Events in 2009
On this page (click on one for details):
Pillar box jumping, December 25th (early!!)
Alister Mort licensing in Harrogate, December 16th
Church Christmas lunch, November 29th
Laila Kohlscheen baptism, November 15th
‘Wanted: Two arms and two legs’: Stefan event, November 14th
Autumn Fair put on by the Craft Group, October 31st
Weekend away on the Brecon Beacons by St Mark’s Ramblers, October
We say goodbye to Brian and Faye Carson, October 25th
Milverton School celebrate Harvest at St Mark’s, October 12th – 16th
We welcome Maasai, Careforce worker, September 13th
Bob Clucas’ licensing service at Napton, September 2nd
Gerald & Meriel Brough’s Golden Wedding celebration, August 22nd
St Mark’s 130th anniversary celebrations, July 11th – 12th (See written report here)
Becky Welch’s deaconing, July 5th
Snowdodgers’ Homecoming Ball, June 19th
Deanery Confirmation service, May 30th
Archdeacon Michael Paget-Wilkes’ retirement service, May 17th
Hot Topic with Christopher Lamb, May 10th
Annual Parish Meeting, April 26th
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Martyn Jackson continued a long tradition of jumping over the pillar box in Beverley Road early on Christmas morning, after the Midnight communion service. |
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Youngsters of St Mark’s put on a splendid Nativity play during the Morning service on 20th December. |
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A dozen or so St Mark’s people went to Bilton, near Harrogate, to support Alister Mort (a previous vicar) at his licensing to St John’s and St Luke’s. |
Most of the family were there (Jon wasn't able to be there).
Alister clearly enjoyed the occasion...
...and so did Christine.
Bishop James was on excellent form, leading the service with love and grace.
Note the elegant footwear...yellow wellies are in!! They are a Bilton tradition from Easter Holiday Club, the 'Smelly Yellow Wellie Club'.
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Our Taize service was well attended. Marie led the service, Alison Kelly danced and Paul Manuel spoke. The table was decorated, needless to say, by Marie! |
Marie who led and Paul who spoke at the service.
Marie added her artistic touch to proceedings.
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Nikki surpassed herself in producing a wonderful early Christmas (or was it Advent?) lunch for a packed Hall. |
Frank and Joyce Lovell enjoying a good lunch.
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Poinsettias on every table - a fitting Christmas flower.
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Laila brought her parents, Carina and Emanuel, together with family and friends, to St Mark’s for her baptism. Then in the afternoon she threw a party! |
Emanuel and Carina are the proud parents...
...at Laila's baptism.
Emanuel's dad, a pastor, gave a speech (more a mini-sermon) in the afternoon...
...to which the audience paid full attention...
...including Andrea and Marion.
Susan's cake was much admired...
...and cut with due ceremony.
Family were there...
...and godparents too...
...but it all got too much for Laila.
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Around 60 people enjoyed an evening of starters, puds and silly games raising funds to help young Stefan. Ken, his orthopaedic surgeon, showed slides and video clips and brought us up to date with Stefan’s progress – which is remarkable! Thank you, Margaret, John and Lisa! |
The all-female table grapples with one of the quizzes
...and another team seems happier with its answers.
Orthopaedic surgeon Ken McCrea and his wife Deborah
Margaret Denning and daughter Lisa working hard in the kitchen
 Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking... |
 Jane Wigman is a 'sucker' for a silly game |
Ken's audience is very attentive,
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The PCC spent a useful day in Budbrooke re-examining St Mark’s vision and mission. |
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Superheroes a-plenty at our Light Party. |
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Mark Wardle waving a magic - er - hand
A Super time was had by all.
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The craft group displayed their wares for sale in aid of the Salvation Army. £712 was raised for their Homeless Action Project – thank you very much! |
A good crowd turned up for coffee and bargains.
Susan looks for Christmas presents on Howard's stall.
June, Sheila and Beryl look out for customers.
Sidney and June look as if they have found something...
...and Paul the vicar has found a useful wine rack.
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St Mark’s Ramblers spent a weekend on the Brecon Beacons. Comments (collected by Nikki) and photos (taken by Maasai) tell it all! |
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New faces...Sunny weather...Beautiful views
Look down on the clouds...Peace...Encouragement
Ravens...Herons...Salmon
Directions from the tractor man...Bright orange 2CV between mountains!
Stars littering the sky...Best view in the world
Really busy at the top...Tea and cakes at the end of the walks
We plough the fields and scatter...Togetherness...Peace
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Farewell lunch for Brian and Faye Carson, Sunday 25th October. Brian and Faye served with Crosslinks in Nakuru, Kenya, for many years. Read their farewell letter here. |
Brian and Faye Carson are heading for retirement (?) in Somerset
 Maasai had devised an African menu... |
 ...complete with African tablecloths. |
Over 70 people came to give Brian and Faye a good send-off.
Laura and Miriam were among a number of younger diners.
Martyn serves a very attentive queue with more pork and bean stew.
Joan and Kath seem to be enjoying it...
...so do the Robinson family...
...and Pam and Mark, too.
Lillian and Wilf happily cleared their plates...
...June and Diana wait eagerly for dessert...
...while the Searles look for coffee...
...and Maasai and Ellie enjoy a joke.
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Milverton school celebrated Harvest in spectacular fashion throughout a whole week. |
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A smiling Bishop Christopher...and Bob
[ align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Michael Greig, Bishop Christopher and a smiling Bob."]
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Becky Welch was there - smiling...
...as were most of the Ministry Team, also commissioned by the Bishop.
We counted at least 14 from St Mark's...
...including ex-St-Mark's Christine Bailey who now lives nearby.
Clearly someone got bored during the service...
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The happy couple...
...50 years on.
All ages were welcomed at St Mark's...
...visitors and regulars alike.
...and everyone enjoyed themselves.
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St Mark’s turns 130 (photos by Jeremy Clack and Barry Poultney) |
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Hands-on in the bell tower on Saturday
The views from the top of the tower were spectacular
View above the church ceiling - light at the end of the tunnel?
Lots of people came into church over the weekend
Warwickshire Youth Chorale entertained at the concert on Saturday evening
Ruth and Ann shared a piano for more entertainment
Ann Parsons was the organiser of the weekend - thank you, Ann!
The Sunday outside-inside 'Open-air' service
Children display their work
Brookhurst school artwork
Milverton school artwork
One of the many wonderful floral displays
The music group
Nearly there on the Bungee Eliminator...
Face painting was popular...with some...
Hope this rope doesn't stretch...
Anyone for roast hog? Yes please!
...and strawberries for pud.
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Bishop and banners
Becky in the procession
Crowds beneath the Piper Baptistry window
Alister and Christine Mort
Becky, Deacon!
Becky with her parents
Becky with her brother and his wife
Bishop Christopher
Becky with her new boss at the Cathedral, Rev Canon Tim Pullen
The Bishop with Roger Spiller
Friends and family gather in Becky's garden
Wonderful weather for a picnic!
Rev Penny Frank and Janet Heald
Ben Munday
Susan had made a special chocolate cake for the occasion...
...which Becky cut and distributed
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Ellie looking pleased after being priested
Ellie talking to Barry and Beryl
More than 50 went from St Mark's
Janet and Hannah
Bishop John
Paul and Helen Manuel with Becky Welch
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The Snowdodgers are back from the Arctic Circle! To celebrate (and of course to raise more money for Moldovan Ministries) a Grand Ball was held in the hall. Have you ever seen so many James Bond lookalikes??
The hall as you've never seen it
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The Deanery Confirmation service was held at St Mark’s on Saturday 30th May.
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 Rev Christopher Lamb |
We were glad to welcome Revd Christopher Lamb to our Hot Topic Café on May 10th. Christopher has spent time in Israel Palestine recently as a member of EAPPI (Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel), and he shared some of his insights. He promised to pass on relevant web addresses for those who want to explore further. In a recent email he included these links: |
For EAPPI: www.quaker.org.uk/eappi and the World Council of Churches’ site: www.eappi.org
For Israeli news: www.haaretzdaily.com
On Palestine: www.passia.org (maps, facts and figures etc)
United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs: www.ochaopt.org (regular details of health, security etc)
Israeli human rights organisation: www.btselem.org
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The Annual Parish Meeting was held on April 26th over lunch. The photos give a flavour of the day.
A good turnout for the meeting with lunch
Paul the vicar gets things under way
Tony the treasurer explains all
 David C talks fabric... |
 ...while David W synodises... |
Sarah and Margaret work hard in the kitchen...
...and everyone enjoys a hearty meal.
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The ‘Wii Tournament’ on Saturday 7th March was a great success, both for families (in the afternoon) and (supposedly) grown-ups in the evening. The photos tell their own story of concentration, of ‘meeting with triumph and disaster’ and of chocolate.
Focus!
Ellie and Lydia also focused
Success in the afternoon
Jamie, Jamie and James (really!) enjoy the game while Claire watches
Jonathan, demon bowler
The afternoon winning team of 4 - er...
Susan heroically produced food and drinks all afternoon and evening
Tennis as she is played
Penny and Andy show how it's done
 Is this golf?? |
 Amanda on strike! |
Dan and Jeremy consult the rule book
Golf pros Andy and Chris
The yoof
The evening winners share the spoils
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