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Lillington Parish Magazine

St Mary Magdalene’s Church

APRIL 2016

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FROM THE VICARAGE

Alleluia, Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Easter is a season of alleluias. From Easter day until Ascension day our liturgy is littered with them. Our opening greeting includes alleluias. And we say a rousing pair of them at the very end of the service.

So just what does alleluia mean? Alleluia is simply the Greek-influenced form of hallelujah. In the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) hallelujah is actually a two-word phrase. The first word comes from the Hebrew verb hallel, and is an exhortation to praise. The second part is the name of God, Jah or Yah (that’s where we get Yahweh and Jehovah from). So quite simply it means ‘Praise God’. However, hallelujah means more than simply "praise Jah" or "praise Yah", as the word hallel in Hebrew means a joyous praise in song, to boast in God. Hallel could also refer to someone who acts madly or foolishly. Psalm 150 begins with a rousing hallelujah translated in the King James Version of the bible as ‘Praise ye the Lord’ and in more modern translations more simply as ‘Praise the Lord’. Hallelujah is found 24 times in the books of psalms and is a request for a congregation to join in praise toward God. The Greek version alleluia appears 4 times in the book of Revelation of the New Testament, but the meaning has slightly changed. It’s now used as an expression of praise rather than an exhortation to praise. And that’s how we use the word in our worship and liturgy. Alleluia is a joyful word of praise to God, rather than an injunction to praise him. So let’s make sure that our alleluias are heartfelt and rousing this Easter season, as we have so much to praise God for. Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia. Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Rev Charlotte Gale, April 2016

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FROM THE CHURCH RECORDS

FUNERALS Feb 9 Norman England (84) Feb 29 Grace Hunt (82)

THE MAYOR’S CONCERT The programme of choral and organ music with some readings celebrates England it being St George's Day, the Queen's 90th birthday (21 April) and the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. The first half includes pieces from the time of Queen Elizabeth I and the second half has more familiar popular items from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The Circle Singers share the evening with Mike King performing on St Mary Magdalene's splendid organ. The charities being supported are:- Castel Froma Care Centre in Leamington, the Netherfield Centre in Lillington and the Warwickshire Association of Youth Clubs.

Prayer is asking for rain. Faith is carrying an umbrella. - Anon

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WARDEN’S WORDS

Hymn (to the tune of "The Church's One Foundation")

The church's restoration In eighteen-eighty-three Has left for contemplation Not what there used to be. How well the ancient woodwork Looks round the Rect'ry hall Memorial of the good work Of him who plann'd it all He who took down the pew-ends And sold them anywhere But kindly spared a few ends Work'd up into a chair. O worthy persecution Of dust! O hue divine! O cheerful substitution, Thou varnishéd pitch-pine!

Church furnishing! Church furnishing!

Sing art and crafty praise! He gave the brass for burnishing He gave the thick red baize, He gave the new addition, Pull'd down the dull old aisle, - To pave the sweet transition He gave th' encaustic tile. Of marble brown and veinéd He did the pulpit make; He order'd windows stainéd Light red and crimson lake. Sing on, with hymns uproarious, Ye humble and aloof, Look up! and oh how glorious He has restored the roof!

John Betjeman (who else!)

My last warden's words article for the February Crosstalk, written on 11th January, dealt with the urgent roof repairs that had been identified following last year's QI report and spoke of my "wrestling" with the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund application. Well, dear reader, you will be relieved to know that I met the deadline of noon on the 26th February with fully 21 hours to spare. The application was supported by an outline schedule of work prepared by the church architect with detailed costs provided by a quantity surveyor. Unfortunately the scope on which these documents were based had, by the middle of February, expanded from a couple of roof slopes and the associated valley gutter (estimated cost c. £20,000 + VAT) to encompass

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some 80% of the roof (estimated cost £163,000 + VAT)!! Even allowing for a maximum grant from the roof fund -decision expected end of June - plus a sizeable contribution from our own reserves, there is still £38,000 to find. We are currently in the process of applying to various other charitable trusts to meet this shortfall. IF successful, actual repair work should start in September and continue for about 6 months. On a more positive note the tower screen extension is now in place - just in time for spring.

John Butler

WALKERS GROUP

March Walk Eleven walkers set out from the Half Moon Pub at Wolston on quite a cold grey morning on Saturday 5th March. The walk was about 4 miles, mostly on lanes because the original route was too muddy. We stopped for coffee half way round by a lovely old farmhouse, which I am glad to report was empty because some of the group were so interested in it they peered through the windows and had a jolly

good look round. The walk took us back through the village by the Old Priory which we believe are now apartments, a lovely building. We arrived back at the pub for lunch just as it started to rain which was good timing. The food was very reasonable and of a good quality and we can recommend it.

Sandra and Ted

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April Walk The Boundary walk will now certainly be on April 9th, meeting at church at 9.30. It is just under 6 miles, and as we end up back at church, near to home for most people, we will not be organising a pub lunch. The map is an approximation of the route but the final choice is up to Wendy and Sue W who are leading the walk.

Bob Cooke

GUIDES AND BROWNIES - NEWS From April, Brownies will be meeting in the Octagon on a Wednesday evening from 5.15-6.45pm. From 7 September Brownies and Guides will be meeting in the Octagon on WEDNESDAY nights between 6.00-9.00pm. This change is due to the falling numbers in Guides. It is hoped that by meeting mid-week it will attract greater numbers, no other local packs meet on Wednesdays. Guides will no longer meet on Friday evenings from September.

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Lillington Parish Church Summer Fair

Elizabeth Fair

Saturday 18th June

in church and churchyard

I very much look forward to meeting with as many of you as

possible who would like to help with this important event in our

church calendar.

New ideas and enthusiastic helpers are always welcome.

Please join me to meet in the Octagon on Thursday 21st April

at 7.30pm - to share your thoughts.

The Coventry Diocese will be celebrating our Queen's 90th Birthday

this year, so loads of red, white and blue for our summer event and

any ideas you have around that will be great.

Email : j.butler1@ntlworld.com - or speak to

me when you see me. Christine Butler

(07963 229756).

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CROSSWORD Answers are in Robin’s Roundup on page 28

ACROSS 8 ‘He poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the — ’ (Isaiah 53:12) (13) 9 ‘When they had sung a hymn, they went — to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30) (3) 10 Comes between Galatians and Philippians (9) 11 ‘Your heart will — and swell with joy’ (Isaiah 60:5) (5) 13 Muslim holy month (7) 16 Ten ears (anag.) (7) 19 Under (poetic abbrev.) (5) 22 How Abram described himself to God when he complained that his inheritance would pass to a servant (Genesis 15:2) (9) 24 ‘Go to the — , you sluggard’ (Proverbs 6:6) (3) 25 Debar from receiving Communion (13)

DOWN 1 My — for His Highest (Oswald Chambers’ best-known book) (6) 2 Festival of the resurrection (6) 3 ‘His sons will prepare for war and — a great army’ (Daniel 11:10) (8) 4 ‘Let not the — string his bow’ (Jeremiah 51:3) (6) 5 Name of the River Thames in and around Oxford (4) 6 ‘From then on Judas watched for an opportunity — — him over’ (Matthew 26:16) (2,4) 7 ‘But Christ is faithful — — — over God’s house’ (Hebrews 3:6) (2,1,3) 12 Long-handled implement used to till the soil (Isaiah 7:25) (3) 14 Order to which monks and nuns devote themselves (8) 15 Appropriate (Proverbs 15:23) (3) 16 I, uncle (anag.) (6) 17 ‘They gave him — — of broiled fish’ (Luke 24:42) (1,5) 18 ‘Weren’t there three men that we — — and threw into the fire?’ (Daniel 3:24) (4,2) 20 Mountain where Noah’s ark came to rest (Genesis 8:4) (6) 21 ‘Don’t you know that friendship with the world is — towards God?’ (James 4:4) (6) 23 Prominent architectural feature of large cathedrals such as St Paul’s (4)

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CHOIR

Mums and Dads: Are your little ones missing out?

On a Friday in early March I arrived as usual at 6.00pm for Choir Practice. In recent times we have been blessed with the arrival of several youngsters to swell our ranks, however on this occasion I was greeted by the presence of the ever exuberant Millie and Maisie with no sign of Isobel, Callum or Daniel. On enquiring of Mike I was told that the missing numbers were performing in the WAGS show in town.

Thinking that our practice would struggle without the other treble voices we commenced practice for the Passiontide Evening Music. I was so wrong, Millie and Maisie grasped their chance and sung superbly to support the adult voices.

Bear in mind that these two youngsters are around the age of 8 and have only been in the choir for 18 months it is a huge credit to their ability and the fine teaching of Mike King. These youngsters in the choir and many before them have learned their music from Mike and will leave with a skill that will stay with them for the rest of their life. How many parents are paying out significant sums of money for after school and weekend activities, yet here, St Mary Magdalene is offering a means of learning a lifeskill with no cost attached and in fact the youngster is given a small payment for their attendance.

The Rev. Charlotte has encouraged many young families into the Parish during her time at Lillington and many of their children are to be seen on Sundays. Parents please think about it: The Choir would like new members and in return for a level of commitment is offering friendship, enjoyment, confidence and last but certainly not least the ability to perform music together.

John Reading. Answers from exam papers

Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption

The people who followed the Lord were called the 12 Decibles

When Mary heard she was to be the mother of Jesus she sang the Magna Carta

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CHARITY OF THE MONTH – ROOF Gary Timlin, who is a Youth & Community Worker at the Lillington Youth Centre, tells us about the ROOF project... A young person came into the youth centre just before Christmas holidays 2009. He had just been told to leave his family home. He was ill equipped; he had the canvas to a tent over his shoulder and a bag in hand. He was in tears and at a loss what to do.

Fortunately I was able to support the young person. However we at the youth centre felt we should know more around housing rights, needs and available support for young people. We carried out a basic survey in Leamington to gauge if there was a need for housing/homeless support for 16yrs – 19yrs in the Warwick district. Below are two comments taken from the survey. “Fell out with family, I was 16yrs old, no one took me seriously, I sofa surfed for 4 months”. “When it’s freezing outside and you’ve got nowhere to go it is a horrible feeling”. On this basis, the ROOF project was born in 2010. Since then we have supported over a 130 young people. The majority were homeless, either sleeping on a friend or acquaintances floor, sofa, (sofa surfing), staying in a shed, in a tent or under the stars. The project has really held onto young people when they have been at possibly their lowest ebb and in danger of drowning under the weight of pressure and not being able to see a way out. The work is at times very mentally challenging but also very rewarding. The project is blessed to be in a position to support our vulnerable youth. Warwickshire County Council (WCC) employs a youth worker to manage this project. All the admin side of the work is in WCC time. The project however relies on the good will of individuals, groups and churches for extra funding. This funding is used at the discretion of the Youth worker. The money has been used for hot food, food shopping, a first weeks rent, clothing, bedding, toiletries, bus fare, birth certificate and so on. This extra support is vital in

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giving the young people a life line. The majority of young people are already in a state of worry; the donation of monies received by the project really does take the edge off that worry.

Gary Timlin Youth & Community Worker ROOF project

St Mary Magdalene’s church is donating £800 to the ROOF project this month, as part of our charitable giving. If you would like to add to that, please put your donation in one of the yellow envelopes and write ROOF on the front – we will make sure it gets to them.

KNITTING GROUP A good start to our new group with 7 of us there. Plenty of wool is available for small projects and some knitting needles for beginners. We have some ladies (yes sadly all ladies) who would like to learn to Crochet, so if you have skills to pass on or know someone who could join us that would be excellent! One project we looked at is Twiddle Mitts, simple knitting using odds and ends to make a muff/mitt style for patients with Dementia. This is something that Warwick Hospital is keen to have and as a result the League of Friends has been collecting wool for us. A pattern is available from Carol Innes (01926 831649); you may recognise Carol in this photo displaying the mitts with two of the Matrons from Warwick Hospital! If Twiddle mitts aren’t your thing don’t worry, bring anything along and just enjoy meeting others and sharing (skills, patterns, whatever!). We agreed we would meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays from 6:30 pm in the Octagon. April meetings will be on 12th and 26th in the Octagon.

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At our latest Bible Book Club meeting we met together to chat about the very first book of the bible, Genesis. Not quite all of it. We started at chapter 12, where we first meet Abraham and Sarah, and read all about them, their children, their grandchildren and great

grandchildren. All the way through to Joseph and the whole family ending up in Egypt. I think we all agreed it was a good, romping read, full of action and intrigue. But we were all pretty horrified at the way the women were treated and how cunning and manipulative the characters could be. We also spotted that it was definitely better to be the younger sibling and that it’s ok to engage in a robust discussion with God. God was almost like another character in the story, and things tended to improve when he turned up. In the end we disagreed on whether we felt that reading Genesis had strengthened our faith, but there was some feeling that if God could work with this lot, then he could probably work with me. Our next bible book club will be on Tuesday 26 April at 7.30 pm, when we will be chatting about chapters 1-15 of the Acts of the Apostles. It’s the story of what happened after Easter, so we thought that it was the perfect time to be reading it. Do give it a read and if you can, come along and join in the discussion. Newcomers always welcome, and no one has to say anything, you can just sit and listen, though mostly we all have a lot to say!

Rev Charlotte Gale

Some more answers from exam papers

Solomon, one of David’s sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines

The Jews were a proud people and throughout history they had trouble with

unsympathetic genitals

Moses led the Jews to the Red Sea where they made unleavened bread, which is

bread without any ingredients

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FRIENDS OF BLACK LANE LITTER PICKING

We pick once a month along Black Lane and the lane going from Black Lane and across the very top of the Campion Hills. It usually takes an 1 hour to 1 hour 15 mins. For those who can't make it every month - we also welcome anyone who prefers to drop in on an ad-hoc basis.

If you have 16 or unders with you they must be at all times supervised by the adult responsible for them.

If it's your first time, please contact friendsofblacklane@gmail.com before the litter pick - we need to know how much kit to bring and forward you important health and safety information prior to the pick. Thanks :) We also welcome hearing from anyone who would like to start a residents litter picking group in their street - to tackle any localised hot spots. If you don't have your own litter pickers we have pickers to loan out. If you need any help or advice we're here to help.

It can take just 10 minutes for a few people to clear up some unsightly and environmentally unfriendly litter. You don't have to live alongside it and litter picking is a protest in itself. Send the message out - litter will not be tolerated. Job Done!

NEXT LITTER PICK DATES - Saturday April 9th @ 10 am

Watch the Chain website & Lillington community noticeboards for May 2016 onwards dates.

All meeting at entrance to Black Lane. We have lovely kit awarded by the North Leamington Community Forum - pickers/tough gloves and high visibility jackets - so if you don't have your own - no problem! http://www.litteraction.org.uk/friends-of-black-lane

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A day out to a wildflower meadow ‘A wonderful place to visit’

This month’s suggestion is a long day out, down to North Wiltshire. North Meadow National Nature reserve, just outside Cricklade, lies between the Rivers Churn and Thames, quite close to Cirencester, going via the Fosse Way.

This is the place to see the largest population in this country of a beautiful and nationally scarce flower, the Snakes head fritillary, which has flowered naturally in the wild here for over 150

years. The fritillaries are usually at their best during the second and third weeks of April.

The delicate, speckled flowers, only about 8” high, carpet the meadow with their pinks, whites and purples contrasting with the bright yellow dandelions and buttercups. It really is a feast for the eyes: on a beautiful spring day with the fritillaries in bloom, Cricklade church tower on the horizon and the air full of insects and nesting birds, God’s creation is all around you to uplift your spirits.

The website is packed full of all the info you need, including hints for photographers - fritillaries can’t seem to stop nodding their heads! - so don’t forget your camera! Don’t worry if it shows details for 2015 - it will be updated once the fritillaries are out. You can phone before you visit to check on conditions and find out how the flowers are coming on. Stout footwear advisable.

Cricklade is a small town with some independent shops, free car parking (with loos), and a very good fish and chip shop, too! The meadow is about 20 minutes’ walk from the car park. The Fritillary Tea Room near the meadow is open at the weekends in April, for teas & coffees, light lunches and home-made cakes.

http://www.crickladeinbloom.co.uk/about_north_meadow.html Reserve Manager: 07795 316191 Postcode: SN6 6HA

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WHAT’S ON

APRIL 2016 Sat 9 9:30 PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE. Walkers Group

meets outside Church. Contact Wendy Shear or Sue Wakem

Sun 10 18:30 Youth Group meet in Octagon

Mon 11 19:45 Lillington Evening Women’s Institute (Octagon)

Tues 12 18:30 Knitting Group in the Octagon

Thurs 14 19:30 Church Annual Meeting in the Octagon. Refreshments from 19:15

Thur 21 19:30 Elizabeth Fair meeting in the Octagon. See p. 6

Sat 23 19:30 The Circle Singers are holding a fundraising concert for the Mayor’s charities at St Mary Magdalene. See p. 2

Tues 26

14:00 Tea & Chat in the Octagon – when Jane Harrison will be talking about Hearing Dogs for the Deaf .

Tues 26 18:30 Knitting Group in the Octagon

MAY 2016 Sat 7 9:30 Walkers Group meets outside Church. Contact Godfrey

& Caroline Carr 422916

Mon 9 19:45 Lillington Evening Women’s Institute (Octagon)

Tues 10 18:30 Knitting Group in the Octagon

Sun 15 18:30 Youth Group meet in Octagon

Tues 24 18:30 Knitting Group in the Octagon

Tues 31 14:00 Tea & Chat in the Octagon

A reminder: Please make Cheques payable to Lillington PCC

For any events you wish to publicise please contact the Editor or

email events@lillingtonparishchurch.org

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SERVICE DETAILS

SUNDAY WORSHIP – APRIL 2016

Apr 3 Easter 2

08:00 Holy Communion

09:30 All Age Worship

18:30 Evensong

Apr 10 Easter 3 08:00 Holy Communion

09:30 Holy Communion with Prayers for Healing and Sunday Club*

Apr 17 Easter 4

08:00 Holy Communion

09:30 Holy Communion with Sunday Club*

18:30 Choral Evensong

Apr 24 Easter 5

08:00 Holy Communion

09:30 Holy Communion with Sunday Club*

11:15 Baptism

A Time for Quiet and Prayer

Monday – Thursday, 12.00 – 1.00 pm (Please use main entrance)

*SUNDAY CLUB For children of all ages up to 10 years during School Term time. Children join the main 09:30 service at the beginning and the end, and leave for a 30 minutes Sunday Club session which has a range of age appropriate activities WEEKDAY WORSHIP

Tuesday April 26 13:30 Holy Communion

THE CHURCH OFFICE The office is open Monday to Thursday 9.00 am till 1.00 pm During these hours the church may be used for private prayer - please use the office entrance. For Baptism, Weddings and general enquiries please contact the church office (01926 470449). Outside of office hours please leave a message on the answer phone and we will get back to you.

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CHURCH ANNUAL MEETING On Thursday 14th April at 7.30 pm in the Octagon, we have our church annual meeting. We will be reviewing 2015 as well as looking to the future, and this year there will be a bit of a party feel as we say thank you to Anne on her retirement as our church administrator. Here are just some of the reports about what went on at St. Mary Magdalene's in 2015 and the beginning of 2016. Come along on the 14th to find out more about what we did last year and what the next year might have in store. Events

The last twelve months have been very busy. Notable highlights must include the wonderful Christmas Tree Festival and in the last few weeks, the launch of our new community project Love Lillington. We were delighted to welcome dignitaries from far and wide to the Mayor’s civic service in January, and a group of us went to the cathedral back in June for Rev Sue’s ordination as priest. We also hosted a bereavement service for two of our local Funeral Directors, the second time we have done this. The Summer and Christmas

Fairs were as great as ever, and the church also took part in the Lillington Community Fun Day. We enjoyed a series of organ recitals in the autumn and a barbershop concert back in the spring. There have also been quizzes, coffee mornings and parties.

30 of us took part in the Eight Essential Qualities survey and since then we have been working on ways to improve our ‘passionate spirituality’. We have launched a Bible Book Club, given away free bibles and the church is now open for prayer and quiet four hours a week.

What a huge amount we have to remember and give thanks for!

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The Choir The choir continues to be very supportive of the music at St. Mary Magdalene always endeavouring to give of their best. Celebrating the seasons of the year is always a notable musical event. The carol service of 2015 was remarked by several as being the best ever. It is a pleasure to see the young choristers settling and maturing into their roles of helping to support the worship with their developing musical skills. My thanks to all the choristers for their continued support to me and to the music of St. Mary Magdalene.

Mike King, Organist and choirmaster.

Evening Worship Team The group comprises Rev Charlotte Gale, Anne Furze, Roderick Clark, Graham Cooper and Charlotte Sanders. The group has led six quiet, informal services of ‘Wellbeing and Wholeness’ and ‘Healing of the Nations’ and Compline in the Octagon. These have been much appreciated by those who come, but there have not been very many people attending. The group has also led services of ‘Passiontide Reflections’, ‘Songs of Praise’, ‘All Souls’ and ‘Darkness to Light’, in the church. All these services have been held at 6.30 p.m. with refreshments served beforehand or afterwards.

Charlotte Sanders

Flower Guild As another year goes by I hope you agree that the ladies of the Flower Guild have done a wonderful job in keeping fresh flowers in our church. We had three weddings, a fifty-fifth wedding anniversary, two thanksgiving arrangements, and eight memorials, apart from the Easter donations for lilies, which all help towards the cost of keeping our church so welcoming. I always

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ask for colour schemes, ending this year with royal purple and gold for the mayor’s civic service. My sincere thanks, as always, to the flower ladies who provide flowers of their choice on the ordinary rota weeks. Here’s to next year’s challenge!

Wendy Shear Home and Community Communions

During the past year, Rev Charlotte and trained members of our congregation have continued to visit the housebound and four residential homes on a monthly basis. We provide a shortened version of the communion service with consecrated bread and wine. We have been very pleased to welcome a new trained member to the team.

Christine Nutt Occasional Offices

In 2015 we undertook 5 weddings, 1 wedding blessing, 1 renewal of vows, 12 church funerals, 17 crematorium funerals, 13 interments of ashes, 1 burial and 23 baptisms. Having Rev Sue on board to help with funerals and weddings has been a huge help, and I am also grateful to the continued support of local retired clergy, especially with the funeral ministry.

Looking ahead, we have 9 weddings booked for 2016, so in May we hope to run a short marriage preparation course for wedding couples, in conjunction with St James, Old Milverton.

Rev Charlotte Lillington Bellringers We have twelve members in the band, and we are usually able to ring all eight bells prior to the 9.30am Sunday morning service. Practices on Tuesdays from 7.30 – 9pm have continued throughout the year and been well supported by members.

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We opened the tower for Looking at Lillington in May, when children and their parents could try handbell ringing, watch demonstrations of plain hunt on three bells, or have a go at ringing a bell at backstroke. In September we joined in the Heritage Open Weekend, taking guided parties up to the roof. We were placed second in the Coventry Guild striking competition in March 2015 (we beat Warwick). The winners on the day were from Stoke (deemed to be in West Midlands), which made Lillington the highest placed Warwickshire band, so we represented the county in the Four Shires six-bell competition at Shipston in November 2015, and were placed first. We got our picture in the local papers, and briefly on the BBC News website. Members of the congregation are very welcome to visit us to see what goes on – please contact the Tower Captain (450977).

Richard Taulbut Churchyard Team Haunt of woodpecker and fox; an abundance of snowdrop and primrose with their promise of spring; an oasis of calm in a busy world; a place for reflection and remembrance - this is our churchyard. The botanical survey carried out last April identified 126 different species of flora. This was (potentially) supplemented in August, when a small patch of ground (10m x 5m) below Janet's bench was seeded with hay from a rural churchyard, as part of a biodiversity study being undertaken by Coventry and Warwick universities. WDC continue to maintain the lower churchyard to a high standard. They have also replaced the gate post, thus securing the gate into the lower churchyard, and will be repairing the boundary wall abutting Church Lane - as soon as Diocesan approval has been obtained. My thanks to the churchyard team (John, Martyn, Bob, Peter and Glyn) for their sterling work in the upper churchyard - mowing, lopping, pruning, clearing, weeding, planting, raking, sweeping and generally helping to keep this garden a "lovesome thing". If any of these activities are your "bag" then please come and join us.

John Butler

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Home Groups There are currently two home groups meeting monthly throughout the year, and weekly during Lent, in comfortable home settings. New members are always welcomed, to an opportunity for a special form of learning, worshipping and strengthening of faith within a secure and supportive environment. The Tuesday Evening home group has a typical number of six to eight, a perfect number for conversational closeness, as there is plenty of time and opportunity for everyone to feel that they can contribute to the thought patterns produced by the reading of a specific Bible passage, After discussions around 'Jesus, the light of the world', the theme of the group’s tree in church was 'From Darkness to light' . One half displaying broken lights and torches and dead batteries - the other, glorious light and joy! The Thursday Morning home group has 9 members. Studies have included ‘The Creed’ and ‘Paul’s letter to the Philippians’, offering a chance to share joys, concerns, opinions and life experience. Through Bible study and praying together, the group provides confidentiality and mutual support which all members value. We celebrate Summer and Christmas, sharing readings, good food and conversation. We support Looking at Lillington, and group members planned and decorated a tree for the Tree Festival, and served afternoon tea to eighty people on the launch day.

Charlotte Sanders and Glyn Wright

Youth Group A youth group for children aged 11 and over, meeting on the 2nd Sunday of the month, from 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm in the Octagon started in September 2015. Its purpose is to:

Talk about life and faith, to engage with the bible, and to hopefully deepen the faith of those attending.

Prepare members for confirmation (as and when they are ready).

Plan and run services in church, and encourage members to play an active part in church life (through choir, serving, reading etc.).

There are 4 leaders - Rev Charlotte, Roderick Clark, Rev Sue Fairhurst and Marc Gadsby. With Rev Naomi as the Youth Group Resource Investigator and Carol Innes the Youth Group Coordinator.

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Each meeting of the youth group is attended by a session leader and a helper. Where possible this is a man and a woman. All leaders and helpers are DBS cleared. Members of the Youth Group –there are eight young people that form the youth group from both St Mary Magdalene and St James. Meetings have included a ‘welcome Barbecue’, with discussion on topics such as prayer and sin. The young people have had some involvement in services especially over Christmas and more is planned for 2016.

Carol Innes

Sunday Club Our church Sunday Club meets during the 9.30 am service, every Sunday

during term time. We meet in the Octagon and usually have between 5 and 10 children, including three from our choir, but there are over 20 on the books, so you are never quite sure how many to expect. During 2015 we mainly followed the same bible readings as in church.

The Sunday Club children helped lead the Mothering Sunday service, Harvest Festival and the Gift service. They also helped with making 300 Christingles as well as helping out at our two Christingle services.

My huge thanks go out to the team – Rev Naomi, Rev Rosemary, Roderick, Carol and Sarah – for providing such entertaining and varied sessions for our children.

Rev Charlotte

Octotots Our weekly baby and toddler group continues to thrive and I am constantly

amazed at how new Mums (or sometimes dad or granny or granddad) continue to arrive with babies and toddlers, as the older ones move on to nursery. We rarely have fewer than 20 little ones each week.

We meet on Thursday mornings during term time, between 10.30 am and noon. I greet them and chat and move around the main room, while Karen Samwell does an amazing job serving refreshments and also chatting and getting to know people. We play and do crafts, then sing songs, hear a bible story and join in a short prayer. There is a really lovely, friendly and welcoming atmosphere, much appreciated by those who attend. Almost all of our regulars attended the Christingle service, and many of the little ones have been baptised in our church.

Rev Charlotte

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Planned Giving

At 31st December 2015 there were 93 people/families in the planned giving scheme made up of 63 who contribute by bank standing orders, 24 in the envelope scheme and 6 who give by cheque. During the year 4 people left the scheme, there was 1 death and 3 new subscribers.

Mike Hyslop, Stewardship Secretary Charity Committee

This year the PCC made some major changes to our Charitable Giving Policy, and as part of that formed a new Charity Committee, replacing the old CARE group which has served the church for many years, keeping us aware of charities we support and making recommendations for giving. My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has served on the CARE group over many years. The new team started work at the end of last year, deciding which charities we were going to support in 2016. Each month, Crosstalk will feature an article about one of our chosen charities, so keep an eye out to see who we are supporting and how you can get involved.

Rev Charlotte

Pastoral Link Group including ‘Tea and Chat’ The Pastoral Link Group had their first meeting in November 1995 so by the end of 2015 the group had been in existence for 20 years. (Tea and Chat started a little later in 1997). Three of the original members still belong to the committee and we have 4 other loyal members and helpers plus several willing drivers. Our aim is to be a link between the Church and people who are ill or who are unable to get to church. Please let us know if you are aware of anyone in this situation. We usually make contact by telephone, sending an appropriate card or occasionally visiting. ‘Tea and Chat’ is still valued by those who are able to come although the number attending has dropped recently, everyone is welcome so please spread the word. Looking back over 2015, the programme has been varied and interesting thanks to the support of the following people: Karen and Vivienne - fridge magnet craft, Gaynor Cook - African Vision Malawi, Pat Robinson - former mayor of Leamington, Jane Knifton - Guide dog breeding, Peter Coulls - Old

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Lillington, and not forgetting the Revd Charlotte’s memorable Desert Island Discs. The year ended with our Christmas party, we were well entertained by ‘The Ukuladies’ and ended by singing carols accompanied by Karen Wall.

Jane Davies Crosstalk How have we done?

Income for Crosstalk continues to cover the cost of producing the magazine - which means that visitors and newcomers can have an insight into our church for free.

Community - we aimed to include more about what is happening in our neighbourhood, not just the church. Do you have contacts with groups that could bring in more stories?

Most Advertisers have stayed with us for another year plus we have some new advertisers which is brilliant!

Controversial - it’s great to hear the different points of view, Crosstalk will continue to bring you issues to debate.

A new series from the Treasurer on where our money comes from and where it goes.

What the editor would like for 2016

News from parishioners who have moved to other parts of the country. (Who do you keep in touch with?)

PCC groups/small groups - articles about plans and activities

Special occasions – why not put in your birthday, wedding anniversary, grandchild’s birth, or any special occasion you would like to share.

If you want to keep Crosstalk fresh and interesting the editor needs your help. Here’s looking forward to a bumper year of interesting Crosstalk magazines

Robin Innes, Editor Guides The last year has been a busy year for 3rd Leamington Guides. We have learnt lots of skills and had new adventures. In June we camped at Warwickshire Guides County site in Shipston upon Stour with Leamington South District. The Guides enjoyed the climbing wall and baking chocolate cake in an orange on an open fire, as well as looking after the Brownies on camp.

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In November we had a successful sleep-over in the Octagon with 7 Guides and were proud to again take part in the Remembrance Service on 8th November. Towards the end of the year Bryony Smith took over running 3rd Leamington Brownies. We were hoping that closer links between the units would help us to thrive. Unfortunately, this has not happened. The start of 2016 has seen both units dip in numbers. At Brownies we have 10 and at Guides we have just 8, several of whom are old enough to move to Senior Section in the coming months. If you know of any girls aged 7-10yrs or 10-14yrs who would be interested in joining either unit, or leaders who would be happy to help, please do get in contact. 3rdleamingtonguides@gmail.com

Di Bull and Bryony Smith

Walkers Group The weather has not been so kind to us this year, and walks in November 2015 and February 2016 have had to be cancelled due to bad weather. However, we have a full program for the coming year, though several leaders have to lead two walks rather than one as our numbers seem to be slightly on the decrease recently. We are hoping to re-introduce a ‘beating the bounds’ walk, and possibly a ‘family friendly’ walk in the summer. The August walk will, as usual, be on a Wednesday evening at 6pm (3rd August), rather than the more regular first Saturday of the month at 9.30am. Our annual dinner was held, for the third year, at the Angel Hotel in Leamington on 13th January 2016, where 19 members met for a very pleasant social occasion. (Photo from July walk near Rowington)

Bob Cooke, Walkers Group leader

Schools Work and Looking at Lillington We have four schools in our parish, and we have regular contact with Telford Infants, Telford Juniors and Lillington Primary School and are working

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on our links with North Leamington School. Huge thanks go to our Reader, Roderick Clark who heads up the schools work at Lillington Primary. He regular visits the school leading assemblies and classes, and the children come to church for special assemblies about once a term. The children from Telford Infants have also started coming up to the school more often, and they held a wonderful carol service in the church this year, which was packed to bursting with all the children and their grown-ups. Looking at Lillington (our annual schools project for year 3 children from Telford Junior and Lillington Primary) continues to be well supported and the 2016 event took place just a few weeks ago, brilliantly headed up by Rev Sue Fairhurst. As Lillington Primary has grown so much in recent years, we decided it was time to make some changes this year, so moved from two days to three mornings. We had a great team of helpers, including lots involved for the first time, and lots of positive feedback from the teachers. We are looking forward to the Open Day on 14th May, and seeing what creative work the children have done.

Rev Charlotte

£££££ CROSSTALK DONATIONS £££££

As you know Crosstalk is a free magazine, but it does incur costs and survives on your donations. If you would like to support Crosstalk then you should find in the magazine a gift aid envelope for your donation. If you are not a taxpayer there is no need to complete the personal details. Envelopes can be put on the plate or sent to the parish office.

PALM SUNDAY SERVICE (20 March)

What a lovely start to the Palm Sunday 9:30 Morning Praise service with the Sunday Club processing behind the choir waving their home-made palms. The Passion Gospel reading is always a symbolic and moving tradition and this year was no exception. The main characters were read with conviction and very clearly spoken by members of the Youth Group. The young people should be proud of themselves – well done!

Robin Innes

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HELEN WALLAM’S

Junior Crosstalk

The Legend of St. George

St. George is the patron saint of England. His emblem, a red cross on a white background is the flag of England. St

George's emblem was adopted by Richard the Lion Heart and brought to England in

the 12th century. The king's soldiers wore it on their tunics to avoid confusion in battle.

Very little is known about St. George, but most people

associate him with honour and bravery, particularly in the traditional legend of George slaying a dragon.

St. George is believed to have been born in Cappadocia (now Eastern Turkey) in the year A.D. 270. He was a Christian and at the age of seventeen he joined the Roman army. He served

under a pagan Emperor, but never forgot his Christian faith. When the pagan Emperor Diocletian started persecuting

Christians, St. George pleaded with the Emperor to spare their lives. However, St. George's pleas were ignored. It is thought

that the Emperor Diocletian tried to make St. George deny his faith in Jesus by torturing him. St George showed incredible courage and faith and was finally beheaded near Lydda in

Palestine on 23 April, 303.

In 1222, the Council of Oxford declared April 23 to be St

George’s Day and in 1415, April 23 was made a national feast day.

St George is patron saint not only of England but also of many

other countries, such as Russia and Portugal. St George is also patron saint of scouts, soldiers, archers and farmers.

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St. George Cakes!

250g Self Raising Flour

250g butter or margarine

250g caster sugar

4 eggs

A little milk if needed

Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan oven

160°C, 350°F, gas 4. Line a 12-hole

muffin tray with paper cases.

Put the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until pale and creamy.

Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until well combined. Fold the

flour into the mixture. The mixture should be of a dropping

consistency, if not add a little milk.

Divide the mixture between the cases and bake for 20 – 25 minutes.

Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.

Make up some icing sugar using water until it is a smooth paste and

spread on top of the cakes.

Add a red cross to the cakes using red icing sugar made up with

water and red food colouring or ready-made icing/fondant.

Well done Sunday Club! Whoever is cruel to the poor insults their Maker.

But anyone who is kind to the needy honours God. - Proverbs 14:31

Sunday Club decorated cupcakes for Sport Relief and sold them after the Palm Sunday service raising £50, which will go to needy causes..

Special well done to Joseph, Noah, Hannah, Maisie, Millie and Fiona.

Carol Innes

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ROBIN’S ROUND UP

A packed magazine this month with lots of contributions from Readers, so much so that I have had to drop ‘Cooking with Crosstalk’ and the Stained Glass Windows articles, but they’ll be back in May. A large section is dedicated to the Church Annual Meeting reports and I would urge you to read these

reports and attend the meeting on 14th April.

This is the last magazine to be printed by our Church Administrator, Anne Furze, who is retiring this month. I would like to wish her well for the future. In the last 6 years that I have been Editor, Anne has had to put up with more than a few problems with printer malfunctions and my errors, for which I am very grateful. Our new Church Administrator is Vanessa Cooper, and I look forward to working with her.

Robin Innes

CROSSWORD ANSWERS: ACROSS: 8, Transgressors. 9, Out. 10, Ephesians. 11, Throb. 13, Ramadan. 16, Nearest. 19, Neath. 22, Childless. 24, Ant. 25, Excommunicate. DOWN: 1, Utmost. 2, Easter. 3, Assemble. 4, Archer. 5, Isis. 6, To hand. 7, As a son. 12, Hoe. 14, Monastic. 15, Apt. 16, Nuclei. 17, A piece. 18, Tied up. 20, Ararat. 21, Hatred. 23, Dome.

DEADLINE Copy for the May 2016 edition is required by 13 April 2016 to Robin Innes

(Editor) or to the Parish Office

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TOM COLES GAS, PLUMBING & HEATING

Mobile: 07949 288 682

36, Ashdown Close, Coventry, CV3 2PT

tomcolesgasplumbingandheating@live.com

All Gas Servicing, Installation, Plumbing and Central Heating Work undertaken

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Inner pages are printed on 100%

recycled paper

CONTACTS

Church Office Vanessa Cooper .................................

office@lillingtonparishchurch.org

470449

Vicar Rev Charlotte Gale (Day off Friday)

vicar@lillingtonparishchurch.org ..........

330919

Associate Minister Rev Naomi Nixon ............................... 330919

Associate Minister Rev Rosemary Pantling ....................... 316597

Curate Rev Sue Fairhurst .............................. 735254

Reader Roderick Clark .................................. 422994

Churchwarden John Butler ....................................... 779455

Churchwarden Charlotte Sanders .............................. 425642

PCC Secretary Bob Cooke

pccsecretary@lillingtonparishchurch

315890

PCC Treasurer Alan Wright

treasurer@lillingtonparishchurch.org 773786

Stewardship

Secretary

Mike Hyslop ...................................... 883808

Organist /

Choirmaster

Mike King ......................................... 409062

Bell Ringers Richard Taulbut

bells@lillingtonparishchurch.org ...........

450977

Servers Jamie Hughes ................................... 315538

Flower Guild Wendy Shear .................................... 330825

Octagon Bookings Church Office 470449

Safeguarding

Officer

Carol Innes ...................................... 07758

857740

Sunday Club Church Office .................................... 470449

Walkers Group Bob Cooke

walkers@lillingtonparishchurch.org .......

315890

Website Manager Diana Taulbut ...................................

webmaster@lillingtonparishchurch.org

450977

Crosstalk Editor Robin Innes ......................................

Magazine@lillingtonparishchurch.org

831649

Crosstalk

Distribution

Jeff Arnold ........................................ 632330

Guides Diana Bull

3rdLeamingtonguides@gmail.com .........

289124

Brownies Bryony Smith 330691

Parish website: www.lillingtonparishchurch.org