Edition 265

“The Church in the Park – Growing in Faith, Hope and Love”

MAY 2021 [email protected] A MESSAGE FROM DAVID

I’m writing at the end of an important fortnight for the nation which has seen the funeral of Prince Philip, the Queen's birthday and St George's Day.

On St George's Day, residents from William Street were joined by a reporter from BBC Radio Northampton, wanting to know why St George mattered.

So our national life is very much to the fore right now. And public life isn’t just national. On 6 May our new local authority, North Northamptonshire Council, will have its first ever councillors elected.

What has all this to do with church, with faith, with God?

There are certainly Christians who believe that faith is really a personal thing. Something that happens in our hearts. The messy world of public life and its compromises and complications is not for the spiritual-minded.

But that suggests there is part of this world in which God is not interested. The Church of England has never believed that, has always engaged with those in our society who make decisions.

There are plenty of risks in all this. Part of the role of the church is to be prophetic. To speak truth to power. To maintain and talk about a vision of a very different kind of world - God's new creation - in which justice, healing and peace will win out.

How do we manage to do both? To stay true to our vision of a better world, to be clear about the injustices all around us, whilst recognising that we are ourselves involved in the society and the structures which are partly responsible?

It certainly helps when those in positions of power and authority are open about their faith and how important it is to them. I can think of no better example that the Queen herself, who every year talks about how much faith means to her.

We are called to be salt and light, to make a difference. Salt does this by permeating and changing everything it touches, so much so that it can't be separated out. Light does this by standing apart and standing out as different, illuminating the darkness and showing things for what they truly are. Somehow we are called to be both and that is not easy.

What isn't an option is to opt out. Public life is part of God's world and those in power take decisions which make a difference. Let's pray for them, give them the support and help they need, exercise our right to vote whenever we can, lobby them on issues that matter and challenge them if they get things wrong. In particular right now, let's pray for our new North Northamptonshire Council and its members as they get elected in the coming days. David The Christian Chronicle New Builds, Old Attitudes

If there’s one thing that the church has shown over the years, it’s that it isn’t good with change or different ideas. It’s now 1490 and, as we get towards the end of the century, it’s good to take stock of what’s been happening. As the title suggests, there’s been some quite magnificent building that pushes boundaries, but boundaries to attitudes remain stubbornly fixed. The church has these pressure- cooker moments, and it feels like there’s another one brewing. Remember how, at the beginning of the century, there were two different Popes and then, after the Council of Pisa in 1409, there were suddenly three. In a nutshell, different factions of the church were falling out and each one wanted their own Pope! We’d had a period of Popes exiled in Avignon and then a “Western Schism”. As a result, a new idea grew up (which became a movement!), trying to resolve differences through discussion and ‘give and take’. The posh word for this is conciliation (like some lawyer thought that up!) The Council of Pisa had been an attempt at conciliation but hadn’t really worked because neither papal incumbent had bought into the outcome. The Council of Constance, however, had had a better result. Conciliarism sought to rest the supreme authority of the church with an ecumenical council, separate from, and even potentially contrary to, the Pope. The Council of Constance was a victory over superior authority of the papacy, but it was that same council that put Jan Hus to death as a heretic and opened the way for a significant backlash. Unrest broke out in Hus’ Bohemian homeland between his followers (called Hussites) and the Catholic authorities. A council was called by the conciliarists to try and mediate the situation. It started as the Council of Basel in 1431 but then dragged on and drifted until it became the Council of Florence by 1449. It probably tried to do too much because, by inviting delegates from Eastern churches, it was also trying to bridge the differences between East and West. Not only did it fail to achieve its intentions, but it also damaged the conciliarist movement beyond repair. Indeed, rather than conclude, the council, more or less, just fell apart in the end. Papal supremacy has resumed, and now conciliarism is a dirty word. Two significant threats have developed over the century: Christianity lost its foothold in the Holy Land about 200 years ago but whilst the church has been falling out amongst itself, Islam has been on the rise. In 1453 the Muslim Ottoman Empire overran Constantinople and now, already, the city is being referred to as Istanbul. Greek speaking scholars from the East fled to the West bringing with them many texts that had not been viewed by the Latin East for centuries. The development of printing has meant that these works, and many others, are now cheaper and far more readily available. In 1455 Johann Gutenberg started mass producing the Latin Vulgate bible in Germany. Printing has certainly opened up many opportunities but spreading the word more easily could also be a threat. As Wycliffe, Hus and others found, having different opinions and speaking out has risks of being declared heretic. Over the latter part of this century, the church has moved to successively control and suppress alternative perspectives. In 1452 Pope Nicholas V issued a papal bull entitled “Dum Diversas”, it authorised Alfonso V of Portugal to conquer Saracens and pagans and consign them to “perpetual servitude”. Other Popes have issued similar mandates and trading in slaves from West Africa has begun. In Spain, Christianity has successfully regained Grenada from Muslim control and the remaining Jews and Muslims have been “encouraged” to convert. Worried about heretics within these converts, Pope Sixtus IV established the Spanish Inquisition in 1478. Nobody expected that! Over the last 6 years Pope Innocent VIII has been far from his name in wading in against “undesirable” groups. Supporting Heinrich Kramer, he issued a bull entitled “Sumis Desiderantes” enabling prosecutions against witchcraft in Germany. Kramer’s book “Malleus Maleficarum” (or the Witches Hammer) in 1487 has started witch-hunts across Europe. It seems you just need to look like a witch to be guilty! Innocent also started a crusade against the Waldensians, followers of Peter Waldo who founded the “Poor Men of Lyon” in the late 12th century. He’d also spoken against church dogmas and the papacy in particular. People keep speaking out, but hardened attitudes are difficult to change. Finally, a bit about buildings because these are getting impressive! It’s taken over 400 years, but Strasbourg finally has a new Cathedral, completed in 1439. I’ve seen it but I’m not going up the tower because it’s very, very high! I’m not sure man is supposed to get that close to God. It’s reported to be the tallest building in the world! Not so elevated in height, but still very impressive is the Cappella Magna (Great Chapel) - that’s the church within the Pope’s Apostolic Palace in Rome. Pope Sixtus IV kicked off a great restoration and renovation in 1473. It took 8 years but has been well worth it; many are starting to refer to it now as the Sistine chapel in deference to Sixtus. All it needs now is a lick of paint!

VIRTUAL HOUSE GROUP BY ZOOM

The House Group, we will be continuing virtually on Zoom in May on Wednesdays 5th and 19th. Details to be sent out to group members nearer the time. We will be returning to the New Testament and looking at Galatians between now and the Summer. New members are always welcome – please contact Alan & Lyn for further details.

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RECTORY HOUSING PROBLEMS (reported on 13.4.1901)

IF JESUS CAME TO YOUR HOUSE

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two, If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you’d do? I know you’d give your nicest room to such an honoured guest, and all the food you’d serve to Him would be the very best, and you would keep assuring him that you were glad to have Him there, That serving him in your home is a joy beyond compare. But when you saw him coming would you meet him at the door? With arms outstretched in welcome to your Heavenly Visitor? Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in, Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they’d been? Would you hide you worldly music and put some hymn books out? Could you let Jesus walk right in or would you rush about? And I wonder; if the Saviour spent a day or two with you, Would you go right on doing the things you always do? Would you keep right on saying the things you always say? Would life for you continue as it does from day to day? Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you planned to go? Or would you, maybe change your plans for just a day or so? Would you be glad for Him to meet your very close friends? Or would you hope they’d stay away until His visit ends? Would you be glad for Him to stay forever on and on, Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone? Unknown

______Do you know that the British Legion is 100 years old this year on 21st May?

The Royal British Legion was formed in the aftermath of the First World War when four organisations came together to fight the injustices faced by those returning home after service – and became the British Legion in 1921. From the beginning they campaigned for fair treatment of those who had given so much for their country during the war and provided much needed welfare support and comradeship to millions. Look out for their new logo.

HISTORICAL RECORDS OF ALL SAINTS

______Christian Aid Week 2021 Once again there will be no street collection for Christian Aid this year. Instead we will have a collection in church in much the same way as we usually collect for USPG in Lent. Envelopes will be distributed in church on Sunday 9th May, the beginning of Christian Aid Week and we would ask you to bring them back to church – with your donation of course – on Sunday 16th May. If you are unable to do that you can either donate directly to Christian Aid through their website at www.christianaid.org.uk or give your donation to Jennie Loasby who will add it to our parish total. It is vital that we support this collection for Christian Aid Week. Last year collections were very much reduced as a result of Covid and this year it was felt that it was too soon for any of us to go out collecting safely. So many people worldwide are affected by this loss of funding, so please do what you can to help. Thank you.

Jennie Loasby

WHERE WOULD WE BE?

Where would we be without the birds and bees? Where would we be without the fields and trees? Where would we be without our loved ones near? I wouldn't wanna be anywhere but here

Where would we be without the sky of blue? Where would we be without the sunshine too? Where would we be without a laugh and a tear? I wouldn't wanna be anywhere but here

Where would we be without the flowers that bloom? Where would we be without the stars and moon? Where would we be without the atmosphere? I wouldn't wanna be anywhere but here I wouldn’t wanna be anywhere but here It’s where I wanna be On this planet we call Earth In this old galaxy

Where would we be without the fish in the sea? Where would we be without you and me Where would we be without the Christmas cheer? I wouldn't wanna be anywhere but here

Where would we be without a hope and a prayer? Where would we be without a dream and a care? Where would we be without a wine and a beer? I wouldn't wanna be anywhere but here

Where would we be without the salt of the earth? Where would we be without their measure of worth? Where would we be without a driver to steer? I wouldn't wanna be anywhere but here

I wouldn't wanna be anywhere but here It’s where I wanna be On the planet we call Earth In this old galaxy

Where would we be without the sky above? Where would we be without a mother's love? Where would we be without ears to hear? I wouldn't wanna be anywhere but here

All rights reserved – Steve Howkins (from Rothwell)

Laughter is a noisy smile. (Steven Goldberg). Happiness sneaks in through a door you didn't know you had left open. (John Barrymore). MORE RESEARCH ON ALL SAINTS CHURCH, KETTERING The brass plaques below were found under the altar here at All Saints. So, off I went to do some researching again! As you can see Herbert and Catherine Baxter (husband and wife) died 33 years apart.

In loving memory CATHERINE HERBERT BAXTER HARRIET BAXTER, August 18th 9th March 1966 1933 “Abide With Me” – RIP Jesu Mercy

Catherine Harriet Hales (born 1869 at Great Bramingham, Bedfordshire, baptised 29.8.1869 at Biscot), married on 9.5.1894 at Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire to Herbert Baxter. Catherine died in 18.8.1933 and was buried 3 days later.

Herbert Baxter born 21.4.1872 Kettering, was baptised at St Peter & Paul, Kettering in 8.6.1873. He died 9.3.1966 and was buried 3 days later. He worked at Kettering Co-operative Society in Dryden St, pressing clothing before he joined the army and was in the Queens and the Essex Regiment. On the 1891 census he lived in School Lane, and on the 1901 & 1911 census was living in Exeter St.

They had 3 children: Reginald born 9.11.1896, baptised 13.12.1896 at St Peter & Paul, Winifred Mary born 1898 and Marjorie Olive born 1902 and baptised on 25.1.1903 at All Saints Kettering.

Many thanks to Merilee & sister Steph Thompson in New Zealand for the use of the photos. ______Article by Karen Holyoak – Author of IT’S THE LAW! According to Florence Nightingale. On Wednesday 12th May 2021, the World will again celebrate International Nurse’s Day and we will thank and pay tribute to every health care and social care worker who has laid down their life in the service and support of other human beings. It is a critical and important time to give thanks and praise, but also recognise that action is needed for improvement and reform. Prior to the pandemic, we were already under great strain and stress in the health and social care industry, with our systems for care, treatment, recovery or palliative care significantly under-staffed and under rewarded. Let’s go back to January 2020, when already the NHS was facing its biggest workforce crisis since its establishment in 1948. Astonishingly, in January 2020 there were 100,000 vacancies for positions needing to be filled to operate our health care system pre-pandemic and at that time 1 in 4 nurses were leaving within 3 years of starting their jobs. In addition, 1 in 3 were leaving their jobs in social care, with the turnover of staff in social care at over 34%. One in three people leaving their jobs in social care every year. 35% of GP’s were ready to quit their jobs within three years. There were 6000 vacancies in general practice and over 40,000 nurse vacancies in the NHS in England. The levels of stress had been rising steadily, with the highest levels of stress at 40% of all staff in the NHS during 2019 making them feel so unwell at work. Since the GP working survey was introduced in1998, this was the highest and worst ratings of stress in the industry. 51 % of district nurses and midwifes felt unwell, as a result of work stresses and work demands, with very high levels of intention to quit. Then the pandemic hit. Prior to the pandemic we were already in a crisis and then with added fears for all of our lives due to the pandemic were added to the NHS burden. We cannot go back in time, but we must remember that this 12th May anniversary is not just honouring health care workers as we hope to reach any management of Covid pandemic. This is not just about recovery from the pandemic. There are huge opportunities for learning and there are key lessons to transform our health care services with compassionate leadership. How we collaborate to improve. How we build a better more responsive and caring service. Let us pray and do every action to help world health care, to help our NHS to remodel and survive as a client and patient centred service. Let us pray for collaborative compassionate leadership as the Telegraph newspaper reported on Thursday 29th April, 2021. Sir Simon Stevens is to step down as the head of the NHS and become a peer, the Government has announced. After seven years in the job, Sir Simon will leave his role at the end of July having overseen the Covid vaccination rollout to all adults. In a leaving note to staff, he paid tribute to their work on the "amazingly successful" campaign. He will step down on July 31 – the target day for every adult in the country to be offered a first jab – having intended to leave last year but agreed to stay on "to see us through the pandemic pressures". SPOONERISMS

The Reverend William Archibald Spooner was born at 17 Chapel St, Grosvenor Place in London on 22nd July 1844. He was described as "an albino, small, with a pink face, poor eyesight, and a head too large for his body". He suffered defective eyesight and it is thought that this caused some of his verbal confusions which were later dubbed "spoonerisms". (Definition from the Oxford English Dictionary: Verbal errors in which a speaker accidentally transposes the initial sounds or letters of two or more words, often to humorous effect). Spooner studied at New College, Oxford, before lecturing there for 60 years, in history, philosophy and divinity. He was ordained deacon in the Church of England in 1872, an Anglican priest in 1875. In 1878, he became chaplain to Archbishop Archibald Tait. He was apparently an amiable, kind and hospitable man, though absent-minded. He also had a keen intellect, which is where his problems began. His tongue barely kept up with his thought processes, resulting in an unintentional interchange of sounds, producing a phrase with a meaning entirely different from the one intended. That is what is now called a spoonerism. The more agitated the good Reverend became, the more acute the manifestation of sound switching. For example: At a wedding “It is kisstomary to cuss the bride” for customary to kiss. “Blushing crow” for crushing blow. “The Lord is a shoving leopard” for loving shepherd.

Spooner died on 29th August 1930 (aged 86) and was buried in the cemetery at Grasmere in Cumbria. ______Please send in your snippets, news, prayers etc to Angela. The deadline for the next edition of Saints Alive! is the 25th May. The June edition will be ready from Sunday 30th May 2021. The following months are still available to sponsor: June until December.

WHO’S WHO AT ALL SAINTS PARISH CHURCH

Priest-in-charge Rev. David Walsh Reader John Stapleton 520342 Lay Minister Alan Ridley 529426 Churchwardens: Richard Lewis 513703 Angela Brett 522158 Safeguarding: Julie Loake 077434 00812 Hall Manager: Lyn Ridley 529426 Secretary: John Sockett 501851 Treasurer: Marie Morrison 725219 Saints Alive! Angela Brett 522158

Email: [email protected] Website Address: http://kettallsaintschurch.btck.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsparishchurchkettering/

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This edition of Saints Alive is sponsored by: Pam Chandler and family in loving memory of Deric, a treasured husband, father and grandfather. Always in our hearts.