No 557 APRIL 2021
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Brancaster Group Parish News No 557 APRIL 2021 BRANCASTER, BRANCASTER STAITHE, BURNHAM DEEPDALE, TITCHWELL, CHOSELEY THE RECTOR: The Rev’d Rachael Dines, The Rectory, Old Hunstanton, PE36 6JS Tel: 01485 535936 and 07763 211901. Email: [email protected] TEAM VICAR: The Rev’d Kirsty Allan, The Vicarage, Brancaster PE31 8AU Tel: 01485 211159. Email: [email protected] ASSISTANT PRIEST HUNSTANTON & SAXON SHORE BENEFICE: The Rev’d James Monro Tel 01485 518342 RETIRED CLERGY: The Rev'd Phil Unsworth Tel 01485 532436 The Rev’d Sandra Ellison Tel 01485 298852 Dear Friends On Monday 8th March, the clergy of the Diocese of Norwich had the opportunity to Zoom with the Archbishop of Canterbury, not something that I ever thought I’d be doing! In this Zoom conversation, he talked about what the church has looked like during the pandemic, much being done unseen on Zoom, in foodbanks, in funeral ministry and in pastoral support, amongst other things. He also talked about his desire for imagination. It got me thinking about all the imagination that we’ve all needed this last year. We’ve had to have imagination to live a different way, to assume different social graces: social distancing, mask wearing and the action of sanitising hands everywhere we go. We’ve had to be imaginative in finding different ways to fill our time, cooking creatively when we couldn’t get hold of ingredients, thinking of different ways to exercise. It also got me imagining what life is going to be on the other side. Some wish for things to ‘go back to normal’, others are still anxious, especially those who haven’t yet had the vaccine or are still shielding. Some in the church family across the Benefice have journeyed through Lent on Zoom, using some excellent material from The Diocese of Sheffield. We’ve looked at how, as Christians, we can live our lives reflecting the light of Christ. It struck me that Jesus, who is the light of the world, had imagination and was rather radical with it. Who’d have thought a carpenter from Bethlehem (‘of all places’ as the Bible puts it!), would enter the world and at the age of about 30, turn the status quo upside down? Who’d have thought that such a person would radically imagine a world where there is no class divide, no poverty, no loneliness, no egos, no abuses of power and no prejudice? Who’d have thought that over 2000 years ago, a man from a humble background would challenge those in authority to look at themselves and how they treat others, then ask people to follow Him in spreading a message of hope and love? During the pandemic I’ve heard countless stories of hope and love from within the church and beyond: neighbours helping each other out, shops delivering to those that were (and still are) shielding, folk picking up prescriptions for those that couldn’t get out. And I’ve seen two young people regularly picking up all the plastic that gets washed up on Brancaster beach. Whoever you are…thank you and good on you! THIS! This is the sort of society that Jesus came to tell us about, this is the sort of society that He imagines for us. A society that follows what Christian’s would call kingdom values, rather than worldly values that sometimes think about money, reputation and profit first, and people second. Jesus came as the light of the world to shine a light on what is dark and wrong in society and to help us, through His teaching, to imagine a different world, a kingdom world, a world built on love and light and where hope abounds. My prayer is that we can hang on to all that’s been positive about 2020 and lockdowns 1, 2 and 3. That as we emerge from all this, together we can continue to make our communities a place of real welcome where love and hope shine through. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you. And give you peace. Kirsty EASTER DAY SERVICES, SUNDAY 4TH APRIL We are still finalising the pattern for services for April to June, which will be displayed on each church notice board when details have been confirmed, but meanwhile we looking forward to welcoming you to our services in each one of our churches on Easter Day! Titchwell BCP 8 am Kirsty Allan Thornham 9 am Sandra Ellison Holme 9 am Phil Unsworth Ringstead 9 am Gill Stevens Deepdale 10.15 am Bill Jacob Old Hunstanton 10.45 am James Monro Hunstanton 10.45 am Kirsty Allan Brancaster 11.15 am Rachael Dines All churches will be taking details of those who attend and we ask that you maintain social distancing and wear a face covering. 6 PM EVENING PRAYER ON ZOOM EACH SUNDAY Do contact Revd Rachael Dines for further details. There is always room for more on the computer screen. PLEASE NOTE THESE CHURCHES WILL BE OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER Burnham Deepdale: Wednesday and Sunday 11 am – 3 pm Holme: Tuesday and Friday 10 am – 3 pm Ringstead: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 am - 4 pm Please use the hand sanitiser provided and follow the directions to keep everyone safe. Should a funeral take place in any of our churches, the building will be closed for three days before and after the service. FROM THE REGISTERS Funerals MARJORIE ESTHER LARKIN, formerly of Titchwell, died 18th February 2021, aged 89. Funeral service at St Mary’s, Titchwell on 5th March. PHYLLIS TOWNSHEND of Brancaster, died 24th February 2021 aged 92. Funeral service at St Mary’s, Brancaster on 31st March. JAMES ALBERT TILL of Brancaster, died 5th March 2021, aged 87. Funeral service at Mintlyn Crematorium on 30th March. VALERIE SCOLES of Brancaster Staithe, died 8th March 2021, aged 83. Funeral service at Mintlyn Crematorium. 2 BENEFICE ADMINISTRATOR For all church enquiries, please initially contact the Administrator, Sarah Bocking, on 01485 211180 or email [email protected]. PHYLLIS TOWNSHEND Brancaster lost one of its long-term residents recently with the death of Phyllis Townshend, aged 92. Phyllis had lived in Brancaster all her life, until her ill-health meant she had to be cared for. Phyllis was the village post lady for over 25 years. A job she loved. She will be missed by her family and friends. JIM TILL I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and tributes paid to Jim. He was a quiet, caring man who would help out in many ways if he could. He valued the friendship and support the village gave, particularly during the camera club exhibitions and meetings. My thanks also for all the support I have received from my neighbours during this difficult time. Sue ST MARY'S, BURNHAM DEEPDALE We are looking forward very much to being able to celebrate Easter with a Holy Communion service at 10.15 on Easter Day. We look forward to welcoming you but, as our church is small and space is very limited with the Covid-19 restrictions, we ask that if you wish to join us for worship then, you must contact me, Verily Borthwick, either by phone 01485 210267 or email [email protected] beforehand so we can make sure there is enough room for you. We will need to know how many people are in your bubble. We ask that you wear a mask and follow the guidance given by our sidespeople at the door and inside the church. TITCHWELL CHURCH The Church has been ticking over, though there is much volunteer help needed. Very many thanks are due to those who very kindly answered our appeal before Christmas. Planning anything is proving difficult. We are hoping to hold a Garden Party in June or July; more information to follow. The churchyard was improved by a kind donation from a local donor; however more time is needed. The bulbs which were planted earlier in the year look lovely, but the moles are making movement through the churchyard hazardous. We are holding an Easter Service at 8 am and look forward to seeing some of you. If you are interested in helping and supporting our beautiful church why not volunteer to help. Our APCM is to be held on Thursday 22nd April at 2 pm via zoom. Please contact me on 01485 210756 if you can support us. Last but not least, thanks are due to our Treasurer, Alan Wright, who is resigning as from 22nd April. He has done sterling work over the last few years. The post is now vacant. Susan Bradshaw HUNSTANTON FOODBANK Our local Foodbank in Hunstanton continues to be busy in these difficult times, and we would like to thank everyone for their kind support, with a special thanks to Sainsburys, Nationwide and Barclays Bank in town, as well as the Burnham Deepdale shop for hosting collection points. We manage our food store in St Edmund’s church hall rather like a small shop keeping the stock on the shelves in order of “best by” dates, so that the older items are used first and never wasted (yes, I know that some might disagree with this, but it is something we have to adhere to). 3 However, your generosity means that we now have more than enough baked beans, pasta, porridge oats, tinned tomatoes, chick peas and other pulses, soup and tea to use before the dates on the packs. At present we do not need any more of these: we do not want to waste anything.