6th January 2008 - Epiphany

Fund-raising: The Parable of the Talents

Having extended the time provided for enacting the Parable of the Talents, for which twenty-one members were loaned £10 from church funds, it is perhaps an opportune moment at which to remind you that we hope to complete the initiative by the end of January.

By way of a progress report, we thus far received three contributions in return amounting to £155!

One kind soul very creatively used it to raise a very handsome sum with half being donated to the Bangladesh Flood Appeal – something with which no one could argue, being an act totally within the spirit of the parable taught by Jesus.

I hope that this news may inspire those who are struggling to think of ways to maximise their £10.

I therefore offer huge thanks the three individuals on their success. I am aware, however, that a number of others have been putting their allocation to work in many different and ingenious ways and we look forward to the final results.

Some further words of thanks…

Being so hopeless at remembering to announce items of importance on Sunday mornings, the blank space on this sheet allows me the opportunity to express my gratitude for contributions and hard work carried out for St. Olaf’s. Christmas 2007 was no exception. Attendance at Midnight Mass and Christmas Day proved to be the highest in almost two decades. Thanks must go to all who supported these important liturgical milestones with special gratitude extended to: Ian Stout - deputising on the organ for Catriona during her holiday.

Roella, Nicola and Keith for their respective wonderful accompaniment on oboe, cello and guitar.

Roella, Carol and Teresa led by Ian as they sang beautiful and haunting anthems and responses during the last Sunday service of Advent. Teresa, Roella and others also sang descant during the Midnight Mass.

Tim and Carol for the donation of the Christmas tree and decoration thereof.

Ella for her gift of holly, which with ivy pruned from the outside wall, helped create a truly seasonal ambience in church.

Finally, although it was during Advent, we all appreciated Roella’s organising of the Christmas Concert on 9^th December – grateful thanks to all who participated and raised £100 for St. Olaf’s.

I hope I have not omitted anybody else – if I have please forgive my memory, but all your efforts are very much appreciated. If we can achieve this at Christmas, what is to stop us making the even greater festival of Easter yet another occasion to remember….or come to that…any other (Sun)day? God bless you one and all!

November 25th: Christ the King

Please pray for:

The victims of the Bangladesh cyclone; for the homeless and bereaved; for the injured and dying and for all who work to ease their plight.

All who may suffer because of cold weather, especially remembering the elderly and homeless.

Those suddenly bereaved owing to the loss of loved ones through illness, accident, or violence.

The faithful departed, particularly remembering Bob Lee. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.

Peace in our world; in Iraq and Afghanistan and wherever there is oppression and injustice.

For the men and women of our Forces presently on active service.

Rulers of the nations and civic leaders in our nation that they may always submit to the authority of the King of Kings.

Ourselves as a congregation that we may seek God’s will for us in the coming year.

Finall

On his ninetieth birthday, the American Supreme Court judge Oliver Wendell Holmes jnr. was asked by a reporter, "What has been the secret of your success?" The old sage solemnly responded: "Young man, the secret of my success is that at an early age I discovered that I was not God. "

Holmes was not the only great mind to think thus, for only six years before, in 1925, The Feast of Christ the King was actually established by Pope Pius XI as an antidote to secularism, which leads to humanity pursuing its own devices and organising life as if God did not exist. The feast is intended to proclaim in a striking and effective manner Christ's royalty over individuals, families, society, governments, and nations. Pius IX wanted to challenge the emerging ‘kingdoms’ of the world – particularly the Soviet Union. He wanted to lead people to the one true throne. And so he proclaimed this Sunday's feast of Christ the King, with which we bring to an end the Church's liturgical year. Adopted by Anglicans, this feast is particularly relevant to us today, especially at this time of the year when the true meaning of Christmas is submerged beneath the rising tide of a secularism driven by consumerism and political correctness.

November 11th 2007: Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day

Please Pray
For sacrifices made, especially in two world wars whereby our peace has been preserved.
For all who continue to give their lives in the cause of peace and justice
For those who serve in the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force.
For the Queen and all under her who bear the responsibility of government.
For this nation, the Commonwealth and all that seek the common good.
For those who suffer because of war, tyranny and injustice.
For the Royal British Legion, the Royal Naval Association, the Royal Air Force Association and all who support ex-service personnel. 

From the Kohima Memorial in North East India, commemorating the lives of the British 2^nd Division that were sacrificed in the Battle of Kohima during the Burma Campaign of 1944:

When you go home, tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrow, we gave our today.

May their names liveth ever more

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Last modified: 26/02/2008