St Mary's Magazine
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Services held every Volume 14 Issue 6 July/August 2018 Sunday morning 10:30 am Next issue: First Sunday September2018 Chaplaincy Cover Information St Mary’s Magazine The Chaplain 1 Writes Twente News 2 St James the Least 4 Let them eat cake! 6 The CofE has a 7 serious shortage Work destroyed. 8 Workman saved Filling a Vacancy 8 Forthcoming 9 - 12 Services Archer Metcalfe 13 A Plastic 15 Revolution St Mary’s Chapel, Diepenheimseweg 102 Blessings 16 7475 MN Markelo Mouse Makes 19 www.anglicanchurchtwente.com In Flanders Fields 20 The Anglican Chaplaincy of Twente Page 1 Page 2 Dear Friends, I recently spent an hour or so at the home of Blair, Marilyn and Abby, during which time we chatted about innumerable topics. In passing Blair reminded me that he is the Chaplaincy Environmental Representative and has been doing some homework on his, and our, responsibilities. Inevitably, this led to quite a practical discussion between us. Above all, he expressed how important this aspect of our collective responsibility has been ‘brought home’ to him, and I reflected on how we might all be encouraged to take this aspect of our Christian Calling seriously. Perhaps you would be interested to read the Diocesan Policy on the matter. Those with a computer might wish to look it up on the web. If you search for “The Diocese in Europe Environment Policy of the Diocese in Europe: Diocesan Policies and Guidelines” you will be led to the link. Otherwise, I am sure Blair will be able to provide a hard copy. In relation to this whole subject, I had immediate thoughts of my own. I am reminded of my fascination at reading about James Lovelock in the 1970s, a then NASA scientist, who developed his ideas about all life, all living things, together with all non-living components on Earth, working together to promote life and the enhancement of the environment. (For me, this provided a backdrop for a wonderful understanding of the beauty and complexity of God’s work of creation!) While this hypothesis was ridiculed by many in his early days of research and observation, his theory seems to have gone from scientific heresy to widely accepted orthodoxy in forty or so years, and now influences a number of international research programmes. The theory maintains that Earth's natural cycles work together to keep the Earth healthy and supportive of it’s life. Those who are influenced by this theory argue that the burgeoning impact of the human race has now pushed the Earth to its limit, although it will (ContinuedPage 3on page 16) Church Service Decorum Twente News Over the years there has been much comment about the atmosphere in the chapel before the service begins. Due to the scattered nature of the chaplaincy, some take the opportunity to greet each other, and maybe, even catch up on the news. Not covered by Meanwhile, there are those who prefer to insurance sit in quiet contemplation and prayer. As a A recent letter compromise, the first group were given freedom to that appeared in socialise up to about five minutes before the service, The Independent before our organist rang a bell for silence. Lately, the newspaper: bell has been increasingly ignored, much to the ‘Following the irritation of some in the second group. Our chaplain recent major flooding, I find has suggested placing cards on the pews reading: myself out of Before the Service - Speak to God pocket, due to After the Service - Speak to Everyone else what I am informed is an Maybe, if you have to discuss something, for ”act of God.” To example, a request for the intercessions, a planned avoid future celebration, keep one’s voice as low as possible. If financial you see someone sitting or kneeling quietly, respect embarrassment, their desire not to be disturbed. Then....when you get please could you to the Hut, calm and spiritually fulfilled, finish off a recommend an wonderful morning with a good chat over coffee, or atheist insurance tea, and cakes. company? Scared? Food Bank As a sergeant in a A reminder that there is a large plastic container in parachute the hut for Food Bank contributions. Your donations regiment, I took of non-perishable food will go to those less fortunate part in several in our community. A list of suggested products is by night-time the box. exercises. Once, I was seated next Summer Teas 2018 to a lieutenant Summer Teas begin on 15 July!!! Please read the fresh from jump article on Page 6 and then suitable inspired, next school. He was quiet and looked time you are in the Hut, sign up to help. WHY? a bit pale, so I Because the Summer Teas offers so much. The money raised helps the chaplaincies finances. People (Continued on page 5) may find that a Sunday afternoon in the Hut or Church can be a wonderful way to get to know other Page 4 chaplaincy members and visitors. And of course, as (Continued on page 5) (Continued from page 4) (Continued from page 4) an added bonus, Summer Teas gives our struck up a neighbours an opportunity to visit and get to conversation. know us. "Scared, lieutenant?" I Magazine Payments asked. St Mary’s Magazine has a valuable role in helping He replied, ‘No, to keep the congregation informed and in touch just a bit apprehensive.’ with each other. In these constrained financial I asked, ‘What's times, financing the magazine is proving to be the difference?’ difficult. An annual contribution of just €15 per He sheepishly annum will help to ensure that you will continue replied, ‘That to receive your copy. means I'm scared, but with a In addition, for those readers who receive their university magazine by post, an annual payment of €20 will education.’ cover the postage charges. Thank you. Keep off Forthcoming Dates Sign on a newly 15 July - Evensong at St Mary’s Chapel planted front garden: ‘Please 15, 22, 29 July - Summer Teas stay off me. I want 5, 12 August - Summer Teas to be a lawn one 2 August - Coffee and Craft Morning day.’ 14 September - Build up for Castle Fair Walk out 15 September - Castle Fair After church, the 4 - 6 October - Archdeaconry Synod woman at the door 14 October - Harvest Festival was embarrassed 11 November - Remembrance Service before the minister. ‘I hope (100 years) you didn't take it 16 December - Nine Lessons and Carols personally when 24 December - Eucharist of Christmas Midnight my husband walked out during Intercessions your sermon.’ If you wish to have someone included in the intercession, ‘I did find it rather or in need of pastoral care, please contact one of the disconcerting,’ the Churchwardens or the Chaplain, before the Service. If you preacher admitted. wish to have someone included in the Intercessions you may contact the intercessor primarily via the Prayer ‘It's not a Request Tool on our Church Website. Via this tool the reflection on you Chaplain, Wardens and all intercessors will receive your at all,’ she assured message at once and simultaneously. Following link will him. ‘Ralph has bring you directly to the Prayer Request: been walking in his http://anglicanchurchtwente.com/home/services% sleep ever since he 20%26%20readings/prayer%20requests.html was a child.’ Page 5 Here for what? St James the A parishioner was Least of All confiding to his vicar: ‘When you Continuing our get to my age, correspondence you spend a lot between Eustace, more time thinking about rector of St James the hereafter.’ the Least of All, and his nephew…. ‘That’s good,’ approved the On the perils of the vicar, ‘and what Ladies’ Guild do you conclude?’ annual outing… ‘Nothing much,’ went on the My dear Nephew Darren parishioner. ‘It’s And so once again we start the annual round of just that more parish treats. While the bell-ringers prefer public and more I find myself going into houses, and the choirboys want fast food outlets, the a room and Ladies’ Guild are centred on lavatories. The itinerary thinking ‘now is unchangeable: Coach drive to coffee stop and what on earth did lavatory. Coach drive to luncheon stop and lavatory. I come in here Coach drive to some arbitrary attraction – provided it after?’ has a tea shop and lavatory. Coach trip home with a Funeral lavatory (stop en route). preparation A sub-committee will have been hard at work for the Not long after I arrived to be previous six months deciding where to visit. The curate at a small most disastrous course of action is to present the church in a group with a choice; if two options are provided, village, the phone they will attract almost equal numbers in favour, rang, and a man thus ensuring that half of the group will rejoice in asked for the saying throughout the day that the other option minister. He would have been preferable. When it comes to wanted to know decision-making, Stalin had a lot going for him. which Scripture verses applied to My predecessor in this parish left me a terrible funeral services. I legacy; he always accompanied the Guild on their gave him several day out, thus obliging me to do the same. I do, references, and however, travel equipped with armaments. “The he jotted them Times” crossword rules out any possibility of down. ‘But what about the “ashes conversation for at least the first two hours. Three (Continued on page 7) Page 6 (Continued from page 6) to ashes, dust to years ago, Mrs Phillips had the audacity to look over dust’ part?’ he my shoulder and give me 12 across; she will not asked.