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The
first magazine was produced in 1883, by the incumbent, Rev Henry
Chapman. He called it 'Old and New' and said "All matters
of local interest will be published month by month", although
it was mostly Church news. It took its present name in 1982,
and although still run by the Church, was then described as
"a good community magazine for the whole village",
and was no longer edited by the vicar. It grew by 1997 to 28
pages and is today usually 72 pages, open to all clubs and societies
to keep the village informed. There are also many articles on
practical subjects from gardening to health, reminiscences of
past times, Parish and District Council news and 'Letters to
the Editor'.
The
picture above shows a copy of the front cover of our earliest
surviving magazine from 1888.
The
village magazine goes to over 2200 households in St Osyth each
month. It contains over fifty articles including reports from
over twenty of the many local organizations. About 100 advertisers
enable St Osyth news to be delivered free to residents, but
costs 80p per issue to visitors and those living outside of
the parish who subscribe (usually ex-locals).
In
2007 St Osyth News won the competition run by the Rural Community
Council for Essex for the best monthly parish magazine, against
65 others.
CONTACT
FOR THE EDITORIAL TEAM: Monica Harvey ....monica.harvey@fsmail.net
********************************
SHARON'S
SMILES 
From
St Osyth News - December/January
As
most of you are getting to know, I get excited about everything
and the child in me is already counting the days to Christmas.
It takes my breath away that we, 2000 and some years on, can
still celebrate the event that changed history; the birth of
the Son of God in a stable in the town of Bethlehem. While giving
ourselves a chance to affirm that Christ has come, that He is
present in our world today and that He will come again in power.
The
Sundays during Advent are marked by the saying of prayers and
the lighting of a candle on our Advent Wreath. The wreath itself
has huge symbolism with the season, the circle of the wreath
reminding us of God, of his unending love for all humanity,
his endless mercy, which has no beginning and no end. The evergreens
used to decorate the wreath also reminding us of the hope we
have in God, the hope of renewal and of life everlasting. The
candles of course symbolise the light of God coming into the
world through the birth of Jesus, His son.
I
am certain that many households will be opening an Advent Calendar
as a count down to Christmas and of course there will be decorations
to help us celebrate. And the presents we give to the people
we care about are to remind us of the love of God when he gave
His son to the World.
I
really enjoy the fact that there are so many visual reminders
of the love of God, especially when the shops are full of Turkeys,
presents and shiny wrapping, because it helps me to hold onto
the true meaning of Christmas.
However,as
each of us uses this season of Advent, I do urge you to make
some time for God as it seems to me to be the only way we can
make sure we are ready to invite Jesus into our hearts and homes
this Christmas.
I
do wish you a great Advent and a Wonderful Christmas.
Every
Blessing
