

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Children’s Corner These two shepherds are rushing off to Bethlehem. There are 12 differences between the two pictures: can you find them? Read the story in Luke 2:8-20.

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Christmas Tree Biscuits Fun Family Baking

Ingredients 200g unsalted butter 200g caster sugar (preferably Fairtrade) 1tsp ground cinnamon 1 egg, beaten 400g plain flour Icing pens Icing sugar (for dusting) Mix the butter with the caster sugar and cinnamon until creamy. Add the beaten egg and plain flour and mix until a dough forms. Gather into a ball and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 200°C, fan 180°C, gas mark 6.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to ½ cm thick and cut into 3

different sizes of stars (or triangles using a knife if you don’t have cutters).

Place on separate baking trays according to size and bake for 12-14

minutes. Leave to cool.

Stack into trees using a mix of large, medium and small stars or triangles,

sticking together with icing.

Dust with icing sugar and decorate using icing pens.

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Uniformed Groups

Groups are sponsored by St. Augustine’s and meet at the HQ at 17 Botanical Road.

Enquiries about any of the Scout sections should be made to the Group Scout Leader, Steph Gale at gls@59th.sheffield.org.uk Beavers for age 6-8 yrs Tuesday 6.00 -7.00pm Contact Steph Gale Cubs for age 8-10 yrs Wednesday 6:30-7:30pm Leader Luke Cowan Scouts for age 10-14 yrs Friday 7:30-9:30pm Leader Chris Bullivant Brownies for age 7-10 yrs Monday 6.00-7.30 pm Leader Kirstie Marsland kirstiemarsland@yahoo.co.uk Guides for age10-16 yrs Thursday 7:15-8:45 pm Leader Rachel Barker rchlbarker@yahoo.co.uk We hope you enjoy reading this magazine and that it gives you a bit more of an

insight into the life and work of this parish. If you have any comments or ideas

please get in touch.

Pam West and Laura Willis (Editors)

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Contact List

Priest in Charge The Rev. Pedr Beckley 266 7686 Associate Priest The Rev. Canon Mike West 266 2188 Churchwardens Maureen Fischer 255 2443 Pam West 266 2188 Children’s Minister Viv Smith 266 0370 Church Hall Bookings Sandra Corker 07896 474493 Director of Music Peter Verity 250 0509