St Mary's Parish Magazine
- January 2001
WHATS ON THIS
MONTH? - January
Readings for
Sundays and Festivals in February
Daily prayer
topics in January
On Friday February 2 we shall be celebrating the festival of Christs
Presentation in the Temple as a child (otherwise Candlemas). There will be a
Sung Eucharist at 7.30pm. This will be in the traditional way with the lighting
of candles in the Church Centre as we acclaim Christ, the Light of the World,
and carry them in procession into church.
Its nearly time for the Annual Quiz Night organised by the ringers. It
falls this year on Saturday February 3. The usual arrangements will apply -
teams of no more than six, 5 per person entry fee includes fish-and-chip
supper, bring your own drinks and glasses, have an entertaining and
mind-bending evening. See Jean or Stewart Kimber by Sunday January 27 to book.
The Sunday morning rota for serving coffee in the Church Centre is
apparently looking a bit thin. If you are prepared to help out with this not
very arduous task please have a word with Mary Tapp.
The birth of Jesus is described in only two of the four Gospels, Matthew
and Luke. It is only Matthew who mentions the story of the wise men from the
East following a star to come and acclaim him as a new king. For most of the
2,000 years since, people have wondered about the star - what was it, did
astronomers record anything strange and new, could we try to pin the year and
date of Jesuss birth down really accurately? Or did Matthew or someone else
invent the whole thing as a poetic way of stressing how they believed Jesus was
revealed for all people, not just one privileged race? I thought, as we
celebrate the coming of the wise men in the feast of the Epiphany this month,
it might be interesting to take a look at what historians and astronomers have
suggested.
From the accounts of Matthew and Luke, and from other historical
research, it seems likely that the Roman monk who worked out our dating system
in the sixth century got his sums wrong. Jesus was probably actually born
somewhere between what we call 8 BC, the date of the great census that Luke
mentions as Mary and Josephs reason for going to Bethlehem, and what we call 4
BC, the year in which King Herod died. That gives a range of about four years
in which to search records for eclipses, comets and odd astronomical
occurrences - and whatever the star was, it was certainly odd. Think about the familiar story; it was
visible and important and striking to the wise men, but not apparently to
Herod; it seems to have disappeared while the men were on their journey to
Judea, and then re-appeared in time to guide them to Jesus.
A popular contender to be the star has always been our old friend
Halleys comet, which as we know comes round every 76 years (I missed it). But
as it moves predictably, astronomers can say with absolute certainty that it
would have been visible in 12 BC, which is four years too early.
In the sixteenth/seventeenth century the Czech astronomer Johannes
Kepler formulated the basic means by which scientists understand how planets
move. In 1603 he observed a conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn
taking place in the constellation of Pisces. This is what happens when two
planets come into close alignment, so that from Earth they seem to be
almost touching one another, and for Jupiter and Saturn this apparently happens
about every 20 years. But much more rarely an extraordinary thing occurs. This
conjunction becomes visible on three separate occasions in the same
year. Keplers calculations, which modern astronomers have confirmed, show that
this happened in the year we call 7 BC, which is within the right period of
time.
Who were the wise men - and why, if they saw this extraordinary thing,
was it important? Matthew calls them Magi, from the Greek word meaning
magicians or astrologers. They existed as a religious group for centuries in
ancient Babylon and all over the Middle East, and looked to the stars in
exactly the same way as some people today still look to them for horoscopes or
predictions. They would have accepted as a scientific fact that planets and
the Zodiac influenced people and nations in specific ways, and they would have
been aware of prophecies from all the surrounding nations, especially where
these prophecies or legends spoke of important changes that were to happen in a
nations life, or of the birth of a significant person.
They would have accepted Jupiter as the planet associated with leaders
and kings, Saturn as the protecting planet of the Jews, and Pisces as
particularly influential on the area of Judea itself. They would also have known about Jewish prophecies announcing the
coming, one day, of a new king, for there had been a huge Jewish population all
over the region of Mesopotamia since the Jews were exiled to Babylon itself
about six hundred years earlier. Put
all that together, and the conjunctions in 7 BC spelled out quite explicitly
to them that the prophecies were about to be spectacularly fulfilled. The new
king of the Jews was about to be born in Judea.
So far, so reasonable - even though nowadays we can be grateful for
their astronomical observations rather than for their astrological background.
Most people would now rationally accept that astrology is largely bunk, and
often dangerous bunk. But for the wise men of the Gospel, the event, whatever
it was, was something they had to respond to, and spoke of someone they had to
see.
Modern astronomers, David Hughes of Sheffield University and Percy
Seymour of Plymouth University, have recently calculated down to the day
exactly when the three conjunctions of the planets would have been visible in
7 BC. The first was on May 27, the second on October 6, and the last on
December 1. Accepting their theory, that allows the wise men to observe the
star, recognise its importance, and set off on their journey. That was about
600 miles, along the main trade routes or straight across the desert, and could
easily have taken three months. The second appearance of the star may well
have been what they observed as they journeyed from Herod to find Jesus, who
may therefore have been born sometime in September.
Totally fascinating - and, for me as an archaeologist and historian,
pretty convincing. For an Anglican, its perhaps a shame to lose all the
midwinter trappings of the Christmas story; but for an honest Christian, its a
useful reminder that 25 December was only settled on as the date to think of
Jesuss birth centuries later, when it was found to be the best and most
appropriate way of Christianising the old Roman winter festivals which centred
on that day. But most important - for a modern and realistic Christian, of
course it makes no actual difference at all to our faith. It doesnt prove or
disprove anything we know and respond to about Jesus, even though it may
deepen our understanding of the Bible story.
The fact that the wise men thought something extraordinary had
happened, something they had to see, and that we still hear and appreciate the
story of their journey, is annual proof that God can lead people from the
wierdest beginnings to find their way to him in the end. And the Journey of
the Magi has been a theme which artists and writers have returned to, time
after time, as a metaphor for their own journey of slowly-growing faith. May it
continue to speak to you, this year, (which I calculate we should probably be
calling 2008) and onwards.
Selwyn Tillett
Well, we tried . . . to be precise, we tried the experiment of a lunchtime
Eucharist on Tuesdays at 12.45pm We even tried putting a board up on the
pavement under the lych gate, telling lunchtime passers-by it was to happen.
And after trying for a little over three months, and having a congregation
precisely once, we are now going to try something else instead!
One of the most important things a priest does - some would say the most
important - is to have the privilege of presiding regularly at the Eucharist.
And likewise, one of the most specific ways in which a parish church can
maintain and nurture its own developing spiritual life is to be able to offer
the Eucharist frequently, throughout the week as well as on Sundays. If it does
so, at a wide range of times on different days, it allows an equally wide
spectrum of people (in some churches, a very large number) the opportunity to
make sharing in the Eucharist during the week a regular part of their own
spiritual sustenance.
Once the Tuesday service has disappeared, as from January, the Eucharist
will still be celebrated regularly on Wednesdays at 10.00am and on Friday
evenings at 7.00pm. But to speak purely personally for a moment, this will be
the first time in my ordained ministry (nearly 20 years), and the first time
for more than 25 years in my own spiritual journey, that there will be more
days in the week when I cant participate in the Eucharist, with
fellow-parishioners in our own parish church, than days when I can - and I
shall find that difficult.
So please - if youve always wanted to come to the Eucharist on a
weekday, but none of the times of our regular services has been convenient,
then let me know what would suit you better. And specifically - is there
a time on a Monday or Tuesday when you would be able to come, and would like
to, however daft or antisocial or unreasonable that time might sound?
The numbers at weekdays services, of course, are never large anywhere.
But still, where two or three are gathered together an awful lot of praying can
get done, as those who come to Morning and Evening Prayer regularly know well.
Can we see if we can find just one more occasion in the week when that could
happen, and perhaps allow some who havent been able to participate so far to
do so in the future? Make it your New Year resolution to think about it, and
give me some suggestions. In the meantime, thank you all for the existing
network of prayer that undergirds everything we do at St Marys already. It is
one of the major reasons for the atmosphere of fellowship and welcome that
people notice so often!
***
On Sunday January 21, the Sunday in the annual Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity, Churches Together has organised a joint service at St
Elpheges, beginning at 7.00pm. There will be no Evensong at St Marys that
night. As well as the usual participation by all the local churches, there will
be a special feel to the service this year.
Churches Together has, in the course of 2000, established a clear
statement of what we believe we are being called to do as followers of Christ,
and why we believe we can and should do it together. The PCCs (or their
equivalents) in all local churches have agreed that statement, and a
representative from each church will sign the agreement during that service.
A copy of it, together with a list of all the churches which have
signed, will thereafter be on display in the porches or on the noticeboards of
our churches - so that visitors see and understand our commitment to one
another and to the process of seeking the unity which Christ himself prayed
for.
Selwyn Tillett
Baptisms
Nov 5 Victoria Patricia Evans, 74 Alington Grove
Nov 12 Daniel John Spiller, 29 Demesne Road
Funerals
Nov 29 Alfred John Gibson, aged 74, of 9 Highview Avenue
Dec 1 Stella Margaret Cornwell, 6 Meller Close
Well, wasnt it fantastic and what fun - between us we did it!
I have an enormous thank-you to say to the many who helped so willingly
on the day and before - Gwen Whiting for keeping the kitchen manned with all
her helpers; Derek Whiting, Heather Cosgrove and Gerry England for sorting out
the tables and making sure there were enough - and safe; the craft and tabletop
people who supported us; to everyone who manned a stall on behalf of the
church; to the bellringers who made it such fun and helped to give it such a
great atmosphere; to the stoic foot soldiers who delivered leaflets around the
parish; and the entire Publicity Committee; and to anyone else who has slipped
past me - THANK YOU - without your help the total of over 1,000 couldnt have
been raised. The sense of achievement is great - lets do it all again before
next Christmas.
Wishing you a very happy and peaceful new year.
Anne May
The Deanery Synod welcomed Revd John Gould as the new Rural Dean when it
met at St Peter, St Helier, on December 4.
The guest speaker was Keith Arscott of North Cheam Community Church. He
hoped to make clear to us the nature of a community church of which there are
several, but independent, units.
Keith grew up in the prefabs opposite St Helier Hospital. His parents
went to Morden Baptist Church. Like many teenagers he stopped going to church
but in 1966 he did become a committed Christian. A bible study group started,
which he joined. The members opened themselves to the Holy Spirit, their
numbers grew to 90 and they received the gifts of tongues and of prophecy. The
church could not accept this and so they formed the Cheam Christian Fellowship
and developed into three separate groups, two of which still continue in North
Cheam and Cheam.
They believe that the church is people, not buildings, and in the
priesthood of all believers. As one member of Synod commented: So do we all!
Keith disclaimed any idea of elitisim, ie, that born again Christians are in
some way superior to others, and he said that North Cheam, which he joined in
1987, worked actively for fellowship with all Christian groups in the area.
A profile of St Helier was presented by the Revd Gary Jenkins, who was
thanked for his support of Synod and his work on the Bishops Area Council. He
is moving to Holy Trinity, Redhill. Synod also sent its good wishes for a happy
retirement to the Revd Leigh Edwards, who s to leave All Saints, Carshalton,
after 40 years ministry there.
Representatives were found for diocesan boards, with the exception of
the Board of Finance. A member of the Board of Finance said that a Church of
England secondary school was to be built in Wandsworth, also that the diocese
hoped to start a C of E City technology College in Southwark, despite earlier
having been against the proposal.
Members of General Synod said they had said goodbye to Dr Kemp, Bishop
of Chichester, who had served on Church Assembly and then on General Synod for
over 40 years! They urged that sanctions against Iraq be lifted to ease the
sufferings of the ordinary people there. They had asked for a meeting in
February to keep an eye on the Archbishops Council - but this was refused on
the grounds of expense.
Deanery Synod will next meet in Fenruary and will also hold a quiet
morning on May 12 to which all will be welcome.
Margaret Freeman
Not Alistair Cooke, but Pam Akhurst . . .
During the past year demands of work took Ian and Pam Akhurst, and Rhodri,
off to Miami for a couple of years or so. As promised, Pam has now written her
first epistle to the Beddingtonians
11th November 2000
Dear Everyone
There's lots to tell you but I had better be very
organised about it or I shall ramble on even more than usual. Ill begin with home and garden.
The house occupies a corner plot in the 90 bend
of a canal (not a canal in the English sense but built for drainage purposes -
when it rains here its real MGM stuff).
Its built on a mound with the garage at road level, the main bedroom
higher than the top of the mound (above the garage), the three other bedrooms
and all the living space - kitchen, dining room, sitting room, music room -
level with the top of the mound. A
veranda runs round the back of the house and there are two sets of steps down
to the garden which is at road level and about 4ft above canal level. I am writing this beside the pool (sorry -
we've been hearing about the appalling weather at home) which is oblong with
extra bits.
All of the day rooms and the main bedroom
windows look into the garden. As the
property is edged with palm trees this makes for a lovely view because the
canal is edged with rushes and trees and is a haven for all sorts of
wildlife. To date we have seen, either
in the garden or in the canal, lots of ducks (they come out to waddle along the
road too), turtles, various kinds of fish, moorhens, anahingas (a bird found in
the Everglades which is brilliant at fishing), ibises, egrets, blue land crabs
(we have a colony in the bank of the canal at our edge of the garden) and
various species of iguana; the largest iguana I have seen strolling through the
garden was about 4ft 6in long, orangey-brown with black frill and black rings
round his tail. Im glad to say I was
indoors when I first noticed it but I soon discovered he was more scared of me
than I was of him.
A very common sight here are turkey buzzards
drifting way up high, riding the thermals. I have just realised that the most
common species of wildlife here I havent mentioned at all - the lizards. There are so many of them in a variety of
sizes and colours (none of them more than about 8in long). Now the weather is cooler they stay outside
but in the hotter weather we frequently found them scurrying across walls and
ceilings indoors.
14th November
Rhodri suddenly discovered on Saturday
afternoon that he didnt have everything he needed for his World Cultures
(geography and history to you and me) project, so my peaceful afternoon beside
the pool had to be curtailed in order to visit the nearest stationers
World Cultures not withstanding, Rhodri has
settled very happily in his new school. All the new staff and pupils seem very
friendly and welcoming, and although hes lost a few things in translation
(from American, sometimes via Spanish, into English) hes coped quite well in
his first term. The tuba has now become his instrument of choice (6th
Grade has Band every day) and the trombone has fallen by the wayside. He
actually wanted to learn the Sousaphone, but the school didnt have one; I take
this as absolute proof that there is a God. Very often, Ian arrives home
from work to be greeted by Jingle Bells, or Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
or Skip to my Lou emanating from the music room. I told him an
open-plan house with high ceilings and marble floors might not be terribly
practical However, I must admit to enjoying the acoustics when playing on my
baby grand - very resonant, pity about the wrong notes!
16th November
Weve had two bank dinners this week . . . one
was an informal affair at Joes on Miami Beach, the oldest restaurant in Miami,
famous for stone crabs at this time of year. The Board seems to consist of lots
of Sir Somebody or Others (and Lady S or Os), but they were obviously
determined to be charming to the coal-face workers and most of them managed to
do so without appearing condescending. I do have a problem taking Sir Kenneth
Baker at face value, though - it must be a leftover from when he was Education
Secretary. Last nights affair was a dinner dance at Vizcaya, the nearest thing
Miami has to a stately home, built in 1913. We dined on the terrace overlooking
Biscayne Bay; the meal and surroundings were absolutely stunning, the tables
(and chairs) were beautifully decorated, and every lady had a boxed gift. The
best bit, however, was walking up the drive once ones car had been whisked
away - the length of the drive (c.100 yards) had a red carpet up the middle.
I notice that earlier I said I wouldnt ramble.
Old habits die hard. I shall have to stop soon if Im ever to get this posted
but before I do I must just tell you about St Thomass.
The agent who found us the house and recommended
Rhodris school also told us that she attended an Episcopalian church quite
near (in American terms) us. We liked the house and the school so decided to
give the church a try too. Its (to us) a very modern building with a golden
spire and adjoins a school for children up to age 12. We have been very warmly
welcomed there and members of the clergy and congregation have gone out of
their way to make us feel at home. I dont know how big the parish is but the
10.30 Eucharist has normally about 200 + choir.
We were invited (gold-printed invitation by
post) to celebrate the golden anniversary of the parish at the beginning of
October. The parish priest, Roger Tobin, is a larger-than-life character who
does everything with great enthusiasm and really has no need of a microphone.
His sermons are liberally peppered with anecdotes and jokes but always have a
strong, clear message.
There are two assistant priests. Wendy
Billingslea is also a strong character but in a much quieter way. She has
teenage children of her own and always makes a point of engaging Rhodri in
conversation (as you know, not an easy task). Her sermons are usually
excellent; they remind me of yours, Selwyn - they unfold so beautifully.
The third and fourth priests also have day jobs (one of them teaches at
Rhodris school) but no. 3 (Doug Zimmerman) and his English wife are leaving
for a new parish at the end of this month. They will be missed as they both do
a lot of work with the youth groups.
I suppose the most striking thing about the
church here is that it is young (I dont mean the age of the congregation - all
ages well represented there), vigorous and growing. This parish is also very
well off (must be or they couldnt afford the gold invitations). There are
about 20 different clubs/circles/classes/activities that meet on a regular
basis throughout the week and on Sundays and all seem well attended. There
seems to be a great desire to share and grow in the faith among the adults and
children of all ages, and this is to be the thrust of next years parish mission
- the establishment of a new parish church further south in Miami. I think I
have learnt in these three months that when Americans tackle anything they do
so with tremendous confidence and high expectations
We miss you very much. It doesnt look as though we shall be home before next Summer.
Lucy has spent a week here already and is returning on December 23 for another
week. We have Thanksgiving holiday next week - I think Ill imagine its
Harvest Festival as I really missed that. Rhodri and I have become handbell
ringers at church and were busily practising our dings and dongs ready for
Thanksgiving and Christmas. It doesnt feel right that Christmas is so near. I
wish I could parcel up some of this lovely sunshine to send you.
Please give our good wishes to our friends at St
Mary's. How about a parish outing to Miami? Tell Joan the flower arrangements
in church here are not such a good standard as at St Marys. They get
professionals in for special occasions.
Shocking!
For the last half-hour my friendly 4ft iguana
has been basking about 10ft away from me, but Im now going to disturb him and
post this
Much love
Pam
PS Forgot to tell you
that at the end of the golden anniversary Eucharist service the two bishops removed
their mitres and processed down the aisle wearing the St Thomas baseball caps
which had been presented to them earlier. The 800-strong congregation gave them
a round of applause, especially as one bish was wearing his cap back to front!
|
Mon |
1 |
Naming of Jesus |
|
|
|
|
Eucharist |
9.30am |
|
Tue |
2 |
Parents & Toddlers Group Party |
10.00am |
|
Wed |
3 |
Magazine Panel meets, 2 Peaks Hill |
11.00am |
|
|
|
St Marys Guild: Photography in the Holy Land,
a talk by Harold Hore. St Marys Court |
2.30pm |
|
|
|
Finance Committee meets, Rectory |
8.00pm |
|
Thu |
4 |
Bellringers AGM, 2 Peaks Hill |
8.00pm |
|
|
|
MU&OG New Year party, Church Centre |
8.00pm |
|
Fri |
5 |
Epiphany |
|
|
|
|
Deanery MU Eucharist |
7.30pm |
|
Sun |
7 |
BAPTISM OF CHRIST |
|
|
Sun |
14 |
EPIPHANY 2 |
|
|
Mon |
15 |
PCC meets, Vestry |
8.00pm |
|
Thu |
18 |
MU&OG: Working with prisoners families. A
talk by Rosemary Whip. Church Centre |
8.00pm |
|
Sun |
21 |
EPIPHANY 3 |
|
|
|
|
United service at St Elpheges to mark the
start of Unity Week. (No Evensong at St Marys) |
7.00pm |
|
Sun |
28 |
EPIPHANY 4 |
|
Sun Feb 4
Fourth before Lent
Isaiah 6, 1-8, 9-13 (page 791)
1 Corinthians 15m 1-11 (page 794)
Sun Feb 11
Third before Lent
Jeremiah 17, 5-10 (page 796)
1 Corinthians 15, 12-20 (page 797)
Sun Feb 18
Second before Lent
Genesis 2, 46; 9, 15-25 (page 807)
Revelations 4 (page 809)
Sun Feb 25
Next before Lent
Exodus 34, 29-35 (page 811)
2 Corinthians 3, 12; 4, 2 (page 813)
Wed Feb 28
Ash Wednesday
Joel 2, 1-2, 12-17 (page 97)
2 Corinthians 5, 206; 6, 10 (page 101)
|
Tue |
2 |
Basil the Great, 379, and Gregory of
Hazianzus, 389, bishops, Teachers of the Faith |
|
Wed |
10 |
William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1645 |
|
Fri |
12 |
Aelred of Hexham, Abbot of Rievaulx, 1167 |
|
Sat |
13 |
Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, Teacher of the
Faith, 367 |
|
Wed |
17 |
Antony of Egypt, hermit, abbot, 356 |
|
Fri |
19 |
Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, 1095 |
|
Wed |
24 |
Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, Teacher of
the Faith, 1622 |
|
Thu |
25 |
Conversion of Paul |
|
Fri |
26 |
Timothy and Titus, companions of Paul |
|
Tue |
30 |
Charles, king and martyr, 1649 |
|
Mon |
1 |
Gods
guidance and blessing in the new year |
|
Tue |
2 |
Our
toddlers group |
|
Wed |
3 |
The
Finance Committee, planning this years budget |
|
Thu |
4 |
The
tower and handbell ringers |
|
Fri |
5 |
The work
of the Mothers Union in this Deanery |
|
Sat |
6 |
Thanksgiving
for the revelation of Christ to all the world |
|
Sun |
7 |
All
those planning to be baptised or confirmed this year |
|
Mon |
8 |
The
Human Resources department of The
Childrens Society |
|
Tue |
9 |
All
children who are looked after by local authorities |
|
Wed |
10 |
Initiatives
for children and young people in Wales |
|
Thu |
11 |
Teenagers
who are homeless and on the streets of our towns |
|
Fri |
12 |
Those testing
their vocation to religious communities |
|
Sat |
13 |
Local
barristers and solicitors |
|
Sun |
14 |
The
needs of all the parish |
|
Mon |
15 |
Our
PCC, meeting tonight |
|
Tue |
16 |
Young
children thought to be at risk |
|
Wed |
17 |
Clergy
settling in to new parishes or new appointments |
|
Thu |
18 |
The
families of those in prison |
|
Fri |
19 |
The
Bishop and diocese of Winchester |
|
Sat |
20 |
Local
charity fundraisers |
|
Sun |