The TOGETHER Sheet Combs and Little Finborough

From the Rectory… Reverend Chris Childs The war-time mantra of ‘Keep Calm and Carry on’ was revived for the recession of 2008. It retains a certain sound common sense that we all admire, and none could have anticipated how much we all need it now in this the ‘Remembering’ month. Our churches traditionally remember the dearly departed – and we will again this year on 1st November with a Special Service at Combs (and in each of our churches within the normal act of worship, as the month progresses.) Communities and churches remember those who have given their lives in the service of their country and we will again this year on the 8th November with a Special Service at Buxhall, another on Zoom and another at Onehouse.

We all remember (or at least hear) the celebrations of Guy Fawkes on 5th November and we will again this year – though no doubt from our own gardens. Men have chosen this month to ‘Movember’ by growing a moustache to raise money for Prostate Cancer research and we will again this year. I make these points to remind us all that life goes on amidst this pandemic and there are many people trying to do their best to make a living in their businesses and cafes. No doubt we are supporting them as much as we can. For many paid work continues, but in a different format and with many added pressures and stresses. Life is less certain than it was and the older we get the more we realise it and perhaps turn to the God who is there to sustain and support and strengthen in the good times and the bad. Perhaps oddly I was strongly reminded of this fact when I had the pleasure of conducting three marriages recently. The couples had gone through much disappointment, stress and upset at changing plans and dreams made over years sometimes, but as I have tried to say these are minor issues when set against the long life they will enjoy together. One of the set prayers in the service asks that ‘they may nurture their family with devotion, see children grow in body, mind and spirit and come at last to the end of their lives with hearts content and in joyful anticipation of heaven’ Who knows what life has in store for any of us? Who knows how we will cope with the ‘sudden changes and chances of this life’? I pray those couples have many fulfilling decades ahead of them, but also very much echo those sentiments that when our senses and our health begins to fail, we shall be ready with hearts content, that we have done our best and be in joyful anticipation of heaven. So as I said at the beginning, I am sure we are trying to keep calm and carry on amidst these present troubles, many people are trying to make life as normal as possible and Remember, Remember those who have loved you, those who have given their lives that you might enjoy yours, those who have fought for our system of government and those who try to raise money to fight the diseases that afflict so many of us today. Support them and encourage when you can. With all good wishes and prayers Rev Chris

2 Services in the Benefice Services at churches To facilitate safe seating arrangements, numbers may need to be limited. Please book with the churchwardens or clergy if you would like to attend. 1 November: All Saints’ Day, Kingdom 1 Revelation 7.9-17; Psalm 34.1-10; 1 John 3.1-3; Matthew 5.1-12 11.00 am Remembering the Dear Departed Combs Special readings 3.00 pm Evening Prayer Little Finborough 8 November: Remembrance Sunday Amos 5.18-24; Psalm 70; 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18; Matthew 25.1-13 10.45 am Remembrance Service Buxhall Special readings Please make sure you book for this service 3.00 pm Evening Prayer Onehouse 15 November: Second Sunday before Advent, Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity Zephaniah 1.7,12-18; Psalm 90.1-8[9-11]12*; 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11; Matthew 25.14-30 11.00 am Holy Communion 3.00 pm Evening Prayer Shelland 22 November: Christ the King, Twenty-fourth after Trinity Ezekiel 34.11-16,20-24; Psalm 95.1-7; Ephesians 1.15-23; Matthew 25.31-46 11.00 am Holy Communion Combs 3.00 pm Evening Worship Harleston 29 November: Advent Sunday Isaiah 64.1-9; Psalm 80.1-8,18-20*; 1 Corinthians 1.3-9; Mark 13.24-37 11.00 am Holy Communion Great Finborough 3.00 pm Evening Worship Onehouse, Trinity Hall

3 To facilitate safe seating arrangements, numbers will need to be limited. Please book if you would like to attend. For Combs: Jenny Straughier 615956, [email protected] Little Finborough: Cheryl Edwards 774027, [email protected] Precautions against coronavirus transmission will be in place. Face coverings must be worn, and attendees must be seating where instructed. The precautions may change as the regulations and best practice are modified. Services on-line The following services will be held by Zoom meeting SPIRITUAL COMMUNION for the benefice every Sunday at 9.30 am Morning Prayer on Wednesday and Saturday at 10 am. Bible Study on Wednesday at 4 pm. Log in details will gladly be given by Rev. Chris as well as the weekly Pew Sheet and Orders of Service. Please ask. The Sermon and a Reflection are uploaded onto YouTube each week as well. Churches opening for Private Prayer (liable to change) All folk from any of the parishes are welcome for private prayer at the largest churches as follows: 10am - 12noon each Saturday at St Andrew’s, Great Finborough 2.30pm - 4.30 pm each Wednesday at St Mary’s, Combs Lord, prop us up! There is a story of an old farmer who always prayed the same prayer at his church meeting. ‘Lord, prop us up on our leanin’ side’. After hearing this many times, his minister asked him one day quite what he meant. The famer replied: “Well, it's like this... I’ve got an old barn out in one of my fields. It's been there a long time, and gone through a lot of storms. One day a few years ago I noticed that it was leaning to one side a bit. So, I went and got some poles and propped it up on its leaning side, so it wouldn't fall. Then I got to thinking about how much I was like that old barn. I've been around a long time, and seen plenty of storms in life. I was still standing, but I was also leaning a bit. So, I decided to ask the Lord to prop me up, too, on my leaning side.” Our ‘leaning side’ is where we are weakest in ourselves. Sometimes we get to leaning toward anger, bitterness, bleakness in life. Then we too need to pray for God to prop us up, especially on that leaning side. He wants us to stand tall and free, in Him. 4 A letter from Michael Green

18th October 2020

I am still your Church Mission Society partner and still currently working with Migrants in Ipswich. I am seconded to the Churches in the London Road/Portman Road area of town; but working from St Augustine's to Whitton! Over the last year the work has changed dramatically: one of the first steps was an urgent need to house a Persian Muslim Background Believer (MBB) with right to remain but who had moved to Ipswich without understanding that her local council had responsibility to house her. Ipswich Borough were helpful as were St John's church and Talitha Koum where she was eventually housed which suits her. This uncovered a small group of Persian MBBs in Ipswich who I have worked with. In trying to house her, I met Pastor Stuart Balmer who had a family of Kurds who had converted to Christianity entered the UK legally and were then violently persecuted by their close family (who claimed to have converted) for having converted. Proving persecution of Christians is not an issue far away. The family had been given a new identity and relocated several times. I worked with the police domestic violence unit (DVU) and a Charity hired by social services; helping them to live safely and provide advice and support. I also did weekly bible studies with their church and helped with their baptisms which was a great joy. They now have refugee status and we are urgently looking for accommodation as they must leave the safe house; they will probably be but into emergency accommodation in a hotel split up with their own amenities until a house is available, so prayers are needed. I worked closely with a Portuguese man with physical and mental health issues; providing support and attending appointments with him, during lockdown the police were again supportive as we needed to meet and they suggested locations and provided me with a crime number in case police stopped to arrest us so we could explain what was happening. During this time, I was also designated a volunteer on the Ipswich Borough list; and a part of the telephone support team the Diocese supplied to Ipswich hospital. Earlier I had a complex Safeguarding case with Aramaic Christian refugees; with many sides investigated and several court cases, this family were one of the longest on my caseload. It was difficult to get information about bail conditions etc and Diocesan safeguarding and myself struggled to gain information to prevent then further breaking the law. We then had a pursuit 5 round Ipswich churches trying to stop a Christening where people shouldn't have been in the same room; it happened anyway. Thankfully the courts’ sentences though harsh, meant the children didn't have to go into care. On a lighter note some of the former type events have still been done: a middle eastern food workshop at St John's “Messy Messiah” where I explained the role of food in middle eastern culture before we made and sampled some dishes. Sadly the pary Kurdish new year "Nawruz" (March 21st) had to be cancelled as events changed dramatically. While a keyworker I have been seriously ill and housebound since May with an undiagnosed illness but am able to continue working using my phone. Thank you for your support upholding me.

Love in Christ. Michael Green, CMS. Egypt tops list as 3.7 million Scriptures given to children last year Bible Society teams worldwide provided almost 3.7 million Scripture items for children last year. More than 1.1 million children’s Scriptures were distributed in Egypt alone. This is the largest number for one nation, in a place where ministry with young people is a top priority. Through festivals, competitions and quizzes, the Bible Society of Egypt engages with hundreds of thousands of children each year.

Suduko Solution on page 20 Easy Intermediate

6 Get in the Christmassy Mood! Zoom Singing 7.30 p.m. Wednesdays – 25th November to 16th December 2020.

We’re inviting you to join with our long-established choir Chorale, in singing Christmas carols on Zoom, led by our musical director Benedict Collins Rice and our assistant musical director Will Baldry. Benedict read music at Cambridge University where he founded the Façade Ensemble specialising in 20th Century chamber music. Amongst his many current musical involvements, he runs the choral conducting programme at Morley College and teaches at the London Youth Conservatoire. He has recorded for BBC television and has broadcasted live on Radio 3.

7 Will studied music and held an organ scholarship at Royal Holloway, University of London. As well as being accompanist to Stowmarket Chorale, Will is also organist and assistant director of music at Ipswich School. As an organist he has performed live on BBC Radio and on BBC 1’s Songs of Praise.

There is no charge for membership of the choir this term so feel free to try us out without obligation. We are a friendly bunch of people who will make you feel very welcome. The wearing of Christmassy hats, earrings and jumpers is optional – some bright sparks will certainly be wearing them! If you are interested, please get in touch with Adrienne at [email protected]. and we’ll send you a link to join. We would love to hear from you. 8 Wordsearch Solution on page 15 This month Scotland remembers one of the very first disciples of Jesus. St Andrew is honoured not for any mighty deeds of his own, but for his love of introducing people to Jesus. He went straight off and introduced his brother Peter to the Saviour, and followed that up by bringing Nathanael/Bartholomew to Jesus. ‘Better Together’ seems to have been his slogan, too! ‘We have found the Messiah!’, he told them, unable to keep the good news to himself. Andrew’s connection with Scotland dates back to the claimed translation of his remains from Patras in Achaia to Scotland in the eighth century. The church in Fife where these remains were buried became a place of pilgrimage during the tenth century. All of this may be no more than pious legend, but that St Andrew was highly regarded in Scotland and became its patron saint is beyond doubt. Scotland Peter Patras Translation Patron Disciples Nathanael Archaia Fife Saint Jesus Bartholomew Eighth Pilgrimage Love Andrew Messiah Remains Tenth Introducing Honoured Saviour Pious Place

9 St Edmund, our local saint Kenneth Mudd St. Edmund, who was king of East Anglia, was martyred on 20 November 870, or possibly 869 according to some authorities. The church commemorates him on the anniversary of his death. This year he is particularly interesting because 2020 marks 1,000 years since the Abbey of St Edmund was established by King Canute at his burial place in Bury St Edmunds. It is really disappointing that, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of the events organised to celebrate the Abbey’s anniversary have had to be postponed to 2021, especially as St Edmund is the patron saint of Protection from the plague and pandemics. He is also the patron saint of Kings, the Roman Catholic diocese of East Anglia, Douai Abbey, wolves, and torture victims according to the Bury St Edmunds Tourist brand. In 869, Hinguar and Hubba, two of the most bloodthirsty Danish raiders had landed in Northumbria. Hinguar set sail again in his longships for East Anglia. He ravaged the land, torturing and killing men, women and even innocent children. Edmund of the East Angles was about 29 years old, and had been king for fifteen years. He was a devout Christian, and his greatest concern was the well- being of his people. Hinguar sent a message that King Edmund must share all the riches of his kingdom, pay homage to him and become his vassal, or be killed himself. When he received the message, Edmund consulted his friend the local bishop, who feared for the King. He urged the king to submit to Hinguar and agree to all his demands, but the king said that he would rather die than allow his land and his people to come under heathen dominion. He would never submit to a dishonourable surrender and he would not bow to Hinguar unless the Dane first accepted Christ as his Lord. Hinguar was very angry at the king’s courage and defiance. He ordered that King Edmund must be taken alive. When Hinguar arrived, King Edmund laid down his weapons. He followed the example of Jesus in offering no further resistance to his captors. He was tied to a tree, beaten and whipped, but all the time the brave Edmund called to God for comfort. This angered the Danes, so they shot arrows at him. They took care not to hit vital organs to kill him, but sought to prolong his torment. King Edmund remained steadfast in his faith, he would not submit and plead for mercy, and instead he put all his faith in God. Hinguar finally tired of the king’s faithfulness and struck off his head with a sword. 10 The heathen raiders took the king’s head so that it could not be buried. They threw it into a bramble thicket. A local man had seen them take the head, and so the townsfolk went to look for it. They heard calling and eventually they found the head. It was laying between the forepaws of a great grey wolf. The wolf had not harmed the head, but had guarded it. The wolf allowed them to take the head, and bear it with reverence back to the town. The wolf walked behind as a ferocious threat to any interference with the solemn procession. The people buried the king’s head and body, and built a church over them. Miracles were reported to happen at the tomb; a blind man regained his sight, and in 1014 Sweyn Forkbeard, who had seized and ravaged most of , died suddenly and his reign ended after the people prayed to the Saint. After many years, the town sought to move the king to a grander site. They found that his body had not decayed. The many wounds of his body were healed, and his head had been reattached. A red line around his throat, like a fine silk thread, commemorated how he had died. The basic events are recounted in medieval stories of the lives of the saints, which tell a variety of different tales, with different characters. There is debate about where King Edmund lived and died. He was probably descended from the earlier East Anglian Kings, and crowned on Christmas Day, in about 855, at Bures. It seems likely that his headquarters were at Thetford. Hoxne claims to be the site of his martyrdom and first burial, but so do other places including Hellesdon in Norfolk and Bradfield St Clare. His remains were possibly taken to the Church of St. Gregory in London, to protect them from the Danes, and then in about 900 his body was moved to St. Edmundsbury, where the abbey grew up around his shrine. In the early Middle Ages, Saint Edmund was regarded as England’s patron saint, jointly with Edward the Confessor. The Wilton Diptych (painted about 1395-9), in the National Gallery, shows Richard II being presented to the Virgin Mary by John the Baptist and these two saints. Edmund’s body probably remained at the abbey in Bury St. Edmunds until the Reformation. When the abbey was destroyed, his body disappeared. It is said, by some, that it rests, unmarked, in the old abbey churchyard. It is now hoped that it may be below the tennis courts. St. Edmund’s crown and arrows which killed him form the badge of some organisations in Bury St Edmunds and, if you look carefully around the town, you can find images and statues of the wolf, recording its part in the story. Take a moment on 20 November to remember the courage and faithfulness of our local king, martyr and saint.

11 Awesome Autumn Kenneth Mudd Every year the leaves of the trees and shrubs of our hedgerows and gardens change from the yellowy-green of early spring to deeper green shades of summer then through to rich reds, yellows and browns in the autumn. These changes demonstrate the complex chemical changes that go on within the plants. Green plants use chlorophyll to make sugars from water and carbon dioxide. The process is driven by the light from the sun. The sugars are used to make the cellulose that makes up the cells of the plant and so it allows the plant to grow. As the days shorten there is less light and warmth so the sugar making process works far less well. The green pigments that make the sugars are also damaged if they become too cold, so they do not work. This means that the damaged leaves are useless in the winter and they can be a positive disadvantage. Their weight would make trees more liable to fall in strong winter winds. They would trap more snow and with that added weight make damage to the trees and bushes even more likely. Evergreen trees and shrubs have different strategies to survive. They have tougher leaves that allow the plant to keep them and withstand the winter. As winter approaches deciduous trees prepare to shed their leaves. As the green pigments start to break down the yellow, red and brown colours of the leaves structure show through, giving us a glorious show before the starkness of winter. There has been a considerable investment in these chemical factories throughout the spring and summer, and nature hates to waste anything. The tree starts to reclaim the precious chemicals by withdrawing them from the leaves into the sap of the branches and trunk. The tree starts to close off the joint between the branch and the leaves, but it needs to get as much of the goodness from the leaves as it can before the sealing off is complete. You will notice that not all the leaves on a tree are the same colour. Those on the sunnier side are generally a richer yellow, red or brown, and there’s a reason for this. Strong sunlight can damage the now weakened leaves before all the nutrients are transferred, so on the sunny side of the tree the leaves 12 become darker. They develop a sort of natural sun screen to limit the damage to the leaves by the heat and light of the sun before the veins close, so that most of the nutrients are transferred to the branches. Sometimes this process is thwarted by sudden frosts which freeze the sap and wreck the leaves, or strong winds which rip them from the branches, but normally all the needed sap is withdrawn. Then the sealing off process is completed and a little scar forms from which the now worn out leaves can just gently drop. The seasons also affect the colours, when the summer has been hot and dry (as ours was) the colours of autumn will be intense, but even the autumn weather itself has an effect. Warm autumn days and cold nights produce leaves of richer colours than cold days and mild nights. In gardens we gather the leaves to prevent them blocking the drains and damaging the lawns but in more natural areas the now dead leaves on the ground provide shelter for a whole range of animals. A large drift of leaves will provide a warm shelter for a hibernating hedgehog. Bumblebees, slow-worms, snakes and newts also use them as cosy places to spend the winter, so it is important if you have a pile of leaves and garden rubbish to check for these little creatures before turning it into a bonfire. Birds will also collect the leaves to make a warm lining for a winter roost. Damp leaves on the ground will soon become food for a wide array of tiny creatures. Inhabitants of the dead leaf environment will include earthworms, woodlice, springtails and mites. Beetles of many different sorts will be there as well, some eating the leaves, but some feeding on the other creatures. If you look diligently you may even find a pseudoscorpion, a creature that looks like a tiny scorpion but without the stinging tail. If so, don’t be alarmed, pseudoscorpions are quite harmless to us, being only about two to four millimetres long. Although many people have not noticed them because of their size and where they live, they are quite common. They are kinds of arachnids, related to spiders, and they feed on the other little animals around them. Fungi and bacteria also help to break down the leaf structure, and together all these decay processes produce leaf mould. This is wonderful growing medium for woodlands and if you collect leaves and store them properly you can make some for your garden. The leaf mould creates an open structure of humus and returns the remaining nutrients to the ground where they help to produce new growth from dropped seeds. Next spring the whole cycle of amazing life will start again. 13

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15 Letter from Uncle Eustace Reverend Dr. Gary Bowness On the ferocity of the church’s Bridge drive The Rectory St. James the Least of All My dear Nephew Darren, Your suggestion that we should hold a sponsored hymn-singing bicycle ride through the village as a way of raising money was well-meant, but I am not wholly convinced it would suit our clientele here at St James the Least of All. You may have musical bike rides, but we have Bridge drives, although socially distanced at the moment, of course. But even at two metres apart, our Bridge games are generally as amiable and peaceful as bear baiting. Half of those attending will see the afternoon as an opportunity to catch up on local gossip and to exchange knitting patterns, the game of cards being a minor hindrance to these other activities. The other half arrive primed for a battle to the death, reluctantly conceding that eye-gouging is not allowed. They will demand total silence – which is wholly ignored by those at the tables discovering what Mrs Trumpington confided to Lady Driver halfway through ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ at last Sunday’s Mattins. The congregation is eternally grateful to Mrs Mitchell, who as a former mill worker is able to lip read. Refreshments have been hit hard by Covid-19 of course, and the fact that everyone has to bring their own sandwich and drink has rather spoilt the fun. Usually half our players regard lunchtime as an opportunity to put jam on the cards, spill tea on the score cards and make sure that the other tables get the egg and cress sandwiches while they corner the boiled ham; the others usually see it as an unwelcome interruption to the serious business of slaughtering their opponents. It is so sad that Covid-19 has halted this merry comradery. As for drawing the raffle, it is the adult equivalent of ringing the school bell at going-home time. Half the players will immediately dash off to relay newly mined seams of gossip throughout the village, leaving the others holding reproachful post- mortems with their partners over their bidding mistakes. Reproaches are never too violent, however, since the chances are that they will all be meeting again the following afternoon round a socially distanced card table at another location, for yet another re-enactment of the slaughter at Agincourt. The only difference will be that the French and English were not entertained with tea and sandwiches at half time. Your loving uncle, Eustace 16 Crossword Across 1 ‘The Lord Jesus... took bread, and when He had given — , he broke it’ (1 Corinthians 11:24) (6) 4 ‘He has taken me to the banquet hall, and His — over me is love’ (Song of Songs 2:4) (6) 8 Surrey town that hosts the National Christian Resources Exhibition (5) 9 Also known as Abednego (Daniel 1:7) (7) 10 Liken (Isaiah 40:18) (7) 11 A son of Etam, descendant of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:3) (5) 12 A part of the temple where the blood of a young bull was to be smeared (Ezekiel 45:19) (9) 17 ‘They make many promises, take false — and make agreements’ (Hosea 10:4) (5) 19 Roman province to which Paul returned after evangelizing it on his first missionary journey (Acts 16:6) (7) 21 Material used to make baby Moses’ basket (Exodus 2:3) (7) 22 ‘And feeble as — , in thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail’ (5) 23 ‘The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep — to his voice’ (John10:3) (6) 24 Stalk carrying the sponge of wine vinegar given to Christ on the cross (John 19:29) (6) Down 1 Elijah dug one round the altar he built on Mount Carmel and filled it with water (1 Kings 18:32) (6) 2 ‘I am not — of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes’ (Romans 1:16) (7) 3 Buddhist term relating to belief in reincarnation (5) 5 Damascus disciple who, at God’s command, restored the sight of the blinded Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:12) (7) 6 and 16 Horses: their sound (Jeremiah 50:11) (5) and their gait (Joel 2:4) (6) 7 A three (anag.) (6) 9 Athenian council addressed memorably by Paul (Acts 17:22) (9) 13 Abide by (Galatians 3:5) (7) 14 Persian princes (Daniel 3:2) (7) 15 Force (Galatians 6:12) (6) 16 See 6 Down (6) 18 Paste (anag.) (5) 20 How the cedars of Lebanon are described (Isaiah 2:13) (5) 17

Solution on page 20

Raise a smile: Fire in church The town's fire prevention officer was conducting a health and safety course at the local church. The officer said to the minister: “Now imagine this: it is a Sunday morning and you have a number of people, spread socially distanced, throughout your church building. Some are in the choir stalls, some are in the kitchen, and some are in the nave. Suddenly, a big fire breaks out. What are the first steps you would take?” The minister thought carefully for a moment. “Really big ones,” he said.

18 Maze

19 I am a keen young gardener, being tutored by a retired head gardener with 50 years’ experience. I am self-employed and happy to undertake any gardening jobs, large or small. Contact me, Owen Gillespie, on 07811078100.

Solutions to Sudoku: Easy Intermediate

Solution to Crossword Solution to Wordsearch

20 Stowmarket Eco Future Group Do you know about this new Facebook group? It's for local people who want to encourage each other to live a lifestyle that is good for the planet. Come along and share your best ideas and skills, ask for help, learn together, find links to other relevant sites eg: facebook Sustainable Stowmarket and www.greensuffolk.org. Whether you are able to do a lot or a little it is vital for the future that we help each other improve what we do. Environmental change comes when many people do a bit rather than a few doing change perfectly. Please come and join us.

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Contacts Rector Rev. Chris Childs Tel. 01449 673280 The Rectory, 135 Poplar Hill, Combs, IP14 2AY email: [email protected] Associate Priest Rev. Canon Pauline Higham Tel. 01449 771791 The Rectory, Woodlands Close, Onehouse, IP14 3HL email: [email protected]

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−− The Reverend Dr. Gary Bowness contributes articles to church publications through www.parishpump.co.uk. Issue 8 — November 2020

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