Lillington Parish Magazine St Mary Magdalene’s Church

SEPTEMBER 2014 1

Phil Edwards Home & Garden Services General Handy Man NO JOB TOO SMALL! Whatever you need doing, a dripping tap, some shelves putting up, gutters cleaning, the garage clearing out or the garden looking after, give me a call

Home: 01926 424485 Mobile: 07931 812235 e-mail: [email protected]

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HEATING System set up Virus removal Tel: 02477 046 392 Tuition Mobile: 07949 288 682 If you’ve just got your computer and don’t know where to start, give me a call!

I will show you step by step how to use your computer, including email, surfing the web, photos, Skype and more...

14, Woodlands Road Binley Woods I can also train more advanced users in Coventry. CV3 2DA subjects such as word, excel, access... [email protected] Tell me what you want to do, and I’ll show you how to do it!

All Gas Servicing, Installation 02476 307 988 or 07847 015 154 Plumbing and Central Heating www.bootfinder.co.uk 2 Work undertaken References available FROM THE VICARAGE

A common icebreaker at conferences and on courses is to answer the following question. If your house was on fire and you could grab just two things (assuming all people and pets are safely accounted for) what would they be? Photo albums, laptops and items of high sentimental value are popular answers. Over the summer, Naomi and I decided to clear out the garage. Over the years it has accumulated more and more ‘stuff’ to the point where you couldn’t really find the things you needed or wanted. We were ruthless, recycling or dumping anything that we hesitated for even a moment about. I took a veritable treasure trove of a carload to the reuseful shop, and was rewarded with oohs and aahs from the staff as they helped me unload. As we did this, the news was beginning to unfold about the terrible atrocities happening in Iraq. Christians, Yezidis and other minority groups being forced to flee from their homes, running for their very lives, leaving everything behind. As someone with the immense privilege of being able to ponder whether I really need a spare kettle in the garage, such a situation is unimaginable. Watching those you love being brutally murdered, watching children die from thirst and exhaustion, losing everything you own and all you have known.

It’s very hard to know how to respond. I have given money and I am praying. I am also talking about the issues, keeping up to date with the news and sharing articles on Facebook. I have also changed my Facebook profile picture to an Arabic letter ‘N’. On July 19, Christians in the city of Mosul and on the surrounding Nineveh Plains were issued with an ultimatum to leave, pay a tax, or face death by the sword. The next day IS fighters drew the Arabic letter “N” on all property owned by Assyrian Christians, so they could be identified and driven out or worse.

Since then, people all over the world have been using this letter as a sign of solidarity with these persecuted Christians. It may feel like there is little we can do, but we can remember and stand with them in our thoughts and our prayers. 1 Reflecting on what is happening in the Middle East – not just in Iraq, but in Gaza and Syria, has also helped me to think hard about what is important, and to hold a bit more lightly to my many possessions. Is it so easy for us in our blessedly secure and safe country, to put our trust and hope in material things, without even realising we are doing it. But Jesus had a story about that.

A rich man’s farm produced a big crop, and he said to himself, “What can I do? I don’t have a place large enough to store everything.” Later, he said, “Now I know what I’ll do. I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I can store all my grain and other goods. Then I’ll say to myself, ‘You have stored up enough good things to last for years to come. Live it up! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.’” But God said to him, “You fool! Tonight you will die. Then who will get what you have stored up?” This is what happens to people who store up everything for themselves, but are poor in the sight of God.

So let’s remember to give thanks for the many blessings that we have, but also to make sure that we put our time and energy into what is really important. Not what we have, but who we are.

Rev Charlotte Gale, September 2014

OCTOTOTS

Octotots is our informal weekly get-together for babies, toddlers and their grown-ups. We meet in the Octagon on Thursday mornings from 10.30 – 12.00 during term time for a mixture of chat, bible stories and songs with plenty of toys to keep the little ones busy. We start back on 18 September. Our Sunday Club restarts on 7 September during our 9.30 am service. Children learn about following Jesus, through singing, games, plays, prayers, colouring, craft and stories from the bible. We start off in Church, then go out to the Octagon for Sunday Club. After about a half an hour, we go back into church for the end of the service. We welcome parents to come and join in if they’d like to, especially with younger children

2 FROM THE CHURCH RECORDS BAPTISMS Jun 22 William Henry Baldry Charlotte Louise Baldry James Johnson Jul 27 Amber Mai Francis Lily-Rae Thornicroft WEDDINGS Jun 21 Marc Gadsby and Cordelia Maughan Jul 4 Stephen Boyd and Rebecca Monnington FUNERALS Jun 17 Joan Booth (83) Jun 27 Audrey Heath (86)

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW MR & MRS GADSBY

Marc and I met in chapter of life, has Nottingham when been a real he asked me to blessing. You may crew his dinghy. have noticed we There wasn't much are sometimes wind that day so accompanied by we ended up doing Marc's sons Robert a lot of talking and Simon who instead! (Which was lucky come to visit on occasions, and because my experience is have done a bit of serving. limited to sailing camp as a Girl Guide.) His work brought him As many of you know, Marc is down to in 2012 on the PCC and serving rota, and I, with my two sons Daniel and I am looking forward to and Callum, have finally made it singing in the choir (Something down to join him! We've been I have always enjoyed doing but so warmly welcomed by you all have not had the opportunity in at Mary Magdalene's and getting recent years) and leading the married in June, in the place prayers occasionally. where we want to begin a new Cordelia Gadsby 3 Autumn Organ Recitals

All recitals start at 7.30pm and are free admission

Wednesday 3rd September - Mark Swinton St. Mary’s,

Wednesday 10th September - Michael King St Mary Magdalene, Lillington

Wednesday 17th September - David King Lullington, Somerset

Wednesday 24th September - David Williams All Saints,

Anniversary Recital Saturday 4th October - John Wilderspin Worcester Cathedral (with cheese and wine interval)

4 WARDENS' WORDS

My last warden's words were written back in May, just as spring had given way to early summer. Well here I am again, in August - having just witnessed the remnants of hurricane Bertha battering what remains of the summer bedding, in a scene reminiscent of the violent summer storm so vividly captured by Vivaldi in his Four Seasons - as summer begins to give way to early Autumn.

A few weeks ago Alan (Wright), Charlotte (Sanders) and myself met with Liam Wheeler from Ecclesiastical Insurance; a meeting I found useful and (strangely) interesting. Afterwards Liam sought me out to say that he thought that the church was exceptionally well run. This is something we should all be proud of and is a consequence of having so many members of the congregation involved in the week to week running of the church. Not that we should become complacent, if anything this should encourage us to do even more! Talking of which let me give you a brief update on Fabric matters.

Heating - boxing-in of (some of) the exposed pipe work (including replacing the temporary arrangement over the vestry door step) will be carried out in September.

Church Painting - quotes have been requested for: • Vestry/Office walls • Sacristy • South East corner of the church behind the font • North West corner - repairing the plaster on the west wall

Memorial Bench (for Janet Gardner) - Diocesan authority received this very day!

War Memorial - has been registered with the Imperial War Museum. Work to replace the "vicar's plaque" and to clean the war memorial is progressing.

Octagon - by the time you read this the mechanism for opening the fire door should have been replaced.

5 Churchyard - the churchyard team continue to meet on Wednesday mornings - come rain or shine. New recruits are always welcome, especially as I find that these days I seem to spend more time on churchwarden "things" and less time pushing a mower.

John Butler

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN

The Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) has leant its weight to the growing number of calls for the mandatory reporting of abuse to be made law in the UK. Mandatory reporting places a legal obligation on those within organisations - including churches - to report known or suspected abuse to the statutory authorities.

There has been a tendency for some churches not to report allegations of abuse to the statutory authorities - as they ought - but instead to move offenders, such as ministers of religion, to other churches. Once there, they are free to continue their reigns of abuse. Mandatory reporting will, says CCPAS, bring accountability and discourage such practices.

“This is why we are delighted that both the Catholic and Anglican churches are backing this campaign, together with many other organisations, survivor groups and safeguarding professionals.”

Carol Innes is the Safeguarding Adviser for Lillington Parish church. Please feel free to contact her if you wish to discuss anything pertaining to the abuse children or vulnerable adults on 01926 831649 or 07758 857740

We were not put on this earth to see through each other…. But to see each other through! 6

September 2014

Dear Friends

It is with sad hearts that we have to tell you that, at the end of the year we shall be retiring.

The owner of the warehouse that we have been blessed to use for the past 20 years has decided to retire. As a result, he is selling the warehouse and other premises to a housing association, so the building will be demolished.

We have been praying about the mission for some months, as Geoff’s health has been getting steadily worse, and so we feel that God is closing the door for us. With much sadness, it is time for us to finish. As one door closes, no doubt God will open another, as He knows the needs of the people in the area.

We would like to say how grateful we are to all those who have supported us - in prayer and/or the giving of material support (be it money, food, goods, time or however you've involved yourselves) and whether you've acted as individuals, or churches, or schools, or companies, or some other organisation/group. Without all of you we couldn't have lasted these 24 years.

We will continue to send you updates as our plans progress.

Yours in His service

Geoff and Stephanie Devlin 7 HELEN WALLAM’S

“Let your little light shine!”

As we return to school, we need to think about the individual talents that each of us have, so that we make the most of them! One of the stories that Jesus told is called the ‘Parable of the Talents’. A ‘talent’ in this story is a coin that is worth a large amount of money, but it can also mean a gift or ability.

A man decided to go on a long trip, so he called his servants and asked them to take care of his money. The man in this story is like God and the man's servants are like God's children. The man decided to give one servant five talents of money, another two talents and the last servant one talent.

The man with the five talents went away and used his money to make five more! The man with the two talents also used his money wisely and gained two more talents, but the man with one talent took his talent and buried it in the ground to keep it safe. He did not try to do anything with it.

After his trip, the master came back and wanted to know what his servants had done with his money. The first servant with the five talents said, "You gave me five talents and I made five more!" The man with the two talents came and said, "You gave me two talents and I made two more!" The master was pleased and congratulated his servants for using their talents wisely.

The man who received one talent came and told his master, "I know you work hard for your money, so I was afraid to lose any of it. I decided to bury it and keep it safe. Here is your one talent back.” The master was not pleased that the servant had chosen to do nothing with his talent. The point Jesus was trying to make is to use your special gifts and abilities and that God trusts us to use them wisely.

As a new term begins, take notice when others compliment you, or notice something good about what you are doing – Let your light shine! Also try to encourage and compliment others if you notice something special about them too!

8

Use the number de-coder to find the hidden words.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 A B C D E F G H I J K L M

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

1. 20, 1, 12, 5, 14, 20 ______

2. 1, 2, 9, 12, 9, 20, 25 ______

3. 23, 9, 19, 5 ______

4. 19, 5, 18, 22, 1, 14, 20 ______

5. 3, 15, 13, 16, 12, 9, 13, 5, 14, 20 ______

6. 19, 1, 6, 5 ______

7. 2, 21,18, 9, 5, 4 ______

8. 1, 6, 18, 1, 9, 4 ______

9. 5, 14, 3, 15, 21, 18, 1, 7, 5 ______

10. 21, 19, 5 ______

9 The Church of tomorrow - AND today!

A few minutes into most 9.30 Sunday services, a candle is lit - not because someone forgot to do it earlier, but because the "Sunday Club" is about to leave the church building and move to the Octagon (the church hall just opposite the main door). While the worship continues in church, the primary-age children, toddlers and babies (along with parent or carers for the youngest) burst into the Octagon - along with the Club leader for the day (there are six of them on a rota).

So what happens there - as 0-11 years-olds do not always appreciate sermons!? Well, flexibility is the name of the game. There'll be a theme and some Christian teaching for the older ones, supported by games, craftwork or other activities.

Meanwhile, the teeny-tinies will be drawing (in their own inimitable way) or playing with some of the available toys - and joining in with the older ones when suitable.

We usually start and end with some set words of prayer, showing how we can surround our lives with talking to God - and we try to return in time to re-join the adults as they go to the altar for Communion or a blessing. However, the demands of finishing a flock of cotton wool sheep or a complicated collage can sometimes derail the best-laid plans!

Most of all, our aim is to model the Church as a caring and joyful community and to show that following Jesus is real and helpful in daily life. Our children are not just the "Church of tomorrow" - they truly are the "Church of today". Roderick Clark

Sunday Club Harvest Party

From 2-4 pm on Party Sunday 5 October, we will be holding a Sunday Club party. Fun, games and food for children of all ages. Contact the Parish office if you would like to come. 10 WALKERS GROUP

Saturday 6th September The next walk will be organised by Ted and Sandra Dear, leaving the church at 9:30 as usual.

Saturday, 5th July On a warm, summery day, eight of us made our way to the Falcon at , where some of us ordered lunch. We crossed over the busy main Solihull road to a footpath across the fields which led to Mousley End Lane; this we also crossed to follow an unclassified country road to the edge of Little Shrewley. Here we passed to the side of the last house and over quite a high stile to use another field path passing to the left of Hatton wood. The path took us past a Scout camp site and on to the village of Hatton Green, opposite its primary school. From here we followed the Hatton Country World access road until we crossed the canal and the railway line. A Hatton Estate path to the left from here took us alongside the railway and, after a slight diversion to avoid a flooded patch, a footbridge over the railway took us to the Hatton Locks depot and picnic area, where we took a short break.

We then followed the canal towpath back to the Country World access road, and returned to Hatton Green, this time using an Estate footpath to avoid the road traffic. On reaching the Birmingham to Solihull Road, we crossed over to take a back route, passing Haseley church, to get back to the Falcon, where we had a pleasant and relaxing lunch. The total length of the walk had been four and a half miles.

Thelma Dawkes had arranged sponsorship for the walk, the proceeds (around the £300 mark) going to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Wednesday 6th August We were lucky to have good weather for our evening walk, which was based around Bascote, a peaceful village which seems far from anywhere, but is actually quite near to Long Itchington.

Twelve of us started from the car park on the Welsh Road where it crosses the canal, and followed the road for about half a mile

11 southwards before turning left on a path that took us to Bascote Lodge Farm. Here we joined a quiet road into Bascote village, heading along the road towards Long Itchington until we reached the canal bridge. Here we joined the towpath towards , stopping for a break by Bascote top lock.

The towpath took us back to the Welsh Road car park, after a total walk of three and a half miles.

Bob Cooke

Evening Prayer for Wellbeing & Wholeness in the Octagon at 6.30 pm on Sunday 28 September, refreshments from 6.15 pm. A time of thanksgiving, hymns, a bible reading and words of comfort, as we hold in God’s healing presence all those on our hearts, and the suffering people and places of our local community and the world.

Confess A man walked into a minister’s study and confessed: “I think I’m addicted to Twitter.” The minister looked at him and replied, “Sorry, I don’t follow you."

Cheese They say cheese gives you nightmares. Ridiculous! I’m not scared of cheese. As far as Reg could tell, the burglar had disturbed nothing in Tea the vestry How does Moses make tea? He brews.

12 WHAT’S ON

SEPTEMBER 2014

Wed 3rd 19:30 Organ Recital in church Sat 6th 9:30 Walkers Group meets outside Church. Contact Ted & Sandra Dear 332958 Sun 7th 9:30 Sunday Club restarts Mon 8th 19:45 Lillington Evening Women’s Institute (Octagon) - CSI and DNA, Mr P Taverner Wed 10th 19:30 Organ Recital in church Sat 13th 14:00 Church open for National Heritage weekend and Ride & Stride Wed 17th 19:30 Organ Recital in church Wed 17th Crosstalk deadline for October 2014 Thur 18th 10:30 Octotots restarts in the Octagon Sat 20th 10:30 Lillington Local History Group Coffee morning Sat 20th 19:00 Puddings & Quiz evening in the Octagon Wed 24th 19:30 Organ Recital in church Tues 30th 14:00 Tea & Chat in the Octagon

OCTOBER 2014

Sat 4th 09:30 Walkers Group meets outside Church. Contact - Jeff & Ruth Burgess 335129 Sat 4th 19:30 Anniversary Organ Recital in church Sun 5th 14:00 Sunday Club Harvest Party in the Octagon Mon 13th 19:45 Lillington Evening Women’s Institute (Octagon) A short talk by Mrs Louise Gray on how she started a jewellery business Wed 15th Crosstalk deadline for November 2014 Tues 28th 14:00 Tea & Chat in the Octagon

For any events you wish to publicise please contact the Editor or email [email protected]

13 SERVICE DETAILS

SUNDAY WORSHIP - SEPTEMBER 2014

08:00 Holy Communion Trinity Sept 7th 09:30 Morning Praise with Sunday Club* 12 18:30 Evensong 08:00 Holy Communion Trinity Holy Communion with Prayers for Sept 14th 09:30 13 Healing and Sunday Club* 11:15 Baptism 08:00 Holy Communion Trinity Sept 21st 09:30 Holy Communion with Sunday Club* 14 18:30 Evensong 08:00 Holy Communion Trinity 09:30 Holy Communion with Sunday Club* Sept 28th 15 11:15 Baptism 18:30 Evening Worship

*SUNDAY CLUB For children of all ages up to 10 years during School Term time. Children join the main 09:30 service at the beginning and the end, and leave for a 30 minutes Sunday Club session which has a range of age appropriate activities

WEEKDAY WORSHIP

Tuesday 30th September 13:30 Holy Communion

THE CHURCH OFFICE

The office is open Monday to Thursday 9.00 am till 1.00 pm During these hours the church may be used for private prayer - please use the office entrance.

For Baptism, Weddings and general enquiries please contact the church office (01926 470449). Outside of office hours please leave a message on the answer phone and we will get back to you.

14 CONTACTS

Church Office Anne Furze ...... 470449 [email protected] Priest in Charge Rev Charlotte Gale (Day off Friday) 330919 [email protected] ...... Associate Minister Rev Naomi Nixon ...... 330919 Associate Minister Rev Rosemary Pantling ...... 316597...... Reader Roderick Clark ...... 422994 Churchwarden John Butler ...... 779455 Churchwarden Charlotte Sanders PCC Secretary Bob Cooke 315890 pccsecretary@lillingtonparishchurch PCC Treasurer Alan Wright ...... 773786 Stewardship Mike Hyslop ...... 883808 Secretary Caretaker Contact Glynis Wright ...... 773786...... Organist / Mike King ...... 409062 .. Choirmaster Bell Ringers Richard Taulbut 450977 [email protected] ...... Servers Jamie Hughes ...... 315538 Flower Guild Wendy Shear ...... 330825 Octagon Kate Baker ...... 425789 . Secretary [email protected] Safeguarding Carol Innes ...... 07758 Officer 857740 Sunday Club Church Office ...... 470449 Walkers Group Bob Cooke 315890 [email protected] ...... Website Manager Diana Taulbut ...... 450977 [email protected] Crosstalk Editor Robin Innes ...... 831649 [email protected] Crosstalk Jeff Arnold ...... 632330 . Distribution Guides Diana Bull 289124 [email protected] ......

A reminder: Please make Cheques payable to Lillington PCC

15 NATIONAL HERITAGE WEEKEND

For over ten years English Heritage has sponsored a National Heritage Weekend. In this area it is organised by Council, and local properties are open to the public to afford a good opportunity to see interesting buildings not usually accessible. This year for the first time, this church will be open to the public in partnership with Lillington Local History Society and is being featured in the booklet of local interesting buildings.

It may be strange to suggest that our church is “not usually accessible”, but some people may be diffident about coming in, and this will be an excellent opportunity to encourage those to visit, who might not otherwise come.

The Church will be open on

SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2.00 TO 4.00 P.M. when guides will be available to explain the important features of the building with guided tours of the Church and of the Churchyard.

The event will coincide with the “all day” Diocese's Ride and Stride event, when cyclists and walkers will be calling at local churches to sign in.

This is an invitation to you and your friends to attend the open day and perhaps you can go one step further and offer to assist with stewarding. If you can spare a half-hour or an hour between 2.00 and 4.00, please sign up on the list which will be available in the Church. Refreshments will be served in the Octagon: can you please offer to make some cakes for the visitors?

Graham E. Cooper, tel 426942

16 KAREN PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS!

Thank you so much for all the kindness and support which you gave me when I made my organ-playing debut on Sunday 3rd August 2014. It was an amazing feeling to be playing some of my favourite pieces of music in such a warm, friendly atmosphere on our beautiful Church organ and I was very touched by all your encouraging comments and the totally unexpected applause at the end!

I began learning to play the organ in March 2014 and absolutely love it! I always thoroughly enjoy my weekly lesson with Mike King, learning about all aspects of organ playing and studying a wide range of pieces, hymns and technical skills. As a piano teacher it is also extremely helpful to experience some of the difficulties which my own students face when learning to play a new instrument. In my case the most challenging aspect of organ playing is the fact that there are thirty-two foot pedals, each of which plays a different bass note and if you miss by just a little bit it sounds really awful!! The other amusingly humorous challenge which I face is trying to stay upright on the organ bench and not slide off onto the floor or end up nearly horizontal partway through the hymn because I am trying to reach the pedals! I love the fact that there are three manuals (keyboards) on which you can create different sounds and it is great fun changing from one manual to another, which is obviously very different to playing the piano.

Three of the pieces which I chose to play are particularly special to me because they were also pieces which my late mum, Diana Wall, especially liked. Diana loved music, singing, playing the piano and composing songs and hymns and we were hoping to learn to play the organ together but sadly illness and her premature death prevented this so I am learning on behalf of both of us! Two of her favourite hymns were 'How Great Thou Art' and 'Great is Thy Faithfulness' and her all-time favourite organ piece was undoubtedly the fun, lively 'Sortie in E flat' by Lefebure-Wely which is why I was so keen to learn and perform these pieces first.

17 I would like to say a very special thank you to Mike King for all his excellent tuition, patience, kindness and support; Reverend Charlotte Gale and Anne Furze for making me so welcome on every occasion; and Derek Dickson, my fellow organ student for all his encouragement, help and support too. Please could I also take this opportunity to invite you all to a friendly informal concert featuring a variety of well-known music on piano (solo, duet and six hands on one piano!), organ, and guitar and a few band items to joyfully celebrate the life of Diana? The concert will be held at Leamington Spa Baptist Church, Chandos Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 4RN on Saturday 20th September 2014 between 4.30pm and 6.00pm (it will be finished in plenty of time if you would like to attend both the concert and the quiz*!). Entry is free and everybody is very welcome. Donations for Breast Care Trust Fund would be greatly appreciated at the end of the concert. Further details will be announced very soon.

Sending love and very best wishes to you all from Karen

*See page 27 for details of quiz

COFFEE MORNING IS BACK

Lillington Local History Society’s Coffee Morning is back! You are invited to:

LILLINGTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S

AUTUMN EVE COFFEE MORNING

SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER

10.30 am to 12 noon

IN THE OCTAGON

See interesting local history information and exchange latest news – while eating delicious cakes! 18

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our successful Church Fete in June. From the profits made the 10% donation to local charities has been shared between the Leamington Night Shelter and the ROOF Project (for homeless 16 – 19 year olds in Warwick District).” John Butler

My heartfelt thanks to you all for your prayers, cards and flowers following my operation after my fall. I have yet to see my neuro surgeon who, I can only say, performed a miraculous operation to restore my speech and movement, but I feel I’m making an excellent recovery. My words of warning to everyone is: if you fall and hurt your head, call a paramedic! Thanks once again, Jan Bennett

LILLINGTON COMMUNITY FUN DAY - AUGUST 30TH 2014

A big "Thank You" to everyone from Lillington Parish Church - St Mary Magdalene's who helped in any way towards this event.

We are proud and pleased to say that approximately 30 of you were involved in many tasks including delivering advertising fliers, making delicious cakes, litter picking in the field, selling cold drinks, serving refreshments on the day, helping on our Church Stall, site set-up and mowing grass, working at the Information Desk, putting up car- parking signs and many other tasks.

This annual event really puts the "C" in Community and brings together the five Lillington Churches - our own St Mary Magdalene's : Our Lady's Catholic Church : Lillington Free Church : Crown Community Church and Emmanuel Evangelical Church - in a united group working alongside our Community partners to spread the word of our Lord Jesus Christ in Lillington. Christine Butler

19 Readers of Crosstalk have submitted poetry that reflects on WWI. Here are two poems, the first from a relation of John Vallis about Poppies, and the second from a relative of Ken Basset. Ken and John have both been very active in the church in the past, and many readers will know them.

Poppies By Di Adams (Frome)

Leaves of green We hold a remembrance day The poppies can be seen; In a very special way. The petals are bright red. That's how we remember our You're the hero's one and all dead Why did you have to fall.

A wreath or a cross, We will remember them. We remember the loss;

War Horse By Dorothy Bassett

Snatched from green fields Transported into hell. They who could not speak Who had no one to tell.

Magnificent creatures glistening with sweat Heads back, eyes rolling, screaming in terror. Foam flecked nostrils like spume on the sea Ploughing through mud up to their knee.

Carrying their riders through fields of barbed wire Straining their lungs as they jump ever higher. Horses and men thinking as one Forcing a way through, when all hope is gone.

Soldiers all together, riding side by side. Forward into battle, where together they all died. Dead and dying horses sinking in the mud They had given all and done the best they could.

20 Y Viva España

Tricia and I attend the 9.30 service at Mary Magdalene’s but as we live in Spain for about 6 months in each year we also attend an Anglican Church in Calpe. This church is part of the Costa Blanca Ministry which consists of 6 churches covering 135 kilometres of coast between Gandia and Compello.

There are 3 or 4 Priests serving this area one of whom is Father Marcus who attends at the Calpe church most frequently as he lives in Calpe and is very much involved in local community activities. As we do not have our own church building in Calpe we are obliged to the Catholic Church for allowing us to share their space on Sunday mornings but this all adds to our need for funds, as for reasons I do not understand our church does not receive financial support from the Church of England. We must therefore raise our funds from the Anglican community in Spain by whatever means are available.

We hold quizzes, musical evenings, barbecues and other events to supplement our normal regular giving. We were not surprised when Marcus who took up cycling 18 months ago decided to raise even more funds and volunteered to ride 135 Kms from Gandia to Compello in 1 day visiting all 6 churches on route for prayer and refreshment. He obtained sponsorship from the 6 congregations and members of the local communities with local Father Marcus with his son starting off press support and raised almost from Gandia and with his Harley (left) 4000 euros. His family demonstrated their solidarity when his son and daughter-in-law flew over from UK to be with him and his son rode the route alongside him.

Father Marcus wasn't able to sit on a saddle for a number of days and had to travel round on his Harley Davison instead. Ian Pearce 21 CROSSWORD Answers are in Robin’s Roundup on page 28

24 ‘Out of the — I cry to you, O Lord’ (Psalm 130:1) (6)

DOWN 1 Popular Christian author and humorist, — Plass (6) 2 Transparent ice-like mineral (Revelation 4:6) (7) 3 Method of compelling surrender by surrounding target of attack (2 Chronicles 32:1) (5) 5 Expose (Isaiah 52:10) (3,4) 6 Lonny (anag.) (5) ACROSS 7 Utterance (1 Timothy 1:15) (6) 1 ‘Through [Christ] we have 9 Husband of Deborah, the gained — by faith into this grace’ prophetess (Judges 4:4) (9) (Romans 5:2) (6) 13 Burial service (Jeremiah 34:5) 4 Deprives of sight (7) (Deuteronomy 16:19) (6) 14 What Christ threatened to do 8 The words of a hymn do this to the lukewarm church in (mostly) (5) Laodicea (Revelation 3:16) (4,3) 9 Faithful allegiance (1 15 ‘Simon Peter climbed aboard Chronicles 12:33) (7) and dragged the net — ’ (John 10 Belgium’s chief port (7) 21:11) (6) 11 Where John was baptizing 16 His response to Jesus’ decision ‘because there was plenty of to return to Judea was ‘Let us water’ (John 3:23) (5) also go, that we may die with 12 Imposing height (Psalm 48:2) him’ (John 11:16) (6) (9) 18 ‘There will be weeping and 17 Jesus’ tempter in the gnashing of — ’ (Matthew 8:12) wilderness (Mark 1:13) (5) (5) 19 Comes between Amos and 20 Walkway between rows of Jonah (7) pews in a church (5) 21 ‘Your will be done — — as it is in heaven’ (Matthew 6:10) (2,5) 22 Gale (Matthew 8:24) (5) 23 Axle, eh? (anag.) (6)

22 A HOT DAY IN LONDON

Very early on the morning of Friday 25th July, three members of Lillington Parish Church set off for London representing the former CRAC team which operated during the last interregnum, and had been invited to St. Paul’s Cathedral to be part of the congregation for the Ordination and Consecration of three new Bishops.

The reason for our going was Revd. Roger Morris who had given us, and thereby Lillington Church, great support during a very difficult time. Roger was then Coventry Diocesan Director of Parish Development and Evangelism. In 2008 three of us went by invitation to Worcester Cathedral for his Installation as Archdeacon of Worcester, but he has continued his interest in our development at Lillington. Now he was to become Bishop of Colchester.

A straightforward journey by car and Tube brought us to St. Paul’s in time for a coffee in the undercroft before taking our seats for the service. We were somewhat over-awed by the majestic splendour of the building, so very different from our own Cathedral at Coventry, but were interested in all the preparatory to-ing and fro- ing.

The service, led by the Charlotte, Robin & Bishop Roger Archbishop of Canterbury, outside St Paul’s Cathedral, London included processions, great music, legal affirmations, the reading of the Royal Mandate, Declarations, the Litany of Ordination and Anointing of the three new Bishops surrounded by a bevy of Bishops, including our own John, and concluded with the Eucharist. The congregation responded strongly to witness their support and prayers for the new Bishops, and sang the hymns with gusto.

23 We came away feeling that we had taken part in something very special. We had a brief word with Roger on the famous steps outside the Cathedral, (he sends his best wishes to all at Lillington) and as it was very hot we had a quick sandwich and then headed home before the Friday rush-hour traffic spoiled our lovely day.

Charlotte Sanders

MY EARLY YEARS AT THE ORGAN

My early days on learning to play the organ began in 1956 when I was allowed to practise on the organ at Honeybourne. After less than 6 months I was asked to play Handel’s ‘Largo’ for my audition piece. Palm Sunday 1957 I became the organist at Honeybourne staying there till 1967.

In 1957 my Sunday morning service was 10:00am after which I cycled to Broadway for the second half of the 11:00am service where Mr. Gilbert Mills, my organ teacher, was organist – to watch and hear him play.

My early years at the organ seem like yesterday.

The huge surprise of the presentation by Rev. Charlotte on Palm Sunday 2014 of the RSCM medallion was an enormous thrill for me. Thank you John, for your very generous words of your time in the choir. Thank you to all the choristers for this inspiring gift.

I am very thankful for all the support and friendship from all the choristers and look forward to many more years of making music.

Best wishes to you all, Mike King

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with knowledge that you are never alone.

24 COOKING WITH CROSSTALK

No recipes this month, but have you tried the local food co-op? Bags of fresh seasonal produce each week with suggested and often unusual recipes.

25 CHANGE YOUR LIFE WITH THE Castel Froma & Helen Ley joint POWER OF HYPNOTHERAPY Leagues of Friends

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CONCERT

to joyfully celebrate the life of Diana Wall SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER Leamington Spa Baptist Church, Chandos Street, IN THE OCTAGON

Leamington Spa, CV32 4RN FROM 7PM on Saturday 20th September Come and enjoy a fun quiz, with a 2014 selection of hot and cold home between 4.30pm and 6.00pm made puddings to delight you at half time Entry is free and everybody is very welcome. Tickets £5 per person Available from Robin & Carol Innes Donations for Warwick 01926 831649 or [email protected] Hospital Breast Care Trust Fund would be greatly appreciated at the end of the concert

26 St Giles of Provence Feast day - 1 September

St Giles was an immensely popular saint in the Middle Ages, and no wonder: he was the patron saint of cripples. In those days, there must have been many people who, once injured, were never really whole again. Even today, a serious injury – either physical or mental or emotional, can leave us damaged for months, years or even longer. At such times, we, too, find inspiration in others who, though also damaged by life, have not been overwhelmed.

St Giles was probably born in Provence, southern France early in the 7th century. The 10th century Legenda Aurea (Golden Legend) tells us he lived as a holy hermit deep in the forest of Nimes, near the mouth of the Rhone. A hind, or Red Deer, was his only companion. Then one day, while out hunting, King Wamba spotted the deer, and pursued it. The hind fled back to St Giles for protection. King Wamba shot an arrow which missed the deer, but pierced the saint who was protecting it. Thus the king encountered the saint. The saint’s acceptance of his injury, and his holiness greatly impressed the king, who conceived a great admiration for St Giles.

In the end, much good came out of the original harm of the encounter, for the king built St Giles a monastery in his valley, Saint-Gilles-du-Gard. The little monastery was put under the Benedictine rule, and became a source of blessing for the area roundabout. In later years, St Giles’ shrine would become an important pilgrimage centre on the route for both Compostela and the Holy Land, as well as in its own right.

St Giles, the crippled saint who helped others find wholeness with God, became patron saint of cripples, lepers and nursing mothers. In England 162 ancient churches are dedicated to him, as well as at least 24 hospitals. The most famous of these are St Giles in Edinburgh and St Giles in Cripplegate, London, locally there is one church in the Diocese named after him at Exhall.

Source: www.parishpump.co.uk

27 ROBIN’S ROUND UP

Welcome back to a packed magazine this month. It’s been lovely to receive so many contributions this month, so please keep them coming. There are quite a few references to organs and organists in the magazine - such talent (perhaps they’ve been reading Junior Crosstalk!). The Walkers have been busy enjoying the glorious summer - maybe you are inspired to join them - just imagine a walk in the autumn followed by a pub lunch, perhaps a roaring fire awaits too. Do you have a story to share - or perhaps like Ian and Tricia you spend time in another church or country.

Don’t forget the HOLIDAY SNAP COMPETITION, I have some lovely photographs already, but would love some more to display…and judge. A bottle of bubbly awaits the person who sends in the best picture. Emails or hard copies all welcome by 17th September. Results in the October magazine.

As always please send your bits and bobs to me (see centre pages for all contact details) or leave them in the parish office if you don’t have access to emails. Robin

Crossword Answers ACROSS: 1 Access 4 Blinds 8 Rhyme 9 Loyalty 10 Antwerp 11 Aenon 12 Loftiness 17 Satan 19 Obadiah 21 On earth 22 Storm 23 Exhale 24 Depths DOWN 1 Adrian 2 Crystal 3 Siege 5 Lay bare 6 Nylon 7 Saying 9 Lappidoth 3 Funeral 4 Spit out 15 Ashore 16 Thomas 18 Teeth 20 Aisle

Fin is back from his holidays. Can you find him? I have a drawer full of key rings to give away!

DEADLINE Copy for the February 2014 edition is required by 17TH SEPTEMBER 2014 to Robin Innes (Editor) or to Anne Furze in the Parish Office

28

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How do you get your Crosstalk? If you live in the parish you can have your Crosstalk delivered. Contact Jeff Arnold (632330). It’s also available on line on our website:

www.lillingtonparishchurch.org

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Lillington Parish Church now has its own Facebook page! You can now see latest photos, catch up on bits of church news and info and interact with us through our page. Log in to your Facebook page and simply search for Lillington Parish Church.

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Inner pages are printed on 100% recycled paper 30