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S. Michael, Baddesley Clinton
Volume 28 Number 1
Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary Guild Patrons: the Bishops of Ebbsfleet & Richborough
The Warden: The Reverend J D Moore
25 Felmongers, Harlow, Essex, CM20 3DH, 01279 436496
Email: [email protected]
Chaplain-General: The Reverend MC Brain
33, Dibdale Road, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 2RX 01384 232774
Secretary-General, Membership Secretary & Webmaster: Mr Terry Doughty
7 Church Avenue, Leicester, LE3 6AJ, 01162 620308
Treasurer-General: Mr Louis A Lewis
27 Latymer Road, London, N9 9PF, 020 8341 0709
Chaplain Candidates for Ordination Fund:
The Reverend Darren Smith, Gordon Browning House, 8 Spitfire Road,
Erdington, Birmingham, B24 9PB Tel. 0121 382 5533
Administrator: Candidates for Ordination Fund: Mr Colin Squires.
Southdene, Slimbridge Road, Burgess Hill, W. Sussex. RH15 8QE
[email protected] 01444 244 737
Hon Organist: Roger Marvin,
139 Knighton Lane East, Leicester. LE2 6FT
[email protected] 0116 221 3531
The Server Editor: Mr Peter J Keat
19 Lyndhurst Road, Anns Hill, Gosport, Hants. PO12 3QY
[email protected] [email protected] 023 9258 2499
Distributor of Guild Products & Publications: Mr Nigel Makepeace
37 Dillotford Avenue, Styvechale, Coventry, CV3 5DR
Email: [email protected] 024 7641 5020
Charity number 251735
Contents
Contents 1
Editorial 2
Welcome to New Members 3
The Faithful Departed
Chantry Book
Twenty Five Years
The Guild Shop 5
Holy Oils
Wisdom of the Not So Young 7
News from the Chapters
Bells on the Move 11
Cycle of Prayer 12
Guild Diary 15
Holy Week 16
S. David 17
What Failure Means 18
Hyde Abbey Winchester 19
A Young Man Learns 20
No 22
Some things don’t change! 23
Some thoughts of May
Hitlers’Vestments 25
Cast Iron Grave Markers 26
Boys will be Boys
The Church Army 27
Lancing College 28
Britons’say they are Christian 29
Whys and Wherefores 30
S.Peter’s Barge 31
And Finally 32
Any items for publication should be sent or Emailed by the second
Saturday of January, April, July and October
Printed by Postprint, East Harling, Norfolk
www.GSSonline.org.uk
1
From the Editor’s Desk.
The Guild Councillors often get asked just how many members
are there in the Guild; so in response to the query, the Secretary
General has supplied the following figures:- As at 30th October
2010 our membership stood at 3,051 with 2,477 members up to
date with subscriptions, and within the nine months of that year
over 70 applications for membership had been received.
It is now twenty-five years since ladies have been admitted to the Guild so on
this special anniversary ladies please make a special effort to attend the Easter
Festival on Saturday 30th April at S.Alban’s Brooke Street, Holborn, London to
help us celebrate.
You will have noticed from the last edition that the Candidates for Ordination
Fund now has a new Chaplain, the Reverend Darren Smith and a new
Administrator, Mr Colin Squires. It is now right and proper that we, as a Guild,
sincerely thank the outgoing Chaplain and Secretary. Fr. Michael Brain and
Grand Councillor Louis Lewis have acted respectively as Chaplain and Secretary
for more years than I know and I am sure that I speak for all the Guild Officers
Councillors and members past and present when I say, Gentlemen, thank you
both for all the hard work, time and dedication that you both have put into
running the Fund over the years it really has been much appreciated.
You cannot have failed to miss the announcement that three suffragan bishops
have accepted the offer of the Ordinariate by His Holiness Pope Benedict and
were re-ordained by Archbishop Vincent Nichols into the Roman Catholic
Church on 15th January. You may have missed the fact that three of the Sisters
from the Community at Walsingham also have moved to Rome. The times ahead
for the Church of England would seem rather difficult and complicated so,
brothers and sisters, to uphold our Tradition, our beliefs and our Church it is up
to us to work and to pray for help and guidance.
Yours
Peter 2
Welcome to New Members
Full Members: Ross Buchanan, Owen Burke, Terence Laybourn, Isabelle
Lillico, Isabelle Murray,
Probationers: Ida Antwi, Izekor Benson, Valerie Hawker, Robert Solomon,
Anna Strong,
Faithful Departed: Peter Bowers, Cyril Faulks, Ian Foster, Gwendoline (Mary)
Gardner, John Gower-Jones, Albert Jones (Priest), John Sims, Harold Willan,
Olwen Collenson
Chantry Book
Ernest Peter Bowers: was a lifelong member of S.Matthew, Edgerley where he
was a server and a member of the choir for over 60 years. He became a Guild
Life Member in 2009 and regularly attended Chapter meetings until his health
failed. His funeral was held at S.Matthew’s when the Guild Hymn was played
oOo
Twenty Five Years
Sister Angela McMullen
I am writing this article on 1st January. It is exactly 25 years since I was able to
become a probationer aged 40 years. All the chapters had
to vote to allow ladies to become members and as I was
moving from Boston to Romford and was told I could
encounter opposition from some priests "down south"
and I did. I was welcome to polish the pews but not to
serve. I went to the Chapter meetings and met fellow
servers and explained I was finding it difficult to find a
church in which I could serve. Then the servers of S.
Augustine, Rush Green, invited me to join them and I had
seven happy years there. It meant driving through two other parishes but was
well worth it.
Above: Angela with the National Banner.
3 Photo Mary Attenborough
Moving to Portsmouth I had a flat opposite Portsmouth Cathedral and I joined
the local Chapter. I went to the Cathedral and asked if I could start serving. I was
told I was too old! I was invited to join the Cathedral Ladies who do everything
else. I joined these ladies but asked different clergy why I was too old and they
explained the rule was not to have servers over the age of 21. I was not happy
and found it hard to accept; but I left it a while and approached a senior member
of the Cathedral staff and said I wanted to serve and if I was rejected again I
would consider going to the Roman Catholic Cathedral down the road (my
husband was a Roman Catholic) I had been appointed secretary of the Catholic
Womens League in Portsmouth, as the first Anglican to hold the post.)
An answer from the Anglican Cathedral soon came back, "which service would
you like to serve at?" I asked for the 8.a.m. service and so started serving there
every week for the next five years. Whenever I served for female clergy at the
Cathedral I did no receive. I always say it is like going to a celebration and not
partaking of the food.
In 2000 I returned to Grimsby where I was born and I served at the local village
church and worked in the chaplaincy at the local hospital. I have travelled all
over the country to the festivals with my husband as a supporter and have missed
very few in the last 25 years. Ladies!
It is vital we maintain good numbers
at these festivals. I am the only
female server left who joined 25
years ago who still makes these
journeys. Once whilst I was
attending a festival I was confronted
by a small group from the
Movement for the Ordination of
Women assuming my support. They
were disappointed. I was not popular!
To conclude sisters, if I can travel to the festivals to join our brothers and sisters
by rail and support them, leaving home in the dark and getting back near
midnight on my own, (my husband died eight years ago), then why don’t you
come along and join me in October at Bristol Cathedral for the Autumn Festival.
I hope to see you all there and bring your banners!
4
Guild Shop
oOo
Holy Oils
The Revd . Fr. Timothy Peskett has written this brief piece on Holy Oils.
Oil or oils have been used from the very earliest times and in the Bible we read
that God instructs Moses and his people, to use oil as offerings and instructs
5
them to pour oil over people or their clothing as signs of blessing and anointing.
In the Early Church we read the following in the Letter of St. James. “Are there
any sick among you. Let them call for the elders of the church and let them pray
over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith
will save the sick person.”
Oil is used in the church today for three specific tasks: Healing, Baptism and
Confirmation /Ordination. In recognition of this, a parish church usually keeps
aside three different oils for each task as we do in my own church. The Oils are
prepared and then consecrated and blessed by the Bishop before being
distributed throughout the diocese. In many dioceses this will take place at a
special service in the Cathedral often during Holy Week, but normally the
service takes place just before Easter. In my own Diocese (Chichester) this year
the service was not in Chichester Cathedral but took place in the chapel at
Lancing College (which is colloquially known, because of its style and position
as the cathedral of the Downs) .
The oil is essentially no different from any other olive oil, but it is made special
by being set aside specially for God's purposes. Just like the water used at
Baptism is set aside and blessed for that task so the
oils are being set apart for their own particular work.
The oil which is used today is normally good quality
Olive Oil; and as the oil is carried to the front of the
Cathedral in glass containers during the service it is
clear that the colours of each are very slightly
different. They are normally coloured this way
deliberately to distinguish one from another rather
than, as some people erroneously believe, involving
any form of specific symbolism. The oil which is
used at Confirmations and Ordinations, the Oil of Chrism, normally has an
individual fragrance added to it such as Friar's Balsam or something similar.
Maybe the following exercise may be useful; pour some olive oil on your hands
and rub it in and at the same time just contemplate the action itself and
experience how it feels. Think of all the uses the can be for olive oil -cleansing,
soothing, softening, massaging and polishing.
Then maybe think. How does God do that to and for you? How do you, do that
to and for other people?
6
Spiral Bound Laminated Guild Office (can be personalised)
A4 size - Plainchant £4.00
A5 size - Plainchant £3.00
Words Only Guild Manual £0.90
Organ Copy £1.25
Guild Lapel Badge £2.00
Prayer cards -Before and After Serving, Guild Collect, Key Fobs
individual costs £0.60
Pens £1.00
Additional Copies of the Server £1.50
Guild Ties Royal Blue £8.50
All the above figures include postage and packaging and are
available from Grand Councillor Nigel Makepeace, address inside
front cover of the Server.
Key Rings (above) can be personalised with Guild Badge on one
side and contact number on other side or with Guild Badge on both
sides. Only £1 inc p&p. Please state when ordering ‘standard’ or
quote your contact number. Available from Terry Doughty.
Guild Shop
The wisdom of the not-so-young-anymore
1. I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.
2. My wild oats have turned into prunes and All Bran.
3.1 finally got my head together; but now my body is falling apart.
4. Funny. I don't remember being absent minded...
5. If all is not lost, where is it?
6. It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.
7. It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.
8. Only time the world beats a path to your door is when you're in the bathroom.
9. If God wanted me to touch my toes, He would have put them on my knees
10. These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter...I go
somewhere to get something, and then wonder what I'm here after!
oOo
News from the Chapters.
S Justus, Orpington. In January we met at Bromley Clergy
College for Guild Office and Benediction, our Chaplain
Fr Cossar officiated and provided us with refreshments. We
were joined by members from S. Micheal’s, Sittingbourne, it
was a very good evening. On the 2nd March we met at S.
Mary the Virgin Swanley for Stations of the Cross followed
by our AGM. Our Chaplain Fr Cossar stood down having been with us five
years. The meeting thanked him for his excellent leadership and ministry and a
gift of appreciation was presented to him. The meeting then elected our assistant
chaplain, Fr James Mowbray as Chaplain; all officers of the Chapter were re-
elected. In May we met at S. Georges, Bickley, for Guild Office and in July we
met at S. Martin of Tours Chelsfield where we sang the Guild Office with
Benediction, the Rev. Can. Virgo made us very welcome. The 15th of September
saw us at S. Augustine of Canterbury, Belvedere, for a Mass.
In November we attended S. Mary the Virgin Swanley for a Requiem Mass Fr.
James officiating. The Chapter Dinner was held at the end of November a good
evening to finish our year.
7
Saint Oswin. Northumbria: In January, we joined with S. Benet Biscop to sing
the Guild Office at S. Anthony of Egypt, Byker. February saw us at S. John;
Seaton Hirs,t for the Guild Office and March at S. Bede Newsham for the Office
followed by the AGM. S. George's, Cullercoats, was the setting of our annual
visit to sing the Guild Office in S. George's tide, whilst the midsummer meeting
was held at S. Peter, Wallsend. Our annual away day to North Northumberland
was to S. Maurice, Ellingham. There are only 6 churches in the UK dedicated to
S. Maurice, and one of the others is only six miles away in a village called
Eglingham on the other side of the Al. Suitably warned all our members and
guests arrived for a sung solemn Eucharist for Holy Cross Day celebrated by the
Vicar Fr Brian Hurst. After lunch at "The Pack Horse" we processed from the
Lych-gate, round the churchyard and entered the building for the singing of the
Guild Office and the admission of a new member. The Vicar gave an interesting
address on St Maurice. In October we visited the re-furbished S. Luke in
Wallsend, The east end remains more or less the same but the west end of the
nave has been subdivided to form a Parish Centre, containing a gallery hall, two
meeting rooms, a kitchen a porch and a large public space.
The Incarnate Word with S. Alban and S. Edward. We attended the Church
of the Ascension, Lavender Hill, (right) for
the Feast of S. Mary Magdalene in July.
The Mass was celebrated by the
Ascension’s new vicar Fr Iain Young.
Members of the Chapter outnumbered the
congregation but we were still thin on the
ground. There were lovely nibbles and
drinks afterwards. We sang the Guild
Office in September at S. Mary’s Walton.
While I appreciated 11 members advising
me they would not be able to attend, this
did leave only 5 of us in attendance. Br Ron Church’s wife provided a wonderful
spread of food and wine after the event. The Chapter’s pilgrimage to Aylesford
Priory in October was poorly supported – just 4 of us, so we fitted into one car!
Nevertheless, the weather was kind and those who did attend enjoyed a
marvellous lunch at the Priory followed by an extensive tour round the Priory
followed by a Mass for S. Teresa of the Infant Jesus.
8
S. Augustine of Canterbury has for some time been on the back-burner. In
order to try to re-vitalise the situation we contacted Fr. Birch to introduce
ourselves and enquire as to possibility of a visit. He has Mass on every Thursday
so we came in behind this for our Guild Office. Some of us have attended other
meetings within our area so we invited those Chapters to join us. The response
was wonderful. S. Mildreds-Thanet, East Kent brought Fr, Evans our chaplain
along with Fr. Crawley ex S. Mary de Castro-Leicester and Dorothy Manning
brought an entourage of servers from S. Lukes Gillingham-Medway Towns and
S. Cyprian Chapter. In total twenty eight turned up for Mass and Guild Office. It
was a very memorable evening all round.
Holy Rood, Ealing and Hounslow: The Chapter has met on a regular basis this
year visiting several churches. For the second year running our Requiem Mass
was dedicated to the memory of a recently deceased member. The Mass was held
at the church of Christ the Saviour, Ealing where Fr. Andrew Davis conducted
the service in memory of our organist, Ken Wotton, who died on 23rd October.
Ken's funeral Mass took place at the church of Christ the Redeemer, Southall
and was conducted by the Vicar, Fr. Nigel Orchard. The church was quite full
and it was fitting that the majority of the membership of the Holy Rood and our
Councillor John Donovan also attended.
S.Joseph of Arimathaea, Portsmouth. For our Annual Requiem we visited the
Convent of the Sisters of Bethany. Our service was in the evening
of Remembrance Day and Sister Mary Joy led a mediitation on the
death of Our Lord and Remembrance. After this Fr Alan led our
Service of Remembrance. Our Christmas Service was held in S.
George’s, Waterlooville Fr. Alan complied a short Advent service
of Readings and Hymns. An American Supper followed and we ended with
Compline. In January we visited S.Mary’s, Alverstoke for our Annual Mass for
the Sick, the incumbent had got himself double booked for the evening so we
arrived at a closed church, so we had to cancel the meeting.
S.John the Divine, Leicester. In October we renewed our Vows during a Sung
Mass at S. Hugh. Eyres Monsell. Fr. Jordan celebrated Mass and preached an
inspiring sermon. After Mass we adjourned for refreshments and the Annual
General Meeting. In November we held our Requiem Mass at S. Nicholas,
Fleckney. We had combined with the Leicester Guild of All Souls. Fr. Colin
Southall was celebrant and preacher
9
.S Chad, Coventry. We joined the Leicester chapter coach to attend the Autumn
Festival in Blackburn. Our Requiem Mass was held at S. Luke's, Holbrooks in
November. Fr. Pittam celebrated and departed members remembered. In
November we attended the Annual Requiem Mass of the Society of Our Lady of
Egmanton in S. Mary, Egmanton. The principal Celebrant and preacher was Fr.
Waude of S. George's, Nottingham. Our members were privileged to be part of
the serving team. Due to the adverse weather conditions on the 1st December the
meeting scheduled for Nuneaton Abbey, was cancelled. This is only the second
time in the history of our chapter that we have had to cancel a meeting.
Our Lady and St. Richard, Chichester and Bognor Regis. We celebrated a
Eucharist in October at S. Wilfred’s, Bognor Regis. The day before it celebrated
its centenary with a visit by Lord Carey. After our Service we met for
refreshments. Our November meeting was well attended at S. Mary’s,
Littlehampton. This was a Requiem for past members and was presided over by
Fr Caswell who gave a very good address. The December meeting was well
attended at S. Mary’s, Felpham where a shortened version of the Office was
sung, followed by Advent readings and hymns. The address was given by Fr
Timothy Peskett. We also attended a party saying thank you to Fr Ray Follis
who was Chaplain of our chapter for over 8years. He is taking well-earned
retirement, and will be greatly missed.
S. Etheldreda, Cambridge. Our annual Quiet Evening was held at Bishop
Woodford House, Ely. We started with a Low Mass and after Readings and
reflection we ended with Compline. A photograph was taken of members for the
centenary book which will be on sale later this year. In November the
Cambridge Catholic Societies held their Annual Requiem at Little S. Mary's. The
Chapter supplied the serving party. The Advent Hymns and Readings were held
at S. John's , Waterbeach, a very cold church where Fr. Mackley preached. After
the service we retired to the Parish Room for a Fish and Chip supper.
S.Mary, Margam. Our October meeting was held in S. Mary’s Llansawel where
we sang the Guild Office and we also sang the Office in November in Margam
Abbey. We could not meet in December and our January meeting had to be
cancelled because of the death of our Chaplains’ wife. The Chapter send their
sincere sympathy to Fr Colin in his loss.
S.Werburgh. The Chapter congratulated Bro. Noel Swinfin on his 99th
10
birthday on Christmas Day, he was presented with a card and a bottle of Sherry
by Group Councillor Jeremy Wood on behalf of the Chapter.
oOo
Bells on the Move.
S. Michael's in Charleston, South Carolina, opened in 1761 and
three years later a peel of eight bells were imported from the
Whitechapel bell foundry (Left). The bells were hung in the bell
tower ready for change-ringing and for some time they were
rung by bands of ringers until that city fell to the British army
and was occupied in 1781. The British then took down the bells
out of the bell tower and shipped them back to London as "spoils of war." A
businessman, seeing the bells in London, bought them on speculation and had
them shipped back to Charleston. The church members of S. Michaels were
overjoyed at the return of their bells that they seized them from the ship and
carried them back to the church tower without paying for them as they said that
they had paid for them several years earlier. The bells were replaced in the bell
tower and were regularly change rung again. This part of the story is bizarre and
true, but the history of the bells after this date is even more unusual. During the
Civil War the bells were taken down again and sent to Columbia as scrap to be
cast into cannons for the Confederate Army. Before that could be done Union
forces overran the town and in the sacking the bells were broken up and melted
down. After the Civil War, the bell metal and the broken pieces were collected
together and yet again shipped back across the
Atlantic to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry for
recasting. On completion of the work in 1867 they
crossed the Atlantic again making this their 5th
trans- Atlantic voyage They were taken back to S.
Michaels and rehung in the bell tower. They
celebrated their reinstallation by chiming a popular
tune of the day, "Home again, home again, From a foreign shore." But this is
not the end of the story as the bells were damaged yet again in the hurricane of
1989 and they were taken down and shipped back to Whitechapel once more for
refitting and retuning. These well-travelled bells celebrated their 7th crossing of
the Atlantic on 4th July 1993, by ringing a peal of changes, as they had originally
been designed to do. It is amazing that after all these years the original bell
founders in Whitechapel are still in existence.
11
Cycle of Prayer
APRIL 2011
1 Diocese of Salisbury
2 7/78 The Holy Cross, Bridport, Crewkerne, Ringwood & Yeovil.
3 Lent 4 Mothering Sunday. Our Own Mothers.
4 7/126 S. Osmund & S. Swithun Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch.
5 PG9 Berkshire/Oxfordshire. Cllr Clive Tillin.
6 Diocese of Oxford.
7 9/23 S. Birinus, Oxford.
8 9/53 S. Frideswide, Slough.
9 That all chapers in abeyance may have new life.
10 Lent 5 Passion Sunday. Help is share His Passion.
11 9/82 S. Hugh and All Saints, West Wycombe.
12 9/99 S. Laurence the Deacon, Reading.
13 9/129 S. Osyth, Princes Risborough.
14 9/145 Our Lady & S. Swithun, Woking, Guildford, Aldershot, Alton,
Farnborough & Farnham.
15 PG 10 Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire Cllr Shaun Morrison.
16 10/68 The Holy Grail, Watford.
17 Lent 6 Palm Sunday. Hosanna in the Highest.
18 Monday in Holy Week. May we be regular in worship.
19 Tuesday in Holy Week. May we be regular in devotion.
20 Wednesday in Holy Week. May we enjoy the benefits of confession.
21 Maundy Thursday. The Most Holy Sacrament.
22 Good Friday. The Most Holy Day.
23 Holy Saturday. Pray to the Lord in Confidence and Joyful Expectation.
24 Easter Day. May the Joy of Resurrection Be Known Worldwide.
25 Easter Monday. Easter Joy and Glory.
26 Easter Tuesday. All Area , Suffragan, Assistant Bishops and P.E.V.'s.
27 Easter Wednesday. All Archdeacons and Rural Deans.
28 Easter Thursday. Our Parish Priests, Assistants,Curates and Deacons
29 Easter Friday. The Marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton at
Westminster Abbey.
30 Easter Saturday. Guild Easter Festival and A.G.M. .
12
MAY 2010
1 2nd of Easter. Teach us the humility that belongs to high callings.
2 S. George. Patron Saint of England.c.304.
3 S. Mark the Evangelist.
4 S. S. Philip and James. All area festivals.
5 10/211 S. Alban and S. Michael, Letchworth.
6 Diocese of St. Albans
7 PG11 Avon, Gloucester, Somerset, Wiltshire. Cllr Chris Verity.
8 3rd of Easter. Those who are persecuted and suffer for their witness to the
truth.
9 11/69 The Holy and Indivisible Trinity, Gloucester.
10 11/95 S. Julian, Midsomer Norton, Frome.
11 Diocese of Gloucester.
12 11/224 S. Peter and S. Paul, Bath.
13 Diocese of Bristol.
14 S. Matthias the Apostle. Let us hear the good news.
15 4th of Easter. Remembering members who are unwell. We lift them to the
Lord in prayer.
16 11/234 The Resurrection., Weston Super Mare.
17 PG12 Wales Cllr Michael Andrew.
18 12/19 S. Barnabas, Cardiff.
19 S. Dunstan. For all places of learning and religious observance.
20 Alcuin of York. Deacon, Abbot of Tours. c804.
21 S. Helena, Protector of Holy Places.
22 5th of Easter. For the needs of the world.
23 Diocese of Bath & Wells.
24 John & Charles Wesley. The celebration of God's grace through hymns.
25 12/123 S. Mary. S. Bridgit and S. Asaph. Dyserk, N. Wales.
26 S. Augustine of Canterbury. c605. Pray for all pilgrims.
27 12/226 S. Cennydd, Swansea City.
28 For all hospital chaplains and voluntary chaplain visitors.
29 6th of Easter. Rogation Sunday. Grant us wiser use of resources of your
creation.
30 Rogation. Harvest of the Sea and all Seafarers.
31 The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth..
13
JUNE 2011
1 Rogation. Blessings on the work of our hands.
2 ASCENSION Give us the strength and hope of the Ascended Christ.
3 12/238 S. David and Gwynnlyw. Monmouth and Gwent.
4 Diocese of Bangor
5 7th of Easter. That the world will know and love and see your glory.
6 12/242 S. Mary of Mergan, Port Talbot.
7 Diocese of Monmouth.
8 12/245 S. Gwynno and S.Tyfodwg, Rhonssa Valley.
9 Diocese of Swansea and Brecon.
10 Diocese of LLandaff.
11 Diocese of St. Davids.
12 PENTECOST. Give us strength and wisdom through the Holy Spirit.
13 Diocese of S.Asaph.
14 PG13. Essex. Cllr Peter Spenceley.
15 13/7 The Ascension, South Essex.
16 13/8 S. Andrew, W. Essez.
17 13/13 S. Cedd. E. Essex.
18 13/36 Corpus Christi. S. E. Essex.
19 THE MOST HOLY TRINITY. Father, Son and Holy Spirit in Unity.
20 13/78 The Holy Sacrifice, N. Essex.
21 13/92 Sacred Heart of Jesus. Braintree Area
22 S. Alban. First Martyr of Britain. The Fellowship of Saints.
23 CORPUS ET SANGUIS CHRISTI The Blessed Sacrament.
24 Birth of John the Baptist. Thank God for our baptism.
25 13/154 S. Peter the Apostle. Mid Essex.
26 T.1 Give wisdom and fellowship to all Church leaders.
27 Diocese of Chelmsford.
28 For all who live alone.
29 S. Peter S. Paul. For Ordination and Ordinands.
30 Pope Benedict XVI and the Roman Catholic Church. .
Corrections, omissions and suggestions to:
Angela Mc Mullen, 46 Field House Road, Humberston,
Grimsby, DN36 4UJ. Tel: (01472) 210596
14
The Guild Diary
Saturday 12th April 2011. Guild Easter Festival and
Annual Genneral Meeting. S.Alban’s Brooke Street,
Holborn. London
Noon: Concelebrated Mass
3.00pm Guild AGM followed by the Guild Office,
Procession and Benediction
Saturday 14th May 2011 Eastern Area Festival: S.
George’s, Chesterton, Cambridge.
Noon Solemn Mass
3.00pm Guild Office, Procession and Benediction
Details from Colin Limming: Tel: 01763 260072 or
E.mail: [email protected]
Saturday September 24th. Northern Area Festival
S. Martin’s On The Hill, Albion Road, Scarborough
Noon: Solemn Mass
15.30 Guild Office.
Saturday October 8th Guild Autumn Festival
12 noon Concelebrated Sung Mass held in Bristol
Cathedral, College Green, Bristol.
3.30 p.m. Procession from Bristol
Cathedral across College Green to
the Lord Mayor’s Chapel of S. Mark
to sing the Guild Office and for
Benediction.
15
Holy Week.
Spy Wednesday: Today in Holy Week, the
conspiracy to arrest Jesus formulates as Judas
Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus. " 'What will you give
me if I deliver him to you?' And they paid him 30
pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an
opportunity to betray Jesus " (Matthew 26, 15-16). In
Ireland today is referred to as Spy Wednesday.
Maundy Thursday: Maundy Thursday takes its name from the opening word of
the evening Mass in its Latin Translation: Mandatum novum do vobis = I give
you a new commandment (John 13, 34). Lent ends today, not on Easter Day. The
last act of Lent is the Chrism Mass in most Cathedrals on Maundy Thursday,
when the Bishop blesses the oils and Chrism, which will be used in the
sacraments in the diocese, and the priests renew their priestly promises. Lent has
built up to the Triduum, a name from the Latin for 3 days. On this first day we
mark Jesus's commission to the apostles to "love one another as I have loved
you". At the evening Mass many churches will
recall Jesus's act of washing his disciples' feet or
hold an Upper Room Service around a table. This
celebrates the institution of the Eucharist and the
Priesthood. The practice of the Sovereign giving
the Royal Maundy or Maundy Money is centuries
old. Special coins are minted and given to older men and women, the number of
whom is determined by the Sovereign's age. Again this recalls Jesus'
commission: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Good Friday: On this day, when we mark the Lord's death for
our sake, we do not celebrate Mass, which re-presents that
saving act. Instead we gather to listen to the account of the
Lord's Passion from John's Gospel, to pray for the needs of the
Church and the world, and to venerate the cross. Calling it
"Good" Friday may seem strange, since we mark the brutal
execution of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is an Old English way of
saying that it is holy. We change our lifestyle today so that our
bodies mark this day as well as our minds and hearts. Hot Cross buns were
traditionally served made from the same flour that was used to make the Mass
hosts. 16
Holy Saturday: The earth is still, and Jesus lies in the
tomb. On this day, the sacraments are not celebrated: no
baptisms or marriages or funerals. Holy Communion is
only given to the dying. We wait...........
Easter Day: Today is the Lord's rising day: the empty
tomb a testament to God's confounding of people's expectations. "Christ has
been raised from the dead, as the first fruits of all who
have fallen asleep". This is the greatest day in the Christian
calendar, and every day in the next week is treated as
though Easter Day. Away the austerity of Lent! This is a
time of celebration. Easter is calculated as the Sunday after
the first full moon in spring. The name "Easter" comes
from the old pagan goddess of fertility, Eostre, who was
celebrated about this time. In Romance-language
countries, e.g. France, Spain, Italy, the term for Easter is
more usually derived from the word for Passover, the
Jewish festival of which the Scriptures speak in the Gospel narrative of the
Passion and Death of our Lord.
oOo
S. David
S. David or Dewi Sant, was a saint of the Celtic Church. He was the son of
Sandde, Prince of Powys and Non, daughter of a Chieftain of Menevia whose
lands included the peninsula on which the little cathedral town of St David's now
stands. S. David is thought to have been born somewhere near the present town
of St David's.
David became the Abbot of S. David's and died on 1st March 589 AD.
Rhygyfarch, a monk at Llanbadarn Fawr near Aberystwyth, wrote an account of
his life towards the end of the 11th century. Many miracles were attributed to
David. One miracle often recounted is that once when Dewi was preaching to a
crowd at Llandewi Brefi those on the outer edges could not hear, so he spread a
handkerchief on the ground, and stood on it to preach, whereupon the ground
rose up beneath him, and all could hear.
17
He was buried in what is today St David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire. His
holiness was such that medieval pilgrims equated two pilgrimages to St. David's
were worth one pilgrimage to Rome - a great saving in journeying at that time!
Fifty churches in South Wales alone bear his name.
March 1st, St David's Day, is now the traditional day of the
Welsh. It is the date given by Rhygyfarch for the death of
Dewi Sant, it was celebrated as a religious festival up until
the Reformation of the 16th century. In the 18th century it
became a national festival among the Welsh, and continues
as such to this day.
The celebration usually means singing and eating. S. David's Day meetings in
Wales are not the boisterous celebrations of that accompany say S. Patrick's Day
in Ireland. The singing of traditional songs followed by a Te Bach, tea with
teisen bach and bara brith. Y Ddraig Goch, the Red Dragon, is flown as a flag or
worn as a pin or pendant, and leeks are worn, and sometimes eaten. S. David's
Day is now celebrated by Welsh people all over the world.
What are the particular ways of these people dwelling in the most westerly
facing peninsula of the mainland of Britain, some 2.8 million of them occupying
20,768 square kilometres? To the Anglo-Saxons they were waelisc, "strangers",
to themselves they are Cymry, people of the same region'. One recent observer
summarised a popular perception: " If a Welshman is not praying, drinking or
learning, then he is thought to be playing or watching Rugby football ". But that
observer knew that a "Welshman was more complex than that; words such as
proud, independent, friendly, inquisitive, tenacious, gregarious, religious,
politically radical, hungry for education and possessing a talent for harmony in
their singing have been used to describe them. Nor must we forget their
possessing of a particular brand of humour, a passion for rugby and most
definitely a way with words.
oOo
What Failure Means
Failure doesn’t mean you are a failure; it does mean you haven't yet succeeded.
Failure doesn't mean you have accomplished nothing ; it does mean you have
learnt something.
18
Failure doesn’t mean you have been a fool; it does mean you have a lot of faith.
Failure doesn't mean you have been disgraced ; it does mean you were willing to
try.
Failure doesn't mean you don't have it; it does mean you have to do something in
a different way.
Failure doesn't mean you are inferior it does mean you are not perfect.
Failure doesn‘t mean you've wasted your life ; it does mean you have a reason to
start afresh.
Failure doesn't mean you should give up it does mean you must try harder.
Failure doesn't mean you will never make it; it does mean it will take a little
longer.
Failure doesn't mean God has abandoned you; it does mean God has a better
way.
oOo
Hyde Abbey, Winchester
Hyde Abbey was founded by Alfred the Great and finished by his son Edward
the Elder in AD903. It was originally located in the city centre, immediately
north of the cathedral and known as the New Minster. With the building of the
cathedral and the expansion of a royal palace over part of the New Minster's
lands the monastery was left with a crowded site. To ease conditions Henry I
ordered the Minster's removal to the city's north-east suburb of Hyde in AD1110.
At the top of King Alfred Place stands
Hyde Abbey Gate (left), it was built in the
early 15th century probably on the site of
an earlier gate. Hyde Abbey (1110-1539)
along with the Cathedral was one of
medieval Winchester's great monastic
houses, with Hyde Abbey becoming one of
the great pilgrim centres on the Pilgrims'
Way between Winchester and Canterbury.
Substantial foundations from the 15th century rebuild of the abbey were
excavated in 1996/97.
Opposite Hyde Abbey Gate is St. Bartholomew's church the former village
church of Hyde, parts of which are thought to date from the 12th century.
19
A few hundred yards away at the end of King
Alfred Place are Hyde Abbey Gardens.
Following excavations in 1999 the lost remains
of Hyde Abbey Church were revealed and the
Friends of Hyde Abbey Garden were formed
with the aim of marking out the church and its
royal graves. The royal graves belong to Alfred
the Great, his wife Ealhswith and their son King
Edward the Elder.
At the entrance to the garden is a beautifully engraved glass panel depicting the
interior of the church. There are round and square holly bushes in the garden, the
round holly pillars represent the internal pillars of the church., while the square
ones show the positions of the external buttresses and round trees mark the site
of the royal graves. This is not a part of Winchester that you would naturally
travel to but it really is well worth a visit.
oOo
A young man learns what's most important in life from the man next door.
It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career and
life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved across the country in pursuit of his
dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the
past and often little time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his
future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is
Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat
quietly remembering his childhood days. "Jack, did you hear me? "Oh, sorry,
Mum. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I
honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said. "Well, he didn't forget you. Every
time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many
days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mum told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr Belser stepped in to make sure you
had a man's influence in your life," she said.
20
"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business
if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were
important...Mum, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.
As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his
hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of
his own, and most of his relatives had passed away. The night before he had to
return home, Jack and his Mum stopped by to see the old house next door one
more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like
crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house
was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every
piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly. "What's wrong, Jack?" his Mum
asked. "The box is gone," he said "What box?" Mum asked. "There was a small
gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a
thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value
most,'" Jack said. It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack
remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family
had taken it.
"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some
sleep. I have an early flight home." It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser
died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his letterbox.
"Signature required on a package. No one at home, the note read. Early the next
day Jack went and collected the package. The small box was old and looked like
it had been mailed years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the
return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read.
Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was
the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its
contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued
most in my life." A small key was taped to the
letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes,
Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he
found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his
fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he
unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words
engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."
21
"The thing he valued most was...my time" Jack held the watch for a few minutes,
then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days.
"Why?" Janet, his assistant asked ."I need some time to spend with my son," he
said. "Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the Moments that
take our breath away,"
oOo
No
"If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and got rid of all by
possessions and then gave all my money to the church, would that get me into
heaven? " I asked the children in my Sunday school class.
"NO! " the children all answered.
"If I cleaned and dusted the church every day, mowed the grass, weeded the
flowerbeds and kept the whole churchyard neat and tidy, would that get me into
heaven?"
Again the answer was, "NO!"
"Well, then, if I was kind to all animals and to all God’s creatures, gave sweets
to all the children and loved my wife and family , would that get me into
heaven? " I asked them again.
Once more they all answered, "NO!"
"Well," I continued, thinking they were a good bit more theologically
sophisticated than I had given them credit for, "then how can I get into heaven?"
A five-year-old boy shouted out,
“You’ve got to be dead!”
22
The more things change, the more they stay the same!
2011 will see the centenary of the founding of the Cambridge Chapter of S.
Etheldreda and in a moment of inattention I volunteered to research its history
from the records in the Ely Diocesan archives. The beginnings were small with
appointment of a Chaplain, Secretary and Treasurer and an agreement to meet on
the first Wednesday in each month. There was originally no set programme, but
soon a definite pattern emerged with Chapter meetings mostly in Cambridge. It
was some years before the Chapter ventured into the countryside mostly by
bicycle! There are some interesting snippets. One meeting made much of the fact
that although the use of incense at the Guild Office was proposed a counter
proposal was made that it should not! Another Chaplain said he would exercise
his prerogative in arranging the ritual to be used and no discussion would be
permitted. There are references to low attendances and the failure to tender
apologies, hence the title of this article. At one AGM three members were
removed from membership and two transferred to another Chapter. The accounts
show balances that seem low these days and donations to the CoF were one
guinea (£1.05p). Two entries comment on the use of incense and it was
suggested that at Chapter Services at Ely Cathedral and Great S. Mary’s,
Cambridge it was used for the first time since the Reformation. I hoped to
publish a book on the history in time for our Centenary . Colin Limming.
oOo
Some thoughts about May
May is probably named after Maia, the Roman goddess of growth and increase.
It is called Mios Bochuin in Gaelic and means "the month of swelling" and in
Anglo Saxon it is Thrimilci, the month when cows give milk three times a day.
May is generally considered to be the blossom of the hawthorn, though it is
sometimes used as a term for any seasonal flowering greenery.
May 1 (May Day) was known as Beltane, the Celtic festival of summer's
beginning. "Button to chin till May be in, Cast not a clout till May be out" says
the old rhyme. The second line can be taken in two ways, either don't shed your
clothing till June, or it's safe to do so when the May comes out, i.e., when the
hawthorn blossoms.
May 8 is "Furry Day", or Floral Dance Day, at Helston in Cornwall and May
12 is S. Pancras's Day. He was a Roman boy martyred at the age of 14 and is a
23
patron saint of children and is invoked against headaches.
May 29 is Oak Apple Day, the anniversary of the Restoration of Charles II. He
entered London in triumph on May 29, 1660, which was also his birthday. The
oak leaves and oak apples traditionally worn on this day commemorate his
miraculous escape after his defeat at Worcester in 1651, when he hid from
Parliamentarians in an oak tree.
Ascension Day and Rogationtide are nearly always celebrated in May.
Rogation days were the three days preceding the Ascension, when priests and
people processed round the fields asking God's blessing on the crops. It was a
favourite season for "Beating the Bounds" of parishes. During these processions,
local boys were beaten over the parish boundary markers until milder convention
decreed the markers, rather than the boys, should be beaten! For the adults these
"Rogation Gangings" were festive events, enlivened by "much perambulation,
beer and picnic feasting". Sounds like a Servers outing!!!
May seems to be the month of Changelings. These were supposed to be fairy
children substituted for mortal children Very well-behaved, obedient children
were often regarded suspiciously as being changelings. Because the May skies
are open to receive Christ at His Ascension, it was believed that any rain that fell
came straight from heaven and had special properties. So water from holy wells
was considered specially blessed and Well-dressing ceremonies became popular.
Around May 21 are the Frankin days. According to a Devon legend, the sharp
frosts which can occur at this time are the revenge of Frankin, a beer brewer put
out of business by competition from cider. He vowed his soul to the Devil in
return for three frosts around the 21st, hoping they would kill the apple blossom
and ruin the cider crop.
Elderflower comes into bloom - but beware; the flowers and
berries are good for remedies and wine but avoid using
elderwood for any purpose at all. It is believed to be a useless
and dangerous timber. Judas hanged himself on a elder tree and
some say Christ's cross was made from elder. Since then, it is said, the tree has
been cursed with a foul smell and bent, fragile branches. Elderwood cradles
cause children to sicken or die and even if the smallest quantity of elder is
burned in the fire, the Devil will sit on your chimney. So you have been warned!
24
Hitler's Vestments
Do you have any thread of evidence to help unravel the mystery behind what is
claimed to be Hitler's robes? These vestments were believed to have been
commissioned by Adolf Hitler. The tale goes that Hitler had the elaborately
embroidered vestments made as a present for a German Roman Catholic priest
he knew. All the items in the set, which include four robes and two altar items,
were handmade in Belgium from finest Spanish silk. But the priest's allegiance
to Hitler quickly dwindled when the Nazi party rose to power. It is believed the
priest himself left Germany and fled to England at the outbreak of World War II.
The vestments were sold by an unknown person and somehow ended up in the
church of S. Mary Magdalene, Millfield in Sunderland. The custodian of the
church vestments, said: "The story is one which has been passed down through
the members of the congregation as to where the vestments
came from, but unfortunately we have no written records
and we don't even know the name of the priest who owned
them." Over the years the church’s priests have worn the
robes but they have become so frail that they can no longer
be worn but were in use until a few years ago. For the past
four years S. Mary's have been unable to safely use them.
They are beautifully made and have very heavy and
elaborate embroidery on them. It is understood that the
vestments are not worth a great deal in their present
condition and to have them repaired would cost in excess
of £8,000, money the church does not have. It is understood that S. Mary's
bought the vestments, but paid very little for them because the church has never
been one of those churches who are particularly well endowed.
Following on from the Hitler connection; a chalice which
belonging to Hermann Goering, was the centre of a blackmail
case involving a Wearsider Derick Smith who, after a
complicated court case involving his kidnap of his ex-
girlfriend's dog, was eventually reunited with the relic. The
12” silver chalice commemorates Germany's 1936 invasion of
the Rhineland and is inscribed "In memory of the great time
7.3.36" and was made for German Air Force chief Herman Goering and was
found by a British soldier hidden in the ruins of Goering's home.
25
Cast Iron Grave Markers
Each time I visit a church I not only look around the inside for monuments and
stained glass and other interest items, but I always look around the churchyard
too, particularly in the older sections. I check through the long rough grass areas
and under bushes as I look for the unusual, the fascinating and the famous. My
searches do not end there however because there are always a couple of
particular markers which I seek out. These are usually markers recording the
lives of the common folk of the parish. I also look for any grave markers
(Gravestones to you) made of Cast Iron from various foundries
throughout the country. The latter are found in a scattering of
British Churchyards and as far away as South Africa and South
Australia and some of these are British made or copied from
British Samples. At one time there were many different British
foundries producing Cast Iron markers but at the present time I
am only aware of one in Norfolk which still has the patterns to
make one. The examples all have adifferent tale to tell but the
clues do not always give enough information to get the name of
manufacturer, or the foundry of production or even for social
history purposes. The marker on the left is the Churchyard of S.
John the Evangelist,. Corby Glen. Lincolnshire.
Boys will be Boys
From an Australian Mothers Union Magazine
Two little boys, were excessively mischievous. They were always getting into
trouble and their parents knew all about it. If any mischief occurred the two boys
were probably involved. The boys' mother heard that a new preacher had been
successful in disciplining children, so she asked him if he would speak with her
boys. The preacher agreed, but he asked to see them individually. So the mother
sent the 8 year old first in the morning and the older boy in the afternoon. The
preacher, a huge man with a booming voice, he sat the younger boy down and
asked him sternly, ‘'Do you know where God is, son?' The boy's mouth dropped
open, but he made no response, sitting there wide-eyed with his mouth hanging
open. The preacher repeated the question in an even sterner tone, 'Where is
God?' Again, the boy made no attempt to answer. The preacher raised his voice
even more and shook his finger and bellowed, 'Where is God?' The boy
26
screamed and bolted from the room, ran directly home and rushed into his
bedroom, slamming the door behind him. When his older brother found him, he
asked, 'What happened?' The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, 'we
are in BIG trouble this time, GOD is missing, and they think we did it!'
A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly 'I know what the
Bible means'. His father smiled and replied 'What do you mean, you know what
the Bible means?' The son replied 'I do know'. 'OK' said his father. 'What does
the Bible; I mean?' 'That's easy Daddy' the boy replied excitedly. It stands for
'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth'.
oOo
What is Church Army?
Church Army is an Anglican society of
evangelists. At present Evangelists normally
train for three years at the Wilson Carlile
College of Evangelism in Sheffield. The Church
Army then commissions them before being
admitted to the office of Evangelist in the
Anglican Church by the Archbishop of
Canterbury or his representative. Evangelists
are called to lead people in mission. Their desire
is to enable people to come to a living faith in Jesus Christ. And they are proudly
members of the laity. Evangelists hold a license or have permission to officiate
by the bishop of the diocese in which they are working. All the churches of the
Anglican Communion recognise the office and there are about 350 Evangelists
currently at work in the churches of Britain and Ireland, some drawing a stipend,
and some in a self-supporting ministry.
Others have subsequently become ordained in order to broaden their ministry,
but (for the most part) they carry their Church Army heritage with pride. Scores
have reached retirement age, but many of them would observe wryly that they
have retired in theory only! There are Church Armies, big and small, in fourteen
different countries around the World.
27
The mainstay of the Church Army is 'Sharing faith through words and actions',
which suggests how broadly the society understands evangelism. Prebendary
Wilson Carlile founded the society in 1882 during his time on the staff of S.
Mary Abbots in Kensington. As a dynamic and unconventional Church of
England curate his vision was to encourage and enable ordinary Christian people
to live the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that others would be attracted
to follow Him. Carlile believed very much that the Christian message had to be
shared through words and action and he encouraged grooms, coachmen ostler’s
and all working people to witness to their faith in the open air and at packed
indoor, gatherings. Such was the impact made by this new "Church Army" that
Carlile sought official approval from the Church of England Congress in 1883.
His suggestion at that time was that carefully selected laymen, after a period of
training, should be allowed to assist ia consecrated buildings was thought of as
"dragging the church into the gutter".
Throughout its 126 year history, since it was founded by the proclamation of the
Gospel and practical service to help vulnerable people have gone hand in hand.
At present this has led to Church Army to focus on five main areas - church
planting, area evangelism, homelessness, children and young people, and older
people. Church Army officers also work within the Chaplaincy Branches of the
Armed Forces.
oOo
Lancing College Chapel
Travelling through Sussex near
Shoreham, high on the hill
overlooking the main road the
traveller’s eye is treated to an awe-
inspiring Gothic vision rising out of
the landscape. "It's incredibly
imposing," says one resident. "You
just have to look up at it in
wonder!" A younger resident sums
up the chapel's visual appeal in
slightly different terms: "It's great, it looks like the school out of Harry Potter!"
Considered both an architectural masterpiece and a national treasure, the chapel
of Lancing College is open to the public throughout the year. With its French-
Gothic appearance, the Chapel could be mistaken for a remnant from the great
28
years of mediaeval building; in actual fact, its construction commenced in 1868.
The chapel was dedicated in 1911, and its most prominent features include its
stall canopies, the 'Rose Window', a silver altar and some fine tapestries. The
building certainly has an imposing, indestructible-seeming grandeur, but the
truth is that the salty sea air is rapidly eroding its stonework. Local conservation
group, The Friends Of Lancing Chapel, has sprung to its defence, raising funds
to replace the eroded Sussex sandstone with more hard-wearing York stone. This
chapel is a world-famous building and tourist attraction, but an estimated £1.5
million is needed to complete its construction, make repairs and continue with its
costly maintenance.
The college holds Services in the upper chapel, with the crypt being used for
smaller congregations and private prayer. Outside college service hours,
thousands of visitors flock to this beautiful building every year. Situated
overlooking the sea to the south and the Weald to the north, the grounds of the
college comprise 550 acres and include a self-contained farm. The chapel and
the land that surrounds it are steeped in history. Romans, Saxons and Normans
all settled here, and a prehistoric hand axe has been found in the vicinity of the
chapel. Lancing College itself is a renowned independent school for day pupils
and boarders. Apart from high academic standards, the school, perhaps
inevitably, has a strong tradition of choral music. "I came to the school to learn,"
said Lord Bearing on his visit to Lancing in February 2001. "And I went away
knowing that I had been to a school where students and staff are learning much
more than comes from formal lessons.
Britons say they are Christian
Most Britons describe themselves as Christian, although many of them attend
church less than once a week, a BBC survey has found. The poll found that 67%
of people said they were Christian, but only 17% said they went to church once a
week or more. 30% said that they went once or twice a year, and 17% said that
they never went. Muslims are the most likely believers to attend a weekly
religious service, while Jews are the least likely. The research, carried out by
ICM for the BBC, found that almost 75% of people believed that the UK should
retain its Christian values - including 69% of Jews and nearly 50% of Muslims,
Sikhs and Hindus. More than a 20% of people said they did not believe in any
religion, but 44 % of those who said they had no faith thought that the UK
should retain a Christian ethos.
29
Some of the great Whys and Wherefores of Life
Why are buildings called buildings when they're finished?
Shouldn't they be builts?
Why is abbreviated such a long word?
Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck
together?
What do you call a male ladybird?
If your supermarket is lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet?
If a fire fighter fights fire and a crime fighter fights crime, what does a freedom
fighter fight?
Who's cruel idea was it to put an 'S' in lisp"?
Do you find it unnerving that what doctors do is called 'practice?
Would a fly without wings be called a walk?
oOo
S. Peter's Barge
London's floating church
Some 70,000 people work in Canary Wharf, and a large
part of this lies in the parish of S. Anne's Church in
Limehouse. Several years ago S. Anne's began to run lunchtime meetings in
pubs and winebars to reach out to those working in the Wharf. The work
developed with the support of S. Helen's Bishopsgate but further growth was
hampered for lack of a permanent venue. The vision to use a barge was realised
with the formation of the S. Peter's Canary Wharf Trust and they managed to
purchase a Dutch freight barge in 2003. The barge was refitted in Holland and
brought across the North Sea under its own power in the summer that year, a
30
journey which was seen in a BBC documentary. The barge now has a permanent
mooring in West India Quay. A full-time Anglican priest, who is attached to
S.Ann’s, was appointed and licensed in July 2004 and in September 2004 a new
Sunday evening service was launched with its own programme of meetings and
groups to serve the many thousands who now live in the area.
The aim of the mission is to help people know God better, whatever their stage
of Christian understanding and commitment; it also seeks to teach the Bible
clearly so that people can understand and respond to its message. There are two
separate programmes of regular meetings and events, which are designed to
serve those working in Canary Wharf and those living in the area, and all the
talks and services are held on the Barge, normally to an almost capacity
congregation. The main weekly meetings for those working in the Wharf are
lunchtimes services every Wednesday at 12.15pm and 1.05pm plus Thursday at
1.15pm each lasts for half an hour. There is a talk explaining part of the Bible
and showing its relevance to our lives today.
Meetings are laid out in a cafe-
style format with free coffee and
lunch is available. In addition
there are two programmes for
smaller groups: one for those
wanting to take a closer look at
the Christian claims, and the other
for Christians who want to meet
to study the Bible and pray.
S. Peter's Barge is pictured above in West India Quay, here the nearest buildings
are the Museum of the Docklands and the 1802 bar and restaurant.
Whilst in the area it is worth visiting S. Anne’s, Limehouse which is ten minutes
walk away and is the only church in London which is allowed to wear (not fly)
the White Ensign. In fact, the Association of Retired Royal Naval Chaplains, a
group of which I act as Secretary, recently had a conference in this area and used
both venues. The nearest DLR to S. Peter’s: West India Quay; Canary Wharf
and nearest tube: Canary Wharf.
Peter Keat
31
And Finally:-
An evangelical priest was asked to celebrate Holy Communion for his Anglo-
Catholic neighbour who was sick. Unfamiliar with some of the vestments, he did
the best he could. Breakfasting at the vicarage afterwards he said to the vicar's
wife that he hoped that he had got all the vestments on properly. "Oh yes, you
were quite all right" she said and carried on " But my husband does not usually
wear the book markers!"
A conscientious incumbent decided to get acquainted with a new family in his
congregation and visited them one spring evening. After his knock on the door a
lilting voice from within called out" Is that you Angel?" " No" the minister
replied "but I am from the same department."
When I was younger I hated going to weddings. All my aunts would poke me in
the ribs and cackle "You're the next." They stopped doing it when I started doing
it to them at funerals.
Any church member who is over the age of eighteen is invited to participate in
this new lay ministry programme. It requires only a minimal amount of basic
training and expenditure of time. The orientation course will include six weekly
classes of about 200 hours and will be run each Tuesday.
A Sunday School teacher was telling her class about Daniel and the lions' den.
To illustrate the lesson she drew a picture of Daniel standing brave and confident
with a group of lions around him. Suddenly one little girl started to cry. The
teacher said "Don't cry, the lions will not eat Daniel". Snuffling back the tears
the little girl replies: " That's not what I am crying about. That little lion over in
the corner, isn't going to get anything to eat."
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.
32
F
Are you considering training for the Priesthood?
Have you been a full member for over two years?
The Candidates for Ordination Fund could assist you
financially with an annual grant.
Apply in the first instance to the Administrator of the
Fund Bro. Colin Squires whose address in the front of
this magazine
