Going to church doesn't make you a Christian, not even if you've gone to church every Sunday since the day you were born! You can only become a Christian by personally choosing to invite Jesus into your life as your Lord and Saviour. As a Christian, spending time with God on your own (in Bible study and prayer and quiet thought) is important as you get to know someone better if you spend some quality one-to-one time with them. But church is important too.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Why go to church?

If you're not already a Christian you may want to go to church to see what Christians get up to there, and soak in the atmosphere of the singing, praying and teaching from the Bible.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

If you have any further questions you'd like answered please email us.

We hope to see you at Richmond Park Church soon!

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Hello! My name is David Holland and here I am with my lovely wife, Hae Sook. I'm the pastor of Richmond Park Church, which is on the corner of Palmerston Road and St Clements Road in Boscombe. We're a group of ordinary people who believe in an extraordinary God. We've put this website together to give you a taste of what we believe, what we do, and what we are like - enjoy looking around!

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

This Week's Diary

FROM MONDAY 28th JANUARY 2008:
Ladies Meeting in Hae Sook's home 11am

Colin & Pauline's Group meet in church 8pm

(no dance group meeting)

Andrew being interviewed on Hope FM between 7-8pm (90.1FM or LISTEN ON LNE!)

TUESDAY 29th JANUARY:
Step by Step Parent & Toddlers Group meet in church 9.30-11.30am

Care Groups meet 8pm:

Geof & Jan's Group in Andrew's home

Dave & Hae Sook's Group in their home

Len & Barbara's Group in Helen's home

WEDNESDAY 30th JANUARY:

Prayer Surgery in church 10am-2pm
FRIDAY 1st FEBRUARY:

Good News After Schools Club meets in church 3.30-5.00pm
Teenage/young people group ice skating at BIC - see David or Anna

RICHMOND PARK CHURCH

Palmerston Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth BH1 4HP

Anyone with information for Newsletter please phone or pass it directly to Barbara. Alternatively Email: barbturner@ntlworld.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it no later than Friday AM. Phone No as per Address Book.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

This Week's Diary

FROM SUNDAY 20th JANUARY 2008:

Main Service in church 10.30am

Prayer Meeting in church 6.30pm (use side entrance)

MONDAY 21st JANUARY:

Ladies Meeting at Hae Sook's home at 11am

Colin & Pauline's Group meet in church 8pm

TUESDAY 22nd JANUARY:

Step by Step Parent & Toddlers Group meet in church 9.30-11.30am

Care Groups meet 8pm:

Geof & Jan's Group in their home

Dave & Hae Sook's Group in their home

Len & Barbara's Group in their home

WEDNESDAY 23rd JANUARY:

Prayer Surgery in church 10am-2pm

Elders meet at 10.30am

THURSDAY 24th JANUARY:

International Student Meal Evening in church at 6.00pm

FRIDAY 25th JANUARY:

Good News After Schools Club meets in church 3.30-5.00pm

RICHMOND PARK CHURCH

Palmerston Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth BH1 4HP

Anyone with information for Newsletter please phone or pass it directly to Barbara. Alternatively Email: barbturner@ntlworld.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it no later than Friday AM. Phone No as per Address Book

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Future Events

Sunday 27th January 2008: Family Service

Tuesday 5th - Friday 8th February:

Conference at BIC, "Eternity". Meetings start 7.30pm every evening; speaker Rico Tice

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Why is "Christmas" sometimes written as "XMAS"?

The word "Xmas" is sometimes used to stand in for "Christmas". This tradition began in the early Christian church; the first letter of Christ's name in Greek is X, and was frequently used at the time as a holy symbol. However, in modern days "Xmas" has been used as a way of avoiding writing or saying "CHRIST-mas".

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

For many a White Christmas means a complete covering of snow, ideally falling between midnight and midday on the 25th. However, the definition used most widely, notably by those placing and taking bets, is for a single snow flake (perhaps amongst a shower of rain and snow mixed) to be observed falling in the 24 hours of December 25th. The last time we had a White Christmas with snow falling across the UK was 2001, but this was mainly confined to high ground, 1995 was a good year for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and northern England.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

For most parts of the UK, Christmas comes at the beginning of the season for snow. Wintry weather is more likely early in the deepening cold of January. White Christmases were more frequent in the 18th and 19th centuries, even more so before the change of calendar in 1752 which effectively brought Christmas day back by 12 days.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

What's all the fuss about having a WHITE CHRISTMAS?

The interest in snowy Christmases has its origins in the colder climate of the period 1550-1850 when Britain was in the grip of a 'Little Ice Age'. Winters were particularly persistent and severe - 1813/14 was the last winter that a 'frost fair' was held on the River Thames in London.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

What's all the fuss about having a WHITE CHRISTMAS?

The interest in snowy Christmases has its origins in the colder climate of the period 1550-1850 when Britain was in the grip of a 'Little Ice Age'. Winters were particularly persistent and severe - 1813/14 was the last winter that a 'frost fair' was held on the River Thames in London.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

The turkey was introduced into Europe by one of Sebastian Cabot's officers on a return journey from the New World, which is where the birds came from. Strangely, they were called turkeys because of their similarity with another bird which was already established in England for human consumption. This was known as the turkey! Merchants from the Levant, or Turkey, first brought them to England, having originally imported them from West Africa. This soon created a lot of confusion. So, the first turkey was renamed the Guinea Fowl, as a reminder of its place of origin.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Why do we eat TURKEY at Christmas?

The tradition of eating turkey only at Christmas is a distant memory of the days when the principal dish on that day was something special. Before turkey took over, the popular Christmas delicacies were bustard, goose and cockerel, and in the houses of the rich, peacock and swan. The peacock was often skinned before roasting. For serving, it was re-clothed in its feathers and its beak was gilded. Sometimes the beak was propped open with a bit of bread soaked in spirit. This would then be set alight and the bird brought into the dining hall with the greatest pomp and ceremony.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Who first decorated with TINSEL?

Tinsel was invented in Germany in 1610 and used to be made with real silver!

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Why is the ROBIN a Christmas symbol?

The robin is a sedentary British garden bird. During winter they are often joined by migratory Scandinavian robins, making their appearance at this time more common. The birds often feature on Christmas cards, their red breasts a dash of colour in a white wonderland. According to a Christmas legend, a robin landed on the shoulder of Jesus when he was on the cross and sang in order to relieve his suffering. The blood from Jesus' crown of thorns stained the little bird's chest, and from then on, all robins were red breasted. Postmen in Victorian England were popularly called "robins". This was because their uniforms were red. Victorian Christmas cards often showed a robin delivering Christmas mail.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

What about RUDOLPH?

Rudolph - the red nosed reindeer was the creation of Robert May, an advertising writer for the Montgomery Ward department store in Chicago. May, who was very imaginative, wanted to create a booklet to give to parents who shopped at Montgomery Ward and with the help of Denver Gillen, a friend who had artistic skills, they created a booklet about Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. The story of how Rudolph lit the way through the fog to help Santa Claus deliver his toys was distributed for several years, with millions of booklets distributed at Montgomery Wards stores over the years. In 1947 the story of Rudolph the red nosed reindeer was put to music by a friend of Robert Mays by the name of Johnny Marks. It was recorded and sung by Gene Autry, a famous TV star, and sold millions of copies of the song. Rudolph has had his own TV shows and movies and continues to grow in popularity with every passing year.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Why does Father Christmas have REINDEER?

Reindeer have been domesticated and used for centuries to pull loads on sleds in snowy regions. The legend of eight flying reindeer was made popular by the 1822 poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore, and has its origins in an old northen European Lapp legend that says Old Man Winter brings his reindeer down from the mountains at the same time as the first snow. This got mixed in with the spread of the legend of St Nicholas to northen Russia and Finland. Reindeer made good animals to become part of the legend of Father Christmas, since they lived in very cold northern climates and were therefore unfamiliar to most people in the world.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

ometime in the 1200's the custom of giving gifts during the mid-winter festival moved to the feast day of St Nicholas, the bringer of gifts. There was also a medieval legend that the baby Jesus GAVE presents ("Kriss Kringle", taken from the German "Christkindl ", little Christ child) and the part of the Christmas story where the wise men brought their three gifts to Jesus. The mainstream Christian view of present giving at Christmas today is that we give presents as a symbol and reminder that God gave the greatest gift of all - Jesus.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Why do we give PRESENTS at Christmas?

One of the earliest known customs of giving presents around the time of the winter solstice was during the Roman festival of the Kalends, on the first day of January. Such gifts were known as "strenae" and were originally merely branches plucked from the grove of the goddess Strenia, probably with the aim of securing contact with this vegetation-spirit. High ranking officials of the Roman Administration were expected to present gifts to their Emperor during Kalends, and during Caligula's reign the gifts were changed to honey and cakes, as a symbol of their wish that the new year might be full of sweetness, and gold that it might bring prosperity, as Caligula was not impressed with olive branches.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

PANTOMIMES - why???

from http://www.hissboo.co.uk/pantomimes.shtml - Like Cricket, another venerated English institution, pantomime defies an easy and logical description. Why do men dress up as women and women with seemingly endless legs slap their thighs and pretend to be men - usually without the slightest glimmer of innuendo? Vast tomes have been written on the history of pantomime. It draws its origins from aspects of Commedia dell'arte, French ballets-pantomimes - which were themselves descended from a distant Roman tradition based on a dumb show performed by a single masked dancer called Pantomimus - and the 18th century Harlequinade. It was to be transformed in the early 19th century by the great clown Grimaldi who established many of its now established conventions.

see http://www.limelightscripts.co.uk/scripts/history.htm for more info!



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

One way that the Christmas story has been maintained is through the crib, a model of the manger that Jesus was born in. The tradition of crib making dates back to at least 400 AD when Pope Sixtus III had one built in Rome. In many parts of Europe in the 18th century crib making was an important craft form. This was not the case in England until much later, suggesting that British Christmases were less Christian than those in other parts of Europe. St Francis of Assisi is credited with staging the first Nativity performance in Italy in about 1223.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Also many of the church services were in Latin which they didn't understand. There were generally two plays in the Christmas repertoire, one about shepherds, the other involving wise men. These plays merged and some details about Herod and the slaughter of the innocents were later added for dramatic effect. The telling of the Christmas story has been an important part of the Christianisation of Christmas.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Who put on the first NATIVITY PLAY?

The nativity play was created as a means of telling the Christmas story. Many people were unable to read or write so they couldn't read the Christmas story in the Bible themselves. Also many of the church services were in Latin which they didn't understand.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Its evergreen leaves and association with kissing meant it later got used as a symbol of Christian love and eternal life. The modern tradition of kissing under the mistletoe may be more to with 18th century fashions to promote druidic ideas than a genuine national tradition. It is a very British tradition, hardly practised abroad except for English-speaking countries, particularly North America.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Why do people kiss under the MISTLETOE?

The European mistletoe, as a parasitic plant growing on deciduous trees, was seen as a symbol of the continuing 'life-force' (and vitality/fertility) of the tree through the winter, and was sacred to the Celts. The fertility image was completed by European mistletoe's shape and form. Druids would hold a special ceremony for any mistletoe found growing on a similarly sacred oak. Such a plant could be cut only with a golden sickle on to a white sheet - if it touched either earth or iron the magic powers would be lost. Scandinavians regarded mistletoe as a peace plant and it was given to indicate a truce between warring nations or husband and wife.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Apparently they were sometimes called "wayfarers' pies" because they were given to visitors over the Christmas period.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Originally the mince pie did contain meat - mincemeat was a way of preserving meat by mixing it with fruit, spices and alcohol. The initial mince pies were large rather than bite size. It is sometimes said that the large pies were cooked in an oblong dish and that the top often used to cave in. As a result the mince pie looked a little like a crib, in keeping with the Christian nativity story. Over time the amount of meat in mincemeat was gradually reduced until it became the fruit only substance we know today. In addition, the pies became smaller.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Why do we eat MINCE PIES?

The mince pie goes back hundreds of years - England's King Henry V was a great fan of them and was served a mincemeat pie at his coronation in 1413. When the crusaders returned from the Holy Land with spices, and it was deemed appropriate to celebrate Christ's birthday with a pie containing spices from his native land. It was important to add three spices (cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg) for the three gifts given to the Christ child by the Magi.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

This figure later became confused with Santa Claus and they are now considered one and the same. Santa, however, came to Britain from America, where he was introduced by Dutch immigrants. Their "Sinter Klaas" was Saint Nicholas, a Bishop of Myra in fourth century Lycia (in Asia Minor), famed for acts of kindness. see www.stnicholascenter.org

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Who is FATHER CHRISTMAS / SANTA CLAUS?

Our British Father Christmas is a combination of the Viking "Old Winter" and the legend of St Nicholas who became known as Santa Claus. The Vikings chose someone to represent Old Winter and he was dressed up, fed and made as welcome as possible in an attempt to appease the gods and bring on a mild winter.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK