St Michaels Parish Magazine Dec 2023-Jan 2024

Wilmington Parish News December 2023 / January2024 £1.00

Produced for the people of Wilmington

by St Michael & All Angels Church

www.stmichaelswilmington.org.uk

Vicar: Revd Carl Chambers The Vicarage, 1 Curates Walk, Wilmington, DA2 7PU Tel: 01322 634506 / 07368 223743 email: vicar.wilmington@gmail.com

For enquiries about weddings, baptism & thanksgivings please contact the Parish Office: 288235 Reader: Reader: Pastoral Assistant: Licensed Lay Ministers:

Churchwardens:

Eric Hookins Penny Culliford Chris Hookins Jean Hook Richard Kinderman

Youth Minister Treasurer: Electoral Roll: PCC Secretary

Marc Culliford Tony Bullimore Sharon Stirman Julie Short Sharon Duncan Christine Jefferys

Honorary Vergers

Maureen & Tony Guard

Organist & Choirmaster: Church Flowers: Parish Archivist: Vergers:

Alan Hunt Louise Richards Keith Simons Louise Richards Chrystal Simmons

662337 07812 752395 662337 222417 07828703322 07446 111454

07521 712311 292764 221874

527959 07771 863613 224379

All are welcome to join us at any church service. We try and ensure that those who have never been before are made to feel part of the family from the start.

Our services are every Sunday 8.30am (approx. 45 minutes) and 10.30am (approx. 60-75 minutes).

On the first Sunday of the month there is a 5pm Evensong before a youth group (Year 6-Year 13) at 6pm.

Please contact the Vicar if you’d like to know when Holy Communion is, or would like a home visit to receive Holy Communion.

Please contact the Vicar if you’d like to know when Holy Communion is, or would like a home visit to receive Holy Communion.

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From the Editor As this is the December/January edition let me take the opportunity to wish readers a Happy Christmas and very best wishes for the New Year. This edition marks the end of the bimonthly editions and in 2024 the Newsletter will be published four times a year rather than six. This has been done to help reduce costs and so we hope you will continue to support us while we keep the annual subscription to £5. Essentially, each edition will now reflect the different seasons, in other words, a Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter edition. Understandably there is a strong Christmas flavour to this issue including a quiz that you might like to tackle with others. There are lots of Christmas services at St Michael’s and hopefully you’ve received your Christmas card with them listed.

Steve Jefferys

Editorial team members: John Smeeth, Jean Hook, Shirley Wilson, Janice Hennessy, Sharon Stirman and Carl Chambers. We always welcome articles from readers. If you would like to submit an item for inclusion in a future edition, please send it to: StMichaelsWilmingtonmagazine@gmail.com. We also welcome letters to the editor. Please note new, working email address.

We reserve the right to edit any material submitted by contributors and, occasionally, to save items for future editions. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editorial team, nor can we vouch for the competence of advertisers.

This newsletter is published every two months and payment can be made online via the church website/Facebook page.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2 v1, 2

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Ride and Stride Two intrepid members of St Michael’s set off on Saturday 9th September to raise funds for Kent churches and other charities. One walking from Dartford to Sevenoaks the other cycling some 25 miles up and down the Darent valley. Geoff and Steve were aiming to raise a good amount. The members of the church had generously sponsored them and so the challenge to complete the chosen routes was imminent.

The day, one of the hottest of the year, is always a challenge for people in later life, but the record temperatures added to the challenge and made the checkpoints at the different churches along the way really welcome. Never were the cool church interiors at the end of each leg of the journey so looked forward to. Some churches welcomed us in person. A ‘sit down’, cooling drink and snack, accompanied by some amiable conversation was most welcome. Everyone who had visited a church had ‘signed in’ and some churches along the way had been visited by a good number of riders and striders. Occasionally we met some along the way or at a church and swopped tales of withering heat as we cycled or walked under the hot midday sun.

Both Geoff and Steve completed their respective journey visiting some 20 plus churches between them. Over £600 was raised, so a big thank you to all those who sponsored the super duo.

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LOCAL SOCIETIES AND GROUPS St Michael’s Under 5’s Playtime: Thursday 9.30 – 11am in St Michael’s Parish Centre. Contact Jean Hook, tel. 222417 Toddler Club: Wednesday 10am, Wilmington Community Church. Contact: Nicola Field, tel. 222604 St Michael’s Pre-School: Mon-Fri, 9.15am-12.15pm in the Church Hall.

Contact: Chantelle Queensbarrows.

Wilmington Women’s Institute: 2nd Tues. 2pm in the Memorial Hall.

Contact: Sheila Kennard, 01322 279706 Joydens Wood Women’s Institute: 3rd Tues, 7.45pm in Joydens Wood Community Centre. Contact: Ms Isabella Smith, tel. 557025 Wilmington Society: 4 meetings a year in the Memorial Hall Contact: Pat Burt tel. 745451 Wilmington Active Retirement Association (Wilmara): 3rd Friday, 2pm in the Memorial Hall. Contact 226943 for further information.

Leyton Cross Active Retirement Association: 2nd Thurs at 2pm in Leyton Cross Social Club. Contact: Marilyn Wells, tel. 863996 Wilmington Axtane Probus: Last Thursday of the month at 12 noon at Swanley Bowls Club. Mr Phil Burt, tel. 745451 Brownies: Tues 6.15-7.45pm, St Michael’s Church Hall Beavers: Weds 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hut, Whitehead Close Cubs: Thurs 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hut, Whitehead Close Scouts: Thurs 7.45-9.15pm, Scout Hut, Whitehead Close. Contact: Glenn Killick at gs.1st Wilmington@gmail.com Dartford Bridge Club: Tues at 7pm, Wilmington Community Church Hall, Contact: John Davies, tel.01474 83221 Rotary Club of the North Downs: Thurs at 7pm, Hartley Country Club.

Culvey Close, Hartley, DA3 8BS Contact: Bob Phillips, 07815807520 or John Smeeth. 07889 137951 If you belong to a group in Wilmington for the benefit of residents, please let the editor know and we will include it, space permitting. If information is incorrect or incomplete please let us know using the magazine email.

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PARISH REGISTERS

Funerals/Burial of Ashes John Smeeth Maureen Lawrence Robert Hills Penelope Selby CHURCH FLOWERS If you have a special date when you wish to remember a loved one or to mark a special anniversary with church flowers there is a list at the back of the church. Alternatively you can telephone Louise Richards on 07771 863613.

Donations for flowers should be handed to a church warden or Louise.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------GENERAL INFORMATION Wilmington Heritage Centre (side of Memorial Hall): open on the 1st Thursday of the month between 9.30 and 11.30 am and on the 2nd Saturday of the month between 10am and midday. Contact: Jean Radford on 01322 221056.

Wilmington Parish Council office: Oakfield Park Pavillion open between 7am and midday on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

E-mail: clerk-wpc@outlook.com, tel. 01322 221149 and www.wilmingtonpckent.uk Wilmington Memorial Hall: Bookings can be made by telephoning Barbara Harris on 07518 057941 between 9am and 6pm or using the Wilmington Parish Council website, clicking on the Wilmington Memorial Hall and following the on screen instructions.

Wilmington Police & Community Support Officers: For non urgent crimes ring 101 or email csu.dartford@kent.pnn.police.uk. Non urgent means there is no immediate danger to life, the incident is not in progress and the offender is not nearby. To report an urgent or life-threatening crime ring 999.

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Vicar, so you’ll understand why the church needs to make sure we’re in balance each year.

Dear Parishioners, Christmas is often a time to look back and look ahead, as the New Year approaches.

As we look back on this year, I want to thank the team who have continued their labours to put together and deliver this parish magazine. I am sure I speak for many as we say a huge thank you.

I am conscious that the change in number of editions each year is only a minor change, compared to what many will have endured this year, or may face in 2024.

As we’ve looked at what is possible and practical for the magazine, we’ve taken the decision to reduce the number of issues to four per year.

Broadly, there will be one in time for Easter, one for the summer, one for the autumn, and then one for Christmas. We will keep the same number of pages and seek to ensure that the quality of editorial - the various articles - remains high.

The popular carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem” speaks of our “hopes and fears of all the years” and gives us reason to rejoice, whatever the past, present or future. That reason is the Lord Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. I pray you know that reality for yourself, deep down in your heart. If you’re unsure or want to know more, then you would make my Christmas by getting in touch so we can chat about it.

We very much hope you’ll feel able to continue to support the magazine as we keep the price to £5 per year. This basically covers our costs. I’m told that we’ve lost money on the magazine over my five years as

With very best wishes to you, CARL

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Parish News Subscriptions Thank you to everyone who has managed to pay their magazine subscriptions, either by handing them to their distributor, by delivery to the Church Office or online. If you haven't managed to do so yet, you may wish to pay using one of the following methods: Online using the following link: https://stmichaelswilmington.sumupstore.com/product/annual-subscription

You may prefer to drop the payment of £5 into the Church Office at the Church Hall, 2 High Road Wilmington DA2 7EG. Please place it in an envelope marked with your name and address. Cash or cheque.

Alternatively, you can hand the payment to your distributor.

Would you consider leaving a legacy to St Michael’s?

There has been a Christian presence on the ground of St Michael’s for 1,000 years. Whilst the building is not so old, there is much that needs to be done to the church and surrounds to help maintain it.

Your legacy can help contribute to the upkeep, thus showing your support for years to come.

Please contact the Vicar if you’d like to discuss a particular use of any legacy you’d like to leave.

The official name of the church is “The PCC of St Michael and All Angels, Wilmington”.

Thank you in advance for your kind consideration.

Carl

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TS Anson News On Saturday 29th July at TS Anson, Dartford and Crayford Sea Cadets we had a surprise visit from the Prime minister, Ritchie Sunak. He came “prepared to help” with painting the outside of one of our unit’s buildings (even if we did give him a rather small paintbrush for such a large wall). Nevertheless, with the additional help of Dartford Mayor, Rosina Curran, MP Gareth Johnson and a team of cadets, the wall did get painted and afterwards the PM met with the cadets and parents for a question and answer session and photos. The PM showed a real interest in the cadets and their views and activities and everyone enjoyed the visit.

On Friday 11th August at our Parade evening we had another very enjoyable visit from Yuha, a 15 year old girl from Hiroshima in Japan. She gave a talk promoting peace based on an illustrated story of a young girl athlete after the terrible atom bomb on Hiroshima who contracted leukaemia as a result. No longer able to participate in her sport and confined to bed until she sadly died, she spent her time making origami birds and distributed them to promote peace. After her talk Yuha demonstrated how to make those origami birds and got everyone, cadets and staff joining in.

Yuha was introduced to us by Mr Pat Kelly and his wife Kimy (from Japan). Pat was a once the chairman of TS Anson management team and a Dartford Borough Councillor. As a sign of appreciation Pat was presented with a certificate of thanks for his service from the Sea Cadet Corps.

Chaplain (SCC) Eric Hookins RNR

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Myths and Legends surrounding Christmas "We celebrate Christmas Day on 25th December, not because we know that that was when Jesus was born (no one knows exactly the date of His birth) but it was decreed by Pope Julius l that this was when it should be celebrated the reason being this was the time of the Winter Solstice celebrated by the Pagans. He thought if we celebrate a Christian Festival at that time, the Pagans would convert to Christianity. Many of our Christmas customs and legends have originated from the Pagan customs.

THE CHRISTMAS TREE again a Pagan custom. They believed that during this time of year, everything seemed dead and the pine tree being evergreen, symbolised the promise of new life. Another legend of the Christmas tree is St. Boniface was a monk who was born in Devon. He left England to preach the word of God to the heathens in Germany. He came across a group of heathens about to sacrifice a young boy to their gods. They had him tied to a tree and when Boniface saw what was happening, he set the boy free and chopped down the tree. Where it fell was growing a pine tree, He gathered the heathens around the tree and preach to them the word of God. The first Christmas tree to be introduced to Britain was during the reign of George l THE HOLLY AND THE IVY The Druids brought holly into their dwellings during the Winter Solstice because they thought the woodland spirits would have somewhere to keep warm during the cold weather. The holly stayed in the house until February after which it was considered bad luck to still be there. Legend has it that on the night Jesus was born a holly bush growing outside the stable produced buds, flowers and berries all in one night. IVY was a symbol of Eternal Life in the Pagan world. It then came to represent New Promise and Eternal Life in the Christian world.

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YULE LOG The yule log tradition also come from the Druids The would bring a large log into their dwellings during the Winter Solstice. The bark would be stripped from the log and amid much rejoicing the log would be lit. It would burn for twelve days. A piece of the wood would be kept alight the following year's log. It was however considered bad luck if the log was touched by a bare footed woman or a squint-eyed man. It was also bad luck if a flat-footed visitor entered the dwelling while the log was burning.

SANTA CLAUS It is thought that Santa first appeared in Britain during the 1860s and he was usually dressed in green and blue. The red outfit did not appear until Coca Cola used him for their advert. Santa owes much of to the god Odin. He wore a blue hooded cloak and had a white beard. He flew over the north on his eight footed steed ‘Sleine’ visiting his people and bringing them gifts.

ST. NICHOLAS He became Archbishop and died in the early part of the fourth century, thought to be the 8th December. According to legend he stopped at an Inn where the landlord had just murdered some boys and put them in a pie. St Nicholas said a pray over the pie and the boys came alive singing. Therefore he is the Patron saint of children. Children on the continent receive their presents on the 8th December, which is St. Nicholas Day. ROBIN Legend has it that while Jesus was in the Manger it turned cold and Joseph went out to collect more logs for the fire. While he was gone a little brown bird entered the manger and fanned the dying fire with his wings. While doing this his feathers caught fire which is why the robin has a red breast."

Have a lot more legends so if you need more, let me know.

Jean Hook

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A Christmas Quiz to get the family guessing on Christmas day…

1. Which two Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ birth?

2. Why did Jesus’ parents travel to Bethlehem just before he was born?

3. Why do people think that Jesus was born in a stable?

4. What tells us that the Magi (wise men from the East) did not visit any stable?

5. What did their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh symbolise?

6. In one Gospel, it says that Mary’s son would be called Immanuel.

What does Immanuel mean?

7. Which Christmas decoration comes from the Old French word, “estincele”?

8. Which Christmas carol contains the line, “All in white shall wait around”?

9. Which European country gives the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree to the people of London every year?

10. Who wrote “’Twas the Night before Christmas”?

11. How many ghosts show up in the story, “A Christmas Carol”?

12. How many gifts are there in the “12 days of Christmas” song?

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Something for fun.

THREE WISE WOMEN would have asked directions, arrived on time, help deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, brought practical gifts and there would be PEACE ON EARTH. How do you know Santa is a man.

No woman would wear the same outfit year after year.

Two boys staying with their grandparents, saying their prayers. One shouts in a loud voice. "I pray for a bike, I pray for a bike, I pray for a bike. His brother said " why are you shouting God isn't deaf. to which his brother replied "No but grandma is" A father said to his son "Did you see Father Christmas last night?" "No, it was too dark, but I heard what he said when he hit his toe on my bed" Magistrate asked the prisoner what he was doing in the dock. " Doing my Christmas Shopping early"… "Well that's not a crime" "Before the shop opened?"

MINCE PIES It is said to bring 12 months of bad luck if you don't eat a mince pie each day for the twelve days of Christmas.

It is also bad luck to refuse a mince pie during this time.

Good excuse for eating so many mince pies.

Jean Radford Wilmington Heritage Centre

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Christmas Pantomime Supported by Wilmington Parish Council

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Thursday 14th December 2023 Doors open 6.30 p.m. for 7.00 p.m. start Tickets: Adults £9.00, Children £13.00, Family Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children) £.37.00 Tickets will be on sale from 1st September.

Telephone: Barbara Field 01322 226695, mobile 077534 76877 Fund Raising Organiser Wilmington Memorial Hall Management Committee Any profit to the Wilmington Memorial Hall Funds.

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‘Britain isn’t a Christian nation now, say clergy.”

Was a headline in a national newspaper some weeks ago. One of the magazine’s regular contributors read the article and wrote about / from his own experience 'Got anything interesting lined up for the week-end' said a fondly remembered work colleague to me one Friday afternoon, all of twenty years ago.

'Yes indeed' I replied. 'Football of course on Saturday. Friends for lunch on Sunday. And church of course' .'Church? CHURCH? You going to church?. What on earth is the point of going THERE?' The incredulity in his voice was palpable.

While this exchange happened many years ago, it is far from the only such occurrence in my life. Dismissive responses to any mention of church from people who knew me well. Polite indifference from comparative strangers. And apathy nearly everywhere.

The reason these interactions come back so vividly to me just now is because of a recent survey of front-line Anglican clergy carried out by The Times. Described as the most wide-ranging poll ever carried out on this subject, the findings make sober reading for those of us for whom church, and our Christian faith, are matters of supreme importance.

Under the heading 'Britain isn't a Christian nation now' the article revealed that over 1200 front line priests - vicars, rectors, curates, chaplains, and retired priests who still serve - participated in the exercise. That is over 6% of all such clergy. Considerably greater than the usual percentage surveyed in such exercises.

The headline figures are stark indeed. While over 24% of participants believe Britain is still a Christian country, the remainder - over 75% either believe it is not (10%) or it can only be considered Christian in a 'historic context'. (65%).

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The accompanying statistics are no less stark. Over 67% believe the efforts to reverse the decline in church attendance will fail. This is hardly surprising given that figures from the 2021 census show that only 46% of the UK population identify as Christian. The first time ever that this figure fell below 50%. Equally worrying are figures showing that over 30% of front-line clergy have seriously considered leaving the priesthood in the past five years. Furthermore, almost half of all front line clergy feel 'seriously overworked' There is a solid majority among front line clergy for a much greater emphasis on modernisation in the church. Over 80% of respondents would readily accept a Female Archbishop of Canterbury. Almost two thirds (64%) want an end to the system that allows parishes to oppose and reject women priests and bishops. And in an almost complete reversal of figures from 2014, over half of all respondents (53%) want the church to marry gay couples, and 63% want the church to drop its opposition to pre-marital sex.

My purpose in writing this article is not to argue a case for or against the information gleaned from this survey. Everyone reading it will have their own views and I respect these absolutely. However, it is vital that everyone of us who loves God, loves our church, and loves our parish, reflects on these findings and turns to God in prayer. And, in doing so, asks for His divine assistance in bringing about a rebirth of Christian beliefs, values and behaviours in our parish and beyond.

Gerrard Hennessy

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WILMARA Wilmington Active retirement Group.

We are an active retirement group who meet on the third Friday of the month from 2pm until 4pm at the Memorial Hall in Wilmington. In October we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the club when our two longest serving members, Joan Haysom and Alan Denton, both ninety years old cut a beautiful homemade cake for us!

Our activities include guest speakers who are always very interesting on all sorts of topics.

This year we have had outings to the Tulip Festival in Arundel, five trips to the seaside, a holiday to Warners, Cricket St Thomas in September and a future holiday to Bodelwyddan Castle in North Wales is planned. We have recently been to Thursford and are soon to visit Hever Castle to see the Christmas lights.

We visit the theatre during the year and are set to see Beauty and the Beast at the temporary Orchard theatre for a matinee performance. We also enjoy a monthly lunch club and visited Crayford dogs for an evening meal as well as enjoying the racing!

Our sporting activities include 10 pin bowling on Tuesday’s at a reduced rate. We play Petanque in the Summer months and have an indoor sports afternoon where you can play table tennis, pool, darts for a couple of hours.

Our yearly fees are £25.00 but you are more than welcome to pay us a visit for just £4.00. We are a lovely group of people and we will be very pleased to see you! If you want to know more….

Telephone membership Secretary Wendy Murray on 01322 226943 Or WILMARA Secretary Tessa Hemsley on 01322 272504

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Answers to the Christmas quiz 1. Matthew and Luke 2. They had been ordered to return to their ancestral town take part in a census.

3. The Gospel says that (Mary) “laid him in a manger - there was no room for them to stay in the inn.” (There is no actual mention of a stable.)

4. The Gospel says that “They went into the house…”

5. Gold symbolises royalty (King Jesus), frankincense Jesus” deity, and myrrh sacrificial death.

6. God with us 7. Tinsel 8. Once in Royal David’s City 9. Norway 10. Clement Clarke Moore 11. 4: Christmas past, present, future, and Jacob Marley.

12. 364

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River Darent winter scene 32