St George, Castle Street, Kendal - Dec 2020 - St George's Church Kendal
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Dec 2020 / St George, Castle Street, Kendal Jan 2021 www.kendalstgeorge.com
From the Priest in Charge
Another year is nearly over and what a year it has been. Perhaps
remembered best as a year of uncertainty and surprise. Predominantly
dominated by the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic and all the changes
that has brought to our lives, but there was also the lead up to, and result of
the American presidential election, politicians in the UK resigning, and much
loved personalities dying. Every month seemed to bring about another earth
shaking event in the world.
Over 2000 years ago there was another earth shaking event, although very
few people recognised it at the time. In fact, it was the best news the
world has ever had. The Son of God coming to live among us, born to a young
couple in a small town that no one thought important enough to have
something important happen in it. Yet there an event occurred that changed
life fundamentally. An event that was truly earth shaking as it played out
over the next 30 years culminating in the death and resurrection of Jesus
Christmas is the time of year when we celebrate that fact.
As we prepare for this event through the season of Advent, let us make a
conscious effort to rejoice as did the shepherds on that first Christmas and
share the good news with everyone we have contact with – albeit in a socially
distanced way. The good news that God loves us and wants us to know him, is
just as real today and transcends anything that is going on in the world.
We may not be able to celebrate Christmas in quite the same way as last
year. It’s likely that we won’t spend quite so much time planning gatherings
and travelling about visiting friends. Our families may not be able to get
together with us.
It may in fact give us a bit of space and time to engage with the real
meaning and purpose of Christmas.
Time to think about who Jesus is and why he came to be one of us. Space to
reflect about how amazing it was that God chose to come and be born as one
of us. To identify with us, to walk with us, share with us, and above all to
experience what we experience.
1
As much as our lives have been disrupted – The fact remains, that at this
time of year we have cause to celebrate ‘For God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish,
but have eternal life.’ John 3:16
However you spend your Christmas and whoever you spend it with, I pray that
this fact will transcend any disappointments or emotions you may be feeling.
I wish you all a really joyful Christmas and a peaceful and blessed New Year.
With love and prayers , Tricia
SACRED SPACE : Reflection on Matthew 1 : 18-25
Read the Bible passage two or three times until you are familiar with it.
Then enter the story yourself, becoming a part of it.
Take your time over this.
In your imagination, take yourself to Nazareth, around 2000 years ago…….
You may look around …… what do you see? …..
Feel the warm sun and the gentle breeze …………..
Allow your gaze to rest on a carpenter’s shop …… what can you see there?
………….. Watch the carpenter at work ……….. What is he making? ………. How
different are the things he has made from today’s wooden items? ……….
Compare his tools to those of a carpenter from today … Is there any modern
thing that you wish you could give him? …. And is there anything which you
wish you could bring back to modern times? …………
As you engage him in conversation he tells you that the woman to whom he is
betrothed to be married is expecting a baby which cannot be his ………….
2
Listen as if hearing it for the first time -, as though you don’t know the
end of the story ………………. ……. Listen as he wrestles with the problem of
betrayal ……….. Joseph and Mary may have been engaged since they were
children – but now their betrothal is a pledge that can only be broken by
divorce…………………. And there is another problem - the law states that a
woman having intercourse outside marriage should be stoned to death …..
speak to Joseph as he ponders this dilemma. ….
And now, listen as an angel appears to Joseph ……………. “Joseph, son of
David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is
conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and
you are to give him the name, Jesus, because he will save his people from
their sins” …. Is Joseph afraid to be confronted with an angel? …………
Does he speak to the angel? ………. Try to put yourself in his position. How
does he react to this amazing news ….. and however would he explain this
to his family and friends ………. What does he imagine the future to hold?
………….. Will he have to cope with ridicule? …. And the baby is to be named
Jesus, meaning Saviour …… what does all that imply? …. Speak to Joseph
again ……….
As Joseph takes Mary home to be his wife, how will their relationship have
changed? ……………
And now allow your thoughts to turn to God as you place before him your
own thoughts ……………… and after you have done so, listen to his reply
before returning to the present.
Jean Radley
From our Parish Registers
Funerals
9th November 2020 Peggy Johnstone
17th November 2020 Pat Marshall
3
News From Manna House :
Lockdown opening & Winter Shelter and Christmas
As an essential service we are still open over this current lockdown. If you or
anyone you know needs a takeaway meal, a listening ear or advice on their
housing or income issues, they are welcome to come to Manna House. We are
open Monday-Friday (Thursday rough sleepers only) from 10am to 1pm.
Winter Shelter Update
Due to Covid restrictictions we have been working in partnership with SLDC
to make sure homeless people are accommodated safely this Winter. We will
not be operating an overnight shelter this year but have been asked to
continue providing hot meals as we would on a usual shelter night. Our
volunteer teams will be cooking and providing hot meals and a listening ear
from 1st December to 28th February here at the Stephenson centre off Ann
Street. Could you volunteer? We are still short of people to join teams,
contact Penny if interested.
Christmas Gift Cards from Manna House.
Due to Lockdown we have been unable to
host our annual Christmas Auction, this will
be a great loss to the charity’s income, in its
place we have some wonderful gift cards for
you to buy. £5 buys a Christmas meal, £10
buys an advice session and £20 buys a warm
safe bed for the night. You will receive a
beautiful card with original art work from
local artist, Stuart Gray and a message
inside which says what you have bought in your loved ones name.
Please order from us on 01539 725534 or email info@manna-house.org.uk
Penny Severn, Outreach and Development, Manna House
The Stephenson Centre, Ann Street, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6AA
Tel: 01539 725534
Email: andreaa@manna-house.org.uk
Web site: www.manna-house.org.uk
Manna House Cumbria: Registered Charity No. 1147785
Company Limited by Guarantee 08041948
4
Farewell Letter from
Revd. Dr. Chris Taylor
Dear Sisters and brothers
Thank you all so much for the wishes, messages, cards, gifts edible and
potable. I think we can eat (posh) ready meals for about three days each
side of moving to Wanstead. Such luxury. I know we both appreciate your
thoughts and love at this time.
It will be strange, but quite exciting, to arrive in East London so close to a
very different and possibly rather quiet Advent and Christmas. I’m sure it
will be strange here too. Perhaps Carol Singing around the Parishes should
make a come-back.
As I have said before, we are keeping our house here for holidays and the
chance to walk up a few hills – none in Epping Forest, but if you find
yourself east of London, we will be living at
13 Wanstead Place, London E11 2SW
and would love to see you, if we’re allowed.
The churches in the Parish are Christ Church, Wanstead Place, E11, and St
Mary’s, Langley Drive E11.
I’ve no hesitation in repeating that it’s been a privilege to work alongside
everyone across the Team and I look forward to hearing all your news.
Do please stay in touch
With much love and prayers
Chris
5
Children’s pages 6
7
12 ways to avoid stress this Christmas
Change your expectations this Christmas.
Don’t waste time lamenting what should have been.
Instead, try and enjoy whatever is possible this year.
Make a list. Include sending cards, buying presents and organising food for
the big day. Having a lists helps keep you in control of your life.
Set a reduced budget this year. With a pandemic raging, this no time to
take on Christmas debt. If you can’t pay for it this month, probably best
not to buy it.
Exercise each day - it releases happiness-inducing serotonin. That will help
you to keep calm and positive over the festive period.
Don’t overindulge. Too much alcohol and rich food won’t improve your life.
Keep calm and keep kind – urge your family members to try and avoid any
flare up of family tensions. If you need to cry, cry, but then, keep on
keeping on.
Remember those everyday essentials: batteries for new toys, toilet paper,
milk, paper towel. Those things you never think about – until they are gone.
Entertain the kids: plan ahead various films, games and whatever it takes
to give them a memorable Christmas.
Make the most of Zoom this year with far-flung relatives and friends.
Most of all, include God in your
Christmas! This is His Son’s birthday -
include Bible readings and carols in
your family routine over the festive
period.
8Green grow'th the Holly by Kirsty Steele
A music manuscript from about 1515 and attributed to King Henry VIII
has the words:
Green grow'th the holly,
So doth the ivy,
Though winter blasts ne'er so high
Green grow'th the holly.
The next three verses take us through spring, summer and autumn, so this is
clearly not a Christmas carol, unlike the familiar 'The Holly and the Ivy'. What
may not be known is that holly and ivy are two of the very few native evergreen
trees, and in past times must have been especially popular in providing greenery
during winter months.
With its shiny spiky dark green leaves, holly is surely one of the most easily
recognised trees in this country. Though often bushlike, holly can grow up to
ten metres high with a straight trunk and pyramid shape. It is dioecious,
meaning each tree is either male or female, explaining possibly why the one in
your garden never has any berries!
Nowadays we associate holly with Christmas wreaths and garlands, cards and
carols. Pre-Victorian times saw holly branches used as Christmas trees, with the
spiky leaves representing Christ's Crown of Thorns and the red berries as
drops of blood. Holly brought into the house was regarded as protection against
evil spirits and as a refuge for good 'faeries' who would guard the residents of
the house in return.
It is interesting to note that where no person or animal brushes by a holly, the
leaves lack all spines except the one at the tip. This includes upper leaves on
mature trees. A bit like people – be nice and they won't be scratchy!
Back to 'Green grow'th the Holly'. The final verse ends:
The God of life can never die,
Hope! Saith the holly.
How wise. Where would we be without hope?
9NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER : ST. GEORGE’S WITH GRAYRIGG M.U.
Here’s another mini newsletter to keep you up to date with M.U. news :
First I would like to congratulate Audrey (Benson) who celebrated 50 years as a
M.U. member on the 8th October, a remarkable achievement.
Secondly congratulations to Eileen Leak who celebrated her 90th birthday on the
30th October. A card and flowers were given to Eileen on behalf of all M.U.
members and I know some members also sent individual cards. I understand she
was very pleased and had a really good day.
Thank you to Vivienne for so generously and kindly sending birthday cards to
members.
Sadly I think it will be a while yet before we can meet. Jennie and I will continue
to keep in touch but, if you feel like a chat, please ring us on 726634 (Mary) and/
or 721503 (Jennie)
1. News from Jane (Liverpool link).
Jane and her family are safe and well but are in Tier 3 of Covid restrictions so
cannot visit other households.
In August Jane and her husband completed a challenge, “Walk around the Parish”
150 miles in a month, sponsored by parishioners. They raised £800 for Church
funds, an amazing achievement.
All M.U. members are safe and well but are missing seeing family and friends.
Jane sends her love to all, remembering us in her prayers. Please remember all
members in your prayers.
2. Annual Meeting of Diocesan Council.
a) Theme for 2021.
The theme for 2021 is “Rebuilding Hope and Confidence”. No ideas leaflet is
being produced as it is anticipated any speakers who have been booked for 2020
will transfer to 2021 (that is of course if the current Coronovirus restrictions
ease).
b) The contribution to M.U. for 2021 subscription is £20 but I am not sure yet
if there will be a Deanery levy.
A change will be, that as part of our subscription, Families First has been
reorganised accordingly. You will receive, direct to you, a new publication twice a
year. This will be designed so that all can use it to reach out to new friends and
members, encouraging them to become part of this amazing movement. This
information is direct from Janice our Diocesan President. If I receive more
information it will be in the next Newsletter.
10c) Helen Belton is always pleased to hear from members who require cards etc.
She can be contacted on her mobile number 07779564343 or email her at
helenannbelton@btinternet.com.
d) Action and Outreach.
Members across our Diocese have been busy sewing, knitting, producing muffin
bags etc for a number of hospitals in the north of the county; also Women’s
refuges.
Welcome bags were put together by Penrith M.U. for two schools. Hopefully we will
look to doing this for Stramongate and Grayrigg Schools parents next September.
I received all this information from members of Stanwix M.U. in Carlisle.
Christmas cards are to be sent to Haverigg Prison by the Dioceses.
We have continued to knit strips for masks for Linda Reynolds. No. 8 needles, 20
stitches and 10 rows if anyone is interested in helping. Please phone me if you need
more information.
e) AFIA.
There have been few requests due to Covid 19 this year but many referrals have
requested to be deferred until next year. Elaine Nightingale said they were in a
healthy position to help families, thanks to Janice (DP) and her inspirational
challenge of walking the equivalent miles of the Route de Camino round our Diocese
and a thank you to all who sponsored her. I had a chat with Janice who told me
that, along with her husband, she was enjoying the challenge – amazing!
If you have any news to share please let Jennie or myself know so that it can
be included next time.
Thank you to Jennie for typing, emailing, printing off and kindly photocopying
the Newsletter for members not on the internet.
Stay safe, take care, Mary Atkinson
Dorothy Britton sends her best wishes for Christmas and
the New Year to all at St George’s and would like to
thank everyone for their thoughts, messages and cards
on the occasion of her 100th birthday in June.
She was touched to hear from so many of you.
11Puzzle pages (answers on pages 13 and 14)
This month’s crossword Across
1 Rely (Psalm 62:7) (6)
4 ‘He stretches out the heavens like a — , and
spreads them out like a tent to live in’ (Isaiah
40:22) (6)
7 What the dove carried the olive leaf in, when it
returned to Noah’s ark (Genesis 8:11) (4)
8 Annoy (1 Samuel 1:6) (8)
9 Judah’s last king, who ended his days as a blind
prisoner in Babylon (Jeremiah 52:11) (8)
13 ‘They all — and were satisfied’ (Luke 9:17) (3)
16 Eliphaz the Temanite was one; so was Bildad the
Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite (Job 2:11;
16:2) (4,9)
17 National Association of Evangelicals (of the
USA) (1,1,1)
19 Popular song for New Year’s Eve, Auld — — (4,4)
24 Able dock (anag.) (8)
25 The number of stones David chose for his confrontation with Goliath (1 Samuel 17:40) (4)
26 Elgar’s best-known ‘Variations’ (6)
27 Soak (Isaiah 16:9) (6)
Down
1 Money owing (Deuteronomy 15:3) (4)
2 Conciliatory (Titus 3:2) (9)
3 ‘Do this, whenever you — it, in remembrance of me’ (1 Corinthians 11:25) (5)
4 A group assisting in the governance of the Roman Catholic Church (5)
5 One of the gifts Joseph’s brothers took with them on their second journey to Egypt
(Genesis 43:11) (4)
6 ‘Reach out your hand and — — into my side. Stop doubting and believe’ (John 20:27) (3,2)
10 Be outstandingly good (2 Corinthians 8:7) (5)
11 ‘What — — that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?’ (Psalm 8:4)
(2,3)
12 Horse’s feet (Judges 5:22) (5)
13 Notice (Deuteronomy 17:4) (9)
14 Comes between 2 Chronicles and Nehemiah (4)
15 One of Israel’s northern towns conquered by Ben-Hadad (1 Kings 15:20) (4)
18 Narnia’s Lion (5)
20 One of the two rivers in which Naaman would have preferred to wash (2 Kings 5:12) (5)
21 Avarice—one of the evils that come from inside people (Mark 7:22) (5)
22 Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St George (1,1,1,1)
23 Jacob’s first wife (Genesis 29:23) (4)Wordsearch : Silent Night
This much-loved carol comes from Austria, where it was first sung
as Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht on Christmas Eve, 1818. It was
written by Father Joseph Mohr, a young priest at St Nicholas parish church, in
the village of Oberndorf bei Salzburg. As Christmas 1818 approached, he asked
the local schoolmaster, Franz Xaver Gruber, to compose a melody for his carol.
Gruber was organist in the nearby village of Arnsdorf, and so was happy to
oblige. On Christmas Eve they presented the carol to the church during the
midnight mass. The carol went on to become loved world-wide; and the version
sung by Bing Crosby is the third best-selling single of all time.
Silent Joseph
Night Mohr
Loved Young
Carol Priest
Austria Organist
First Midnight
Sung Mass
Stille Melody
Nacht Single
Heilige Bing
Christmas Version
Eve Third
Father
Crossword answers Sudoku
13Sudoku and wordsearch answers
Eileen Leak thanks all her friends at St George’s for the many
cards and gifts she received for her 90th birthday, for the
beautiful flowers from St George’s Church and
the lovely ones from the Mothers’ Union.
She wishes everyone a very happy Christmas.
Postage Stamps
Especially during this festive season please keep
saving your used postage stamps to help charities!
Keep them safe to bring down to Church once it is
safe to do so. They will be passed on to Charities for the Blind who
can use them for fund raising. Please would you leave about 5mm (or
1/4 “, if you prefer!) of paper round each stamp to help with remov-
ing them from the paper.
Thanks to all those who faithfully bring in their stamps already.
Please keep up the good work!
14SMILE TIME
Miscellaneous observations during the Christmas season…
Putting on weight is the penalty for exceeding the feed limit.
Christmas: The time when everyone gets Santamental.
People say it’s the thought that counts, not the gift, but couldn't people think
a little bigger?
Christmas is the season when your neighbour keeps you awake playing ‘Silent
Night’.
You might as well do your Christmas hinting early this year.
Father to three-year old: "No, a reindeer is not a horse with TV antenna.”
Some of these new toys are so creative and inventive. This year they have a
Neurotic Doll. It's wound up already.
Christmas is a time when people get emotional over family ties, particularly if
they have to wear one.
15The News Quiz for 2020
As the Parish News won’t be back until February 2021 here’s a quiz to
keep you puzzling over the festive season & beyond!
Answers next time.
1. Job applications from weirdos and misfits were invited from people to work at
which place in London?
2. Which famous actor who died this year is associated with the phrase “I am
Spartacus?”
3. In February the Church of England advised against the practice of ‘intinction’
– what is it?
4. In a world “where you can be anything, be ______” – what, wrote actress
Caroline Flack on Instagram in December 2019?
5. What were we supposed to do in March while singing the National Anthem or
Happy Birthday twice?
6.This year was a leap year. What do we call other years?
7. Which village in the Peak District is associated with self-isolation during a
previous plague?
8. How long, literally, is quarantine?
9.Why did President Macron visit Britain on 18th July? What other Anglo-French
anniversary could he have remembered but for some reason it was not mentioned?
10. How many countries launched space rockets to Mars this year?
11.Who, in their resignation letter in August, on Twitter posted, “I have
championed our work, built our relationships and celebrated the diversity of our
staff… and will always be an ambassador for the UK and the new Foreign
Commonwealth and Development Office” after a four year career in Downing
Street which had included scraps with a neighbour? He was going to spend more
time with a family in the country.
12. Which day is the furthest away from Christmas Day?
1613. What was the Battle of the Tennis Court and why was it remembered in Au-
gust?
14. The BBC banned singing the lyrics from which song from the Last night of the
Proms, because it had a link in their mind with slavery and colonialism?
15. This year marked the 400th anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower. What
event did they start which led to a public holiday?
Let's hear it for the Christmas card!
A folded piece of Christmas cheer
Came through the post today!
I love it when those cards appear
I love the things they say!
And at this busy Christmas time
I’m always glad to see
The Christmas scene or Christmas rhyme
That you have sent to me.
The trouble that good people take
Is really, really kind –
Some people even sit and make
A card for me to find!
And in our virtual world of text
And pictures on a screen
These bits and bytes leave me perplexed
If you know what I mean?
And so I think that it is fine
To see your kind regard
I can admire this Christmas time
Your real Christmas card!
By Nigel BeetonOUT AND ABOUT : St Michael’s, Mosser
Very many thanks to Lois Sparling for telling us about this
lovely church and sharing her accompanying poem
You need your ‘outdoor shoes’ to reach this 250-
year old fellside chapel in the northwestern Lakes
– but if you find yourself travelling between
Loweswater and Cockermouth or Workington one
day, do take the time to follow the back roads and
stop off here.
The detour’s worth it for a sense of continuity of centuries of prayer and
worship, a welcoming kind of solitude and the wide views across the Solway.
There has been a church on this site, a hundred yards up from the little
road that runs from Sosgill to Brandlingill, and west of the old coffin route
contouring round Mosser Fell to the north of Loweswater, since the Middle
Ages.
To this day, despite being largely rebuilt in 1773, this
simple sanctuary has its Norman font and its 16 th
century roof trusses. It also has no running water,
electricity or mains gas, so it’s easy to imagine the
original church not being so very different from
today’s. The only significant ornament is the pretty
east window, installed during the chapel’s last
refurbishment in 1925.
Only used for occasional services today, in the census of 1851 St Michael’s
was recorded as having 22 regular attenders at its afternoon service.
However, the curate of the day also admitted: ‘I have been there when none
has been present on a wet day and I have seen above 100 at other times’.
They were Christians but flawed human beings, just like all of us, of course.
18By Mosser Mains and Mossergate
On the peat bog and the pasture
Low-slung and shuttered against the winds
Whipping up from the Solway
A tiny fellside chapel beckons folk still
From Blindbothel and Brandlingill
From Mockerkin and Millgillhead
To pause a moment in their busyness
Lifting their eyes to the wide horizon
Or step through the unlatched door
Of chantry, chapel-of-ease and schoolhouse
Long sidelined to summer Sunday afternoons
And gas-lit winter festivals
And back through the years -
Welcomed by whittlegate curate,
John or Harry, Isaac or Samuel,
To yet another baptism or burial –
Comforted by mere mortality.
1920
At St George’s Church (with social distancing)
Christmas services
As we are in a state of some uncertainty we cannot say for
definite what our services will be at the moment. However,
please check on our website nearer the time, or on our Faith Online
telephone service including parish news – 01539 310125. I also send out a
weekly email with news, so if you don’t receive those but would like to
please contact me on jean.radley@outlook.com and I’ll add you to the list.
Services we hope to have are as follows:
Service of readings and carols – 6pm on Wednesday, 16th December.
Of course we still won’t be able to sing as a congregation – but we’ll be
able to listen.
Christmas Day family communion service – 10am Friday 25th December.
Online using Zoom:
Worship throughout the week will continue on Zoom,
as will Coffee and Chat .
Please contact me if you wish to join in
By telephone:
Faith Online – 01539 310125
Please remember our Faith Online telephone service with Revd Tricia’s
Thought for the Week, someone’s favourite hymn (please contact me if
you would like yours played sometime), parish news, a recording of the
Sunday Service and much more. It’s a good and easy way to keep in touch
especially for those with no internet connection.
Through our website:
www.kendalstgeorge.com
Jean RadleyYou can also read
