Team Rector: Editors Revd Dr. Peter Herbert, 6, Redcastle Rd Tel: 763579 email: [email protected] Colin & Decia Orbell Tel: 752007 e-mail: [email protected] Team Vicar Revd Tony Heywood Contact Items for inclusion to the Editors by 15th 44, Nunsgate Tel: 755175 email: [email protected] of each month, please Team Vicar Revd Matt Houghton CONTACTS PARISH NEWS OF THETFORD, CROXTON, 24, Foxglove Rd Tel: 630350 email: [email protected] Thetford PCC Secretary Caroline Herbert Tel:763579 CLOVERFIELD, KILVERSTONE Readers: Jean Rolph Tel: 811077 Thetford PCC Treasurer Alan Miller Tel: 761848 St.Cuthbert's Organist/Choirmaster Churchwardens Russell McKie Tel: 01366 727014 March 2021 Thetford Thetford Fellowship Committee Rodney Back Tel: 750302 Sandra Phillips Tel: 752866 Sandra Phillips Tel: 752866 The Guild Joyce Doubleday Tel: 761819 Croxton Christian Aid Gerald Goucher Tel: 752100 Jenny Bird Tel: 752182 Kilverstone St. Cuthbert's TCT Reps Caroline Hughes Tel:07748 081 675 Jean Barber Tel: 750616 CloverfieldLEP Geof Young Tel: 764082 March 28th Visit the Churches' Websites www. achurchnearyou.com/thetford-st-cuthbert www.cloverfieldchurch.org (access also available via site above) 2 A Solitude-Loving Saint by Peter Herbert Most of us, I suspect, are quite unlike St Cuthbert (whose festival we mark on 20th March) – at least in one respect. SUNDAY SERVICES in MARCH will all be ONLINE at 10.30 a.m. all these on Youtube and through www.thetfordteamministry.org.uk We might share Cuthbert’s affinity with wildlife (mediaeval tradition holds that the eider ducks – or DIAL - A - SERVICE “Cuddy ducks” – on the island of Inner Farne fell under Wanting to join our online Thetford Team services on Sunday his special protection). We might share his love for the mornings, but have no internet? Northumbrian coast. But we are less likely to share his desire for year-upon-year of solitude. Whilst our church buildings are closed for regular public worship we're The St. Cuthbert offering the option of dialling in to our services by ‘phone. window in the You’ll be able to dial in from around 10.20 a.m. ready for the service at In 676 AD, when Cuthbert was around 40 years old, he North Aisle of retired as Prior of the monastery on Lindisfarne (Holy St. Cuthbert's 10.30 a.m. (please note that you won’t be able to dial in once Island) to live the life of a hermit on Inner Farne. He Thetford the service has finished for on-demand catch-up!). Calls will spent the next eight years living there in what, for him, (with ducks!) be charged at the national rate applied by your ‘phone was blissful isolation. Indeed, after his election to a Bishopric in 684 AD it provider, or included within the minutes of any applicable took a royal delegation to coax him back into society as Bishop of calls package. Lindisfarne. He resigned two years later in order to spend the last few months of his life on Inner Farne. To join the services, please contact Peter (01842 763579) in advancefor the Meeting ID and Passcode, and then follow these steps: Most of us do not share those longings for long-term isolation from others. 1. Dial 0203 481 5237 Thus the 23rd of March this year will be a sombre day for many, as we mark a year since the first national coronavirus lockdown – with the separation 2. When prompted, enter the Meeting ID followed by the # key from loved ones and friends that it (and many of the months since) brought. 3. When asked for your participant ID, simply press the # key to continue 4. When prompted, enter the Passcode followed by the # key Wonderfully, though, we have a God who has promised us: Due to copyright and licensing restrictions we are unable to publish the Meeting ID and Passcode, but please feel very free to pass them on ‘Never will I leave you; personally to others to whom you think they might be of interest. never will I forsake you.’ (Hebrews 13:5 NIV) Cloverfield Church will be open on Wednesday afternoons 2 to 3 p.m. As those adopted as God’s children, indwelt by his Spirit and with constant access to our heavenly Father in prayer, we are never truly alone. We With lifting of restrictions we hope it may be possible to open the usually think of those living the solitary life, like St Cuthbert, as being on churches for services on Palm Sunday (28th March). their own. But Cuthbert was never truly alone. And neither are we. 4 3 Revd Gill Green Young people in school years 6-13 People across the benefice will have been saddened are welcome to join our to hear of the death of Gill Green. Her contributions youth programme – email to church services,with sermons and intercessions [email protected] were always very thoughtful and meaningful and much to get joining instructions for our appreciated by the congregation. An inspiring talk she Sunday evening youth group on gave to the Guild a few years ago gave us an insight Zoom. into the excellent work she did with the schoolchildren. We'll be meeting every week from 6-7 p.m. for games and chat about Peter Herbert writes: life and faith News of the death of Gill Green, our much-loved friend and member of St Cuthbert's has saddened us all. As some of you will know, Gill's health had been deteriorating rapidly in recent weeks, and she died during the night of Monday/Tuesday 1st/2nd February. Encounter Encounter will soon be here! Integrate Youth for Gill will be known by many of you across the team, and we are indebted for Christ's termly fun-packed youth worship event is on her ministry amongst us in everything from services and school assemblies Zoom on Saturday, 6th March at 7 p.m., when to her friendship and pastoral work. I personally have treasured her Matt Ashpole from Identity Youth Project will be kindness, her insight and wisdom, her enthusiasm and her humour, and talking about how to combat worry and anxiety. know that she will be sorely missed - by all of us, by her friends up and down Aimed at those in high school or their final year of the country, but most especially by Rupert and the family. I'm sure that you primary school, the event again features music from will join me in keeping them in your prayers, especially at this time. the youth band, 'Eraze', the usual 'Task Master' slot, as well as a chance for the young people to get Following discussion with Rupert, there are plans to set aside some time to involved through the chat at this live event. remember Gill once we are back at St Cuthbert's for regular services, so we Please contact Daniel for details of how to join this shall keep you posted on that front. Zoom meeting. and Sandra Phillips and Jean Barber add: Dear Gill - that is how we always think of her. Ever ready to help and take part. We have special memories of the annual Women's World Day of Prayer which Gill organised so well, making it a joyful and informative Stretch and Pray occasion. One visit to Norwich for a WWDP planning meeting stands out in Wednesdays 9:30 - 10am our memories. Gill was driving; by-passing the city, we came across a on the Thetford Team Ministry YouTube channel whole new road lay out, followed it and got completely lost. The sat nav, (www.thetfordteamministry.org.uk) like us, had not been informed of this new bypass. Gill's wonderful sense of , humour and wit got us on the correct road to arrive in time for the meeting. An opportunity to use our bodies doing some light exercise while We keep her in our hearts and our memories We shall miss her. focusing on God and praying. more information from [email protected] 5 6 The Sports Factory 'Desert Isolation Discs' Thank-you to Peter Herbert for sharing with us on Susie Bratby has been involved with the Sports Factory project of Zoom the eight pieces of music that he would producing Lent Activity Packs for distribution to church families. want if isolated on a desert island. She, with the backing of the Team Clergy, has acquired and is sending out His selection ranging from 'Chitty Chitty Bang 65 packs to families in Thetford. Bang' to Beethoven via 'The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba' provided us with a most enjoyable 45 The pack contains an A3 map with stickers and train minutes. It was fascinating too, to hear the reasons for his choice. routes. The adventure, titled 'Easter Express', is It was a pity that there were not more listeners, but those who were there based on a train journey to Kings Cross calling at were well entertained. towns in Israel mentioned in Mark's Gospel, with suggested activities along the way. There is also an A5 devotional booklet and an A4 activity booklet with If anyone would like to take part in future by sharing their favourite music pancake making etc. or by joining just to listen, please get in touch with Colin Orbell who will be pleased to give you details of what's involved. With some financial support from the Thetford churches and the Thetford Sunday School Fund, a bouncy ball and a 'popping pencil' were purchased and added to every pack Sports Factory Quiz A group of us had a wonderful evening on Wednesday 24th February taking part in The Sports Factory Quiz.