By the time you are reading this, a willing band of volunteers will have given some time on a Saturday to clearout and tidy up the Churchyard for the winter. This is all part of the fresh approach directed by The Friends of Helmdon Churchyard, a new Agency of the P.C.C. with its own Chairman, Secretary and Convener. Anyone who has an interest in the care of our burial ground is a member, but we would like to know who you are! Please get in touch with Conrad Woolley (760267) or Judy Cairns (760537) if you can support us, even if it is only from your armchair. We still need you.....really!

We hope that those of you who do wander into its peacefulness will appreciate the gradual improvements being made to show that we care. During the year we have lost two practical, hard-working members and it is hoped that their efforts will be replaced by others joining The Friends of Helmdon Churchyard. Please get in touch.

Conrad Woolley, Chairman

At 7.30pm on Friday 21 December the Friends once again invite you to our "Words and Music for Christmas" evening in Church. Tickets cost £3.50 and £2.50 for OAP's and children, which will include mince pies, savoury nibbles and a glass of mulled wine or a soft drink. This is a great way to begin the holiday, with the Church full of candle light and the heady aroma of Christmas spices. The programme includes something for everyone, with children and adults alike offering their favorite songs, poems, readings and music for your delight. Everyone who was there last year will agree: it's not to be missed!

Happy Christmas and a wish for peace in the coming year from all of us on the Committee.

Kitchen & Loo
A quote had been received from John Barker in the sum of c£29,000 (previous estimate was c£15,000). The PCC has decided to obtain at least two further quotes for the work
Benefice enlargement
The Benefice is to be enlarged to include Lois Weedon and Wappenham. An initial review of the Sunday Services indicates little change to the current schedule.
Sidesmen
The following people have been added to the sidesman's rota: Paul Stothard, Sue Brodie, Paul Underwood, Ruth Underwood and Jo Glenham
Burial Register
The register covering the period 1886 to 2001 has been deposited at The County Records Office along with all other church records over 100 years old (where they are kept securely, in the correct environment, microfiched and still available for inspection).
Church notice board
Mike Barnes will donate the board he made for an exhibition at the NEC
Taste and See
An exploratory Christian course is being run at Jean Spendlove's house on Thursdays at 7pm and more participants are welcome.

Paul Stothard, PCC Secretary

Our meetings with supper and round-the-table discussion to mark the millennium were so much enjoyed that we are continuing them even into 2002. By the time you read this we shall have heard Andy Village in the Baptist school-room on what our genes may do. For the anniversary of the Queen's accession in February we are looking for a lively speaker to open up discussion of church establishment.

Jean Spendlove

The Children's Society has reintroduced this Moravian custom which dates back to the mid 1700's. The Christingle is full of symbolism, starting with a large orange representing God's wonderful world. Four cocktail sticks symbolise the seasons of the year and the harvest of God's earth (a mixture of raisins, marshmallows, jelly babies, etc) is pushed onto the sticks. A red ribbon is fastened around the circumference of the orange to stand for the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son who died for us all on the Cross. But that wasn't the end of course; a lit candle placed in the very centre of the orange's top stands for Jesus, the Light of the World. At this darkest time of the year, the symbolic candlelight spreads from the heart of each person holding a Christingle to fill the Church, each family, and each room at home. Christingles work!

A collection taken at the service funds Children's Society work amongst deprived or disadvantaged children and their families, chiefly in this country. For example, the result of your support could financially aid the Family Centre in Banbury.

So why not come along to the service with the children? Celebrate Christmas in a different way; receive the joy of a lit Christingle and all it means to you and yours this wintertime and support a worthy cause into the bargain.

Happy Christmas, from the Christingle-making teams!

We completed our four meetings, which were enjoyed by all who attended. We had people hom Helmdon and Syresham chapel and church. Our meetings alternated between the two villages with a morning and evening session held in each chapel schoolroom. A creche was available for small children at each of the morning sessions. One of the most memorable meetings was the talk given by Margot Aczel about her experiences as a visitor on 'Death Row'.

On September 26th, Sue Tringham (Diocesan President), Marion Thompson (Deanery Leader) and Sheila Cassford came to help us discuss the way forward for our proposed branch. After much discussion, we decided we had the nucleus to form a Benefice Branch. With Bee Aczel secretary, Audrey Beattie treasurer and Ann Smith branch leader.

Our first meeting was on Monday October 29th at Helmdon chapel when the theme was 'Saints'. The second meeing was on Wednesday 28th November 8 Syresham church when the theme was Advent. On Sunday 30th December, during the Benefice Service at Helmdon, those members who wish may be enrolled.

For more details about MU meetings etc. ring Bee (01295 76816) or Ann (01295 760684)

So far this year £71 has been sent to UNICEF(UK). It is to buy oral rehydration salts for the treatment of dehydration in children. Several doses of this simple solution costing only 7p a sachet, saves the life of a child suffering from dehydration due to diarrhoea often caused by unhygienic living conditions.

You can save your mites (5p pieces) in a film case. You can usually find some in church. When they are full please pass them on to Audrey Beattie.

John Roberts

The Benefice is delighted to announce that John Roberts has been installed as a Non-Residentiary Canon of Peterborough Cathedral. This is a great honour for John and recognition of his unstinting service to our Benefice.

Morag Underwood, Churchwarden