2022 Spring final

St Mary’s Woodford
Parish Magazine

Volume 13 number 1 www.stmaryswoodford.org.uk

Spring 2022

Welcome

The crocuses and daffodils in the
churchyard are a wonderful reminder that
spring is on its way. Earlier in the year,
we enjoyed snowdrops and ‘yellowdrops’
which I have learned are called winter
aconites, following some discussion on
the church’s social media pages
@stmaryswoodford

Planning is gathering pace for spring
and summer events of all kinds where
warmer weather makes ventilation to
increase Covid security a more palatable
concept. Having marked the Queen’s
Accession anniversary on 6 February, it
will soon be Easter, then May. June and
time for Jubilee celebrations (4 June
evening at St Mary’s) and the 50th anniversary of St Mary’s reconsecration,
(celebrated with Bishop Guli on 12 June). Most of us will be looking forward to
celebrating and spending time together in what we hope will be lovely, sunny
weather. Lent, Holy Week and Easter are being planned fully in the church
building for the first time since 2019, and we will be enjoying refreshments
together from the beginning of Lent and especially on Easter Day. For the
Jubilee, on 4 June we will stream the BBC coverage of the Platinum Jubilee
concert live into the Memorial Hall, and have a bar and BBQ available so we
can join together in the same place.

At the same time, Covid is still with us. Hopefully there will be no more
lockdowns. But precautions and adaptations such as ventilating wherever
possible are likely to continue. Even if things outwardly look similar to pre-
pandemic, it is important we acknowledge how much has changed. The last two
years have altered what we consider to be usual, they have kept us apart in ways
never imagined and our patterns of prayer and worship are different too,

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including in new and innovative ways. God’s help and guidance in prayer
Uncertainty and rapid change can keep must underpin all that we do. So
affecting us even when the impetus has this Lent, let us rest in God
reduced or passed – there are likely wherever we can and pray on our
continuing emotional, developmental and own and in groups:
identity consequences from Covid, which God of mission, Who alone
will play out in different ways for each of brings growth to your Church,
us and our circumstances. And we ponder Send your Holy Spirit to give
all this while thinking of the desperate Vision to our planning, Wisdom to
our actions, Joy to our worship,
situation in Ukraine.
When we gather for worship in church, And power to our witness. Help our
we always acknowledge Jesus’ crucifixion church to grow in numbers, In
as well as his resurrection and ascension – spiritual commitment to you, And in
and I suspect that even as we enjoy service to our local community,
spending time together and planning Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
events and other wonderful things in our Amen.
church and community life, we should
acknowledge the new and creative
possibilities Covid restrictions have Revd Dr Elizabeth Lowson,
e mail:
encouraged, as well as remembering how [email protected]
Covid and the passing of the last two years
have changed what is possible.
We are currently exploring Growing
God’s Kingdom at St Mary’s. This takes
Parish Registerkey evidence-based ideas from

www.leadingyourchurchintogrowth.org
For your prayers:

.uk which many churches have found Funerals:
helped in their missional, spiritual and
numerical growth, and engages with what
may help in our context. The intention is Maureen Hoskins 30th December
not to add more work, but to focus all that Florence Smart 9th February
we do, to be open to God deepening and Josefina Tudio 14th February
changing the faith of each of us, to be a Ken Ferguson 16th February

place offering opportunities for people to The first two funerals were
come to faith in Christ or return to church. conducted by the St Mary’s
We hope and pray this will lead us into Ministry Team; the second two
missional, spiritual and numerical growth were further afield and held in
as individuals, as a church and in prayer here.
engagement with our local community.
The first step is Prayer, and asking for

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

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Life at St Mary’s

The Woodford Fellowship of Christian Churches

We were delighted that after a adapted to provide take home rations
Covid absence in 2020 the 2021 Ecu- so that children did not miss meals.
menical Advent Carol Service took Until 31st January 2022 donations
place once again at St Thomas of were doubled by a group of generous
Canterbury, Woodford Green, on the supporters up to £1.6m, so that
second Sunday of Advent. We Mary’s Meals can reach even more
enjoyed singing Advent carols and hungry children.
the singing of choirs from All Saints’
and from St Thomas of Canterbury. The church attended by an
American cousin of Rowena Rudkin
Members from about ten local (one of our Readers) supported an
churches participated, offering reflec- orphanage in Haiti. He visited the
tions, readings and prayers. Our orphanage regularly and witnessed the
rector Elizabeth led the intercessions. good work of Mary’s Meals, which he
The service was attended by 110 praised highly.
people (and this year this was
without the choir from Loyola The Woodford Fellowship of
Preparatory School and their parents) Christian Churches provides
and was followed by tea, coffee and opportunities for Christians of
mince pies in the Becket Centre. In different denominations in the
the retiring collection £660 was Woodford area to talk, to worship, to
collected. This was split between sing and to work together.
Mary’s Meals and the Salvation Cheryl Corney
Army for the Redbridge Cold
Weather Centre.

The Redbridge Cold Weather
Centre is at the Salvation Army
building in Clements Road in Ilford.
Shelter is now also offered at
Malachi Place in Chadwick Road,
where a new 42 bed centre opened
just before lockdown, which is now
the main resource for the rough
sleepers, who are the guests there.

Mary’s Meals provides meals for
children living in the largest and
poorest slums, where this is the only
meal they will receive during the day.
Many of these children are in Haiti.
During the pandemic Mary’s Meals

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An event at St Mary’s about Reproductive Loss

Reproductive loss Spirituality at
Sarum
Take part in a discussion with the College. Her
author at St Mary’s Church Woodford research is
followed by Compline 22 March 7.30 focused on the
- 9.0pm ways in which
Our evening at St Mary’s Woodford trauma
will begin with Karen in conversation experiences
with our Rector, Elizabeth Lowson, impact
followed by a time of questions, theology and
answers and discussion. The evening spirituality and Karen O’Donnell
will conclude with Compline and an how the
opportunity to offer all we have Church might respond to this.
discussed to God. The Dark Womb: Re-Conceiving
Theology Through Reproductive
The experience of reproductive loss Loss by Karen O’Donnell
raises a series of profoundly
theological questions: how can God If you wish to order the book,
have a plan for my life? Why didn't please visit: https://
God answer my prayers? How can I scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/
have hope after such an experience? books/9780334060932/the-dark-
Who am I after such a loss? Sadly, womb
these are questions that, along with
reproductive loss, have largely been
ignored in theology.

Karen O'Donnell tackles these
questions head on, drawing on her
own experiences of repeated
reproductive loss as she re-conceives
theology from the perspective of the
miscarrying person. Offering a fresh,
original, and creative approach to
theology, O'Donnell explores the
complexity of the miscarrying body
and its potential for theological
revelation. She offers a re-conception
of theologies of providence, prayer,
hope and the body as she reimagines
theology out of these messy origins.

Dr Karen O’Donnell leads the
research and teaching in Christian

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Race Night in the Memorial Hall

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Race Night in the Memorial Hall

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Life at St Mary’s

Praying for the world with Brownies and Guides

‘All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.’
Saint Francis of Assisi

‘How far that little candle throws his beams. So shines a good deed in this
weary world.’ William Shakespeare

‘Look at how a single candle can both defy and
define the darkness.’
Anne Frank

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Current affairs: for reflection

Almighty God, When life gives you lemons, make
from whom all thoughts of truth and lemonade.
peace proceed: The greatest distance in the world
kindle in the hearts of all people the is just 14 inches from the mind to
true love of peace; the heart.
and guide with your pure and
peaceable wisdom I spent a lot of my time in Africa,
those who take counsel for the and in South Africa they have a
nations of the earth; word: ‘ubuntu’. It is the ideal that
that in tranquillity your kingdom I’m only human if I recognise the
may go forward, humanity in you. There’s this
till the earth is filled with the collective notion of life which I
knowledge of thy love; think we have lost.
through Jesus Christ our Lord. George Alagiah, newsreader
Amen.
We rise by lifting others.

Comfort and prosperity have never We are very good lawyers for our
enriched the world as much as own mistakes, but good judges for
adversity has. the mistakes of others.
Billy Graham The quality of our lives depends not
on whether or not we have conflicts,
Being human is given. But keeping but on how we respond to them.
our humanity is a choice
He who says to the wicked, ‘You
Do not learn how to react. Learn are innocent,’ will be cursed by
how to respond. peoples, abhorred by nations; but
You will not be punished for your those who rebuke the wicked
anger. You will be punished by your will have delight and a good
anger. blessing will be upon them.
Buddha Proverbs 24 - 25

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Life at St Mary’s
An easy way to fundraise

Do you ever grocery shop on-line?
Do you buy your car/buildings/contents/pet insurance
on-line?
Do you book your weekends away or holidays on–line?
Do you buy/sell from ebay?
If the answer's yes, (even if that's only very occasionally) then you can raise
free money for St Mary's by going to your websites via easyfundraising.com.
There's no cost to you and a free donation to St Mary's.
If you come to the office one morning, I can help you link in and show you
how it works. Over the last three years St Mary's has received over £250
from me – and I don't even buy much. It's easy and free and helps.
Sheba Lockley

For all good gifts, great and
small, beautiful and awesome,
seen and unseen, We thank
you, Lord God. For all life and
all creation, for the grace and
the abundance of generosity,
We thank you, Lord God. For
the opportunity to witness,
proclaim, invite and engage
others in the Mission of Jesus,
We thank you, Lord God.

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Send a cow: feedback

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Prayer and contemplation

Twenty four hours at Pleshey

It's 2:45pm on my birthday,
Tuesday 1st February. I'm sitting in
the library (pictured) at the Diocesan
House of Retreat in Pleshey. I'm
enjoying being alone but not alone.
Others come and go in the retreat
house and grounds. Currently the
chaplain, Mark, and I are enjoying a
companionable silence. He is in the
library reading, me writing, sitting at
either end of the table. I know he is
there for spiritual conversation and
guidance during my stay, and indeed I
might call upon his services.
However, right now I'm enjoying
getting my bearings and writing my However, towels were provided. The
first impressions of this special, little things matter.
peaceful place. The chaplain and Duty Manager,
What prompted me to come here? Mark, gave my dad and I a very warm
Me who is not all that comfortable welcome. My dad gave me a hug and
with my own company? Partly for departed and Mark then gave me a
that very reason. I wanted to tour of the house and gardens. I am
challenge myself spiritually. I wanted usually more comfortable with doing
to feel God's presence more keenly. rather than just being. After
One does not have to go to any unpacking I had a coffee, prayed, then
special place to be in God's presence. explored and took photos of my
Yet I've come here as I say to be surroundings, including the chapel
alone yet not alone. Not only are there (pictured). As well as this piece I will
other people here on retreat, but God write during my stay, I have also
is here, as He is everywhere. I want to brought art materials, a book,
experience a sense of contentment magazine and some Bible study
with myself. To be alone but not materials. In between all those
lonely. My en suite bedroom is all I activities I might find some time to
need it to be. Clean, tidy, minimal but simply "be". It doesn’t come naturally
comfortable. There is a kettle and to me. Perhaps I am even scared of it.
biscuits on the dressing table - a Simply being allows the negative and
welcome surprise! I brought my own unpleasant feelings to bubble up to
bath towel not knowing what to the surface. However, as with all
expect, this is not a hotel after all. things I know not to be afraid but to

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Prayer and contemplation

hand all over to God in prayer. World Day of Prayer
Bryony Bennett
Want to know more? Since 1927, the World Day of Prayer
Chelmsford Diocesan House of has been an annual event, uniting
Retreat, Pleshey Christians across the globe in a
https:// common ecumenical worship service.
www.retreathousepleshey.com Each year, a different country or
region is chosen as 'host', and in 2022
it is the turn of England, Wales and
Northern Ireland. Our local service,
organised by representatives from
various churches, was held at St
Mary's on Friday March 4th. We are
grateful for the willing support
received from so many members of the
church here at St Mary’s and the
welcome given to those attending from
other churches. It was a truly
ecumenical service.
Moira Sharpe and Roberta Flynn

Look back and remember: He was Almighty God
with you You have taught us that your word is a
Stand still and realise: He is with lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
you Help us, and all who prayerfully read
Walk forward and trust: He will be your word to deepen our fellowship
with you always with you and with each other through
Margaret Silf your love. And in so doing, may we
come to know you more fully, love
you more truly and follow more
faithfully in the steps of your Son,
Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God for
evermore. Amen

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Quiz

Quiz : Geographical Features

or Areas

Who or what are we? Some of us are members
of the congregation and all of us are part of the
Christian Story.

1 I am two geographical features. I house the church of St Mary with St Philip
and St James.

2 I was a faithful member of the congregation for many years. My Christian
name was Jean.

3 The shadow of death abides in me.

4 We are areas of grass. Our Christian names are John and Georgina.

5 He will cause us to break out in the desert.

6 Parents and others visit me, often with small children. My Christian name is
Louie.

7 I am the lowest freshwater lake on earth.

8 I am an area of low-lying land which is flood-
ed in wet seasons or at high tides. My Christian
name is Karen.

9 My name is Jordan. I am very wet.

10 We are John and Kathy. We are a county of
England.

11 We in the North are exhorted to rejoice.

12 Lot and his two daughters dwelt in me.

13 We are David and Ghene. We are a mountain in Wales.

14 God’s people ate manna in me.

15 Faith can move us. Answers on page 25

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Our mission partners back in Uganda

News from the Clares: Verity, Tom, Ezra, Eli, Simeon, Joel and bump

Tom Clare and Diocesan health co-ordinator Esther (next to him in pink) receiving
some missionaries from Global Link Africa to work in the health facilities

Prayer points

 Finalisation of accommodation over the baby’s birth in Kampala in
April/May

 Space to hear from God as we seek his wisdom and plan for our time
in Arua

 For Esther as she gets to grips with the various aspects of her role
 For the boys to feel at peace with all our upcoming movements - a

good number of our expat friends are going on furlough over the next
few months and the boys have been quite unsettled thinking about
travelling to Kampala and the UK and the thought of doing life here
in the absence of a lot of their good friends.
Back page photograph: It’s the dry season. These brick 'castles' have been
popping up on every spare bit of land over the last couple of months. Their
makers mould the bricks from mud, dry them out, stack them up and cover
them, then burn them for a few days running with fires underneath.

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Religious terminology: Vocabulary quiz

1 An OXOLOGY is a hymn of praise sung by Saint Mary’s Joyful Voices at the
Nativity service on Christmas Eve. True or false?
2 Which of the following is used to refer to the Holy Ghost?
Paraclete b) Parakeet c) Holy Dove d) Holy Spirit
3 Which word beginning with b…….. often means WAFER when used in
church?
4 Which of these is true?
A BISHOP is:- a) the chief pastor in a diocese. b) a piece in a game of chess.
c) STINKING BISHOP is a cheese made in Gloucestershire.
5 Jeroboam, Behoboam and Salmanazar are all kings in the Old Testament. For
what else are their names used?
6 Some of our services are listed as being (BCP). What does BCP stand for?
7 I am the fatty extreme end part of the tail of a fowl when cooked. I am a
p______ n_____.
8 I have both good parts and bad parts. I am a c______ e____.
9 I am an expression of church where families learn together through physical
activities. I was introduced in York in 2010. I am S______ Church.
10 A TIE is a consecrated garment priests are required to wear when celebrating
the Eucharist. True or false?
11 What is a) a gun, b) a member of the chapter at a cathedral and c) a law or
rule?
12 I am a style of writing in word processing, a receptacle used in church for the
water used in baptism and a reservoir for oil in an oil lamp. What am I?
13 ELIZABETH is the name of our r______, Mary’s c______ and the S______
G_______ of the Church of England.
14 I was a youth group at St Mary’s, a pursuit and a pastoral group for L.G.B.T
Catholics. What was I?
15 A church mouse is a device attached to a computer and used by clergy when
leading services using Zoom. True or false?

Answers on page 25

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Winter highlights

The Winter Singer

That spindle shanked, pot bellied, they had abandoned their nest box but
red chested glory the Robin. They are had not the technical skill to fly
the only birds which sing over winter, through the slightly open window.
a slightly mournful bird song from They all took off one after the other
near the top of a modest tree is either to crash land in an adjacent wall thick
a male or female robin telling all its with ivy.
neighbours, ‘Stay away, private Chris Whitfield
property, visitors not welcome’.
Every robin defends an exclusive The Winter winners
territory over winter. As the hours of
daylight extend the song becomes A woman’s place is …..?
livelier, an invitation to start a pair
bond prior to territory sharing and Question: So who and what were
nesting. involved with the only GB gold
medal at the Winter Olympic
It is an easy bird to identify, the Games?
robins of the British Isles are garden Answer: Four women and brooms
as well as woodland birds, unlike Well done Eve Muirhead, Vicky
their continental cousins which are Wright, Jen Dodds and Hailey Duff.
forest dwellers. They show the least
fear of man, many a regular gardener
or plot holder has the close company
of a robin winter and spring, the bird
darting fearlessly onto the freshly dug
soil snatching morsels from between
the tines of the digging fork. We are
to the robin like market stall holders
displaying our wares. An active
allotment site is a very desirable
territory. If you feed them live meal
worms regularly you have a friend for
ever.

They also have the endearing habit
of nesting in unexpected places,
abandoned tins or boots, cast off
kettles, pockets of jackets hung in
open sheds and in my garden a
repurposed cigar box. Early one
morning I opened the shed door to
find five young robins on the floor,

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Bible study

The Centenary of the Bible Reading
Fellowship

2022 celebrates the centenary of The airports and on holiday. The small
Bible Reading Fellowship. The size of each volume fits into a bag
Fellowship of St. Matthew was very easily. I love the variety of
founded by Revd. Leslie Mannering scripture and subject material and
in Brixton and the first daily reading often find myself drawn to reading a
notes were published on 1st January book by the same writer on a similar
1922. subject.

By 1926 it was renamed The However, over the years I admit I
Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF). have found it difficult to pin myself
Monthly circulation reached 1,500 down to a time and place for
copies. This increased to 20,000 per individual readings EVERY day
issue by 1929. At the start of the which is the intention behind the
Second World War a special notes. I still find myself fitting round
services edition was produced; by family rather than vice versa and
the end of the war readership had have never really liked keeping to
increased by 80,000. Queen rigid routines. So last year I decided
Elizabeth the Queen Mother testified to pray about it and came up with the
to using BRF notes herself and following. I was encouraged to
became its Patron in 1952. By 1961 believe that each day I would find a
circulation of BRF notes passed different time and place that suited
50,000 copies per issue. BRF has me best. That gave me not only a
grown from strength to strength and sense of relief, but also an added
more recent initiatives include the boost of energy and spontaneity to
following ministries: Anna keep going.
Chaplaincy, Living Faith, Messy
Church and Parenting for Faith. Each day I look forward to
St. Mary's has a long association wondering not how but when I can
with BRF and many members have
subscribed to BRF’s publications
over the years, in particular ‘New
Daylight’ and ‘Guidelines.’

I have been reading New
Daylight , published three times a
year, for about 30 years and never
miss buying a copy. I love reading
the Bible study notes, often a section
at a time, on buses, tube trains, at

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Bible study

give it the quality time it deserves. As I
read each Bible passage aloud I find
myself using the Lectio Divina
approach taught to me by David and
Jane Godwin. Phrases or sentences
'speak out' to me each time, enriching
the experience. The two-year Christian
Studies course was very helpful in
encouraging me to find more time
generally for Bible study. An
American friend joked that perhaps I
was getting to the age when I needed to
start 'cramming for finals!'

To keep more informed about
BRF's centenary events and activities
visit brf.org.uk/centenary. If you
would like to order a copy of BRF
Notes regularly through St Mary’s
please contact Janet Collins whose
contact details are in the Church
Directory
An online Service of Celebration and
Thanksgiving takes place on 24th
April 2022.
Penny Freeston

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Towards Christian Unity

In a recent sermon Mark Spencer-Ellis St Mary’s Lenten suggested reading
challenged us to consider whether our is, Laudato Si’: Pope Francis’
aspirations for Christian unity with encyclical.
other denominations amounted to just https://tinyurl.com/52ad5vna
lip service.
Local actions there have been Laudate Si discussion groups with our
going on for some time but recently Methodist and Roman Catholic
initiatives have increased. The neighbours are being as shown in the
challenge is surely for more of us to box below.
get involved as with encouraging
support given to the Bryony Bennett and Peter Wall

interdenominational World Day of Laudato Si chapter headings
Prayer on 4th March at St Mary’s. The
service for the World Day of Prayer
did indeed exemplify the aspirations 1 Pollution and climate change
of Christian unity, attended as it was 2 The issue of water
by both new and familiar faces. The 3 Loss of biodiversity
conversation over coffee after the 4 Decline in the quality of human
service turned to which of the many
churches in the locality people usually life and the breakdown of society
6 Weak responses

attended.
In the last edition of the magazine
we reported a conversation with local
MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith in
September at St Mary’s about
environmental action locally. This
was done in partnership with churches
of other denominations. Concern for
living more responsibly and taking Laudato Si local discussions
care of our world is one of the areas
where a sense of common purpose 10th March (chapters 1 and 2) 7.30—
is strengthening interdenominational 9.0pm at Woodford Methodist
ties locally. From the meeting with Church, led by Deacon Alan Mair
Iain Duncan Smith a local eco-
church ecumenical network has
grown, meeting every month to 16th March (chapters 3 and 4) 7.30-
9.0pm at St Mary’s Woodford, led by
encourage and support one another Revd Oseias da Silva
in becoming more environmentally
responsible. The next meeting took
place on Thursday 17th March at 23th March (chapter 6) 7.30-9.0pm at
Loughton Methodist Church. St Anne’s Line, led by Revd Elizabeth
Lowson

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The magi from St Thomas of Canterbury meet St Mary’s crib at the 2022 Service
of Prayer for Christian Unity held at St Mary’s

21

Food allergies

‘More hot water, Rector?’ intolerance, it may still be
possible to eat small
amounts of the food which
causes an issue, but this
Yes, hot water is generally what I should never be assumed: it’s always
drink when out and about because I’m best to check and if in doubt, be as
intolerant to the lactose or sugar in careful for an intolerance as with an
dairy, and also caffeine doesn’t agree allergy.
with me. Incidentally, I’d much prefer People with a food allergy need to
you call me Elizabeth than ‘Rector’. avoid all sources of the food or food
I’ve been asked to try and unfurl group to which they are allergic and
some of the mystery and confusion great care must be taken to avoid
which can sometimes surround food cross-contamination. Kitchen
intolerances and allergies, and
especially so if you’re occasionally There are fourteen commonly
catering for someone with an identified allergens: foods or food
intolerance or an allergy. groups which most commonly or
potently cause an allergic reaction:
The golden rule is to ask if you Celery: Cereals containing
don’t know or are unsure. We’re very gluten (such as wheat, barley and
used to navigating what we can and oats: Crustaceans (such as prawns,
can’t eat and are usually more than crabs and lobsters); Eggs; Fish;
happy to explain which food, Lupin (see page 24)
ingredients and practices are safe for Milk (and its products such as
us and which aren’t. cheese, cream, yogurt, butter etc)
Molluscs (such as mussels and
One of the most common oysters)
questions is ‘How are allergies and Mustard; Peanuts; Sesame; Soybeans
intolerances different and does it Sulphur dioxide and sulphites (at a
matter?’ An allergic reaction is when concentration of more than ten parts
the whole immune system responds per million)
involving multiple organs and this Tree nuts (such as almonds,
usually happens quickly and hazelnuts, walnuts, brazil nuts,
sometimes very seriously. cashews, pecans, pistachios and
Medication can be carried to counter macadamia nuts).
an allergic reaction, but sadly, in the
most serious cases, people can die
through exposure to an allergen.
Intolerances cause a milder equipment will need to be cleaned or
reaction involving just the digestive a different set used and care taken
system and while not life-threatening, with mixers and the position of items
it is still unpleasant and the effects in a fridge or oven. Usually it’s safest
can last several days. With an to serve the person with the allergy

22

first. In the most serious cases, to maximise their safety for coeliacs.
someone may not be able to eat food This may sound rather
prepared in a kitchen or factory where complicated, but rest assured, it is
their allergen is used. completely possible to enjoy cooking
When we have homemade cakes and eating for and with someone with
at church events, we are now asking a food allergy or intolerance. The
for a list of ingredients, and we are majority of foods (especially whole
also adding a general notice foods, rather than processed foods)
explaining that although we have can be eaten safely by someone with
taken great care in preparation, a food intolerance or allergy. There
because everything has been made in are large free from sections in most
home kitchens, we can’t be sure they supermarkets, but the details need
are free from cross-contamination by checking carefully for which
allergens. This has been allergens they exclude and sometimes
implemented to follow the spirit of special products need a taste test.
Natasha’s Law: changes made Likewise, non-dairy milks, non-
following the death of a young girl in wheat flours and aquafaba (chickpea
2016 after she unknowingly ate juice as a vegan egg substitute) don’t
sesame seeds baked into the dough of always work in the same way as the
a baguette before boarding an original ingredients but it can be fun
aeroplane. Our infrequent charity to experiment and there are lots of
events are exempt from this law but it recipes available specifically with
seems important we make our substitute ingredients.
practices as transparent as possible.
Gluten is an interesting case. Elizabeth Lowson
Gluten is a protein found in many
cereals and people may have an Further information:
intolerance to gluten (which is similar
to other intolerances) or they may be www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/
coeliac. Coeliacs have an immune food-allergy-and-intolerance
response to gluten which may include
headaches and joint pain as well as www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-
digestive problems, but they wouldn’t intolerance/
have the most dangerous response of
anaphylaxis as can happen with www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-
allergies to nuts, sesame and many of allergy/
the other allergens. We have gluten- https://www.gov.uk/government/
free Communion wafers available at news/natashas-legacy-becomes-law
church, and these are handled and
stored separately from the gluten-
containing wafers most of us receive, See next page for chocolate truffle
recipe

23

Chocolate truffles (without lupin)

Lupin in food ?!!?

Here is one of my favourite recipes, Lupin in food? On reading Elizabeth’s
which should be free of all the major article (pages 22 to 23) I thought this
allergens – the original comes from must be a typing error. As far as I then
Ella Woodward, who runs the knew I had never eaten lupin and just
Deliciously Ella range of vegan and associated lupins with those rather
gluten free recipes, products and attractive flowers that manage to
wellbeing. thrive in sandy soil close to the coast
and are so much better at coping with
strong winds than delphiniums.

Chocolate Truffles – makes a dozen

Take 11 medjool dates. Remove the Lupin beans
stones and chop finely. Melt one
tablespoon of coconut oil (in a How wrong I was! Lupin is a
heatwave it will be liquid already) legume as well as a flower. It can be
and add to the chopped dates with found in a wide range of food products
the juice and rind of a large orange including baked goods (such as bread,
and three tablespoons of sieved pastries, pies), pasta or noodles,
vegan cocoa powder. Blend sauces, beverages and meat based
together: either using a food products (such as burgers and
processor; or a mixer or by hand will sausages). The legumes can be turned
work fine if you’ve chopped the into lupin flour. Foods free of gluten,
dates finely. I also add a good soy or genetically modified
splash of Cointreau liqueur, rum or ingredients may contain lupin.
whatever we have around. Using a Peter Wall
teaspoon, form a small ball and roll
it in more cocoa powder. I
recommend rolling them in your
hands to make the truffles smooth –
you will have to lick your hands
clean afterwards! Store in the fridge
– and enjoy.

Elizabeth Lowson

24

Quiz Vocabulary Quiz Answers

Quiz – Geographical Features or 1 False (although ST Mary’s Joyful
Areas : Answers Voices may wish to consider this
for next Christmas).
1 Woodford
2 Hill Oxology is the art of making exclu-
3 Valley sive design tables.
4 Greens
5 Streams 2 a) Paraclete c) Holy Dove d) Ho-
6 Park ly Spirit (Parakeet is a bird)
7 Sea of Galilee
8 Marsh 3 bread
9 River
10 Wiltshire 4 a), b) and c) are all true.
11 Hills
12 Cave 5 The sizes of wine bottles
13 Snowden
14 Desert 6 Book of Common Prayer
15 Mountains
7 parson’s nose

8 curate’s egg

9 Sweaty Church

10 False (although
some clergy have re-
ceived ties as Christmas presents)

11 a canon

12 a font

13 rector, cousin, Supreme Gover-
nor

14 A youth group previously
known as Quest

15 True (There are other church
mice who particularly enjoy the
Harvest Festival).

25

Towards international peace and stability

War: a view from the Vatican

Rather than seeking confrontation, nationalism are on the rise. In some
declaring war, with each side hoping countries, a concept of popular and
to defeat the other, we need national unity influenced by various
processes that allow differences to ideologies, is creating new forms of
be expressed, heard, and left to selfishness and a loss of the social sense
mature in such a way that we can under the guise of defending national
walk together without needing to interests.
destroy anyone. This is hard work; it
needs patience and commitment, Goodness, together with love, justice
above all to each other. Lasting and solidarity, are not achieved once and
peace is about creating and for all; they have to be realized each day.
maintaining processes of mutual It is not possible to settle for what was
listening. We build a people not with achieved in the past and complacently
the weapons of war but in the enjoy it, as if we could somehow
productive tension of walking disregard the fact that many of our
together. brothers and sisters still endure situations
that cry out for our attention”.
For decades, it seemed that the
world had learned a lesson from its ‘Deceit is in the mind of those who
many wars and disasters, and was plan evil, but those who counsel peace
slowly moving towards various have joy’ (Prov 12:20). Yet there are
forms of integration. For example, those who seek solutions in war,
there was the dream of a united frequently fuelled by a breakdown in
Europe, capable of acknowledging relations, abuse of power, fear of others
its shared roots and rejoicing in its and a tendency to see diversity as an
rich diversity. We think of the firm obstacle.
conviction of the founders of the
European Union, who envisioned a War is not a ghost from the past but a
future based on the capacity to work constant threat. Our world is encountering
together in bridging divisions and in growing difficulties on the slow path to
fostering peace and fellowship be- peace upon which it had embarked and
tween all the peoples of this which had already begun to bear good
continent. fruit.

Our own days, however, seem to Since the outbreak of wars are once
be showing signs of a certain again increasing, I can only repeat;
regression. Ancient conflicts though
long buried, are breaking out anew, ‘war is the negation of all rights and
while instances of a short-sighted, a dramatic assault on the environment.
extremist, resentful and aggressive If we want true integral human
development for all, we must work
tirelessly to avoid war between nations
and peoples. To this end, there is a need
to ensure the uncontested rule of law and

26

tireless recourse to negotiation, Holy Sabbatical for
mediation and arbitration, as Lent: a message
proposed by the Charter of the from Bishop Guli
United Nations, which constitutes
truly a fundamental juridical norm.’ Last year I wrote to church
leaders across our Diocese
Every war leaves our world worse inviting them, and their parishes
than it was before. War is a failure of and communities, to join me in
politics and of humanity, a shameful observing a Holy Sabbatical
capitulation, a stinging defeat before during Lent; to use the period of
the forces of evil. Let us not remain Lent to pause, mark some of the
mired in theoretical discussions, but changes we have experienced
touch the wounded flesh of the during this period of great change
victims. Let us look once more at all and then set our faces to the
those civilians whose killing was future, leaning into what God is
called ‘collateral damage’. calling us towards.

International peace and stability This Holy Sabbatical is not an
cannot be based on a false sense of initiative but an invitation to find
security, on the threat of mutual creative ways in which
destruction or total annihilation, or on individuals and communities,
simply maintaining a balance of might rest a while in the Lord
power. In this context, the ultimate Jesus – that we might enter the
goal of the total elimination of wilderness of Lent with lighter
nuclear weapons becomes both a loads, prepared for reflection,
challenge and a moral and refreshment and renewal.
humanitarian imperative. Trust can be
built only through dialogue that is Come to me, all you who are weary
truly directed to the common good and burdened, and I will give you
and not to the protection of veiled or rest” (Matthew 11: 28).
particular interests.
For more see this link
In today’s world, there are no https://
longer just isolated outbreaks of war www.chelmsford.anglican.org/
in one country or another; instead, we holy-sabbatical
are experiencing a ‘world war fought
piecemeal’, since the destinies of
countries are so closely interconnect-
ed on the global scene. The Gospel –
Jesus – always sees reality from the
point of view of the victim.
Pope Francis

27

A visit from Bishop Guli

We look forward to a visit from
Bishop Guli (pictured left) on 12th
June 2022 when we will be
celebrating the fiftieth anniversary
of the reconsecration of our current
church building at St Mary’s.

Find out more about bishops’ roles and what they wear – resources prepared
by Elizabeth Lowson and Revd Ally Barrett, Chaplain at St Catharine’s
College Cambridge. Some information on these pages but for more, includ-
ing the answers go to the following link
https://reverendally.org/2019/06/28/ordination-eplored-episcopal-
edition/
What does a bishop look like? What do they wear? Every bishop looks
different – they are individual people, just like you. Some are tall and some are
short. Some are men and some are women. Sometimes they just look like
normal priests – they wear a clerical collar just like a normal priest. In fact, a
bishop doesn’t stop being a priest when they become a bishop. But there are
some things that are just for bishops:
The Mitre This is a tall pointy hat, with two ‘tails’
at the back. They don’t wear this all the time. In the
service, try to notice when the bishops are wearing
their mitres. Who holds their mitre while they’re
not wearing it?

28

More about bishops

There are some things which only bishops can do … but which of these are
correct? We may have made some mistakes!

Only bishops can:-
Make people deacons or priests (ordain them)
Eat breakfast in bed on Fridays
Wear a purple top with a clerical collar
Look after people like a shepherd
Take a lead in helping people know about God’s love
Lead confirmation services
Wear a special hat called a mitre
Eat purple ice cream with gold sparkly bits
Look after a whole area including all the people and churches

The Pectoral Cross is a very
big cross, usually made from
silver, which they wear around
their neck. Whatever else they
are wearing, they always wear
this. Except in bed or on
holiday. Fun fact: some
bishops tuck their cross into
their shirt pocket so it doesn’t
swing about and hurt people!
The Crozier This is a long stick with a hook at the
end, like a shepherd’s crook. Usually they’re made
in three sections so they can be packed in a
suitcase! What do you think the crozier means?
The Ring Bishops all wear a special ring. Just like
pectoral crosses, the ring belongs to the bishop so
it’s theirs to keep after they retire or move to a
different role, or they may pass it on the another
bishop. What do you think the ring means?

29

Book review

A History of the Bible

The book and its faiths by John Barton
Published by Penguin
ISBN 978-0-141-97850-5
‘I have been looking for years for a book like this,’ said a
friend after reading this book. That was exactly what I
was thinking too. Others too have enthused to me about
this book but, in listening to them, I have been struck by
the wide range of ways in which people have found the
book to be helpful.
John Barton is an Anglican priest who was Professor
of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture at Oxford from 1991 until 2014. His
book explains the relevance of the Bible for both Jews and Christians. He is
very informed but I never had the sense of being lost in all the detail. Indeed, a
striking characteristic of the book is that way to illuminate things that are
really important.
The first half of the book describes the constituent parts of the Old and
New Testaments: the way each book was written, sometimes long after the
event and in many cases revised, and eventually reached a settled form; how
each Testament came together; and how some books (comprising the
Apocrypha) came to be regarded as of secondary importance, while others
were left out altogether.
The next section is called The Bible and Its Texts. It explains how the
books of the Bible came to be treated as Scripture with a capital S, uniquely
authoritative for study, worship and guidance for both Christians and, in the
case of the Old Testament, Jews as well. It also describes the way the texts
were passed down, initially in synagogue scrolls, then in codices (book format
documents) of the early Christian Church, and mediaeval manuscripts, with
the wording gradually becoming fixed. The last part of the book is mainly
concerned with the way the Bible has been interpreted, by Jewish rabbis and
the early Church fathers in the centuries after Christ, in the Middle Ages, on
both sides of the divide during the Reformation, and in more modern
times. John Barton seems to be even handed yet, paradoxically, ‘on my side,’
thinking of occasions when professed Christians have metaphorically beaten
me over the head with a short extract out of context.
I recommend this book to those who already know something about the
Bible but want to find out more. It’s well written but long. Don’t feel you have
to read every page, though I was very glad to have done so.
Peter Wall

30

Sweet singing in the choir?

He who sings prays twice.
St Augustine

As long as we live, there
is never enough singing.
Martin Luther

Above: Friday evening choir practice?

Singing is the sound of the In singing, as in toil, do ye your
soul. best; God will adjust the balance -
James Runcie do the rest!
Edith Nesbit

There was a young girl in the choir There were three little owls in a wood
Whose voice rose higher and higher, Who sang hymns whenever they could
Till one Sunday night, What the words were about
It rose quite out of sight, One could never make out
And they found it next day on the But one felt it was doing them good.
spire. Unknown
Unknown

The only thing better than singing And have you wondered about
is more singing. singing in the choir at St Mary’s? If
Ella Fitzgerald so then why not have a word with
Henry Metcalfe, our Director of
Music? Contact him at
[email protected]

31

fFoamcilyus

Racial Justice and the Justice Sunday service by visiting
Church of England www.youtube.com/
Some thoughts from stmaryswoodford and choose
our teenagers ‘Live Services 2022’ tab and then
navigating to 6 February. We
In early February we marked Racial watched parts of:-
Justice Sunday at St Mary’s – both
because there is increasing awareness of (i) An interview with Azariah
the urgency for the Church of England France-Williams about his book
to take action on this issue which can ‘Ghost Ship: Institutional Racism
otherwise diminish us so much, and and the Church of England’:
because our new teenagers’ group is https://www.youtube.com/
keen that St Mary’s thinks and acts on watch?v=WvCymFZynFM
anti-racism.
(ii) ‘I too am CofE’ https://
Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, www.youtube.com/watch?
said to the Church of England’s General v=2WCkVuVLIyg A video
Synod in November 2020: ‘I’m presentation to the General
ashamed of our history and I’m Synod from the Committee for
ashamed of our failure. There is no Minority Ethnic Anglican
doubt when we look at our own Church Concerns
that we are still deeply institutionally
racist.’ At General Synod in February The service was shaped and led
2022, Lord Boateng, Chair of the by our teenagers’ group with their
Archbishops’ Commission on Racial leaders Joseph Coley and our
Justice, told General Synod that while Rector Elizabeth. It was
there is ‘no shortage of policy’ racism emphasised that welcome is rarely
continues to be ‘a gaping wound in the enough: participation is crucial and
body of Christ’. having opportunities to be part of
the production of things as well as
You can still watch our Racial the presentation is important in

32

fully appreciating each person and the unintentionally racist using
gifts God gives us all. It usually isn’t microaggression when they make
fair for white people to ask those from assumptions of criminality. This could
ethnic minorities whether they are be a security guard following people
experiencing racism in a particular of ethnic minority more, opposed to a
context. white person because of their skin
colour. They may not even notice that
Our PCC will soon be asked to they are doing this but it is important
consider how we can continue moving to stop because it sends the false
forward ‘From Lament to Action’ to message to some that they don’t
borrow the title of the Archbishops’ belong.
Anti-Racism Taskforce report 2021:
https://www.churchofengland.org/ Although there should be equality,
media-and-news/news-releases/ it is important to celebrate everyone’s
lament-action-archbishops-anti- history, culture and ethnicity and
racism-taskforce-calls-urgent- exploit everyone’s differences in the
changes best way.
There are lots of suggested resources
to find out more available from the
church office.

One of our teenagers offers the
following:

Racism means prejudice,
discrimination or antagonism against a
person or people because of their race
or ethnic group. Therefore, it can
come in many forms yet no one should
suffer from it. However, many people
do, sometimes because someone
incorrectly believes their race or
ethnicity is superior and therefore
someone else’s race or ethnicity is
inferior.

However, often, racism is in the
form of microaggression. This means
indirect, subtle or unintentional
discrimination. This can be
intentional or unintentional but both
are very harmful. Someone may be

33

Eco world pledges: St Mary’s

On our Eco day last October many something else in your life style?
of us made pledges to do something Let us know and we can highlight
in response to the climate crisis. We it here and maybe in church.
turned these pledges into a word St Mary’s itself has started to
cloud. Six months on we thought it monitor our energy use closely to
would be good to revisit these help us look at future options
pledges and celebrate progress. towards net zero.
Have a look at the word cloud. Do Viveca Dutt
you recognise your pledge? Have
you been able to keep to it? Have
you made a new pledge or changed

34

St James church Barbados

During December Martin and I
worshipped at St. James Church,
Barbados. As you can see from the
photographs there are similarities to
St. Mary’s during the time of the
pandemic: signing in (to be tracked
and traced), social distancing and
plenty of fresh air circulating
throughout the building. Even the
now defunct church bell was made
at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.
St. James Church stands on the
oldest consecrated site on the
island. The original church dates
from around 1629 when the first
settlers arrived.
Penny Freeston

Back cover: see page 15

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
2nd May 2022

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

36