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Newsletter December 2022
Advent
Advent is a time of waiting, something you will have heard a lot about in our services during the past couple of weeks. It is also a time of frantic preparation both at church and in our home lives.

We seem to spend these weeks rushing from one task to another. We are encouraged to take time for reflection and study but I find that if I set myself a book to read or course to follow it becomes another ‘thing’ that I have to fit into an already hectic schedule so I lose the benefit of whatever I am using. I recently came across a suggestion however, from a lady in a Women’s Catholic order in America. She said that what she did was to light a candle and just sit. She would sometimes close her eyes or sometimes focus on the flame while quietly waiting for God to speak to her heart.
 
This reminded me of a retreat day I went on many years ago at Offchurch in Warwickshire. The theme of the day was teaching us how to simply ‘be’. The vicar who was leading the day told us that, for him, there was a tree in the garden at the retreat centre where he felt he could sit and just ‘be’. Where do we go to get away from the distractions that surround us?

During Lockdown I spent quite a lot of time in a small sitting room in our house that is not often used. It was where I would go to when joining in online services or reading.
I promised myself when lockdown was over that I would continue to use this quiet space but as I am sure has happened for many of us, life took over. Having been reminded of the idea of spending time simply being, simply sitting and listening, has led me back to using that space again. I have tried to spend a small amount of time each day sitting quietly with a candle lit simply waiting and listening.
We never know when we might hear God speaking to us, but we will never hear unless we listen. I recommend these quiet times, hopefully they will last past Advent and it may even be a New Year’s resolution to continue them
 
‘Be still and know that I am God’ Psalm 46:10                                          

Caroline Macfarlane
Advent candles
As we journey through Advent we mark each Sunday by lighting the candles on our Advent Wreaths in our worship centres. Here we show candles being lit, one  by Di Mather and one with Jean Merry.
Sensara

For the last year we have enjoyed monthly services in Sensara Benalmádena, where we a few of our St Andrew’s members now live. It is with great joy we are able to take a service of Holy Communion to the residents.

We arrange to meet on the first Sunday of the month at midday, but sometimes because of fewer clergy available, we meet on a Saturday instead.

This month, meeting on Saturday, we were joined by Di Mather, who read the lesson, Anne Traill, who led Intercessions and Joan Scobie, who came along to support and encourage. As you can see, we had a good turn out. The folk there are very appreciative of the ministry and the Residence Staff are always welcoming and helpful.
Remembrance
This year members of the Ministry team were involved in services across the Chaplaincy.

On 11th November Caroline led the service for Coin RBL at the Cemetery Chapel in Coin. On remembrance Sunday Peter led our service at Los Boliches, William led a service for the RBL at the Salon Varieties theatre and John led a service at Alhaurin where we were joined by members of the Alhaurin branch of the RBL. It is an honour to be involved with these services and an opportunity to meet up with more people from our community.
Christmas Fair

It started on Friday night with a gale blowing folk in through the door ready to set up for Saturday’s Christmas Fair. With tables set up and things put out, we hoped and prayed that people would come on Saturday for this important social fund raiser, and that the weather would improve.

God answered our prayers; the wind dropped, and people flooded in. The fair was opened in prayer by Canon John Sutton and Jen declared it “Open” and so it began.

We had our usual stalls of delicious cakes and preserves, our “once loved items” (i.e., Bric-a Brac !!), Christmas decorations, Crafts, tea and coffee served with mince pies and Stollen plus of course, the ever-popular Bacon Butties; if folk were not wanting a butty when they walked in, the smell of the cooking bacon persuaded them along to buy for sure!

The “Guess the Weight of the Cake” was won by Carole LePage and the Christmas Draw resulted in several winners who carried away some wonderful gifts, including the beautiful quilt and the fabulous Christmas Hamper.

It was a very happy and successful three hours. We had visitors from many countries and local groups as well as our own church members and I think everyone was made to feel welcome.

At the end of the day, we found we had raised €1326.70.

On behalf of the Chaplaincy, we want to thank all who so generously contributed to this year’s Fair as well as those who very actively took part. At the end, it was commented on as “a good day had by all”.

Photo: Sarah Waddington the winner of the Quilt in the Christmas Draw. One very happy lady!
St. Andrew's Day
St Andrew’s day falling on a Wednesday meant that we were able to celebrate at our midweek Communion Service.

John led us in worship and Caroline preached on the calling of Andrew our patron saint and on our own personal calling. Six people from Alhaurin travelled down for the service and it was good to catch up with friends over coffee and enjoy some of the cakes left over from the Christmas Fair. Fifteen of us then went to Restaurant El Rio for an enjoyable lunch where we were very well looked after by Antonio and his staff. Thank you to Jen and Billy for organising a special day.
Dates for your diary...
Christmas Show by A Touch of Class

A Touch of Class will be bringing their new Christmas show ‘Songs and Fun for the festive Season’ to St Andrews, Los Boliches on Friday 9th December at 6pm,
and on 
Saturday 10th December at 4pm. Tickets 10 Euros (all profits to Chaplaincy funds) Avaialable on 684395018 or from your Verger



Sunday 18th December 2022
Carol Services

9.30am Calahonda. Carol Service. Rev William Small

11.30am Alhaurín. Carol Service. Caroline Macfarlanen

11.30am Los Boliches. Carol service. Peter Hammond

Wednesday 21st December 2022. There will be no service today

Saturday 24th December 2022
Christmas Communion

4:00pm Alhaurín. Christmas Communion.
Rev William Small and Caroline Macfarlanen

Sunday 25th December 2022
Christmas Communion

9.30am Calahonda. Christmas Communion. Rev John Sutton

11.30am Los Boliches. Christmas Communion.
Rev John Sutton and Peter Hammond

Wednesday 28th December 2022. There will be no service today
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