RIVER VIEWS
AND NEWS
The Parish Magazine
for the sister parishes of
St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe
St James Garlickhythe
in the City of London
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS 2011
St James’ & St Andrew’s new vicar writes about his first month...
We arrived in the two parishes on the 20th September, having moved into the Rectory over August. My wife and I have come back to the City from our last parish of St Peter’s Hammersmith and from Rachel’s last job as the Archdeacon of Northolt. The Licensing service was a super occasion, full of joy and celebration -- and with the right amount of challenge from the Bishop of London. Challenge to look forward, challenge to not dwell in the past, and challenge to truly be a blessing to the people of our parishes.
Looking back, it seems an excellent introduction to all that our parishes are: worshipping, prayerful, hospitable, kind, welcoming, and deeply rooted in the areas and communities we’re situated in. Good things. And things I am keen to build on.
Quite frequently I'm asked how I'm finding things – being new to Ministry in the City and parishes -- and the answer I continue to give is that it's a privilege -- an exciting privilege. A privilege to be invited into the highs and lows of peoples lives. A privilege to proclaim the Gospel -- to bear witness to the love of God made manifest in Jesus Christ; a privilege to invite His people to confess and “draw near”, and to give assurance of God’s forgiveness; a privilege to say the Lord's Prayer with them; a privilege to lead our work to build things up for the parishes’ future, to deepen our relationships with old friends and to strive to make new ones. 'Thank you' seems far too insubstantial.
However, all that being said, there always remains much to do: "the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few" (Luke 10.22). And we always could do with more help. So please come grab me if you'd like to get more involved. There are lots of different opportunities – and we're looking at widening these ever further. Pray about what might be the best next step for you, and then do something about it. Just as the credit crunch is bringing a new season to the economy, consider how this time could be a new season in your journey. I pray that it be springtime.
Peace and every good thing,
--Guy
THE LICENSING OF THE REVD GUY TREWEEK
AS PRIEST-IN-CHARGE OF ST JAMES GARLICKHYTHE AND
ST ANDREW-BY-THE-WARDROBE ON TUESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2011
We are delighted that the Revd Guy Treweek has been licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the sister parishes of St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe and St James Garlickhythe, heraldinga new chapter in the life of thetwo parishes. The licensing took place on Tuesday 20 September during Evensong. It was an excitingoccasion, commencing at St James Garlickhythe with a packed congregation witnessing his licensing there by the Bishop of London. Then there was a splendid procession to St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe for the second part of the licensing, the continuation of Evensong and a sermon by the Bishop of London. We are most grateful to all the choirs and organists for their wonderful contribution, and also to the Manager and Staff of the nearby Grange Hotel who hosted the reception afterwards.
The photos show the licensing of Guy Treweek by the Bishop of London at St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe; Guy welcoming the congregation during the service, his first duty as Priest-in-Charge; the Bishop of London preaching at St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe; Guy at the gates of St James Garlickhythe, and ceremonially ringing the bells at St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe; and one of the stunning floral arrangements by Churchwarden David Wheeler at St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe.
ST ANDREW-BY-THE-WARDROBE
FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER
12.00 NOON – 2.00 PM
FAIRTRADE CHRISTMAS FAYRE
wine tasting ~ chocolate tasting ~ coffee tasting
and stories from the world’s poorest communities
St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe
Patronal Festival
Thursday 1 December at 6.30 pm
Choral Eucharist & Refreshments
with the English Chamber Choir
THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF MERCERS
ANNUAL ADVENT SERMON AND RECEPTION
Wednesday 7 December at 5.30 pm
at the Mercers' Hall, Ironmonger Lane EC2V 8HE
The Mercers are joint patrons of St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe with the PCC
ST JAMES GARLICKHYTHE
Parish Carol Service
Sunday 18 December at 10.30 am
followed by mince pies and sausage rolls
ST ANDREW-BY-THE-WARDROBE
& CASTLE BAYNARD WARD CLUB
Carol Service
TUESDAY 13 DECEMBER AT 6.30 PM
AT ST ANDREW-BY-THE-WARDROBE PARISH CHURCH
A joint carol service for the parish and the club
with the English Chamber Choir
and the St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe Girls’ Choir
The evening will conclude with mulled wine and mince pies
Remembrance Sunday
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY ~ 13 NOVEMBER
Remembrance of past sacrifice in the cause of freedom
10.30 am at St James Garlickhythe
Choral Holy Communion and Act of Remembrance
with Intelligence Corps ceremony and wreath laying
Donate to the Poppy Appeal at St James Garlickhythe
to help serving and ex-service personnel and their families.
Congratulations to the Royal British Legion on serving men and women for 90 years.
A NEW RING OF EIGHT BELLS FOR ST JAMES GARLICKHYTHE AND HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE RIVER PAGEANT
In April Buckingham Palace released the exciting news that The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee River Pageant of one thousand vessels will proceed down the Thames on Sunday 3 June 2012 from Putney Bridge to Tower Bridge. I quote: The flotilla ‘will be made up of five sections each separated by a “herald barge”, the first of which will be a floating belfry of eight new bells cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in east London and commissioned by the 17th century City church of St James Garlickhythe.’
Fundraising is now well underway and I invite you to consider joining in the fun! You are asked to consider donating a bell (priced from £13,000 for the Treble Bell to £20,000 for the largest) or to make a general contribution to the overall project. Expressions of interest are welcome from companies and individuals alike who may wish to commemorate a special event in their lives (and take advantage of ‘Gift Aid’).
Following the flotilla, which will be televised worldwide, we hope to see the bells in the Lord Mayor’s Show on 10 November 2012. They will then be on display in St James Garlickhythe before being ceremoniously raised into the tower to be rung by experts, members of the Ancient Society of College Youths.
Donors of complete bells will be invited to add their crest or motto to rest in perpetuity alongside the Royal Arms on each bell. On 3 June 2012 we plan to hold a celebratory lunch for donors and friends of St James at a restaurant overlooking the river. We shall have a bird’s eye view of a very, very rare event – the Diamond Jubilee of a much loved monarch.
SPECIAL SERVICES AT ST JAMES GARLICKHYTHE
Remembrance Service – Sunday 13 November at 10.30 am
Glass Sellers Winter Service – Sunday 27 November at 12 noon
Needlemakers Carol Service – Tuesday 6 December at 6.30 pm
Magistrates Carol Service – Wednesday 7 December at 5.30 pm
Constructors Carol Service – Thursday 8 December at 3.30 pm
Coachmakers Carol Service – Thursday 8 December at 6.00 pm
Joiners & Ceilers Carol Service – Monday 12 December at 6.30 pm
Musicians Carol Service – Wednesday 14 December at 6.00 pm
Horners Carol Service – Thursday 15 December at 6.00 pm
Parish Carol Service – Sunday 18 December at 10.30 am
Vintners Carol Service – Tuesday 20 December at 6.30 pm
Festival Holy Communion – Christmas Day at 10.30 am
Epiphany Service – Sunday 8 January at 10.30 am
TOYS REQUIRED FOR THE SALVATION ARMY
Toys received at Carol Services will be distributed by the Salvation Army.
Please place your gifts under the Christmas tree.
An indication on the wrapping of the age and sex of the intended recipient would be helpful.
BAPTISM OF AMARA MONIQUE DAVIS
On Monday 5th September we were very pleased to welcome to St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe Amelia & Gavin Davis from Sydney, Australia, for the baptism of their delightful 6-month-old daughter Amara.
Over the past 200 years manyof Amelia’s ancestors have been baptised at St Andrew’s. Relatives from Australia, France, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom arrived in London over the weekend for thisjoyful occasion.
The service was conducted by the Revd Canon Dr James Rosenthal, assisted by Terry Barber who carried in the procession to the font the church’s banner of St Nicholas, the Patron Saint of Children.
INSPIRING CHRISTMAS GIFTS WITH A DIFFERENCE
Make your family and friends smile, and give people across the world a happier future
OXFAM
www.oxfamunwrapped.com
“Free smile with every gift”
USPG
www.lifegivinggifts.org
“Inspiring gifts that bring help + hope
to communities worldwide”
GOOD GIFTS
www.goodgifts.org
“Gifts that really count”
CHRISTIAN AID online catalogue
www.presentaid.org
“Gifts that keep giving”
Catalogues are also available at St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe
Pressies that really please! Whatever you give, give joy!
CARDS FOR GOOD CAUSES and CARD AID
. . . will be selling charity Christmas cards at various venues in the City of London
including St Stephen Walbrook (behind the Mansion House at Bank Station),
and St Dunstan-in-the-West, Fleet Street (at their Christmas Fair on 1st December);
and also at St John’s Smith Square SW1P 3HA and Holy Trinity Sloane Square
THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF BLACKSMITHS
CAROL SERVICE
Friday 16 December at 6.00 pm
at St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe
THE BRITISH RED CROSS CHRISTMAS MARKET
held at the prestigious Guildhall Gresham Street London EC2
Tuesday 29th November 10.30 am – 8.00 pm
Tickets £5.00 (multi-entry)
The British Red Cross Christmas Market is one of the most eagerly anticipated
and best loved charity events in the City of London’s calendar
www.redcross.org.uk
SPECIAL SERVICES AT ST ANDREW-BY-THE-WARDROBE
Patronal Festival – Thursday 1 December at 6.30 pm
British-Slovene Society Carol Service – Friday 9 December at 6.00 pm
Apothecaries’ Society Carol Service – Monday 12 December at 6.30 pm
Parish & Ward Club Carol Service – Tuesday 13 December at 6.30 pm
Blacksmiths’ Carol Service – Friday 16 December at 6.00 pm
The Revd Guy Treweek and the Churchwardens
wish all our readers and parishioners
every blessing at Christmas
and all good wishes for 2012
ST NICHOLAS SOCIETY
www.sintnicolas.weebly.com – www.stnicholassociety.com
St Nicholas, the true and real Santa Claus,
leads people to the true meaning of Christmas
as he invites people to experience the joy of giving
and making the spiritual journey to Bethlehem
to experience the miracle of the birth of Christ
The St Nicholas Society believes that St Nicholas helps young and old see what the true spirit of Advent and Christmas can be. It is the Society's hope that Jolly Old St Nicholas will become once again, in English-speaking parts of the world, a focus of celebration in his true identity.
The Society is not opposed to celebrations, gift-giving or other holiday activities, but it does encourage a sanity in the amount of gifts bought and exchanged as well as allowing Christmas to remain a day of Christian celebration. There is no need for the secularised Santa Claus/Father Christmas when St Nicholas, who was born in 260 AD and died 6 December 343 AD, provides a perfect model for care and gift-giving. Santa is a commercial invention. St Nicholas is a servant of Christ and an example for us all to enjoy and emulate.
ST NICHOLAS FEST
Saturday 10 December at 12 noon
at the Annunciation Church, Marble Arch
Bryanston Street, London W1H 7AH
Sung Mass and St Nicholas Devotions
to celebrate the saint that leads us
to the Holy Child of Bethlehem
followed by
walkabout by St Nicholas along Oxford Street
ST JOHN’S SMITH SQUARE, WESTMINSTER
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL CONCERT
with the St Nicholas Society
Monday 19th December at 7.30 pm
Britten: A Ceremony of Carols, Op.28
and St Nicholas, Op.42
with the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge,
the Holst Singers, the City of London Sinfonia
and boys from the Temple Church Choir
Admission: £10 / £15 / £20 / £25 (conc. 10% discount)
Box Office: 020 7222 1061
THREE LITTLE TREES
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up.
The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!"
The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. "I want to be travelling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world!"
The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world."
Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall.
One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell. "Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" the first tree said.
The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!"
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me," he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell.