From the Pastor's pen ...

And then came the great snows …  Whoever thought that something that looks so attractive and endearing could cause so much havoc and chaos.  There weren’t many people who were not affected by what turned out to be just over a week of what seemed like persistent snow, as most of the country was covered by the white stuff.  Schools were shut, meetings cancelled and hastily rescheduled (even our trip to Ludlow bore the brunt of the bad weather – even though just a few miles down the road there was not even a hint of snow!)

Just a few days later, in a small island nation a few thousand miles across the pond, a very different kind of havoc and chaos took place.  In contrast to our snowy disruption, it lasted for just a few seconds.  But during those few seconds the entire life and light of a city, and probably a nation, was snuffed out.  The number of people who have lost their lives in the Haiti earthquake disaster boggles the mind, the chaos and devastation is difficult for us to comprehend.

Thank you for your generosity in responding to the Haiti appeal a few weeks ago.  Our response together with hopefully millions of others will contribute to what will probably be a very long, frustrating phase of rebuilding that will need to take place.

A theological response at this time seems inappropriate, other than to firmly believe that God certainly did not cause this to happen, but is to be found in the millions of gifts, practical help, food parcels and experts in virtually every field of reconstruction imaginable.

One thing this disaster certainly has done is put the “great snows” into perspective!  Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have lost loved ones and also with the various rescue and aid agencies who quickly stepped in to help rebuild a broken land.

Blessings,

Gerald

WORSHIP AT BAXTER – FEBRUARY 2010

7^th February                 Family Service

14^th February               Sacrament of Holy Communion will be conducted by Reverend David Wilkinson

21^st February                Morning Worship will be led by Reverend David Wilkinson

28^th February               Morning Worship will be led by Reverend Mike Spencer

7^th March                     Family Service

All services are held at Baxter commencing at 10.45am and are led by Gerald unless otherwise stated.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Wednesdays                             Ecumenical Group, 11.00am – 12.00noon at the manse (until 11^th February when we break for half term.  Then the Lent course will start on 24^th February until 24^th March)

Thursdays                                 Spiritual Exercise, 10.00am in the Vestry, followed by Keep Fit session at 10.30am

Tuesday 2^nd February               Tuesday Break, 7.30pm in the Lecture Room (see separate article)

Monday 8^th February                Video Lunch Club, 12.30pm in the Lecture Room

Tuesday 9^th February                Elders’ meeting, 6.30pm in the Lecture Room

Tuesday 9^th February                Kidderminster Choral Society and Wyre Forest Young Voices are performing "Faure Requiem" at St Mary's Church, 7.30pm – proceeds will be given to the Tahiti Earthquake Appeal

Wednesday 10^th February        The Preface Club will meet at 2 Avocet Drive

Thursday 11^th February            “Every Day with Jesus” – get-together at manse, 7.30pm, to reflect on how the readings are going and discuss any issues that may have arisen

March 2010                             “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” – suggested dates for this meal are Friday 19^th or 26^th March.  Please indicate your availability for either or one of these dates on the list in the Lecture Room

THANK YOU

I would like to say a big “Thank You” to all friends in the Church for the very nice present of a bottle of wine that Greta and Stan brought me before Christmas.  We enjoyed this greatly during the festivities and my family and I appreciate very much your kindness and generosity.

I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and again, many, many thanks.

Dorothy Thorp

THANK YOU

Thank you all at Baxter for the beautiful basket of flowers and also for the box of biscuits.  Receiving these presents was a lovely surprise for me after my three months absence from home.

Margaret Funkie

THANK YOU

Thank you again for all your prayers as, in the poem “Footprints”, the Lord carried me through Christmas.

Elizabeth Stevenson

Trinity Methodist tea

Just a short note to pass on the thanks of Mary Austin for the goodies we sent to Trinity for the Christmas tea.  We sent 30 very full bags of goodies, plus a few little wrapped Christmas presents, donations from Elizabeth Stevenson.  Many thanks again for all your help.

Maureen Lewis

TUESDAY BREAK

On Tuesday 2^nd February, Eugene and Margaret will come and talk to us about The Ifakara Bakery Project in Tanzania.  Together with the Sisters of St Francis, they have raised the money to purchase and install the necessary equipment to run the bakery (and taught the sisters how to bake the bread).  Four hundred loaves a day are produced, providing employment for the local population and making a huge difference to people’s lives.

With the help of donations from friends etc, the Free Bread Funds has been established and daily bread is reaching for example:

• Wards in the District Hospital
• The Nazareti Leprosy Centre
• The Ifakara Orphanage
• The Bethlehem Centre for children with learning disabilities and many others.

This information was passed to Tuesday Break by some Church members who have already heard the talk and were impressed by the project and the commitment of Eugene and Margaret.  Please come along, bring a friend and give your support to a worthwhile cause.  The talk will start at 7.30pm and coffee and cake will be provided free of charge but a small donation towards this project would be appreciated.  Thank you.

Denise Carson

DECEMBER QUIZ

Find the US Presidents

1.         George Bush.
2.         George Washington.
3.         Bill Clinton.
4.         Herbert Hover.
5.         Gerald Ford.
6.         Calvin Coolidge.
7.         Jimmy Carter.
8.         Andrew Johnson.
9.         Ronald Reagan.
10.       John Adams.
11.       James Monroe.
12.       Andrew Jackson.
13.       John Tyler.
14.       James Madison.
15.       James Buchanan.
16.       James Garfield.
17.       Thomas Jefferson.
18.       Wodrow Wilson.

There were seven correct entries: Marilyn Abbott, Jackie Dainty, James and Matthew Gannon, Dorothy Jeffries, May Harden and Elizabeth Stevenson.

Stan

FEBRUARY QUIZZES

This month there are two Logic puzzles and one Sudoku.  Each puzzle will attract a prize.  In the event of a tie, the winner(s) will be drawn.  All puzzles are by permission of Kevin Stone at www.brainbashers.com.

LOGIC ONE

At the local games evening, four lads were competing in the Scrabble and chess competitions.  Liam beat Mark in chess, James came third and the 16 year old won.  Liam came second in Scrabble, the 15 year won, James beat the 18 year old and the 19 year old came third.  Kevin is 3 years younger than Mark.  The person who came last in chess came third in Scrabble and only one lad got the same position in both games.  Can you determine the ages of the lads and the positions in the two games?

NAME, AGE, SCRABBLE, CHESS

LOGIC TWO

During a recent Cluedo weekend, four games were played.  In one game Miss Scarlet used the spanner, but not in the library.  In another game, the rope was used in the study, but not by Colonel Mustard.  During one game, the gun was used in the conservatory, whilst in another game, Professor Plum was not to be found in the library.  Colonel Mustard was never in the conservatory and Miss White never used the rope.  The lead piping may or may not have been used in the kitchen.  Can you determine who used what and where?

CULPRIT, WEAPON, LOCATION

Stan

WINTER AT CEDAR LODGE

The main feature over recent weeks has been the snow and persistent freezing temperatures that we have all experienced during late December and early January.  This harsh weather had particularly serious implications for wildlife and we have made a special effort to keep our garden birds well supplied with a variety of food - this has included extras such as chopped up mince pies, grated cheese, porridge oats and currants previously soaked in water to soften them.  All was gratefully received and we had to replenish supplies several times a day.  We even felt sorry for the heron which walked on the ice on the little pool near the house obviously desperate for food.

It was very noticeable that there was a large number of blackbirds around the garden; this is accounted for by our resident blackbirds being supplemented by winter visitors from the continent.  Quite a lot of squabbling has been evident and I’ve speculated about the country of origin of the more aggressive visitors.  Our resident birds become quite tame and do not usually indulge in these excesses!  Some handsome cock pheasants have been occasional visitors and the local sparrow hawk causes panic during its regular patrol.  As ever, we have a constant battle with the grey squirrels.  We’ve just bought a new hanging feeder which has a domed plastic cover and metal bars which makes it only accessible to the smaller birds.  While writing these notes, I have watched a most persistent squirrel trying all manner of approaches in order to get at the food, so far without success.  The gymnastics involved have been very amusing - watch this space!

The freezing temperatures have resulted in the garden pools being iced over to a depth of one or two inches.  Although I tried hard to keep a small area of water ice free in the big pool, I can see that there have been a number of casualties.  Sadly this includes some of the large fish 13 or 14 years old; they go back to the original stock when the pond was built in 1996.  Due to their particular markings, I have got to know them as individuals over the years and it’s hard to see them go in this way.  Until this thaw is complete, we will not know the full extent of the fatalities. 

Several friends keep fish and I shall be very interested to find out what they have experienced.

Before the big freeze, Barbara’s plans for garden alterations were making good progress.  Two of the large beds near the pool have been stripped of plants and will be returned to grass.  A group of conifers behind the house have been felled opening out pleasant views across the fields to Kinver Edge.

A major change to life at Cedar Lodge has been the death of our dear old Corgi, Polo.  She was 16 years old, gradually losing the use of her back legs and had to be put to sleep at the beginning of November.  Although we miss her, she had a wonderful life and we have lots of happy memories - for the first time in 40 years, there is no dog in the house.  It is very strange.

Looking ahead we think of new beginnings.  There are fresh plans for the garden and the bulbs are now in evidence with few snowdrops in flower.  Seed potatoes have been purchased and last year’s bean seed stored ready for planting.  Oh for warm sun on our backs and a new spring in our steps!!

Malcolm Phillips, 22^nd January 2010

SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE ROTA

The rota for February is as follows:-

7^th February                 Jill Rose and Sheila Jordan

14^th February               Hugh and Betty Aird

21^st February                Carryl Shearwood and Lesley Harrison

28^th February               Mary Rollings and Betty Packer

Just a reminder that, should the dates be unsuitable, please arrange a stand-in and also please amend the rota listing in the Lecture Room.  Please let me know if you are unable to bring milk.

Maureen Lewis

Come and Sing!   Come and Listen!

FAURÉ REQUIEM

Nicole Stone (soprano);  Russell Painter (baritone)

Conductor – Geoffrey Weaver

Accompanist – Michael Elden

and a programme of solo and ensemble items

St. Mary’s Church, Kidderminster

Tuesday, 9^th February

Rehearsal at 5.30pm; Concert at 8.00pm

Singers’ Tickets and Concert Tickets £10

(students and under-18s free)

from Bob Powell, 3 Franchecourt Drive, Kidderminster,

DY11 5RL – s.a.e. with order – tel. 01562 60112

Vocal scores will be available;  refreshments available

after the rehearsal

All proceeds to the

Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal Fund

We are very grateful to the following sponsors of this event:

MTT (Midland Technical Translations); DPS Print; KAW (kitchen design);

DHH (Accountants)