ROUNDABOUT  MAGAZINE

March 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

This newsletter is produced by the church. It is written, printed, folded and distributed by volunteers. It contains church and village news and 2400 paper copies are delivered free to every household in the parish of Newbold-on-Avon with Long Lawford.

If you would like to help with the work of delivering Roundabout, or have any queries about distribution, please contact Sue Weedon (01788 560960).

Deadline:
 

December issue: deadline for contributions Monday 8th March 2010

Items for Roundabout:
 may be given to the vicar (contact details below) or to the editor,
 Catherine Jamieson, 1 West Street, Long Lawford, Rugby CV23 9BJ (01788 536690)

Roundabout by post :

To have Roundabout posted to you,
send ten stamped addressed envelopes to the vicar . 

 

From the manse . . .                 

It's been a busy day. After a number of busy weeks. The few days’ holiday between Christmas and New Year seem an eternity away. Today, letters and e-mails written and sent, numerous telephone calls made, even more telephone calls received, shopping, eating, talking to my wife, a church meeting this evening . . . and all through today, not one gem of an idea, not a glimmer of inspiration for this article. No odd or quirky news stories, nothing significant seen in town (hardly anyone about as it was snowing).

More phone calls after the meeting, still nothing.

Silence.

I realised that today has been incredibly noisy. Not particularly loud, but just constant communication, telephone, computer and people.

Silence. Silence is golden.

Someone sang that, in my youth. Who was it? Hollies?? No, research tells me that in the UK the Tremeloes had a major hit in the spring of 1967, though the song originated in the United States. Research suggests that the phrase could be very old. Examples are “speech is silver; silence is golden”; “the
discipline of silence is good”; “silence is a woman's best garment”. This last one comes from the 16th century, but we are much more enlightened
today. No, I'm not entering into a discussion on that one. I'm keeping silent.

There are communities of religious men and women who live in almost
complete silence, but I could not be doing with that, even after a day like today. But there is something about finding a silence and a space for
ourselves somewhere in the frenetic haste that life can become, and I
wonder if we need it sometimes just to re-balance ourselves. No radio, no television, no computer, no telephone, no mobile, no CD player . . . the sources of sound seems to be endless.

I need to be silent, to make time to be silent, to enjoy silence, and - even more importantly - learn to keep my mind silent. Endless lists - what have I not done, what has to be done when, fretting and worrying - I might not be speaking but my mind is still not silent.

“My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to him;
for my hope and expectation are from him.”

Verses from Psalm 62, ancient words, suggesting that even thousands of years ago there were times when there was a value in learning to be silent, calm, at rest. “The discipline of silence is good”, a skill to be mastered so that our busy-ness can be put in order so we might hear something from eternity that will offer us more in terms of hope and vision.

Silence.

For now.

John Anderson

 

 Bible verses for reflection

“In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your request known to God.”
(Philippians 4.6)

“The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.”
(Daniel 9.9)

 

 

A prayer for March

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our needs before we ask and our ignorance in asking:
have compassion on our weakness, and give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not,
and for our blindness we cannot ask, for the sake of your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

Street prayer cycle

  

7th March           Newbold Road, Newbold

14th March        Grange Road, Newbold

21st March         Meadow Road, Newbold

28th March        Parkfield Road, Newbold

 

On these Sundays we pray especially for people living in these streets. If you live in one of these streets and would like us to pray for something or someone in particular, please let the vicar know the week before.

 

 

Friends of St Botolph’s (FOSBOTS)

The next meeting of the Friends of St Botolph’s (FOSBOTS) will take place on Monday 1st March at 8.00 pm in the Crown, Newbold. Everyone is welcome to come along and support this group, which exists to raise funds for the upkeep of St Botolph’s church building.

 

To join, please send £6 or £12 (6 or 12 months, cheques preferred) to:
Mrs Barbara Lake, 19 Grange Road, Newbold-on-Avon, Rugby CV21 1EJ.

 

 

Christian Aid

Two volunteers are needed, one for Long Lawford and one for Newbold. The vicar will be happy to explain further what needs to be done if anyone is interested.

 

St Botolph’s and St John’s

services and news

 

Sunday Services

St Botolph’s, Newbold-on-Avon

 

7th March    10.45 am Family Service           6.30 pm Holy Communion

14th March   10.45 am Family Service          6.30 pm Evening Prayer

21st March   8.00 am Holy Communion  10.45 am Family Service       6.30 pm Evening Prayer

28th March   10.45 am Family Communion   6.30 pm Evening Prayer

 

 

St John’s, Long Lawford

9.00 am every Sunday – Holy Communion
(except the third Sunday, when there is a service of Morning Worship)

There will be no 4.00 pm Family Service until further notice

 

 

  

Holy Communion

A short service of Holy Communion is held on the first Tuesday of each month at 10.30 am. at the Robotham Close Sheltered Housing Common Room.
Anyone who wishes to come along would be most welcome. The service lasts 20 minutes.

 

 

Church of England Services for Holy Week and Easter

Palm Sunday 28th March:
St John’s:        9.00 am Holy Communion
St Botolph’s:  10.45 am Family Communion 6.30 pm Evening Prayer

                        Palm crosses will be distributed at all services.

Wednesday  31st March:
Long Lawford Methodist Church:     7.30 pm Evening Worship

Maundy Thursday 1st April:
St John’s:       7.30 pm Passover Supper
Tickets must be purchased in advance and by 24 March. Contact the vicar.

Good Friday 2nd April:
St Botolph’s:  10.45 am Family Service
St Botolph’s:   7.30 pm Evening Worship

Holy Saturday 3rd April:
St Botolph’s:    8.00 pm The Easter Liturgy

Easter Day 4th April:
St John’s:         9.00  am Holy Communion
St Botolph’s:    10.45 am Holy Communion
St Botolph’s:     6.30 pm Holy Communion

 

 

Thank you !

The Church Council would like to record its grateful thanks for the most generous donation of £500 from the landlord and patrons of the Newbold Crown Inn towards the Church Restoration Appeal.

 

 

Newbold Brownies

Is there anyone out there who would enjoy working with girls aged between 7 and 10 years?

Your local Brownie Group in Newbold needs your help on a Monday evening from 5.30 until 7.00 pm.
It’s fun, interesting and very rewarding.

If you can help, please phone Karen on 01788 330980 for more information.