BASILICAN
December and January
2013/2014
30p
The Church in Wales - Diocese of Monmouth
Rectorial Benefice of Bassaleg
Sunday Worship
St Basil, Bassaleg
Holy Eucharist
Holy Eucharist with Junior Church
Evening Prayer (1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays)
8.30am
10am
6.30pm
St John the Baptist, Rogerstone
10.45am Holy Eucharist with Junior Church
6.30pm
Evening Prayer (4th Sunday)
9.30am
11.30am
St Anne, High Cross
Holy Eucharist
‘Time for God’
Rivermead Centre, Afon Village
Informal Worship (2nd Sunday)
3pm
Weekday Worship
Monday
9am
7.30pm
Morning Prayer
Holy Eucharist
St Basil
St Basil
(Third Monday with Healing Ministry)
Tuesday
9am
10am
Morning Prayer
Holy Eucharist
St John
St John
(Second Tuesday with Healing Ministry)
Wednesday
9am
Morning Prayer
St Basil
10am
Holy Eucharist
St Basil
(This service is suspended until further
notice)
Thursday
9am
10am
Morning Prayer
Holy Eucharist
St Anne
St Anne
(First Thursday with Healing Ministry)
Friday
8am
Holy Eucharist
St Basil
9am
Morning Prayer
St Basil
DIARY NIGHT
Arrangement of Baptisms, Weddings, Banns of Marriage
and any non-urgent matters can be made at St Basil’s Church
on most Mondays from 6.30pm to 7pm.
WHO’S WHO IN THE BENEFICE
Team
Rector
Revd Christopher Stone
Tel. 01633 378354
The Vicarage, 1 Church View, Bassaleg NP10 8ND
Team
Vicar
Revd Robert Lindsay
Tel. 893489
St. John’s Vicarage, 25 Wern Terrace, Rogerstone
NP10 9FG
Assistant
Curate
Revd Heidi-Maria de Gruchy
Tel. 895441
St Anne’s House, 2 High Cross Drive, Rogerstone,
NP10 9AB
Assistant
Curate
Revd Richard Mulcahy
Tel. 894641
9 High Cross Drive, Rogerstone, NP10 9AB
Assistant
Curate
Revd Elizabeth Kerl
Tel. 893739
46 Laurel Road, Bassaleg NP10 8NT
Licensed
Reader
Mrs Hilary Prest
Tel. 412803
Benefice
Wardens
Mrs Carole Loftus
Mr Ashley Rogers
Tel. 662973
Tel. 894904
SubWardens
Mr Gary Probert
Mrs Sarah Mulcahy
Mr Geoff Nicholls
Mrs Margaret Hayes
Tel.
Tel.
Tel.
Tel.
679218
894641
894579
220646
Magazine Editor Mr Geoff Nicholls,
93 Ruskin Avenue, Rogerstone, Newport, NP10 0BD.
Tel: 894579; Email: gpnicholls@talktalk.net
Parish Website : www.bassalegbenefice.org
High Cross Drive
Rogerstone
Newport
December 2013
Dear friends
You’re probably already tired of all the Christmas adverts that have
been filling our TVs since the beginning of November. In recent
years there seems to have been increasing competition between the
big stores to make their adverts not only memorable, but also
emotional, not so much selling particular food or presents, as
selling the idea of a type of Christmas – Christmas at their shop, of
course.
There’s always a danger that we can become a bit grumpy that
people spend so long getting ready for Christmas, and then treat it
as though it’s all about one day. For us Christians, preparation is
important – that’s why we have four weeks of Advent to get ready
– but we also know that Christmas is something to be celebrated
for more than 24 hours. And it certainly doesn’t end with the
beginning of the Boxing Day sales!
Christmas is a time for celebrating the fact that God came to live
with us and face all the troubles and dangers that people had to live
with. He came to the most vulnerable position possible, as a child
to a young mother in a country ravaged by violence and cruelty,
occupied by a foreign army. If this wasn’t bad enough, then
Matthew tells us that he had to leave Bethlehem and become a
refugee because King Herod was threatened by his birth.
Yet it is this child, Jesus, who we celebrate throughout our lives.
It’s probably easier for people to focus on presents and parties at
Christmas, just think about the one day. For us, though, we know
that Christmas Day is only a beginning, an annual reminder of what
Jesus risked to come to save us from ourselves.
So when everyone else is thinking it’s all over, we will be starting
another year of life with Christ. In recent years, we’ve celebrated
the Christmas season not just until Epiphany but until Candlemas –
a 40-day season to reflect on the fact that Christmas is something to
be celebrated like Easter, to be taken into a New Year and not put
away into the attic until next time. Christmas should always be
part of our lives and our witness as Christians.
So don’t get too down in January when the rest of the country
thinks that Christmas has finished, and when the decorations come
down. Remember that Christ came for all of us, for all our lives,
and that the gift of Christmas – life in God – is with us all year
through.
This parish magazine covers both December and January so, on
behalf of everyone in the Benefice of Bassaleg, may I wish you a
happy and holy Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Yours in Christ
Richard Mulcahy
From the Benefice Registers
HOLY BAPTISM
Zack Harry
Halle Laura James
Ivy Alice Summers
Ethan William Bailey
Jasmine Lauren Bailey
CHRISTIAN FUNERAL
.
Rosina Elizabeth Johnson
Marguerite Violet Elizabeth Thompson
William Cromwell
Peter Sheppard
INTERNMENT OF ASHES
Clive Humphries
PERSONALISED GREETING CARDS
We now have a new range of cards for all occasions.
Samples are available to view, and wording can be
chosen to suit your requirements, including Biblical texts
and prayers.
Please contact Anne Davies or Jenny Turner for more
information.
The Dorcas Society
Update on the Rector
Chris is continuing to make progress from having double
pneumonia, however another infection has sadly set him back
further. As a result he will not be back in action with us until at
least January 2014, which I know is a real disappointment for him.
Chris has asked me to thank you all for your kind wishes, the many
cards received, and, of course, for continuing to holding him in
your many prayers.
Rob
Back to the future!
It’s sometimes said that the church is still living in the 19th
century, but at least in this parish we have made a few steps
into the 21st! If you’re still coming to terms with the internet,
or if you’re hoping to get a new tablet for Christmas, you
might like to know that you can join us and the parish in its
place on the interwebs...
Our parish website is at
www.bassalegbenefice.org
Details of people, services and
other activities are here, along
with some more details on the
parish, its churches and people.
our
and
life.
We have a Facebook group that
anyone can join: just search for
‘Bassaleg Benefice’ and join
community to share ideas and
worries. We will pray with you
walk alongside you, online as in
There is also a Twitter feed which
gives short updates on anything
happening in the parish and shares
messages from other people –
churches, charities and others – as
they come up. Look for
@parish_bassaleg or search for ‘Bassaleg Benefice’.
However, we haven't reached the stage where you can tweet
along with the sermon, giving the preacher your comments
online while he or she is in the pulpit. That might be a step
too far!
The gift of love.
The gift of peace.
The gift of happiness.
The gift of Jesus.
May all these be yours at Christmas
Wishing you Peace and Love
from the churches of
St Basil’s, St John’s and St Anne’s.
Join us as we celebrate
the best present ever.
Rivermead Centre
8th December Carol Service at 3pm
St Anne’s Church, High Cross
22nd December, Carol Service at 11.30am
Christmas Day
Family Service at 9.30am
St John’s Church, Rogerstone
5th December, Carol Service at 7pm
24th December, Crib Service at 4pm
24th December, Midnight Mass at 11.30pm
Christmas Day
Family Service at 10.45am
St Basil’s Church, Bassaleg
11th December, ‘Light Up A Life’ at 7pm
22nd December, Carol Service at 6.30pm
24th December, Christingle at 4pm
24th December, Midnight Mass at 11.30pm
Christmas Day
Eucharist at 8.30am
Family Service 10am
St Basil’s Mothers’ Union
During October we had a most inspiring afternoon led by Jessica
Evans, the Wales fund-raising co-ordinator for SAVE THE
CHILDREN. The organisation gives support to so many vulnerable
areas around the world. They train people worldwide to fight
poverty, hunger and malnutrition, and provide basic hygiene
education in order to give all children the same start in life. Health
and parenting projects have been set up by them in this country as
well as many parts of the world. It gave everyone much food for
thought, and made us very mindful of all we have to be grateful for.
The Revd Rob Lindsay joined us at the beginning of November,
and led an afternoon of preparation for Advent. It was amusing and
thought-provoking as we were led though each week of Advent and
the meaning of each candle on the advent ring. It closed with a
period of silence, very rare at a Mothers’ Union meeting, when we
closed our eyes and were asked to imagine Jesus sat in the empty
chair next to Rob. For many, myself included, the image was very
real, and we were left with a very warm feeling of excitement of
the season to come.
On behalf of Bassaleg Mothers’ Union I would like to send our
best wishes for a joyful and peaceful Christmas to everyone.
Our next meetings are as follows in the church hall. Please feel free
to join us.
Thursday December 5th 7pm Advent Deanery Carol
Service
Marshfield.
Tuesday December 10th 2.30pm
Tuesday January 28th 2014 2.30pm
Kay Rogers
Celebrating Christmas.
AGM
.
St John with St Anne Mothers’ Union
Our meeting on the 12th November took place on a lovely
‘Spring like’ afternoon. Margaret, our Leader opened the
meeting with worship. She then went on to tell us about next
year’s General Meeting which is being held in Belfast on
June 21st, and which will be incorporated into a four day
holiday. The holiday is open to all members and their
families, as well as non members. It is hoped to get as many
people as possible to help keep the cost down. If you would
like to know more, then please ask Margaret, who has all the
details.
Margaret also thanked the ladies for their generous gifts of
toiletries and other items which have now been delivered to
the hospital Chaplain. This is an ongoing project for the
branch, and more items were brought to the meeting for
distribution. Also tabled were the latest edition of Faith and
Policy Watch, the Mothers’ Union document which deals with
issues of policy, including Government Legislation, which
affect us all as UK citizens, and information regarding the
latest of our Ethical Gifts catalogues.
Margaret then went on to introduce our Mothers’ Union
speaker, Mrs Jean Hackett, who gave us a very informative
talk on our Bye Buy Childhood campaign. This campaign
deals with tackling the government, retailers, internet
providers and TV companies about inappropriate advertising
and the commercialisation of children. Jean not only spoke to
us, but showed us several articles in the newspaper, which
told of the effects of advertising on children and young
people. She also set us a quiz to enable us to see how we
too were influenced. Most of us had only a hazy idea about
today’s advertising, but when it came to that which we would
have seen in our younger years we had no problem. For
instance, we had to think about those advertising insurance
today, such us confused.com, but when it came to ‘you’ll
wonder where the yellow went’ we were all able to answer
without thought. Can you? This would be an excellent talk
for any group who felt strongly about the safety of today’s
children and the children of generations to come. For many
parenting can be a minefield, and the Mothers’ Union’s
‘Passionate About Parenting’ Facilitators are on hand
offering any and all parents the opportunity to develop skills
whilst gaining support from a group.
Our next meeting, and the final one for the year, will be our
Advent Communion service on Tuesday 10th December at
2.00pm, venue to be announced, which as always is open to
all.
Christmas blessings from us all,
Jenny Barton Branch secretary
SIGHTSAVERS INTERNATIONAL
The final totals for the retiring collections and donations
were:St Basil’s £56
St John’s £215 (this includes several donations ranging
from £10 to £50 )
St Anne’s £5
making a final total of £276. This, together with various
amounts which had been banked as a result of coppers
collected, meant that a cheque for £375 could be sent off.
I also received a generous anonymous donation of £100,
which was also sent.
Once again my sincere thanks to all who continue to save
coppers and small change. Your support is so
appreciated, and makes such a difference to so many
people, young and old, who suffer painful eye problems.
Just keep those coppers rolling.
My very best wishes to you all for a blessed Christmas
and a Peaceful New Year.
Joy Tredwin
December 2013
Typhoon Haiyan Appeal
By the time you read this, we will already have had
the collection in church for the Philippines Typhoon Appeal, but
if you have still not donated, I would urge you to do so, please. It
doesn’t have to be through the church, nor necessarily Christian
Aid, there are plenty of appeals by the big charities and the
Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC); I am sure none of us
could enjoy Christmas if we hadn’t given something to these poor
people who have lost everything.
May I also put in a final plug for Present Aid.
Pat Nicholls
Editor’s note
Many thanks to all who have contributed towards
this month’s magazine. Many thanks also to
Dan Parker and his staff at the Diocesan Office
for printing this issue of the magazine whilst our
printer is still out of commission
Could you please ensure that all contributions
for the February edition of Basilican reach me
by 19th January. Thank you.
Best wishes for a Happy Christmas and
a Peaceful and Blessed New Year
to all readers and contributors
Geoff Nicholls
COFFEE MORNING and CAKE STALL
St. John’s Church Hall
Saturdays 14th December and 11th January
10.30 am to 11.45 am
In aid of Church Hall funds
St. John’s Church Hall
MODERN SEQUENCE DANCING
Friday Nights 8.00 pm to 10.00pm
£2.00
St. John’s Church Hall
The hall is available for hire at a cost of £7.50 per hour.
The large hall is suitable for
Meetings
Birthday parties,
Dancing etc.
Kitchen facilities are included with the cost.
For bookings please contact Rose Pugh – 01633 897962
who is always willing to talk through the availability of
the Hall for hire.