PRIMLEY_URC_MAGAZINE_DEC_18 - JAN_19-converted

Primley Church -
Sidmouth

A warm and friendly place,
come in and feel at home.

December 2018
and

January 2019

1

PRIMLEY CHURCH

Did you know …

there is a warm welcome for YOU at our Church!

We worship and serve the living God who has the power through
His Son, Jesus Christ, to bring love, peace, joy and a sense of
purpose to our lives, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are a United Reformed Church, part of the family of
Christian churches here in Sidmouth.

We are committed to bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ
and an understanding of the Christian way of life to the town in

which we live.

Our worship on Sunday morning commences at 10.30 am and is
relaxed and informal.

All are welcome.

A Member of the URC

2

Dear Friends,

Advent is the season of waiting.
If God is present everywhere, and at all times, then Advent
waiting must surely start with our own experiences of waiting.
At home we might be waiting for food to be ready or for the
kettle to boil, for the call to say dinner’s ready, the washing to
finish, or a delivery to arrive.
In our relationships, we might be waiting for a phone call, a
letter, or a text or email. We might be preparing for friends or
relatives to arrive.
On the move we might be waiting for a bus, a train or a taxi or
be stuck in a traffic jam. We might be waiting until it is our
turn to speak, act, play or waiting in the line of a seemingly
endless queue.
How many of us have watched the clock tick away in waiting
areas of our GP surgeries or dental practices, or for the school
day to finally come to an end?
Waiting can be exciting, frustrating or boring. We can wait
passively or irritably, and I wonder if we use that time
efficiently or not.
The symbols of waiting are varied too. An egg timer, a clock, or
perhaps we count down or cross off days on a calendar, or when
children count the number of sleeps ‘til Christmas Day!
Waiting for the “not yet” seems to echo the anticipation of the
Lord's Prayer. “Your kingdom come, your will be done.” Perhaps
we should be focusing on the “now” of the Kingdom of God.
What are we each waiting for God to do, to answer, change or
restore? We could choose to wait more, by using opportunities
to wait and by practicing the spiritual discipline of patience. We
as individuals and as a church family could bring about the
experience of everyday waiting into our prayers and quiet times.
But while we wait and hope for a better and more peaceful

3

future, we need to connect with those who cry out for peace,
justice, relief from suffering and hunger.
We see Jesus in the faces of those who run food banks, soup
kitchens, and Christmas Lunches for the lonely. Those who are
welcoming to the refugees, feeding the hungry, providing
shelter for the homeless and healing the sick. God calls US to
be His witnesses.
During this time of waiting let us become God’s messengers of
love and after the waiting, as we journey into the New Year,
may we wait on God for His guidance, as we seek the future
both for ourselves and our church family.
Wishing you all a very happy and contented Christmas and a New
Year full of joy and peace.

Maggie

The Advent storyof hope and mystery,
anticipation,preparation,a kingdom
of this world and the next,
and a king
appearing when we least expect.
Heaven touching earth,
the footsteps of the divine
walking dusty roads
as once they did in Eden,
and a people,
searching for a Saviour,
and walking past
the stable.
Open eyes and hearts,
that this might be
an Advent of hope to the world.
FaithandWorship.com

4

Thank you to all of you who contribute in any way to the well-
being of our church, giving time, or gifts, or expertise or any

combination thereof, which benefits us all.
May you be truly blessed this Christmas.

5

6

Christmas Eve
Last minute shoppers throng the street,

Their bags and trolleys bulging,
Excited children tug and please,

Their eager hopes divulging.
Bright fairy lights and Christmas trees,

In shop windows are glowing,
And tiny tots with shining eyes,

Call out because it’s snowing.
Behind each curtain families

Relax and wait with joy,
To celebrate the birthday

Of the Holy baby boy.
Around the earth, snow-blanketed,
Peace steals and smoothes out stress,
Whilst Christmas magic casts its spell

Of hope and happiness.
Bewitched by loving feelings,

And by unity and love,
Snow feathers soft as angel wings,

Drift down from heaven above.
As carol singers join the sounds

Of jollity and mirth,
The Christmas bells are ringing out

Their call for peace on earth.

Chrissy Greenslade

7

Shoe Box Appeal
This year Primley,together with most of the Sidmouth Churches
supported the CR2EE Shoe Box Appeal.
Our own shoe boxes were blessed on Remembrance Sunday by
Rev David Lewis and then on November 17thseventy boxes from
us, St Peter’s Sidford, St Giles Sidbury, and Sidmouth Catholic
Church were takento the Exmouth Depot and from there they
will make their way overland by lorry to Moldova, to make
Christmas a bit special for many children and adults who
otherwise would have nothing.
Thank you once again for your kindness and generosity.

CR2EE (Christian Response to Eastern Europe)
....is a Christian based charity seeking to show love and care to
those in Eastern Europe who are less fortunate than ourselves.
The objects of the charity are to provide relief to
disadvantaged and vulnerable people living in Eastern Europe
through the support of donations received from individuals and
organisations in this country.

In practice, the charity’s main areas of work are Romania and
Moldova.

CR2 EE Mission Statement:

To encourage disadvantaged people living in Eastern Europe by:
• Letting them know there are people in England who care
for and regularly pray for them.
• Sharing our worldly wealth with them.
• Sharing the love of Jesus with them.
• Helping them to help themselves.

8

• Being a source of inspiration and encouragement to
everyone at alltimes and in all places

A very Brief History

The roots of Christian Response go back to 1990. You may well
remember the hideous images of the orphanages in Romania. It
was in 1990 that Gary Taverner, a man living in Woodbury,
Devon, had a vision to help in these orphanages and from then on
everything snowballed.
Gary says “Over the years, the situation in Romania improved
therefore we began to expand activities. Missions were made to
Albania and some of the areas devastated by the nuclear
disaster in Chernobyl. Whilst working in Romania we were to
hear reports about the neighbouring country of Moldova and
how appalling levels of poverty abound there. One fleeting visit
and Moldova was taken into our hearts.

Whilst maintaining our interest in Romania, by far the majority
of effort is now concentrated on the country of Moldova. It is
Europe’s poorest country and the situation out there is really
dreadful.

All who work for the charity “Christian Response” are
volunteers, no one is paid. We have no offices or other rented
premises. We borrow all we can, rather than renting or hiring;
all this means the money saved can be spent on those we seek to
help in Eastern Europe.Over the years our Christmas Shoebox
Appeal has become increasingly popular. This may be because we
are a small charity who can ensure every box is given
appropriately.We also take Christmas boxes for grannies and
grandpas too!”

9

10

Where was Jesus Born?

An Alternative Reading of the Nativity

Luke 2,1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor
Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the
first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of
Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph
also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the
city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from
the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with
Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her
child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped
him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there
was no place for them in the inn. (NRSVA)

This story from the Gospel of Luke is likely to be a very familiar
one to most of us, and it’s a story that always makes me feel
‘Christmassy’, no matter what point in the year I happen to be
reading it. It evokes memories of hearing the passage being
read at candlelit carol services, or seeing it acted out by
implausibly dressed children wearing dressing gowns and tea
towels. Indeed, it is so familiar to many of us, that any
alternative interpretations can end up ruffling quite a few
feathers.

This is precisely what happened a few years ago, when several
newspapers picked up an article written by a biblical scholar
named Ian Paul, entitled ‘Jesus was Not Born in a Stable!’ This
idea (which has actually been around since at least the 1500s)
focused upon the translation of the phrase ‘there was no place
for them in the inn’. It argued that, while twenty-first century
‘western’ readers would automatically understand this as an

11

outbuilding or stable of some type, removed from the family and
the home, a first century audience may have understood
something rather different.

The diagram above gives a floor plan of a village home in first
century Israel-Palestine. The ‘guest room’ is shown, and the
Greek word katalyma is given: this is the word in Luke’s Gospel
that is usually translated as ‘inn’. So, the suggestion goes, there
was no room in the ‘guest room’, meaning that Mary had to give
birth in the family room instead. Here, she placed her new baby
safely in the manger: a perfectly sized basin at the edge of the
room, which the animals would be able to access from their
quarters on the other side of the division. This means that, far
from being an outcast, rejected by his people from the moment
of his birth, Jesus is born as a true family member, within the
heart of the home – likely a home belonging to Joseph’s
relatives.
It’s an interesting idea, though ultimately one that cannot be
proved or disproved. However, we don’t have to make a

12

decisionon ‘what really happened’ in order for this
interpretation to provide an interesting opportunity for
reflection on the theme of welcome and hospitality during the
Christmas period. Perhaps what comes across most strongly is
the idea that this is a time to be with others, with all of the
delight and frustration that this brings. It might mean
welcoming family and friends into your home, and celebrating
their noisy, chaotic, or challenging presence. Or perhaps it could
mean dropping mince pies in to your neighbours, or even inviting
those who you know will be alone to join you for drinks or dinner.
If you yourself will be alone this year, perhaps you might find
the courage to attend community lunches and carol services, or
you could connect with people by writing cards or letters. The
charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide publishes a booklet with
the details of those imprisoned or at risk because of their
faith: they encourage people to send cards and letters of
encouragement to these individuals.
So, this Christmas, perhaps we might feel encouraged to allow
some mess and some chaos into our lives and our homes, for it
may well be that our Saviour was born in precisely such
circumstances.
Becky

13

PRIMLEY PRAYER PAGE

Please remember thefollowing in your own personal prayer times
and pray for:-
• Primley Family Carol Service (Dec 16th) at 10.30am
• Our Crib Service on Christmas Eve at 4pm
• Christmas Services in all the Sidmouth Places of Worship.
• For all children in Moldova as they receive their Shoe Boxes

for Christmas.
• The Christmas Day Community Lunch for people who are in

need of company.
• Our House group and the monthly Bible Study & Discussion

Group; as we share God’s Word and enjoy fellowship
together.
• Krèche and Co. Christmas Party and Toddler Carol service on
Dec 14th. Please continue to prayerfully support this witness
to the mums and children.
• Those of our congregation and those known to us personally,
who are unwell or just need our prayers.
• The witness of “Open the Book” in Sidmouth Primary School.
Especially as we lead up to Christmas with various stories.
Pray that the staff and children may experience the true
meaning of Christmas.
• All the people who lead our worship on Sundays and we thank
God for their commitment to our church.
• Our Friendship Lunches that those who come will find
warmth and friendship amongst the church fellowship.
• Primley Church and its fellowship. Continue to pray that we
may know God’s guidance for the future ministry of our
church. Please prayfor new people and visitors, that they may
find a warm and friendly place and they will come in and feel
at home.

14

If you have items you would like included on this page in future
magazines, please let Maggie have the details.

Thank you.

Sidholme Music Room
The funds raised are put towards the Restoration Fund which is
currently supporting the renovation of the Victorian crystal
chandeliers; two more of which have recently been taken to the
Wilkinson (Royal Warrant Holder) workshops in Kent.
Thanks are due to the many musicians who give their time and
the generous audiences who contribute to the exit collections.
Numerous local charities and disaster appeals have also
benefitted.

December:-
Sunday 2nd. 3.30-4.30pm.
WHAT CHILD IS THIS?
A presentation of the Christmas Story in words and music.
Lorraine Low, David Jefferis, Dorothy Worthington, Andy Benoy

Sunday 9th. 3.30-4.30pm.
THE SIDHOLME PLAYERS
Recorder Consort
A SEASONAL SELECTION
Leader Ashley Allerton

January 2019
Sunday 13th. 3.30-4.30pm.

15

WOULDN'T IT BE LOVERLY
'The Felicitous Four' present a selection of Lerner & Lowe
classics
Joan Edgecumbe, John Brindley,
Andrew Scott, Dorothy Worthington

Sunday 20th. 3.30-4.30pm.
BELLOWS, SONGS & SNATCHES
Steve Minett, musical instrument maker, player and singer

LORD BYRON - MUSIC & POETRY OF THE TIME
Ekaterina Shetcliffe: piano
YuliaNorthlidge: violin...and friends.
A costumed event...dress up if you like!

GOOD NEWS from TRAIDCRAFT

Traidcraft is to remain open!

In November the Board of Traidcraft plc accepted a plan for
the future, with major restructuring, Twelve employees will
continue its work from the start of 2019. It will maximise the
profitable parts of the business, phase out loss- making lines
and set a new high bar for ethical trading in the UK.

At the heart of Traidcraft is an aspiration to make transparent
the costs, prices and profits involved in every product it sells.
This carries on the fair trade tradition of challenging the
market.

16

CEO Robin Roth said: “We want our members to be co-
conspirators in changing how trade is understood and practiced.
We want to tell consumers ‘who gets what’ from the Traidcraft
products they buy. We want to annoy and irritate those who
profit unduly through the non-transparency of their trading
activities. We will cause good trouble, just as those six fair
trade pioneers who started Traidcraft did back in 1979.”

I urge you all to support Traidcraft and help make Autumn and
Christmas sales the BEST trading season yet. We trust
Traidcraft. It has, since its foundation in 1969 by Christian
Groups, traded ethically, putting high standards for customers,
staff and producers, before profit.

We will continue to support Traidcraft Exchange (a registered
charity) and will send any profits made in our sales to
Traidcraft Exchange

Traidcraft plc will be downsized and transformed into ‘a fair
trade business of tomorrow’. This restructuring will
effectTraidcraft plc’s employees and overseas producers, some
of which have supplied the business for many years. Traidcraft
Exchange have been working alongside Traidcraft plc producers
since their very beginning and are concerned for the future of
these small businesses, their employees, and their families. As
Traidcraft plc’s sister charity they want to offer support to
these producers.

17

CHRISTMAS CROSSWORD

1 22 3 45 6

78 9
10 11

12 13
15 116 14
19 17
23 18
20 21
22
24

25 26

Crossword Clues
Across

1 A host of these appeared at Christmas (5)
4 The playing of the merry....., sweet singing in the choir (5)
10 To fill with joy ( 5)
11 One of 12 disciples of Jesus (7)
12 Light opera, often spoken with dialogue (8)
13 Christmas present (4)
15 Two are worn by reindeer (6)
17 Seasons before Christmas (6)
19 At a white Christmas, roads may be..... (4)

18

20 Religious feast (8)
23 Based on inherent moral sense (7)
24 Weird (5)
25 Special Christmas meal (5)
26 Oxon and........ surrounded the manger ( 5)

Down

2 Author of words of Good King Wenceslas (5)
3 First name of Mr Scrooge (8)
5 There was no..... at the Inn (4)
6 With legs on each side (7)
7 You put these up at Christmas (11)
8 St Nicolas (5)
9 Total abstinence from alcohol (11)
14 Lady editor ( 8)
16 A frame supporting a table (7)
18 Three lines man found a..... Born baby ( 5)
21 Carol stanza.....( 5)
22 Plant with large showy flowers (4)

19

OUR ADVENT PRAYER
In this Advent of expectation draw us together in unity that

our praise and worship might echo in these walls and also
through our lives.

In this Advent of expectation draw us together in mission, that
the hope within might be the song we sing, and the melody of
our lives.

In this Advent of expectation draw us together in service, that
the path we follow might lead us from a stable to a glimpse of

eternity.
Amen

Our Family Carol Service will be on
Dec 16th at 10.30am

Tea/coffee and mince pies to follow

Christmas Eve – Family Candlelit Crib Service at 4pm

20

CHURCH MEETING

January 20th- after morning worship
Please make an effort to attend this meeting. We only have
quarterly Church Meetings now, and it is important that its
people can contribute in discussion and decision-making. Your
input for Primley’s future would be greatly valued.

Thank you

Invitation to Sunday lunch
PRIMLEY CHURCH HALL

6th January 2019
Do you spend Sundays by yourself? Do you like
to meet new people? Would you like someone
else to cook Sunday lunch for you? If you
answer ‘Yes’ to any of these questions, please accept our
invitation to Sunday Lunch. *No charge * No catch* *and No
washing up!* If you are interested and especially if you require
transport, please telephone Jayne.
And as always this cannot be done without a band of volunteers
providing food, serving, giving lifts, just chatting and making
people feel welcome. Voluntary contributions towards cost of
the meat always welcome. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Please contact 01395 597464
p.s. - The following Sunday Lunch will be on March 3rd.

21

HOUSE GROUP
The House Group meets on
Wednesdays at 2.30pm.

The next meetings will be on: -
December 12th, January 9th and
then TBA (at Sidbury).

The Bible Study & Discussion
Group is at Mary’s

Friday, January 25th @ 10.30am

Christmas Day Community Lunch

The lunch is for all those people who otherwise may be isolated
and unable to enjoy a home cooked Christmas Lunch.Transport
can be arranged.
The lunch is being organised by Andie Milne who is the Co-
ordinator of the Sid Valley Food Bank. It will take place at St
Teresa’s Hall from 1pm onwards.
All sort of help is needed before and on the day.
If you want to know more or can offer any help, please contact:
[email protected] or
Sidmouth Community Christmas Lunch Facebook or
phone Emma at Sid Valley Help on 01395 892011

22

ROTAS FOR December 2018

2nd 9th 16th 23rd 30th
Barbara
Elder Roger Richard Barbara Richard Alison

Door Eleanor Alison Roger and Eleanor
Marilyn
Stewards

Holy Communion -Mary and Jill

Elders & Door Stewards - if you cannot do duty, please
remember to swap with someone else.

ROTAS FOR January 2019

6th 13th 20th 27th

Elder Roger Barbara Richard Barbara

Door Eleanor Barbara Roger and Alison
Stewards Marilyn

Holy Communion - Barbara and Colin

23

December 2018 PREACHERS
2nd Geoff Powell
9th Ann Skinner
16th Family Carol Service

23rd Becky Dean

24th Candlelit Crib Service – 4pm
Rev Barbara Bennett

30th Roger Stinson

January 2019 PREACHERS
6th Rev Iain McDonald
13th
20th TBA
TBA
27th
TBA

24

CHURCH DIARY FOR December2018

1st Saturday 10.00am Decorate the Church and Hall

(help appreciated)

7th Friday 10.00am Krèche& Co

7th Friday Evening Late Night Shopping

14th Friday 10.00am Krèche& Co
16th Sunday 10.30am Christmas Party and Santa

Family Carol Service

21st Friday 10.00am Krèche& Co

24th Monday 4.00pm Candlelit Crib Service

MAGAZINE

The deadline for the next church magazine will be January 13th
for the February/March edition. Please e-mail to
[email protected]
or give printed / written copy to Maggie Knights.

The Primley Website address is:-www.primleyurc.co.uk

Crossword Answers
Across - 1 angel, 4 organ, 10 elate, 11 apostle, 12 operetta,
13 gift, 15 antler, 17 advent, 19 iced, 20 festival, 23 natural,
24 eerie, 25 feast, 26 asses,
Down
2 Neale, 3 Ebenezer, 5 room, 6 Astride, 7 decorations, 8
Santa, 9 teetotaller, 14 Editress
16 trestle, 18 newly, 21 verse, 22 Iris

25

NOTICES

The Notices are read by Marilyn.
Please ring 01395 597464 to give information.

CHURCH DIARY FOR January2019

6th Sunday 12.15pm Community Friendship Lunch

9th Wednesday 2.30pm House Group - Sidbury

11th Friday 10.00am Krèche& Co
Parent & Toddler Club
17th Thursday 7.00pm
Elders Meeting

18th Friday 10.00am Krèche& Co
20th Sunday 11.30am Parent & Toddler Club
25th Friday 10.00am
25th Friday 10.30am Church Meeting
(after morning worship)

Krèche& Co
Parent & Toddler Club

Bible Study

26

Contacts

Secretary
Maggie Knights
60 Bridge Street
Sidbury EX10 0RU
Tel: 01395 597464
Interim Treasurer
Mr Richard Wainwright
Tel: 07586346521
Hall Lettings Secretary
Maggie Knights for bookings/payment
01395 597464

Church Services

Sundays:
10.30am: Family Worship
4th Sunday each month: Holy Communion

27

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
28