Making Connections 2018-2019

THE COMMUNITY OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 210254

ST. JOHN’S HOUSE, 113 COLESHILL ROAD, MARSTON GREEN, BIRMINGHAM B37 7HT Tel: 0121 7880391 [email protected] COMMUNITY OF https://csjdivine.wordpress.com ST JOHN THE DIVINE MAKING CONNECTIONS ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 Thank you’s

We wish to offer our thanks: To both our Bishops – David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, our Bishop Visitor, and Bishop Anne Hollinghurst, Bishop of Aston.

To our local Chaplains – Rev Canon Helen Hingley and Rev Bill Moore.

To all the clergy who regularly preside at the Eucharist for us – the Revds Nick Ball, Paul Day, Kathy Evans, Patrick Gerrard, Penny Harrison, Val Hicks, Helen Hingley, Jo Johnson, Theresa Jones, Elaine King, Peter Law-Jones, Bill Moore, Eddie Owen, Sue Restall, John Richards, Joe Roberts, Diane Thompson and Genny Tunbridge.

To Mandy and Michael O’Connor for their help and care of our computers; to Rob de Winter who keeps our website up to date and Kris Desij for her work on the archives.

To those who have acted professionally on our behalf THE COMMUNITY OF –Anthony Collins, Solicitors; Carol Barfoot of Gibbons, Mannington and Phipps, Accountant; Mr. Tony ST JOHN THE DIVINE Leverington, our Honorary Treasurer and Community Trustee (RIP July 2019);Wythall Heating Engineers; James Banks of David Banks Electrical Contractors Ltd; The Mission Statement and Clive Clements who helps us with maintenance. INSIDE FRONT The Community of St John the Divine, an Anglican To our General Practitioners – Dr I. Khan and Dr M. Iszatt Religious Community, live under the threefold Vows of and the staff at Church Lane Surgery, Stechford. Religious Life, establishing a centre of worship and prayer under the patronage of St John the Divine, the Apostle of To the staff at Barrett’s Butchers, Marston Green. Love, and together with the Associates of the Community form a network of love, prayer and service. To our Printer, Paul Singh, and Pat Raymer and her daughter Christianne for their invaluable help in producing

this copy of Making Connections. Within the ethos of healing, wholeness and reconciliation,

we exercise a ministry of hospitality for people to come for To all those who support us financially and enable times of rest, retreat and renewal and to share in the life and our continuing ministry. We are very appreciative worship of the community. We seek to offer a ministry of for your generosity spiritual accompaniment and pastoral care, and to respond to the needs of the poor and marginalized. To you all, THANK YOU.

The heart of our call is to be a praying community seeking God in our daily lives and serving Him in reaching out as channels of God’s love to others. Sisters Christine Hoverd, Margaret Angela King, Ivy Patten and Shirley Hart.

2 Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 Thank you’s

We wish to offer our thanks: Bishop David’sTo both our Bishops – David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, our Bishop Visitor, and Bishop Anne commendationHollinghurst, for Bishop of Aston.

CSJD AnnualTo our local ChaplainsReport – Rev Canon Helen Hingley and Rev Bill Moore. Making Connections To all the clergy who regularly preside at the Eucharist 2018-2019for us – the Revds Nick Ball, Paul Day, Kathy Evans, Patrick Gerrard, Penny Harrison, Val Hicks, Helen Hingley, Jo Johnson, Theresa Jones, Elaine King, Peter Law-Jones, Bill Moore, Eddie Owen, Sue Restall, John Richards, I am delightedJoe as Roberts,Episcopal Diane Visitor Thompson to the Communityand Genny Tunbridge. of St John the Divine to commend this edition of Making Connections, the Annual Report of theTo Community Mandy and Michael for 2018-19. O’Connor for their help and care of our computers; to Rob de Winter who keeps our website up There are many formsto date of and ministry Kris Desij for herand work continue on the to archives. do so. They have also

within the boundaries of the Church of walked with those in parish ministry who To those who have acted professionally on our behalf England Birmingham but the faithful are asking questions about their own THE COMMUNITY OF –Anthony Collins, Solicitors; Carol Barfoot of Gibbons, work of this small religiousMannington order and is Phipps, Accountant;role, uncertain Mr. of Tonywhat a new pattern of ST JOHN THE DIVINE an especially beautifulLeverington, and unique our Honorary Treasurermission and and ministry Community might ask of them. Trustee (RIP July 2019);Wythall Heating Engineers; plant. The Community began life in The care of this Community is reflected James Banks of David Banks Electrical Contractors Ltd; London but is now located here in the in a thriving life of prayer and hospitality. The Mission Statement West Midlands. andIt does Clive not Clements ‘belong’ whoto helps us with maintenance. Through these, it blesses many people Birmingham but we are blessed by it The Community of St John the Divine, an Anglican To our General Practitioners – Drwho I. Khandon’t actually and Dr visitM. Iszatt or see it for more than any other region. Religious Community, live under the threefold Vows of and the staff at Church Lanethemselves. Surgery, WeStechford. are grateful then, to share Religious Life, establishing a centre of worship and prayer The Community’s life of prayer, welcome this city region with the Community and under the patronage of St John the Divine, the Apostle of and spiritual accompanimentTo the staff is muchat Barrett’s Butchers,we pray for Marston its ongoing Green. ministry.

Love, and together with the Associates of the Community used and profoundly appreciated by lay form a network of love, prayer and service. To our Printer, Paul Singh, andThe Pat Rt RaymerRev David and Urquhart her people and clergydaughter from Christianneacross the diocese. for their invaluable help in producing

This steady offer of rest, retreatthis copyand of Making Connections. Within the ethos of healing, wholeness and reconciliation, renewal can become especially precious we exercise a ministry of hospitality for people to come for The Community’s life of when we go throughTo timesall those of transition. who support us financially and enable times of rest, retreat and renewal and to share in the life and For example, the Communityour continuing has beenministry. We areprayer, very appreciativewelcome and spiritual worship of the community. We seek to offer a ministry of for your generosity spiritual accompaniment and pastoral care, and to respond very much aware of Church of England accompaniment is much used to the needs of the poor and marginalized. Birmingham’s People and Places initiative, To you all, THANKand YOU. profoundly appreciated which seeks to re-envisage the way we The heart of our call is to be a praying community seeking deploy clergy and laity in churches and by lay people and clergy from God in our daily lives and serving Him in reaching out as mission. Throughout this period of across the diocese. Sisters Christine Hoverd, Margaret Angela King, channels of God’s love to others. change the Sisters have prayed for us, Ivy Patten and Shirley Hart.

Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 3 Introduction WELCOME to this year’s Making Connections, our Annual Report for 2018-2019. After the bumper report of last year that covered several years of the Community’s onward journey, of our move from Alum Rock and the establishing of our new house here in Marston Green, this year’s Annual Report by comparison seems brief, but nevertheless comes to bring you all up to date with news from the Community, from our family of Associates, and all those whose lives touch ours in so many ways.

We have received so much positive So we want to say a very special THANK feedback about the production of the YOU to each of them for sharing their last Annual Report that we want to take skills and expertise and for producing this opportunity to thank Paul Singh work of such a high quality. who printed the report, Julie Davies who worked on the layout of the photographs Now we are ready to carry on with the and Pat Raymer who worked with next episode of the Community’s story! us on the editing and her daughter, When we discussed writing the Annual Christianne, who designed the front and Report, we decided to include news from back covers. Paul and Julie were also May to May each year in a smaller size, responsible for printing the beautiful so this report covers the period from May Christmas card we were able to send out 2018 to May 2019. last year.

4 Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 Associates’ Day 2018

Our report last year finished by sharing with you all something of the joy of our Associates’ Day in May 2018, when 31 of our Associates and the Sisters spent the morning with Canon Dr Paula Gooder sharing discussions about the shaping of the future church here in Birmingham and hearing about her new book Phoebe, which is a compelling and beautiful book to read.

It proved to be a warm sunny day, so it meant everyone could take their lunch into the garden and use the time catching up with ‘news’. Our Associates come from many parts of the U.K. so apart from letters that are shared, the main Associates’ Day is the one time in the year they enjoy being together. It was also the day when Elizabeth and Glenn Pritchett celebrated their Wedding Anniversary. At the Eucharist they received a blessing and the day ended with a party tea and a special iced cake for the occasion. The whole day could not have been better and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. The month of May moved very quickly into June with a real surfeit of special occasions, the most important of which was the celebration of Sr. Margaret Angela’s Golden Jubilee.

Always in Community we have sought to mark special occasions. In this report we want to share with you the celebrations for Sr. Margaret Angela’s Golden Jubilee, giving thanks for her years of leadership within the Community and her many gifts. We have asked her to write a reflection of the celebrations and then also to share something of the story of her call and life in Community.

Sr. Margaret-Angela

Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 5 Sr. Margaret Angela writes:

In June 2018, the Community kindly organised two parties for me to celebrate my Golden Jubilee of Profession.

The actual date was 20th November 2017 see so many people – Associates, friends and but when we have any gathering of a big family. Two days not to be forgotten! I am so group of people, we need to use the marquee grateful to my Sisters and to Vena Thompson and as November is not quite the month and Brenda Shipman who helped prepare for that, it was decided that there would food on both occasions. The generous gifts be two celebrations in June 2018, when we have given me so much pleasure, although the hoped that the weather would be suitable Smartphone is a good deal smarter than me! for a garden party. As it happened the Such milestones are occasions to look back weather could not have been better! The and reflect on what has been and to look first of the parties took place on Saturday 9th forward to what will be! June to which local Associates and spouses were invited. We began at 2.30 pm with a In the early 1960s as I discerned a vocation to Eucharist in the marquee presided over by the religious life, it seemed to be a somewhat the Community’s local Chaplains, the Rev. strange journey to possibly have a vocation to Bill Moore and with the Homily given by a nursing Community, having been trained the Rev. Canon Helen Hingley. Over 30 as a Parish Worker. I was working in Poplar of us gathered and it was so good that the so daily witnessed St. John’s Sisters riding readings were given by Sisters Ivy, Shirley their bicycles en route to their patients on the and Christine, and the Intercessions by the district. After a complex struggle with this Rev. Canon Faith Claringbull. The Eucharist possibility, I arrived on the 1st October 1964 was followed by a strawberry tea and then at the Nursing Sisters’ Mother House - then returning to the marquee, I was presented in Hastings - armed with my return fare to with two wonderfully generous gifts – an London! After much prayer and a ‘roller i-Pad and a Smartphone – bought with coaster’ of doubts, certainties and tears, it did monetary gifts from all the people who were seem that God was calling me to serve him in invited to keep the celebration, those able this way of life and ministry. to be present and those who could were otherwise engaged on both days. The second party was for some members of my very large family, including my brother, nephews, nieces and spouses, great nephew ‘Such milestones are and one small great-great niece, and cousins occasions to look back and from Belgium. This time we had a lunch party as the family came for the day from as reflect on what has been far away as Knutsford, Salisbury, Weymouth, and to look forward to Leigh-on-Sea and a friend of over 60 years from Kettering. It was lovely to have such a what will be!’ gathering on both occasions and a real joy to

6 Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 On 6th April 1967 I was Professed in First Oak. Once in Brum, I managed to secure Vows. Prior to my Profession Retreat the a Sister’s post at what is now Heartlands Reverend Mother said to me: “You are at Hospital. That was short lived as six months the beginning of an exciting adventure”. into my time there, I was elected Reverend I took the comment with a pinch of Mother. During the next 15 years I had salt, wondering what the adventure and wonderful opportunities to make contacts in excitement could possibly comprise, as I the diocese and meet people as a member of committed myself to the Monastic Vows an International Ecumenical Consultation of Poverty, Consecrated Celibacy and for Religious which took me to Rome, New Obedience! During the time of First Vows York, London and Jerusalem. After 5 years I undertook nursing training at the Royal in Office I enjoyed a sabbatical and spent a East Sussex Hospital where, at 31, I was the short time in Italy and then on to Southern oldest student in my ‘set’ and was clearly Africa to spend a month in Botswana with identifiable, dressed in the royal blue habit friends Archbishop Khotso Makhulu, his wife of the Community. Never in our wildest Rosemary and their family. I had worked with dreams did we expect that one day the habit them on the staff of All Saints, Poplar. would become famous in the television The Community’s life in Birmingham saw series Call the Midwife! I qualified as great changes in society and in the church an S.R.N. in 1970, and after taking Life as well as in our ministry. By the 1980s we Profession, I went to London to begin felt it was right to broaden our ministry to Midwifery training at Mile End Hospital include healing, wholeness and reconciliation and on the District in Poplar. I found as well as maintaining a flourishing ministry nursing to be a real vocation for me and in of hospitality. due course returned to the Royal East Sussex Hospital to consolidate my nursing training The Community’s work in London and then on to a Ward Sister’s post. continued, with Sisters working in Poplar, Bow, Greenwich and then a move south of the river to Kennington. By 1992 it was time for a change in leadership and Christine was On 6th April 1967 I was elected as Reverend Mother. The Community was invited to spend three years as part of Professed in First Vows. Prior the Lay/Monastic Community at the Royal to my Profession Retreat the Foundation of St. Katharine, Stepney. I joined Sisters Teresa, Monica and Iona to be Reverend Mother said to me: part of this new venture, meeting all manner “You are at the beginning of of different people from a wide variety of backgrounds/professions who came to the an exciting adventure”. Foundation for conferences. When we had completed our three years’ commitment to R.F.S.K., we all returned to Birmingham. The change in church life, apart from In 1976 the Community moved to important Liturgical reforms, was the advent Birmingham and the house in Alum of women’s ordination to the priesthood and Rock. It was a return to Birmingham for subsequently to the Episcopate. We have me as I had trained as a Parish Worker also seen Religious Communities in the at the College of the Ascension in Selly Church of England given recognition by the

Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 7 Church with Religious representatives So, looking back over the years there were elected to the General Synod and more many highs and lows, encouragements recently becoming part of the Church of and disappointments, new interests and England’s Canon Law. The demographics undreamed-of opportunities for which I of Birmingham have changed completely give thanks to God and I thank my Sisters since we arrived in 1976. for their love and support. I recall the After 40 years in Alum Rock, and with words spoken to me before I took First diminishing numbers, we moved to a Vows, and yes, it has been a life full of smaller house in Marston Green, where exciting adventure! The four of us look we have settled very happily. forward together to God’s future and all that will be. Sr. Margaret Angela

Bill and Helen ready for the eucharist.

Family

8 Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 The ministry of the house and the Sisters The house has now settled into a busy routine of welcome and hospitality. Many people drop in for a cup of tea or coffee and some stay to share worship with us and make that a regular commitment. Others come for a quiet day or for some space We are always thankful to the local clergy who in their busy lives, some even manage to stay come to preside at the Eucharist in the house overnight or for a few days. We are all very and stay to lunch. It has been particularly aware how much we have downsized since our good to renew our contact with the Rev. move from Alum Rock, so have to be careful Simon Cartwright who now works in the not to overbook, but it is true to say the house Derby Diocese. He is exploring setting up is very well used and sometimes bulging a new Lay Dispersed Community. It is a joy at the seams! The God Pod in the garden to be able to stop in the middle of the day to is very popular, particularly for quiet days, worship God together. Everyone who comes groups: and for those who come for spiritual here needs time to stop - be it briefly - to relax accompaniment. and enjoy fellowship and find space and time We have continued to host three small for prayer. As Trustees and stewards of all that groups. The bi-monthly visits from Hall we have been given, it is a joy to be able to Green Churches Together, the Christ Church share it with others. Vision group who come every three months Lots of people have visited us during the year and the Continuing Ministerial Education and looking back in the diary, we realise it is group (CME) with the Rev. Canon Mark impossible to mention everyone. What we Pryce, who have met twice this year. We also can say is that we have valued each one of had a new group from the Methodist Church your visits and your friendship. Thank you at Solihull. Both Christine and Shirley have for coming. hosted small groups from their churches. Bible study group St. Leonard’s church

Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 9 ‘Kitty’ ‘Lucy’ The Community now comprises four Sisters. Although we are a small Community our The general leadership continues to be shared house is primarily a house of prayer where by Christine and Margaret Angela. The other we seek to live the Religious Life. Silent responsibilities are shared among us according prayer is important in all our lives and each to people’s gifts. Shirley continues to be our day starts with getting up early and spending excellent Sister Treasurer and Ivy has taken over an hour in personal prayer before more responsibility for cooking. meeting together for Morning Prayer. Each day has the same definite rhythm of prayer, We each enjoy individual ministries in work and welcome, with a Eucharist before the house: Christine acting as Sacristan, lunch at least three times a week. We meet Margaret helps with the cooking and also together again in the evening for Evening makes beautiful photograph cards for sale. Prayer. When we were reviewing our life here Ivy is known everywhere for her marmalade recently, we were asked to consider how we production and loves working in the garden could live our lives with integrity, yet at the and caring for the cats, and Shirley welcomes same time look at ways it could become more those who come and is always keeping the simple. One way, in response to this, has guest rooms ready for the next person or been to have a picnic supper whilst watching getting the Community room ready for a group. Christine, Margaret and Shirley welcome people for spiritual accompaniment. Although we are a small Between us we run the house together and Community our house is are grateful for Brenda Shipman’s help with primarily a house of prayer the cleaning and Vena Thompson’s help with where we seek to live the the cooking three days a week. Ken Jones still comes two mornings a week to mastermind Religious Life the garden, which is now looking beautiful.

10 Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 the BBC News. It is a good time to relax together; even maybe tackle a crossword (!) before saying Compline at 7.30 p.m. which marks the end of the working day. After this there is time for personal recreation, going to meetings or choir practice. Ivy is a member of the Christian Music Ministry (CMM) choir, conducted by Annie Routley. They rehearse on Tuesday evenings, taking their presentations around the diocese during the summer and at Christmas.

It is a good time to relax together; even maybe tackle a crossword (!) before saying Compline at 7.30 p.m. Ivy creating sugar flowers

We give thanks for Annie’s ministry to us, as she comes to play the keyboard at our special services over Christmas and Easter. We give thanks, too, for a friend of hers – John Hopkins – who has crafted for us a very beautiful wooden Paschal candle stand. At Christmas and Easter we continue to give thanks for the Rev. John Richards and the Rev. Canon Helen Hingley for leading the services for us. Sisters choose the church at which they wish to worship on Sundays. We each go to a different church and become part of the family there. Margaret has chosen to remain at the Cathedral, where she has worshipped for many years; Ivy has continued to worship at Christ Church, Burney Lane, wanting to be a supportive presence there during their time of interregnum; Shirley attends St. Barnabas Church, Kingshurst, the church she chose to attend whilst we were still at Alum Rock and Christine has settled happily into the parish church of St. Leonard’s, Marston Base for Pascal candle Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 11 Green. It is a privilege for each of us to take the Sisters were able to be present to support our turn in helping in different ways at the Helene Horan and Sam Gibson, two of those services on Sundays and to join in praying being ordained priest and on the following for the churches in this diocese at such a time day, Carol Young and Mandy Harris who were of major change. It has been a privilege, being ordained deacon. Our prayers continue too, to pray for those being ordained to the for those starting their new ministries as Priesthood and to the Diaconate. priests in the diocese and for the curates for their ongoing journey. This report gives an opportunity to thank all those who contribute and prepare the Our prayers continue for those Diocesan Prayer Booklet, a useful source starting their new ministries as of information as daily we join others in priests in the diocese and for the praying for the parishes in our diocese and the important issues they are facing. curates for their ongoing journey Our prayers, too, are for those priests who regularly used to come to the house but have now moved to new ministries. These include Nigel (and Erin) Traynor serving with Mercy The Cathedral was full of family and friends Air in South Africa and Matthew (and supporting the Ordinands and it was a joy Cathy) Rhodes. Matthew has a new ministry that on Saturday, 24th June 2018 some of in Sheffield. Our link with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham

Part of our life is to build positive and creative links with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters. For some years now Anglican Religious have been invited to join the Annual Day for Members of Religious Communities in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham.

This year Margaret Angela and Shirley were able to accept the invitation. Shirley writes: “The day began at 9.30 a.m. with registration and coffee. We were all welcomed by Fr. Stephen and then by the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, accompanied by Religious from across the Archdiocese who were celebrating either their Golden or Diamond Jubilees. Our speaker was Sister Dr. Finbarr Coffey, Congregation of the Holy Cross, Pastoral Director and Lecturer, speaking on ‘The Mission of Jesus and Ministries in the Contemporary Church’, which was very challenging. Following her talk, the Mass was celebrated at 12 noon at which the principal celebrant was the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, and, as it was the 2nd February,

12 Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 Archbishop Bernard Longley with Margaret Angela we celebrated the Feast of Christ being Presented in the Temple (Candlemas). During the service there was an opportunity for Religious to renew their Vows and it was a very impressive sight to see over 100 Religious Sisters and Brothers with lighted candles standing together to renew their Vows. After Mass we continued to enjoy fellowship together during a light lunch. It was a very special day and we were once again grateful to Sr. Anna, Br. Lawrence and Fr. Stephen for organising the whole event.” Before the meeting began Archbishop Bernard had a meeting with the Religious who had celebrated a significant anniversary, to which Margaret Angela was invited. Besides linking with our R.C. brothers and sisters, there are important links too between It was a very impressive sight the Anglican Communities themselves, which to see over 100 Religious Sisters over the years have developed into clear bonds and Brothers with lighted of friendship and prayer. One of these links is the Leaders’ Conference, with others for candles standing together to Novice Guardians and for First Professed and renew their Vows Novices being able to enjoy some joint study days together.

Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 13 Report on the meeting of the Conference of Leaders of Anglican Religious Communities (CLARC)

The Annual Conference of the Leaders of Anglican Religious Communities occurs each autumn when we meet at the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield, West Yorkshire.

Approximately 20 or so Leaders meet for a time There will be a clear definition of the ‘monastic’ of discussion of business matters affecting our life, communities living under Life Vows, known as catching up with each other, sharing news and ‘Recognised Communities’ and the many Lay receiving some theological input. We always enjoy Communities, ‘Acknowledged Communities’ that the warm hospitality of the Community of the are a feature of Church life today. Resurrection and join them in worship in their The Advisory Council on Relations between beautifully restored church. Last year’s meeting Bishops and Religious Communities will become took place from 9th-12th October. a Committee of the House of Bishops and the On the Monday evening we shared news of membership will remain the same, i.e. members Communities and welcomed newly elected Leaders. comprise four Bishops and 10 elected Religious On the first full day we had input from the Rev. Community representatives. Dr. Bonnie Thurston, theologian and spiritual Other matters that had to be considered were Data director, from the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A. Protection and how this affects Communities and She set the tone by saying that we needed to clear the very important matter of Safeguarding, both our minds of business matters that were to follow items that will need to be contained in the next and allow ourselves to be ministered to. She then edition of the Religious Communities Handbook gave us three excellent papers on St. Mark’s Gospel, which is currently being revised. The highlighting St. Mark’s ascetism and his references Constitutions of our Communities will need to to the desert – the wilderness – that begins the include sections concerning the new legislation Gospel and throughout are references to desert and Safeguarding. places. Mark is concerned for the poor, expresses dissatisfaction with the then Jewish culture, and The considerable administrative work of the with the taboos of the society; there is a counter- Conference is generously undertaken by Father cultural teaching and ascetism running through the Colin, Leader of the Community of the Servants Gospel. Bonnie also reminded us that Mark was of the Will of God, Crawley Down. writing after the fall of Jerusalem for the persecuted It is a few days well spent and much of the value of Christians of that time. We received much food for these meetings is in the informal conversations that thought that we were able to reflect on at the time take place over meals and at other times and to and well after the conference. have time together in formal and informal settings. There is usually some important business to be The Catholic Conference of Religious also send a discussed and at this meeting it concerned the new representative to our meeting whenever possible. Church of England Canon about the Religious Last October had the added bonus of sunny and Life that is being considered by the General warm weather! Synod. This Canon would give affirmation to the presence of Religious Communities in the C of E. Margaret Angela

14 Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 At the meeting Associates CSJD Associates Meeting Saturday, 5th May 2019 On Saturday 5th May this year, 30 Associates of the Community came together for their Annual Meeting. The weather was reasonably dry and as usual the marquee provided a very good ‘Tent of Meeting’! After coffee we met to hear this year’s economic factors that govern the life of our speaker, the Right Rev. Anne Hollinghurst, country and the world. the suffragan Bishop of Aston here in the diocese of Birmingham. After coffee in the house we all assembled in the marquee to hear what Bishop Anne had There are considerable changes afoot for to tell us about the changes that are affecting the Church of England with regard to the the Church of England in general and the shape of the ministry of all God’s people. diocese of Birmingham in particular. In the diocese of Birmingham parishes are being encouraged to study a consultation Bishop Anne is also a member of the Faith document entitled, ‘People and Places’, and Order Commission of the Church which outlines the possible shape of the of England whose brief is to discern and ministry of the parish clergy, retired clergy, discuss the theological basis for the changes self-supporting ministers, lay readers and all that are likely to take place - work that God’s people. This will bring change to the is ongoing which slightly restricted our work of the clergy and laity; change that is speaker in what she was able to share with being brought about by social, political and us. On completion of the Commission’s

Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 1515 opportunity to circulate and talk with most of those present. Our thanks to Mrs Vena Thompson, who was assisted by Sisters Ivy and Shirley, and Mrs Brenda Shipman in the preparation and cooking of the lunch and then did the washing up! When this was completed we all met together again in the marquee for a Eucharist presided over by the Rev. Canon Helen Hingley, Associate and one of the Community’s local Chaplains, and at which those Associates present were able to renew their commitment. Our Associates’ days are always a happy time of fellowship and for many perhaps Bishop Anne and Christine the one time in the year when it is possible to meet and really get to know other work a report will be available for all to Associates, putting faces and news to those read. After her talk, Bishop Anne invited we each pray for regularly. It also gives questions and there were several from us the chance to share news about those the clergy present, who came from as far unable to come to the meeting. apart as Cornwall, Wales and Manchester, as well as those working in Birmingham News of individual and a Reader in training from the Leeds diocese. All of them were already facing Associates change in their work patterns. Lunchtime provided the opportunity Fr. Henry Burgess for Associates to catch up with each We were sorry to hear of the death of Fr. other and Bishop Anne also had the Henry on the 26th January 2019, who had been an Associate for many years. He had been a very well known parish priest Our Associates’ days are in Birmingham for all of his ministry, always a happy time of latterly in Emmanuel Church, Wylde Green, where he served for over 27 years. fellowship and for many He generously came regularly to the perhaps the one time in the Community to preside at the Eucharist year when it is possible to and to conduct parish quiet days which were always very well attended by those meet and really get to know devoted to his traditional teaching. As he other Associates became older, it was hard for him to ‘let go’ of a full time priestly ministry. Slowly

16 Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 Father Henry in formal pose (above) and in relaxed pose (right) he became more infirm, moving from his home, firstly to New Oscott Village then Other Associates into care. who have died Bishop Christopher Boyle was the main Two of our other Associates have also died; person, among many, who offered their Judith Anderson who lived in Hull and help and support over what was for him Joan Bowles from Cheltenham. News of a very difficult time. His funeral on the their deaths came as quite a shock, as we 23rd February was a truly wonderful only received the briefest of messages about memorial of his life and ministry, with so Judith and just an altered envelope with many people filling Emmanuel Church R.I.P. which we had sent to Joan. Both to give thanks for the many ways he had of these Associates had regularly kept in touched their lives. touch with the Community over the years and in the past, when they were able, had Father Henry’s funeral on attended Associates’ meetings, Judith as recently as 2018. the 23rd February was a truly wonderful memorial Older Associates of his life and ministry CSJD We want to pay tribute in this report to our older Associates who have been faithful in their love, commitment and prayer over many years. Among these we give thanks for Ivy Cooper-Barlow, Liz Stirling and Joan Pritchard. Joan has now reached the wonderful age of 102, living at home

Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 17 in Vauxhall, supported by her three daughters with some extra help. We all We are especially thankful have so many happy memories of her to our two local Chaplains, visits each Holy Week and Easter when she came with her husband, Hardinge, Helen Hingley and Bill at Alum Rock. We give thanks for Moore, for all their support. knowing them.

been invaluable and it is always good to know they are at the end of a ‘phone line should we run into difficulties. Myra Kingscott is faithful in visiting us once a fortnight and keeps the library in very good order. Books are a joy to her and having the library regularly checked is a great gift to us. Another Associate who comes most Saturdays is Donna Williams, who helps in the kitchen and stays for lunch.

Myra Kingscott is faithful Joan Pritchard on her 100th birthday in visiting us once a We are always glad to see our Associates. fortnight and keeps the They come as and when they can, either library in very good order. for a day visit or to stay for a short while and several are generous in giving a helping hand. We were very concerned and saddened We are especially thankful to our two to hear from Jonathan McGillivray local Chaplains, Helen Hingley and Bill at Christmas 2018 that his sister and Moore, for all their support. Bill has had brother-in-law had both died in a car to set aside time recently to be with his accident in the November and that their wife, Grace, who has been unwell and we son, Matthew, is not only having to have been praying for her to make a good cope with bereavement but is seriously recovery to health again. ill himself. They would value on-going Mandy and Michael O’Connor come, prayer support. as they are able, to help us with our computers. Their help and advice has

18 Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 Denise Raby is in the midst of training We miss the visits of Janet and Geoffrey as a Lay Reader in the Diocese of Herbert, as neither of them are able to Leeds so was not able to be with us at drive now. Janet has recently given up Christmas but did stay for a few days in her driving licence because of problems December, again after Easter and for the with her eyesight. We enjoyed seeing Associates’ meeting in May. The Reader them at the Associates’ Day. Despite course in Leeds lasts for three years; a Anne Mace having been through a long lot of very hard studying is going into period of ill-health, she was well enough working towards the completion of the to be with us at Christmas, Easter and course in July 2019 when there will be a the Associates’ Day. lot of celebration. Thankfully, too, Elaine King has Some of our Associates have been recovered from her nasty fall that coping with ill-health. Bishop Gordon damaged her knees and is now back Mursell has been in hospital for surgery. at her work in the City as well as an Debby Hennessy has been seriously ill Associate Priest at St. Philip’s Cathedral. since she was here for a short retreat in It is always a joy to welcome Associates January 2019 and Ann Willis has also for quiet days and regular times of retreat been seriously ill, needing a period of and those who come week by week and hospitalisation, but she is now recovering share evening prayer with us. and well enough to come for some quiet days. Molly Lucas came for a short Sisters are still called upon to give talks visit after she had undergone a knee on ‘Call the Midwife’, which gives us the replacement and thankfully has recovered opportunity of not only talking about the very well. popular series but something of our own history, life and ministry.

It is always a joy to welcome Associates for quiet days and regular times of retreat and those who come week by week and share evening prayer with us.

Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 19 ‘Call the Midwife’

In August 2018 Shirley, Ivy and Margaret Angela were invited to visit the Long Cross Studios in order to be shown the scenes used in the programme. We were collected by car and taken for the three hour drive south to the Studio where we were greeted warmly by Rosie Mann, one of the Production Team. Over ‘brunch’ we met other members of the team including Terry Coates, the Midwifery Advisor to the programme. Rosie took us to ‘Nonatus House’, a real building surrounded by an edifice of frontages of houses and the bridge. It was a warm day and we enjoyed seeing the other parts of the studio, where we recognised areas such as the clinic, Fred and Vi’s house and Vi’s shop, the Turner’s house and the Doctor’s surgery and waiting room. In the warm sunshine we enjoyed the Nonatus House garden, which is real and well kept, and where fruit was growing - raspberries in season, and tomatoes as well as flowers. After an extensive tour of the site, we then returned to the refectory at Nonatus House where filming of a scene was about to take place. We met some of the actors, including Judy Parfit who plays Sister Monica Joan and some of the midwives. It was a short scene that was filmed several times and it was most interesting to witness the care that is taken with make-up, clothes and hair during the pauses between each ‘take’. Before the final ‘take’, Rosie kindly took us to see all the background research work that is required in the production – the backroom boys and girls working on the correct authentic styles, fabrics and general information for the period that the series covers, and the continuity room where filming is refined ready for transmission. Needless to say, we watched the January-March 2019 series with renewed great interest! It has also been a joy to maintain links with St. John’s House at Alum Rock.

Visit to St John’s House, Alum Rock

The Community has enjoyed a good relationship with the staff of Interserve International Fellowship since that organisation purchased the house at 652 Alum Rock Road from us in 2016.

In November 2018 Christine, Margaret showed us around. The interior alterations Angela, Ivy and Shirley were invited to have been carried out extremely well and visit the house in Alum Rock to see the provide good living space for both the lay alterations that have been made so far community as well as people returning and to hear about the outreach in the home from abroad for leave. It was very area. James Lynch, who was the interim good to see some of our Muslim as well as director at that time, welcomed us and the Christian friends at the tea party and to other members of the lay community there catch up with their news. It was thrilling

20 Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 for us to know about the local work of years in Pakistan which means that they can Interserve in their on-going Christian meaningfully engage with the local Muslim witness in that area where we made many population, especially the women, some of Muslim friends. whom do not speak English. It is also very Earlier this year we enjoyed a visit from four good to know that the work at the Place members of the lay community, who spent of Welcome which we began some years an afternoon with us on a reciprocal visit. ago continues. The work of developing It was good to meet Alan, who with his the house and the site continues and we wife Elizabeth, have made a commitment shall look forward to seeing their future to live and work at the house for at least developments and enjoying our on-going two years. They have served for several good relationship.

Visiting Alum Rock and those working with Inerserve International Fellowship

Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 21 Visit to Lambeth

From time to time the Archbishop of Canterbury presents awards to people who have been recommended to him for a variety of different reasons. Each of the awards bears the name of a previous Archbishop.

Recipients of such an Award are able to and Canon Jill MacDonald, recipient of invite two guests to accompany them to the the Alphege Award for Evangelism and Ceremony and on the 4th April it was a great Witness and her exceptional contribution pleasure and privilege for me to join Mrs to community building and leadership in Angela Overton when her daughter, Sister Birmingham. Rachel Overton, received the ‘Dunstan Award for Prayer and the Religious Life’. Sister The awards were not presented only to Rachel is a Solitary Religious who is attached members of the Church of England but to our Community and she received the included a Muslim and a Roman Catholic Award for her greatly valued and significant priest and people from other parts of the work as Spirituality Advisor to the Bishop of Anglican Communion. Despite the April Peterborough and for planning and running chill in the Great Hall there was a warm and a 2-year course in Spiritual Direction for the friendly atmosphere. The presentation was Peterborough and Leicester dioceses. followed by a welcome cup of tea after which the Archbishop invited those present who Another recipient of the Dunstan Award was were able to stay to join him in the Chapel for Dr. Peta Dunstan of Cambridge University Evensong. It was a memorable afternoon! for her extraordinary work with Anglican Religious Communities. She is a great friend of our Communities and we are pleased to number her as a good friend of C.S.J.D. It was difficult for Peta Dunstan to invite just This now brings you up to date with all our one member of a Community as she knows all news to the beginning of summer 2019, of us, so it was particularly pleasing to me to except for some additional news we wish unofficially represent Anglican Religious! to share with you. Firstly, we heard of the death of our Honorary Treasurer, Mr Tony On arrival in the Great Hall at Lambeth it Leverington, in July 2019. More about was a surprise to read through the list of the his years of advice, help and wisdom to the 27 recipients and to discover that there were Community will come in our next report. three people from Birmingham I knew; Roger Jones, Director of Christian Music Ministries, who was awarded the Cranmer Prize for his unique contribution to Christian Music, the The next report will also Rev. Jessica Foster awarded the Hubert Prize contain the story of the for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation refurbishment of our kitchen. and her sustained and remarkable work in community and interfaith relations

22 Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 Sister Rachel

Dr Peta Dunstan

Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 23 Carol Newton, Sisters Ivy Patten, Christine Hoverd, Margaret Angela King and Shirley Hart.

Lastly it is our joy to share with you that we have a new member of Community, Carol As you can see, the next report Newton, who was admitted as a Postulant is already beginning – the story on Wednesday, 25th September. Please goes on. pray for her as she settles into Community.

24 Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 Notes

Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 25 Thank you’s Notes We wish to offer our thanks: To both our Bishops – David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, our Bishop Visitor, and Bishop Anne Hollinghurst, Bishop of Aston.

To our local Chaplains – Rev Canon Helen Hingley and Rev Bill Moore.

To Mandy and Michael O’Connor for their help and care of our computers; to Rob de Winter who keeps our website up to date and Kris Desij for her work on the archives.

The Community of St John the Divine, an Anglican To our General Practitioners – Dr I. Khan and Dr M. Iszatt Religious Community, live under the threefold Vows of and the staff at Church Lane Surgery, Stechford. Religious Life, establishing a centre of worship and prayer under the patronage of St John the Divine, the Apostle of To the staff at Barrett’s Butchers, Marston Green. Love, and together with the Associates of the Community form a network of love, prayer and service. To our Printer, Paul Singh, and Pat Raymer and her daughter Christianne for their invaluable help in producing

this copy of Making Connections. Within the ethos of healing, wholeness and reconciliation,

26 Making Connections | 2018 - 2019 Thank you’s

We wish to offer our thanks: To both our Bishops – David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, our Bishop Visitor, and Bishop Anne Hollinghurst, Bishop of Aston.

To our local Chaplains – Rev Canon Helen Hingley and Rev Bill Moore.

To Mandy and Michael O’Connor for their help and care of our computers; to Rob de Winter who keeps our website up to date and Kris Desij for her work on the archives.

this copy of Making Connections. Within the ethos of healing, wholeness and reconciliation, we exercise a ministry of hospitality for people to come for To all those who support us financially and enable times of rest, retreat and renewal and to share in the life and our continuing ministry. We are very appreciative worship of the community. We seek to offer a ministry of for your generosity spiritual accompaniment and pastoral care, and to respond to the needs of the poor and marginalized. To you all, THANK YOU.

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 210254

ST. JOHN’S HOUSE, 113 COLESHILL ROAD, MARSTON GREEN, BIRMINGHAM B37 7HT Tel: 0121 7880391

[email protected] COMMUNITY OF https://csjdivine.wordpress.com ST JOHN THE DIVINE MAKING CONNECTIONS ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019