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Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary

Guild Patrons: The Bishops of Ebbsfleet & Richborough

The Warden, Chaplain Candidates for Ordination Fund:

The Reverend Darren Smith,

gsswarden@gmail.com 0121 382 5533

Warden Emeritus:

The Reverend J D Moore

Secretary-General, Membership Secretary,

Councillor Chris Barnett

gss.secretarygeneral@gmail.com 01782776073

Secretary-General Emeritus & Webmaster 07769976151

Grand Councillor Terry Doughty

Treasurer-General:

Grand Councillor Nigel Makepeace

37 Dillotford Avenue, Styvechale, Coventry, CV3 5DR

Email: nigelmakepeace@btinternet.com 024 7641 5020

Administrator Candidates for Ordination Fund:

Councillor Colin Squires,

Southdene, Slimbridge Road, Burgess Hill, W. Sussex. RH15 8QE

squires603@btinternet.com

gsscofsecretary@ gmail.com 01444 244 737

Hon Organist:

Councillor Roger Marvin,

rogermarvin1965@gmail.com 0179 7363578

The Server Editor:

Grand Councillor Peter J Keat,

19 Lyndhurst Road, Anns Hill, Gosport, Hants PO12 3QY

gsseditor@gmail.com 02392 582499

All other correspondence to be clearly marked and addressed to

Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary

c/o Additional Curates Society

16 Commercial Street

Birmingham B1 1RS

Councillor

Roger Marvin,

rogermarvin1965@gmail.com 0179 7363578

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Items for publication should be received by the second Saturday of

January, April, July and October. Opinions expressed within this magazine

are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Guild.

Printed by The Additional Curates Society

Contents

Editorial

Thanks

The Directory

Chantry Book

Words from Lord Chartres

Know Your Councillor

The Revd. John Russell

S. Joseph

Beware of Ditches

The Wardens Words

News from the Chapters

From the Treasurer General

Cycle of Prayer

Guild Diary

Guild Shop

Valentine

What did he look like?

Brookwood

Home Schooling

Whitechapel Bell Foundry

Imagine

All things thuriblistic!

Hot Cross Buns

Strange Tale for Easter

A Widows Son

What happens at Council Meetings?

And Finally

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4

5

6

7

8

10

12

14

15

18

19

20

21

22

25

26

28

29

30

32

33

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Contents.

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Reverend Fathers, Brothers and Sisters,

Where ever I visit, I always make a point of picking up a

local Parish Magazine, most are the same, very local

information but this letter from an incumbent in Guernsey is worth

repeating. Incidentally, if you wish to write something for The Server

magazine please feel free to do so.

“Halleluiah, Christ is risen!!” “He is risen indeed, Halleluiah!”

So, began many Easter services around the country. A time to celebrate, to

give thanks for all that God in Jesus has done for us. For the Disciples, this

really was a watershed moment. They had followed Jesus for three years,

watching his ministry and learning from him. They had seen him die; they

thought it was all over. Now his promises had come true, he really was the

Son of God, everything had happened just as he had said it would. It was

now that Jesus’ Disciples became the Apostles, each of them playing their

own particular part in the growth of the church.

At times we all face change in our lives, some of them are unexpected and

unplanned, but whatever we face, God is with us. At Pentecost God sent

his spirit to empower the Apostles and give them strength and the words to

preach the Gospel. Reinhild Niebuhr wrote: “God grant me the serenity to

accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can: and

the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.”

We must be one of the few organization’s that has no motto. Many years

ago, I was one of the last Rover Scouts and my mind goes back to their

motto. It was just one word ‘Service’ and thinking about it, that would

seem to be a very appropriate motto for us too, even if we use its Latin

form ‘Servitium’.

From the Editor’s Desk

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After looking after our finances for the last few years Nigel Makepeace

gave notice at the 2018 AGM that he would be stepping down in 2019.

Our thanks go to him for all the hard work he has put in to get the Guild

finances up to speed. This now means that we are looking for a new

Treasurer General so, if you think you fit the bill please contact the

Secretary General or Fr. Darren. Also we are looking for a Membership

Secretary so if you feel that you could do that job the same applies.

Full Members: Emmanuel Stephens.

Probationers: S.N. Roman, Clare Hatfield (Malta), Anna Portelli (Malta),

Mary De Gruttola, Diane SWright, Peter Leech, David Raynsford-Dyer,

Rowan Raynsford-Dyer, Jack Dalley, Mark Stirman, Gregory Lipovsky,

Judith Ironmonger, Ashley Firth, David Croft, Stuart Halstead, James

Jackson, Edward Yeates.

Faithful Departed: Florence Mildren, Derick Campbell, Sandra Bishop.

Stan Entwistle, John Rhymer, David Rayner, Arthur Leggatt, Derek Honour.

Florence Mildren of the Chapter of Our Lady

Star of the Sea and S. George, Plymouth

passed peacefully away aged 98 years. Her

thanksgiving service was held in her Parish

Church of S. Stephen by Saltash (Cornwall) .

Flo, as she wished to be called was a strong

supporter of the Guild and supported the

monthly meetings and for 40 years or more she was the Sacristan of her

local church. Flo had a watchful eye on all the Severs as we went about our

duties. She was also a very enthusiastic member of the Mother’s Union.

The Directory

The Chantry Book

Thanks

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I came across this quote from Bishop Chartres in The Times recently. In an

article reviewing the fact that many twenty+ year olds are deserting the

evangelical side of the Church of England and are leaning towards Anglo-

Catholisism. Bishop Chartres reflected that many found the normal

worship in the Church of England ‘banal’ and they are being drawn to the

beauty of the Book of Common Prayer.

As part of an on-going series of introducing the Guild

Councillors to the Guild members, using a form of online

interview today we look at Cllr John Holden.

Editor: Firstly, may I ask you about yourself? Where were you born and

where do you live now? Are you still working or are you retired? If retired

what was your employment?

Cllr: I was born in Portslade, East Sussex. I now live in Seaford on the

South Coast near Eastbourne. I am now enjoying retirement and I used to

be a Postman for Royal Mail for 38 years.

Editor: Apart from Guild and church work what are your other interests?

Cllr: My main interest is collecting models of Buses, Trains and lorries.

Editor Which Chapter do you belong to and what area do you represent?

Cllr: My chapter is Brighton and I represent Bexhill/Eastbourne, Brighton

and Worthing.

Editor: Who first introduced you to the Ministry of Serving and when?

Cllr: Father Chisholm in 1957

Editor: When did you first become a GSS member?

Cllr: Approximately 1970.

Editor: Thank you

Know Your Councillor

A Reflection from The Rt. Revd. Lord Chartres

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John "Jack" Russell was born on 21st December

1795 in Dartmouth, the eldest son of John Russell and

his wife Nora Jewell and for much of his life he lived

at Sandhill House. He was educated at Plympton

Grammar School, Blundell's School, Tiverton and

Exeter College, Oxford and it is was here at Exeter

College, legend has it, that he spotted a little white

terrier with dark tan spots over her eyes, ears and at

the tip of her tail, who was owned by a

local milkman in the nearby small hamlet

of Elsfield and Marston. He bought the dog

on the spot and this animal, called

"Trump", became the foundation of a line

of fox hunting terriers that became known

as Jack Russell Terriers. They were well-

suited by the shortness and strength of their

legs for digging out foxes which had "gone to earth" having been hunted

over-ground by fox hounds. Russell became known as "The Sporting

Parson" and was vicar of Swimbridge and rector of Black Torrington in

North Devon. Even the local public house was renamed the "Jack

Russell Inn" and still stands today. The vicar was also an

enthusiastic fox-hunter hence his interest in the milkman’s dog.

John Russell was a founding member of The Kennel Club and he helped

to write the breed standard for the Fox Terrier (Smooth) and became a

respected judge.

In 1836 at Swimbridge he married Penelope Incledon-Bury, third

daughter and co-heiress of Vice-Admiral Richard Incledon-Bury (1757-

1825), Lord of Colleton, Chulmleigh in Devon. It was reported at the

time that the Vicar had expensive sporting habits both on and off the

hunting-field, which drained the substantial resources of his heiress wife

and left the estate of Colleton in poor condition. He died on 28th April

1883 and was buried in the churchyard of S. James's

Church, Swimbridge.

The Revd. John ‘ Jack’ Russell

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Why should S. Joseph’s day be in March? Surely, he belongs to Advent

and Christmas because he is at Mary’s side in millions and millions of

nativity scenes and plays all around the world. In any case, as foster-father

of Christ and husband of Mary, Joseph played a major part in the story of

the coming of Jesus Christ. All that we know about him for sure is in the

gospels especially in Matthew 1 – 2. He was of Davidic descent, but his

trade as a carpenter shows that he was not at all wealthy. Joseph’s

gentleness and decency towards Mary and his willingness to do God’s will

when it was revealed to him, portray him as a kind and godly person.

Joseph is the patron saint of fathers of families and for this he makes an

excellent example. He comes across as a protecting, loyal, thoughtful, self

-controlled person, who was full of integrity, and willing to work hard.

Who wouldn’t want a father like that?

Joseph is also the patron saint of all who desire a holy death. Thus, many

churches, hospitals and religious congregations are dedicated to Joseph.

Probably an almost unique

church in this country is S.

Thomas à Becket in Fairfield,

Kent. It stands isolated and alone

in a field on Romney Marsh and

is surrounded by water and

sheep. A causeway was built in

1913 because until then the

church was more often than not

surrounded by water during the winter and spring months. The village the

church once served has long since disappeared, (once there were twenty-

eight towns and villages on the Marsh) the villages have gone but this

church has survived and is part of a parish which includes Brookland,

Brenzett and Snargate.

S. Joseph Patron Saint of Fathers and Holy Death

Beware of Ditches

9

Legend has it that Archbishop Thomas à Becket was travelling through

these dangerous Marshes, when he fell into one of the many water-filled

ditches. He prayed to S. Thomas and as he came up for the second time, he

prayed for a miracle to save him from a watery death. Just in time a farmer

arrived found him in the ditch and pulled him out and in gratitude the

Archbishop had the little church built. It was later dedicated to S. Thomas

a Becket.

Sometime around AD 1200 a simple structure of timber and lath

construction was built as a purely temporary measure to provide the local

farmers with a place of worship. Temporary became permanent and the

13th century building survived intact until the 18th century, when the

entire timber building was encased within brick walls, and the roof

covered with heavy red tiles.

In 1912 the fabric was in a very poor state and a complete rebuilding

within the timber framework took place. However, the inside of the church

was, very fortunately, left untouched.

Entering the church is like stepping back into the 18th century. The

interior is filled with rows of box pews, painted

bright white with black linings with a triple-decker

pulpit rising over them and Biblical texts staring

down from the

walls.

There is a peculiar

seven-sided font

perhaps reminding

worshippers of the

seven sacraments,

but the real treasure is the interior timber-

framing, with low timber arches stretching over the nave. The interior feels

as though little has changed for over 200 years and is peaceful and silent,

except for the sound of the wind. It is truly evocative of a bygone age.

This church is such a period piece that it has been used as a film location,

including 2011 BBC Great Expectations and Parade's End. The church is

kept locked, however, the key can be obtained from Becket Barn Farm, on

the opposite side of the road a few hundred yards to the west of the church.

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The Wardens Words

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I sometimes wonder if people ever read my regular

contributions to The Server magazine, and over the last

two editions I have actually been reassured that this is

the case from the number of replies I have had to some of my questions

and theories. I would particularly like to thank those who have contacted

me, either directly of indirectly through another source to tell me of their

years of service to the GSS. It’s clearly obvious that people are not only

reading but also that we have a lot of long-standing faithful servers who

still week in and week out show their loyalty to God and the Church. I

wonder if we added together all of our years’ service how many that

would equate to.

This is going to hit your letter boxes mid-way through Lent and prior to

Holy Week and Easter. So perhaps it is worth me challenging you all to

think about how you are doing with your Lenten discipline. Hopefully

we all set ourselves some sort of a target at the beginning of Ash

Wednesday in terms of fasting and abstinence. Have you been successful

at keeping to these, or has something slipped? It is not too late to start. I

fondly remember a tune that used to play in my mother’s jewellery box

“If you start and don’t succeed, try and try again” But as well as drawing

you all back to any form of commitments that you might have made in

terms of abstinence, perhaps I can challenge you to think about a more

modern approach to Lent in terms of taking something extra on.

Most churches during this holy season do put on extra services such as

Stations of the Cross, penitential activities, Lent groups and extra

Masses. Have you availed yourself of any of these opportunities?

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As we all know the word Lent comes from the word lengthen, and we

will all have noticed the increased day light and how the extra light and

warmth are brightening our spirits, so rather than thinking of negatives

let’s try and work towards a positive. I remember in my last parish one

parishioner, who had been a faithful member of GSS for many years, and

at the time was 99 years old but still committed himself to coming every

Friday to Stations of the Cross, and even when some of the younger

members of the congregation decided to sit towards the end of services,

he always remained standing. A great challenge to me and to many.

I am penning this just post-Christmas when people say to the Clergy how

this is our busy time, and yet in reality Holy Week and Easter for all

committed Christians is much busier in terms of Church Services. I

cannot stress enough the importance of a steadfast commitment to the

liturgies of Holy Week. The three days, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday

and Holy Saturday present some of the most beautiful liturgies of the

year, but also some of the most challenging when it comes to logistics. If

you have the privilege of serving for any of these then please do take

some time before to prepare. Look at the liturgies and refresh yourself of

the different movements that are required. If you are not taking an active

role, then please let me urge you to still be in church.

Sometimes doing things all the time can prevent you from worship,

because your mind is so full of all the jobs that need to be done. There is

no better witness, both for our faith, but also for our society than seeing

servers still in church when they are not actively involved in the liturgy.

I am sure you all know that very well-rehearsed saying “There is no

failure, except by ceasing to try” so brothers and sisters let me please

encourage you all to take as an active part as possible in all the Holy

Week liturgies. Finally, on behalf of the Councillors, the Trustees and

myself can I thank you for your ongoing commitments and loyalty,

whether you have been a member for 76 days or 76 years like Geoffrey

Teece of Cannock, or similarly Jeffrey Eaves of Oakham who joined in

1959 and wish you all a Blessed Holy Week and joyous Easter. I look

forward to meeting as many of you as possible at our Annual Easter

Festival at St Stephen’s Gloucester Road, London.

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The Guild Autumn Festival was held in S. George’s, Cullercoats and

what a wonderfully spiritual day it was despite one or two unexpected

problems. Bishop Glynn celebrated Mass and preached an interesting

sermon on his journey from server to bishop and he even brought his

serving training books with him (he had lost his medal over the years and

arrangements were made to have this replaced). The atmosphere was very

rewarding and the singing was a real joy. After a good packed lunch, the

Guild Office was sung in the afternoon followed by Procession and

Benediction. Our thanks are due to the local chapter, their Chaplain, Fr.

Andrew, and to their Councillor Roland Robbins. The down side was that

less than 75 members made the trip to the north east for the Festival.

St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, Valetta. January is very

special for us, as we are now officially members of

the Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary. Some will

wonder what this is. The Guild of Servants of the

Sanctuary or GSS is an association of altar servers

in the Church of England and the Church in Wales,

with some overseas organisations in several other

countries. Peter Keat, our contact at GSS, informed

me that we will be receiving the latest GSS

Magazine shortly.

S. Joseph of Arimathea. Portsmouth. In October we met in SS Peter and

Paul, Exton a 13th Century country church Here we were welcomed by Fr.

Forrest who joined us as we sang the Guild Office, Our Chaplain Fr. Alan

preached. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our Annual Requiem in

November as the church we were to visit is now being used by a ‘Family

Church’ not at all of our tradition. In December we met in the tiny chapel

of S. Nicholas in Langstone. Here we had a good attendance for our

Christmas Praise service led by Fr Alan who preached on the life of S.

Joseph, the Foster Father. The chapel is opposite the local pub and most of

us moved to there afterwards. This was the first outing of our Chaplain, Fr.

Alan after breaking his leg and it was a joy to have him with us.

News from the Chapters

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SS. Felix and Fursey, Bury St Edmunds. (Apology from the Editor, this

report should have been in the last edition.) At our AGM in January 2018,

all the branch Officers were re-elected and we are fortunate to have Fr.

Max Drinkwater join us as an Assistant Chaplain, to support Fr Carl. We

have enjoyed fellowship and worship every month during the year having

sung the Guild Office and Benediction, Stations of the Cross or had Mass,

held in different town or country churches, where a warm welcome has

always been received. It has been particularly interesting to visit country

churches which are, like many in rural Suffolk, having to undergo the

installation of kitchens and other necessary facilities to make them more

serviceable for the 21st century. Traditionally in July we have a combined

meeting with our neighbouring East Anglia chapters, this year successfully

held at St Mary’s, Newmarket. The September meeting, held in the

beautiful church of S. Andrew & S. Patrick, Elveden, saw Daniel Ranson

admitted to Full Membership of the Guild, joining his brother and

grandfather as current branch members. Our November meeting marked

the 70th anniversary of this

chapter it having been formed in

1948. At our Requiem Mass we

remembered our departed

brothers and sisters. We are

blessed with several long serving

members and supporters,

including our organist and

choirmaster who has, over the last 36 years, rarely missed a meeting. We

appreciate too the support from our Area Councillor, Sqd. Ldr. Alan Birt.

S. Chad, Coventry. A very small number from our chapter attended the

Autumn Festival again this year. Members and friends from our

neighbouring Chapters of S. John the Divine, Leicester and S.

Dubritius, Leamington Spa joined us at our Annual Requiem Mass on

Saturday 3rd November at S. Nicholas, Radford in Coventry. Fr. Dexter

Bracey was the Celebrant and Preacher. Departed members of all

three Chapters were remembered in the prayers and intercessions during

the service. Superb refreshments were provided af terwards by ladies

from the Chapter. A special thank you was expressed to the parish

organist, Roger Sparey who was retiring and who had provided the

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music for the Mass over a number of years. It was good to meet up with

servers from a wide area at the Walsingham Regional Festival held

in Coventry Cathedral on Saturday 8th December. Although we were

not involved we were impressed with the many guild neck ties and

lapel badges being worn by guild members at the service.

SS. Osmund & Swithun, Bournemouth. In November we met in S.

Stephen’s, Bournemouth for a joint Requiem with their congregation, the

service was enhanced by the church choir which provided a very high

chorale input. The celebrant was Fr. Joe Smith an NSM working in the

Bournemouth area. In December we met in the chapel of Christchurch

hospital for Mass, celebrated by Fr. Ray Matthews preceding an Advent

Meditation led by the hospital Chaplain the Revd. David Flower the

evening ending with saying the Guild Office

Annual Subscriptions are now due and should be paid to

your chapter representative or forwarded to the Treasurer-

General. Membership (Full, Supporters and Associate)

£10.00 Joint Membership where only one copy of The

Server is required £13.00 Life membership (A donation to

the cost of The Server is appreciated). Our thanks go to

those members who pay by Bank Standing Order as this

saves work for your chapter treasurer. If you wish to pay by

Bank Standing Order, please contact the Treasurer-General.

From the Treasurer General

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April 1 Diocese of Exeter.

2 Provincial Group 5 Devonshire.

3 5/24 S.Brennock. North Devon.

4 5/73 Holy Nativity Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Exeter, East Devon.

5 5/88 S. John the Baptist. Torbay, Dartmouth.

6 5/136 Our Lady & S. George. Plymouth.

7 Lent 5 Passion Sunday. Help us to share Our Lord's Passion.

8 Provincial Group 6 Channel Islands.

9 6/65 The Holy Apostles. Guernsey.

10 PG 7. Dorset, East Somerset, West Hampshire. Cllr. Alan Scott.

11 7/78 The Holy Cross Chard, Bridport, Crewkerne.

12 7/126 S. Osmund & S. Swithun. Bournmouth, Poole, Christchurch,

and Ringwood.

13 For all chapters in abeyance. May they have new life.

14 Lent 6 Palm Sunday. Hosanna in the Highest.

15 Monday in Holy Week. May we be regular in worship.

16 Tuesday in Holy Week. May we be regular in devotion.

17 Wednesday in Holy Week. May we enjoy the benefits of confession.

18 Maundy Thursday. The Most Holy Sacrament.

19. Good Friday. The Most Holy Day.

20 Easter Eve. Pray to the Lord in Confidence and Joyful Expectation.

21 Easter Day. May the Joy of the Resurrection be Worldwide.

22 Easter Monday. Easter Joy and Glory.

23 Easter Tuesday. All Area, Suffragan, Assistant Bishops and P.E.V.'S

24 Easter Wednesday. All Archdeacons and Rural Deans.

25 Easter Thursday. Our Parish Priests.S. Mark transferred to 30th.

26 Easter Friday. All Assistant Priests, Curates and Deacons.

27 Easter Saturday. Guild Easter Festival and AGM. Remembering all

unable to attend.

28 2nd of Easter. Remembering ill members. We lift them up in prayer.

29 George Martyr, Patron of England.c304 transferred from 23rd.

30 S. Mark the Evangelist. Preacher of the Christian Faith.

Cycle of Prayer

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May

1 Philip and James. Apostles

2 Diocese of Oxford.

3 Provincial Group 9 Berks, Bucks, Oxon. Cllr Clive Tillin.

4 9/53 S. Frideswide. Slough, Windsor, Maidenhead ,Englefield, Egham.

5 Third of Easter. Teach us the humility that belongs to high calling.

6 9/82 S. Hugh & All Saints. High Wycombe, Chalfont S. Peter,

S. Giles Little Chalfont.

7 9/129 S. Osyth Amersham, Leighton Buzzard, Milton Keynes,

Chinnor, Princes Risborough.

8 Julian of Norwich. Spiritual Writer c.1427

9 9/145 Our Lady & S. Swithun. Farnborough, Woking, Guildford,

Aldershot, Farnham.

10 Provincial Group 10. Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire.

11 Diocese of S. Albans.

12 4th of Easter. May we be led in the paths of righteousness.

13 10/68 The Holy Grail Watford, Potters Bar, Hemel Hempstead, Tring,

S. Albans.

14 Matthias the Apostle. Let us hear your good news.

15 10/211 S. Alban & S. Michael. Letchworth, Hitchin, Luton, Bedford,

Baldock.

16 PG 11 Gloucs, Somerset, Wilts, Avon. Cllr Chris Verity.

17 Diocese of Gloucester.

18 11/27 S. Brendan, Bristol.

19 5th of Easter. For the needs of the whole world.

20 Alcuin of York. Deacon, Abbot of Tours 804.

21 11/69 The Holy and Indivisible Trinity. Gloucester Diocese.

22 11/95 S. Julian, Midsomer Norton, Frome.

23 11/224 S. Peter & S. Paul, Bath.

24 John & Charles Wesley, Evangelists, Hymn Writers. 1791 &1788.

25 11/243 The Resurrection. Weston Super Mare.

26 6th of Easter. Rogation Sunday. The wiser use and care of creation.

27 Rogation Day Blessing on the work of our hands.

28 Rogation Day Harvest of the sea. For all seafarers.

29 Rogation Day For Industry, Commerce and distribution.

30. ASCENSION DAY. Strength and hope in the Ascended Christ.

31 Visit of the BVM to Elizabeth. For all pilgrims.

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June 1 Diocese of Bristol

2 7th of Easter. For the needs of the world.

3 Remembering all volunteers working in our hospitals.

4 For those seeking faith and searching the meaning of life itself.

5 Diocese of Bath and Wells.

6 We pray for Forward in Faith.

7 Diocese of Bangor.

8 Provincial Group 12 Wales. Cllr Michael Andrew.

9 Day of Pentecost (Whit Sunday) Give us strength and wisdom

through the Holy Spirit.

10 12/19 S. Barnabas, Cardiff.

11 Barnabas the Apostle.

12 For all who are looking for work, give them hope.

13 12/123 S. Mary, S.Bridget, S.Asaph, North Wales.

14 12/226 S. Cennydd, Swansea City.

15 12/238 S. David, S.Tydfil, Merthyr Tydfil.

16 TRINITY SUNDAY Father, Son and Holy Spirit in Unity.

17 12/242 S. Mary of Margam, Port Talbot.

18 12/245 S. Gwynno, S.Tyfodwg, Rhondda Valley.

19 Diocese of S.David.

20 Day of Thanksgiving for Holy Communion Corpus Christi.

21 Diocese of Monmouth.

22 Alban first Martyr of Britain. c250

23 Trinity 1 That we all will be led in the way of truth.

24 Birth of John the Baptist.

25 Diocese of Swansea and Brecon.

26 Diocese of Llandaff.

27 Pope Francis and the Roman Catholic Church.

28 Diocese of S. Asaph.

29 Peter and Paul, Apostles.

30 Trinity 2 Give wisdom and fellowship to all Church Leaders.

Corrections, omissions and suggestions to: Angela Mc Mullen,

46 Field House Road, Humberston, Grimsby, DN36 4UJ.

Tel: (01472) 210596 sizzlebeth04@gmail.com

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.

Guild Easter Festival and AGM

Saturday 27th April 2019

S. Stephen’s, Gloucester Road, London. SW7 4RL

High Mass 12.00 hot lunch (donations appreciated)

2.30 AGM followed by Guild Office, Procession and

Benediction

The Guild Diary

Saturday 7th September

Scottish Guild of Servers Festival and AGM

S. John’s, Princes Street, Edinburgh. Mass 12 noon

Guild Autumn Festival 2019

Saturday 12th October 2019

S. German’s Church,

Star Street,

Cardiff, CF24 0JY.

Noon Solemn Mass –Councillors and Clergy please

robe

2.30 pm Solemn Guild Office, Procession &

Benediction

Saturday 18th May

Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Haddington. S. Mary’s Haddington

Mass 1200 Celebrant: The Revd. The Hon. Sydney Maitland

Followed by refreshments. All Welcome

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The Guild Shop

I would like to thank everyone for their support over the last few

years and hope that you will continue to support the shop.

Please bear with me while I organise some new lines ready for the

Easter Festival.

If you would like to purchase the laminated copies of the Guild

Office please contact Terry Doughty whose address is inside the

front cover of this magazine

Thanks

Chris

20

The flowers, chocolates, red hearts and romance are out of sight for

another year on the passing of St. Valentine’s Day, that’s what we have

come to believe, that’s what it’s all about, well maybe not. The origin of

this holiday for the expression of love isn’t romantic at all - at least not in

the traditional sense. Valentine was a Roman Priest at a time when

Emperor Claudius persecuted the Church. Claudius had an edict that

prohibited the marriage of young people. This was based on the hypothesis

that unmarried soldiers fought better than married soldiers because married

soldiers might be afraid of what might happen to their wives or families if

they should die. Bear in mind that it was a very permissive society in

which Valentine lived. Polygamy would have been much more popular

than just one woman and one man living together. Yet some of them were

attracted to the Christian Faith.

Obviously, the Church thought

that marriage was sacred

between one man and one

woman for life and that it was

to be encouraged. The idea of

encouraging couples to marry

within the Christian Church was

what Valentine was about and

he secretly married them

because of the edict from

Claudius. Valentine was

eventually caught, imprisoned and tortured for performing marriage

ceremonies against the command of Emperor Claudius the second.

There are legends surrounding Valentine’s actions while in prison. One of

the men who was to judge him in line with Roman Law was a man called

Asterius whose daughter was blind. Valentine supposedly prayed with and

healed the young girl with such astonishing effect that Asterius himself

became a Christian as a result. Valentine was sent to a three-part execution

of a beating, stoning and finally a decapitation all because of his stand on

Christian marriage. The story goes that the last words he wrote were in a

note to the daughter of Asterius.

S. Valentine

21

He inspired todays romantic missives by signing it “from your Valentine.”

There comes a time when you have to lay your life on the line for what

you believe and with the power of the Holy Spirit, we can do that - even to

the point of death. Valentines

martyrdom has not gone un-

noticed by the general public. In

fact, Whitefriars Street Church

Dublin is one of three churches

that claim to house the remains

of Valentine.

Today many people make the

pilgrimage to the church to

honour the courage and memory

of this Christian Saint. S.

Valentine has become to be known as the patron Saint of Lovers. (Taken

from an article by Father Frank O’Gara. Whitefriars Street. Church

Dublin)

Some years ago an article appeared on the BBC website entitled ‘What did

Jesus really look like?’ Reviewing evidence from various sources, the

author, who was a professor of Christian Origins, concluded that Jesus

would most likely have been shorthaired and with a slight beard, wearing a

tunic with short sleeves and, over this, a himation (mantle), with sandals

on his feet. She may well be right, although this is not how Jesus has

always been portrayed.

Much of the great art in history has been inspired by Jesus. In art the

picture presented has varied considerably. In the western world, Jesus is

portrayed as tall, white-skinned (both improbable as he was a first-century

Jew, living in the hot climate of Palestine) with long hair and a beard. In

other cultures, Jesus has been depicted as oriental or Afro-Caribbean.

Although unlikely to be literally correct, this is useful in helping other

peoples to relate to Jesus and his message, and to appreciate that His life,

death and resurrection are for all. Curiously, when we turn to the Gospels,

What did He look like?

22

we find a striking lack of information on Jesus’ appearance. Generally,

when we read a book or article about someone, one of the first things the

writer tells us is what that person looked like. Not once do the Gospel

writers do this for Jesus. On the other hand the Bible mainly describes His

words, teachings and actions, also His response to the people around Him,

the words in the Bible tell us a great deal about Jesus’ character.

For example, we learn of His compassion, His love for all; His wisdom,

humility, faithfulness, and obedience; His strength coupled with

vulnerability, his patience and approachability. The reason we are told so

many of these things is clear: they let us see what God is like. To

emphasise Jesus’ physical appearance would simply be a distraction.

Looking to the writings of Paul he says that ‘Christ is the visible image of

the invisible God’. Jesus’ words and example also let us know how He

wants His followers to be and the attitudes and qualities that are important

in His kingdom.

To follow Christ’s example is, of course, easy to talk about but much more

difficult to do. But Jesus doesn’t just leave us to struggle and fail by

ourselves: He has helped us through His death on the Cross for our sakes,

and by sending the Holy Spirit to guide us in becoming more like Him.

Tucked away to the west of Woking, behind a high brick wall, lies

Brookwood Cemetery. An extraordinary, historic, but often forgotten place

that deserves to be recognised as a

site of national importance. Being

the largest cemetery in the country,

all of the major funerary styles are

represented, most religions are

here and it is home to one of the

most important war graves sites in

the UK. Following years of neglect

which has seen the undergrowth

Brookwood Cemetery Railway

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reclaiming much of the land, a renovation plan is now under way.

Created in the mid-1800s, the cemetery dates back to when grand

extravagant burials were a status symbol but a growing population in

London caused problems of burial spaces. The idea of a great metropolitan

cemetery, large enough to contain all of London’s dead, was mooted to

relieve the pressure on City burial grounds. When the cemetery was

opened in 1854 by the London Necropolis and Mausoleum Company,

Brookwood was the largest burial ground in the world, covering 2,000

acres. These days, the cemetery comprises some 232 acres, but still

remains the largest in the country with around 235,000 graves.

Left: The ground level station

entrance to the Necropolis station

outside Waterloo station.

Brookwood spans social, military

and even religious boundaries from

Muslim to Zoroastrian, Buddhist to

Catholic. It includes a range of

burials reflecting all levels of

society, with well-known names

which include those of Charles Bradlaugh, the first atheist to sit in the

House of Commons; Horatia Nelson, illegitimate daughter of Lord Nelson

and Lady Hamilton; John Tiller, who founded the Tiller Girls’ while the

most elaborate memorial is the one dedicated to Lord Edward Pelham-

Clinton (Master of Queen Victoria’s household, the only commoner at her

funeral). Another

was designed for

flying ace Oliver

Vickers by Sir

Edwin Lutyens.

Right: A Funeral

train on the main

line to Brookwood.

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In its heyday, the cemetery had two private stations. Trains came directly

to Brookwood Cemetery from a bespoke terminus at Waterloo. Coffins

travelled in either First Class (which cost £2 10s, about £210 today),

Second Class (£1 or £84 today) or Third Class (for paupers) and were

taken to either the first platform for Nonconformist and Roman Catholic

burials or the second for Anglican burials.

The funeral trains, which ran once a day,

only stopped running after the London

terminus was bombed in April 1941 and it

never reopened after the end of the war.

Today the Anglican platform still exists

and is next to the old Anglican chapel

which is now the home of the S.

Edward Orthodox Monastery (pictured

left) dedicated to the 10th century

martyr S. Edward whose remains have

been guarded there since 1984. The S.

Edward Brotherhood hold regular

services and the beautiful wooden

interior of the chapel is well worth

visiting (by request at the monastery

next door, on the occasions of my visits the monks have also given us tea

and cakes). The chapel walls are hung with hundreds of icons.

But how did the Brotherhood obtain the bones of King Edward Saint and

Martyr. Edward's short reign was ended by his murder at Corfe Castle in

978. His body was exhumed and reburied with great ceremony

at Shaftesbury Abbey early in 979. In 1001 Edward's remains were again

moved to a more prominent place in the abbey, he was already Canonised

at this time. For centuries his bones were moved and reburied for various

reasons including the Reformation. In 1931, the relics were recovered

during an Abbey excavation. It is now that an argument blew up between

the two brothers who had rediscovered the ancient bones. One wanted the

relics to go to a Russian Orthodox Church anywhere outside Russia but his

brother wanted them to be returned to Shaftesbury Abbey. For decades, the

relics were kept, for safe keeping in a cutlery box within a bank vault at

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the Midland Bank in Woking, because of this unresolved dispute. In time,

the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia was

victorious and placed the relics in a Chapel

in Brookwood Cemetery with the enshrinement

ceremony occurring in September 1984.

In the Orthodox Church, S. Edward is ranked as

a Passion-bearer, a type of saint who accepts

death out of love for Christ. Edward was widely

venerated before the canonization process was formalized and he is also

regarded as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic

Church and the Anglican Communion. His feast day is celebrated on 18th

March, the day of his murder. The Orthodox Church commemorates him a

second time each year on 3rd September and commemorates the translation

of his relics into Orthodox possession on 13th February.

Many members who will admit to being 50+ were often HOME

SCHOOLED in many different ways: -

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "So,

if you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I have just finished

cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION. "You better pray that it will come

out of the carpet."

3. My father taught me LOGIC. " Because I said so, that's why."

4. My mother taught me EVEN MORE LOGIC. "If you fall out of that

swing and break your neck, don’t come running to me."

5. My mother taught me FORESIGHT. "Make sure you wear clean

underwear, in case you're in an accident."

Home Schooling

26

6. My father taught me IRONY. "Keep crying like that and I'll give you

something to really cry about."

7. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM. "Will you just take a

look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

8. My mother taught me about STAMINA. "You'll sit there until all that

spinach is gone."

9. My mother taught me about WEATHER. "This room of yours looks as

if a tornado went through it."

10. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. "If I told you once, I've

told you a million times, don't exaggerate!"

But most of all I was taught to appreciate everything and to love one

another.

Britain’s oldest manufacturing bell

company cast its last batch of tower

bells on 22nd March 2017 at their East

London premises which they have

occupied since 1738. Having been

established within the Whitechapel

area since 1570, the company has

produced some of the world’s most

famous bells including Big Ben, the

original Liberty Bell for America and the peal of bells which rang on the

Herald Barge for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee River Pageant. The foundry

has been owned by the Hughes family since 1904 but after struggling against

economic pressures and the high cost of maintaining the listed premises Alan

and Kathryn Hughes, took the decision to sell the premises and to

redistribute the business in order to ensure the continuation of its products in.

UK’s Oldest Bell Foundry casts its last big bell

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the future. It is a fact that in the UK and worldwide, the demand for church

bells has declined while the costs of employment and insurance have

continued to rise. The foundry buildings are in desperate need of extensive

upgrading, with the estimated costs being upwards of £8m.

In recent years the area in which the

foundry was sited has changed from

traditional commercial use, with the

renovation of other older buildings, to

residential use. Also, a very much

changed road network adjacent to the

buildings made it almost impossible for

large vehicles to access the premises

for loading and unloading.

Luckily the building is Grade 11* listed.

The continuation of the Whitechapel

Bell Foundry name and the unique

sound and shape of the bells are assured

for the future. Whitechapel tower bells

will in future be cast by Whites of

Appleton Ltd, Church Bell Hangers, a

company with whom the Whitechapel

Bell Foundry has worked closely for 197

years and which has purchased the

pattern equipment to continue making

Whitechapel components.

The extensive bell foundry archives

have been placed in the hands of the

London Metropolitan Archives, where

they will be conserved and catalogued.

The very last tower bell to be cast at the Whitechapel site was for the

Museum of London, to which the foundry is donating many artefacts

including items appertaining to the making of Big Ben. As can be seen from

the pictures the bell foundry was sited right in the middle of industrial areas

of Whitechapel

28

Imagine there is a bank account that credits your account each morning with

£86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening the bank

deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day.

What would you do? Draw out every penny, of course?

Each of us has such a bank. Its name is time. Every morning

it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off

as lost whatever of this you have failed to invest to a good

purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft.

Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns

the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day’s deposits,

the loss is yours. There is no drawing against “tomorrow.” You must live in

the present on today’s deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in

health, happiness and success. The clock is running. Make the most of today.

A note for all those who are interested in all things thuriblistic.

By Fr. Geoffrey Squire

Type in to your computer ‘Botafumiero in action at Santiago’. Turn the

sound up full, and stand well back. (Fish around a bit as some icons feature it

better than others).

‘Sant’ translates ‘Saint’. ‘Iago’ translates ‘James’ ‘Compos’ translates

‘Earth’ and ‘Stella’ translates ‘Star’ so ‘Santiago de Compostela’ is ‘Saint

James where the star fell to the earth’. The story is that when Saint James

died, they were wondering where to bury him. Then they saw a shooting star

fall to the earth and thought it to be a sign from God as to where they should

bury him. The great cathedral at the end of the ‘Camio’ pilgrims way stands

above his shrine to this day.

Imagine

All Things Thuriblistic

29

I have obtained the awesome music that accompanies that ceremony from

Santiago Cathedral and I am in the

process of writing English words for it.

When finished it should be well suited

for use at Benediction with of course a

thurible, but may be one of a more

modest size than the gigantic

botafumiero, swinging before the holy

sacrament.

I have also written a new hymn for use

at Benediction (and other occasions), titled ‘Jesus, we adore you. Saviour,

Lord, and King’. It is set to a tune by Edward Elgar for ‘Land of hope and

glory’ and would be ideal for the end of a big festival with great organ and

trumpets. If you email me at gfsquire@yahoo.co.uk I will email you a copy.

There are many stories about the origins of the Hot Cross Bun but here is

one of the earliest.Some historians date the origin of “Hot Cross Buns” as

an Easter Tradition going way back to the 12th century and claim that in

1361, an Anglican monk named Father Thomas Rocliffe, was recorded as

having made and baked small

spiced cakes or buns each

stamped with the sign of the

cross. These were to be

distributed to the poor visiting

the monastery at S. Alban’s on

Good Friday, known at that

time as the “Day of the Cross.”

According to the renowned

scholar Harrowven, the idea proved to be so popular that Fr. Rocliffe

Hot Cross Buns

30

continued to make the buns each year but in the meantime carefully

keeping his spiced bun recipe secret for many years. So why don’t you

get into the Hot Cross Bun spirit by baking your very own spicy buns

decorated with a symbol of the cross to remember the death and

resurrection of Jesus Christ?

If you do not want to bake your own, for nearly 700 years, the Alban Bun

has remained an important part of the Easter tradition at St Albans

Cathedral, with the Abbot's Kitchen Café selling the freshly baked buns

from Lent right through to Easter, so you could make your way there and

buy a genuine Alban Bun .

London’s Oldest Buns

A net of very old Hot Cross Buns

hangs above the bar at The Widow’s

Son public house in Bromley by Bow

and each year a group of sailors from

HMS Collingwood in Fareham, (and

some from other units) come to add

another bun to this strange collection,

and this tradition is carried on to this

day. Yet no

Hot Cross

Buns are eaten in the ceremony, they are purely

symbolic and are left to dry out and gather dust

and are hung in the net for eternity but they tell a

story. So on Good Friday, what could be more

appropriate than the ceremony of the Widow’s

Buns at Bow.The Widow’s Son Inn was built in

1848 on the site of an old widow’s cottage. When

her only son left to be a sailor by joining up at

HMS Collingwood in Fareham, she promised to

bake him a Hot Cross

An Even Stranger Easter tale from the East End of London

31

Bun and keep it for his return. But tragically he drowned at sea but the

widow refused to give up hope that someday he might come back so she

kept the bun for his return and when he did not return the first year she

continued making a fresh one each year to add to the collection. This annual

tradition has been continued in the pub as a remembrance of the widow and

her son and of the bond between all those on land and sea, with sailors of

the land base HMS Collingwood near Portsmouth coming to place a new

bun in the net every year.

Behind this custom lies the long-held belief that Hot Cross Buns baked on

Good Friday will never decay. I especially like the clever image on the inn

sign, illustrating the son returning from the sea many years later to discover a

huge net of buns hanging behind the door, demonstrating that his mother

always expected him back. Over the bar there used to be many more ancient

buns until a fire destroyed most of them some twenty years ago and those

burnt ones in the net today are merely those few

which were salvaged by the firemen from the

wreckage of the pub. The irony is that the buns are

made by a local baker who rejoices in the name of

Mr. Bunn!

This is a traditional East End pub and when I and

some friends visited a few years ago, after the

understandable

reticence of the

locals we were

taken to their hearts and the Land Lady

even insisted on providing us with plates

of chips and chicken pieces free of charge.

We felt very honoured and accepted. This

came with the proviso that we did not take

any photographs of the locals.

In the photograph the buns hang over a

contingent from the Royal Navy, note

there are both Officers and men in the

Bun Party.

32

A widow had an only son,

the sea was his concern,

His parting wish, an Easter Bun

be kept for his return.

But when it came to Eastertide

no sailor came her way

To claim the bun she set aside

against the happy day.

They say the ship was lost at sea,

the son came home no more

But still with humble piety

the widow kept her store.

So year by year a humble bun

was charm against despair,

A loving task that once began

became her livelong care.

The Widow’s Son is now an inn

that stands upon the site

And signifies its origin

each year by Easter rite

The buns hang up for all to see,

a blackened mass above,

A truly strange epitome of patient

mother love.

A Widow’s Son of Bromley by Bow

By Harold Adshead

33

Several times I have been asked, “what do you talk about at Council

meetings?” Well, I do not intend to talk about the agenda in depth but a

series of headings and topics might shed some light on the subjects that we

touched on or discussed at the last meeting. This is not an exhaustive list

but a list to illustrate the work of the Council.

Our main aim, we agreed is to look forward and to plan the life of the

Guild, its Chapters and members and to assist Chapters that have asked for

help and or advice.

In the October meeting we received reports from the Secretary General

and Treasurer General and noted that Nigel will be standing down in April

and to find a replacement for him is a matter of urgency. We talked about

looking for a volunteer to look after the Membership side of the Guild and

we were told that one Councillor had found a volunteer who would be

prepared to look after the Guild Web Site. We heard from Colin Squires

that at present the COF is only supporting one Candidate for Ordination

and we have the money in the fund to support more if they came forward.

The Server Editor pointed out that fewer and fewer Chapter Reports and

articles were coming in which was not a good sign.

Among the other topics discussed was our GDPR Policy, Guild

Application Forms update and then there was a resume of both the Easter

and Autumn Festivals and plans were laid for festival venues over the next

three years.

The was some domestic housekeeping to be done by some of the

Councillors in their Chapters and towards the end of the meeting the

Secretary General circulated Membership Information Forms for each

Chapter to correct and return to Headquarters.

Before the lunch break the Warden said Mass and after the closure of the

meeting most Councillors stayed to say the Guild Office.

What happens at Council Meetings?

34

What’s in a Denomination… Some delegates to

an ecumenical church conference in Scotland set

off between sessions to explore the beautiful

surrounding countryside.

Presently they came to a

stream spanned by a rickety

bridge, and started to cross,

ignoring the warning to keep off. A local inhabitant

ran after them in protest. ‘Don’t worry,’ they called.

‘We won’t do any harm, we are the Anglicans from

the Conference.’ ‘I’m no caring about that,’ was the

reply. ‘If ye dinnae get off the bridge quick, ye’ll all

be Baptists.

Teacher; Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say your prayers before

eating?

Simon; No sir, I don’t have to, my mum is a good cook.

After church, the woman at the door was embarrassed before the vicar. "I

hope you didn't take it personally when my husband walked out during

your sermon." "I did find it rather disconcerting," he admitted. "It's not a

reflection on you at all,” she assured him. "Ralph has been walking in his

sleep ever since he was a child."

Signing the register at a wedding, the groom had difficulty in making his

ball-point pen work. “Put your weight on it,” said the vicar. So the groom

complied: ‘John Smith (eleven stone, four pounds)’

The Guild Collect

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, to us Thy servants, the spirit of

holy fear: that we, following the example of Thy holy child Samuel, may

faithfully minister before Thee in Thy Sanctuary; through Jesus Christ Thy

Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy

Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.

35

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, to us Thy servants, the spirit of

holy fear: that we, following the example of Thy holy child Samuel, may

faithfully minister before Thee in Thy Sanctuary; through Jesus Christ Thy

Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy

Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.

Have you been called ?

Brethren, have you been a full member of the Guild

for over two years?

If you answer ‘yes’ to both these questions,

the Candidates for Ordination Fund

could assist you with an annual grant.

Apply in the first instance to the

Fund Administrator Bro. Colin Squire Southdene, Slimbridge Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex.

RH15 8QE Email: squires603@btinternet.com

01444 244 737

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