Oswestry Tourist Information Centre
Open Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 01691 662753 obt@oswestry-welshborders.org.uk We have moved! Come and visit us in our new location next to Oswestry Library. We still have lots of lovely books, local craft items and cards. We can also give you all the information you need to find out where to eat, where to visit and what is on in Oswestry and the Borderlands, we look forward to seeing you. Castle View Arthur Street Oswestry SY11 1JR www.visitoswestry.co.uk
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Free Delivery Service
Helping you manage your prescriptions Service available at the following medical centres: Cambrian, Caxton, Chirk, Plas Ffynnon and Knockin. For more information, call us on 01691 670292 or call in to Cambrian Pharmacy, Thomas Savin Rd, Oswestry, SY11 1GA.
Providing NHS services
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THE PARISH CHURCHES OF ST OSWALD, KING & MARTYR, OSWESTRY, AND CHRISTCHURCH, RHYDYCROESAU
Vicar of Oswestry & Rector of Rhydycroesau The Reverend Harvey Lloyd Gibbons, M.A. St Oswald’s Vicarage, Penylan Lane, Oswestry, SY11 2AJ. Tel: 01691 653467 email: [email protected]
Licensed Readers S Oswald’s: Miss Wendy Groom, 80 Park Avenue, Oswestry. Tel: 661682 Mr Bryan Evans, 19 Lower Minster, Oswestry. Tel: 657497 Reader Emeritus Mr Bill Bowen, BEM, 49 Vyrnwy Road, Oswestry. Tel: 654571
Families and Youth Worker Felicity Parker email: [email protected]
Churchwardens S Oswald’s: Miss June Williams, 43 Castle Street. Tel: 652544 Mr Paul Evison, Bronallt, Queens Park. Tel: 653315 Mr Alan Neale, 1 Oakhurst Avenue, SY11 1BP – Tel: 661613 Mrs Muriel Jones, 3 Mount Rise, Mount Road, SY11 1HJ Tel: 653598 Christchurch: Mrs Elizabeth Stanley, 61 High Fawr Av. SY11 1TB Tel 676450 Mrs Deirdre Prince, 55 High Fawr Avenue SY11 1TB Tel:657456
Parochial Church Councils S Oswald’s: Hon Secretary: Hon Treasurer: Mr Paul Evison, Bronallt, Queens Park Tel: 653315 Christchurch: Hon Secretary: Mrs Jenny Upshall, Cross Foxes, Llawnt, Oswestry, SY10 7PS Tel.657933 Hon Treasurer: Mr Christopher StJ. Perry, 11 Hampton Road, SY11 1SJ Tel: 652829
Director of Music S Oswald’s: Mr M Donkin, Cae Bach, Ystryd Y Ceunant, Llanfechain, Powys, SY22 6UT e-mail [email protected] Tel: 828130
Organist: St Oswald’s: Gerry Howe e-mail [email protected] Christchurch:
Parish Office S Oswald’s: Church Street, Oswestry SY11 2SY. Tel: 652861 Parish Administrator: Mrs Frances Major email: [email protected]
Reg. Charity No. 1133346
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On these things do we rely…
I recently updated the software on my iPad and iPhone. The old system worked well but because you are supposed to update it when Apple ask you ‘it’s a security thing and an opportunity to iron out a few bugs in the previous version’, I did. The result was not what I expected, rather than a smooth experience with effortless connection as before, I now have two pieces of equipment which cause confusion, disorder, turmoil, and a certain amount of anger. Why? Because neither my iPad, nor my iPhone will now connect to the internet at home, telling me it is no longer secure. How dare they… it was good enough for them yesterday!
Things that I trust and rely upon for everyday activity are now letting me down, life has suddenly become frustrating and disorganised. It might be that my sensitivities are somewhat heightened given the current situation re Coronavirus, that uncertainty in one area of my life is causing me to overreact in another. I know in reality that a malfunctioning phone is not that important, that there are people who are facing real life and death issues, but I can’t fix it and that feels like chaos.
During the course of lockdown, I have had to finally accept that despite everyone telling me for years to more of a ‘be-er’, I am by nature, a ‘do- er’. Even when I don’t have to be busy, I find a way to be so; I like to fix things. Remember that well known story of Mary and Martha we find in Luke’s Gospel? Well, I am Martha! I always have been and most likely will always remain so. Despite my years of denial, I have realised that much of my time is spent making life easier as a ‘do-er’, hence my frustration when things that should work ‘don’t’ and I am left feeling helpless because I can’t do anything about it.
During the pandemic, I have discovered that similar feelings have been prevalent in others, like a thread linking people’s experiences together invisibly. An inability to do anything about Coronavirus has left many people feeling frustrated, isolated (some literally), and impotent; it has undermined their sense of self-worth and their self-confidence. For many, it will take time to rebuild themselves and their place in communal life, to re-find a sense of calm and peace.
I am no expert in mental health, but I know my reaction to my malfunctioning tech is an overreaction, that it is being fed by the hand of the Coronavirus pandemic. I know I need to be kind to myself and that applies to us all, each of us needs to give some time and some kindness
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to ourselves and to those around us. As Christians we are called to love the Lord our God, we are called to love one another, we are called to love ourselves. The life of a Christian is a life of love and that is a tough calling which requires time, effort and focus.
So back to the encounter between Mary, Martha and Jesus. Mary (be-er) prioritised the time with Jesus and gave her entire focus to his presence. When Martha (do-er) complains to Jesus, he gently reminds her of what her focus should be, building a relationship with Him. Martha showed wonderful hospitality, working hard, but in so doing, she got lost in the distractions of her busyness.
The pandemic has been a traumatic experience, tragically it has claimed the lives of many, it has impacted upon everyone. The future remains uncertain and life will I suspect continue to be stormy, if not chaotic at times. We need to find a way of finding peace within the chaos. We need to learn to rely on those things we know will always be reliable. The prophet Isaiah wrote; ‘those in steadfast mind you keep in peace – in peace because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.’ It is simply a matter of human life that good things will happen to us and not so good things will happen, but through it all we can find peace and comfort, experience clarity amidst chaos if Jesus is the focus of our life.
Peace is not the absence of chaos. It is being calm in the midst of it and trusting that God has life under control, it is knowing that no matter what is going on in our lives we have an opportunity to learn and grow from the experience. No more chaos – only clarity. So when the darkness of chaos begins to descend, let us not overreact, but stop and ask what it is that is distracting us from Jesus. Let us stop rushing and worrying like Martha and take a seat like Mary. Let us set aside time each day to come before God in prayer and in scripture.
Tech is great, but at the end of the day we cannot rely on it to bring us peace amidst chaos and worry, God alone can do that. Let us rely on Him.
Harvey
Oswestry Parish Church exists to propagate and nurture the love of God through the teachings of Jesus Christ thereby serving the needs of the whole community and enriching everybody's lives, through worship and prayer.
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FINAL NOTE FROM YOUR RETIRED PCC SECRETARY
At the Annual Parochial and Church Meetings on Sunday, 16th May 2021, I took my final minutes and there were very little changes to make this year.
All four Churchwardens: Miss June Williams, Mr Paul Evison, Mrs Muriel Jones and Mr Alan Neale have been re-elected for another year.
There was only one change to the PCC - Mr Christopher Lewis has resigned and we welcomed Mr Kevin Ellis-Anderson onto the committee, Mr M Donkin and Mr P Crosby were re-elected, all for the next three years.
The Vicar explained the new Deanery 'Shaping for Mission' and how changes would affect the church in future, which we should all be involved in.
There were no Deanery Synod elections this year, the next will be 2023.
The Electoral Roll now stands at 248 - 3 more people than last year.
THANKS I was most touched at the end of the APCM to be presented by June with a beautiful bouquet of flowers on behalf of the Churchwardens, PCC and congregation together with a card for the many years I have served as PCC Secretary. I am most grateful.
Sue Tansley
PRAYER BOARD
Prayer requests & updates should be sent by email to [email protected]. The mid-day Wednesday ‘praying together apart’ initiative continues, if you would like more information or would like to receive the weekly prayer update, please email Lindsay ([email protected]).
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CHRISTCHURCH RHYDYCROESAU
We held our Annual Meeting and PCC during the Sunday service on 16th May, with Harvey as Chairman and the full seven PCC members present.
Elizabeth Stanley and Deirdre Prince were re-elected as Churchwardens. It was agreed to suspend Rule 3 of the Churchwardens Measure 2001.
Elizabeth Stanley remains as Electoral Roll Officer and all PCC members had agreed last year, to stand for re-election for three years.
The Accounts and Annual Reports were looked through and accepted unanimously .
Harvey reported on the on-going work of the ‘Shaping For Mission’ and possible plans for our future involvement.
Elizabeth Stanley
MOTHERS` UNION FELLOWSHIP GROUP
The Diocesan Spring Council was held on 14th May, once again on Zoom, but at least it is one way of keeping in touch with previous colleagues and current events.
We are invited to take part in an Archdeaconry Festival service on 16th June at 1.30pm in Shrewsbury Abbey. The Rt Rev Sarah Bullock, Bishop of Shrewsbury, will be with us. Anyone who is interested in attending this Service, please contact me as I have to give numbers attending from Oswestry (all dependent on Covid rules).
I hope in the near future we will be able to resume our meetings in the Parish centre.
Pam Musson (656212) It was…….
175 years ago on 28th June 1846 that Belgian musical instrument maker Adolphe Sax patented the saxophone.
25 years ago on 4th June 1996 that the Second Severn Crossing was officially opened. The bridge spans the River Severn and links England and Wales via the M4 motorway. 11
A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE – 216. MORE FROM THE RELIGIOUS CENSUS OF 1851
Last month we looked at the Census of Religious Worship carried out on Sunday March 30th 1851 to obtain a picture of attendance at churches, chapels and other places of worship. The focus for that Census was the amount of accommodation – the number of seats, both free and privately held, and ‘standing room’ – available for religious worship, and the numbers attending, including those attending Sunday schools.
As noted, the completed forms are held at the National Archives, Kew, with the returns for Oswestry and district having the reference number HO 129/361. In the May edition of this magazine, we concentrated on the returns for St Oswald’s; Christchurch, Rhydycroesau; Trefonen and Holy Trinity churches. This month, we will look at the returns for the local Baptist, Independent (or Congregationalist), and Methodist congregations.
For the town of Oswestry, the Census returns include details submitted by the Independent Chapel in Arthur Street, the Baptist chapel in English Walls, the Primitive Methodist chapel in Castlefields, and the Independent Methodist chapel in the Rope Walk. In addition there are the returns of three Welsh speaking congregations in Oswestry: Congregationalist (Hermon), Calvinistic Methodist (Zion), and Wesleyan Methodist (later established premises in Victoria Road: Horeb). A fourth Welsh speaking chapel, the Penuel Baptist chapel, was established about 10 years later. There was also a return from an assembly of Christians (their return gives no other name), identified in Watkin’s Oswestry as Plymouth Brethren, who met in a large room in the Macdougall Hotel (Osburn’s Hotel, in Bailey Street). As noted last month, there was no return from the (English) Wesleyan Methodist chapel which met at premises in the Coney Green, moving in 1871 to a newly built chapel at the corner of Beatrice Street and King Street.
These Census forms were headed ‘schedule for return of place of religious worship not belonging to the established church’. Respondents were asked for the name of the place of worship, where it was located, the religious denomination, whether the building was used exclusively for worship including Sunday school, the date the building was erected, the space available (both free sittings and ‘other’), and the numbers attending, both on Sunday March 30th and the average attendance over a number of months.
The return for the Independent or Congregationalist Chapel was completed by the deacon Samuel Roberts, bookseller, printer and founder
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of the Advertizer. He reported that the chapel, in Arthur Street, had been erected in 1748, and rebuilt in 1829. There were 100 free sittings, and 600 ‘other’ sittings; on March 30th 272 people had attended the morning service, and 292 the evening service. In 1872 the congregation moved ‘next door’ to the newly built Christ Church.
The return for the Primitive Methodists’ Castlefield Chapel, on what was to become the junction of Castle Street and Chapel Street, was completed by the steward Thomas Rowlands, a baker, and the minister Samuel Tillotson. They reported that the chapel had been built in 1840, and was used “exclusively for worship and Sabbath School”. There were 180 free sittings, 120 ‘other’ sittings, and further space for 100 people standing. On March 30th 29 had attended Sunday School in the morning (with 28 continuing through to the afternoon service), a further 60 had attended the afternoon service, and 110 the evening service. These figures were below the weekly average, which showed 80 attending the afternoon service and 130 the evening service. The chapel was rebuilt, on the same site, in 1898/99.
There was also a form submitted by Samuel Fitzgerald, a solicitor’s clerk, “secretary to the church meeting”, on behalf of a congregation of Independent Methodists who had broken away from the Primitive Methodists in the late 1840s, and now worshipped at premises near the foot of the Rope Walk. Isaac Watkin believed the split to be “upon the question of church government”, resulting in William Doughty and his followers severing their connection with the Primitive Methodists, and setting up independently. The Census includes forms for five further congregations of Independent Methodists in the area, at Rednal, Wootton, Morda, Gronwen and Pontyblew; each meeting in a private dwelling. At the meeting house in the Rope Walk, the attendance on March 30th was 30 in the afternoon, and 60 in the evening, each time supplemented by 30 Sunday scholars. Again, these figures were below average, given as 40 in the afternoon and 80 in the evening.
The Baptists met in 1851 in English Walls, facing the Smithfield market, moving in 1892 to larger premises in Salop Road. Their return, completed by the deacon John Windsor, a manufacturer of agricultural machinery1, indicated that the chapel had been built in 1806, with 160 free sittings and 180 ‘other’ sittings. Attendance on March 30th was 92 in the morning (plus 22 Sunday scholars) and 107 in the evening. Mr Windsor noted that “in consequence of the church having been for the last 18 months without a regular Minister, the congregation have very much declined, it having for that time been supplied by occasional ministers”.
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Turning now to the Welsh chapels. The Calvinistic Methodists’ Zion Chapel off Welsh Walls had been erected here in 1836. Prior to that date, the congregation had met at premises in Castle Street. The return, by the deacon Maurice Jones, a blacksmith living in Salop Road, indicated that there were 150 free sittings, 200 ‘other’ sittings, and that on March 30th the attendance had been 103 for the morning service, 139 for the evening service, and 73 Sunday scholars. The Welsh Congregationalists met at Hermon Chapel, built in 1842. Their return was made by the Minister, Robert Thomas, noting that there were free sittings for 150, ‘other’ sittings for 26, and standing room of a further 100. On Census Sunday 50 had attended Sunday School in the morning, 130 had attended the afternoon service and 145 the evening service, slightly more than the average figures provided. Finally, the Welsh Wesleyans in 1851 met each week in a hired schoolroom, moving to their own premises in Penylan Lane in 1857 and to Victoria Road (Horeb chapel) in 1878. In 1851, the census return indicates that there was Sunday School in the morning, with 20 attending, and services in the afternoon and evening, attended by 50 and 106 respectively.
It is interesting to note the overall numbers attending church or chapel in Oswestry on Census Sunday. Focussing purely on the town, at the two Anglican churches, 802 had attended morning services, 240 the afternoon service (Trinity only), and 611 the evening service (St Oswald’s only). Numbers attending the various non-conformist churches and chapels in the town, when added together, more than matched those numbers – over 450 at morning services, around 270 in the afternoon, and just under a thousand attending evening services.
As with many statistical exercises, counting can be a challenge. It is very likely that the numbers given for the three services during the day in question include very many people who attended more than one service. They may also include individuals who attended services during the day at more than one place. When the national report was published in 1853, it raised important questions – about the number of people unable to attend (due to a lack of sittings, free or otherwise), the number who perhaps chose not to attend, and also in relation to the relative strength of the Anglican church, the non-conformist denominations, and the re-emerging Roman Catholic church. The exercise was not repeated – the Census did not ask questions about religion again for another 150 years.
John Pryce-Jones
1He exhibited a winnowing machine and a seed drill at the Great Exhibition of 1851 14
WHO IS THIS MAN?
This month in our zoom group, we’ve been trying to find out a bit more about the man that we met and followed down the Emmaus Road. We are looking for a man who though he is obviously a man also claims to be God. We’ve seen some hints of him from people who lived a very long time ago and being a curious lot we’ve been asking questions. To find the answers we’ve been reading what they thought in their day. Some writers refer to this man as light (John), others tell us he is the head of the church (Colossians) and also that he is alive and present today (1Peter).
We wondered why we need to get to know him better and found answers in a serpent and a woman, two men called Moses and Aaron, some grumbling, fed up tribes and a very fishy man called Jonah amongst others. As soon as we thought we were getting somewhere we came upon a huge great stumbling block – sin, our sin. Two men called Isaiah and Amos told us about it in no uncertain terms. Along the way we also kept getting hints about him from the ways people lived. We talked about the original Passover and what the bread and wine mean for us today. We read about the very impressive new temple of Solomon (you know the one, where this man got very, very angry). That led us to discuss how our church could become more of a place to encounter God.
Next we will look at some of the prophecies about this man. We’ll meet some we don’t know (Micah, Zechariah, Jeremiah) and Amos for a second time – all of them very plain speaking men. High on our list of prophets will be Isaiah who had a lot to say about the future. None of these men were trying to be popular; they were just trying to bring God’s message to his people. The problem was that the people didn’t want to listen! Through all these passages, discussion and prayer we have discovered anew that Jesus came as God’s Son, as a testament to God’s love for his creation. He also came to help point the world in the right direction because the world had become so bad at living in peace and with justice. Maybe it’s our turn to listen and help put that right in our corner of God’s world?
Jan Chesworth
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MUSIC NOTES – JUNE 2021
FUTURE MUSIC Last month I invited people to contribute to a discussion on how music in our church might grow and develop post pandemic. The response has been slow but I have had some interesting points of view which are very worthwhile sharing.
Not unexpectedly there is a strong wish to resume congregational hymn singing and even some who would like to sing the psalms, but alongside this there is also a hope that the choir will continue to “display its skills with introits, anthems and the like”.
This is well summed up in one response which I am reproducing in full:-
The conclusions in St Oswald’s response to Shaping for Mission reveals that conflict exists so far as music is concerned. “High quality worship with excellent music” was cited as a strength yet a weakness was said to be “The heavy emphasis on music and traditional worship”. Perhaps these can both be true, but it is difficult to see how all can be satisfied. Providing high quality in terms of music requires a high commitment from musicians in order to maintain standards and suggestions that such services become less frequent carries the risk that singers will turn away feeling undervalued.
There have been attempts at introducing alternate forms of musical worship from time to time but these have not been long lived and insufficient commitment has been cited for them failing to take hold. I dislike it when people say “We tried that, and it does not work” feeling that perhaps the method of trying is at fault; so perhaps more exploration is needed.
With this background I wonder if there is a possibility of providing an opening for ‘different’ music and, at the same time, strengthening the Deanery with the choir periodically visiting other churches and the slots at St Oswald’s being musically different or more reflective. Just a thought.
In support of traditional worship it has been pointed out that while overall church attendance has fallen by two-thirds since the 1960s, attendance at traditional choral worship in the UK is on the rise, and has been for the past two decades. This trend is clearly seen in university chapels so it is by no means only the elderly who are drawn to worship by the beauty of 16
the traditional liturgies and fine music. Certainly, here at St. Oswald’s, we have had a number of people who worship at other churches who are regulars at Choral Evensong because they appreciate the reflective type of worship that this offers.
My own feeling is that we should cherish the traditional while still innovating to see what other methods are available to attract non- churchgoers to St. Oswald’s.
So, if you haven’t expressed your view yet please do so. As I said last month, it would be good to hear from all viewpoints whether “you would prefer no music at all to those who would relish much more choral input and anywhere in between” Do send an email to [email protected] putting future music in the subject line.
BATH SUMMER SCHOOL 2021 Last month I announced the opening of our ‘Adopt a Chorister’ scheme to help fund this year’s RSCM Summer School which takes places from 23rd – 29th August in Bath.
The Summer School, which offers a week of intensive training and voice coaching given by some of the top choir trainers and voice coaches in the country, is regarded as a keystone in our chorister training year and it will be even more important this year given that most of the singers will have had no regular singing since March 2020.
The course fee is £450 per chorister which is good value since it includes a week’s full board, all music and tuition. As the choir is only allowed to perform in groups of 6 singers at present we have not been able to undertake any fund raising events so the generosity of our supporters is even more crucial than usual. All donations, no matter how small, will be gratefully received.
There are now forms available at the back of church or you can get them from the music pages on the Church’s website. Please make cheques payable to ‘St. Oswald’s P.C.C.’ and write ‘Adopt a Chorister’ on the reverse. If you are a tax payer you can increase your donation at no further cost by gift-aiding the donation. Just fill out a gift-aid envelope found in the pews or ask me for further details.
Thank you in advance for your generous support.
Mike Donkin Director of Music 17
Services at S. Oswald’s
June 6 10:30 The Parish Eucharist Trinity 1 (Live stream also)
June 13 10:30 The Parish Eucharist Trinity 2 (Live stream also)
June 20 10:30 The Parish Eucharist Trinity 3 (Live stream also)
June 27 10:30 The Parish Eucharist Trinity 4 (Live stream also)
Every Thursday 10.30 Holy Communion (BCP)
Sunday Worship is also provided online through the church Facebook page and website, where you can also find Morning Prayer every week day at 9.00 am.
Wearing of face masks is now compulsory. We cannot provide these so please don’t forget to bring your own.
PARISH OFFICE - is open on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - 12 noon for baptism and wedding enquiries.
Services at Rhydycroesau
First Sunday 09.30 Holy Communion June 6
Third Sunday 09.30 Holy Communion June 20
Follow us on Facebook at 'St Oswalds Parish Church Oswestry'
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MESSY CHURCH IN APRIL
Sunday 25th April was a very exciting occasion for Messy Church as we finally managed to gather together in person - the first time ever for some of us, myself included! The theme was ‘Listening to God’, so we looked at the stories of several people in the Old Testament who were called by God to a special task or way of living, and thought about what we could learn from them.
First we considered Moses, who encountered God in the burning bush, so we made burning bushes out of pipe cleaners, tissue paper and feathers. Even though God told him He’d specially chosen Moses to free the Israelites, Moses still asked God to choose someone else! We agreed that sometimes it can be hard to say yes when God asks us to do something really hard or scary, and sometimes we don’t feel special enough or understand why God has picked us and not someone else.
Then we looked at Jonah, who was so upset at what God asked him to do that he ran in the opposite direction to where he was supposed to go! In the end though he realised that God wasn’t going to give up on him, and he did what God asked. Hopefully when we feel like running away from God, we’ll turn back to Him before He gets to the point of sending a whale to swallow us! To remind us of this, we made whales including one spectacularly glittery one!
Our third story was that of Samuel, who heard God calling him in the middle of the night but didn’t realise who it was. We talked about how difficult it can be to recognise God’s call, but if we keep our hearts and minds open to God, He’ll get through in the end. Because Samuel was in the sanctuary with the lamp of the Lord, we made tealight holders and decorated them with pens, stickers, sequins and - yes - more glitter!
Finally we heard about Elisha, who responded to God’s call by throwing a party for his family and neighbours and giving them all food. We responded by going outside and having a picnic in the churchyard!
Our next Messy Church service will be on Sunday 30th May at 2:30pm in the Parish Centre when we will be celebrating the Church’s birthday!
Youth and Families Worker, St Oswald’s Felicity Parker
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Gerry Howe writes…….
As I write this, we are in hopes that things will begin to return to normal within the foreseeable future. One of the normalities which I know many Church members have greatly missed is the opportunity to join with others in singing God's praises in hymnody.
In the Preface to the English Hymnal of 1906, the musical editor, Ralph Vaughan Williams, wrote:
...in the worship of God Christians are drawn the closer together as they are drawn more closely to the one Lord. In Christian song Churches have forgotten their quarrels and men have lost their limitations, because they have reached the higher ground where the soul is content to affirm and to adore. The hymns of Christendom show more clearly than anything else that there is even now such a thing as the unity of the Spirit.
How right he was! I know of few things that unite a congregation more than joining together in heartfelt song.
The roots of Christian hymnody go very deep. St Matthew's Gospel (26.30) tells us "When they had sung an hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives". We are already back two thousand years! The hymn they sang would, in all probability, have been one of the Psalms. Go back another half a millennium!
But we need to go back further still, perhaps almost to the dawn of the human race. The word Hymn derives from the Greek humnos, which means "song in praise of a God or hero". The Ancient Romans and Greeks sang in praise and worship of their gods. So did the Egyptians, the Babylonians, the Sumerians... the list goes on, back into pre-history. It looks as if bursting into song is a natural human reaction to being in the presence of a god, or of God. Think of Mary, going to visit her cousin and pouring out her torrent of praise and adoration, "My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour". What a joy it is to be able to sing those words, to join with Mary in praising our Creator. Speaking them is good, but singing them can raise our experience to a new level.
Hymns, too, can enhance a solemn occasion. I was very grateful to Sam Lewis who very kindly allowed me to use her beautiful recordings of two of
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my Mother's favourite hymns, Dear Lord and Father of Mankind and The Day thou gavest, Lord, is ended, at Mother's funeral last year. We weren't allowed to sing, but we could listen to Sam's lovely voice and join with her in spirit. It would have been a very dry affair without that special music.
I am greatly saddened that very few schools now do any singing. (My opinion of the national curriculum for music is unprintable.) I am sure that most of my fellow Church members sang hymns and other music at school, and gained thereby not only much enjoyment, but also much knowledge of the Christian Faith. When I was a lad (and it's not really as long ago as all that!) we sang a hymn and a psalm each day. And singing the psalms in Coverdale's beautiful English, despite its occasional obscurities, gives one not only excellent instruction in the Faith, but also a real feeling for the very best in spoken English.
The hymns we sing now in Church reflect our Anglicanism, happy to draw inspiration from many different Christian traditions. We sing translations of ancient Latin and Greek hymns, verses by the great English poets (my firm favourite is George Herbert), hymns by Victorian clergy, songs from the Methodist and other Free Churches (in particular those by Charles Wesley) and modern choruses. And why not? Although things are much better than they once were, there is still a certain amount of discord between different Christian sects. But surely in Christian song we can, as Vaughan Williams pointed out, draw together in unity.
What are your favourite hymns? I have a long list. But let me mention three in particular.
Firstly, Blessed city, heavenly Salem to Henry Purcell's magnificent tune 'Westminster Abbey'. The words (translated from the Latin hymn Urbs Beata) lift us almost out of this world to the Heavenly realm. The tune has a quality of solemn jubilation which reflects the text to perfection.
Second, There's a wideness in God's mercy by Fr. Frederick Faber. The text is so reassuring, so filled with God's grace and the certainty of His love. And it is perfectly matched by Maurice Bevan's lovely, gentle tune 'Corvedale'. There are several excellent recordings of this hymn on Youtube but I think the best is that by the Choir of Jesus College, Cambridge.
Thirdly, the delightful harvest hymn To Thee, O Lord, our hearts we raise by Arthur Chatterton Dix, sung to Arthur Sullivan's splendid tune 'Golden
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Sheaves'. The text derives partly from Psalm 65: "The valleys also stand so thick with corn that they shall laugh and sing". What a lovely image that brings up in the mind. When we sing this, how can we do anything but thank God for giving us such a beautiful world in which to live?
So, please join with me in hope and prayer that congregational singing will soon be allowed again, and then join with me in lifting our hearts and voices in praise of God, from whom all blessings flow. Gerry Howe
RIDE AND STRIDE—11 SEPTEMBER 2021
As I have resigned as Ride and Stride local organiser run by the Shropshire Historic Churches Trust, I am making one more appeal for this.
I have all the information from David Hardham who has just taken over as County Organiser and needs all the help he can get.
If anyone would be interested in taking this on, it is only once a year, I have all the relevant information.
He stresses that if people are unable to walk or ride (bicycle or horses allowed!) they can visit churches by car and perhaps stop for lunch midway and make a day of it.
As I have said before, I shall send a donation to David Crowhurst, who is still Treasurer I believe if no one takes part, and would encourage others to do the same. Once again we have been very fortunate to get a grant from the SHCT and it is their main way of raising money.
20.05.2021 Susan Tansley
KEEPING THEIR FACULTIES SHARP
THE HISTORIC LAW COURTS IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND THE WORK THEY CONTINUE TO DO TODAY:
The division between ‘church’ and ‘state’ is an interesting one for the Church of England, intertwined with the history of the Reformation and rebellion against a Pope who wouldn’t allow a certain king a divorce at his whim. As well as registering marriages and deaths, the legal arm of the Church was often called on to judge cases of slander, probate, marriage and tithes. There is still a courtroom in Lichfield Cathedral, the Consistory
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Court where many cases were heard – it’s on the south side by the high altar and beneath the St Chad’s Head chapel.
As one of the earliest dioceses in England, Lichfield’s influence once covered a huge swathe of the north west of the country, from Warwickshire to Lancashire. As the population grew, new dioceses were formed from within it but by the 16th century the Consistory Court still heard cases from all over Staffordshire, north Shropshire, Derbyshire and north-east Warwickshire (the latter now the dioceses of Derby and Coventry). The archives that remain from earlier centuries are now at the Staffordshire Archives and some of the stories researchers are now cataloguing from there might even make a tabloid newspaper editor blush!
There is still a Consistory Court, but its work is somewhat less salacious these days, dealing mostly with questions about changes to church buildings, churchyards and exhumations, and the judge, the Diocesan Chancellor mostly sits in front of a laptop rather than a medieval courtroom. He is linked to a team known as the Registry which has two main functions: one is to act as legal adviser to the Bishop and the other is advise clergy on canon law. It has a role in the licensing of clergy to operate in the diocese; and the system of Patronage which shares the responsibility for appointing vicars between bishop and other historically interested parties; the consecration and modification of buildings for public worship and perhaps most frequently advice on church law for baptism, marriages and burial.
Faculty Jurisdiction – decisions on more contentious plans for buildings or gravestones – are the topics which most often hit news headlines today, whether about swapping pews for chairs, adding glass and toilets to buildings or what is appropriate in a churchyard. It is the Chancellor who has to balance family wishes for a loved-one’s memorial that reflects their life and the wider need to keep the churchyard as a place of restful calm that is appropriate for Christian worship and a comforting space for mourners and the wider community, where individual memorials do not jar in the landscape and that the church members can safely maintain even when direct family are no longer able to. Andrew Wynne Registrar for Lichfield Diocese
Read more about the current activity support and services provided by the Registry team at www.lichfield.anglican.org/registry and the historic goings-on unearthed in the Bawdy Courts project from the Staffordshire Archives at lichfieldbawdycourts.wordpress.com/.
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CHURCHYARD WALLS
It is quite possible that the oldest built structure in your local churchyard will be the boundary wall. These walls may have been mended over the years but usually with the original stone, gently replacing and resetting damaged sections. Whether lime mortar or drystone, churchyard walls have built up a rich array of species over the years.
South facing walls are particularly good for invertebrates with many different creatures using the gaps and holes to nest and shelter. Look for wrens and dunnocks hopping over the stones of the wall searching for spiders to eat. There are a great many species of solitary bees and wasps to be found nesting within walls too.
Walls can be excellent for lichens unless they become covered in ivy and other shading plants in which case the lichens are lost. Walls have their own specific plants, not found elsewhere in the churchyard, and this is particularly true for lime mortared walls in an area where the soil is not particularly lime rich. Can you spot ivy-leaved toadflax, wall rue, maidenhair spleenwort, rusty back or adder’s tongue fern? Some annual plants grow early in the spring, whilst the wall is still quite damp and cool; they flower, seed and then dry out as summer progresses. Others, like saxifrages, are suited to dry conditions.
As well as the wall surface, there is life within it too. Walls are cool, safe places to shelter and hibernate. Frogs, toads and newts use them and reptiles including lizards and slowworm shelter within the wall then emerge to warm up and hunt. Look for lizards basking in full sun whilst the slow worm stays hidden, finding a warm place beneath vegetation or a stone or piece of wood.
So, look after your walls and try to keep them in good repair, they are very special,
All the best, Harriet Carty Diocesan Churchyard Environmental Advisor, [email protected], www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk - individuals and groups in the diocese receive 20% members discount on all CfGA materials. Use the discount code Lich19
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The Specialist for All your Trophy Requirements and Engraving PLUS KEY CUTTING ENGRAVING PLUS 11 Albion Hill, Oswestry, Shropshire Telephone: Oswestry 654893 Fax 01691 670419
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SCWP NEWSLETTER AND PRAYER DIARY MAY 2021
Thank you for your continued prayers for the work of the project. Things are beginning to change within schools and I can now go back into the schools I was in before the latest lockdown. I am praying that things will continue to relax so that I can be in more of the schools. Until then I am continuing to provide online content which is still being well received. Some of the themes for video assemblies this month include creativity, compassion, love, friendship, giving and receiving.
I have started to plan for the It’s Your Move transition to secondary school workshops later in the term. Due to the current restrictions, I have produced a video version of the workshop. This will allow me to offer this as an alternative to my physical presence. I am hoping however that I will be able to do a few of these sessions live.
If you would like to view some of my online content, please visit our YouTube page
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN4psZ1OEf6aMpYS6c5a1Yg
Please continue to pray for the work of the project and our local schools.
Please pray for
Secondary schools who are working hard to assess pupils and catch up on work missed due to lockdown. Pupils who have struggled to adjust to being back in school. I will be able to physically go into more schools.
Regards Jane Webber Schools Worker Schools Christian Worker Project
SAMARITANS Whatever you’re going through, we’ll go through it with you Phone 116 123 calls are free
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A Quarter Page (9cm high x 6cm wide) would cost you just £25 per year That is 12 monthly issues per year
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Because it stays around the house for a whole month.
email: [email protected] Tel: 652861
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ST ALBAN - THE FIRST BRITISH MARTYR (Answers on page 34) Persecution of Christians worldwide is rising fast, so it is worth remembering St Alban, the first British martyr. Alban was a Roman citizen living in England when the Roman emperor, Diocletian, began a fierce persecution. Soon Alban found a desperate priest on his doorstep, hunted by local soldiers. Alban gave the priest shelter, and within days was converted. When the soldiers arrived, Alban took the priest’s place, refused to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods, and was condemned to death. Alban went to his execution on 22nd June 250AD with such serenity that one of the executioners was converted. He died on the site of the Hertfordshiretown that now bears his name. Alban gods Martyr condemned persecution death Roman execution emperor serenity Diocletian died priest site converted town soldiers name sacrifice doorstep
BONUS BALL
Congratulations to the April winners of the Lotto Bonus Ball draws. The winners were:
Date Ball Number Winner 3 Apr 5 Bill Vine 10 Apr 30 Netta Brown 17 Apr 4 Chris Abram 24 Apr 1 Sue Ganley
If you would like to join the St Oswald Bonus Ball draw when a number becomes available, please let me know. Paul Crosby 658606
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Across 1 Military tactic used by Joshua to attack and destroy the city of Ai (Joshua 8:2) (6) 4 Place of learning (6) 8 ‘When Moses’ hands grew — , they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it’ (Exodus 17:12) (5) 9 Unpleasant auguries of the end of the age, as forecast by Jesus (Matthew 24:7) (7) 10 Stronghold to which girls in King Xerxes’ harem (including Esther) were taken (Esther 2:8) (7) 11 Where Saul went to consult a medium before fighting the Philistines (1 Samuel 28:7) (5) 12 Propitiation (Hebrews 2:17) (9) 17 Turn away (Jeremiah 11:15) (5) 19 So clear (anag.) (7) 21 ‘I have just got — , so I can’t come’: one excuse to be absent from the great banquet (Luke 14:20) (7) 22 Long weapon with a pointed head used by horsemen (Job 39:23) (5) 23 Musical beat (6) 24 What the Israelites were told to use to daub blood on their door-frames at the first Passover (Exodus 12:22) (6)
Down 1 Fasten (Exodus 28:37) (6) 2 Art bite (anag.) (7) 3 ‘The people of the city were divided; some — with the Jews, others with the apostles’ (Acts 14:4) (5) 5 Contend (Jeremiah 12:5) (7) 6 Possessed (Job 1:3) (5) 7 Sheen (Lamentations 4:1) (6) 9 ‘You love evil rather than good, — rather than speaking the truth’ (Psalm 52:3) (9) 13 Large flightless bird (Job 39:13) (7) 14 They were worth several hundred pounds each (Matthew 25:15) (7)
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15 ‘A — went out to sow his seed’ (Matthew 13:3) (6) 16 How Jesus described Jairus’s daughter when he went into the room where she lay (Mark 5:39) (6) 18 The part of the day when the women went to the tomb on the first Easter morning (John 20:1) (5) 20 Narrow passageway between buildings (Luke 14:21) (5)
Sudoku Easy
Medium
Answers on page 34
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REGISTERS
We welcome in HOLY BAPTISM
S Oswald’s April 17 Madison Dell
As God has lent them to us, so we say farewell and give back in HOLY DYING:
S Oswald’s April 21 Brenda Mary Ward, aged 93 April 29 Mary Grant, aged 75 May 10 Muriel Ellen Pugh, aged 102 May 19 Robert Bruce Jones (Bob), aged 82
PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR NEXT MONTH
Material required in the Office SUNDAY, 13 JUNE
Make-up day for working party, and publication: Tuesday, 22 June
PLEASE COULD ALL ORGANISATIONS AND GROUPS IN THE CHURCHES TRY TO SEND SOME NEWS IN - EVEN IF YOU’VE NOT BEEN IN THE HABIT OF DOING SO.
Why not nominate a Correspondent? Email [email protected]
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CONTACTS - ST OSWALD’S
BELLRINGERS Captain: Mr Brian Rothera, Stackstead, Weston Avenue 657778 Secretary: Ms Jan Snowball, 24 Oerley Way, SY11 1TD 671152 07732712484
CHURCH CLEANING Natasha Bell 653783 CO-ORDINATOR
CHURCH FLOWERS Miss Irene Gull, The Bungalow, Mount Crescent 653472
ELECTORAL ROLL Mrs Maureen Crosby, Southgate, Trefonen 658606
FAMILIES AND YOUTH Felicity Parker email: [email protected] WORKER
LADIES GROUP Miss June Williams, 43 Castle Street 652544
LEGACY ADVISOR Mr Michael Limbrey, 26 Bentley Drive, SY11 1TQ. 654081
MINISTRY OF WELCOME ) Mrs Dilys Lloyd, 39 Llanforda Mead 657244 & CHURCH STEWARDING) Mrs Ann Sagar, 28 Llanforda Mead 657903
MOTHERS’ UNION Mrs Pam Musson 656212
PARISH CENTRE Chairman Mr Alan Neale, 1 Oakhurst Avenue, SY11 1BP 661613 Booking Secretary Mrs Jenni Holderness, 17 Llanforda Mead 680098 SY11 1TS Email: [email protected]
PARISH NEWS: Editor Mrs Diane Dawson Email [email protected] 658437 Advertising [email protected] 652861
PARISH RECORDER & Mr Mike Peters, Aylestone, Weston Lane 676091 GIFT AID SECRETARY Email: [email protected]
PCC LAY CHAIRMAN Mr DP Evison, Bronallt, Queens Park 653315
PLACE OF WELCOME Mrs Elaine Leek 778024 E-mail [email protected]
PRAYER & CARE Revd GG Hodson, 27 Oak Drive 657427
SACRISTAN Miss Sheila Davies 238095
SOCIAL COMMITTEE Chairman: Secretary:
Under 5's Stay & Play Group Group Coordinator Liz Gibbons Email: [email protected] 653467 Parent contact
WEBSITE: www.stoswaldsoswestry.org.uk
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Easy
Medium
It was….. 125 years ago on 4th June 1896 that Henry Ford completed his first automobile, the Ford Quadricycle, and gave it a test run around Detroit Michigan. It was a simple frame with an engine, two gears, a tiller for steering and four bicycle wheels. It had a top speed of 20mph. Its success led him to establish the Ford Motor Company.
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Allenby Douglas Ltd Offering bespoke care packages, maximising choice and quality We hold tight to traditional family values ensuring our carefully selected, well trained staff enjoy helping both clients and their families feel protected, safe and valued. We specialise in delivering short and long-term care in Oswestry and surrounding areas but all packages are bespoke to the individual. Managed professionally by qualified nurses and driven by a commitment to ensure all aspects of service reflect the value of being at home. WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED OVERALL OUTSTANDING RATING BY CQC ONE OF ONLY 2% OF CARE PROVIDERS IN ENGLAND WITH THIS TOP RATING. If you want more information about our care services or about employment opportunities please call into our town office (opposite Park Gates) Open Monday to Friday 09.00 - 17.00 - call 01691 650067 or e mail [email protected] For further details and an application form. Elliott House, 39 Church Street, Oswestry Shropshire SY11 2SZ
“Outstanding” CQC Awarded Outstanding
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