Firstly on behalf of us all, a very big “Thank You” to Bernard and Judy Pearce who have organised the house-to-house collection for Christian Aid Week here in Ickenham for many years. This year they are handing over the coordination task to me, for the Week which runs from Sun 10th – Sat 16th May.
If you helped with the delivery and collection of the ‘red envelopes’ around the village last year, I do hope you will be able to do so again. We are likely to need some new helpers too, so if you think you could help, please call me at the Rectory on 01895 622970.
Juliette Guthrie
Another Christian Aid initiative has recently been funded by the Ickenham churches, with £1,000 being sent to the Water Action – Ethiopia project. Christian Aid partner Water Aid is engaged in a three year project to bring clean water to within 1km of some 55,000 people and their livestock. And a European Commission grant means £1,000 from Ickenham equals £4,000 on the ground for the development work in Ethiopia.
The first daffodils of spring were on view recently around the Gospel Oak in Swakeleys Road. And we can expect the usual impressive display of talent indoors when the Ickenham & Swakeleys Horticultural Society hold their Spring Show on Sat 4th April in the Village Hall. Doors open to the public at 2.30pm, and admission is free.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE BEREAVED
There will be a special Memorial service at St Giles’ on Sunday 7th June at 3pm for those who are bereaved. The names of the departed, whose funerals were conducted at Ickenham URC or by St Giles’ Church staff between the beginning of March 2008 and the end of March 2009 will be read out during the service.
Revd Ken Tombs, Curate at St Giles’ Church, will give a short talk and members of the Pastoral Support Group will be present. After the service, the congregation will be invited to have refreshments in St Giles’ Church Hall.
Anyone who would find this service helpful is welcome to attend.
The Eastcote Choral Society is keen to attract new members. Are you interested? Led by Director and Conductor Robert Jones and accompanied by Laurence Frankel, the society meets for rehearsals on Tuesdays from 8pm until 10pm at Ruislip Methodist Church, Ickenham High Road, Ruislip. New members are most welcome and no audition is required. Why not come along and give it a try?
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MAN UTD 1 - 1 WATFORD
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No, that’s not a late score from a recent cup match, but the chaplain count at a February fixture in St Giles’ Church Hall!
An audience of around 40 men, young and not-so-young, attended this Dads’ and Lads’ event, and spent an enjoyable evening listening to Watford FC’s Chaplain Clive Ross, and his Manchester United counterpart, Revd John Boyers. Both talked enthusiastically about their roles in these famous sporting institutions.
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Clive was already working in a Watford church when he was invited along to a conference on ‘Score’, a charity which aims to extend the network of chaplains serving sports organisations. He saw the opportunity to help his local football club with pastoral and spiritual guidance, as well as broadening his own ministry experience. At Watford FC, he works with staff at all levels; in the boardroom, with coaches, players and administrative staff, and he is occasionally asked for assistance by fans. He attends training sessions and matches and writes a weekly piece in the Watford FC programme. “I have no difficulty in being accepted throughout the club”, he said.
Clive was following in the footsteps of John, who was the Watford Chaplain back in 1977, when the sports chaplaincy scheme was in its infancy. John has seen and helped the scheme grow within the world of football and a variety of other sports, including rugby, cricket and horseracing. Then, in 1991, he left Watford FC and set up ‘Score’. Alongside his ‘Score’ duties – he is the charity’s National Director - he now also spends two days a week as chaplain to Manchester United. Their Manager, the world-famous Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, writes, “Our Chaplain, John Boyers, has become a valued colleague and close friend. His work within the family of MUFC has covered every emotion and he has always been there for us.”
No gathering like this would be complete without a few goals, so John went on to show us and commentate upon some exciting filmed highlights of Manchester United in memorable matches. He remarked that we can all better our lives by having our own spiritual goals. “Some people look at a life of achievement as one of getting better at everything and getting more of everything. But real peace and purpose in life comes from something spiritual and in following God’s will. If we believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him and His ways, we know God is with us now, and we can be sure of being with Him when the final whistle blows.”
