Grimsargh Church Magaine
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VICAR’S LETTER View from the study. May came to a close with the celebration of Pentecost – a more muted celebration than we might be used to, but the circumstances we find ourselves in may in fact help us to grasp aspects of the Spirit’s work that we don’t generally give much thought to. We often think of the Holy Spirit giving voice to the life of the Church, as the Apostles were stirred in heart and mind to get out into the world, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. But what happens when the way is barred and the message muted? Perhaps we will be feeling more keenly the work of the Spirit as our comforter, the one who encourages us. The children preparing for confirmation have been learning about the Holy Spirit, and one in particular chose the Celtic symbol of the wild goose, commenting that the geese honk to one another in flight as a way of encouraging one another (and keeping them all together). In the same way, the Holy Spirit is encouraging us at this time, and we are to encourage one another. We might also be wondering how the Covid 19 crisis will change us. Thinking of the symbol of the Holy Spirit as fire, one of our children drew a picture ofa tree surrounded by flames, commenting that the fire is burning away the old life to bring new life. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will use this time to cleanse and refine the Church, bringing new life in the future. Another of the children drew a picture of a cross surrounded by flowers, as her own symbol for the Holy Spirit, saying that for her it symbolises hope and beauty. The Spirit as our comforter reminds us that through the cross we have hope. As you read this and pray at home, the risen Christ stands before us and holds out his hands to comfort and heal. A Church filled with the beauty of the risen Christ – not a perfect Church, but one which bears its scars as Christ did – truly is a Church that can stand as a sign of hope in the world. In these and so many other ways, the Holy Spirit works within us. Refining, encouraging, maintaining hope. If the Church is being hindered, it is only for a time, as we work out what really matters and explore new ways of being present in the community. If our celebrations are muted, it is not a silencing of the Church: in fact, our discovery of new ways of reaching out through the on- line world means that the Christian message can spread further than we expect. And if our children can show such insight into the working of the Holy Spirit, there is tremendous hope for the future! Every blessing, Neil 3 Duncan Burr. It was with great sadness that we heard of the death of Duncan on 22nd May. He was a great friend to many in Grimsargh, having worshipped and served here over many years until he and Jean retired to Spain in 2005. Not everyone will have known Duncan, so I print here some words about him taken from the website of the Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Calida, where Duncan had continued in ministry as a Reader: After first qualifying, Duncan had initially worked for British Rail in London, where he took a youth leadership course at the Mayflower Centre in Canning Town, run by David Shepherd, later Bishop of Liverpool. Leaving London in 1962, Duncan moved to Trowbridge, Wiltshire to work for the Surveyor’s Department of the local Council, and was duly confirmed into the Anglican Church at Salisbury Cathedral. He married Jean in January 1964 and the couple became members of St Thomas’Church in Trowbridge, where he was Youth Leader. In 1965 the couple moved to Staveley, near Kendal, where Duncan was appointed to the County Surveyor’s Department of Westmorland County Council, worshipping at St Thomas’Church Kendal, where Duncan was a member of the Youth Leadership Team as well as a Worship Leader in the Church. In 1969, having discovered an ability with computers, Duncan was appointed a programming assistant at the North West Road Construction Unit in Preston, developing software for Highway and drainage design. The Burrs, now with two young daughters, moved to Longridge in Lancashire and attended St. Michael’s, Grimsargh – the Church where they had been married. Here Duncan was involved in Sunday School and Youth leadership, as Sideman, on PCC, as a Church Warden and after suitable training, was licensed as Reader in 1985. After two years in the Road Construction Unit, the County Council transferred Duncan from Surveyor’s to Architect’s Department, where he led a research project to evaluate the viability of developing software for Architectural Design with Cambridge University and it was during this stage of his career that Duncan travelled to the Lebanon and Papua New Guinea, experiencing something of the life of the church in these disparate Countries. In 2005, following retirement, Duncan and Jean moved to Spain where they have an active involvement in the work of this vast Chaplaincy. Duncan’s license was duly transferred and he is a Reader- leading worship, taking funerals, Chaplain to the Albox Branch of the Royal British Legion and writes “Pause for Thought” in a local English publication, among many other things. 4 In his final sermon, recorded for an Ascension service just the day before he was taken into hospital, Duncan referred to the Lord’s Prayer, in particular the line, thy will be done. “What is God wanting us to do?” was his question, reflecting on how this period of ‘lockdown’ is causing people to re-evaluate their lives. This applies equally to the ways in which we practise our faith, as I was alluding to in part of the letter for this magazine. Duncan also referred to his understanding as a child of John 14, where Jesus promises to prepare a place for us in his Father’s house. The concept of many rooms, or many mansions, combined with a hymn his mother sometimes sang at home after church about the rebels and sinners being saved, led the young Duncan to an interesting conclusion: there might be a large shed for the rebels and another large one for the sinners, but for him there would be a run-down shed in a distant corner, leaving him ‘in the naughty corner’ for all time! Those who knew Duncan will no doubt be thinking ‘surely not’. Our prayer is that he will receive the welcome of Matthew 25.23, spoken to the man who had used his talents wisely and well: Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! Salvation Army Food Bank Please remember the needs of those reliant on the Salvation Army in these difficult times. Currently the food bank in church is on hold but donations to the Salvation Army in Preston can be made on the justgiving website at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-salvation-army-preston-corps MOTHERS’ UNION It's been a trying time for all of us, hopefully when you are reading this there is a glimmer of light at the end of this "pandemic tunnel". It's difficult not being able to see our friends and family, especially if they have been ill. At the time of writing, our Doris is still recovering from her illness at home now, and because of the situation Marlene hasn't been able to visit our indoor members, Peggy and Mae, please remember them in your prayers sending them all our love. I came across that Friendship Book of Francis Gay 1952 again, and a lot of the words of encouragement are as applicable now as they were post war. I thought I'd share this one with you.... I thank Thee, Lord, for sunny days, The days when all is bright; When friends are near, and life is good, And everything seems right. 5 But when my path is rough and steep, And none walk at my side, When the days seem dark and hope seems dim, Then Lord with me abide. Thinking of you all,, Catherine A letter from Doris Parkinson Having been admitted to hospital twice in the last few weeks Doris would like to share her experiences with you:- She dictated memories of her first visit to her daughter in law, Becky, as paramedics carried her out to the ambulance for her second visit. I hasten to add she was feeling very ill at the time. Two MU members in Lockdown One Friday night first MU member admitted to RPH. The following Friday night a new lady was admitted to the ward in the next bed. MU member One: Hello I’m Doris. MU member Two: Hello I’m Jean and I’m an MU member. MU member One: Oh brilliant, so am I! The ladies chatted like old friends. MU member One: I’m from Grimsargh St Michaels MU member Two: I’m from the Hutton branch. They found they had various mutual friends. One school friend Parnell Rothwell’s name came up often in their conversations. They also chatted about the Diocese treasurer Marion Barlow The next two days were spent with lovely company for them both. Jean went home first and later the same day Doris returned home. They had shared telephone numbers and promised to keep in touch.