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Newsletter No 72 June 2001 Please select from the list below:
Dear FriendsWell its finally happened and in such a dramatic way. My beech hedge has turned from brown to green virtually overnight. I really should have used fast photography and stayed up all night, because it opened before my very eyes. Who would have thought that leaves can come into the world so quickly;. Every single little leaf was there hidden inside its brown shell and then one day out it came .What combination of factors enabled that to happen? I am no botanist, but I am certainly an observer of nature and all living things; it goes with the job and I can't help reflecting on the same phenomenon in human beings , for right at the end of last month my little granddaughter was just a bump in her mother's tummy, but now she is a real live beautiful baby for all to see.; the wonders of creation! There are so many things to be wondered at. Have you ever wondered about the volume of water required to make a horse chestnut tree come into full leaf? Is there a mathematician out there who can calculate the force that is required for the amount of water that is necessary to reach its leaves, in order that those leaves become strong and firm so soon after being fresh and limpid. I wonder how many gallons of water would need to be drawn up from the ground ? Is there anyone out there who has other such wonderings who would like to share them with the readers of this Newsletter? Spring; new birth; hope for the future and things to look forward to. Maybe that is one definition of life, moving towards the future , so by contrast we have to ask ourselves what is death. In the middle of all this new life there has been a lot of death recently, and even in the plant world death is apparent. Why do we cut out all the dead wood in a shrub? Because it is useless and spoils the shape of the plant. There are no life giving juices coursing through its branches. No leaves will grow; the sunlight will have no effect on the branch and their will be no greening chlorophyll. ;no hope. It is best to get rid of it and burn it. It has no function , and it cannot change; it cannot move towards the light. It can only rot away. There is the famous quotation so often used in funerals, In the midst of life we are in death, but I think there is an argument for putting it round the other way. In the midst of death we are in life; new life, new hope, new dreams new adventures ; everything to live for . I know that there are some of you who may be reading this who are very sick at the moment; there are some who have suffered bereavement, and there are some who fear the future without the ones they love. I would just like to say to you take heart and look around you; if you are caring for someone at this time, enjoy the time you have now. Remember that this is quality time, and it only comes once. And it is a time which you will look back on as precious and special; if you are mourning someone whom you have lost, remember the good times and take them with you into the future; remember all those springs and summers and take heart in the fact that as surely as night follows day, spring will follow winter, and so it is for us. When I see a beautiful night sky, I am often reminded of those close to me, and so I share it with them; when I see a woodland full of bluebells I am reminded of those others who are with me no more but in whose company I so enjoyed the vista. That is living; sharing with others whether alive or dead in the beauty of creation.
At the time of writing I am looking forward to Poppy's walk and now that most of our paths are open again, we can share in the greatest riches that this earth has to offer, so go out and enjoy them, and if you cannot then open your windows and let the smells and the freshness come into your living rooms. Life is for living . Jane Knowles
Just recently the Episcopal visitation to the deanery took place at Chipping Norton. This is the annual occasion whereby all churchwardens are required to attend to be sworn in .I would like to take this opportunity to thank the churchwardens for all that they do. Theirs is a tremendous responsibility and without them our churches simply would not function. This year the new Bishop of Dorchester, Bishop Colin gave the charge and we all came away inspired and challenged. The initiative which we are to undertake this year is the document "Sharing Life". Although my letter this month was written before the visitation nevertheless it seems to be on the same theme, and when that happens I believe that this is not coincidence but the Holy Spirit abroad. I'm sure many of you can recall similar experiences. Life is for living and life is for sharing. Watch this space. The church does have pompous names for different occasions so herewith an antidote. A bishop was visiting a vicar in his own home. While the latter was out of the room, his small daughter asked the bishop" Can you please tell me something my daddy cannot understand. The bishop replied I will certainly try . The child continued " My daddy is constantly saying that he cannot understand how you became a bishop." I hasten to say , that the bishop in question was not our lovely Bishop Colin! An Important date for your diary. Wed June 20th at 6.30pm Leafield Church. Grand Gala Concert with the choirs of Finstock and Leafield schools plus the benefice choir, plus the Swing band and choirs of the Marist Convent Ascot. From the Registers:Weddings:Peter Robin Bowl and Vicki Calcutt 12th May: Leafield We pray for God's blessing on Peter and Vicki as they begin their married life together. Funerals:Thomas Frederick Hemmings: 17th May: Finstock.
Local NewsRace for life 2001RACE FOR LIFE raises money for research into women's cancers. Last year you generously sponsored me and I raised £500 for the charity. I am running(!) again this year and will be very pleased to take your money if you would like to repeat your generosity. My telephone number is 878000 and my address is Honeysuckle Cottage, The Ridings, Leafield. There will be a sponsor form to sign in Peapell Stores, Leafield as they are supporting me again this year. Thank you in anticipation. Nicky Bentley TraidcraftThe Traidcraft stalls in May sold nearly £400 of goods, with orders from catalogues still coming in. Please phone Stella Marks (01993 868490) with local orders and to request a catalogue. There is more information on the following websites: www.traidcraft.co.uk Grand Gala ConcertWith choirs of Finstock, and Leafield School plus the benefice choir, plus the Swing band and choirs of the Marist Convent Ascot. Wednesday June 20th at 6.30pm Leafield Church Musicians...Are you interested in playing contemporary Christian music or using midi files? Can you play keyboard or another instrument? Please call Ruth Sims for an informal chat (01993 200586)
Dates For Your DiaryLeafield PCCJune 4th Ramsden Fete & Dog ShowSaturday 9th June 2pm, Middle Farm. Lots for all the family to enjoy, including water slide, Tug of war, Bouncy Castle, plants, books, cakes and dog show. Don't miss this great day out! All proceeds to the Church. JPCCJune 13th Open Gardens, Leafield.Sunday afternoon, June 17th - put this date into your diary and make sure you don't miss this great opportunity to visit many beautiful gardens. More information from Ann Arkell (878542) Choral Evensong at Ramsden.with the choir from St Mary's, Witney, June 17. Combined School's ConcertWednesday, June 20th, 6.30 at Leafield Festival Evensong at Leafieldwith the choir from Shipton Under Wychwood, June 24th Leafield Village FeteSaturday 30th June, Village Green, Leafield at 2pm. For more information contact Nicky Bentley (878000) or Jane Digby (878585). Another great day out for the family! Benefice House Group and Bible studyNewcomers most welcome. Foe venue and date this month please contact Stella Marks (878490) or Simon Bentley (878000) Mobile Library TimetableAlternate Tuesdays at Finstock outside School 9.55 - 10.30 (new timetable) Alternate Tuesdays at Ramsden War memorial 9.30 - 9.45 (new timetable) Alternate Fridays at Leafield, the Green 10.20 - 10.50 West Oxfordshire Farmers MarketsWitney, Church Green, 9am - 2pm, 3rd Thursday in each month: Chipping Norton, Market Square, 9am - 2pm, 4thb Friday in each
month: Charlbury, ADVANCE NOTICE: there will be a Farmers Market in JULY in Charlbury. See the next issue of the Church Newsletter for more information
Editorial informationThe Church Newsletter is published at the beginning of every month except January and August (paper version, the web copy is published as soon as possible after these dates). Editor (paper) Ruth Sims The vicar of the four parishes is: If you would like to contribute an article, letter, photograph or item for the local news section, or if you are organising an event or activity and would like it to be included in one of the diary columns, please send your copy to the editor by the 20th of the month to go into the next month's newsletter. Note: Contributions will be printed anonymously only if the vicar or the editor knows the identity of the contributor.
Newcomers to the BeneficeIf you are a newcomer to the benefice and would like to make contact with the various churches or organisations, if you have questions regarding baptisms, weddings, funerals, etc. or if you have any prayer requests, please contact the Revd Jane Knowles on 01993 868687.
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