WELLOW CHURCH AND PARISH NEWS

December 2002

Churchwardens: Mrs. J. H. Mannings, Mr. J. R. Wyld

THE CHRISTMAS GIFT

A celebration of loving and giving

As I was looking through the selection of Christmas cards from which to order this year, I came across one which has a phrase I will never forget.

The image of the card shows Mary offering the Christ Child to the world, represented by an assembly of people who are lifting up their arms to welcome him.

The words on the card say, "God so loves that He gives."

The phrase is based on the passage in John's Gospel in Chapter Three where Jesus is talking with Nicodemus, a leading Jew who followed him as a covert disciple. Jesus says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Jesus is telling Nicodemus how God has sent his Son into the world, sent to earth from heaven to save mankind. Everyone who believes in Jesus will be saved from eternal death and receive the blessing of eternal life.

In the preceding verse Jesus talks about Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness. In that story people were poisoned by snakes in the desert, but Moses held up a bronze serpent to heal them, and anyone who looked up and saw the serpent was healed and so saved from immediate death. The symbol of the serpent is used by the medical profession and pharmaceutical industry today.

Jesus was the gift of God, sent to the world to save humanity.

But notice how the language is in the past tense - "God so loved… that he gave". Christians are very used to this statement as it is so often quoted in the Church's worship and even inscribed on the walls of Churches in many parishes. It is indeed most important that we are reminded about the mighty acts of God shown to us through the life of Jesus.

The wording on the Christmas card is the present tense, and so has an immediacy that claims attention.

"God so loves and that He gives." - What a wonderful affirmation of God's love and work which, even now, is present in the world and in the hearts and lives of millions of Christians!

The loving and the giving didn't stop at Christmas, or Easter, or Pentecost. The early Christians didn't have a chronological progression of time. All the great events in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus were just one event. There were no barriers of time, separating the love and gift of God in Jesus' lifetime to the time of their own experience.

Christians are always aware of the loving and giving God who we claim as "Our Father".

As Christmas is a time of loving and giving among men, women and children, so let us make Christmas a time of celebrating the loving and giving that God has for us, not only 2000 years ago but today and every day of our lives.

Hugh Bonsey

For details of Church Services in Wellow CLICK HERE

For details of Church Services in Peasedown St. John CLICK HERE

SPECIAL SERVICES FOR DECEMBER

Sunday December 1st at 6.00pm Advent Carol Service at St John's Church, Peasedown St John

Sunday December 8th at 4.00pm Special Children's Service in preparation for Christmas.

Sunday December 15th at 9.30am Sung Eucharist Once again we welcome Fr Roy Boots who will celebrate and preach at this service.

Sunday December 22nd at 6.00pm Candlelit Carol Service This service is a wonderful celebration of the Christmas Story with carols and readings.

Christmas Eve at 10.00pm First Mass of Christmas Again by candlelight, we celebrate the Eucharist thanking God the gift of the Christ Child - what a truly awe-inspiring way to begin the Christmas season.

Christmas Day at 11.15am Family Eucharist

CHURCH NEWS To all those who braved a very rainy day and came to our church bazaar on November 16^th THANK YOU, also to every one who gave items to sell or donations these were greatly appreciated. And to all those who manned the stalls, sold raffle tickets or served teas or helped in any way thank you. Also, and last but not least to Father Christmas for giving up his busy time to come and give the children a gift. A big thank you from us all. The sum raised was four hundred and two pounds (a very good effort).

So on behalf of us all at St. Julian’s a Happy Christmas and all God’s Blessings to everyone for 2003.

Congratulations and best wishes to our Reader Jo and husband Nigel on the birth of their son Henry Philip.

Churchwardens

WELLOW PARISH COUNCIL The meeting of Wellow Parish Council took place on 18th November in the village hall.

The position of our sweeper has been under threat, but it now looks that the scheme will be continued. Final decisions to be made at a meeting of B&NES full executive on Dec 4th. This affects all the parishes in the area.

Cllr Bartholomew has been working to have the signs at Wellow Brook improved. The depth gauges have been adjusted: further warning signs to be added.

There were no new planning applications.

App 02/01642/LBA by Mr and Mrs Chivers, Wellow House for conservatory etc has been given consent.

App 02/02334/FUL by Orange PLC Ltd re mast on land at Weavers Farm has been permitted, subject to conditions and including diversion of footpath 25/13.

Notification received of proposed work to remove crab apple tree at 1 The Batch, Mill Hill.

District Cllr Dawson reported that funds will become available for a bus from Odd Down Park and Ride to RUH.

Cllr Humphreys asked that a letter be sent to The Theatre Royal in appreciation of the production of The Rivals, which took place at the village hall. In an update on recent improvements at the cemetery he thanked Mr Layzells for the magnificent job of restoration of old seating.

Joyce Morphew(clerk)

VILLAGE HALL The Hall’s 150 Club Xmas party will held on Friday 6^th December at 8.00pm. If you are not a member but would like to join, do come along to the hall and enjoy the entertainment, mince pies and wine. Membership costs £1.00 a month and a draw takes place monthly for cash prizes. An extra draw is held during the party for other prizes. A percentage of the money goes towards maintenance of the hall. The committee look forward to seeing more new members.

Les Venton

WINNERS OF THE WELLOW VILLAGE HALL 150 CLUB PRIZE DRAW

FOR NOVEMBER 2002

Thank you for your support B. Messer Chairman

VILLAGE HALL NEWS You may have heard that the Hall was burgled on 14^th November. It seems that the thieves may have entered when the main door was blown open in high winds. A motley assortment of items was taken: the clock, a box of spoons, a tray of salt and pepper pots, and some large serving spoons used by the Lunch Club. Possibly those involved were disturbed; if so, many thanks to whoever turned up and so prevented greater losses. Please keep your eyes open if you happen to be at the playing field, and, if you use the Hall please make doubly sure that the bolts on the main door are firmly secured when you leave.

Marian Osborne

QUIZ DISAGREEMENT At my quiz on the 15^th of last month, one of my questions, within the subject ‘Animal World’ was as follows:

"What animal is known as sand rat or desert kangaroo?’(Note: I did not mention "desert rat"). When I announced the answer as gerbil, there were some protests in favour of jerboa.

I have checked the source of my questions and answer – The Greatest Trivia Quiz Book compiled by Joyce Robins, 1996 – and it gives gerbil as the solitary answer.

However, upon referring to various reference books I find that ‘gerbil’ refers to "any of the various small, mouse like rodents of the genus Gerbillus and related general….having long hind legs and a long tail diminutive of gerboa and jerboa’

On to ‘jerboa’ which is described as ‘any of the various small’ leaping rodents of the desert regions….having long hind legs and a long rail, also called desert rat"

So, obviously Ms. Robins’s quiz book should have stated ‘gerbil or jerboa’ as the correct answer, which means that those jerboan challengers at the quiz were also correct.

I have checked all the teams’ answer sheets and the result is that team ‘The Undecided’ remain the winners with a score of 76. (Again, congrats. David, Jane and friends – sorry, I didn’t have their names). However, five other teams gain a point or two.

Thanks to all concerned for taking the hiccup with such good grace. Hope to see you all at the next quiz!

Alan Taylor

FROM THE PAST

The Chronicle, 18th December 1924

The Church School at Wellow resounded with the ringing laughter and joyous chatter of the scholars..... when they were entertained at a Christmas Tree party. The tree was "artistically decorated and lighted by Misses Porter and Kerle".

Seventy three children sat down to tea after which singing-games were played around the laden Christmas tree, happiness shining in every little face. In the midst of these a loud knock at the door was heard...and when opened....Father Christmas entered ......to a mixture of full throated cheering and open mouthed astonishment. He announced he had called to give them the presents from the Christmas tree,..... he asked Miss Horton Starkie to help in this, with a promise to call on them a few days later when they hung their stockings up. They "lustily sang The First Noel and Good King Wenceslas" and after talking to each child he departed. The Preb Le G G Horton Starkie addressed the children, then the merry making began again......the children were lined up one facing another for a simultaneous cracker pull producing an ear splitting report. After more games each child was given a bag containing two oranges.... The Headteacher Mr Nutter was presented with a waste paper basket, the work of pupil Lelia Pow, made from coarse canvas interwoven with coloured raffia and lined with blue satin, looking much too pretty for its destined purpose. It was a party that will be remembered for a long time, later it was known that Capt. Lewis, who was to have been Father Christmas, was delayed motoring from London and arrived too late to officiate. (But, who was the Father Christmas that had knocked on the door?)

Gordon Hewlett.

CHARITY QUIZ NIGHT 5TH DECEMBER

Once again we are holding a Charity Quiz night at The Fox & Badger on Thursday 5th December starting at 8pm. It only costs £1.50 per team member with up to six people to a team. All proceeds from the night, including the interval raffle go to the charity of last month's winning teams' choice. In December this will be the Little Bridge House Children's Hospice South West.

To date we have raised a magnificent £2325.25 towards various charities and good causes with a record last month of £187 being given to the NSPCC. So why not join us in December and have an enjoyable evening and raise money for those in need. We look forward to seeing you.

Richard Holland

RIDING FOR THE DISABLED

Sunday 15^th December 4pm at Wellow Trekking Centre

The story of Christmas with Carols, mince pies and mulled wine.

A retiring collection in aid of the R.D.A.

We hope you will all come and enjoy watching our riders.

Carol Woods

LUNCH CLUB The Christmas lunch will be on Thursday December 19^th at 1.00pm in the Village Hall, the cost will be £2.00. Please could you let us know a week in advance if you are going to be away for the lunch so that we can cater for the correct number of people and avoid wastage. Many thanks.

Janet Earp and Marian Osborne 832561

ST JULIAN'S C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL are holding their Xmas Fayre on 12 December from 2pm - 4.30pm. This event was a huge success last year and with your participation we can emulate this.

There will be: the children's stalls, Santa's Grotto, tea-rooms, raffle (including the staff hamper) and Xmas Gift Stalls.

This event will also give you all an opportunity to look round the classrooms.

Everyone is very welcome and we look forward to the pleasure of your company.

Kim Davidson 01761 433774

THE PARLOUR SHOP On 13^th December 1997 the shop was taken over on a community basis. Five years on we are glad to be still going, and going as strongly as a small village store can probably hope to be these days. We invite shareholders and customers to come and help us celebrate our joint birthday on 13^th December this year (a Friday, of course!) with mulled wine and mince pies, between 12 noon and 2 o’clock.

Another cause for celebration is that there has recently been a welcome rush of volunteers to help in the shop. Lee Bodman, Clare Chapman, Kit Ponder and Mary Wilkins can be met at various times in the week. By and large the original volunteers are still around too. It is good to have so many people involved and to know that the venture undertaken five years ago still has the support of the village.

Anything else to celebrate? Christmas, of course. Greetings and best wishes; enjoy the Christmas turkey – especially if you choose one of the delicious ones available from the shop!

Marian Osborne

WELLOW WOMEN’S INSTITUTE Our next meeting will be on Thursday December 12^th at 7.30pm in the Village Hall – the speaker will be Mrs. S. Gregson from Wookey – members will perhaps recall her previous talks which were so popular. Our first meeting for 2003 will be on January 9^th and will consist as usual of a ‘Soup Supper’ and other activities – No charge for members. Please do come along and support our activities – New members are always welcome.

Pam Brigden

NEWSLETTER Please may I have all copy for the Newsletter by the 28^th December. The January edition will not be printed until the 3^rd January so it will be with you a little later than usual, contributions can be left in the shop or delivered to me at St. Julian’s Well. If you have email that would be very helpful and even better if you could send it Times New Roman. Thank you very much. Jill Tremellen 833506 email julians.well@virgin.net