‘The community spirit in the village is great during the Festival, but nobody talks to each other in the other 51 weeks of the year’. This was said to me recently, but don’t worry, they weren’t referring to Ickenham! Community spirit was a popular topic of conversation during the Ickenham Festival: at the flower show, open gardens, in church, over a pint of Festival Bitter at ‘The Tich’, at the Gala Day and a host of other places.
What makes Ickenham desirable? Attractive housing, good schools, good transport links? That might be the answer for the person moving to Ickenham, but for existing residents, it’s invariably the ‘sense of community’.
It’s something that is difficult to define, but very tangible. It’s not automatic, it comes with effort. It’s not the focus of a few, but the responsibility of everyone. That said, I would like to record my thanks to the Festival Team for their tireless effort, attention to detail, and sheer hard work in the service of us all. The Festival celebrates in one week what is germinated, nurtured and nourished in the other 103.
Good things are for sharing, and I am so pleased that we have been able to share this celebration with people from surrounding neighbourhoods as well as from our own.
When Jesus was on earth, he talked about a community called ‘the kingdom of God’. He told stories about it, he demonstrated its power and said that it was near when he was near. God’s kingly rule was experienced in Jesus’ presence, and he commissioned his disciples to share the good news of God’s kingdom community to all people.
The Kingdom of God can be experienced anywhere a person lets God rule in their lives, and is germinated, nurtured and nourished 52 weeks of the year. We can be residents of both communities; one by virtue of address, the other by faith in Jesus Christ. One is time-framed; the other will last forever. Rightly, we celebrate the community spirit of Ickenham and, as Christians, we also seek to build the community of the Kingdom of God and share the good news that God wants to be present with us by his Spirit.
Adrian
What a wonderful week! Congratulations to all who contributed to the smooth running of the Ickenham Festival.
So many different activity groups, families, skilled individuals, community services and businesses contributed events to the programme for all to share. I found it was a splendid opportunity to see parts of Ickenham new to me, hear about history and life today, have conversations, and support charities that are important to local people.
Through all this I gained a greater sense of what it means to belong or have links to Ickenham. The welcome, the trust, the fun and enthusiasm, the variety and interest in each other, the historical and geographical features of identity combined with Festival traditions and preparations.
Amongst these traditions I discovered the churches’ contributions, from which I’ll describe some highlights. The Hobbies, Arts and Crafts Exhibition at the URC turned worship area into workshop to meet the artists and see creations emerging amidst displays of an amazing range of talents and passions. The colourful flower arrangements at St. Giles’ gave fascinating representations of community institutions participating in the Festival.
Surrounded by these flowers, the united service at the start of the week, with Member of Parliament, Mayor, Councillor and wives in attendance, offered Anglican Eucharist and URC preacher. Revd Mark Fisher from Churches Together in England, set our local partnership in the wider context of ecumenical work in Britain and of God’s love transcending the boxes and barriers in society.
The joint service at the end of the week was in the glorious setting of the grounds of Swakeleys House. One family from each church brought their children for baptism. Combining rites from the two denominations helped to make clear that this sacrament declares the love of God for all people and those who respond or are brought in faith are welcomed into the whole Church.
On Gala Day, the Churches’ Tent in a strategic corner of the show ground provided a Fairtrade stall and café, free water and free face painting, and the entertaining tricks of Steve Legg with the Christian message “God’s love is for all”. In the Procession the two Junior Churches waved ruby red balloons and jumbo flags to celebrate Holiday Club’s 40th Anniversary. Their eye-catching festooned float bore a huge iced cake with 40 candles, a foretaste of the Holiday Club events this July-August.
Well done everyone, and more to look forward to!
Bernie
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK SUCCESS
Again the people of Ickenham opened their hearts and their wallets, and generated yet another record amount through the ‘red envelope collection’ during Christian Aid Week. A massive £10,667 (including the Gift Aid tax rebate) has been sent off, to help with Christian Aid’s wide range of projects in the developing world. These will help improve water provision, and the health, education and general well-being of many. A very big ‘thank you’ to all who delivered, collected, opened and counted - and especially of course to all of you who gave so generously.
HILLINGDON HOSPITAL CHAPEL SERVICES
The weekly Church of England Holy Communion service at Hillingdon Hospital is moving from Sunday morning to Thursday afternoon at 4.15pm, starting on Thursday 17th July. This change means new volunteers are needed to help patients get to and from the Chapel. If you are able to help, please call the Chaplaincy Administrator on 01895 279433.
FROM THE CHURCHES’ REGISTERS
Baptisms at St Giles’
May 25th Matthew James Child
June 8th Stanley Bo Parker
Paige Janet Emily Shelford
Baptisms at Open Air Service, Swakeleys Grounds
June 15th Jessica Pilling Prescott (St Giles’ Register)
Amelie Pilling Prescott (St Giles’ Register)
Jessica Louise Hugill (URC Register)
Wedding at St Giles’
May 17th Christopher Howells and Catherine Godfrey
Wedding at the URC
May 31st Michael Butcher and Christine Gizzi
Cremations at Breakspear Crematorium
May 12th Gwendoline Taylor, aged 86 (after service at St Giles’)
May 19th Frederick Kempton, aged 70 (after service at St Giles’)
May 22nd Ethel Robertson, aged 92
June 2nd James Taylor, aged 67 (after service at St Giles’)
June 10th Ethel Scripps, aged 98 (after service at St Giles’)
June 18th Tony Sessford, aged 74
ST GILES’ CHURCH MONTHLY STREET PRAYER LIST
Each Sunday at St Giles’ Church we pray for all the people who live or work in a particular road in the Parish. During July and August we will pray for the following roads:
July 6th Melbourne Close
July 13th Milton Court
July 20th Milton Road
July 27th Milverton Drive
Aug 3rd Melville Close
Aug 10th Narborough Close
Aug 17th Neela Close
Aug 24th Nettleton Road
Aug 31st Nithsdale Grove
If you live in one of these roads why not join us at our 8am or 9.45am services? You will be most welcome.
