Ever since Ely Cathedral began to charge for admission some years ago, the issue of having to pay to get into the mother church of the diocese has been somewhat controversial.
As readers of Ely Ensign may have noticed, Alan Hargrave, the new Canon Missioner of the Cathedral, has announced a scheme whereby those whose names appear on the church electoral roll of their home parish may be issued with a free pass to visit the Cathedral. The Vicar has a form on which to submit the names of those who would like such a pass. If you would like a pass please let him know.
The Christingle Service was held at St Andrew's, Swavesey, on Sunday 5th December. I was sorry not to be able to attend due to an attack of sciatica and so must thank those who rallied round to make sure everything went ahead as usual, especially Jackie Few and Freda Wake who were ably assisted by Stephanie & Vanessa Hart and Carrie & Justin Looper to assemble the Christingles, the Music Group for providing the music and Peter Marriott for obtaining the oranges.
The sum of £92.05 was raised. Thanks are especially due to the Sunday School for once again filling their collecting candles.
A message from the Children's Society: "This year Christingle is supporting the Society's work to help give 100,000 under 16's who run away from home each year somewhere safe to go and someone sound to talk to."
For more information visit www.christingle.org.
Many thanks for your support. I do have collecting boxes, which I empty once a year, if anyone would like to give on a year-round basis. Just ring me on 01954 205254 and I will deliver a box.
Happy Christmas to you all.
Dorothy Gilbert
A further Christingle Service, when we celebrate the coming of the Christchild as light into the world and support the work of The Children's Society, will take place at St Mary's, Fen Drayton, at 4.30pm on Sunday 16th January 2005.
If you are looking for an opportunity to explore more deeply the meaning of Christian faith or to make your own the profession of faith that was made on your behalf by your godparents at your baptism, then perhaps a course of confirmation classes is the thing for you.
A compact confirmation course will be run for young people during the Christmas holiday period, though further classes will be offered both for adults and for young people (who must be at least 11 years old at the time of the confirmation) if these are needed.
We will be working towards a confirmation service which will be held in the North Stowe Deanery on 14th April 2005 and at which the Bishop of Ely will be presiding.
Further information from the Vicar.
St Andrew's Choir
St Andrew's Choir will be singing at Conington for the Carol Service on 19th December and at St Andrew's, Swavesey, on Sunday 26th December - the Feast of Stephen. Come and join us in singing "Good King Wenceslas" on that day at 6.30 pm, with refreshments after the service.
Keith Lofts
Thanks to all who contributed to our "Gift Day" on 27th November. The total received by 5th December was £1,060- slightly up on the 2003 total. Despite this result our financial position is still difficult and a deficit on the current account is likely again this year.
Keith Lofts
Once again I must ask parishioners to be thoughtful when bringing materials to the recycling bins in St Andrew's car park in Swavesey.
Please only bring items which can be recycled in the bins provided. Please take non-recyclable items such as plastic bags home with you. And please do not deposit general refuse in the car park, particularly if it may cause a health hazard. I understand that some people have now been fined for dumping unauthorised rubbish in the car park. If what you have brought isn't listed as something that the recycling bins can accept, please do not leave it in St Andrew's car park.
St Andrew's offers the recycling area as a service to the village and the community. Please do not abuse this facility.
Cambridge Foodbank is appealing for donations of tea, coffee and other beverages to help provide warm drinks to those in need during the colder weather. They are also collecting cutlery and crockery on behalf of tenancy support charities. Please place donations in the large box provided in St Andrew's Church, Swavesey.
Parishioners of all the villages in the benefice are warmly welcomed to come to St Andrew's, Swavesey, on Saturday 22nd January from 10.00am to about 3.30pm to explore where the Holy Spirit might be leading us in the future, both as individual Christians and as Churches. John Beer, the newly appointed Archdeacon of Ely, will lead a eucharist at about 12 noon as part of this day. Details from the churches.
The Vicar is always happy to offer the sacrament of Holy Communion to the housebound at home. Please ring him on 01954 231903 to arrange dates and times. The Vicar is also always ready to talk with parishioners, whether regular churchgoers or not, about arranging weddings, baptisms, funerals, services of thanksgiving, etc.
There is no special Sunday for baptisms, though usually only one service each month in each parish will include a christening. Which Sunday this is tends to be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. So do get in touch with the Vicar early.
Before a baptism we have a Service of Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child. This can take place during a Sunday Service or on another occasion but preferably as soon as possible after a baby's birth.
The Vicar can also offer advice on the forms of memorial which are permitted in churchyards.
But, of course, it doesn't have to be that you're trying to arrange a church service of some sort; the Vicar is happy to talk on almost any matter, but especially about spiritual or related concerns.