December 2014

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RECORD NUMBER OF SHOEBOXES DONATED

Thank you very much to everyone who has supported the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoebox appeal this year.

We had support from Breakspear School, Little Ealing School, 1st Ickenham Brownies, 4th Ickenham Guides, 7th Hillingdon Beavers, St Giles’ Church, Ickenham United Reformed Church as well as members of the wider Ickenham Community. 

As a result, we had 419 filled shoeboxes – a new record high! - beating last year’s former record total of 341 boxes!  We also filled several carrier bags of items which were too big to go in the shoeboxes!  These items will be put in crates and distributed with the shoeboxes to the needy children in Asia, Africa or Eastern Europe.

You have helped to make 419 children very happy as they receive their Christmas Shoebox and know that God loves them.  
 
                                                            Thank you all very much!                                               
Dorothy Vickery

CAROL SINGING – ALL WELCOME

On Saturday 20th December, a group from St Giles’ Church will meet at 10.30am outside the Village Hall in Swakeleys Road for carol singing.  After singing outside the shops for 40 minutes, there will be a break for coffee and mince pies in the St Giles’ Church Hall, followed by another half hour of singing.  Supported by Father Christmas, we hope to raise a considerable amount for Save the Children.  Do join us - everyone welcome!  For further details, ring Jenny Reid on 01895 633130.
           
On Wednesday 24th December at 8pm, a group from the URC will meet in the entrance foyer to Harefield Hospital and proceed to sing carols in several wards.  This is always much appreciated by the patients who will be spending their Christmas in Harefield Hospital so do join us!  Please meet in the foyer just before 8pm.  All welcome.



THE POWER OF PRAYER

As many of you who know me may know, I have recently undergone a major operation which has been very successful.
           
I have been deeply touched by the numbers of friends who have sent me cards and messages, wishing me well, and frequently saying they are praying for my early recovery.  There is no doubt in my mind that the prayers have succeeded.
           
The discovery that I was experiencing aneurysms (swelling of the arteries) was completely by chance and resulted from a follow-up scan after another, unconnected, operation.  Normally, there are no physical symptoms, and, had the aneurysms not been spotted then, I fear the consequences of what would have followed.  What actually followed was extremely impressive:

• The case was referred to a vascular surgeon, who happens to reside in Ickenham.
• He had the experience and confidence to decide that the aneurysms could be by-passed by the insertion into the aorta of five, specially designed and constructed, interlocking metal tubes called stents.
• Thanks to the incredible skills of the surgeon and his team, the operation went exactly to plan and was completed within three hours; the only external evidence are two small scars in the groin.

The whole process was truly amazing and I thank everyone for their support, indispensable prayers and love.  
AFN