PARISH AND PEOPLE
The Magazine of St. Mary the Virgin,
Goldington
June 2020 80p
ST. MARY’S DIRECTORY
Vicar: The Rev’d Simon Dommett 01234 351920 The Vicarage, Church Lane Goldington, Bedford, MK41 0AP [email protected]
Associate Priest:
The Rev'd Jennie Cappleman 01234 266952 [email protected]
Licensed Readers:
Michael Furlong 01234 352134
Cathy Sanderson 01234 346889
Churchwardens: Mrs Wendy Watmough 34 The Spinney, BEDFORD, MK41 0ET 07588 185347
Mr Brian Backhouse (until further notice) 8 Lydford Close, BEDFORD, MK40 3AZ 01234 403255
Cathy Sanderson (following formal Admission) 01234 346889
Parochial Church Council Secretary:
Sarah Collinson 01234 262123
Treasurer:
Richard Kirby 01234 266425
Safeguarding Officer: Cathy Sanderson 07870 679699
Environmental Officer: Colin Last 01234 356261
Health & Safety Officer: Vacant
Electoral Roll Officer: John Sheffield 01234 357439
Church Hall Manager: Mr Geoff Sowerby 01234 403411
Enquiries about baptisms and marriages are always welcome.
Please contact the Vicar as above.
Other enquiries should go to the Church Office
01234 328823 or e-mail [email protected]
Registered Charity No: 1131568
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A Reader Writes
During the Easter Season Morning Prayer (Common Worship
– Daily Prayer – p263) opens with a prayer of thanksgiving.
Blessed are you, Lord God of our Salvation,
to you be praise and glory forever.
As once you ransomed your people from Egypt
and led us to freedom in the promised land.
So now you have delivered us from the dominion of
darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son.
May we, the first fruits of your new creation,
rejoice in this new day you have made,
and praise you for your mighty acts,
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
I write this article soon after the Prime Minister announced
we had passed the peak of the Crisis and that there is light at
the end of the tunnel. And we must continue to pray and
hope that this remains the case. That the light may grow and
spread.
As we emerge from a dark, scary and anxious time, the way
back to anything near normal will be long and hard. There
may be bleak days to come. We have been held captive by
our circumstances and in our homes away from family and
friends. Phone calls, Zoom and Skype cannot replace the
need to be with each other and the freedom to go wherever
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we want. To do; to see; to get whatever we want/need at
anytime. The world we once knew; hoped for; struggled
with, is perhaps, gone. This is Crucifixion.
As we review, rebuild and renew our lives, communities and
nations may the new light bring warmth and opportunities to
make life better, deeper and meaningful. To start again,
change our attitudes as well as our priorities and work to-
gether for the good of all.
This new bright light may also reveal the things that were
once hidden, the mistakes, as well as our greedy, selfish ways
and highlight the missed opportunities. We can learn from
this experience, and begin to accept a different way of life.
This is a point of repentance and new growth if we can seize
this time to make a new creation and, perhaps, lead us to re-
joice in this new day. This is Resurrection.
As we begin to look up and forward can we, perhaps, pray.
Creator God,
may every breath we take be for your glory,
may every footstep show you as our way,
that trusting in your presence in this world,
we may, beyond this life, still be with you
where you are alive and reign
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Michael
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Christian Rural and Environmental Studies Certificate – course update
A few people have asked me how studying is going in lockdown. In many ways things haven’t changed much as CRES is primarily a distance learning course. However, as everything else is now happening at home too, it’s become
more important to plan my week well and set aside blocks of time for study.
My current module is ‘Globalization and Faith’ which focuses on the environment, politics, digital communica-tions and technology, and religion. This is a very strange time to be thinking globally when our horizons have be-come limited to our own homes, gardens and very local activity. As part of the coursework I keep a diary which reflects on the reading and on anything else related to the course – as you might imagine there is a lot in this one about the impact of the pandemic.
In April we were due to have a study day at Ripon Col-lege Cuddesdon, near Oxford, which had to be cancelled. As a replacement we had a morning online with two pres-entations – the first was by Andy Lester who is the head of conservation at A Rocha UK. Andy spoke about the threats facing nature such as climate change, biodiversity loss and world politics. He finished by calling on Chris-tians to be ‘prophets of hope’ on environmental issues. Ruth Valerio then gave us an overview of the themes in Saying Yes To Life, (the 2020 Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book). There is a new non-Lent edition of Saying Yes To Life coming soon which will be revised to discuss the impact of coronavirus on the environment. The Lent ver-sion was excellent and I would recommend reading it to anyone interested in getting a biblical perspective on crea-tion care.
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The morning finished with a short reflective service led by one of the course tutors, Rev Margot Hodson. She left us with three questions to think about during the pause of lockdown:
What sort of world do we want?
How do we do that?
How will we help God’s new creation break through?
****
At this time I’d also like to share the first activity that new students on the course are asked to do before we start any of the reading or in depth study. It is a reminder to appreciate that part of God’s crea-tion that is on our doorstep more fully.
Find a park, wood, garden or similar place where you can be alone, relax, and make prayerful use of your senses. Note your impres-sions.
Sight – enjoy the colour, shape, texture, depth and movement of all that is around you. Thank God, recognising it as his gift to you. Hearing – listen to silence, the sound of the wind, bird song, and insect noises. Imagine their praising God together and join in. Touch – feel the air and sun on your skin, and touch tree bark, grass, etc. Reading – Psalm 24:1 ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.’
Shelly Dennison
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Stewardship Envelopes during the
Covid-19 lock-down
M ost stewardship donations are made by monthly bank standing
order payments but weekly contribution through the envelope
scheme is still preferred by about 30 church members. There is no
indication yet that the current requirement to close churches is likely
to change in the near future. Diocesan Parish Share contributions con-
tinue to be paid each month along with other regular payments such as
insurance premiums. The savings from the church closure are very
marginal; just some cleaning and energy costs whereas the cessation
of activities in the church hall is a complete loss of regular booking
income of £800 each month.
T he money donated through the enve-
lope scheme is a significant amount and
the Church cannot do without it. I would
encourage all those with bank accounts to
change to a monthly standing order (thank
you to those who already have). Those
members using on-line banking can set this
up for themselves; others will need to com-
plete an instruction form which I can pro-
vide by e-mail or by post. If you usually
pay by cheque and wish to continue this
way or want to change from cash to cheque then I can pay them in
without having to enter our bank. But you will have to get them to me
by one means or another.
F or those who prefer cash or do not have a bank account then there
is no option but to continue with the envelope scheme. But there
is a choice; either fill them each week and keep them or wait until
church services are resumed, count the unused envelopes and put the
appropriate amount into one of them. Obviously I would prefer the
latter but this may not be suitable for those managing on a tight
budget.
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T he Church bank account details for standing order payments are:
Bankers: National Westminster Bank, 81 High Street, Bedford
Sort code: 60-02-13
Account number: 51386178
Account name:Goldington Parochial Church Council
F or cheque payments Goldington PCC is acceptable. Please do
not test the patience of bank clerks by writing St. Mary’s Church
as there are rather a lot of them and it is not the name on the PCC’s
bank account.
F inally my address is 9 Clare Road, Bedford MK41 8QX, not far
off the route around Mowsbury Park or Putnoe Wood for those
taking exercise there. Telephone number is 266425.
Richard Kirby
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“Positive – being able to access services that fall during the working week; the video of the Wednesday service means that we can catch up in the evening. Special moment – watching the Stations of the Cross service in the garden on Good Friday in the sunshine with the birds singing around us. Active – lighting a candle before the start of services, making palm crosses using Simon’s video instructions, joining with the responses – online can still encourage us to be involved. What do I miss most? - Our Taizé services, particularly the shared silence and the candlelit glow of the church.”
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An Ode to the lockdown.An Ode to the lockdown.An Ode to the lockdown.An Ode to the lockdown.
The streets that we have always known The streets that we have always known The streets that we have always known The streets that we have always known
We walked them every dayWe walked them every dayWe walked them every dayWe walked them every day
Always travelling from AAlways travelling from AAlways travelling from AAlways travelling from A----BBBB
Just going along our way.Just going along our way.Just going along our way.Just going along our way.
Suddenly then the lockdown cameSuddenly then the lockdown cameSuddenly then the lockdown cameSuddenly then the lockdown came
With times never known beforeWith times never known beforeWith times never known beforeWith times never known before
Most told you must now stay at homeMost told you must now stay at homeMost told you must now stay at homeMost told you must now stay at home
Behind your own front door.Behind your own front door.Behind your own front door.Behind your own front door.
A daily walk permittedA daily walk permittedA daily walk permittedA daily walk permitted
We set out keen each dayWe set out keen each dayWe set out keen each dayWe set out keen each day
Taking time to notice thingsTaking time to notice thingsTaking time to notice thingsTaking time to notice things
And varying our wayAnd varying our wayAnd varying our wayAnd varying our way
This was when we realisedThis was when we realisedThis was when we realisedThis was when we realised
Front gardens held our gazeFront gardens held our gazeFront gardens held our gazeFront gardens held our gaze
They varied so completelyThey varied so completelyThey varied so completelyThey varied so completely
Some sights they did amazeSome sights they did amazeSome sights they did amazeSome sights they did amaze
How could they all so varyHow could they all so varyHow could they all so varyHow could they all so vary
We'd wonder then decideWe'd wonder then decideWe'd wonder then decideWe'd wonder then decide
They must reflect their ownersThey must reflect their ownersThey must reflect their ownersThey must reflect their owners
All locked down inside.All locked down inside.All locked down inside.All locked down inside.
Mary Everitt Mary Everitt Mary Everitt Mary Everitt
8
Where do you live? Where do you live? Where do you live? Where do you live?
As a supplement to the series of articles on the roads of Goldington this item
looks at how we know where places are.
How would you describe where you live?
These are some possible ways for describing the location of St Mary’s
Church.
a. St Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Goldington, Bedfordshire, MK41 0AP
b. TL 0767851174
c. ///turned.flame.view
All the above - Postcode, OS Grid reference and what3words - would mean
that you had no difficulty in arriving on the spot. You could also point it out
on a map or say “It’s about half way up Church Lane on the right by Bury
Court flats”.
What about your own address? Well, the same type of description could apply
to this too.
In earlier times, though, when maps were non-existent or at best very
inaccurate things were very different.
Let’s look at Goldington and work backwards through time.
Taking the street directories in the 1930s we find named streets and their
locations. Smaller roads can be identified by where they come in order. For
example, in the High Road or Goldington Road there will be a gap saying
“Here is Grange Road” or “Here is Alexandra Road” (Note Alexandra Road,
not Queen Alexandra Road!).
The 1911 census is also reasonably helpful with addresses. Mr Rogers, miller,
lived at Castle Mills, Goldington and so he wouldn’t have been hard to find.
Similarly Mr Tompkins who lived at the Post Office and The Rev’d William
Bradney Dunne at the Vicarage would have posed no problems especially if a
local resident was asked. In general road names are given and in some roads
the address is refined as far as number but this is the exception rather than the
norm. Barford Road and Bedford Road equate to the main highway through
the village and to pin down an address would have worn quite a lot of shoe
9
leather. Some addresses such as Baker’s Yard or Park Lane appear to have no
modern equivalent and are much harder to identify.
In the nineteenth century censuses for small parishes vagueness is standard.
Most residences are just described as being in Goldington with no further
details. Some will give an area such as The Green or East End and again some
apparently unidentifiable locations are given like Gawp Row. In a village as
small as Goldington and with the local knowledge of the time I’m sure
everyone knew where people lived but as time passes that knowledge
disappears.
What does help in the censuses is that the enumerator went around the parish
in a fairly logical manner and so we can get some idea of where residences
were clustered.
How were addresses identified before the censuses? Again, in much the same
nebulous way.
Let’s go back even further to the period between mediaeval times and the
nineteenth century. At this time, residential addresses were not so important.
What mattered was where the land you held and farmed in the agricultural
field system was to be found. It is difficult to describe where one strip or
portion of land is in a large, unfenced field which may cover nearly a quarter
of the parish especially when all the plots look very much the same. Few
maps would be available, indeed none in the early days, and maps were very
different from the ones we use today.
The first thing to do was to narrow it down to the furlong. There were several
of these in each large field and they all had descriptive names which
originally gave some indication of their location, nature, productiveness or
shape. From this point the identification of the plot actually becomes very
precise. Here are some typical examples:-
From a document of 1753
1ac of meadow land lying in the Farr Meadow in Goldington,
Beds formerly in the occupation of Thomas Middleton and now
Henry Thompson; abutting N by a house formerly belonging to
William Odell the younger; S upon a Headland acre formerly
of Mr. Haselden, and the meadow formerly of Thomas Watford
lies on both the E & W.
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From a document of 1659
In Greenditch Field:
1/2 acre on Stone Hill Furlong
North Puttenhoe Way
South Godso slade
East Mr Riseley
West Mr Allen
From the Warden Abbey Cartulary in about 1180
In East field
lying next to the monks’ three acres which they hold from Ada
Pippard towards the south
In South Field
Between the Newnham canons’ land & abutting in the east on William
Wigain’s headland
In each case the description is very detailed but is virtually meaningless to us
today. In fact most of these descriptions would only have made sense for a
few decades or so. They depend on knowing where other owners’ land is, the
names of the occupants and the names of now unknown areas. Even if the
fields still existed in Goldington we could not go and point out specific plots
today. Trying to identify all these places is almost impossible and leaves the
local historian with a very difficult task (always assuming you might, for
some obscure reason, want to identify the locations!!)
There are times however when it is interesting to know where people lived
and worked and locating all the homes of the Goldington men who were lost
in the First World War which I helped Andrew Dennison research a couple of
years ago was not easy.
In conclusion, modern addresses may seem somewhat soulless and not very
colourful but next time you are tempted to say,
“John’s House? Oh, yes that’s round the corner from the big oak tree
opposite Mary Smith’s and next to Old Peter’s cottage. You can’t miss
it!”
... think again!
Sarah Collinson
Dear friends,
I have started and restarted this newsletter, but the
situation changes almost daily and since I last saw you
in the UK, as you all know, the entire world has been
taken over by events out of all human control with COVID-1 9. So
much information, fact and an overload of “fake news”. Emotions are
ranging from panic, fear and great sorrow to heart-warming stories of
selfless kindness! It is such an insane time in our Lives and is honestly all
rather overwhelming.
Home leave
I thank God for the most encouraging and rewarding time spent visiting my
supporters and Link churches in the UK. It was fabulous visiting friends, old
and new, forging new links, and having the opportunity to share the
Rehema story. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. My
contemporaries starting home leave after me are not so lucky as they
entered a very different United Kingdom, where churches have shut their
doors to contain the spread of the virus.
Praise point: Thank God for the many individuals and link churches who
support the Rehema Project and the work I do in so many ways.
Prayer point: Pray that my Fellow mission partners will be able to find a
way to feed back to their link churches in a positive and encouraging
way.
Generosity of spirit
When I left Tanzania at the beginning of October, I had multiple gifts thrust
at me to somehow squeeze into my already bulging baggage. The Rehema
women had with great love and out of their own limited resources made
gifts for my whole Family. Shorts for my brother, nephews and brother-in-
law, a doll for my niece and placemats for my sister. My family were
astounded, my sister was in tears — how could these women they had
11
Heather Johnstone
12
never met, who come from such marginalised backgrounds, give them such
generous gifts? They were humbled and learned a valuable lesson about
the gift of giving.
Praise/prayer point: Give thanks for the incredible generosity of all the
Rehema women, and the lessons they teach us about generosity.
Where in the world?
On 1 March I arrived in South Africa to spend some time with family and
friends before returning to Tanzania at the beginning of April.
A national state of emergency was declared in South Africa by President
Cyril Ramaphosa on 15 March. The next day CMS suggested I deploy to
Tanzania within 48 hours if my work permit and residence visa had been
approved — they hadn’t. In fact, I had discovered a couple of days earlier
that they had not even started processing the paperwork, so I had a choice
of remaining in South Africa or quickly returning to the UK, as borders were
closing. I chose to remain in a “locked down” South Africa with family and I
have a tourist visa which expires 30 May 2020.
Challenging times
Unfortunately, I don’t have good news to report from the project. Due to
the coronavirus, the volunteer groups that were travelling to Musoma have
cancelled their trips. The foreign nationals who live in Musoma have all left
— instructed to return “home” by their organisations. The heart-breaking
reality is that without these customers we have no choice but to close the
business at Least until the end of June, when the situation will be reviewed,
but probably for longer. Please pray for us all. When I told the women this
devastating news, they told me not to worry, God would provide. They
humble me!
Fortunately, we were able to pay the wages at the end of March and have
enough money to pay wages in April as well. From donations raised whilst I
was in the UK, I have funds available to buy basic food parcels for those
who need them and hopefully pay for medical treatment as required.
These are exceptional times. I don’t want the ladies to be without a wage
and without hope of an income, but as a project we simply cannot afford to
continue to pay their wages every month, especially if the indications are
that this might only “right” itself in 2021. To give the women hope and the
13
chance of survival, I hope to be able to give a small investment to each of
the women to enable them to start a business or somehow be resourceful
in providing for themselves and their families.
Prayer point: Please pray for all the Rehema women. Pray that God will
enable them to be resourceful in providing for themselves and their
families.
At the time of writing the number of reported COVID-1 9 cases in Tanzania
is 21. We pray earnestly for Tanzania, which reportedly has one of the
poorest healthcare systems in the world. Social distancing and isolating for
people that live so near to one another, sharing every part of their lives,
from mattresses to latrines to water supply, is almost an impossibility.
Many people in Musoma have limited access to clean water and no access
to hand sanitiser, so keeping hands scrupulously clean will be a challenge.
So many people live in extreme poverty and cannot afford to stock up on
supplies or stay at home as
many of us have been asked to
do.
Hope
The world has been brought to
its knees with COVID—1 9 and I
pray that while we are on our
knees, we seek mercy from our
living and loving God. He alone
can bring us real and lasting
hope.
“May the God of hope fill
you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy
Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Mungu awabariki. God bless you all.
Heather
The Rehema team during happier times
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Book Review Book Review Book Review Book Review –––– Living with the Psalms by John BellLiving with the Psalms by John BellLiving with the Psalms by John BellLiving with the Psalms by John Bell
One of the books I have been enjoying during lockdown is this short volume by John Bell. His name will be familiar to anyone who enjoys the hymns which come from the Wild Goose Resource Group, part of the Iona Community.
It’s really accessible and easy to read, with short chapters – so excellent for anyone struggling to concentrate at the moment. He shares lots of stories about the important part that the Psalms have
played in his life and in other people’s lives. There is also a strong emphasis on praying with the Psalms which runs throughout the book.
Some of the chapters focus on particular Psalms, including Psalm 23, others look at different themes such as God and nature, justice, praise, pain, and Jesus and the Psalms.
At the back of the book are some extra resources including three questions to reflect on for each chapter and a suggested cycle of readings for readers who would like to engage with a selection of the Psalms on a regular basis.
Living with the Psalms is full of fascinating insights into individual verses and the book of Psalms as a whole. Bell’s enthusiasm for his subject shines through and makes for an engaging and refreshing look at a book that can feel both overlooked and over familiar.
Shelly Dennison
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“I have appreciated the virtual services during lockdown. The Compline, Maundy Thursday and Easter services were particularly welcome. Each Sunday at 9.30 am my wife and I light a candle and take part in the service and find it very moving.”
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“Coincidence, or Is it?”
Around 12 years ago I began to experience problems negotiating stairs, a
throwback to having had polio during my teenage years. Being aware that
the problems were likely to become more acute in time, I began to consider
the wisdom of moving to a bungalow. Knowing that John hated change in
any form I tentatively discussed my thinking with him, only to realise that
this was unlikely to happen. However, this did not stop me from searching
the local paper each week to see what was available, but I failed to reach
any positive feeling about anything on offer. After weeks of looking -
“Eureka!”, one day a bungalow caught my attention.
John just happened to be going to town on that particular day so I tenta-
tively asked if he would pick up details, emphasising that to do this entailed
no commitment whatsoever. Not only did he collect the details, he asked to
be shown on a map where the property was sited and made an appointment
for us to view it.
As we arrived for the viewing I still felt apprehensive but, to my amazement,
as we stood in the living room John said,
“I can see a Christmas tree over there,” (the month was October) - was he
seeing us moving in?
Now you may wonder where this story is going. We did move in and I’ve
often said that the bungalow chose us but, going back to the beginning, why
did the advertisement jump off the page in the first place where others had
failed? What made John take an interest and arrange a the viewing appoint-
ment when he had been so against moving?
There was never a question in our minds regarding the decision to move
and we were indeed in there for Christmas but, as we moved in, I discov-
ered a drawer containing one or two items that had obviously been over-
looked by the family of the previous owners - items that I was sure would
be of sentimental value to them, so I made contact.
This is when I met Gill, the late owners’ daughter, who came down from
Ilkley to collect the said items. We had a long chat over a cup of coffee and
16
as a result have kept in touch each Christmas since then. At Christmas last
year she wrote to say how she could still remember the very many happy
years spent in the bungalow as a youngster and I happened to reply that if
she was ever down this way she would be very welcome to drop in. A reply
came immediately saying that she was, in fact, coming to see her aunt at
the end of January, would I mind if her aunt came as well. This proved to
be a crucial decision.
We sat, once again, drinking coffee and chatting when her aunt looked
across to a picture (a similar photo hangs in the church vestry) showing
John at the organ.
“Who’s the organist?” she asked.
I replied that it was my late husband, John, who had been St Mary’s organ-
ist for almost 40 years.
She replied, “He didn’t take over from Mr Baxter, my father, did he?”
A number of our congregation will still remember Mr Baxter (organist at St
Mary’s for many years from 1948 to 1976, ed)
Well, it is 11½years since we moved into the bungalow without the knowl-
edge that it had previously been owned by Mr Baxter’s family! Is this sim-
ply coincidence? I only know that it has been a very happy home, one that
John loved as much as I do now.
I had always said that the bungalow chose us, but now I feel that we were
directed here from the moment I picked up that local paper and for that
I’m forever thankful.
Val Scrivener
[As a postscript I can add that I am one the St Mary’s people who can just
remember Mr Baxter still playing for the occasional service when I came to
Goldington. However my knowledge of him goes right back to my infancy
as my grandparents who lived briefly in Bedford when my mother was born
often spoke warmly of their piano tuner, Walter Baxter. Little did I know,
as I practised my early piano scales, that I would eventually arrive at the
same church and, in the short term, play the same organ! “Coincidence, or
Is it?”] SEC
Since I wrote my update on
Reader training in the
February issue of ‘Parish
and People’, the world has
changed beyond what we
could have imagined.
My last evening class at St. Albans was on 10th March, and since then,
all training has gone online. We were in the middle of our
‘Introduction to Preaching’ classes, which didn’t transfer online, but
will now take place during Year 3. St. Albans Diocese and the Eastern
Region Ministry Course (ERMC) have been very supportive to the
students with providing an online discussion forum to chat to others,
and an online chapel, where
Daily Prayer is said four times
a day and any student can join
in with this.
I’ve found the transition to
online classes both positive
and negative. On the positive
side, it is great that classes can continue and there will be no disruption
to our learning. The tutors are adapting to using the technology. After
a blip on the first class, the students can now see each other on the
screen as we listen to and watch the tutor.
On the negative side, I am missing the shared meal we enjoyed at the
start of our evenings. It was a chance to get to know each other better
and to bond as a group. The interactive Evening Worship led by
students that followed the meal has been replaced online by Evening
Prayer at the end of our class, led instead by one person. It inevitably
feels very different to being together in person.
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Reader Training Reader Training Reader Training Reader Training NewsNewsNewsNews
Susan LaneSusan LaneSusan LaneSusan Lane
18
The St. Albans students have joined together with students from the
Diocese of Norwich to form a large class of around 25 people. The
tutor leads the session and shares a presentation around that week’s
topic. At one point we are split into smaller groups of around five
people to have a 10-minute discussion before coming back to the whole
group.
Since Easter, we have been studying the Old Testament. I’m enjoying
looking at the how/when/why/where it was written and by whom. It’s
challenging and absorbing, and I’m learning many new ideas and ways
of looking at things. For instance, there are different perspectives on
the source of Old Testament writings and the types of truth they
contain. Culture, relationships, images, paradox, community – these
are some of the ways of viewing the books of the Old Testament. This
term we have two assignments, so plenty to keep me busy whilst stuck
indoors.
As always, I am thankful for your prayers and support during my
training.
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“Online Church has opened up new ways of worshipping.
The recorded services mean we can rewind to engage again with the reflections and prayers.
I enjoy being able to explore other services and churches from home and whilst doing this at a time to suit ourselves may take away from the idea of us all worshipping simultaneously it does allow a greater interaction with the wider church.”
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8
9 10
11 12
13
14 15 16
17
18 19 20 21
22
23 24
25 26
A N A G R A M C R O S S W O D R Each answer is an anagram of the clue.
D O W N
1 Catriona
5 Olga
9 Evens
10 Hornets
11 Edit
12 Icier Rat
14 Real
15 Lustre
18 Reversed
20 Vine
23 Herb Tea
24 Merit
25 Et Al
26 Desserts
1 Ester
2 Vain Red
3 Once
4 Asters
6 Route
7 Leaking
8 Crouton
13 Rare Tan
14 Cab Rota
16 Mothers
17 Centre
19 Wells
21 To End
22 Reef
A C R O S S T
han
ks
to M
ary E
ver
itt
for
sourc
ing t
his
ite
m.
20
In these days of not going anywhere we think of all the places
we would like to be - somewhere completely different, some-
where we remember from more flexible times. The mind (so
much more effective than Zoom!) can take us anywhere and I
am deciding to visit St Govan's Chapel.
This little hermit's cell built to honour St Govan stands tucked
into a crevice in a cliff face in Pembrokeshire. You approach it
from above, carefully climbing down 52 twisty steps (I was
younger then) towards the sea and the sound of the waves be-
low. St Govan a 6th century monk lived in a cave here and lived
on fish and spring water. Legend says he may have been the
Arthurian knight Gawain living here in his retirement from all
that glamour and chivalry. Being not only holy but also magi-
cal, he inspired many legends, including possessing a bell sto-
len by pirates and returned to him by angels who set the bell
into a rock for safe keeping, where its chimes are exceptionally
pure and resonant.
A Mindful Trip
21
No legend is needed to make this place special. Very peace-
ful, on a sunny day there are any number of chunky rocks to
sit on and watch the waves breaking below. The dark interior
of the chapel, with its low roof, wall niches and stone altar re-
tains to this day a holy and mysterious atmosphere. Through
the small window you see sky, sea and tumbled rocks.
And as this is a virtual visit you don't have to climb the 52
steps back up the cliff but can drift slowly up to that nice little
cafe just a little further along the cliff where tea and cake is
waiting.
Christine Hunt
R A I N C O A T G O A L
E N O S C U I
S E V E N S H O R T E N
E A E E N E K
T I D E C R I T E R I A
E N T O G
A E R I A L R U S T L E
C R R R H
R E S E R V E D V E I N
O E A C F R O
B R E A T H E R E M I T
A L E N E O E
T A L E S T R E S S E D
CROSSWORD ANSWERS
22
IIII
NNNN
TTTT
EEEE
CCCC HHHH UUUU RRRR CCCC HHHH
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“Personally I like the more gentle reflective nature of the online virtual services at the moment as much of the usual more active participation elements are absent.
Most of all I find the apparent contradiction fascinating: that services that are potentially more 'consumer' than ever (no real participation required if you don't want to - you can just tune in and consume the 'showing' at a time convenient to you, whenever you like, how you like) are at the same time brought directly into our homes and into our everyday lives, detached from that risk of remoteness in the church building from our normal lives outside. It's all about how you actively chose to engage with it.”
No flour, no yeast, no eggs?!
Try Marjorie Starmore’s indulgent recipe from St Mary’s own Family Favourites
cookbook.
Fudge Cake
4 ounces butter or margarine
1 tablespoon caster sugar
1 tablespoon golden syrup
3 tablespoons drinking chocolate.
1. Heat and stir together until
dissolved. Do not boil.
2. Break and mix in 8 ounces of
digestive biscuits.
3. Pour into a flat baking tray and
leave to cool.
4. Top if liked with 3 ounces of milk
chocolate melted with a little milk
in a basin over a pan of boiling
water.
23
This month we are asked to remember the following groups and parishes of St Alban's diocese in our prayers
Monday 1 Diocesan Advisory Committee
Tuesday 2 Chaplains within Medical Establishments
Wednesday 3 Walkern (LEP) (Buntingford)
Thursday 4 Wallington (Buntingford) Pentecost
Friday 5 Westmill (Buntingford)
Saturday 6 Weston (Buntingford)
Sunday 7 Broxbourne with Wormley (Cheshunt)
Monday 8 Cheshunt (Cheshunt)
Tuesday 9 Goff's Oak, St James (Cheshunt)
Wednesday 10 Hoddesdon (Cheshunt)
Thursday 11 Northaw and Cuffley (Cheshunt) Trinity Sunday
Friday 12 Rye Park, St Cuthbert (Cheshunt)
Saturday 13 Turnford (Cheshunt)
Sunday 14 Waltham Cross, Christ Church (Cheshunt)
Monday 15 Billington (Dunstable)
Tuesday 16 Chalgrave (Dunstable)
Wednesday 17 Dunstable (Dunstable)
Thursday 18 Eaton Bray with Edlesborough (Dunstable)
Friday 19 Egginton (Dunstable)
Saturday 20 Heath and Reach (Dunstable)
Sunday 21 Hockliffe (Dunstable) Alban
Monday 22 Houghton Regis (Dunstable)
Tuesday 23 Kensworth (Dunstable)
Wednesday 24 Leighton Buzzard (Dunstable)
Thursday 25 Linslade (Dunstable)
Friday 26 Sandhills, Church of the Good Shepherd
(Conventional District)
Saturday 27 Stanbridge (Dunstable)
Sunday 28 Studham (Dunstable)
Monday 29 Tilsworth (Dunstable)
Tuesday 30 Toddington
24
CALENDAR, JUNE 2020
Monday 1 THE VISIT OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO ELIZABETH
Justin, Martyr at Rome, ca 165
Wednesday 3 The Martyrs of Uganda, 1885 - 87 and 1977
Thursday 4 Petroc, Abbot of Padstow, 6th Century
Friday 5 Boniface (Wynfrith) of Crediton, Bishop, Apostle of Germany, Martyr, 754
Saturday 6 Ini Kopuria, Founder of the Melanesian Brotherhood, 1945
Sunday 7 TRINITY SUNDAY
Monday 8 Thomas Ken, Bishop of Bath & Wells, Nonjuror, Hymn Writer, 1711
Tuesday 9 Columba, Abbot of Iona, Missionary, 597
Ephrem of Syria, Deacon, Hymn Writer, Teacher, 373
Thursday 11 DAY OF THANKSGIVING FOR HOLY COMMUNION (CORPUS CHRISTI)
Friday 12 BARNABAS THE APOSTLE
Sunday 14 THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (Proper 6)
Monday 15 Evelyn Underhill, Spiritual Writer, 1941
Tuesday 16 Richard, Bishop of Chichester, 1253
Joseph Butler, Bishop of Durham, Philosopher, 1752
Wednesday 17 Samuel and Henrietta Barnett, Social Reformers, 1913 and 1936
Thursday 18 Bernard Mizeki, Apostle of MaShona, Martyr, 1896
Friday 19 Sundar Singh, Sadhu (holy man), Evangelist, Teacher, 1929
Sunday 21 THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (Proper 7)
Monday 22 Alban, first Martyr of Britain, ca 250
Tuesday 23 Etheldreda, Abbess of Ely, ca 678
Wednesday 24 THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
Ember Day
Friday 26 Ember Day
Saturday 27 Ember Day
Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith, 444
Sunday 28 THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (Proper 8)
Monday 29 PETER & PAUL, APOSTLES
ST MARY’S DIRECTORY
Parochial Church Council Committees
Finance: Richard Kirby 01234 266425 Pastoral: Chris Jones 01234 959952 Property: Nick Fowler 01234 400294 Worship: Cathy Sanderson 07870 679699
Music at St Mary’s
Organist: Vacant Keyboard: Jane Davey 01234 360851 Choir: Sarah Collinson 01234 262123 First Sunday: Jane Davey 01234 360851
Bellringers
Tower Captain: Jenny Thompson 01234 216571
Church Services
Altar Servers: Frances Tyler 01234 303407 Flowers: Sally Gilbert 01234 266552
Intercessions: Tim Hern 01234 317847 Lesson Readers: Brenda Keech 01234 266743 Sacristans: Wendy & Bill Roffe 01234 342287
Verger: Antony Collinson 01234 262123
Social Groups
Catering Team: D Kirby & S Barker 01234 266425 Craft & Chat: Elaine Abraham 01234 301181 Indoor Bowls: Dorothy Kirby 01234 266425
Ladies’ Breakfast: Chris Graham 01234 213501 Men’s Breakfast: Brian Backhouse 01234 403255 Knit & Natter: Elaine Abraham 01234 301181 Walking Group: Richard Kirby 01234 266425
Other useful Contacts
Archivist: Sarah Collinson 01234 262123 Beavers: David Batten 07523 215187 Bible Reading notes: Jane Preston 01234 306361 Children’s Society: Christine Chapman 01234 342724 Church Library: Susan Lane 01234 404970 North Bedford Churches Together: Colin Last 01234 356261 Guides: Nesta Gedrych 07708 954462 Lifts to Church: Sheila Berry 01234 359470 Planned Giving: Michael Barker 01234 306139
Signing Group: Sue Lennon 01234 407298 Traidcraft: Andrew & Shelly Dennison 01234 217261
Editorial Team: Sarah Collinson Mary Everitt Christopher Hjelt Brenda Keech
Proofreading: Shelly Dennison
Distribution: Brenda Keech
Treasurer: Mary Cope
Please note that the deadline for articles to be included in the July issue is Sunday, 7th June. The deadline for the August issue is
Sunday, 5th July. Articles, where possible, should be sent by e-mail to
[email protected] or submitted to one of the editorial team on a memory stick accompanied by hard copy.
Hand-written items are also accepted.
REGULAR SERVICES AT ST. MARY’S
SUNDAYS
First Sunday of the month only 8.00 am Holy Communion (B.C.P.)
9.30 am Family Praise – There is no Communion but plenty of music, singing, listening to God’s Word and prayer.
5.00 pm Contemplative or Taizé Service
Second, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of the month 9.30 am Parish Communion (Common Worship)
with activities for children.
Third Sunday of the month 9.30 am Family Communion (Common Worship) This service is especially child and family orientated.
Second Sunday of the month 5.00 pm Evensong (B.C.P.) March - November (except August)
WEEKDAYS
Monday, Tuesday and Friday 9.00am Morning Prayer (CW)
Every Wednesday 10.00am Holy Communion (B.C.P.)
www.stmarygoldington.org.uk
Please note that during the current coronavirus restrictions
the normal pattern of service has been suspended.
You are very welcome to join us
in our online worship on Sundays and Wednesdays
following the links you may have received by e-mail or those to be
found on our website and Facebook.