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Calendar for December 2000

Services in Kingscote

Services in Horsley

Diocesan Internet News Site www.glosdioc.org.uk

The Vicar?s Letter

Dear All,

Once again I find myself staring at a long list of presents I have to buy and cards I have to send, and only a few weeks to do all this. Yes, the season of Christmas will soon be upon us.

In church we will soon gather to hear again the message of the angels to the shepherds, and the words of the song of the Heavenly Host, "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill to all people". These words, that message, is surely the pivot of this season of Christmas. Yet in the last months we seem to have much evidence of the imperfections of human nature, while trying to achieve any sort of viable peace on earth, in so many places. Deaths, murders, war and cruelty, abroad and at home - still so much violence and destruction - it seems almost impossible to find any kind of recipe for seasonal goodwill. Yet we must believe that underlying it all, and unreported in the news as it seems to be, there is a powerful feeling of urgency for the peace and goodwill the angels proclaim.

It is true to say that it was not without cost, and that the incarnation brought about a conflict of its own. Mary and Joseph and the baby were in a humble - if not downright abominable - situation, like so many refugees today, of an outdoor shed, draughty and cold, floored with rotting straw soaked in animal urine and droppings, shut off from the overcrowded inn. They were not the first nor the last to encounter such aggressively brutal treatment in their time of need. Thousands of ordinary human beings, men, women and children are still in need, are still being driven from homes or homeland by brutality and greed, by hatred and war.

I am sure that at least in part, perhaps largely unconsciously, it is the thought of the suffering in our world, the memory of the television pictures of children and adults at the end of their tether, the sick and the dying, the wounded and the prisoners, that brings double or treble the attendance at our Christmas services in church - not only here but throughout the land. It is not just that we enjoy singing carols around the crib or making the effort to go to a Midnight Communion or Christmas Day service for its own sake, but because of a genuine and very human desire to know that the message of the angels is to come true, in spite of the perilous mistrust of fellow human beings. Here is the challenge offered to the church and to all of us by the angels - if we are to preach peace and goodwill, then we must so live. We must put down the weapons and distrust which divide us, we must struggle to restore the common humanity between differing peoples and differing communities. There should be a great urge throughout the nations enjoying peace, for that peace to be extended to the present rampant distress, hatred and cruelty.

Meanwhile, may we all find much peace and goodwill during the Christmas season; and may every blessing be upon you and those you love, as we all kneel at the manger and implore the blessing of the Christ Child.

God bless,

Dec 3rd to 24th Advent (candle on pedestal) - Mrs S Padden

Dec 25th and 31st Christmas - Altar Guild and helpers

Our next meeting is on Sunday 3rd December at 11.00 am in the Village Hall. Come and join us as we make some festive decorations and gifts. All children over 3 yrs age are welcome. ( Under 3?s welcome with accompanying adult).

We will meet at the Church on 13th December at 2.30 pm to have a good cleaning session in preparation for Christmas. I understand that we have quite a bit of candle wax to mop up.

Vida Sutton.

MPs call for action against Euthanasia

A group of MPs of all parties are spearheading a campaign to alert people throughout the country to the danger of euthanasia (the intentional killing of a patient by act or omission) being introduced ?through the back door?. We are glad to say that our local MP, David Drew, has taken a lead on the issue - and has written to us asking for help. The greatest danger is coming from the courts which have held that doctors may intentionally kill patients by omission and from the British Medical Association (BMA) which has introduced Guidelines which recommend the withdrawal of treatment (including assisted food and fluid) from a range of sick and elderly patients who are not dying - thus causing death by starvation and dehydration. The Guidelines have been condemned by the Chief Rabbi, by the Muslim Council of Britain, by the leaders of the Catholic Church as well as by churches of virtually all other denominations. The BMA, however, has ignored them and MPs stress it is now essential that we - the people of this country - take action to make it clear to our own doctors that we are not willing to stand by and condone such practices. We must establish whether or not our doctors support the BMA?s Guidelines on the issue. We can do this either by writing to them or seeing them individually or in groups. Under the Patient?s Charter we are all permitted to select doctors with whose ethics we are in agreement. The MPs are convinced that the majority of doctors in this country are humane and do not wish to bring about the deaths of patients. Nonetheless, euthanasia could be brought in ?through the back door? simply because people fail to take a personal stand on the issue. Please contact your doctor as soon as you can.

Boxing Day Beagles

The Wick and District Beagles will meet at Hunters Hall on 26th December at 1.00 pm. Everyone is welcome at the meet, and those who wish to follow hounds will be asked to pay a fee or "cap".

Tim Sage.

The mobile library will be by The Walled Garden from 9.40 am to 9.55 am on Thursday December 14th.

The boxes will be emptied as follows:

Newington and Bagpath - Mondays Nov. 13th and 27th

Kingscote - Tuesdays Nov. 14th and 28th

Copy by 20th November please to Harry Tubbs, 3 The Walled Garden (860 194), Email

.

Can someone help solve a little mystery in Newington ? The editor has delivered copies to households in Newington this summer, but has been advised that in some cases a second copy is also received. Whilst it may well be that families are unloading their copy on the neighbours under cover of darkness, we need to avoid duplication. Any clues ?

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