ST HILDA'S CHURCH - 2022 50p - WARLEY WOODS PARISH NEWS
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ST HILDA’S CHURCH
WARLEY WOODS
PARISH NEWS
2022 50p
CONTENTS
Article Page
Jenni writes 1&2
Candlemas 2
Pilgrimages 3
St. Chad 4&5
Archbishop Tutu 6&7
To freeze, a pilgrim 8
Girls to sing at Windsor 9
Bishop’s Comment 10
Book of the month 11
Special Days and Rotas 12
Eco dioceses 13
Treasurer’s Report 14&15
Christmas TV 16&17
Help our planet 17
December Ramble 18
January Ramble 19
Seafarers knitters 20
Valentine’s Day 21
Fairtrade Fortnight 22
Candlemas 23&24
Sanctuary Flower Rota 25
Organisations 30
Have you the technology ?
This is the QR code link to our parish website.
Our Church is now open for worship on Sundays at 10.30am
on Wednesdays at 10.am and for private prayer 2-3pm.
Dear friends,
This month through our Sunday morning worship both at church and at
home we’ll be thinking about stewardship. This a word that Christians often
use a lot when talking about how we use our money and abilities. It begins
with the belief that everything belongs to God, beautiful words that are
echoed in psalms, for example 24 and 50. Because everything belongs to God
all that we have is entrusted to us by God, we have a responsibility to use
what we have well. The responsibility of stewarding our gifts is both
individual and corporate, and in February we'll be exploring this.
We'll begin the month by thinking about what it is to belong to a family and
community of faith, how we relate to one another. And then in our family
service we’ll be remembering and celebrating our baptisms and re-
committing ourselves to those promises that either we made or were made
on our behalf to live lives that follow Jesus. Our third Sunday will be an
opportunity to think about how we use our money, both as individuals and
as a church family. And our final week will focus on how we use our time and
gifts to enable the flourishing of the community, participating in the Kingdom
that God is building.
I want to encourage all of us to engage with this with openness. The good
news of what it means to be loved by God and welcomed into God's family
has not changed and never will change. The challenges we currently face as a
family need our prayers and our attention. Although our financial position is
not as it was last year we continue to run at a deficit and are unable to do
some other things we long to do, such as employer new director of music.
Although there is much activity and so hours volunteered to win able
worship and mission to happen there are still some much needed roles to be
filled. When we look at this as individuals this can be quite overwhelming,
but when we look at it as a family We remember that we do this together.
(Concluded over page)
1A reflection by Roddy Hamilton as we explore our stewardship this February:
Life in abundance is God’s promise
that waits to meet us as we journey on
with a spring in our step and hope in our hearts.
Travelling with God
is never dull,
but always filled with surprises.
So we mourn not the past
nor dread the future,
but open ourselves to the possibilities
of compassion,
of kindness,
of humility,
of gentleness,
of patience,
opening ourselves to the possibility
of God bringing life in all its fullness.
Hand in hand with God
we step into a brave new future.
Candlemass
They came, as called, according to the law.
Though they were poor and had to keep things simple,
They moved in grace, in quietness, in awe,
For Cod was coming with them to the temple.
Amidst the outer court's commercial bustle
They'd waited hours, enduring shouts and shoves,
Buyers and sellers, sensing one more hustle,
Had made a killing on the two young doves.
They come at last with us to Candlemas
And keep the day the prophecies came true;
We share with them, amidst our busyness,
The peace that Simeon and Anna knew.
For Candlemas still keeps his kindled light:
Against the dark our Saviour's face is bright.
Malcolm Guite
2PILGRIMAGES
Few words have shifted their meaning as much as 'pilgrim' over the
centuries. Wayfarers, travellers, wanderers, devotees, spiritual tourists and
curious passers-by alike have all made connections to sacred places, walked holy
paths - or popped in to a cathedral on a lunch break.
Meaningful journeys are one of the few universal patterns of human
behaviour, seeking out special places where communities share their memories,
spill out their hopes and fears. They are places where all can find wholeness, be
part of something bigger. They are open to all.
The wisdom of so many world religions grew from the morality of that most
primal of human conditions, the nomad. Stories emerging from the desert tell us
of parched landscapes, where hospitality is of life-and-death significance, where
rules about food and about disciplines of feasting and fasting are tools of survival.
The nomad needs to keep on the move: accumulating too many possessions is
frowned upon. It is a landscape in which the shepherd is king.
You need bring nothing other than good intentions to be a pilgrim.
Pilgrimage is a feature of most world religions. It has long been pursued by Hindus,
Muslims, Sikhs and Jews, for whom visiting holy places and festivals is integral to
worship. For most Reformation Christians, the 16th century saw the end of
collective pilgrimage, but for Roman Catholics the old sites retained their
magnetism, notably the cathedrals of Rome and Santiago and the 'miracle' shrines
of Lourdes and Fatima. Pilgrimage to these places is enjoying a surge in popularity,
even as conventional church worship declines. Some 350,000 people a year now
walk or cycle to Santiago across northern Spain.
In Britain, traditional Christian destinations never wholly lost their appeal,
and some also are reviving. Pilgrims to Canterbury, Durham, St Alban's and St
Paul's are hard to distinguish from secular tourists.
Pilgrims often use the saying that it is better to travel hopefully than to
arrive. Some even admit to an addiction to the journey itself, to its oddness, its
comradeship, its asceticism, even its discomfort. Long-distance runners say the
same. It is the satisfaction of studying maps, setting out, plunging into nature,
along muddy paths, across fields, through woods, by that simplest activity,
walking. For a brief while our brains must concentrate on the rhythm of steps, the
placing of each foot after the other, preferably over rugged ground.
Over the coming months, I shall be writing about some of the many
pilgrimages I have taken part in over many years. Please let us know your stories
of any meaningful journeys you have been on.
Peter Stokes
3Saint Chad, first Bishop of Lichfield.
One of the earliest pilgrimages I took part in, combined a sponsored walk
to raise funds for the Church Army who were renovating a house in Moseley for
homeless teenagers.
We walked the 16 or so miles from St. Chad’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in
Birmingham to Lichfield Cathedral which is dedicated to The Blessed St. Mary and
St. Chad.
St Chad's relics lie at the heart of an important church, just as they did in
the 7th century. Once venerated at the cathedral in Lichfield, the saint's bones
survived the Reformation and are now kept in Birmingham's magnificent Roman
Catholic cathedral. This grand Pugin building gives pride of place to the saint's
reconstructed shrine, which sits above the high altar. It looks like a miniature,
gold-plated house.
Curiously enough we have the Venerable Bede to thank for the shrine's
unusual design. He describes St Chad's tomb in some detail: "a little wooden
house, covered, with a hole in the side through which those who visit out of
devotion to him can insert their hand and take out some of the dust"
The dust was mixed with water and drunk, by both humans and animals
alike. Bede's account shows that within 50 years of his death his shrine had
become famous for healing miracles. Needless to say there is no queue of ailing
livestock allowed anywhere near the modern-day shrine, or pilgrims for that
matter. Churches often preserve their relics out of the reach of worshippers, but
at least the shrine has been made into a central feature, prominent above the
high altar. It is made of gold, a dazzling sight under bright lights.
St Chad served as the first bishop of Lichfield from 669 to 672. Lichfield is
only 15 miles north of the cathedral as the crow flies. Not far in geographical
terms, but the relics went on a long journey to get here.
A series of stained glass windows in St Edward's Chapel, illustrates the
remarkable story of how St Chad's relics came to Birmingham. At the time of the
Reformation they were saved by a priest called Arthur Dudley, who took great
personal risk by defying orders to destroy them.
The saint's bones passed into private ownership, travelled to France,
returned to England in secret, and were hidden in a private chapel at Aston Hall,
near Stone in Staffordshire. They were rediscovered in 1840, just in time to be
moved into Birmingham's newly built cathedral. The cathedral was the first to be
consecrated by the Catholic church in England since the Reformation, opening in
1841. It was designed by Augustus Pugin, the famous Victorian architect. He also
designed the gilded shrine bearing St Chad's relics. This is the only English
cathedral with its patron saint's relics above the altar.
4Arriving at Lichfield Cathedral, we were shown an elaborate foot-washing
arcade which tells you this place is special. A row of 11 stone seats runs along a
corridor leading to the chapter house. People would sit here and have their feet
washed as a Maundy Thursday ritual. Such a humble bathing tradition seems
entirely in keeping with the spirit of the cathedral's 7th-century founder St Chad,
who used to immerse himself in a holy well half a mile away.
The curious stone seats, known as a pedilavium, belong to a much later age -
the 13th century- when most of this deeply appealing cathedral was built. St
Chad's memory has been greatly enhanced here in recent years, following the
installation of a new shrine with an authentic Orthodox icon. It is displayed at the
far end of the cathedral, beyond the high altar, in front of the Lady Chapel. The
icon is displayed a few steps from the site of St Chad's medieval shrine, marked by
a plaque on the floor at the entrance to the Lady Chapel.
St Chad became the first bishop of Lichfield in 669, when he decided to
move his cathedral here from Repton. He built a church where the cathedral now
stands, and was buried half a mile away after his death in 672. The saint's relics
were moved to the cathedral around 700 by St Hedda, and were venerated in the
cathedral thereafter. His bones were moved into new tombs each time this
cathedral was rebuilt, until his final shrine was destroyed at the Reformation.
In 2003 fragments of a beautifully carved angel were discovered under the
nave floor, during the construction of a new altar platform. This angel is kept in a
glass case in the Chapter House, alongside the famous medieval Gospel book.
When it was first displayed in 2006 visitor numbers to the cathedral trebled.
Recently, a striking 3 metre tall statue of St. Chad by local artist Peter Walker
was erected in front of the cathedral. It is in the centre of the newly-created Hope
Garden planted by volunteers during the pandemic with 50,000 bulbs as an early
public memorial to all those who have suffered, died or lost loved ones because of
Covid. It is hoped that the bulbs will be in bloom on 2 March, St Chad's Day, the
1350th anniversary of the saint's death. It's a reminder, if we need one, that the
Church's work of healing is not a thing of the past, something defined by medieval
miracle shrines. Indeed, Lichfield Cathedral is one of a handful of such buildings
that have been hosting a Covid vaccination centre for the local community.
I hope to visit again both cathedrals on March 2nd, but this time by taking
the easier option by going by train!
P.S. At the beginning , I mentioned the Church Army. At that time a Church Army
officer, Captain Barry Irons was attached to St. Hilda’s to help lead a parish mission.
A group of us got involved with the redecoration of the house mentioned.
Peter Stokes
5Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu OMSG CH GCStJ
‘A voice for the voiceless’
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s tribute to Desmond Tutu.
‘The death of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu (always known as Arch) is
news that we receive with profound sadness – but also with profound gratitude
as we reflect upon his life. My prayers and condolences are with his family and all
who loved him, with the Anglican Church of the Province of Southern Africa, and
all of the people of South Africa.
Arch’s love transformed the lives of politicians and priests, township
dwellers and world leaders. The world is different because of this man.
Archbishop Tutu was a prophet and priest, a man of words and action, one who
embodied the hope and joy that were the foundations of his life. He was a man
of extraordinary personal courage and bravery: when the police burst into
Capetown Cathedral, he defied them by dancing down the aisle.
He was a man of enormous vision: seeing the possibilities for building the
Rainbow Nation long before anyone else, except perhaps President Mandela.
His vision and bravery were allied with a canny political sense and wisdom,
enabling him to be a healer and apostle of peace while so many still saw wounds
and war.
He was a pioneer, the first Black Archbishop of Capetown, the pioneer of
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He was a great warrior for justice who
never stopped fighting – whether it was for those in his own country, for
inclusivity in the South African Constitution, or for those suffering injustice
around the world.
When you were in parts of the world where there was little Anglican
presence and people weren’t sure what the Anglican church was, it was enough
to say “It’s the Church that Desmond Tutu belongs to” – a testimony to the
international reputation he had and the respect with which he was held.
Most of all he was a Christian disciple – that was the root of everything else.
After meeting him, many would speak of being in the presence of one who
brought God close to them. His joy, grace, laughter, hope and life caught up
those around him with a sense of Jesus Christ.
It was Jesus’ love we saw in his eyes, Jesus’ compassion we heard in his
voice, Jesus’ joy we heard in his laughter, Jesus’ face we saw in his face. And it
was beautiful and brave.
His greatest love is now realised as he meets his Lord face to face.
We are thankful for such a life so well lived, even as we feel the sorrow of such
great loss.’
6Archbishop Tutu made two high profile visits to Birmingham, one in 1989
and one in 2009. In 2009, he made a keynote address to the Rotary International
World Peace Symposium at the National Exhibition Centre, when he praised the
city’s cultural and religious diversity. He said, “There is something in the water in
Birmingham! It’s wonderful, when you think the last Anglican Bishop here was
black and he went on to become the Archbishop of York (Rt Rev John Sentamu).
On the first visit in 1989, he opened the Nelson Mandela school in
Sparkbrook, and visited Winson Green Prison where he led a service in the prison
chapel. He was never afraid to voice his opinions. He criticised what he termed
"two-nation" Britain, and said there were too many black people in the country's
prisons.
He was invited to Birmingham to take part in the 'City-wide Christian
Celebration' to mark the centenary of Birmingham becoming a city.
The six days of celebrations concluded on April 23rd with a Songs of Praise
at Villa Park. I was privileged to be a member of the massed choir who led the
singing. For many of us, the most moving part, was the singing of the South
African song ‘Thuma Mina’ (Send me Jesus) which is a call to people to stand up
collectively for change. We could see that Archbishop Tutu was visibly moved,
and joined in enthusiastically with the thousands of us who had braved one of
April’s coldest and wettest days on record. Archbishop Tutu opened his talk by
saying that in his country, rain is the ultimate blessing, so that day God had richly
blessed us. (I’m not sure if many of us agreed!)
Peter Stokes
7To freeze, a pilgrim
Easter Saturday 1973. Six frozen, bedraggled teenagers, sleeping rough (because
that was cool) on a 60-mile, four-day pilgrimage from Croydon to Canterbury
Cathedral, spot a sweet-looking rural church. Still wreaking from last night's
discreet bonfire, made in a clearing just off the Pilgrim's Way, they ask for
shelter for the night. A kindly soul, plump and friendly, like one of those farmers'
wives in a Famous Five novel, smiles and shows them to an outhouse, before
rustling up soup and crusty bread.
The six of us have never forgotten that welcome. Without last-minute
help from two churches en route (St Luke's, Maidstone also gave us a church
hall floor to sleep on) we would never have made it to the cathedral in time for
the Easter Monday youth service led by Archbishop Michael Ramsey.
That's why we're delighted to make a big splash of the Grow the Rural
Church Project with its allied Devon Pilgrim initiative. Finding creative uses for
existing and sometimes burdensome buildings is high on the agenda of all
churches, of every denomination. Christian Resources has an enviable 35-year
track record of assisting local fellowships in the maintenance of their plant but
we get really excited to see the imaginative use of those same assets for the
purposes of mission.
Finally: an admission. The six of us route-marched the last 27 miles in five
hours and reached the Easter Monday service just in time. But even Michael
Ramsey's entertaining, fluttering eyebrows couldn't keep me awake. I did a
Eutychus and nodded off during his sermon.
Steve Goddard (MD Christian Resources)
P.S. Eutychus was a young man of Troas tended to by St. Paul. He fell asleep due
to the long nature of the discourse Paul was giving, fell from a window out of
the three-story building, and died. Paul then embraced him, insisting that he
was not dead, and they carried him back upstairs alive; those gathered then had
a meal and a long talk which lasted until dawn. This is related in the New
Testament book of the Acts of the Apostles 20:7-12.
8Girls to sing at Windsor after 647-year wait
The Queen has agreed that St George's Chapel inside Windsor Castle can
admit female choristers for the first time in its 674-year history.
Girls will start training to sing at the hallowed site - where royal weddings
and funerals have taken place for centuries - from September next year, it was
announced recently.
The chapel, founded by King Edward III in 1348, is a royal peculiar - a church
under the direct jurisdiction of the monarch - and the home of the Order of the
Garter, whose ranks will be swelled later this year by the Duchess of Cornwall, Sir
Tony Blair and Labour peer Baroness Amos.
Admitting girl choristers will add to the College of St George's efforts to
improve equality and diversity and open up scholarships to them as boarders at St
George's School, Windsor Castle.
A St George's spokeswoman said it had been a decision for the chapel
authorities, but they had consulted the Queen, who had given her agreement to
the change. "We wouldn't dream of not discussing it with our neighbour" she said.
The tradition of boys singing at religious services in England dates back more
than 1,100 years but it was not until 1991 that Salisbury became the first cathedral
to admit girl choristers. By 2019 they outnumbered boys in English cathedrals but
St. George's has been slower to adapt.
The Dean of Windsor, The Right Reverend David Conner, said; "We believe it
right to include both boys and girls as participants in the great choral tradition of
English Church music." Up to 23 choristers, aged from seven to thirteen, are
allowed in the choir at any one time.
9The Bishop's Comment: New Year Resolve
The turn of the year did not produce any New Year's Resolutions in my
hearing. Perhaps the humbling uncertainties of pandemic quashed the usual
optimistic assertions. Who keeps them for more than the first week or month
anyway?
Then, listening to a Sunday sermon of early 2022, I did hear a call to
action. In a wider theme of 'Battle of the Mind' we are enouarged to be
intentional about our relationship with God through Lord Jesus Christ. In the
midst of competing ideas for our lives, a daily pattern of Thanks, Truth and Trust
was offered as a way of strengthening our living faith. (Revd Tim Hughes 9th
January)
Here I shall mention just the first of these, Thanks. Whatever our
circumstances or condition, suffering or joy, emptiness or confusion, Christians
can pray, making a habit of starting by giving thanks. "I will give thanks to the
Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds" (Psalm
9:1), "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thess 5:18).
This simple beginning can re-set our perspective in the midst of daily
burdens and distractions reconnecting us with the priority of God's purposes.
Then we may, in the words of the Corrymeela Community, commit ourselves
to "live life in its fullness, welcome the people who will be part of the day, greet
God in ordinary and hidden moments and live the life we are living" (Daily
Prayer, Padraig O' Tuama, Canterbury 2017).
Not a fly-by-night resolution but a year-long resolve to grow in faith, hope
and love, giving thanks through Jesus Christ.
Many thanks for all who supported last month’s Christingle Service and the
work of the Children’s Society. A good example of the work they are doing, was
featured on ‘Countryfile’ on January 16th. If you missed it, please try and watch it
on iPLayer. To support them go to: www.childrenssociety.org.uk
Dianne and Peter.
10BOOK OF THE MONTH
In these days of pandemic, war and political
turbulence, hope can seem to be in short supply.
But hope is one of the theological virtues and it is
far more profound than mere optimism. Today,
pessimism and despair seem all too prevalent.
What can we do about the poor and starving,
about those who seem to be locked in
interminable conflict and families weighed down
by the consequences of breakdown?
Sister Teresa White's book is an antidote to all
this and it is written with beautiful simplicity and
directness. There is no hiding behind
complicated or technical language. In one of the most forceful chapters in
the book, the author shows how hope breeds courage and courage breeds
hope. But hope is not a matter of wishful thinking. Drawing on St Augustine,
the author shows moreover that hope has two essential components. Not
just courage but anger as well. The expression of our anger can lead to
greater clarity with our discernment and spiritual perception. Hope too can
lead us to understand God's solidarity with us in times of sorrow and
struggle. Teresa White in this Lent Book draws on inspiration from writers as
diverse as Julian of Norwich and Karl Rahner, Elizabeth Barrett-Browning and
Henri Nouwen, but throughout the book there is strong scriptural
underpinning which the author uses to great effect. Church Times
Oxymorons
Why is the third hand of a watch called a second hand?
Why do we “slow down” and “slow up” mean the same thing?
Why is it called “after dark” when its really “after light”?
How come “abbreviated” is such a long word?
Why do we call it a TV Set when you only have one?
Why are “wise man” and “wise guy” opposites?
Why do “overlook” and “oversee” mean opposite things?
11A Selection of Special Days in February
1 February – Chinese New Year: The ‘Year of the Tiger. The Tiger is considered
by the Chinese to be brave, cruel, and forceful, and is the symbol of power in
Chinese culture.
2 February – Candlemas and Ground Hog Day
4 - 20 February – Winter Olympics in Beijing
7 - 12 February – Tinnitus Week
7 February – Charles Dickens birthday (1812)
8 February – Safer Internet Day
14 February – St Valentine’s Day
14 February – International Book Giving Day
27 February – Fairtrade Fortnight
21 February – 3 March - You Can Care Week
Duty Warden and Sides person Rota
February - March
6th February Gez and Chris
13th February Pat A and Robert
20th February Janet and Carole
27th February Helen
6th March Gez and Chris
13th March Pat C and Robert
20th March Pat A and Muriel
27th March Helen and Dianne
Tea and Coffee Rota
Feb 6th Pat and Janet
Feb 13th Dianne
Feb 20th Carol and Martin
Feb 27th Marian
Mar 6th Sue and Rob
Mar 13th Pat and Janet
Mar 20th Dianne
Mar 27th Carol and Martin
12Every church region in the country signs up to become an Eco Diocese
ahead of 2030 net zero carbon target.
All 42 dioceses in the Church of England have signed up to become an “eco
diocese” as part of their commitment to reach carbon net zero by 2030.
The Eco Dioceses scheme, developed by the charity A Rocha UK, sees churches
and dioceses awarded bronze, silver, or gold status depending on actions taken
to improve their environmental footprint.
The Church of England is seeking to reach "net zero" carbon by 2030 to
meet a target set by General Synod in 2020.
Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich and lead bishop for the environment, said:
“Having every diocese sign up is a statement of intent from all of us as we take
seriously the need to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss today.
“A Rocha UK's Eco Church and Diocese scheme is a great tool which
enables local churches at every level of their climate justice journey to engage
with environmental issues. “We know that climate change and biodiversity loss
impact us all - especially the world’s poorest countries.
“As Christians, we must make real differences to our lives to care for God’s
creation and limit the impact of the climate emergency.
“This is why it is imperative that we reach net zero carbon across the
Church of England by the end of the decade. “The whole Church is currently
looking at our proposed Routemap to Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and I would
encourage everyone to read it and engage with the survey so we can make the
journey to net zero carbon together.”
Helen Stephens, Church Relations Manager at A Rocha UK, said: “At the
start of 2022, we all know the scale of the challenges we face to avert
catastrophic climate change and the loss of nature - and what’s needed to avert
this.
“The steps taken by the Dioceses of the Church of England reflect a united
commitment to encourage grassroots action at a parish level. “As each diocese
progresses through the Eco Diocese scheme more churches will become Eco
Churches, a growing church community which cares for creation across all
aspects of life; commits dioceses to action towards net zero carbon emissions;
and incorporates creation care into ongoing ministerial training.
“We commend all of the dioceses for making this commitment and look
forward to many more award applications as they continue to take action.”
Church of England
13TREASURER’S REPORT
Are we broke?
Let’s take a look at our financial situation at the end of 2021, which was a
difficult year because of the restrictions we faced. This is not the last word on
2021 because we have yet to receive the annual summary of our deposit and
investment accounts. Therefore, we can only look at the day-to-day income and
running costs last year. Nevertheless, it is important that we all have an
understanding of the church’s expected income and spending as we review our
plans and expectations, and our individual giving for this year. [All figures are
rounded to the nearest £100.]
What we received in 2021
As always, most of our income came as donations from church members and
supporters as stewardship payments, £30,900, of which £25,400 was gift-aided:
this is a few hundred pounds less than in 2020. Church collections at services,
funerals and weddings brought in a further £3,300, and we claimed back £9,500
in gift-aid. There were no bequests to the church in 2021, but we did receive
£5,000 in two one-off gift-aided donations. Therefore, in total, our ‘voluntary
giving’ raised £54,600, slightly under that received in 2020.
The remainder of our income came from interest on our investments, £3,500;
fundraising, £600; funeral and wedding fees £6,900; trading (mainly hire of
buildings and sale of magazines) £6,100. The Covid-19 restrictions reduced the
trading and fundraising substantially over that in previous years, particularly in
community use of the hall. We received a total of £71,600, and this was
virtually the same as in 2020.
How we spent the money
By far the largest expenditure was the Common Fund payment to the diocese,
£40,200, which actually falls short of the overall cost of supporting a vicar. Our
payment in 2021 was less than the 2020 level of £47,900, and will remain at the
lower level in 2022. The cost of staff wages and expenses was £15,000. With
less use again this year, the running costs for the church and hall were relatively
low, but still cost us £14,000. Large purchases were eliminated, apart from
replacement of the ailing sound desk at £800. We maintained our charitable
donations and caught up on those not met in 2020.
We spent £73,700 in total, £2,100 more than we received. This was a tenth of
the loss in 2021, but it was a loss nonetheless, meaning we needed to draw on
our reserves to pay our way. Had we not received the two donations and the
gift aid on them, the loss would have been £8,300, so we are very grateful to the
two donors.
14Looking ahead
Over the last year we eliminated as much spending as possible, including making
the Parish Administrator redundant in March, and not progressing the
appointment of a musical director. We will need to review these appointments
during the coming year, but would be adding at least £8,000 to a full year’s costs
if we filled both posts. We are committed to employing Richard as Lay Pastoral
Minister until he completes his ordination in 2023, and his work is invaluable to
the fellowship.
Our fuel costs have been relatively low in 2021, in part because the buildings
have not been used as much, in part because, as you may have noticed, only one
boiler has been working in the church, and in part because we have been
shielded from fuel increases by existing gas and electricity contracts. Both
contracts expire in 2022, and the increases will be substantial when negotiating
new ones. An increase in our day-to-day spending is inevitable, although the
amount is difficult to predict at present.
The PCC is urgently pursuing the purchase of a new heating system for the
church, coupled with a policy of making the church ‘greener’ as we try to
become an ‘Ecochurch’. Ideally, this means installing a heating system in the
church which is not gas-fired, and seeking a ‘green’ gas tariff for the hall. We
expect the church heating system to be around £40,000. We have reserves to
meet this, but reducing our investments will reduce the level of interest that
boosts our day-to-day income.
A gradual increase of activity in fund-raising, and community use of the hall
during 2022 will be necessary and should be possible. However, being realistic,
it is unlikely that we will be able to balance what we receive with what we have
to spend over the year, and avoid another deficit, without an increase in giving
by church members and supporters. An extra 10p in the pound on all donations
would raise £4,000.
So, are we broke? No! Fortunately, we do have reserves, but we are drawing on
them in the current situation in order to pay our basic, non-luxurious, expenses.
This is not a good situation long-term, and the only lasting solution will be to
increase the money coming into the church from fundraising, from ‘trading’,
and, yes, from the generosity of members.
Terry Daniels PCC Treasurer
15Christmas 2021 TV ratings and the Christian life
Christmas Day 2021's Top 10 TV hits
Ratings source: Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board
1. The Queen (BBC One, ITV, Sky News) — 8.96 million
2. Strictly Come Dancing (BBC One) — 5.7 million
3. Call The Midwife (BBC One) — 4.72 million
4. Michael McIntyre's Christmas Wheel (BBC One) — 4.64 million
5. Blankety Blank (BBC One) — 4.24 million
6. Mary Poppins Returns (BBC One) — 3.66 million
7. Superworm (BBC One) — 3.34 million
8. Coronation Street (ITV) — 3.25 million
9. Emmerdale (ITV) — 3 million
10. EastEnders (BBC One) — 2.92 million
As well as measuring the current popularity of TV's soaps and panel
games, the annual Christmas Day TV ratings produced by BARB, the not-for-
profit, Broadcasters' Audience Research Board, is a good reflection of the
underlying spirit of the nation. The viewing figures for last Christmas (above) is
no exception.
The love and respect for HM The Queen as the platinum celebrations for
her devoted service as the head of the UK, the Commonwealth and the
Anglican Church gets under way, was seen clearly in her return to the number
one spot with a huge majority of over 3 million more viewings than the next
most popular programme, the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.
This was despite the popularity of Strictly, a long time national favourite
programme for the past 17 years, being boosted even more in the last series by
the remarkable success of Rose Ayling Ellis the first deaf contestant who won
the 2021 ‘glitter ball’. Her success relied on a close relationship that developed
with her dance professional Giovanni Pernice, and by counting the beat. Her
world was revealed to viewers during a remarkable silent dance sequence
when the band stopped playing for a short time.
Rose's prize, however, goes way beyond the coveted 'glitter ball' because
her achievement is being hailed as a huge step forward in breaking down the
barriers faced by more than 11 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the
UK.
16About 1 million viewings below Strictly was Call the Midwife, another
'Christmas special' with a social welfare awareness theme. Set in the poverty of
the dockland area of the East End of London in the 1960's, it highlighted the
love, dedication and innovation of a team of midwives based in a small health
centre run by nuns, and who work alongside a GP and ministers from local
Christian churches. It was a world that many older people remember well. It was
one before the internet, mobile phones, personal computers and virtual
technology. In the world of Call the Midwife, one of the 'latest' developments
involved the use of leeches!
Given the current state of our world, it is reassuring to know that half of
the top 10 TV hits on Christmas Day reflect the Christian way of life that Jesus
demonstrated both by what he said and what he did, and at the heart of them is
the love that comes from God and the love that is reflected in the caring for our
family, our friends and neighbours, and for the social and medical health care of
the less fortunate members of society. Bob Peters
Help our planet by digging for victory!
That's the message The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) wants to get across to
everyone with a garden with a modern-day ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign aimed at
helping to tackle climate change.
The original ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign was set up during World War II by the
British Ministry of Agriculture. It encouraged everyone, men, women and children,
to grow their own food, and in doing so, help overcome the harsh rationing of food
caused by the war. Open spaces everywhere were transformed into allotments,
from domestic gardens to public parks — even the lawns outside the Tower of
London were turned into vegetable patches. A massive propaganda leaflet
campaign aimed to both ensure that people had enough to eat, and that morale
was kept high. The current recession, as well as a new awareness of ‘food miles’
and climate change, has increased the demand for vegetable growing plots and
the trend is supported by new, comparable government initiatives. In response to
this,
The RHS is asking the UK’s 30 million gardeners to consider digging up their
garden paving and to plant trees, grass and bee-friendly flora, instead, but this
time, rather than for human survival, the 'Dig for Victory' campaign is to help
nature survive.The RHS has calculated that if every gardener in the UK grew at
least one medium-sized tree in their garden, then that would be the equivalent of
storing the carbon produced from driving 11 million times around the planet.
Research from a YouGov survey has found that only 19% of gardeners have
adopted sustainable gardening practices, so there is lots of room for
improvement!
17December ramble – Tardebigge: The Ups and Downs
Over 200 years ago, a line stretching thirty miles was furrowed out of the earth
with shovels and the Worcester and Birmingham Canal was created for the
transportation of porcelain pots and Cadbury’s chocolate (amongst other
goods), and is now used by hundreds, if not thousands, of leisure boats each
year.
The Tardebigge Locks, also known as the Tardebigge Flight, is the longest flight
of locks in the UK, comprising 30 narrow locks on a two and a quarter mile
stretch at Tardebigge, carrying narrowboats 220ft uphill and downhill.
For our second visit to Tardebigge this year, 13 ramblers met in the car park of
the Queens Head pub at Stoke Pound (with thanks to the pub for allowing us to
use their car park) and proceeded to walk over the bridge and past the pub to
descend to the south side of the canal towpath and set off for bridge 52.
Although we passed a good number of dog walkers and families out walking, the
canal itself was very quiet and during our mile walk along the towpath we
passed several boat-free locks. Just before reaching bridge 52 we turned right
into trees and down to the first of several very muddy and slippery fields - the
fields had suffered quite badly from the rain in the previous days and in many
places had been turned into quagmires. Having crossed 3 large fields, and
almost at the halfway point of the walk, we climbed over our final (and
definitely tallest) stile and arrived at a road junction. Having got this far with no-
one actually slipping over in the mud (but with several near misses!), we
decided it was probably safest to continue the ramble by following a road route
that ran almost parallel with the planned route, enabling us to continue to
Lower Bentley Farm, round to Orchard Farm and on to Stoke Prior along some
very quiet country roads. Arriving at Stoke Prior we were able to once again
able to join the canal towpath and walk the final quarter of a mile back to the
car park.
13 ramblers arrived safely back at the Queens Head 3 hours and 20 minutes
after setting off, having walked somewhere between 6.4 to 7.1 miles (depending
on whose pedometer you trusted), to partake of home-made mince pies, fruit
cake, lemon drizzle cake, banana cake and gluehwein, and join in a rendition of
Happy Birthday, in celebration of Jon’s birthday the previous day.
Julie Batham
18Wightwick and back via the Staffs and Worcester canal and South Staffordshire
Railway Walk – January 2022
To kick start the new year 16 ramble members enjoyed a frosty January Saturday
walking from the Victorian manor house, that is Wightwick Manor, along the
Staffs and Worcester canal towpaths and South Staffordshire dis-used Railway
returning to the rendezvous point of The Mermaid, where some of the group
enjoyed the hospitalities!
Wightwick Manor is a Victorian manor house located on the Wightwick Bank on
the out-skirts of Wolverhampton. It has been owned by the National Trust since
1937. The manor house was built by Theodore Mander, of the Mander Family,
who were successful 19th-century industrialists in the area. In 1937, Geoffrey
Mander, a radical Liberal MP and local paint manufacturer, who had been left the
manor house by his father Theodore, persuaded the National Trust to accept a
house that was just 50 years old, under the Country Houses Scheme Act. The
manor house and gardens are now open to the public.
From our rendezvous point of The Mermaid pub the walk took us in a westerly
direction along the canal where many other walkers and cyclists enjoyed the fresh
January air. Despite the chill the wildlife did not hide away, and many varieties of
birds and ducks were observed en-route.
Arriving at Bridge 53, where we paused for a group photograph, we left the canal
towpath and enjoyed looking at the beautiful residential properties of the Lower
Penn area before joining the Staffordshire Railway Walk at The Lindens. Here we
re-grouped and took a 5-minute break and a chocolate to help Lynn out with her
Christmas stocks before continuing our walk along the dis-used railway line.
Again, the wildlife did not cease to impress, and the birdsong en-route was
extremely joyful.
On reaching Compton, we descended from the railway and re-joined the canal
towpath to head back to our starting point. But before we did so a re-fuel stop at
the remains of the Compton Station platform was taken and lunchbreak was
enjoyed. A short photo-shot stop at the lock then on to The Mermaid.
On reaching our start point and having completed 6.25 miles, it was time for the
group to celebrate with Ken his birthday from 27th December. Pauline and Ken
being extremely organised had arranged for homemade cakes before they headed
off on their winter break, so the group enjoyed, for the 3rd month running, lemon
drizzle cake, banana loaf and fruit tea loaf.
A great turn-out with 16 ramblers being the most out walking for a long time.
Another enjoyable walk with great company.
Lynn Richardson
19Thank you to all Mission to Seafarers knitters!
You are amazing! During 2021, we have been able to send 200 hats, 14 scarfs, 12
balaclavas and 24 pairs of gloves. A combined total of 250 knitted items.
If you’re in church do look on the notice board. The photos of the seafarers
wearing some of the hats etc. that are sent shows, I think, just how much they are
appreciated. During the pandemic seafarers have been confined to their ships and
unable to come ashore. Throughout lockdown the Mission to Seafarers have been
creative in how they have ministered to seafarers. Sometimes leaving parcels on
the gang plank for the seafarers to collect.
It’s only recently some of the restrictions have been lifted. The Mission to
Seafarers was unable to receive parcels for a while and I was only able to begin
sending again towards the end of 2021. Hopefully, in 2022 things will continue to
improve. So if I have been unable to thank you face to face, please do know how
grateful I am for your continued support and interest.
Take care and stay safe, good wishes for 2022. Judith
Strap lines
Anybody who's busy pulling on the oars hasn't got time to rock the boat
Golden rules for the Bible: Read it through; Pray it in; Work it out, Pass it on
You are not too bad to come into church and you are not too good to stay
out.
We may choose to ignore the facts, but that doesn’t change them.
Silence is sometimes the most effective answer.
. People who laugh at themselves rarely run out of things to laugh at.
20Make St Valentine’s Day memorable – give a book!
International Book Giving Day, on 14 February, is about getting books into
the hands of as many children as possible. The idea was started in 2012 and is
now run entirely by volunteers in 44 countries. In the UK it is organised by Emma
Perry of My Book Corner, emperry@gmail.com
According to the National Literacy Trust, in 2012 only one in every eight
children in the UK owned a book and today generally literacy is still much lower
than most of us would expect. The Covid lockdowns have slightly boosted the
amount of reading that children have been doing, although much of this is not
always with printed books – online activities and games were a prime source.
Perhaps one of the most important comments the Literacy Trust’s latest report,
published last year, is that:
As this is being written, the Covid pandemic is beginning to look much more
serious again as around the world restrictions are being re-applied and lockdowns
are being re-introduced. Getting books into the hands of children remains,
therefore, as important as ever. To find more about how you can help
visit https://bookgivingday.com where you can also download a free printable
bookplate to use with the books that you give away.
Make Valentine’s Day truly memorable this year and show your love for a
deprived child by giving them a book of their own to read!
21Thinking of others: Fairtrade Fortnight 2022 (21 February – 6 March)
Fairtrade works with farming co-operatives, businesses, and governments
to make trade fair so that producers earn secure and sustainable livelihoods.
(Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed Isaiah 1:17 and, Love your
neighbour as yourself Matthew 22:39).
The climate crisis is the biggest threat to the livelihoods of millions of
small-scale farmers and agricultural workers in low-income countries worldwide.
Without a fairer income, farmers and workers are unable to invest in the types
of mitigation and adaptation techniques needed to protect the environment,
and their businesses. This represents a vicious cycle of poverty in which steps
towards environmental protection and decarbonisation are likely to be beyond
the reach for those who aren’t even able to earn a living income because the
price they receive for their produce is far too low.
When thinking of Fairtrade, most people think of bananas, chocolate or
tea and coffee, but there are many other Fairtrade products, including gold,
wine, clothes, beauty products and flowers. There are over 70,000 people
growing, harvesting, packing, and caring for Fairtrade flowers which are
traceable to the original farm. Fairtrade certified farms must ensure safety and
working conditions for their employees. These farms receive a Fairtrade
Premium of 10% for every item sold, which allows workers to invest in
healthcare, education and other social benefits.
Fairtrade works with flower workers in countries including Kenya,
Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Uganda and Tanzania. Fairtrade flowers are
available from Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Lidl, M & S and Moonpig, which may be worth
bearing in mind with the approach of Valentine’s Day and Mothering Sunday on
14 March.
22CANDLEMAS
For Christians throughout the world, February gets underway with
Candlemas, a special celebration officially held on 2 February, or the nearest
Sunday to it – this year, according to the Church of England lectionary it has
been moved to Sunday 30 January, other denominations may be different.
Candlemas is also known as the ‘Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the
Temple’ and recalls the events recorded in the Gospel of Luke 2.22-40. The
ceremony described by Luke complied to the Old Testament Jewish rite of
purification when, following the birth of a child the mother had to be ‘purified’
by offering a burnt offering in the Temple of a lamb, although for the poor, a
young pigeon or dove was acceptable.
Candlemas is held 40 days after Christmas and complies with the length of
time that is prescribed for most of the major events in the Christian calendar,
for example the 40 days of Lent which this year begins on Ash Wednesday
2 March, and what was originally, 40 days of Advent. For some Christians
around the world, it is still the time decorations are taken down. Today,
however, it is more generally recognised that The Epiphany, which marks the
visit by the Magi, and which is celebrated 12 days after Christmas Day, is the
time to take them down.
For many parish churches, Candlemas became the time when the new
stock of candles arrived for the year and a feature of the service was for them to
be blessed and dedicated to serve God. This was, of course, before electricity
took over as the prime source of lighting. In recent times, many churches have
adapted Candlemas to incorporate Christingle, while many other churches
include Christingle in their pre-Christmas celebrations.
Another spin-off from the ancient Christian festival of Candlemas is
Groundhog Day which is also on 2 February. Groundhog Day is primarily a time
for a family feast and party in North America. Like the Christingle, it has its roots
in Germany and it reached America via Dutch speaking emigrates who took with
them their superstitions about predicting spring. Basically, this superstition says
that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on Candlemas Day and sees its
shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for
six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will
arrive early. Like the St Swithin’s Day superstition – which is on 15 July and
predicts 40 days and 40 nights of rain – there is no real scientific evidence that
supports the groundhog phenomenon, but this does not stop people enjoying
themselves! Bob Peters
23Poem for Candlemas
Yes, take the greenery away
That smiled to welcome Christmas Day,
Untwine the drooping ivy spray.
The holly leaves are dusty all,
Whose glossy darkness robed the wall,
And one by one the berries fall.
Take down the yew, for with a touch
The leaflets drop, as wearied much
With light and song, unused to such.
Poor evergreens! Why proudly claim
The glory of your lovely name,
So soon meet only for the flame?
Another Christmas Day will show
Another green and scarlet glow,
A fresh array of mistletoe.
And this new beauty, arch or crown,
Will stiffen, gather dust, grow brown,
And in its turn be taken down.
Tonight the walls will seem so bare!
Ah, well! look out, look up, for there
The Christmas stars are always fair.
They will be shining just as clear
Another and another year,
O‘er all our darkened hemisphere.
So Christmas mirth has fleeted fast,
The songs of time can never last,
And all is buried with the past.
But Christmas love and joy and peace S
hall never fade and never cease,
Of God‘s goodwill the rich increase.
Fr. Harold Macdonald
24MARCH PARISH NEWS
Articles for next month’s Magazine to
be with the Editor by Sunday, February 13th please.
wendydyke72@gmail.com
FEBRUARY SANCTUARY FLOWER ROTA
February 6th Vacant
February 13th Mrs Jean Downs
February 20th Pauline and Rachel Davies
February 27th CAMEO
Thanks to Dave Walker
2526
COMPUTER\LAPTOP REPAIR SERVICE
Experienced Computer Technician & IT Tutor
Over 35 years’ experience in the IT Industry
Computer Repairs\Laptop Repairs
Data Recovery\Data Transfer
Computer Upgrades\Services
Slow Computers\Laptops
Setup of New Computers and Laptops
Virus / Spyware Removal
Internet, Networking and Wireless Networking setup / troubleshooting
Virus Removal No power, No Sound, Email problems
Hard Drive Failures
Software Installs & Fixes
Printer Problems
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Contact:
Marilyn Taylor
Tel: 0121 423 3248
Mobile: 07814 086802
Email: marilyntaylor455@hotmail.com
During this time with restrictions in place for everyone, it has been very
concerning re: the lack of selling Traidcraft goods in church. If this is
happening throughout, and sales falling then the support of those people
who rely on the charity will be greater.
I don’t have the answer, but maybe I could encourage you to buy from the
local supermarkets. Meanwhile, what stock is still at church could be sold off
(if out of sell by date). If it helps I could be at church during the open hour on
Wednesday.
Please get in touch, Wendy Email: wendydyke72@gmail.com
27ORGANISATIONS
Monday
Brownies in the Church Hall
Guides in the Church Hall
Tuesday
Little Fish with St. Hilda’s 10-00-11.30am
Wednesday
Rainbows in the Church Hall
Beavers Age 6 – 8 years. Boys and girls
Zumba 2-3pm
Thursday
Scouts in the Scout Hut 10 –14 years (boys and girls)
Rainbows in the Church Hall
Brownies in the Church Hall
Cubs in the Scout Hut 8-10 years (boys and girls)
Guide Group Leader: Pat Crofts 0121 544 3275
Group Scout Leader: Diane Walker 0121 429 5260
If you would like more information about any of the above
Organisations, Email : administrator@sainthildawarleywoods.co.uk
Please be aware that we are not currently able to offer any of our usual
weekly meetings as outlined above.
28ST.HILDA’S CHURCH ABBEY ROAD, SMETHWICK B67 5NQ
VICAR: Revd Jenni Crewes Tele: 0121 429 1384
Mobile: 07377363915
Email: vicar@sainthildawarleywoods.co.uk
CHURCHWARDEN:
Mrs. Sue Round Tel: 572 9752
DEPUTY CHURCHWARDEN
Mrs. Pat Allen Email: pea_allen@hotmail.com
READER:
Mrs. Fran Ellis Tel: 429 6267
READER AND PASTORAL MINISTER (Mon/Tues and Wed )
Mr. Richard Haynes Email: richard.lpm@outlook.com Mobile: 07972 530 161
ORGANIST & CHOIRMASTER: Vacant
CHURCH COUNCIL SECRETARY:
Mr. Andrew M. Email: secretary@sainthildawarleywoods.co.uk
CHURCH COUNCIL TREASURER:
Mr. Terry Daniels Tel: 558 9100
Email: treasurer@sainthildawarleywoods.co.uk
MAGAZINE TREASURER: Mr. Alan Gibbens Tel: 550 4027
MAGAZINE EDITOR:
Mrs. Wendy Dyke Email: wendydyke72@gmail.com Tel: 552 1003
CHURCH WEBSITE ADDRESS: www.sainthildawarleywoods.co.uk
WEBSITE ENQUIRIES: peterstokes@talk21.com
We are a Registered Charity and our Number is: 1181258
Please quote this number on all church correspondence.
SAFEGUARDING CONTACT 07946 147 703
or Email: safeguarding@sainthildawarleywoods.co.uk
The Vicar, Readers and Wardens are always pleased to receive the names of the
sick and housebound who wish to be remembered in our prayers.You can also read
