The Parish Church of
HOLY TRINITY, TARLETON
Parish "Webzine" December 2004

A letter from The Church Wardens

Dear Friends,
By the time you read this, the Wardens and members of the PCC will have met with the Bishop of Burnley and the Archdeacon of Blackburn to discuss the future incumbency of the Parish of Tarleton. This meeting takes place on the 28th November. Bishop Nicholas of Blackburn has exercised his authority to suspend the presentation of the Parish, i.e. in the past the Rector has been appointed by the Patron and the Church Wardens, with the approval of the Bishop, for the period until his retirement or resignation whichever is the earlier. The Bishop’s action means the new incumbent will be licensed to officiate in this parish for an initial period of 5 years, which can be reviewed and extended for a further period. This practice has become the norm throughout the Church of England and is brought about by the fact that there is a shortage of salaried priests.

To allay any concerns or fears you may have, this will not make any difference to the day-to-day running of the parish. It is also worth noting that the average length of an incumbency in the Church of England is seven years. We also hope that by suspending the presentation the interregnum will be a far shorter period than we could expect had the Bishop of Blackburn not taken this course of action and that the new Rector will be appointed sooner rather than later.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the warmth of support to Tony and Irene as they said their farewells. We feel the Parish lunch particularly demonstrated the kindness and support Tarleton folk are famous for!

We shall obviously keep everyone informed of all progress towards the welcoming of our new Rector and would like to thank you for your prayers and support as we endeavour to continue the work of the Parish for as long as is necessary.
Brian and Keith

ROUND AND ABOUT – FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS 2004

Funerals
“Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord”

October 13th Robert Leslie Thomas
November 8th Constance May Coggins
November 11th Winifred Staziker

Parish Visiting Group
If you know of anybody who would welcome a visit,
either because they are in hospital, or because they are confined to their home for whatever reason, or because they are new to the parish, would you please fill in one of the slips at the back of the church and place it in the box or contact Pat Heap on 812991

Taking care of the Sunday services
Visiting celebrants and preachers at 10.30 am
November 28th
Canon Peter Ballard, Diocesan Director of Education
December 5th
The Ven. John Hawley, Archdeacon of Blackburn
December 12th
Rev Dave Woodhouse
December 19th Family Service with Sunday School presentation of the Christmas Story.
Christmas Eve midnight mass: (11.30 pm Friday 24th)
Canon Brian Beaumont.
January 2nd
Rev Peter Taylor

Thank you to the wardens for arranging for these clergy to visit, both the active retired and the diocesan post holders. And thank you to Rev Tom Taylor for all the 8am Sunday services, the Church Family Services, and over Christmas.

CHOIR
Well done Lauren Taylor, Bethany Hodgkins and Daniel Currie who have achieved their RSCM Red Ribbon award.

ECUMENICAL CAROL SINGING
Saturday 18th December 6.30 in Mark Square
Please bring all your neighbours and friends to join in the celebrations on the last Saturday before Christmas

CONFIRMATION
Next year’s confirmation will be on Wednesday 4th May and candidates will make their first communion on the following Sunday, 8th.
Please tell the Wardens if you are interested as an adult or have a young person in the family who would like to be confirmed. Training will start in the New Year and forms will be issued before Christmas.

WHAT’S ON ….

Christmas Coffee Morning
Saturday December 4th 10 am to 12 Noon
in the Over 60’s Club
Cakes Gifts Crafts Books
Raffle
Surprise Sunday School Stall
Admission including Refreshments £1

MOTHERS’ UNION: December
Our prayer group will meet on Monday, December 6th at 2.00 pm in the Parish Room.
We look forward to our Christmas Lunch on Wednesday 8th December at the Rufford Arms meeting at 12.00 for 12.30.
Our meeting on Wednesday 15th December at 7.30 pm will be an Advent Quiet Time in preparation for Christmas.
We have been invited to the WI Carol Service on Thursday, December 9th at 7.30 pm in the Methodist Church, and also to the MU Carol Service on Thursday, December 16th at 7.30 pm at St Stephen’s in Banks.
With greetings and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all our Members and Friends.
Pat Heap.

TARLETON W.I.
Invite you to their Carol Service at Tarleton Methodist Church Thursday December 9th at 7.30 pm followed by Refreshments in the Hall.

JOINT INFORMAL WALKING GROUP for Tarleton, Hesketh and Rufford parishioners
Taking advantage of the extra bank holidays, we’re ignoring New Year’s Day and walking on Tuesday 28th December: start from Holy Trinity Church at around 11 am (after the end of the Holy Innocents’ Eucharist) to reprise an enjoyable stroll over the mosslands from Tarleton to Rufford. Lunch at the excellent Rufford Arms is at around 12.30 pm. We return down the canal, passing the point where some of our more mature members used to swim.
If you want to walk one-way only, or just turn up for lunch, feel free: this is the informal walking group!
All are welcome, whether regular churchgoers or not.
Queries? Ring Ian on 813267 or 07767 638996 on the day.

Sunday 30th January is World Leprosy day
There will be a visiting speaker at the 10.30 service. Will holders of the L-boxes please let Sue have them back by that day.

From Fr. Tony and Irene,
We wish to thank all our friends at Tarleton from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and kindness that was shown at our farewell. It was a very emotional time for us all, but the wonderful service on October 3rd, the lunch afterwards and the gifts I was presented with will always remain in our memories, so thank you everyone who contributed to making it a memorable occasion.

I was Licensed here on Wednesday November 10th, to the accompaniment of pouring rain (a sign of blessing in Cyprus), the 5 pm call from the Mosque, and the busyness of a Kyrenia evening. It was also very moving to have friends coming from all over the Island and farther afield.

It was splendid service, and during it I was presented with "Symbols of Ministry ", which included a stole and oil, so I was able to use the beautiful white stole and the oil stocks you presented me as a symbol of moving forward into a new sphere of ministry, and a wonderful link between the two churches.

We are slowly getting our selves sorted out, and enjoying a brief spell as millionaires (the Turkish Lira is incredible for its number of noughts!) Life and culture is very different from the South of Cyprus, and we will in time adjust to it.

So, may God bless and keep you all, and may He guide you forward to do things for him.
With much love to you all.
Irene & Tony

Heard on the News Quiz (Radio 4)
From a parish magazine notice of a meeting. The topic is “Heaven and how we get there.” Transport available from 7 o’clock.

CHRISTIAN AID
Our Parish Total from the Christian Aid Week collection earlier this year was £1243.14

STOP PRESS REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
After our joint Remembrance Service, we were repeatedly told that it went very well. The church was virtually full with members of the two congregations, the uniformed organisations, and the civil and RBL representatives.
The Rev Pat Aitchison lead the first part with caring confidence, the Bishop preached punchily and presided, Tom doubled on organ and leading the central section with the silence, and I filled in other bits as needed. I find the reading of the names the most difficult thing I do all year as so many of the surnames are represented today in the congregation. Thank you to Alan for the excellent Last Post and Reveille.
Thank you to all who attended and worshipped.
Ian

News from School - Our Eco-Committee
This was established two years ago and its main aims are to look after the environment. We have gained both our bronze and silver award and are working towards the Green Flag award. This term Andy (from the wild life trust) came in to talk about rubbish and the three R’s (Reduce, Re-use and Re-cycle.)
We are holding a ’rubbish’ competition throughout the school. The pupils have to design a collage to do with the ‘three R’s.’ The winner will have their design crated from crisp packets and made by the Eco-Committee.
By Emma Aldred and Natalie Firth-Cook, Year 6.

Learning is fun!
We have interactive white-boards that we use to help us learn!
Sarah Webster and Chloe McClaughen. Year 3

Prefects
We now have prefects in Year 6. They help to ensure that the school is happy and safe. The tasks involved are answering the phone at lunchtime; toast duty at playtime; corridor and playground duty. We recognise the prefects by their badges.
Mandy Spencer, Year 6.

Playground buddies
We are starting a new system called Playground Buddies. Children from Years 5 and 6 will be working with the welfare assistants and staff to ensure that the school is a happy school. The buddies will be encouraging children to pay new games, to co-operate with each other. They will also care for children who are feeling lonely or upset.
Jordan Barker and Emma Aldred, Year 6.

ADVENT and CHRISTMAS at Holy Trinity
Sunday 12th December
6.30 pm Village Carol Service
with the Band and Organisations

Sunday 19th December
10.30 am Church Family Eucharist
+ Sunday School presentation of the Nativity
followed by the Sunday School Christmas party
6.30 pm Nine Lessons and carols

Friday 24th Christmas Eve
4.00 pm Crib Service
11.30 pm MIDNIGHT MASS

Saturday 25th Christmas Day
8.00 am Eucharist
10.30 am Sung Eucharist

Sunday 26th St Stephen
10.30 am Sung Eucharist

Monday 27th St John the Evangelist
10.30 am Eucharist

Tuesday 28th Holy Innocents
10.30 am Eucharist

Saturday 1st January The Naming of Jesus
11.00 am Eucharist

This Christmas, what does a child in Bethlehem dream of?
Jessica won’t be dreaming of presents this Christmas. She’ll be dreaming of being safe. Of an end to war. Of peace. Jessica lives in Bethlehem, the town of Jesus’ birth. Today, the children of Bethlehem are caught in a conflict that leave them hungry, wounded and terrified.
Can you imagine what it is like for a child to be injured by shrapnel? Jessica can. One day, while out with her family, Jessica was hit by shrapnel which destroyed her left eye. It caused her such anguish that she gouged out her beloved doll’s eye too, just to share her pain.
But Jessica found the help she dreamed of, thanks to people like you.
With help from regular gifts, Christian Aid’s local partner, the YMCA Beit Sahour, was able to give Jessica long-term counselling. She gradually began to heal. She started to laugh and play again. She became a child again.
Just £2 a month will help a child like Jessica this Christmas.
Long ago, Jesus was born an innocent child, in a world of conflict. Today, millions of innocent children are still suffering the consequences of conflict – conflict that brings hunger, destroys homes and livelihoods, and makes poor families even poorer.
Your £2 a month could buy food for the hungry, counselling for children injured by conflict, and support for those brave enough to work for peace.

Christian Aid FREEPOST London SE1 7YY
Children in today’s Bethlehem dream of an end to their suffering.

PARISH DIARY for DECEMBER
NORMAL SUNDAY SERVICES
8.00 am Holy Communion, 10.15 am Sunday School and Crèche 10.30 am SUNG EUCHARIST
(3rd Sunday, FAMILY PARISH COMMUNION)
DAILY OFFICE Monday to Friday, Daily Offices in Church.
Morning Prayer 8.30 am (Wednesday 9.30 am)
Evening Prayer - see notice on board at rear of church
Please feel free to join the Rector at any of these services
Sunday 28th November ADVENT SUNDAY
8.00 am Holy Communion
10.15 am Sunday School
10.30 am PARISH EUCHARIST
Celebrant and Preacher: Canon Peter Ballard
3.00 pm PCC “Section 12” meeting: Parish Room
Tuesday 30th St Andrew’s Day
6.30 pm Choir Practice (adults after service)
7.30 pm Eucharist
DECEMBER
Wednesday 1st 10.00 am Holy Communion: (BCP)
Saturday 4th 10.00 am Christmas Coffee morning
Sunday 5th Second Sunday of Advent
8.00 am Holy Communion
10.15 am Sunday School
10.30 am PARISH EUCHARIST
Celebrant and Preacher, The Ven John Hawley, Archdeacon of Blackburn
Monday 6th 2.00 pm MU Prayer Group: Parish Room
Tuesday 7th 10.00 am Eucharist Oakgate Close
6.30 pm Choir Practice (adults 6.50)
Wednesday 8th 10.00 am Holy Communion: (BCP)
12 for 12.30: MU Christmas Lunch: Rufford Arms
Sunday 12th Third Sunday of Advent
8.00 am Holy Communion
10.15 am Sunday School
10.30 am PARISH EUCHARIST
Celebrant and Preacher: Rev David Woodhouse
6.30 pm Village Carol Service with the Band and church organisations.
Tuesday 14th 6.30 pm Choir Practice (adults 6.50)
Wednesday 15th 10.00 am Holy Communion: (BCP)
7.30 pm MU: Parish Room Advent Quiet Time
Saturday 18th 6.30 pm Joint Carol Singing, Mark Square
Sunday 19th Fourth Sunday after Advent
8.00 am Holy Communion
10.30 am CHURCH FAMILY EUCHARIST
with the Sunday School presentation of the Nativity
6.30 pm Nine Lessons and Carols
Tuesday 21st 6.30 pm Choir Practice (adults 6.50)
Wednesday 22nd 10.00 am Holy Communion: (BCP)
Friday 24th Christmas Eve
4.00 pm Crib Service
11.30 pm MIDNIGHT MASS
Celebrant and Preacher: Canon Brian Beaumont
Saturday 25th CHRISTMAS DAY
8.00 am Holy Communion
10.30 am SUNG EUCHARIST
Sunday 26th St Stephen
10.30 am PARISH EUCHARIST
Monday 27th St John the Evangelist
10.30 am Eucharist
Tuesday 28th Holy Innocents
10.30 am Eucharist
11 am (ish) Joint Informal Walking Group
leaves Holy Trinity Church: lunch at the Rufford Arms c12.30.
Wednesday 29th 10.00 am Holy Communion: (BCP)
JANUARY
Saturday 1st The Naming of Jesus
11.00 am Eucharist
Sunday 2nd Second Sunday of Christmas
8.00 am Holy Communion
10.30 am PARISH EUCHARIST
Celebrant and Preacher: Rev Peter Taylor

May the birth of the Christchild bring you peace and joy this Christmas.