Parish web site: www.stcatherinesthurrock.org.uk

B iEAs I put together this edition of PEWTALKin these unprecedented times (now there’sa phrase we are hearing a lot) I amreminded of what it must have been like formy mother when I was born. It was January1947 and the severe weather began aweek before my birth. My Mother alwaystold me that she wasn’t able to take meoutside until April - so I can honestly saythat I started my life in a more stringent“lock down” than I face today. In addition,when I did a little more research into thewinter of 1946 - 47, I discovered that one ofthe effects of the heavy snowfall was thatcoal deliveries could not be made to manypower stations which resulted in large scalepower cuts. It must have made “socialisolation” even more difficult and muchmore like house arrest!While thinking about the present situationand the possibility of the restrictions gettingeven more severe we cannot guaranteebeing able to physically deliver PEWTALKin future months. There are alternativeways of accessing the magazine. On ourwebsite there are always the most recent12 months editions available. If you justclick on the “Magazines” tab you will beable to select the one you would like toread.During this time, when we are not allowedto open St. Catherine’s or St. Francis forservices or other events (with the oneexception of the Thurrock foodbankdistribution centre) Revd. Michèle isendeavouring to keep a flow of churchinformation going by digital means. If youwould like to be included in this distributionwhich will include PEWTALK please send

your e-mail address to her atmjmarshall@fastmail.co.uk and it will beadded to the list. Equally, if you have somenews or thoughts that you would like othersto know of just let Michèle know.The only activity that is allowed in ourchurch building is the foodbank. With all thevarious restrictions many families are inconsiderable difficulty. As an example,consider families that have children thatwould be entitled to free school meals ifonly they were at school. The foodbank hastwo problems; the demand is increasing andthe personal donations decreasing.Thankfully a number of the supermarketsare offering help in one way or another. Asfar as we are concerned in this parish wehave volunteers able to handle thedistribution on Thursdays and we canaccept donations at St. Francis between10am and noon on a Wednesday and 11am- 1pm on a Thursday. There is a box for anydonations just outside the main doors whichensures that we maintain social isolation.While not wanting to encourage any breachof the government guidelines you may beable to make your donation as part of yourexercise while this continues to be allowed.If you would rather donate money pleasesee the foodbank websitethurrock.foodbank.org.uk for ways that thiscan be done.100 ClubThe winner of the March draw was BobHutson. Bob and June were among the firstto support the 100 Club. CongratulationsBob.

Norman

Reflections from The RectoryIn last month’s ‘Reflections from the Rectory’ I spoke about us entering the season ofLent and the discipline that some people choose to follow of giving something up. Littledid I know when I wrote those words that we would all, whether we wanted to or not, begiving up our normal way of life because of the Corona virus pandemic.In the church public worship has been suspended, our buildings closed and our weeklyactivities cancelled. There has been disappointment for couples who were due to getmarried and families who were going to have children baptised. And saying farewell toloved ones drastically different from how we would normally want a funeral to be.Beyond the church the normal rhythm of life has also been interrupted. The daily orweekly food shop has become something of a challenge, many will now be working fromhome, some may have lost their source of employment, education is being donedifferently and the elderly and those with underlying health conditions will be self-isolating for some considerable time.They are extreme measures for an extraordinary moment in our world’s history. We musteach of us play our part by following the guidelines we are given and acting responsibly.And as members of the faith community pray daily that this terrible ordeal will come toend as soon as it can.In times of adversity and challenge it is good and important to look for the blessings thatare still around us. Although we can no longer meet as we normally would theadvancements in technology do mean that we can at least keep in touch with oneanother. Of late the weather has been fine and dry. And whilst many might not be able toaccess the outdoors in the normal way even seeing the sunshine through our windowscan lift our spirits and remind us that God’s hand is in creation. And many are steppingup to the challenge of being a ‘good neighbour’. We are caring for each other, makingsure the elderly and vulnerable have all they need and a stirring of that national pridethat will help us to get through this time of crisis.The weeks of Lent lead us into Holy Week and Easter. It will by necessity feel verydifferent this year. We will not be able to gather together in person for the traditionalservices on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday or Easter Sunday. Butperhaps this year we will have a greater understanding of the sense of isolation Jesus

felt on Maundy Thursday as the disciples betrayed, denied and left him. We will trulyknow the darkness of Good Friday as the world changed and those closest to Jesuscould do nothing to help him. And we will know the true joy of Easter Sunday when weare back worshipping together again at St Catherine’s and St Francis. What acelebration we will have!

Stay safe and keep well,Every Blessing, Revd Michèle.

One a Wednesday morning early in March, after giving us the latest Church ofEngland advice to try and prevent the spread of Coronavirus, in her sermon Michellementioned the village of Eyam in Derbyshire.I thought I would look on Google for more information which I found both interestingand reassuring. In 1665 -1666 the village suffered an outbreak of plague whichoriginated from cloth delivered to the village tailor George Viccars. As the plague tookhold and decimated the villagers it was decided to hold the church services at nearbyCucklett Delf and, on the advice of rector William Mompesson and the previousincumbent Thomas Stanley, villagers stayed within the confines of the village tominimise the spread of the disease. To minimise cross infection food and othersupplies were left outside the village, at either Boundary Stones or at Mompesson’sWell high above the village. The Earl of Devonshire, who lived at Chatsworth Housefreely donated food and medical supplies. For all other goods ,money, as payment,was either purified by running water in the well or was left in vinegar soaked holes.Twelve months after the death of George Viccars, the plague was still claimingvictims and on August 25th 1666 Catherine Mompesson wife of the recently appointedrector William Mompersson (Aged 28) died of the plague. She had loyally stayed withher husband and tended for the sick, only to become a victim herself.The Plague in Eyam raged for 14 Months and claimed the lives of at least 260villagers. By 1st of November 1666 it had run its course and claimed it’s last victim.Eyam’s selfless villagers, with their strong Christian convictions and guidance, hadshown immense personal courage and self sacrifice. They had prevented the plaguefrom spreading to other parishes, but many had paid the ultimate price for their faithfulcommitment.A remembrance service is held every Plague Sunday (generally the last Sunday inAugust) at Cucklett Delf Eyam. The service was not held in 2001 as we had a modernplague (Foot and Mouth Disease) in farming areas.Hopefully this year the service will take place and thanks will be given for the countrybeing clear of Coronavirus problems.

Norman

Coronavirus: a lesson from the pastPaul Woolley of the Bible Society.

'So many people died that cities and villages in Italy … were abandoned and fell into ruin.'That’s not a report about the impact of coronavirus, but an epidemic of smallpox thatinfected the Roman Empire in 165 AD. A second, equally devastating plague, possiblymeasles, swept the empire less than 100 years later.Rodney Stark’s work The Rise of Christianity looks at the way Christianity spread in such adifficult context. The question is: How did this happen? Stark gives three reasons:Firstly, Christianity offered a more satisfactory account of the world – and a better hope forthe future – than the dominant pagan and Hellenic philosophies of the day.Secondly, the Christian values of love and charity which characterised the early Christiancommunity were also ‘translated’ into social service and community solidarity. In otherwords, those early Christians took care of the sick and vulnerable.Stark quotes the early bishop Dionysius: “Most of our brother Christians showedunbounded love and loyalty, never sparing themselves and thinking only of one another.Heedless of danger, they took charge of the sick, attending to their every need andministering to them in Christ, and with them departed this life serenely happy; for they wereinfected by others with the disease, drawing on themselves the sickness of their neighboursand cheerfully accepting their pains. Many, in nursing and curing others, transferred theirdeath to themselves and died in their stead…” And the Romans marvelled at theseChristians.Thirdly, during the epidemic people lost the 'social bonds', the peer pressure, that hadpreviously discouraged them from rebelling against prevailing ideologies and embracing thegospel.Stark goes on to note that frequently in human history, crises produced by natural disastershave translated into crises of faith where the religion of the day is considered inadequate tothe reality of people’s life-experience. In response to these failures of religion, societiesoften look elsewhere and adopt new faiths.Of course, this all raises an important question: in light of coronavirus, how shouldChristians respond today? Inspired by those who have gone before us, perhaps I can offerthree suggestions:Firstly, we should use this period of 'social distancing' to reacquaint ourselves with the bigstory of the Bible. In the unfolding story of God and the world that we see in the Bible, weare presented with a robust and life-giving account of who God is, what the world is like,and what it means to be truly human.

Secondly, we need to 'translate' the Bible into our everyday lives. We need to practicallylive out 'love of God and neighbour'. We should support our neighbours by offering to doshopping, collect parcels, post mail, and ensure they have someone to talk to on the phone.Thirdly, we need to be sensitive to the fact that the current situation will unsettlepeople and, uninhibited by their social bonds, prompt them to think about God and thepurpose of life, perhaps for the very first time, and we need to be ready for conversationsabout this.In the second century, the Christian community responded to the smallpox epidemic not bybeing anxious or fearful, but by being courageous, prayerful, and deeply, and lovinglypractical. We need to do the same, secure in the fact that 'God is our refuge and strength,an ever-present help in trouble.' (Psalm 46.1, NIV)

Church minister was inspiration behind 'Great Escape'A Church of Scotland minister nicknamed ‘Padre Mac’ has been named as theinspiration behind the Great Escape.The Revd Professor Murdo Ewen Macdonald’s “fiery sermons” motivated the famousbreakout of a German Prisoner of War camp in March 1944, according to an author.Dr Linda Barker said the Great Escape is often heralded as a plan masterminded byEnglish officers, and the theme tune to the 1963 film of the same name is sung byEngland football fans.The theologian has been given credit for a minor role in hiding tunnel sand in thefamous break-out over the course of a year. However, the historian claims hisinfluence was possibly far more significant, as he had previously made his own escapewhile in transit to a PoW camp.He was a chaplain for the men of Stalag Luft III, including RAF Squadron LeaderRoger Bushell, who has always been known as the mastermind of the Great Escape.Dr Parker is the author of “Nearer My God to Thee: Airborne Chaplains in the SecondWorld War,” which examines the full story of padres who accompanied the airborneforces to all theatres of war between 1942-1945.“Murdo Ewen Macdonald, known as Padre Mac, may have been the 'inspiration thatled to many great escapes' during the Second World War,” she said. “He was movedto Stalag Luft III, where the Great Escape would take place in March 1944. Here, hebefriended Roger Bushell, and Harry 'Wings' Day, both instigators and organisers ofthe Great Escape.“As a chaplain, he would have had access to all the troops and would have been ableto speak with them, in confidence, to motivate them with the story of his own escapeattempt.”

CONFIRMATION - by Valerie DoyleWhen Pat (my husband) and I were first together, one of his daughters rang and I heardhim say “Oh no, you mustn’t despair, for that denies the presence of God.” I have no ideawhat her problem was but those words affected me for I thought “I wish I had a faith likethat”.At about that time our vicar, Father Jake Lowendahl, announced that he wasbeginning to take Confirmation classes for adults and anyone was welcome to comealong. I decided that I should like to be confirmed. During one of our sessions FatherJake asked us to bring along next time two or three pieces of writing - prose or poetry t -hat we felt had meaning for us. During his courtship, shall we say, knowing that I likedpoetry, Pat had introduced me to the works of Robert Service, known as the “SourdoughPoet” as he had been a bank clerk in Alaska during the gold rush era, but his worksextended far beyond that area.These are the three poems I took with me: .1. REPENTANCE.“If you repent”, the Parson said,“Your sins will be forgiven. Aye, evenon your dying bed You’re not too late for Heaven.”That’s just my cup of tea, Ithought,though, for my sins I sorrow; Since salvation is easy bought I will repent.....Tomorrow. Tomorrow and tomorrow went, But though my youth was flying, I wasreluctant to repent, Having no fear of dying. ‘Tis plain, I mused, the more I sin,(To Satan’sjubilation) When I repent the more I’ll win Celestial approbation. So still I sin, and though Ifail to get snow-whitely shriven, timing’s good: I hope to hail The last bus up to Heaven.We all had a smile so I continued with piece number…..2. CONFESSIONAL. A good priest, but from humble station, was little used tocomputation, And often found himself amiss In calculating penances; with arithmeticaldiscretion he almost feared to take confession. Then one day, spying through his grating,he saw two worthy women waiting. The first he bade to enter in was sorely conscious ofher sin, and meekly hanging down her head: “My husband I’ve deceived,” she said“. Howmany times” the Father sighed.“Just eight”, the downcast dame replied,“Well,” said thePriest, “I calculate of ‘Hail Marys’ just forty-eight, and six ‘Our Fathers’ it will be - in short,the blessed Rosary. The second woman took her place with penitence writ on her face,“Father, I’ve sinned,” she sorely grieved” My loving husband I’ve deceived. “How manytimes?” the Father gravely asked her, and “Five” she told him bravely.“It’s kinda hard tofigger out that penalty,” — He sat in doubt and scratched his head in worriedthought,Then gently said: “I tell you what - sin three times more and make it eight:that’seasier to calculate.”

Children’s SocietyMarch is the usual month for opening the Children's Society boxes but I forgot to doan article on it last month. However due to the current crisis I will defer collecting theboxes until the crisis is over and we are all back in church again. Still do, please,continue to put your odd change in the boxes. Thank you June Schroeder.

Who moved the stone?By the Revd Tony Horsfall of Charis Training. ‘When they looked up, they saw that the

stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.’ Mark 16:4Frank Morrison was an investigative journalist who was a sceptic when it came toreligion. He decided to write a book to disprove the claims of Christ, specificallyfocussed on the last week of His life.However, when he came to consider the evidence for himself, he was drawn reluctantlyto a different outcome than he had imagined. He found that the evidence proved thestory to be true, including the fact that Jesus not only died but rose again. In the end hewrote a different kind of book called ‘Who Moved the Stone?’ with the first chapterentitled, ‘The book that refused to be written.’The veracity of the Christian faith is grounded on historical fact. Not only was Jesus areal person, a figure of history, but His death was real, and so was His resurrection.Examine the evidence for yourself. Read the gospel accounts openly and honestly andsee what happens. The truth is there for anyone willing to consider the facts.Easter reminds us that our faith rests on solid ground. It is why we celebrate EasterSunday with such gusto. The Resurrection proves that Jesus was who He said He was(the Son of God) and that He did what He set out to do (save us from our sin). But morethan that, it reminds us that He can deliver what He promised and help us todaybecause He is alive for evermore.Jesus is not a figure of history, locked away in the past. No, He is a risen Saviour whois alive today and who invites each of us to receive the gift of salvation, and to live anew life in fellowship with Him.

Again there was laughter and after I apologised I promised that my last offering was muchmore pertinent and was called:3. THE SEEDI was a seed that fell in silver dew; and nobody could tell, for no one knew; No one couldtell my fate, as I grew tall; none visioned me with hate, no, none at all. A sapling I became,blest by the sun; no rumour of my shame had any one. Oh, I was proud indeed, And sangwith glee, when from a tiny seed I grew a tree. I was so stout and strong though still soyoung,When sudden came a throng with angry tongue; they cleft me to the core withsavage blows, and from their ranks a roar of rage arose. I was so proud a seed a tree togrow; surely there was no need to lay me low. Why did I end so ill,The midst of three blackcrosses on a hill called Calvary?None of us had ever thought of the crucifixion from the point of view of the tree.I am pleased to say that I was confirmed at St. Thomas of Canterbury, Brentwood on the24th June I993 at the grand old age of 59.

PARISH DIARY FOR APRILOur Sunday services are at St. Catherine’s

1 Apr Holy Communion at St Francis 10.00am Community “Drop In” at St Francis 10.30am - noon 2 Apr Foodbank at St. Francis 11.00am - 1.00pm 5 Apr PALM SUNDAY

Family Service led by Revd Michèle 10.00amBaptism 12noonPalm Praise 4.00pm

8 Apr Holy Communion at St Francis 10.00am Community “Drop In” at St Francis 10.30am - noon 9 Apr MAUNDY THURSDAY

Foodbank at St. Francis 11.00am - 1.00pm“Agape meal” 6.30pmFollowed by Holy Communion 7.30pm

10 Apr GOOD FRIDAYLast hour service 2pm

11 Apr EASTER EVEService of Light with Grays Town Band 7pm

12 Apr EASTER DAY Easter Sunday Holy Communion 10.00am

15 Apr Holy Communion (St Francis) 10.00am Community “Drop In” at St. Francis 10.30am - noon 16 Apr Foodbank at St. Francis 11.00am - 1.00pm

19 Apr 2nd Sunday of EasterParish Communion 10.00am

22 Apr Holy Communion (St Francis) 10.00amCommunity “Drop In” at St Francis 10.30am - noon

23 Apr Foodbank at St. Francis 11.00am - 1.00pm

26 Apr 3rd Sunday of EasterParish Communion 10.00am

29 Apr Holy Communion (St Francis) 10.00amCommunity “Drop In” at St Francis 10.30am - noon

30 Apr Foodbank at St. Francis 11.00am - 1.00pmWELCOM forum meet at Linford Methodist Church 7.00pm

While it is highly unlikely that any of this month’s programme willtake place because of the Coronavirus pandemic I thought it goodto know what was planned and perhaps, to have our own events athome to coincide with them…………

FROM ST. CATHERINE’S PARISH REGISTERSBaptisms 15 Mar Bradley Archie RichardsCommittal of ashes

1 Mar Elizabeth FassbenderFuneral None

Judge gentlyPray don't find fault with the man wholimpsor stumbles along the road,unless you have worn the shoes hewearsor struggled beneath his load.There may be tacks in his shoes thathurt,though hidden away from view,or the burden he bears, placed on yourbackmight cause you to stumble too.Don't sneer at the man who's down todayunless you have felt the blowthat caused his fall or felt the shame

that only the fallen know.You may be strong, but still the blowsthat were his if dealt to you,in the selfsame way, at the selfsametime,might cause you to stagger too.Don't be too harsh with the man who sinsor pelt him with word or stone,unless you are sure, yea, doubly sure,that you have no sins of your own -for you know perhaps if the tempter'svoiceshould whisper as softly to youas it did to him when he went astray,it might cause you to stumble too.

To each is givenIsn’t it strange that Princes and Kings and clowns that caper in sawdust rings andcommon folk like you and me are makers of Eternity.To each is given a “Book of Rules”, an hour glass and a bag of tools and each mustmake ere time has flown a “stumbling block” or a “stepping stone”

June Clifford - R.I.P.Kim and Chris would like to thank members of the church family and the manyfriends and neighbours that have expressed their condolences and shared suchlovely memories of Kim’s mum, June who died peacefully at Basildon hospital onSunday 22nd March. June will is to be cremated at Pitsea Crematorium on Friday 3rd

April at 10am with family present. We will be celebrating her life later in the year.

Chris Ford44, Northumberland RoadLinfordStanford le HopeSS17 0PUTel: 01375 675863e-mail: pewtalk@talktalk.net

The Priest in chargeREVD. MICHÈLE MARSHALLThe Rectory24, Somerset Road, LinfordStanford-le-HopeEssex, SS17 0QA.Telephone: 01375 671754 email: mjmarshall@fastmail.co.uk

PEWTALK Editor

The ServicesSunday 10.00 a.m. Holy Communion service at St. Catherine’s Except 1st Sunday of the month when we have “The Family Service”Wednesday 10.00 a.m. Holy Communion at St. FrancisFor Baptisms, Weddings or Funerals please contact the Priest in Charge.

St. Francis CentreThe centre is available for hire forregular events when not used bythe Church. To check availabilityplease contact:

PATRICIA STRONGpatricia.a.strong@outlook.com

The ChurchwardenCOLIN STRONG T: 07591 708955E:- warden.colin.stcatherines@gmail.com

Pastoral AssistantDavid Gunn T: 01375 768202