SPRING 2017

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Internet site: www.stjamesthegreater.org.uk Church Office email address: [email protected]

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8.30 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Sung Eucharist 6.30 pm Choral Evensong & Sermon A CHILDREN'S SUNDAY CLUB in the Church Hall in school term time starting off in church at 10.30 am MIDWEEK HOLY COMMUNION 10.15 am Thursdays See Calendar for variations and details of services on saints' days

MINISTRY TEAM St James the Greater is currently in interregnum. If you wish to enquire about baptisms, weddings, funerals or any other matter, please call 0116 254 2111. The Church Office is open weekdays from 9.30-12.30, there is an emergency number on the answerphone outside of these times.

Associate Non-Stipendiary Priest Revd Jane Sharp 0116 270 6002 Honorary Associate Priests Revd David Clark BA 0116 255 8988 Very Revd Dr Derek Hole Hon LLD Hon DLitt 0116 270 9988 Readers Mr David Brunning MA 0116 241 8742 Dr Angela Jagger BA PhD Mr John Raven MA 0116 271 9185 0116 270 7591 Pastoral Assistant Sacristan Miss Vicky Roe B.Phil.Ed MA Mrs Janet Burton 0116 255 2108 0751 035 3097

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YOUR QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTOR IS:

…………………………………………………… Tel ……………………

In this Spring 2017 issue …

SERVICE TIMES & MINISTRY TEAM ………………...….…… see inside cover

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHURCH WARDENS………………………….… 4

MOTHERING SUNDAY…………………………………………………….... 5

JAPANESE FRIENDS …………………………………………………………. 8

LENT, HOLY WEEK AND EASTER ……………………………………….., 10

CALENDAR OF SERVICES & EVENTS ……………….…….. see centre pages

LUNCH AT ST JAMES ……………………………………………………… 15

DEMENTIA: THE SPIRITUAL ASPECTS …………………………………… 16

ONCE IN ROYAL DAVIDS CITY ………………………………………….. 18

THEO’S MUSIC STAND ……………………………………………………. 20

OBITUARY OF CANON HENRY EVANS ………………………………… 21

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES ……………………………………………. 22

COMMEMORATIVE FLOWERS ………………………...….….....…….…….23

WHAT’S ON & WHO’S WHO ……………….……...……….. see back cover

Copy for the SUMMER 2017 edition of the Quarterly should reach the Church Office by Tuesday 25 April 2017 We welcome articles from everybody! Where possible please include at least one photo and please try to ensure it will fit on one or two full pages. please send attachments on email to: [email protected] 3

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHURCH WARDENS

Dear friends, Our church has moved into an interesting new phase of its life since the winter edition of the Quarterly was published. Glynn and Sue have moved to enjoy a well- deserved retirement split between Worcester and time with Anna in South Africa. St James is now officially in interregnum but, with grateful thanks to a great number of unsung heroes, our church life and services continue much as before. One obvious change with the services is that we have had the opportunity to enjoy a wider variety of preachers. Every minister and lay reader has their own particular style and a different take on the Bible and the challenges of the secular world. This has been a refreshing and stimulating experience for many of us. An enormous amount of work has gone into the preparation of our Parish Profile (a description of our church and its activities and a job specification for the new incumbent) and the job advertisement for Glynn’s replacement and we are grateful to all those who undertook this task. The planned recruitment timetable is that the first of three weekly advertisements will appear in the around the time this edition of the Quarterly is published and interviews of the shortlisted candidates will take place on 8th May. Phil Jones and Mike Rule have been elected by the PCC as our representatives on the interview panel. The voting was incredibly tight and, even with such a small electorate, no fewer than three recounts were required! All four of the candidates would have been suitable for the role but we are sadly limited to choosing just two. Phil and Mike bear a great burden of responsibility in helping to choose our new vicar and we must bear them in our thoughts and prayers as they discharge their solemn duty. Finally, this article would be incomplete without mention of the sad passing of Henry Evans. He was a wonderful man of God and a friend to all who knew him. Our condolences go to his friends and family as our dear Henry rests in peace.

Julia Walker and Keith Vaughan 4

MOTHERING SUNDAY by Polly Taylor

Mothering Sunday – that wonderful time of year when retailers label everything from champagne to purple dusters * as “The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift”. So, how did it begin? As we know, it is celebrated in the middle of Lent and gives us a welcome respite from the Lenten Fast. Falling on the fourth Sunday of Lent, it is also known as Laetare Sunday or Refreshment Sunday (so, I reckon that’ll be simnel cake all round) and is a time for us to give thanks for our mothers and show our appreciation for all they have done for us. It is known to have been celebrated in the UK and Ireland back in the sixteenth century, originally as a day to honour and give thanks to the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus, often referred to as Mother Mary. It was a time of pilgrimage for some who would walk long distances to their ‘Mother Church’ which was usually the Cathedral of their Diocese. As the years rolled by and families became separated as children had to leave home to find work as, say, apprentices or domestic servants, the Mothering Sunday holiday was hugely appreciated as it gave them the opportunity to be reunited. Flowers were gathered from hedgerows and maid servants were given permission by their employers to bake a cake for their families, traditionally a simnel cake. (I would love to think that apprentice carpenters made wooden gifts for their mothers, thus following the example of the young Jesus perhaps?) By the early twentieth century, Mothering Sunday had decreased in popularity but, believe it or not, it was due to the efforts of a woman called Constance Adelaide Smith (a.k.a. C. Penswick-Smith) that it was reinvigorated. She, in turn, had been influenced by an American lady called Anna Jarvis. Following her mother’s death in 1908, Anna campaigned for a holiday to celebrate all mothers and eventually President Woodrow Wilson made Mothers’ Day an

5 official holiday on the second Sunday of May in 1914. Alas! Poor Anna, who had envisaged people giving their mothers simple, handmade gifts, was horrified by the commercialisation of the day, referring to it a ‘Hallmark Holiday’ (after the greeting card company) and even tried to stop it being a holiday. She died a sad, but possibly wiser woman, in 1948. In England, Constance, the daughter of a clergyman and sister to another four Anglican priests, saw a newspaper article about Anna Jarvis’ efforts to introduce a day to celebrate mothers and linked this to Mothering Sunday itself. She published a booklet: ‘The Revival of Mothering Sunday’ in 1920 and together with her friend Ellen Porter from the Girls’ Friendly Society established a movement to promote Mothering Sunday by collecting and publishing information about the day and its traditions. She died in 1938 and was buried in Coddington, Nottinghamshire. The Lady Chapel at All Saints, Coddington, was dedicated to her memory in 1951. Neither she nor Anna Jarvis married or had children. How you choose to celebrate Mothering Sunday is up to you; could be flowers, chocolate, wine, perfume or a meal or maybe, if your Mum is no longer alive, a donation to charity in her name. But, just remember, our mothers gave us a gift no one else could: Our Lives. *Wilkinsons, Syston c1970 and my mother’s dulcet tones whispering in my ear: ‘don’t you dare!’

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SIMNEL CAKE RECIPE

Ingredients  100g/4oz glacé cherries  225g/8oz sultanas  225g/8oz butter, softened  100g/4oz currants  225g/8oz muscovado sugar  50g/2oz chopped candied peel  4 large eggs  2 lemons, grated zest only  225g/8oz self-raising flour  2 tsp ground mixed spice

For the filling and topping  450g/1lb marzipan  1-2 tbsp apricot jam, warmed

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 150C/280F/Gas 2. Grease and line a 20cm/ 8in cake tin. 2. Cut the cherries into quarters, put in a sieve and rinse under running water. Drain well then dry thoroughly on kitchen paper. 3. Place the cherries in a bowl with the butter, sugar, eggs, self-raising flour, sultanas, currants, candied peel, lemon zest and mixed spice and beat well until thoroughly mixed. Pour half the mixture into the prepared tin. 4. Take one-third of the marzipan and roll it out to a circle the size of the tin and then place on top of the cake mixture. Spoon the remaining cake mixture on top and level the surface. 5. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 2½ hours, or until well risen, evenly brown and firm to the touch. Cover with aluminium foil after one hour if the top is browning too quickly. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes then turn out, peel off the parchment and finish cooling on a wire rack. 6. When the cake is cool, brush the top with a little warmed apricot jam and roll out half the remaining marzipan to fit the top. Press firmly on the top and crimp the edges to decorate. Mark a criss-cross pattern on the marzipan with a sharp knife. Form the remaining marzipan into 11 balls. 7. Brush the marzipan with beaten egg and arrange the marzipan balls around the edge of the cake. Brush the tops of the balls with beaten egg and then carefully place the cake under a hot grill until the top is lightly toasted. 7

JAPANESE FRIENDS David Clark, (who is grateful to Vicky Roe and Yoh Kawana for help with this article).

This story begins more than twelve years ago and is a remarkable account of spiritual encounter with God, and change in the life of Hiroe Kawana, who lived in Leicester with her husband, Yoh, from 2003-2004.

Hiroe (pronounced Hiroé) had been thinking about Christianity before she left Japan. She has a fine soprano voice, so while Yoh was preparing a book on the history of early modern Leicester1 Hiroe joined the University Chamber Choir and the Ladies Choir at St James the Greater. Before that she had visited St James Church, which is a majestic and awe-inspiring building. Coming into the church, she reported later that she had the extraordinary experience of feeling that she had come home. This led her to ask for Christian instruction.

The Vicar, Glynn Richerby, recommended Hiroe to Vicky Roe, our Pastoral Assistant, at an early stage, to prepare her for Baptism and Confirmation, since Vicky had experience of teaching pupils for whom English was a second language. Hiroe’s family provided her with a Japanese/English Bible and Vicky used a simple study booklet for new Christians, which they worked through, with Hiroe writing the answers to the questions in Japanese. Yoh assisted at the preparation, interpreting where necessary into Japanese and English. Hiroe was baptised at St. James during the Choral Eucharist on Sunday 21st September 2003, which was followed by Confirmation at the Cathedral on 29th November 2003.

Doctors in Japan had told Hiroe that she would be unlikely to bear children, but in the weeks after her Confirmation, she experienced bouts of nausea and other symptoms, which caused her to seek medical advice. Members of the Ladies’ Choir at St James noticed that she was occasionally unwell during services and went out. They guessed that Hiroe was pregnant, as did our daughter Tamsen. Hiroe’s doctors confirmed this, much to her surprise and joy. Since Hiroe's pregnancy occurred after her baptism and confirmation, she considered it a miracle from God and His blessing on her confession of faith in Christ.

Yoh and Hiroe later went to Oxford, for Yoh to complete his research. Hiroe had her baby there in August 2004, named Kotone (meaning ‘harp’, and

1 which was published in 2010 in Tokyo. 8 pronounced Kotoné), and brought her back to St James to be baptised. Vicky Roe, Sarah, my wife, a friend of the Kawanas and I were all asked to be godparents, which we were delighted and honoured to undertake. Kotone’s baptism took place at the Choral Eucharist on 5th December 2004. We all celebrated over lunch with the family, who had been joined by Yoh’s parents. Then the family returned to Japan, where they joined a Christian Church in Sendai. Sarah maintained contact with Kotone on her birthdays and by sending an Advent calendar at Christmas. Vicky’s relationship is similar.

At the end of October 2016, Tamsen and I had a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity to visit Japan. We were invited to join a New Zealand/UK choir specially formed to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Miyazu (Japan)/Nelson (New Zealand) Friendship Association.

Planning for our visit to Japan, I really wanted to visit the Kawana family in Sendai, where they lived. Sendai is near to Fukushima, where a gigantic tsunami knocked out the nuclear power station in 2011. However, there was not enough time to travel there from Osaka, where we were staying for the first concert and leg of our tour. The Kawana family, now joined by a son, Minato, aged nine, very graciously came to Osaka. Minato had been studying castles in history at school and very much wanted to visit Osaka castle. The six of us met up. Over lunch I secured permission to tell Hiroe’s remarkable story and learned more about Hiroe’s modest Christian life. Yoh, Minato, Tamsen and I climbed to the top of the castle, while Hiroe and Kotone watched a dramatic historical presentation in the courtyard below.

There is religious freedom in Japan, though the country is predominantly of Buddhist and Shinto persuasion. It is not normal to trumpet your Christian faith, but Hiroe’s opportunity to declare her allegiance came at the Primary School where she is a teacher. When she was having lunch with a group of her colleagues, they started to talk about religion and one of them asked if there were any Christians amongst them. When Hiroe told them she was, they were first very surprised, and then, asked anxiously whether she would have any problems with her family. Japanese families normally have their family tombs in the site of a Buddhist temple, and the family members are put in one family tomb together. This shows how difficult it is in practice to be a Christian in Japan, and explains why many Christians hesitate to admit their faith openly.

I am so grateful to have been part of this story, and continue to pray for the Kawana family, and our international relationships at St James.

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LENT, HOLY WEEK AND EASTER By Vicky Roe

Lent seems to have been a long time coming this year, but starts on 1st March with the 7.30 pm Ash Wednesday service, led by Rev. Stephen Foster. On each succeeding week during Lent, the choir will sing the night service of Compline at 6.30 pm on Wednesdays.

Sunday sermons will take the form of a Lent series on the subject of ’My Faith Journey’ as a range of different speakers share their stories with us. The speakers are listed in the Calendar of Services and Events.

On Passion Sunday, 2nd April, there will be a service of music and readings for Passiontide at 6.30 pm.

The Palm Sunday Procession on 9th April will start from the Church Hall at 10.10 am and move round the block, weather permitting, for the Passion Gospel and Eucharist in church at 10.30 am. This marks the start of Holy Week and a series of talks by Canon Philip Norwood, an experienced Holy Land guide, taking us through the places and events, at Palm Sunday Evensong, Compline at 7.30 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, concluding with Festal Evensong on Easter Day at 6.30 pm.

On Maundy Thursday the Queen is at Leicester Cathedral and our Liturgy of the Last Supper with Vigil is at 7.30 pm.

On Good Friday from 1-3 pm, Haydn’s “Seven last words of Christ” will be performed, with added reflections led by Rev. David Clark. The Tenebrae service is at 7.30 pm.

The Easter Eve Service of Light is at 8.30 pm anticipating Easter Day with its celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

The main Eucharist service on Easter Day is at 8.30am. There is an all age service at 10.45am followed by shortened Holy Communion service at 12.00 and Festal Evensong at 6.30pm.

The Easter Carol service takes place on Sunday 14th May at 6.30pm

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CALENDAR OF SERVICES & EVENTS

MARCH 1 Wednesday 19.30 Ash Wednesday Service Celebrant: Stephen Foster 2 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Jane Sharp

3 Friday Women’s World Day of Prayer Everyone welcome 14.00 St. Thomas More 19.30 Friends Meeting House

5 Sunday FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 08.30 Holy Communion (BCP) Celebrant: Derek Hole 10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant: Derek Hole Preacher: Angela Jagger 18.30 Choral Evensong Preacher: David Maudlin in a Lent series on My Faith Journey 7 Tuesday 19.30 Parochial Church Council Meeting 8 Wednesday 18.30 Compline 9 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Derek Hole 10 Friday 19.30 Leicester Theological Society at St Clement’s Hall, Holy Cross Centre, Wellington Street The Revd Dr Peter Green Time to burn Santa in effigy? What Christians should make of the

phenomenon of interpassive believing

12 Sunday SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT 08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: Jane Sharp 10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant: Peter Mackenzie Preacher: Richard Worsfold in a Lent series on My Faith Journey 18.30 Choral Evensong Preacher: Diane Johnson in a Lent series on My Faith Journey

15 Wednesday 18.30 Compline 16 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Jane Sharp

19 Sunday THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT 08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: Derek Hole 10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant: David Clark Preacher: David Brunning in a Lent series on My Faith Journey 18.30 Choral Evensong Preacher: Tony Leighton in a Lent series on My Faith Journey 11

MARCH Continued

22 Wednesday 18.30 Compline 23 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Diane Johnson

26 Sunday FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT Mothering Sunday 08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: Jane Sharp 10.30 All Age Eucharist Celebrant: Derek Hole Preacher: Derek Hole 18.30 Choral Evensong Preacher: Helen Hayes in a Lent series on My Faith Journey

29 Wednesday 18.30 Compline 30 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Peter Mackenzie

APRIL

2 Sunday FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT Passion Sunday 08.30 Holy Communion (BCP) Celebrant: Derek Hole 10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant: Peter Mackenzie Preacher: Angela Tarry in a Lent series on My Faith Journey 18.30 Music and Readings for Passiontide

5 Wednesday 18.30 Compline 6 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Derek Hole

9 Sunday PALM SUNDAY start of Holy Week 08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: Derek Hole 10.10 Procession from the Church Hall 10.30 Passion Gospel & Eucharist Celebrant: Philip Norwood 18.30 Evensong Preacher: Philip Norwood

10 Monday of Holy Week 19.30 Address & Compline

11 Tuesday of Holy Week 19.30 Address & Compline

12 Wednesday of Holy Week 19.30 Address & Compline

13 Maundy 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: David Clark Thursday 19.30 Liturgy of the Last Supper Celebrant: Peter Mackenzie followed by Vigil until 22.00

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APRIL continued

14 Good Friday 11.00 ‘Leicester@theCross’ in Humberstone Gate 13.00 At the foot of the cross, with music and reflection 19.30 Tenabrae

15 Easter Eve 20.30 Easter Eve Service of Light

16 Sunday EASTER DAY 08.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant & Preacher: Alison Adams 10.45 All Age Worship Preacher: David Brunning 12.00 Holy Communion Celebrant: David Clark 18.30 Festal Evensong Preacher: Philip Norwood

20 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Diane Johnson

23 Sunday SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER 08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: David Clark 10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant: Derek Hole Preacher: John Raven 18.30 Choral Evensong Preacher: Philip Norwood

27 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Jane Sharp 19.30 Concert by National Youth Choir Fellowship Octet

30 Sunday THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER 08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: Jane Sharp 10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant&Preacher: Richard Worsfold 11.45 Annual Parochial Church Meeting in the Large Hall 18.30 Choral Evensong Preacher: Derek Hole

MAY

4 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Peter Mackenzie

7 Sunday FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: David Clark 10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant: & Preacher: Derek Hole 18.30 Choral Evensong Preacher: Angela Jagger 11 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Jane Sharp

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MAY continued

14 Sunday FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: Jane Sharp 10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant & Preacher: Jane Sharp 18.30 Easter Carol Service

18 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: David Clark

21 Sunday SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Rogation Sunday 08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: Derek Hole 10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant: Derek Hole Preacher: David Brunning In anticipation of Ascension Day 18.30 Choral Evensong Preacher: Philip Norwood

25 Thursday ASCENSION DAY 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Jane Sharp 19.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant: Derek Hole

28 Sunday SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: Philip Norwood 10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant: Philip Norwood Preacher: David Clark 18.30 Choral Evensong Preacher: Derek Hole

CONCERT NEWS The National Youth Choirs Of Great Britain Fellowship Octet returns to St James the Greater on 27 April. For further information and to book please visit our website www.stjamesthegreater.org.uk or call the Church Office on 0116 254 2111.

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LUNCH AT ST JAMES By Annabel Cowley and Barbara Penrose

Three years ago we served a simple meal of homemade soup, bread and cheese followed by homemade cake on a Thursday following the morning Eucharist. And they wanted more …

Many of our older congregation live alone, many are on fixed incomes, some do not have the ability to chop and peel. Our aim is to provide a variety of meals at an affordable cost, and choose meals that are not practical to make for one. Beef stew and dumplings is the biggest hit. Below is the recipe for February’s meal which was a mixed bean casserole with sausages. It serves 4-6 rather than 30!

3 sticks celery finely chopped 3 large carrots finely chopped 3 onions finely chopped 1 can mixed beans 1 tin chopped tomatoes 3 cloves garlic crushed 1 tsp paprika 1 tablespoon herbs de Provence 1 veggie stick cube Salt and pepper

Sauté the celery, carrots and onion in a little oil or butter on a low heat for 15-20 minutes to soften. Add garlic and cook a further 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, beans, herbs, spices and stock and cook for 30 minutes, adding a little water (or red wine) if it gets too thick.

Serve with crusty bread and or jacket potatoes. Delicious with sausages or chicken.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

15 March Fish and Chips Pre booking essential Good Friday Soup and bread 18 May Baked potatoes and quiche Sign up sheets are placed at the back of Church or call the Church Office 254 2111

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DEMENTIA : THE SPRITUAL ASPECTS By David Brunning

Thanks to modern medicine, old age is a much more common reality. It is easier now to reach, but as hard as ever to live through. It is often accompanied by failing of the mind as well as the body. Dementia can affect parents and friends, and may in time affect us. It is often hard to cope with when we do encounter it, whether we are young or old, and many find it awkward to visit a sufferer. It is not something which is talked about easily, or perhaps thought about in spiritual terms. I found the article which follows enlightening, insightful and helpful, and I share it with you in the hope that it may make seeing and caring for someone you love that bit easier. It was written by James Woodward who is the principal of Sarum College. No one is invulnerable to dementia on the journey between birth and death. It is unpredictable. In some matters there is choice, in others we are all subject to circumstance. If each of us were ever in the situation of being able to choose the shape of our diminishments, a physical one might be easier to bear than a mental one. Dementia strikes fear in people’s hearts, and with good reason. The disease now accounts for 11.6 per cent of deaths in this country, overtaking heart disease as Britain’s biggest killer. It is called the “long goodbye”. Diagnosing dementia is often difficult, but the steady progression of memory loss can be devastating for all those involved in care. There are 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia, and the number is likely to rise to more than two million by 2050. There is no cure. Current treatments alleviate symptoms temporarily at best. Caring for someone who has dementia is stressful, physically and emotionally draining as well as very expensive. This leaves us with a range of challenges. Those living with dementia often suffer from stigma. The fear that surrounds dementia is bound up with our inability to engage with ageing, in ourselves and others. Dementia is a disease that needs to be embraced, talked about and reflected upon. 16

In a materialist and functionalist world, we need to recover the centrality of engaging with an individual. We should approach them with a knowledge of who they are and safeguard against any treatment that dehumanises or depersonalises. However, people with dementia are often deceived, disempowered, treated as though they are a child, mocked or, perhaps worst of all, ignored. When approaching a person with dementia we need to remember that they are held unconditionally within the love of God, and even if they don’t remember Him, He remembers them. Somewhere within the confusion is the spirit of the person whom we know and love, and although you and your visit may be quickly forgotten, the good feelings that are generated will remain. There is ample evidence that people continue to respond to feelings long after they no longer seem to understand them. There is always a capacity to deepen compassion if we can only stifle our anxieties, lose self-consciousness and let love accomplish its amazing transformations. Memories from the past can remain largely undamaged, and these can be released through attentive friendship. Released from some of the burden of having to store new information when communicating, the person with dementia can find some satisfaction. Conversations need not be long or rushed: ask only one question at a time; key into a person’s feelings; allow time for a person to reply and do not be afraid of silence. If, as I suspect, there is a connection and not a discontinuity between the worlds of remembering and forgetting, then we have been culpable in the past of a hideous sin; that of denying humanity to those who, in their vulnerability, are perhaps the most human. What God does is that He remembers us, and the fact that He remembers us means that we are of immense worth. Our spiritual life does not depend on our remembering, it does not even depend on our believing, it depends on our surrendering to God’s love and mercy alone. In this divine compassion the strong and the weak belong together. Those who are living with dementia have much to teach us about divine value. There are several books which may help if this is a problem you face with a friend or relation. They are : ‘And Still The Music Plays’, by Graham Stokes; ‘Contented Dementia’ by Oliver James and ‘Between Remembering and Forgetting - the Spiritual Dimension, by James Woodward.

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ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY By Jennifer Smith

The candles flicker in the darkness and the evocative sound of the first verse of the carol “Once in Royal David’s City” begins. Processing behind the crucifer, Michael Bull, the St James’ Choir enters. Unlike services at St James the Greater however, there is not an expectant hush, but some chatter, a baby crying and children moving round, but the expectancy is there. The cross is not that from St James’, but from the parish church of St Christopher which is situated within the Samworth Academy, Saffron Lane, in whose school hall this Carols by Candlelight is taking place.

The service, devised by St James’ Director of Music, Matthew Haynes, is part of the outreach of the South East Mission Partnership of which St James the Greater and St Christopher’s are member churches. The aim of the service is to allow pupils, parents and friends of the Academy, now called Tudor Grange Samworth Academy (TGSA), many of whom do not attend any church, to experience the beauty and richness of worship where music plays an important part and brings you to the heart of Christmas. Mr Haynes particularly wanted to move away from the traditional school carol concert with secular songs, applause and a sing-a-long to Slade’s ‘So here it is Merry Christmas’, and reveal the story of Jesus’s birth away from the commercial setting which is such a dominant part of Christmas celebrations today.

TGSA has an age range of 3 to 16 years and before the worship began the youngest pupils in Years 1 and 2 sang a carol ‘Welcome’. Later in the service, Years 5 and 6 sang ‘Silent Night’. The senior choir of TGSA were joined by the choir of Leicester High School and St. James’ Choir to sing Holst’s arrangement of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’, ‘O Holy Night’ by Adolfe Adam and a delightful arrangement by Matthew Haynes of ‘The Carol of the Bells’. Accompanied by St James’ organist, Michael Rule, and by the Enderby Brass Band, there were carols for all to sing including ‘God rest you merry, Gentlemen’, ‘While Shepherds watched’ and ‘O come all ye faithful’. Interspersed between the carols were readings from St Luke’s Gospel, Longfellow’s poem ‘Christmas Bells’ and other Christmas readings including ‘A politically correct Christmas’. These were read by staff and students of TGSA and of Leicester High School, and the prayers offered were written by TGSA students. Neil Tansley, a member of St Christopher’s Church, in his Christmas

18 message, challenged all those present to remember, during their festivities, that Jesus is the heart of the Christmas story.

The members of the choir of St James the Greater make a huge commitment to worship at St James’ itself, both at Christmas and throughout the year, and it is good that they can also give of their time to enrich the experience of those who do not worship week by week, and to support the churches of the SEMP in their outreach. John Raven and I were pleased to be a part of this ‘Carols by Candlelight’.

A PRAYER By Max Ehrmann

Let me do my work each day; and if the darkened hours of despair overcome me, may I not forget the strength that comforted me in the desolation of other times. May I still remember the bright hours that found me walking over the silent hills of my childhood, or dreaming on the margin of the quiet river, when a light glowed within me and promised my early God to have courage amid the tempests of the changing years. Spare me from bitterness and from sharp passions of unguarded moments. May I not forget that poverty and riches are of the spirit. Though the world know me not, may my thoughts and actions be such as shall keep me friendly with myself. Lift my eyes from the earth, and let me not forget the uses of the stars. Forbid that I should judge others lest I condemn myself. Let me not follow the clamour of the world, but walk calmly in my path. Give me a few friends who love me for what I am; and keep ever burning before my vagrant steps the kindly light of hope. And though age and infirmity overtake me, and I come not within sight of the castle of my dreams, teach me still to be thankful for life, and for time’s olden memories that are good and sweet; and may the evening’s twilight find me gentle still.

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THEO’S MUSIC STAND by Vicky Roe

Advent Sunday 2016 was an emotional day for all of us at St. James the Greater, as we bade farewell to our Vicar, Canon Rev. Glynn Richerby, after 23½ years of ministry at this church. One of Glynn’s last duties, during the morning Eucharist, was to dedicated a new music stand in memory of Theo Saunders, a much loved and greatly respected former Director of Music at St. James, who had died, aged 58, on 12th January 2016.

The stand had been designed and constructed by local cabinet maker David Towers, to meet the requirements of the music staff for a sturdy, stable, adjustable music stand, to replace the old, unstable one they had used for years. It is made of oak and took five months to complete. It was given by the Friends of St. James the Greater. A plaque will be attached to it bearing these words:

“This music stand was given by the Friends of St. James, dedicated on Advent Sunday 2016, in memory of Theo Saunders, Director of Music 1991-2002.”

It is a fitting memorial to a fine musician and will benefit all those who use it. Theo, who always sought to encourage and help other musicians, would have approved.

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CANON HENRY T P EVANS MA

Henry Evans was a most respected and much loved clergyman in the Diocese. His ministry began in 1953 when he was ordained in Chelmsford Cathedral and served his curacy in the East End of London. During his curacy he married Ruth. He had read theology at Selwyn College, Cambridge and trained for the ministry at Lincoln Theological College. In 1956 Bishop invited Henry to be the first priest-in-charge of St Luke’s, Stocking Farm where he is still remembered with great affection. He organised volunteers to build the Church on the top of the hill, which was consecrated by the Bishop in April 1966 in the presence of HRH Princess Margaret. It was whilst at Stocking Farm that Jonathan and Caroline joined the Evans family. In 1967 Henry became Rector of St Matthew’s Stretford, Manchester, a Church with civic responsibilities. Throughout his time there many benefitted from his quiet spirituality. Whilst there Ruth trained to be a teacher and taught at the local Church School. Bishop Ronald never forgot Henry and in 1973 invited him to become Vicar of St Mary Magdalen, Knighton where he exercised a very fulfilling ministry and touched the lives of many people. Within a short space of time the Parish Centre was built. During his time at Knighton he was appointed an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral and Rural Dean of Christianity South. In 1983 Bishop Richard Rutt invited Henry to become Warden of Launde Abbey. Wherever Henry’s ministry took him it seemed he was involved in building! At Launde he headed a £200,000 Appeal which enabled him to convert the Stable Block into more accommodation. During his time as Warden, Henry established Launde as one of the finest Retreat Houses in the country and it was where he developed his interest in spirituality, because many people looked to him for counsel and advice. Retiring in 1993 at the age of 65 he and Ruth moved to Clarendon Park where he continued his ‘listening’ ministry which, he said, gave him a quiet and humbling fulfilment. In retirement he became the Treasurer of ‘Christians Aware’ an Organisation which had been established by Mrs Barbara Butler, wife of a former . Sadly Ruth died in 2005. Henry later moved into Anne Laurence’s home. She lovingly cared for him until his death in January. Our memory of Henry will live long in our hearts. May he rest in peace. 21

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES We offer our prayers for all those who are unwell, who are bereaved and who are in need.

We celebrate the miracle of birth and pray that they have a healthy and fulfilled life.

New Arrivals

Xavier Ciza, a brother for Charlene, a son for Francis and Edith.

Alfie Sedgwick, a brother for Oliver, a son for Ceri and Tom

Dearly Departed

Janet Wheeler aged 81

Betty Clark aged 91

Jean Mason aged 91

John Gonsalves aged 86

Henry Evans aged 88

God of our beginnings and endings, who brought us to birth and in whose arms we die, lead us in your ways during our life on earth, then, when our time has come, lead us home to your glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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Commemorative Flowers

MARCH

LENT – no flowers, by tradition

APRIL

16 EASTER 23 Joyce Paviour in memory of Norman 30 Angela Hefford in memory of her parents Barbara and Gordon Barrett Altar Frontal Elizabeth Bentley in memory of her parents Tom and Lillian Garrett

MAY

7 Diana Jones in memory of her parents and brother 14 Renee Blackburn in memory of her husband Jeffrey, daughter Susan and son John 21 Doris Makepeace in memory of John 28 Janet Felstead in memory of David

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What’s on ...

SUNDAYS Sunday Club in school term time 10.30 Large Hall Contact Mrs Jo Stapleton 39 Craighill Road, Leicester LE2 3FD 270 2001 THURSDAYS Coffee Drop-in 10.45 – 11.30 Large Hall Organiser Mrs Elizabeth Turner Contact via Church Office Lunch Club (monthly) 12.15 – 1.30 Large Hall Organiser Ms Barbara Penrose Contact via Church Office St James’ Singers 19.30 alternate Thursdays Ashman Music Room Director Mr Michael Rule [email protected] Scouts Beaver Scouts 17.30 – 18.30 Cub Scouts 18.30 – 20.00 Scouts 19.30 Undercroft Leaders Mr Tony & Mrs Alison Hurst 210 2958 FRIDAYS Boys’ Choir & Girls’ Choir Practices 18.00 Ashman Music Room Full Choir Practice 19.30 Director Mr Matthew Haynes [email protected] SATURDAYS Stop-by Project for the homeless 11.00 – 14.00 Undercroft Coordinator Salma Ravat Contact via Church Office

Who’s who …

Ministry Team – see inside front cover Churchwardens Miss Julia Walker 3 Paddock Close, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5GG 271 9347 Mr Keith Vaughan Contact via Church Office Deputy Wardens Mr Simon Edwards MBE [email protected] Mrs Angela Hefford [email protected] 270 6060 Mr Philip Jones [email protected] 237 4894 Mrs April Rule Contact via Church Office PCC Secretary Mr Philip Jones [email protected] 237 4894 Church Administrator & Hall Booking Secretary Mrs Annabel Cowley [email protected] 254 2111 Treasurer Mr Alan Fletcher [email protected] Assistant Treasurer Mr John Cox Contact via Church Office Director of Music Mr Matthew Haynes [email protected] Organist & Associate Director of Music Mr Michael Rule [email protected] Head Servers Mr John & Mrs Angela Finn [email protected] 292 9562 Flower Guild Co-ordinator including commemorative flowers Miss Julia Walker [email protected] 271 9347 Child Protection Officer Vicky Roe [email protected] 255 2108 Church Office, St James Hall, St James Terrace, Leicester LE2 1NA [email protected] 0116 254 2111 24