'Where is God?' is the title of our Lent Course for 2006.
Some people give things up for Lent and this is good so long as we remain focussed on why we are doing it. This, I trust, is in order to prepare ourselves to walk with Jesus along the way of the Cross and share in the joy of his rising from the dead on Easter Day.
But often it's better to take something on for Lent rather than give something up. Especially if what we take on is something through which we can grow spiritually and deepen our understanding of our faith. One way we can do this is by taking part in a Lent Course.
Our Lent Course in 2006 will have five sessions in different venues around the four parishes. Watch out for details of where these will be. The dates will be 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th March and 5th April. The sessions will run from 8.00pm to 9.00pm.
The subjects are: Where is God... when we seek happiness? Where is God... when we face suffering? Where is God... when we make decisions? Where is God... when we contemplate death? Where is God... when we try to make sense of life?
The sessions are introduced (on audio CD) by David Hope, the former Archbishop of York and contributions to answering the questions come from Archbishop Rowan Williams, from Patricia Routledge, from Joel Edwards and from Pauline Webb. These sessions will be very thought provoking - well worth the effort of turning out on a cold winter's night!
There will be a special Baby and Toddler Nativity Service on Thursday 22nd December 2005 at
11.00am in St Andrew's, Swavesey.
All comers will be very welcome: babies, toddlers, school- age children and adults.
Come and hear the story of the birth of Jesus told in a rather different way!
Caroline Stevens
Most members of St Andrew's Choir were able to be present at the funeral of Mercy Few and a setting of the 23rd Psalm provided a fitting Anthem.
The Choir will greatly miss Mercy, who attended virtually all the Morning and Evening Choral services at St Andrew's.
The Choir is now busy with Carols for the Nine Lessons and Carols services at Christmastime.
As Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year we shall be at Conington at 6.30pm on Sunday 18th December and then at Swavesey also at 6.30pm on
Sunday 1st January 2006.
Do come along and support the singers at these carol festival services.
Keith Lofts
This year's Christingle Service at St Andrew's, Swavesey, was held on Sunday 4th December.
There was a good congregation and eighty-five Christingles were distributed.
Thanks are due to Jackie Few, Stephanie and Vanessa Hart, Kate and Tom Hendry, Christina Ladell, Carrie Looper, Wyn Oakman, Caroline and Daniel Stevens and Freda Wake who assembled the Christingles. Also to the Music Group for playing for the service, to the Sunday School who collected £55.22 in their candles and to Helen and Colin Pheysey for supplying the oranges.
The collection totalled £102.77 giving a final total of £157.99, a record for this service.
To this are added generous donations, given in memory of Mercy Few who loved and looked after many children during her lifetime. These amount to £93.00.
This makes a final total of £250.99 to be sent to the Society.
This will, as many of you know, go towards helping vulnerable children - stop more children running away and help those who have left home to return. 16,000 families are already being helped to resolve their difficulties. All of which shows how worthwhile is the work of The Children's Society and so deserving of our support.
Many, many thanks to everyone. A Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year to you all.
Dorothy Gilbert
Saturday 4th February 2006
An evening's wine tasting in Fen Drayton Village Hall
To start off the New Year, Fen Drayton Parochial Church Council is holding a wine tasting. The evening will be led by by Ken Wildey from Terrington in Yorkshire. Ken describes himself as an enthusiastic amateur, but has had a serious interest in wines for 35 years and has been a finalist in the Daily Telegraph 'wine taster of the year'.
Ken says he has a love of food and wine matches, but never fears to step off the traditional path. With a focus on novel wines, drawn from the New World, Ken and his wife Susie will lead us off the beaten track through a range of wines drawn from supermarkets and wine merchants to match your menu.
And as a Scotsman who now lives in Yorkshire, there will be a focus on value for money.
Note, the evening is purely for entertainment and information. No wine will be offered for sale on the evening.
Tickets cost £10 each, which covers all wine consumed plus cheese and may be ordered from 01954 230536 or 231903.
This year's Christingle Service at St Mary's, Fen Drayton, will take place on the afternoon of Sunday 15th January at 4.30pm. As usual at Christingle Services, a collection will be made for the work of The Children's Society. The theme of the service, although focussing as ever on Jesus as the Light of the World, will have an Epiphany flavour as befits the season.
All are welcome to this service - even if you've already been to the Advent Christingle Service at St Andrew's, Swavesey. Come along and have a second bite of the orange, as it were!
The Vicar is very willing to offer Holy Communion in their homes to those who are housebound, particularly at Festivals such as Christmas. Please contact him to arrange a convenient time.