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ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELSCHURCH (Anglican)

Mildred Ave. / Durban Rd.Watford

WEST WATFORD FREE CHURCH(Baptist)

‘Church opposite the shops’Tolpits Lane, Watford

SWORDL E P

PARISHMAGAZINE

Price60p

May 2013

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1907 - 2013

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A Pastoral Letter.......

Dear Friends,

Jesus is Risen! Now what?

We welcome Easter morning with shouts of “Jesus is risen. He is risen indeed!” As theyecho through our sanctuary, I wonder if that truth will continue to resonate through ourlives. Jesus is risen, we proclaim. The Resurrection is a reality all year round, but it is atno time more apparent than spring. New life is also apparent here at St Michael and AllAngels Church, where we are celebrating the Centenary by exploring new ways of beingChurch through our worship, Centenary events, and seeking new ways to be of service inGod’s world. It is an exciting time! Do not sit on the sidelines! Jump in!

Jesus’ resurrection is to be a new, ongoing reality for us; one that changes our and verybeings actions. This is present tense, touching our here and now; in our lives, our world,and his Holy universal Church. Yet like those first disciples surprised by the empty tomb,we can instead get lost in that past moment of time. The resurrection tends to serve as ahistorical marker rather than a living sign for our present reality. We remain stuck in ourshock and fear trying to make sense of things. What can such a resurrection mean?Perhaps more so, what can it mean for me?

Soon after that first Easter morning, Peter preached that Jesus was not abandoned to therealm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. Paul explains to us in many of his lettersthat through faith the power of that resurrection makes us a new being, a child of God,and we will be heirs to Christ’s victory to share in that resurrection forever. This is alltrue, yet neither great Apostle came to understand the resurrection as a singular past eventor one all about our far off future with Christ. Instead, the Risen Christ and the HolySpirit woke them from their initial shock. It was revealed that they were to share in theliving resurrection for eternity – starting now.

Christ’s light is to shine through us as we walk with him and talk with him, but unlikethat old Gospel song (In the Garden), we cannot tarry there. Jesus instead tells us, “I havecome that you may have life, and have it abundantly.” This resurrected life is not onefound by standing alone; mute and in shock. It is not a life solely about what Jesus can dofor us as individuals or a community. It calls us to action. Let us listen for God’s voicespeaking through, the world around us and deep in our hearts. While we will definitelymake mistakes. God will guide our steps all along the way.

The resurrected life that we are invited to share is one of living relationship. It is oneof service, fellowship, and corporate worship. It is one where we seek to follow Jesuseach day and introduce him to others. It is one where we might even be called toshare in the sting of Christ’s sacrifice and cross out of love. Let us not just standhere pondering. Let’s live like we believe in the resurrection. As the Father has senthim, he sends us now. Among the greatest miracles, Jesus has chosen to make the

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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

After about 30 years dealing with the production and distribution ofSWORD, and the last 13 years as editor, I have now decided to callit a day.

If there is anyone who would like to become editor please let Fr. Geoff know. I amprepared to work with the new editor to explain how things work to achieve a smoothchange over of personnel.

If, however, no one is prepared to take on the job the December edition will be the last.

Dennis Beach(Editor)

resurrection universal and eternal through our own unworthy love and lives. Wemust now go and share that miracle with others, for Jesus is truly risen in us. Weare to live as his risen body, a resurrected people, forever – starting now.

Yours in His Service.Fr George

MONTHLY BRING & BUYAs there will be a special Afro-Caribbean service on the last Sunday in May and it dosn’tstart until 10.30 am it has been decided that the Bring & Buy will be held the Sundaybefore, on the 19th May, which is Whit Sunday.

Your continued support is much appreciated,

Yours sincerely,Sylvia Moring & N Twitchin

11.00 am till 5.00 pmin Church, Multi-Cultural Centre and Littlebury Hall

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Centenary Recitalat

St Michael and All Angels ChurchMildred Avenue, Watford

Friday 31st May 2013 @ 7.30pmSongs of Spring and

Summer Love&

Popular Operatic and Music TheatreNumbers

Performed byMichael Bracegirdle & Lise Christensen

Accompanied by Oliver Gooch

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Watford AfricanCaribbean Association

Charity No.: 1144021 Company Registration No.: 07618383

You are invited to

A Service of Thanksgiving to

Celebrate Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago’s

50th Anniversary of Independence

To be held at St Michael and All Angels Church

Mildred Avenue/Durban Road, Watford WD18 7DY

On Sunday 26th May 2013

Also 100 year’s celebration for St Michaels

At 10.30am

Guest Preacher: Rev. Grace Sentamu-Baverstock

Celebrant: Rev. Geoffrey Calvert

Members, family, friends, neighbours; all arewelcomed

Light refreshments will be available after the service

Together We Can Achieve

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HUMOUR

When Riga is mentioned, many of us may think of the 'young lady ... who went for aride on a tiger' rather than of the capital of Latvia, in the eastern Baltic Sea. Manylimericks, such as the one from which this is quoted, though unquestionably they are aform of comic verse, have an underlying seriousness. The implied narrative of the younglady and the tiger is horrific. Again like this one, many limericks are based on placenames, such as:

There was an old waiter from WappingDrew corks for a week without stopping;Cried he, 'It's too bad!The practice I've had!Yet cannot prevent them from popping'.

The poet in this case was Walter Farre, but many limericks are anonymous, like thefollowing, in which also there is characteristic wordplay:

There was an old loony of LymeWhose candour was simply sublime;When they asked, 'Are you there?''Yes', he said, 'but take care,.For I'm never "all there" at a time'.

The reason for anonymity is obvious in such a limerick as this:

There was a young lady from WantageOf whom the town clerk took advantage.Said the borough surveyor:'Indeed you must pay 'er,You've totally altered her frontage'.

Like this one, limericks often poke fun at people in authority. So does the following, bySandys Wason, in which, as often happens, the rhyme requires distortion of thepronunciation:

There was an old priest of BenaresWho kept twenty-three hybrid canaries.But the noise the birds madeWhen the gentleman prayedEclipsed all their other vagaries.

Limericks may challenge our religious understanding. Which was the old priest's faith(in Benares it might be almost anything), and is his hobby credible - if it was a hobby,since it seems that he kept the canaries to accompany his prayers?

There are many other forms of comic verse as well as limericks. The following is asrelevant today as when W.H. Auden wrote it:

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When statesmen say - 'We must be realistic -'The chances are they're weak and therefore pacifistic;But when they speak of Principles - look out - perhapsTheir generals are already poring over maps.

Nowadays many of us know the Bible less well than our forebears did. Our religiousunderstanding may therefore be revealed by comic verse rather than by reference to theBible.

At one time, I dare say, the content of comic verse might have brought you to the stake;but for at least three hundred years, almost unwittingly, it has thrown light on what wereally do and think. Perhaps the greatest English comic poet was Alexander Pope (1688 -1744). His mock-heroic poem 'The Rape of the Lock' is too long for convenientquotation; but consider this epigram 'Engraved on the collar of a dog which I gave to HisRoyal Highness [this was Frederick Prince of Wales, father of King George III}:

I am his Highness' dog at Kew;Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you?'

At first sight, just an amusing sentiment; but Pope was much involved in thecontroversies of his day, and at the time this was obviouly a dig at political corruption.For attacking his political or cultural opponents, he was accused of pride. This was hisreply (from the Epilogue to the Satires):

Yes; I am proud; I must be proud to seeMen not afraid of God, afraid of me.

How often do we suspect that our opponents are not God-fearers? Or do we now thinkthat fear of God is a mistaken concept? Why is Pope's statement both serious and funny atthe same time? What is humour?

It is generally argued that when two facts or statements, whether related or not, arebrought together in an expected way, it causes laughter. This experience is calledhumour. In its various degrees and contexts, it may also be called comic, funny, witty,diverting, ridiculous, a joke or just absurd. So Pope's idea, surely still correct, is, firstly,that exceptionally powerful and brave people are not even afraid of God, and secondlythat they still fear ridicule. In Pope's day, the word satire was used for a comic fiction sostated as to illuminate a truth; sadly, in our day, it has come to mean no more thaningenious insult, but other forms of comic verse may still throw light on social attitudes,as:

I always eat peas with honey,I've done it all my life,They do taste kind of funny,But it keeps them on the knife. (Anonymous).

Graham Mordue.

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DIARY OF EVENTS FOR MAYAPRIL

28th Sun Centenary Confirmation led by the Bishop of St Albans 6.30 pm30th Tue Meeting of Centenary Group and Publicity Committee

(Vicarage) 7.30 pm

MAY

lst Wed PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (Choir Vestry) 7.55 pm2nd Thu POLLING DAY

Fairhaven during morningChoir Practice 7.00 – 8.30 pm 7-8.30 pm

4th Sat Parish Walk – leaving church at 10 am

5th SUN EASTER 6Holy Communion (Fr Geoff) 8.00 amSUNG EUCHARIST (Pres & Preacher: Fr Geoff) (Sunday

School)9.30 am

Joint Evening Service at St Michael’s 6.00 pm6th Mon Bank Holiday (no Toddlers’ Group)

Rehearsal of Radlett Choral Society during evening7th Tue Pause at 134 Mildred Avenue 7.30 pm8th Wed Service at Home Manor

GSS Service3.00 pm8.00 pm

9th Thu ASCENSION DAYHoly Communion 10.00 amSt Anthony’s during morningChoir PracticeSung Eucharist 7.30 pm

11th Sat RSCM ExaminationsRADLETT CHORAL SOCIETYRehearsal during afternoonCONCERT DURING EVENING 7.30 pm

12th SUN EASTER 7Holy Communion (Fr George) 8.00 amSUNG EUCHARIST (Pres: Fr Geoff; Preacher: VioletAllen-Smith) (Sunday School)

9.30 am

Baptism Renewal Service 11.15 am(The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church 1-5pm)Evening Prayer (Off: Fr Geoff) 6.00 pm

13th Mon Service at River CourtEstates Committee (Vicarage) 7.30 pm

14th Tue Social Committee (Vicarage) 7.30 pm

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DIARY OF EVENTS FOR MAY (cont.)

16th Thu Holy Communion (Mothers’ Union attend this service andthen have a meeting in the Choir Vestry)Choir Practice

10.00 am7-8.30 pm

19th SUN PENTECOSTHoly Communion (Fr George) 8.00 amSUNG EUCHARIST (Pres and Preacher: Fr George)(Sunday School) followed byBring-and-Buy Sale

9.30 am

The Six o’clock Series 6.00 pm21st Tue Service at The Chase Care Centre 2.30 pm22nd Wed (Deanery Synod – venue tba)23rd Thu Choir Practice 7-8.30 pm

26th SUN TRINITY SUNDAYHoly Communion (Fr Geoff) 8.00 amNo Service at 9.30 amAfro Caribbean Society Service followed by refreshments 10.30 am(The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church 1-5 pm)Evening Prayer (Off: Fay Storey) 6.00 pm

27th Mon Bank Holiday Monday (no Toddlers’ Group)Watford’s CELEBRATIONS 2013 in Church, Multi-Cultural

Centre and Littlebury Hall11 am to

5 pm30th Thu Choir Practice 7-8.30 pm31st Fri CENTENARY CONCERT given by LISE CHRISTENSEN

and MICHAEL BRACEGIRDLE followed by refreshments(Tickets 01923 231917)

7.30 pm

JUNE

2nd Sun THE BIG LUNCH for all the family in church from 12 noonto 2 pm

Morning Prayer is said daily in the Lady Chapel (Monday to Friday) at 9.00 ambut please note that this will not happen between 15 May and 6 June 2013.

A service of Holy Communion is held every Thursday at 10.00 am. Both this andthe 8 am on Sunday morning are Order One in Traditional Language.

The Toddlers’ Group meets in Church (or Choir Vestry) every Monday from10.00 – 11.30 am except on Bank Holidays.

Tea, Coffee & Squash are served in Church every Wednesday from 10.30 untilnoon.

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SUNG EUCHARIST DUTY LIST May

Sunday 5th May (9.30 am) Deacons V Alvarez, M Simon Intercessor S Moring Chalice M Simon, P Gough, B Hutchinson Lesson Readers J Hart, P Hart Sidespeople C Dixon, A Makin Tea/Coffee Duty J Alexander, P Hart, E Jones

Sunday 12th May (9.30 am) Deacons M Simon, V Alvarez Intercessor G Mordue Chalice V Alvarez, S Moring Lesson Readers P Gandy, S Abood Sidespeople J Ochola, H Moring Tea/Coffee Duty P Gandy, E Vidler, G Heath

Sunday 19th May (10.30 am) Deacons V Allen-Smith, J Wareham Intercessor J Adams Chalice J Wareham, M Watkin Lesson Readers P Gough, A Ochola Sidespeople P Hart J Hart Tea/Coffee Duty A Makin, M Watkin, E Watkin

Sunday 26th May (9.30 am) Deacons M Simon, V Alvarez Intercessor V Alvarez Chalice V Alvarez, B Hutchinson Lesson Readers V O’Riordan, J Alexander Sidespeople J Talbot J Chandler Tea/Coffee Duty V Matthews, M Matthews, B Bilson

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ST MICHAEL’S MOTHERS’ UNION DIARY

Thursday, 16th May 10.00am Holy Communion and afterwards coffee and a meeting in the Choir Vestry.

Sylvia Moring

We are very fortunate that Lise Christensen and Michael Bracegirdle are able to give usanother evening of music from both opera and musical theatre; they will be accompaniedby Oliver Gooch. The music will be followed by a finger buffet. The date is 31 May2013 and the concert will start at 7.30 pm.

The last time Lise and Mike gave a music soirée at St Michael’s it was much enjoyed bythe audience and we are looking forward to another delightful evening. Tickets (price£10) are available from Sylvia Moring (01923 231917) or from the Vicar on 01923232460.

Sylvia Moring

FINAL COPY DATE FOR JUNE SWORD:-

MIDDAY on Sunday 19th May 2013Please submit copy before this date if possible -

hard copy or e-mail to:-

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WEST WATFORD FREE CHURCH (BAPTIST)

TOLPITS LANE, WATFORD

PASTOR: GARTH WOODHEAD

NEWSLETTER

Regular services:

Every Sunday:10.30am Family Service.11.00am The children leave the main meeting to go into the SundaySchool.

Holy communion is celebrated on the 4th Sunday of each month.

Tea, coffee and biscuits are served in the church at the end of the service,please stay and get to know new people or chat to long-standing friends.Either way enjoy a time of fellowship.

3pm L’EGLISE FRATERNITE meet for worship and bible teaching. Thisis of course the official name of the French speaking church who meethere. Everyone is welcome and they do have an interpreter for those whoare not fluent in French.

Friday @ 7pm Glory Of God Illuminated Church (Tamil) meet for worshipand bible teaching. Children are welcome and have a separate time in theback hall.

During the week:

Monday 10am - 12noon: Prayer meeting6.30pm: Slimming World

8.00pm: Zumba Dancing

Tuesday 9.15am - 12.15pm: Cafe West.

2nd Wednesday of each month 12noon - 1pm: Prayer for IsraelWednesday 7pm: Bible study / Prayer meeting

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We’ll continue to pray for those in countries where they are not free, as weare, to openly worship.

Open Doors Handbook of Prayer - Where Faith Costs The Most:

April 28th - May 4th: Somalia. It is too dangerous for believers to meetopenly in this strictly Islamic state. Terrorist groups target converts toChristianity and eliminate them. Aid workers, Christian or otherwise,require tight security due to the risk of abduction. Even with a newparliament and president the future still looks bleak for Christians.Pray that Christian radio programmes will bring hope to isolatedChristians.

May 5th - 11th: Maldives. This is the only country in the world whichrequires all citizens to be Muslim by law. Conversion to another faith isprohibited and converts face extreme pressure from family and society,often having to leave the country.Pray for handful of secret believers to grow in the love of God and foryoung people who seek education outside the islands to receive thegospel and return to share it with their communities.

May 12th - 18th:Mali. Following a military coup in March 2012 Islamistfighters and Tuareg rebels seized control of the north and established aharsh Islamic regime. Many 1000s of Malians fled south or left the country.There is now a very high degree of hostility towards Christianity in thenorth, Christians simply cannot exist. In the south they are able to live buthave to be cautious.Pray For those providing aid and shelter to Christians who have fledsouth.

May 19th - 25th: Iran. Fearful of the increasing number of Christians,the authorities closely monitor Christian activities, particularly churchesthat reach out to Muslims. Evangelism, Bible training and publishing ofthe scriptures in Farsi are illegal. Any Muslim who leaves Islam faces thedeath penalty.Pray for justice for Christian prisoners and also for the lawyers who try todefend them.

May 26th - June 1st: Yemen. Evangelism is prohibited here andconversion is forbidden. Yemenis who leave Islam may face the deathpenalty. The few hundred Muslim - background believers facepersecution from authorities and family, and extremist groups use thisthreat to pressure them to recant.Pray that isolated believers will find ways to meet together.

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On the home front pray for ........

Those taking their exams in the coming weeks that they will be able underpressure to recall what they have learned and obtain the best results theycan.

For teachers as they complete the syllabus and try to help with all thenecessary revision.

The coming elections, that the Lord would raise up His chosen men andwomen into prominent positions .

For all in governmental leadership: International, national, local.

For all of our church leaders, their spouses and families.

May birthdays: Happy birthday to you all.

2nd Niamh Craft (11yrs)9th John Aluma10th Nathan Yoseph (12yrs)13th Natasha Devaraj (12yrs)

And finally ..........A policeman brought four boys before a judge.

“They were causing an awful commotion in the zoo your honour” he said.

“Boys” said the judge sternly “I never like to hear reports of juveniledelinquency. Now I want each of you to tell me your name and what youwere doing wrong”.

“My name is George” said the first boy “and I threw peanuts into theelephant pen”.

“My name is Pete” said the second boy “and I threw peanuts into theelephant pen”.

“My name is Mike” said the third boy “and I threw peanuts into theelephant pen”.

“My name is Peanuts” said the fourth boy!!

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10am

Til12 noon

Refreshments available

Toiletries

Books

Toys

Games

CD’s / DVD’s

Clothes..... And much more!!!

All proceeds will go to India

West Watford Free Church, Tolpits Lane

Jumble Sale : May 18th 2013

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Martin Tunmore

and Associates,BSc(Hons) DO(Hons)

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Sports Injuries.

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Joint pains during pregnancy.

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The Watford Osteopathic Practice,39 Rickmansworth Rd., Watford.

(01923) 221303

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