September 2018 50p - Frome, Christ Church
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September 2018
50p
WHO’S WHO AT ST MARY’S
VICAR Father Neil Maxted
CHURCH WARDENS Len Taylor 300829
Judy Harris 451009
PCC TREASURER George Pothitos 471592
PCC SECRETARY Jane Mitchell 467804
PCC MINUTES SEC. Jane Mitchell 467804
SAFEGUARDING OFFICER Judy Harris 451009
CHOIR Marjorie Moxon 464320
GIFT AID Gordon Mitchell 467804
FLOWERS Arthur Bailey 455574
and Jane Mitchell 467804
‘100’ CLUB Rob Thomas
ADMINISTRATORS
HALL BOOKINGS Pauline Burgess 463069
PARISH ADMIN. & Patsy Stephenson 462715
MAGAZINE EDITOR 07407 107423
FROME TOWN MINISTRY GROUP CLERGY
Rev’d Graham Owen (Rural Dean), Holy Trinity 462586
Rev’d Colin Alsbury, St John’s 472853
We have tried to cover as many services as possible within the Benefice
during Fr Neil’s extended leave, but it has not been possible to cover them all.
Please check the diary pages within this magazine and for regular updates,
the weekly sheets and our web site.
You can also check with the Church Wardens and Parish Administrator
on the numbers shown above. Thank You All.
www.christchurch-stmarys-frome.co.uk
Angels Unawares
One of those surveys which some newspapers love to publish
claimed recently that a large number of British people believe in
angels – almost as many, in fact, as claimed to believe in God. They
didn’t tell us what people meant by ‘angels’. I suspect quite a few
were thinking of young children who die, who are often now said to
be ‘angels’ ‘up there’, guardian angels or ‘guiding spirits’. Be that
as it may, when Christians celebrate the feast of St Michael and All
Angels later this month, there will be many of us, inside and outside
churches, who will wonder exactly what or who we are celebrating.
Most simply, the word in the New Testament means messenger. An
‘angel’ is a being who brings to us God’s message or his help. In the
Bible angels are variously described. The familiar notion of wings
and flight comes from a vision given to Isaiah in the Temple when
he was being called as a prophet. The angel Gabriel, who told Mary
that she was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah, is not
described at all, but his words are recorded in detail. Angels speak
to people in dreams (Joseph, the husband of Mary, for instance) and
Jesus spoke of ‘angels’ who particularly care for children (‘guardian
angels’).
Contents
Most people, even very devout
Diary.....................................2
ones, have never knowingly
Warden’s Wafflings..................4
encountered an angel, I guess. Back to School........................6
However, the New Testament tells Benefice Barbecue, 2018..........7
us that in showing hospitality to St Mary’s Social News ............10
strangers some of us have Frome’s Push for Poppies........10
entertained angels without knowing Ride & Stride.........................11
The Blessed Virgin Mary..........12
it. Clearly wings and eyes of flame
Prayer Diary .........................13
are not obligatory. Just human Saying Thank You..................17
care. ‘Oh, go on, be an angel and Recipes for September............18
make me a cup of tea!’ Widows’ & Widowers’ Group....19
St James the Least.................20
by Canon David Winter
Come Back to Church.............21
Puzzle Pages.........................22
Did You Know?......................25
A Bishop’s Message................26
Deadline for contributions for the Rota for September................27
October edition Bishop’s Bill..........................28
Saturday 21st September Last Month’s Solutions............28
1
September 2018
Please note, services are subject to change. Italicised services are not
covered at the time of publishing. Please refer to weekly sheets and the
church website - www.christchurch-stmarys-frome.co.uk
1st Sat 9.30 am Breakfast Club (til 11 am), & grounds work SM
2.00 pm Holy Matrimony SM
2nd Sunday 14th Sunday after Trinity
8.00 am Holy Communion (1662) CC
9.00 am Sung Eucharist SM
10.45 am Sung Mass CC
6.00 pm Choral Evensong CC
5th Wed 10.00 am Said Eucharist SM
9th Sunday The Blessed Virgin Mary ~
St Mary’s Patronal Festival
8.00 am Holy Communion (1662) CC
9.00 am Sung Eucharist SM
10.45 am Sung Mass CC
11.00 am Family Service SM
12th Wed 10.00 am Said Eucharist SM
13th Thurs 2.00 pm 200th Anniversary Service for Christ Church School CC
7.30 pm Rehearsal for Christ Church’s Bicentennial Service CC
15th Sat 9.00 am Preparation for Christ Church’s Bicentennial Service CC
16th Sunday 16th Sunday after Trinity ~
200th Anniversary of the Consecration of
Christ Church
10.00 am Benefice Sung Mass CC
17th Mon 7.30 pm Christ Church PCC Meeting CC
18th Tues 7.00 pm St Mary’s Standing Committee Meeting TBA
19th Wed 10.00 am Said Eucharist SM
2
23rd Sunday 17th Sunday after Trinity
8.00 am Holy Communion (1662) CC
9.00 am Sung Eucharist SM
9.00 am All Age Worship CC
10.45 am Sung Mass CC
3.00 pm Battle of Britain Service CC
25th Tues 2.00 pm Harvest Festival at Belmont Villas
26th Wed 10.00 am Said Eucharist SM
2.30 pm Harvest Festival at Greenhill Grange
28th Fri 2.00 pm Christ Church School Harvest Festival CC
29th Sat 12 for Benefice Harvest Lunch SM
12.30 pm
8.00 pm Candlelit Organ Recital feat. Nick Edwards CC
30th Sunday St Michael & All Angels
8.00 am Holy Communion (1662) CC
9.00 am Sung Eucharist SM
10.45 am Sung Mass CC
October 2018
1st Mon 7.30 pm St Mary’s PCC Meeting SM
3rd Wed 10.00 am Said Eucharist SM
6th Sat 9.30 am Breakfast Club (til 11 am), grounds work & SM
decorating the church for Harvest
9.30 am Cleaning & flower arranging for Harvest CC
7.30 pm Parry Concert CC
7th Sunday Harvest Festival
8.00 am Holy Communion (1662) CC
9.00 am Sung Eucharist SM
10.45 am Sung Mass CC
2.00 pm Holy Baptism SM
3.00 pm Parry Concert CC
6.00 pm Choral Evensong CC
10th Wed 10.00 am Said Eucharist SM
3
Warden’s Wafflings
Hello my darlings.
The heat of a glorious July seems to have passed by and we are back to the
usual run of the mill British summer; it was nice yet sometimes over bearing
whilst it lasted. So hot it seems that the Spitfire flight was cancelled as the
old war bird was taken sick so had to see the airplane doctors - after her
consultation she was signed off as not fit to fly and it would be some time
before she was better. The next stab at the flight will take place on 4th
September but this time in Exeter - fingers crossed for this one!
Our passion for fishing seems to be going very well with Sue and me fishing
on most Fridays and Mondays. Thank you to all who chipped in towards
buying a gift voucher from “Chris Haines Angling”, although I had said that
the birthday bash did not require any gifts as I really do get a lot of
enjoyment from just having friends and family around for a get together.
With the gift voucher I have bought a very nice Drennan FD-3000 fishing
reel which is very tasty and a bit of an all-rounder, which will suit my style
of fishing perfectly. Also, thank you all who gave me a bottle or two of the
“Oh be joyful” - they will be suitably enjoyed especially once the sun is over
the yard arm.
We have been very, very busy with the job list at St Mary’s. An 8.2 metre
tower scaffold was arranged to be delivered at 8.30 am on Monday 13th
August affording us time for an early start to begin the work of cleaning the
ceilings in the main body of the building; although the tower had been pre-
ordered at least two weeks beforehand and paid for on the Friday of the
week prior to us starting, it never turned up. First step was to get on the
blower and find out what was going on? “Yeah, sorry sir. We had the tower
here on Friday but someone hired it out on Saturday”. Great! “What is being
done as I have men here standing around” (my son Paul and grandson
Matthew had come over from Bristol to lend a hand for a couple of days).
They, he said, were trying to get parts for another one but it wouldn’t be
before lunch. Lunch time came and still no sign of the tower so Paul,
4
Matthew (the heavy mob), and I went to confront them face to face. To cut
a long story short, the tower was delivered at 1.30!
Phase two; putting it all together.
If it wasn’t for Paul we would still be there now - side frames, cross
members, diagonal bracing bars, floor plates all in a big heap. The Krypton
Factor could not have set a more difficult task but having a chap that used
to put these things up for a living made it possible. By around 2.30 I was on
top of the tower with the 15 foot pole and round brush head contently
dusting away the cob-&-dust webs of the past years. Matthew and I took it
in turns to clean 5 panels at a time (about all I could manage in one go),
and by the time we had finished all of this we were beginning to look like a
couple of out of work coal miners. The ground crew were marvellous in
moving the tower along periodically and cleaning up behind us, the team
work was fantastic which enabled the whole of the ceiling to be completed
by close of play Tuesday evening, including a spring clean of the lower levels
and floor far, far quicker than any of us had expected. From myself I would
like to thank all of the “usual crew” (tea Walla’s, cleaners and muscle), who
turned in and made it all possible and, of course, thank you again to the
anonymous person who kindly paid for the hire of the tower.
So there you have it - a nice clean ceiling enabling prayer and praise to
ascend unimpeded. Of course, this also means that our resident bat(s) also
have unrestricted access to the higher levels as well and in fairness to them,
they are good tenants, never having complained about the dust and
cobwebs and always without fail leaving their rent every night on the carpet
under the rood screen.
The partitioning of the boiler and storage space within the crypt is ongoing
and nearly completed. We may have been further on but there is the
mystery of the disappearing pencil which has lost us quite a bit of time. More
about that next month.
Lastly I would just like to touch on this long protracted journey that we are
all taking in the absence of Fr. Neil. We are some months (I am beginning
to lose track of time), down the road since Fr. Neil went off sick. In that time
we have also said goodbye to some who have moved away, some who have
sadly died and some who no longer attend St Mary’s for their own reasons.
I can fully understand and acknowledge that at times we do make a mistake
or two or that sometimes we may not feel spiritually fulfilled for one reason
or another. This is definitely not done deliberately - it’s just we are merely
human and prone to mistakes.
I have heard of one or two rumblings here and there and would just like to
let you all know that all of us,whether leading or on duty at services or
working tirelessly behind the scenes are here for everyone. They tell me that
it is, at times, unwise to quote scripture as it can come back and bite you if
you get it wrong; with this advice on board I respectively ask that before
5making any negative comment, please read John 8 verse 7 and prayerfully
reflect on that text. We are after all Christian folk and have signed up to do
our best to follow the “Narrow path” that our Lord Jesus Christ encourages
us to do.
What I would like to say is that everyone (the Parish administrator, retired
and visiting clergy, church wardens, members of the PCC and all those who
work behind the scenes), are committed in doing their level best to ensure
that we deliver the best possible service and support under the very
strenuous situation that we are in. It is predominantly free of charge and
our own personal payment is knowing that we are doing the work that God
has called us to do. It probably will not be perfect but as long as we strive
ceaselessly to ensure everything is as good as we can make it, nothing else
can be asked of anyone.
For the most part it works - we work - and we are very blessed at St Mary’s
to have such a very warm, supportive, compassionate, loving and caring
congregation.
Len.
Back to School
September is the time when we get back to our normal routines after the
summer break. It’s a good opportunity to ask how God wants us to make
a difference in our workplace, school, family or with friends. Paul writes:
‘And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.’
(Colossians 3:17).
As disciples, we are called to do the ordinary things in the name of Jesus,
that is, to act in the way Jesus would in our situation.
‘WHATEVER you do’: God is at work in every aspect of our lives. He can
use whatever we do to make a difference to those around. Do we believe
this? Our lives shouldn’t be like an orange, segmented into the sacred
and secular, but more like an apple, in which the whole is available to
God.
‘Whatever YOU do’: God wants to use us to make a difference to the
people and places where we spend time. We can trust Him for the
resources we need hour by hour, day by day, year by year. What do we
need from Him?
‘Whatever you DO’: Our work is for God alone, out of gratitude for God’s
love for us. How does this perspective make a difference when what we
do seems hard, unrewarding, or unappreciated by others?
‘Work doesn’t take us away from God; it continues the work of God.’
Eugene Peterson
6Benefice Barbecue, 2018
On Saturday 18th August we got together in St Mary’s Paddock with our
friends from Christ Church to enjoy an afternoon of food and fellowship.
By the time most folk arrived, the marquee was erected with chairs and
tables below, just in case we should need shelter either from blazing sun
or from drizzle or both - it’s England so who could tell? Len and George
had the barbecues on the go, ready to start cooking the burgers and
sausages; Marilyn and Barbara had been beavering away in the kitchen
for some time cooking onions and chicken and slicing rolls and Sue T,
Diane and Jenny had been busy lending their hands to any and
everything that needed to be done to make sure that everyone would
have a relaxed and happy afternoon. There was a great team spirit,
which was further illustrated when, after the previous few hours of
preparation and before cooking commenced, Len and George could have
taken a quick breather, they actually spent 10 minutes to give some
attention to the church roof and re-site some slipped tiles.
There was a great assortment of salads out in the paddock along with
rolls, soft drinks and sauces and inside the hall there was an equally
tempting choice of desserts for anyone who still had room (and
eventually, I think most of us did!), with tea and coffee also on tap.
I could go on to try to describe the happy atmosphere and the great
sense of togetherness, but I think these pictures taken by Tony
Williams illustrate it far, far better. Patsy
78
With many thanks to
everyone who
contributed to such a
happy afternoon.
9St Mary’s Social Committee
The Harvest Lunch will be 12 for 12.30 pm on Saturday 29th
September at St Mary’s; if there is a sufficient number of people
signed up to attend which would mean the hall is not possible, the
pews within the church will be moved and the lunch held there. In
such an event, assistance will be requested to rearrange the
furniture accordingly. St Mary’s will provide the main course and
Christ Church the puddings.
The Christmas Fayre will be held from 9.30 am til 12 noon on
Saturday 24th November.
For further details and with offers of assistance and cakes, please
speak to a member of the Social Committee - Marilyn Burrows,
Diane Ellis, Coral Jones-Williams and Jenny Thomas.
Frome Royal British Legion Last 100 Day's Push for Poppies.
8th August 2018 marked the Last 100 Days of the Centenary of
WW1.
One hundred years ago, the last hundred days still witnessed the
horrors of war, until peace was declared on 11th November 1918.
The Frome Branch of the Royal British Legion is setting a challenge
to all ages to mark this last 100 days by making poppies. One or
more display will then be made that will form a significant focus for
Remembrance Sunday, on 11th November 2018, exactly one
hundred years to the day of Armistice.
Poppies of all sizes will be welcome: knitted, croqueted, paper for
indoors, pebbles painted… anything goes for Frome.
The Frome Memorial Theatre has kindly allowed the box office, which
is open Monday to Saturday, 9.30 am – 1.00 pm, to be a drop off
point. All poppies will be collected for creating into one or more
display.
For Frome, please show your support; get involved and make your
mark on the Last 100 Days WW1 Centenary Commemorations.
Thank you.
Jane Norris, Chairman Frome Branch RBL
0777 620 8531/jane.norris9@gmail.com
1011
8th September ~ The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
In both eastern and western Churches, Mary has always been
held as pre-eminent among all the saints. The unique,
extraordinary privilege of being the mother of the One who was
both God and Man, makes her worthy of special honour. Thomas
Aquinas believed she was due hyperdulia, or a veneration that
exceeds that of other saints, but is at the same time infinitely
below the adoration, or latria, due to God alone.
The Gospels of Matthew and Luke give Mary most mention. Luke
even tells the story of Jesus’ infancy from Mary’s point of view.
Her song, or Magnificat appears in Luke 1:46-55.
The virginal conception of Christ is clearly stated in the Gospels.
But after Jesus’ birth, Mary fades quietly into the background.
During Jesus’ public life, she is mentioned only occasionally, as
at the wedding at Cana. She reappears at the foot of the Cross
(John’s Gospel), and is given into John’s care. In the early
chapters of Acts, Mary is with the Apostles, and received the Holy
Spirit along with them on Whitsunday, but her role was not the
active one of teaching and preaching.
Mary’s significance grew with the centuries. By the 5th century
she was called Theotokos, The Mother of God, and from the
seventh century onwards, she was given four festivals: the
Presentation in the Temple (2nd February), the Annunciation
(25th March), the Assumption (15th August) and her Nativity
(8th September).
Marian devotion has played an enormous role in the church down
the years. Mary has been the object of countless prayers,
accredited with performing many miracles and the subject of
thousands of artistic endeavours. She has had hundreds of
chapels, churches and cathedrals named after her. During the
Reformation many images of Mary were destroyed. The Second
Vatican Council 1962 made an extended statement on her,
stressing her complete dependence on her Son and regarding her
as a model of the Church.
Principal Marian shrines of today include Lourdes (France),
Fatima (Portugal), Walsingham (England), Loreto (Italy),
Czesochowa (Poland) and Guadalupe (Mexico).
12Prayers for September
A Morning Prayer
Father in heaven,
You have given us a mind to know you,
A will to serve you,
And a heart to love you.
Be with us today in all that we do,
So that your light may shine out in our lives;
Through Christ our Lord.
Thomas Moore
An Evening Prayer
Holy Spirit,
I thank you for the quiet moments of this busy day
When you spoke to me in your abiding love.
Teach me now as I lay down to rest
How to listen to you in the silence of my heart.
Teach me how to listen to your still small voice
Which gives meaning and direction to my life.
Michael Buckley
13Prayer Diary for September
Church Family & the Our Community The Wider
Parish Community
1 Sat Neil Maxted & his Other churches in Archbishops of
family Frome Canterbury & York
2 Sun Clergy who assist at Graham, our Rural Christians in the Far
St Mary’s Dean East
3 M All those recently Our local MP Teachers of our faith
Baptised
4 T The Choir Riding for the Staff & pupils as the
Disabled new school year begins
5 W Beaconsifeld Way Wisdom over the Farmers and workers
Beech Court development of Frome on the land
Berkley Road
6 Th Churchwardens & Frome Medical Migrants and
P.C.C. Practice refugees
7 F Readers & Beckington First The situation in
Intercessors School Yemen
8 Sat Sides Persons & Frome Cheese Thanksgiving for the
Chalice Bearers Show Blessed Virgin Mary
9 Sun Family Service, Junior The people of The Queen & the
Church & leaders Murrhardt Royal Family
10 M Sacristans & Servers All who use Frome Peace in the Middle
Community College East
11 T All who worship at Bath & Wells Zambia Link
St Mary’s Diocese & Bishops
12 W Birch Walk Those starting college, The Armed Forces
Blackbird Way university, new jobs stationed abroad &
Blagdon Walk or apprenticeships their families at home
13 Th All those recently Christian healing Our Government &
married ministry in Frome Parliament
14 F The Magazine Team Beavers and Cubs The situation in Syria
15 Sat The Pastoral Team Frome Community Christians suffering
Hospital staff & persecution
patients
14Church Family & Our Community The Wider
the Parish Community
16 Sun St Mary’s Brownies Positive Action on War torn countries in
Cancer Africa
17 M Flower Arrangers Brights Stars Aid and relief workers
Nursery
18 T Those who are ill or Harry’s Hydro Church musicians
infirm
19 W Braithwaite Way The Mayor and Goodwill Children’s
Briar Close local Council Homes (India)
Brunel Way
20 Th Social Committee & Catherine House Alzheimer’s Awareness
Coffee teams Care Home Day
21 F All who tend the church Jeans for Genes International Day of
building and grounds Day (Genetic Prayer for Peace
disorders UK)
22 Sat Church Hall Users Frome Carnival Thanksgiving for
Mark’s Gospel
23 Sun Mothers’ Union Local prisons Afghanistan & Iraq
24 M Needleworkers Those using Food The work of the
Banks Church Army
25 T The elderly & HOPEFrome Food crises,
housebound especially in Africa
26 W Chimney Road Job centres and the All those affected by
Chapmans Close jobless flooding & other
Charterhouse Drive natural disasters
27 Th The Garden Nursery Frome Foyer Those being ordained
28 F Those recently Berkley First Those unknown to us
bereaved School who need our prayers
29 Sat Those in Deanery Synod Translators of the
administrative roles Bible
30 Sun All who visit St Mary’s The homeless & Back to Church Sunday
those living on the
streets
15We pray for by name:
Lewis and Joycelin who are to be married at St Mary’s this month;
Christ Church School & Selwood Academy
Those serving in the Armed Forces,
remembering by name Dean, Hayden and Nick
Alan C, Angela, Baby Suzie, The Byrne Family, Charles, Charlotte,
Fr David, Di & family, Elizabeth, Eric & Caryl, Gwenn, Hannah, Jean,
Kath, Maggie, Marlene, Mary, The Mason Family, Fr Neil, Pat, Sally,
Tonetta, Tony, Val P, Vanessa, Viv*
Recently Departed
Sally Rudge, Joyce Savage, Dame Joan Varley
Those whose year’s mind falls at this time
Jerome Warhurst, Pamela Hiscott, Moira Chapman
O God, fountain of love,
pour thy love into our souls,
that we may love those whom thou loves
with the love thou gives us,
and think and speak of them tenderly, meekly, lovingly;
and so loving our brothers and sisters for thy sake,
may grow in thy love,
and dwelling in thy love may dwell in thee;
for Jesus’ Christ sake. Amen.”
E.Pusey (Commemorated September 16th)
16Saying Thank You for Food
Throughout this month and next, churches across the country will be
having Harvest Festival Services. These often involve bringing food
donations and sometimes toiletries to give to food banks or
homeless charities. Often they’ll be hymns and songs to say thank
you to God for all that He provides, every day.
This year our Harvest Service will be held on 7th October at 9 am,
and you are most welcome to attend. In the meantime, here are
some simple ways to say ‘thank you’ to God at home, too:
Say a Thank You Prayer.
A line in the Lord’s Prayer asks God to ‘Give us this day our daily
bread.’ When we say that line, we’re asking God to provide the basic
things in life that keep us healthy and happy. It can start with the
food we need to eat each day, but for lots of different reasons, not
everyone has enough.
So saying thank you for our food is important – we might thank the
person who cooked it, and we might go back further and think of the
people in the shops where we bought the ingredients, and even trace
it right back to the farmers who grew the crops in the first place.
For children who are old enough, try talking about this together one
meal time, taking each item on the plate and thinking about where
it came from and all the people and work that has gone into bringing
it to your table.
Saying grace before a meal is a way of saying thank you to God for
making the earth and everything in it – all good things come from
God, and it’s up to us to use them in the very best and most
generous way.
Try singing this grace:
One, two, three, four, five, thank you God that I’m alive.
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, thank you God for food. Amen!
One of the most traditional graces goes like this:
‘For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly
thankful and keep us always mindful of the needs of others.’
Some families hold hands while they say grace – this reminds us that
we are thankful not only for our food, but that we are free to share
it with people we love.
17Recipe of the Month
I was over talking to Charlotte last week about doing the ‘Recipe of
the Month’ and she suggested that I let you have her recipe for
Nachos. September is a funny month - sometimes it’s warm and
sunny and you feel like salads and the next day it really feels like
Autumn and you fancy something hot. Well, this is a hot dish that
can be served with salad. Gordon and I have had it at her house and
enjoyed it so I tried it at home and it came out surprisingly well, so
here goes.
Set oven to 180°C (fan oven), gas mark 4.
1 bag Cool Original Doritos (other brands of Nachos are available!)
2 jars Salsa – Hot or Mild or a mix of both – we go for the mild!
1 red onion
1 red pepper
2 cooked chicken breasts or equivalent.
Good hand full of grated cheese – cheddar type
Chop the onion, pepper and chicken.
Fry off the onion and pepper, add the chicken and heat through.
Layer Doritos, chicken mixture and grated cheese in an ovenproof
dish finishing with a cheese layer.
Put in the oven till the cheese has melted and it is heated all through,
which should take 20-25 minutes.
Serve with dishes of chopped coriander, sour cream and mashed
avocado, and, if you like, a green salad.
Good Luck and I hope you enjoy it.
Jane Mitchell
1819
Letter from St James the Least of All –
Happily, the Church of England still retains some singular parish clergy.
Take the parish of St James-the-Least in the county of C- for example.
Here the elderly Anglo-Catholic vicar Eustace, continues his
correspondence to Darren, his nephew, a low-church curate recently
ordained…
On how to make the most of that diocesan ‘residential course’
The Rectory
St James the Least
My dear Nephew Darren
Your enthusiasm for attending training courses has, until now, baffled
me. Why should you want to become a better preacher, when
congregations only use the sermon for catching up on lost sleep? What
more do you need to learn about time management than being able
to recognise those fixed points of 12.30 pm for the pre-luncheon
sherry and 6 pm for a stiff gin? And what is the point of learning about
how to lead Bible study groups when all you will end up discussing is
who failed to provide flowers for the altar last Sunday?
But after this last week, dear boy, I take it all back. The Bishop sent
me on a week’s pre-retirement course. Of course, he was dropping
hints, but until I reach my century, I have little intention of
relinquishing a vocation to annoying parishioners and frustrating the
plans of Bishops. What else, after all, is parish ministry about?
The first move is to arrive early, receive your room allocation and then
discard it. Tour the whole establishment, find the best room and then
unpack and make sure your dog is nicely settled in the centre of the
bed, just in time for the arrival of the intended occupant. I naturally
apologise effusively for my innocent mistake, begin to remove
possessions and dog while hoping that he will excuse all the hairs on
his bed. This ensures that he magnanimously offers to take your
original room.
At the first session, you need to establish the ground rules – and with
a course leader, who in my opinion, should still have been wearing
short trousers, it was all too easy. You make it clear that you are
extremely deaf and so all the lectures will, sadly, be wasted on you.
You also add that you will need some time alone to prepare for a
20surfeit of funerals which inexplicably all came in the day before you left
and that you also will need time out to exercise your dog.
By the end of that first session, you will have accounted for your
absence for the rest of the week. In my case, it passed delightfully with
gentle strolls in the grounds, visits to the local second-hand bookshops
and much silent meditation in one’s room. I attended the final session
in order to congratulate the leader for his magnificent course, was
effusive in my comments on those wretched evaluation forms and on
my return wrote a letter of thanks to the Bishop for having thought I
was worthy of receiving pre-retirement training – while also noting that
I was sure it would be of use when I begin to make plans for that happy
event in a few decades time.
Your loving uncle, Eustace
Come back to church!
To encourage greater attendance, how about if we offered:
· Beds - for those who say Sunday is their day to sleep-in.
· Safety helmets – for anyone who fears the roof would fall in if
they entered a church door.
· Blankets and hot water bottles – for those who find our church
too cold.
· Fans and ice cream - for those who find our church too hot.
· Cushions - for anyone who find our seats too hard.
· Bicycles – for those who exercise on Sunday mornings.
· Hearing aids - for those who find the minister speaks too softly.
· Cotton wool - for those who find the minister speaks too loudly.
· Score cards - for all who want to rate the hymns/sermons/coffee.
· Ready-meals - for anyone who can’t come because they have
to cook Sunday lunch.
· Some flowers - for those who prefer to seek God in nature.
· Christmas poinsettias and Easter palms - for all those who have
never seen the church without them.
Although tongue in cheek, perhaps these “suggestions” will inspire you
to come up with some new ideas as to how we can attract more people
to come into our church (Ed.)?
21Puzzle Pages for September
Across
1 ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders — in vain’
(Psalm 127:1) (6)
4 Season of the year (Psalm 84:6) (6)
7 ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.
— here and keep watch with me’ (Matthew 26:38) (4)
8 It came over the whole land from the sixth to the ninth hour on
the first Good Friday (Luke 23:44) (8)
9 Paul invariably did this in the synagogues he visited on his
missionary journeys (Acts 17:2) (8)
13 ‘It is God who works in you to will and to — according to his
good purpose’ (Philippians 2:13) (3)
16 Members of the Church of Scotland (13)
17 ‘Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountain side
and — down’ (Matthew 5:1) (3)
19 Mock (Luke 14:29) (8)
24 Disgrace (Psalm 44:13) (8)
2225 First month of the Hebrew calendar (Exodus 13:4) (4)
26 Christianity of the Britons before Augustine arrived from
Rome (6)
27 Mean (Numbers 35:23) (6)
Down
1 ‘Whoever finds his life will — it’ (Matthew 10:39) (4)
2 ‘My lord the king, let the — — on me and on my father’s family, and
let the king and his throne be without guilt’ (2 Samuel 14:9) (5,4)
3 O raid (anag.) (5)
4 ‘If two of you on earth — about anything you ask for, it will be
done for you by my Father in heaven’ (Matthew 18:19) (5)
5 Take care of (1 Samuel 17:15) (4)
6 What the older son heard as he came near the house the day
his prodigal brother came home (Luke 15:25) (5)
10 ‘Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,but rather
think of yourself with — judgment’ (Romans 12:3) (5)
11 Do ten(anag.)(5)
12 Architectural style first used in Greek temples in the sixth
century BC (5)
13 Capable of being used(1 Kings 7:36) (9)
14 ‘Each one should — his own actions’(Galatians 6:4) (4)
15 Among the items imported by Solomon’s fleet of trading ships
(1 Kings 10:22) (4)
18 ‘But I am afraid that just —— was deceived by the serpent’s
cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray’
(2 Corinthians 11:3) (2,3)
20 Outstanding 18th-century hymn writer, — Watts (5)
21 One of the four sons of Asher (Genesis 46:17) (5)
22 Be distressed (Proverbs 24:19) (4)
23 He was the father of Gaal, who threatened rebellion against
Abimelech (Judges 9:28) (4)
23Word Search - Remembrance 100
On 4th August 1918 King George V met to pray with members of
the Houses of Parliament. One hundred days later, the war ended.
Last month, 4th August 2018 was the first day of 100 days of prayer
across the country, running until Armistice Day in November.
Thousands of Christians across the country are using daily prayers,
Bible readings and reflections from 100 Days of Peace and Hope,
which can be downloaded, a week at a time from
www.remembrance100.co.uk/100-days HOPE has also published a
beautifully illustrated booklet called Silence to give away at
Remembrance events. Silence invites readers to look back with
gratitude, and to reflect on eternal themes of faith, hope and love.
Find out more at www.remembrance.co.uk.
August George Parliament Prayer Hundred Country Armistice Day
November Thousands Peace Hope Remembrance Silence Gratitude
Eternal Themes Faith Love Look Back
24Did You Know…..
100 years ago on 26th September the Meuse-Argonne Offensive (also
known as Battles of the Meuse-Argonne and the Meuse-Argonne
Campaign), began. It was a major part of the final Allied offensive of World
War I that stretched along the entire Western Front. It continued to be
fought until the Armistice of November 11, 1918, a total of 47 days. More
than 54,000 lost their lives and it is thought that there were more than one
hundred thousand casualties.
80 years ago on 30th September 1938 British Prime Minister Neville
Chamberlain returned to England in triumph after signing the Munich
Agreement, declaring there would be ‘peace in our time’.
40 years ago on 17th September 1978 the Camp David Accords were
signed in Washington DC by Israel and Egypt. They led to the Egypt-Israel
Peace Treaty in 1979.
30 years ago on 6th September 1988 11-year-old British boy Thomas
Gregory became the youngest person to swim the English Channel.
20 years ago on 4th September 1998 Google, the internet search
company, was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, both students at
Stanford University in California. The company was initially based in a
friend’s garage in Menlo Park.
25A Safer Church for All
Two years ago I was asked by the two Archbishops to become the lead
bishop for safeguarding for the Church of England. This is a responsibility
I undertake alongside my ministry as Bishop of Bath & Wells.
I was, therefore, much involved with the July’s General Synod, which
once again had an important focus on safeguarding. During the
debates I spoke about the Church’s journey of safeguarding; our
history (with many shameful episodes), our present (a commitment
to improve but a work in progress), and our hopes for the future
(ensuring the Church is a safe and welcoming place for all).
I have been asked on more than one occasion whether the role of
safeguarding bishop should fall to a bishop who already has
responsibility for a diocese and my answer is always an emphatic
‘Yes’. Since 2016 I may have been the face of the Church of England
on safeguarding matters, but providing a safer church for all is the
responsibility of every one of us and I believe that my connection
with life in the parishes is essential to my national role.
In our diocese we have a first-rate safeguarding team who are
supporting the hugely dedicated people in our parishes who are
playing their part to ensure our churches are the place of safety they
should be. I am deeply grateful for all that they do and it will be an
honour this month to preside over a service in Wells Cathedral which
recognises the particular contribution and commitment of all our
Parish Safeguarding Officers.
I have said we must own the responsibility of safeguarding in every
diocese and in every Cathedral, parish and chaplaincy and this is a
group of individuals who has taken this responsibility to heart and is
acting to deliver it. They deserve our thanks. The service will be at
2.00 pm on Saturday, 29th September and everyone is welcome to
come to show their support for this important work of safeguarding
children and vulnerable adults.
The church has acknowledged and apologised to survivors of church-
related abuse and has reiterated its commitment to address and
learn from the failings of the past. However, it is in the courage and
grace of the survivors I have met, along with the commitment of all
individuals in the parishes, where I find the hope for the future as
we strive together to make the Church a safer place for all.
With warm Christian greetings,
The Rt Revd Peter Hancock
Bishop of Bath and Wells
262nd Sept. 9th Sept. 23rd Sept. 30th Sept. 7th October
14th Sunday The Blessed 17th Sunday St Michael & Harvest
after Trinity Virgin Mary after Trinity All Angels Thanksgiving
These are Deuteronomy Isaiah 61. Jeremiah 11. Genesis 28. Deuteronomy
guidelines 4.1-2, 6-9 10-11 18-20 10-17 26.1-11
only and James 1. Galatians 4. James 3.13- Hebrews 1. Philippians 4.
may be 17-27 4-7 4.3, 7-8a 5-14 4-9
changed at
Mark 7.1-8, Luke 1. Mark 9. John 1. John 6.
short notice
14-15, 21-23 46-55 30-37 47-51 25-35
Readers 1st Sue H 1st Diane 1st Jane 1st Sue P 1st Sue T
2nd Maggie 2nd Arthur 2nd Barbara P 2nd Judy H 2nd Maggie
27
Prayers Arthur Arthur Alison Jane Laura
Chalice Sue H & Diane & Gordon & Judy H & Len &
Len TBA Len Sue P TBA
Servers Len TBA Len Sue P Len
Sidespeople Glen & Marilyn & Gordon & Diane & Sue T &
Jenny Laura Barbara R Jane Pam
Tea & Pat & Jane & Sue T & Barbara R & Pat &
Coffee Laura a volunteer Pam Marilyn Laura
please
As can be seen, we are in need of Chalice Assistants and Servers in particular, but if anyone
would like to help in any way, please contact Len, Judy or Jane.
If you are unable to do your duty please can you arrange a swap and change the master rotas
at the back of the church and in the corridor.Bishop’s Bill calls on MPs to add mothers to marriage certificates
The House of Lords has passed a bill from the Bishop of St Alban's to end
the historic inequality of excluding mothers’ names from marriage
certificates.
The Registration of Marriage Bill, which would also introduce electronic
marriage registers, now moves to the House of Commons to be considered
by MPs.
It is the first time a Bishop’s Private Member’s Bill has proceeded to the
House of Commons in more than 20 years.
Speaking after the Lords passed the Bill, the Bishop of St Alban's, Dr Alan
Smith, said ‘As someone who has performed hundreds of marriages, it has
always seemed shocking to me that mothers are systematically overlooked.
This injustice dates to 1837 when children were viewed as a father’s
property and little consideration was given to women. In this centenary year
of women’s suffrage it is time to make this long overdue change.
I am pleased to have had the backing not only of Peers and many in the
Church, but a huge number of others, including tens of thousands who have
signed public petitions, campaigners for women’s equality and even
genealogists. MPs from all parties support the aims of this Bill. I hope and
expect the Government to treat it as a legislative priority when it comes to
the Commons this autumn and urge MPs to give it their approval.’
September’s Puzzle Solutions
ACROSS: 1, Wife. 3, To battle. 8, Obal. 9, Disciple. 11, Bitterness.
14, Niacin. 15, Attain. 17, Passionate. 20, Tertiary. 21, Meet. 22, Weakness.
23, Deer.
DOWN: 1, Woodbine. 2, Feast day. 4, Orient. 5, Accusation. 6, Type.
7, Eyes. 10, Dedication. 12, Gadarene. 13, Ancestor. 16, Esdras. 18, Stew.
19, Area.
2829
Services at St Mary’s
All Communion Services are Common Worship
(unless otherwise stated)
1st and 3rd Sundays Sung Eucharist 9.00 am
2nd Sunday Sung Eucharist 9.00 am
Family Service 11.00 am
4th Sunday Sung Eucharist 9.00 am
5th Sunday Sung Eucharist BCP 9.00 am
Facilities are available for children during all Sunday
Services
Wednesdays (except 2nd) Said Eucharist 10.00 am
2nd Wednesday Said Eucharist with
Prayers for Healing 10.00 am
With enquiries about Banns, Marriages, Baptisms or the Thanksgiving of a
Child, for other Parish business and with articles for inclusion in this
magazine please contact Patsy Stephenson, Parish Administrator on
01373 462715 or 07407 107423 or email christchurchstmary@aol.com
from 9.30 am - 12.30 pm, Mondays - Fridays (please note, there is
currently no answerphone facility on the mobile number shown).
St Mary’s News & Views is published by St Mary’s Parochial Church Council.
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the PCC.
© St Mary the Virgin Frome PCC 2018
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