May 2018 truest selves and wildest dreams are beyond reason and meaning. Isn’t this also how...

May 2018

St Fremund’s Church St Katherine’s Church The Priory Church of St Peter

TEAM SPIRIT - MAY '18_Layout 1 23/04/2018 11:50 Page 1

Church Services . . . St Augustine of Canterbury (C of E) - Oakwood Avenue

Sunday 10.30am Sung Eucharist except 4th Sundayand Junior Churchor The Fourth Sunday Service on the 4th Sunday

Tue & Thurs 4.30pm Evening Prayer

Wednesday 10.30am Said Eucharist and coffee

St Fremund the Martyr (C of E) - Westfield RoadSunday 10.30am Sung Eucharist Except 1st Sunday

of Month All Age Worship / Café Church

1st Monday 12.30pm Said Eucharist of the month followed by soup and sandwiches

Wednesday 9.30am Holy Communion

St Katherine of Genoa (C of E/URC) - Katherine DriveSunday 10.45am Junior Church Ages 3-10

Morning Praise or 1st Sunday- Holy Communion

Priory Church of St Peter (C of E) - Church Street

Sunday 8.00am Said Eucharist

9.00am Junior Church Ages 3-13

9.15am Sung Eucharist or 2nd Sunday- All-Age

6.30pm Choral Evensong

Tuesday 9.15am Said Eucharist 3rd Tuesday only

Mon, Tue, 9.00am Morning PrayerWed, Fri

Thursday 10.00am Said Eucharist


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Ireally appreciate Tony Woodhouse’s article in this edition of Team

Spirit. (Article following) I think the sense of mystery caused by our

confusion over the two Saint Augustine’s (one of Canterbury, the

other of Hippo) is actually good for us. For me, it’s important to seek to

know God as best we can; asking big questions and offering the best

possible answers. But it is also important to remember that God is

ultimately a holy mystery. St Augustine (of Hippo) put it perfectly: “If

you have understood, then what you have understood is not God”.

Later this month the Church will celebrate Pentecost – the outpouring of the Spirit on the

followers of Jesus. The breath of God enables the building of community (see Acts 2:1-31).

But how is it that people from different cultures who spoke different languages could

understand one another?

Rubem Alves, a founder of liberation theology, has an answer that leaves room for mystery…

it’s also really quirky! Alves writes “I believe there is only one explanation for this miracle. The

apostles didn’t speak. They sang. It was the birth of the vocalise. Vocalise is a song without

words. The voice is used as an instrument. Pure voice, pure music, pure beauty, without

meaning, without saying anything. For that reason, because of saying nothing, everybody

understands … Beauty doesn’t need meaning. It saves without saying anything. Yes, I would

be a convert to a religion in which words would be silenced so that the music could be heard”.

I told you it was quirky….but it’s also full of wisdom I think! Sometimes our deepest hopes

and desires can’t be put into words. God is ultimately beyond words; a holy mystery. Sometimes

our truest selves and wildest dreams are beyond reason and meaning. Isn’t this also how

community is built? We build community for its own sake. In community we share our deepest

hopes and desires in song, over a meal, by watching a film or some sport together, by holding

each other’s hands, by looking at each other’s photos. We dream dreams in laughter, in tears,

in the silence of each other’s company.

Such moments are Pentecost moments; moments in which the Holy Mystery helps us to

understand and commune with one another. I pray that our communities will experience

such Pentecost moments this month and beyond.

Peace in all things,

Ricky


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Looking at our Saints in the Parish ChurchesOur focus in the next few months are our saints and we start with St Augustine.

Tony Woodhouse, a local historian and member of St Augustine's congregation has verykindly written the article below to explain the confusion of St Augustine.

Thank you very much Tony.

A Confusion of SaintsAlthough our parish church, St. Peter’s, is generally called ‘The Priory’ mostchurches are usually known by the name of the saint to which they werededicated at their consecration. In early medieval history, when the Priory wasbuilt, this was generally a Bible heavyweight like St. Peter, St. Mary, or a ‘holymartyr’ such as St. Alban, or St. Katherine. Such saint dedications, however,ceased at the Protestant Reformation, only to be reintroduced by theVictorians; as they built quite a number of new churches.There are no set rules as to the choice of a patron saint for a new church, butit seems to have became the custom that the saint chosen has, in times past,been in some way connected with the location of the new church. This seemsto be apparent if we consider our local churches:St. Frehemunde: Fremund: (a Saxon Saint) related to King Offa, ruler ofMercia, a Kingdom which included the present location of Dunstable, he was

killed in battle against the pagan Danes. His remains were later enshrined for 400 years in the Priory Church.St. Katherine: The first ever recorded dramatic performance in England took place in Dunstable in the 12thcentury. It was Geoffrey de Gorham’s miracle play about the martyrdom of St Katherine.St. Augustine (of Hippo): An important figure in the early Roman Catholic Church he modified the strictmonastic confinement, rules of St Benedict so that his followers, ‘Augustinian Canons’ could minister in theoutside world; by holding masses in churches, caring for the sick and providing accommodation for pilgrimsand travellers. These Augustinian Canons were invited by King Henry 1st to become the incumbents ofDunstable’s great new priory and the administrators of his Town of Dunstable; an arrangement which lastedfor nearly 500 years up until the Reformation. It would seem, therefore, that the dedication of a modernDunstable church to St. Augustine of Hippo was the obvious choice. It wasn’t done!The church on Downside was instead dedicated to St. Augustine of Canterbury.St. Augustine of Canterbury is credited with bringing Roman Christianity to England, so the dedication mightseem to have some credence in the broadest terms. But looking at his personal history; he was directed byPope Gregory the Great to convert England to the Roman Church and he reluctantly landed in Kent in 595.He converted, with royal patronage, the Kingdom of Kent and became the first Archbishop of Canterbury,but, most of the rest of England, including Mercia, was already Christian owing its allegiance to the CelticChurch and although Augustine met the Celtic Bishops at Malmesbury, on the then border of Wessex, in anattempt to unify the two churches; he failed. So it had no effect on this area, He also seems to have had noknown direct association with this Mercia during his lifetime.So why was he chosen over St. Augustine of Hippo? *Maybe there was some unrevealed ecclesiastical reason, or preference, or was it perhaps just a mistake by aconfused cleric?Whichever? Where does it leave us? In a state of confusion! There is an large icon in St. Augustine‘s ofCanterbury church showing St. Augustine of Hippo and the story goes that at the dedication of the churcheven the Bishop’s sermon was about the wrong St. Augustine.Does it matter? ’What’s in a name?’ St. Augustine’s church is a kind, welcoming place, with a enthusiastic newvicar and full of the love of Christ. A credit to any saints name.

Tony Woodhouse*If anyone can answer to this question please contact.

The St. Augustine of Hippo Icon inSt Augustine’s of Canterbury

Church, Downside.


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From St Fremund’s…Our March social event was a very enjoyable auction. There was a wide selection of lots includingpot plants, Easter eggs, meerkat toys, walking sticks, glass and ceramic items, cds, puzzles and evena tray inlaid with butterfly wings!! We had a very entertaining and fun afternoon with the usualtea, coffee and cakes of course. £210 was raised for church funds.Many thanks to the organisers and all those who supported this amicable event.

At St Fremund's we now have a lovely new hall floor. This was laid by Pegasus Furnishings whohave done a great job. Thanks also to Keren, David and Ann for all their help too.

The hall is available for bookings for parties etc. at £15.00 per hourContact Nick Tallett for more information on 01582 758108

Up-coming Social eventsSaturday 23rd June - Summer Fayre

Saturday 21st July 3-5 p.m. Cream Tea

Saturday 18th August Coffee morningand Bring and Buy Sale 10 a.m. to 12 noon


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MY NICARAGUAN ADVENTURE by Margaret Hoey

It was a challenging thought to spend 2 weeks working with 7 small isolated communities inthe hill province of Boaco in Nicaragua.

20 of us arrived full of expectation, to be guided by a Nicaraguan charity CEPAD who train andequip poor families in practical skills with the support needed to run community developmentprojects in areas not reached by the government.

Whilst there, we were designated to:• help locals build micro dams for the collection of rainwater to be used for washing and irrigation.• clear land of rubble and stones for family or community use as gardens; then to nurture the soilwith organic fertiliser and plant seeds of vegetables, fruits and herbs to provide a more nutritiousdiet for everyone, alongside their rice, beans and maize.

We saw evidence of some changes in cultivation in 2 or 3 of the communities, but others were justbeginning making gardens and constructing dams.

In each community of about 35 families, we spent much of the day helping on the land; chattingto the local women who were organizing their vegetable gardens and listening to the communityleaders who emphasised their local needs of clean water for drinking and improved road access tothe nearest village. A few of us assisted with some of the cooking for lunch on stone stoves fuelledby wood, with huge pans bubbling with rice, beans and assorted vegetables. Lunch was alfresco.Looking for shade as the afternoon temperatures were usually 30 degrees plus.

From St Katherine’s…


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The hospitality and welcome we received was overwhelming. They wanted to celebrate our beingwith them, arranging for the children to sing to us, and showing their favourite piñata game.

On a few occasions, we stayed overnight nearby in makeshift accommodation in barns or similar,and were entertained with folk songs and hymns. They prayed with us and for us, thanking Godfor what they had, and praying for their needs … a very humbling experience.

Most evenings, we would return to the nearest village, Teustepe, to our small hotel feeling gratefulfor a shower, bottled water and the simple supper provided. Each evening, we spent a quiet timereflecting on our activities, encounters and impressions of that day:

“I believe in you CompaneroHuman Christ, worker Christ.I believe in your struggle for love,.humanity and justiceI believe in your resurrection.”

From Misa Campesina NicaraguenseWe returned to the UK determined to help provide water filters for school and community tankswhich local people could assemble and service themselves. They cost $40 which is £30.

Canterbury MonksMy boyfriend was working as an attendant in Canterbury Cathedral when one afternoon he wasapproached by two American tourists. “Are you a monk?” one of the women asked eagerly.“No," he replied, "I wear this robe as part of my job, but I’m not a member of any religious order."“Then where are the monks?” asked the woman, looking around.My boyfriend explained: ‘Oh, there haven’t been any monks here since 1415.’Hearing this, the woman looked at her watch and announced to her friend, ‘Betty, we missed themonks.’

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From St. Augustine’sKeith King Reflects on his House-Group

Billy Graham once said “Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion - itis a daily process”. How does one accomplish this? One answer is to join a house-group!Often, hearing the Word of God isn’t enough- we need to understand it, learn from it andapply it, as best as we can, to our lives. God speaks to us through his word but also throughthe thoughts and words of others.So, what have we been looking at recently in our group? Well, as Jesus was Jewish, it seemedlike a good idea to look at the culture in that part of the World at the time of Christ.We’ve watched some excellent DVD’s about the archaeology of the Holy Land, which havetaken us from early prophets and their struggle against pagan gods, to the life of the disciplesas Jesus spent time with them and taught them, to the early church and the way they practicedtheir faith in a pagan world (not much different from today really!). We have also studied someOld Testament, some Psalms and are currently looking at Romans. A very mixed and varieddiet with some very up-to date messages for us, as practicing Christians, making our waythrough an increasingly secular World.Reading and studying God’s word and spending time in prayer gives a solid foundation for usChristians to face the challenges this life sets before us- so that we can do His will to the bestof our ability.But house-groups aren’t just about studying the bible- they’re also about praying togetherand friendship, as well as a cup of tea and the all-important cake...

New members are always welcome.Keith

Easter WorshipHere are just two great memories of the very special services held over Easter. Thank you toeveryone who helped to prepare, participate and support:

Summer Fayre - Saturday 30th June

From 11am to 2pm

Please save this date in your diaries so that you can support us.


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Palm SundayWe had a wonderful time at our All-Age Holy CommunionService on Palm Sunday. This service was led by our WorshipGroup. We processed from the Mayfield Green with palms andbranches in hand; singing of Christ’s joyful arrival as we madeour way into church. We heard a Bob Hartman version of thestory of Palm Sunday (based on Matthew’s gospel) and wewatched a video clip from the Disney film Aladdin. We reflectedthat unlike Aladdin who enters the palace while pretending to be someone he’s not Jesus enters Jerusalem fullyhimself – a non-violent peace-maker who offers hope and freedom to others. We thought about how thecrowd, and us today, sometimes understand who Jesus is and sometimes misunderstand him. We called onGod to help us live out Christ’s life-changing love more courageously. As we celebrated Communion togetherour All-Age Choir sung for us the Nina Simone song ‘I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free’. It wasa great way to begin Holy Week together.

Maundy ThursdayThe evening was a lovely time for people to meet together for a communion serviceand share a meal, remembering how Jesus and his disciples gathered at the Last Supper.Revd Ricky washed the hands of members and we all reflected on how Jesusdemonstrated service to everyone as he washed the disciple’s feet.The evening continued in the sanctuary with a vigil until midnight. A beautifularrangement included the Easter Garden kindly donated to us by St. Augustine’sAcademy at the end of their school term. This certainly helped us to focus on the verypoignant moments of Jesus and the disciples as they were led by God through theevents of Easter.

By chance, and to coincide with Tony's article about St Augustine, on 26th Mayit is the day we remember Augustine of Canterbury.

Augustine, a 6th century Italian prior, holds a unique place in British history. He became the ‘apostle to theEnglish’ – although it was with great reluctance.In 596 Augustine was chosen by Pope Gregory to head a mission of monks whom he wanted to send toevangelise the Anglo-Saxons. Augustine was not a bold man, and by the time he and his band of priests reachedGaul, they wished to turn back. But Gregory would not hear of it – and bolstered their confidence by sendingsome more priests out to them, and by consecrating Augustine bishop.Finally, the party, now 40 in number, landed at Ebbsfleet, Kent in 597.It would be fascinating to have a detailed description of that first meeting between Bishop Augustine andEthelbert, powerful King of Kent. Whatever Augustine said, it must have been effective, for Ethelbert grantedthe 40 priests permission to stay in a house in Canterbury. He even allowed them to preach to his people,while he himself considered their message of Christianity. His wife, Bertha, was a Christian princess fromParis, but she does not seem to have played any role in the conversion of Kent.By 601 Ethelbert and many of his people had been baptised Christians. The mission to the English was wellunderway. More clergy, some books, a few relics and several altar vessels arrived from Rome. At Gregory’s wiseurging, Augustine decided to consolidate the mission in one small area, rather than try and reach all of Kent.So Augustine stayed in Canterbury, where he built the cathedral and founded a school. He left only temporarilyto establish a see in London.Also at Gregory’s wise urging, Augustine did not destroy the pagan temples of the people of Kent, but onlythe idols in them. In this way, innocent familiar rites were taken over and used for the celebration of theChristian feasts. Meanwhile, before his death in 604, Augustine helped Ethelbert to draft the earliest Anglo-Saxon written laws to survive – and so influenced British law for centuries to come.


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Priory Monthly EventsMay

9th HG - talk to Priory Ladies, 8pm Chew's House - Dunstable In Bloom.

It will feature reference to plantings at the West End of the church.

20th Ramble 2.15 pm

26th Coffee morning at church 10 – 12 am

Save the Date Breakfast at Tiffany's - Sunday 1st July 10.45am

Baptisms

Baptisms at the Priory:

24th MarchJoseph Aime CRITCHLEY

25th MarchIan Michael ROBINSON

DUNSTABLE CROQUET CLUBMeets in Priory Gardens on Tuesdays & Fridays 10.00am - 3.00pm

& Wednesdays 10.00am – 1.00pm

Ever wondered what croquet is all about? Join our small and friendly club for a trial game or two during oursummer season. We can provide the mallets and pair you with a club member who will explain the game to you

when you come along.

We play an inclusive form of the game called Golf Croquet, where everyone is involved in the play throughout,and with the beautiful Priory gardens as a backdrop, summer days were never better.

Call into the Tourist Information Office or contact our secretary Ronnie Richardson on 01525 220600


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Thy kingdom come10th-20th May

Please note revised date of Saturday 19 Mayfor our Diocesan ‘Thy Kingdom Come’celebration Praying for the ten days fromAscension Day to Pentecost is traditional,recalling the actions of the disciplesfollowing Jesus’ ascension. Two prayers arethe focus of attention this year: “ThyKingdom Come,” and “Come Holy Spirit,”says Archbishop Justin in the TKC video for2018, at www.thykingdomcome.global

To get the most out of Thy Kingdom Come:

1. Commit to pray your way – as an individual, a family or a church. For ideas on how to prayvisit – www.thykingdomcome.global/prayerresources. Sign up to Pledge2Pray at www.thykingdomcome.global

2. Hold or attend prayer events, such as 24-7 prayer, prayer breakfasts, prayer stations and prayerwalks.

3. Through prayer, be open to finding new confidence to be a witness for Jesus Christ in every bitof life – with family, work colleagues, networks, friends and neighbours.

4. Come to the Diocesan celebration on Saturday 19 May – see below for details.

Saturday 19 May – Thy Kingdom Come Celebration event at St Albans Cathedral, with theArchbishop of Canterbury

Saturday 19 May was always going to be a memorable day, especially for royal-watching football-fans-who-are-praying-for-new-disciples, with the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle, theFA cup final and Thy Kingdom Come drawing to a close for 2018.Thy Kingdom Come’s Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire celebration will be held on Saturday 19 Mayand the Archbishop of Canterbury is coming to join Christians of all denominations.St Albans Cathedral will host the event, having seen more than 1300 people gather to celebrateand pray for people to come to know Jesus Christ last June.Archbishop Justin, who last visited St Albans Diocese in June 2015, shared his enthusiasm for thisstill-growing movement of prayer when he recently said:“I cannot remember in my life anything that I’ve been involved in where I have sensed soclearly the work of the Spirit.”Our Diocesan celebration begins at 6.30pm, but please leave plenty of time to find parking.Before the celebration (from 4pm) there will be a variety of prayer spaces and fun activities on offerthroughout the Cathedral.


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Crossword Puzzle

Answers to clues on page 15


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St Jamesthe least of AllMy dear Nephew Darren

We are finally about to start repairing our medieval church tower. Would that we still paid medievalprices for having it done; there would be a degree of satisfaction in giving the builders a hogsheadof ale and 10 sheep once the work was completed. I would even be prepared to throw in anIndulgence, sparing them 100 days in purgatory (the architect probably claiming 15% of them forhimself ).

After several endless jumble sales, coffee mornings – where we were obliged to eat Mrs Jarvis’s rockcakes (many of us would have been happier to make a substantial donation to the fund providedwe didn’t have to eat them) – sponsored events (Mr Peat has yet to return, five years late, from hissponsored cycle ride across the Sahara – but fortunately, we had his sponsor money collected beforehe departed) and a substantial loan from the bank that makes the National Debt seem trivial (andhas the same probability of being repaid), we are now able to begin. The only sponsored event Iregretted not having was paying to have Lady Trotter remain silent for a month. Even sponsoringher to keep quiet for half an hour would have been pleasant.

We received a substantial donation from a local manufacturer. It was suggested that as a sign ofappreciation we advertise their products from the top of the tower – until it was gently pointedout that they produce nuclear warheads. I would have had no objection; knowing that councilmembers possessed tactical nuclear weapons would make discussion at meetings rather brisker.

Scaffolding has now been erected around the tower, with the first 20 feet covered in sheet metal inorder to stop the Young Farmers, after refreshing themselves at their Tuesday meetings in the pub,from trying to see who could be the first to reach the top. Personally, I suspect it is to stop the moreathletic members of the Ladies’ Guild from attempting the same feat. 80-year-olds these days canhave fearsome energy and determination. Fulfilling current safety regulations, there is now a securitycordon around the tower of approximately 10 square miles. “Lest at any time thou dash thy footagainst a stone”? These days, a dashed foot would involve court proceedings and damages of severalmillion pounds.

Inside the church, the organ has had to be covered in polythene sheeting in order to protect it.Parish relations were somewhat strained last week when our deputy organist, Mrs French, whileplaying for Evensong, overheard me refer to the large bag on the organ and got quite the wrongimpression.

The greatest inconvenience will be caused to our population of bats, but if it dissuades them fromflying into church so much the better. The only other possibility is to get them all confirmed; wewill then never see them inside church again.

Your loving uncle,Eustace


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Dunstable Churches Together

Prayer Meetings - Saturday Mornings 9.00am

Calling all Christians!We are called to be one in Christ. We are all members of Christ’s body and should express our

unity by worshipping together whenever we can. The prayer meetings last for about half an

hour. We pray in each other’s churches at 9.00am once a month so that we can meet our fellow

Christians and worship the Lord.

Forthcoming meetings are on:

May 5th The Salvation Army June 2nd My Father's House

On behalf of Dunstable Churches Together, we look forward to seeing you at our meetings,

so that we can have the opportunity to bring the Christians who worship in Dunstable churches

together. dunstablechurchestogether.org.uk.

Answers to clues on page 11

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23rd June:

The Alban PilgrimageSt Albans CathedralJoin the crowds in St Albans as the city comes together to celebrate Britain’s first saint, Alban.Enjoy a wonderful spectacle as giant carnival puppets tell the story of the remarkable man whogave the city its name. Roman chariots, centurions, lions and roses all take their place in thedramatic procession from St Peter’s Church, through the historic streets to St Albans Cathedral.The procession starts at 11am, with a Festival Eucharist immediately after.

www.stalbanscathedral.org/visit/pilgrimage/pilgrimage-at-st-albans

Dr Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans

The Bishop’s Letter from SeeRound April 2018 Commemoratingthe centenary of the end of the First World War

Dr Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans “I would suggest that nothing less that pledging ourselves topeace making and preventing further conflict will do if we are really serious about commemoratingthe centenary.”

This autumn will be dominated by television programmes, newspaper articles and exhibitionsmarking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Estimates vary, but it isthought that as many as 18 million soldiers and civilians were killed worldwide. Here in Britainaround 1 million people were killed and 1.67 million injured.

Behind these horrendous statistics lie the tragic stories of individual soldiers who never returnedto these shores and whose bodies lie in foreign soil.

If you visit the St Symphorien military cemetery, near Mons in Belgium, you will find twoadjacent tombstones marking the graves of the first and the last soldiers to be killed in theFirst World War.

Seventeen year old Private John Parr was a local man, born in Barnet andbrought up in North Finchley. After leaving school he worked as a golfcaddy but then decided to enlist in the Middlesex Regiment despite thefact that he was only 14 years old. He became a reconnaissance cyclist andwhilst on a patrol was killed seventeen days after the start of the war. It wasthought he was shot by a German cavalry patrol, although the 17 year old’sbody was never identified.


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Private George Ellison, a married Yorkshire miner, who fought with the Royal Irish Lancers,had survived the battles of Mons, Ypres, Armentieres, Loos, Bassée, Lens and Cambrai.It is tragic that as the war drew to a close he was killed just 90 minutes before the armisticewhilst on patrol near Mons.These stories could be replicated thousands of times. Hardly a community or a family in Britainwere unaffected by death and suffering. As we approach the centenary of the armistice, thepressing question facing us is how we should commemorate the end of the war.Karen Bradley, the Culture Minister in the government has suggested that the centenary shouldbe marked by the ringing of church bells, just as they rang out at the armistice.Well, as a bell ringer, I am always keen to hear bells being rung. Yet we surely, as well as markingthe moment in this and other transient ways, we need a response which is more ambitiousand more fitting to honour the memory of those who died and suffered.I would suggest that nothing less that pledging ourselves to peace making and preventingfurther conflict will do if we are really serious about commemorating the centenary.It is easy to presume that peace is simply the absence of conflict. Yet in the beatitudes Jesusspoke about ‘peace makers’, suggesting that it is not a passive state but an activity which requiresour attention and our energy.Peacemaking starts with us. We need to make peace in our own hearts where it is all too easyto harbour resentment and jealousy. It was significant that following the Brexit vote, there wasa surge in hate crimes across our nation, some of it rooted in zenophobia.If such feelings are not challenged and channelled, they can become the soil in which the seedsof conflict can flourish.We can also make peace by working for a world in which justice and equality prevail. Manyof the trouble spots of the world are places where ancient grievances have lain dormant fordecades like unexploded bombs (think of Bosnia or Rwanda), only to be detonated when aspark sets off a chain reaction of tit-for-tat revenge.Perhaps the most important area that we need to address if we are to be peace makers is nuclearweapons. Last July 122 nations belonging to the United Nations voted for the Treaty on theProhibition of Nuclear Weapons, a legally binding international agreement to prohibit nuclearweapons. The support of at least fifty countries was required to bring it into effect.By January 2018 the treaty had been signed by fifty-six states.The treaty prohibits the ‘development, testing, production, stockpiling, stationing, transfer,use and threat of use of nuclear weapons, as well as assistance and encouragement to theprohibited activities’.For those states which have nuclear weapons, the treaty specifies ‘a time-bound framework fornegotiations leading to the verified and irreversible elimination of its nuclear weaponsprogramme’.However, having a nuclear capability, the British government has been unwilling to sign thetreaty.Meanwhile, many of us are concerned that in an unstable world where nuclear weapons areproliferating, we cannot afford to wait much longer. This was illustrated recently when, inresponse to Chairman Kim Jong-un, President Trump promised that if North Korea attackedthe USA it ‘will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.’


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The problem is that if, God forbid, either leader were to authorise the use of nuclear weaponsit is unlikely that either of them, securely shielded in bunkers deep beneath the earth, wouldsuffer personally.The collateral damage would be the millions of civilians who had nowhere to shelter. It is forthis reason that I long for our county to engage with nuclear disarmament, even if it takes usseveral years.So to return to the centenary of the Armistice, I hope that over the coming months we will allreflect on the part that we can play as peace makers in today’s world – peace in our own lives,peace in our world and peace in the light of the threat of nuclear war.

New Field of Remembrance at Hatfield HouseFr Darren Collins, Rector of Hatfield writes:

“Lord & Lady Salisbury, owners of Hatfield House, have had a wonderful Field ofRemembrance landscaped into a slope, in front and to the side of Hatfield House. It is incommemoration of the loss of life and suffering in four years of fighting during 1914-1918 inWorld War 1. Bishop Michael recently led a service to bless the Field, sprinkling the wholearea with holy water. There were children from many local schools attending as well asrepresentatives from the Army, Navy and Airforce and local dignitaries. The children placedwooden crosses bearing poppies, starting to populate the field of remembrance. The servicecommenced with an introduction from Lord Salisbury who explained that he would like asmany wooden crosses as possible placed between now and November 2018 in the Field. Thenon November 11th this year, there will be a special service of remembrance led from the steps

of the north front ofHatfield House, whichwill recreate the serviceheld there in November1918 after the armisticewas signed, whichdeclared a ceasefire.Please visit the Field ofRemembrance andplace crosses during thesummer, benefit servicecharities and attend on11th November, moredetails to follow.”

Source:- SeeRound April 2018


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Martin Luther KingMartin Luther King is probably the most famous personassociated with the civil rights movement. King was activefrom the start of the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955 to1956 until his murder in April 1968. To many MartinLuther King epitomised what the civil rights campaign wasall about and he brought massive international cover tothe movement.

Martin Luther King was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15th, 1929. The church wasvery much a part of his life as both his father and grandfather had been Baptist preachers.They themselves were involved in the civil rights movement. By the standards of the time,King came from a reasonably comfortable background and after graduating from college in1948 he was not sure about which profession to join. He considered a career in medicine andlaw but rejected both and joined the Baptist Church. He studied at the Crozer TheologicalSeminary in Pennsylvania. It was while studying here, that King learned about the non-violentmethods used by Mahatma Gandhi against the British in India. King became convinced thatsuch methods would be of great value to the civil rights movement.

After leaving Crozer, King got married to Coretta Scott. He became a Baptist pastor at theDexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. He was in Montgomery at the startof the Montgomery Bus Boycott. He was appointed the president of the MontgomeryImprovement Association which was created during the boycott and he became a prominentleader of the boycott – even driving some of the black community to work as the buses hadbeen boycotted. King was arrested for starting a boycott (an arrestable offence as a result of anobscure law that was very rarely used) and fined $500 with $500 costs. His house was fire-bombed and others involved with MIA were also intimidated – but by the end of 1956,segregation had been lifted in Montgomery and bus integration had been introduced.

Another result of the boycott was the establishment of the Southern Christian LeadershipConference (SCLC). This organisation was committed to the use of non-violence and its mottowas “Not one hair of one head of one person should be harmed.” Martin Luther King waselected its president. The importance of the SCLC’s involvement was simply because thechurches that represented the black population in the South were potent organisations. Nowthat they had combined their power and influence, this power was multiplied.

Not long after the conclusion of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, King wrote ‘Stride TowardsFreedom’. This was read by some students at Greensboro, North Carolina and they started thestudent sit-in of the Woolworth’s lunch counter which had a policy of not serving African-Americans. Though the students were frequently abused and assaulted, they never fought back.The same tactic – a nonviolent response to violence – was also used by the Freedom Riders intheir campaign to desegregate transport.


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Buoyed by this response, King toured the country making speeches and urging more and morepeople to get involved in the civil rights movement. King had also noted the economic powerthat the black community had – as was seen in Montgomery. He tried to get communities touse companies/individual shop keepers etc. who were sympathetic to the civil rights campaignbut also to boycott those who were not.

King also placed great faith in the power of the vote. Many black Americans in the South stillfaced enormous problems doing something as basic as registering to vote such was theintimidation they faced. In Mississippi, 42% of the state’s population was black but only 2%registered to vote in the 1960 election. However, more and more did register throughout theSouth and in 1960, their support (70%) helped to give the Democrat J F Kennedy thenarrowest of victories over Richard Nixon.

In 1963, Kennedy proposed his civil rights bill. To persuade Congress to support this bill,King, with other civil rights leaders, organised the legendary March on Washington. BaynardRustin was given overall control of the march.

The march – officially the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom – was a major success.Held on August 28th, 1963, it attracted between 250,000 and 400,000 people. The finalspeaker was Martin Luther King and it was here that he made his legendary ‘I have a Dream’speech which was heard throughout the world and did a huge amount to publicise the civilrights movement in America across the world. Congress did accept Kennedy’s civil rights billand it became the 1964 Civil Rights Act – a far reaching act that many saw as a fitting tributeto the assassinated Kennedy.

King then moved on to a bill that would guarantee the voting rights of the black communityin America.

This led to the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

From this time on, King became more and more concerned with the poverty of those inAmerica – both black and white. For whatever reason, King became more radical – or so itseemed to those who distrusted him. He used the word “revolution” in some of his speechesand he voiced his opposition to the Vietnam War. King also became involved in trade unionissues.

King had clearly made enemies in his rise to fame. At the most basic level, the KKK did whatthey could to tarnish his name in the South. However, it was the work done by the FBI underthe leadership of J Edgar Hoover that did most damage. Rooms where King stayed during histravels were bugged and recordings of his alleged sexual improprieties were made. The FBIreleased such details to the press.

On April 4th, 1968, Martin Luther King was shot dead by an assassin. His death sparked offriots in many cities and 46 people were killed during these. In March 1969, James Earl Raywas found guilty of King’s murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Many years after startinghis sentence, Ray claimed that he was innocent and that he could not have killed King.

Source:- historylearningsite.co.uk.


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On the 21st May we remember Helena,Protector of the Holy Places

Helena should be the patron saint of all mothers who help their sons achieve great things.

Helena was born at Drepanum in Bithynia about 250. Although only a stable-maid orinnkeeper’s daughter, she caught the eye and affections of a Roman general, ConstantiusChlorus, while he was stationed in Asia Minor on a military campaign. She bore him a son,Constantine, in about 272.

But Constantius was ambitious, and when he became co-emperor (Caesar) in the West in 292,he abandoned Helena in order to marry the stepdaughter of his patron. Helena and her sonwere sent to live in the court of Diocletian at Nicomedia, where Constantine grew up as amember of the inner circle. Helena never remarried, and lived close to her son, who wasdevoted to her.

Then, in 306, Constantius died, and Constantine became Augustus of the Roman Empire.He brought his beloved mother to live at the imperial court.

When Constantine became the first Christian emperor of Rome, Helena also became aChristian.

She was devout, dressing modestly, and giving generously to churches, the poor, and toprisoners.

But soon Constantine had other plans for her: they agreed that she would help him locate therelics of Judeo-Christian tradition in Palestine. To aid her, Constantine gave her the titleAugusta Imperatrix, and unlimited access to the imperial treasury.

And so, from 326-28, even though she was very old, Helena explored the Holy Land on behalfof her son, the Emperor. She went to Bethlehem and founded the Church of the Nativity. Shewent to the Mount of Olives and founded the Church of Eleona. She went to Calvary, andtore down a temple built to Venus over the tomb of Jesus. Constantine then ordered thebuilding of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Helena also seems to have founded the chapelat St Catherine’s Monastery.

Helena died in 330 in the Holy Land, with Constantine at her side. He brought her bodyback to Constantinople and buried her in the imperial vault in the Church of the Apostles. We owe to this special mother and son the preservation and honouring of the most famoussites of Christianity.


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Priory Ramblers Dates . . .

Priory Ramblers meet approximately once a month, normally on Sunday afternoon. We walk for about 4 miles, using circular routes with a starting point no more

than about 20 minutes’ drive from Dunstable. All welcome!

Dates for your diary:

Saturday April 28th Sunday May 20th Sunday June 17th

Contact Jackie Shaw or Gill Short via the Priory office for further details.

MansheadCE Academy

Around 1000 students from MansheadChurch of England Academyattended a special service for HolyWeek in St Albans Cathedral onMonday 26th March.

This was the first Holy Week and Eastersince Manshead became part of theDiocese of St Albans Multi-AcademyTrust last May and the first timeManshead has transported the entireschool to the cathedral for an act ofworship. The atmosphere in thecathedral was very respectful and acredit to the students.

The service was conducted by theBishop of Hertford, the Right Revd DrMichael Beasley, and by our Rector,Canon Richard Andrews. During the

service a simple and dignifiedwooden cross which was made fromlast year’s school Christmas tree, was carried through the cathedral. BishopMichael re-enacted Jesus’s footwashing of the disciples by washingthe feet of twelve students, and everystudent was presented with a palmcross. Several students took an activerole as readers and musicians.


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Ray Bryant

At Random“Give us a kiss and lend us a bob!” was a joculargreeting my adult elders were often heard toexchange when I was a child. In the days whenwe boys’ pocket money was “Saturdayha’penny” we would rush up the road to thesweet shop where we would lurk outside tryingto observe who was serving behind the counter.The husband and wife team who ran the shophad different pricing policies. The lady wouldserve us with five toffees for our ha’pennywhereas the gentleman provided six. It was,therefore, in our interest to deal with the malemember of the enterprise.

I suppose we were learning about the process ofconserving our resources in those days ofeconomic difficulty in the 1930’s. From 1927to circa 1935 our family grew from one to fiveboys and the level of our pocket money reflectsthe stress of our parent's efforts in nurturing uson my hard working father's limited income.

“The loan of a bob” was a significant request asthere were twenty silver shillings (bobs) in aquid (£) in those days. The copper coinage thatwe lived with was measured in farthings, (twoto a halfpenny, four to a penny and twelvepennies made a shilling) and then we were intosilver coins. We also used threepenny bits(worth three pennies). These were silver, verysmall and two of their value made up a sixpence(a tanner) also made in silver. The small silvercoins were often secreted in the Christmaspudding mix to provide exciting treasure for

those who found one in their helping of festivefare.

I once found a copper penny to be a useful toolwhen stranded in a remote country lane with aflat tyre on my bicycle. Darkness had fallen andI needed to mend the leaking inner tube. I didhave a repair outfit in my saddle bag but no toolto prise the tyre off the wheel. So I used a pennyfrom my pocket and it worked.

Many children took to the streets in Novemberwith home-made effigies of Guy Fawkes tocanvas the passers-by for "A penny for theGuy”. My own parents were not too keen onthis practice as they feared it felt too much likebegging. The coinage we use is the currencywith which we buy and sell and trade with eachother. Yet there is another currency with whichwe deal with each other. The currency ofassociation among groups of employees, groupfriends, neighbours and all those we know andmeet. The currency of greeting, welcoming,exchanging ideas is a wide field in which we,individually, can have a personal influence onthe society in which we live.

The old currency has changed, and we allchange throughout our years, but the old valuesare there to be used in our personal dealings;goodwill, true friendship, helpful actions and ageneral awareness and concern for our fellows.

With our thoughts in this direction we mayfine riches beyond price.


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Inc. Shires

Because every life is unique

Bedford 01234 356 999 | Kempston 01234 840 005Luton 01582 493500 | Dunstable 01582 477000

Baldock 01462 491149 Letchworth Garden City 01462 486618

www.cpjfield.co.uk

…we are here to help you make your farewell as personal and individual as possible,

and to support you in every way we can.


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Over 10 years openChez Jerome has established a reputation as one of the finestrestaurants in and around Dunstable. Jerome and Lina Dehoux took overthe restaurant in 2007 and over the past ten years they have developedChez Jerome into a Contemporary French Cuisine restaurant, providinga high level of cuisine and service to clients.

This Season’s Menus at Chez JeromeWhether it’s a mid-week or business lunch or a leisurely dinner, ChezJerome has created seasonal menus using the finest, locally sourced,ingredients.

We are open every day . . . Monday to SaturdayLunch - 12:00 to 2:30pm (last orders)Dinner - 6:00pm to 10:00pm (last orders)

We are open on Sunday for Lunch –12.00 to 3.00pm

26 CHURCH STREET DUNSTABLE, BEDS, LU5 4RU

Tel: 01582 603310Email: [email protected]

www.chezjerome.co.uk


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27

Great Northern RoadDunstable, Bedfordshire

LU5 4BT

Tel: 01582 665298Email: [email protected]

• SERVICE• REPAIRS• TUNING• TYRES

• EXHAUSTS• AIR-CONDITIONING• DIAGNOSTICS• BATTERIES

MOT Class IV and VII


Dunstable and District Local History Society Meetings are held at the Methodist Church on the second Tuesday of

each month at 7.45pm. Visitors are welcome at a cost of £2For membership details please contact Joan Curran on 01582 478954

May 8th, The Rebel PreacherJeremy Walker tells the turbulent story of Edward Harrison, who served in the Parliamentary garrison atNewport Pagnell during the civil war and who, as a well known leader of nonconformist religion, was

famously appointed to replace the Vicar of Kensworth.

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Groups and Societies . . .Priory Ladies Group

We meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month 8.00-10.00pm at Chews House, High Street South, Dunstable. We are a livelygroup of a membership of 50 and if you like interesting talks, meeting people and occasional trips out then why not join us!

Wed 9th May, Dunstable in Bloom with Hugh GarrodWed 23rd May, Tears of the Dragon with Frances Benton

For further information please telephone Monica 01582 667030 or Barbara 01582 606300

St Augustine’s Ladies GuildAll our meetings include, coffee/tea and cakes and a chance for a chat, after the “Talk”.

Tuesday May 29th, Pam Francis, Stories about celebrities I have metPam has recently published a book on this subject

The doors open at 7.30pm ready for the speaker at 8.00pm and the cost of each evening is £3.00

St. Fremund’s Ladies GroupMay 21st, Victorian Shopping with Ian Waller

The next Priory’s Little Angels (Pram Service)is at 2.00pm on Tuesday 1st May

Dunstable Diocesan Mother’s UnionAfternoon Group:

Tuesday 12th June, in Priory Parish Hall


Remember . . .The deadline for inclusion in the

June issue of “Team Spirit” is 10th May

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Parish Diary MayFor regular services please see inside front cover

1st Pram Service 2.00pm St P

5th DCT Prayers 9.00am Salvation Army

9th Priory Ladies 8.00pm Chews HouseDeanery Synod 7.30 for 8.00pm venue to be

confirmed

10th Ascension Day Parish Eucharist 8.00pm St A

11th Choral Evensong (visiting choir) 5.00pm St P

12th Town Council World War 1 Commemoration Day Priory Gardens

12th St Fremund's 50th anniversary dinner 7.00pm St F

13th St Fremund’s 50th anniversary Patronal Festival 10.30am St F(President and Preacher: The Revd David Kesterton) St FChristian Aid Week begins

14th Eucharist followed by soup and sandwich lunch 12.30pm St F

20th Priory Ramblers 2.15pm tba

21st 61 Group 3.00pm 61 Gt Northern RdPriory DCC 7.45pm Chews House

22nd St Augustine’s DCC 7.30pm St A

23rd St Fremund's DCC 7.30pm St FPriory Ladies 8.00p.m. Chews House

25th Ashton St Peter's School Service 10.00am St P

26th Priory Coffee Morning 10.00 - 12.00 St P

29th St Augustine's Ladies Guild 7.45pm St A


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To arrange a baptism or wedding or the calling of banns please make contact as follows:

St Augustine’s Contact: Revd Ricky Turner � 528485

St Fremund’s Contact: The Rector � 703271

St Katherine’s Contact: Revd Ricky Turner � 528485

St Peter’s (at Chew’s House) - Wednesdays, 6.45-7.45pm � 477422

Parish Directory––––––– Ministry Team –––––––

Team Rector Revd Canon Richard Andrews � 01582 703271Based at the Priory (Day off: Friday) � [email protected] of St. Peter

St Augustine’s Revd Ricky Turner � 01582 528485(Day off: Monday) � [email protected]

St Fremund’s Contact: The Rector � 01582 703271(Day off: Friday) � [email protected]

St Katherins’s Revd Ricky Turner � 01582 528485C of E contact � [email protected]

URC Minister Revd Heather Whyte � 01582 674726� [email protected]

Parish Readers Vanessa Bradley � 01582 505638 � [email protected] Schoeman � 07932555022 � [email protected]

––––––– Parish Wardens –––––––St Augustine’s Mrs Judy Parlby � 01582 513196St Fremund’s Pam Ingram � 01582 603838 � [email protected] Katherine’s Mr John Hassall � [email protected] Peter’s Mrs Hilary Jackson � 01525 221530 � [email protected] Jackie Roberts � 01582 477401Administrator Chew’s House � [email protected]

77 High Street South, LU6 3SF Office hours: 9.30-12.30 Monday to FridayParish Website www.dunstableparish.org.uk

––––––– Church Hall etc. Booking Secretaries –––––––St Augustine’s Andrea Haughton � 01582 660974St Fremund’s Nick Tallett � 01582 758108 � [email protected] Katherine’s Mrs Carol Pichur � 01582 601186St Peter’s Carol Lee � 01582 526225Chew’s House St Peter’s Office � 01582 477422

� [email protected]

––––––– Team Spirit Management Group –––––––Magazine Editor Mrs Shauna Dyke � [email protected] Les Hawkins on behalf of Service Publications Ltd � 01273 454536St Augustine’s Pages Mrs Elaine Woolhead � [email protected] Fremund’s Pages Mrs Georgina West � 01582 667113 � [email protected] Katherine’s Pages Mrs Joan Cazers � 01582 537993

� [email protected] Peter’s Pages Mr Ray Bryant � 01582 602244 � [email protected]


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Dunstable Decor/DIY Services

• Decorating and Wallpapering• Property Maintenance i.e.• Laminate flooring - precise fitting• Garden Services - Grass Cutting, Hedge Trimming

Hire me for the day to complete your ‘Must-do’ tasks!Friendly, courteous and reliable service

Free quotes - accompanied by female if requestedFully insured (1m Public Liability)

Tel: 01582 700944or 07745 979276

• Shed Felt, Decking, Fences and Gates• Drives, Paths & Patios Powerwashed• Shelving• Flat-pack assembly• Blinds, Curtains, Pictures and Mirrors


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