Our Church Magazine

Grapevine is published bi-monthly.

Copies can be found in the church vestibule: please help yourself.

Contact the Editor: Richard Hall  01753 573 521

The full November ~ December edition is now available at church.

2 extracts appear below.

 

 

 

Pasada 

This is a South American custom, remembering Joseph and Mary travelling to Bethlehem where Jesus was to be born, needing somewhere to stay each night.  Thus figures of Joseph and Mary spend each night during Advent in the home of a member of the congregation. 

 

This will be the third Pasada at St Andrew’s.  Joseph and a heavily pregnant Mary have stayed in many homes.  They have shared in three school assemblies, visited a care home, a patient in the cardiac unit of Wexham Park Hospital, a pub, were guests at a 40th Wedding Anniversary celebration and went shopping in Slough High Street.  All welcomed the opportunity to share the real meaning of Christmas.  Hosts have different memories but agree this is a valuable and enriching experience.   If you have not been able to host before, here is an opportunity to reflect and prepare for Christmas in a new and meaningful way.

 

A List will be available from 23rd  November for you to sign up.  The idea is that Joseph and Mary will be brought to you on the evening of your night.  You will have them with you next day and take them to the next family in the evening.  (Any travelling problems can be sorted out between hosts.)   Those who have them on Saturday night will take them to Church on Sunday morning, where they will be on view, and take them home again before going on to the Sunday night hosts.  On 24th December Joseph and Mary will be brought to the Christmas Eve service.  Then Jesus will arrive! 

 

'It brought the whole thing to life, becoming much more real.'    

'Mary and Joseph became part of our family and shared our day.'

'They brought an unusual calmness into our home.' 


 

Journey in Faith: Kanti

 

Kanti, where were you born?

Sialkot, just on the Pakistan side of the Punjab.  I can remember as a small child the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947.  It had been a largely Hindu area and so was very sensitive.   My father was the Physical Director of the local college with many Hindu students.  The Hindus were forced to leave and we, as the only Christian family in the area, had to withdraw for a while.  I can remember the shouting and crying as Hindus left by train.  We then helped care for the arriving Muslim refugees!      

 

Tell us about your schooling and higher education.

I went first to a Sikh school and then a Christian one and then a “Scott Mission” high school.  I also was a Sunday School teacher. This was followed by a B.A. in History and Politics at Kinnaird College and a B.Ed. at Lady Maclagan College.  While I was at college I had the opportunity to be the Pakistani representative on a World Council of Churches “Youth Caravan” travelling through Japan for three months.  It was a wonderful experience being with students from 15 countries.

 

My father came from the Punjab and spoke Punjabi; my mother from further south and spoke Urdu.  Sometimes in the family both languages were spoken at the same time.  They had seven children.  At one time three were in college and four at school – all with fees to pay.  So it was a struggle.  A friend advised my father to send some on a shorter nursing course so that they could more quickly contribute to the family income.  No, he said, I am erecting seven buildings for the future.  Eventually all seven became graduates.       

 

You then began your teaching career?

I taught for three years before marriage, which was an arranged marriage.  We then moved to Karachi, at the other end of Pakistan, where my husband was minister of the Central Methodist Church and I taught at the Holy Trinity School for Girls.  I applied for a scholarship to Indiana State University in the United States.  In the meantime I became pregnant.  My daughter was born on 14th August.  On the 19th I received notification that I had been awarded the scholarship for the course beginning on 1st September.  Surely I couldn’t go!  But I was persuaded that it was possible; my sister-in-law would care for my daughter.  It was my destiny.  Later I was to see how it was all part of God’s plan.  Two members of the church, Mr and Mrs Smith, cared for me as if I was their daughter.  I obtained an M.Sc. in history and geography.

 

So how was this God’s plan for you?

In 1981 I was living in England and became a single mother on the death of my husband. Without my U.S. degree I would not have been qualified to teach in England and so unable to support my three small children, aged 13, 3 and 1. 

 

How did this come about?

When I returned from America my husband was awarded a scholarship in Switzerland.  He then was appointed to the Kings Hall Methodist Church in Southall.  After four years he was called back to Pakistan.  I said that going with him then would not be fair to my young daughter and that I must stay in England for two years, teaching in a primary School.  Hearing this, the Bishop in Pakistan said that separation would not be right and that Vincent should stay in Southhall.  But in 1979 he had a severe heart attack.  I prayed to God that he would give us another ten years together.  In 1981, however, another heart attach killed him.  I was angry with God – I asked for ten years but you gave me only two!  But then my anger subsided.  I promised God that henceforth whenever I looked back I would thank him and trust him to look after me.  There was no other way.  We had a big manse in Southall.  Would I like to move to something smaller?  I preferred to stay.  Then said the Chairman, as the District’s youngest widow you can stay as long as you like. 

 

When did you come to Slough?

In 1997 I retired from teaching and moved to Slough.  I am very happy here – near my children and grandchildren.  I am very pleased to be able to serve the church as a Steward.  The big lesson I have learned is to trust God always.