2021 Winter final

St Mary’s Woodford
Parish Magazine

Volume 12 number 4 www.stmaryswoodford.org.uk

Winter 2021

Welcome

Remembering has a whole season in November – there is Remembrancetide but
also remembering our own loved ones. Often Christmas is a time for
remembering too. Remembering is partly about our own precious memories and
how they connect with others, but it has many other resonances. Sadly not
everyone is able to access their memories or some of their memories. Often the
joy of reminiscing is the shared memories we access together, and also
recognising what has changed since..

Many of us will be recalling Christmas 2020, and the ways many of our plans
got changed at the last minute. Let’s hope it will be possible this year to
celebrate Christ’s birth together in church and with those we love. I wonder
though, if we’ll remember what we learned last Christmas about how nothing
can stop the celebration of the incarnation – in all its glory and simplicity.

Re-membering I often think of as drawing back into connection, into
belonging. On Remembrance Sunday I talked about my Granny (who is 98 and a
half) and the story she first told me four years ago of her childhood
Remembrance Sundays, walking between villages with her dad to several war
memorials and Acts of Remembrance. When she asked him why they went to so
many memorials, he explained that he went to France during the Great War with
six friends and very sadly only two of them came back. I think my great
grandfather wanted his daughter to remember each of his friends who hadn’t
come back, who hadn’t had the freedom to do and be all the things he had. I
expect he was thinking about how if he hadn’t come back, his daughter wouldn’t
have been born, and how thankful he was for her. I wonder if he had any idea
we’d still be talking and thinking about his friends over hundred years after they
died. I’m also curious how my Granny and I got talking in such a way that she
told me that story, and gave me permission to share it.

Remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and remembering his
current presence with us is what we do every time we celebrate and share in
Communion. We don’t have direct memories of our own of the crucifixion and

Front cover: Remembrance—St Mary’s 2021
2

resurrection, but we do have memories of
what those events mean to us and of the
ways the presence of Jesus has changed
us.

At Christmas we remember Jesus’
birth, we celebrate his birthday, we tell
and re-tell the memories and stories and
meanings written down for us in the Bible
about his birth, and even more its
significance for the world. It is an
extraordinary story. Why would God
come to earth in such a vulnerable way? I
really think only God could have dreamt
up such an idea. I wonder what new
memories, connections and re-connections
you will make this Christmas – with God
and with those around you? I hope and
pray you will have a very happy and
peaceful Christmas, and whatever
happens, will know God’s presence with
you.
Revd Dr Elizabeth Lowson, e mail:
[email protected]

Parish Register

For your prayers:

Funerals:

Alan Batchelor 4th October
Jean Pyne 21st October

Interment of ashes:

Terence Hunt 24th September

There is always a copy of the latest parish magazine on the St Mary’s
website
www.stmaryswoodford.org.uk

3

Life at St Mary’s

Special Advent and
Christmas services at
St Mary’s

Communion service with Christingle:
Sunday 5 December 10am at St
Mary's Woodford

** Christmas Lessons and Carols
Service: Sunday 19 December
6.30pm at St Mary's Woodford

** Children’s Nativity Service:
Friday 24 December 5pm at St
Mary's Woodford

Midnight Communion: Friday 24
December 11.30pm at St Mary's
Woodford

Christmas Day Communion:
Saturday 25 December 8am and
10am at St Mary's Woodford (NB No
evening service that day )

Sunday 26th December: 10.0am, the
only service on this day

Also note that:

On Sunday, 5th December at 4.30pm
Ecumenical Advent Carol Service at
St Thomas of Canterbury, Woodford
Green

Do come. If you are coming to the
services marked ** please contact the
parish office in advance phone 020
8505 3000

[email protected]

4

Life at St Mary’s

Relaunch of Prayer
Ministry in February

We are planning to resume the offer of
Prayer Ministry after the Sunday
morning service at the beginning of
February. As previously, it will be write down their prayer requests in
held in the Chapel with two prayer confidence as an alternative to
volunteers available each week. meeting with prayer volunteers in
Prayer ministry provides person after the service.
opportunity for you to bring any Prayer ministry team members
individual concerns to God in the will all have completed Diocesan
peace and privacy of the chapel. You Safeguarding training. If there are any
can request prayer for someone close safeguarding concerns shared during
to you, you can pray for a difficult prayer ministry, prayer volunteers
situation weighing on your mind, or would seek guidance to ensure we
you may need prayer for yourself and always offer a safe and appropriate
your own needs. response to those coming forward for
The prayer volunteers are there to personal prayer.
welcome you and listen non If you have any suggestions about
judgementally with their hearts and these plans to resume prayer ministry
minds open to God. Whatever you in the New Year, please share your
share will remain confidential. You thoughts with Elizabeth.
can say as little or as much as you feel
comfortable with. The prayer Kathy Wiltshire
volunteers will listen prayerfully to
your concerns, and will then pray with
you, asking for God’s blessing and
protection. We have printed prayer ‘for my house shall be called a
cards which you can take away house of prayer for all peoples.’

afterwards, and if helpful, we can Isaiah 56:7
continue to pray for you throughout
the following week. The prayer
volunteers are supported by our
Rector Elizabeth.
We are also planning to place a
Prayer Box in the church so that
members of the congregation can

5

Life at St Mary’s

Harvest Festival service: fruits of the
earth

A fond farewell to Gloucester bound
David and Jane Godwin

St Mary’s Food and Fun day on 11th September
6

Life at St Mary’s

As Elizabeth said at the main service
on 12th September:

‘Becca has been our youth worker at A fond goodbye: Becca and Elizabeth at
Woodford and also Wanstead and the main service on 12th September
Aldersbrook over the last six years,
working with young people in each
of the churches and also across these
communities, often supporting young
people in difficult times. Becca left
us at the end of August and has very
kindly come back so we could add
our thanks to those of the young
people in July. Becca thank you for
all you've done in sharing the love of
Jesus in so many ways – often
quietly - you leave us with our thanks
and our prayers.’

Let them eat cake: so what’s this all about then?
See page 13

7

Life at St Mary’s

The Bazaar at the Memorial Hall on 20th November

8

Life at St Mary’s

9

A helping hand locally

Help for poverty and debt

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a debt relief
management and advisory charity. They work
with individuals to get them out of debt and learn to manage their budgets.
They work with an individual and their family over a number of months and
years.
Acts 435 is an on-line Christian charity which uploads requests for money
(from churches on behalf of individuals) and asks members of congregations to
give to meet those requests. The maximum request is £150 and the request
remains on the website for two weeks (by which time 90% of requests are
met).
An example of CAP and Acts 435 working together concerns a working mum
in Walthamstow. She has two young children and recently left her partner.
She's had to move her children to a new school and take out a restraining order
after her ex-partner tried to make contact. She's working with Christians
Against Poverty and repaying her debts, but recent car repairs have meant she's
struggling again. This is where support was provided through Acts 435.
Within two days, my request as the Acts 435 Advocate for St Mary’s
Walthamstow for £150 was met, and we were able to alleviate some of the
stress that our friend was struggling with.
If you have a need, or know someone who needs support, do get in touch.
If you’d like to help someone who’s approached a church seeking help, do log
into Acts435 and see what’s there. https://acts435.org.uk/
Sheba Lockley

Now the company of those that believed were of one heart and soul, and
no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but
that they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles
gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace
was upon them all . There was not a needy person among them, for as
many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the
proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet; and distribution
was made to each as any had need.
ACTS Chapter 4 verses 32—35

10

Book review

Choosing Gratitude by
Nancy DeMoss
Wolgemuth

Published by Moody Publishers,
Chicago ISBN -13: 978-0-8024-3255-1

‘Thou that hast given so much to me, The higher our standard of
Give one thing more, a grateful heart’. living, the more discontented
George Herbert we become.
It occurs to me that if you fill your heart Gratitude unleashes the
with gratitude, there is no room for freedom to live content in the
anything else, especially fear and anxiety, moment, rather than being
to surface. This year I have been trying to anxious about the future or
put that into practice, but how? regretting the past.’
‘Do not be anxious about
This book not only takes the subject on anything’, the apostle Paul
board in nine lengthy chapters but also wrote, ‘but in everything by
includes 30 daily devotional guides based prayer and supplication with
on Scripture, inviting the reader to dig thanksgiving let your requests
deeper. To enrich these sections, I printed be made known to God.’
the Bible passages separately to scribble Penny Freeston
over and underline as I worked through
them.
Here are some quotations to ponder on:
‘Seek to cultivate a buoyant, joyous sense
of the crowded kindnesses of God in your
daily life.
Is the gratitude that flows out of your life
as abounding as the grace that has flowed
into your life?
When we give out gratitude to God, we
cause gratitude to well up in others’
hearts.
How often do we neglect to return thanks
for a kindness done, a duty performed or a
step saved?

11

Life at St Mary’s

DO NOT FALL!

I have been out of action for nearly six
months now after serious falls and it
occurred to me that a brief description of
what such a situation means might be
useful to other people. The main point I
would wish to make is one of complete
inadequacy. You are confined to bed or
wheelchair and can do nothing at all - not
even collect the morning newspaper or
one’s cutlery for a much anticipated meal. Philip with great grandson James
You have to wait for someone else to do last year

everything for you - and not necessarily in
the way you used to do it yourself. Of course I cannot go to church - something I
miss a great deal and which the service relay system (a really excellent system at
St. Mary’s) cannot quite stand in for and which for someone teaching English
full time is a serious matter.
I am now learning to walk with a professional teacher and I can really hope
that, at the age of 96, this will restore to me the action most people regard as
natural and inevitable. I hope that this brief article is helpful to other unfortunate
people all of whom have my very best wishes indeed.

Philip Swallow: staying upright now!

Celebratory cake for the tercentenary of the bells (see
right hand page): icing by Molly Walker
12

Life at St Mary’s

1721 – 2021: THE TERCENTENARY OF THE
BELLS

As in many towers, in the ringing only 3 complete ‘rings’: apart from
chamber at St Mary’s there is a list of our 6, there are a 5 at Eastling in Kent
the bells, which as well as setting out dating from 1717 and an 8 at
their weight and notes identifies both Wingham in Kent dating from 1720.
who made them and when. We shall have to visit them!
Earlier this year I noticed that of To mark the tercentenary, for
the eight at St Mary’s, the back six Evensong on 7 November 2021, the
(the heaviest bells) were all cast in ringers rang a quarter peal of Bob
1721. This was their tercentenary! Doubles. It was a ‘Sunday Service
Elmer’s History of St Mary’s tells us band’– that is, the ringers all regularly
that in 1721 there were four bells, ring for Sunday service. Dennis
dating from at least 1552, and that in Ellisdon, who rang the fifth and
September 1721, the Vestry resolved conducted the ringers, first rang at St
to recast them and add two new bells. Mary’s in 1958 and Tony Faulkner
I haven’t yet had the chance to go who rang the second learned to ring
to the County Record Office to see a here in 1960. We were honoured to
copy of the resolution or see from the be joined by Andrew Kelso, the
accounts how much the new bells Master of the Essex Association of
cost but I have been to the London Change Ringers. After the quarter
Metropolitan Archive to look at the peal Helen Hollinsworth also joined
Record Book of the Vicar General of in the ringing.
London. On the advice of the Kate Walker 1 A Faulkner 2 Jan
Worshipful Chancellor, Humphrey Stenton 3 A Kelso 4 D Ellisdon
Bentham, on 7 October 1721, a (cond) P Petchey 6: in 45 minutes
faculty was granted by John 1260 Plain Bob Doubles
Robinson, Bishop of London to If, reading this, you think you
Martin Butt and Richard Rogers, the might like to learn to ring, you will be
churchwardens. The new bells were very welcome to come and see us on
cast by Richard Phelps of the a Monday evening, our practice night.
Whitechapel Bell Foundry. They have Speak to Kate Walker or contact the
the names of the Rector (Richard parish office on 020 8505 3000.
Masters) and the churchwardens on
them and on the sixth it is recorded Philip Petchey
that it was the gift of Lady Elianor
Rowe.
There are quite a number of bells
by Richard Phelps that survive but

13

A local focus on environmental action
An Eco Church conversation at St Mary’s

We are now pleased to have the A reducing initiatives and to take a
Rocha Bronze Eco Church award we great many smaller ones. At St
applied for . It’s the first step taken by Mary’s the recent ‘story so far’ is
members of the Eco church sub-group, that:
but represents progress already made by
others over many years. We now want to Elizabeth convened a meeting
go forward much further. Like the rest in September to lobby our MP,
of the diocese we’ll continue to use the Ian Duncan Smith, where
A Rocha approach. Chelmsford representatives of local churches,
cathedral has achieved the gold award, including our own, pressed him to
and at St Mary’s we now intend to go help make COP26 a success. (See
forward to silver. page 16 )

A Rocha offers us a sense of We have now expanded that
direction, and already a sense of group to a wider eco conversation
achievement, in our efforts to achieve and the first session took place
carbon neutrality by 2030. Nonetheless on Thursday 11 November. It
A Rocha stars are not ends in proved to be a good opportunity
themselves. Our real purpose is to to reflect and update following
involve everybody at St Mary’s in our discussion with Iain Duncan
achieving the 2030 target, and we will Smith MP in September, to
only do that if all of us are involved in discuss COP26 and to explore
what ever way we can be. The PCC and further actions we’re taking as
its Eco sub-group, will lead and individual churches or that we
encourage but they will depend on could take together. In future we
support, ideas and commitment from the would be glad to connect with
whole church community. We will now others nearby. It was decided at
‘follow the (silver) star’, and we will
pray, grow, develop and celebrate
achieving our goals together along
God’s way. We wish:

‘To care for creation as an integral
part of loving our neighbours and fol-
lowing God faithfully.’

It’s been said that to make climate
progress everyone needs to do some
lobbying, to take one or two big carbon-

14

A local focus on environmental action

the meeting to set up a mailing list introduce our Eco sub-group, share
for people interested in eco measures the latest eco church news and then
at churches. If you want to get on that break out into smaller discussion
list please contact the parish office groups to explore key topics, stimu-
(for which there are contact details on late thought and generate ideas. We’ll
page 16). include our young people in their
Our PCC has agreed to a own way, and everyone’s ideas will
feasibility study on replacing our be noticed and contribute to our
boiler with a heat pump in the next emerging action plan.
few years. This is a long term project
but work is underway to look at
options and issues. ‘Going for Silver!’- a climate
crisis event and conversation for St
On Sunday 3rd October a Mary’s on Sunday 5th December
congregational post-it notes exercise 11.20-12.20 in the Gwinnell Room.
produced many individual pledges,
from recycling through to changing
diets, creating garden meadows,
turning off taps and lights and more.
Those pledges marked the No doubt this meeting will dis-
beginning of our church-wide eco cuss how our eco work and church-
conversation. As we grow and wide discussions should continue in
develop our Eco vision and embark the coming months and years. In the
on our next phase, we are inviting first place, though, we hope to see
you to get involved. We will facilitate you on the 5th!
this continuous eco conversation
through a series of events and open John Wiltshire
forums designed to keep the
momentum, generate and share ideas,
discuss and capture our thoughts and
ensure they are translated into
achievable actions that have an
impact.
These discussions will bring
opportunities to explore our response
to the climate crisis together and will
keep us focused on achieving our Eco
Church vision and making it a
reality.
Make a diary note of a St Mary’s
‘Going for Silver!’ event on Sunday
5th December after the morning
service. See the box below. We’ll

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A local focus on environmental action

Environmental action at St Mary’s

So if you were to put 12 questions on this subject to Sir Ian Duncan Smith MP
what questions would you chose? If you would like a copy of a note of the
meeting on 17th September contact the parish office at
[email protected] or phone 020 8505 3000

Questions for the visit of Sir Iain doing with other backbenchers
Duncan Smith MP to St Mary’s especially before COP26 to advocate
Woodford on Friday 17 September an integrated national plan to ensure
2021 implementation in all the different
Purpose: to discuss the climate policy areas?
emergency with representatives of Question 4
churches in the Chingford & COP26 is a huge opportunity for the
Woodford Green constituency UK to lead significant change in this
Question 1 very urgent climate emergency. As
What is the greatest achievement of you may well be aware, Pope
this government regarding the Francis, Archbishop Justin and
climate emergency? Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
Question 2 issued an unprecedented joint
IPCC August 2021 report suggests statement 10 days ago urging the
there is hope for the climate world population to pray ahead of
emergency situation if carbon COP26 and ‘listen to the cry of the
emissions can be halved by 2034 Earth and of people who are poor’.
and net carbon zero by 2050. What, Their statement says: ‘Today, we are
in your view needs to be done to cut paying the price [of the climate
greenhouse emissions if we are to emergency] … Tomorrow could be
achieve net zero emissions by 2050? worse.’ How can we influence large
Question 3 polluters to reduce their emissions?
The latest progress report to Question 5
parliament (24 June 2021) from the We appreciate the brave stance that
Climate Change Committee says the you have taken recently in criticising
government needs to do more to Chinese persecution of minority
implement plans to address the groups – on climate change, how
climate emergency – what are you should the government ensure
COP26 really does make a
difference to the global community?

16

A local focus on environmental action

Question 6 manufactured in China, Korea and
Given the recent cut to the foreign aid Japan?
budget, what is your position regarding
the need for G20 finance ministers to Question 11
commit to provide $100 million a year You have argued that promoting
in climate finance to countries on the electric cars in order to hit the
frontline of the climate crisis? government’s ‘arbitrary net zero

Question 7 target’ is a ‘dangerous
obsession’ (25/06/21 The Telegraph).
At the 2019 General Election Hustings How would you propose to
in the Memorial Hall next door, you decarbonise the private and
said that the climate crisis was ‘the commercial transport sectors?
most important issue we face’, (a) how
have you subsequently acted on this? Question 12
And (b) how have you applied pressure How radically must notions of
on members of HM government to take personal freedom change if we are to
significant steps to address this crisis? truly make an impact on stubbornly
high CO2 emissions?
Question 8
Companies offset their carbon footprint Present at the meeting
by investing in green projects, so that
they can claim to be ‘carbon neutral’ Revd James Gilder: St Edmund’s
but in reality they continue to pollute Chingford and Diocesan
our world. How can actual carbon Environmental Officer (CoE)
reduction be promoted rather than
John Goldsmith: St Mary’s Woodford
relying on offsetting emissions through (CoE)
investment? Can carbon offsetting be Revd Dr Elizabeth Lowson:
regulated to ensure it achieves its St Mary’s Woodford (CoE)
aims?
Debra Oakaby: Christ the King
Chingford and member of Brentwood
Question 9 Diocesan Working Group on
What incentives should the
environmental issues (Roman
government offer gas users to change Catholic)
to electric air heat pumps? Philip Petchey: St Mary’s Woodford

Question 10 (CoE) (present as Church Warden)
Revd Oseias da Silva: Woodford
What support should the government Methodist Church
give to British manufacturers of heat Robert Tatam: long term resident in
pumps to invest in the manufacture of the constituency, currently attending
reliable inexpensive heat pumps, given Southwark Cathedral (CoE)
the likely proliferation of heat pumps

17

Our new Bishop at Chelmsford

Called to Travel Well Together

The Right Reverend Dr Guli Francis-
Dehquari took her seat as our Bishop at
a service at Chelmsford Cathedral on
4th September. This is her sermon
from that service.

We are all, I’m sure, acutely aware
that the Diocese of Chelmsford has
been through a painful, arguably
traumatic period over the past 18 Chelmsford Diocese is not a problem
months or so. Along with the rest of to be solved. Over the past four days
the country (and indeed the world) I’ve been on pilgrimage around the
this region has suffered gravely from diocese, visiting each of the seven
the impact of Covid 19. Some parts of archdeaconries, and I’ve seen for
the Diocese are amongst those most myself wonderful signs of life and
severely hit. There are high levels of vitality and many examples of how
tiredness, including among our clergy the Gospel is being shared in word
and lay leaders, there’s anxiety about and deed. Chelmsford Diocese is not a
the future and uncertainty about what problem to be solved. We are God’s
is required of us as the Church of beloved people, together discerning
England in Essex and East London, God’s will for the future, seeking to
both in terms of our future survival be faithful in worship, witness and
but also, and much more importantly, service. And to move into the future
in terms of how we are to continue well, we’ll have to move
serving our communities, providing forward together, each of us playing
much needed hope and expressing our part, taking responsibility, being
God’s love for all. accountable, always remembering that
Into this mix, I’ve been called as we are here not for our own benefit
your Bishop. For the next phase of the but for the benefit of the people we
life of this diocese, God has placed me serve.
among you. What an unexpected and I’d like to suggest three ingredients
extraordinary privilege that is for me that might help us navigate our way
but I feel too, a heavy weight of through the unknowns that lie ahead.
responsibility. Let me say, however, The first is dialogue. When I entered
that I don’t believe I’m here to fix the Cathedral this afternoon, I paused
problems, though I know there are at the entrance and had a brief
high expectations. I’m not sure any conversation with three young people.
one person could solve the challenges This was partly about recognising my
we face. But more than that, place in the scheme of things – as a

18

Our new Bishop at Chelmsford

child of God, alongside others. But the Tribalism is damaging the body of
encounter also demonstrated that we Christ and undermining our mission
are travellers together: the young and to the world. For if we can’t love one
the old, the powerful and the powerless another, how can we possibly love the
and those across every other human world? In the end, the best way to
divide you can think of. And if we are demonstrate our love for God is to
to travel well, we have to dialogue love our neighbour and trust grows
well: we have to talk and be heard, yes, out of love.
but we also have to listen and listen And thirdly, there is scope, I
believe, for better embracing
deeply because that’s how
understanding develops and that’s how our vulnerability, both as individuals
friendships and partnerships are formed and, crucially, as a church. Surely if
and that’s how God works through us we’ve learned nothing else this past
best. God knows we need good year, we’ve learned that whoever we
dialogue within our own churches and are, regardless of rank or position, we
tradition, but we also need to invest in are vulnerable and powerless in the
good dialogue with ecumenical face of a tiny virus. I’ve just been
colleagues, with people of other faiths, seated as the 11th Bishop of
with civic and community partners and Chelmsford in this Cathedral, the so
with all people of good will. called Bishop’s throne or chair. It is
this very seat that makes this church a
Good dialogue is at the heart of Cathedral. The Cathedral represents
healthy relationships. And healthy
relationships will lead to heightened the power of episcopal ministry and
levels of trust, which is my second the authority of the bishop and of
ingredient – trust between the church course the teaching and preaching role
and wider society but also trust within of the bishop. With God’s help I
the church itself. If I had to say what intend to use what power and
single factor is impacting most authority I do have to good use. Woe
to me, should I ever forget Jeremiah’s
negatively the life of the Church of
England at present, it would be the lack words from our first reading: ‘do not
of trust between different let the mighty boast in their might’.
constituencies. There are so many fault Rather, with all humility I pray for
lines in our wonderfully broad, diverse wisdom, compassion and courage to
and complicated church but trust is fast follow the example of the Lord who
being eroded across them. Arguments acts, in Jeremiah’s words, ‘with
are played out publicly often on social steadfast love, justice and
media which has little capacity for righteousness’.
But though this seat may be a
nuance and so fuels misunderstanding. symbol of power and authority, as the
To feel safe we then hunker down
within our silos, shouting louder, less one who sits in it, I am a human
and less able to hear different voices. being, weak and frail. My power and
Lack of trust is eroding our inner life. authority are in truth very limited.
There’s very little I can enforce, I

19

Our new Bishop at Chelmsford

don’t have all the answers; I don’t our vulnerability, though we may be
see clearly the way ahead; I’ll make afflicted, we are not crushed, though
mistakes and I’ll disappoint. And yet perplexed we are not despairing, though
through the example of Jesus Christ struck down, not destroyed.
whose vulnerability on the cross
became his greatest moment of That the Church is going through a
victory, I know that we need not fear period of change is undeniable and
our own vulnerabilities. That if we change is seldom easy, but we are not
put our trust in God we are used both the first to encounter it, nor will we be
for our strengths and our weaknesses the last. Since the days of St. Cedd in
but that often it is through our the 7th century there have been many
vulnerabilities that we make the upheavals in this region and yet the
deepest connections and have the church is still here and the spirit of God
greatest impact. That at any rate has is alive and well. Yes, we are in a
often been my experience. liminal season and we don’t quite know
what the future will look like. But I
And if it’s true of us as can’t help wondering if we’ve become
individuals, then it can also be true so fixated on the destination that we’re
of us as a church. We need not be losing sight of the fact that how we
fearful about our survival, our place travel is far more important.
in society, our lack of financial
resources - in short, our Our primary call as Christians is not
vulnerabilities. The Church of to be anxious about the future but
England is not what it once was and faithful in the present. In every
we may well feel weak and exposed. generation and every place God has
But instead of striving to regain our provided the church with what it needs
position, and endeavouring to fulfil its mission. I have no doubt the
desperately to control the future, same is true for us if only we can
what if we were to embrace our recognise it. So let us take
place on the margins and open responsibility where we can, each of us,
ourselves up in all our vulnerability and let us willingly surrender the rest to
to discover what God is calling us to God. With our eyes fixed on the Lord
be in the future. Jesus let us build on the past, set our
faces towards the future and travel well
St. Paul, in his second letter to together. Amen.
the Corinthians reminds us that the
treasure we have in Jesus Christ, is
in clay jars, to demonstrate that
power belongs to God and not us.
We are those clay jars which are We look forward to a visit from Bishop
cracked and fragile and ungainly yet Guli on 12th June 2022 when we will
by God’s grace it is those very be celebrating the fiftieth anniversary
cracks that allow the light that is of our current church building at St
held within to shine through. In all Mary’s.

20

Our local homeless

Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter

For the last few years Wanstead FCENS already has some funding
Parish and Fr Martyn Hawkes have through grants and donations and has
supported FCENS (Forest Churches a strong professional and volunteer
Emergency Night Shelter), and Christ base.
Church hosted homeless people one
night a week in their church hall all If you'd like to support the current
through the winter of 2019 and crowdfunder, please click on the
supported hotel accommodation for the following link:
homeless last winter. https://
www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/
This year FCENS are hoping to forest-churches-emergency-night-
create a new support hub for homeless shelter-1
people in Waltham Forest and are
wanting to raise funds as they look for If you'd like more information, do
a building to convert. pop into the church office Tuesdays
to Fridays between 10am and 12
‘We will take people in. We will noon.
feed them. We'll befriend them. And Sheba Lockley
we'll help them solve the problems
that prevent them being housed long
term.'

‘You can’t comfort the afflicted without afflicting the
comfortable.’ Princess Diana

21

Quiz

Quiz : How well do we know the
Christmas story?

1 What is the name
of the angel who
annunciated to
Mary?

2 Who said that
Mary’s child
should be called
Jesus?

3 For how long
would Jesus reign
over the house of
Jacob?
4 In which city did
Mary’s cousin
Elisabeth and her
husband Zacharias

live?
5 Who was the governor of Syria at the time when Caesar Augustus sent

out a decree saying that all the world should be taxed?
6 In what clothes did Mary wrap her new born son?
7 Who came with the angel who spoke with the shepherds?
8 Where did the shepherds go after the angels visited them?
9 Who was told that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s

Christ?
10 What was the name of Joseph’s father?
11 What does the name EMMANUEL mean?
12 What helped the wise men to find the baby

Jesus?
13 Which three gifts did the wise men bring?
14 Where was Joseph told by an angel in a dream

to take Jesus?
15 How old were the children killed by Herod?

Answers on page 35

22

Our new Director of Music
Pulling Out the Stops

From a young age, I suspect I have
always managed to annoy my mother
by asking to go inside yet another
church. Whenever we went on a family
holiday, either in this country or
abroad, I was always the first to locate
the nearest church, and insist we went Henry’s first service
and had a look inside. Even if it was
clearly locked, we'd rattle every door to I held an organ scholarship in the
see if there was a way in. And the first cathedral during sixth-form. Following
task once inside the church? Locate the that with a gap-year at Hereford
organ. Obviously. What else would a cathedral, I was really able to get into
ten-year-old want to do? cathedral life with 8 choral services a
I think this fascination with week. I shan't miss the early morning
churches and organs began when I was chorister practices, however!
about seven. I'd sit on the end of the Aside from church music, I am an
organ bench and pull out stops - when avid cook (having not poisoned
asked, of course - for my grandmother. anyone...yet) with an interest in food, I
Soon I begged her if I could have a go, also enjoy reading dystopian literature,
and so one Sunday after Mass she let with 1984 being my favourite book,
me have a very quiet go of one of my and when I can get out of London I
piano pieces. I couldn't yet reach the find great pleasure in travelling
pedals, but was thrilled by the whole through the countryside by rail. I'm
experience nonetheless. really looking forward to my time at St
I'm not a driver, but I'm told sitting Mary's, and I hope to meet you all in
in the seat of a fast, powerful car is one good time.
of the most exhilarating feelings in the
world. Perhaps my version of this was Henry Metcalfe
the first time I played a cathedral organ
in my hometown of Lichfield. As the
organ thundered away accompanying a
full cathedral for the school carol ‘I place an organist who is master
service in verses of 'Hark the Herald', I of his instrument at the very head
knew that there wouldn't be another of all virtuosi.’

sensation like it, if only for me. Ludwig van Beethoven
In the last couple of years, I have (in a letter to the organist at
Breslau in 1825)
been fortunate to work and play in
some of the most spectacular places in
the country. Whilst at school in Bristol,

23

Poetry

Whats App Neighbours Group 2020
by Eithne Cullen

A poem inspired by High View Road in South Woodford, which won 2nd prize
in this year’s Fellowship Square Poetry Competition

Does anyone want these?
Tomato plants in pots appear on doorsteps
children’s books long outgrown ready for a clear
out,
a pair of child’s pyjamas in their wrapping,
cooking apples, knitting wool, suspect looking
seeds,
a trade in jigsaw puzzles starts to trend,
half used pots of paint and
garden tools from some antiquated shed...
How is everyone doing?
Lots of jolly messages and cheery words
emoticons in shades of yellow, green and red,
ubiquitous thumbs ups, cheery winking eyes.
But some explain the ambulance at the door,
some tell of family members not so good
and we all send hearts and little flowers
whats app confraternity of fear and dread...
Are we all clapping for the NHS?
At eight, we see each other face to face
speak to neighbours we have never met
and laugh at no 95’s vuvuzela farty noise.
We see teddy bears in windows and rainbows
put there to cheer and lift our daily walks,
we notice families that have grown - while
older men and women stand alone...

24

Poetry

Has anyone got trouble with their internet?
And many replies flood in, berating this
or that provider, we all know who’s the worst!
The reality of broadband failure affects exams
or documents needed for important work,
talk turns to who we should trust, while
water pressure worries stream and show
our need - stuck in dependency, locked down...
Did you hear that Number 71 has passed?
Diverse streams of RIPs flow in - from
Christian crosses to evocations of Allah
and kind, sad words, about how nice he was,
what a good neighbour to us all, how sad.
Then, like some old East End all in it together
band, we walk, silently and stand to watch the hearse and shed a tear,
not just for him but for us all.

25

Conflict

CONFLICT: artwork by Bryony Bennett

‘Hatred stirs up conflict, but love 'For it has been granted to you that for
covers over all wrongs.’ Proverbs the sake of Christ you should not only
10:12 believe in him but also suffer for his
sake, engaged in the same conflict
‘An eye for an eye will only make the which you saw and now hear to be
whole world blind.’ Mahatma Gandhi mine.' Philippians 1 29-30

‘Peace is not the absence of conflict; ‘Conflict is good in a negotiation
it is the ability to handle conflict by process… it’s the clash of two ideas,
peaceful means.’ Ronald Reagan which then, all being well, produces a
third idea.’ Luke Roberts
‘What would you have? Your
gentleness shall force more than your ‘God’s love is too great to be
force move us to gentleness.’ William confined to any one side of a conflict
Shakespeare, As You Like It or to any one religion.’ Desmond
Tutu

26

Remembrance

The Royal British
Legion

Did you know the Royal
British Legion celebrates its
centenary this year? The
organisation was established
in 1921 to raise money, fight
for rights of servicemen
returning from the Western Front representatives, followed by the
after WW1, and help them find Veterans’ March Past. We also had
employment. our own Service of Remembrance
Since then, the British Legion has here at St Mary’s on Saturday 13th
supported veterans and the families of November, attended by local
servicemen in the aftermath of WW2, dignitaries and cadet groups.
and other more recent conflicts such The British Legion raises money
as the Korean War, Northern Ireland through fund-raising events and
and the Falklands. Many beneficiaries donations throughout the year, but a
of the Legion are increasingly elderly large proportion of their funds comes
and have complex care needs so the from the annual Poppy Appeal each
organisation is just as relevant now as November. The poppy was chosen as
in the past. This year of course, the emblem of the RBL as it was
attention has been on those returning frequently found in the battlefields; it
from Afghanistan. symbolises peaceful sleep and is a
Treatment is provided for physical powerful reminder of the bloody
injury, and there is now greater sacrifice made by so many.
awareness of mental health issues The last couple of years have been
following trauma while in service, particularly difficult financially for
and the importance of counselling as the British Legion as these
a means of psychological healing. collections were so limited. We are
The RBL also leads the nation in very grateful to everyone at St
the key events of Remembrance and Mary’s Church who has been in-
most importantly did so at the volved in poppy collections over the
Festival of Remembrance at the years.
Royal Albert Hall on 13th November.
On Remembrance Sunday there was a Nina Lewis
service at the Cenotaph attended by
the Royal family, present and past
politicians, and Commonwealth

27

Local inter faith walk

The Annual Faith Walk around Ilford

Theme: faith water and the climate emergency

I also went on this walk a couple of that work across all people in the
years before Covid, and was trying borough, regardless of their religion or
to tell what the differences might be. culture. A brief look at his CV shows
That one had a similar theme, the that he has done this for many years.
Environment. One thing, it rained Actions can speak louder than words.
this time, so took more effort to
enjoy. But that’s not necessarily bad, When we moved on to the
making an effort can really make a Buddhist Centre in Balfour Rd, the
bad day satisfying. room was packed to hear that Sri
Lanka has banned pesticides, and
At the Holocaust Memorial in protects its trees. Councillor Jo
Valentines Park Blackman, Redbridge’s lead on
Environment, spoke of her work to
We started at the Holocaust develop a strategy across the Borough
Memorial, in Valentines Park, to reduce our Carbon Footprint.
where we were told the purpose is to
remember the victims of all wars, We walked on to the Vishnu
not confined to the Jews of World Temple in Albert Rd, where the
War 2. The speaker talked of speaker told us of historic water
reconciliation having content, and shortages in India, the need for
told us of desalinated water in Israel agreements to share water from one
being made available to Palestine. river between the states it runs
through, and how much rivers are
The Mayor of Redbridge, honoured. Rivers are Mothers, they
Councillor Roy Emmett, spoke said, mantras are dedicated to water,
briefly about the importance of and, more practically, trees are being
supporting voluntary organisations planted to hold the water to the earth.

28 Almost next door to the Temple is
the Mosque Social centre. A small
brother and sister told us of the value
of water. All life stems from water.
There was a small exhibition of brick
making in Bangladesh, where the
workers had had to move due to
flooding further south. The land is
fragile, much of it is less than five
metres above sea level, and the rice
crop is dependent on the river
flooding: a fine balance.

Local inter faith walk God. While we ate, Ellie Baker, the
AM London wide transport lead,
The Vishnu temple in Albert Road spoke of the need for collective
solutions to climate change
The rain had set in as we walked challenges.
to the newly refurbished Anglican
Church in the High Road, Ilford, So, did I spot any differences
where people first came together in from last time around?
1831. It isn’t easy to make these
older buildings carbon neutral, but I felt the whole tone had
they had won an Rocha Award for become more relevant, as, at every
Eco Church, preparing for the future. stop, important, shared issues were
I sat next to a young Indian woman pressed home. It was especially
who, looking in wonder around, told noticeable that while previously no
me she had never been in a Church politicians had joined any of the
before and felt the spirituality of the stops, this time three of them had,
lovely light building. The Vicar told endeavouring to develop a shared,
us how water in baptism symbolises responsible dialogue, with a wide
life, and creation, but humans must range of stakeholders.
be responsible - it can lead to the
‘deep waters of death’. With two exceptions, we visited
the same religious buildings. There
We were all tired as we moved on have been no synagogues in Ilford
to the Gurdwara, also in Ilford since 2013, and last time the Jewish
High Road. It is carved from pink speaker was made welcome in the
sandstone from Rajasthan, with a Mosque. This time they used the
long meeting room inside furnished Holocaust Memorial to recognise
with many large round tables, where the hurt done to all victims of war,
we could meet each other and eat and build from that.
their welcome snacks. A distinction
was made between religious and And this time, instead of the
man-made laws, stressing that in Catholic Church in the High Road,
making laws, mankind must think of we stopped at the Anglican one. It
is good to be able to give people
from other (or no) Faith an insight
into more aspects of a religion, than
one. The message was, ‘we are in
this together’.
Judy Noble

29

fFoamcilyus

The Bird Orchestra
Birdsong for a Pandemic by
Rebecca Anderson- Deas and
Charlotte Steel
published by Unlocked Press
ISBN978-1-8380710-3-5

‘Which songbirds will be playing violin
and which will be playing trumpet in
the Bird Orchestra?’ Find out more
about the birds of the air and the
instruments of the orchestra in this
beautifully illustrated gift book, hatched
in lockdown. When the orchestras of the
world were on pause, the birds were in
full voice, performing to a captive
audience of enchanted humans.

Humorous and gentle illustrations
will help to make sense of the difficult
times and may shine a light on to
building a brighter future.

30

My favourite Bible Story: The feeding of the five thousand

The feeding of the five was younger and had only just started
thousand is my favourite reading the bible. Why does Jesus
Bible story as it demonstrates always pray for others and not
Jesus’ kindness and himself? I soon realised how selfless
generosity to those who and compassionate he is and like a
follow him and is an example good shepherd always looks after his
of the many miracles that he sheep, Jesus looks after us.
performed.
I also believe this parable is an
Jesus did so many excellent example of how we need to
incredible things in his life trust in God. Knowing that even if our
and this parable stands out to prayers are not answered as quickly as
me because it shows that Jesus truly we may wish, He always listens, He
understood the needs of his people. He hears us and is always there for us.
does not shy away from the challenge Robyn Low (Year 6 aged 11)
of feeding everyone who had followed
him that day but instead asked his
disciples to find them food. The
disciples returned with five loaves and
two fishes. Jesus then prayed to his
Father, as we would in church, and his
prayers are answered. There was
enough food for everyone and 12
baskets left over.

Another reason this bible story
appeals to me so much is because it
answered my biggest questions when I

‘The fallow ground of the poor yields much food, but
is swept away through injustice.’
Proverbs 13 :23

31

Singing

Would you like to improve your
singing and speaking voice? Do
YOU need help perfecting your
vocal technique?

Did you know that releasing the
voice and singing helps to relieve
stress and tension.

I am a professional working
singer with over 20 years’ teaching
experience and an MA in Vocal
Pedagogy. Whether you are
completely new to singing, working
towards auditions or exams, a
working professional or find singing/
music lessons difficult because you
are dyslexic (this is an area I
specialise in) I can provide a fun,
safe and supportive environment for
you or your child to learn about,
explore and develop your/their
singing and speaking voice to its full
potential in person or online.

For a 15 minute free consultation
lesson please contact me on 07940
384785 or email me at
[email protected]. For more
information about me please go to
deborahaloba.com or
www.facebook.com/teachingsingers
Deborah Aloba

‘Sing with your voices, and with And have you wondered about
your hearts, and with all your singing in the choir at St Mary’s? If
moral convictions, sing the new so then why not have a word with
songs, not only with your tongue, Henry Metcalfe, our new Director
but with your life.’ of Music? Contact him at
St Augustine 354-430 [email protected]

32

Book review: new for Advent

Music of Eternity the desire for others to hear this
eternal music for themselves.’
Meditations for Advent with Evelyn Penny Freeston
Underhill by
Robyn Wrigley- Carr The House of retreat at Pleshey
Published by SPCK 33
ISBN 978-0-281-08550-7
Those of us who attended a day of
prayer at Pleshey will remember
learning more about the writings of
Evelyn Underhill. This book focuses
on her meditations and is divided into
four parts:
(i) Prevenience: Welcoming God’s

Coming (God Is)
(ii) Advent: Awaiting God’s Coming

(Christ is Coming)
(iii) Emmanuel: Recognising God’s

Coming (Christ Comes)
(iv) Holy Living: Embracing God’s

Coming (God has Come!)
Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of
York, writes, ‘This book has
sharpened my hunger for God’s
presence, and helped me to depend
more on him for the satisfaction of
that hunger; it has encouraged me to
listen harder, and remind me that
God’s symphony is all around me. It
has invited me to be still, and to wait
in the stillness; it has helped me to re-
examine the hardships of this past
year, and to find Christ at work in
unseen corners. It has set before me a
feast of resources and gentle
encouragement to enter into adoration
and, tellingly, it has increased in me

A different Christian way of life and witness

Christine Carpenter, the Anchoress of Shere

I like to visit country churches, to .
enter their hallowed ground and to
think of those who have worshipped St James’ church at Shere in Surrey
there over the centuries.
People from the village and
A visit to St James Church in members of her family passed food
Shere showed where the Anchoress to her through a grate on the outside
Christine Carpenter had been wall, whence they also emptied her
enclosed in a cell in the church wall chamber pot.
in the 14th century.
To us this way of life seems
Christine Carpenter’s story shows extreme. However the anchoritic
us something of the lives of way of life seems to have been
anchoresses and anchorites in popular in medieval times.
medieval England. Christine was the Anchoresses outnumbered
daughter of William, a carpenter in anchorites, the men called to this
Shere. She petitioned the Bishop of way of life. Some were or wanted to
Winchester to allow her to be walled be saints. People came to them with
into a small cell in the church wall. prayer requests and when seeking
There was a small hole making it spiritual advice. As ships have
possible for her to view the high altar anchors they were the anchors
during services. holding the church in place.

With considerable ceremony she We may not become anchorites
was enclosed in her cell in 1329. but it may be good for some of us to
Christine received the sacrament spend more time praying in country
through the quatrefoil opening. churches and thinking of the lives of
those who went before us.
The part of the church where Christine Cheryl Corney
was enclosed

34

Some local eco tips

Good news that the recycling bins have
returned to the Sainsbury's car park for
plastic punnets in particular

Good news also that the plastic
recycling in the foyer at Sainsbury's
now takes a wider range of previous
difficult to recycle plastics including
crisp packets and pet food pouches!

And some useful online stores if you Do YOU have any eco tips or
want to switch to plastic free and easy suggestions? If so do share them by
to recycle toiletries and household writing in to us at the magazine
cleaning stuff: address
https://www.livecoco.com/ [email protected]
for eco friendly toothpaste, dental LB Redbridge sent every household a
floss and electric toothbrush heads leaflet about extending the range of
https://ecovibe.co.uk/ things you can put in your recycling
For a wide range of laundry, house- boxes. Have you made use of this
hold cleaning and even bedding yet? Do you remember what things
products can now be put in these boxes? Can
https://smolproducts.com you still find your leaflet about this?
Everything I have tried so far works www.redbridge.gov.uk/bins-waste-
just as well as conventional products and-recycling
and comes quickly from ordering.
Viveca Dutt

Christmas story quiz answers: 11 God with us
1 Gabriel 12 a star (from the east)
2 Gabriel 13 gold, frankincense and myrrh
3 for ever 14 Egypt
4 Judah 15 Two years and under
5 Cyrenius Back cover: St Mary’s
6 swaddling clothes churchyard in September,
7 a multitude of the heavenly host photograph by Beth Banks
8 Bethlehem
9 Simeon
10 Jacob

35

A big
thank you

to everyone submitting contributions and photographs to this
edition

Please keep them coming, as without them we wouldn’t have a parish
magazine. Articles, prayers, book reviews, favourite music,
recipes, gardening tips etc.

We would love some children’s drawings as well: the choice is yours!
Email directly using a subject heading to:
[email protected]

or pass to Penny Freeston who will type up your handwritten copy.
Our next copy date is
7th February 2022

Magazine team: Elizabeth Lowson, Penny Freeston, Cheryl Corney,
Sam McCarthy, Bryony Bennett and Peter Wall.

36