General Chat

I have just read this. I think it is circulating as an e mail but I saw it on facebook. It does give something to think about.


Apparently the White House referred to Christmas Trees as Holiday Trees for the first time this year, which prompted CBS presenter, Ben Stein, to present this piece which I would like to share with you. The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary. My confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejewelled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a nativity scene, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?' In light of recent events... terrorist attacks, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.' Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing yet? Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not, then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what a bad shape the world is in. My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully, Ben Stein

Good morning everyone. :-)

Thank you for explaining the meaning of the Christingle so beautifully kandj. I haven't been to such a service for a long time and, in fact, I have a feeling that they were stopped for a while because of those 'Health and safety' rules which abound. However, if things are organised sensibly, which I am sure most of the services are, then there shouldn't be a problem.


The Collect (special prayer) for today - which will be read in most churches:


O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power
and come among us,
and with great might succour us;
that whereas, through our sins and wickedness
we are grievously hindered
in running the race that is set before us,
your bountiful grace and mercy
may speedily help and deliver us;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever.


May pop in later........Cx :-)

Just had a thought that perhaps there may be some poppers-in who don't know about the Christingle services held at this time of year in church.

A Christingle orange is meant to represent the world.

Red ribbon is then wrapped around the orange and this is a symbol of the blood of Jesus shed for our sins.

The 4 cocktail sticks with fruit and sweets represent the 4 Seasons of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter and the fruits of the earth.

The lighted candle represents Jesus Christ who is seen as the Light of the World.

A Christingle service is an exciting and a happy event as well as a way to swell the funds for the Church of England Childrens Society as special envelopes are handed around for the offerings and each child present will be handed a Christingle to take home after the service is over.

The Rector is sure to welcome everyone and a hymn or carol is sung at the beginning. The Rector will then hold up a Christingle Orange and explain the significance of all the symbols.

Each child is given a Christingle and a taper is lighted and passed around the church....VERY CAREFULLY and obviously well supervised. We have never had a child burned with the flames ever.

The church lights are turned off for a short while, and a carol is sung before the lights are put back on and the candles are blown out, being extra careful with the hot candle wax with tiny tots around.

This is a very special annual event which sadly hasn't taken place in our church for quite a few years BUT our prayers have been heard and answered and our small church family is more than happy to think our church, schools and the village people will be all together and the Good News will be shared during this time of Advent.

If there is a Christingle Service near you, then I would encourage you to go along and witness the excitement and the magic you will surely find in so special a service.

Cynthia, I hope you enjoyed your extra rest this morning, perhaps it is your bodies way of telling you to pamper yourself a little when you seem to always be so busy.

Loving the words by Virginia Ellis. I read each verse and was nodding my head in agreement. What a gifted and talented lady. Thank you for sharing each day.

Day 7 of my beautiful Advent Calendar:-

You will bring forth a son and shall call His name Jesus. Luke 1:31.

I agree with your comments and have seen purchases of glittery Advent calendars bought for the boys band group on the front or for the chocolates inside.....how sad.

Soon us faithful few golden oldies will prepare to make up hundreds of Christingles to be handed out to the village school children whose Headteachers have taken up our new Rectors offer to attend several Christingle services in school time for the children. This happened in the past but stopped a few years ago (boo hoo).
Now we are all happy and smiling to think of seeing the excited little ones pouring into church and being told the story of the Christingle.....what a joy that will be.
Praise God and the new Rector J for bringing our church and village into unity again

Good morning everyone - a little late though it is. I overslept a while :-)


Thank you for sharing your true Advent calendar with us kandj. I do wonder how many of those buying the chocolatey/celebrity type calendars, realise what Advent really means? :-S


A lighthearted moment for today:


WHERE DO THE ROBINS GO IN THE RAIN?

Where do the robins go in the rain,
And the wrens and the chickadees?
Do they tuck their bird bodies under a limb,
And their tiny heads under some leaves?

And when the wind blows, does anyone know,
How they hang on to the trees with their toes?
And what keeps them from falling down to the ground,
When they weigh more than the air that flows?

And what about night, when they leave our sight,
Where do they go to retire?
They don't sleep in the houses that we've built for them,
Nor seem to have any desire.

And another thing ... how do they know,
What time to get up in the mornings?
They're always up first to chirp at the sun,
But who rings their bells ... gives them warnings?

How do they know what size nest they will need,
When they set them up in the spring?
How do they know how many eggs a nest holds?
And how many twigs should they bring?

And I'd like to know, too, how Pigeons coo?
And how other birds warble or trill?
Each song is distinctive for each kind of bird,
Like the Owl and the Whippoorwill.

Who teaches the birds the dangers of cats?
How do they hear when one's near?
Not all cats wear bells ... and not only that,
Have you ever seen a bird's ear?

What wondrous features boast these little creatures,
And, on top of all else ... they can fly;
Now, wasn't God fine to make so many kinds,
And hang them all up in the sky?

~ Virginia Ellis ~



Enjoy your day. Cx :-)

Nelson Mandela. A real inspiration to us all. May he Rest in Peace.

Day 6 of my Advent Calendar;

"Fear not to take Mary as your wife", said the Angel Matthew 1:20

I have just seen this on FB and thought it so very true.



"Poverty is not an accident.
Like slavery and apartheid,
it is man-made and can be
removed by the actions
of human beings".

- Nelson Mandela.

RIP.

Amen, Cynthia

What a huge influence Madiba (Nelson Mandela) has had on this world. His funeral will draw so many different people together. World leaders from every corner of the globe. And so many ordinary people, of all nations. A man of royal Thembu blood who had the ability to communicate with everyone.

God bless him and his family

Good morning everyone, and a quiet prayer for today - from the Archbishop of York



Gracious Father,You gave up your Son
out of love for your world:
Look with mercy on Madiba Mandela;
And on all your children in South Africa.
As they reflect on Christ's Death and Resurrection,
may they know eternal peace
through the shedding of our Saviour's blood,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.



Cx

Cynthia, kandj and John thank you for your
wonderful postings. :-)

Emma :-)

What great verses, kandj :-) :-) I also love the Old Testament ones, like this from Isaiah Chapter 7 verse 14:

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us). Butter and honet shall he eat"

I have read that John Baptist and Jesus belonged to a sect within Judaism that were basically vegetarians and did eat a lot of honey cake and butter. And I love this passage from a sermon by the Prince of Preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon:

We see, therefore, that the Virgin Mary
called her son, Immanuel, that there might be
a meaning in His name

"God with us".

My soul, ring these words again,

"God with us".

Oh, it is one of the bells of Heaven! Let us strike it yet
again

"God with us".

Oh, it is a stray note from the sonnets of Paradise!

"God with us".

Oh, it is the lisping of a se-raph!

"God with us".

Oh, it is one of the notes of the singing of Jehovah when He rejoices over His Church with singing!

"God with us".

Tell it, tell it, tell it.
This is the name of Him who is born today

"Hark, the herald angels sing!"

This is His name,

"God with us"

God with us, by His Incarnation, for the august Creator of the world did walk upon
this globe! :-)

Thanks for the sing-a-long this morning Cynthia and thanks also to John for an interesting posting too.

I have an Advent calendar. Not the glittery one or one with chocolates but a beautiful one with daily bible texts....... might I share these with you all please?

1. The angel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth. Luke 1:26
2. The angel said to Mary, Fear not for you have found favour with God. Luke 1:30
3. You will bring forth a son and shall call his name Jesus. Luke 1:31
4. He will be called the son of the Highest. Luke 1:32
5. The angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph. Matthew 1.20.

Loving it! more to follow...... worthy of passing on methinks.

Yes, I can manage that one, kandj and Cynthia. Voice a bit crackly pre-coffee, so apologies.

Shout, while ye journey home;
songs be in every mouth;
lo, from the North we come,
from East, and West, and South.
City of God, the bond are free,
we come to live and reign in thee!

Charles E. Oakley (1832-1865)

Born in Gillingham, Rector of Wickwar in Glos, died in Rhyl aged 33. Wife was "Lady Georgina" and he had a couple of children - one was Algernon. So a bit above my station in life, but what a wonderful legacy in those fine words.

:-) :-)

Good morning everyone :-)


kandj, thank you for sharing that with us. I have been to many such services and you have brought back many happy memories for me :-)


It is so long sing I sang the first hymn on your list, that I thought it worthy of printing out for this morning. I love some of the words which are used.....'nigh' : 'pent' : 'boundless sway' but which are rarely heard these days. Wonderful!


Hills of the north, rejoice;
river and mountain spring,
hark to the advent voice;
valley and lowland, sing;
though absent long, your Lord is nigh;
he judgment brings and victory.

Isles of the southern seas,
deep in your coral caves
pent be each warring breeze,
lulled be your restless waves:
he comes to reign with boundless sway,
and makes your wastes his great highway.

Lands of the East, awake,
soon shall your sons be free;
the sleep of ages break,
and rise to liberty.
On your far hills, long cold and gray,
has dawned the everlasting day.

Shores of the utmost West,
ye that have waited long,
unvisited, unblessed,
break forth to swelling song;
high raise the note, that Jesus died,
yet lives and reigns, the Crucified.

Shout, while ye journey home;
songs be in every mouth;
lo, from the North we come,
from East, and West, and South.
city of God, the bond are free,
we come to live and reign in thee!


For those of us who enjoy a good sing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHudis7ITrY



Have a good day everyone and stay safe in the high winds. Cx :-)

Went today to an Advent Service organized by the Mothers Union in a nearby church and the place was full (brilliant!). Anglican, Methodist and Catholic.

"Expectation" was the theme throughout the service with wonderful readings from scripture and many special hymns. The accompaniment was piano and a recorder.

Hills of the North Rejoice
Come thou long expected Jesus.
Tell Out My Soul
Just as I am.
Go Tell It On the Mountain.
I Cannot Tell.

The final prayer:-
In this Advent of anticipation, draw us together in unity that our praise and worship might echo in these walls and also through our lives.
In this Advent of anticipation, draw us together in mission that the hope within might be the song we sing in the melody of our lives.
In this Advent of anticipation, draw us together in service that the path we follow might lead us from a stable to a glimpse of eternity. Amen.

:-D :-D :-D @ Cynthia

Add to his cv that he was a poor speaker and 4'6" tall - that should help him get the job. I wonder if Bishop Skelton has a criminal record and that helped her win the Bishopric in BC New Westminster :-)

Wesley never wanted local preachers in his Society, which was effectively the evangelical wing of his beloved C of E. He wanted well educated, cultured gentlemen like himself. But a coarse working man took to the pulpit (can't remember how) and Susannah Wesley (mother of John) was in attendance.

John Wesley was furious that someone should occupy "Moses seat" who was so unqualified. Which bishop laid hands on him? he asked angrily. But his mother said "God laid hands on Mr ?". And so started the tradition of allowing lay people to preach. And women were allowed into the Methodist pulpit (only if no suitable man was available admittedly) about 1820

Good morning everyone... :-)


However we may address our clergy, be they male or female, the fact remains that we look to them for guidance and support.......and, as there are so many congregations who are waiting for a new incumbent, I thought the following was interesting :-)


Searching for a minister

One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister. A member of an official board undergoing this painful process finally lost patience. He'd just witnessed the Pastoral Relations Committee reject applicant after applicant for some minor fault - real or imagined. It was time for a bit of soul-searching on the part of the committee. So he stood up and read this letter purporting to be from another applicant.

Gentlemen:

Understanding your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications. I've been a preacher with much success and also had some success as a writer. Some say I'm a good organizer. I've been a leader most places I've been.

I'm over 50 years of age and have never preached in one place for more than three years. In some places, I have left town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I must admit I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any real wrong doing.

My health is not too good, though I still accomplish a great deal. The churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities.

I've not gotten along well with religious leaders in the towns where I have preached. In fact, some have threatened me, and even attacked me physically. I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known to forget whom I have baptized.

However, if you can use me, I promise to do my best for you.

The board member turned to the committee and said, "Well, what do you think? Shall we call him?"

The good church folks were appalled! Consider a sickly, trouble- making, absent-minded ex-jailbird? Was the board member crazy? Who signed the application? Who had such colossal nerve?

The board member eyed them all keenly before he replied, "It's signed, 'The Apostle Paul.'"




Enjoy your day..... Cx :-)

I agree with Cynthia's comments re the name used for the Vicar of a Parish.

The church that OH attends has called its Vicar by his/her name since OH and daughter started going there in 1978

Even the children called the vicar Ron, Pat (female, Patricia), Graham, April, and now Andrew.

Mind you, we do live in a much more informal country, where it is much more common to use names rather than titles, in any kind of "business".


Pat married my daughter .............. she had officially retired 2 months earlier, but kept her license in order to conduct this marriage.


In conversation, members of the congregation also use these names among themselves or with others who know the names. Only when conversing with "strangers" will they qualify the name with Vicar or Reverend.


Bishop-Elect Reverend Canon Melissa Skelton, as she is currently styled, will be ordained in March .................. which means the Diocese is still in the interregnum between Bishop Michael retiring at the end of August and her ordination.

Since September 1st, the Dean of the Diocese of New Westminster has been the Administrator of the Diocese and took over the day-to-day administrative functions of the Office of the Bishop assisted by Synod Staff. He will continue in that role until the Consecration and Ordination of Canon Skelton.


More information is emerging regarding her election ......... and it was particularly nice to see the following ...........

"Canon Skelton received a substantial majority of votes from both the clergy and lay members of Synod on all three ballots." :-)

Our God, heav'n cannot hold him,
Nor earth sustain;
Heav'n and earth shall flee away
When he comes to reign.
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ

(Christina Rossetti)

"But though, Bethlehem Ephrata, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me - that is to be ruler in Israel. Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah Chap 5 verse 2 AV)

But you, Bethlehem, David’s country,
the runt of the litter—
From you will come the leader
who will shepherd-rule Israel.
"He’ll be no upstart, no pretender.
His family tree is ancient and distinguished.
Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes
until the birth pangs are over and the child is born,
And the scattered brothers come back
home to the family of Israel.
He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by God’s strength,
centered in the majesty of God-Revealed.
And the people will have a good and safe home,
for the whole world will hold him in respect—
Peacemaker of the world!"
(Micah v 2-4 from The Message Bible)

Micah prophesied approximately 700BC :-0 Yet he knew in prophesy what we now know in fact :-)

My Vicar in our old village in Northants insisted on Father John. On his newsletters, on the board outside, in the local paper. I found it all mildly irritating, and was pleased that (whilst I was his parishioner) I was not an Anglican communicant..

On the odd occasion I would attend the parish church, I always had a chat to him afterwards. And always greeted him in the street. And always addressed him as John or Brother John. No 30-year old was going to be called Father by me. He had 3 children already - why did he want more?

I still respected his position. It is a professional position and takes years of training. But why should any Christian be less humble than me? And I am not at a particularly high level of humility myself. So Sir, Vicar, John or Brother John is all I am prepared to call them, unless they are at least 15 years older than me and have biological proof of paternity. :-)