HOLY TRINITY TAUNTON - Christmas/January 2021
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Holy Trinity Service Times Public services are as follows: Sunday 8.00am and 10.00am Tuesday – Friday 10.00am Saturday 10.00am and 6.00pm Services will also continue to be streamed: Sunday Tuesday – Saturday 10.00am and 6.30pm 10.00am ALL CHRISTMAS SERVICES ARE LISTED AFTER THE CALENDAR – on p12 To access streamed services: @ Holy Trinity Taunton Holy Trinity Taunton Fr Julian can be emailed directly: frjulianssc@gmail.com
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2021 FR JULIAN WRITES… This time last year we were just beginning to hear about the city of Wuhan in China. China’s a very long way away, and so the news of an epidemic there which resulted in deaths, the abandoning of familiar ways of life and the growth of fear didn’t really impinge until it all started getting very real and very near. In the beginning of this year, coronavirus was declared a pandemic, and we saw its spread from the East into Europe, and saw the dreadful effects in Italy and then Spain. That was easy to relate to: many of us have been to those countries and maybe even those cities which were particularly affected. Fears for ourselves were realised when Covid broke out in the UK. We were shocked when a leading scientist said a 20,000 death rate would be a good outcome. Now it is nearing 70,000; we have had two lockdowns and are living with severe restrictions on our daily lives and habits. All our hope is now pinned on the vaccine, beginning to be administered to the most vulnerable of our communities. Easter is being proposed as the time when life might begin to become normal again. After a dreadful 9 months, we have been given hope. Nobody would have necessarily anticipated that 2,000 years and more ago, there would be another world-changing event. Yes, the possibility was there, but it was very much in the realms of the unknown in terms of time and place. And its effect continues to be more significant and more positive than Covid-19. I’m referring, of course, to the birth of Jesus, which we will soon be celebrating, the birth of hope. Seers and prophets had been preparing people for God’s coming amongst us, but no one knew when, where or how. But it was a hope that sustained.
The outward signs of the ‘pandemic’ that was affecting God’s people was their alienation from him. Despite several covenants, promises made by God, we broke them, and carried on blithely ignoring the consequences. Some people are doing that today with regard to Covid, and the consequences are just the same: the possibility of death. Not a very pleasant topic for conversation, as my late father said, when I was putting it to him that there was no point in having two phones side by side in his hallway, and none upstairs. I merely suggested that it would be inconvenient if he had a stroke, a heart attack or broke a hip when upstairs. Not a pleasant topic for conversation - but one that had to be had. And yours truly had to instigate it! We try to ignore facts we don’t like. It’s either that or we ignore them and then the danger is that fear of them builds up in us, and could end up crippling us as we become more and more concerned, until we actually face up to them. Christ’s birth enables us to face up to all the fear in our lives and the life of our world. Like the vaccine, it is the birth of hope. Just as the Christ child was nurtured and grew, the outward embodiment of God’s love for us and everyone, so fear diminished. I was disappointed to watch a (light) history programme recently about Christmas in the Tudor period, to hear that the fundamental difference between then and now is that in the 16th century, December the 25th was the start of Christmas, whereas today it’s the end for most people. I unashamedly keep the 12 days of Christmas, and I cannot wait to get the lights and the decorations up! My car wears its reindeer nose and antlers until the eve of Epiphany – and I don’t care! If we look on Christmas as the start, the birth, of our redemption, that spiritual vaccine which assures of life and allow the Christ to grow within us and the world, we will see that Christmas is truly the birth of hope – and available immediately to all. (And I installed a phone for Dad upstairs that very day…) With my prayers and very best wishes for a Happy Christmas, Fr Julian
FROM THE REGISTERS Because of Covid there have been no enquiries about baptisms, although I was delighted to receive one in the last couple of weeks. The person was concerned that they lived outside the parish. They certainly did! They wanted Holy Trinity, Taunton in Massachusetts, USA…! The power of Google… Baptisms, marriages and funerals can still be celebrated in C of E churches, but with very restricted numbers. Fr Julian THANK YOU We owe a tremendous deal of gratitude to Wendy Burge for taking on a virtual Grand Christmas Draw. This was made on Sunday 13th December, and winners received several generous hampers and other prizes (for a list of winners see further on in the magazine). Over £700 was raised for church funds, which have naturally been very hard hit by lockdowns and other restrictions. And a big thank you, too, to all who contributed towards the prizes, and who bought tickets. Thank you all very much. DEPARTURES We were sorry that Simon Gaunt, our organist and choir trainer has had to resign with immediate effect from the beginning of December for health reasons. We are very grateful to him for all he has done, especially post-lockdown. Thankfully we have been able to cover most services ‘in house’. Also, Rosie Clarke, our administrator has been able to secure a post in a new career, and will be leaving in January to focus on it. Again, we are most grateful to Rosie for looking after the office side of things in challenging times, and with challenging equipment (the all-singing, all- dancing copier is very temperamental!). Our warmest wishes as well as our thanks go with her in her new job.
COVID AND THE CRIB The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on the way we conduct our lives, with many new rules and restrictions governing our health and safety. One area of concern is your Christmas Crib. Although there are several weeks to go before Christmas, you will need to start planning now. You will need to begin with a thorough risk assessment to ensure your Crib is COVID-secure. Here is some further guidance: 1. A maximum of 4 shepherds only are permitted in the Crib. 2. Shepherds must wear facemasks (unless exempt) and strictly observe social distancing (2m or 1m+ with mitigations). 3. Jesus, Mary and Joseph form a family bubble and thus may be placed together. 4. The ox and the ass need Declaration of Non-Contamination Certificates, obtainable from the Department of Agriculture. 5. The Three Wise Men, since they come from a non Schengen Area, will be subject to a 14-day quarantine, whether or not they have tested negative for Covid. 6. The straw, moss, palm branches and other decorations must be disinfected, with hands washed for 20 seconds after handling. 7. Angels flying over the Crib are now forbidden, owing to the aerosol effect produced by the batting of wings. 8. Shepherds are permitted provided they are not more than 70 years old or suffering from underlying medical conditions or in another vulnerable category. 9. The inn, along with other businesses in the hospitality sector, is closed until further notice. 10. For 2020 only, a Pontius Pilate should be added to the Crib to explain to authorised participants the protocols for washing and sanitisation of hands. Contributed by Fr Julian
CALENDAR FOR CHRISTMAS & JANUARY The Sundays, readings and themes, and Saints days for Christmas week and January are listed below. 25 CHRISTMAS DAY Theme: The Nativity of Our Lord Readings: Isaiah 62.6-12; Titus 3.4-17; Luke 2.8-20 26 Sat S. Stephen 27 CHRISTMAS 1 Theme: The Holy Family Readings: Isaiah 61.10-62.3; Galatians 4.4-7; Luke 2.15-21 28 Mon The Holy Innocents 29 Tue S. Thomas a Becket, Archbp of Canterbury, Martyr (1170) 31 Thu S. Sylvester, Bishop of Rome (335) January 2021 1 Fri THE NAMING OF JESUS 2 Sat SS. Basil the Great & Gregory of Nazianzus (379 & 389) 3 CHRISTMAS 2 Theme: The Light of the World Readings: Ecclesiasticus 24.1-12; Ephesians 1.3-14; John1.10-18 6 EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Theme: Revelation Readings: Isaiah 60.1-6; Ephesians 3.1-12; Matthew 2.1-12 7 Thu S. Raymond of Pennafort, Dominican Friar & Writer (1275) 10 BAPTISM OF THE LORD Theme: The Baptism of Christ Readings: Genesis 1.1-5; Acts 19.1-7; Mark 1.4-11 11 Mon S. Theodosius, Leader of Monks, Teacher (5th Century) 12 Tue S. Aelred of Hexham, Abbot of Rievaulx (1167) 13 Wed S. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, First Latin Hymn writer (368) 17 EPIPHANY 2 Theme: Called by Jesus Readings: 1 Samuel 3.1-10; Revelation 5.1-10; John1.43-51 18 Mon Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 19 Tue S. Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, Social Reformer (1095) 20 Wed S. Sebastian, Roman Soldier, Martyr (3rd Century) 21 Thu S. Agnes, Virgin & Martyr (350) 22 Fri S. Vincent of Saragossa, 1st Martyr of Spain 24 EPIPHANY 3 Theme: Water into Wine Readings: Genesis 14.17-20; Revelation 19.6-10; John 2.1-11 25 Mon THE CONVERSION OF S. PAUL
26 Tue SS. Timothy & Titus, Companions of S. Paul 27 Wed S. Angela Merici, Foundress of Ursuline Nuns (1540) 28 Thu S. Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Philosopher, Teacher (1274) 29 Fri S. Gildas, Abbot S. Wales (570) 30 Sat Charles I, King & Martyr (1649) 31 THIRD BEFORE LENT Theme: The Authority of Christ Readings: Deuteronomy 18.15-20; Revelation 12.1-5a; Mark 1.21-28 SERVICES Sunday 20 December 6.30pm Carol Service (Streamed only) Christmas Eve 4.00pm Crib Service (Streamed only) 11.30pm Midnight Mass (Streamed only) Christmas Day 10.00am Family Mass with Carols sung by the choir Boxing Day 10.00am Mass - St Stephen (No 6pm service) Sunday 27 December (No 8am service) 10.00am Mass 6.30pm Evensong & Benediction – St John the Evangelist (Streamed only) Monday 28 December 10.00am Mass – The Holy Innocents Services are as usual from Tuesday 29 December, except: Wednesday 6 January 7.30pm Mass – Feast of the Epiphany
LEITH HILL MUSIC FESTIVAL 1958 Simon Gaunt’s article in the November magazine about hymn tunes and in particular the influence of Ralph Vaughan Williams (RVW) in their naming reminded me of the St Matthew Passion by J S Bach. The Leith Hill Music Festival in Surrey was founded in 1905 by Margaret Vaughan Williams, the sister of Ralph Vaughan Williams and Lady Farrar of Abinger Hall. The Festival is one of competitions between choirs and events, held at the Dorking Halls in Dorking, Surrey. The whole festival culminating in a performance on the last evening. RVW was the Festival conductor from 1905 -1953. He always had a wish to conduct a performance of the St Mathew Passion on the final evening. The first was in 1931. The 1958 performance was special as it was to be performed on two evenings. Thomas Armstrong conducted the first evening and RVW the next. The two men shared the rehearsals. The choir was made up of members of the various Surrey Choral Societies and children from the senior school choirs who sang in the chorales. There were six soloists, Eric Greene, tenor, Gordon Clinton, bass baritone, Pauline Brockless, soprano, Nancy Evans, mezzo-soprano, Wilfred Brown, tenor, and John Carol Case, bass baritone. Eric Gritton was the pianist and Dr William Cole the organist. Early in 1958 our music teacher at school invited four of us from the choir to take part. We rehearsed at school and did not meet up with the other choirs until the afternoon of the performance at the afternoon rehearsal. RVW took the rehearsal and all went well apart from one incident when the great man looked over his spectacles, tapped his baton on the desk and addressed the choir saying that one of the tenors was a semitone out! I was fascinated by Wilfred Brown as his mouth seemed to take on a square shape when he sang and we all fell in love with John Carol Case!! We broke for tea which the four of us girls spent at our retired headmistress’ house in Dorking. We then changed into our school
uniform for the performance. The massed choir were all in evening dress of course, as were the soloists and the whole atmosphere was electric. The performance was a fantastic experience, though long, taking two and a half hours and I feel very proud to have able to take part in it. Unbeknown to me and no doubt to the other girls taking part the whole performance was being recorded as a gift for RVW. This I discovered only a few years ago when looking for a recording of the Passion in English, I was so surprised and delighted as it transports me back to that evening in 1958. As a recording it is not on par with modern recordings but it does have atmosphere and the final piece ‘In tears of grief’ I find incredibly moving. I use the whole performance as my meditation at the vigil on Maundy Thursday evening. Jenni Llewellyn CHRISTMAS ROUND THE WORLD QUIZ 1. Who brings gifts to German children on Christmas Eve? 2. Where did our Christmas Turkey originally come from? 3. Which country started the tradition of a Christmas Tree? 4. Where do the Jonkunnu dancers perform at Christmas? 5. Where do they eat Stollen at Christmas? 6. What country has pinatas for the children at Christmas? 7. What shape is a French Christmas cake? 8. Where were ‘sowens’ drunk on New Year’s Eve? 9. Which two countries are the first to celebrate New Year? 10. When does Christmas begin in both Finland and Poland? Answers p16
HOLY TRINITY WINNERS October 2020 1st Jason Stevens £40.00 2nd Richard Tomlinson £24.00 3rd James Finnemore £16.00 November 2020 1st Dianne Newton £40.00 2nd Sue Gill £24.00 3rd Jason Stevens £16.00 CHRISTMAS RAFFLE Thank you so much for all your support, whether donating cash to buy items for the hampers, or buying tickets, goodies for the hampers, in many cases both. I am delighted to say that £700.00 has been raised. I never in my wildest dreams thought we would raise so much, I am truly humbled and so very grateful for your support. The draw took place on 13th December the winners were: Food & Drink Hamper Jenni Llewellyn Drink Hamper Liz Clarke Non-alcoholic Drink Hamper Carol Dearson c/o Cheryl Grindle Chocolate Basket Akulah Agbame White Port/Ruby Port Barbara Dolley Port, Stilton & Biscuits Liz & Pete Hathway Boxed Port Aart Dourlen Tin of Biscuits Sue Gill Overnight Bag Richard Tomlinson Have a holy, happy and safe Christmas. Thank you. Wendy Burge
DEDICATION OF THE WAR MEMORIAL CHAPEL This month marks the 100th Anniversary of the Dedication of the War Memorial Chapel now known as the Lady Chapel. Fr. Robert Lowman Lang, then Vicar of Holy Trinity since 1919 wrote in the Parish Magazine: “On Friday January 21st 1921 at 7.30pm the Aumbry, and the Chapel and its furniture and its ornaments were dedicated at a very solemn, quiet and beautiful service. As we had expected, the Church was full: that in itself is not very important, for it might have been filled with outsiders drawn together by the expectation of something unusual: but it was very delightful to have it filled by the right people – that is to say,, by our own people, the ones we had invited and had hoped to see, the relations and friends and neighbours of the men in whose honour the work has been carried out, the people who cared, to whom the service meant more than words can say. There were many there that night who seldom, if ever, come to Church. Perhaps when they realise that their presence was welcomed, they will be the more inclined to come again and to come regularly. Prebendary McClean took the Service of Dedication and preached on the words “Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.” When he said that he knew every single one of the 93 personally, we felt more convinced than ever that nobody else could have done the whole thing as he did it.” George Coles CHRISTMAS ROUND THE WORLD QUIZ - Answers 1. The Christkindl 2. South America 3. Germany 4. Jamaica 5. Germany 6. Mexico 7. Log shaped 8. In Scotland 9. Samoa & Kiribati (Christmas Island) 10. When the first star appears on Christmas Eve
A RECIPE FOR CHRISTMAS/JANUARY RIS A L’AMANDE WITH MORELLO CHERRY SAUCE You will need: 3/4 pt Milk 1/4 Vanilla pod or 1 tsp Vanilla essence 1 1/2 oz short grain pudding Rice 1 oz shelled Almonds 2 oz Granulated sugar 1 tbsp Sweet Sherry For the Morello Cherry Sauce 1 tbsp cold Water 16 oz can Morello cherries 2 level tsp Gelatine 6 tbsp water 5 fluid oz Double Cream 2 level tbsp Cornflour Method 1. Place milk in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Add Vanilla and Rice. Simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes or until the rice is just tender. 2. Place Almonds in a small bowl, cover with boiling water and leave for a minute, drain and remove skins. Keep aside one almond, chop the remainder. 3. Add sugar and sherry to the rice, stir well and remove from heat. Remove the Vanilla pod if used. Add all the Almonds. 4. Measure water into a basin and add the Gelatine. Place basin in a pan of water over a moderate heat and stir until the gelatine has dissolved. Add the rice and stir well, pour into a bowl and leave until cold but not set. 5. Whip the cream until thick and lightly fold into the rice, a little at a time using a metal spoon. Pour into a serving dish and leave in a cold place. 6. To make the Morello cherry sauce: Strain the syrup from the can of cherries into a jug, add the water. Place cornflour in a saucepan and add syrup gradually, stirring until blended. Bring to the boil stirring and simmer for 3 minutes. Add cherries and heat through. (A can of cherry pie filling can be used instead of making the sauce if wished.) 7. To serve, spoon a little of the cherry sauce over the rice. Serve the remainder separately.
The Danes used to serve this as a sweet after the roast goose on Christmas Eve, the person who gets the whole almond gets a present! This recipe is from a copy of Family Circle in the early 1970s. Jenni Llewellyn THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS Here is a different way to celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas - use these short prompts for prayer/action each day. On the first day of Christmas…look at the stars and pray for God’s guidance. On the second day of Christmas…go for a walk and remember the wise men’s journey, pray for all those who are far from home today. On the third day of Christmas…draw a crown or use a party hat from a Christmas cracker to make into a card for someone to thank them for your Christmas gifts. On the fourth day of Christmas…if you are able, go and light a candle in your church or light one at home. On the fifth day of Christmas…think of five things you have done in the past year that you want to say sorry to God for. On the sixth day of Christmas…write down, and thank God for, the blessings you have received in the past year. On the seventh day of Christmas…write down seven things you want to learn about, help with or do differently this new year. On the eighth day of Christmas…have a ‘phone call or send a message to someone to let them know you are thinking of them. On the ninth day of Christmas…think of the place you would most like to journey to. Talk to your family about this and make up a story about your own journey there. On the tenth day of Christmas…find Bethlehem on a map and pray for the people who live there today. On the eleventh day of Christmas…prepare a gift you can take to someone and pray for them. On the twelfth day of Christmas…safely deliver the gift you prepared and let the person know you have been praying for them. From the Church Union and The Society
ALL IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY It was: • 500 years ago, on 3rd January 1521 that German Protestant reformer Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Leo X after he refused to recant his writings. • 150 years ago, on 26th January 1871 that the Rugby Football Union (RFU) was founded in England. • 125 years ago, on 28th January 1896 that Walter Arnold of Kent became the first person in the world to be convicted of speeding. The speed limit was 2 mph and a person carrying a red flag had to walk in front of the vehicle. But Arnold drove at 8 mph without a flag bearer. • 100 years ago, on 28th January 1921 that the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was installed beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. • 80 years ago, on 5th January 1941 that Amy Johnson, pioneering British aviator, drowned in the Thames Estuary, aged 37. She had bailed out after her plane ran out of fuel and crashed in adverse weather conditions. • 65 years ago, on 27th January 1956, that Elvis Presley’s hit song ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ was released. It was his first UK hit. • 60 years ago, on 20th January 1961 that John F Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States. • 50 years ago, on 25th January 1971 that Idi Amin became President of Uganda after deposing Milton Obote in a coup. • 40 years ago, on 2nd January 1981 that British serial killer Peter Sutcliffe (the ‘Yorkshire Ripper’) was arrested in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. He was charged with murdering 13 women. He died of Covid-19 in November 2020. • 30 years ago, 17th January to 28th February, that the Gulf War’s ‘Operation Desert Storm’ took place. Invading Iraqi forces were expelled from Kuwait and the Kuwaiti monarchy was restored. • 25 years ago, on 27th January 1996 that the first Holocaust Remembrance Day was observed in Germany. It became International Holocaust Day in 2005 when it was adopted by the United Nations. From the Parish Pump
HAPPY NEW YEAR (An acrostic poem where the first letter of each line spells out the title of the poem) Heaven’s gift of another year As the old departs and the new is born, Plans for a future and a hope Preparing us for each new dawn. Yesterday has gone forever, New days and ventures lie ahead, Even darkness turns to light When we make the Lord our head. Yielding to the Holy Spirit Ever mindful that He’s there, As we live our lives before Him Rejoicing in His loving care. By Megan Carter from the Parish Pump MAGAZINE DEADLINE: Wednesday 20th January Please email copy to rcoles2@toucansurf.com or post to the church office.
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PARISH DIRECTORY VICAR Fr Julian Laurence 337890 READER Mr Michael Hemsley 251722 LAY PASTORAL Mrs Jane Laurence 354800 ASSISTANTS Mrs Jenni Llewellyn (Church Office) CHURCHWARDENS Mr John Godley (Church Office) 354800 PARISH OFFICE Tues & Thurs 9.00am–11.00am 354800 Administrator: Rosie Clarke PCC Vice-Chairman Mr Geraint Jones 284376 PCC Treasurer Mr John Rudge 664558 PCC Secretary Mrs Trudi Watkins 354800 Electoral Roll Secretary Mr Richard Tomlinson (Church Office) Organist & Choir Trainer Mr Simon Gaunt 01984 641584 Editor of 'Outlook' Mr George Coles 288091 'Outlook' advertising Mr David Gill (Church Office) 354800 Sacristan Mr Peter Deal 278385 Captain of Bellringers Mrs Margaret Jordan 289519 Church Flowers Mrs Sylvia Paul 279436 Hall Booking Secretary Church Administrator (Church Office) 354800 Junior Church Mrs Pat Deal 278385 Mrs Sylvia Paul 279436 Data Protection Officer Mr David Watkins 354800 Safeguarding Officer Mrs Liz Clarke (Church Office) Trinity Church School Trinity School, South Street 284128 Head of School Mr Steve Morton Trinity Scout Group Mrs Stacey King 07984 170912
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