Friday Night Extra
Patrick Sherring
Tonight we had two fascinating guests. Firstly Bishop John C of E Bishop of Bradwell covering our local area. Later I was joined by Emma Hughes from Sanctus love all – serve all, a charity working with homeless and vulnerable people in Chelmsford. Bishop John talked about Advent as a period of active waiting. A time to reflect on our values and how they play out in our lives. We use this as preparation for the reality for God being born as a helpless baby in Bethlehem. This not only gives meaning to our lives but shows the value of every human life. He also reminded us that Jesus parents soon had to flee as refugees to Egypt, showing we should have sympathy towards those who share this plight. His lockdown experience had included seemingly endless on-line meetings. He said how he had experienced the feelings of loneliness and separation that have been common to us all. With the news of the vaccines he felt it was not a time to consider going back to how things were. Not only is there the Covid crisis, there is a climate crisis, a poverty crisis and other matters that demonstrate that the world was far from right before we had heard of Covid 19. Now was a time for re-evaluation and change.
Emma Hughes talked about how this charity had grown from the experience of the two owners of a café. In their earlier lives they had both had periods of homelessness. This had led to them feeling in 2011 that after they shut the cafe in the evenings they should have the food available for homeless people. This proved very popular and showed there was a real need. Sanctus now offers a wide range of services to homeless and vulnerable people, offering a free hot meal, hot and cold drinks, counselling and assistance seven days every week. The charity is supported with food from local shops and supermarkets. They are always looking for volunteers to help in a wide range of roles. Help can also be given by donating food, clothes or furniture. Check out their Facebook page to see the ‘Help brighten a Million Christmases campaign’. They can be contacted 0n 01245 257985 info@sanctus-home.com.
Tonight’s playlist
Friends of Cedar Church – Singstanding
Pentatonix – Mary did you know -requested by Phyl
Huddersfield Choral Society – O come, O come Emmanuel – chosen by Bishop John
Ravi Shankar – Raga Ragestri part 3 – chosen by Bishop John
Birthdays this week
Barry Goudreau – one of the original guitarists in Boston. He was 69 years old this week. We heard More than a feeling from 1976. This is one of the 5oo songs that shaped Rock & Roll.
Britany Spears – we heard I love Rock & Roll from 2002. How is it possible that Britany celebrated her 39th birthday this week?
David van Day – best known as lead singer of Dollar, was 64 years old this week. We heard Videotecheque from 1982.
Bob was our winner this week, with the closest guesses of the ages of all three artists. Thanks to everyone else who took part.
Bon Jovi – Do what you can – from the album 2020, my album of the year.
Heatherlyn – River – my track of the year.
Annie Lennox – Walking on broken glass
Steps – Too busy thinking about my baby – Patrick requested a track by the group.
Chart this week in 
No 1 The Police – Walking on the moon
No 6. The Tourists – I only want to be with you
No 14 The Moody Blues – Nights in white satin. Amazingly this track has charted in five different years between 1967 – 2010.
Maggie Dawn – Follow – Title track from her 1993 album.
Ella Fitzgerald – Have yourself a merry little Christmas. The words could have been written for Christmas 2020.
Join me next week when my guest is James Roast. He will be helping us consider how to deal with the unique pressures of the Christmas season this year.
On December 18th my guest will be Tom Page, singing for us live some Christmas favourites.
I will also be with you for a show live from the studio on on Boxing Day morning for three hours, starting at 10 a.m.
