St Andrew's Chaplaincy Newsletter September 2022

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Newsletter September 2022

Child of Autumn

By Jen Sutton
That is what my mother called me as I was born in September and as she was a fan of Keats, was conscious of “The Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness”.

Indeed, it was made more relevant to her as I was born in what she considered the autumn of her years, but looking back now over my 70 years, I feel 34 was really very young!

But Autumn is a special time for us all, even for those of us living on the Costa del Sol; we are relieved to have a break from the relentless heat of summer and to enjoy the relative comfort of the cooler days of autumn. With those days, we hope will come our returning visitors to swell our congregations and fellowship. Groups get together again to meet and chat and to share stories of summer holidays as well as to catch up on news.

Over the coming weeks we can look forward to our Harvest Festival when we can, in the words of a more modern hymn, “give thanks with a grateful heart” for the Earth’s provisions.

I write this on our final day in the Lake District in the UK having spent a week with our family. Here it really is a time of mists with trees full of horse chestnuts and leaves turning a russet gold. Autumn seems more real here somehow.

Now, I too, feel I have entered the “autumn of my years” as I see my children and grandchildren, some of whom are late teenagers while the younger ones are just starting to talk and relate to the rest of the family. What a joy that has been for myself and for John.

I like to think that in our church we have that same sense of family; some have been in church fellowship for a long time, mature Christians, steeped in The Word, the Bible, while others, no matter how old, are exploring the meaning of what life in Christ means for them.

So, the Autumn means the starting up of our Chaplaincy Community life again. In the next few weeks we can look forward to a Beetle Drive in Los Boliches, an Autumn Fair in Calahonda and a Harvest Praise in Alhaurín (see below for details). This year especially, after the restrictions of Covid, it will be great to get together again and give thanks for God’s generosity to us in giving us, not just the harvest of foods but gift of each other.

Whatever our circumstances, we are urged to give thanks. Psalm 106 verse 7 says,
“Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever”.

Tribute to the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

It is with deep regret that we learned of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll. We in the Chaplaincy of St Andrew’s, Costa del sol East, Spain like everywhere else, have been moved by the events surrounding the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll and the accession of King Charles lll.

The mood has been appropriately sombre with many services of Thanksgivings including:

St Paul’s London, England.
St Giles' Cathedral Edinburgh, Scotland.
St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff, Wales.

Lying in state in St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, Westminster Hall, London, the Funeral Service at Westminster Abbey and the Committal at Windsor Chapel was honourable, awesome and profoundly respectful indeed for the Queen’s long, faithful, sincere and loyal service to our Country, Commonwealth and the world.

Here in the Chapliancy of St Andrew’s Costa del Sol East, Spain the three Churches: St Andrew’s Los Boliches, Calahonda Church, Alhaurin el Grande Church, shared a respectful space for an opportunity to sign The Book of Condolence to her Majesty, and in front of the Altar her picture and lighted candle in her memory. On the Sunday following her death all services began with a Tribute Bidding and special prayers.

During the last two weeks and through all the solemnity, memories and reflections we were made aware on the media of many personal stories of meetings and encounters with the Queen where her sense of duty and service, her love for her family and people from all walks of life shone through as a bright light of hope and stability.

During the 70 years of her reign the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and the world had undergone significant, some would say seismic changes bur her constancy and commitment remained unmoved. What also came through in many of the recollections of meetings with the Queen was her sense of humour, exemplified by her gamely partnership with James Bond at the opening of the 2012 Olympics and the showing of her marmalade sandwich kept in her ever-present handbag to Paddington Bear as part of the Jubilee Celebrations.

What also shone through was her deep personal faith in Jesus Christ which seemed to underpin so much of her life of service and duty.

We give thanks to God for her Majesty, for the example she gave in this and so many aspects of our lives and pray for the Royal family, especially King Charles lll as they mourn her loss. May our Queen rest in peace and rise in Glory.

To end may I again share The Styles and Titles of Queen Elizabeth ll at the Committal Service in Windsor Chapel: “Thus it hath pleased Almighty God to take out of this transitory life unto His Divine Mercy the late Most High, Most Mighty, and Most Excellent Monarch, Queen Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, and Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

Let us humbly beseech Almighty God to bless with long life, health and honour, and all worldly happiness the Most Mighty, and Most Excellent Monarch, King Charles lll, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, and Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.”

GOD SAVE THE KING

Farewell to Father David Wright

On 25th August, members of the Chaplaincy joined with family and friends to say farewell to Father David Wright a former Chaplain and much-loved member of our Chaplaincy family.

Following a time as locum at St Andrew’s, David was persuaded to apply for the post and was instituted as chaplain in October 2001. During his time at St Andrew’s, weekly services at Calahonda were introduced and the Benelmadena congregation moved to the chapel at Bonanza square.

Following his retirement David remained in Spain to live with his daughter Sandy and her family where he continued to be very much part of Chaplaincy life. Even in later years when illness took over David always had a smile for everyone, described as a very gentle person he will be greatly missed by those closest to him and his wider church family. Please click on the links below to view the eulogies read at his funeral.

Eulogy - Right Reverend Edward Holland

Eulogy - Family

Adimi cheque presentation

By Jen Sutton
In late August I had the privilege of visiting the Adimi centre in La Cala Hills, to present them with a cheque for €255 from our “Charity of the Month” collected earlier this year.

While there, Laura who manages the centre offered to show me the facilities and the amazing work carried out to help children and young people with all sorts of life-challenging conditions.

In this centre whole families are counselled and guided, educated and trained with the help of medical and teaching personnel, carers and administrators to make the most to offer practical help and encouragement to each person who passes through their doors. All this with very little governmental aid. They rely on donations such as ours. I found the visit to be emotional, but inspiring. So much going on on our very doorstep, I previously had known nothing about.

The number of children and young people helped by ADIMI in the Fuengirola and Mijas area alone is staggering. They currently have 12 full time residents, but 150 children on a daily basis with a whole range of physical and educational needs. On the day I visited, the residents were enjoying a day on the beach with individual carers playing games and even paddle boarding. There were no day students there which meant I could visit the centre without intrusion. I hope we can have a long and fruitful association with the centre in the future.

Charity of the month

Our new Charity of the month is The Leprosy Mission (TLM)

TLM serves those affected by leprosy through their Christian hospitals and outreach centres in 10 countries in Africa and Asia.

Vital to the fight against the dreadful effects of Leprosy on people’s lives is research into cures and treatments.

TLM's research centre in Nepal is just a wooden hut which was damaged in the last earthquake. It will not pass the next government inspection.

Our donations will help fund a new research centre where the staff can build on the achievements they have already made.

New treatments for ulcers have dramatically reduced the healing time down to weeks. This is really life changing for many.

The ultimate aim is to rid the world of Leprosy. We can help TLM achieve this

Dates for your diary...

Come along to our Autumn Fair on Saturday 8th October 2022 between 11:00 am - 2:00pm at San Miguel Church, Urb Sitio de Calahonda 203.

Stalls and attractions include Games, Crafts, Plants, Baked Goods, Bottle Stall, Live entertainment Featuring 'A Touch of Class' and 'T.A.P.A.S.' (The Andalucia Performing Arts Society), Family Fun, Competitions, Fancy dress competion (with cash prize sponsored by Lions Club Calahonda for best costume), Quality Seconds' Rail, Bacon Rolls, Hot Dogs, Teas/Coffee and Bar

In June of this year Father Michael attended a week's course in Conwy learning a musical 'Saints Alive' by Roger Jones. Michael is going to share some of what he learned with us and maybe teach us some of the music. All are welcome, details : Thursday 20th October from 7pm – 8pm at St Andrew's Los Boliches, followed by a meal at a local restaurant. Please give your names to Jen Sutton by Mon 17th October if you would like to attend.

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