Ψ The parish celebrated Christmas with a carol singing tour around our villages. Hauled by local farmer, Robert Smith, the carol wagons meandered around the parish to bring the wonder of Christmas to our village pubs. The welcome was warm and customers joined in the caroling in excellent voice. The night was perfect, with snow on the ground and our sixty carolers protected from the sub zero temperatures by layers of warm clothing.

Caroling - singing in the streets - is an ancient tradition, dating back to the Middle Ages. At that time, caroling also involved special dances and the word "carol" is probably derived from the Greek "choros", meaning dancing in a circle, and the french word "carole", meaning a song to accompany a dance. Over time, the wod "carol" became linked exclusively to songs about the birth of the baby Jesus.

Caroling 2009 turned out to be a wonderful family event and a symbol of the strong community spirit here in our parish. Have a look at the pictures!

The meeting of Bishop’s Council held on Thursday 15 October 2009 approved the draft Constitution that we approved at the Special Parochial Church Meeting (SPCM) we held on Monday 28 September 2009, subject to certain minor amendments.

The amendments are as follows:

1. The paragraph after 4.1.7 on page 3 should have referred to the inaugural meeting rather than the first meeting after the Annual Parochial Church Meeting as Bishop’s Council felt that it was not necessary to elect all of these officers each year. 
2. Bishop’s Council felt that the officers should be elected from those authorised to be present at the meeting  - to protect persons who for whatever reason may be unable to attend the inaugural meeting – rather than from those present at the meeting.
3. It was also felt that a Vice Chairperson should be included in the list of officers in that paragraph.
4. The words "except for paragraph 1(f)” have been deleted from paragraph 4.2.2.; paragraph 1(f) of Schedule 11 refers to the appointment of an Electoral Officer and this is already provided for in paragraph 2.3.

This means that we will will have to hold a second SPCM and this will take place on Monday 26 October 2009 at 8.30 pm in the Methodist Hall, Chrishall. Notices were placed in all of our churches in due time.

The amended Constitution can be read and downloaded from here; it will come into effect immediately after it has been approved by the SPCM - a very short, but important, meeting.

19 October 2009

Following the resignation of John Gladwin as Bishop of Chelmsford at the end of August, the 'See of Chelmsford' is vacant. Consultations on the appointment of a new Bishop of Chelmsford were completed at the end of September. The ‘Statement of Needs' can be viewed here.

The Vacancy in See Committee has elected the members of the Crown Nominations Commission - Gordon Simmonds, Bishop Laurie, Susan Atkin, Rev John Dunnett , Graham Cook (the Lay Chair of our Deanery) and Robert Hammond - which will meet on 9 December 2009 and 14/15 January 2010. During the interregnum, the diocese is being led by Rt Rev Laurie Green, Bishop of Bradwell.

John Gladwin has had a long track record as a tireless campaigner for justice and equality throughout his career in the Church of England. As a member of the House of Lords he has spoken out often against all forms of discrimination and raised many issues affecting the poorest and most vulnerable in society. In 2008 he stood down after eleven years as Chair of Christian Aid, which he led through a period of significant change. He was also the founding Chair of Traidcraft, now the largest fair trade social enterprise in the UK, and will now Chair the Citizens Advice Bureaux.

1 October 2009

A Special Parochial Church Meeting will be held in the Methodist Hall, Chrishall on Monday 28 September at 8 pm. There will be two matters to consider:

1. For the approval of the Constitution for the parish, subject to approval by Bishop’s Council.
2. To consider and pass a resolution to confirm the appointments as members of the District Church Councils, District Churchwardens and District Representatives on the Parochial Church Council, of the persons chosen for these purposes at the meetings held in the Parish for that purpose in March and April 2009, for the period until the next Annual District Church Meeting of each District (and for the District Representatives, until the next Annual Parochial Church Meeting).

A formal notice, signed by the Rector, has been affixed to each of our seven church buildings.

The constitution must be approved by at least two-thirds of the persons present and voting at the Special Meeting.

A copy of the Constitution may be viewed and printed from here or can be inspected at reasonable times at the Church Office, Crawley End, Chrishall SG8 8QL (01763 837272) by prior appointment.

All persons whose names are entered upon the Church Electoral Roll of the parish (and such persons only) are entitled to vote. 

9 September 2009

Update: Both items were passed unanimously at the SPCM.

29 September 2009

Ψ  Khandel Light is a local charity that has supported the villages around Khandel over the last ten years by providing health and educational support to the community. Khandel lies in the desert state of Rajasthan in India. The charity encourages local people to help themselves, focusing on long term development projects, and aims to raise the status of women.

As the latest newsletter confirms, water is the most basic requirement of life, and the charity has built over five hundred safe drinking water sources. And as the latest newsletter shows, a new development is to provide mobile phones to improve the responsiveness of fourteen health workers.

News from Khandel itself is not good - 2009 looks to be the driest year on record, food is becoming scarce and the water table is further depleted. Sickness is rising.

The parish will be raising funds for Khandel Light in October. Just £62 builds a water house that can bring better health and quality of life to many.

Contact Yvonne McPartland on 01763 848837 or visit the website.

17 August 2009

Ψ  The parish has adopted Bishop John's recommendation that we temporarily suspend administration of the chalice at communion services. He writes:

"The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued the following Pastoral Letter concerning the use of the Chalice at services of Holy Communion.

"In the light of this letter and the advice from the Department of Health, we feel that the situation is now so serious that the Administration of the chalice should be suspended throughout the diocese for the duration of the current pandemic.

"The advice stands that has already been sent out concerning hygiene at the preparation and distribution of Holy Communion and other practical points, and this additional guidance is based on recent developments and the spread of the virus.

"Congregation members may need to be assured that receiving communion in one kind in no way diminishes the fullness of Christ’s presence in the sacrament of Holy Communion.

"With sincere good wishes as we all work to support our congregations and parishes at this time."

+John Chelmsford

Dear Colleague,

It now seems right to offer guidance at a national level about how the Church of England’s worship might best take into account the interests of public health during the current phase of the swine flu pandemic.

The Department of Health have recently advised us that “in a pandemic it makes good sense to take precautions to limit the spread of disease by not sharing common vessels for food and drink”.  In the light of this advice, we recommend those presiding at Holy Communion suspend the administration of the chalice during this wave of pandemic flu. For those who still wish to offer in both kinds, we recommend the practice whereby the presiding minister, whose hands should have been washed with the appropriate alcohol based rub before handling the elements and the vessels, personally intincts all wafers before placing them in the hands of communicants. This is a practice widely observed in Anglican churches throughout Africa. Communicants receiving in this way need to be confident that the clergy and all assistant ministers follow the relevant guidance on hygiene.

The Bishop of Ripon & Leeds circulated substantial guidance, including a summary of the government’s advice, with his letter of 23 June.  Many of you have already issued local guidance based upon its content.  We regard it as important that those presiding at Holy Communion are aware of this advice and of that contained in this letter.  They should offer guidance to the congregation about appropriate precautions in receiving communion and exchanging the peace.

We shall keep this advice under review and will ensure that the detailed guidance provided on the Church of England website is kept up-to-date.  In the meantime, wish to express our gratitude to you and those who share your ministry for the pastoral care and service offered at this time of national concern.

+Rowan Cantuar:                                +Sentamu Ebor:

26 July 2009