theBythams
the
church : revd jo's letter : december 2007 added 13/11//07 As this is a bumper issue of the Glenside News, I feel bound to write an extra long letter. In view of the many extras on offer in our churches over Christmas, that won’t be difficult. Details of our Christmas services appear elsewhere, as usual, but there are one or two ‘specials’ that might interest you. First of all, the Castle Bytham Christmas Tree Festival. This will run from the evening of Friday 14th until the evening of Sunday 16th December, in church. So far I have 10 entries, but there is still time to make a late entry – spare forms are in the shop, or you can just let me know (and pay your £5.) The idea is to enter a tree (of any description) decorated to reflect you, your business or organisation. It’s also a good way of advertising what you do, of course. The church will be open throughout the three days, so please call in and have a look. I very much hope to make this an annual event, and that it will increase in size each year. Our Christingle takes place at 4.00 on Sunday December 9th at 4.00. Children at The Bythams School will be making Christingles to bring to the service, but we shall, of course, have plenty of spares to give to children who are at school elsewhere (and to any adults who would like one, of course.) The services lasts about half an hour, and we really don’t mind toddlers rushing around or making a noise, so do come and bring any children. All proceeds from the service will go to Shelter, which cares for those the homeless or in inadequate housing. Thousands of children are living in inadequate housing or Bed and Breakfast accommodation, a national scandal, and it is good to offer some help in improving life for them, in particular. Our Carol Service takes place at Castle Bytham on Sunday 23rd at 6.00. This is always very popular, so come early to make sure of a good seat. The date of the Holywell Carol Service has yet to be arranged as I write, but I will put posters up to let people know. The Little Bytham Candle Service takes place as usual on Christmas Eve at 4.00. The format is slightly different this year, for Health and Safety reasons, but the nativity play remains in its usual form, and the carols will be the old familiar ones. Any child is most welcome to take part. If your child does not attend The Bythams School, but would like to take part, I suggest you contact the organiser, Judith Smith on 410420. Again, arrive early to secure a good seat! Other Christmas services, in brief, are: Midnight Mass at Creeton. ( car-sharing might be a good idea.) Christmas Day Communion in Little Bytham at 9.00, a Family Service at Careby at 10.30, to be followed by a said Communion at 11.00. If any children coming to the Family service would like to bring one of their presents to show us, that would be lovely. And a request … do you have, hidden in a loft or shed, an easel that is no longer required? If you do, we have a need of one at Castle Bytham. The size is immaterial, and the easel will be put to good and regular use. An addition to our church family will be welcomed during the Family Service at Castle Bytham on December 9th, when Scarlet Priscilla Clifford will be baptised. Scarlet is the daughter of John and Catherine, of High Street, and has the most engaging smile and bright eyes. During Advent, we save our loose change and drop it in the Send A Cow box in our churches. The proceeds go to help the economically disadvantaged in Asia, S. America and Africa to help themselves, by offering training in agriculture and animal husbandry, in basic health care, and in the supply of clean water. Please remember this good cause. If you’re not a church-goer, we’ll still accept your loose change or even something bigger. Those who know me are only too well aware of my feelings about the commercialisation of Christmas, and the stresses this places on those on low incomes. What I didn’t know until recently is that all the famous names of chocolate makers use cocoa beans that have at times been harvested by child labour. This means that children are not in education, and that they are employed at very low wages, while adult workers, who can earn more, are deprived of work. The answer is to buy only fairly traded chocolate - try the Divine brand, available in many supermarkets and from all Oxfam shops. We are urged to watch our weight, so why not cut down, boycott the big names and enjoy chocolate that offers a fair wage to producers and harvesters. The infant Christ was born to save the world from sin. Child labour does not sit comfortably with Christianity. That’s my lecture over for this issue. I hope that Christmas will be a peaceful and blessed time for you all. With every good wish for Christmas and 2008 Jo |
 |