Castleford Team Parish

Parish Magazine - April 2015

50p

The churches of: All Saints, Church Street, Castleford, All Saints, Lumley Street, Hightown; St Michael & All Angels, St Michaels Close, Smawthorne and St Paul the Apostle, Pontefract Road, Glasshoughton.

CLERGY Rector:

Fr. Michael Wood, 01977 518127 The Rectory, 15 Barnes Road, Castleford WF10 5AA team.rector@castlefordteamparish.org.uk

Team Vicar:

Fr. Mark Watkins, 01977 511659 The Vicarage, St Michaels Close, Castleford WF10 4EY team.vicar@castlefordteamparish.org.uk

Asst. Curate:

Fr. Kevin Greaves, 01977 512404 The Vicarage, Churchfield Lane, Glasshoughton WF10 4BP curate@castlefordteamparish.org.uk

Polish Priest:

Fr. Gregory Ruszczynski, 07842 883648

Lay Pastoral Minister:

Mrs Lynda Maw 01977 518078

Parish Office: (Enquiries for Baptisms)

Saturdays at 10.00-10.30am at All Saint’s Church, Castleford.

Editor, Magazine & Pew Sheets (including Diary Dates):

Andrew Goyns, 01924 898593

magazine@castlefordteamparish.org.uk

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(continued on page 4)

THE RECTOR’S LETTER Dear Friends,

There is a line in the musical Anything Goes which says, “It is always darkest just before they turn on the lights”; it is of course a corruption of the old saying “It is always darkest before the dawn” either way it is so true.

We have travelled through the deepening darkness of Lent and then Holy Week and just as it seems as though the darkness has gone forever the light is switched back on as we celebrate Easter Day. It is always darkest before they turn on the lights!

Holy Week is hard work in terms of the time and energy it takes but it is also hard work emotionally and spiritually as well. What never ceases to amaze me is that even though we know the story and how it ends and yet it is totally draining and just as it feels as though we can take no more, Easter dawns and we are renewed again.

Do please try to do all you can to support our services during Holy Week and especially please try to support the First Mass of Easter on Holy Saturday. This is the most important service of the whole year and certainly if you haven’t been to it before it is quite a remarkable experience and we move both physically and spiritually from darkness to light. (Details of all the services are contained within this magazine.)

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(continued from page 3)

This last few months have been quite incredible not only in terms of the number of funerals the clergy have conducted, some of which have been really quite sad and many of the families had to wait for almost a month from the time their loved one died until the funeral could take place. At times like that it seems as though the church does nothing but specialize in death; that is not true, the church is the one body of all which offers life, hope and light. We hear of natural disasters, of accidents and of man’s inhumanity to man and it can seem as though these are the darkest days but the church teaches that the light has been turned on – a light that will never go out again.

DIARY DATES FOR APRIL

Thursday 23rd ANNUAL GENERAL PAROCHIAL MEETING at St Michael’s starting with Mass at 7pm

Sunday 26th PARISH MASS at St Paul’s 10am

Thursday 30th 60th Birthday Party Fr Michael celebrates his 60th Birthday at the Magnet Hotel from 7pm. There are lists in each church if you want to go please add your name so that Fr Michael knows how many to cater for.

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A feature courtesy of Parish Pump. Youth Ministry expert Martin Saunders writes passionately about the need for churches to re-embrace work with young people.

YOUTH WORK FROM SCRATCH – STAYING SAFE

Having spoken with literally thousands of youth workers over the years, I can say with confidence that the biggest barrier to getting churches and volunteers involved in youth ministry, is the looming worry of safeguarding. Adult workers worry either that they’ll have to spend wasted hours filling out forms and attending common sense training, or that they’ll caught up in some sort of child protection issue through no fault of their own. Churches, having seen the very few but very visible cases in the media of safeguarding lapses, pull back, fearing that the same might happen to them. These are bad reasons not to do youth ministry. Safeguarding policies and procedures don’t need to be arduous or heavy-handed, and if applied properly, they mainly sit in the background, ready and waiting to protect those who might need it. The first step is to ensure that your church has an appointed safe-guarding co-ordinator – someone who will take responsibility for processing criminal record (DBS) checks, who’ll commit to staying up-to-date with the latest policies and guidance in this area, and who’ll act as a first point of contact in the event of a safeguarding issue. They do not need to be part of the youth work team; in fact many churches find it helpful if they’re not, as this aids objectivity. Next, you should develop and implement a formal, working, safe-guarding policy. That isn’t as scary as it sounds – there’s an organisa-tion called CCPAS (the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service) which exists to help with exactly this sort of thing. Their website,

(continued on page 9)

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www.ccpas.co.uk includes 10 Safeguarding Standards to which all churches working with children and young people should aspire. Take a look at these with your safeguarding co-ordinator as you develop your policy – they include guidance on how to recognise abuse and care for those who may have suffered it, and advice on working in a specialised context, such as where other religious or cultural traditions may create a safeguarding issue. Once implemented, your safeguarding policy takes a back seat, leaving your hands free to do some youth work. This will both demystify safeguarding for other potential volunteers, and keep everyone safe, if the worst happens.

(continued from page 8)

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CROSSWORD Across 1 Relating to the whole universe (6) 4 The disciple who made the remark in eight Across (John 20:24) (6) 8 ‘Unless I see the nail marks — — hands, I will not believe it’ (John 20:25) (2,3) 9 He urged King Jehoiakim not to burn the scroll containing Jeremiah’s message (Jeremiah 36:25) (7) 10 Baptist minister and controversial founder of America’s Moral Majority, Jerry — (7) 11 ‘Look, here is — . Why shouldn’t I be baptized?’ (Acts 8:36) (5) 12 Repossessed (Genesis 14:16) (9) 17 Port from which Paul sailed on his last journey to Rome (Acts 27:3–4) (5) 19 ‘Moses was not aware that his face was — because he had spoken with the Lord’ (Exodus 34:29) (7) 21 Roonwit, C.S. Lewis’s half-man, half-horse (7) 22 Grill (Luke 24:42) (5) 23 The lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the — apostles’ (Acts 1:26) (6) 24 ‘I was sick and you looked after me, I was in — and you came to visit me’ (Matthew 25:36) (6) Down 1 Coastal rockfaces (Psalm 141:6) (6) 2 Academic (1 Corinthians 1:20) (7) 3 Publish (Daniel 6:26) (5) 5 For example, the Crusades (4,3) 6 11 Across is certainly this (5) 7 He reps (anag.) (6) 9 Liberator (Psalm 18:2) (9) 13 Man who asked the question in 11 Across was in charge of all her treasury (Acts 8:27) (7) 14 They must be ‘worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine’ (1 Timothy 3:8) (7) 15 The human mind or soul (6) 16 ‘O Lord, while precious children starve, the tools of war increase; their bread is

— ’ (Graham Kendrick) (6) 18 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not — ’ (Matthew 11:17) (5) 20 Bared (anag.) (5)

Solutions on page 31

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PUZZLES WORDSEARCH

Wordsearch Clues for April 2015

Even as Jesus ate that last Passover meal with his disciples, he warned them he was about to be betrayed. He took the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them; he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them to drink. The Old Covenant, based on Law, was tick-ing away its final hours; the New Covenant, based on Christ’s body and his blood, was about to be ushered in. Jesus prayed in Gethesame that this fearful cup might be removed from him, but even more, that God’s will might be done. And it was. From Easter onwards we can only approach God through his Son, Jesus Christ, not on our own merit.

Jesus, Ate, Last, Passover, Meal, Disciples, Warned, Betrayed, Bread, Blessed, Wine, Thanks, Drink, Covenant, Law, Old, New, Body, Blood, Gethsemane, Cup, Removed, Will, Easter, Approach.

SUDOKU EASY MEDIUM

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April 2015 The Rev Dr Gary Bowness continues his tongue-in-cheek letters from ‘Uncle Eustace’…

ON WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER ENCOURAGE YOUR CONGREGATION The Rectory St. James the Least

My dear Nephew Darren

There are times when I indulge you too much; why I ever let you run your course “Taking Responsibility for your Church” among our congregation, I am now unable to understand. I had hopes that it might encourage a few more people to volunteer for the flower rota, or to give occasional help mowing the churchyard. I even had a vague fantasy that someone might turn detective, and discover who was eating the chocolate biscuits between Sundays, condemning the rest of us to munch on Rich Tea after Services.

Unfortunately, your course turned out to be inspirational, and has fired up our members to take on all sorts of new initiatives. Enthusiasm in a congregation can be a very dangerous thing, especially if people start making decisions on their own.

Those who formed a welcoming group are admittedly well-meaning – although it was more than a little traumatic for those coming through the door the next Sunday to be greeted with frenzied hand-shakes, big toothy smiles, and even hymnbooks. That is unheard of in this church – we always ignore people and leave them to find hymnbooks – if they can.

Naturally, all those offering to take the prayers, produce new orders of Service and even to give the occasional sermon have been booked on the appropriate training courses. By the time they have been completed, I can only hope they will have gone off the idea. 

(continued on page 15)

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(Continued from page 14)

But it was the group which decided to “beau fy” the church who have proved the most  resome. Hanging the Christmas tree lights round the altar made it look as if I was standing behind a fairground stall, wai ng to invite people to throw hoops round teddy bears – although I would have rather enjoyed making winners sit for the rest of the Service holding a polythene bag containing a goldfish. 

Our pulpit has also been given a makeover, with the various panels 

painted in contras ng colours; I am sure the sixteenth century 

Flemish woodcarvers would be delighted with the result, although 

the next  me any medieval historians come to view it, I shall take the 

day off – probably travelling abroad. 

My dear Darren, your course took the stopper out of the bo le; 

would you please run another to put it back? 

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

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READINGS FOR APRIL

5th April - EASTER DAY Acts: 10: 34-43 Psalm : 118: 1-2, 14-24 1 Corinthians: 15: 1-11 Mark: 16: 1-8; 12th April - The Second Sunday of Easter

Acts: 4: 32-35 Psalm: 133: 1 John: 1: 1-2.2 John: 20: 19-31; 19th April - The Third Sunday of Easter

Acts: 3: 12-19 Psalm: 4: 1 John: 3: 1-7 Luke: 24: 36b-48;

26th April - The Fourth Sunday of Easter Acts: 4: 5-12; Psalm: 23: 1 John: 3: 16-24; John: 10: 11-18;

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HOLY WEEK & EASTER SERVICES 2015

Sunday 29th PALM SUNDAY - Morning Services at usual times.

6.30pm Evensong at Castleford

Monday 30th 7pm Mass with Stations of the Cross at St Paul’s

Tuesday 31st 7pm Mass with Stations of the Cross at Castleford

Wednesday 1st 7pm Mass with Stations of the Cross at Hightown

MAUNDY THURSDAY (Thursday 2nd April)

7.30pm Mass of the Last Supper with washing of feet,

stripping of the altar and vigil until 10pm. St Paul’s

GOOD FRIDAY (Friday 3rd April)

9.30am Children’s Activity Session at St Paul’s

11am Stations of the Cross at St Paul’s

11am Churches Together Service at Castleford Parish Church

2pm Good Friday Solemn Liturgy at St Michael’s

7.30pm Compline & Address at Hightown

HOLY SATURDAY (Saturday 4th April)

8pm Easter Ceremonies and First Mass of Easter at Castleford

followed by Bucks Fizz & Simnel Cake.

EASTER DAY (Sunday 5th April)

Service times as usual at all team churches.

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(continued on page 19)

THE GENERAL ELECTION:

THE BISHOPS’ PASTORAL LETTER –

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT BY

THE BISHOP OF LEICESTER

Each day when Parliament is sitting, the Duty Bishop in the House of Lords prays that the House should “Lay aside all private interests, prejudices and partial affections”, so that it may serve “the public wealth, peace and tranquillity of the Realm, and the uniting and knitting together of the hearts of all persons and estates within the same.”

This prayer points Parliament towards a search for the Common Good and towards political virtues which reach beyond narrow Party interest, tribalism and short term advantage. It is a call to resist the reduction of politics to seeking self interest as the only clear moral imperative.

This letter seeks to work out the implications of that for the conditions of our day. It recognises the strength and depth of the alienation and disillusion with politics and the absence of attractive visions of the kind of society and culture towards which the Parties might be working. We encourage the kind of political vision which affirms the bonds which tie us together. We note that the grander visions of 1945 and of 1979 can no longer deliver a sustainable society in which all can flourish. A new vision is required in which neither the State nor the market can accumulate the kind of unfettered power which divide people from one another and defeat hope and purpose. In particular we seek to resist politics as an extension of consumerism in which Parties tailor their policies to attract tightly defined electoral groups, appealing to sectional interests in pursuit of a narrow slice of swing votes.

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(continued from page 18)

In this letter we seek to work out these political principles in terms of some major policy areas. We point to the almost intractable inequalities which continue to widen and which undermine our sense of nationhood and of common citizenship with a common purpose. On immigration we resist the growing appetite to exploit grievances and find scapegoats while understanding the need for a debate which is realistic about the significant changes which have occurred in the last two decades. Moreover we extend these principles to a discussion of Britain’s place in the world, calling for a more open, realistic and informed debate about the realignments of global power and their implications for our country.

We recognise that in many parts of the world cruel and distorted religious visions can exacerbate rather than resolve conflict. We dare to believe, however, that the Church of England in all regions of our country operates as glue supporting and enabling the invisible but essential connections which create identity in our regions, cities, towns and villages. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the highly diverse urban communities such as my own city of Leicester.

In that city, in one month’s time, we shall lay to rest the mortal remains of King Richard III in our Cathedral. He died in battle towards the end of a long English Civil War in which conflicts and differences were violently resolved. For five centuries we have been learning the painful lessons required of effective democratic government. We do not claim to offer a “God’s eye view” nor to endorse any particular political prospectus, but rather to encourage a renewed political culture in which the lessons for today can be learned. It is our hope that this letter will serve that purpose.

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On Saturday 7th February, I was lucky enough to attend the Candlemas Rock Mass at Wakefield Cathedral to celebrate Christ’s presentation at the temple with the rest of the Diocese. This certainly was a Mass with a difference! Having accepted the invite from friends, I really did not know what to expect. All I knew was that Bishop Tony Robinson would be presiding, it would involve a rock band called Metanoia, and there would be LOUD music and hymns from the likes of Linkin Park, Bon Jovi and Evanescence (‘Who?’ I hear a lot of you saying). And what a celebration it was. Armed with our glow sticks, around 250 people of all ages took part in the Mass, following the traditional service but set to rock music. The chairs were removed from the centre of the Cathedral and the congregation stood – really giving the feeling we were at a rock concert. (I will add that seating was available for those that required it.) We sat on the floor to listen to the sermon delivered by Reverend Canon Tony Macpherson. The service continued and the congregation was invited to offer their prayers to God by chalking on a black mat that was rolled out down the length of the centre of the Cathedral. This certainly was an alternative form of worship, but I left the Cathedral feeling uplifted and blessed (I particularly enjoyed singing ‘Nothing Else Matters’ by Metallica). Hopefully, Metanoia will be back to rock the Cathedral and raise the roof once again. I get the impression that if Canon Andi Hofbauer has anything to do with it, then they certainly will!!

RAISING THE ROOF

Diocesan Candlemas Rock Mass at Wakefield Cathedral

Saturday 7th February 2015

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A note about Metanoia – the band is led by the Diocesan’s very own heavy rock star, The Revd Robb Sutherland, (priest in charge at Illingworth and Mixenden in the Huddersfield Episcopal Area) and his wife, Ruth. They began doing Rock Eucharist services while at Theological college and together with a couple of friends, have been worshipping sacramentally together ever since.

Karen Ferrier - St Paul’s

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INVITATIONS

Fr Michael is celebrating his 60th

birthday at the Magnet Hotel on Thursday 30th April from 7pm onwards, buffet supper provided. It would be wonderful if you could join us. Simply sign the list in church to help with catering

On Saturday 4th July Fr

Michael will be celebrating his 30th anniversary of becoming a priest. There will be a mass of thanksgiving at 12 noon followed by a reception in Castleford Parish Church. Do please come and help with the thanksgiving.

For both events no gifts please but cards are welcome. If anyone would like to make a donation to the Additional Curates Society that would be very much appreciated.

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DEMENTIA UPDATE - Fr Kevin

On Wednesday the 25th February the Parish hosted a Dementia Awareness Session in the Parish Rooms. The first part of the session was given by The Alzheimer’s Society and gave information on what is dementia and how individuals and their carers can still live well with the disease. As part of this session The Society also delivered Dementia Friends Training.

The second part of the session was given by Anita Ruckledge, Lead Dementia Nurse for The NHS Mid Yorks Trust. She gave information on how Pinderfields hospital is becoming more dementia aware, details were given on how wards have been physically changed to become more dementia friendly as well as working practices within the hospital. All of those who attended found both sessions very informative and engaging.

On Saturday 7th March we held the ‘Time for a Cuppa’ fundraising event for Dementia UK. We opened the doors at 10am and it was busy with customers till we closed at 12pm, in total we raised £300. Thank you to everyone who supported this event by baking, helping out on the day and to those who came along to buy the odd bun or two. The money raised will help Dementia UK to support their Admiral Nurses. Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses who give practical and emotional support to family carers, as well as the person with dementia. They offer support to families throughout their experience of dementia that is tailored to their needs. They provide families with the knowledge to understand the condition and its effects, and help family carers carry on caring for their loved ones.

Lastly, we need volunteers from the Parish to help with promoting future events for dementia. As a Parish we need individuals who would be able to deliver posters in and around the areas that they live, so that future events are widely advertised across the town. If this is something you would be interested in doing could you please let me know in the next couple of weeks.

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LAUNCH OF THE CHURCHES MUTUAL CREDIT

UNION LTD. (CMCU)

Church leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury, the

Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and

the President of the Methodist Conference, have welcomed their

respective churches’ recent collaboration in forming the flagship

credit union.

The CMCU, which also includes the Scottish Episcopal Church, and

the Church in Wales, is now open for business, and offers a range of

savings and loan products. At least 60,000 individuals, notably

ordained ministers, licensed lay ministers, elders, employees and

trustees of churches (e.g. Parochial Church Council members) and

church charities are eligible to join, along with churches and Anglican

and Church of Scotland charities as corporate members.

Archbishop Justin said: “Credit unions have the potential to make a

transformative contribution to our financial system. I hope and

expect that the experience of belonging to CMCU will encourage

clergy and church workers to become increasingly effective advocates

for credit unions in their communities.”

CHILDREN’S SOCIETY COLLECTION BOXES

It is time to empty the collection boxes once again. We do this twice a year. Please bring your boxes to church as soon as possible. If you are not bringing you box for emptying this time please let me know so that we don’t delay sending our monies to the Society.

Thank You. Jean Randall Hon. Secretary

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FEATURE - Notes provided by David Field:

THE POCKET BOOK OF FRED PINCHER 1917-1918

Extracts from a pocket book kept by David Field’s maternal Grandfather Fred Pincher. PART TWELVE (Final part)

Monday 27th May. We leave Eu and proceed to Nauvion en Ponthieu where we make preparations to receive more American Troops. During the two weeks that we were at Eu we dealt with and provided for over thirty five thousand soldiers from the United States. We were sorry to have to leave the place it was such splendid country and it had every convenience.

Tuesday 12th June. We now return to Friville.

Friday 15th June. Today is my Birthday. I get told off as a waiter at D Mess.

Saturday 23rd June. We leave for Bernaville where we get billeted with very nice people, I have got quite used to my new work and I’m having a bon time.

This was the last entry in Fred’s pocket book the new work that he refers to in this final entry was, I believe, as Batman (Personal servant) to a high ranked officer. Fred remained in this position until well after the end of the war staying in Spa, Belgium, where toward the end of 1919 he was visited my Grandmother. When I was a child my Grandfather often spoke very fondly of the time that he spent in Belgium at the end of the war, but he never spoke of the war itself.

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ANNUAL GENERAL PAROCHIAL MEETING

This year the AGPM takes place on Thursday 23rd April, 7pm at S Michael’s. Do please come along to it. These meetings don’t win prizes for excitement or entertainment value but they are important not just because we are legally obliged to have them but it is the time when we present the reports of all that we have done over the past year but we also elect our wardens and council to serve for the coming year.

Although we are not many in number week by week we are a very busy parish and it is good that we take a little time to reflect upon all that happens and to say thank you to those who work so incredibly hard. There is also a plea. Can you offer to help, there are vacancies on the PCC and it would be wonderful if we could spread the load a little but more this year.

Fr Michael

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PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

CROSSWORD WORDSEARCH

SUDOKU SOLUTIONS

EASY MEDIUM

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HIGHDAYS & HOLY DAYS IN APRIL

1 WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

2 MAUNDY THURSDAY

3 GOOD FRIDAY

4 HOLY SATURDAY

5 EASTER DAY

6 MONDAY OF EASTER WEEK

7 TUESDAY OF EASTER WEEK

8 WEDNESDAY OF EASTER WEEK

9 THURSDAY OF EASTER WEEK

10 FRIDAY OF EASTER WEEK

11 SATURDAY OF EASTER WEEK

16 Isabella Gilmore, Deaconess, 1923

21 Anselm, Abbot of Le Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher, 1109

23 GEORGE, MARTYR, PATRON OF ENGLAND, C.304

24 Mellitus, Bishop of London, first Bishop at St Paul’s 624 The Seven Martyrs of the Melanesian Brotherhood

25 MARK THE EVANGELIST

27 Christina Rossetti, Poet, 1894

28 Peter Chanel, Missionary in the South Pacific, Martyr, 1841

29 Catherine of Siena, Teacher, 1380

30 Pandita Mary Ramabai, Translator of the Scriptures, 1922

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CHURCHWARDENS

David Field, Castleford: 01977 707120

Mavis Whitehead, St Paul’s 01977 550529

Pauline Morris, St Michaels 01977 668790

Ian Fletcher, Hightown 01977 550139

DEPUTY CHURCHWARDENS

Hilary Wilkes, Castleford: 01977 733554

Colin Maw, St Paul’s:

01977 518078

Emma J Lisle, St Michael’s

Vacant, Hightown

Our Churches in Castleford Team Parish

All Saints, Church Street, Castleford

All Saints, Lumley Street, Castleford (Hightown)

St Michael & All Angels, St Michaels Close, Castleford

St Paul the Apostle, Pontefract Road,

Glasshoughton

PARISH OFFICERS PCC Secretary: Mrs Mavis Whitehead 01977 550529 PCC Treasurer: Mr Andrew Goyns 01924 898593

Stewardship & Gift Aid Secretary:

Mr Arnold Randall 01977 278611

Family & Children’s Worker

Mrs Karen Richardson 01977 552524

SERVICES All Saints’ Castleford

SUNDAY

Mass (Said) 8.00am

Sung Mass (except last in month) 9.30am

Tuesday

Mass (Said) 7.00pm

Saturday

Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary 9.30am

All Saints’ Hightown SUNDAY (except last in month)

Sung Mass 10.45am

Wednesday

Mass (Said) 7.00pm

Saint Michael and All Angels SUNDAY (except last in month)

Sung Mass 10.45am

Thursday

Mass (Said) 10.00am

Saint Paul’s, Glasshoughton SUNDAY (except last in month)

Sung Mass 9.30am

Wednesday

Mass (Said) 10.00am

LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH:

Combined Parish Mass at 10.00am - ( see diary section for venue )

FOR MAJOR SAINTS’ DAYS IN ALL CHURCHES