The vicar

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FROM THE VICAR, David Bowers : (for past thoughts click here)

FROM THE VICAR

I wonder if you find, as I do, that a major part of the enjoyment of a holiday or special event is the planning and the anticipation of it. It can be good to book a holiday on the spur of the moment or to take advantage of a last minute offer, but I always enjoy a time of preparation and looking forward when I can find out some interesting details about the place I shall be visiting, whether it is somewhere in this country or somewhere far away. I also like to feel I am adequately prepared by having time to sort out all the practical details in advance.

In a similar way, the season of Advent, which begins this year on November 27^th, can be a useful time for looking forward to the celebration of Christmas. Advent, which means “coming”, has a number of aspects. One is the looking forward to the second coming of Jesus, when, as we remind ourselves in the Creed, he “will come to judge the living and the dead”. It is also, though, a period of reflection and preparation for the coming of Jesus as we celebrate it at Christmas. As such it is time when we can prepare ourselves so that, when Christmas arrives, we can keep the central meaning of the festival at the centre of our lives.

How do we use Advent to prepare for Christmas? Just as we have all kinds of things to do to prepare practically for the celebration, so we can also take time to prepare our hearts and minds, something which will also help us to keep the increasing commercial pressure in perspective. One important way of using Advent is to pray, perhaps setting aside some time each day to be quiet and to reflect on welcoming Christ into our lives, into our homes and into our community. Why not come along to join one of the regular times of prayer in the benefice, at Apperley Church on Tuesdays at 9.00am and at Tredington Church on Wednesdays, also at 9.00am.

May Advent this year help us to be ready to welcome Christ, the new-born King.

David Bowers

Pram Service Monday 12th September 2.30pm at Apperley Church

Pram Service will recommence after the summer break on Monday 12th September. All babies, toddlers and pre-school children are invited along with their parents and carers. This service is a short informal gathering where we have story time, colouring and sticking and refreshments. We look forward to seeing old and new members back in September. Good luck to the Pram Service children who are starting school in September.

Contacts

VICAR : Rev. David Bowers, The Vicarage, 1 The Green, Apperley 01452 780880. e-mail : dbowers@btinternet.com

HON. ASSOC. MINISTER: Rev. Tom Curtis, 01684 295298

LICENSED READERS FOR THE BENEFICE: Mrs Mary-Ann Preece, 01452 840621 Mrs Vivienne Troughton 01684 293540

CHURCHWARDENS: DEERHURST WITH APPERLEY: Mr. William Morris, 01684 293235. Mr. Roger Taylor, 01452 780561.

FORTHAMPTON: Mr Philip Warner, 01684 292395. Mr. Julian De Haan, 01684 293277

CHACELEY: Mr. Roger Lane, 01452 780205. Mr. Bernard Swan, 01452 780333

TREDINGTON, STOKE ORCHARD & HARDWICKE: Mr. Roy Troughton, 01684 293540

DEERHURST CHURCH VISITORS OFFICER: Mrs. Beryl Coombe, 01684 292562.

HONORARY VERGER AND SACRISTAN FORTHAMPTON: Mr. Laurie Burton, 01452 780928.

METHODIST MINISTER for APPERLEY CHAPEL: Rev. Carrie Seaton . 01684 293227

SENIOR STEWARD:Mr. Peter Stych, 01452 780508. LOCAL MINISTRY TEAM; David Bowers, 01452 780880 ; Margaret Moss, 01684 292419 ; Kay Mundy, 01452 780634 ; Mary-Ann Preece, 01452 840621 ; Roger Taylor, 01452 780561

SEVERNSIDER MAGAZINE EDITOR: Mrs Ann Wiseman, 43 Apperley Park, Apperley, Glos.GL19 4EB. 01452 780735 E-mail: ann@wisemen.co.uk

EDITOR FOR TREDINGTON & STOKE ORCHARD: Mrs P. Grimshaw, 01684 294053 E-mail: paddygrimshaw@hotmail.com

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