St. Helen's and St. Richards, Hangleton
NOTICE BOARD

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Easter Lilies and Flowers

We would like to thank every one who dedicated lilies this Easter and those who donated 

for flowers for the churches this Easter.  The churches looked lovely and the lilies were 

just beautiful. With grateful thanks to all those who contributed.

Children’s Society Boxes

Please could anyone who has a Children’s Society Box return it to be counted as soon as 

possible. 

I will collect them at St Helen’s Church Hall at the next couple of Sunday services.
 

With many thanks - Christine James

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy.
Sustain and support the anxious,
be with those who care for the sick,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may find comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.

Together Again

It’s been a while since we last met with those we love so much,
It hurts to miss them in our lives with their warm and tender touch.
But our world has changed and so must we but it’s hard to readjust,
To stay away from family and friends has to be a must.
To wave to Nanny and Grandad through a pane of double glass,
Is bitter sweet for all concerned but I’m afraid it will have to last.
I must admit I miss the shops buying the stuff I don’t need,
Then going for coffee with my friends and having a pizza feed.
Nothing is the same anymore it’s such a crying shame,
And brutal sadness come to many and I don’t even know their names.
But in this fight we have to smile at little moments of joy,
When we hear that a mother has beaten the virus and delivered safely her baby boy.
We must not forget the kindness shown by unknown caring souls,
Who give many meals to the hungry and medication as this virus takes hold.
The elderly are so vulnerable and we need to be aware,
They can be very independent and not always ask for care.
Some have lived through really hard times but still they’ve soldiered on,
So it’s our time now to care for them we can’t leave them on their own.
We keep on hoping that when it comes tomorrow will be a bit better,
That somehow this pandemic will ease and we won’t be the debtor.
Anymore we’ve had enough of fighting this dangerous game,
We want the life we should be living and so we will remain.
Resilient in the fight to win and get our world turned round,
To be together once again in a different world we’ve found.
So now it’s time to do our best to keep ourselves from harm,
And hope that soon all will be well and that there’ll be a sense of calm.
Together is such a comforting word in so many different ways,
It’s love and understanding and support on the saddest of days.
So together through this hardest of times together we’ll win in the end,
Together we’ll look for the day we’re together back with our family and friends.

Lorely

Today is my birthday but what a difference a year makes.
Last year I spent it with my family and we went out to lunch together. This year my daughter has sung “happy birthday “ whilst standing on my drive and now I am alone again because I am “shielding “ which after 79 days is becoming harder and harder, physically, mentally and emotionally. Apart from this, I have so much to be grateful for. I have a caring and loving daughter and a wonderful friend who gives me support and encouragement. Thanks to Fr Keith (and Andrew of course ) I am able to take part in the weekly Mass and I have a garden so at least I can go outside and feel the sun on my arms and hear the birds singing. Best of all is that I AM ALIVE. Thank you Lord. 
                                                          Anon

Thoughts

We are fighting an unseen unknown foe that’s taken over our world,

It has no compassion, no sense of life into this nightmare we’ve been hurled.

Many thousand have died alone and afraid, why is it being so cruel,

What have we done to deserve such pain, how can we fight back with no tool?

But the one thing we do have that can’t be destroyed is the hope that lives in our heart,

We have to believe we’ll be masters again of our world and all of its part.

Are we learning as time goes by, should we try to forgive?

Are we thankful for all for sacrifices made in order that others should live?

Are we learning to be kinder to those in great need, are we doing all we could?

Are we loving each other and trying our best to let hope get us through and we should?

Believe we will win otherwise we will lose, and that must never be done,

We have much to fight for in our beautiful world, and all nature still grows in the sun.

To remember the lessons that have brought us together, to be better than we were before,

To be thankful for life and all of her gifts, to share love with each other once more.

It’s very hard to make sense of a world that’s unknown where people work hard to save lives,

We thank and applaud them for their never-ending care, remembering that they have family ties.

So I gather my thoughts that are still confused and head for home once again,

Believing one day this terror will pass leaving hope to ease some of the pain.

I pray for health and strength for all and when this virus ends,

I’ll hold on tight to those I’ve missed, my beloved family and friends.

When the world is well again, will we give back more than we take,

Can we make our lives more meaningful the choice is ours to make.

Lorely Draper

Hello Autumn

Summer has left us without a goodbye and that is such a shame,
But don’t despair a beautiful season waits and Autumn is her name.
She’s coming in with wind and rain, not her usual show,
But soon her leaves will dress the trees giving a glorious glow.
Some days will be mellow and flowers will dance and sway in the Autumn breeze,
Dahlias cyclamen blossom yellow and scarlet, and asters just to please.
Birds are getting restless, ready to leave our shore,
To fly to warmer climates house martins, swallows, swifts and many more.
The farmers will be busy bringing in the crops as pumpkins start to grow,
Blackberries round and juicy dance on brambles giving a purple show.
I know that things are different now but one thing is for sure,
Mother nature makes no account for change, she will be constant ever more.
She’ll dress her trees with tender care orange yellow and flaming red,
Nothing can ever compare to this magical sight, it really has to be said.
A picture of colour that amazes us all and helps our hopes to grow,
To believe that life is so very precious and we can’t just let it go.
That in time like this we need to remember as we look around,
Life is worth living and loving in a kaleidoscope of colour and sound.
So Mother Nature will do her best to cheer us on our way,
A miracle in the making to bring joy and brighten each day.
We must try to be grateful for what we still have and sadly not what we have lost,
A cheery smile to a passer by could make their day and we pay no cost.
The same boat rows for all of us, so now our patience must win,
We will get there in the end, so please don’t stop hoping and please don’t give in.
                                                                                  LORELY

Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass our understanding:
pour into our hearts such love toward you
that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.


Blitzing The Kitchen

Today’s the day I told myself its time to blitz the kitchen,
I’ll spring clean like mad and do it proud, it’s my favourite room to sit in.
I’ve scrubbed and bleached and polished, in places neglected in the past,
I’d forgotten the skirting boards are white “gosh what a guilty blast”.
Next on my list I’ve washed my cupboards to within an inch of their lives,
Thrown away rubbish that’s been lurking in drawers, sorted forks, spoons and knives.
My tiled kitchen gleams in the sun, grease and dust disappeared,
I chose the tiles myself, long ago, still love them after all these years.
My gas stove stands proudly shining as in days of long ago,
The fridge freezer’s had a wash and brush-up and is now all aglow.
The kettle sits there singing for a cuppa at half past two,
And my kitchen windows sparkle in the sunshine just like new.
The laminated floor looks pristine because I’ve had the time,
To dust and polish and clean everywhere to make my kitchen shine.
The kitchen is my happy place it serves me well you see,
Where I’ve had so many cheery chats with friends and family.
We’ve laughed a lot and cried a little over life’s ups and downs,
And talked through all our problems with just a few sad frowns.
The kitchen will keep our secrets and never betray our trust,
Everyone needs a sanctuary, a place just for them is a must.
The kitchen brings me solace too as my thoughts turn back over the day,
Little problems all sorted out all worries have slipped away.
The cat comes in to have his supper and I finish the last of my tea,
New day tomorrow what will it bring I’ll just have to wait and see.
Come on cat it’s bedtime now as up the stairs we come,
All lights out, peace and quiet fills the house so “good night God Bless everyone”.
                                                                                                         Lorely Draper


`Jabberwocky’ has been with me for as long as I can remember, probably primary school. I just love the sound of it. Nonsense makes the heart grow fonder. 
Hope you enjoy it. Fr Keith

Jabberwocky 

’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves 
      Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: 
All mimsy were the borogoves, 
      And the mome raths outgrabe. 

“Beware the Jabberwock, my son! 
      The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! 
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun 
      The frumious Bandersnatch!” 

He took his vorpal sword in hand; 
      Long time the manxome foe he sought— 
So rested he by the Tumtum tree 
      And stood awhile in thought. 

And, as in uffish thought he stood, 
      The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, 
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, 
      And burbled as it came! 

One, two! One, two! And through and through 
      The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! 
He left it dead, and with its head 
      He went galumphing back. 

“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? 
      Come to my arms, my beamish boy! 
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” 
      He chortled in his joy. 

’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves 
      Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: 
All mimsy were the borogoves, 
      And the mome raths outgrabe.                      Lewis Carroll 


Vanessa, my daughter wrote this prayer for me and I would like to share it with my family at
St. Helen's. 

Thank you God for our food and drink, 
Thank you God for making me think 
before all this chaos came into light 
There were many more people in even worse plight. 
Thank you God for the sun and the sky 
Thank you God for asking us why? 
we take for granted our beautiful life... 
why we only appreciate in times of such strife? 
Thank you God for our family and friends 
And I pray you can help us all make amends. 
Help us to love and be thankful much more 
And please let us survive this peculiar war.
                                                   Patricia Bird

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