2022 Summer final edition revised

St Mary’s Woodford
Parish Magazine

Volume 13 number 2 www.stmaryswoodford.org.uk

Summer 2022

Welcome

Early summer is in so many ways such a hopeful time of year. It is a delight to
see lupins, hollyhocks and geraniums flowering in the garden, and even more so
because they have grown from seeds I sowed inside during the early 2021 winter
lockdown. So much of Christian life involves patient waiting and yet at this
time of year, Easter, Ascension Day, Pentecost and Trinity Sunday come in
quick succession – we celebrate the fullness of God’s love and all that has been
promised for us and creation through our belonging in Christ, by the power of
the Holy Spirit. And this year we have all the added focus of the Queen’s
Platinum Jubilee celebrations and St Mary’s 50th anniversary of re-dedication
following the devastating 1969 fire.

At our Food & Fun Day in late May, I was very pleased to ascend the
tower of St Mary’s for the first time. It was a beautiful sunny day with so many
people enjoying all that was on offer, including bell ringing, organ recitals and
the exhibition celebrating St Mary’s Past Present and Future with the focus of
the 1972-2022 anniversary of re-dedication. As I looked out over Woodford and
further afield from the church tower, I was struck by the change of
perspective. Due to extensive tree cover, I couldn’t see the Rectory nearby at
all. Chelmsford Road which seems just a hop, skip and a jump a quarter a mile
long up to Woodford New Road on the ground, appeared instead a long upward
incline to the horizon. And yet, with a little help from binoculars I could clearly
see the Dartford Bridge, the London Eye, the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower at the
Olympic Park, Canary Wharf and the City. And there really are a lot of trees in
London!

In many ways, the combination of summer, this point in the year
spiritually and the special celebrations are inviting us to take a different
perspective. That perspective helps us appreciate the historical significance of
both the past and the present, and it can also give us hope and direction for the
future. There are so many situations and people crying out for healing, for peace,
for God’s help. As we contemplate so much need and so much hope, can I
encourage you to pray, to be honest with God about both the things which are

Front cover: cyclists ready for the May MMU Bank Holiday pilgrimage

2

difficult and those that are heartening, and
to ask God the Holy Spirit to form us with
the compassion of Jesus for other people,
for ourselves and for the world. Amidst all
that is challenging, there is also much to
celebrate, for which to be thankful.
Revd Dr Elizabeth Lowson,
e mail:
[email protected]

Parish Register

For your Prayers: St Mary’s is a Redbridge Food
Baptisms Bank collection point.
3 April Théodore Schandlong Woodford Baptist Church on
8 May Arthur Ryall George Lane is both a
Funerals collection and distribution point
8 March Clare Lipscombe (Distribution 2.30 - 4.30 pm
16 March Clive Mears Fridays.)
4 April Audrey Kaminski
3 May Mollie Vale
20 May Maudie Clarkson
26 May Penny Foulds whose

funeral took place at
Green Acres, North
Weald
27 May David Ward whose
funeral took place in St
Ives and was held in
prayer here.
Burial of Ashes
5 March Rick Martin

There is always a copy of the latest parish magazine on the St Mary’s
website www.stmaryswoodford.org.uk
You can find it by scrolling down to the ‘Our Publications’ heading.
See also Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube:@stmaryswoodford

3

Life at St Mary’s

The pews were moved to allow for floor cleaning. What’s
your suggestion for a collective noun for pews? Any
improvements on ‘a reformation of pews’?

Elizabeth with Revd Canon Jeanette
Meadway who has joined the ministry
team having retired from being a Vicar
in Newham
4

Life at St Mary’s

Théodore Schandlong, baptised on Baptism of Arthur on 8th May with
3rd April with his parents Thomas and his parents Bryony and Ben Ryall .
Gemma See also page 15.

Robyn helps welcome Bishop Lynne at One of the recycled plastic travel
the Redbridge Deanery mugs celebrating the 50th
anniversary of the rededication of
St Mary’s: available from the
parish office at £10

5

Life at St Mary’s

Photographs of the concert on 30th April at St Mary’s for Ukraine which raised £3872
for the DEC appeal

Banduras: traditional Ukranian plucked folk instruments
6

Quiz

A Special Sort of Vocabulary Quiz

1 I am the time when we celebrate Our Lord’s victory over death. Which
festival am I?

2 I am a tall headdress worn by bishops and senior officials as a symbol of
office, a junction made by two pieces of wood and a diagonal joint in
sewing where the hems along two sides meet at the corner of the fabric.
What am I?

3) I am a local road whose name says I used to be on church land. Which
road am I?

4 I am a cross which bishops wear across the breast. What sort of cross am
I?

5 I am the assembly of the bishops of the Anglican communion which
usually meets every ten years.

6 I am the festival where we celebrate the Holy Spirit coming to the
disciples.

7 I am celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. Which festival
am I?

8 I am a book containing the extracts from the Scriptures to be read in
public worship in accordance with the Church’s Calendar.

9 I am somebody who lights the altar candles and carries candles in a
procession. I am an a_________.

10 I am the cup used to contain the wine consecrated at the Eucharist.
11 A mixed ecology church is one where

a) they retain electric lighting while installing a compost toilet in the
churchyard.

b) there is a mixture of traditional worship and new expressions of
worship.

c) the building is built on rocks, sand and hills.
12 Which creed am I? My subtitle is Quicumque Vult (Latin for Whoever

will).
Answers on page 27

7

Our linked church in Kenya

Prayer Vigil for Kenya Wednesday 18th May
2022

In 2004 the Bishop of Mbeere Rt Rev Union) have taken the role to
Gideon Ireri (one of our five linked improve infrastructures in the
Dioceses with Chelmsford) stayed Church. The Children’s
with Wendy and David Littlejohns for department is also active and the
ten days and during that time number of children has increased.
requested that his family parish of the From 1st April 2022 the parish
Church of the Good Shepherd employed a catechist. Our parish
Muchunguri be linked with St Marys; confirmation is on 26th June, so
Rev Jenard Nthiga was the then vicar far we have 30 candidates. On
and last year was sent back to baptism, this year I have baptised
Muchunguri after an absence of seven infants and yesterday there
thirteen years. That is not unusual in was another infant baptism. On
Kenya. The Bishop decides where the adult baptism, we have nine
clergy ministers go as there are not candidates and the baptism in
enough priests to go round and he June. About challenges, some
doesn’t like them staying too long in include deaths, this week ie
any one parish because of over Thursday and Friday we had
familiarity! Clergy commute to their burials. One person aged 26 years
parish from their home shambas as and another 94 years. Also most of
there are few vicarages on site! our elderly Christians have not
resumed church because of Covid-
There are two congregations at 19 phobia, this means I have a
Muchunguri, one with 200 members programme to meet them in their
and a smaller congregation at St Johns homes. However, I can attest that
Kirimiri, a twenty minute drive away. God has been very faithful to me.
More members are joining, some from
other churches. During his first tenure a
Dispensary was built with our
Jenard wrote the following; ‘About support but has never been well
Muchunguri parish all departments used as it now appears it should
are active. On 23rd April 2022 we have been built in the local market
had a youth workshop which brought two kilometres away. We still hope
together 73 youths. They planned on that when the Governments have
various activities including planting inspected the refurbishment that it
flowers in the Church compounds, will have primary health and
having youth Church choirs and ante-natal care and blood tests, but
many more. Mothers Union have there has been long delay in getting
prayer fellowships every Friday, it inspected, so much prayer is
KAMU (Kenya Association of Mens needed. Corruption is part of the

8

Our linked church in Kenya

The Bishop of Mbeere Rt Rev Moses Masamba Nthuka with some of the 34
Confirmation candidates in Nov 2021 plus 8 from a neighbouring parish

problem. O Mighty God, we thank You for
The drought situation is very the body of Christ who are called
to serve in such a time as this.
bad. The rain stopped and the crops We pray for divine increase
are drying out with no yields. The concerning church growth across
weather is not very sunny however every city and nation in Jesus’
but we don't expect any more rain holy name. We pray that every
until in the month of October. This church will be vibrant, filled with
means there's going to be challenge the power and working of Your
of foods and even water.’ Holy Spirit. We stand on Your
Wendy Littlejohns and Reverend Word, that no weapon formed
Jenard Nthiga against Your church shall
prosper. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

9

The Children’s Home at Makutano Kenya

St Michael and All the government and is usually eight
Angels Children’s years in primary and four in
Home Makutano Secondary, but that is in the
process of changing which will
St Mary’s started supporting the St have big implications for us. As
Michael and All Angels children’s Secondary will start after year six
centre as it then was in 2004 as it was not year eight so that makes
one of Bishop Gideon’s diocesan Primary six and Secondary six
projects. Unfortunately the current years. During the pandemic the
Bishop has never majored on it and St schools were closed for nine
Marys had been the main supporter. months and current terms are two
months with a two week break in
The Vicar of the church is the an effort to catch up.
Chairman of the home and
responsible for their welfare and The current Vicar Rev Benson
education. St Mary’s funds the Gacura writes
Secondary school fees only of the ‘Hello we are doing well, the
children. Primary School is funded by children are in school :-
Secondary School
Form four Roseline Wawira.
Kennedy Mwangi, Joseph
Gitonga. Final year
Form two :-Enoch Mugendi,
Peter Kioko. Maxwell Bundi ,
Form one Elijah Mutoria,
Primary School
Class 8:-Emmanuel Murimi,
Antony Murithi, Gerald Kinyua,
Margret Wavinya
Class six :-Victor Njeru
Class Five: Moses Fundi
For those in class eight and six
they will be in secondary school
by next year 2023 due to change
of curriculum system in our
country, that means nine in 2023
compared to 7 in 2022. Three
years ago the Bishop enrolled an
extra seven children when
another home closed. It is likely
that there will be an increase in
children next year.

10

The renovation for boys we are Lord, I ask that You protect our
finishing (painting), next we may minds. Father, the mind set on the
include two students to join flesh is death, but the mind set on
tertiary education: Ann Wanja who the Spirit is life and peace.
completed form four year 2020 (Romans 8:6)
and Eric Ngindu who completed O God, set our minds on You. Let
year 2021. After consultation we us not be conformed to this world,
are intending to enrol new but be transformed by the
children . Keep us in prayers. renewing of our minds that we
The improvement that we need is may prove what Your will is, that
repair of boys’ dorm if finances which is good and acceptable and
allow. perfect.
Kindly consider the borehole be (Romans 12:2)
blessed Help us by the power of Your
The borehole is estimated to be Spirit to think on whatever is true,
£10,000.00. Water is currently whatever is honourable, whatever
bought from a neighbours Bore is right, whatever is pure,
Hole who charges a monthly rent.’ whatever is lovely, whatever is of
Wendy Littlejohns and Reverend good repute, if there is any
Benson Gacura excellence and if anything is
worthy of praise, let our minds
dwell on these things.
(Philippians 4:8)

11

Preparing for loss of faculties

Be prepared And if no power of
attorney then what?
A power of attorney is the legal
authority for one person to act on This year I have completed a
behalf of another person. It is possible form supporting the application of
for someone in full possession of their the niece of a friend to the Court
faculties to enter into a power of of Protection that she may gain
attorney which will become operative control of her aunt’s finances.
when they are no longer able to make The friend has lost the capacity to
decisions for themselves – so that a look after her own affairs, is in a
nominated person (normally a close care home and, unfortunately, did
family member) is able to make not make a power of attorney au-
decisions on their behalf. The powers thorising anyone to act on her
that are conferred on someone else in behalf.
this way may be conferred in respect
of financial matters or in respect of The alternative to a power of
matters related to the person’s health attorney is time consuming and
and welfare or in respect of both. expensive, something I know
from personal experience as my
These so called lasting powers of mother had failed to make such
attorney need to be registered with the provision in time. The law has
Office of the Public Guardian. It is changed since then, for example
also possible to make a power of having received authority to act
attorney which becomes operative for my mother, I was termed the
when it is made – so that someone else ‘Receiver’. The term now seems
can manage your financial affairs if to be ‘Deputy’ but the basic
you are housebound, for example. principle remains the same, that
However it won’t be valid if you lose the Court sees its role as
mental capacity. The law in this area protecting the interests of the
is complicated. If you are thinking of patient against scheming
making a power of attorney it is often relatives, who do not have that
a good idea to consult a solicitor, patient’s interests at heart but
although many people read up on the want control of the money and
law and do it all themselves.

Philip
Petchey

12

property for purposes of their own. Sayings of
There is a fee for the initial encouragement

application and, if it is contested, it During the Holy Week poetry
will go to court for which there is readings in church these words
another fee. I also had to render by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
annual accounts to the Court and pay resonated with me:
for those to be audited, which would
not have been necessary had I had ‘Don’t live as if you’re afraid
power of attorney. Thus I stress, the to be crucified. Live as if you
alternative to a power of attorney is are risen.’
both time consuming and expensive.
Meanwhile, to the fury of her brother, They made me look for another
until the deputyship is granted, no one quotation I’d loved and lost,
can cancel the direct debit by which years ago.
the rent continues to be paid for a flat In 1995, Don Cupitt wrote:
in which my friend will never live
again. ‘Rather than live frightened
and cautious lives, we should
The onset of her incapacity was burn out extravagantly, giving
sudden. She changed from someone warmth and joy to others. There
who was beginning to have difficulty is something in the universe that
recalling names, to someone who calls us to recklessness and
didn’t seem to know where she was, extravagance.’
between two regular phone calls I He also said: ‘The original
used to make to her. I conclude that Jesus, I am suggesting, was
she must have had a stroke in that certainly a moral teacher…he
time. None of us knows what the taught a markedly celebratory
future holds and it behoves us to lifestyle.
prepare for the worst while hoping for
the best. One should live expressively,
from the heart, without any
It is not all bad news. Because I ressentiment or negative
lived in London, I took my mothers’ feeling. One should be
accounts to the Court in person and transparent, completely explicit,
found the civil servants there purely outgoing, and burning
immensely helpful. Secondly, in a with love for life in general and
world where social workers often for the neighbour in particular.’
receive so much criticism, my Penny Freeston
friend’s siblings and her niece are full
of praise for the social workers who 13
have assisted them at this difficult
time.
Rowena Rudkin

Three faiths consider prayer

The March meeting that she felt a connection to the
of the Three Faiths Natural World through the fact of
prayer at five specific times in the 24
hours of day and night. Prayer at
dawn, for example, opens up to the
Forum day, and the rhythms of prayer
interlace, for her, with activity. This
The East London Three Faiths Forum can make us humble.
discussed the ‘Regular Rhythm of Reverend Elizabeth Lowson spoke
Prayer’ at the Cranbrook United of the value of tradition, of giving
Synagogue. thanks for daily things, such as our
The Three Faiths Forum is meals, which we can forget others do
different from the Redbridge Faith not always have. Prayer is not only to
Forum, in that only the Abrahamic express our love of God, but also to
Faiths take part, it generally avoids know that we are loved by God and
relating to secular questions, and tries formed by God. Our earthly lives are
to keep it that way. At the 9th of lived simultaneously in the flesh and
March meeting this was blown a spiritually, we belong forever with
little off course, but I will come to God, and that can comfort us.
that. The event was also used by Dr
Reflecting on what was said about Qadir Bakhsh to launch his recent
prayer, I find I cannot summarise, so I book ‘Connecting with Allah
will give what I took to be the key Almighty’ which explains aspects of
themes of each of the faiths, and miss Muslim prayers and makes some
out subtle points, such as how often comments on the relationship of
the faithful pray, and what that Islamic law with Human Rights.
symbolises. A local councillor, who is a Hindu
Rabbi Steven Dansky started us and spoke from the audience, took
off with what he considered to be the part in the general discussion at the
most important aspects of prayer, and end to urge the organisation to
the most difficult: how to be understand the importance of Faith
‘present’? And then how then do we for the whole community, that Faiths
relate our prayer to how we act in the need to be actively engaging on
ordinary secular world in which we behalf of all. She was concerned that
bring up children, earn a living, and communities become divided on
contribute through myriad actions and religious grounds, even when they
non-actions to the world around us? appear to be sharing common areas of
Prayers are frequently oft-repeated, understanding. This was a task the
running the risk that our mouths Three Faiths should consider.
mouth and our minds wander.
Khola Hasan, who is a Muslim Judy Noble
Scholar and religious Judge, told us

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Good news from Uganda

We are so pleased to hear the
good news from Verity and
Tom Clare, our mission
partners in Uganda. A baby
girl, Amara, has been born
safely. Please continue your
prayers and support for them
all.

We’re letting you know that we had a little girl on Friday 29th April.
Amara Angela joined us in perfect timing. We were able to have a home

birth in Kampala as planned, with Diane, an Irish midwife who works here.
We’re so thankful that neither of us needed any intervention and she’s doing
really well so far.

Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers. We’re so thankful to
God for her safe arrival and are enjoying getting to know her. We’ve been
staying in Kampala to complete all the paperwork to get her birth certificate,
hopefully heading back to Arua on Friday. We then need to work on getting a
travel document to enable her to come back to the UK for my sister’s
wedding in July. This might be trickier than we first thought but we’re praying
God will make a way for us all to travel.

Thank you again for your prayers and support. We’re so thankful for this
precious gift.
Blessings
Verity, Tom, Ezra, Eli, Simeon, Joel and Amara Clare

Welcome to baby
Arthur at St Mary’s on
29th May

15

Poetry inspired by St Mary’s artwork

Julia Dale writes touchingly below how her lovely book of poetry ‘A Change
of Key’ was inspired by a collage from St Mary’s. Peter Webb writes
(opposite page) about how the collage came to be created by Quest led by
himself and Edmund Booth. The collage still hangs above the top of the stairs
at St Mary’s.

The poems in A Change of Key are a signalling the end of the storm. It
kind of dialogue between the efforts wasn’t until after various efforts and
of my 19-25 year old self and my attempts to convey this visually that
response to them in my 71st year. my gaze rested afresh on the collage:
the scary beauty of the lightning, the
The beautiful collage of Christ movement from dark to light, the
calming the storm, reproduced as a cruciform arms of Christ as He stands
card, was sent to me by Rachel in the boat which come straight out of
Douglas in 2012 and ever since has the picture towards us …………..
remained on my mantelpiece, often Yes.
glanced at and much cherished.
Thank you St. Mary’s and all who
While considering a design for helped to produce the collage.
the cover of A Change of Key, I was Julia Dale
thinking of some musical image, as
one of the most important changes
of key was, for me, that in
Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony

To Sister Julie Alphonse, SND
Time broke, and these were made,
still-born, and buried in this book –
some maimed, some cold and some in part
alive – miscarriages of art.
sister, lend your aid:
resurrect them with a look,
and from the blessing of your eyes
on these dead forms, new life shall rise.
Julia’s dedicatory poem for ‘Out of
Sequence’ in her book ‘A Change of Key’

16

Poetry inspired by St Mary’s artwork

I was an art teacher at a Church Edmund Booth decided on the
of England school in Enfield, subject of Jesus Calming the Storm
(Bishop Stopford's School), and It could well have been the idea of
had, with my pupils, produced the children. We set to work
large collages illustrating miracles immediately one Sunday, some
and parables, (The Feeding of the choosing to do clouds; some,
Five Thousand, The Wedding at waves; some, fishing boats; some,
Cana, The Parable of the Sower, disciples and Christ; some, hills;
Christ driving the Moneychangers some, bits of seaweed and beach
from the Temple), in which the litter; and some, lightning. One or
efforts of all those involved could two fish and birds crept in, too.
be shown. Once the subject had
been decided on, each pupil could There was an abundance of
draw and paint one or more subject-matter produced in a short
elements of the scene, cut it out space of time. We soon went on to
and, in co-operation with all the the cutting-out and arranging, in a
other participants, arrange it with manner showing admirable
all the others and stick it down. tolerance and mutual respect and
consideration. No work was
I saw that this method could rejected. A space was found for
easily be adapted to the smaller everything.
number of children in Quest at St
Mary's. It would simply mean that An important and delightful
each Quest member would be aspect of this method of
required to draw several things. I producing a composition is the
can't remember how Quest, I and relative unpredictability, within
certain general limits, of the

17

final result, and the way the
whole thing hovers close to the
edge of disorder and
improbability, which makes it
perennially surprising and
challenging. Above all, the
children greatly enjoyed doing it,
and seeing their work on
permanent display.

Peter Webb The sad news of the death of much
The collage of Christ calming the loved David Ward came as this edition
storm hangs above the top of the of the magazine was being prepared. A
stairs leading to the Gwinnell Room tribute to David will follow in our
at St Mary’s. Autumn edition. Here is a photograph
How good to hear from former of David with his wife Eileen taken in
parishioners Peter Webb, now living 1999 at Jerusalem on a pilgrimage with
in Deal, and Edmund Booth, now other members of St Mary’s.
living in Tring.

If you are interested in buying a
copy of Julia’s book please contact
the parish office. The price is £7.50
with proceeds going to St Mary’s
youth work.

Going green at St Mary’s.
Flowers at the edge of the
Food fun and craft event, (see
pages 26 and 27)

18

May scenes in and around Woodford

Some photographs from Jeanette Meadway from the Easter Monday pilgrimage.
See page 28. Can you place these local landmarks?

19

Local Health Support

One Place It was good to revisit One Place
East: local East and reflect on how far I've
support for progressed on my personal recovery
people with journey. Although I no longer feel the
mental or need of day services such as those
physical provided by One Place East and
disabilities similar organisations, those day
services are obviously much
The week of 9th to15th appreciated by those who came along
May was Mental Health to the Tea and Chat.
Awareness Week, something
close to my heart. In a previous As we went around the table
edition of St Mary’s Woodford introducing ourselves, it was
Parish Magazine I have written inspiring to hear the stories of the
about my history of mental group. Several of the attendees told
illness and how my faith how they had started off as service
developed out of this, and gives users at One Place East, but over time
me hope for a bright future. To had become paid members of staff.
read this particular article online People with both mental and physical
follow the link below and it is on disabilities, visible and invisible
pages 16-18. http:// conditions, were taking an active role
online.anyflip.com/swric/clga/ in their community which was great
mobile/index.html to see.

I recently attended a Tea and Although this article is perhaps
Chat event at One Place East in not obviously related to St Mary's
Ilford, a centre which supports Woodford (apart from myself being a
people with both mental and member of the church) I believe that
physical disabilities in the
community. Several years ago
following one of my hospital
stays, I myself was a regular
attendee of a Peer Support Group
at One Place East which was
invaluable and out of which I
made good friends.

20

good mental health is something we He healeth the broken in heart,
all desire. Whether we ourselves And bindeth their wounds.
have experienced mental health He telleth the number of the
issues, or those whom we care stars;
about, the topic of mental health is I He called them all by their
believe relevant to us all. It was names.
refreshing to go along to the Tea and Great is our Lord, and of great
Chat where mental and physical power:
disabilities could be openly His understanding is infinite.
discussed and supported. The Lord lifteth up the meek:
He casteth the wicked down to
If you have a mental or physical the ground.
disability and live in Redbridge, feel Sing unto the Lord with
free to contact One Place East for thanksgiving;
more information on the day Sing praise upon the harp unto
services they offer, opportunities to our God:
volunteer and much more. Their Who covereth the heaven with
website is https://oneplaceeast.org/ clouds,
and for general enquiries please ring Who prepareth rain for the
0208 925 2435. earth,
Who maketh grass to grow
Bryony Bennett upon the mountains.
He delighteth not in the
Have you wondered about strength of the horse:
singing in the choir at St Mary’s? He taketh not pleasure in the
If so then why not have a word legs of a man.
with Henry Metcalfe, our The Lord taketh pleasure in
Director of Music? Contact him them that fear him,
at In those that hope in his mercy.
[email protected] From Psalm 147

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Book review

The Scandal of Christian
Disunion: Why it must
stop immediately

by Nicholas King.
Published by Kevin Mayhew
ISBN 978-1-84867-892-7

Nicholas King is a distinguished
Biblical scholar who became widely
recognised throughout the English-
speaking world for his astonishingly
fresh and thought-provoking 2004
translation of the New Testament.
He went on to produce a translation
of the whole of the Old Testament
with the same standard of cutting-
edge commentary.
He has the gift of making
scholarly observations accessible to
all of us. And he isn’t above
amusing frivolity. One of my
favourites is his comment on verse 5
of psalm 150: Praise him with
cymbals that please the ear, praise are against ecumenism. And he’s very
him with loud cymbals. He says: sensitive to the perception many
‘these are clearly two kinds of Christians have that Roman Catholics –
cymbal. The first kind may be
unknown to most of us.’ Nicholas King is a Jesuit – think that
ecumenism means everyone becoming
This book is one of many, all Roman Catholic. In fact it’s a hundred
brief, thoughtful and beautifully years since a Pope suggested this, and I’m
expressed he has recently written: not sure I’ve ever met a Catholic who is
on, for example, feminist now of that opinion.
perspectives on the New Testament, The next nine chapters examine
why Mark’s is the strangest Gospel, divisions in the New Testament church.
restoring St Paul’s reputation, and, These are presented in a way that helps us
most recently, Biblical models of understand that divisions have always
leadership. been there – they didn’t start with the
The structure of his book on
Christian disunion is Reformation, let alone the split between
the eastern, Constantinople, and western,
straightforward. Initially he tackles Rome Churches. And there are some
the question of why so many people contemporary parallels that really make

22

Christian unity

you stop and think. His analysis of Reaction to local
the cult of personality in 1 initiatives towards
Corinthians has disturbing Christian unity
contemporary echoes.
Our Spring magazine drew attention
As does the stark point that in to a number of local initiatives for
John’s Gospel it’s always the Christian unity, including a series of
religious people who get Jesus meetings about the Pope Francis'
wrong: a warning about the dangers encyclical 'Laudato Si' , subtitled
of ‘knowing that we are right.’ But 'care for our common home' and an
that’s not all religious leaders: interdenominational World Prayer
remember Jairus. on 4th March at St Mary's.

There is so much to provoke There has been a lot of positive
thought in this book. Aspects I feedback from these events. We are
haven’t properly touched on include very pleased to be in touch with
the challenge to recognise that Mike Eggleton, a parishioner of St
diversity is not the opposite of unity, Anne Line and the editor for 'The
and the wonderfully positive sign of Word' a magazine which is
hope in the movement with the distributed within the Roman
helpful title of ‘receptive ecumenism’ Catholic churches of St Anne Line
which emerged from the theology South Woodford and St Thomas of
faculty at Durham University. Canterbury Woodford Green.

And there’s a final chapter, Mike has commented that ,
straightforward and clear in its 'starting the process of working
addressing of the issue: Is Mary an together in this way
obstacle to ecumenical progress? towards Christian unity is
Having read it, I know my answer. something wonderful for us
Mark Spencer Ellis all. We have been engaging with
each other and put aside our
differences, not to discount them,
but to put them into proper
perspective as being secondary to
the main focus of coming together,
to worship God, to look after his
world, to protect it and improve it -
for us, for our children, and
grandchildren, and all generations
for ever.'

Peter Wall

23

fFoamcilyus

St Mary’s Holiday Club! 25th—28th July with the

theme, ‘Celebrating God’s love’. Full details at
www.stmaryswoodford.org.uk/children Please could both volunteers
and children aged 5-11 be registered there as soon as possible.

24

Food and Fun and craft day at St Mary’s on
21st May

25

Churches off the beaten track

Churches of Cornwall St. Juliette, St. Juliot near Boscastle:
pre-Norman. Restored by Thomas
I worked in Cornwall for a few Hardy from 1870-72 and setting for
months in 1972 and fell in love with his stories and poems. We stayed at
its rugged landscape. My two the Old Vicarage many years ago. It
friends and I were based in a little was here that the writer met his wife
village called Lanreath, inland from Emma.
Polperro, working at the Chapel dedicated to St. Michael,
Punchbowl Inn, reputedly the oldest Rame Head on site of ancient Celtic
inn in the country. hermitage. A long walk uphill from
Mount Edgecumbe. Steep steps lead
When I returned twenty-five to the chapel with breathtaking sea
years later little had changed (the views.
Punchbowl has now closed) St. Morwenna and St. John the
although the scarlet telephone box Baptist, Morwenstow: the most
had been replaced by a modern northerly parish in Cornwall. Long
silver coloured one. I even spotted associated with Revd. R.S. Hawker,
an old friend driving a tractor out of eccentric Victorian parish priest. Over
a nearby farm; his hair was still thirty drowned seafarers are buried in
long but had since turned white! the churchyard.
St. Senara, Zennor: rebuilt in 12th
Since then I have returned to century. Famous for 15th century
Cornwall many times and travelled bench carving of legendary Mermaid
all over the county. These are some of Zennor.
of my favourite churches and St. Protus and St. Hyacinth,
chapels visited over the years. I Blisland: Grade 1 restored Norman
hope you may visit if touring the church which ‘can hardly be bettered’
region. Most of these churches are wrote Sir John Betjeman.
off the beaten track, but parking St. Tallunus, Talland Church:
may be available nearby. 13th/15th century. A long hike in
St. Marnach, Lanreath: between Polperro and Talland Bay,
Norman/15th century. Beautiful but well worth the effort.
monument to the Grylls family who Penny Freeston
owned Barton Court.
St. Enodoc, Trebetherick: dating
back to 12th century. Virtually
buried by sand dunes from 16th -
19th centuries. Sir John Betjeman is
buried in the churchyard.

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Talland church Chapel at Rame Head
The mermaid of Zennor
ANSWERS
See the Quiz on page 7
1 Easter
2 mitre
3 Churchfields
4 pectoral cross
5 Lambeth Conference
6 Pentecost
7 Corpus Christi
8 lectionary
9 acolyte or taperer
10 chalice
11 a) perhaps b) true c) false
12 The Athanasian Creed

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Joining with other local churches

MMU Pilgrimage on Easter Monday, 2nd May

Here are some photographs of the The pilgrimage linking the five
MMU, (Mission and Ministry churches in our MMU came just at
Unit), pilgrimage that took place on the right time for me. Two weeks
Easter Monday. Above is a map before, I had walked right round the
showing the route and the churches green near us for the first time. This
in the MMU. As our front cover was an ideal next step. The route
shows, pilgrims travelled by bike was carefully planned, there were
as well as on foot. stops at each of the churches, and the
Jeanette Meadway tells us (right) of option to get a bus home at each
her account of the occasion. stage.

My knee problems started at
junior school, and steadily worsened
from the 1970s. In 2016 I had the
most damaged knee replaced, with
great benefit. In December 2021 I
had the second knee replaced, and
can now stand and walk for longer
than I ever remember.

After 40 years in Woodford, this
was the first time I knew about off-
road routes through parks and parts
of Epping Forest. I am so grateful
for those who put time into planning
and maps, for my companions on
each of the stages, and for all the
friends I met at each church. The cup
of tea and lemon cake at St Peter’s
were the best I have tasted in years!
Jeanette Meadway

See also photographs of local
landmarks from Jeanette on page
19.

28

29

A local benefactor

The George Monoux Almshouses,
Walthamstow

Many people will have noticed some are now part of the social
buildings called ‘almshouses’ around housing system. The word
the area, (and indeed around the ‘almshouse’ is used to denote both the
country) and perhaps wondered about building containing the units of
their purpose and how they came to be accommodation and the space/rooms
where they are. Near Woodford there used by the occupants.
are almshouses in Leyton, Wanstead The George Monoux Almshouses
and Walthamstow. lie just to the north of St Mary’s
Strictly speaking, an almshouse is Church, Walthamstow and were built
privately run accommodation for less in the early 1500s when Walthamstow
well-off members of society, although was a small rural community of about
100 people. George
Monoux, a wealthy London
merchant, was also a local
land-owner and benefactor.
He provided funds for a
causeway through the
Walthamstow Marshes,
bridges over the River Lea
and the provision of clean
piped water to the area.
In 1527 George Monoux

30

A local benefactor

bought the plot of land where the The brick building, with a tiled
roof, has a gabled cross-wing with six
almshouses now stand, with the almshouses to one side and seven to
intention of erecting a building to
house thirteen people and a free school. the other. Each had a fireplace and
He planned the layout himself, as a two windows, the chimney being
drawing in his memorandum book or shared with the almshouse next door.
ledger (“lygger”), reproduced in the The gabled and jettied section in the
photograph (below left) below, shows. middle provided housing for the
The photograph on the left shows almspriest and two large rooms above
the almshouses as they look today, the almshouses were the original
accommodation for the school,
following early repair and renovation reached by stairs on each side of the
to the eastern wing (near the camera). cross wing. It is probable that there
The western end survived much as was a water supply to the building and
erected, until severe bomb damage in privies were provided in the yards at
1940 required a complete rebuilding the back. An endowment of property
after the war. in the City of London supported the

almshouses and their occupants,
although financial mismanagement
and dishonesty following George
Monoux’s death meant that the
almspeople lived in some financial
distress until the trust was reformed,
and responsibility taken by the vestry
in the 1720s. The almshouses, now
remodelled, are part of the
Walthamstow Charities and remain as
social housing.

Jean Lear

The blue plaque on the front of the Back cover: As Wordsworth said,
almhouses in memory of George ‘they stretch in never ending line’.
Monoux who also founded the local A few of the many cyclists who
school bearing his name took part in ‘Ride London’ on
29th May.

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
8th August 2022

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

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