Bolingbroke Deanery Team Parishes Faithful, Confident, Joyful 18th April 2021 THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER (Gold/White)

9.00am •  https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media- centre/church-online

10.00am Prayer in our own homes See below

The Third Second Sunday of Easter Services in the Cluster 9.30am Spilsby Eucharist (PC) 11.15am Hundleby Eucharist (JC) 3.00pm Firsby Evening Prayer (PC) Services in the Marden Hill Cluster 9.30am East Keal Holy Communion (+DR) Services in the Stickney Cluster 11.15am Stickney Morning Worship + Baptism Nicole Louise Gosling (FJ) Services in the Partney Cluster 9.30am Aswardby Morning Prayer (TMcL) 11.15am Partney Family Service (TMcL) Services in the South Ormsby Cluster 9.30am Tetford Morning Prayer ()

Almighty God, source of our hope and all good things; you call us in love to share in the work of creation in making all things new. Bless our diocese: may we be faithful in our worship; confident in our discipleship; and joyful in our service; that, through us, the world may catch a glimpse of the love you have for each one of us, made known to us in your son, through Christ, our Lord, Amen.

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We will publish a short video on YouTube and link it to our website. Our Web Site http://lincoln.ourchurchweb.org.uk/spilsby/index.php

Apologies for IT Problems, Vicarage ‘phone line down.

Bolingbroke Team Churches YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqTDWzvL2jxeB6ESF- aP9Nw?view_as=subscriber Monday Alphege , Martyr, 1012 School Term Starts Tuesday 11.00am A/C John Hudson’s Funeral Wednesday Anselm Abbot of Le Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher of the Faith, 1109 10.30am Spilsby Eucharist 3.00pm Ann Hicks’ Funeral 4.15pm Team Meeting Thursday 2.00pm Stickney Joan Shaw BofA Friday St George Martyr, Patron of , c.304 Saturday Mellitus of , first Bishop at St Paul's, 624 The Seven Martyrs of the Melanesian Brotherhood The Seven Martyrs of the Melanesian Brotherhood, , 2003

The Fourth Sunday of Easter Services in the Spilsby Cluster 9.30am Spilsby Eucharist (PC) Services in the Marden Hill Cluster 9.30am East Keal Holy Communion (+DR) Services in the Stickney Cluster 11.15am Stickford Morning Worship (FJ) Services in the Partney Cluster 11.15am Sausthorpe Morning Prayer (TMcL) 3.00pm Skendleby Evening Prayer (TMcL) Services in the South Ormsby Cluster 9.30am Tetford Morning Prayer (TMcL)

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Private Prayer in the Following Churches: St James Spilsby Daily 08.00 to 14.00 St Helen East Keal Sun to Thursday 10.00 to 15.00 St Nicholas Partney Thursdays 11.30 to 12.30 St Mary Tetford Thursdays 14.00 to 15.00 St Luke Stickney Thursday 10.00 to 16.00 St Helen Stickford Thursdays 10.00 to 16.00 St Mary Hundleby Daily 10.00 to 14.00

Spilsby Daily 8am Morning Prayer & at Noon God of love, turn our hearts to Your ways and give us peace. Amen

The sick at home or in hospital, Leo Seebacher-Hobson, Nigel Worth, Kathleen, Molly, Veronica, Dorothy, Maggie J. Betty Brawn, Tristan, Michael P, Joan T. Mark, Jossie Lee, June, Hilary, Michael, Harriet, Rose L., Abby, Sheila Janes, Fleur, Mary, Jeff Mason, Rosie, Bob, (Baby) Chloe Lear, Lawrence, Ann Howman, John and Audrey Prince, Sylvia Bonsey, Anthea B, Jo & John, Bessie Reddin, Mary Julyan, Marion Weston.

The Departed: Bob Kirk, Georgina English, Gill Denniff, John Milliken, Emma Masterton, David Mason, Jacylin Shaw, Sandra Gorham, John Hudson, Jean Jeffries, Ann Hicks, Janet Enderby, Prince Philip, +Robert Hardy ( 1987-2001).

Anniversary: Bill Pestell, Pat Huskinson, Ivy Kemp, Dennis Douglas, Peter Orwin, Sylvia Dunnton, Alison Smith, Annie Wolstanholm, Elenor Clark, Dennis & Verna Nicholes, Alice Holland, Drene Coupland, Jack Folley, Jack Smith, Peter Dooling (p). “Bobbie” Rowson, Mavis Dale, Isobel Cliffe, Patrick Moore, Brian Lenton, Nora Goodwin, Eileen Pocklington, Elsie Rogers, Ronald Hodges, Madge Gregory, John Large, Frank Senneck, John & Lizzy, Terry Hill, Mary Tuplin Robin Healey, Roy Evers, Sylvia Page, Alistair Miller, Patricia Wells, Michael Hedison, Ethel Harrison, Sylvia Emerson, June Acaster, Vera Wroe, Cliff Royston, Joyce Jones, Richard Epton, Rebecca Shaw, Roy Nelson, Vera Willis, Gill Rymer, Gordon Henman, Betty Armstrong, Rodney Dodds. Penny Holmes, Ken Whitbread, Christine Pilcher, Colin Cragg, Jean Timmings, Gwen Worth, Sheila Mee, Lillie Marriott, Bertha ‘Vicky’ Vickers, Fiona, Rachel, Isobel Eaton, Sylvia Bell, Kate Benson, Joan Griffiths, Michael Dobson, Nev Chamberlain, Dorothy Haseldon.

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Sunday 18th I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here Community in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. and Voluntary Service Luke 24: 49 (LCVS) The Church of Ireland Monday 19th DAC, Church Building & Pastoral Teams - Historic Alphege, Archbishop of Churches Support Officer: Matthew Godfrey Canterbury, Martyr, 1012 Pray for everyone entrusted with the care of historic buildings and the advice they receive from the team Local Authorities The Diocese of Boga – Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo Tuesday 20th DAC, Church Building & Pastoral Teams - Church Development Officer: Fran Bell, Rural Churches MPs and Local Councillors Volunteers Project Officer: Caroline Wallis (District & Parish), Pray for all the parishes as together, we find ways to open church buildings again, to be welcoming for worship, wider community outreach and tourism.

The Diocese of Bolivia – The Anglican Church of South America Wednesday 21st The Deanery of – Rural Dean: Revd Mark Anselm, Abbot of Le Bec, Holden, Lay Chair: Mrs Judith Parkin Archbishop of Canterbury, Please pray for our deanery as we seek to make God's love Teacher of the Faith, 1109 known in our communities. We pray for guidance as to how our 53 church buildings may most effectively be used in the service Musicians and those in the of God's kingdom. We pray for wisdom as we seek to share a Arts message of hope and new beginnings.

Agenda Planning Committee

The Diocese of Bondo – The Anglican Church of Kenya Thursday 22nd Church Schools in Horncastle Deanery Bardney, Coningsby St Michael`s, Kirkby-on-Bain, Mareham- Nature Conservation le-Fen, Scamblesby, Tattershall Holy Trinity, Woodhall Spa St Andrew`s.

The Diocese of Bor – The Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (Jonglei Province) Friday 23rd The Bain Valley Group – Revd Sue Allison George, Martyr, Patron of We give thanks for the love, support and care being shown England, c.304 within our communities. May we continue seeking, growing and sharing for Jesus. Amen. Police and Fire Services The Diocese of Botswana – The Church of the Province of Central Africa Saturday 24th The Bardney Group – In Vacancy Mellitus, Bishop of London, Pray for the Church Officers responsible for organising first Bishop at St Paul's, services during the vacancy 624 The Seven Martyrs of the The Diocese of Brandon – The Anglican Church of Canada Melanesian Brotherhood, (Rupert’s Land Province) Solomon Islands, 2003 4

Press/media

Sunday 25th I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay Prisons down my life for the sheep. John 10: 14 – 15

The Nippon Sei Ko Kai * These items are sectors of Lincolnshire life. Each sector will receive a notification that they are being prayed for – please pray for the sector in general and any specific organisations close to you

Bolingbroke Team Ministry

Easter 3 Service of the Word

Peace be with you. And also with you. Come and see the love God has given to us. Come and see what it means to be children of God. Come with this hope, that Christ’s presence is real. With joy, we come to see the Lord.

Miraculous God, come to us now, even as your Son came to those first disciples on the shores of Galilee. Speak your peace to our hearts. Touch us with your Holy Spirit. Reveal your word, that we may hear your message this day, and live as your disciples in the days and years to come. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

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Hymn: Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us, you are one with us, Mary’s Son. Cleansing our souls from all their sin, pouring your love and goodness in Jesus our love for you we sing, living Lord.

Lord Jesus Christ, now and every day teach us how to pray, Son of God. You have commanded us to do this in remembrance, Lord, of you. Into our lives, your power breaks through, living Lord.

Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us, born as one of us, Mary’s Son. Led out to die on Calvary, risen from death to set us free, Living Lord Jesus, help us see you are Lord.

Lord Jesus Christ, I would come to you, live my life for you, Son of God. All your commands I know are true, your many gifts will make me new, into my life, your power breaks through, living Lord. (Patrick Appleford b.1925) Prayer of Confession We are God’s children now, but what we will be in the fullness of our time has not been revealed. What we do know is this: we will be like Jesus the Christ and saints of God. Let us consider how Jesus was revealed among us and pray to be more like the Christ in every way. Jesus embodied the unconditional love of God. We pray, may we be more like Jesus.

Jesus fed those who were hungry. We pray, may we be more like Jesus.

Jesus drew near to those living on the margins and excluded. We pray, may we be more like Jesus.

Jesus brought healing and wholeness to those in need. We pray, may we be more like Jesus.

Jesus hungered and thirsted for righteousness. We pray, may we be more like Jesus.

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Assurance of Pardon Through the love shown to us by Jesus, we can be sure that we are God’s children now. The Spirit of Christ is among us in this gathering and the nature of Christ is revealed within us. We are becoming more and more like Christ each day. Therefore, let us live joyfully as God’s people; saints and instruments of God’s way. Amen

Reading: Acts 3: 12 - 19. When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, ‘You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you. And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Hymn Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour, first-begotten from the dead. Thou alone, our strong defender, liftest up thy people's head. Alleluia! Alleluia! Jesu, true and living bread!

Here our humblest homage pay we, here in loving reverence bow; here for faith's discernment pray we, lest we fail to know thee now. Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou art here, we ask not how.

Though the lowliest form doth veil thee as of old in Bethlehem, here as there thine angels hail thee, branch and flower of Jesse's stem. Alleluia! Alleluia! We in worship join with them.

Paschal Lamb, thine offering, finished once for all when thou was slain, in its fullness undiminished shall for evermore remain. Alleluia! Alleluia! Cleansing souls from every stain.

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Life-imparting heavenly Manna, stricken Rock with streaming side, heaven and earth with loud hosanna worship thee, the Lamb who died. Alleluia! Alleluia! Risen, ascended, glorified!

Reading: Luke 24: 36b-48 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Homily from the Diocesan Website We are moving inexorably towards the end of Luke’s account of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, a journey on which we have been challenged to rethink and to re-act on numerous occasions. It is understood that Luke’s account is the last of the Synoptic Gospels, to have been written down and circulated. At the beginning of his story, Luke acknowledges his sources and name the recipient of his work. He calls it an orderly account of the life and deeds of Jesus. He takes his reader into the world, the life and times of Jesus and places the event at a particular time in history. He places the birth event in Bethlehem, the City of David being fully aware of its’ messianic significance.

The journey then begins with an intensely human moment, an event common to every person who has ever lived, a birth, but an act which is also ethereal, and of God. Angels are involved in bringing this birth to human attention, shepherds are informed by a choir of angels.

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But that was all at the beginning and there was a long journey which followed, a journey of healing and reconciliation, a journey of challenge and hardship, a journey of adulation, hatred and ultimately death- except there was a twist in the tale. Because death was not the end. Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!

In our Gospel reading for today, much has been reported to the disciples and there is without doubt lots of confusion and fear about what has already happened and what might happen next. In particular, the two disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus have hurried back to Jerusalem to tell their story.

They were in the middle of telling their account when suddenly He was there in their midst, right there! Jesus! Hailing them with a familiar greeting. And even though they had been listening to other accounts of his appearing, they were terror-struck by this apparition. That’s not surprising, is it? Try just for a moment to put yourself in their shoes. How might you react? And they had been there through it all. They had heard him say, although they might not have been listening, but they heard him tell them that he would rise from the dead, and here he was, again, showing himself to them. This is one of those moments that gives us hope. We are looking at this account with 2000 years of hindsight. These ordinary, tired, disappointed down hearted ordinary people had no such advantage so that when they saw him with their own eyes, something stopped them properly seeing!

Jesus sees their doubt and he tells them to touch him - stressing that a ghost does not have flesh and blood, and then as if to underline his point, he asks for food and eats it right there in front of them, and the food does not fall out! Only Luke has Jesus making such a request but we do see him sharing food with his disciples in the early morning appearance by the lake in John’s Gospel. Why does Luke tell us that Jesus can eat after his resurrection? Well of course that is a mystery, and it is impossible in this world for us to know, but it is intriguing that Luke seeks to marry earth and heaven at this incredible moment - hinting perhaps that there is a strong relationship between the natural and supernatural world in Christ Jesus and he is able to join earth and heaven by this action. So, Luke seeks to end his Gospel where he began, stressing the connection between Earth and the Heavenly and how in Christ there is no barrier, no boundary between the two kingdoms and that as his children we hold the promise of paradise and the hope of resurrection and that in him there is victory, victory over death and hell and the hope of eternal bliss.

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Conversation Questions 1. How do you make sense of the resurrection appearance that Luke records? 2. How might you have received what he said were you one of those in that upper room? 3. Is there anything else from the passage not already discussed that speaks to you? What is it? 4. What will you do this week in your Monday-to-Saturday ministry in response to what you have heard today? #everydayfaith

Let us declare our faith in God. We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high. We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Hymn Lead me Lord. Lead me in thy righteousness. Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou Lord only, that makest me dwell in safety. (Words: Samuel S Wesley)

Prayers of Intercession Lord Jesus Christ, Author of life, help us believe Peter's bold proclamation of your resurrection, your healing presence, and the suffering forgiver of our many sins. Set our minds on heavenly things. Fill us with your joy.

Heavenly Father, when we are in distress, remind us of your Son, who makes room for us in this world and the next. Set our minds on heavenly things. Fill us with your joy.

Holy Spirit, help us to love being a child of God, for there is no higher calling. Set our minds on heavenly things. Fill us with your joy.

When we are startled and terrified by your unexpected presence, Lord Jesus Christ, help us hear your word of peace. Touch us as we seek to touch you. Set our minds on heavenly things. Fill us with your joy.

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Come to us Lord Jesus, be at our table. As you visited with your disciples after your resurrection, and ate with them, come, Lord Jesus, be our guest today. Set our minds on heavenly things. Fill us with your joy.

We name in our hearts those who are hungry for your touch, ready for your healing, or nearing the new life. Set our minds on heavenly things. Fill us with your joy.

Help us listen closely to your Word, even as you listen closely to our prayers. Amen.

Hymn How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him Who brings good news, good news Proclaiming peace, announcing news of happiness Our God reigns, our God reigns Our God reigns, our God reigns, Our God reigns, our God reigns

You watchmen lift your voices joyfully as one Shout for your King, your King See eye to eye the Lord restoring Zion Your God reigns, your God reigns!

Waste places of Jerusalem break forth with joy We are redeemed, redeemed The Lord has saved and comforted His people Your God reigns, your God reigns!

Ends of the earth, see the salvation of your God Jesus is Lord, is Lord Before the nations He has bared His holy arm Your God reigns, your God reigns! (Words: Leonard E Smith Jnr (b.1942))

Let us go out into the world. Go where God leads you. Go that you may serve him. And wherever you go, know that God is with you. Amen.

Some items are © ROOTS for Churches Ltd (www.rootsontheweb.com) 2002-2021. Reproduced with permission.

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An act of Spiritual Communion You may wish to find a space for prayer in front of a cross, a candle, or a special place. You might choose to make your Spiritual Communion at a particular time of day, or after viewing a live streamed service.

Reflect on the day and on your relationships. - What good things have come from God today? - Where have I fallen short? - What might I do tomorrow?

You may wish to say or pray Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Read the following words from Scripture. If you have access to today’s readings for Holy Communion, you may wish to read and reflect on them. Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’ John 6.35

Pray for the needs of the world, for your local community, and for those close to you. End with the Lord’s Prayer. Our Father...

Give thanks for the saving death and resurrection of Jesus and ask him to be with you now. Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have given me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen. after the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester

Conclude with the following: The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil, and keep us in eternal life. Amen.

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A prayer for all those affected by coronavirus

Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy. Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Clergy Team The Rev’d. Canon Peter Coates The Vicarage, Church Street, Spilsby, PE23 5EF email: [email protected] Tel: 01790 752526

The Rev’d. Ms. Fran Jeffries The Rectory, Horbling Lane, Stickney PE22 8DQ email: [email protected]

The Rev’d. Mrs Joan Thornett email: [email protected] Tel: 01790 754151

The Rev’d Mrs Jean Coates Contact via Spilsby Vicarage – As above email: [email protected]

Rev’d. Mrs Teresa McLaughlin & Mr Paul McLaughlin – Community

The Rectory, Scremby Road Partney PE23 4PG [email protected] 01790 752344

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We mark the death and pray for the soul of the Rt Revd Robert (Bob) Hardy CBE on Friday.

Bishop Bob Hardy was Bishop of Lincoln from 1987 to 2001. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2001 for his services to the that included being Bishop for HM Prisons. In retirement he served as a honorary assistant bishop in the diocese of Carlisle.

The Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Revd , says Bishop Bob, as he was affectionately known across Greater Lincolnshire, was much loved and greatly admired for his dedication to the diocese and the people of Lincoln. He was particularly known for his commitment to rural issues and was a President of the Lincolnshire Show. ‘I ask that we pray for Bishop Bob, giving thanks for his ministry, and that we also pray for those who mourn at this time, particularly his wife Isobel, and their children Ben, Alexander and Rebecca. Dr Isobel Hardy made her own caring contribution to Lincolnshire as a General Practitioner in and while her husband was bishop and our condolences are with her and the family.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Father of all, we pray to thee for those whom we love, but see no longer. Grant them thy peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and in thy loving wisdom and almighty power work in them the good purpose of thy perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’

Saints on Earth ¶ April

Alphege 19 April Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1012 Alphege was a from the monastic community at Deerhurst, and for some years was a hermit near Glastonbury. He became Abbot of Bath before succeeding Ethelwold as Bishop of Winchester in 984. During this time he was known for both his frugal lifestyle and his generosity to others.

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The early part of the tenth century was the second major period of Viking raids against England. In 954 King Ethelred the Unready sent Alphege as a peace envoy to the Danes. (Unready does not mean that Ethelred was always unprepared, but rather that he would not accept 'rede' or counsel from his advisers.) This was a mission that was initially successful for both State and Church, bringing peace. In 1006, Alphege became Archbishop of Canterbury. However, in later years Danish invasions increased, and the south of England was largely overrun by the Vikings. In 1012 Canterbury was surrounded and captured by Vikings who were aided by the treachery of Archdeacon Elfmaer. Alphege was imprisoned and a ransom was demanded for him from his citizens. The sum required was far greater than anything the tenants of the Canterbury estates were able to pay. Alphege, known as a man of justice and charity, refused to allow himself to be ransomed for such a vast sum of money. Infuriated, and in a drunken frenzy, the Danes murdered him, cutting his body to pieces with an axe. As news of his death spread Alphege came to be thought of as a national hero. According to tradition the parish church of St Alfege (sic) in Greenwich was built on the site of his martyrdom. Alphege is remembered as a martyr because he gave his life standing up for Christian justice. He sought the good of others over that of himself, and forbade others to suffer in order to save him.

Anselm 21 April Abbot of Le Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher of the Faith, 1109 Anselm was an Italian-born Norman monk, who became one of the most important thinkers and writers of the medieval Christian Church. He was born in Aosta in the far north of Italy in 1033, and, after the death of his mother, suffered at the hands of his father. He left home in 1056 on a journey that led him from Italy to Burgundy and eventually to the monastery of Le Bec in Normandy. The prior of the monastery was Lanfranc (see 28 May), one of the foremost Christian thinkers of the time. Anselm studied under him for ten years, paying great attention to the work of Augustine. Anselm eventually succeeded Lanfranc as prior when he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 1070. Anselm became Abbot of Le Bec in 1078. After Lanfranc's death Anselm succeeded him once again, becoming Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093. Anselm only reluctantly agreed to take up the position, such was his attachment to the monastery at Le Bec, and such was his distrust of the English King William Rufus. This was with good 16

reason, as William had blocked Anselm's appointment for four years after the death of Lanfranc. Theirs was an ambiguous relationship, and Anselm and William clashed on several matters over the years, most notably over papal authority and jurisdiction. Anselm was unwavering in his support of the Pope, and this was to lead to his exile to Italy in 1097 until the death of the king in 1100, and then again in 1103 under King Henry I. Only papal intervention brought peace and the resulting compromise left the Crown with the responsibility for the selection of , and the Church with responsibility for investiture with the symbols of authority. Anselm contributed much that was original to Christian thought, especially in the areas of philosophy and spirituality. He made an original contribution to the debate on the nature of the Atonement in Cur Deus Homo (Why God became Man). His proposal of the 'perfect satisfaction' of God through the cross has been, and still is, extremely significant in the development of Christian thought. His argument for the existence of God (the ontological argument) is still influential. Anselm's original spirituality was evident in his 'Prayers and Meditations' which introduced a new style of devotional literature in which a meditation upon a saint relates both to Christ and to the individual praying. His writings combine personal and spiritual experience with theological argument. Anselm is honest and clearly wrestles with doubt and anxiety in his work. He left to the world a spirituality in which the painful reality of humanity was balanced by the intense hope of the crucifixion and the self- sacrifice of God. Anselm reveals an intense self-knowledge, and a real awareness of the eternal within the Christian faith. O Lord our God, grant us grace to desire You with our whole heart; that, so desiring, we may seek, and, seeking, find You; and so finding You, may love You; and loving You, may hate those sins from which You have redeemed us. A Prayer of St Anselm

George 23 April Martyr, Patron of England, c.304 Remembered as a martyr the details of the life of George have been lost in time, although fifth century records attest his existence, and to the beginning

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of his commemoration. In all probability George was a soldier, and a victim of the Diocletian persecutions in Lydda, in Palestine. The known facts of his life state that George, an officer in the Roman Army, 'gave his goods to the poor, and openly confessed Christianity before the court'. Diocletian was responsible for the most devastating and sustained persecution of the Early Church, from 303-304 AD. Only his abdication prevented more permanent damage being sustained to the Church, and many unknown Christians, like George, would have given their lives for the sake of the gospel, and would have been remembered with gratitude from that time onwards. The more popular stories of the life and death of George can be traced back to the Eighth century. The slaying of the dragon is not connected with his name until the Twelfth century, and it may be that the origin of this story is the Greek myth of Perseus slaying a sea monster. George's story was included in the 'Golden legend' (1260), which became a popular source of 'history', and received widespread attention in the Middle Ages. His popularity as a saint of national identity grew with the Crusades, and he became the patron saint of Soldiers. Richard I called upon him for protection before the third Crusade in 1187 and a red cross on a white background, became the 'uniform' of his crusaders and, in time, England's national flag. George was personified as the ideal knight. He was made patron of England in preference to Edward the Confessor by Edward III in 1347. Shakespeare added to the reputation of George, when he 're-created' Henry V's speech before the battle of Agincourt (1415) in which St George is invoked as a powerful ally of king and nation: Follow your spirit; and upon this charge, Cry, 'God for Harry, England and Saint George!' Henry V, Act III, Scene i

Mellitus 24 April Bishop of London, first Bishop at St Paul's, 624 Mellitus, born of a noble family, was first a monk, and then abbot of a monastic community at Rome. He led the second group of sent by Pope Gregory the Great to evangelize Britain in 601.This group was sent to support the work of Augustine of Canterbury, who had been given the responsibility for the mission to the Anglo-Saxons earlier in 597. Mellitus was consecrated by Augustine in 604/5 as the first Bishop of the East Saxons and was based in London. 18

After an inauspicious start, Augustine's and Mellitus' missionary activity was modified by Gregory the Great. He instructed Mellitus to use the old Saxon temples as places of Christian worship. He was only to cleanse the temples and to remove the Saxon idols, not completely destroy them. As a result the Saxon temples became Christian places of worship, and old Saxon feast days were re-directed towards Christian celebrations. Bede reports that the Pope declared 'If the people are allowed some worldly pleasures . . . they will more readily come to desire the joys of the Spirit'. This instruction to Mellitus radically altered missionary endeavour throughout the Saxon regions, and had a profound effect on the spread of the gospel. At the end of the sixth century Britain was a collection of independent Anglo-Saxon kingdoms – the Heptarchy. The southern parts of Britain were receptive to the particular form of Christianity spread by the Church of Rome. The rest of the country was more responsive to Celtic Christian influence. In spite of their similarities, political emphasis and difficult relationships led to division. Two key areas of Britain, Kent and East Anglia, proved to be a stronghold for the Roman interpretation of Christianity, yet it was with these areas that Mellitus was to encounter difficulty. In 604 Mellitus was involved in a dispute with new kings of both Kent and the East Saxons who once enthroned ceased practising Roman Christianity and reverted to paganism instead. However, they both still demanded that Mellitus perform the Eucharist for them. This was unacceptable to Mellitus, and he refused. Accordingly he was banished from their kingdoms and he fled to Gaul in 616. He returned in 619 and in the same year became the third Archbishop of Canterbury. A staunch follower of Roman Christianity, Mellitus attempted to secure the dominance of this interpretation of the faith in southern Britain, and stood against syncretism in the face of great pressure.

The Seven Martyrs of the Melanesian Brotherhood 24 April The Seven Martyrs of the Melanesian Brotherhood, Solomon Islands, 2003 The Melanesian Brotherhood was founded in 1925 by (see 6 June) as a lay brotherhood of young men who took vows for a specific period of time and engaged in prayer, mission and service. The Brotherhood, initially established on , quickly spread throughout the Province of Melanesia (the Solomon Islands and ) and even beyond, to Fiji and Australia.

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The Brotherhood was influential in helping to resolve a violent period of ethnic conflict in the Solomon Islands in 1999-2000 and took part in the disarmament process. But one rebel leader, Harold Keke, refused to sign the peace agreement of 2000 and continued his campaign of violence and intimidation. Undeterred, the Brotherhood continued to work for peace. But this peacemaking came to a violent conclusion when Brother Nathaniel Sado was kidnapped, tortured and killed by the rebels. On Easter Day 2003 news was broadcast on the national radio from an eyewitness, reporting that Brother Nathaniel had been beaten to death by Keke’s militants. Six other Brothers set off from the capital, , on 23 April to find out what had happened. Knowing what the outcome might be, the Assistant Head Brother of the Melanesian Brotherhood, Robin Lindsay, went with five other brothers – Francis Tofi, Alfred Hill, Ini Paratabatu, Patteson Gatu and Tony Sirihi – aiming to find Brother Nathaniel and, if he was indeed dead, to bring his body home for burial. For over three months the community waited day and night, hoping and praying for their safety. In June the situation became even worse when five Novices and two Brothers in the neighbouring district of Mbanbanakira were also taken hostage. Eventually they were released but what was worrying was that during their captivity none of them had seen any sign of the original six Brothers. Then their worst fears were confirmed. When the Regional Assistance Mission arrived in the Solomon Islands with troops from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji Keke surrendered and confirmed that all seven Melanesian Brothers had been killed. In fact three were killed when they had first arrived (on 24 April), the others a day later, after being tortured. The bodies of the seven martyrs were recovered and re-interred at the mother house of the Melanesian Brotherhood in the autumn. Their funerals, attended by crowds in the tens of thousands, saw an extraordinary outpouring of popular grief and affection, and their example of costly love has done much to heal the community divisions within the islands. In February 2004 the Brotherhood was presented with the first prize in the regional category of the Pacific Human Rights Awards ‘for its sacrifice above the call of duty to protect the vulnerable and build peace and security in Solomon Islands during the civil conflict and post-conflict reconstruction’.

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