ST. PHILIP AND ST. JAMES CHURCH GROBY PARISH MAGAZINE

Building the body of Christ, equipping the Church for mission

February 2021

1 DESIGN

VALUATIONS

REMODELLING

RESTRINGING

WATCH REPAIRS

JEWELLERY CLEANING

JEWELLERY REPAIRS

ENGRAVING

Monday to Saturday 10am - 5.30pm 19 Ratby Road, Groby, Leicester, LE6 0GF

Tel: 0116 287 0041 www.cathystephens.co.uk Also at 11 Flying Horse walk. The Poultry, Nottingham, NG1 2HN

If you would like to advertise here please contact the magazine email address

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2 The Benefice of Groby & Ratby

I was looking back over Are there silver linings? some past pastoral letters and it was interesting to see the things The news always seems full of which were exercising our minds complaints about people's then. behaviour - not wearing masks or not socially distancing, some In September 2018 I wrote: people profiteering, others organising or attending illegal Somehow, we always expect to be raves, toilet roll banditry. It makes content and are discontented if we it seem as if no one is looking out aren't. Contentment seems hard for others. Then there is talk of to come by. I've known a number the very real problem of mental of millionaires over the years, and illness, loss of hope and a I can't remember many of them diminution of expectation, anxiety who were content. think most if for oneself or loved ones…. will not all were insecure, the more things ever be the same again? you have, the more you're afraid of losing it. In a way, it’s a staff of Yet there has been good news. life, but one which is breakable. I Captain Sir Tom and many other think someone once said that stories of generosity of spirit and wealth doesn't make you happy, generosity of means, caring but just allows you to be misera- shown by neighbours, people ble in comfort! working in the community, simple acts of generosity shown by local On the subject, last year, 2020, hostelries, and so it goes on. If we was not a year which created a lot compared the numbers, good of contentment. I remember, at acts, I suspect, have far the beginning of the year, Brexit outnumbered the selfish ones. was on our minds (perhaps, even driving us out of our minds!) Yet, Will there be an end to all this? suddenly, it became insignificant There will be. As I write, infection when Covid19 arrived, which numbers are falling, the R-rate is brought life as we know it to a in many places, well below 1, halt. Since then, it has dominated vaccines are being rolled out. We our thoughts, our plans, our hopes can look forward to a time when and our fears. Lives have been our current problems will be just a lost or health damaged, memory, when we can celebrate livelihoods destroyed, front line the lives of those we have lost, NHS workers exhausted. Many hug our families and friends, have lost loved ones. applaud the work of good men and women and see industry 3 picking up the pieces and prospering again, doing what it does best in providing income for many. I wonder if, when things come back to something like "normal", we will have learned to appreciate "normal" life a little more?

It is worth pondering these things. I love the comment I just read on You Tube: "growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional!" We have choices.

Paul says, in his letter to the Philippian Church (Phil 4:8, NIV):

Finally, sisters and brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Such is the beginning of emotionally healthy living.

And Paul had a view about the subject of emotional health. (4:12, 13 NIV) ‘I have learned the 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know secret of being what it is to have plenty. I have learned the content in any and secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, every situation...’ whether living in plenty or in want..

He, more than most, had suffered hardship, ill treatment, injustice. How did he learn to be content?

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength!

Keith Wignall Reader Minister

4 Services in February

As I am sure you are aware we have entered a national lockdown and Covid cases are all too high across most of the country. Consulting with the PCCs of both churches, we have taken the difficult decision to suspend public worship in our churches for the time being. We do not do this lightly, but it feels absolutely the right thing to do in our context.

Strange though it may seem, we care for one another in keeping apart to try to reduce the further spread of this pernicious virus, especially with the new variant which even control measures appear less effective against. But our services online at 10am via Facebook, and Telephone Church at 11.15am on Sundays, alongside our regular online Compline Mon-Weds at 9pm, and Morning Prayer at 10am on Thursdays will continue.

Do keep an eye on our ‘A Church Near You’ web pages (https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/5500/benefice/) and our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/StPandStJ) For details of what is going on. And of course our prayers and service to our communities always continue. With prayers and blessings, Rev'd Ed.

Magazine Distribution, February

It has been decided that in view of the current Covid 19 Pandemic situation, the February and probably March magazines will be distributed as follows. To all those for whom we have an email address an electronic copy will be sent. A pdf copy will also go onto the ‘A church near you’ website as usual. For all others, a copy will be posted with a covering letter suggesting that if they have an email address they are willing to share then to contact the parish office so that future copies could be sent in this way until it is safe for distributors to deliver paper copies

We thank you for your support and hope to continue to provide you with information that is useful and of interest.

5 Lent Groups

As lockdown continues we have been thinking about Lent groups for this year across Groby and Ratby. We thought that we might offer both a Zoom course and one via telephone using our WhyPay facility that we use for Telephone Church, for those who cannot access the internet. In addition we would welcome anyone who would like to, to join in with the Wednesday evening Home Group in Groby who will be doing something in particular for Lent. This, we hope, would give people a range of options to choose from!

So we would hope to run the following:

Tuesdays 23rd Feb, 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd March at 3pm by telephone (call 0333 0164 757, followed by room number 10336316#, followed by pin number 1920#) using the Churches Together course ‘A Poet’s Gospel’.

Wednesdays 24th Feb, 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th March at 7.30pm, joining the Groby Home Group by Zoom (contact Ruth Scott on [email protected] for the link).

Thursdays 25th Feb, 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th March at 7.30pm, by Zoom (contact Rev’d Ed at [email protected] for the link) using material from the Bible Project centred around ‘The Gospel of the Kingdom’.

These are open to everyone from either village and I hope as well as being fun and interesting will help us get to know one another even better. Do get in touch if you would like to join any of these or for more information. All being well, we will see about providing written resources that can be used in your own time as well.

Rev’d Ed and the ministry team, together with Rev’d Judith and the Methodist Chapel

6 ON-LINE AND TELEPHONE SERVICES - FEBRUARY

DATE GROBY RATBY

10.00am All Age Online Service (All Age Team) 7th 11.15am 2nd Sunday Telephone Church (EB) before Lent 4.00pm Chattabox by Zoom (RS/JC)

10.00am 14th Online Service (EB)

1st Sunday 11.15am before Lent Telephone Church (KW)

10.00am Online Service (EB) 21st 11.15am 1st Sunday Telephone Church (NC) of Lent 4.00pm Chattabox by Zoom (RS/JC)

28th 10.00am Online Service (NC) 2nd Sunday of Lent 11.15am Telephone Church (RS)

17th 10.00am Ash Ash Wednesday Service (EB) Wednesday

REGULAR WEEKDAY ONLINE SERVICES

At 9pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, a service of night prayer is said online.

At 10am on Thursday mornings, a service of morning prayer is said online.

Please check our ‘A church near you’ web pages to see if church services have resumed. It could happen at quite short notice!

7

‘Telephone Church’ Service 11.15am Sundays

I have been very aware of the effects Coronavirus has had on everyone and particularly those who are missing church and unable to connect to what we have been doing online. I know that what will be missing is connecting with one another as we usually do in church. One way we have been doing this is by ‘Telephone Church’. I have sent out orders of service by post to many, along with a short booklet of hymns – but if you would like to join us and don’t have these, do contact me or Hayley in the office and we will happily deliver those to you. This service is weekly at 11.15am every Sunday – and we will review how long we want to carry on, which might be indefinitely if it is enjoyed and helps keep us all connected! We have now had a good number of these services and they have been very much enjoyed by us all. For those that might have tried to connect but not got through I have a huge apology to make, as I mistyped the pin number on the very first letter I sent (it is correct at the top of the order of service though – it should be 1920#). So these are the correct instructions for joining in with ‘Telephone Church’ and everyone is welcome: Joining instructions Using your telephone (landline OR mobile) dial: 0333 0164 757 See if you can put your phone on ‘speaker’ or ‘hands free’ so that you can move it away from your ear. This isn’t essential but might make it easier for you. You will hear a woman’s voice saying “Welcome to Whypay (and a short marketing message)” then, “Please enter your conference room number followed by the hash key”. So using your keypad type in: 10336316 # this is the Room Number You will then hear the same voice say “Please enter your Guest Pin followed by the hash key”. So using your keypad type in: 1920 # this is the Guest Pin When you are connected if you are the first on the line some music will play, when someone arrives you will hear a tone, just say hello to each other and when everyone is there we will begin. All calls are charged at the normal rate and are included in any bundled calls on both landlines and mobiles. The service will be led by different people each week, including me, Noel, Keith, Ruth and Joan. Look forward to worshipping with you in this new way! With love and prayers, Rev’d Ed

8 Rector’s Ramblings

As a number of you know, I love to cook. In fact I do pretty much all the cooking in our household. That means I also tend to do all the food shopping too – as if Claire does it, it can become a bit more like Ready, Steady, Cook! When people discover this, there is sometimes an expression of commiseration that I have those chores to do – except that for me they (mostly!) aren’t a chore. They are ways which help me unwind and relax – yes even the shopping, as I sometimes just look at what there is in the supermarket to inspire me as to what I might experiment with for a meal or two. Yes, I am still a scientist, even if my lab is mostly the kitchen!

Of course the other reason I love to cook is that food brings people together. The pandemic somewhat frustrates this at a wider level, but as a family we sit down together to eat and talk. I am reminded of how often Jesus’s ministry was centred around hospitality – of eating with people, from the outcasts to the pillars of society. And of course the Last Supper has to be the most famous meal ever eaten. In this time together Jesus shared his thoughts and wisdom, giving spiritual food alongside the physical food. When we share time together over a meal we also nourish one another mentally and spiritually – and most importantly we share love.

There will come a time again, soon I hope, when we can meet together to share food in different ways. But although I cannot share food more widely as I might like to at this time, what I can do is share some of my favourite recipes for you to try if you would like. Thus elsewhere in this magazine you will find a new section, Rector’s Recipes – something someone had suggested I do some time ago and which I hope you enjoy! I’ll try to give a range things over the months from very simple to more complicated. Do give me feedback as to whether this is something you appreciate and I’m happy to share recipes using particular ingredients etc if there are ever any requests! God bless you all. Rev’d Ed

9

Last February we were announcing the new ‘Groby Sings’ season in the magazine. Sadly, this year we are still waiting for it to be safe for us to gather and sing together as a choir. The singers have enjoyed listening out for some of our greatest hits on tv and radio to sing along to and were even able to practice all the songs for ‘Calamity Jane’ when the BBC showed the film last month.

Some singers have heard songs they have suggested as suitable for future seasons and we are looking forward to those. There will not be a full spring/summer season, but we hope that we may be able to at least meet to chat and eat cake (the singing is normally just an excuse to do this of course) later on in the summer.

For now, the Management Team are gathering suggestions for possible online activities for the choir this spring. If you would like to join in at home, keep an eye on our website www.grobysings.org and our FaceBook page for

details. Keep singing, Jane Groby Sings is a Registered Charity no. 1180490

Sunday Lunch Club on the Road!

A huge thank to Brian from Stamford Arms for his generosity in helping us provide meals for some of our faithful lunch club members and bring a bit of cheer during the run up to Christmas. We were able to take out 45 beautiful meals to our senior citizens the week before Christmas and they were so well received. It’s fair to say they were overwhelmed with the generosity. The picture is of Mrs Maureen Webb (who has given me her permission to use her photo). She was absolutely delighted and phoned me to say what a beautiful meal it was, just one example of the gratitude for this wonderful act of kindness. Joan Hawkins

10

Magazine Donations for 2021

Your January magazine included an envelope for your contribution to production costs. Since there will be no hand delivery and no church services in February, and possibly March also, it would be most useful if you could send your donation direct to Hayley at: Parish Office, St Philip and St James Church Rooms, Church Lane, Ratby, Leicestershire, LE6 0JF

or by bank transfer to the church account, sort code 20-61-51, account number 53764478, using the reference ‘magazine donation’

If you are unable to do either of these things, please do not worry, just keep the envelope until it is safe for your distributor to collect.

Thank you for your help with this.

Thank You to Our Christmas Card Deliverers

Joan, Chris and I would like to send out a massive thank you to the small band of volunteers from both the Parish Church and the Methodist Church in Ratby, and the Parish Church and URC in Groby, who responded to our requests for people to post the churches’ Christmas card through villagers doors. Thank you also to those who put in so much work with suggestions for designs and wording from every church to help us connect with everyone in both our villages and share the love of God at Christmas. You were all brilliant! Thank you so much. Joan (Ratby Parish Church organiser), Chris (Groby Parish Church organiser) and Ed (grateful Rector!)

11 Churches Together Community Support Team at Christmas

Christmas cheer was sent to some of the most vulnerable members of our communities in the form of Christmas care packages and small gifts to our families and vulnerable adults and Christmas presents for our children.

We were only able to do this thanks to the incredible generosity of the amazing communities we have in Ratby and Groby. We have to say firstly a huge thank to all the staff, children and parents of Ratby Primary School for their amazing kindness in providing donations so we could support all those who are struggling at this time.

A huge thank you also to Jamie at the Bull’s Head for the lovely packages he put together to go out to those in need around the community and, of course, a huge thank you to the many, many of you wonderful people who made individual donations that enabled us to show our love and care to one another. We are humbled and blessed to be part of such loving communities in our villages.

A special thank you to our team elves, Anne-Marie, Savannah, Sue, Michele and Dave who helped in sorting, packing and delivering our Christmas cheer, bringing, we hope, love and light at Christmas time.

Don’t forget we’re still here to offer whatever help we can, be that telephone befriending to combat loneliness during the latest lockdown, help with shopping or prescription collection for those unable to get out or care packages of food and toiletries for those struggling amidst the economic difficulties the pandemic has created. Give us a ring 11-2 on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays on 07368 655656 or drop us an email at [email protected] and we’ll try our best to help. The Churches Together Community Support Team

12 Churches Together Community Support Team

Supporting our Communities in Ratby and Groby

Our Contact Number is: 07368 655656

Our email address is: [email protected]

We are available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10am to 3pm Outside of these times please leave a message and one of our team will get back to you

Out of Hours = for emergencies only 07757 302271

Fairtrade Fortnight: 22nd February – 7th March

It has been a terrible year for farmers and workers in the global south.

In 2020, on top of the pandemic, they had to deal with the growing impact of climate change: more droughts and crop disease, locusts, floods, fires, and heatwaves. No wonder their harvests were shrinking.

Yet with the help of Fairtrade, many of these producers of food, drinks and cottons can be equipped to meet more everyday needs, and to deal with the challenges facing them. So this month, why not visit www.fairtrade.org.uk and see how you can send some support.

CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2021

HELLO EVERYONE

What can I say – it looks as though we are not going to be able to meet up for some time yet. Perhaps in the Spring? It is very disappointing but “better to be safe than sorry”

STAY SAFE!!!! Keep in touch with each other and pray for everyone who needs our thoughts at this time. As my husband Graham would say “Chin up and Keep Smiling”

Why not come and join us at one of our meetings for friendship, tea and cake!!!! when all is back to A New Normal.

For more information please contact Annette Fowler (2873169).

13 Many of you will already be aware that Bishop Guli has a new appointment outside our diocese. Here is the text of the December article announcing it on the Diocese website.

Downing Street has announced that Bishop Guli, currently the Church of England Bishop of Loughborough is to be the next Bishop of Chelmsford.

Appointed the first Bishop of Loughborough three years ago, the Rt Revd Guli Francis-Dehqani became the first Suffragan Bishop in the Diocese of Leicester, assisting Bishop Martyn in his work in all geographical areas across Leicester and Leices- tershire.

Bishop Martyn said: “Bishop’s Guli’s contribution to the Diocese of Leicester has been hugely significant. She has championed our work with BAME heritage people and grown our links with a number of partner organisations. She has renewed our vocations work and helped to support clergy through the demands of the pandemic and lockdown. I give thanks to God for her ministry among us and assure her of prayers as she prepares to take up this new and demanding role. She and her family will be a wonderful gift to the Diocese of Chelmsford.”

It is expected that Bishop Guli will take up her Chelmsford role in the spring.

Bishop Guli’s husband, Revd Canon Lee Francis-Dehqani, will continue in his role as Priest-in-Charge of the Fosse Team until the summer. A special leaving service will be organised to bid farewell to Bishop Guli in the spring. Details will be published in the new year.

Bishop Guli has had several specific areas of responsibility including overseeing the work in the diocese to help enable people of diverse cultural backgrounds and heritage to fully participate and take up leadership and ministry roles within our churches and fresh expressions.

Bishop Guli has also been ‘Sponsoring Bishop’, overseeing and supporting the vocations of those called to ordained and lay ministries in the Diocese of Leicester. She also leads in the area of Wellbeing amongst leaders of Anglican churches in the diocese and has overseen the development of a more coordinated counselling service.

Bishop Guli is also Chair of Trustees of the diocesan retreat house Launde Abbey, which recently celebrated its 900th year as a house of prayer. She is also Patron of One Roof homelessness charity.

A contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day, Bishop Guli shared her latest reflections just this morning (17 Dec 2020) and also gave one of the Lent Talks in a Radio 4 series in spring 2020.

14 Prior to her arrival in our diocese after her consecration at Canterbury Cathedral in 2017, Bishop Guli had led Curate Training in the Diocese of Peterborough. She was also Adviser for Women’s Ministry, an Honorary Canon of Peterborough Cathedral, and a member of the Church of England’s governing body, General Synod.

Born in Iran, Bishop Guli’s family left the country in the wake of the Iranian Revolution in 1980, when she was 13 years old, and to date she has been unable to return.

Bishop Guli’s family was forced to leave the country in the wake of the Iranian Revolution in 1980 when she was 14 years old.

You can hear and read more about Bishop Guli’s background and faith in an interview she did just after she had led a service to launch the first bilingual Persian language version of the Church of England’s Common Worship Holy Communion liturgy (see diocese website). Hundreds of Iranians from churches around England attended the launch at Wakefield Cathedral.)

As a current Vice-President of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), Bishop Guli has a close working relationship with the Churches Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME). In March last year she hosted a visit to Leicester of the CEC presidency on what was originally expected to be BREXIT day (29 March 2019).

Reflecting on her three years here, Bishop Guli said: “I have very fond memories of the warmth with which I was welcomed into the diocese and the goodwill shown towards me. People have been very generous and patient as I’ve grown into the role. I’m aware that while I’m excited to start a new ministry in Chelmsford I will be sad to leave Leicester where I’ve been very happy.

Developing mission and ministry for people of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage and seeing our Intercultural Worshipping Communities begin, alongside BAME Enabler Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy and others has felt important and worthwhile. Particular highlights have been Global Carol Services and the World in a Diocese Day.

Pilgrimage sadly ended early because of the first lockdown but I loved getting out and about, seeing what our churches are doing more widely in the community, living out their Everyday Faith in action and sharing in partnership with others. It was inspiring and brought me much joy.

Being Chair of Trustees at Launde has also been a joy and a privilege, despite the challenges now faced because of Covid-19. The Trustees are a wonderful and committed group who have an enormous amount of wisdom and experience between them.”

15 God in the Arts By Revd Michael Burgess

Forty days and forty nights

On the 17th of this month, we enter the season of Lent: those 40 days when we follow Jesus into the wilderness and prepare ourselves to celebrate His Easter victory. In the last century an artist called Stanley Spencer planned to create a series of 40 paintings, each depicting a day in the wilderness. In the end he completed nine, one of which is this month’s painting from 1939: ‘Christ in the Wilderness – Scorpions.’ It is currently held in a private collection.

Stanley Spencer lived and worked in the village of Cookham in Berkshire. The village and the local countryside were the setting for many of his paintings, and the village’s inhabitants his models. Through their everyday life he was trying to glimpse and convey the transcendent. ‘Angels and dirt’ he called it: the divine seen in the ordinary. So, in a painting of Christ carrying His cross, Jesus has the face of the local grocer.

Another villager modelled for this Jesus in the wilderness: a strong, hefty, broad figure. This is a great contrast to the Christ of stained-glass windows who often seems too good to be part of our world. Here is real life: a large man filling the canvas with his head, his hands and his feet. This figure of Jesus comes as a shock: a very human model, ordinary with nothing handsome or special about him, apart from his tunic which seems to sprawl and undulate like the hills around. Here is a Jesus born into this world and one with this world.

There are two focal points in the painting – the neat, little scorpion and the massive, unkempt head contemplating each other. One is life in all its hefty reality; the other a tiny creature able to squeeze that life out by one swift flick of its tail.

Jesus is shown in the wilderness pondering the life and ministry called of Him by God – a life and ministry that will take Him from the countryside into the towns and villages and take Him also to the death of Good Friday. Will He find the strength and renewal to embrace that ministry during His time in the desert? During Lent as we follow Jesus, we seek to live for God. That may mean dying to all that separates us from God.

He has a ministry, a calling for each of us. As we contemplate that calling in this season of Lent, we may find it is a calling that leads us through these 40 days to life and Easter life – we may find it a journey that calls us to die to self to find our God. 16 This month we begin by recording a huge Thank You to David Harrop who is moving from Groby and therefore will no longer coordinate our Open the Book team

David was instrumental in setting up the group, creating links with all four schools in Groby and Ratby and leading the team with dedication, enthusiasm and humour each month. This has enabled over 1000 primary school children to experience a bible story delivered as a short drama every month during term time. The opportunity to take part as a character from the story is a much sought after experience by the children..

During lockdown when we were unable to meet as a team to prepare or to visit the schools, sessions were filmed by individuals and edited by a member of the team. Schools welcomed these and messages to Rev’d Ed from all four schools indicated how much the weekly assembly videos he sends and Open the Book presentations are appreciated. An example is:

I just wanted to email to thank you for your continued support throughout this challenging year. The weekly virtual assemblies have been incredibly helpful and our children have really enjoyed seeing them each week. Please pass on our thanks to everyone involved including the Open the Book team and we look forward to a time when we can welcome you all back to see us in school.

Please continue to pray for the school children of our villages, pray that they will know Jesus as their friend – always there for them.

Pray for the teachers and all at the schools who are working to educate the children during these challenging times – pray that they will know God’s peace and strength in their work.

Christine Davies - member of OTB team. [email protected]

PS We are always looking for more people to join the team maybe to take part as a character, or even an animal. Do contact me if you would like to hear more

17 God in the Sciences

By Dr Ruth M. Bancewicz, Church Engagement Director at The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion in Cambridge

Hope for 2021: Celebrating the now and future creation

I find that watching buds swelling on trees and plants during the winter months gives me a tremendous sense of hope. We may all need some need extra hope for 2021, after the events of 2020. By the time you read this a number of us may have been fortunate enough to receive a COVID vaccine, but all of us will probably still be under various kinds of restrictions. After creation’s winter shut-down, the sight of tiny flowers poking out of brown earth may be more important than ever.

Getting outdoors during daylight hours, enjoying green spaces and getting some fresh air and exercise are great ways to keep ourselves healthy at any time of year. A psychologist colleague wrote, “Attending to the details of nature can also inspire awe, which has been linked to positive mood and increased life satisfaction.” I expect it is this sense of awe that makes it easier for many of us to connect with God outdoors.

Helping ourselves and others to thrive is a good start to 2021, but it is also vital to have hope for the future. The COVID-19 pandemic was caused by an animal virus jumping into the human population. Diseases like this are not ‘natural disasters’, but are almost certainly caused by environmental destruction and poor farming practices - either from greed or the desperation born of poverty. Part of the answer to the current crisis is for us to care for all of Creation, both human and everything else, with God’s help.

Our ultimate hope is in God’s promise that He will bring about a new heaven and new earth. We can look forward to the day when Creation will be fully redeemed and liberated from evil. The Greek word used to describe the new creation is the same as that used to describe someone who becomes a Christian, whose humanity is restored and renewed. There will be continuity between the old and new earth as it is cleansed and purified, surpassing and perfecting what has gone before. There will also be some discontinuity, as there will be no more suffering or death.

So, one source of hope for 2021 is that we can enjoy both caring for and meeting God in Creation. But the parts of Creation that we find most beautiful, giving us a sense of awe and helping us to worship, are also a reminder that there is something much better to come.

18 Rector’s Recipes This is recipe I use from Levi Roots and I enjoy as a different way of having fish pie – a meal all in itself with no need for accompaniments, but can always have some nice peas or salad with it.

Caribbean Fish Pie Ingredients 600mls (1 pint) milk 1 sprig of thyme 600g (1lb 5oz) skinned white fish fillets (Haddock, Cod or Coley) 55 g (2oz) butter 2 tbsp plain flour 50g (1¾oz) creamed coconut salt and pepper about 1½ limes, Large bunch fresh coriander, chopped juiced (optional) 250g (9oz) baby spinach Caribbean Mash

1/. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Warm milk and thyme in a saucepan (large enough to add fish later) until it reaches boiling, then turn off heat and leave to infuse for 30 minutes. 2/. Put fish into infused milk, bring to the boil, turn off heat a leave to stand for 5 minutes. Remove fish (keeping the milk) and divide into large flakes. Discard thyme. 3/. Make sauce by melting half the butter in a large saucepan and adding the flour. Cook gently for a couple of minutes and then slowly add the reserved milk, con- stantly stirring to avoid lumps. Once thickened, add the creamed coconut (roughly chopped) and stir until it melts into the sauce. Season with salt, pepper and the lime juice. Add coriander if using. Stir in the washed spinach until it just wilts in the heat of the sauce. Gently stir in the fish (to preserve those large flakes). Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. 4/. Put the fish mixture into an ovenproof dish about the size of a A4 piece of paper and top with Caribbean Mash (see below) and dot with the remaining butter. Put on a baking tray (to catch any bubbling over!) and bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes.

For the Caribbean Mash 900g (2lb) Sweet Potato 40g (1½oz) butter Nutmeg, Allspice, Salt and Pepper

1/. Peel and chop potatoes into medium sized chunks. Put in cold water and bring to the boil and simmer until soft (8-10mins) 2/. Mash with the butter and season with grated nutmeg, allspice, salt and pepper to taste.

As with any recipe, you can adjust quantities to make more or less depending on how many you want to feed (or how much leftovers you want for reheating!) and adjust amounts of things such as the lime juice to suit your own taste (I always add a bit extra lime as I love the citrussy flavour!) Enjoy! Rev’d Ed

19 Do me a favour? By David Pickup, a solicitor

I just had an email from a clergyman, saying, “Hi” and asking me to do him “a favor”. I replied to say yes, of course. I then began to wonder why he had not said what sort of favour it was, and why he was asking me.

I decided to telephone him and find why he had not explained. His wife answered and said: “Is it about the fake email?” I could tell from her tone of voice that I was not the first caller.

This was a scam of some sort and probably the favour was to send money. The same day someone else in the same parish had their accounts hacked. The email addresses used were correct, but if had looked carefully I would have noticed he would not spell “favour” like that and not say “hi”.

This all makes me quite cross, because these scammers are playing on church members’ kindness. A friend of mine also got the email and was upset that someone else was in trouble. We need to be aware of the risks and look out for messages of any kind which seem strange.

Criminals target churches and pretend to send emails from people in authority such as clergy, churchwardens or treasurers. They prey on our credulity and charity.

What should we do?

If you get a telephone call or email, and you are not sure if it is genuine, use another form of communication to check.

It is a crime, so report it to the authorities. If it is connected to a church, tell your diocese or governing body.

The scammers must have got these addresses from somewhere. How easy would it be to get a list of the names and addresses of your minister, leaders and treasurer?

Lastly, carry on being generous and kind. These scammers should not stop us.

20 Wordsearch for February

February opens with Candlemas – the naming of Jesus in the temple. Simeon and Anna praised God to see the promised Messiah, sent by a loving God to save his people. February also celebrates the love between a man and woman: Valentine cards and romance abound. ‘Love’ as in social compassion is also remembered: Fair Trade fortnight, Holocaust Memorial Day, World Leprosy Day, and National Nest Box Week.... Love is truly needed by everyone!

Find the words below in the grid Naming Christ Candlemas Simeon Anna temple Love Valentine Romance Matthias Fairtrade Fortnight Coffee bananas Chocolate justice Poverty nest box Marriage wedding Holocaust leprosy

What we want during the pandemic

What have men and women been thinking about during the pandemic? According to recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), men have been preoccupied with takeaway food and pints, while women have been keeping in touch with their friends.

In a study on the social impact of coronavirus, the ONS found that women are only half as likely to leave home for a takeaway or drinks, and much more likely to go out in order to meet a friend. Women are also far more likely to form a lockdown support bubble and to adhere to government advice than men.

21 The RSV has been around for longer than most of us have…

Celebrating 75 years of the RSV Version

by Tim Lenton

The Revised Standard Version of the New Testament was published 75 years ago, on 11th February 1946. It was the first major English-language update of the Bible since the King James version published in 1611.

The RSV Old Testament followed in 1952 and the Apocrypha in 1957. The translation was a revision of the American Standard Version of 1901 and was intended to be a readable and accurate modern English translation. A ceremony to commemorate the publication of the New Testament was held in Columbus, Ohio, with the translation team saying they wanted it to supplement the ASV and not supplant it.

The RSV New Testament was mostly well received, but the Old Testament, which made use of Dead Sea Scrolls material, less so. One objection centred on the translation of a Hebrew word in Isaiah as ‘young woman’ instead of ‘virgin’, which was said to distort a basic Christian truth and encouraged many to go back to the King James Bible.

Some opponents went further, calling it a “master stroke of Satan”. One Southern pastor burned a copy with a blow- torch in his pulpit. The controversy may have paved the way for the now widely used and virginal New International Version, introduced in 1978.

Article from Parish Pump

22 Gift Aid Small Donation Scheme (GASDS)

One of the ways in which we can claim Gift Aid in church is via the small donation (GASD) scheme. This allows us to claim Gift Aid on donations of £30 and under, even if the giver doesn’t pay tax.

It is really useful as it means all our cash donations can be increased by 25%. This is one of the reasons why we are trying not to charge for events or items in church but to rely on gifts and dona- tions.

For instance a £5 donation would increase to £6.25. Those of you who use the envelopes for giving will be pleased to know that your donations are also included in GASDS. However it must be remembered that it must be a CASH donation as cheques are not allowed under the GASD scheme.

This year we have not had collections in church for the majority of the year so the amount that we will be able to claim will be substantially reduced. However I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU for the generosity that you all show to our church whether you use the parish giving scheme, bank transfer, envelopes or cash; whether you are able to gift aid or not. Ruth Scott

Neil Elson, the head at Martinshaw Primary School,has asked if anyone would be interested in becoming a governor at the school. He is very happy to talk to anyone about what that involves (you can email him at [email protected]) and he says they are a very friendly governing body!

I know members of our congregation have been governors in the past (Owen Lawrence for one and I'm sure he can talk to you about it too!) and it is a wonderful way of supporting our community and building on our strong links with the school. I'm also very happy to talk to anyone who might be interested, as I know something of what it is to be a school governor, as I currently have that role in Ratby Primary School. Rev’d Ed

23 A service order for spiritual communion you may like to use at home

24 CHURCH REGISTERS

Registers will be published in March

March Magazine Deadline Do you receive the magazine on a regular basis? Saturday 20th February If not and you would like to have a Please send all items to copy each month, please contact a [email protected] member of the clergy or one of the church wardens.

Items for the You will find their details on the weekly news sheet contact list overleaf.

to: [email protected]

Please when possible patronise our advertisers PARISH OFFICE and let them know you saw Hayley Moore their advertisement in the 0116 239 3768 Groby Church Parish [email protected] Magazine. 25 CONTACTS

Rector Revd Dr Ed Bampton 23 Ferndale Drive, Ratby 239 6520 Priest Revd Noel Colley 58 Pym Ley Lane, Groby 07757 302271 Reader Keith Wignall 12 Beacon Close, Groby 231 1439 Churchwarden s Andrew Scott 30 Greys Drive, Groby 232 1175 Christine Davies 12 Sycamore Grove, Groby 231 2070 Extend worker vacant

Manifest Men’s Group Cliff Ashby 231 3061 Verger Owen Lawrence 01530 243179 PCC Minute Sec. Fiona Brooks 01530 242484 Treasurer Andrew Scott 232 1175 Gift Aid Secretary Ruth Scott 232 1175 Bell-ringers Sue Scott 01530 249324 Organist & Choir Paul Cox 287 0212 Sunday School Mike Matthews 287 6179 Women's Guild Annette Fowler 287 3169 Flowers Violet Atkins 287 3463 News sheet Keith Wignall 231 1439 Verger Emeritus Marjorie Thomas 287 0330 Magazine C Davies / J Newnham 231 2070 / 287 7871 Website www.grobychurch.org.uk

Magazine email address [email protected] Parish Office 239 3768 [email protected]

26 Chris Mann Decorating

Top quality work and service at affordable rates. Friendly and trustworthy for a free quote call 07923607972 or 0116 2878378 or email [email protected]

DSWOODWORKING

Quality internal and external joinery Kitchens Doors Windows Floors Rot Repair General Maintenance Friendly reliable service Free quotation or advice on request 01509 230156 07979 715867 Email. [email protected]

RATBY PHARMACY

10 Main Street, Ratby, Leicester, LE6 0JG FREE ORDER, COLLECTION AND DELIVERY OF MEDICATIONS from Anstey, Desford, Forest House Medical Centre, Glenfield, Groby, Hockley Farm, Newbold Verdon, Rat- by, Warren Lane and many other sur- geries.

PLEASE CALL US ON 0116 2393139 OR Email: [email protected]

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