Archive 2005
October 2005
September 2005
July 2005
May 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
Patronal Festival Lunch, 2nd October 2005
A festive international lunch combining classic British cooking with delicacies from
many countries, followed the special service to celebrate the feast day of the Church’s
patron saint, the diversity of its growing multi-
The service included the beautiful canticles and prayers composed by Francis of Assisi, the well known 13th century Italian saint, who practiced simplicity, gentleness to all creatures and love toward the outsider and outcast.
The congregation were pleased to cook and share the cuisine of their native lands, while those attending the church for the first time also enjoyed the good food, good cheer and international flavour of the event. A vast menu included Thai Vegetarian Curry, Ghanaian Tomato Rice, Chennai Coriander Chicken, Bengali Lamb Curry and Lemon Rice, Filipino Pork Menudo, and Grenadian Fried Chicken as well as great British favourites: Steak and Kidney Pie, Beef Pie, Peach Mousse, Trifle, Chocolate Cake, Bread Pudding and Apple Pie with Cream, while St. Francis’ native Italy was represented by lasagne. Wines, cheeses, tea and coffee from overseas were also served.
Harvest with a difference
Harvest Festival 2005 turned our attention to Africa with a special collection during the service for 'One Tree' which is a project of the charity 'Seeds for Africa'.
This collection, which raised £226 will be used to plant trees in Africa protecting the environment and encouraging long term food security.
Seeds for Africa is a registered charity based at the university of Kent at Canterbury. The charity is run by staff and student volunteers and draws upon a wide range of expertise. The charity aims to help needy African families by the provision of indigenous vegetable seeds, agricultural equipment and relevant technical advice.
Writing to Church leaders Albert Bullock, Co-
Fruit trees are being planted in schools in Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Kenya, Ghana and the Sudan. Every £5 provides a tree and young people become the guardian of the tree. This is an excellent example of direct action. The simple act of planting a fruit tree can have an impact on alleviating poverty and preserving the natural environment. One tree can soon turn into an orchard!
At St. Francis we are seeking to serve the environment rather than thinking of it as there to serve us. It is part of out role as caretakers of God's creation.
Find out more about Seeds for Africa on their website: www.seedsforafrica.org
ALMA Weekend 9-
Supporting the Angola, London, Mozambique Association (ALMA)
Links with Africa were celebrated on the weekend of the 9th and 10th July. St Francis of Assisi held two events to celebrate its links with churches in Mozambique and Angola. The Rev Chris Swift and Mrs Sandy Swift talked about their recent trip to Mozambique on Saturday and addressed the challenges faced by the church in one of the most impoverished areas of Africa.
Donations totaling £81.34 were collected from box holders for the Angola, London, Mozambique Association (ALMA). ALMA was set up in 1998 with the aim of each of the dioceses learning from each other and assisting in mission. At St. Francis we have committed ourselves to paying for the training of two catechists (lay workers who assist ordained clergy) in Lebombo and in Niassa, the two dioceses of Mozambique. St Francis also raises money to support the work of Bishop Mark Van Koevering and his wife Helen in Niassa.
On Sunday, the Rev Chris Swift spoke at the 11am service and then joined a parish lunch afterwards.
Christian Aid Week 2005
St. Francis Collections raise £737 to support the work of Christian Aid
Christian Aid is a UK and Ireland based charity that funds projects in some of the world's poorest countries. It helps people to improve their own lives and to tackle the causes of poverty and injustice. It was set up in 1945 by churches in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
St. Francis Church supports Christian Aid every year by collecting money to support
their work. this year we are pleased to say that door-
Fairtrade Coffee Morning
Coffee Morning with music to promote Fairtrade at St. Francis of Assisi Church
A warm and inviting coffee morning with soft taped music, to promote Fairtrade was held at St. Francis of Assisi Community Hall (next to the Church) on Saturday March 12th 2005 between 10am and 1pm.
Organiser Fleur Coates used Fa
irtrade products to bake chocolate banana cookies,
which were served with Fairtrade tea and coffee. Fairtrade products were available
to buy.
The morning was an opportunity for people to gather, meet new people and chat, and promoted the warm sense of community that St. Francis seeks to foster.
The tea and coffee were free, and donations were made to Fairtrade.
Wandering Feast: Christian Unity
in Isleworth
The traditional Isleworth Churches Wandering Feast took place on the 8th February 2005 in celebration of Shrove Tuesday, the last day before the season of lent.
Over 60 people from St. Francis of Assisi, St. Mary's and St. Vincent de Paul churches
attended, starting with soup, prawn cocktail, quiche or melon in St. Francis Community
Hall. The feast then continued at St Mary's Church Hall where there was an amazing
array of casseroles with vegetables, rice and, of course, a rather nice wine!
The congregation at St. Vincent de Paul provided a wonderful selection of desserts and Irish coffees that rounded a superb meal off nicely. Those attending from the three churches enjoyed an evening of pleasant company and convivial conversation.
Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Support Group for Hounslow
The Lent appeal for 2005 fundraised for the Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Support Group for Hounslow, which exists to support those that suffer with sickle cell anaemia and their families.
Tsunami Appeal: Nearly £1000 raised
Saturday 15th January 2005 saw over 100 people attend the ‘Candles of Hope’ vigil for victims of the South Asia disaster at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Isleworth.
The multi-
Charmaine Aserappa, who organised the event said “the event was a resounding success
and we are very grateful to all those who volunteered their time and to the generous
public who have contributed so much.”
Father Lawrence Smith, the Priest with responsibility for St Francis’, also thanked all those who contributed and stated that “all the donated items will go to those in Sri Lanka who are homeless and destitute as a result of the tsunami. These contributions will help the aid effort, although the need in Sri Lanka and other countries is ongoing.”
St. Francis of Assisi
865 Great West Road
Isleworth
TW7 5PD
St. Francis of Assisi, Isleworth
Church of England Parish Church
December 2005
Posada and Crib Service, Saturday 24th December 2005
Discantvs Concert, Saturday 17th December 2005, 7:30pm
November 2005
Hounslow Baroque Ensemble Concert, Tuesday 29th November 2005, 7:30pm
There will be a performance of the Discantvs choir with instrumentalists at St. Francis on Saturday 17th December at 7.30 p.m. The programme will include motets by Byrd, Monteverdi and Gabrieli, carols from across the centuries, Christmas cantatas by Buxtehude and Charpentier along with instrumental interludes and carols for the audience. Tickets cost £5 (which includes a glass of mulled wine). Contact for tickets: Telephone 020 8568 9098.
The congregation at St. Francis, Isleworth has introduced Posada as a new way of encouraging its’ members to celebrate more meaningfully the season of Advent.
At the end of the morning service on 27th November, Advent Sunday, the crib figures of Mary and Joseph will be given to Charlotte and Isabelle Mensah and their parents Sam and Araba to take home with them. The figures will stay at their home overnight before moving on to another home in the parish next day. ‘People are encouraged to give a home to the nativity figures for a night’, says Fr Lawrence Smith. The figures will move from house to house until they arrive in church on Christmas Eve for the crib service.
The Hounslow Baroque Ensemble will be presenting a concert of Bach and of Christmas music for voices and instruments on Tuesday 29th November at 7.30 p.m. at St. Francis Church. The programme includes two movements from Bach’s Cantata 147 (this includes ‘Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring’), a 17th century piece by Henry du Mont called Cantantibus Organis, and some Christmas Carols from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Refreshments will be served after the concert and donations invited at the door.
It is hoped that Posada will enable people to think beyond the story of Christmas alone. Everyone is invited to celebrate with expectation during the ‘waiting’ time, the whole meaning and purpose of the birth of Jesus Christ at Bethlehem. ‘We hope people will ‘make room for Jesus’ in their hearts and homes as they approach the Christmas season’.
Posada is a Spanish word meaning ‘inn’. Posada originates from Mexico where, each Advent, a young couple are chosen to ‘become’ Mary and Joseph and travel from house to house telling people about the immanent arrival of Jesus and asking if they can give a room for the night! At each home they tell the story of Jesus and worship together. On Christmas Eve, the village enacts a community play of the Advent story.
The crib service at St. Francis is on Christmas Eve at 4.00 p.m. The service, which includes carols, lasts forty minutes. During the service the figures of Mary and Joseph will be brought into church. All are welcome to share in this popular service.
Further details from Fr. Lawrence Tel: 020 8568 9098.
