GET YER COAT LUV

Well well well - yet another party, this time for the choir. and first prize in the fancy dress competition went to our beloved Doreen for capturing that 1950s look perfectly. Well done Doreen. We love you!

for more pics (the same as all the other parties we've had so you might not want to bother!) click on the title

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr its Frrrrrrrrrrezin cold

Did you see that snow flurry this morning? You had to be up and out very early to catch it because it had all melted by breakfast time.

Incidentally, you wont belive this but I also saw an enormous fairy jet washing the slabs outside the church early this morning too. what a day!

CLICK ON THE TITLE TO SEE MORE PICTURES OF OUR CHURCH IN THE SNOW

WE HAVE SEEN HIS FLASHING TIE IN THE EAST AND HAVE COME TO WORSHIP WITH HIM

The staff christmas party got off to a swing and the tempo was set by Henry who completely ignored the dress code and arrived sporting an outrageous flashing tie. Grave concerns have been expressed by several people about Henry, who was acting somewhat off beam and completely out of (his usually quite sober) character.

CLICK ON THE TITLE AND SEE THE REST OF THE ALBUM - IF YOU DARE!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

CLICK ON THE TITLE TO SEE MORE FLATTERING PHOTOS OF OUR READY FOR ANYTHING CHOIR

AMAZING! Only 13 singing days left til Christmas - will the choir be ready? This year 53 people from Saint Andrew's have made a Christmas Choir. What an inspiration! Please pray for us, as there is only one rehearsal left. The Vicar is trying to sing the TENOR line. Several choir members have offered three FIVERS if he will just move his lips and stop the sound coming out. Sorry guys - its going to cost you more than that.

Let it flow, let it flow, let it flow

Richard Woolf and Simon hit the roof yesterday to clear off leaves from the terraces and hopper heads so that the rain water can escape down the pipes rather than down the inside and outside walls. It was quite unusual to be on the roof and not find selwyn up there! We also went into the loft space to check for dampness. All is well!

ROBB'S HAPPY ENDING AND PARTY

On Saturday Kip, Sue and went to a surprise party for Robb. robbs appeal to stay in England was upheld. this followed tremendous community support at all levels. It is great news for Robb, Lesley and little Zuko

GIVE US A QUICHE

CLICK ON 'GIVE US A QUICHE' TO SEE FULL ALBUM

The Guardians pre christmas bash happened last evening. The church key holders suppiled food and wine and we had a most enjoyable evening with the guardians - that happy band which no man can number - who keep the church open at weekends and holidays and welcome people who visit our church. if you would like to join the happy band and have some peace and quiet yourself in the church when it is empty then wed be pleased to hear from you

TURKEYS AND PUDDINGS

WHAT A LUNCH! click on TURKEYS AND PUDDINGS for the full album
The popin Christmas lunch happened today, 4th December and was a plump affair. the food was excellent the company was amusing and the serving staff were lovely and cheerful as ever. we enjoyed sprouts with chestnuts, Jeanne Griffin Smiths legendary haslet, roast and mashed potatoes, turkey, ham, bread sauce, potatoes and gravy. Miss Moyle, our resident retired midwife who has delivered half of the congregation in her time was exceptionally rude to the vicar. He would like to forgive her. He is thinking about it.

A GOLDEN DAY

On Sunday 29th November we had a triple celebration - Advent Sunday, our patronal Festival St Andrew's day and last and by all means least the 10th anniversary of the Brocklehursts arriving in Ham. Andrew and Advent are both Golden in their own way. The day was made extra golden for me because the the Church Wardens presented Jan and I with 150 daffodil bulbs. As you all know I HATE gardening and have given the garden over to be a field with chickens and a ferguson T20 to cut the grass with. so the daffodil bulbs are currently on ebay and will, I hope, fetch a tidy sum. Seriously, This really is very kind and will bring colour to the edges of the field and joy to our hearts for years to come. We love Saint Andrews ansd are looking forward, hopefully, to the next 10 years.

earlier this year we celebrated our 10th summer here and Simon's 20th year of ordination wioth a hog roast, morris dancers, beer tent, St Andrews singers and all. to see the photos click on the title A GOLDEN DAY

CLASSIFIED AD SECTION OF BLOG

FOR SALE - FOR CHURCH FUNDS - SELECTION OF BIRTHDAY CARDS. All in good condition. Used once only. Would suit someone called Douglas. Enquiries to Douglas (Kip) Waddell.

OUR LOVELY CHURCH

And click on the title OUR LOVELY CHURCH to see lots of pictures taken by Derek Brady

Hello Santa!

The christmas fair was a great success. Someone even got to sit on Santa's knee.

Apart from all the fun we had, £3000 was raised too. Thanks for the splendid effort made by all.

To see the photos, just click on the line that says Hello Santa!

JOINT SERVICE WITH THE LUTHERANS IS MOST EDIFYING

There has been a lutheran congregation hosted by saint Andrews since the 1970s. On Sunday we had a joint service at which we celebrated 30 years of happy cooperation between our two congragations. we didn't manage ot get a snap of the lutheran pastors (Ann Katherine and Wolfgang Kruse) But we did get to eat lots of german cake after the service WHICH HELPED TO MAKE THE OCCASION A ROUNDED AND EDIFYING AFFAIR. Wolfgangs sermon was pretty good too - and quite short for a Lutheran!

Thanks to the Lutherans for their kindness, humour and fellowship. Long may they worship alongside us.

WOT DID HE SAY?

caption competition - publishable answers please to revsimonb@btinternet.com

AND THE SUBMISSIONS ARE:

Having timed it to the font and back, the Vicar's faith means he's confident when Vanessa claims she can tag the alter and still catch him before he hits the deck...

or
Simon and Vanessa are really rockin' Lord of the Dance this morning.

or
Vanessa and the Vicar think it could really catch on when the organist plays Come Down O Love Divine to the tune of Get Into the Groove..

Emily x

NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT!

Congratulations to Shirley Anna from St Michael's Convent who was also confirmed on Sunday. It was great that the Sisters turned out to support her

BE CAREFUL OR YOU'LL SET FIRE TO MY CHASUBLE

Where there's smoke there's fire! On Sunday 21 candidates for confirmation - 18 from St Andrew's and 2 from St James Malden were confirmed by Bishop Richard. Shirley Anna from St Michaels convent was also confirmed. what a happy day. Thank you to Jeanne Griffin-Smith who made a delicious cake with the names of all the candidates on it. And thanks to the Holy Spirit for providing the fireworks!

well done to all those children who are holding their candles up straight!

and thanks to www.wallacephoto.co.uk for the photograph.

CAN ANYONE READ THAT?

Here is the Right Reverend Cockerel with all his newly hatched chicks. BUT WHAT ARE THEY ALL TRYING TO READ?? Well the truth can now be revealed.........IT IS AN EYE TEST - On the Right you can now see the script close up so that you dont have to strain: Reading requires adequate lighting.....

All have passed the test WELL DONE SUE! all those years of hard work combined with the Holy Spirit's enlightnement will illuminate and magnify your ministry for us all. Blessings on all that you do at Saint Andrews and beyond! And well done to about 30 members of the congregation who came to the Cathedral to show their appreciation and support of Sue as she is licensed as a Reader.

CHAUNTECLEER ...... his voys (voice) was murier than the murie orgo (merry organ) his coom was redder than the fyn coral ... And lyke the burned gold was his colour ... This gentil cok hadde in his governaunce sevene hennes for to doon al his pleasaunce ....

YEW LEARN SOMETHING EVERY DAY

Well I thought there was something special about the yew tree. I am not a tree hugger but i do feel moved in someway and inspired by a yew. Like this one in our church yard it seems to hold something in its many members - perhaps a collective memory of the sadness it has seen in the churchyard over the years. When wood cutters came to tidy up the church yard trees they refused to cut the yew because it was, appartently, sacred.

The yew features in twelth night as symbol of mortality and sadness:

Come away come away death and in sad cypress let me be laid. Fly away,fly away breath; I am slain by a fair cruel maid. My shroud of white stuck all with yew. O prepare it; my part of death no one so true did share it. Not a flower not a flower sweet on my black coffin let there be strown; not a friend not a friend greet my poor corpse where my bones shall be thrown; a thousand thousand sighs to save. Lay me O where sad true lover never find my grave to weep there. (Act 2 scene 4)

"The yew is an ancient tree that can live for 4000 years- linked to eternal life- also has unusual trunk - many trunks can grow from the main one". (source: Wendy Malseed)

First ever blog entry!

We seek to worship God as made known to us in Jesus Christ.

We are unafraid to reason, laugh and explore.

We know we need one another as we try to embody our faith in our daily lives.

We welcome people of faith, all who seek faith and friendship, and all who doubt.