CommunityCSJD C

S

J of Saint John D the Divine

Making Connections

Annual Report 2012 - 2013 The Community of St. John The Divine The Mission Statement The Community of St. John the Divine, An Anglican Religious Community, live under the threefold Vows of Religious Life, establishing a centre of worship and prayer under the patronage of St. John the Divine, the Apostle of Love, and together with the Associates of the Community form a network of love, prayer and service. Within the ethos of healing,• wholeness and reconciliation, we exercise a ministry of hospitality for people to come for times of rest, retreat and renewal and to share in the life and worship of the Community. We seek to offer a ministry of spiritual accompaniment and pastoral care, and to respond to the needs of the poor and marginalised. The heart of our call• is to be a praying Community seeking God in our daily lives and serving Him in reaching out as channels of God’s love to others.

Front cover photograph : Cloister Garden Inset : Sisters – Shirley Hart, Christine Hoverd, Elaine Knight, Margaret Angela King, Ruth Cooper, Ivy Patten & Teresa French (seated) 2 | Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 • David’s commendation for CSJD Annual Report: Making Connections 2012-2013

It is a privilege and a pleasure for me, as Episcopal Visitor, to write a few lines commending Making Connections, the 2012-2013 Annual Report of the Community of St John the Divine.

imagine that if you’re reading both to Christ and to the life of prayer, this you won’t need me to tell you the Sisters are an encouragement to us Iwhat a blessing the members of all to enter deeper into a relationship the Community are to the Church with the God who knows us by name of England in Birmingham and and calls us, day by day, to follow him. beyond. You will doubtless know the The renewal of prayer and the value of their prayerful presence and religious life feeds into Archbishop have experienced for yourself their Justin’s other priorities: reconciliation wonderful ministry of hospitality, and evangelism. The praying presence spiritual accompaniment and pastoral of the Community in one of the most care. They nourish and support deprived areas of our city region is a the Church in this city region of powerful witness to the reconciling Birmingham, and for this, as Bishop, I love of God in Christ Jesus. In the am truly grateful. pages that follow, you will doubtless Archbishop Justin, speaking read many examples of how this love Bishop David about the priorities for his new ministry, is made manifest in a ministry of So let us pray for Christine, places “the renewal of prayer and the prayerful hospitality and practical Margaret-Angela, Teresa, Elaine, Ivy, religious life” at the top of the list. action. You may also read, of course, of Shirley and Ruth, as they pray for us, Those of us who know the Community the connections and opportunities that and let us rejoice with them in all that well can perhaps understand why this continue to arise following the BBC’s God has done in them and through is so. One of the great gifts offered to Call the Midwife series. Although them over the last twelve months. us by the Sisters is prayer. Knowing the Sisters no longer engage in this that they are committed to holding us particular work, the series has provided With my prayers for you all, in prayer before the God of love is an a fascinating insight into the history of Bishop David essential source of spiritual sustenance. the Community, and is a testament to The Rt Revd David Urquhart In their modelling of commitment, its pioneering spirit. Bishop of Birmingham Celebrating Relationships Welcome to this year’s ‘Making Connections’, our Annual Report for 2012-13. We decided that the theme of our report this year should be ‘Relationships’ – this is an opportunity to share with our readers and to celebrate the many kinds of relationship we are involved with as a Community. This includes relationships with people and places, with individuals and with groups, with new friends and old, with our neighbours and our families, with Associates and Alongsiders, with people of different faiths or no faith, with staff and volunteers who help us care for the house and garden – and not forgetting our relationship with God’s creation too. Underpinning and enfolding all these is our relationship with God in Christ and through this with each other in community – a relationship we seek to strengthen day by day, following the example of our patron, John the ‘beloved disciple’. Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 | 3 Relating to our neighbours

“The Community of St John the Divine welcomes not just friends and families into our lives but also our neighbours. We aim to provide support to the people of Alum Rock, those of any C

faith or no faith, by making connections with our neighbours S

J and building trusting relationships and local partnerships that D will support people in their lives here.”

In this past year we have been to-door survey to collect information above comes from the leaflet, which engaged in some practical projects from the people who live in our also mentions a new facility offered by which represent positive steps in how neighbourhood. With the Alum Rock CSJD: a much-needed neutral space we relate to our neighbours. Sister Interfaith Group, she has also been for local people to meet, study, think Ruth, following her involvement with responsible for producing a leaflet and plan things through - an annexe the Nehemiah Foundation and the distributed to homes in the area, known as the Bakery. Near Neighbours Programme last keeping people in touch with local year, has been undertaking a door- events and facilities. The quotation

Christina sanding down an old table

a generous grant from the Anglican Religious Communities Development Trust to begin the work (you can read more elsewhere about our trip The Bakery to Lambeth to apply for the grant). In January we began the monumental task of clearing our 37 years The Clearing of clutter, sorting out and retaining that which was operations hen the Sisters moved to Alum Rock in good and would be useful, reorganising our own 1976 we bought the house from the All Work Room in the main house, and disposing WSaints Sisters of the Poor who, amongst of what was not needed and finding good homes other things, made Altar Breads. This industry took for other good materials that might be of use to place in an annexe of the main house and it was others. We provided for cooperatives in the North, called ‘The Bakery’. Since that time the Bakery, as it filled a skip and had several visits to the local civic continued to be called, became a good place in which amenities tip! we could have hobby and craft days. Ruth’s daughter Christina, who is an interior We saw that this annexe could have a new designer, drew up the plans, and we enlisted our use as a space to bring people together in our electrician, who in turn introduced us to an excellent neighbourhood, but first it required a great deal of painter and decorator. Our plumbing engineers refurbishment. We were very fortunate and received installed a W.C. for the disabled, and we found 4 | Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 Ruth and Christina working on the chairs Friends Jacqui and Catherine working on soft furnishings

Interior of the Bakery New Fire Exit with ramp. a firm that was able to supply and lay the proper flooring for the W.C. Installation of new hot water boiler and sink and refrigerator gives practical touches to the space. By late April we were well ahead with the programme, and some dear friends gave us their time and artistic expertise to make the space aesthetically pleasing and comfortable, with cushions, curtains and other crafty delights, so that by the end of July everything was in place. All regulations have been observed and precautions have been taken, with the installation of ramps front and back and a fire door. We are confident you and our neighbours, groups and individuals will find the space pleasing and practical, with our local shop’s provision and fitting of blackout blinds and our installation of WiFi for people with laptops. The one outstanding item for which we are currently saving is new lighting which we hope to The work completed – interior of the Bakery have installed by the end of this year. But for now the annexe is a comfortable, warm, well-appointed room of welcome. We have of course begun to use the space but our main first event was the Alum Rock Interfaith Group Lunch on 11th October, when local groups came and shared their work with local people, shared food and we got to know a bit more about one another! Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 | 5 Visit to Lambeth Sister Christine Reports

n the autumn of 2012 an invitation was received to attend a Reception for the Anglican Religious Communities Development Trust (ARCDT) Iat Lambeth Palace on Friday 5th October 2012. This Trust has been recently set up by the Advisory Council (the Advisory Council for Relations of and Religious Communities) so that in the event of an existing Community completing its work, there would be an accountable body within the Church able to receive any residual funds that could be used as grants towards planned developments in other Anglican based Religious Communities which were recognised or acknowledged by the Advisory Council The Trust also welcomed donations from anyone to help with this purpose. The then was present, as were members of the Advisory Council, the Trustees of ARCDT and many of the Leaders of the Anglican Religious Communities The meeting was opened by David Walker, Bishop of Dudley who is the Chair of the ARCDT, after which Archbishop spoke to the conference and was thanked for all his support for Religious Communities during his time in office. He was presented with an icon of St. Benedict written by Dom Anselm OSB (Alton) and given to him by Abbot Stuart Burns OSB. There were four short presentations from Communities hoping to be considered for grants. Ian Mobsby of the Moot Community in central London spoke of that Community’s gratitude to the Trust for the financial support that had enabled them to set up their website. Philip Roderick spoke about Contemplative Fire which aims to encourage the proper and deep teaching of prayer throughout the Church community Sister Christine CSJD spoke about the refurbishment of the annexe at their house in Alum Rock in Birmingham and their hope to develop a safe place that can used by the local multicultural community to build better relationships. Lastly Brother Damian SSF spoke of two Communities that were struggling for their very existence in Mozambique and Zimbabwe and which the Trust was keen to support through local established Religious networks The meeting then became more informal with people circulating, interested to hear about the different projects and ask questions. It felt a warm and very supportive gathering, showing the caring of Communities for each other and the support of the Church. At the time we didn’t know if we had been successful in gaining a grant, that was to come later. We finished praying together before going home. It had been a very special day especially as it was probably the last time we would see Archbishop Rowan before his retirement.

6 | Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 Community life Our relationships with God and with each other.

Sister Teresa’s move to Residential and Nursing

Sister Teresa Home Care

ver the last year Teresa has become Teresa was admitted to Greswold House increasing frail physically and has on Monday 20th May initially for a period of Oneeded extra help. She told us that she respite care and then long term. Unfortunately thought the time had come for her to receive 24 she had a nasty fall late one evening in July hour care and after we had made contact with and was admitted to Hospital for 3 weeks the Social Services arrangements were made for before being admitted to a rehabilitation unit. Teresa to have a visit to Greswold House where she After her return to Greswold House Teresa had stayed previously for care after surgery. For celebrated her 95th birthday in October and several years the Community has had a contact received a visit from her nephew and his wife. with Greswold House since Dorien was cared for We are grateful to the staff of Greswold House there almost 10 years ago and then Audrey when for their care but it soon became obvious she needed care; both Sisters were well looked that Teresa needed nursing home care. In after and we felt confident for the Sisters to go November she was admitted to Kingfisher there. Shirley also undertakes pastoral visiting at House Nursing Home, run by the Methodists the home one afternoon each week. Home for the Aged, and which is nearby.

Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 | 7 Group of friends taking their Jubilee lunch in the garden Sister Christine’s Golden Jubilee

Sister Christine writes about her Golden Jubilee

he day was an explosion of joy and the house full of Out of all the books I have read, there is one those who came to help and share in the celebration. A book I have lived with since 1993 that has gone on Tdetermined air of activity had been present for some time deepening its meaning over the years – “Life of the and I would like to thank everyone for making the day so special. Beloved” by Henri Nouwen. It is a book about the To those who helped with the celebration of the Jubilee Eucharist; Eucharist, how at every Eucharist bread is taken, the service booklet; the music; the singing; the prayers; the flowers; blessed, broken and given. It is a deeply personal the feast; the cake and all who laid up, washed up and did a 101 book, the journey for each of us into understanding things in the kitchen and refectory, to each I want to say a personal what it means to be Beloved. as well as a public thank you. It has all been a very great gift, as As the Jubilee Eucharist started we sang have all the beautiful cards and their messages and the presents the hymn – “Lord for the years Your love has kept that I received. and guided” which reminded us of the importance The photo will show you my total shock and amazement to give thanks for the call and journey of the when I was presented with an I-pad, a joint gift from my Sisters, so Community and our Sisters, past and present, many of the Associates and friends. It was a wonderful present to our Associates and Alongsiders. It was within have and is being very well used. this context I gave my own thanks for my call to How to sum up the last 50 years? It was helpful to hear Peta Religious Life and for God’s call to all of us that will ’s comments on the changes in the Religious Life during take us forward on our journey. this time in her talk to the Associates and I found myself re-tracing The readings gave us all time to reflect my own journey in Community and indeed that of the Community on being routed and grounded in love and itself and the huge changes that have taken place. understanding something of the breadth, length, Perhaps within the context of the Jubilee Eucharist itself is height and depth of God’s love, giving thanks for the place to highlight some of the things I would like to share. his blessings in our lives. 8 | Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 As we sang “O God you search me and you And yet, whether despite that fragility, or through that fragility, know me”, it gave us all a chance to give thanks for or because of that fragility, something strong and powerful and the joy of the fact that there is always more to learn creative has been released that touches the lives of others, and draws about God’s love and forgiveness and the lessons we us all back here time and again. And that curious paradoxical reality, learn of loving and forgiving each other. is the reality that lies at the very heart of Christ’s gospel of love and Our last hymn was “Tell out my soul the grace; it is the ministry of the wounded healer; the power of Christ greatness of the Lord” which encouraged us to crucified. It is a costly ministry, but then whoever suggested that consider all the ways we have been given as a walking the way of the cross was going to be easy. And lying at its Community and our individual ministries. For very heart is the commandment to love, which features in our Gospel me this was very much a life-time working and reading today. teaching as a Midwife. My joy since leaving Because as Ephesians reminds us, our task as followers of Christ midwifery has been walking with others in is to open ourselves up so that Christ may dwell in our hearts; so that spiritual accompaniment. It was important too we may be filled with the love of Christ. And it is that love, a love that to give thanks for the trust given me for the years comes to us a gift, that we are commanded to share and sometimes being Mother and for the trust you have given that will require of us that we strive to act lovingly regardless of what both Margaret Angela and I in this time of shared we happen to feel – the curious thing being, that when we do get into leadership. It has all been a time of knowing very the habit of doing so, in time the love does indeed fill our hearts. It is deeply of what it is to be given. by getting into the habit of behaving lovingly that we learn to become It was a great joy to have the Revd. Canon Dr. loving and it is that love, the love of Christ that has shaped and Alison Joyce (one of our local Chaplains) preside formed Christine, in the wonderful ministry that she has exercised and preach at the Eucharist. In her sermon she as a member of this Order, throughout the 50 years of her Profession. summed up something of the essence of the day and Because today is not a beginning, nor is it an ending; but rather a said reflecting on our two biblical readings today, I staging post on a journey that is life-long and life-deep – and not only am struck by an interesting, underlying theme that for Christine but for all the Community as well”. they have in common: that by opening ourselves I would like to give thanks too to Annie Routley and Helen to God’s Spirit and God’s love, we can become Pollard from Christian Music Ministries who came to play the vessels of a power that is far, far greater than we are music for the service - Annie on the keyboard and Helen on flute – “we can know the love of Christ that surpasses and trumpet, helping us to move from quiet reflection to loud and knowledge” (as Ephesians puts it). We are all frail joyous praise. human beings and in recent times, as I suspect we So we give thanks for this day of celebration. We each bring are all aware, this Community has experienced ourselves and each other to our God asking his blessing as he takes us times of considerable fragility. forward on our journeying. Christine with her iPad

Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 | 9 Studies and Growing Ministries Other Sisters have been learning and developing new areas of ministry …

fter an 18 month “in-house” course in spiritual accompaniment, Elaine and Shirley are now starting to be involved in this ministry. Ivy who also undertook the course Asays she has found it helpful particularly as she talks with people while working in the cake shop or in the kitchen, places where important areas of conversation often are started. They all feel it has been a good learning experience and has enriched their ministry. Ruth is now in the second year of her Novitiate. As well as meeting up with great people who are also Novices in other Religious Communities, Ruth has also been busy with a local survey collecting information on our the area from those who live here. Ruth says door to door surveying, even with only five questions is nerve wracking, but she has had some great conversations with local people which has helped with our interfaith work and the production of the first leaflet for the Interfaith Group for the people in our local neighbourhood. The Alum Rock Interfaith Group (ARIFG) held its first lunch here in our refurbished Ruth, with other annexe early October 2013. Novice at an Inter- novitiate Conference More on this next year…. in September

10 | Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 Community Retreat 2013

An important part of our annual calendar is our retreat together, an opportunity for us to grow in our relationship with God and each other through prayerful reflection together.

he Community’s Annual He took the most profound spiritual truths which he then put across Retreat took place 15th in a simple, straight-forward way, and each address gave us much to Tto 21st September. The ponder and reflect upon and take into our hearts and lives. We are week of Retreat which the Sisters so grateful to Bishop Jack for giving us this week of his time, energy have together is always a special and humour, for sharing so much that we are continuing to ponder. time. In the midst of a busy and We are very grateful to a Team of Associates who take over the demanding life for each of us, running of the house, the cooking and all the chores thus enabling apart from our own holidays and the Sisters to have this time together. days off, the retreat is particularly Our thanks to Janet and Geoffrey Herbert, Carole Senior, valued by us all because it is shared Margaret MacLachlan, Elizabeth Pritchett, Jenny Dainty, Helen together. We were also joined by Horan, Denise Raby, and to our two Alongsiders, Rosie Morton and Bishop Jack Sister Rachel who is attached to Genny Tunbridge. with some of the Community although she lives the Team the Solitary religious life. This year we had the privilege of having Bishop Jack Nicholls with us to guide the Retreat. There was one address each day, time for personal interviews and the opportunity to read and to rest. We are very grateful to Bishop Jack who brought the wisdom gleaned from his years in full-time ministry as a parish , teaching Pastoral Theology in a theological college, as Bishop of Lancaster and then 1997-2008. His work has brought him into contact with a wide variety of religious communities and his own spirituality is influenced by the theology of the Orthodox Church.

A Community living in relationship with God and each other needs to attract new members if it is to flourish in its life and ministry. Could this be you? Religious Communities need to grow, and there is ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT THAT WE NEED MORE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. Do you know what it is like to live the Religious Life and be in Community? Would you like to know more about us ? If so, we would be pleased to welcome you for a visit.

We are praying for more people to be willing to explore what living the life is like today and would ask you to consider and pray if this is what God might be asking of you. COULD THIS BE YOU ?

Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 | 11 Associates

Our Associates are an important, enthusiastic group of people who come as and when they can and share much of our life and ministry.

uring the year we have had the joy celebrate the 50th anniversary of her Profession of admitting two new associates. In on 26th June. Barb managed to come for 2 DSeptember 2012 Faith Smith became months, but sadly Lynne’s mother became an Associate. Faith is a Reader at St. Michael ill so Lynne came for just two weeks, the first and All Angels, South Yardley. At the annual week included Christine’s celebration and the Meeting in April 2013 Allannah Brennan second week she and Barb had a holiday which became an Associate too. Allannah is also a included a day trip to Belgium and a visit to Reader, at St. Philip and St. James Church Hodge Bruges. Over the years they have built up a Hill, and is also involved with Mothers’ Union relationship with Margaret Angela’s Flemish work and Lay Training in the Diocese. It has cousin and his wife, Rob and Kris De Winter been a great pleasure to welcome both of them Desij, so they managed to meet up in Bruges and for them to feel quickly part of our family. and spend part of the day together when Kris Four long standing Associates have died showed them the city and later they were joined this year. Heather Standing, Anne Bayliss, Betty by Rob for an evening meal before Barb and Johnson and John Milbank. Another two have Lynne returned to the U.K. chosen to become Friends of the Community, Lynne returned home early to see how Joyce Mortiboys and Victor Cuthbert. things were with her mother, and Barb returned Two Associates who live in Saskatoon in to us for a few days during which time we Canada are Barb and Lynne Clay. They have anticipated her 80th birthday and enjoyed a been able to make several visits to us and this birthday party tea before she returned home to year they decided to come and help Christine celebrate with her family!

Lynne and Barb in Bruges Barb and her birthday cake!

12 | Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 Annual Meeting of Associates

he Associates Annual Meeting is an important occasion for us all, and is always a time of real sharing and fellowship. Most of the morning is given to this, culminating in Ta lunch-time Eucharist when each Associate is invited to renew their commitment as an Associate for another year. Talking and sharing continues over dinner as we welcome our guest speaker. This year Dr Petà Dunstan came to share some thoughts with the group. Petà is a church historian who works at St Edmund’s College, Cambridge. Her enthusiasm for her subject is very infectious. She spoke to the group using episodes from our history (reported briefly below) to provide reflection points for us all in our lives today, exploring some important skills for living in community. Group of Associates These included: • being able to disagree whilst keeping respect for others; • using hope to conquer fears; • learning when to give and when to receive; • helping each other adapt and change as circumstances alter. Petà concluded: “If we wish to see a revival in our Church, the values of community must be at the heart of what it means to be a Christian.” Forms of Religious life may come and go but the values are of the essence of the faith. In some form or another, it’s in community that we all belong.”

Over lunch Dr. Peta Dunstan, Farther Henry Burgess , Margaret MacLauchlan with Teresa.

This year about 26 Associates were able to come to the meeting and there were messages from those who were not able to be present. By a happy coincidence the day of the meeting coincided with the 50th wedding anniversary of Janet and Geoffrey Herbert, so at tea time we were able to mark that occasion with a special cake! Janet and Geoffrey cutting their cake Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 | 13 Snapshots From Our History A potted version of Dr Petà Dunstan’s talk at the Associates’ Day, 13th April 2013

Petà spoke about several episodes in the history of CSJD where our community faced a dilemma or a crossroads, or a period of rapid change. Reflecting on these, she invited us to see how the community responded, and whether we can learn from this as we face the challenges in our own lives today. Snapshot One: Respect in Disagreement

n 1867 there was a major crisis in the life of the Community. In the twenty years since it was founded, high standards of nursing and training had been established. Some of these new nurses saw nursing as a career and a means of I supporting their families. For others, however, especially those from middle class families, not dependent on earning a wage, nursing had always been more about vocation than about a career. As the Community evolved, many of these were keen to enter the Religious life in a fuller sense than the original founders had envisaged. Mary Jones, who led the community from the mid-1850s, was one such. She was the first to call members of the Community “Sister”, and in 1865 took for herself the title “Mother Superior” instead of “Lady Superintendent”. Many of the Sisters longed to take vows, but the , Archibald Campbell Tait, believed vows in a sisterhood to be inappropriate and refused, despite Mary Jones’ eloquent pleading. So in 1867 the decision was taken by Mary, six Sisters and a probationer to resign, leave St. John’s House and found the Community of St. Mary and St. John. They became the first district nurses and the hospital they founded still exists today as a nursing and residential home run by the Sisters of St. Margaret. The Sisters who were left at St John’s House grew in numbers again under new leadership; they were the forerunners of today’s Community. In facing this dilemma, Mary Jones did not allow her emotions to cloud the situation; neither however did she pretend that there was nothing wrong. Instead, calmly and respectfully she made it clear why she had a problem continuing and requested her case to be heard. Only when every effort had failed did she and her companions withdraw, and then they concentrated on building afresh, not looking back in anger. As a result both groups flourished. Good came out of the crisis. For us too, whether we stay or go from a tough situation, the manner of our going - or staying - will strongly affect the consequences for both sides. Snapshot Two: Hope Not Fear

nother crossroads emerged after 1919 when the law was passed creating SRNs: the state had now taken over responsibility for nurse training, building on the pioneering work of Anglican communities. This created a problem A for communities like ours whose main charism was nursing. Women who felt called to community were now primarily seeking to live the Religious life, but our community was at a disadvantage, having evolved in a time when vows and Religious life were considered suspect by the Church authorities: our Sisters did not take life vows, and the sisterhood was far less Anglo-Catholic than most. In fact it was often not considered a ‘proper’ Community by other nursing orders. Because of this new vocations ceased, numbers dropped, the remaining Sisters were ageing and with only five active Sisters left it seemed the end of the Community was near. It was at this point the elderly Sister Martha was chosen as leader. Her reaction to the situation has gone down in history: “We go on”, she said. In it she demonstrated that the root of her vocation was faithfulness. If it was God’s will the Community survive then vocations would come, if not they would go on doing what they had promised to do, cheerfully and lovingly to the end. What in fact followed was a new vocation in the person of Sister Frances, who in due course was elected Mother. She was the one who introduced the structures of Religious life, which meant that the Community was recognised, more vocations followed, and the Community began to grow again. How do we face the possible demise or failure of something we are part of? The key to Sister Martha’s fortitude was that she refused to be afraid. She trusted in God. Both in Isaiah and in the Psalms we find the words “I will trust and not be afraid” and this is the essence of hope. Hope is realistic: we might fail, we might lose, we might be left behind. But hope tells us that we might also succeed or survive. From this comes the confidence to remain faithful, to keep trying, like Sister Martha to “go on”. 14 | Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 *A copy of the full text of Petà’s talk is available to anyone sending an A5 stamped self addressed envelope.

Snapshot Three: Giving and Receiving

he sisters of the Society of St Margaret were clearing out a house in Queen Square, London, ready to hand it over to St Thomas’s Hospital, when they discovered a treasure: a number of silver crosses. They were engraved on the back with T the name Sisters of St. John and dated 1848. It seems they had been blessed by Bishop Blomfield for our Community when it was founded, used by some Sisters who went with Florence Nightingale to Crimea; but they had later been tucked away and forgotten about when our order left the house in Queen Square. Sister Naomi SSM contacted one of our local Sisters who said the Community wouldn’t want them back. So as Naomi knew a new Community just starting in Dublin whose dedication was St. John the Evangelist, the crosses were offered to them to wear, and thus a good home was found for the treasure. Imagine the surprise then at CSJE some 15 years later when the new Mother of our Community asked for the crosses back, as they were part of our history! Generously CSJE agreed to return them… but that is not quite the end of the story. Two of the older members of our Community, Sister Theodora and Sister Joan, highly disapproved of the action that had been taken and said it was contrary to the spirit of the Community. So who was right? Mother Frances believed that history and tradition were important and that the crosses were a significant part of our heritage, while Sisters Theodora and Joan felt that it was ungenerous to ask for their return, and that it didn’t matter who owned them as long as they were being used. Perhaps we need to remember that generosity can come from either side; whether giving or receiving, it is the spirit in which we act that matters. Snapshot Four : Adapting

ne of the appeals of Call the Midwife is the way it highlights how much life has changed since the 1950s. Medicine, technology, housing and amenities, social patterns and customs have moved on in a startling way. There has been O an equally significant amount of change in the Religious life in that period. Sister Christine’s celebration of her Golden Jubilee of Profession this year is an invitation to reflect on how different Religious life is today from when she joined in the early 1960s. In Christine’s novitiate days there was a more hierarchical leadership model. Mother was obeyed and rules were strict. The habit was always worn. The idea of rest and personal time was very different from today. Corporate identity was much more powerful than individual identity. Contact with other communities was limited and formal; ecumenical contact and certainly contacts with other faiths was exceptional. It was a model that suited the times, but times have changed. Accessibility and inclusion are now the way. Instead of Religious life as an institution to join, now the idea is a community life to share. These 50 years have also seen radical changes in liturgy and worship, while there have also been great changes in the ministries which communities are engaged in. Following changing needs and regulations, Christine had to adapt to a world where midwifery was no longer the centre of her work. Some changes we can welcome, but others can produce deep feelings of bereavement, with disorientation and loss of purpose. Many Sisters in the 1960s and 1970s found their world slipping away so rapidly that they weren’t able to cope. Some left Religious life. Others retreated into anger and depression. Christine and other Sisters in this community have lived through this era of change, finding new ways to be faithful to their vows. It took courage, perseverance and lots of love to change and adapt to a new context. The support of the Community, friends and associates are a vital part of this. The question for all of us is, how can we help others adapt to change, and how can we allow others to help us? We are very grateful to Petà for her interesting, thought-provoking and challenging talk*. We give thanks too for each of our Associates, for the many ways they show their love and care, and for how much we share our lives together. To quote again from Petà: “CSJD survives and can continue as a beacon of hope for many because of the solidarity of its friends and associates…. Associates and friends, those drawn to a life of prayer and service and Christian witness… are as integral to the community life as the core of professed Sisters are. We all journey together.” Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 | 15 Alongsiders

At the end of February 2013 we were able to welcome Mrs Brenda Hill from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, who asked if she could come for a six months period as an Alongsider. Her only previous visit to the Community had been two years ago when she came for a quiet day on the first anniversary of her husband’s death. It was good to have her with us and she taught one of us some of her craft skills at which she was adept. She returned to her family in August and is in regular touch with us via email. Just before Brenda returned home we were able to welcome the Revd. Rosie Morton, Brenda an Associate, as she had asked to come for 6 We have very good relationships with the clergy of our diocese: The Revd. Canon Mark Pryce, Bishop’s Advisor for Clergy Continuing Ministerial Education for the diocese writes:

ll professional workers, like nurses, midwives, a busy ministry found the community a haven of peace in teachers, lawyers and accountants, now participate which to write-up his thesis in an environment of worship Ain continuing professional development as an and prayer. As Bishop’s Adviser for Clergy CMD I regularly integral part of their role. This helps to maintain standards bring groups of clergy to study at St John’s House where of excellence in practice and develop new expertise relevant body, mind and spirit can be fed through wholesome food, for changing circumstances. Clergy are no exception: one of inspiring worship, and stimulating theological teaching and the undertakings that , and bishops make at reflection on the practice of ministry. their is to “be diligent in prayer, in reading Holy One of the regular groups that meets each January Scripture, and in all studies that will deepen your faith and at St John’s House are the newly ordained deacons of the fit you to bear witness to the truth of the gospel” (Ordination diocese. Along with the Director of Ordinands and a Services, Common Worship). Much of the personal learning skilled liturgist such as The Revd Mark Earey from Queen’s and corporate study that clergy undertake throughout their Foundation Birmingham or Canon Janet Chapman from ministry is called Continuing Ministerial Development. Birmingham Cathedral, we spend a day together reflecting CSJD sisters have an valuable ministry in supporting on the ministry of priesthood for which the deacons are clergy to sustain this “diligence in prayer” through offering preparing. (The image shows the 2013 session for deacons.) Spiritual Direction and hospitality for Quiet Days and retreat Another group of Curates who meet regularly at St John’s at St John’s House - a place where prayer and worship is at the House are the Curates with a work-place ministry, to reflect heart of the community. It is also a creative place for clergy to on their experience and share insights of what it means to be study, individually and in groups. One Curate, for example, a and priest in conjunction with another professional who was undertaking doctoral study in theology as part of role such as midwife, lawyer or business-person. A third

16 | Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 months as an Alongsider. Rosie has been a hospital chaplain and is between jobs at present and felt the need for a break in order to discern her next move. She has shown us her skills in the kitchen. In September Rosie was joined by another priest, the Revd. Dr. Genny Tunbridge, who hopes to be with us for a year – also discerning what might be a future ministry for her. It is very good to have them both. Genny is endeavouring to keep the Library in good order! Rosie - Genny in making plum jam the library clergy group which meets regularly at St John’s House are and St John’s House offers something very special: the the SSM clergy in the diocese (self-supporting ministers). Chapel is a beautiful place in which to pray, study and This is the one occasion in the year, usually in November, reflect together, and the conversations that continue to when all the SSM clergy in many different ministries and unfold in the Refectory or garden are also very important locations come together to pray, worship, study and reflect for clergy participants as they seek to be renewed spiritually, on the practice of ministry. The wisdom which this meeting theologically and physically. It is a community in which generates is much appreciated, as are the glorious puddings integrated learning can flourish, to enrich the clergy and which the sisters provide at lunch! benefit the people whom they Markseek toPryce serve. and Faith Claringbull In my role as clergy CME Adviser I organize learning with a group of Deacons in Mark Pryce and Faith Claringbull with a events in many different places across the West Midlands, Chapel, January 2013 group of Deacons in Chapel, January 2013

Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 | 17 The Revd. Canon National Wives Faith Claringbull Fellowship writes: As Diocesan Director of Ordinands Meeting – and Dean of Women’s Ministry I have really appreciated the hospitality the Sisters have provided for various events that I have arranged Worcester during the course of the year. A regular slot in the calendar is a session On Thursday 16th May the Community attended the on prayer which I offer to women and men who National meeting of the Wives’ Fellowship in Worcester. We had are exploring whether God might be calling been invited to address their Annual Founders Day Meeting on the them to the Ordained Ministry. I don’t very theme of “Making a Difference” and Heidi Thomas, the script writer much mind how these people pray but it does of “Call the Midwife” kindly agreed to share the presentation. matter that they have a spiritual kit bag which It was a lovely sunny and warm day as Heidi drove nourishes them and will resource them for Margaret Angela and Elaine to Worcester to attend a service at the the long haul of ministry. Canon John Austen Cathedral. Prior to the meeting there was lunch with the group introduces various “methods” of prayer such as at the conference suite of the Racecourse. Christine, Shirley and Lectio Divina and Examen – which are often Ruth came later and had a sandwich lunch – in one of the boxes a breath of fresh air to candidates who are overlooking the racecourse, much to their delight! only familiar with the Daily Office or a “quiet Ruth did a grand work to make sure everything was in place time”. Then it is always wonderful to hear from and in working order for a Power Point Presentation. This was the Sisters about their ministry of prayer and the basis of our talks which had some audio effects including the spiritual accompaniment. It is no wonder that theme tune of the series and a baby crying! Ordinands and Curates beat their way to the door of St. John’s House in search of a listening Heidi at the ear, guidance, space and unconditional love. microphone In November 2012 the General Synod of the voted against legislation which would have enabled women to be consecrated bishops. It was an action which sent shock waves through congregations and caused widespread distress and confusion. I had planned a day of reflection with whichever outcome in mind and it was such a gift, and given the circumstances, that around 25 women were able to gather at St. John’s House just a few days after the Vote. The Sisters offered us just the space we needed – typically loving, prayerful and attentive care together with a marvellous lunch. Nicola Slee and Susannah Izzard provided some input and we were held and nourished at a time which felt so, so raw. It occurred to me – where else could we go? Thank you Sisters, for being there for so many busy clergy and for all that you do to underpin our ministries with prayer and a listening ear. The more and more demanding ministry becomes, the more and more we need you to be there. Thanks be to God! O O O O O O O O (Photograph by Jonathan Sington – used with permission) Jonathan Sington by (Photograph

18 | Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 Heidi was brilliant in “compering” our Elaine putting in presentation to over 230 women. It was a bit an appearance anxious making but our audience was very in her Habit! appreciative - clapped and responded in the right places! We were encouraged that no-one nodded off or became restless whilst listening to us and looking at the screen during the hour and twenty minutes we were talking! Our presentation was a duet during which Heidi talked about various aspects of the making of the series with anecdotes and photographs. Alongside this each of us dovetailed something of the Community from its foundation to our witness today, illustrated with stories, personal experiences and photographs from the archives - and how we have “made a difference” to the lives of those we have ministered to over the years. Elaine got a round of applause when she came in dressed in a habit - the traditional dress worn by the Sisters until the 1990’s. The afternoon despite our own misgivings was an overwhelming success and much appreciated by everyone present. We were given a warm reception afterwards with many coming to talk to each of us. Appreciation was expressed at the meeting for Ivy having stayed at home and to those who were with her. It was a tiring yet exhilarating day!

Margaret Angela, Shirley, Elaine, (Photograph by Jonathan Sington – used with permission) Jonathan Sington by (Photograph Ruth, Heidi and Chstine (Photograph by Jonathan Sington – used with permission) Jonathan Sington by (Photograph

Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 | 19 “SISTERS OF THE EAST END” by Helen Batten – Front cover of published by Ebury Press 26th September 2013. the book!

fter the first T.V. series of “Call the Midwife” the Community was approached by Ebury Press who asked if we would agree to them A producing a book about the Community that would probably be a sort of anecdotal history with photographs. We agreed. Ebury invited Helen Batten to write the book which evolved into the story set in the mid 1950’s and which told of a Sister Catherine Mary testing her vocation and through to life profession with moments of the Community’s history recalled at various times during her journey through the Novitiate to First and then Life Profession and the time of her training to be a nurse and a midwife from First Vows onward. The character of Sister Catherine Mary is a compilation of the stories of some of the present Sisters with some fiction thrown in for good measure! Helen came on several occasions for a 24 hours stay in order to interview each of us and to examine the archival material that we have here. She produced a first and second draft of the book on which we were invited to comment. It was a sharp learning curve for us in our dealings with a publisher and the author and then having to comply with all the legal regulations to safe guard the identities of some of the people who might still be alive, although names were changed. Helen put a great deal of work into the writing of this book and we hope that she will benefit from its production. Part of our learning process is seeing our stories portrayed sometimes in a fictional ways and seeing it in print. Our hope is that it will tell the story of someone’s journey into the religious life and in the Helen Batten process dispel some of the “public image” about ”Nuns”, but we realise it carries a risk. with her 3 Our apprehension about the televising of “Call the Midwife” was completely overcome by the daughters sensitive way in which the community, the pupil midwives and the people of Poplar were portrayed.

20 | Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 Relationships with staff Cooking with Anthony

have a friend called Anthony I met him when St. Margaret, Castle Bromwich and the reception at he came to work at St John’s House and though the Castle Bromwich Hall Hotel. II find it very hard to make new friends it was Our congratulations to the bride and groom impossible to miss that we might have something but we could not resist sharing this picture of in common because he is a great cook. Anthony Brenda and Adam in their wedding finery! brings his breakfast to work, which he eats around coffee time in the morning, and the aroma alone is enough to set the juices going in your mouth. The other thing about our friend Anthony is that he is very generous and he likes to share – so to my delight I get to share his breakfast when I am in the House. I plucked up courage one day to ask Anthony if he would show me how to cook his food. Anthony is generous in many ways and invited me to his home to meet his wife Persis who also cooks and his son George, to eat with them and to watch Anthony cooking for me, no he wouldn’t let me cook for them but we shared much that we have in common and Anthony introduced me to members of his family who are equally as generous.

Brenda and Adam Ken Jones gardens for us two sessions a week – it is a big garden and needs lots of attention. Ken made the preparations for the new fish pond with a small cascade and has made a patio around the little pond that will in due course have some pots of flowers and then in the good weather we and our visitors will be able to really enjoy that area.

Ruth with Anthony testing the results! Brenda Shipman keeps the house clean for us and her husband Adam comes to the rescue if the T.V. is not functioning properly. They are good friends of the Community so it was lovely to be invited to the wedding of their son Christopher to Toni Brennan on the 10th August. The wedding Ken at the pond was beautifully arranged, marriage at St. Mary and – on a wet day! Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 | 21 Continuing relationships with family and friends – Shirley writes

ince first visiting this Community I have heart of the Community and is open 7 days a week always valued the way in which on-going with a coffee bar and many activities in various Srelationships with families and friends are meeting rooms. It is a really vibrant, caring place. encouraged. It was, therefore, a great joy for me What better venue could there be then to have that I could be with my family to share in a Service this Service of Thanksgiving with bible readings, of Thanksgiving for the marriage of Julie and prayers, hymns, a meaningful address, Renewal of Graeme (my daughter and son-in-law) on the 20 Vows, Blessing of Rings and this special prayer: July 2013 to celebrate their 10 years of marriage, the renewal of their vows and to receive God’s blessing We thank you O God for the love and anointing for the future. At the time of their marriage, as they were you have implanted in our hearts. not members of a church, they opted for a civil May it always inspire us to be kind in ceremony in a hotel. Some three years after their marriage Scarlett was born and they chose to have our words, considerate of feelings her baptised in church and that was the beginning and concerned for each other’s of their journey back to church and by the time their second daughter, Ruby, arrived, Julie and Graeme’s needs and wishes. faith had been re-kindled. Help us to be understanding and forgiving It has been wonderful to hear about all that happens at “The Church on the Heath” situated in of human weaknesses and failings. Elvetham Heath near Fleet in Hampshire, where Increase our faith and trust in there is an ecumenical congregation made up of Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists and URC who you and may your prudence worship together. The church complex is at the guide our life and love. Bless our marriage, O God, with peace and happiness and make our love fruitful for your glory and our joy both here and in eternity.

The final hymn“To God be the glory, great things he has done” was an excellent conclusion to this very special Service of Thanksgiving.

After the service some 50 adults and 20 children joined in afternoon tea (in the church hall) to which everyone had contributed. The occasion certainly filled me with joy and thanksgiving at the wonderful way God answers prayer and for all his grace and blessings – indeed to God be the Glory, great things he has done.

Julie and Graeme 22 | Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 Ruth shares her experience:

I did all the usual things you do you don’t understand why someone birthdays (my weak point) keep my when you move or make a big change becomes homeless and you can’t relate Facebook page up to date, invite people in your life - change of address cards, to them, nor do you want to get close to my new home where I know they telephone numbers, emails, facebook enough to learn what its like because will always receive a warm welcome updates - I even gave people times it doesn’t look like anything you could from my sisters in Community and in the day when it would be good to ever imagine doing/being. When you simply recognize also that people are phone. It’s hard to talk about because join a Religious Community even those just getting on with their lives, as I am for a time I felt lost and lonely without you know have a faith wouldn’t choose mine so go and see them. As time goes all those people I loved enough to this path and I suppose that’s the point, on I find I am able to share with them want to let them know what I was the choice was not this path but a the things I get up to like painting chairs doing. Even when people accept your choice to say yes to the path the Lord for the bakery project and I’m always choices for your life, this choice to was showing me. Praise the Lord, I asking for help when I know they can live the Religious Life for God is hard realized this soon enough and thought do something a whole lot better than to understand and to some extent I that maybe if I made extra efforts to stay I ever could – thank you Christina, think it freaks people out. Its like when in touch, make the first call, remember Gary, Jacquie and Catherine…… International Relationships! TAIZE PILGRIMAGE 10-19 August 2013 – Shirley writes:

or many years as I have used and enjoyed Prayer is central to life in Taize and three the chants from Taize for reflection and in times a day everyone gathers in the church to meet Fmy worship of God and occasionally have with God through songs, Bible readings and silence. been able to join with other Christians in Taize The style of worship is relaxed and contemplative worship, I have had a desire to visit the Community using the sung chants which have become well- in Burgundy, eastern France. Finally in August I known in churches around the world. Outside was able to share in a pilgrimage to Taize which the church you could hear lots of conversations coincidentally was during the same week that in many languages and new friendships being the group of young people and their leaders from forged but when people entered the church they churches across Birmingham were also visiting were encouraged to be silent and it was wonderful and it was very good to enjoy their company on the to experience both the interaction before entering coach, the ferry and in informal get together whilst the church and the quiet waiting on God within we were away. the church. The Taize Community, where around 100 Whilst the brothers do not want to impose brothers from some 30 countries and from various their beliefs on those who come to Taize, recognising Christian backgrounds live together as a monastic that people come from diverse places and are at community, welcomes people from all over the world different points on their spiritual journey, they do all-year round to come and join in their worship ask that everyone participates fully in all aspects of and many thousands respond to this invitation, the common life and weekly programme. Whilst particularly young people in the summer months this week was a time of pilgrimage for me it was bringing their own tents with them. I was very also one of my annual leave weeks so I did make grateful, that because of a long-standing friendship time to relax in the afternoons, sometimes walking that one of the leaders from Birmingham had with around the wood and St. Stephen’s spring (which is Sr. Tessa from the Sisters of St. Andrew, that I was a place of silence) and one day I travelled by a local able to have my own room in El Abiodh, a building bus and visited the Abbey of Cluny accompanied in Taize which offers simple accommodation. by a pastor of the Evangelical Church in the Czech

Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 | 23 Republic (who was about the same age as my son) these 6 wished to improve their English so all our and he said he couldn’t wait to tell his mother that discussions were in English and language barriers he had escorted a Religious Sister from England!! I seemed to be overcome sometimes amidst much also enjoyed a later start in the mornings as the first laughter as we worked through interpretation. service of the day was 8.15 a.m. Visitors also spend time helping with practical tasks, such as preparing meals, cleaning or washing up, but there is plenty of free time too. The group I was part of had the job of washing up dishes after lunch from the over 30’s who ate together which took us about 45 minutes and the task was made easier as we sang well-known songs together. The food provided at breakfast, lunch and dinner is simple but adequate and we were able to eat outdoors all week as the weather was hot and sunny. My only regret was that there was no “proper” tea but only orange powder camouflaging as tea!! My week at Taize was very special and was blessed and enriched by the many friendly people I met, some only briefly, but others at a deeper spiritual level. I returned home feeling really encouraged and inspired by the number of young people, in particular, of all nationalities who came to the church, sat on the floor and worshipped together. My thoughts and prayers were ones of thankfulness and that there was hope for the world and the church. In the words of the leader of the Community (who succeeded Brother Roger) - “Our world … needs women and men who radiate God’s Icon at Taize Each day the brothers lead Bible studies that peace by their lives. So let us make courageous are followed by times of reflection and discussion in decisions to go forward on the road of love and small groups. I was in a group of 9 people – 3 from trust” – Brother Alois. the UK and 6 from various countries in Europe –

Continuing the theme of international relationships we are grateful to Kris Desij for her work on our Archives. She and husband Rob de winter were here from Belgium in April and their visit coincided with the Associates Day.

Kris and Rob de Winter Desij

24 | Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 Ivy writes:

n August 2012 Ivy ventured to Poland to see a down there was a model of the church outside near friend of many years whom she had not visited for the entrance to the tower. Halina took a photograph Isome years. of me standing beside it. My holiday in Poland was one of the highlights We also visited a church that was built in of the year. I had not seen my friend Halina and her the 1600s in less than a year. This is known as the husband for 14 years. It was lovely to meet up with her Church of Peace and has been taken over by the and some of the family - one daughter has a ground United Nations. They have it under renovation. It is a floor flat where she lives with her husband and three large Church in the sign of a cross and has a balcony children, all now fast growing up, the eldest 20 year on 3 sides. Services are only held there 3 times a year old who was just 6 when I last saw her and her sister but 1,000 visitors come every year. There are lots of was just a baby. paintings and sculptures all around the church. I flew from Birmingham to Dusseldorf then on Soon my holiday was at an end - and to Wroclaw. The airport was all recently refurbished now for my return journey which was via for the football Matches for the Olympics earlier in Frankfurt. When I arrived there I found that the year with a new stadium. In the city itself they the air hostesses were on strike so they had to get had built a building one of the highest and it was some other airline, which took some time, and shaped like a kidney. There were shops on the ground there were people who had to wait to see if there was floor and flats above. Everything was very expensive. sufficient room. However it turned out to be a larger On the first Sunday I went to the local church plane so there was plenty of space for everyone. It was which was packed. There was going to be a baptism late in leaving but made up the time on the journey. but this was to follow the service. In the evening we This was a very memorable occasion and something went to the Centenary Park on the other side of the to treasure. Ivy with city and we saw the dancing fountains to classical Halina music this was beautiful with all the different colours in the fountain in the water. Opposite the park was the Zoo and we spent a day there when the cost for senior citizens was half price but when I was asked my age I was told because I was over 70 it would be free. I could also travel free on the trams and buses which we used a lot. We also had a day at Czesttochowa which is famous for the Black Madonna, who thousands of year ago saved the nation. There is a pilgrimage every year by many people who walk miles to the cathedral church there. The Pope celebrates Mass on a balcony over-looking the vast open green space on the hillside which surrounds the cathedral. The city of Wraclaw which was badly damaged in the war has been renovated in the old style. The cathedral had two spires and it is only in recent years they have been replaced. There is also a beautiful university dating back to the 1200s which has some wonderful art work in the hall where the students receive their degrees. This is very much like a church in design but of course the university has its own church with a connecting corridor.. The city itself is like a square with shops and many churches around it which are mostly very old. I remember one called Elizabeth because we went up the Tower with 300 steps. It was very narrow, winding round and round but the view was very good and my friend was able to point out many places of interest. When we came

Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 | 25 Relationships with those in need The Poverty and Social Inclusion Research Project states that “the damaging impact of the government’s proposed cuts to social security benefits will have the greatest impact on child poverty, people on low pay, young homeless people, disabled people, and people living in social housing”.

his statement rings true with our Community as Thank you to everyone who has generously given us our ministry to people in need who come needing designated donations to buy items for the food parcels and Ta hot drink and a sandwich, and also people asking also to those who bring food to the house to enable us to for a food parcel has greatly increased in recent months. make up sufficient food parcels. A special THANK YOU to For example in the month of May 2013, when we started to local churches and schools for donating their harvest gifts to monitor figures, we gave out 77 hot drinks and sandwiches help us in the provision of food parcels. and 10 food parcels. Requests for food parcels has continued At present prices the cost of providing a food parcel to increase and at the time of preparing this article we are is approximately £15 and we would be extremely grateful supplying 1 family, 2 couples and 12 individuals with a food to anyone who felt able to make a donation to enable us parcel once a fortnight. If there are any more people come to continue this much needed ministry as we do want to then we will have to alter the frequency to 3 or 4 weeks, rather respond to people in need, remembering the gospel teaching than fortnightly, in order to cope with the demand. of Jesus – “ for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was Whilst many churches are members of food banks thirsty and you gave me something to drink”… (Matthew supplying food to those in need and we have tried to explore 25:35). if we could become partners in a local food bank, there does X X X X X X X X X X X not appear to be a food bank in this area of Alum Rock. Maintenance

or those of you who know our house, you will be aware of how and then early in 2013 on many occasions we had much maintenance and repair it requires year by year. Annual various windows broken on two elevations of the Fchecks include the smoke alarm system, fire extinguishers, house for which we were not able to claim on our PAT electrical testing, servicing of boilers in the house, chapel and insurance because the damage in each instance was bakery, maintenance for the lift, checking flat roofs and cleaning low less than the excess on our insurance cover! level gutters. It is therefore important to have good relationships with As well as on-going maintenance we usually individuals and firms of contractors we can trust and rely on to do a budget for one major repair each year and we had good job when the need arises. Over recent years Mr Derek Prigg has planned to carry out another phase of the electrics acted in an advisory capacity for us as well as undertaken work himself. on the first floor bedrooms in this financial year Now that he is growing older and needing to give more care to his wife, and the replacement of the smoke alarm system Lilian, we are grateful for his mediation in putting us in touch with in the next financial year. However, when our people who can competently complete the repairs smoke alarm panel broke down and could not be and renewals required, including David Banks repaired we had to urgently negotiate a new system Electrical Contractors (who in turn introduced us with Spectrum Fire Protection who installed and to Andy Round, Decorator), Austin Engineering maintained our previous system. Most installations (for our boilers), S R Gregory (Plumbers), Ashdurn these days seem only to have a 10 year life as we Scaffolding, D C Roofing, and Sutton Glaziers. have also had to have a new digital telephone system There are of course the unexpected because our previous one installed in 2001 has now items, such as theft and vandalism, for become obsolete and parts for maintenance are not which it is difficult to budget. For example manufactured any more. in the autumn 2012 we had lead stolen from Needless to say, we have deferred the planned our roof whilst scaffolding was erected in electrics which will be completed by David Banks the cloister garden to carry out roof repairs, Electrical Contractors until 2014.

26 | Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 How Can You Help Us in Our Work and the Possibilities for the Future? Pray Volunteer The time given by our volunteers is invaluable to us. With only 6 Sisters, 2 employees and a large and busy house to run we need people willing to get involved by sparing a few hours either weekly, monthly or occasionally. We could really use some help in the kitchen, garden, with D.I.Y. and generally around the house. In return you will get good food, good company and a real sense of contributing to the life and work of the Community.

Your Giving to Us

We have greatly welcomed and appreciated all the donations we have received since the circulation of 2011-12 ‘Making Connections’. So we thank: • 6 people who either increased their monthly gift aid amounts to the Community or became new gift aid monthly donors which totalled an additional £103.00 per month; • 30 people who gave a one off donation through gift aid, totalling £3110.00; • 18 people who gave a one off donation, non-gift aided, totalling £1615.00 and • 3 people who gave through My Donate, totalling £320.00 At the present time approximately 40% of our regular income comes from the Sisters’ Pensions. This year our budgeted expenditure is £166,000 which includes significant money for a new smoke alarm system, a further phase of electrical work and the continued improvement to the i facilities for visitors, i.e. upgrading day facilities and bedrooms for those who come to stay Would you be willing to make either a one off donation or a regular monthly commitment through direct debit? As we are a registered Charity all donations can be made through Gift Aid – see enclosed form. GIFT AID IF YOU ARE A U.K. TAX PAYER WE CAN CLAIM 25 PENCE IN THE £ ON YOUR GIFT FROM THE GOVERNMENT, SO A DONATION OF £100 IS WORTH £125 TO US. HOW TO GIVE By on-line Giving: Go to our Website – www.csjd.org.uk and click on “Donate” (the bottom right hand button) on the home page By cheque: made payable to “The Community of St. John the Divine” C

S By Direct Debit: Contact the Sister Treasurer: [email protected] for further information J

The Community deeply appreciates all donations. The most helpful way of giving is by a regular monthly D contribution for use wherever it is most needed. If you are able, please complete the Gift Aid form

Making Connections | 2012 - 2013 | 27 r Thank You’s r We wish to express our thanks to the Anglican Religious Communities Development Trust for their generous grant, and to others, who helped us carry out the work on the Bakery.

Our thanks go also to Suzannah Hart and Juliette Walton, Trustees of the Jennifer Worth Literary Trust for their generous gifts to the Community from their Mother’s Trust.

We would like to offer our thanks to a friend, who wishes to remain anonymous, who has generously given one of our large guest rooms a completely new look. The “make-over” is total with new carpet, room redecorated and there is also some new furniture, pictures, lamp standard and new lamp shades. A large walk-in cupboard is now a beautiful walk-in wardrobe (but it does not go to Narnia!). The newly decorated room has been much enjoyed and appreciated by some of our visitors who have had the opportunity to use it for quiet days and to stay overnight or longer.

We wish to offer our thanks to Bishop David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, our Bishop Visitor, to our Chaplain General Bishop Gordon Mursell; and our local chaplains the Revd. Canon Dr. Alison Joyce and the Revd. Dr. Geoffrey Herbert for their support of the Community and all that we do. To several local clergy who come regularly to preside at the Eucharist for us:

The Revd. Canon Henry Burgess, the Revds. Wendy Carter, Canon Faith Claringbull, Andy Delmege, Penny Harrison, Val Hicks, Anne Hinks, Jo Johnson, Theresa Jones, Jeremy Knapp, Margaret MacLachlan, Bill Moore, Eddie Owen, Sue Restall, Matthew Rhodes, John Richards, Susannah Rudge, Nigel Traynor and Alongsiders Rosie Morton and Genny Tunbridge.

Thanks to Mandy and Michael O’Connor and Kelvin Cornwall for all their help and care of our Computers and to Mandy who keeps our website up-to-date.

Those who act professionally on our behalf: The Staff Anthony Collins Solicitors Mr Michael Glynn of Gibbons Mannington Accountants Mr Anthony Leverington, Honorary Treasurer and Community Trustee The Staff of Austin Engineering, Heating Engineers and S. Gregory for the Chapel heating David Banks and Sons James and Richard, Electricians Mr Derek Prigg – Master of Works M M M M M M M M

To our General Practitioners: Dr. I. Khan and Dr. M. Iszatt and staff of Church Lane Surgery, Stechford, and Dr. J. Murray and Partners and staff at the Practice at Great Wood Road in Small Heath. M M M M M M M M

We also extend our thanks to Atul Patel of Macklow Brown Printers for his invaluable help, advice and patience in producing “Making Connections”

We offer our grateful thanks to you all for your love, support, prayer and generosity in so

many ways to the Community.

r Christine Hoverd, Margaret Angela King, Teresa French, Elaine Knight, Ivy Patten, r Shirley Hart and Ruth Cooper