Christmas 2019

The Civic Church of Ipswich Dear Friends Can you hear the angels sing? Angels singing is a metaphor for the eternal message of Christmas, as the whole of Creation rejoices at what God is doing. This goes beyond the mere elements of the Christmas story, as the angels sing of the eternal purposes of God in Christ Jesus. The angels sing of reconciliation; of peace and good will and good news, which a broken and divided world longs to hear; which divided communities long to hear and which divided families long to hear. And the key question is what really brings this reconciliation? At its deepest level, what the angels are singing about is a transformation in how power is exercised in relationships, including the power of God. Put more simply, this is about mutual humility and listening, for these are fundamental elements in any kind of reconciliation. Christians are familiar with the radical humility of Jesus and the Christmas story is part of that revelation, but we can be less aware of the extent to which Jesus listened to those around him. He attended to people’s deepest concerns and that is why so many flocked to hear him; this is basically what all his healings are about. The Christian vision of God is fundamentally that of a God who listens and responds to his people’s deepest needs. So when we survey the world around us, which seems so full of disunity and mistrust with people struggling to be heard, we need to remember that the way of reconciliation is essentially one of humility and listening, and that in Jesus, God himself shows us the way. We need to remember this when we face the disunities in our lives and communities. However much we may disagree, we still belong together in the Kingdom of God, and we should never lose sight of this. And God’s part in this? The reason the angels sang? The key that frees us to be agents of reconciliation ourselves? Is knowing that the love of God, made known at the birth of Jesus, is for always, and that it is sure and eternal.

s As October brought the end of a very successful Summer Recital Series, the church choir’s activities ramped up beginning with it our Harvest Festival celebrations and the Parish Open Day, at which the choristers sang Evensong. Not only have we been buoyed by a hatful of invigorating music, but the librarians also rejoiced greatly, as our new Responses books were printed and put to use. The new booklets (divided by composers A-M and N-Z) collate the dozen or so sets of Preces and Responses the choir uses throughout the year. Interpolated among the responses are the various settings of the Lord’s Prayer and the Venites and Easter Anthems. All in all, far less work for the librarians! The beginning of November brought with it All Saints and All Souls. The choir performed the Faure Requiem at the latter, with excellent solos by Euan Chalmers and Michael Harland. Shortly afterwards the choir sang an arrangement of Elgar’s famous ‘Nimrod’ from his Enigma Variations, on Remembrance Sunday. The arrangement sets the words of the ‘Lux Aeterna’ to Elgar’s music. It is a very difficult piece to bring off, but the choir did so magnificently. After Remembrance, the choir’s attention turns very quickly towards Advent and Christmas. One piece we spent a good deal of time preparing is Britten’s Hymn to St Columba. The dramatic music is both melodically and harmonically chal- lenging, but the choir rose to the challenge and the Choristers certainly looked like they were enjoying themselves. The focus at the end of November was a joint service with St Margaret’s Church, at St Margaret’s, and also the Tower Chamber Choir’s autumn concert which included Bach motets and Schutz’s Musikalische Exequiven. The choir and soloists were excellent, and pleasingly, we were joined by a good audience. Just before Advent Sunday and our Vigil service, the choir performed at the opening of the spectacular 10th Grand Christmas Tree Festival – very much a Christmassy affair, rather than Advent. The church looked magnificent and the choir sang Darke’s

1 In the Bleak Midwinter and Skellern’s So said the angel. Which when you glance at the score seems to have more rests than notes! The Christmas tree festival concluded for the choir with the Christingle Service, which seems to grow year on year! Thank you to everyone who did so much to help support the festival, which in turn supports our musical ambitions at St Mary le Tower. As I write this, the choir are knee-deep in preparations for our performance of Handel’s Messiah and music over the Christmas period. I have just put the finishing touches to next term’s schedule which proves to yet another exciting journey; includ- ing Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, J.S. Bach’s St Matthew Passion, as well as taking part in the Justice Service at the Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds. All the Choristers and Choral Scholars are making great progress, and my sincere thanks goes to William, Katie, Matt and Lis for their help and guidance. Many of the choristers have received RSCM ribbons this term and the probationers will have all received their surplices by Christmas. Next year we have 4 Bishop Chorister Award candidates and 4 Gold Award Candidates. We look forward to welcoming a handful of new choristers next term – and in due course, we look forward to the New Song School in Tower House, where we can fit everyone to rehearse! Many thanks to all those who have helped with the Lunchtime Recitals throughout the year, such as the café staff, moving furniture or front of house. Thank you to everyone who has given generously to the musical projects over the year. In particular we can rejoice that we now have the go-ahead to remove the old Chancel lanterns! Hallelujah! Happy Christmas. Christopher

2 THE CHURCH IN WALES TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS In 1920, the Church in Wales became an independent part of the Anglican Communion after centuries of being part of the . The process was known as ‘disestablishment’ as it broke the link between Welsh churches and the state with the historic Welsh Church Act. Events being held to mark the anniversary include celebration services in all six of the Church’s cathedrals on June 7 and a visit by the Archbishop of Canterbury in April. A Centenary Appeal has also been launched which aims to raise £100,000 for two charities over the next five years. The Archbishop of Wales, John Davies, said, “2020 is our centenary as a province of the Anglican Communion. We will be celebrating this landmark birthday throughout the year in churches and communities across Wales, and I invite everyone to join in giving thanks and praise for the fellowship we have shared over the years.” The Provincial Secretary, Simon Lloyd, said, “The Church in Wales is involved in community life in all parts of Wales – in cities, towns, villages and hamlets, in both of our languages, amongst people of all ages. We welcome everyone. The centena- ry is an opportunity to share our story and our life together with our friends, our

CONGRATULATIONS TO REVD JEANETTE GOSNEY (St Lawrence Preacher and Associate Priest at SMLT)

on the announcement that she is to be the next of Suffolk in succession to Archdeacon Ian (may he rest in peace and rise in glory). Jeanette will be made Archdeacon on Saturday 18th January at 3pm at St Michael’s Framlingham. She has been acting archdeacon while Ian has been ill and was strongly recommended by the appointment panel after a national search. We assure Jeanette of our prayers as she takes up this appointment full-time, and thank her for her ministry at the Tower, particularly during the Vicar’s study leave.

3 Parish Diary (Special Events, see back cover for regular services.)

DECEMBER Sun 29th 8am & 10.30am Services. Choir holiday.

JANUARY Wed 1st Bank Holiday. No Services. Sun 5th Epiphany Sunday. 8am, 10.30am & 5pm services. 10.30am Mission Shaped Eucharist including Elder Recommissioning. Mon 6th No weekday Choral Evensong services this week. Wed 8th 10.30am Holy Communion. (Regular services start again.) Sun 12th Baptism of Christ. (Normal Sunday services restart.) Mon 13th 6.30pm Monday & Tuesday Choral Evensong Sun 19th First Sunday in the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity 5pm Epiphany Carol Service. Sun 26th Second Sunday in the week of prayer for Christian Unity 5pm Evensong and Benediction at St Mary-at-the Elms

FEBRUARY Sun 2nd Candlemas Sunday. 10.30am All Age Eucharist 5.00pm Choral Evensong and Communion (BCP) Fri 7th 8.30pm Choral Compline. Mon 17th No weekday Choral Evensong Services this week (Half Term) Mon 24th No service of Choral Evensong Tues 25th 6pm Choral Evensong (NB. Note time.) Wed 26th Ash Wednesday. 10.30am & 6.30pm Services.

MARCH Sun 1st 5.00pm Choral Evensong and Communion (BCP) Fri 6th 8.30pm Choral Compline. Sun 15th 3.30pm Choir sings for the Justice Service at the cathedral No 5pm Evening Service at SMLT Sun 22nd Mothering Sunday. 10.30am All-age Eucharist Mon 23rd No weekday Choral Evensong Services this week Sun 29th Passiontide Sunday. 5pm Lenten Meditation (Stabat Mater – Pergolesi)

4 BELFRY BANTER

The 2019 Church Open day took place on a cold and wet Saturday 12th October, with the ringers doing their bit by taking groups of visitors up the tower steps to see the ringing room. For those that wished to venture further, trips further up the spiral staircase to see the bells were also laid on. For non-ringers, what actually happens within a bellringing tower is considered a mysterious and incomprehensible art. However, after taking advantage of our guided tour of the bells and ringing chamber, and listening to a short explanation of how we make the bells peal out across the town, many people went home on that day with a much better understanding. Throughout the day visitors could also see and have a go on the Vestey Ring (a miniature set of bells) – temporarily set up for the day outside in the churchyard. This piece of apparatus belongs to the , and is often featured at events across the county and beyond. If you heard the bells ringing on Remembrance Sunday (10th November) you The Vestey Ring (here in ) may have noticed they sounded a little different to other Sundays. This is because we traditionally half-muffle the bells on such sombre occasions. This is achieved by affixing a thick leather pad to one side of the clapper, so that each alternate blow of the bell is muted, resulting in the very atmospheric sound which most people associate with the day. The end of November saw the start of the Christmas events in the church, starting with the annual Christmas Tree festival. The bells A leather bell muffle were rung before the launch event on 27th November, and on the Saturday morning, a full peal (3 and a half hours of continuous ringing) was attempted to help draw visitors in to the church to see the magnificent display of colourful trees. Sadly, the peal came to a premature end after about 50 minutes, so plan B was put in to affect which saw a shorter length of ringing (known as a quarter peal) rung on all 12 bells instead. Listen out for the bells ringing for the various services during the Advent period, and also on Saturday 21st December, when SMLT will again take part in the traditional pre- Christmas ringing of all ringable bells in Ipswich. SMLT bells will be in action between 11.15 & 11.45.

5 Looking ahead in to 2020, a band representing Ipswich SMLT will be testing themselves against the best ringers on 12 bells across the country in the National 12 Bell Striking Competition on March 28th in Walsall, West Midlands. It’s the first time in nearly 10 years that SMLT has entered and follows months of preparation. SMLT used to be a regular entrant in this elite competition in the late 80’s and early 90’s, but loss of key personnel meant continued entry ceased to be possible. The standard of ringing in this competition has risen significantly since Ipswich last entered, so our team will have to all be at their best on the day to stand any chance of progressing to the finals at the end of June, at Sheffield.

The SMLT ringers send everyone their best wishes for a very Happy Christmas, and prosperous New Year.

GENEROUS Christmas is a time for giving, and we do it well. The British have been ranked among the most generous nations in the world, after a recent study found that six out of ten of us have helped a stranger in the past month. The research, which surveyed 1.3 million people in 128 countries over a decade, found that despite a growing culture of charitable giving, there has been a downward trend in thoughtful behaviour in many of the world’s wealthiest places. However, the report, commissioned by the Charities Aid Foundation, found that the UK now appears 7th in the worldwide rankings for generosity. 60 per cent of us have helped a stranger in the last month, with 71 per cent of us giving money to charity, and 30 per cent offering even our time, in order to help a good cause. The countries which topped the global rankings are: United States, Myanmar, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and Canada. At the bottom of the table, ranked lowest in terms of generosity, were the State of Palestine, Serbia, Yemen and Greece. China was ranked the least generous of all nations.

6 CHURCH ENGAGES MILLIONS THROUGH APPS AND SOCIAL MEDIA Church of England prayer apps were used more than five million times over the last year as a record number of people sought Christian contemplation and reflection online, according to new figures published today. Apps allowing users to pray the ancient ‘Daily Office’ of morning, evening and night prayer were used 4.2 million times on Apple devices alone in the last 12 months, an increase of 446,000 on the year before, new figures show. The figures do not include other social media prayers, reflections and posts by the Church of England, which now have an average reach of 3.6 million every month, an increase on 2018. The digital figures were published alongside the Church of England’s Statistics for Mission 2018, and showed that some 4,400 churches – more than a third of those responding – run courses teaching the basics of the Christian faith. These included the Pilgrim Course, launched in 2013, and the Alpha Course which introduces participants to the Christian faith through a series of talks and discussions.The figures showed 3,200 churches reported running activities such as youth groups or youth-focused services for children and teenagers aged between 11 and 17 years old. The statistics showed 1.12 million regular worshippers at Church of England churches in 2018. There were nearly eight million attendances at Church of England Christmas and Advent services combined in 2018, including special services for civic organisa- tions, schools and local communities. The Church’s reach on social media throughout Advent and Christmas 2018 with the #FollowTheStar campaign was 7.94 million – up by 1.14 million from 2017. On average, 871,000 people attended Church of England services and acts of worship each week, 2.6% lower than in 2017. A further 175,000 people attended services for schools in Church of England churches. Other figures from the digital report show that AChurchNearYou.com, the church finding website, received more than 38million page views in the last 12 months, a big increase on the year before. Since launching in May 2018, the Church of England’s Alexa skill has been asked more than 100,000 questions by Christians and people exploring the faith. The Bishop of Ripon, Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, said: “The Church’s digital innovation is enabling people to hear the good news of Jesus Christ in ways that weren’t previously possible alongside regular Sunday worship and at significant moments such as Christ- mas and Easter. “It is also really striking just how many churches are running courses in the basics of Christianity. This shows a readiness to explore the Christian faith.”

7 TOWER HOUSE PROJECT UPDATE

2019 has been a year of real encouragement and some challenge for the Tower House project. In the autumn of 2018, a new Development Manager (Sue Rudland) was appointed and in 2019 Sue has brought new vision and business experience to the project. Also the Interim Management Group (IMG) has gained a new chairman in 2019, Richard Cook, who brings good project management experience. In May, several members of the IMG attended a day school at Ickworth House hosted by the Heritage Lottery Fund, at which their new grant programme for the next 5-years was explained. In particular, it is now easier for community groups looking after heritage buildings to access funding for the feasibility stages of a project. Coupled with a new emphasis on renewing struggling town centres, this is being really helpful to our project, as it has turned out that the heritage significance of Tower House is rather greater than we first appreciated. This is good news indeed, not only in terms of potential funding for the project, but because the costs and challenges of repairing the building have risen very considerably and significantly more grant aid will now be needed. Then in late August, we heard that a very substantial legacy had been left by Barbara Bellamy for “The development and upkeep of the Tower’s Parish Centre project at 17 Tower St.” This is a huge boost to the project, which means that the Parish Centre as announced in February 2014 can be fully accomplished with the funds now in hand. The PCC has decided that the Song School on the first and second floors of the north wing should proceed as soon as possible, with the Parish Hall on the ground floor of the north wing following on in due course as part of the development of the whole building. Meanwhile the investment proceeds of the Bellamy legacy are enabling Sue Rudland to take up the role of Operational Manager of Tower House as well as the development role, with an increase in her hours, thus allowing the Vicar to focus on other urgent parish matters while retaining oversight of the whole project. Finally, with the new emphasis on the project’s heritage aspects, the IMG is in the process of appointing a new architect with appropriate heritage experience and skills, who will begin work in early 2020, and advise on the project feasibility studies and funding.

8 MINISTRY STATISTICS PUBLISHED The number of female clergy in the Church of England continues to rise with more women than men entering training for ordained ministry for the second year running, according to recently published statistics. More women, 54%, than men began training for ordained ministry in 2018, for the second year running. Just under a third, or 30%, of the estimated 20,000 active clergy in the Church of England were female compared to 27% in 2014, according to Ministry Statistics for 2018. The report also shows the proportion of senior posts such as dean or bishop occupied by women rose from 23 per cent to 25 per cent over the last year. The figures do not take into account six new appointments of female bishops this year, bringing the total so far to 24. The proportion of people identifying as from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds starting training for ordained ministry in the Church of England rose to 8% in 2018, compared to 4% in 2016. Around a third, or 33%, of people beginning their training last year were under 35 years old and more than half, or 53%, were under 45. Meanwhile the number of men and women ordained as rose from 485 in 2016 to 535 in 2019. The figures have been released as the Church of England seeks to fulfil a key target of a 50% increase in the number of candidates for ordination as part of its programme of Renewal and Reform. Mandy Ford, Interim Director of the Ministry Division of the Church of England, said: “I am thankful for the hard work and prayers of the parishes and dioceses in helping us to increase the numbers of people coming forward for ordained ministry, a key aim of the Renewal and Reform programme.”

CHARLES GORE, BISHOP AND FOUNDER

Born in 1885, Gore became one of the most influential Anglican theologians. He helped reconcile the Church to some aspects of biblical criticism and scientific discovery, yet was Catholic in his interpretation of the faith and sacraments. He was also concerned to bring Catholic principles to bear on social problems. As an Oxford don and then as a Canon of Westminster, he was renowned for his preaching. In the 1890s, he was the founder - and first leader- of the Community of the Resurrection, which in later years settled at Mirfield in York- shire. From 1902,he was successively bishop of Worcester,Birmingham and Oxford. He was much mourned at his death on the 17th January 1932. From Exciting Holiness

9 10 EPIPHANY Today this one favoured feast is barely celebrated at all, instead becoming a rather gloomy affair, an anticlimax of a day when the Christmas tree, cards and other decorations are taken down. However there are some Twelfth Night traditions which have lasted the test of time and are still practised today. One of these is the service held at St James’ Palace. At this service, members of the royal household present the Chapel Royal with the three gifts brought to the Christ child by the Magi. Another tradition, upheld by the cast of the play then being performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane at that time, is the eating of the Baddeley Cake. This is as a result of a stipulation made in the last will and testament of one Robert Baddeley, an actor from the eighteenth century, after whom the cake was named.

11 TO WELCOME JANUARY

The and the Vicar a busy schedule keep, As they rush, ever quicker, they don’t get that much sleep. The overworked Churchwarden and their sides persons team, Who don’t get time for boredom but only seldom scream! So, when the season’s over; the crib has been put by, The drapes to green changed over, they breathe a heartfelt sigh! They laugh and smile with pleasure and sing a merry rhyme, But short-lived is their leisure – for soon comes Easter time!

IPSWICH LIGHTHOUSE WOMEN’S AID

At Epiphany we will once again be collecting gift vouchers for the Ipswich Lighthouse Women’s Aid. They are very grateful for these vouchers and also unused toiletries which they use for birthdays and gifts to their residents.

12 WAYPOINTS – A SAILING TRIP WITH E.A.S.T. LATE SUMMER 2019 I’d been thinking a lot about the need for guidance leading up to the trip. Victualling was bothering me. What to buy, what to prepare: tins and packets, loo paper, cooking gas, lists of possible menus for the week. Vicky had always done this previously, and I was a little out of my depth. What would be easy to cook whilst on board? What might I be able to freeze? What might my crew want to eat? Eventually these dilemmas were solved by the passing on time and necessity, and thus I found myself on the way to Levington in my boat, Mary Ann, ready or not for the week. It was Ian Lord (well known to the St Mary- le- Tower community) who suggested that I volunteer myself and my boat to E.A.S.T (The East Anglian Sailing Trust). E.A.S.T. aims to offer sailing experiences to people with disabilities, and he thought I might be useful. It was thus I found myself meeting with Natalie who was completely blind and two further sighted crew members, all of whom were new to me. After settling in, agreeing bunk arrangements, my best efforts were put to preparing the evening meal; chicken curry- an easy option – just stick the frozen curry into a saucepan and wait. A later briefing by the Admiral of the Fleet prepared us for the week, the safety briefing and the expected behaviour for sighted crew in relation to sight limited crew members. At last, we were off heading for Brightlingsea. We made our way down the Wallet channel toward the Blackwater with a favourable wind. Our first navigational objective was the North Eagle buoy, about 3 nautical miles off Brightlingsea. This is a critical waypoint, because if you don’t make it, there is a risk of running aground on one of the many shallow patches off the coast. Into the Blackwater and River Colne approach channel, and on to Brightlinsea using the leading lights toward the harbour. We were helped onto our berth by the harbourmaster’s launch, and tied up alongside some of our fleet boats. Brightlingsea, (apparently one of the Cinque Ports) is an old and curious harbour. Boats are moored on a pontoon in the middle of the river, and crew are required to catch the water taxi to shore. Showers and loos restaurants shops and cafes are all ashore so a certain organisational discipline is required with matters of the bladder and showers. Crews met up, food was cooked and wine was drunk in an event called the 13 ‘Safari Supper’ in which skippers prepared food whilst crew swopped boats for each course. This enabled folk to meet and talk with different people whilst eating and get to know them better. The following day we were off on a turning tide, and tracking the important buoys in the channel we left Brightlingsea and the Blackwater. Getting the tide right is critical as we have to cross one of the many ‘swatchways’ of the Thames estuary. These are narrow and shallow pathways across the sand banks. It was key to a safe passage to get the depths and the course right across the Swin Spitway, marked by two Safe Water Buoys. Wandering about in the channel is risky. A couple of sweats later and we were across and en route to Queenborough on the Isle of Sheppey. By now, my crew and I were becoming familiar with each other, our conversations ventured into politics, Brexit, bell ringing and on occasions, religion. Mary Ann managed a sedate and triumphant entry to Queenborough and a slow approach to raft up to another boat in our fleet. My slow approach drew some ribald attention from crew members on other boats, but I ignored them in the interests of safety. Weather closed in, and our Admiral advised caution for further sailing. My crew and I took his advice and we went for a walk and a bus ride into Minster on the island. We walked round the Minster church with much early history, and with Minster Abbey help of the warden we discovered more about its place in English history. There was much discussion about the bells!! Natalie, our sight impaired crew member felt her way around the church, its statues and icons, and was interested in its history. A frustrating return to our boat with walking, standing at the wrong bus stop and getting on the wrong bus alerted us once again for the need to accurate navigation. The following day, the weather conditions improved significantly, and a late start was allowed for the six hour trip to Ramsgate. After some hasty repositioning of the boat ( a very large car transporter ship was entering the port) we set off. Timing was important as arriving at North Foreland in anything other than slack water was asking for a ‘cake walk’ for an hour or two, and a breakout of seasickness. We navigated down the Princes Channel, passing Red Sand Fort – an old WW11 gun fortress, and on to the Princes Channel Number 1 buoy. This marked our exit toward North Foreland. Rounding the headland, Ramsgate came into sight and a predictable entry was negotiated. It was late afternoon, and we had time to drink tea, partake of a little alcohol before a celebratory dinner in the Temple Yacht Club. A dinner, and a few speeches and songs later we retired to our bunks.

14 Our next day was a rest day, and I wanted to go to Pugin’s house by way of a pilgrimage to this famous (and genius) architect. Unfortunately, places for the fixed visit were full so we had to find something else to do. We settled on the ‘Tunnels’. These were a complex set of tunnels hewed from the solid chalk that constituted the town’s air raid shelters during Second World War. A guide, some original furniture and a good deal of imagination gave us considerable food for thought about the hardships of life during that period. Chalk remains damp or at times wet, and children and adults were required to sleep in these conditions until the ‘all clear’ was sounded. Apparently, at times the tunnels provided shelter for thousands of people. The following day the conditions were near perfect for a return to home waters. We left Ramsgate with both a favourable tide and 15 knots of wind. Sail was set just outside the harbour limits and we headed for Fisherman’s Gat, gaining entry into Black Deep (sounding more sinister than it actually is). Again accurate navigation is critical. Buoys mark important entry and exit points without which it is easy to get into difficulty. The wind freshened a little and we decided to put a reef in the mainsail. This produced even greater speed over the ground (this is to do with physics that I don’t fully understand) sometimes accomplishing 8 knots! Exiting the Black Deep the cranes at Felixstowe came into view and we headed for those. Our enthusiasm for them meant that we were a little too far north and there was a risk that Cork Sand (about 4 miles off Harwich) might stop us in our tracks. A hasty recalculation and we began our slow entry toward Levington. Once tied up, we cleaned up, packed, said our goodbyes and gave Natalie a lift to the railway station. Another great and memorable Levington Marina week away. Afterthought When sailing across the Thames Estuary, there are times when one is out of sight of land. The importance of waypoints becomes important. To have direction, reliable guidance, a sense of where you are and trust is critical, not only for enjoyment, but also for safety. Natalie, in her sight limited world, needed guidance (from her experience, from us, and using her senses,) to find her way around the boat, so that she could become a useful crew member. If you like, she also needed ‘waypoints’. As navigator I needed lines on the chart, positions of latitude and longitude of the critical buoys and a dependable crew. Perhaps we all need ‘waypoints’ that we can rely in our lives to help make sense of a world that can easily appear to be a sea of uncertainty. Keith Faull

15 FORMER ASYLUM SEEKER ORDAINED AS KIRK MINISTER A former asylum seeker who escaped the clutches of Islamic extremists has recently been ordained as a Church of Scotland minister. Raheel Arif was inducted into Denny Old Parish Church linked with Haggs Parish Church and will become its first full-time spiritual leader for 5½ years. At 47, he said he was very excited about taking up the “wonderful and priceless ministry” in the Falkirk Council district. Mr Arif and his wife Humaira and their children, Rhea and Roshaan, fled to Scotland from Pakistan in September, 2011 after extremists threatened their lives because of their faith. At the time he was the vice-principal of a secondary school in Peshawar, partly run by the state, and the only Christian out of a staff of 52. Jealousy and suspicion was rife, and then a plot was mounted against him, to have him arrested for blasphemy. Fortunately, it failed. Mr Arif took his wife and children to Grangemouth to visit his cousin Rev Aftab Gohar, minister of Abbotsgrange Parish Church, in the summer of 2011 to lie low until things got back to normal. But when they returned to Peshawar two months later it quickly became clear that his persecutors would never leave them in peace, and so they decided to return to Scotland and seek asylum. Raheel, who grew up in a Christian family and was very active in his local church in Pakistan and involved in mission work, said: “We were living a good life in Peshawar, but extremists kept threatening us. It was a terrifying, horrible situation and I was very scared. At first the threats were only directed at me and I thought things would calm down in time. “But when people came to my house and threatened my family, I knew that we had to leave. I had heard the stories of how non-Muslims were killed by extremists – butchered with their bodies put in sacks and thrown in fields.” Mr Arif said the family applied for asylum the day they arrived in Glasgow and 18 months later they were granted refugee status and leave to remain for five years which has been extended to indefinite leave to remain. He enrolled in Highland Theological College in Dingwall in 2015 to study theology as a distance learning student and graduated last year. Mr Arif, who has a Masters degree in botany and a Bachelor’s degree in education, carried out his 15 month probation at Zetland Parish Church in Grangemouth under the tutelage of Rev Alison Meikle. “I have been on an amazing journey and my ordination is affirmation for that call and God’s plan for my life,” he said. “When we came to Scotland the circumstances were very difficult, but God’s hand and grace was upon us which further increased my faith and trust in Him. 16 BOOK REVIEWS

Hark! The Biography of Christmas By Paul Kerensa, Monarch, £7.99 In this delightful sleigh ride through Christmas history, Paul Ke- rensa answers the festive questions you never thought to ask… Did Cromwell help shape the mince pie? Was St Nicholas the first to use an automatic door? Which classic Christmas crooners were inspired by a Hollywood heatwave? And did King Herod really have a wife called Doris? From Roman revelry to singing Bing, via Santa, Scrooge and a snoozing Saviour, this timeless tale is perfect trivia fodder for the Christmas dinner table.

Domestic Monastery By Ronald Rolheiser, OMI, DLT, £6.99 In this beautiful little book Ronald Rolheiser turns on its head the idea that religious life is the preserve of monks and nuns. Our cloisters are the walls of our home and our work, the streets we walk, and the people with whom we share our lives. The domestic is the monastic. Chapters include: Monasticism and Family Life; The Domestic Monastery; Real Friendship; Lessons from the Monastic Cell; Ritual for Sustaining Prayer; Tensions within Spirituality; A Spirituality of Parenting; Spirituality and the Seasons of Our Lives; The Sacredness of Time; Life's Key Question. Ronald Rolheiser OMI is a specialist in the fields of spirituality and systematic theology. His regular column in the Catholic Herald is featured in newspapers in five different countries.

The Jesus Way – Learning to Live the Christian Life By Peter Walker, Lion Hudson, £15.99 This book teaches the basics of the Christian faith, looking first at what Jesus Himself taught, and then at what His apostles had to say. It is for anyone who wants to follow Jesus, but who would like to be reminded of the way. In short clear steps, Dr Peter Walker takes us through the basics of enjoying Jesus’ forgiveness, welcoming His Spirit and feeding on His scriptures; then explores the principles of worshipping with His people, following His teaching and trusting Him with our future.

17 HOMELESS PEOPLE AT RISK OF MODERN SLAVERY

Staff and volunteers at night shelters are being urged to be on the lookout for signs of exploitation among guests in a campaign recently launched by the Church of England’s anti-slavery initiative. More than 1,000 posters and other materials aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of modern slavery amongst homeless people have been distributed to night shelters across the country by The Clewer Initiative, the Church of England’s response to modern slavery. The Let’s Talk initiative is encouraging night shelters and other outreach services such as soup kitchens to share concerns with the Modern Slavery Helpline or local support services. The signs of modern slavery amongst homeless people could include: – Unusual anxiety about people in positions of authority and extreme fear of being watched – Working for no or little pay – Working in the most common sectors for modern slavery such as construction and hand car washes – Not being allowed to leave their place of work – Having no control of their ID – Being approached on the street, outside a shelter or at drop-in by someone offering work – Signs of physical abuse or untreated injuries The Let’s Talk initiative includes a poster illustrating the typical journey of a homeless person trafficked into exploitation. There are also guidance notes for project managers and volunteers in night shelters on the steps they can take to safeguard their guests from this danger. These include warning guests of the dangers of modern slavery. The Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern, Chair of The Clewer Initiative, said: “With rising numbers of homeless people on our streets, it is even more important that we are able to recognise the signs. With the Let’s Talk resources we will equip the Church to understand what modern slavery looks like, and how they can respond to protect the vulnerable.” 18 19 Vicar: Revd Canon Charles Jenkin B.Sc. 18 Kingsfield Avenue, Ipswich, IP1 3TA Tel: 01473 225610 Email: [email protected] Associate Priest & St Lawrence Preacher: Revd Jeanette Gosney Tel: 07710479497 Email: [email protected] Director of Music: Mr Christopher Borrett Tel: 07917 355 946 Email: [email protected] Parish Administrator: Mrs Donna Joyce Tel: 01473 225610 Email: [email protected]

www.stmaryletower.org.uk

SUNDAY SERVICES

08.00 am Holy Communion (BCP) 09.30 am Choral Matins (BCP) 10.30 am Parish Communion (CW) followed by coffee served in Church 6.30 pm* Choral Evensong (BCP) 1st Sunday including Holy Communion * From Nov 3rd Choral Evensong will be at 5.00 pm for the Winter months

WEEKDAY SERVICES Monday: 6.30pm Choral Evensong (Girls’ Voices) (30min) during term time

Tuesday: 6.30pm Choral Evensong (Boys’ Voices) (30min) during term time Wednesday: 10.30am Holy Communion (BCP) (45min) followed by coffee in Church House Friday:: 8.30pm Choral Compline (20min) Monthly - 1st Friday during term time