BASILICAN
December and January 2013/2014 30p
The Church in Wales - Diocese of Monmouth
Rectorial Benefice of Bassaleg
Sunday Worship
St Basil, Bassaleg
8.30amHoly Eucharist
10amHoly Eucharist with JuniorChurch
6.30pmEvening Prayer (1st, 3rd & 5thSundays)
St John the Baptist, Rogerstone
10.45amHoly Eucharist with JuniorChurch
6.30pmEvening Prayer (4thSunday)
St Anne, High Cross
9.30amHoly Eucharist
11.30am‘Time for God’
Rivermead Centre, AfonVillage
3pmInformal Worship (2nd Sunday)
Weekday Worship
Monday9amMorning PrayerSt Basil
7.30pmHoly EucharistSt Basil
(Third Monday with Healing Ministry)
Tuesday9amMorning PrayerSt John
10amHoly EucharistSt John
(Second Tuesday with Healing Ministry)
Wednesday9amMorning PrayerSt Basil
10amHoly EucharistSt Basil
(This service is suspended until further notice)
Thursday 9amMorning PrayerSt Anne
10amHoly EucharistSt Anne
(First Thursday with Healing Ministry)
Friday8amHoly Eucharist St Basil
9amMorning Prayer St Basil
Diary Night
Arrangement of Baptisms, Weddings, Banns of Marriage and any non-urgent matters can be made at St Basil’s Church on most Mondays from 6.30pm to 7pm.
WHO’S WHO IN THE BENEFICE
Team Revd Christopher Stone Tel. 01633 378354
RectorThe Vicarage, 1 Church View, Bassaleg NP10 8ND
TeamRevd Robert LindsayTel. 893489
VicarSt. John’s Vicarage, 25 Wern Terrace, Rogerstone NP10 9FG
AssistantRevd Heidi-Maria de GruchyTel. 895441
CurateSt Anne’s House, 2 High Cross Drive, Rogerstone,
NP10 9AB
AssistantRevd Richard MulcahyTel. 894641
Curate9 High Cross Drive, Rogerstone, NP10 9AB
Assistant Revd Elizabeth KerlTel. 893739
Curate46 Laurel Road, BassalegNP10 8NT
LicensedMrs Hilary PrestTel. 412803 Reader
BeneficeMrs Carole LoftusTel. 662973
WardensMr Ashley RogersTel. 894904
Sub-Mr Gary ProbertTel. 679218 Wardens Mrs Sarah Mulcahy Tel. 894641
Mr Geoff NichollsTel. 894579
Mrs Margaret HayesTel. 220646
Magazine Editor Mr Geoff Nicholls,
93 Ruskin Avenue, Rogerstone, Newport, NP10 0BD.
Tel: 894579; Email:
Parish Website:
High Cross Drive
Rogerstone
Newport
December 2013
Dear friends
You’re probably already tired of all the Christmas adverts that have been filling our TVs since the beginning of November. In recent years there seems to have been increasing competition between the big stores to make their adverts not only memorable, but also emotional, not so much selling particular food or presents, as selling the idea of a type of Christmas – Christmas at their shop, of course.
There’s always a danger that we can become a bit grumpy that people spend so long getting ready for Christmas, and then treat it as though it’s all about one day. For us Christians, preparation is important – that’s why we have four weeks of Advent to get ready – but we also know that Christmas is something to be celebrated for more than 24 hours. And it certainly doesn’t end with the beginning of the Boxing Day sales!
Christmas is a time for celebrating the fact that God came to live with us and face all the troubles and dangers that people had to live with. He came to the most vulnerable position possible, as a child to a young mother in a country ravaged by violence and cruelty, occupied by a foreign army. If this wasn’t bad enough, then Matthew tells us that he had to leave Bethlehem and become a refugee because King Herod was threatened by his birth.
Yet it is this child, Jesus, who we celebrate throughout our lives. It’s probably easier for people to focus on presents and parties at Christmas, just think about the one day. For us, though, we know that Christmas Day is only a beginning, an annual reminder of what Jesus risked to come to save us from ourselves.
So when everyone else is thinking it’s all over, we will be starting another year of life with Christ. In recent years, we’ve celebrated the Christmas season not just until Epiphany but until Candlemas – a 40-day season to reflect on the fact that Christmas is something to be celebrated like Easter, to be taken into a New Year and not put away into the attic until next time. Christmas should always be part of our lives and our witness as Christians.
So don’t get too down in January when the rest of the country thinks that Christmas has finished, and when the decorations come down. Remember that Christ came for all of us, for all our lives, and that the gift of Christmas – life in God – is with us all year through.
This parish magazine covers both December and January so, on behalf of everyone in the Benefice of Bassaleg, may I wish you a happy and holy Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Yours in Christ
Richard Mulcahy
From the Benefice Registers
HOLY BAPTISM
Zack Harry
Halle Laura James
Ivy Alice Summers
Ethan William Bailey
Jasmine Lauren Bailey
CHRISTIAN FUNERAL
.
Rosina Elizabeth Johnson
Marguerite Violet Elizabeth Thompson
William Cromwell
Peter Sheppard
INTERNMENT OF ASHES
Clive Humphries
PERSONALISED GREETING CARDS
We now have a new range of cards for all occasions.
Samples are available to view, and wording can be chosen to suit your requirements, including Biblical texts and prayers.
Please contact Anne Davies or Jenny Turner for more information.
The Dorcas Society
Update on the Rector
Chris is continuing to make progress from having double pneumonia, however another infection has sadly set him back further. As a result he will not be back in action with us until at least January 2014, which I know is a real disappointment for him.
Chris has asked me to thank you all for your kind wishes, the many cards received, and, of course, for continuing to holding him in your many prayers.
Rob
Back to the future!
It’s sometimes said that the church is still living in the 19th century, but at least in this parish we have made a few steps into the 21st! If you’re still coming to terms with the internet, or if you’re hoping to get a new tablet for Christmas, you might like to know that you can join us and the parish in its place on the interwebs...
Our parish website is at
Details of people, services and other activities are here, along with some more details on the parish, its churches and people.
We have a Facebook group that anyone can join: just search for ‘Bassaleg Benefice’ and join our community to share ideas and worries. We will pray with you and walk alongside you, online as in life.
There is also a Twitter feed which gives short updates on anything
happening in the parish and shares messages from other people – churches, charities and others – as they come up. Look for @parish_bassaleg or search for ‘Bassaleg Benefice’.
However, we haven't reached the stage where you can tweet alongwith the sermon, giving the preacher your comments online while he or she is in the pulpit. That might be a step too far!
The gift of love.
The gift of peace.
The gift of happiness.
The gift of Jesus.
May all these be yours at Christmas
Wishing you Peace and Love
from the churches of
St Basil’s, St John’s and St Anne’s.
Join us as we celebrate
the best present ever.
Rivermead Centre
8th December Carol Service at 3pm
St Anne’s Church, High Cross
22nd December, Carol Service at 11.30am
Christmas Day Family Service at 9.30am
St John’sChurch, Rogerstone
5th December, Carol Service at 7pm
24th December, Crib Service at 4pm
24th December, Midnight Mass at 11.30pm
Christmas Day Family Service at 10.45am
St Basil’s Church, Bassaleg
11th December, ‘Light Up A Life’ at 7pm
22nd December, Carol Service at 6.30pm
24th December, Christingle at 4pm
24th December, Midnight Mass at 11.30pm
Christmas Day Eucharist at 8.30am
Family Service 10am
St Basil’s Mothers’ Union
During October we had a most inspiring afternoon led by Jessica Evans, the Wales fund-raising co-ordinator for SAVE THE CHILDREN. The organisation gives support to so many vulnerable areas around the world. They trainpeople worldwide to fight poverty, hunger and malnutrition, and provide basic hygiene education in order to give all children the same start in life. Health and parenting projects have been set up by them in this country as well as many parts of the world. It gave everyone much food for thought, and made us very mindful of all we have to be grateful for.
The Revd Rob Lindsay joined us at the beginning of November, and led an afternoon of preparation for Advent. It was amusing and thought-provoking as we were led though each week of Advent and the meaning of each candle on the advent ring. It closed with a period of silence, very rare at a Mothers’ Union meeting, when we closed our eyes and were asked to imagine Jesus sat in the empty chair next to Rob. For many, myself included, the image was very real, and we were left with a very warm feeling of excitement of the season to come.
On behalf of Bassaleg Mothers’ Union I would like to send our best wishes for a joyful and peaceful Christmas to everyone.
Our next meetings are as follows in the church hall. Please feel free to join us.
Thursday December 5th 7pm Advent Deanery Carol Service Marshfield.
Tuesday December 10th 2.30pm Celebrating Christmas.
Tuesday January 28th 2014 2.30pm AGM
Kay Rogers
.
St John with St Anne Mothers’Union
Our meeting on the 12th November took place on a lovely ‘Spring like’ afternoon. Margaret, our Leader opened the meeting with worship. She then went on to tell us about next year’s General Meeting which is being held in Belfast on June 21st, and which will be incorporated into a four day holiday. The holiday is open to all members and their families, as well as non members. It is hoped to get as many people as possible to help keep the cost down. If you would like to know more, then please ask Margaret, who has all the details.
Margaret also thanked the ladies for their generous gifts of toiletries and other items which have now been delivered to the hospital Chaplain. This is an ongoing project for the branch, and more items were brought to the meeting for distribution. Also tabled were the latest edition of Faith and Policy Watch, the Mothers’ Union document which deals with issues of policy, including Government Legislation, which affect us all as UK citizens, and information regarding the latest of our Ethical Gifts catalogues.
Margaret then went on to introduce our Mothers’ Union speaker, Mrs Jean Hackett, who gave us a very informative talk on our Bye Buy Childhood campaign. This campaign deals with tackling the government, retailers, internet providers and TV companies about inappropriate advertising and the commercialisation of children. Jean not only spoke to us, but showed us several articles in the newspaper, which told of the effects of advertising on children and young people. She also set us a quiz to enable us to see how we too were influenced. Most of us had only a hazy idea abouttoday’s advertising, but when it came to that which we would have seen in our younger years we had no problem. For instance, we had to think about those advertising insurance today, such us confused.com, but when it came to ‘you’ll wonder where the yellow went’ we were all able to answer without thought. Can you? This would be an excellent talk for any group who felt strongly about the safety of today’s children and the children of generations to come. For many parenting can be a minefield, and the Mothers’ Union’s ‘Passionate About Parenting’ Facilitators are on hand offering any and all parents the opportunity to develop skills whilst gaining support from a group.
Our next meeting, and the final one for the year, will be our Advent Communion service on Tuesday 10th December at 2.00pm, venue to be announced, which as always is open to all.
Christmas blessings from us all,
Jenny Barton Branch secretary
SIGHTSAVERS INTERNATIONAL
The final totals for the retiring collections and donations were:-
St Basil’s £56
St John’s £215 (this includes several donations ranging from £10 to £50 )
St Anne’s £5
making a final total of £276. This, together with various amounts which had been banked as a result of coppers collected, meant that a cheque for £375 could be sent off. I also received a generous anonymous donation of £100, which was also sent.
Once again my sincere thanks to all who continue to save coppers and small change. Your support is so appreciated, and makes such a difference to so many people, young and old, who suffer painful eye problems.
Just keep those coppers rolling.
My very best wishes to you all for a blessed Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
Joy Tredwin
December 2013
Typhoon Haiyan Appeal
By the time you read this, we will already have had the collection in church for the Philippines Typhoon Appeal, but if you have still not donated, I would urge you to do so, please. It doesn’t have to be through the church, nor necessarily Christian Aid, there are plenty of appeals by the big charities and the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC); I am sure none of us could enjoy Christmas if we hadn’t given something to these poor people who have lost everything.
May I also put in a final plug for Present Aid.
Pat Nicholls
Editor’s note
Many thanks to all who have contributed towards
this month’s magazine. Many thanks also to
Dan Parker and his staff at the Diocesan Office
for printing this issue of the magazine whilst our
printer is still out of commission
Could you please ensure that all contributions
for the February edition of Basilican reach me
by 19thJanuary. Thank you.
Best wishes for a Happy Christmas and
a Peaceful and Blessed New Year
to all readers and contributors
Geoff Nicholls
COFFEE MORNING and CAKE STALL
St. John’s Church Hall
Saturdays 14th December and 11th January
10.30 am to 11.45 am
In aid of Church Hall funds
St. John’s Church Hall
MODERN SEQUENCE DANCING
Friday Nights 8.00 pm to 10.00pm
£2.00
St. John’s Church Hall
The hall is available for hire at a cost of £7.50 per hour.
The large hall is suitable for
Meetings
Birthday parties,
Dancing etc.
Kitchen facilities are included with the cost.
For bookings please contact Rose Pugh – 01633 897962 who is always willing to talk through the availability of the Hall for hire.