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FROM ST GILES’ CLERGY

Welcome to the first edition of ICN in 2014, so therefore ‘A Happy New Year’.

Did you make a New Year Resolution?

What is a New Year Resolution?  It is a promise to yourself on the first day of the year that you start doing something good or stop doing something bad.  How is your resolution shaping up? Has it been forgotten? Was it a realistic resolution or a wavering dream?

Here in Ickenham 28 years ago, the two churches formed a Covenant – a promise or resolution - not to do anything separately that could be better done together.  We celebrate this and re-new our resolution every year on the last Sunday in April.

At St Giles’ Church, seven years ago, under the leadership and guidance of Adrian, we formed a ‘Mission Action Plan’ to review, renew and restructure our work and service in God’s name as modern day disciples of Jesus. The MAP is summarised in the ‘strap line’- following Christ | growing together | reaching out.  This resolution/promise is continually reviewed and assessed.  (If you think we fall short come and tell us on any Sunday over tea/coffee following the 9.45 Service).

If it is too daunting to commit to a resolution for a whole year why not try a New Day Resolution?  This is something that would have significance in and add meaning to your life.

Several years ago I was sent a card with this message; it is displayed in our kitchen.  I confess I often fall short but the Grace of God enables me to pick myself up and try again.

I shall pass through this world but once.
Any good therefore that I can do
Or any kindness I can show
To any human being let me do it now.
Let me not defer or neglect it,
For I shall not pass this way again.

Resolutions are not about making our lives a misery but more about how we are able to contribute to improving the lot of others.  This must be the motivation for Ickenham Festival Team, Ickenham Residents Association, Ickenham Churches together and for the Neighbourhood Watch.  It’s all about how we can make Ickenham a good place in which to live, where we care about people, our community, our environment. 

If you are not involved, make a resolution to do something about it (perhaps you could help the Scouts?).  On behalf of everybody at St Giles’ Church I wish you a happy and fulfilling 2014.

NAOMI WEBB

THANKS TO ALL

ICN would like to thank all our advertisers for their support throughout the last year and wish you all a busy and successful 2014!

Thanks too, to all the clubs, societies and individuals who make donations towards our running costs.  ICN is run exclusively by volunteers and our advertisers and donors make it possible for us to produce and deliver the magazine to every address in an expanding Ickenham.  Thank you. 

This month, receipt is acknowledged, with grateful thanks, for donations from:
Butterflies Children’s Charities, Peter and Pamela Birbeck, Valerie Lane, Argosy Players, Ickenham WI and Anon via David Thorpe

Please note that items for the March edition of ICN should be with the team by noon on 13th February. 

ADRIAN’S INDUCTION AT ALCESTER

On Tuesday 3rd December 2013 St Giles’ previous Rector Adrian Guthrie, was inducted by the Bishop of Warwick as Rector of five parishes centred round St Nicholas, Alcester (pronounced 'Alster'), also known as Alcester Minster (below). This pretty town, seven miles west of Stafford, Warwickshire, was established in Roman times, and has a population of around 9,000.
Adrian with the Bishop of Warwick

A dozen parishioners of St Giles’ travelled to see the induction.  On arrival, we were guided to our reserved seating at the front, just behind Juliette and their family. The all-inclusive service took place mainly in the nave and involved many clergy, choir and lay members, as well as many sections of the community including the local Baptist minister and Mayor, youth groups, and Lord Hertford from nearby Ragley Hall. The moving service over, Adrian tolled the Minster Bell to herald his induction to all.

Afterwards, we were invited to walk down the ancient Buttermarket (past a house built in 1444) to the two-storied Town Hall to share drinks and delicious food with the generous people of Alcester.  We wish Adrian well in his new calling! 
DIANA MAY

FROM THE URC ELDERS

Christmas is over.  Our Carol Services, including one by candlelight, are memories.  Both of our churches were open for Ickenham’s Festive Evening and were visited by a lot of people to admire our displays.  Many of these folk might not normally enter a church. 

We are now looking ahead.  Please note, from now we date our letters 2014 and not 2013.  I always make at least one error in this department!

In March, Shrove Tuesday is followed by the weeks of Lent.  Are we going to be strong willed and give up something for Lent perhaps to make up for a lapse in our New Year resolutions?

In April, Easter will be here – the most important days in the Christian Year.  We will listen again to the story of Jesus, starting with His entrance to Jerusalem riding a donkey on a road strewn with palm leaves, His preaching, the Last Supper, the trial, the crucifixion and most importantly, the resurrection.

On a very sombre note, 2014 is also the hundredth anniversary of the start of World War One.  Britain entered the war at the beginning of August.  This war turned out to be a terrible bloodbath for all of the participants and its less than satisfactory peace treaty in 1919 contributed ultimately to World War Two.  We must always pray that there will never be any more wars like this – or indeed any more wars at all.

Both of our churches are currently in vacancy.  We have no minister and St. Giles has no rector.  The procedures that each Church undergoes to get replacements are different.  We all hope and pray that during 2014 these vacancies will be filled.        

               JOHN DAVIES