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KEYNOTES May 2020 60p
KEYNOTES
May 2020 60p
THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST PETER’S, WEST BLATCHINGTON
During the interregnum, please contact one of the Churchwardens
CHURCHWARDENS Jonathan Cooke Tel: 563178 David Keeling Tel: 501504
HON. TREASURER Mandy Gander Tel: 271982
CENTRE BOOKINGS Richard Delacour Tel: 07968 227639
PASTORAL CARE
Sick Visiting Carol Gander Tel: 555414
KEYNOTES EDITORIAL TEAM
William Holden Tel: 706482 David Keeling Tel: 501504 Jane Cummings Tel: 880274
Michael Evans Tel: 567399 Charlie Flackhill Tel: 965122 Mandy Gander Tel: 271982 Maggie Holden Tel: 706482
E-mail: [email protected]
Church website : www.stpeterswestblatchington.org.uk
EDITORIAL
This must be the first time in all our living memories when all the Holy Week and Easter services have not taken place. It is such a shame that we were not able to celebrate together the most important festival in the Christian year. No doubt many of you lit a candle and said some prayers of thanksgiving in the privacy of your own home. Perhaps had an Easter egg or two as well?!
We can confirm that the APCM has been postponed from April and will now take place later in the year when life returns to normal. Several of our planned events have had to be cancelled too including our Summer Fair in June. As we understand it, because of the current restrictions our new Rector, Tim, will be licensed privately as Priest in Charge by the Archdeacon on the 13th May and, at a later date when restrictions are lifted, the Bishop can induct him in the customary way as Rector. This will mean that we will have our Rector in residence, and we can all enjoy welcoming him at the appropriate ceremony.
On the Diocese of Chichester website, for your spiritual enlightenment there are daily contributions from Bishop Martin and colleagues including a prayer for the day.
Don’t forget that we have a wide range of activities covered with our advertisers. Look at the advertisements as you read Keynotes so that when a need arises you know where to find someone to contact. Quote Keynotes to them, then they know that the advert is worthwhile. Some of us know from experience how helpful they are and many are members of our congregation.
Editorial Committee
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Dear St. Peter’s church family,
I feel led to write you a letter at this time. Firstly, to assure you that you and the whole parish are very much in my prayers. I have started including the parish of West Blatchington in my daily exercise and use this as a time to pray for the roads that I am cycling/jogging along. Perhaps those of you who are exercising similarly might do likewise.
I am sure that many of you are feeling isolated, perhaps this is nowhere more profound than in our inability to gather together on Sundays for worship. We would normally expect to be able to meet together to share fellowship as a church, yet this is a time when all sorts of expectations are being put on hold. We expect to go on holiday, to visit friends, to go to university and to do the normal and everyday stuff. I was expecting my licensing to be a wonderfully full and packed occasion, yet at this moment in time, we just don’t know what the situation will be once May 13th comes around.
One of the things that this whole pandemic is teaching us is not only the frailty of our earthly bodies but also the frailty of our plans and perhaps for me, my need for more patience. We may have to wait a bit longer for proper introductions, but I do look forward to meeting with you all properly face-to-face. I look forward to getting to know you all and (when we are back in the church building) celebrating with you as we gather around the Lord’s table to worship God together.
The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu wrote recently: ‘Where is our hope? It is in the end in the love and faithfulness of a God whom we may have forgotten, but whose action and character is expressed in millions of acts of love by every person in this country. This is the God who we see in Jesus Christ, who called himself the Good Shepherd. Acts of love are the normal reaction to those in need. They are a reflection of the God who is our Shepherd.’
So while we may not be able to gather in person, our Shepherd, Jesus Christ is still leading us and calling us to share His love with the people around us.
I wish you every blessing in Him,
Yours,
Rev’d Tim Gage
WOMEN’S SOCIAL GROUP
On 27th February 14 members met for lunch at Bankers, Western Road, Brighton. This is now an annual event and we enjoy a delicious fish and chip lunch with plenty of conversation. The staff are charming and made us very welcome.
Our Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday 12th March at Alexandra Court where we were welcomed by Pat, Pam and Iris. Moz, our Chairman, led the meeting and we chose our charity for the coming two year period. All members present were in favour of supporting Off the Fence a local charity for the homeless and vulnerable of Brighton and Hove.
With restrictions in place to limit the spread of Covid-19, all meetings have been cancelled. Members will be contacted when we are able to meet again.
In the meantime, keep safe and well.
Maggie Keeling
Friday Coffee Mornings - They are held on the first Friday of every month only. Please come along and join us for conversation
and friendship.
Galileo Restaurant
Authentic Italian cuisine in the most welcoming surrounding
1 Woodland Parade, Hove, BN3 6DR - 01273 330883 Opening Hours - Mon - Sun: 12pm - 10:30pm
Takeaways and Deliveries available
Bringing the very best of authentic Italian cooking, made from top quality ingredients cooked freshly
for you to enjoy.
Our charity for May and June is Street Pastors
The Church in action on the Street
Street pastors offer reassurance, safety and support through listening, caring and helping. They work together with other partners to make communities safer.
Each city project is set up by Ascension Trust, which is the governing body behind Street Pastors, and run by a local coordinator with support from local churches and community groups, in partnership with the police, local council and other statutory agencies.
Since 2003, they have trained over 12,000 street and prayer pastors, who have played an active part in strengthening community life and working for safer streets. Currently, more than 300 towns and cities around the UK have a Street Pastors team. When you add prayer pastors, management teams and trustees, this means that there are over 20,000 volunteers in total associated with the Street Pastors network.
Please support them.
Talent Show During this time of lockdown, we had a family talent show via the Zoom app. There were 6 households taking part and it was such a fun evening, it really lifted our spirits.
We had a wide range of talents on show from singing and dancing to playing the guitar and mouth organ. Carol gave us a poem recital and Miles challenged himself to see how many Maltesers he could get in his mouth at the same time. He managed 42, not bad going! Harrison told us some jokes and one of my nephews danced for us in his bright red, sequinned pants! Now that sight was something that will stay with me forever!
We had some magic, some juggling and some diablo tricks. We finished with my niece making a toilet roll jump and turn on her back.
What talents there were. All in all a fabulous evening.
As for me, I wrote a poem which is below. I hope you enjoy.
Mandy Gander
I’ve written you a poem About these crazy days How we must all adjust
And change our usual ways.
Schools are out and shops are closed We all must stay at home Which isn't too bad a job
Apart from, for those that live alone.
No more popping in for tea Or to give someone a hug
No more kissing or shaking hands You might give them the bug.
The Supermarket queuing system Takes you around the block
Only to find there’s no loo rolls Someone else has got the lot.
No pasta, beans or rice Why is everyone so greedy?
We should be thinking not of ourselves But for those that are poor or needy.
At least we can all take a walk And give our lungs some nice fresh air
Ah, but no, the world and his wife are out The 2 metre gap?, no one seems to care.
Keep your hands nice and clean And do not touch your face Stay indoors and keep safe
Pray to God and keep the faith.
I miss you all my family And can't wait to see you all
For the biggest party we’ll ever have In the mean time, I love you all.
Worth remembering.
A man felt he was overloaded in the ‘trouble shooting depart-ment’ of his office, until he found this memo on his desk. “Be thankful for the problems, for if they were less difficult, someone with less ability would have your job.”
Reverend Erika Howard: a gift from God
The Reverend Erika Howard has become a familiar face at St Peter’s, having supported our services for over a year. The initial idea was to put Erika ‘in the hot seat’ and ask her to respond to a series of questions, however as soon as the interview started, it became clear she had a wider story to tell.
“There was never a time when I didn’t have a relationship with God; when I was aged eight, I used to take myself off to church and Sunday school, and I got the calling at the age of 15 when I had a dream about looking after sheep. I felt God was calling me to be a missionary and I subsequently trained as a nurse in preparation for this.”
After qualifying as a State Registered Nurse and then State Certified Midwife at Derby Royal Infirmary, Erika became a midwife, joining the community midwifery team in the 1970s. During nursing training she met her husband Nigel and they’ve been together ever since.
Nigel’s work as a chartered engineer and MOD programme manager took the couple to the Isle of Wight where they stayed for three years. Erika took time out to look after their daughters, Catherine and Frances. They also had a son Matthew, who died from a heart problem when he was only a few months old.
Next stop was a move to the south coast - prompted by Nigel’s work - and it was here Erika went back to work as a midwife at Southlands hospital, Shoreham. Church remained a central part of their lives (including trips to see the US evangelist Billy Graham) and in 1988, Erika decided to begin training to be a priest, describing it as ‘more of an Emmaus Road than a Damascus Road’.
“I started my training at St Mary’s, Shoreham, and the incumbent was the reverend canon Martin Sheppard; a very quiet and gentle man who was a great encouragement.” Erika became a deacon in 1991 and was ordained in May 1994 - one of the first women to be ordained, just after the vote came through. “This was a unique opportunity to break the stereotype of a priest and create my own role model of what I thought priesthood should be.”
Six months later, Erika joined St Giles in Shoreham (within the parish of Kingston Buci). After eight years, she felt the need to move. “In June 2002 I ran a funeral service in Sompting and knew this was somewhere I wanted to be.” Erika put her nursing background to
good use by offering to visit nursing homes in the parish – which is something she says ‘some clergy found difficult’.
In 2003, Erika was appointed vicar – the first female incumbent in the diocese. “This was such a change for people, we had to let them know when I was taking a service in case they didn’t want to attend and funeral directors were asked prior to a service if they minded a woman taking it.”
Erika’s parish included: two churches, four schools, a family centre and a nursery. She was also chaplain to local healthcare firm, GSK, and the women’s section of the Royal British Legion for Sussex. During her 15-year tenure, Erika supported many women who were victims of domestic violence. “Because I was a woman in a ‘dog collar’ they felt they could come to me.”
Her remit soon spread across the Adur area and Erika got involved in multi-agency forums and, following help from the Worth Project, set up local drop-in support centres. With the help of Nigel, she also supported the David Cameron ‘Big Local’ initiatives which, with lottery money, helped address poverty in the area.
Even when Erika retired in September 2017 aged 68, she was still campaigning; explaining to senior women in the police how best their domestic violence initiatives can support women in her parish.
Over the years, Erika says ‘it has been a privilege to work with people’. No other role, she explains allows you to get so close to families across the life stages. “While preparing people for a wedding, baptism or funeral, you’re instantly accepted into that family group.
“If I hadn’t come forward, I would not have reached out to thousands of people within my ministry and although you could say what I’ve done is remarkable, it’s the work of Jesus.”
Even now in retirement, Erika remains busy. Alongside running services for churches when help is needed and supporting clergy and their parishes, Erika and Nigel are keen walkers, having trekked through the Pyrenees, Himalayas and Jordan. “Nigel also rides a motor bike and I go on the back.”
Erika is fascinated by history, particularly the work of Wolf Hall author Hilary Mantel, and enjoys Sudoku, cribbage, a good detective thriller and quiz shows such as Tenables, Pointless, Only Connect and University Challenge.
She also plays the harp. “My harp was made for me in 2011 and I’m taught by a lady in Southwater w h o ’ s a m a z i n g . I p a r t i c u l a r l y l i k e Baroque and Celtic music.”
Erika’s a fan of the Charismatic Movement which adopts beliefs and practices similar to Pentecostalism (the use of spiritual gifts is fundamental to the Movement). “I believe it’s important to be inclusive, not exclusive in ministry.”
Then there are the two bee hives. Erika and Nigel have kept them for eight years and Erika helps with the honey production and makes lip balm etc using ‘her own recipes’. She’s keen to move onto soap and Nigel has an eye on meade. “When I left Sompting, I had to remove the bees from the churchyard, so they’re now in Buckingham Park, Shoreham. Working with the council and parks people, we’re looking to see how this works locally and with support from the National Beekeeping Association, we’re hoping to run something with parks across the country.”
In addition, two cairn terriers, Megan and Ruby, keep the pair busy, as does Erika’s view ‘she’s a priest for life’. “The priest is who I am; it’s the essence of Erika. To me, the words of communion are like a meditation and my daily practice is to read the scriptures and pray. The constant prayer life - morning and evening - is in my dna, it fuels
me. It’s what makes you a spiritual person. And although I’m retired, I’m looking to the Lord to see what’s next.”
Erika’s view on life is to live in the moment and not for it. “The moment is a precious gift from God.”
FAB
A plea from your Treasurer
During this pandemic, when our Church has had to close its doors, we are no longer able to receive the envelope and other cash donations that are normally placed in the collection plate during the Sunday service. Our income is, therefore, limited at the present time to those who donate by direct debit via the Parish Giving Scheme or by standing order. But our costs remain and bills still need to be paid. These include £5,784 per month for Parish Ministry costs. Our 2019 accounts showed a £27k loss and the forecast for 2020 is even more alarming. Moreover, the current restrictions mean that all of our fund-raising events, over the next two months at least, including the Summer Fair – a major source of parish income – have had to be cancelled. Please consider helping to keep our Church funded at this difficult time and join the direct debit Parish Giving Scheme or set up a standing order. No amount is too small. Alternatively, you may wish to send me your contributions via cheque payable to St Peter’s West Blatchington to my home address of 24 Sandringham Drive, Hove, BN3 6XD.
For more information on how to sign up to the Parish Giving Scheme, please visit www.parishgivingscheme.org.uk. There is an online form that you can complete on the main giving page (our Parish code is 10-1040082) or please contact me on 07900 545888.
Please don't forget that online shopping via easyfundraising.org.uk and Amazon Smile also provide us with income, further details are in this edition of Keynotes. Many thanks and keep safe. With much love and prayers to you all. Mandy Gander Treasurer
JOIN US FOR MESSY CHURCH
AT ST PETER’S COMMUNITY CENTRE, WEST BLATCHINGTON
FREE FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY!
Sunday 17th May 20204pm - 5.15pm
Prayer List Requests
Each Sunday in Church we pray for people in any kind of need. These may be people known only to us individually or they may be the names of people on the prayer list which is printed in the Pew Sheet, and mentioned in Intercessions. Names on the prayer list are usually there as a result of a request by a friend or family member.
Please can friends or family requesting (or who have requested in the past) a name to be included on the prayer list keep in touch with our Pastoral Care Group from time to time to let us know of any change, or otherwise, in the situation of the loved one. This will help us in keeping the list relevant, accurate and up to date, which we regard as an important aspect.
When convenient, please contact Carol Gander (01273 555414) with any helpful information. As with all matters to do with Pastoral Care and personal relationships, all communications will be entirely confidential, but will allow the prayer list to be kept meaningful and up to date.
St Peter's Pastoral Care Group
Our Pastoral Care Group exists to offer entirely confidential help and support on any pastoral matter.
Perhaps you would like a friendly visitor for a good chat now and then, help with transport, a name included in our prayer list at Church, some professional advice which we can help find, or
an offer of Communion at home?
Please contact, in the first instance, Carol Gander on 01273 555414.
TERRY ROGERS
Your Local Builder & Decorator
General Building, Plastering, Decorating & Repairs
(Small works also carried out)
Tel: 01273 737118
The Parish Church of St. Peter
West Blatchington
FREE LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES
Our afternoon concert series continues with
Amity Singers
1.10 p.m. on Friday 15th May
The Recital is for approximately 40 minutes
Refreshments provided
There is no admission charge, but donations to fund future concerts will be gratefully accepted.
All welcome!
Being The Church
As I write this the situation is that all churches, cathedrals and other places of worship are closed because of the Covid 19 pandemic.
We have all become so used to thinking that ‘church’ is the place we go to on a Sunday or on other days for some special occasion, weddings, funerals etc. However, with the meeting together taken away it does raise the question, ‘what is the church?’
This is something that the Living Faith Course covers in one of its early sessions and I will look at the key aspects of this as it affects our current situation and consider how we can use the experience for mission in the future.
What is the source of the idea of ‘church’? Jesus says, “I will build my church”. Matthew 16.18. The original Greek word is ‘ekklesia’, meaning,” a gathering of those called out”. The important thing is that we note who is doing the building and whose church it is, Jesus.
What is the Church for? Worship, Discipleship, (evangelism and nurture) and Mission (self-giving, service, being agents of God in bringing his kingdom).
But, what guidelines did Jesus give us in deciding how we should be ‘Church’? He said very little to guide us in deciding how we can be Christ centred, Christ informed models. What the Church of England has done is to base its ideas of ‘Church’ on Scripture, Tradition and Reason together with our experience of life. The three-legged stool of Anglicism.
The Church of England that we know is built on the parish system, a church building has a geographical area for which the incumbent has the ‘cure of souls.’
What of the Early Church? Certainly, there were no buildings or if there were the building was a synagogue. Once the gentiles became a significant number the synagogues became hostile places and meetings took place in homes. Because of the general expectation of an imminent second coming a building was not deemed necessary, nor a formal organisation. In fact, it was not until around 250 AD that a separate building was a church. The building of churches as we know them came in the 11th to the 14th Centuries.
In the early years, particularly when the various persecutions took place, worship would have been on a small scale. The Church had developed its organisation, Bishops and Deacons under the Apostles in the early decades. It had its guidelines on worship in the Didache (Teaching) which covered baptism, prayers the eucharistic worship and teachings about Jesus. It was likely that although the formal list of 66 Books of the Bible did not exist until 367 AD when Athanasius listed them and Jerome translated them into Latin and published them as one book in 400 AD, the books were circulating already, together with others which were later weeded out.
How much better off we are in our isolation today. We have our Bibles, in a variety of versions, Study Bibles, the 1662 Prayer Book, Common Worship, Biblical Dictionaries, collections of prayers, online access, and so I could go on. We can phone, email, skype, facetime each other, link up via Zoom for services or prayers. This time of separation has brought to the fore how we can be more in touch as a church with those who are away from us when the restrictions are lifted. Streaming our Sunday Eucharist and then taking the Home Communion to those who have been present by link. This may need some setting up and training of those at home. We have a wide range of tools; we need to think how we can use these for mission and joining our Christian Community closer together. Housebound can be linked into prayer groups. With further thought there will be other ways we can build on our experience of this time of isolation, making us one in Christ.
William Holden Mentor on Living Faith Course.
Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your
hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid’. John 14.27
Peregrine Falcon by Michael Blencowe of the Sussex Wildlife Trust You say you want a revolution
Circling high in the blue skies above Sussex is one of the world’s deadliest predators. Peregrines are hunting above us. Scanning the avian traffic in the Sussex airspace, their incredible vision locks on to an unsuspecting bird passing below and the Peregrine instantly negotiates one of the most sophisticated aerial manoeuvres possible. They stop flying. With wings and feet tucked in tightly, peregrines drop from the sky at an unbelievable speed – hurtling earthwards at up to 200 mph - the fastest creature on our planet. Everything, even the eyelids and nostrils on this bird are built for speed. Like a bomb made out of muscle and feathers, it’ll decimate any victim in its path.
We’re fortunate to still have these amazing birds here in Sussex. During WW2 their taste for pigeons (including those carrying wartime messages) saw Peregrines treated as if they were on the payroll of Mr Hitler himself. The Secretary of State for Air declared war on these falcons and issued the ‘Destruction of Peregrine Falcons Order’. The birds were slaughtered, their nests destroyed. After we gave Adolf the old heave-ho, Peregrines were left alone and numbers began to recover. But they were to face an even more deadly threat than the British Government; Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (or DDT to its friends).
Farmers worldwide had started spraying a variety of wonderful new chemical insecticides all over the countryside to improve yields. These invisible poisons hit the bird at the top of the food chain the hardest. In 1958 there were 650 pairs of Peregrines in Britain. Six years later there were 68. Concerns over their decline sparked an investigation that led back to the source of the Peregrine poisoning and the world’s eyes were opened to the reality of the damage that these chemicals could cause to our environment and to us. Rachel Carson wrote ‘Silent Spring’, the environmental movement was born and green was upgraded from a sort of yellowy-blue colour to an entire way of life.
Today, perched on our cliffs and cathedrals, high above the organic food-filled shelves in kitchens across Sussex, the killer that kick- started the environmental uprising stands defiantly overlooking us all like a beaked Che Guevara. A feathered testament to revolution, strength and tofu veggie burgers.
Chichester Cathedral
Members of our congregation who recall the visit of the Cathedral Choir to St Peter’s in February 2014 may remember the Revd Canon Tim Schofield, the Precentor. The Cathedral have announced his retirement with his last service being the 11.00am Sung Eucharist which will be followed by a reception. This, of course, will only take place if the current restrictions are lifted.
The Precentor is responsible for the direction of the choral services of the cathedral and is a member of the Chapter and ranks next to the Dean. During his time as Precentor, over his fourteen years at the Cathedral, Tim oversaw the change of the Sung Eucharist from a traditional language service to Common Worship and the 900 years Anniversary Service of the Cathedral in 2008. He was responsible for developing the pastoral care side of the Cathedral’s work and with his wife, Julie, developing the children’s ministry on a Sunday with the formation of the Cathedral Pebbles Group.
I got to know Tim quite well over the years following the 2014 visit to St Peter’s and visited the Cathedral at least two or three time a year. He was very caring. We wish him and his wife, Julie, a happy retirement.
William Holden
God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the
heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not
only in this age but also in the age to come. Ephesians 1.20-21
People and Places of the Bible
Amram Amram was the son of Kohath, the son of Levi. He married Jochebed, "his father's sister," and was the father of Miriam, Aaron and Moses ( Exodus 6:18 Exodus 6:20 ; Numbers 3:19 ). He died in Egypt at the age of 137 years ( Exodus 6:20 ). His descendants were called Amramites ( Numbers 3:27 ; 1 Chronicles 26:23 ).
Although little else is know of Amram, his significance is that he is of the Tribe of Levi, who were chosen as the priests and therefore looked to as leaders. Aaron, the elder son was well established as a leader, known for his reconciling ways who later teamed up with his younger and more impulsive brother, Moses, to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Miriam, the elder sister, was the one who hid Moses in the bulrushes.
Goshen
There are three places named Goshen mentioned in the Bible. (1.) A district in Egypt where Jacob and his family settled, and in which they remained till the Exodus (Genesis 45:10; 46:28, 29, 31, etc.). It is called "the land of Goshen" (47:27), and also simply "Goshen" (46:28), and "the land of Rameses" (47:11; Exodus 12:37), for the towns Pithom and Rameses lay within its borders; also Zoan or Tanis (Psalm 78:12). It lay on the east of the Nile, and apparently not far from the royal residence. It was "the best of the land" (Genesis 47:6, 11), but is now a desert. It is first mentioned in Joseph's message to his father. It has been identified with the modern Wady Tumilat, lying between the eastern part of the Delta and the west border of Palestine. It was a pastoral district, where some of the king's cattle were kept (Genesis 47:6). The inhabitants were not exclusively Israelites (Exodus 3:22; 11:2; 12:35, 36). (2.) A district in Palestine (Joshua 10:41; 11:16). It was a part of the maritime plain of Judah and lay between Gaza and Gideon. (3.) A town in the mountains of Judah (Joshua 15:51).
Compiled from The Universal Bible Dictionary published by Lutter-worth Press and Who’s Who in The Bible published by The Reader’s Digest and other sources by William Holden
REGULAR WEEKLY SERVICES
SUNDAY
10:00 The Parish Eucharist (Common Worship)
(1st Sunday is a Parade/Family Service)
TUESDAY (once a month - see pew sheet for dates)
19:30 Eucharist
WEDNESDAY
10:00 Morning Prayer 19.30 Meditation (every Fortnight)
FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH ONLY
10.30-12.00 Open Church drop in for coffee, cake & conversation
Why Jesus walked on water
A tourist, planning a trip to the Holy Land, was aghast when he found it would cost £50 an hour to rent a boat on the Sea of Galilee. “Goodness,” he objected to the travel agent. “In England it would not have been more than £20.”
“That might be true,” said the travel agent, “but you have to take into account that the Sea of Galilee is water on which our Lord Himself walked.”
“Well, at £50 an hour for a boat,” said the tourist, “it’s no wonder He walked.”
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PARISH EVENTS DIARY
The following events taking place in May and June as notified are:
Friday 15th May - Amity Singers lunchtime concert - 1.10pm
Sunday 17th May - Messy Church - 4pm
Sunday 31st May - Beat the Bounds walk - 2pm
Saturday 6th June - Summer Fair - 11.30am
Friday 20th June - Hangleton Brass Band Ensemble - 1.10pm
Please continue to keep me informed of events that you have planned or know about by sending a message to our email
address which is [email protected]
The deadline for the June issue is the 7th May
We do not know when the lockdown will be lifted and therefore all events have been listed, however some or all of them may have to ben cancelled. Please see our website for up to date details.
St Peter’s ‘Open Church’ drop-in
On the First Friday of every month 10.30am – 12noon
For coffee, conversation and companionship.
We are open between 10.30am and 12 noon for you to 'drop-in' for a
coffee, piece of cake and a chat. A very warm welcome awaits you, so please do 'drop-in'
- we'd love to see you.
THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOUR
I note that last year I mentioned ‘occasional hailstorms’ and just a few weeks ago we had a very heavy hailstorm and I was glad that there was no blossom to be damaged.
Last year my two main apple trees had a severe late pruning which limited the fruit harvest. This year I have undertaken a more careful programme of pruning of the areas I can reach identifying the fruit buds so I hope the outcome will be a better harvest. Currently there seems to be signs of a goodly number of blossom coming out.
With the gooseberry bushes, I again have taken care over the Winter to reshape them ensuring the centres were clear and cutting back growth by up to a third. This is having favourable results with flowers forming. Three of my bushes date from the early 1960s and have been moved from their original location. So, never give up on old bushes.
My raspberry patch had not been productive in recent years, so I took the decision to dig it up and buy new canes. Also, the area had become infested with ground elder and convolvulus. I had not cleared it adequately, so I have no new canes. Clearing will need to continue.
Task to be undertaken in the coming weeks:
1. Continue to weed round all trees, bushes and canes so that the plants get the maximum benefit from the goodness in the soil. Hoeing and leaving the disturbed weeds to rot helps feed the soil.
2. Check for broken or dead branches and tidy up. 3. Tie back next year’s blackberry shoots to keep them under
control. 4. Pinch out leaves at end of grape shoots to restrict growth and
encourage fruiting. Continue this through the growth months. 5. If dry when blossom is on fruit trees/bushes, water to help it set.
If there is a hosepipe ban use a hand spray.
6. Water with a watering can in dry weather as fruit is forming, particularly with plants growing against walls, fences or in containers.
7. Support branches of gooseberry bushes to keep them off the ground as fruit develops.
8. Prune lightly any excessive growth on apple, plum and pear trees.
9. Spread compost round the bushes to enrich the soil.
The Fruit Farmer
Coping in the Storm
‘Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.’ (Mark 4:39).
What started out for the disciples as a routine trip across the Sea of Galilee, ended up with a storm threatening to overwhelm their boat! Jesus was asleep in the boat, so little wonder they feared for their lives: ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ (38).
Who would have thought two months ago that the world would be overwhelmed by the Coronavirus pandemic and our lives turned upside down! Self-isolating and self-distancing are now part of our daily vocabulary, as we live in an uncertain world. What does this story say to us in our circumstances?
Firstly, we read that Jesus calmed the storm: ‘He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’’ (39). He is the Lord of the storm and holds our circumstances in His hands. We are called to trust, not fear, being assured that He is with us to protect us. ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ (40). Nothing is outside of His control.
Secondly, despite the calm, the disciples were still terrified: ‘They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and
the waves obey Him!’’ (41). Like us, the disciples were asking why Jesus, who loved them, had allowed the storm to happen! Our circumstances provide us with an opportunity to understand more deeply who Jesus is. We can’t control Him and we don’t always understand His bigger plans for us and His world. We are called to overcome fear and insecurity, by living lives of peace, faith and hope.
How contagious can we be for Jesus in a stormy world?
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR GARDEN?
1) Start planting out summer bedding towards the end of the month. 2) Look after your finished spring bulbs for next year. Let the foliage die back down on its own. 3) Optimise your watering regime - water early and late to get the most out of your water. 4) Thin out drifts of hardy annuals. 5) Plant up summer baskets adding good quality compost, slow release fertiliser and water. 6) Continue dividing herbaceous perennials to improve vigour and create new plants. 7) Divide Hostas as they come into growth. 8) Trim back spreading plants such as Aubretia, Alyssum and Candytuft. 9) Lift Forget-Me-Nots to prevent heavy self seeding and reduce spreading. 10) Prune Penstemons now. 11) Tie in Climbing and Rambling Roses. 12) Tie in Sweet Peas with plant support rings to encourage them to climb. 13) Prune spring flowering Shrubs after flowering. 14) Cut back flowered shoots of Choisya to promote a second flush of flowers in the autumn. 15) Feed (every 2 - 4 weeks) and water container plants and top dress permanent pot plants. 16) Closely inspect plants for pest and diseases. 17) Apply lawn weed killer to your lawn this month. 18) Feed your lawn to encourage a healthy green growth. 19) Lower mower blades to their regular summer-cut height. 20) Keep on top of weeds to prevent them spreading.
Greenfingers
COME INTO MY KITCHEN…….
This month’s recipes use an everyday product, golden syrup, to make something special. I do hope you enjoy making and eating them.
CEREAL BOWL COOKIES
Makes 30
225g softened butter 125g soft brown sugar 100g golden syrup 1 egg 1tsp vanilla extract 50g desiccated coconut 200g plain flour 1tsp bicarbonate of soda 50g rolled oats 50g honey nut cornflakes, crushed
Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.
Beat the butter, sugar, syrup, egg, vanilla extract and pinch of salt together. Stir in the coconut, flour and bicarbonate of soda, followed by the oats and cornflakes. Shape the cookie dough into 30 small balls and space out on paper-lined baking sheets. Gently press each ball to flatten the top and bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden and crisp on the edges. Cool completely – they will crisp up more as they cool.
OVEN-BAKED TREACLE SPONGE
Serves 8 During the current lockdown, I suggest making the mixture and then dividing into smaller dishes so that you can eat some and freeze some for later.
175g softened butter, plus extra for the baking dish/dishes. 275g golden syrup 100g caster sugar 2 lemons, zested and juiced 1tsp vanilla extract 2 large eggs 225g self-raising flour 1tsp baking powder 25g custard powder 150ml double cream, single cream, custard or ice cream to serve
Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter a 1.5 litre baking dish, or ramekin dishes and put inside a roasting tin. Using electric beaters, beat the butter with 75g of the golden syrup, sugar, lemon zest and vanilla extract until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, then fold in the four, baking powder and custard powder, followed by 1tbsp of lemon juice and 100ml of the cream. Spoon the sponge mixture into the baking dish/es and level out. Lift the roasting tin onto a middle shelf in the oven and pour boiling water into the tin until it reaches halfway up the sides of the baking dish/es. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until well risen and a skewer poked in comes out clean, While the pudding is baking, mix together the remaining 200g of golden syrup with the last 50ml of double cream, another tbsp. of lemon juice and a generous pinch of sea salt. As soon as the pudding comes out of the oven, poke the sponge all over with a toothpick and pour over the golden syrup mixture. Cover loosely with foil and leave for 15 minutes. To serve, remove the foil and spoon the sponge and syrup into bowls. Serve with cream, custard or ice cream.
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May - Seasons, Festivals & Saints Days
8th May - Julian of Norwich Julian of Norwich (1342-c.1416) is known to us almost only through her book, The Revelations of Divine Love, which is widely acknowledged as one of the great classics of the spiritual life. She is thought to have been the first woman to write a book in English which has survived.
We do not know Julian's actual name, but her name is taken from St. Julian's Church in Norwich where she lived as an anchoress for most of her life. We know from the medieval literary work, The Book of Margery Kempe, that Julian was known as a spiritual counsellor. People would come to her cell in Norwich to seek advice. Considering that, at the time, the citizens of Norwich suffered from plague and poverty, as well as a famine, she must have counselled a lot of people in pain. Yet, her writings are suffused with hope and trust in God's goodness.
Julian's Revelations of Divine Love is based on a series of sixteen visions she received on the 8th of May 1373. Julian was lying on, what was thought at the time, to be her deathbed when suddenly she saw Christ bleeding in front of her. She received insight into his sufferings and his love for us. Julian’s message remains one of hope and trust in God, whose compassionate love is always given to us. In this all-gracious God there can be no element of wrath. The wrath — all that is contrary to peace and love — is in us and not in God. God’s saving work in Jesus of Nazareth and in the gift of God's spirit, is to slake our wrath in the power of his merciful and compassionate love'. Julian did not perceive God as blaming or judging us, but as enfolding us in love. Famously, Julian used women's experience of motherhood to explore how God loves us, referring to Jesus as our Mother.
The Revelations of Divine Love comes to us in two versions; the first, (the short text), written shortly after the revelation given to Julian , the second, (the long text), written twenty years later. The long text is greatly expanded to include her meditations on what she had been shown. Today, only seventeenth century copies of earlier manuscripts of the long text, and fragments from the fifteenth century survive.
Julian recounts that she was thirty and a half years old when she received her visions, and this is how we know that she was born in 1342. A scribe editor to one of the surviving manuscripts speaks of her as a 'devout woman, who is a recluse at Norwich, and still alive, A.D. 1413’. There is further evidence to be found in a contemporary will that she was alive in 1416, and that she had a maid who lived in a room next to the cell. Apart from that, we know nothing else about Julian's life.
However, reading Revelations of Divine Love, reveals an intelligent, sensitive and very down-to-earth woman who maintains her trust in God's goodness whilst addressing doubt, fear and deep theological questions.
Interest in Julian’s writings has grown over recent decades. This has been as more and more people have discovered the significance of her book. Her lyrical language and positive image of God speak to the modern reader. Her work is well-respected by theologians, historians and literary scholars, and there are now dozens of translations of her Revelations, together with countless commentaries. Modern poets and writers as diverse as T.S. Eliot, Denise Levertov, and Iris Murdoch reference Julian in their writing.
21st May - Ascension Day - Forty Days with the Risen Christ
The Gospels give us little of Christ’s teachings and deeds during those forty days. Jesus was seen by many disciples: on the road to Emmaus, by the Sea of Galilee, in houses, etc. He strengthened and encouraged his disciples, and not just the twelve, at last opening their eyes to what the Scriptures had promised about the Messiah. He also told them that as the Father had sent him, he was now going to send them - to all corners of the earth, as his witnesses.
Surely the most tender, moving ‘farewell’ in history took place on Ascension Day. Luke records the story with great poignancy: “When Jesus had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands - and blessed them.”
As Christmas began the story of Jesus’ life on earth, so Ascension Day completes it, with his return to his Father in heaven. Jesus’ last act on earth was to bless his disciples. He and they had a bond as
close as could be: they had just lived through three tumultuous years of public ministry and miracles – persecution and death – and resurrection! Just as we part from our nearest and dearest by still looking at them with love and memories in our eyes, so exactly did Jesus: “While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.” (Luke 24:50-1) He was not forsaking them, but merely going on ahead to a kingdom which would also be theirs one day: “I am ascending to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God...” (John 20:17)
The disciples were surely the most favoured folk in history, being the last few people on earth to be face to face with Jesus, and have him look on you with love. Then that Luke goes on: “they worshipped him - and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” (Luke 24:52,53)
No wonder they praised God! They knew they would see Jesus again one day! “I am going to prepare a place for you... I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2,3) In the meantime, Jesus had work for them to do: to take the Gospel to every nation on earth.
31st May – Pentecost (Whit Sunday)
Pentecost took place on the well established Jewish festival of First Fruits, which was observed at the beginning of the wheat harvest. It was exactly 50 days after the Passover, the time of Jesus’ crucifixion.
A feast day to celebrate the country’s wheat harvest does not sound exactly world-changing, but that year, it became one of the most important days in world history. For Pentecost was the day that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit - the day the Church was born. Jesus had told his apostles that something big was going to happen, and that they were to wait for it in Jerusalem, instead of returning to Galilee. Jesus had plans for his apostles – but he knew they could not do the work themselves – they would need his help.
In one small room of that great city, a small group of people who had followed Jesus were praying. There was nothing else for them to do: Jesus had died, he had risen, and he had ascended, promising to send them ‘a Comforter’. They were left alone, to wait at Jerusalem. And so they waited – on him, and for him. They were not
disappointed: for that morning the Holy Spirit fell upon that small room, and transformed those believers into the Church, Christ’s body here on earth. There was suddenly the sound as of a mighty rushing wind. Tongues of flame flickered on their heads, and they began to praise God in many tongues – to the astonishment of those who heard them. The curse of Babel (Genesis 11: 1- 9) was dramatically reversed that morning. The Holy Spirit came to indwell the apostles and disciples of Jesus, and the Church was born.
Pentecost was not the first time that the Holy Spirit came to the world, Throughout the Old Testament there are stories telling of how God had guided people and given them strength. But now his Spirit would use a new instrument: not just isolated prophets, but the Church, his body on earth. The Christians were suddenly full of life and power, utterly different from their former fearful selves. The change in them was permanent.
Peter gave the first ever sermon of the Christian church that morning: proclaiming Jesus was the Messiah. His boldness in the face of possible death was in marked contrast to the man who had denied Jesus 50 days before. And 3,000 people responded, were converted and baptised.
Compiled and adapted by William Holden from various sources.
“More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of” .. Alfred Lord Tennyson
MONEY MA££ERS - Figures for March 2020
Receipts Planned Giving £ 2424 Collections/other giving £ 109 Income tax recovered £ 423 Community Centre Income £ 700 Keynotes subs & adverts £ 165 Sunday Donation £ 20 TOTAL RECEIPTS £ 3841
Payments Parish Contribution £ 5784 Salaries £ 1061 Utilities and Insurance £ 298 Community Centre Costs £ 648 Church running costs/Upkeep of services £ 1263 Charity donation to FSW £ 40 TOTAL PAYMENTS £ 9094
YTD Deficit of £11,342
Baby sitting
We encouraged our 18-year-old daughter to find a job to help pay for her college education. One day she came home with five applications, and later that evening we read them. Under ‘Previous Employment’, she listed ‘Baby sitting’. And under ‘Reason for Leaving’ she wrote, ‘They came home’.
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Date Reading, Commemorations & Intentions Calendar for May (Year A)
FRI 1ST
Philip and James, Apostles transferred from 1st May The spread of the Gospel
SAT 2ND
Athanasius, bishop, teacher of the faith, 373 Our understanding of the creeds
SUN 3RD
4th Sunday of Easter Acts 2.42-47 1 Peter 2.19-25 John 10.1-11
MON 4TH
English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era Hove Deanery Synod
TUES 5TH Rev Tim and his Family
WED 6TH Archdeacon Martin
THURS 7TH Our Churchwardens and PCC
FRI 8TH
Julian of Norwich, spiritual writer, c 1417 Bishop Martin
SAT 9TH Our Serving team
SUN 10TH
5th Sunday of Easter Acts 7.55-60 1 Peter 2.2-10 John 14.1-14
MON 11TH All Patrons and Boards of Patronage
TUES 12TH
Gregory Dix, priest, monk, scholar, 1952 All those responsible for transporting our food
WED 13TH
THURS 14TH
Matthias, apostle, A deeper understanding of our calling to follow Christ
FRI 15TH All local government workers
SAT 16TH
Caroline Chisholm, 1877 Our Acting Rural Dean, Revd Dan Henderson
SUN 17TH
6th Sunday of Easter Acts 17.22-31 1 Peter 3.13-22 John 14.15.21
MON 18TH Aldrington School
TUES 19TH
Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, Restorer of Monastic life, 688 Our Sunday School and its Teachers
WED 20TH
Alcuin of York, Deacon. Abbot of Tours, 804 All construction workers
THURS 21ST
Ascension Day Acts 1.1-11 Ephesians 1.15-23 Luke 24.44-53
FRI 22ND School Governors
SAT 23RD All Police Chaplains
SUN 24TH
Sunday after Ascension or 7th Sunday of Easter Acts 1.6-14 1 Peter4.12-14;5.6-11
MON 25TH
The Venerable Bede, monk, scholar, historian, 735. Bd-heim, Bishop, 709 Our local hospitals
TUES 26TH
Augustine, First Archbishop of Canterbury, 605. John Calvin, Reformer, 1564. All Spiritual Mentors
WED 27TH All chaplains to the forcesTHURS 28TH
Lanfranc, monk, archbishop, scholar, 1089. Our Diocesan links with France
FRI 29TH Our flower arrangers
SAT 30TH Chichester Diocesan Synod
SUN 31ST
Pentecost (Whit Sunday) Acts 2.1-21 1 Corinthians 12.3b-13 John 20.19-23
And finally……..
God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their consolation; in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light; through Him who suffered alone on the cross,
but reigns with you in glory, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We are not people of fear: we are people of courage.
We are not people who protect our own safety: we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety.
We are not people of greed: We are people of generosity.
We are your people God, giving and loving, wherever we are, whatever it costs
For as long as it takes wherever you call us.
