November 2012 - The Parish of Crosthwaite and Lyth

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A very special month In the September Parish Magazine I wrote about Losha, a 7 year old boy from a very needy family in Belarus who was coming to live with us for a month through the charity “Friends of Chernobyl’s Children” (FOCC). As I write this, it is a few days since Losha returned safely to Belarus and his family, but what a difference a month makes! He has gone home looking healthier, half a stone heavier than when he arrived and with a bag packed to the limits with warm clothes for the winter, food for the family, a year’s supply of vitamins and minerals and some treats and toys to remind him of his stay with us. The group of 17 children who came to Silverdale and stayed with hosts in the surrounding areas all benefitted a huge amount from their visit. While they were here they all had eye tests, health checkups and dental care and plenty of outdoor activities and fun. These children benefit from a month of fresh air and good food as the land they live on and the air they breathe is still contaminated by radiation from the Chernobyl disaster which took place in neighbouring country, Ukraine. It is estimated the land will be contaminated for another 24,000 years. For them, this chance to recuperate and build up their bodies for the very hard winter in Belarus is an important lifeline. Lots of people have been interested in how we managed to communicate with Losha, but it has been really easy. We quickly found ways to express ourselves, often using sign language and pictures, and he quickly learnt the most important words; “please, thank you, apple, toilet, yes, no”, and there was always the assurance that should we encounter any difficulty that we couldn’t solve alone, then we could phone one of the Russian interpreters that came over with the group and they would resolve the issue. For us it was a chance to appreciate again the simple things in life – all those little things we take for granted which were greeted by Losha with wide eyed wonder. He even enjoyed the floods, and this saw us driving a bit faster through the water to get that gasp of joy! If all goes well with Losha over the next year he will hopefully come and stay with us for another month of vital respite next September and for the next 5 years. This makes all the difference to these vulnerable children whose immune systems are very weak; it enables their quality of life to improve and gives them every chance of living a more fulfilled life. People have been asking how they can help; you can help either by donating money to Friends Of Chernobyl’s Children (It costs the charity £600 per child per year to bring them here) or considering whether you could become a host or a helper. For more information contact us (Michael and Michelle 015395 68276) or the director of the charity Mrs Olwyn Keogh MBE (01524 702330). Rev. Michelle Woodcock 8
“Making a Difference" Make a difference - fill a shoebox with your love this Christmas. This year, we are working with the charity Teams4u (www.teams4u.com), founded by David Cooke who made the first children’s Christmas shoebox appeal in 1990 and who, since then, has devoted his time to helping children in need. It is an exciting new venture for our well established team of over 100 volunteers in South Cumbria, as our shoeboxes are going to deprived rural areas of Romania where Teams4u already have projects and contacts. A team from this area is going to distribute the boxes in December, and we will be able to report back on the children who receive your shoebox gifts. Who knows, it may then be possible to make a more direct and personal link with a particular church or school in Romania. To take part, find an empty shoebox, wrap the box and the lid separately in bright gift wrap, decide whether your box is for a boy or girl and fill the box with some or all of the following: Hat, gloves and scarf; Facecloth and soap; Toothbrush and toothpaste; Hairbrush and comb; Pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks, colouring books and other educational items (without words); Sweets (not chocolate); Soft toy; Ball; Other games and toys; Jewellery for girls. Add a donation of £2 for transport, indicate whether your box is for a boy or girl, secure your box with an elastic band and take it to The Exchange on Wednesday 14 th November. After Christmas there will be stories and photos on www.Teams4u.com – you may even see your own shoebox being given to a child. For further information please contact Rosemary Webster 015395 68013. Your co-ordinators are Cartmel Fell: Anne Ratcliffe: 015395 52107; Crosthwaite: Lorraine Brierley (015395 68172); Underbarrow: Di Dew: 015395 68680; Winster: Margaret Gambie 015394 42325; Witherslack: Irene Brennand 015395 52337. Please contact them for boxes and leaflets - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - STOP PRESS!!! Shoebox checking morning is Monday, November 19th, at Winster Village Hall, starting at 9am. Please come and help if you can. All boxes are checked, sealed and packed into cartons, and then go to the Kendal warehouse. I If anyone can help with transport (large van or trailer), please contact Rosemary Webster on 015395 68013. 9
Page 1 and 2: NOVEMBER 2012 70p CROSTHWAITE CARTM
Page 3 and 4: A LETTER FROM MICHAEL WOODCOCK What
Page 5 and 6: Holy Days in November 1 All Saints
Page 7: Christmas is coming… Yes, it’s
Page 11 and 12: THE DEVIL’S VIOLIN COMPANY in ‘
Page 13 and 14: NOTICES FOR INDIVIDUAL PARISHES CAR
Page 15 and 16: That Money Cannot Buy. Details belo
Page 17 and 18: WOMEN’S INSTITUTES REPORTS & NEWS

November 2012 - The Parish of Crosthwaite and Lyth

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