MAY WE PRAY FOR YOU?
All of us go through difficult times in our lives. It may be because of a relationship or an illness and we cannot see any way to overcome the problem. Have you thought about asking God for his help? God is a loving Father. If we trust in Him, answers often come in the most unexpected ways. However, in our darkest times we may find it impossible even to pray, and only wish that someone else could pray on our behalf.
At St. Giles’ Church we have a team of people who will pray for anyone who would like prayers said on their behalf. These people are known as intercessors. Inside the church is St John’s Chapel, which is available for private prayer. Also, there is a book on the small altar in the chapel, where you can write requests for prayer. You do not have to put your name if you don’t want to, but just write what is troubling you, for God knows who you are and what you are asking of Him. Every week these requests will be sent to the intercessors who will pray for you.
If you wish to speak to someone in confidence, you may also telephone Brian Reid on 01895 633130 or David Thould on 01895 430035 (both Lay Ministers at St Giles’). They will arrange for prayers to be said on your behalf, without identifying you to the intercessors if this is your wish.
What may seem trivial to one person may seem overwhelming to another and we make no judgments. Nothing is too small or too big for God. You don’t have to feel that you are all alone in your trouble, if you are prepared to share it with people who will pray for you.
EMMA GAIL COX
1964 –2005
Our community will be saddened to hear of the passing of Emma Cox who was a well-known and loved figure in our Village. Trained as a paediatric nurse at Hillingdon Hospital she lived in Glebe Avenue and Long Lane. Emma was born in Somerset before moving, as a young child, with her family to Winterborn Dauntsey, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, where her father was parish priest.
Regrettably multiple health problems caused her early retirement from her nursing career.
Some may remember well that for a short period Emma’s flamboyant nature was revealed by her love of wearing leathers and motorcycling round the Village.
A moving funeral service, conducted by a family member, was held at Breakspear crematorium last November.
IT'S ALL GOING TO BE HAPPENING AT THE URC!
2005 was a great year for external fundraising at the URC, with £9,000 being raised for the Church and other good causes, and our thanks go to all of you (private citizens and local traders) for your support. We hope to get it again this year and would ask you to note the following dates in your diaries.
22nd April Spring Jumblie
6th May Bargain Day (including Auction)
10th June Festival Forecourt Sale
9th September Autumn forecourt Sale
28th October Autumn Jumblie
18th November Christmas Fayre
If you have items to donate, can help in any way, or just want more information, please contact Richard Piper on 01895 634349 - richardjpiper@btopenworld.com
CAROL SINGING FOR SAVE THE CHILDREN
On Christmas Eve morning, some members of the St Giles’ Junior Church with local friends met in the Village to sing carols and to collect money for Save the Children. Under clear blue skies, 40 adults and children gathered – the largest group in the history of this long-standing event in the church’s calendar. Even Father Christmas took time to join the singers and to chat to shoppers. The group was delighted with the amount collected - £251. Thanks to all who sang and to all who donated.
Jenny Reid
In addition to this St Giles’ Church Choir went to Trafalgar Square, as usual, and raised £255 for children with leukaemia during the hour they were allotted to sing carols to the public. The two St Giles’ Church Christmas Eve ‘Carols For The Family’ services raised £610 for Christian Aid’s ‘Present Aid’ scheme.
JUNIOR CHURCH CHRISTMAS MURAL
VILLAGE POND AND SIGNPOST
Hope you have all noticed how much better our pond is now looking, and there is more work to be done on it in the coming months. Our signpost will be renovated and repainted in the next few months. There is rumour, too, that the Village might be getting new street furniture sometime this year.
PARISH PUMP
Receipt is acknowledged, with grateful thanks, of the following donations towards the cost of I.C.N.:
Anonymous via Editor, Mrs C D Sims from Ruislip via David Thorpe, Mr and Mrs Edgley of St Giles’ Avenue, Anonymous of Clovelly Avenue, Sally Pierce from Farnham Common, Anonymous from Bootle, Rosa Kaye of Boniface Road, Linda West from Cheshire, HDFAS via Shirley Rowe, Mr and Mrs Birbeck from Ely, Valerie Lane from Lincoln, large anonymous donation via David Thorpe, Anonymous of Campden Road, via Val Kershaw, Anonymous of Hoylake Crescent, via Editor, Ruislip Operatic Society, Anonymous of Eleanor Grove, Alan Robins from Torquay, Ron Jewkes of Boniface Road, Mary Holloway,
Copy for the March edition should be with me by 13thFebruary.
