St Marys Parish Magazine
September 2002
Who mowed the lawns
of Beddington?
WEA History Course
at Carew Manor
WHATS ON THIS
MONTH? -September
Readings for
Sundays in October
Music at Evensong
in September
Daily prayer topics
in September
Anne and Alan May produced another huge success with their lunchtime Sausages
& Sangria in early August. As well as good food and good company there
was clock-golf and dahlia-ogling plus the raffle at which the ringers seemed to
be constant winners. At least the waters which later covered the earth held off
until the food had been eaten!
The ringers will be celebrating Harvest Thanksgiving by
organising a Tramps Supper in the Centre on Saturday September 27 at
7.30pm. Tickets (6) from Diana Harries or Jean or Stewart Kimber.
Advance
notice for November All Souls Day, Saturday the 2nd Sung Requiem at
7:30pm with the Faur Requiem sung complete by the choir. There will
soon be a list at the back of church for you to add the names of departed loved
ones whom you would like commemorated by name during that service.
Carolyn
Churchyard is considering setting up a family group at St Marys.
Families could get together, say, monthly to hold family focused social events,
build parent networks (there is a wide cross-section of talents/skills at St
Marys) and offer fellowship. If you have children of preschool or school age,
give Carolyn a ring on 020 8681 0668. She hopes to hold the first get-together
by end-September.
Put
Saturday October 12 in your diaries, when Andrew Wilson, our talented organist,
will be giving a concert.
Congratulations to back-row choristers Oliver
Taylor-Medhurst, Alexander Howard and Cornelius Corkery who will be off to
university in the autumn. Sam Hudson, our former deputy organist, has won a
place in Cambridge.
On September 8 (our Patronal Festival) we welcome Bishop Colin Buchanan
(Bishop of Woolwich) to preside at the Confirmation. Please note that on that Sunday morning the service will begin at
10.00 am. There are some candidates from St Michaels, as well as Stan
and Valerie Coleman and Janet Willard from St Marys please remember them all
in your prayers as their big day approaches! After the service lunch will be
served in the Church Centre. There are lists on the table under tower giving
full details.
Also as
from that Sunday there will be a streamlined look to Evensong, following a
discussion in the Worship Group in May.
The changes will be actually very slight, and aimed mainly at reducing
the sense of us and them that sometimes both choir and congregation have
felt, when the congregation has been very small and the chancel screen has
become a huge barrier. The most noticeable change will be based on the fact
that visitors and choir parents, attending infrequently and unused to Evensong,
plus several of the regular congregation, have said how helpful they found the
service sheet that we have sometimes produced for Evensong on special occasions
(the same size as a Sunday-morning notice sheet). For a few months, at least,
we will produce one of these every week. The first big Evensong of this term
will be for Harvest Thanksgiving on Sunday the 28th.
Gifts of
tinned soups and tea and coffee will as usual be particularly welcome at the
Eucharists on September 28 they will be distributed afterwards to Sutton WelCare and Croydon
Nightwatch, as has happened for several years. Our Harvest theme this year
will be giving thanks for the people who grow and provide our food, and I have
my spies out among the Bishops Advisers in Rural Ministry in several dioceses,
including our own, to find a preacher for the 9.30 Eucharist that morning who
has current working experience of farming and of how churches can remember the
needs of farmers and growers. At time of going to press no names have been
confirmed watch the weekly notices for an announcement.
During last
winter a Prayer Group met every Friday evening in the Carew Chapel at 7.30pm,
immediately after the Eucharist, for a half-hour of directed meditation. It was
found very helpful by the small number who attended, but the suggestion was
made several times that perhaps the number was small because people have so
many other genuine commitments to meet as often as weekly was impossible for
many. Accordingly we are starting the experiment again this autumn, but in
future the group will meet only monthly, and this will be on the last Friday
evening of each month. The first meeting will therefore take place on Friday
September 27.
Our
Dedication Festival will as usual be celebrated on the first Sunday in October,
which this year is Sunday the 6th. That is also Friends Sunday, and following
the invitation issued last year it is possible that there may be some former
members of SMYF making a return visit too.
That
Sunday Betty Walker also celebrates 25 years as a Reader, and is taking the opportunity
to reflect on those 25 years in her sermon at the 9:30 Eucharist. Then shell
attempt to retire (again!) and so this is my opportunity to record, in
print, the enormous gratitude of St Marys congregation over those years to
you, Betty, for your faithful and influential ministry and example in so many
ways, both formal, informal and personal. Id also like to place on record
again my own sincerest thanks for your loyal and strengthening support for me
as our parish priest (and Im sure I speak for my predecessors David and John
too). Well done!
After
the service that morning there will be all sorts of celebrations in the Church
Centre. Make sure you are there!
The Bible Study Group begins again this month. Carolyn, Robert, Ken,
Marion, Alan and Jenifer would welcome anyone who would like to join us. Our
meetings are relaxed and informal - we read the scriptures together, discuss
and see how they can be applied to our everyday lives. The
discussions are often lively but friendly and we learn a lot from each other
and find our weekly evenings together very enjoyable.
If you would like to find out more, please ring me on 8773 2004.
Jenifer Davison
We regret to record that Eileen Hill died on July 30. Frank and Eileen
were well-known figures in Beddington. They lived in Hilliers Lane for most of
their married life, and after Franks death Eileen stayed on until a few years
ago when she moved to East Boldon to be near her daughter. Eileen and Frank had
been loyal members of St Marys and when she moved, Eileen joined the local
parish church of St Georges, where the funeral was held.
In Beddington Eileen was a leading light in the Thursday Senior
Citizens meeting in the Village Hall. Always hospitable and generous, Eileens
character has been summed up as what you see is what you get. When visiting
people in hospital Eileen often walked to St Helier Hospital, and her energetic
and independent life-style was maintained until a year or so before her death.
Eileen had always been an industrious needlewoman and knitter. In recent
years she knitted many garments for small babies, and it was to the local Tiny
Lives charity that contributions in her memory were sent.
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
The churchyard paths have now been resurfaced - taking them back to
their original widths - and the new Tarmac applied with an additional shingle
covering on the diagonal path and the path to the Puma Gap.
The pavement under the lych gate has been taken up and beautifully
relaid by David Slegg and his craftsmen, conserving the original brick pattern
but losing the dips and jutting corners.
All this has come about after months of patient work largely involving Gerald
England and Derek Whiting as well as members of the churchyard committee.
First the money had to be found. Contrary to the general publics
belief, there is no government grant or local authority help for the upkeep of
churchyards which, like ours, are currently in use as burial grounds - so
called open churchyards. Thanks to much careful research by our Treasurer and
updating of the various trusts and investments which help provide funds for St
Marys minor capital expenditure - together with some carefully preserved tax
rebates - we were able to lay our hands on the 10,500 required.
Then there was the protracted task of cutting a different kind of path
through the numerous regulations of the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the
Care of Churches and our local planning authority. Sometimes it even felt as if
the goal posts moved as fast as the correspondence was exchanged. Thank you to
Selwyn for dealing with all this.
And, at last, the job of choosing the contractors, negotiating with them
and ensuring the work was of appropriate standard (yes, theres even a British
Standard for Tarmacking church paths). Thank you, Gerald and Derek, for doing
all that.
Thence to the grass cutting. We have to acknowledge that while Downview
was operating as a mens prison we have been very spoilt, with a series of
people able to devote several days a week to looking after our churchyard for
us. This welcome help is no longer available and, regrettably, 2002 will be
remembered by some as the summer we failed to keep up with the grasss growth.
We are indebted to the people who have been out mowing and strimming in
their limited free time. They have done their best in their Canute-like role
and have not deserved some of the sharp criticism they took on the churchs behalf
from passers-by as well as from people using the church buildings.
The PCC at its July meeting discussed the churchyard at great length and
agreed a policy based on the recommendations of the Churchyards Handbook, which
Selwyn had found invaluable when dealing with three larger churchyards in
Essex, and in line with our own experience of what is achievable within our own
manpower resources.
Some areas in future will be quite closely mown. Other areas will be
mown about once a month or twice a year, to a length of about 3 inches. We think this will be
possible and are grateful to those who have made further of offers of help with
mowing. But we should not forget that it is not only mowing that keeps a
churchyard (or garden, for that matter) looking good.
If anyone sees the odd weed rearing its head in an obviously
inappropriate place, why not pull it out, it only takes a moment and makes a
lot of difference to the appearance of the churchyard. Or, if you would like to
offer longer-term help you might like to adopt and old grave and keep it
looking tidy. Some parishes already run a system like this and find it works
well. Margaret Treasurer, our Archivist, may even tell you something about the
many interesting people buried around St Marys so you could choose which grave
most appeals to you.
The Churchyard Committee is grateful for any help which will make St
Marys look as well-kept as we all would like - please let us know if there is
anything you think you could do.
You might have noticed a stock of small yellow cards in the book-rack
under the tower headed St Marys Trade Directory, otherwise known as
Yellow Pages. The scheme has been running since 1996, but we like to remind people
every couple of years, and to update new members of the congregation on whats
going on.
As many people know, I maintain our Years Mind book, which is kept on
the St Nicholas altar. Calligraphy is a skill I have been using for (ouch) the
best part of 25 years; I enjoy it; each entry earns a minimum of 5 for church
funds (Im pleased and startled to learn that Ive raised over 900 in this way
since autumn 1995!), and I like feeling that this particular skill of mine is
appreciated. Likewise, Im occasionally brought certificates, wedding albums,
greetings cards, etc, for similar treatment.
It occurred to me some years ago that others may have similar talents,
unknown and unsung, which they may enjoy using in the same way. The time is
given to the church by the worker, but the job charged to the employer at a
sensible rate - this money then goes to church funds. (Any actual expenses -
materials, etc. - are reimbursed to the worker.) So, for example, I might type
a business document for somebody without access to a PC. It takes me an hour or
two - a contribution of, say, 10 is made to the church - its cost me nothing
but my time, and the employer has a good job done.
You might like to know that the Yellow Pages scheme was responsible for raising
over 700 in 1999; over 1,000 in 2000; over 1,500 in 2001; and nearly 750 in
the seven months to July 2002. So, as you see, its a valuable and effective
scheme, which makes a stealthy but appreciable dent in our omnipresent Shopping
List.
But, you might ask, if I asked people to work like this, wouldnt I be
taking advantage of them? No - not if they have advertised their services
because they are jobs that they like doing. If Im asked to write the
title page of somebodys precious wedding album, I feel pretty chuffed that my
abilities are sufficiently well-regarded to be trusted with the job. The
pleasure, as they say, is all mine.
But what if you dont have the time to do the job when I ask you? Id say NO - nicely. Its important that the
workers are realistic about the time and effort that they are able to give.
Theres no point in offering time that you cant afford when youre in the
middle of the year-end accounts at work and leaving the office at 9pm every
night. This is a gift of time that you can afford to give.
So what can I offer to do? Anything that you do well, have the time
for, and enjoy. You might be able to offer a regular Saturday
shopping service, because youre going to Asda in the car as you always do, and
a couple of extra bags wont make much difference to you, but you might save a
harassed Mum a lot of time and trouble - and the 5 that the supermarket would
charge for delivery could go to St Marys. You might have access to a large
van, and could spare an hour to help someone to dump the Christmas tree thats
still in the garden, or collect the new armchair from the furniture store and
save the delivery charge - which St Mary's could have instead. You might bake a
mean sponge cake, which would doubtless be better than mine, and willing to
provide it for that special tea Im holding for Aunties visit. And so on.
To give
you an idea, the list of services offered by several members of our
congregation presently range from odd-jobs to carpentry to calligraphy, from
fees earned for giving talks or other performances, for translations or
computer lessons. Could you offer a skill, and join our team?
We all have 24 hours each day to use as best we can, and most of us are
pretty busy. We are all committed in various ways to our friends, our
neighbours, our families, our work, our service to the community. But any
remainder - be it only the odd hour here and there - is a God-given
opportunity; to use our talents and (I cant emphasise this enough) to enjoy
using them, by helping somebody else who needs that assistance, and to help our
financial situation at the same time - thats got to be good.
This article, therefore, is written for several reasons.
* To say a huge thank you to our present team of workers, who are
able to contribute their time and talents in this way.
* To ask that same team to advise Stewart Kimber if their current
entry is still appropriate, and to make any amendments if not.
* To ask for any additional volunteers who feel that they may have
any skill that could be used in the scheme - please contact Cassie or Stewart.
We hope to be able to issue a new list as soon as possible in the
autumn, so please think about this and let us know by mid-September so that the
new list can appear with the October magazine.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
The news that the re-laying of the pavement under the lychgate would be completed
the following day was received with relief and pleasure by the PCC when it last
met. Not so pleasurable, however was a report from Selwyn about some
particularly distressing vandalism, involving the desecration of plots
containing cremated remains, during June. Vandalism is a perennial problem, and
we are all encouraged to report suspicious behaviour to the churchwardens or
the Parks Constabulary.
The Council then turned its attention to the maintenance of the churchyard,
mindful that many were unhappy with its present state. Having enjoyed a neat
and tidy churchyard for some years through the good offices of Downview
prisoners, the changed status of the prison had resulted in the withdrawal of
that facility. The PCC is anxious to get a policy of action into place, and has
agreed on a maintenance plan for implementation by the Churchyard Committee.
More about this may be found elsewhere in this
magazine.
Following the due period of public notice, the faculty application for
the votive stand had been submitted. Some constructive comments on its design
had been received from parishioners and a couple of minor modifications agreed.
While on the subject of faculties (there are very few meetings at which that
word is not mentioned), permission has been granted to reset the Gothic Knight.
The Monumental Brass Society has awarded a grant towards this work. Since two
other bodies approached for funds do not meet until the autumn, the Council
agreed to defer this project until later in the year when the likely amount of
grant aid would be known.
Attention was drawn to a document giving guidance on health and safety.
It was good to hear that much of what was set out in the document is already in
operation at St Marys. The PCC was extremely grateful to June Allen for
reviewing the first aid provision. The Council intends to draw up a health and
safety policy once a Health & Safety Officer has been appointed.
Heather Cosgrove, in her capacity as Child Protection Officer, presented
a report on her attendance at a training morning. New regulations mean that our
child protection policy must be updated.
The Treasurer indicated that budget income and expenditure continued to
run more or less in parallel, though the Shopping List was slightly behind
target. With only three fund-raising events between the meeting and Christmas,
Cassie emphasised the importance of attracting donations from individuals.
Finally a note for the diary. Having set next years annual parochial
church meeting for Wednesday April 9, it now appears that this clashes with the
last of the Lenten talks arranged by Churches Together. The PCC therefore
agreed to move the APCM to the previous day - April 8.
The PCC next meets on Monday September 23.
This years Surrey Churches Bike Ride takes place on Saturday. September
14. The aim is to raise money for church restoration and repair. Cyclists (or
walkers) are given a list of participating churches and raise sponsorship to
visit these churches. The money collected is divided between the Surrey
Churches Preservation Trust and the cyclists own church.
St Marys is one of the participating churches and the PCC has agreed
that the Tower & Bells Fund should be the designated recipient of any money
received by St Marys. The SCPT is also a possible source of grant aid for the
Fund at a later date.
Any would-be cyclists or walkers (and we know at least a couple of
ringers are taking part) can obtain full details from Diana Harries (8669
7011). She would also be grateful to hear of anyone prepared to spend an hour
or two on September 14 to welcome cyclists and walkers to St Marys and to
initial their forms.
St Marys is generally open on Sunday afternoons from 3pm to 5pm during
the summer, but why?
There are three principal reasons:
* The spiritual comfort any church may afford
* The possibility of remembering a happy event
* The enjoyment of the building
Worshipping every week in such surroundings can make one blas about the
beauty of the surroundings. All of the stewards on duty on Sundays have heard
that the visitor was married at St Marys, was in the congregation at a
wedding, used to be in the choir here as a treble and so on On one occasion a
couple had come back to the church in which they were married because they were
going through a rocky patch. It is hoped they found some answer in the
venerable stones of the building and the tranquil atmosphere.
Visitors may come for spiritual comfort and it would be a pity to deny
them this solace by not being able to open the church. If you feel you could
afford a Sunday afternoon between 3pm and 5pm do not hesitate to approach me
with a view to putting your name on the list as a steward. Yes, the season is
nearly over but there is always next year.
Widen your horizons and meet some new people this autumn by joining a
WEA daytime class. The classes meet in an informal atmosphere with expert
tuition and opportunity for discussion. An added feature of the history class
is that it is held locally. No qualifications or experience are needed to join
the course, just an interest in the subject.
What is the WEA? The Workers
Educational Association was founded in 1903 to provide learning
opportunities for adults from all walks of life. The WEA is a national charity
and is non-party political.
What is the history course? The course is an exploration of two aspects
of 20th-century life. The first term will examine the lives and background of
dictators such as Lenin and Hitler to see how they were able to gain absolute
power and suppress democracy. The second term will examine key events in
Britain during the second world war such as the Blitz, evacuation and food
rationing. Archive films and contemporary evidence will be used as much as
possible. There will be a chance for all to share family and personal
reminiscences of life on the Home Front. This promises to be a fascinating
course with an excellent tutor.
Course details:
Title: The
rise of Dictators and the Defence of Democracy
Time: 2pm-4pm
Wednesdays
Dates: 18
September to 27 November 2002 and 15 January to 26 March 2003
Venue: Carew
Manor Adult Education Centre, Church Road, Wallington
Fees: Concession
(over 60) 58.80 Full 70.80
The course is run by the Sutton and Wallington WEA branch, which also
organises courses in Literature, Music Appreciation and Art History.
For further information about WEA courses please contact Jenny Lugton, 49
Harefield Avenue, Cheam, Surrey SM2 7ND, or call 020 8642 1303. Email: jenny.lugton@virgin.net
July 6 Tommy Lee Cann, 37 Elm Gardens, Mitcham
by permission of the
curate of The Ascension, Pollards Hill
14 Ronnie Mace Harvey, 6 Lavington Road
Bradley, Edward
Collyer, 17 Nicholas Road
Victoria Ann
Lawrence, 21 Southway
Kai-Tyler
Vasey-Stout, 49 Beddington Lane
20 Oliver Paul Cavadino, 5 Manor House, Manor Rd
Aug 11 Amy Joanne Danton, 3 Clayton Ct, Wallington
Brittany Jordan
Holden, 100 Crispin Crescent
Luke George
Carroll, 72 Croydon Road
Robert James
Richards, 91 Croydon Road
Jimmy Bert
Kember, 36 Aldwick Road
July 13 Perry Gordon Coton to Laura Jane Jackson, 201a Croydon Rd
20 Adam Brown to Stephanie Haley Keane, 23 Hallowell Avenue
Aug 3 Lee Barry Johnston to Tracey Tanya Tuckwell, 81 Runnymede
Crescent, Streatham Vale
10 Lee William Nash, 37 Rectory Lane, to Tracey Joyce Welford
17 Mark Anthony Curant, 21 Richmond Green, to Kelly Ann Dunn
24 Neil Andrew Judge to Sarah Estelle Hillman, 2 The Bridleway
31 Timothy Robert Gaylor to Eulalia Maria Mvila, 66 Queenswood
Avenue
July 5 Alan Edward Borrett, aged 88 of 24 Richmond Rd
11 James Edward Brown, aged 66, of 2 Chiswick Cl
Aug 5 Richard Lewis Wiltshire, aged 31, of 41 Harewood Gardens,
Sanderstead
12 Jessica Ethel Kimber, aged 88, of Eastbourne, formerly of Park
Gate Road, Wallington
|
Sun |
1 |
FOURTEENTH AFTER TRINITY |
|
|
Tue |
3 |
Parents and Toddlers meet, church |
10.00am |
|
Wed |
4 |
St Marys Guild meets, St Marys Court |
2.30pm |
|
|
|
Confirmation rehearsal |
8.00pm |
|
Thu |
5 |
M&OG: At Home with Mary Tapp |
8.00pm |
|
Sun |
8 |
PATRONAL FESTIVAL |
|
|
|
|
Confirmation service |
10.00am |
|
|
|
MU Sutton Deanery Summer Worship, St
Dunstans, Cheam |
6.00pm |
|
Sat |
14 |
Surrey Churches Bike Ride |
|
|
Sun |
15 |
SIXTEENTH AFTER TRINITY |
|
|
Mon |
16 |
Magazine Panel meets, 2 Peaks Hill |
10.00am |
|
Wed |
18 |
MU Corporate Eucharist |
10.00am |
|
Thu |
19 |
MU&OG meets. Church Centre |
8.00pm |
|
|
|
Deanery Synod |
|
|
Fri |
20 |
Choir recruitment evening, Church and
Centre |
5.30-9.00pm |
|
Sun |
22 |
SEVENTEENTH AFTER TRINITY |
|
|
Mon |
23 |
PCC meets, Church Centre |
8.00pm |
|
Tue |
24 |
Social Committee meets, 2 Caraway Place |
8.00pm |
|
Fri |
27 |
Prayer Group meets, Carew Chapel |
7.30pm |
|
Sat |
28 |
Tramps Supper, Church Centre |
7.30pm |
|
Sun |
29 |
HARVEST THANKSGIVING |
|
Sun Oct 6
Dedication Sunday
1 Kings 8: 22-30 (page 405)
Hebrews 12: 18-24 (page 407)