Advent 2020
Latest news from the Parish of Goring by Sea.
10th. December 2020.
Parish Office. Email: [email protected] Tel: 01903 709163
The Very Reverend Christopher Campling, Dean Emeritus of Rippon. RIP.
Our much loved brother, friend and priest Christopher went to be with the Lord on Wednesday 9th. December
There are a variety of responses by the parishioner to the clergy person: they
might be grudgingly respected, found incomprehensible, or tedious, coldly
remote, overly friendly, overbearingly pompous, creakingly old fashioned, or
banally modern: sometimes, however, they are simply loved.
Christopher, without doubt, belongs in that last category. The people of this
parish loved him - as I am sure they did in the many other places in which he
served. That affection was obvious to me from my earliest days here: one of
the most frequent questions asked of me was, “Have you met Father
Christopher yet?” And when I replied that I was intending to do so, as soon as
possible, the questioner would invariably say something along the lines of,
“Oh, he’s amazing!” And so he was.
To say that Christopher was “old school” is by no means a back-handed compliment - it is not at all to suggest that he was the clergy equivalent of a forgotten bible on a dusty shelf- far from it! Rather, he embodied the priestly values that are deeply rooted in the long tradition of the Christian church - of pastoral care, attention to prayer, love of God’s word, delight in worship, and the enjoyment of Christian fellowship.
Even at his venerable age there was a tremendous feeling of vigour about him - a robustness of speech and attitude that witnessed to a very incisive intelligence - and, more precious even than that, a wisdom that came from a life spent faithfully following his master, whom he loved so dearly.
I will miss our times sharing Holy Communion, his telephone calls and letters of encouragement - for which I shall always be thankful.
One final word: during one of my last visits to him, I asked, “ Christopher, have you enjoyed being a priest?” To which replied, in that sonorous voice, “Oh yes! I have loved it!”
Our deepest condolences to Juliet, Penelope, Peter and Angela.
“ Well done, good and faithful servant: enter into the joy of your master.”
Fr. Keith Littlejohn
Christopher’s funeral will take place in St Mary’s Church on the Saturday 19th December at noon.
Thank you to everybody who has been giving so generously to our special FSW appeal and our request for mince pies
If you were not able to give last Sunday there will be another opportunity this week. Carols Around the Crib.
We will be showing hospitality by serving hot chocolate and mince pies at this event. Please can you donate a box or two of mince pies as a gift to your community? There will be a box in the porch for you to leave your donations. We also require a few more volunteers to act as stewards and to help with refreshments. Please let Janice j[email protected] or Gill ([email protected]) know if you can help.
Family Support Work (FSW)
This year we will not be having a toy service at either of our churches. However we have heard from FSW in their most recent newsletter that they would welcome new books for children and donations of gift vouchers that can be given to older children, in addition to new toys for children aged 5 and over (but please no soft toys this year). We will put an additional box for books and toys (not wrapped please) in the porch at St Mary’s. Please hand gift vouchers to one of the wardens.
With regards to food the main needs prior to Christmas are for Christmas-specific food items (such as sharing boxes of chocolates or biscuits; family packs of crisps or snacks; Christmas puddings; stuffing; gravy; cranberry and bread sauce).
National Christingle Service.
"We warmly welcome you to our first ever National Christingle Service in partnership with the Church of England on Sunday 13th December at 9am. This will be streamed on the Church of England’s website, Facebook and YouTube channels and we’d love it if you tuned in to share the light with the whole country. The service will include a few words from HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, the Archbishop of Canterbury who will be lighting the Advent Candle, as well as our Vice-Chair of Trustees, the Bishop of Derby Libby Lane. We’ll also see a special performance from award winning number one soprano Joanna Forest, and join young people lighting the Christingles. It is set to be a magical event. Register your interest to receive information on how to watch online, join in with Christingle making and download the Order of Service on childrenssociety.org.uk"
Di & David Burt
Traidcraft
Last call for Traidcraft orders and deliveries...
Please get your orders to Kate by Monday 14th December, either via phone 07818691922 or email [email protected]
The store will reopen from 5th January 2021. Happy Christmas and thank you for supporting Traidcraft in 2020.
Kate Henwood
Away in a Manger
Fr. Neill and his family have been busy painting stones like these. They
are for the children and the young at heart to take home and make him
safe, warm and comfy in a manger.
Baby Jesus stones were blessed at the All Age Worship this Sunday and
are available to collect from the porch at St Mary’s Church.
We ask that those who take a Baby Jesus send us a picture of their
manger. [email protected]
After Christmas the stones should be returned to the sea with this
beautiful prayer. “ Dear Jesus, Thank you for coming into the world to love
me. Please live my life with me and fill me with your love and peace.
Amen ”
This week’s services
Please register for all church services at the Parish Office. Face coverings should be worn in church at all services. The restrictions for Tier 2 reinforce the need for everyone (unless you have a duty i.e. sanitising the church or putting away equipment) to leave our churches as quickly as possible.
However remember you can enjoy conversations and fellowship outside or away from the church building.
09.00 Sunday. 13th. December. Said Eucharist – 3rd. Sunday of Advent. St Mary’s Church. (BCP) Book of Common Prayer
11.00 Sunday. 13th. December. Said Eucharist – 3rd. Sunday of Advent. St Mary’s Church. (CW) (Also live streamed via Facebook)
10.00 Thursday 17th December. Said Eucharist - 3rd. Sunday of Advent. St Laurence’s Church. (CW) Online services
10.00 Wednesday. 16th. December. Morning Prayer will be said via Zoom.
https://www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 955 2642 8233 Password: 386017
20.00 Tuesday 15th and Friday 18th December Compline / Night Prayer
Streamed on https://www.facebook.com/StMaryAndStLaurenceGoringBySea/
Christmas Services
16.00 and 18.00 Sunday. 20th December. Community Carol Service. St. Mary’s Church. 10.00 Thursday. 24thth. December. Christmas Eucharist. St Laurence’s Church 16.00 Thursday. 24th December. Carols Around the Crib. Molson Garden. (no booking required) 23.30 Thursday. 24th December. Midnight Mass. St. Mary’s Church.
10.00 Friday 25th. December. Christmas Eucharist. St Mary’s Church.
With the exception of Carols Around the Crib in the Molson Garden (no need to book for this) please book for the above Christmas services via the Parish Office.
Coffee Time - Thursday mornings at 11.30. Join Zoom Meeting
(Please note the change of time)
https://www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 949 5590 0058 Passcode: 847352
Pastoral visits
Please let Fr. Keith or the Wardens know if you have a personal pastoral concern or may know of someone in need.
God Bless,
Gill, Janice, Ruth and Geoff.