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Drop-In For The Bereaved
Third Monday of each month. St.Giles' Church Hall, 2 p.m.
to 3.30 p.m. A friendly, informal opportunity for a chat, over
a cup of tea, with other bereaved people and pastoral visitors.
The next meeting is Monday 16th February (also Monday 15th March).
Just come along, or ring the Rectory (622970), if you would like
to talk to someone first.
Ickenham Good Neighbour Scheme
Ickenham Good Neighbour Scheme exists to serve the
whole of Ickenham. We're here to assist in an emergency. If you
need help, the daytime contact numbers are: 01895 633020 or 01895
235061.
From the Rectory
 Symbolism
can be very powerful in our lives. During my recent post-Christmas
break, I was able to witness, on the Sunday which the church
keeps as the Baptism of Christ, the release of three white doves
and the blessing of the sea in a ceremony conducted by the Greek
Orthodox clergy who care for the congregation in Nice. As a group
of Anglicans we gathered with our Orthodox friends, in the grounds
of the Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu Sur Mer, which overlooks the
waters of the Med. It was a beautifully sunny, mild
morning, and after their Mass their Priest led the procession
to the waterside and intoned with a magnificent tenor voice the
appropriate liturgy. Three white doves were released and a cross
attached to a long piece of blue ribbon was thrown into the sea
and then retrieved thus symbolising the going down into the water
of our Lord in Baptism and emerging from it. The prayers of blessing
on the sea and for the safety of all 'who go down to the sea
in ships' followed. It was a moving experience.
Although Jesus, being sinless, had no need of Baptism (which
symbolises the cleansing from sin), he did so in order to be
one with each of us who, being human, are called to repentance
and the cleansing from sin through Baptism.
It is always a great privilege to baptise children who are
brought by their parents to church for Baptism. The significance
of the event and symbolism in the service are of crucial importance.
All of us who are baptised are set apart for God's service as
indeed Jesus was when he was baptised in the Jordan River. Sadly
so often the baptism of children is simply another excuse for
a family party and although it is important to celebrate such
a significant event in anybody's life, we must not allow ourselves
to lose
sight of the deep meaning of Baptism. That should be the prime
focus - then, of course, let the party follow.
Greetings and peace to you all.
Philip
From St. Giles' Registers
Cremations at Breakspear Crematorium
Nov. 18th - Sidney (Sid) Glasson Gill, aged 80
Nov. 19th - Mary Evans, aged 94
Nov. 20th - Rhoda Till, aged 95 (after service in St. Giles'
Church)
Dec. 1st - Peter Jenkin Lloyd, aged 67
Dec. 10th - Rosie Tomes, aged 91
Dec. 12th - George Albert Gymer, aged 90
Dec. 15th - Gladys May Baron, aged 90 (after service in St. Giles'
Church)
Dec. 16th - Eileen Watling, aged 79
Dec. 18th - Martin Charles Jackson, aged 61 (after service in
St Giles' Church)
Dec. 23rd - Elizabeth (Liz) Davies, aged 63
Jan. 6th - Harold ('H') Thomas Lowe, aged 73
Jan. 6th - Harold Anton Widmann, aged 91
Jan. 7th - Thomas McPhee, aged 82
Jan. 8th - Jessie Kathleen Schmieder, aged 88
Jan. 12th - Norma Vooght, aged 88
Jan. 15th - Susan Chambers, aged 57 (after service in St Giles'
Church)
Jan. 16th - Daisy Macdonald, aged 91 (after service in St Giles'
Church)
Burials of Ashes
Nov. 22nd - John Barrett
Coptall Road's New Playground
 Ickenham youngsters were given an
early present when their new £40,000 playground was opened
just before Christmas.
Swings, slides and climbing frames were among the new equipment
unveiled in front of villagers gathered at Copthall Playground,
off Copthall Road East.
Money has also been spent on new seats, bins and a fence surrounding
the playground.
Julie Barrett, a committee member of Ickenham Residents' Association,
put the scheme forward after she, and other members, carried
out a survey to find out what residents wanted to be put on the
site, which had become rundown.
Peter Daymond, the Association's chairman, said: "We
are delighted with the playground and it is good news for children
living in Ickenham. "We would also like to thank Julie for
all her hard work and we are grateful for all she has done."
The project was funded by Hillingdon Council's Chrysalis programme
for environmental improvements.
Story Courtesy of Uxbridge Gazette
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