No. 396 July & August 2012 PARISH NEWS From the Cathedral and Parish Church of St. German, Peel Worship, teaching and service ( Suggested Donation – 70p )
A year in Peel Reverend James McGowan emerges from the Queen’s Jubilee service in the Cathedral in May. James was ordained Deacon in July 2011, having joined St German’s as Curate. His ordination as Priest is on 1st July 2012. Moving forward and serving with hope
“We are here to find ways of serving in the community – to do the mission of God’s church”. Canon Brian Kelly called each one of us to find the way in which we can be active in the name of the church when he gave words of warm appreciation to the Women’s Guild on Sunday 24th June. He was preaching on the day we gave thanks to God for the service of the Guild on its closure, before members went on to a celebratory lunch in the Deanery.
As Brian paid tribute to their exemplary service over 95 years, and to the significant financial contribution from the work of the Guild, he also pointed out that the dissolution of the Guild was part of the natural order of things. In a sermon full of happy reminiscences he reflected how change is constantly present in the church – as in all of life – and noted some of the changes he’d experienced in his long ministry. But the call to each of us to serve as we can, in ways relevant to today’s community, and motivated by our faith in Christ, never changes he said.
Recently we’ve been seeing with our own eyes some of the physical changes happening around us in St German’s. The servery is nearing completion: tiles will be fitted during July; new tables are on order, as are cushions for the restored chairs, and there’s one sample chair to show how they will look. If you enjoy sanding and varnishing wood, your help will be welcome for restoring the chairs. (Or flick through Refurbished chair this edition of the newsletter and find other things you can help with, like the brass cleaning rota.)
Enthusiastic comments have been made by many about our new lighting. John and Helen Slater’s daughter, Sara, is to marry Andrew Johnson in the Cathedral in December and she’s thrilled by the impact of the new lights as they transform the feel of the church. Similar comments were made by one of the staff of Clothworkers after the school participated in the in the Summer Concert programme.
There are new displays at the West end – one for Cathedral music news and one for general welcoming, including an attractive series of leaflets on several topics including weddings, baptisms, and the Summer Concerts Season, designed by James McGowan. Welcome to St German’s There are other changes too, that we don’t quite ‘see’ in the same way. Following his priesting on 1st July James, the curate, will be able to play a fuller part in the sacraments we share in the Cathedral – including Holy Communion and weddings.
As we gather week by week to worship God we now have a group of members creating the monthly “Worship Together” services (see back page), designed so that all ages can take an active part in praising God and learning about Revd James McGowan God’s word. The Caterpillar Club goes from strength to strength on the first Wednesday of the month.
And if you go down to the Cathedral today (on weekdays) …. you may spot a Day Chaplain. This is a new ministry being offered by a rota of members of clergy and readers across the diocese. The Chaplain Caterpillar carriages will be around during the day for anyone who comes into the Cathedral and is available to talk and pray with them if they wish. This ministry is being offered Monday to Saturday during the summer months from TT to the start of school in September.
A further development is the recent completion (nearly!) of the Deanery, allowing Nigel a place Revd Colin Fleetney, to live and work again, and to open his doors on Day Chaplain duty for all sorts of hospitality including the varied business meetings of the Cathedral. One part of the house is designed as a small self-contained apartment and is intended for the Youth and Families worker that we are in the process of recruiting over the summer. This will be a key ministry in Peel. Do please pray for all involved in the process.
We have many things to encourage us, and we can help each other as we look for the best way to serve in our community beyond the church. What would you like to do?
Helen Parry Gill Poole Hospitality Co-ordinator Mission Co-ordinator Favourite Hymns The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended – a Manx connection
This hymn frequently topped the BBC Songs of Praise polls that were held from 1980 onwards, and even in 2002 it came 3rd. Its voting results are declining simply because it is becoming less familiar, as fewer churches have regular evening services. I slip it into BCP Evening Prayer at Bishopscourt whenever I can, because it has such effective words and it has a very pleasant and singable tune.
It was written by John Ellerton (1826-93), who was a pupil at King William's College before going up to Cambridge. In 1850 he was ordained curate, and soon became vicar of Crewe Green (Cheshire). He wrote many hymns while serving there, several of which are still well known. This particular hymn dates from 1870, when he needed one for evening mission services. It was first published in 1871 in 'Church Hymns', a collection he worked on with William Walsham How (who became the first Bishop of Wakefield when that new diocese was formed in 1880).
When John Ellerton was later serving at Barnes in West London, he was involved in preparing a revised edition of 'Hymns Ancient and Modern' (published in 1875), which in addition to The day thou gavest included a further 25 of his hymns. It is said that he was still writing hymns on his death-bed in Devon.
The tune always used for this hymn is 'St Clement', provided by Rev'd Clement Scholefield (1839-1904), who was Chaplain at Eton College before becoming Vicar of the fashionable church of Holy Trinity, Knightsbridge. Scholefield was a self-taught musician, and it has always been thought a bit odd that this tune is much more accomplished musically than any of the other 40-plus tunes he is known to have written. But thereby hangs a tale; it was commissioned by Arthur Sullivan (of G&S fame) for a new hymn- book he was editing in 1874. Not only was Sullivan organist at the London church where Ellerton served his curacy, but he was also known to be extraordinarily generous in giving help and advice to aspiring young composers. Add the fact that the music is distinctly Sullivan-esque, and we may conclude that its composition was at least a collaboration between Ellerton and Sullivan.
We like the tune, of course – to what other would we sing this hymn? - but that doesn't mean it has always met with the approval of the establishment. After all, it is in waltz time; how sinful! Ralph Vaughan Williams included it with great reluctance in the 1906 edition of 'English Hymnal', provided it went in the appendix where he grouped together what he privately referred to as 'the horrors'. There was an extended series of letters about it in The Times in 1932, including one from the then Archbishop of Canterbury who described it as 'feeble'.
But what of the words? Presumably because it hints at a world-wide empire, Queen Victoria chose this hymn to be sung in churches everywhere on the occasion of the services celebrating her Diamond Jubilee in 1897, but we do not need to think of it in imperialistic terms when we sing it. The kingdom of Christ too is world-wide, if not yet universal; it is indeed true to say with Ellerton that the Church unsleeping . . . through all the world her watch is keeping, and as a child I was fascinated to envisage the earth as a rolling sphere when I sang As o'er each continent and island the dawn leads on another day, the voice of prayer is never silent. At any time there is always some place on earth where the sun is shining on Christ's people at worship. Praise God that we have the freedom to join them in maintaining the strain of praise.
Tuesday Concerts, July and August The weekly concert series continued through June, including a splendid and varied event presented by Peel Clothworkers School. Show-casing the talent of our local youngsters and revealing the dedicated efforts of staff, this was well supported with over 200 in the audience. There were no fewer than 103 performers, so the Cathedral was well filled. Coming events for your diary are: 3 July Rushen Silver Band – celebrating over 60 years of music-making 10 July Isle of Man Wind Orchestra – woodwind, brass and percussion 17 July Manx Youth Orchestra – a programme of light and popular music 24 July Tribute to St Cecilia – musicians associated with the Cathedral 31 July Manx Saxophone Ensemble – back again, by popular request 7 August Singers Soirée – the Mundings and Litmans perform for your delight 14 August Wren Ensemble and Hand-Bells – instruments and voices 21 August Regal Singers – conducted by Wendy McDowell 28 August Lon Dhoo – male voice choir Do come and be entertained. As always, these events start at 7:45 pm, entry is free (with a retiring collection) and refreshments follow. Leaflets detailing the whole series are available in the Cathedral; do take one and make the concerts widely known. Don Roworth Diary of the Parish of the West Coast
4 July The Voice Youth Group 1800 - 1930 Corrin Hall 5 July Dalby Steering group 1930 St James Dalby 6 July Bank Holiday BBQ (see notices) 1600 – 1900 The Deanery 8 July Sunday papers 1000 -1200 St James Dalby 9 July St German’s Local Church Council 1930 Corrin Hall 10 July Christian Certificate of 1300 – 1500 St John’s Mill Education Course 10 July St German’s Arts & Music 1800 – 1930 Deanery Foundation Trust Meeting 10 July Whist 1930 – 2100 St James Dalby 10 July Concert: Isle of Man Wind 1945 Cathedral Orchestra 11 July Mums & Tots 1030 – 1200 St James Dalby 11 July The Voice Youth Group 1800 -1930 Corrin Hall 12 July St German’s Cathedral Liturgy 1810 The Deanery Group Meeting 12 July Dalby Steering group 1930 St James Dalby 13 July Evensong for the Feast of St 1830 Cathedral German 13 July Organ recital by Dr Peter Litman 1930 Cathedral 14 July Island Spirituality Network 1000 – 1300 St John’s Mill Stephen Cherry, Canon Durham Cathedral – Humility 14 July MU Vision Day 0915 St Thomas’ Church 14 July Saturday at the Hill. All-Age 1600 St John’s Hall Church. 14 & 15 Flower and Crafts Festival All day St John’s July Church 15 July Sunday Papers 1000 – 1200 St James Dalby 15 July Feast of St German – 1000 St Patrick’s Isle Confirmation and All age service / Cathedral – between old & new Cathedrals 15 July Civic Service for Peel Town 1100 (Parade Peel Methodist Commissioners 1030) Church 15 July Admission of Readers and 1500 Cathedral presentation of Diocesan Certificate of Education Course certificates
17 July Parish of West Coast Wardens 1930 Deanery? 17 July Concert: Manx Youth Orchestra 1945 Cathedral 18 July Soup Stop 1230 – 1400 St James Dalby 18 July The Voice Youth Group 1800 - 1930 Corrin Hall 19 July Steering group 1930 St James Dalby
22 July Sunday Papers 1000 – 1200 St James Dalby 22 July Evensong 1600 Bishopscourt 24 July Concert- Tribute to St Cecilia: 1945 Cathedral from the Cathedral team 25 July Mums & Tots 1330 – 1500 St James Dalby
29 July Sunday Papers 1000 – 1200 St James Dalby 29 July All Age Service with Peel 10.30am Cathedral Beach Mission 30/07 - Peel Beach Mission 10.45am & Peel Beach or 10/08 2.30pm Corrin Hall if weather bad 31 July PCC meeting 1930 To be decided 31 July Concert by Manx Saxophone 1945 Cathedral Ensemble 7 Aug Western Mission Partnership 1930 St John’s Meeting (provisional) 7 Aug Whist? 1930 St James Dalby 7 Aug Concert- Singers Soiree: 1945 Cathedral International Singer Anne Munding and her daughters , accompanied by Dr Peter Litman 8 Aug Mums & Tots 1030 - 1200 St James Dalby 14 Aug Concert by The Wren 1945 Cathedral Ensemble and St German’s Hand-Bells: instruments and voices. 21 Aug Concert by Regal Singers 1945 Cathedral 22 Aug Mums & Tots 1330 - 1500 St James Dalby
22 Aug Possible Pensioners TBC St James Dalby Strawberry Tea 28 Aug Concert by Lon Dhoo Male 1945 Cathedral Voice Choir
In the Pipeline … We heard last month in Canon Kelly’s Sermon, about life moving forward in the Cathedral and indeed it continues to grow and develop. I am sure that most of you have seen and heard the developments in music at the Cathedral with both the Nave Choir (ex-parish choir) and the newly formed Cathedral Choristers – collectively they continue to grow and develop in confidence and ability. In order to expand further, from September and with the agreement of the Liturgy Committee, we will start to ‘experiment’ with music in our worship. A new structure has evolved, and it is hoped it will emphasise our mission to serve as both Parish church and Cathedral alike. The new draft schema: 1st Sunday – The Cathedral Eucharist – This will sung by a professional quartet of singers and will feature a choral setting of the Eucharist from the Renaissance genre. 2nd Sunday – The Parish Eucharist: Led by the Nave Choir, but essentially parish centred 3rd Sunday – All Age service. No Choir on duty, music will be led by the Cathedral Music Group 4th Sunday – The Parish Eucharist: Led by the Nave Choir, but essentially parish centred
Choral Evensong will be sung every week in term time by the Cathedral Choristers.
We will trial this model from September until Christmas and I look forward to your comments and observations over the coming months.
I have been asked by many to clarify the position of the pipe organ vs digital organ. Firstly, there is no contest here, the digital organ was installed as a temporary solution whilst we consider rebuilding and enlarging the Cathedral’s pipe organ. To my knowledge, it was never installed on the basis that we at the point are throwing out the pipe organ, despite popular speculation. On 14th June I invited Geoffrey Coffin from Principal Pipe Organs (who rebuilt York Minster’s Organ) to inspect the Cathedral pipe organ with a view to reusing and preserving the good that there is, and rebuilding and enlarging the instrument. Geoff has come up with a very interesting and exciting scheme and more details on this will follow. So, a rebuild of the old lady is very much on the cards, for now though, please do continue to support the organists and choirs in the vital development of music, which is after all, the very ‘heartbeat’ of both Parish and Cathedral worship. Dr Peter Litman, Director of Music
The Choristers with Peter the Precenter and Rosi Robinson, Peter the Director of Music, and Dean Nigel Godfrey pose for a photo by Chrstiane Litman at the Superbowl in Ramsey.
The Precentor 126 Emily 75 Mrs Robinson 95 Edward 74 Mackenzie 94 Frankie 59 Peter 86 Lily 58 Dr Litman 84 Astrid 54 The Dean 81 Mrs Litman Pastoral
Editor: Chris Hutt [email protected] 840428 The editor is happy to publish articles from contributors but they do not necessarily represent the views of the Editor or the Church. Please submit articles for consideration by the 25th of each month. From the Registers
MARRIAGE
26th May Lisa Marie Christian & John Paul Jones
16th June Heather Christine Watson & Joseph Neil Gunn
IN MEMORIAM
Thomas Desmond Michael Garrett died 8th June funeral 15th June
Iain David Allan Dunnett died 3rd June funeral 15th June
Rex Hartley died 19th June funeral 27th June
Please remember all these and their families in your prayers.
Notices
BBQ fundraiser on Friday 6 July at the Deanery 4pm to 7pm … whatever the weather! Fun for all the family. Test your skills at different activities such as Shove Ha'penny, Golf putting etc.. If you are able to provide a raffle prize it will be gratefully received. Please get in touch with either Helen Parry or Val Garrett for tickets.
Adults £5, children up to 12 years old £2.50 Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children £12) children under 12 (must be accompanied by an adult)
All proceeds to the Children and Families Worker project.
Trees in the Jubilee Avenue are being planted on the afternoon of Tuesday 3 July at 1.30pm by pupils of Peel Clothworkers School. Everyone welcome to attend.
Spruce up the Corrin Hall Can you help please? The Corrin Hall has been a bit neglected lately due to other things happening and it needs a good clean before the Brownie Pack Holiday in the last week of July and Peel Beach Mission using the hall first two weeks in August. The hall is also being used for a buffet after the Civic Service on Sunday 15 July. A work party is being formed to give the hall a good clean on EITHER the afternoon of Saturday 7 July or Saturday 14 July. With a willing group it won't take long. Please let Val know and she will fix on the date that is suitable for most people. Val Garrett
Good as New Sale Books, clothes, pots/china, plants ~ With refreshments ~ Holy Trinity, Patrick 11am to 3pm Saturday, 21st July Donations can be left in the back pew of Patrick Church.
Further details: Margaret Burrow 235711 [email protected]
2012 Parish Walk Two member of St German’sdid the walk. Rob Udy, walking with daughter Rachel, made it to Jurby and raised £500.00 for HART, (Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust). Penny Thursfield reached Peel, raising £300.00 for the Cathedral Quarter Trust. To add your support to the Cathedral Quarter Trust fund see Val.