Knightly News No.19 December 2016

On Saturday 3rd December, the Grand Priory held its annual Advent Carol Service at the Church of St. Stephen, Walbrook, in the City of London. Pictured above are some of the participants, including the Grand Prior and officers of the Grand Priory of England and the vicar of St. Stephen, the Reverend Jonathan Evens. [Photo by Victor Ho]

Grand Prior’s Christmas Message By H.E. Chevalier Paul Grant

It is always good to look back over the year, and even to previous years when it comes to writing to the

membership. Having read back through several of my previous Christmas messages I am pleased to say that we continue to follow a pattern of going from strength to strength, attracting good new members each year. Looking forward to 2017, we have a most important event over the weekend of 21st to 23rd April, which, as you will know, includes St. George’s Day. This event will be held in the City of Hull, which is the UK City of Culture in 2017. On this occasion we already have six new members awaiting investiture into our Order. The weekend’s activities commence with a social event on the evening on the Friday evening, then we will have our investiture service on the Saturday afternoon followed by a banquet that evening, and on the Sunday we will be parading through the City of Hull to celebrate St. George’s Day. Over the past year we have enjoyed several gatherings, social as well as formal, and culminating with an excellent Advent Carol Service in the heart of the City of London. My thanks to our Chancellor, Chevalier John Garbutt, for facilitating this in his local church of St. Stephen, Walbrook; to our new Chaplain General, the Reverend Gordon Giles, for conducting the service; and to all those who attended this very special occasion.

It is customary at this time for me to publish promotions and appointments, based upon loyalty, dedication, ability and work on behalf of the Grad Priory of England, and I am delighted to announce the following: Promotions: Chevalier Jonathan Cox to Grand Officer Chevalier Danny Gill to Grand Officer Chevalier Paul Tredgett to Grand Officer Chevalier Robert Webber to Knight Commander Chevalier Sir Robert Worcester to Knight Commander Appointments: Chevalier Fabien Basile to be a Steward Chevalier Martyn Hunt to be a Steward And so, all that is left is for me to thank you all for your loyalty and support over the past year and to wish each and every one of you and your loved-ones the happiest of Christmases and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Knights pictured at our Advent Carol Service on Saturday 3rd December at St. Stephen, Walbrook. On the right are the Reverend Jonathan Evens, vicar of St. Stephen, and the Reverend Chevalier Gordon Giles, our new Chaplain General.. [Photo by Victor Ho]

What does Advent mean to you? By The Reverend Chevalier Dr Gordon Giles

When the prophet Isaiah thought about the advent of God, he envisioned a world unified in worship of God and

committed to peace. He would have made a pretty good candidate to be a Knight Templar in this respect. Isaiah dreamed of a time when the nations and people of the world would join together in recognizing the sovereignty of God. In the world of Isaiah’s vision, war was a thing of the past, and the nations of the earth live together in peace. The lion lies down with the lamb and swords are beaten into ploughshares. If only… These are Templar values and they come to the fore at this time of year, and when we watch the news we know that they need to come to the fore, not just in Advent but always. What does Advent mean to you? The way we see Advent, and Christmas determines our approach to the celebration. It helps us decide which lane to travel in. Is the essential work of Advent hanging decorations or is it more about opening our lives to the coming of Christ and learning to live in peace? For the message of Advent

is not “Put up the decorations! Here I come!” but rather “Watch and wait! You must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Yet we often assume and behave as though Christmas can only come if we make all the proper preparations! The secular Christmas zooms up at us down the fast lane. We have to go very fast to keep ahead of it and not look in the rear view mirror lest we are blinded by the full beams behind. Drive in the slow lane of Advent and amongst the beautiful scenery, three will be those flashes as others whizz by at breakneck speed before screeching to an exhausted halt at the gate of Christmas. And yet, whichever lane we decide to take, the slow lane of Advent, or the fast lane of the race to Christmas, the lights will change, red will give way to green and the inevitable journey begins – indeed it has begun – here we are on it. It probably feels like: “Ready, Steady… Christmas!!!” It sounds like a race, and for some of us it is! It’s like we are in a car waiting at a set of traffic lights ready to zoom off into the distance, foot poised over the accelerator. That’s December! Although they say in Italy, don’t they, that in Milan, traffic lights are instructions; in Rome they are suggestions, and in Naples they are Christmas decorations! Which is, of course, true: the three traffic light colours are the traditional colours of Christmas. The Neapolitans have got it right – traffic lights are Christmas decorations! You will see them a lot: the combination of red, green and amber adorning many a Christmas tree: Red for the blood of Jesus who died on the cross to save us from our sins. Amber for Jesus the light of the world, our guide, hope and power, shining in the darkness. Green, a reminder that through Jesus we have (evergreen) hope of peace for our world and the hereafter. So whichever lane you are travelling on this Christmas, open your eyes to the colours, which illuminate the meaning of it all. And may your journey through December not be too hectic, may it be fruitful and reflective, and when you arrive at Christmas Day, may it be lit by the enduring and loving light of Christ. Amen.

Templar Uniform Members will be aware of our standard ‘uniform’, which is a white mantle, emblazoned on the left side with a

red Maltese Cross, worn over whatever dress-code is stipulated for the event, plus white gloves. This is a bare minimum, however. Templars in some other countries have additional items such as cordons (sashes), different neck crosses, an assortment of breast stars, and even a full military-style uniform, of which there are several variations. One item which we are introducing here in England is the academic bonnet (also known as Tudor bonnet, pictured right). This is something that we encourage our members to wear, particularly when on ceremonial duties at outdoor events – our Priory having been involved

in several such events during 2015 in connection with the 800th anniversary or Magna Carta and the lack of headwear having proved a significant disadvantage to some of our members in certain weather conditions! The Tudor bonnet is not a mandatory item of uniform for English Templars, and it is entirely up to members of the Priory whether they wish to obtain and wear such a bonnet at our events, but if you wish to obtain one for yourself they are widely available on-line, for instance on Ebay where they retail for around £35 each. If you are interested in buying one, please email Chevalier Andy Smith wordsmithreviews@yahoo.co.uk for further details. Another item, which is widely worn by members of our Order throughout Europe and North America, is a surcoat (pictured left) which as you will see is a long white garment worn over the clothing and beneath the mantle, tied at the waist either by a leather belt or by a cincture, a knotted white rope. Adoption of the surcoat as a standard part of our uniform has been discussed frequently by

Chapter but it has not yet been introduced here as Chapter members have expressed different views on the matter. We are now asking all members of the Priory to please let Chapter have your views on the surcoat so that a decision can be made on whether or not to introduce it for general use in England. (Please respond with your comments, as a non-response will be taken as consent!) Please email wordsmithreviews@yahoo.co.uk.

Soldiers Yesterday, when we were young

We laughed and played and enjoyed our homes And asked for no more than to be allowed to live, as a people, free.

We strolled down leafy English lanes,

or rode on buses, bikes and trains, Or gallop’d freely ‘cross the plains,

with those we love.

But now the call goes out again, from City, Shire and County Town

From office, mill and school-room drawn to stand again against the foe.

And like the white-clad Knights of old

who with their King stood firm and bold, Beneath their banner proud and fair, (a scarlet cross)

We offer all we have…our all.

And now the sun is in the sky, it is the time for men to die,

In anger, fear and troubled mind Thinking of those they left behind.

With bloodshot eyes and tousled hair,

with sunburned skin, that once was fair These are men from days of yore, who down the centuries of war

Have stood together, side-by-side and as brothers they have lived….and died.

No snorting, stamping steeds today nor glinting swords,

But steeds of steel that roar and scream and rend the earth And men, with instruments of death to maim and kill ten-thousand fold.

We seem so bold, so wise, so old But it was only yesterday that we were young.

An Update by The Grand Prior It is a sad fact of life that, even in the very best societies, problems can sometimes arise, and I am sure that it will

not have gone unnoticed that we have recently lost our Chaplain General, the Reverend Graham St. John-Willey. Several members have written to me asking for an explanation and most recently I was again questioned at the Advent Carol Service. I apologise that I have not responded to any of these questions to date but I hope that you will understand the sensitivity of the situation and also the inconvenience of writing individual letters to several enquirers. That said, the membership deserves an explanation, if only to allay rumour-control. Over the past two years or so, concerns had been raised by a number of Chapter members that the Chaplain General was interfering with their official duties but on investigating these concerns I found that, in the main, all the Chaplain General could be accused of was over-enthusiasm in that he was working very hard on our behalf and in so doing he took a great deal upon himself. This included but was not limited to setting-up and maintaining a web-site, responding to membership enquiries via that site, sending out application forms to those inquiries

and vetting them on their return before processing to Chapter for confirmation or rejection. He also travelled frequently and extensively to attend many meetings as our representative in relation to Magna Carta and was extremely active over two years in every aspect of that event, both administratively and physically, and in addition to this he worked tirelessly in assisting with the formation of the newly-created Grand Priory of Wales and even extended himself to assist the Grand Priory of Scotland. Unfortunately, with so many overlapping activities, some boundaries became blurred and several officers advised me that they felt they might as well resign their posts as they had been left with nothing to do. Eventually things came to a head and I was obliged to call a meeting between the Chaplain General and myself which was uncomfortable for both of us. During this period, I had questioned a matter of theology which greatly upset the Chaplain General and our relationship deteriorated to the point where he felt unable to work with me, even though I had checked the facts, found that he was correct and I had admitted my mistake. I am aware that Reverend Graham has communicated with some of you but not others and so it has now become necessary to give this general explanation to all members. In closing, I would like to thank Reverend Graham St. John-Willey for his incredible input and enthusiasm over the past four years and wish him a happy and fulfilling retirement.

Grand Prior

A Knightly Prayer “It is not without reason,” wrote St. Bernard of Clairvaux to the Knights Templar in the 11th century,

“that the soldier of Christ carries a sword; it is for the chastisement of the wicked and for the glory of the

good.”

On the stone wall of Chartres Cathedral is carved this knightly prayer:

“Most Holy Lord, Almighty Father...thou who hast permitted on earth the use of the sword to repress the

malice of the wicked and defend justice...cause thy servant here before thee, by disposing his heart to

goodness, never to use this sword or another to injure anyone unjustly; but let him use it always to defend

the just and the right.”

NON NOBIS, DOMINE, NON NOBIS, SED NOMINI TUO DA GLORIAM

KNIGHTLY NEWS is the Newsletter of the Knights Templar Grand Priory of England. Editor: Chevalier Andrew Smith KGOTJ, Grand Scrivener & Secretary General, 24 Floral Court, Ashtead, Surrey KT21 2JL. Email wordsmithreviews@yahoo.co.uk

Membership Questionnaire Members will appreciate that there is much administration which goes on behind the scenes throughout the

year so that the Priory can function correctly. Meetings of Chapter and of the Priory’s officers take place in order to cover the many aspects of our necessary administration. Chapter meetings are generally held three or four times a year at which the Grand Prior and senior officers discuss a wide range of matters. In addition, there are finance meetings, charity meetings, meetings to discuss ceremonial matters, visits to look at churches and venues to decide on their suitability, route-planning and a whole range of other official, semi-official or casual meetings for a wide range of reasons. All of these are conducted at the personal expense of those attending, but on occasions the Priory purse may be asked to support payment for a meeting room or other expense when such is an essential requirement. One subject which is often discussed is membership. In order to assist us in our membership administration, all members are requested to complete the form below with as much information as possible. This is especially important as we know that the details of some members have changed in the past two years but the Priory lists have not been updated in all cases as we have not necessarily been informed. Please print out this questionnaire, complete it and post it to Chevalier Andy Smith, 24 Floral Court, Ashtead, Surrey KT21 2JL. Your assistance in this is greatly appreciated. Thank you. YOUR NAME: ADDRESS: DATE OF BIRTH: TELEPHONE: EMAIL: OCCUPATION: NAME OF PARTNER: Facebook or other social media presence: Do you have any ideas for social events? (Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary) Do you have any family, friends or contacts who may be interested in joining us? Do you have any other suggestions for the good and benefit of the Grand Priory?