ALT. SAINTS' COLESHILL VILLAGE Nj^SLEJ£T|R NO. £7
January 1970
DO YOU BELIEVE IN PURGATORY ?
I hope you do, for it is a source of inexpressible hope and joy for
Christians.
No Christian can claim that when he dies he is worthy enough to see
God face to face in heaven. Such a claim would be the worst kind of
pride, because when we leave this life we still have in our natures the
effects of sin and ignorance which stain every soul. If therefore when
we die we are imperfect and not yet fit for heaven, the only alternative
is hell, unless there is an intermediate state where our sinfulness and
its effects will be done away and our natural ignorance progressively
enlightened. Here is the hope and joy of purgatory - the chance of
cleansing and enlightenment by God so that made ready by him we may
enjoy for ever the home he has prepared for us. A scheme of life after
death without purgatory only induces feelings of pride or despair here
on earths either "I'm going to heaven (i.e. I think myself already made
worthy to go)", or "I realise I'm not worthy to go to heaven, so I
can't go". Thank God he has in store for us more purity and knowledge
than even the best of us dare acknowledge in ourselves in this life.
And to anybody who has read thus far, and wonders why I'm wasting
any time at all discussing such an occult thing as the distinction
between the states in a problematical after-life, I can only reply how
very odd it is that we should spend so much time and trouble in Britain
trying to prolong our earc"J>r existence for just a few years and hardly
bother at all about gaining life for ever
CHRISTIAN UNITY
I hope Christians in our two villages will keep the annual week of
prayer for Christian unity which falls during this month. lie must try
ever harder to seek for unity, but this movement, ecumenism, is of
course not an end in itself - love and truth are. TOM J . O . JM .
MRS. MARY HARRIS
Mrs. Mary (Polly) Harris, formerly of Bottle Cottages, who died on
20 December at the age of 89, was buried in the churchyard on 23
December after a funeral which was attended by many villagers. Until
she went to live with her daughter in Amersham, Mrs. Harris was said to
be Coleshill's oldest resident. She was fortunate in remaining active
until the day of her death. May perpetual light shine upon her.
MR MICHAEL GANFIELD
Mr Michael Canficld of Hertfordshire House suffered a heart attack
and died while flying home from America on 20 December. His
premature death at the age of 43 was a sad shock and our prayers arc
with Mrs Canfield at a time of great distress. He was buried in the
churchyard on 24 December. May he rest in peace.
CHRISTMAS CRIB COLLECTION
The money given at the crib this year which is to be divided
equally between the Magila Hospital in Masasi Diocese, Tanzania, and
'Shelter1 the organisation to help the homeless in Britain, has
amounted to £17.2s. (including a single gift of £10) at the time of
going £o press. We arc grateful to everyone who contributed,
IN HOSPITAL
We are very sorry that Mrs Baldwin, Miss Crighton and Mr. Leith
have all been in Amcrsham Hospital. We wish them a speedy recovery.
Mr. L.J. Edwards of Glebe House has also been unwell for some time,
and we trust that it won't be long before he's back to normal again.
THE MAGPIES
We were very sorry to sec the departure of Mr and Mrs Knight from
'the Magpies public house after a tenancy of close on fourteen years.
They have gone to live at Wcndovcr - but not without a very pleasant
farewell night on 10 December. We wish them every happiness in their
retirement.
We wish every happiness too to Mr. Jim Petit, the new landlord, and
his wife and three sons who come from London. May his tenancy bp a
long one.
50 YEARS IN THE CHOIR
Congratulations to Mr. Raymond Puscy of Little Bowers on completing
fifty years in the church choir, a service for which All Saints people
arc very grateful. In an age when nearly everyone moves from place to
place this sort of record is becoming increasingly rare. We hope
there will be many more years to add to it yet.
QUEEN ELIZABETH I's WORDS ON THE HOLY EUCHARIST
Christ's was the word that spake it,
Christ's was the hand that brake itj
And what that word doth make it
That I believe and take it.
IN OUR OWN INTERESTS
At a time when a flu epidemic has made it almost impossible to get
into hospital unless your case is an emergency one, we read of wards
having to close because there aren't enough nurses. In Stoke
Mandeville a brand-new maternity unit-has been standing empty since the
autumn because there is no one to staff it. Clearly there is a nursing
crisis which will get worse unless the public press the nurses' case
for better pay and conditions. T,ve suggested to Miss Love-day Pusey
that whe should write a short article on the nurses' case, and this
appears below. If you want to do something practical about it forms
are available, and we hope to have some in church, which you can sign
and send to the Minister of Health supporting the nurses' cause.
FAIR PAY FOR NURSES
Nurses are fighting for fair conditions, not just for themselves but
for their patients.
The recruitment of student nurses has fallen almost by half in thelast
two years. Why? Because of the hours that nurses work, and the
conditions they have to work under. Naturally a student nurse has
to do her practical training, but. this takes up a full xjorking weak, and
her equally important theoretical studies have to be fitted in after
she has worked an 8-hour shift. All this for £7 a week to.live on.
To work a 4.0-odd hour week and study for an important exam is too much
to expect.
A first year nurse is given a staggering amount of responsibility.
She has to look after a ward of 16 or more patients entirely alone on
night duty. If she has to leave the ward for a moment, anything could
happen in the short time she is away.
Owing to shortage of staff and overwork, tempers become frayed, and
mistakes can be made - no one is infallible, least of all a tired,,
overworked underpaid student nurse. Because they have to work so hard,
nurses find themselves at times unable to give that little extra
attention to a patient that makes his or her life worth living.
And yet IvE WILL NOT STRIKE. This would cause suffering among our
patients and no nurse's conscience would enable her to strike when
there are sick patients to be nursed.
If only a more realistic salary were offered, more people would
be attracted by the nursing profession; more nurses would mean
shorter working hours for evoryone; and nurses would be "happier and
able to give more to the patients.
DECEMBER DECLARATION ON WORLD POVERTY
This petition'to our MP which is also known as tho National 'Sign-In'
was signed by 27 people - a poor response considering the number of
people living in our two villages. It has been sent to be presented
to our MPj Mr Bell, this month. To sign it you could be of any or no
religion; all that was necessary in those who signed was a concern for
tho poor of the world and agreement with what the petition said.
Here is the text of it;-
Wc, the undersigned believe.'
that mass hunger, disease and illiteracy arc intolerable anywhere
in the world.
that the skills and resources to change these unjust conditions
now exist;
that to obtain justice among men the international financial and
trading system can and must be changed:
that as a first step the poorer countries must receive more aid,
and that the terms of international trade must no longer
discriminate in favour of the rich.
We ask you, as our representative in Parliament, to support as
immediate practical aimsi
1 The achievement by 1972 of the target of I%of the wealth (i.e.
Gross National Product) of the United Kingdom for overseas aid,
with at least three-quarters allocated in the form of effective
, Government aid;
2 An increase in the amount of United Kingdom aid channelled
through international agencies, encouraging other rich nations to
follow this lead^
3 The negotiation by our Government of trade agreements favourable
to the poorer countries.
We hereby commit ourselves to continuing action for world development.
-MRS CHILD
Mrs. Jane Child of Rushmcad died on Sunday, 28 December, from
bronchial pneumonia. She was over 80 but was cheerful and active and
came to a Mothers' Union meeting only a few weeks before her death.
She was a regular communicant at the Anglican services held at
Rushymead.
HALFCRWfflS,
We have it on good authority that if you put halfcrowns in the
collection during January the banks will receive them from us.1
DECEMBER MELTING AND PLAY
The w.I. meeting on Thursday 11 Dcoombor was opened by our now
President, Mrs. Collier, who welcomed 12 guests.
Plans were made for a visit to the Bcaconsfield w.I. pantomime on
January 16 and for various outings later in the year. Two stalls of
Icft-ovurs from our bazaar last month did brisk business and added
considerably to the bazaar total.
Then came the play which members had come to expect from their
talented drama group, this year's title being 'The Little Heir1.
Introducing herself i^rs. Post said she had x^itten a play which she
proposed to produce. For the time being the audience were asked to
imagine scenery and props.
The players however had their own ideas as to what they should say
or do, which no prompter could put right, and the result was a scries
of contretemps to the intense amusement of an appreciative audience.
The players taking part were Mrs.Adams, Mrs Antosiewitz, Mrs
Brovnc, Mrs Post, Mrs Plunridgc and Mrs Schlatter with Mrs Elizabeth
Harvey as producer to whom much credit is due.
The afternoon finished with a sumptuous tea party provided and
made by Mrs Grayer and the two Miss Bostons.
WOMEN'S INSTITUTE ANNUAL BAZAAR
Mr Douglas Puscy opened the W.I. Bazaar on November 29 and said it
was a jelly good show - as indeed it was, for a dazzling display of
Christmas decorations, stuffed toys and needlework indicated months
dedicated te their preparation whilst the cooks of. Colcshill had
combined to produce a table of rich delicacies.
The hall was full in spite of a snowstorm and the result was
a useful contribution to the funds of the w.I. to allow them to carry
on with their work.
HEATING. AT ST. MART S.
Amcrsham Parish Church has"just had a new and impressive heating
system installed at a cost of £3000. It heats the church by hot air
and does away with pipes and radiators. The old pipes were put in in
the last century, and tho boiler which is broken beyond repair has
been there for twenty-two years. If you would like to help St Mary's
to meet this important and necessary expenditure, old newspapers and
magazines can be left for pulping in St Mary's Church Porch before the
first Wednesday in each month
MEN'S CAKE COMPETITION
This took place as usual at the Red Lion on Sunday evening, 21
December. The entries were impressive and the standard of judging •'
was. certainly an improvement on last year's. The first prize went :
to Mr. John Orchard, the second to Mr. Ruperti and the third to Mr,
Tony Barber. Mr. Ruperti made an accomplished auctioneer, and at
the end of the solemnities there was £15.lO.Od. for the Ponds Home
for Spastics at Seer Green. Mr.- Percy Mountier, the landlord, was
at pains to point out that this was less than last year only
because this year more had been spent on prizes. ..' . .. .
OFF TO SINGAPORE
Mr-, and Mrs. Desmond Bungey of Mount Pleasant, Tower Road, are
leaving Coleshill for three years to go to Singapore. Mr. Bungey
goes in January and his wife and two younger children in February.
All Saints' will miss a valuable sidesman but we expect to see them
all back each summer to escape 'for a while from the sun. Our good
wishes go-with them. • "
'THE DUFLIGATOR FUND
Thanks to a very generous response to the appeal for a duplicator
of our own for printing the newsletter the target of £60 was '
exceeded by £13.6s. and the surplus will be used in providing paper,
ink and stencils. Ue hope the second-hand electric Gestetner which
the church now owns will give us long service.
MIST DRIVE
There were eight and a half tables at the whist Drive on Friday
12 December organised by the Village.Hall Committee and members
were delighted to see Mr Browne in great form as Jxi. C.
J_ aniu ary •,• • : / • ' •F O~R—T—HC—O—M—I—NG— E—V—EN—T—S
5 (Mon) Coleshill'School .re-opens
6 (Tues).;:-.THE •EPIPHANI-.OF OUR LORD - HC; 10 a.m. & 7.30 p.m.
8 (Thurs) Meeting of the W.I.
15(Thurs) Mobile Library
Mothers': Union at 12 The Bit at 2.30
Church Study.Group at 8 p.m.(place to be announced in church)
18(Sun.) Week :of Prayer for Christian Unity begins -
2$ (Sun.) ' " •» " »• •» " ends
29(Thurs) Mobile Library -. - '' ' ' :
All Saints' Church Committee at 8 p.m., followed by the
Annual Church Meeting.
ALL SAINTS' CHURCH. COLESHILL
Priest-in-Charge: The Revd.J.S .Nightingale, The Parsonage (tel. 4229)
Pro-Churohwarden & Secretary: N.N.Nicholls, Orchard House (tel. 6734)
Pro-Treasurer: R.G-.S tubbings, Springfield, Tower Road, (tel. 4738)
Every Sunday: 9.00a.m. HOLY COMMUNION
10.15a.nu Sunday School
6.00p.m. Evensong
Every Tuesday: 10.00a.m. HOLY COMMUNION
Every Wednesday: 7.30p.m. HOLY COfflUNION
Every Friday: 12.00 noon HOLY COMMUNION
Morning and Evening Prayer each day at 8.00a.m. and 6.00p.in.
For other services, please seethe weekly notices in the church porch.
ST. ANDREW'S MISSION CHURCH. WINCHMOBE HILL
HOLY COMMUNION on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 10.30 a.m.
ST. MARY'S PARISH CHURCH. MERSHAM
Rector: The Revd. A.Campbell,M.A.(Cantab) ,Beaunont, Hervines Road, Amersham
((tel 7135) or St.Mary's Parish Office, Church Street(Tel 4712)
Sunday Services: 8.00 a.m. HOLY COMMUNION
10.00 a.m. Children's Service
11.00 a.m. 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays:
HOLY COMMUNION (New Service)
2nd & 4th Sundays: Mattins
6.00 p.m. Sung Evensong
Every Wednesday: 10.00 a.m. HOLY COMMUNION
Published by All Saints' Church Committee.