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The Forerunner

The Magazine for the Parish of

Newington Bagpath with

Kingscote

May                                                    2003

 

Calendar for May 2003

May 4th and 11th May 18th and 25th June 1st

Mrs S Spandler Mrs E Tattersall Mrs J Nichols

 

 

*Nailsworth (CC) = Christ Church

The next PCC meeting will be on Tuesday  6 May at 8.00 pm in the Village Hall.

 

Home Group

We are hoping to start a ‘home group’ in the parish, which would meet approximately once per month.  The aim is to provide an opportunity for those interested in Christianity to discuss passages from the Bible using a published scheme for small groups.  It has been suggested that we should start with this year’s ecumenical Lent Course, which few of us were able to attend in Nailsworth.  Home groups are a good forum for debating and exploring issues from a spiritual point of view, in a relaxed and friendly setting.

If you are interested please call Ros Farrell (Tel. See paper version of Forerunner) or Georgina Harford (Tel. See paper version of Forerunner).

            Diocesan Internet News Site   www.glosdioc.org.uk

            Forerunner Internet Site   www.geocities.com/forerunneruk/

 

The Vicar’s Letter

Alleluia.  Christ is Risen !

  The change in the disciples and other followers of Jesus between Good Friday, and Easter Sunday and the weeks that followed, must have been very dramatic and greatly puzzled the chief priests and Pharisees, who I am sure were observing them carefully.

  As all those who had followed Jesus looked up in horror at the broken figure on the Cross who they had thought would free them from the Roman occupation, they must have been in a state of shock, desolation and utter despair.  Surely crucifixion is the most barbaric way man has devised to kill another man.  We cannot conceive the agony Jesus went through for us.

  They watched as he hung there for hour after agonising hour and heard the gathered crowd mocking him.  They must all have been amazed when they heard him say “Father forgive them.”  How could he say that ?  Why?  The hearts of all who had plotted to have him killed must have chilled as they heard those words.  His death left them all with so many questions.

  And he gloriously answered all his followers when he rose from the dead and reminded them of his teaching.  As the weeks passed and he continued to appear before them, their increasing joy must have been indescribable - and infuriating for his persecutors !

  Some who read this may feel more like the Good Friday Christians who were desolate and in despair.  You have been going though the motions but the point of it all has been lost somewhere !  Why not become like the Easter Sunday Christians who were full of joy and hope for the future ?  Jesus said “I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness.”  He also promised, “Ask and you shall receive.”  Alleluia.  Christ is Risen. 

 

The Reverend Stephen Earley

 

The Royal Maundy

The visit to Gloucester Cathedral on Thursday 17th April for the presentation of the purses by the Queen was a very happy and memorable event for Iris Shorey and the parishioners accompanying her.   All the arrangements went like clockwork, and the display of pageantry and music in the sunlit cathedral was both stunning and beautiful.  The Queen was lovely.  After the formal proceedings, we scurried back to a nice quiet lunch at Hunters Hall, and reflected on what was truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Iris, Rosemary, Vida and Harry

Flower Rota                

 

 

Jo Spash

 

Sunday Club

We meet again in the Village Hall at 11.00 am on Sunday 11th May.  All children resident in the parish are most welcome.

Janet, Elin and Jenny

Next cleaning session in the church will be at 2.30 pm on Wednesday  May 7th.

Vida Sutton

Grumbolds Ash Group

On April 8th we had a beautiful day for our trip to Batsford Park Arboretum.  Although  only four of us were available, it was well worth it as it is a lovely place full of surprises, with many natural water features.

We hope that more members will be able to make our next outing on Monday 12th May when we visit the Slimbridge Wild Fowl Trust.  Meet again at 10.00 am at the Village Hall.

                                                             Vida Sutton

 

Flower Festival

Shortwood Church, one of the churches in our joint benefice and in many ways similar to Kingscote, is having a flower festival between Friday 2nd May and Monday 5 May inclusive.  It will open at 10.30 am each day, closing at 7.00 pm on Friday and Saturday, at 6.00 pm on Sunday and at 5.00 pm on Monday.  A small entrance fee will be charged which will be donated to the Nailsworth Youth Fund, and refreshments will be on sale the proceeds of which will go towards church funds.

Nailsworth with Shortwood PCC

Meals on wheels

For several years Jo Spash, Irene Sage and Jutta Tubbs have assisted the Tetbury WRVS with the ‘meals on wheels’ service on Wednesdays.  Jo has recently resigned and we would be very pleased if another resident of this parish would be able to take her place.  Car ownership is desirable so that the driving and serving roles can be shared, but it is not essential.  For further details call Irene on Tel.  (See paper version of Forerunner) or Jutta on Tel. 860 194.

Annual Parish Assembly

All residents in the parish are invited to attend and take part in the Annual Parish Assembly, to be held in the Village Hall at 7.30 pm on Monday 12th May.

Sharon Hodgkins

 

Village Hall Activities

Beetle Drive:  This event was mainly attended by children who convincingly showed their superiority over the outnumbered and outwitted adults present.

Quiz Night: This event which had been arranged for 26th April has had to be postponed to Saturday 17th May.  Full details will be publicised nearer the date.

Youth club: On Friday evenings during the summer term between 7.00 pm and 9.00 pm a youth club will meet in the Village Hall.  All those between  10 and 14 years of age resident in the parish will be welcomed.  Janet Davies will work with everyone attending to plan how they would prefer to spend these evenings.  The Youth Club commences on Friday 6th June and is intended to run until Friday 18th July.  Admission will cost £1 per person per session.  Any suggestions will be welcomed in advance.

Alice Cooper

Churchyard Trees

The PCC is proposing to do some thinning out of the trees on the East boundary of the churchyard.  The aim is to enable the remaining broad-leaved trees to develop into good specimens.  This will also open up that side of the churchyard more to the lovely views over the fields beyond, and allow us to tidy the ground in that area where there are neglected graves and potential space for future burials.  Detailed consultations have taken place with the CDC who are happy with the scheme.  More information may be obtained from Sue Bradley-Jones.

The PCC

Open Gardens Afternoon for the Red Cross

Various Kingscote gardens will be open again this year on Sunday 27th July.  Anyone who would like to open their garden please contact me (Tel. See paper version of Forerunner) - no garden is too small and it’s a great incentive to get that project finished !

As in previous years, we shall be reserving the tea money for the village and propose this time to split it between the Hall and the Church.  Nearer the time I shall be begging and cajoling for cakes, plants and assistance, so that we can make the event a success once again.

Sue Bradley-Jones.

  The Children’s Society Box Collection

Thank you for the recent donations which have amounted to £141-51.  Your continued support is really appreciated.  A letter of thanks from the Children’s Society is displayed on the church notice board.

Gill James

Mobile Police Station

The Mobile Police Station will visit Kingscote between 1.30 and 2.00 pm on Thursday 8th May, and during the evening of Wednesday 28th May.  Please give them your support.

 

Post Office

The Post Office is open on every normal working Tuesday and Thursday :

           from  9.00 am to 1.00 pm  and  from  2.30 pm to 5.30 pm.

Mobile Library                                                                         

The mobile library will be by The Walled Garden from 9.40 am to 9.55 am on Thursdays 1st, 15th and 29th May.

 

Waste Recycling

The boxes will be emptied as follows:

                   Newington and Bagpath  -  Mon. 12th and Tues. 27th May.

                   Kingscote  -  Tues. 13th and Wed. 28th May.

 

Magazine

Any material which may be of interest for the next issue of the Forerunner should be sent by 20th May to H. Tubbs,  3 The Walled Garden,  Tel. 860 194, e-mail:  (the email address is omitted from the text to avoid SPAM emails).

Have we a computer expert ?

For several years our son Bob has kindly posted the magazine on the Forerunner web-site.  (Did you know that we are not the only church of  St John the Baptist to have a magazine called the Forerunner posted on the internet ? )  Bob will be moving to Leiden in Holland very soon and believes that it will be difficult to continue this assistance from there.  The magazine is written on Microsoft Publisher 2000 and sent as a Word attachment by e-mail to Bob who then enters it on the template of the previous issue.  Can anyone help ?

Harry Tubbs                                                                                                       

 

Plants for sale

·                A range of bedding, container and basket plants, as well as runner bean, tomato, courgette etc.

·                Hanging baskets made to order.  Please call (Tel. See paper version of Forerunner) to check availability.

Jane Bateman        

Food for thought

 G K Chesterton  (1874 - 1936) the well known author and poet is reported to have observed,   “ When people stop believing in God, they don’t believe in nothing - they believe in anything.”

Parish Directory

Vicar:

The Rev. Stephen Earley

Churchwardens:

Harry Tubbs, 3 The Walled Garden, Kingscote, GL8 8YP. Tel: 860 194

Philip Kendell

Hon.Sec.PCC:

Georgina Harford

Hon.Treas.PCC:

Brooks Childress

Members of PCC:

The Churchwardens

The Hon. Secretary

The Hon.Treasurer

Robert Whitworth

Sue Bradley-Jones

Elin Tattersall

Vida Sutton

Richard Waller

Rod and Jenny Tibbert.

Legacy Officer:

 Brooks Childress

Members of the Altar Guild: 

Gill James (Treasurer)

Vida Sutton

Phil Sage

Iris Shorey

Jane Bateman

Jo Spash

Joan Wagner.

Sunday Club:

Elin Tattersall

Janet Davies

Jenny Tibbert

Nailsworth MU                              

Jackie Porter

Editor of Forerunner:  

Harry Tubbs, 3 The Walled Garden, Kingscote, GL8 8YP. Tel: 860 194

Printer of Forerunner:  

Geoffrey Higgins

Lay Representative to Deanery Synod:  

Gift Aid and Envelopes:  

Brooks Childress

Church Flowers and Brasses:

The Altar Guild

Church Flowers Rota:

Jo Spash

Organist:

Rosemary Sims

Sidespersons:

Robert Whitworth

Harry Tubbs

Sue Bradley-Jones

Rod Tibbert.

Village Hall:

Secretary: Alice Cooper

Bookings: Angela Wooldridge

Royal British Legion:

Gordon Bateman

Parish Council Chairman:

Brian Hillam

Parish Council Clerk:  

Sharon Hodgkins

 

The Forerunner is published by the P.C.C. who are usually most willing to

accept copy from village groups and individuals. However, please note that the opinions and views expressed by the contributors within the Forerunner are not necessarily those of the Church, P.C.C. or Editor.

Restoration Celebration

 

In the Autumn of 2001 you were kind enough to support this project.  The PCC is most pleased to announce that the work is now finished.  We were lucky in several respects - to have raised enough money in quite a short space of time, to have employed an excellent contractor (J Ward & Co), that the project was well managed throughout, and that the weather was reasonably kind.

 

On Sunday May 18th there will be a celebration of the completion of the repair work funded by Appeal 2001

 

11.00 am - Family Service

 

12.00 noon - Reception

 

There will be an opportunity in the event of rain to see some ‘before and after’  photographs of the work.

 

Regrettably our insurance does not cover ascending the spiral staircase in the tower to view the roof lead-work.

 

We hope that you will be able to join us on this morning at whichever time would suit you.

 

 

So that we know how many glasses to put out please could you inform Georgina Harford  Tel. See paper version of Forerunner  if you are able to attend.

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