The Magazine for the Parish of Ss Peter & Paul, with St Michael And

The magazine for the parish of Ss Peter & Paul, with St Michael and All Angels, Kettering 2 From Your Rector

David writes:

Half of the church's calendar is taken up with 'Festival' and other special seasons, marking the great events in the Christian story. The other half is what we call 'Ordinary Time'. This divides the Christian year fairly neatly into two distinct halves, with one exception. For just a few weeks in February, we have a brief taste of Ordinary Time in the middle of what is otherwise an uninterrupted run of special seasons: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent and Easter.

But soon Lent will be with us. It is a special time of the year, a time to reflect on our lives and our faith. As a parish, we will be reflecting on what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

There is no one way to follow Jesus. Part of the delight of being in a church is to see people working out for themselves in such different ways how to respond to the words 'follow me'. Yet as we wrestle with what this means for us, we can be inspired and we can learn: from other Christians, from some of the remarkable women and men who have been on this journey before us.

This year as a parish we are taking as our guide and teacher the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, whose book 'Being Disciples' I encourage you to get hold of and read. We have copies of the book for those of you joining our Tuesday evening and Wednesday lunchtime discussion groups during Lent. But it's easy to get hold of online and I encourage any of you who want to make Lent a special time to read just one short chapter each week.

What does it mean to follow Jesus in our work? What does it mean to follow him when we're with our neighbours, friends or family? What does it mean for us as church members?

After Easter we're going to be asking what it means for our two churches to follow Jesus in our ministry and mission here in Kettering. There are plenty of great examples out there of churches who have done this in different ways. We can learn from them. But we need to discover what is the distinctive and unique thing which God is calling us to do in the coming years as we try to live out the gospel here in the heart of this town.

We're going to start by having two conversations. One amongst ourselves, allowing ourselves to engage our imagination and dream about what kind of churches we would like to be by 2025. The second, with the wider town, asking what their needs and aspirations are and what they want from us. This is especially relevant for P & P with its historic position as the 'town church'. But St Michael's are already talking to their local community about this ahead of a DCC Away Day in May.

3 The aim is that by summer next year, both churches together will have a clear sense of our vision and priorities over the coming years. We want to take seriously the challenges and opportunities ahead of us and then to raise our sights. We want to reimagine what might be possible as together we try to follow Jesus and to respond to the promptings of the Spirit.

For all this to be possible, we need to look again at how we encourage and enable the ministry of all our members, so that all can play a part in this. It won't be priests like me who make this happen. It will be the members of the church, working together in new and unexpected ways. My main role as Rector is to encourage and help you in this.

But we do also need to strengthen the resources at the centre of our parish, to make sure we have enough priests serving the parish and that their time is spent in the best possible way. I hope over the coming year we will have more than one good piece of news in this area. As a start, my wife Carys, who says something in this edition about herself and her ministry, has now received permission to officiate in the Diocese. The moment has not yet come for her to be licensed to any one parish, but she has chosen to preach and preside here on Sundays and is very much enjoying doing so.

In the meantime, our PCC has made a bold decision to invest resources in an administrator, which I believe will make a significant difference to our ministry and mission. You can read details elsewhere in this edition of 'Saints and Angels': do think about whether you know someone suitable to fill this post.

I am looking forward with excitement to the journey we will soon be setting out on. But first each of us needs to ask what it means for us to follow Jesus. I hope to be travelling alongside many of you on that journey through Lent.

[email protected]

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Thoughts from the Bishop of Peterborough

Shocks and Surprises in 2017?

2016 was a year of surprises. You might feel that we could all do with a bit more stability in this New Year. However, I doubt that we can bank on it. Whether you are into politics, sport, soaps and celebrities, or just family and friends, I’m pretty sure you can expect a surprise or two. But I’m not going to make any predictions.

One of the interesting things about surprises is how we react to them. It is worth thinking about that. What sort of reactions do you have to a shock election result, or an unexpected sports champion, or an ex-politician being lauded for dancing badly in a yellow suit? Or, much more seriously, how do you react to the news of the serious illness of a loved one, or even yourself? Or the death of someone who has been a hero of yours, or of a family member?

The immediate reaction isn’t the most important thing. Some of us are more volatile than others, or more used to showing our feelings. Others seem to take everything calmly, maybe too calmly. But what counts is how these shocks and surprises affect us long term. You may have met someone who says that a tragic event caused them to lose their faith in God. You may be someone who has never been able to deal with a deep disappointment or a death in the family.

Jesus seems to rebuke his disciples for panicking in the face of a storm, even a life-threatening one. He seems to imply that his presence ought to give us a deep peace, a strength to deal with what life throws at us. But it isn’t that easy. He still wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus, and he still showed anger at those who used the Temple to make a profit from the poor. He isn’t modelling or teaching a false calmness, an emotional deficit.

The big question is: Can we trust him, whatever life throws at us? The famous saying of Job in the King James Version of the Old Testament, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15) may be a bad translation, but it still sets us the challenge. And the testimony of the whole Bible, and of so many Christian people in history and today, is absolutely clear.

Come what may, he can be trusted. Great is thy faithfulness.

The Parish is recruiting an Administrator, ideally to start work from mid-May. Do you know anyone who might be suitable?

Details of the post:

20 hours a week. £9,880 pa (£18,525 pro rata)

We are looking for a self motivated & well organised homeworker with excellent ‘people’ skills to: • provide general administrative support • maintain and oversee our communications • manage and grow our lettings business

Good people & communication & basic IT skills essential.

The Administrator will work closely with the clergy, staff & officers of this Church of England parish with two churches in the heart of Kettering; and alongside volunteers from both churches.

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 28th February

Interview date: Wednesday 15th March

For further information and an application pack, please contact the Rector, Revd David Walsh: [email protected]

6 BOOK REVIEW

Dethroning Mammon: The Archbishop's 2017 Lent Book

Bloomsbury Continuum ISBN 1472929772

In his first full-length book, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby looks at the subject of money and materialism.

Designed for study in the weeks of Lent leading up to Easter, Dethroning Mammon reflects on the impact of our own attitudes, and of the pressures that surround us; on how we handle the power of money, called Mammon in this book. Who will be on the throne of our lives? Who will direct our actions and attitudes? Is it Jesus Christ, who brings truth, hope and freedom? Or is it Mammon, so attractive, so clear, but leading us into paths that tangle, trip and deceive?

Archbishop Justin Welby explores the tensions that arise in a society dominated by Mammon’s modern aliases, economics and finance, and by the pressures of our culture to conform to Mammon’s expectations. Following the Gospels towards Easter, this book asks the reader what it means to dethrone Mammon in the values and priorities of our civilisation and in our own existence. In Dethroning Mammon, Archbishop Justin challenges us to use Lent as a time of learning to trust in the abundance and grace of God.

Ash Wednesday 1st March

This year the parish will have its usual three celebrations of Ash Wednesday, all with Imposition of Ashes:

9.30am Said Eucharist at St Michael’s 12.15pm Said Eucharist 7.30pm Sung Eucharist

This is one of the most important days in the Church’s year so everyone is encouraged to come to one of these services to mark the start of Lent. .

Lent 2017

Come on a journey with us as we explore 'Being Disciples' with Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury. We encourage as many as possible of you to read through this book in Lent, one chapter a week, whether or not you're able to join one of our study groups. If you are joining one of the groups, copies of the book will be available from church. If you want to buy your own copy, Amazon is selling the paperback for £7.19 and the Kindle Edition for £6.02.

One group will meet at St Michael's at 7.30 pm on Tuesdays in Lent, each week studying one chapter from the book:

Tuesday 7th March: Chapter1: 'Being disciples' Tuesday 14th March: Chapter 2: 'Faith, hope & love' Tuesday 21st March: Chapter 3: 'Forgiveness' Tuesday 28th March: Chapter 4: 'Holiness' Tuesday 4th April: Chapter 5: 'Faith in Society'

A second group will meet in the parish hall after the 12.15 pm eucharist on Wednesdays in Lent:

Wednesday 8th March: Chapter 1: 'Being disciples' Wednesday 15th March: Chapter 2: 'Faith, hope & love' Wednesday 22nd March: Chapter 3: 'Forgiveness' Wednesday 29th March: Chapter 4: 'Holiness' Wednesday 5th April: Chapter 5: 'Faith in Society'

We hope members of both groups will be able to meet up after Easter, on Wednesday 31st May, a few days before Pentecost, to look together at the final chapter, 'Life in the Spirit'. Venue to be confirmed. Again, 7.30 pm.

8 Celebrating the Saints

Janani Luwum – Archbisop of Uganda, Martyr 1977

I struggle to comprehend that over forty years have elapsed since the reign of terror perpetrated against the people of Uganda by Idi Amin, a time that would see the death of so many people and the expulsion from the country of thousands more, principally Asians. Later this month, Mike Hill, Bishop of Bristol, representing the Archbishop of Canterbury, will be joining the people of Uganda at a major commemoration on the 40th Anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Janani Luwum. But who was he and what do we know about him?

Janani Luwum was born in 1922 at Acholi in Uganda. His childhood and youth were spent as a goatherd, but he quickly showed an ability to learn and absorb knowledge when given the opportunity. So it was he became a teacher and soon after, he converted to Christianity. he would later attend Buwalais Theological College in Uganda and was ordained in 1956. His rise was impressive and in 1966 he was appointed Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, Rwanda, Byurundi and Boga-Zaire. Luwum earned a reputation for creative and active leadership, promoting a new vision with energy and commitment. Only three years later on the 25th January 1969 he was consecrated bishop of Northern Uganda. Among the congregation on that occasion was the Prime Minister of Uganda, Milton Obote and the Chief of Staff of the army, Idi Amin.

Amin sought power for himself, and in 1971 deposed the President of Uganda, Milton Obote, while he was attending a Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Conference in Singapore. A reign of terror followed, the Asian population was expelled in 1972. It was in the midst of such a society, in 1974, that Luwum was elected Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga-Zaire. He pressed ahead with the reform of his church in time to mark the centenary of the creation of the Anglican province. But he also warned that the Church should not conform to "the powers of darkness".

Amin cultivated a relationship with the archbishop, arguably to acquire credibility. For his part, Luwum sought to mitigate the effects of his rule, and to plead for its victims. The Anglican and Roman Catholic churches increasingly worked together to frame a response to the political questions of the day. Soon they joined with the Muslims of Uganda. On 12 February 1977 Janani Luwum delivered a protest to Amin against all acts of violence that were allegedly the work of the security services.

9 Church leaders were summoned to Kampala and then ordered to leave, one by one. Luwum turned to Bishop Festo Kivengere and said, "They are going to kill me. I am not afraid".

Shortly after Janani and two of Amin’s own government ministers were stated as having been found dead following a car accident. It quickly emerged that they had in fact died on the implicit instructions of the President, Idi Amin. For Janani, this was the price of discipleship.

Later his body was buried at his home village near St Paul's Church, Mucwini.

Lesley McCormack

A statue to the modern martyr, Janani Luwum, sculpted by Neil Simmons, was unveiled in July 1988 and stands above the West entrance to Westminster Abbey alongside statues of Maximilian Kolbe and Manche Masemola. A memorial service for the Archbishop was held in Westminster Abbey on 30th March 1977

Confirmation in 2017 Have you considered being confirmed?

At confirmation people affirm their faith in Christ confirming the promises that were made for them at their baptism (or if not previously baptised are baptised and confirmed in the same service), the Bishop then asks God to give them power through the Holy Spirit to enable them to live in the way of Jesus.

Bishop John will be joining us for the Easter Vigil, Saturday 15th April, and will be confirming (and baptising) those who have prepared over the previous weeks.

Confirmation classes give you the opportunity to decide whether confirmation is for you. It is a chance to explore the Christian faith, ask questions and discuss with others. Confirmation classes are also open to those who have already been confirmed but would like a refresher.

Classes will be on Wednesday evenings, starting 22nd February, with the possibility of an additional session for younger candidates on Sunday afternoons. Contact Kate Bowers if you are interested, email [email protected] or telephone on 525520 evenings only or speak to one of the clergy.

10 Interfaith Café

I went along to the Interfaith Café at the Quaker Meeting House last Saturday on 3rd December. I’d never been in the Quaker Meeting House before and found it very cosy and friendly and I received a very warm welcome.

With mug of tea in hand I went through to the back where there were some people gathered round tables drinking tea and coffee and eating cake. On first glance I couldn’t see anybody who obviously looked as though they belonged to any faith group other than Christians and I learned that this was the case, with the exception of a few Baha’i members. I had hoped to meet people from a number of other faith groups but had to admit this was a first attempt and it was early days yet.

I had a long chat with a Quaker bloke who told me about how they worship and I was struck by how laid back it was and how the essence of the Quakers was that they believed that there was something of God in each human being of unique worth and they value all humans equally. I completely agreed with this and felt that in some areas the Anglican Church could benefit from this philosophy e.g. gay marriage and less misogyny.

There were a lot of former and current Anglicans present actually, known as Quanglicans, who either left the Anglican Church for the Quakers or who attended both. Sarah Pelling and I later on met up with some members of the Baha’i community. One of them explained their beliefs which I found really interesting as I didn’t know a great deal about them. Throughout history, God has sent to humanity divine educators to help civilisation such as Abraham, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad who are known as the Manifestations of God. This explains how their teachings are so very similar.

Although it would have been good to meet more faith groups I have the hope there is more to come as it was a great experience and we found we had more in common than differences. I’m happy with my faith as it’s the shoe that fits me personally but faith isn’t one size fits all. The world would be a very boring and one dimensional place if there was only one religion and I am so glad we live in a diverse, multi-cultural and multi-faceted world that is rich with diversity.

Roxanne Collin

11 Greetings from Carys !

These first few months in Kettering have sped by and David and I are enjoying being here, getting to know everyone and beginning to find out more about the rich history of the town and the area.

One of the high points of these early months for me, has been receiving the Bishop's permission to minister in the diocese. Every priest needs permission from the Bishop before they can officiate at services, and this has meant that I've been able to begin taking a fuller part in the parish on Sundays, with David and Lesley. So standing at the altar at P&P for the first time in the parish, at 7.45am (on New Year's Day, no less!) was a wonderful moment - if also a bit surreal. Staring into the vast space of this medieval church, which has seen countless generations come and go, kneel in prayer, find each other in marriage, find God, and mark losses, was very humbling. And being part of the continued story of this parish, even if only in a small way, feels like an honour.

Some of you may know already that being part of the continued and continuing story of the church, its ministers, priests and people, is very close to my heart. Much of my working life is spent at a college called St Mellitus, in London. This is a training college for those preparing for ordained ministry in the Church of England. A significant number of undergraduates and post-graduates who are not training for ministry also come to study theology, just for the love of the subject. All the staff there 'look after' a number of students and also have a particular academic specialism; mine is Christian Spirituality. This chimes in with various bits of academic work I had done in the years leading up to St Mellitus; in particular I did a doctorate in Christian Spirituality, on the work of priest and poet R. S. Thomas. He remains a huge source of inspiration for me.

Before teaching at the college, I worked for several years for the Church of England in the hugely enjoyable and endlessly fascinating area of selection for ordained ministry, running national selection panels (known as 'BAPs'; Bishops' Advisory Panels). But the biggest chunk of my working life before being ordained, was the many years spent as a psychotherapist. This seems a long time ago, but psychotherapy was not only a great training ground for other things in life, but also helped me to untangle some of the knots in my faith.

A mixture of Methodism and Welsh Calvinism had coalesced within me into a rather confused and rigid faith, which was then hugely shaken up by new influences when I left home for university. All I felt able to do at that point was let faith go, not so much 12 out of unbelief, but in the hope that if there was life in it, it would re-find me in some way. Then after years of casting around for a faith which sang to my soul, it was Anglicanism which called me home. The language, the poetry, the power of its liturgy and symbols all made God real for me and brought faith alive again. As well as this, my beloved, funny, kind grandfather had quietly been Church of England, so perhaps this trustworthy man had communicated his gentle, trustworthy faith.

So here we are! Enjoying the privilege of continuing the stream of faith in this ancient parish, with its centuries of faithful people, seekers after God, and also, no doubt, the confused, who nevertheless turn to our churches to see if the knots can be untangled.

So thank you all so much for your welcome - it is good to be here!

Carys Walsh

Around the diocese…

New Warden for Launde Abbey

Launde Abbey, the Retreat House of the Dioceses of Peterborough and Leicester, has a new warden, the Venerable David Newman, currently Archdeacon of Loughborough. The Rev’d Canon Helen Newman will also be joining the staff of Launde in a new role of Chaplain.

David and Helen have both worked in the Diocese of Leicester for a number of years. David was appointed as Archdeacon of Loughborough in 2009 and before that was Rector of Emmanuel Loughborough and Area Dean of Akeley East. He was also chair of the House of Clergy from 2007-2009. Helen has been the Chaplain of LOROS since 2009 and previously worked with David at Emmanuel. Helen was made an Honorary Canon of Leicester Cathedral earlier this year. They have both led numerous retreats and courses at Launde in recent years and have a deep love of the place and people.

Bishop Donald said: “I warmly welcome the appointment of David and Helen, and am delighted that their gifts will be used in this way at Launde, and for the blessing of both Leicester and Peterborough Dioceses.”

13 The Bishop of Leicester, The Right Reverend Martyn Snow commented: “David’s rich experience as an Archdeacon and Rector will be invaluable in ensuring that Launde plays a very prominent role in the diocese’ vision to be ‘Shaped by God’. Helen also brings rich gifts in teaching and spiritual direction and I am absolutely delighted that they have agreed to move to Launde.”

David and Helen are very happy to be moving to the Retreat Centre. “Launde Abbey has always been a special place for us during our twenty years in Leicester Diocese and we are very excited at this opportunity to lead the community forward in its ministry of hospitality, prayer and equipping for discipleship. Our vision is for Launde to be a prophetic and sustaining resource, enabling the people of God to negotiate challenging times with courage, wisdom and hope.”

Tim Stratford, Chair of Trustees, added, “I am delighted that David Newman is to take on the role of Warden at Launde Abbey and will be joined in ministry there by his wife, Helen. Together they bring deep spiritual maturity and a breadth of experience that it is rare to find. I am confident that this precious place will be in safe hands as they offer their leadership and share responsibility with others to make Launde Abbey a hospitable place on a secure footing in which people will encounter the living God.”

Please pray for David and Helen as they prepare to move to Launde in the Spring of 2017.

Halfway – unbelievably!

Somehow I appear to have reached the halfway point in my training which is both quite encouraging and a little bit scary. The thought that the Bishop might actually ordain me next year seems quite a huge thing to contemplate. Reflecting on that I do recognise that I am very much a work in progress and will always be one, as I think we all are.

This academic year so far has included modules on Pastoral Care and Spirituality and we are also covering a module on reflective practice throughout the whole year. One of the highlights has been hearing about spirituality from a Romanian Orthodox perspective and how the Eucharist is at the heart of their liturgy and spirituality. Having recently explored the theology around the consecration of the bread and wine at a recent residential weekend I asked our Romanian friend what they think happens to the bread and wine. His answer was that they believe Christ is in the Eucharist – it is real communion with Christ – but they don’t speculate about what has actually happened or why. They see it as a mystery and that’s how it should remain. Personally I found that approach quite refreshing and was left wondering if sometimes we do look for answers to questions that don’t even need asking.

As ordinands we are constantly challenged to think through our own beliefs about things, to decide what our own theology is. One of the consequences of that for me personally has been that I have had some of my own beliefs challenged and refined. I have increasingly come to the view that there are a lot of things that I may disagree with others about – what happens to the bread and wine being one of those – but it isn’t being right that matters. I can’t know I’m right and someone else is wrong, I can only be committed to my own belief having arrived at that belief in an informed and prayerful way. Of course that doesn’t apply to everything. For example, I believe God loves all of us and he sent his Son to die for us. That’s not a belief that is up for debate as far as I’m concerned!

Our reflective practice module encourages lots of theological reflection and involves keeping a journal. We are taught different ways to reflect theologically and are then expected to apply them and evidence that application by writing it up. The context for much of that is a placement that we are expected to undertake in this term. The idea is that we do a 60 hour placement in a context that is very different from ours. Practically, that means I have had to start mine already – squeezing 60 hours in is challenging on top of study and work. I have opted for a rural, 5 parish benefice context which is very different from our Parish. This means that I’m not going to be around very much between now and Easter as a lot of it will be on Sunday mornings as well as my normal residentials being at the weekend. I am excited by the placement but I will miss being with you Sunday by Sunday and in Holy Week. I have also discovered, very early on, that thermal under garments are a prerequisite for rural ministry having experienced what felt like sub artic temperatures on my first Sunday! I will never take the heating in either of our churches for granted again. I continue to be grateful for your prayers, support and encouragement and look forward to sharing some of the joys of rural ministry with you when I return and thaw out!

Jane Burns

15 These are a few of my favourite things: life in the choir*

Choir is one of the highlights of my life. It is a huge privilege to be able to sing wonderful music ranging from Tallis to Taverner, and to do it for the glory of God. There is nothing quite like being able to sing something beautiful, and to sing it with your friends, and sing it to God.

It can be hard work at times, and Bill really does have the patience of a saint as he repeats things time after time because we still haven’t got it. It is good, though, to strive to do the best that we can with what God has given us, and to be able to sing things we never thought we could (though we still have, as a choir, a bit of a block about Herbert Howells, a 20th century composer who never liked to use one time signature in a piece when twenty would do as well. One day Bill hopes he will get us over this).

We don’t just sing things from the 20th century: choir is an endless voyage of discovery around the many different ways people have chosen to write music to praise God. The creative process is a variable thing. Sometimes we sing something the way it should be straight away. Sometimes Bill closes up the book and we move smartly on. Sometimes we grumble and complain about a new piece, but then we end up loving it. If you’ve been to the Advent Procession, you’ll have heard the Advent Prose, with its beautiful soaring soprano line sung by a soloist at one end of the church, with the choir at the font. It was a battle to get it right, but it’s magnificent now that we have.

With Bill and Mark’s help, and a good dose of the Holy Spirit, we manage to sing things we never thought we could. After all the stumbling, and wrong notes, and wonky rhythms, and times when we peter out into silence because we’re just so…. wrong, everything falls into place.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we get there. We know what we’re supposed to be doing, and we do it, and do it together, to the glory of God. If you would like to join us, why not come to one of our practices? Speak to Bill, or one of us, after the service. Jane Badger

*I think I should add, for the avoidance of doubt, that we don’t get to sing The Sound of Music. Yet. 16 Come to the Bishop’s Bible Day

This year the theme is The Old Testament for the church and the world today. The day for anyone who uses the Bible; in their ministry, in church, in school, at work, in the community and at home. There are two talks from Bishop Donald, and a choice of two workshops during the day.

It all happens on Saturday 18th March 2017, 9:30am - 4pm at Northampton High School for Girls, Newport Pagnell Road, Northampton, NN4 6UU

There are many talks available including: Friends or Foes? Multiculturalism in the Old Testament: exploring the contradictory traditions of ethnic purity and being YHWH's means of saving all the nations with Bishop John. The Good Shepherd: How Jesus used Psalm 23 to describe himself and his mission with Chrys Tremththanmor Amnon and Tamar: Top tips for avoiding Lust and Murder in everyday life. A frank and honest reflection on handling challenging issues in discipleship and accountability with Chad Chadwick What can we learn from the Life Coaches in the Old Testament? with Adrian Holdstock Scripture in a nut shell: Human identity, Death and Life with Charlie Nobbs Making the connection between Old and New : When is the New more helpfully understood in the light of the Old? with Richard Ormston The prophet Joel: how deep do our reflection and penitence go? with Barry Morrison. Exploring the timeline of the Old Testament through storytelling with Angela Hughes "Will you be for me a Kingdom of Priests" (Exodus 19:6) What on earth are we here for? with Steve Benoy.

Book early to ensure your place in the workshops, as places are limited Please book by Friday 10th March 2017.

For a list of workshops or to book, ring 01604 887049 or email: [email protected] More information can be found at: http:// www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/discipleship/-3.

17 The view from St. Michael’s

It’s probably hard to imagine now but more than one hundred years ago, if you’d stood just outside our little ‘tin tabernacle’ church, on the corner of what is now Garfield Street and “Round Hill Road” there would be few familiar landmarks. You would have seen a terrace of new town houses (where the late butcher Paul Harris used to live), a sole detached house on the opposite plot and a field away, in isolation, two houses, the only occupants of the fledging St Michael’s Road (where Shaun, Kate and their family live now). Otherwise, going south, there were no houses between Kettering and Isham except farms.

With your back to the town, facing away from the tightly-packed terraced houses, homes to the scores of last makers, skivers and clickers, away from the comfortable splendour of red brick and stone villas owned by the shoe factory owners along the leafy Headlands, St Michael and All Angels Church was founded to serve as a mission church in 1908. This little outpost on the edge of boomtown Kettering was not the first venture in the Parish of Kettering.

Already in 1870 St Andrew’s Church had been consecrated. In 1893 the iron mission off Stamford Road grew into St Mary’s Church. Starting life in the Mission Hall in Brook Street in 1893 All Saints Church’s building was completed in 1911 - all having begun in temporary halls and tin huts. It was here on the very edge of our town within sight of the beloved medieval spire of Ss Peter and Paul and within earshot of the pealing bells, the tin tabernacle was positioned to push forward the next phase of church’s mission to the people of Kettering.

And we are still here today.

A decade has passed since the interior was re-ordered and refurbished. Hanging on the wall of the smart, disabled-friendly loo is a photo of the ground-breaking ceremony. The great and the good, young and old are gathered in their Sunday best to mark the occasion. A day that these pioneers had been working so hard towards. Most of the required £350 was raised within Kettering by numerous events including a grand fete at Crossways (later to become a convent).

One year later, on Saturday May 29, 1909, the local paper turned up to record the day of the consecration of the latest temporary church in Kettering. The photographer captured the image of the incongruously robed P&P choir leading the procession down the middle of Garfield Street.

18 This Pentecost we shall be celebrating ten years since our re-birth as a church community. In that time, we have refurbished the Community Hall providing a welcoming space for all its users and been able to reshape the gardens to enhance one of the few green spaces in the area.

However, we do not want to stand still, to stop the work that was started over a century ago. As a church community we are moving forward to fulfil our mission as Christ’s eyes, ears, hands and hearts.

If we stand on that same corner now, facing south we must be aware that Kettering does not end where it used to, our mission should not just be restricted to our leafy, tree-lined streets.

We must continue the work of those eager people pictured in the photo who founded our building, to push on and walk with Christ, building His Kingdom.

Alison Bagley

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Wedding CHRIS DIAPER Reception ELECTRICAL

EST 1983 A Toastmaster will ensure the smooth running of your Domestic, Reception. industrial &

Commercial Electrical Contractor Robert Civil

London Guild of Toastmasters 78 Neale Ave Kettering & Member of Institute of Toastmasters NN16 9HE Of Great Britain TEL: 01536 520779

MOBILE:07850 385538

01536 482395

21 LEE HART Plastering 25 Years Experience  Ceilings  Rendering  Skimming  Coving  Dry Lining  Re-skims

For a reliable, friendly and efficient service call 01536 484158 or 077578 31177

22 LAWN MOWER Repairs, Servicing & Sales

JOHN COLE

58 Chase View Road, Geddington NN14 1AQ 0795 100 4387 01536 745771

R.F.BLOUNT

PLUMBING, HEATING & ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Free Quotations

Gas & Oil Appliance Servicing

Domestic & Industrial Installation and Maintenance

Fitted Bathrooms Design & Installation

Unit 2, Garrard Way, A1/M1 Business Centre KETTERING Northants, NN16 8TD Tel: (01536) 514046

23 Services Sunday

7.45am. Said Eucharist at Ss Peter & Paul (BCP) 9.00am. Said Eucharist with hymns at St. Michael’s (Sunday School in Scout Hut) 10.30am. Sung Eucharist at Ss Peter & Paul (Sunday Club in Hall) 6.00pm. Evensong at Ss Peter & Paul (on the last Sunday of each month or as advertised)

Weekdays

Wednesday 12.15pm. Said Eucharist at Ss Peter & Paul Thursday 9.30am. Said Eucharist at St. Michael’s Friday 9.15am. Said Eucharist at Ss Peter & Paul

Daily Offices: Said Monday—Friday at Ss Peter & Paul 8.30 am Morning Prayer & 5.00 pm Evening Prayer

See Diary/Newsletter for other services on Saints’ days.

Clergy Rector The Revd David Walsh The Rectory, Church Walk, Kettering. NN16 0DJ

email: [email protected]

Assistant Priest The Revd Canon Lesley McCormack Barnbrook, Water Lane, Chelveston, Wellingborough, NN9 6AP Tel: 01933 626636 email: [email protected]

For full details of church officials & organisations see the information brochure available in church, or visit our Parish Web site: www.peterandpaul.org.uk