Join us on Zoom for a virtual Christingle, or join our roving carol singers to bring some Christmas cheer to our neighbours too! At 6pm we will finish off with bell ringing on our doorsteps to wish the whole community a blessed and peaceful Christmas. We will be collecting donations in aid of the Children’s Society online: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/
If you’d like the zoom link and a Christingle Kit to make at home, or are interested in joining in with the roving carol singing groups outside please get in touch asap on 07730 609446 or email parishoffice@ash-vale.org.uk
Please note—we will be following the covid rules, so the carols will be in households, bubbles or small groups according to the laws on the day.
I expect by now you have heard friends and neighbours discussing the ranges. One side claiming health & safety issues and locking the gates, the other side outraged and warning of an MOD land grab. Our community stands to lose access to 12% of the ranges—and not just any 12% – the area is one of the most used, and most accessible.
How do we respond? My sister Val—whom many of you know from her visits, and the wonderful blessings she has shared at Zoom services—is a great sounding board and in discussing this issue together we searched for wisdom in this matter. The theme that kept coming up was to be unwavering in speaking truth to power. So what does this mean?
It means doing our homework and unpicking the legal status of the space to find the truth. Some sources say this is MOD land. Other say it is Ash Common, and the ancient rights of access still apply. Byelaws were created to protect people from harm during dangerous activities. The right of access at other times has never been removed. We must diligently seek the truth and be the voice of challenge when lies and misunderstandings are masquerading as fact.
It means shining a light on injustice, and calling out patterns of behaviour that are unacceptable. We have seen the “land grab” approach elsewhere and we will not tolerate it here. It means fighting for the consultation we are entitled to and celebrating the wonderful benefits of the ranges, so that we can all see what we stand to lose.
It means listening to all our neighbours, not just the loudest ones or the most powerful ones. Hear the voices of our children and young people. See the plight of those with disabilities fighting for access to open space. Seek out the stories of the older generation who can paint the picture for us of all that the ranges have been to this community and should be in the future. Involve the busy parents, the introverts, those whose anxiety prevents them from speaking out. We must give all of them a voice, and make sure they are represented as we take a seat at the table.
It means being creative, both in seeking solutions (What can we do to keep people safe instead of locking the gates?) and in how we go about standing our ground (If we are not being listened to, we will find ways to make our voices heard!)
It’s not about the politics. As a church, we do not need to ‘take sides’ or choose a political stance to make a difference. Our power lies not in polarising the community and creating discord, but in being bringing people together. We are united in love, both for our friends and for our enemies. We strive to become oaks of righteousness, rooted in God’s love and seeking the common good.
Speaking truth to power is a phrase first used by the Quakers in the 1950’s. It came to prominence in 1942 when Baynard Rusting, an American civil rights leader, wrote that… The role of a religious group was to “speak the truth to power”, which is what we intend to do. Our elected representatives have, it would appear, grossly underestimated the importance of this issue to our community, and the anger that there seems to be at the apparent disregard of the MOD and DIO for their neighbours and the people they share the ranges with. They need to know that we will not back down, and we will protect and demand access to the ranges not only for us , but for future generations.
While we are all living in uncertain times music is one of the things to keep us positive. As an individual with long-term health conditions I thought long and hard: what I can give back to the community as I am restricted to what I can do? My love of all forms of music came to the forefront, and after learning the new skill of mixing music together I have decided how I can give back to the local community:
Lockdown sessions is a 2hr live DJ set every Friday night starting at 7pm and ending just after 9pm. I produce a mix of dance and house music.
Artists in residence Debi & Jono Retallick usually host a ‘monthly make’ fundraising event at the chapel in Ash Vale to support the Chapel project and help us keep doing what we do. Due to the coronavirus situation we are now doing the “Monthly Makes” via ‘zoom’ online. The sessions are suitable for people 7 yrs and above. Book now to join in!
October Monthly Make: Your own needle felted penguin!
Not so long ago we were celebrating when the national church made a huge and challenging commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030. This is a deadly serious endeavour to help preserve our precious planet for future generations. Every church needs to do their bit. So how are we doing?
Mike and Jan moved to Ash Vale in 1977. Sons Steve and Dave were brought up to enjoy where they lived and the outdoors. Camping, canoeing, swimming, scouting, it was all there for them and the young people in and around the area. The house and garden became known as “Toad Hall”, a show garden often open to the public and an enchanted haven for adventure for his two sons growing up.
Back in March, when we entered into lockdown, little did I know that seven months later we would still be in such unprecedented times. Our little shop in Ash is one of 19 Charity shops that Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice rely on heavily to maintain the daily running of our Hospice and our Beacon Hill Centre.
During the uncertainty caused by Covid-19 many of us have spent much time (and money) trying to keep sane by “doing” the garden or window box. Personally I have completed many of the small tasks that had been put “on the back burner”. But as autumn approaches the remaining jobs are much bigger and require much more effort, and as I have jams and pickles to make for CHRISTMAS (it’s not far away) gardening has to take a bit of a back seat to processing the produce.
