2022 Winter final

St Mary’s Woodford
Parish Magazine

Volume 13 number 4 www.stmaryswoodford.org.uk

Winter 2022

Welcome
.
Thank God for rain! In those long and scorching hot weeks of summer we were
praying for rain and now, thankfully, there is much rain. Sometimes so much
rain that we’ve had some leaks.
We know that large amounts of precipitation are part of the patterns of extreme
weather that unfortunately are becoming more common with climate change. I
think we can be thankful for the water which we need for life, just like all the
living things God has created; while also praying for those with major influence
over climate policy and people suffering so much due to extreme weather; and
taking action in our own lives to minimise our own carbon impact.
This autumn has seen three different prime ministers, two monarchs and huge
economic and political uncertainty on the approach to a winter when the cost of
living crisis is expected to intensify. Instability, grief and worry continue to be
unprecedented even by the standards of the last couple of years. We must
continue to pray for those in positions of authority and influence over the lives
of others, asking that God will give wisdom, discernment, compassion and
integrity in these challenging times.
We might find ourselves asking questions like ‘What difference does prayer
make in all this?’ and ‘How can we know where God is at work and where I’m
invited to join in?’ Over the last few months, I’ve become aware of a desire from
several groups within St Mary’s to put a particular focus on prayer and
especially exploring the purpose of prayer and how we can listen for God’s
response. During the first part of 2023 I suggest we make prayer a particular
focus both as a good in itself and because prayer is the first and foundational
stage in Growing God’s Kingdom at St Mary’s, an evidence-based approach for
churches growing spiritually and numerically. Lent will give us opportunities to
focus particularly on prayer; sermons and other sessions will be available. As

Front cover: Harvest Festival at St Mary’s

2

plans develop, it would be very helpful if Parish Register
you could share with me ideas or
suggestions about favourite or new For your Prayers:
patterns of prayer, what you find
especially challenging about prayer (for Baptisms: 2 October
most of us, it’s getting started), questions Ariella Weir 2 October
(if you’re wondering about something, it’s Enzo Weir 2 October
likely others have similar questions) and Charlie Catalano
preferred formats.
We will also be offering opportunities to Funerals: 5 September
explore Christian faith and what it means Eric Sherman 19 September
to follow Jesus for the first time or as a Faith Hartman 5 October
refresher – using a series of sessions from Dave Corby 21 October
the Pilgrim course. If you sense a nudge Bill Howard 25 October
towards Pilgrim, please let me know with Richard Collins 28 October*
preferred timing and we will set a Eileen Ward 7 November*
schedule to fit those who’d like to Alison Clarke 11 November
participate. Roger Odle
Before we get to these opportunities to
explore with the help of the Holy Spirit, *took place elsewhere and held
Christmas approaches. Our annual in prayer here
opportunity to give thanks for the gift of
Jesus and to wonder and explore what on A Requiem and Burial of Ashes
earth it might mean for God to be here for Revd Alison Clarke will be
with us, now. I wonder how you will join held at St Mary’s on Saturday 18
that adventure? March 2022 at 12 noon.

Revd Dr Elizabeth Lowson, Interments:
e mail: Michael Oates 13 September
[email protected] Marciana Rodriguez
Tel: 0208 504 7981 / 07955 275338
13 September

There is always a copy of the latest
parish magazine on the St Mary’s website www.stmaryswoodford.org.uk
To contact the parish office [email protected]
or tel 020 8505 3000. You are welcome to do this if you have difficulties
accessing any of the links given in this magazine
You can find it by scrolling down to the ‘Our Publications’ heading.
See also Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube:@stmaryswoodford

3

Advent and Christmas at St Mary’s
ADVENT and CHRISTMAS

Fri 2nd Dec 5.30pm Community Christingle
Sat 3rd 10.0am- 4.0pm and Sun 4 December 11.0am- 4.0pm

Christmas Craft Market
Sun 4th Dec 10.0am Communion with Baptism and Christingle
Sun 4th Dec 4.30 pm Advent Service at St Thomas of Canterbury
Sat 10th Dec from 9.45am Quiet Morning
Sun 11th Dec 5.30pm Choral Evensong
Sat 17th Dec 5.30pm Festival of Lessons and Carols
Sat 24th Dec 5.0pm Children’s Nativity Service
Sat 24th Dec 11.30pm Midnight Communion Service
Sun 25th Dec 8.0am Said Holy Communion (traditional words)
Sun 25th Dec 10.0am Christmas Communion Service

Contemporary Nativity: a painting by John Wiltshire
4

Life at St Mary’s

Harvest 2022 was a great success, with many donations of food, toiletries and
money for the Manna Centre near London Bridge. Junior Church’s vegetable
decorations and seed planting reminded us of joy as did their leading us in the
Harvest Samba.

Ariella, Enzo and (right) their young cousin Charlie
were baptised at St Mary’s on 2 October.

5

Baby loss awareness

Photographs from the Wave of Light service during Baby Loss Awareness Week.
About a dozen people gathered in the Chapel to pray, light candles, write names
on paper hearts and remember babies who have died at any stage of pregnancy
or around the time of birth and other related grief about babies and pregnancies.
They reflected on how the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not
overcome it (John 1:5).

Churchfields Nursing
Care Home
Remembrance
Service on 9th
November

6

Life at St Mary’s

WORLD DAY OF Alison Clarke
PRAYER
20th March 1933—17th October
A service for everyone! 2022

Make a note for Friday 3rd March It was with great sadness and
2023, 2.15pm at All Saints Church, a sense of loss that we heard of
Woodford Wells. Alison Clarke’s death.

The earliest record of the World Alison’s funeral took place on
Day of Prayer being celebrated in 7th November at Holy Trinity
Woodford was in 1949 when the Church Leamington Spa. Below
service was held at St Mary's. So the is a photograph of the flowers on
tradition goes back more than 70 her coffin.
years, with numerous churches coming
together in prayer for the needs of A Requiem and Burial of
women and families all over the Ashes are planned at St Mary’s
world. Next year's service, at All on Saturday 18 March 2023 at 12
Saints Woodford Wells, has been noon.
devised by the Christian women of
Taiwan, with the theme 'I have heard 7
about your faith'.

For many years now a small
committee drawn from several local
churches has arranged the service, but
without fresh blood to lead the group,
this may well be the last celebration in
our area, as it is certainly the last year
I can cope with the responsibility of
organising the service. So, please, any-
one who might feel able to take up this
challenge, contact Moira
Sharpe : [email protected]
020 8504 9435, or
Roberta
Flynn: [email protected]
07538 175580
Moira Sharpe

Feeling the squeeze?

If you are feeling weighed
down by debt, then Christians
Against Poverty (CAP) can
help. Call them for free on
0800 328 0006.
CAP have been helping
thousands of people out of
poverty since 1996.

Does it cost anything?

No CAP is completely free.
CAP is a charity which
receives donations from
churches and individuals who
want to help people.

Will my creditors
cooperate with CAP?

Yes. CAP has worked with
over 1,000 companies within
the finance industry and is well
respected. Councils, utility
companies and mortgage
companies work with CAP
because they have seen the
results of CAP involvement.
They know that CAP offers fair
repayments based on what you
can afford.

Is CAP just for Christians?

No. CAP will help anyone regardless of their religious beliefs. The service
is available to all individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender
reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, sex and sexual
orientation.

8

Supporting Foodbanks: more important than ever

FOOD ITEMS NEEDED Donate food | Redbridge
ARE: Foodbank
Tea bags, Tinned fish, Tinned Over 90% of the food distributed
fruit, Rice, Packets of noodles, by foodbanks in The Trussell Trust
Vegetarian food items (tins or network is donated by the public –
packets), Cooking oil, Pasta that’s why your food donations are
sauce, Long life milk, Long absolutely vital to our ability to
life fruit juice, Jam/spreads, give everyone referred to us a
Custard/rice pudding, tinned balanced and nutritious three day
tomatoes, Biscuits, Shower supply of food. Our shopping list
gel , Treats, Toothpaste, Toilet on the right shows the food items
rolls, that we need right now – all of
ITEMS NOT NEEDED which should be undamaged/
ARE unopened and before the sell by
Cereals, Pasta date.
Further information
https://
redbridge.foodbank.org.uk/give-
help/donate-food/

St Mary’s is a Redbridge Food
Bank collection point. Woodford
Baptist Church on George Lane
is both a collection and
distribution point (Distribution
2.30 - 4.30 pm Fridays.)

9

Life at St Mary’s

.

Soul Night on 15 October was a great success with more people
attending than ever before. Particular thanks go to the Events
committee, the Capones and Soul DJs.

.

Social Badminton

Every Thursday you will find a small group gathering in the Back Hall
(Pankhurst Room) of the Memorial Hall between 1.00 to 3.00pm to play
Badminton (with emphasis on the social side). We are a friendly mixed
group, all ages, varied ability from raw beginners to some previous, if rusty,
experienced players but all willing to have
some gentle exercise and fun knocking a
shuttlecock over a net. Whether you have
played before, would just like to watch or have
a free trial you will be very welcome. We even
have a few spare racquets so all you need to do
is to drop in any time or speak to Lee Noble or
John Goodchild.

10

Life at St Mary’s

A red letter day (and evening) at the cost of
living
becoming
Memorial Hall ever more

The 15th October saw two very difficult
successful and well attended events at Redbridge Council is working
the Memorial Hall. Whilst it is good to with its partners across the public
see familiar faces it is also good to see and voluntary sectors to provide
new ones. In the evening there was a support, especially to vulnerable
Soul Night (see the photograph on the people and those hardest hit.
opposite page). During the day there Awards are helping residents in
was a multi purpose community event many ways including meeting
including a Repair workshop, toy swap food, energy and water costs as
and advice about support for those well as providing essentials like
facing cost of living and other warm clothing, sanitary products,
difficulties. The Redbridge Food soap, blankets, boiler servicing
Bank, South Woodford Society and and buying vital appliances like
Coop Food were present and running freezers and ovens.
stalls.
Speaking with Amar I was
According to the East London struck by the sense of urgency
Waste Authority (ELWA) who also with which supportive measures
supported the event 54 people came are being put in place and
with items to be repaired of which 45 partnerships developed with
items were repaired. Demand voluntary and other organisations
exceeded the availability of experts for to provide ‘joined up’ support. As
electrical goods but satisfaction rates our autumn edition of the
were high. Look out for a repeat event magazine said, the Household
next year. About 30 adults and 40 Support Fund is not appropriate
children were involved with the toy for every type of need but there is
swap. There were favourable good signposting to who is best
comments from those attending about placed to give support.
a good, helpful community event and a
great atmosphere. So where should you go for
further advice and assistance?
Well a good place is https://
costofliving.redbridge.gov.uk or
Support for the vulnerable and
those facing cost of living pressures www.redbridge.gov.uk and
click on ‘cost of living’ or other
LB Redbridge's Welfare Benefits category as relevant to you.
Team were represented by Ronald
Smith and Amar Bansil who were
giving confidential advice. With the Peter Wall

11

A Platinum celebration

Many congratulations to Margaret and
Eric Redgewell who celebrated their
70th wedding anniversary on Tuesday
13 September. They were married at
East Colne Baptist Church.

Their card from her late Majesty
arrived on Tuesday 6th
September. Margaret and Eric were
part of St Philip and St James Church,
which joined with St Mary’s in the
early 70s and have been part of St
Mary’s ever since. Three people from
St Mary’s joined them in their home
on their anniversary for a Communion
service and to share anniversary cake,
as well as giving a card signed by
many at St Mary’s.

12

Filming at St Mary’s
South Woodford steps in for Southend

Do you remember the filming at St Mary’s in May 2021? This was the feature
film ‘Love without Walls’ about a couple whose love endures some very
difficult experiences, including homelessness. Love without Walls had a West
End screening for cast and crew in September and our Rector was invited,
together with representatives of all the locations. There was a World Market
Premiere in Santa Monica on 4 November and we will let you know of any
further local screenings. Director Jane Gull lives locally and one of many great
things about watching the film is identifying how much of South Woodford
features, often cast as Southend. Further details are available
at www.lovewithoutwallsfilm.com

13

News from our mission partners in Uganda

Tom and Verity Clare in Arua Uganda are Every time a team delivers
planning to deliver a six day Bible-based a session, they should have a
training of trainers aimed at young people training kit. There are five of
in the community and will mostly be these kits already in the Ugandan
delivered through regular weekly meetings Diocese and a budget to buy one
in schools, homes or churches. more (they cost 1,500,000 UGX,
around £350). These six kits will
Verity and Esther (who works in the be shared between the
office with Tom) will be attending the archdeaconries if no further
training as participants and will look to funding can be found very soon.
take the training to the community locally, However, there are 12
along with the other 28 attendees. The archdeaconries and ideally we
community training (which Verity and would like to have 12 kits so that
others are being trained to deliver) is they can each take one back to
aimed at young people in the community their headquarters at the end of
and will mostly be delivered through the training. As such, if you
regular weekly meetings in schools, homes would like to give anything
or churches. The focus of the training is financially, we will put it towards
life skills and reproductive health. The ordering more training kits.
topics include: identity in God, critical
thinking, communication skills, relation-
ship skills and then a whole lot about
sexual and reproductive health - including
the biology of puberty, conception and
pregnancy, a biblical and practical
approach to family planning, cultural
myths and expectations etc. There are 26
sessions in total, each designed to be
covered over 1-2 hours with a small group
and the programme has been approved by
the (previous) archbishop of the Church of
Uganda.

As evidenced through data collected
in local health centres in Uganda, sexual
and reproductive health is an area for
young people that can be prone to slip
through the cracks with parents, schools
and church at times often not informing
young people appropriately for a range of
reasons. Many young people do not fully
understand how their own bodies work and
how to protect the gifts God has given
them in their bodies.

14

News from our mission partners in Uganda

If anyone would like to contribute testing. Whilst this variant has
towards the cost of one of these training no vaccine currently, it also has
kits, please contact Wendy Littlejohns on a lower fatality rate than the
020 8989 4746 Zaire strain, with 20 cases hav-
For further details ing already recovered and been
https://www.youtube.com/watch? discharged home. Please pray
v=0rQ0zel2fAo that the outbreak can be
The Clares’ request for prayer stopped without it taking hold
concerning an Ebola Outbreak in in the capital Kampala, and
Central Uganda pray for God’s protection
over health workers across the
country, but particularly in
the five central/western
districts where cases have
been confirmed.

From Tom’s work perspective, all health A grateful patient
workers in Uganda are currently living
under the shadow of the threat of Ebola. Visually impaired Morris with
The cases so far are all a long distance letter of thanks for Tom
from us here in Arua, but the President is
currently speaking as we type, quoting 58
confirmed cases and 19 confirmed deaths
(with some additional cases and deaths as
‘probable’ – most likely due to Ebola).

For health workers it is a
particularly worrying time, with early
symptoms of Ebola being identical to
most of the conditions they will treat in
their health facilities. Only later in the
disease, after the health workers have po-
tentially been exposed, do they develop
the more severe ‘wet’ phase of the
disease, with bleeding, bloody diarrhoea
etc. The current virus strain is the Sudan
variant, for which, at the time of writing,
there is no currently-approved vaccine,
although two vaccine candidates are
arriving in Uganda shortly to begin formal

15

Christian thoughts of Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth has said to have imperishable truth to be found in
been the greatest contemporary this treasure house, the Bible?
preacher of the Gospel - certainly
she has reached millions of people "To many of us our beliefs are of
across the world with the good fundamental importance. For me
news of Jesus Christ. Revd Sally the teachings of Christ and my
Dryden, a colleague of our own personal accountability
Rector, put together several of before God provide a framework
her late Majesty’s broadcasts to in which I try to lead my life. I,
form a homily. like so many of you, have drawn
great comfort in difficult times
. from Christ's words and
“The simple facts of Jesus’ life give us example."
little clue as to the influence he was to
have on the world. As a boy he learnt “Jesus of Nazareth makes it clear
his father’s trade as a carpenter. He that genuine human happiness
then became a preacher, recruiting and satisfaction lie more in
twelve supporters to help him. giving than receiving; more in
serving than in being served. We
But his ministry only lasted a few can surely be grateful that, two
years and he himself never wrote any- thousand years after the birth of
thing down. In his early thirties he was Jesus, so many of us are able to
arrested, tortured, and crucified with draw inspiration from his life and
two criminals. His death might have message, and to find in him a
been the end of the story, but then source of strength and courage.”
came the resurrection and with it the
foundation of the Christian faith.” “Many will have been inspired by
Jesus’ simple but powerful
“I know just how much I rely on my teaching: love God and love thy
faith to guide me through the good neighbour as thyself— in other
times and the bad. Each day is a new words, treat others as you would
beginning. I know that the only way to like them to treat you. His great
live my life is to try to do what is right, emphasis was to give spirituality
to take the long view, to give of my a practical purpose.”
best in all that the day brings, and to
put my trust in God I draw strength “His simple message of love has
from the message of hope in the been turning the world upside
Christian gospel.” down ever since. He showed that
what people are and what they
And to what greater inspiration and do, does matter and does make all
counsel can we turn than to the

16

Christian thoughts of Queen Elizabeth

the difference. He commanded us to
love our neighbours as we love our-
selves, but what exactly is meant by
‘loving ourselves’? I believe it means
trying to make the most of the
abilities we have been given, it means
caring for our talents. It is a matter of
making the best of ourselves, not just
doing the best for ourselves. We are
all different, but each of us has his
own best to offer. The responsibility
for the way we live life with all its
challenges, sadness, and joy is ours
alone. If we do this well, it will also
be good for our neighbours. If you
throw a stone into a pool, the ripples
go on spreading outwards.”

“Although we are capable of great might all find room in our lives for
acts of kindness, history teaches us the message of the angels and for the
that we sometimes need saving from love of God through Faith, Hope, and
ourselves— from our recklessness or Love” .
our greed. God sent into the world a

unique person— neither a philosopher “God sent His only Son ‘to serve, not

nor a general (important though they to be served.’ He restored love and

are)— but a Saviour, with the power service to the centre of our lives in the

to forgive. Forgiveness lies at the person of Jesus Christ. It is my prayer

heart of the Christian faith. It can heal that his example and teaching will

broken families it can restore continue to bring people together to

friendships and it can reconcile give the best of themselves in the

divided communities. It is in service of others.”

forgiveness that we feel the power of 'Christ not only revealed to us the
God’s love.” truth in his teachings. He lived by

“In the last verse of the beautiful what he believed and gave us the

carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem, strength to try to do the same – and,

there’s a prayer: O Holy Child of finally, on the cross, he showed the

Bethlehem, Descend to us we pray. supreme example of physical and

Cast out our sin And enter in, Be born moral courage.' In difficult times we

in us today. It is my prayer that we may be tempted to find excuses for

17

Christian thoughts of Queen Elizabeth

self-indulgence and to wash our hands toward men, but we cannot win it
of responsibility. Christmas stands for without determination and concerted
the opposite. We need to go out and effort.”
look for opportunities to help those less
fortunate than ourselves, even if that “But when peace comes, remember it
service demands sacrifice.” will be for us, the children of today,
to make the world of tomorrow a bet-
“For Christians, as for all people of ter and happier place.”
faith, reflection, meditation, and pray-
er help us to renew ourselves in God’s “I therefore declare before you all that
love, as we strive daily to become my whole life whether it be long or
better people. And the Christmas mes- short shall be devoted to your service
sage shows us that this love is for eve- and the service of our great imperial
ryone. There is no one beyond its family to which we all belong. God
reach.” help me to make good my vow and
God bless all of you who are willing
"It has always been easy to hate and to share in it. Amen.”
destroy. To build and to cherish is
much more difficult." We know the
reward is peace on earth, goodwill

18

Quiz

Which Cathedrals are we?

Clue : We are all in England.

1 The first Briton in space, Helen Chelmsford Cathedral
Sharman, recently spoke in me in Worcester Cathedral
front of the spectacular Gaia Wells Cathedral
installation.
2 I am the oldest cathedral in England
and was founded in 597.
3 I am the largest cathedral in
England.
4 Guy Fawkes was baptised in the
church opposite me.
5 I am the youngest cathedral in
England.
6 I am the second oldest cathedral in
England.
7 My building was begun in 1084 and
is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed
Virgin Mary.
8 A burning bush formed the centre-
piece in our harvest festival this year.
We had a “Rally for the Earth”.
9 The art installation “Peace Doves”,
made from thousands of individually
handmade paper doves, has recently
been installed here.
10 Roof mounted solar panels were
being installed in me in September.
11 I was recently rated in the top five
favourite historic sites in the UK and
ranked best free attraction.
12 This year my 900th anniversary is
being celebrated.
13 Many people walk from
Glastonbury Tor to me.
14 This year we are celebrating our
1,350th anniversary since being
consecrated by St Wilfrid in 672 AD.

Answers on page 31

19

Getting to know our MMU*

A visit to St Peter in church was light and airy and had a
the Forest pleasant, welcoming atmosphere. The
lady opened up for me a special area
St Peter in the Forest upstairs where all sorts of treasures could
be explored. I enjoyed opening drawers
and pushing levers, finding out about
marriage, baptism and confirmation and
playing church music suitable for various
occasions and festivals. There was a large
room upstairs for meetings and
gatherings. I used the stairs but noticed
that there was a lift available.

It was Tuesday morning and on
Tuesday mornings The Rising Son Café
opens in the church foyer from 9.30-noon
for ‘Chinwag Tuesday’. It was a joy to see
some of the regulars coming in for coffee,
tea and a chinwag. Among them was a
clergyman preparing his service for
Sunday. It was Rev Alex Summers, who
had been with us at St Mary’s during our
interregnum.
Cheryl Corney

It was a pleasant September *MMU stands for Mission and Ministry
morning, a good time for a little Unit
local outing. So I walked up
Chelmsford Road and caught the
number twenty bus to St Peter-in-
the-Forest Church. I had been past
the church but had never before
entered it. I had heard that after
considerable refurbishment the
doors had been opened again in
2021. After a pleasant ride along
Forest Road I soon located the
church.

A cheerful lady greeted me and
invited me to look around the
building. The main part of the

20

Book reviews: comfort and joy

Despite my ongoing mantras of ‘Every 85708-920-5
Day is a Gift’ and ‘I am too full of joy ‘Small pleasures and shots of joy to
to be defeated by trouble’, it would be strengthen and inspire you with
an insensitive soul who did not view hope’. We all need some of those.
the oncoming ‘winter of discontent’ ‘Bringing in the Sheaves’ by
with an undercurrent of puzzlement, Richard Coles, published by
apprehension and downright alarm. Wiedenfeld and Nicholson. ISBN
I have chosen five books that lift the 978-1-4746-0086-6
spirit in different ways. I am never A cosy, autobiographical read
grounded better than when I have a taking the reader throughout the
good book on the go. Dipping in and Church Year, shot through with
out of these titles will certainly keep festivals, poems and hymns. Very
me from ‘running on empty’ in the readable, very approachable.
months ahead.

‘All’s Well That Ends Well’ by Peter ‘12 Birds to Save Your Life’
Graystone, published by Canterbury by Charlie Corbett, published by
Press. ISBN978-1-78622-354-8 Penguin. ISBN 978-1-405-94921-7
Technically a Lent Study book but The redemptive joy of birds that
much more than that as you need to breaks through grief and brings
take it slowly throughout the year. calm in an unsettled world. An
Shakespeare’s speeches and sonnets inspiring and uplifting personal
are linked to Bible passages with great journey.
insight and sensitivity. The sort of book Penny Freeston
that should have been read during
Lockdown if people had not been
addicted to baking and Zoom…

‘Journey to Contentment’ by Sally
Welch, published by BRF. ISBN
9780857465924
Pilgrimage Principles for Everyday
Life. Written by Sally Welch, former
editor and contributor to ‘New
Daylight’, it is a practical guide to
deepening faith with reflections and
exercises to accompany the reader on
the journey.

‘Moments of Comfort’ by Gill Hanson,
published by Capstone. ISBN978-0-

21

LOCAL INTER FAITH CONVERSATIONS

Can a Multi Faith Walk help our
communities articulate areas of difference ?

This year we visited on our walk we the need to care well because it made
visited temples, a mosque, a me think of this year’s Lambeth Con-
church, the Holocaust Memorial for ference where our very own Bishop,
all victims of war, and Gurdwara, Dr. Guli Francis-Dehquani, discussed
all of which represent the main the importance of people of different
faiths of Redbridge. The theme of faiths from the many Cities and Towns
our walk was ‘Caring for the across Britain, using positive groups
Elderly and Vulnerable’. such as the Redbridge Faith Forum, to
discuss important areas of concern and
As in past years we walked in disagreement.
fellowship around Ilford, listening
to a briefing from each place on She said we- of all faiths and none -
their similar commitments to the should build on the good personal
vulnerable in our community, relationships we develop through Inter-
growing out of their/our faiths. In faith activities and use these groups,
addition, this year there was a talk where trust and cross-cultural
from the Faith lead at St Francis representation is growing, to develop
Hospice, during our stop at the serious dialogue to resolve or
Mosque, to reflect the theme. She reappraise differences hand in hand
said that all Faiths are welcome and with finding common ground.
supported at St Francis Hospice.
What are these areas of difference?
It was a first, this year, to have A serious difference I encountered
the building closed on our arrival during the lockdown on an interfaith
but, appropriately to the theme, the Zoom called ‘Violence in the family’,
Priest from Saints Peter’s and Paul’s was actually about the rights of women
Church on the High Road, was to self-determination, that is, choose
away supporting a group of sick and their own husbands. While all Faiths
disabled people on a Pilgrimage to solemnly declared that their faith does
Lourdes. Instead, we visited their not support violence to specific
truly lovely Garden of members of the family, no one, for
Remembrance. example, mentioned LGBTQ family
members. In addition, the Sikh
At the end, the Sikhs, as ever, speaker, a local Magistrate, clarified
welcomed everyone with a that his faith reserved the right of Sikh
vegetarian meal, such as they often fathers to choose the husbands of their
provide to all comers. daughters. To support the rights of

I’m stressing the unsurprising
similarity in views on the topic of

22

women, and to oppose this was to of industrialisation, together with
be guilty of ‘Euro- centric’ thinking. the predictability of employment
and security it brought, in a country
On the recent walk, I mentioned with few adaptive strategies, have
this to a Sikh fellow walker, and she impacted many. The upturning of
laughed and said most Sikhs don’t the housing market has left many
follow that in that way -daughters people too insecure to plan
are involved in the decision. I also families. The public roles women
mentioned it to a French member of can undertake, fathers caring more
another group I belong to, and he domestically for their children, a
said he wished he’d had that power higher proportion of older people,
as his beloved daughter had made and attitudes to Gay and Lesbian
disastrous choices. people have developed massively in
the last 50 years. For people from
The first step to resolve or all faiths, and none, it’s time to
reappraise differences hand in hand explore the impact changes have,
with finding common ground is to not to rush to judgement, and not to
articulate them, without assuming ignore them.
that I, or you, have the answers. I
got surprising responses, which I Many of these are secular issues,
elicited just by articulating the area not particularly based in religion,
of difference, showing how nuanced yet may impact people and
the issue is. This needs much more communities from different faiths
space than a short article allows to and histories differently. We need
explore further. to develop a language to explore
them. If the Church is not in the
Another issue across the faith midst of community issues, it is
spectrum concerns different nowhere.
attitudes to drinking alcohol which,
amongst other things, can make it That is a role for Interfaith
difficult for young people from groups. Not to by-pass difficult
different faiths to meet each other discussions while we concentrate
with approval from their on easy pickings, such as whether
communities. Where schools are the vulnerable should be supported.
often sectarian, learning about each Of course they should be.
other can be a complex area. Heavy Judy Noble
drinking is a factor in some road
deaths and some sexual attacks.
This shows how complex these
differences can be. Worth talking
about in an Interfaith framework?

Britain is a country of quite fast
social change. For example, the loss

23

Growing in resilience

Penhurst: A
Christian Retreat
Centre

Penhurst Retreat Centre I was particularly inspired by one
greets you with the note lady who said she had a car boot full
pinned to the door, ‘breathe, of art materials which she might not
smile, you are here!’ This touch the whole time. She stressed
message was particularly the importance of ‘being rather than
welcome to me when I arrived doing’. Fortunately, as I was staying
there in August. Due to a few for four nights, there was time
anxiety provoking incidents in enough both to ‘be’ and to ‘do’. At
the run up to my retreat I times I would go to my room for a
arrived there a bit of a nervous nap, other times I would draw or
wreck! I have written before read. I present a collage (opposite
about my history of mental page) I made inspired by psalm 18:28
illness and will reflect on the (New International Version) which
positive impact my stay at reads: ‘You, LORD, keep my lamp
Penhurst had on me. burning; my God turns my darkness
into light’
First an overview of Penhurst.
It is a Christian retreat centre in The structure of the retreat mixed
an area of Outstanding Natural solitude with social time. There were
Beauty, not far from Hastings. morning and evening prayers, three
They offer a range of different meals a day, plus a kind of ‘show and
retreats to suit different needs tell’ space each day. During this time
and interests, from healing to we would gather after lunch with a
photography. The retreat I went coffee in the lounge, and those who
on was called ‘Creative Space’,
and it was an opportunity to be
‘artistic’ in the broad sense of the
word. Some of the pursuits
people engaged in on my retreat
included calligraphy, knitting
and writing. One attendee
brought her own harp with which
she accompanied our singing.

24

Growing in resilience

wanted to could share what they'd As I have alluded to, a personal
been working on. Jill, the leader of burden I carry is never knowing if
the retreat also offered 1-to-1 time or when I will go into hospital
for conversation and prayer and I again due to mental illness. It is sad
made use of this on two occasions. to think, if the world were always
like it is at Penhurst, I might be
In our 1-to-1 time I talked about much more mentally well. Who
the specific things that had caused knows? However, we can't live at a
me anxiety in the run up to the retreat forever. We must live in the
retreat, including one long standing real world, and although I was not
issue I knew I would return to. On looking forward to picking up my
that point Jill advised me to try to burden again when I left the retreat
stay in the moment and not let it dawned on me that we all have
worries of the future spoil my stay. I our burdens. Rather than pray for
also filled Jill in on my mental them to disappear, we perhaps
health history, and the fear always should pray for resilience.
lurking in the back of my mind that I Bryony Bennett
will be sectioned again. She advised For more information on the retreat
me to do whatever I needed to do to centre follow this link:
stay well during my retreat, which I https://www.penhurst.org.uk/
did with the support of my care team
back home, and my usual
medication.

In our individualistic society we
often blame the individual for their
mental health problems. The
problem is in them. Is this
always true? Or is it sometimes
a mismatch between
environment and individual? At
the retreat I may still have felt a
vague sadness or anxiety at
times. I may have been haunted
now and then with bad
memories. But I was not
distressed in that place. The
environment was so calming
and peaceful, there was nothing
external to upset me. Any upset
I carried within me was
gradually soothed in that place.

25

Book Review: living in an unfair world

Keepers of the Covenant by point in time, as in our troubled
Lynn Austin world today, we don’t.
Publisher Bethany House
ISBN 0764208993 Austin, in her very
straightforward prose style, also
Do parts of the Old Testament seem has very believable characters in
irrelevant to life today? Do you wonder her novel, some from the Bible
why some books are in the Bible at all? and some not. One such is
In particular there’s one book in the Reuben, a stroppy teenager who
Bible, Esther, that doesn’t mention God is in danger of going completely
at all. So what’s the reason for that off the rails.
book being in the Bible?
There is a definite theme not
The book of Esther is about the only of ‘why is this so unfair’
return of the Jews from exile in which merges through thoughts
Babylon. It’s not the first return of ‘why is God allowing this to
following the decree of Cyrus the Great happen’ towards anger at God.
but the second return a generation or so This has added impetus when the
later, led by Ezra, when Artaxerxes was challenge to two of the central
king of Persia. The book of Esther, at a characters and to Ezra himself is
mundane level, fills in one of the gaps in what people understand to be
in the book of Ezra which in its account God’s law concerning mixed
completely omits mention of the marriages (Ezra chapter 9).
extreme peril facing all Jews whereby
Artaxerxes is persuaded to issue a So why is Esther in the Bible?
decree encouraging his citizens to I leave the last word to Lynn
destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews Austin (below).
on a single day later that year and, by
way of an incentive, plunder their Peter Wall
goods’. Not even the king himself can
rescind this decree. Things look utterly ‘God’s plan is often hidden from us
hopeless. in such a way that we can’t see
what He is doing. We may feel
Rather to my surprise Lynn Austin’s abandoned by Him and wonder
novel based on these events, ‘Keeper of what He’s doing and why He has
the Covenant’, brings all this to life. left us all alone. But of course He
How does she do this? Well one of her isn’t missing at all just as He isn’t
strengths is to put us in the position of really missing in Esther’s story. He’s
people who are facing seemingly always right beside us, only a
impossible and totally unfair prayer away, working out events
challenges. Looking at history we know for our salvation. He wants us to
how things turned out. But at any given trust Him in faith, even when we
can’t understand what He is doing.’
26

International Fellowship Conference

LIVERPOOL 2022 appreciated at the Orthodox service
of Vespers. We had Morning
‘I will heal my people’ (Jer. 33:6) prayer, Evening Prayer, Taizé
In 2006 Revd. Alison Clarke asked prayer, a Healing Service with the
me if I would sort out travel laying on of hands, a Lutheran
arrangements for her for a journey Liturgy and on Sunday morning a
from Trier to York on a Thursday Roman Catholic Mass, where H E
morning. I suggested two alternative Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald presid-
routes and Alison then asked me ed and invited us to share
whether I might also like to attend the Eucharistic hospitality.
International Ecumenical Fellowship
Conference in Trier. It was a The keynote address was given
wonderful experience. Christians by Revd Dr Susan Durber, member
from a variety of (mainly) European of the United Reformed Church and
countries and from a variety of Moderator of the Faith and Order
denominations came together for Commission at the World Council
services, prayer, talks and visits and of Churches. Susan understands the
especially for fellowship and importance of genuine fellowship
friendship. Later I attended IEF and love for each other, a real
conferences in Pisek, in Brighton and ecumenism of the heart.
this summer in Liverpool.
Participants from France, I would like to pay tribute to the
Colombia, Slovakia, Romania, memory of Alison Clarke for
Germany, Belgium, Spain, the Czech having introduced me to the
Republic, Poland and Britain International Ecumenical
gathered. We had services in different Fellowship.
traditions and mostly in a mixture of
languages in the chapel of Hope Our IEF conference bag – we
University, where we stayed. We also sang from the same song book.
enjoyed moving services in the Cheryl Corney
Anglican and Roman Catholic
cathedrals in Liverpool and went out
and met church and other groups in
the city. The bread we baked in the
Bread Church became the host in the
Methodist Eucharist service. The
singing of the Romanian choir was
beautiful indeed and particularly

27

Family
Focus

During the time of National
mourning for her late
Majesty, we offered candle
lighting and a book of
condolence in church.
Amongst our visitors,
Rainbows and Brownies lit
candles and reflected about
what the Queen meant to
them. Paddington and James
Bond were two of the main
answers. They also thought
that maybe when they’re very
old, the current Brownies
might be interviewed on TV
about their memories of
Queen Elizabeth dying and
lighting candles at St Mary’s.

28

There’s some odd things TAKING THINGS TO THEIR
said, including in the press ILLOGICAL CONCLUSION
and on television. Are the
examples on this page any Example: I may let in a lot of goals
dafter than some things in the school football team but I
that we hear and read that should be the goalkeeper because I
are meant to be taken have the most expensive football
seriously? kit and shout loudest at the
opposing team.
ARGUMENT BY BIZARRE
DEFINITION FAULTY PATTERN
Example: He is not a criminal. RECOGNITION
He just does things that are Example: He was jailed for
against the law. Grievous Bodily Harm after
assaulting each of his last two
CIRCULAR REASONING wives who then each disappeared
Example: I am correct in mysterious circumstances.
because I am cleverer than However that’s all in the past. I
you. And I must be cleverer hope to be wife number three.
than you because I am correct.
SUBSTITUTING WELL KNOWN
I AM THE WORLD SAYINGS FOR COMMON
Example: I don’t like rap lyrics. SENSE
Therefore rap lyrics are not Example: Remember, ‘All good
popular. things come to he who waits’. So
don’t bother looking for a job.

29

Cookery

.

How many cookery books do you have? Do you find that the old ones are the most
used and loved? Below is a relative youngster, a photograph from Penny Freeston of
the last edition of the St Mary’s cookery book in 2004. Have you still got your one?

30

Food for a younger generation

Fruit art for the children’s snack at
Baby & Toddler group (right). The
grapes are carefully sliced in two to
minimise choking hazard risk.

Anyone you recognise?
(below)

If music be the food of love, sing
on.
Have you wondered about singing
in the choir at St Mary’s? If so then
why not have a word with Henry
Metcalfe, our Director of Music?
Contact him at
[email protected]

Quiz Answers (from page 19) 12 Carlisle
1 Chelmsford 13 Wells
2 Canterbury
3 Liverpool 14 Ripon (see photograph below)
4 York Minster
5 Christ Church Cathedral,
Oxford
6 Rochester
7 Worcester
8 Winchester
9 Sheffield
10 Chester
11 Durham

Back cover: the pushchair park in the Chapel during the Baby and
Toddler group which meets every Thursday morning.

31

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
29th January 2023

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

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