Lillington Parish Magazine St Mary Magdalene’s Church

MAY 2012

CONTACTS

Church Office Anne Furze ...... 470449 . [email protected] Priest in Charge Rev Charlotte Gale ...... 330919...... (Day off Monday) Associate Minister Rev Naomi Nixon ...... 330919...... Reader Roderick Clark ...... 422994 Churchwarden Godfrey Carr ...... 422916 Churchwarden Glynis Wright ...... 773786 PCC Secretary Alan Wright ...... 773786 . PCC Treasurer Janet Gardner ...... 428163 [email protected] Stewardship Secretary Mike Hyslop ...... 883808 Caretaker Contact Glynis Wright ...... 773786...... Organist/Choirmaster Mike King ...... 409062 .... Bell Ringers Richard Taulbut ...... 450977 Servers John Green ...... 470449 . Flower Guild Wendy Shear ...... 330825 Octagon Secretary Kate Baker ...... 425789 .. [email protected] Sunday Club Church Office ...... 470449 Scouts, Cubs, Beavers Mike Dealtry ...... 773570 Guides Nicola Mobbs ...... 07791132423 Brownies Caroline Kendall ...... 07952398164 c.j.kendall@warwick.ac.uk Walkers group Jeff Burgess ...... 335129 Website Manager Diana Taulbut ...... 450977 [email protected] Crosstalk Editor Robin Innes ...... 831649 [email protected] Crosstalk Distribution Jeff Arnold ...... 632330 ..

THE CHURCH OFFICE

The office is open Monday to Thursday 9.00 am till 1.00 pm During these hours the church may be used for private prayer - please use the office entrance.

For Baptism, Weddings and general enquiries please contact the church office. Outside of office hours please leave a message on the answer phone and we will get back to you.

FROM THE VICARAGE

This month’s Crosstalk features reports submitted to the Annual Parish church Meeting which was held on 26th April. The reports aim to give a real overview of what our church community is all about, and what it’s really like. It doesn’t include fabric or finance as these are covered in separate reports at the annual meeting. This is everything else, these are the things that make us a living, breathing church, the Body of Christ here in Lillington.

Reading through all the reports I was struck by just how much we do, how many different people are involved, and how much growth there has been in the last 12 months. And this doesn’t cover everything - even as I write I keep thinking of aspects of church life that we’ve not mentioned.

We asked those writing the reports to mention highlights of the past year and challenges ahead. It is exciting to see how much the highlights are about growth. New things starting such as the ‘After School Bible Club’ and ‘Octotots’, or new people joining or helping out with all sorts of things such as the choir, the bellringers or ‘Tea and Chat’. However, the challenges are also about growth. Pretty much every report puts out a plea for more people to get involved. In particular, the Sunday Club is in urgent need of new helpers, the choir is actively seeking new members and we need a new coordinator for ‘Looking at Lillington’.

Maybe a challenge for each and every one of us in 2012, whether we’ve been coming to church for years, or are new to the church community, is to try something new. Why not read through these reports and think, what can I have a go at? Where can I get involved? What is God calling me to do? You may be amazed at what you can do and what you gain, when you step out in faith and take on a new challenge for God.

Finally, thank you to so many people who do so much for the life of our church and community. Many people who work tirelessly for the church don’t even get a mention in this report. Please know that your work is deeply appreciated. It is a joy and a privilege to be the Vicar at St. Mary Magdalene’s, Lillington. Rev Charlotte Gale 1 FROM THE CHURCH RECORDS

BAPTISMS 25 March Millie Rose Proctor FUNERALS 8 March Richard Francis Delacour (93), Adelaide House Nursing Home, Leamington Spa 12 March Rita Enid Holland (89), Manor Road, Lillington 19 March Jan Walter Byczek (57), Linen Street, Warwick 20 March Peter Smith (81), Crabmill Lane, Coventry

Dear friends of St Mary Magdalene

Thank you so much to everyone who supported my charity coffee morning on Saturday 14th April to raise funds for Diabetes UK. Thanks to your generous donations, both on the day and afterwards, we raised a staggering £314.72! £178 of this was raised in sponsorship money, £64.42 from cakes and coffee and £72.30 from the raffle. The raffle was won by Mr Furze - congratulations!

I would also like to thank my mum Glyn and sister Mari for all their hard work and support, both in the lead up and on the day itself. They were simply fantastic and without their hard work and support I could not have raised as much money as I did.

I have been truly humbled by all your kind words, support and donations. Now all I have to do is swim the Channel successfully! With very warm wishes and kind regards. Suzanne Brown

WIDER LEARNING - Two new diocesan courses:

. Where do I fit? Exploring your rôle as a Christian. Six Tuesday evenings (three in May and three in June) at Princethorpe.

. Old Testament journey Six Thursday evenings (from 14th June) at Bishop's Itchington.

Enquiries, please, to Roderick Clark: 422994; [email protected]

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Hello friends and neighbours!

Tantalising glimpses of the summer to come are all around us. Yes - it's May, when everything burgeons with almost insane haste, and the hours of daylight are wonderfully long.

My husband, Alan, and I owned a canal boat for almost twelve years, and this time of year was our favourite for long journeys. So we're doing it again in a hired craft from Kate Boats, starting at Stockton, near Rugby. We'll pass through Napton Junction and leave the Grand Union Canal there, in order to travel the Oxford Canal to (you've guessed it) Oxford. There are many delightful, rural, and picturesque places along this route, which can equally be enjoyed by walkers.

One of our many mooring spots will be Cropredy, a lovely village in the middle of nowhere, but it sports a beautiful church, and two super pubs. Check them out some time soon! It will take at least three, maybe four days to reach Banbury! When we arrive at Oxford, we'll join the Thames and (unusually for us) travel upstream to Lechlade in Gloucestershire which is where the Thames rises.

At least that's plan 'A' .....

Enjoy your breaks from routines, whether they are short or long, and maybe let us know where you went, and what you did, or saw.

Lillington is planning a few summery delights for you to enjoy.

There is an 'Open Gardens' day on Sunday June 10th. Please come and find out what happens behind your neighbours' fences! We've organised this to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee, so we hope she'd be pleased with our efforts. I wonder if secretly she is fed up with red, white and blue colour schemes?

Elsewhere in this magazine is information about Lillington's Community Fun Day to be held on the Holt field. Friday July 27th is the date for this. Put BOTH these dates in your diaries or your family kitchen calendar and ENJOY them unashamedly with as many of your family and friends as possible. Roll on the summer and all her seductive joys!

With my love and best wishes to you all, Glyn Wright - Churchwarden 5

On April 4th, 3rd Leamington Brownies went on a day trip to Bournemouth. When we left Warwickshire, it was raining and there was even a bit of snow, but when we got nearer to Bournemouth it started to get sunny and when the driver parked the coach it was quite hot! We walked down to the Oceanarium in groups of two or three. We saw lots of lovely fish like the clown fish and there were also some turtles. We also saw scary fish like sharks!

Before we went to buy something from the shop, we saw some stingrays. After that, we went into the reptile area and saw lizards and frogs.

In the afternoon, we went to the beach to have a paddle and eat our fish and chips. Later on, we went for a walk to the ice cream shop and then onto the pier. We went to the arcade and even had time to go back on the beach until it was time to go home. We were all very tired, but we had a lovely day!

Thank you to Badger and Mole for organising the day and thank you to Rabbit, Fox and Chipmunk for helping supervise the children.

By Martha Wallam

6 PARISH PROFILE BY RODERICK CLARK (THE ROVING REPORTER)

Sue and Paul Wakem Living in the same He, meanwhile, house for several represented decades is rare these Blackdown at cricket days; living there with and rugby. After your brother or sister getting in with the is even rarer in our wrong set at the age modern mobile of fifteen, he says he society. Sue and Paul briefly strayed from Wakem do both - knowing no the straight and narrow - but other home than their readings of the Riot Act from his Helmsdale Road house, which father and teachers soon their parents bought brand new reversed that. He played a in 1954. They came from major part in producing the Hampshire, she a motor tax school magazine and helped to official, he a land surveyor who organise staff and Sixth Form later examined the sites of parties; then was appointed dozens of local schools, deputy head boy - his female including both Telford schools counterpart was Annie Othen, and Lillington. After six years now a presenter with BBC as a soldier in the Western Coventry & Warwickshire Radio. desert, he came home, with a Geography and Economics were bullet near his spine (which was his subjects - but later he never removed) to “be told” he gained an HND in Business was getting married! Studies and obstacles stopped him from gaining the degree he Sue and Paul attended the wanted. Telford Schools and then Black Sue, meanwhile, studied Home down High School. She Economics at the college in enjoyed her ballet classes North Warwickshire. She (which she attended from age worked as a sales assistant at three to seventeen, ending with Timothy White’s (a chemist’s a Grade V certificate) and and houseware chain before membership of the 2nd Boots bought it) but also Cubbington Brownies (with its trained in adult education and day trips to other packs); most took evening classes. She sports. A quiet girl, she taught microwave cooking and preferred practical subjects did demonstrations for W.I. such as home economics - groups. When she brought definitely not maths. home the dirty utensils, it was

7 her father who did all the same day as Prince Harry and washing up! After a good thirty won the Military Cross in years with Boots, finishing as a Afghanistan. Healthcare dispenser, she now Sue’s enthusiasms include does the same job at a doctors’ classical music and musicals, surgery. especially spectaculars at the Royal Albert Hall. She’s on the Paul, meanwhile, has been Lillington W.I. committee and at equally loyal in the finance section of the county education department, where he confides that “times are very, very tight”. He is a Chelsea supporter of 45 years, fourteen

home she sews, embroiders and potters in the garden. Her goddaughters and their children provide further interest. They share holidays which have taken them to most European of those as a match steward countries, the USA and Canada. and now as a season ticket holder. He gets to most home The music probably came from games and a few away - and is Mr Wakem Snr., who was proud to have been present, choirmaster at St Paul’s Church even abroad, whenever the club in Warwick - he also sang with has gained major honours. In Spa Opera in the very first the summer it’s Warwickshire amateur production of Fiddler Cricket Club - Paul’s (slightly on the Roof. Sue and Paul were unbiblical) idea of heaven is six both confirmed as adults in hours of sunshine, leather on Hatton Church. Later, after willow and the odd “Howzat!”. their Mother died, Sue, Paul, He is a recent recruit to bowls, and for a time their father (now where he meets up with other less mobile), attended St Mary church members. Inside, he Magdalene’s. Both are amuses himself with giant sidesmen and Sue has been on jigsaw puzzles - including a the church council around five three-dimensional one of the years. Empire State Building (“no King Paul says they’ve received Kong provided”). He is also guidance, reassurance and love proud of his godson, who - all that you would expect from passed out of Sandhurst the the church. 8 LILLINGTON PARISH CHURCH St. Mary Magdalene’s

ANNUAL REPORT 2011

After School Bible Club The ASBC began meeting at Lillington Primary School in May 2011 after receiving funding from the Coventry Diocesan Mission Fund. It started with 4 children from year four to six. We were blessed with sixteen helpers from St. Mary Magdalene’s Church, Lillington Free Church and Crown Community Church who offered to help.

Each term there is a different theme. These have included ‘The Life of Jesus’, ‘Stories from the Old Testament’ and ‘The Christmas Story’. On arriving the children are offered a drink and a snack before engaging with word searches, puzzles and colouring sheets on the relevant subject. The story is read to them, sometimes with their input and questions. This is followed with a craft activity, a short time of physical activity before a time of prayer.

At present we have ten members from year three to six who regularly attend. Each term the school is invited to the church for an assembly. The children from the ASBC lead and play a full role in the assembly. At the end of the Christmas term we held a traditional Christmas party on the last Tuesday we met, the children had a great time pinning the tail on the donkey and playing ‘pass the parcel’ and musical chairs.

My thanks go to all the members of the churches who help and support the ASBC. It is a most wonderful thing to see these young people whom before the club knew very little about faith, learning, asking and talking about Jesus. Whilst sitting one week helping one of the young girls with her word search, she turned and completely unprompted said to me “I know God loves me”.

I’m sure that all who work with the children will agree that it really is a privilege, whilst at times challenging, but we all learn together and have a great time. There is always room for others who feel they would like to join in. Christine Butler is now overseeing all of the administration with regard to the ASBC and so if you would like to be involved please have a word with her and she will willingly find you a space on the rota. Rev Graham Coles 9 CARE (Christian Action to Reach Everyone) The CARE Group is an outreach section of the church and includes recommending to the PCC how church giving is distributed to charities and good causes.

There are many regular projects considered during the year including supporting Steph and Geoff at the Leamington Christian Mission which cares for local homelessness, the support of training nurses in Bangladesh through USPG (The United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel) and the distribution of funds to charities and good causes.

Apart from the support services to St. Anne's Hospital in Malawi which is our next project with USPG, we see there is a great need to help through the Barnabus Fund those Christians in overseas countries, predominately in the Middle East, who are regularly persecuted for their beliefs. Ruth Burgess, Clare Daniels, John Stalker, and Mike Hyslop

Choir The choir enhances, with singing, St Mary Magdalene’s weekly 9:30am services and twice monthly Evensongs. At present we have 6 trebles, 4 altos, 2 tenors and 2 basses. The choir sings choral Evensong once a term and prepares music to be sung at special services throughout the year. At Advent, Remembrance and Passiontide the choir enjoys singing choral music to enable personal reflection and healing and, by contrast, the celebratory music of Easter and Christmas aids our expression of joy.

Moments to remember in 2011 were: 1. Two new choir members: Charlotte (treble) and James (bass); 2. RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) medals achieved by some of our trebles: Sophie and Laura (red, senior chorister): Isabelle and Claire (dark blue) 3. Singing challenging but beautiful music including one of Tucapsky’s ‘Five Lenten Motets’ and Jean Joubert’s ‘There is No Rose’. 4. Sadly losing two of our senior choristers to the next stage of their careers: Rowena Murrell, who served as head chorister for 7 years and Harriet Markham, our longest ever serving treble of 12 years who served as Head Chorister from July 2011 to January 2012.

10 5. Having to say goodbye to Tom Reading and Rev Dennis Brown as they went to glory, whom we miss keenly.

We hope to recruit half a dozen or so trebles (aged 8 and up), to enable us to continue singing our choral music for many years to come. We also hope to be more involved with the planning for our special services, enhancing worship and enabling our spirits to soar, through the harmonies and words, to God, thus reassuring us of God’s love, joy and redemption.

Grateful thanks go to all the choir members for their unfailing support and commitment in maintaining a good musical tradition for St Mary Magdalene, to Catherine for taking on the role of Head Chorister and huge thanks to the congregation for their many positive comments received over the year! It is gratifying to know that others find the ministry of singing as special as we do. Sue Hughes

Churchyard Maintenance The churchyard team maintain the upper churchyard; during the past 12 months this has included: . cutting the grass. . consolidating the clearance work, started in the previous year, with only the south west corner of the upper churchyard still requiring further attention. . carrying out some clearance activity in the lower churchyard, at the council’s request, as a prerequisite of their taking over maintenance of this area.

Note that although the council have, from the 1st of April this year, taken formal responsibility for the whole churchyard, the team (at our request) will continue to maintain the upper churchyard as before. We meet most weeks throughout the year, usually on Wednesday mornings. New recruits are always welcome. John Butler, Martyn Davies, Bob Cooke and Malcolm Hardy

Confirmation Course In the autumn of 2011 St, Mary Magdalene’s and St. James together ran two confirmation courses – one for adults and one for young people.

Sue Fairhurst, the Reader at St. James, led the young people’s group which had three candidates, including Claire Boad from our church choir. I led the adult group, with the help of Delia Button, 11 who hosted the group in her beautiful home. The group had five candidates, four of whom were from St. Mary Magdalene’s – Silvia McKowen, Joan Perry, Clair Reading and Jessica Rushton. Paul and Adam (Clair and Jessica’s husbands) also came along to the group.

The confirmations took place at Coventry Cathedral on Saturday 19th November. It was a really special occasion, and always a highlight of the year for me. I look forward to returning this year. Rev Charlotte Gale

Crosstalk Crosstalk is our church magazine which is published 11 times a year. It is made up of news and views from around the Parish which have been submitted by you, the members of the congregation. It regularly features news from the Churchwardens, a children's page, quizzes, recipes and a leading article from the clergy. It aims to give an insight into our church community for all, including those who cannot attend regularly.

This year I have been really pleased that more people are submitting contributions with “thank yous”, memories, humorous ditties, recipes, and what you do outside of church.

For this coming year I would like to widen its readership to be used as part of the church's outreach. To make this more appealing it would be really good to have colour printing facilities, and develop more articles about our faith and our activities. Robin Innes

Evening Worship Team The Evening Worship plans and leads services, mostly on the fourth Sunday of the month and often held in the Octagon. There are five team members – Roderick Clark, Graham Cooper, Anne Furze, Charlotte Sanders and Rev Charlotte.

We held nine services in 2011 including a pet service, the All Souls service, Darkness to Light and a Rejoicing Together service for couples planning to get married. However, the highlight for me was the ‘ordinary services’ of music and reflection, sometimes with communion, held in the Octagon. If you haven’t attended one of these services I’d really encourage you to do so. And if you’d like to join our team, we’d be delighted to welcome you. Rev Charlotte Gale 12 Flower Guild My thanks go to members of the congregation who kindly make donations to anniversary and memorial arrangements. It is of great help to our ladies who pay for the flowers of their own choice when on duty rota.

We usually have a wonderful response at Easter which helps fund towards Harvest and Christmas. The only other things I buy extra are oasis and tape as over the years I've collected bits and pieces to pad out the arrangements to save costs.

I still enjoy meeting brides. It's great fun listening to their plans.

My sincere thanks to all the ladies in the flower guild for their support and friendship. Wendy Shear

Home Communion Team Trained parishioners who comprise the Home Communion team take consecrated bread and wine to church members who are housebound, and conduct a shortened version of the communion service. This is usually on a once-a-month basis, and those receiving home communion are greatly appreciative.

It can be both humbling and inspiring when a feeling of stillness and peace arises during the service.

The hope for 2012 is that a member, or members, of the congregation will feel moved to join the team as it consists of four people at present. If more of the congregation become housebound, if only for a short while, it will be very difficult for us to meet their needs. Christine Nutt

Lillington Bellringers The band of ringers now comprises 12 regular members, three of whom have been taught to ring by me in the last eighteen months. We ring the bells prior to Sunday morning service, occasionally on Sunday evening, and meet to practice on Tuesday evenings.

A highlight of the year has been to be able to ring eight bells regularly on Sundays again, thanks to the commitment of our learners and long-standing members.

13 When Bishop Colin rededicated the bells on Whitsunday 2007 on completion of the re-hanging project, he used these words, which may serve as a statement of hope for the present and the future –

“In the faith of Jesus Christ we dedicate these bells. May they proclaim Christ’s message of love and salvation to this parish; May they warn the heedless, comfort the sorrowing, And call all willing hearts to prayer and praise.” Richard Taulbut

Looking at Lillington Looking at Lillington is a project run by seven members of St Mary Magdalene Church and one member of The Lillington History Group, who seek to build bridges between the church and the local community, by inviting all the schools’ year 3 children into the Church for a day of learning which is recognised by the education's national curriculum. The day is to give 8 year-olds the opportunity to learn about their roots in Lillington and promote their sense of belonging in their local community - Lillington.

Every Looking at Lillington is a highlight with each year’s group (90 Lillingtonian 8 year olds in 2011) bringing in fresh enthusiasm, questions and insights from their visit. 40 volunteers from our congregation over 3 days get stuck in with welcoming, working behind the scenes or delivering learning. 2011 being the 5th L@L was no exception.

Our main hope and challenge for 2012 will be to continue this valuable project and find someone willing to co-ordinate it in 2013, as Sue will not be able to next year due to increasing work commitments. But she will be available to advise - if required.

My thanks go to ALL connected with this project – thank you. Sue Hughes

Occasional Offices Occasional Offices is the term used for baptisms, weddings and funerals, though in 2011 they were far from occasional. We undertook 28 baptisms, 7 weddings and 49 funerals.

A highlight of the year was the Rejoicing Together Service organised by the Evening Worship Team. This evening service was attended by couples planning a wedding, along with members of the

14 congregation. A full church with rousing hymns and music, followed by a lot of chat along with a glass of bubbly and a piece of celebratory cake, made for a really joyful atmosphere.

The challenges for the year ahead are: Baptisms: We need to increase our team of helpers, in order to cope with the fantastic and still growing number of baptisms (the number of baptisms expected in 2012 has already exceeded last year’s total). Weddings: I would love to increase the number of couples getting married in our beautiful church. We have just 7 bookings for 2012. Funerals: I am immensely grateful for the support of Rev John Haynes, who helps with many of our funerals, but continuing to say ‘yes’ to funerals whenever possible will be a challenge this year. Rev Charlotte Gale

Octotots At the end of 2011, we decided to start a church parent and toddler group, partly in response to the amazing number of baptism enquiries we are receiving. Octotots was launched in January 2012, led by me, Rachel Mason and Karen Samwell. Its early days, but so far we are averaging about 10 babies and toddlers each week who enjoy playing, chatting (well the grown-ups do!), songs and a bible story. Rev Charlotte Gale

Pastoral Link Group

The Pastoral Link Group endeavours to keep in touch with and support St Mary Magdalene Parishioners who are ill, live alone or are housebound. We organise and run the monthly ‘Tea and Chat’ meetings.

Talks, singers, Easter Bonnets, quizzes, a strawberry tea and a Christmas Party have all been on the menu at ‘Tea and Chat’, all these have been enjoyed by members and helpers alike. Committee members have been very encouraged by new volunteers for The Committee, for ‘Tea and Chat’ and for driving people to Church and to ‘Tea and Chat’.

New helpers give us confidence that we will be able to continue the work of The Pastoral Link Group in 2012. Plans for ‘Tea and Chat’ meetings are being made including a Jubilee Tea Party; it would be

15 good if we could attract a few more men to these meetings, an area in which we have so far failed.

On a sad note all of us associated with The Pastoral Link Group or ‘Tea and Chat’ will greatly miss The Reverend Dennis for his gentle presence and sound advice. Dennis was a loyal member of both groups. Jane Davies

Stewardship The main objective of Stewardship is to record all planned giving by members of the congregation and others so that the treasurer is aware of the income generated through donations to the church, and to claim income tax from H.M. Revenue and Customs relating to gift aided giving.

In 2011 we initiated a campaign by entreating all households on the electoral roll to consider increasing their giving to the church. This has been very successful and produced a £10,000 annual increase from the 65 people who responded to it. It has also contributed significantly to the surplus experienced by the church in 2011. The costs of the church continue to rise however and it is incumbent on all of us to bear this in mind when reviewing ones giving for 2012.

Our main challenge for 2012 is to try to increase the number of people in the planned giving scheme. There are quite a lot of new faces in the church congregation some of whom might like to contribute by our weekly envelope scheme or, as most people do, through standing order arrangements with their bankers. Please contact Mike Hyslop if you would like information and advice on giving or gift aiding to the church. Mike Hyslop

Social and Fundraising Events Every year in church we try and hold events that help us to build our fellowship, but also raise money for the church and other charities.

We enjoyed a wonderful programme of such events in 2011 including a pancake party in March, the summer fete in June, a Harvest Barn Dance in September and the Christmas Fair in December. Huge thanks to everyone who helped to organise or run these events, especially Robin and Carol Innes, Christine Butler and Steve Atherton. 16 I really don’t think I can pick a highlight – they were all great! The challenge this year is trying new things! An Open Gardens event instead of the summer fete, and a community fun day to celebrate the Olympics. Rev Charlotte Gale

Sunday Club Sunday Club ran every Sunday during term time last year thanks to a small but very committed group of leaders and a small but wonderful group of children attending. We never know from one week to the next how many children will attend or what age groups they will be, which is certainly a challenge!

The highlight for me last year was the Sunday Club nativity. It was so good to see the children and youth group working together, and their performance was a joy to behold and got us all into the Christmas spirit.

The biggest challenge ahead though is leadership. With Rev Graham leaving, we now have just four Sunday Club leaders – Rev Charlotte, Rev Naomi, Roderick Clark and Sarah Boad. We desperately need a couple more leaders to join in the fun. It’s such a worthwhile ministry as we welcome new children into the church. Training will be provided – please, please let me know if you think you might be able to help. Rev Charlotte Gale

Walkers' Group The group aims to provide companionship, health-giving exercise and an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of God's world.

A highlight of 2011 was seeing some new people walk with us.

In 2012 we hope to encourage people of all abilities to get into the countryside by providing a range of walks, short and not-so-short, with stiles and without. For those whose rambling days are over, we hope that the annual dinner provides the opportunity for a reunion with former walking companions.

Jeff Burgess

17 Website The church website creates an impression of our church to the rest of the world, is a means for providing information to an enquirer, and facilitates communication with appropriate church members and clergy.

The website gets 200-300 visitors per month: most come via Google, then via “a church near you”, diocesan links and Wikipedia. In the week before Christmas there were over 100 visits, many probably checking Christmas service details. In 2011 there were 2873 unique visitors who made 3505 visits. The website has been developing gradually over the year with new pages, leaflets and magazines available. The churchyard now has its own page and downloadable leaflet. The Octagon page has a leaflet/booking form to download and dedicated email address. Recorded Google searches for the Octagon and leaflet viewing rates are mirrored by the growth in bookings. This is probably the most tangible outcome in 2011: the community is benefiting from the facility, the church is benefiting from the income, and people are coming to our church premises.

Tasks for 2012 include putting up a baptisms page, Octotots page, adding information on Herbert Cox and James Duggins, more on the Lodges, getting more information on the Compton Gateway, and checking our website works well with mobile phones, etc. This is in addition to the regular updating work. The hope is to get more visitors, maintain a positive image, intercept more routine queries to reduce further the church office workload, and improve the level of information available online. Diana Taulbut

Worship Worshipping God is the first part of the diocesan mission statement, and is the lifeblood of all we do as a church. Through our regular worship we are hopefully encouraged and inspired to go out and build the Kingdom of God in our community.

Our regular pattern of worship remained unchanged in 2011. We averaged 16 people at our 8 am Holy Communion, 74 adults and 7 children at our 9.30 am Holy Communion, 81 adults and 14 children at our first Sunday service of Morning Praise and 28 people at Evensong. The Tuesday morning communion attracts a small but 18 faithful congregation of around 6, and the monthly Tuesday afternoon service averages 13 coming along and then staying on for ‘Tea and Chat.’

For those who can no longer come to church, we take communion to them. As well as individual home communions, we hold monthly communion services at Castel Froma, Southfields, Eden Place, James Hirons and Fourways.

A highlight for me was the Christmas services. Attendance at all the services was up, and for the Christingle service people were queuing to the road to get in (not a sight you see very often!) We somehow squeezed over 500 people in.

Our challenge for the year ahead is to encourage regulars ‘visitors’ to become full members of our worshipping community. Rev Charlotte Gale

Youth Club In 2011 the Youth Group met twice a month during term time on Sunday evenings in the Octagon. At the end of the summer term, Rev Graham and his wife Sam decided to step down from leading the group after two years. They had done an excellent job and left a small but faithful group of six youngsters.

Since the summer, the PCC has thought hard about how best to continue the group. We were delighted when Rev Naomi said she would run the group, if helpers from the church were forthcoming. The group restarted just before Christmas, and has been going since then, also with help from Andy Castle, a local Christian Youth Worker. For various reasons the numbers have dropped and we now have just three regular members. Much thought and prayer needs to go into ensuring that this precious ministry continues. That is the challenge for 2012. Rev Charlotte Gale

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

1 Corinthians 12 vv 12-14 19

Sunday 10th June. 11.30 am – 4.00 pm

To celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, St. Mary Magdalene’s are holding an ‘Open Gardens’. Come and visit 10 lovely gardens in Lillington, and enjoy various attractions including a steam railway, musical entertainment, teas and a barbecue. There will be a quiz for the children, and stalls and a tombola. Buy your ticket and map from the church, then head off on an exciting journey round some of the gardens of Lillington. Adults - £5 for entry to all the gardens Under 18s – free Children’s quiz - £1 Proceeds to church funds. For further information, please contact Rev Charlotte on 01926 330919.

20 Bishop Christopher's Southern Pilgrimage

Bishop Christopher led a pilgrimage in South Warwickshire. Starting in Shipston, the route passed through Honington, Idlecote, Oxhill, Middle Tysoe, Radway, Avon Dassett, Ratley, Burton Dassett, Fenny Compton, Gaydon, Bishops Itchington, Ufton, Harbury, Radford Semele, Leamington Spa, Warwick, Leek Wootton and Kenilworth.

The Coventry Pilgrimage

A number of you will have already heard of the Coventry Pilgrimage – from the literature that was available at the back of church. Hundreds of pilgrims took to the footpaths of Coventry and Warwickshire at the end of March. The timing of the Pilgrimage was chosen to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the Cross of Nails Pilgrimage that took place throughout Coventry and Warwickshire in the run-up to the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral. In 1962 the Cross of Nails was taken to every parish within the Diocese, with an act of worship as it was passed from one church to the next. The Planning Group therefore incorporated some of these same elements into the 2012 Coventry Pilgrimage. If you wish to find out more detail about the event and the planning that was involved visit the Coventry Diocese Website :- http://www.coventry.anglican.org/news/coventrypilgrimage

21 John and I decided to join Bishop Christopher on his Southern Pilgrimage (Bishop John was also walking in the North of the Diocese) and on Wednesday 28th March we set off to catch the bus from Kenilworth to All Saints Church Emscote. On the same bus was Rev Jim Perryman from Leek Wootton church and the three of us made our way together to the meeting place. We joined the rest of the party that had started out that morning from St Nicholas church, Radford Semele and managed to get there in time to pray with them before setting off. We were a small party and led by Rev Richard Awre from St Nicholas Church Kenilworth, we started out from All Saints walking along the canal out to the BP Garage on the “Woodloes Roundabout” and then turning off the main road, before we reached the Saxon Mill, to head across open countryside. We skirted the golf course at Leek Wootton and continued across beautiful countryside until we reached Rouncil Lane, where we found the footpath that would take us to Kenilworth Castle and eventually finishing at St Nicholas Church for a very welcome cuppa and a rest before Bishop Christopher gathered us together in prayer to finalise that stage of the Pilgrimage.

It was a lovely afternoon, with warm sunshine and clear blue skies. We counted many wild flowers including wood anenomes. The great bonus was getting to know people from other churches and talking to them as we walked. Bishop Christopher did not seem that weary although he had already walked many miles and had many more still to do. If this event is ever repeated we recommend it strongly to you all.

Christine and John Butler

Christian Aid Week 13th - 19th May 2012 If you feel able to collect on behalf of Christian Aid please contact John Green or the church office.

22 HELEN WALLAM’S

CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL

With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee approaching, we have looked at the important links that the church has had with royalty over many centuries. Another one of England’s special cathedrals is Canterbury Cathedral. For thousands of years, it has played a part in many national ceremonies linked to royalty.

Canterbury Cathedral is also where the enthronement of the church’s Senior Archbishop – the Archbishop of Canterbury takes place. The Archbishop of Canterbury has many roles and responsibilities. Some of these include leading many special royal events such as weddings, funerals, and important services.

Dr Rowan Williams is the current Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the 118th Archbishop. The first Archbishop of Canterbury was St.Augustine who came to England in the Year 597. Augustine was welcomed by the Saxon King Ethelbert and his wife Bertha. Augustine helped to build the first St Augustine Canterbury cathedral on the site of the King’s palace. Over the years, parts of Canterbury Cathedral were destroyed by fire and war, but it has always been rebuilt. Some famous royals linked to the cathedral are Henry II, who had an argument with the Archbishop, Thomas Becket. The Archbishop was mysteriously killed and many people visited the Cathedral as a pilgrimage to honour him. Edward I was married at Canterbury Cathedral and his Great Grandson Edward, Prince of Wales, also known as ‘The Black Prince’ was buried there. One of the world’s most famous gems is the ‘Black Prince’s ruby’ which can be seen on the imperial The Black Prince state crown, worn by our Queen on her coronation.

The only King to be buried at Canterbury Cathedral is King Henry VI and his Queen Joan.

The imperial state crown 23

Cover up the information and see how many questions you can answer:

1. What is the name of the current Archbishop of Canterbury? 2. How many Archbishops of Canterbury have there been? 3. Who is the only King to be buried at Canterbury Cathedral? 4. Which King fell out with his Archbishop of Canterbury? 5. Who was the first Archbishop of Canterbury? 6. When did the first Archbishop of Canterbury come to England? 7. Which Saxon King welcomed him? 8. Where can the ‘Black Prince’s ruby’ be found today? 9. Which King was married at Canterbury Cathedral? 10. What was the Black Prince’s name?

1 – 3 questions correct – Cathedral Cadet! 4 – 7 questions correct – Cathedral Expert! 8 – 10 questions answered – Cathedral Mastermind!

24 Phil Edwards Home & Garden Services

General Handy Man NO JOB TOO SMALL! Whatever you need doing, a dripping tap, some shelves putting up, gutters cleaning, the garage clearing out or the garden looking after, give me a call

Home: 01926 424485 Mobile: 07931 812235 e-mail: [email protected]

TOM COLES Computer Problems? GAS, PLUMBING & Call Jan Lucas

HEATING System set up Virus removal Tel: 02477 046 392 Tuition Mobile: 07949 288 682 If you’ve just got your computer and don’t know where to start, give me a call!

I will show you step by step how to use your computer, including email, surfing the web, photos, Skype and more...

14, Woodlands Road Binley Woods I can also train more advanced users in Coventry. CV3 2DA subjects such as word, excel, access... [email protected] Tell me what you want to do, and I’ll show you how to do it!

All Gas Servicing, Installation 02476 307 988 or 07847 015 154 Plumbing and Central Heating www.bootfinder.co.uk Work undertaken References available 25

M: 07908 807558 E: [email protected] W: www.bodycisefitness.co.uk

Fitness classes at The Octagon Every Wednesday night.

45 minute circuit class 5pm – 5.50pm £4 per class All fitness levels welcome

Men Only Pilates 6pm – 7pm £5 per class

If you have any injuries or would like to talk to me before the class, please call me on the number above.

BodyCise Fitness runs Pilates classes in Cubbington, Weston under Wetherley, Eathorpe and Bubbenhall. For information on other classes please call me or visit www.bodycisefitness.co.uk

Make a ‘note’ in your diary of this musical extravaganza!

Concert in church on Saturday 23rd June at 7.30 pm

Judith Irvine singing 'songs from the shows' with Peter Irvine at the piano. Mike King playing a selection of organ pieces. With a cheese and wine interval.

Raising funds for the church organ

26 IN 2012 LONDON HOSTS THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH…… ……AND SO DOES LILLINGTON!

LILLINGTON COMMUNITY FUN DAY FRIDAY 27TH JULY “The Holt” Recreation Ground 2.00pm – 6.00pm

At a meeting of Lillington Churches Together an idea was born to organise a “Fun Event” for the Lillington Community to mark the start of the 2012 Olympics – and what better date to pick than the afternoon of the Official Olympic Opening Ceremony!

There is a strong team of people from local organisations and churches involved in making this fun afternoon happen. It will take place on the recreation ground on the Cubbington Road known as “The Holt” and great things are planned including our own Opening Ceremony!

Come along and enjoy:-

Music, Dance and Sporting Activities: Three Legged Singing Obstacle Races Races Bouncy Assault Egg and Spoon Football games Course Races Tug of War Bouncy Castle Relay Races and much more Climbing Wall

Bring a picnic (& a picnic chair) or purchase food and drinks supplied by local vendors (confirmation of this to follow).

Please put this date in your diary now and celebrate the start of our 2012 Olympic Games.

For more information visit: www.communitygames.org.uk/Games/coventry-solihull-and- warwickshire-sport/family-fun-sports-festival

Want to get involved? Speak to Christine or John Butler – 01926 779455 - email [email protected] or Abi Dixon [email protected]

Supported by: North Leamington Community Forum, Warwick District Council, Lillington Free Church, St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Crown Community Church, Our Lady’s Church, Lillington and Lillington Youth Centre 27 ROBIN’S ROUND UP from your Crosstalk Editor

This month’s focus has been the Annual Church Meeting. I know that many of you will not have been able to get there and I hope that the reports from the various groups will give you a chance to catch up. Unfortunately this has meant that I have had to drop some of the regular features including the crossword, Cooking with Crosstalk, and articles that have been sent in. June should be back to normal although there will be plenty of special things going on. If you are doing anything special for the Jubilee or have been celebrating your own special events, just let me know - Crosstalk readers always like to hear a good news story.

PLASTIC BOTTLE TOPS Unfortunately these can no longer be recycled for charity, but thank you for all the contributions received over the last few months.

Maggie the Mouse

Maggie was hiding on a walker’s tee-shirt on page 22. 28 Let me know if you find her this month. WHAT’S ON

MAY 2012 Saturday 5th 9.30am Walkers Group - Mike & Anne Hyslop 883808 Thursday 10th 7.30pm Lillington Evening Townswomen Guild, (Lime Avenue Bowling Club) “Trooping the Colour” Gerald Lesinski. Sales table: Plants and cakes Monday 14th 7.45pm Lillington Evening WI - Resolutions Tuesday 29th 2.00 pm Tea & Chat in the Octagon. Contact Parish office for more information Thursday 31st 10.30 Octotots- Last session before half term JUNE 2012 Saturday 2nd 9.30am Walkers Group - Jeff & Ruth Burgess 335129 Sunday 10th 11.30am - 4.00pm Open Gardens - starts at the Church Monday 11th 7.45pm Lillington Evening WI - Survival of the Fittest: Jan Warner Thursday 14th 7.30pm Lillington Evening Townswomen Guild, (Lime Avenue Bowling Club) - Beekeeping: Gerald Laking Tuesday 29th 2.00 pm Tea & Chat in the Octagon. Contact Parish office for more information

Advertisements in this magazine are taken in good faith, and no specific recommendation is implied or intended.

A reminder: Please make Cheques payable to Lillington PCC

DEADLINE Copy for the MAY 2012 Edition is required by 16th MAY 2012 to Robin Innes (Editor) or to Anne Furze in the Church Office

www.lillingtonparishchurch.org

SERVICE DETAILS

SUNDAY WORSHIP

May 6 Easter 5 8.00am Holy Communion 9.30am Morning Praise with Sunday Club* 11.15am Baptism 6.30pm Passiontide Reflections May 13 Easter 6 8.00am Holy Communion 9.30am Holy Communion with Sunday Club* 11.15am Baptism May 20 The 8.00am Holy Communion Ascension 9.30am Holy Communion with Sunday Club* and prayers for healing 6.30pm Evensong May 27 Day of 8.00am Holy Communion Pentecost 9.30am Holy Communion with Sunday Club* 11.15am Baptism 12.00pm Baptism 6.30pm Evening Worship ‘God in Creation’

*SUNDAY CLUB For children from ages up to 10 years during School Term time. Children join the main 9.30 a.m. service at the beginning and the end, and leave for a 30 minutes Sunday School session which has a range of age appropriate activities

WEEKDAY WORSHIP

All Tuesday services commence at 9.30 am except the last Tuesday of the month when Communion will be at 1.30 p.m. Tea and chat will then follow at 2.00 p.m. in the Octagon for those who wish to go along.

Tuesday May 1 9.30 am Holy Communion ( BCP ) Tuesday May 8 9.30 am Holy Communion Tuesday May 15 9.30 am Holy Communion Tuesday May 22 9.30 am Holy Communion Tuesday May 29 1.30 pm Holy Communion

Inner pages are printed on 100% recycled paper