The Parish of Kidmore End & Sonning Common the Lamb and Flag St

AUGUST 2020

The Parish of Kidmore End & Sonning Common

The Lamb and Flag

The parish magazine of

St John the Baptist Church, Kidmore End and Christ the King Church, Sonning Common

50p

CONTACTING THE CLERGY OR CHURCH OFFICERS Rector

Revd James Stickings Telephone 0118 972 1459 Email [email protected].

James will normally take Monday as a ‘day off’ so if you need advice or support that day, please leave a message, or contact one of the churchwardens.

Associate Priest

Revd Sheila Walker Telephone 0118 972 4861 Email [email protected]

Churchwardens

Robert Lynch Telephone 0118 972 4699 Email [email protected]

Karen Broadbent Telephone 0118 972 4606 Email [email protected]

Musical Director – St. John’s

Frances Brewitt-Taylor Telephone 0118 948 2743 Email [email protected] PCC Treasurer

Nick Room Telephone 0118 972 2258 Email [email protected] PCC Secretary

Jenny MacGregor Telephone 0118 947 2855 Email [email protected] Parish website: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/166/

FROM THE RECTORY Dear Friends

Looking back over my previous contributions to the magazine, something I do whenever I write my letters, I see that last year I spoke about the importance of sabbath – not literally Sundays, but the important principle that rest should be built into the structure of our lives. For many people, the summer provides an opportunity to observe this principle.

This summer, however, is not a typical one! After months of lockdown, we may feel that we have had our fill of “sabbath”, and want to get on with normal life. At the same time, we are also, to a greater or lesser extent, anxious about the continuing impact of the virus on our lives.

All of this has an effect on our life as a benefice. Doubtless there are some among us who would like to get back to normal as soon as we can, while others are more wary. My own view is that we need to adopt a patient and gradual approach, mindful at all times of church and government guidance. We had our first church services in the benefice on Sunday 19 July, having made the requisite preparations. That was a major milestone.

As for what the short- and medium-term future holds for us in terms of practical arrangements for services, please do regularly check the church websites at www.achurchnearyou.com for up to date information. In August this is particularly important, as there will not be a service in each church in the benefice every week.

Can I also urge everyone to be guided by www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid- 19/people-at-higher-risk/whos-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/ as this lists factors which lead to higher risk from coronavirus. Please note that people who fall into the high risk group (clinically extremely vulnerable) are advised not to come to church, and those who fall into the moderate risk group (clinically vulnerable) – and this includes everyone over the age of 70 – are still being advised to stay at home as much as possible and when going out (e.g. to church) to pay particular attention to social distancing and hygiene.

For those who opt not to come to services, we will continue an online option: either a video or a “printed” service to use on one’s own

God bless James

GRAHAM DOUGLAS FOULIS BROWN – A PERSONAL MEMORY A tribute to Graham during the funeral service on 10 July

It is a great privilege to be asked to pay tribute to Graham and to share some personal memories with you. Forgive me if some of this might sound a bit light hearted – but I don’t think Graham would mind!

The Revd Graham Foulis Brown inherited me as his PCC secretary when he arrived in the Parish of Kidmore End in September, 1990. I had met briefly with him and Flossie before his appointment as Vicar, when a small group of us entertained them at the home of the Head Teacher at Kidmore End School. I felt they were a breath of fresh air – a young couple with two small children who were moving from Bicester. At that first meeting, there was evidence of two strong people and both with a sense of humour. It boded well.

Graham was born in Renfrewshire on 4 September 1950 and he never lost his pride at being a Scot. He could turn on the Scottish accent very quickly and could mimic most Scottish dialects. Coming from Scotland too, enabled me to understand some of the things he said and referred to; his opening to phone calls often began with “”You’ll have haud yur tea…?” – which really meant “Have you finished eating”! He invested in a dress kilt in the Douglas tartan and liked nothing more than to wear the full highland dress, complete with sporran and Skean Dhu. He wore this at Ellie and Ben’s wedding.

How many of you remember Magnus – that talented Labrador who used to write for the Parish Magazine, the Lamb and Flag, when his master was off playing at being S(c)illy? Of course Graham wasn’t playing – he was acting as a locum priest on the Isles of Scilly, which he loved to visit each year, leaving Magnus to hold the fort in Kidmore End – and writing the Vicar’s letter for him in his absence….

Traditionally, the Vicar of a Church School is appointed as the Chair of Governors and within a short time, Graham took over that position. He worked tirelessly as Chair and thanks to his amazing knowledge and wisdom, he supported the school through some very difficult times. He worked with three Heads, two interim Heads, then with Janet Maul and latterly with the present Head Teacher, Linda Hull. Everyone in turn expressed their 2 appreciation of his support and involvement with the school community. On the occasion of staff birthdays, it was traditional for each birthday person to provide a cake to share with the staff. Graham used to pop in at break times – how did he know when cake was to be offered? - and he always said that KES had the only staffroom he knew of, that had a set of cake forks in regular use! In many ways, Graham was a house husband and on one occasion, one of the staff came into the Staffroom, complaining that young Rupert, who was in Year 3 at the time, had fidgeted continually all morning. On being questioned as to what was wrong, Rupert said plaintively, “Daddy sewed up my trousers this morning – and he’s left the needle in them…..!” On another occasion the same young chap appeared in school, soaking wet. On hearing this, one of the staff said, “You would have thought that with a father like his, he would have taught Rupert to walk on water…!” I’m not sure that Graham ever actually managed to perform miracles!

Graham was involved in many outside organisations. He was a member of the Coopers’ Company, to whom he was their chaplain; he was a magistrate for many years, serving on the bench of the Oxfordshire Youth Court, and he was chaplain to a local Lodge of the Masons. I believe he was also Chaplain to the local St John’s Ambulance Brigade. As well as eventually running two parishes in the newly formed Benefice, he was made an Honorary Canon of Christ Church Cathedral – all of which took up a great deal of time and yet he always had time for people who needed his help and support. I have many personal memories of his kindness and his wisdom. If anyone ever needed to know something, the response would be “Ask Graham! He will know!!” - and he always did. PCC meetings could, at times be challenging and Graham could be irascible – he also talked a great deal! – but these moments never lasted long. He was always the first to say thank you for efforts put into special services, concerts, etc, thus valuing contributions made by members of his flock.

Forgive me if I read part of an article that appeared in the Peppard News when Graham retired, five years ago. It said: “ Graham is a very capable parish priest and is known as a man you can depend on. He likes to get to the crux of a matter and we have benefited from his sure grasp of many church issues and diocesan intricacies. At heart a traditionalist, Graham has been a reassuring presence for those caught up in the personal highs and lows of weddings and funerals and Remembrance 3

Days and other formal occasions. His love of tradition and understanding of ceremony can be seen in his long devotion to the Coopers’ Company. He is a good preacher (perhaps because he enjoys preaching). His sermons convey a clear message, are original, thoughtful, wide ranging, with a dash of humour at the right time. Graham has taken particular care to involve the children in church services and is an unwavering supporter of the music in the church. Graham will be greatly missed. It is a blessing to have a rector with so clear a dedication to the priesthood, secure as other faithful priests in their ‘reasonable, quiet, unpretentious, sober faith in God’. We are very grateful for all Graham has contributed as Rector of Peppard.”

The article ends with a memory of the hilarious occasion at a Harvest Lunch when Barry Olsen, Graham and Hugh Warwick, suitably costumed, appeared on stage as The Three Ladies of the Church. It brought the house down!

Despite the ending of their formal union, Graham and Flossie remained real friends, sharing many happy family occasions together with Ellie and Rupert and their wider family. He was extremely proud of his two adored children and loved to tell his friends of their many achievements. Graham quietly experienced many health issues and during most of those, Flossie was there to support and look after him. During his final illness, Flossie was there once again and it must have been a great comfort to him that she, Ellie and Roo were with him when he died peacefully in the Royal Berkshire Hospital, on 26 June 2020.

I know the thoughts of all of us are with you, Floss, Ellie, Ben and Roo and our love goes out to you all.

Rest in peace, Graham – a dear friend and priest to many.

Jenny MacGregor

ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY – BBC RADIO 4 – 26 JUNE On Monday (22 June) Pope Francis spoke powerfully of the bashfulness of poverty. A few weeks back I was in a nearby hospital as a Chaplain meeting some of the lowest paid, the most invisible. Invisible, yet indispensable.

Their worth and necessity not measured in pounds - although it should be - but in love.

It was a meeting in which I found great blessing. As often during lockdown it was a glimpse of interdependence. We’ve seen it in the kindness of one neighbour to another, the service of our key workers, and the care of people for those they may not even know. We’ve been given inklings, reminders, of the God-given value and calling of every single person.

The first move for a hoped-for future must be a change of direction to make that glimpse a reality. Christians call it “repentance” meaning “to reverse direction”. Repentance can’t come without justice, because changing direction means actively righting wrong.

The second move accompanying repentance with justice is forgiveness. Facing the challenge of our interdependence asks us: what does it mean to be truly in relationship with each other? It requires us to recognise the dignity and value of every person, especially those that we too readily overlook, those hidden by the bashfulness of suffering - the old, the poor, those with disabilities, and minority communities of all kinds.

Relationships require the hard graft of saying sorry and changing, repenting where we have hurt others, of seeking strength to forgive where we ourselves have been hurt, and committing to work together across welcomed difference. Right relationships in our households and our neighbourhoods, across our cities and our regions, and around our nation and the world require new hearts, what the Pope called conversion. Repentance and forgiveness convert us and offer a future of hope.

This new future requires of us the ability to receive as gift, with wonder and gratitude, the gift of each other with our differences, the gift of creation, supremely the gift of God. Those are the gifts with which to rethink, to rebuild the future. Repentance, forgiving, conversion of heart and of morals, gifts given and received of love: these are the greatest tools to build the greatest hope for the greatest future.

THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIANITY IN BRITAIN This month there are commemorations of two Northumbrian saints, Oswald – martyr 642 on 5 August, and Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, missionary 651 on 31 August. Both had a significant impact on the development of Christianity in Northumbria and elsewhere.

It was in 597 that Pope Gregory sent Augustine, a Benedictine monk, to spread Christianity to Britain, then a pagan land. Augustine and his supporters were welcomed by Aethelbert I, King of Kent and given a place to live in what is now Canterbury. The King’s benevolence is attributed to the fact that his wife from a royal household in Paris was herself a Christian.

In 625 the King of Kent’s daughter married Edwin from Northumbria. She moved north with her husband taking with her a monk who was successful in converting Edwin the King of Northumbria and his household. Then, in 634 Oswald came to power. He had been converted to Christianity by Celtic monks from the island of Iona. On coming to power he sent for a monk from Iona and it was this request which brought Aidan and supporting monks to Northumbria. Aidan set up a community in Lindisfarne. Oswald gave Aidan permission to preach and Aidan was successful in spreading Christianity throughout Northumbria. Their preaching style was characterised as being with empathy and the use of simple words to explain the faith. Christianity took hold in Northumbria and by the time of Aidan’s death in 651, many monasteries and churches had been established. More monks were encouraged to come to Northumbria from Iona.

And of course, King Oswald played a key role in supporting the growth of Christianity in our area. Pope Honorius I sent a bishop named Birinus to preach Christianity to the West Saxons. Birinus persuaded the West Saxon King, Cynegils to allow him to preach. At the time Cynegils was trying to establish an alliance with Oswald. As Oswald was a Christian he persuaded Cynegils to be baptised by Birinus with Oswald standing sponsor. In return, Cynegils gave Dorchester-on-Thames to Birinus as his episcopal see. Birinus is responsible for having established many churches in Wessex, including it is believed, St Peter and St Paul Church at Checkendon. Birinus died at Dorchester around 650 and the Lectionary lesser feast day is 4 September.

LOOKING AHEAD TO SEPTEMBER – FEAST DAYS AND COMMEMORATIONS Principal feasts occurring next month are 8 September – birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (if not marked on 15 August), 21 September – St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, and 29 September – St Michael and All Angels.

Lesser festivals or commemorations include, 4 September - St Birinus, Bishop of Dorchester, Apostle of Wessex (c.650), and 25 September – Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester, Spiritual writer 1626.

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD – 6 AUGUST This important event during Jesus’ ministry is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It is also referred to in 2 Peter 1. 16 – 18. The accounts tell us that Jesus went with Peter, James and John to a sacred mountain to pray. Whilst there Jesus’s face shines brightly and his clothes become white as light. The disciples believe that they see the prophets Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus. Peter sensing some understanding of the occasion said, ‘it is good to be here.’ And he suggests making tabernacles for Jesus, Elijah and Moses.

But Elijah and Moses disappeared from view and the disciples were afraid. A voice from above said, ‘this is my beloved Son, hear him.’ Then Jesus and the disciples came down from the mountain and Jesus instructed them not to speak about what had happened until after his resurrection.

There are some interesting aspects to the transfiguration. As a miracle it was unusual in that in this case it happened to Jesus. But perhaps we can see that this was God’s way of firmly establishing the second person of the Trinity – God, the Son. His baptism was a key event in this process, but, in the transfiguration, God goes further by referring to Jesus as a messenger bringing the word of God. The event therefore stands out, rather as Pope John Paul II declared in 2002, as one of five luminous mysteries.

Down the ages scholars have tried to determine on which mountain the transfiguration took place. Mount Tabor is a possibility and thought by many to be the most likely. However, other suggestions include Mount Panium, Mount Meron, Mount Nebo, or Mount Hermon.

The feast has probably been celebrated since the 7th century in Jerusalem and from the 9th century in the Byzantine Empire. Its importance in the western church was emphasised in 1457 by Pope Calixtus III when he declared 6 August as the official feast day.

The Common Worship Collect for the feast is:- Father in heaven, whose Son Jesus Christ was wonderfully transfigured before chosen witnesses upon the holy mountain, and spoke of the exodus he would accomplish at Jerusalem: give us strength so to hear his voice and bear our cross that in the world to come we may see him as he is; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

ST BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE – 24 AUGUST O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who didst give to thine Apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach thy Word: Grant, we beseech thee, unto thy Church, to love that Word which he believed, and both to preach and receive the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This is the Collect in the Book of Common Prayer. And it tells us that Bartholomew was one of the twelve disciples. He appears in the Gospels other than John. We can therefore infer that he was present for many of the significant events mentioned in these Gospels. Jesus commissions Bartholomew, and Philip with whom he is often linked, to ‘heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons.’ (Matthew 10. 8).

As noted above, St John’s Gospel does not mention Bartholomew, but does refer to Nathanael. It is possible that they are one and the same as it was not unusual for men to have two names, Simon, Peter for example.

It is likely following the ‘great commission’ recorded in Matthew 28. 19 that Bartholomew visited other nations to spread the news of Jesus. However, there is no authentic record of where he went. Various places are suggested, Armenia, Ethiopia, Lycaonia, Mesopotamia, and Pathia. In the fourth 8 century, Eusebius of Caesarea wrote that Bartholomew preached in India. There is also doubt about his martyrdom and the work of recent scholars indicate that he may have died in India.

We will probably have to content ourselves with the reassurance that Bartholomew was a loyal disciple. The Church of England, in common with the Roman Catholic Church, marks his feast day on 24 August. The Eastern Church honours him on 11 June.

FIRST ONLINE PRISON CHURCH SERVICE BROADCAST ON 5 JULY On Sunday 5 July, prisoners and their families were able to worship together during the first-ever online prison church service broadcast by the Church of England. The service was broadcast from 9am on prison television and radio, as well as on the Church of England’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. This meant that, for the first time, prisoners and their families were able to attend the same church service, wherever they may have been. Worshippers outside of the prison service were also welcome to attend.

Recorded at three sites - HMP Stocken in Rutland, HMP Low Newton in Durham and HMP Pentonville in London - the service will include contributions from prison staff and chaplains, along with prayers, reflections and artwork written and created by prisoners. The service, with the theme of hope, was led by Reverend Helen Dearnley, Anglican chaplaincy adviser for HM Prison and Probation Service.

Speaking ahead of the service from the chapel of HMP Stocken prison, Reverend Helen Dearnley said that the online service is “enabling us wherever we are to unite in hope and prayer and praise.” She went on: “Today for the first time, those in prison and their families will be able to worship virtually together, and all of us, separated from our communities by coronavirus, can share in this worship.”

Lucy Frazer QC MP, Prisons and Probation Minister at the Ministry of Justice said: “To prevent outbreaks of coronavirus in our prisons, we have temporarily put in place a restricted regime and paused all social visits to help protect staff, prisoners and the public. It is great to see examples of how technology is allowing prisoners to connect remotely with their families, and 9

I am delighted that we can continue to do that with our first-ever virtual prison church service. I would like to thank all of our prison staff who have made this possible - you truly are hidden heroes.”

STEPHEN COTTRELL, ARCHBISHOP OF YORK WRITES ABOUT VISION Ever since it was announced that I was to be the 98th Archbishop of York, people have been asking me about my vision.

The trouble is, I’m not sure I’ve got one. Not of my own, anyway. The vision that all of us should be following is the vision that God gives us in Jesus Christ. We don’t need anything else. That vision of a new and redeemed new humanity is what has sustained me throughout my ministry and it should be the vision that sustains the whole church in every place and in every age. I will certainly do my best to make sure that is the case.

Of course, we have to work out what this means for this particular place and time. And that is how we find out what our priorities should be, but I know I need to arrive in York and get to know the York Diocese and get to know the other dioceses in the northern province before I can begin to discern what the particular priorities might be for me over the coming years. So, for the time being, I am sticking to three things. Two of them have served me well throughout my ministry and have been the underlying themes of everything I have done as a priest and a bishop. The third is very much about my role as Archbishop of York and the special opportunities and responsibilities that brings. I feel sure that these three things will be part of the emerging priorities that we will discover together as I come to serve you.

WHAT HAVE YOU MISSED MOST DURING LOCKDOWN – A REFLECTION BY CANON DAVID WINTER It’s a good question, because it is about the things that make us tick. When I examined my list, I found obvious things – going to church, live sport on TV, meeting up with friends for a coffee or a beer.

But as I thought more deeply about it, I realised that what I missed most was TOUCH. For nearly four months I have not touched another human being! That is an astonishing deprivation. When a baby is born, its first experiences are all of touch. The strong hands of the midwife, mother’s excited and loving 10 embrace, tiny hands reaching out to feel mummy’s face. We touch our way into life.

And then it goes on. Holding hands with friends, being hugged by grandma, your first serious kiss, and perhaps a last tearful one at the end of a much- loved life.

We greet each other with a holy kiss, the Bible says. And why not? Sight, smell, hearing and touch. Four senses. And I think lockdown has taught me that the greatest of these is touch!

FAITH LEADERS CALL FOR AN ENVIRONMENT FOCUSSED ECONOMIC RECOVERY Forty faith leaders in the UK were signatories to the letter to Government set out below.

UK faith leaders have called on the Government to ensure its economic recovery plan does not bypass care for the Environment.

Marking the end of the first half of London Climate Action Week, representatives from UK faith groups have signed an open letter to the UK Government urging it to ensure that its economic recovery strategy is centred on the urgent need to reduce the impact of climate change.

In the letter, the signatories, some of whom are members of the 'Faith for the Climate' network, also commit to the goals of the Laudato Si encyclical - an initiative of Pope Francis - to advocate for and model positive initiatives to continue to tackle the Climate Emergency.

The open letter reads: COVID-19 has unexpectedly taught us a great deal. Amidst the fear and the grief for loved ones lost, many of us have found consolation in the dramatic reduction of pollution and the restoration of nature. Renewed delight in and contact with the natural world has the capacity to reduce our mental stress and nourish us spiritually.

We have rediscovered our sense of how interconnected the world is. The very health and future of humanity depends on our ability to act together not only 11 with respect to pandemics but also in protecting our global eco-system. At the same time, less travel and consumption and more kindness and neighbourliness have helped us appreciate what society can really mean.

We have also seen yet again that in times of crisis, injustice becomes more obvious, and that it is the poor and vulnerable who suffer most.

All this shows us how precarious our previous 'business as usual' was, socially, economically, ecologically and spiritually.

Yet we have also demonstrated our capacity to adapt to new realities. Many people have discovered a deeper sense of spirituality. We have seen the possibility of creating a more sustainable and generous society in which we care more deeply for each other and the world.

Our faiths teach us that our planet, with its rich resources and inspiring diversity, is lent to us on trust only and we are accountable for how we treat it. We are urgently and inescapably responsible, not just before God but to our own children and the very future of humanity.

This unique moment calls us to develop a shared new vision for our future which we cannot afford to miss. As faith leaders we are committed to working alongside the people and governments of this nation and the world to formulate and live by such a vision.

It must be based on the recognition of our limits: this planet is a complex ecosystem in which we are only one part. It must be rooted in sustainability and respect for nature and the earth’s resources. It must be founded on the fundamental principles of justice and responsibility.

In this, the fifth anniversary year of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si, we undertake to:  Speak out urgently about the need for change;  Promote the vision of the earth as our common home which must be shared equitably;  Protect biodiversity and restore natural environments;  Work with our communities to reduce substantially the carbon intensity of our activities; 12

 Build worldwide partnerships to reduce the impact of climate change on the poorest and most vulnerable;  Model what we teach in our faiths and communities.

We therefore call on our Government to:  Ensure that every element of the economic recovery strategy has at its centre the urgent need to reduce the risk of catastrophic climate change;  Implement policies for sustainability in every sector of the economy;  Take its due share of responsibility for a global & just transition, including through its approach to trade, investment and overseas aid;  Use its COP26 presidency to work for a global commitment to net zero, building on the Paris Agreement;  To protect biodiversity and restore the environment;  We urge every sector of civil society to use this opportunity to work together to create a better world.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND AWARDS £24 MILLION IN GRANTS TO SPREAD THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IN TOWNS AND CITIES A funding package worth £24 million was announced last month by Church of England to help spread the Christian message in urban and deprived areas. Awards have been made by the Archbishops’ Council to fund mission and evangelism in towns and cities alongside social action projects, from support for new parents to community cafes and food banks.

In the North East, £4 million has been awarded for mission and evangelism in South Tyneside, Sunderland, Hartlepool, Easington and Stockton-on-Tees areas with plans to lease empty high street shops in some towns.

The shops will host ‘Communities of Hope’, centres where people can explore the Christian faith. The centres will include social projects from food banks to community cafes, budget cookery classes and help with job hunting including CV writing and literacy and numeracy support.

In Manchester and Rochdale £5 million has been awarded for projects to develop new church communities, including a revamp of the Ascension

Church in Hulme to include a venue for music and arts activities such as gospel choirs.

The Rochdale and Manchester projects are located in some of the most deprived communities in the country and will provide a range of social action including support for parents and children, and volunteer programmes working in areas such as dependency on drugs and alcohol, and street outreach for homeless people.

In Birmingham, a grant is to be shared for mission and evangelism work by St Mary’s Church Pype Hayes in the Aston and Sutton Coldfield areas and a planned new church in Shirley. Services such as a food bank and a youth drop-in would be provided at St Mary’s and a community café and support for first time parents in Shirley.

In Liverpool Diocese, £4.61 million has been awarded to develop mission to 11-29 year olds in Liverpool and Wigan.

In Newham, east London, £3 million has been awarded to expand mission work in West Ham and other areas of the borough for new congregations and centres of evangelism. The funding would include work on projects to tackle issues such as homelessness, hunger and drug abuse.

A £1.37 million grant will be used to help support the development of more than 140 lay people to act as community evangelists in Middlesbrough, Hull, Scarborough, Redcar & Cleveland and Bridlington.

There will also be funding to invest in mission and evangelism in Milton Keynes, High Wycombe, Reading, Slough, Southampton and Bournemouth.

The Strategic Development Funding (SDF) grants have been awarded as part of the Church of England’s programme of Renewal and Reform, aimed at ensuring that the Church of England once more becomes a growing church for all people in all areas of the country.

The awards have been announced as many areas of the country - particularly the most deprived communities – cope with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. 14

The Oxford Diocese has been awarded £2m to support a project to invest in mission in Milton Keynes, High Wycombe, Reading and Slough. Five urban churches, including St Mary’s Bletchley, St Andrew’s High Wycombe, Greyfriars in Reading and St Paul’s in Slough will become centres for building new congregations and supporting existing worshipping communities. The funding is part of a wider plan to create as many as 750 new congregations in rural, urban and market towns in response to rapid social and environmental changes across the Diocese of Oxford.

CHURCHYARD CLEANING TEAM CELEBRATED FRANCES BREWITT-TAYLOR’S BIRTHDAY TOWARDS THE END OF JUNE A mid-morning refreshment break during a June churchyard tidying session provided an opportunity to celebrate Frances’s birthday. And, fortunately, the event was captured on photographs for us all to enjoy.

A birthday banner was displayed on Ron and Betty’s bench and the team were able to enjoy fruit juice, cupcakes and Wagon-wheel™ biscuits.

We should record our warmest thanks to all those who assemble to care for the churchyard despite the on-going social distancing rules.

Frances was given a signed card and a bottle of wine. The photo below shows a surprised, but very happy Frances savouring the moment. We send her our warmest wishes and, as ever, huge thanks for all she does for the parish church.

The ‘birthday lady’ happily relaxing with her card and gift.

SEASONAL COOKING BY FELICITY COOPER 1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:1-9

In the Eastern orthodox tradition, it is the custom to bless a variety of fruits at the conclusion of the Liturgy on the Feast of the Transfiguration. This is done to celebrate the promise of the final transfiguration of all things in Christ.

In some Western Churches however only grapes are blessed and may be squeezed directly into the Chalice, mingling the fresh juice with the already consecrated wine of the Eucharist.

“When you come into the land which I give you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest” Leviticus 23:10

In Bulgaria there are many traditions associated with the Transfiguration. According to folk beliefs on 6 August there is a transformation in nature. The sun turns its back on the summer and faces the winter and the storks gather in flocks before migrating further south.

The feast of the Transfiguration is celebrated on 6 August.

August is the peak of the apricot season in Europe, so I have used them in this recipe. Mango may also be substituted.

Corona - Nation Chicken 500g/1Ib cooked chicken 100ml/4floz mayonnaise 100ml/4floz Greek yoghurt 4 ripe apricots 1½ tbsp curry powder 3 tbsp mango chutney A pinch of chilli flakes (optional)

I usually cook a whole chicken and take off the meat, leaving the carcase to make chicken stock. Alternatively use chicken breasts cooked in a little stock so they remain moist. Cut the chicken and apricots into bite sized chunks. Mix together the mayonnaise, yoghurt, curry powder, mango chutney and chilli flakes and add the chicken and apricots. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours before serving to allow the flavours to develop.

DAILY HOPE – 0800 804 8044 - TO CONTINUE AFTER THE LOCKDOWN EASINGS Daily Hope, launched by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in April, has now received 173,000 calls from over 37,000 people – with calls topping more than two million minutes.

The service – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – was set up as a simple new way to bring worship and prayer into people’s homes, especially older people and anyone unable to join online church services. Stories sent to the Archbishop from across the country share how the service has brought comfort and support during these difficult times. Many who wrote in said they had recommended the line to others. The service, set up by the Church of England nationally, has also been supported by Connections based at Holy Trinity Claygate in Surrey and the Christian charity Faith in Later Life.

Archbishop Justin said: “Daily Hope has been a lifeline for tens of thousands of people in the last few months. We’ve heard stories of people using it who are regular church attenders and those who aren’t. That’s a testimony to the vital importance of Daily Hope. I have been praying for those who have used the phone line, and written to us, that God would bring them comfort, not just at this time but in the weeks and months which follow. The Church will continue to look to serve older people, and those who can’t easily get out to a church building. I look forward to seeing how Daily Hope can go from strength to strength as lockdown restrictions are eased.”

Carl Knightly, chief executive of Faith in Later Life, added: “During the months that lockdown has been in place, I am delighted that the Church has brought words of comfort and hope to tens of thousands of people and I look forward to that continuing. And while measures begin to ease and church buildings begin to reopen, it's important that we remember the millions of people who may be vulnerable due to their health or their age, and who may be reluctant to return to their place of worship. Therefore, I'm pleased to continue supporting the free Daily Hope telephone line and delighted that it will remain in place. I hope church leaders, church members, and indeed all who are aware of the phone line, will keep sharing this important initiative with others.”

Callers to the line are welcomed with a short new greeting from the Archbishop before being able to choose from a range of options, including hymns, prayers, reflections and advice on COVID-19.

New material to the service continues to be updated, including mental health reflections voiced by Pam Rhodes which started this week and plans for holiday at home material in August as well as prayers from the Mothers Union on option eight.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK TELLS SYNOD – “THE CHURCH MUST LEARN AFRESH HOW TO SHARE THE GOSPEL” In his first presidential address to General Synod meeting remotely during July, the Archbishop of York, has called on the Church to learn afresh how to share the Gospel in the world as church and society face turbulent times in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Archbishop Stephen spoke about lockdown, as a time when people have experienced a “stripping back of our lives”, bringing hardship but also clarity and a renewed focus on God.

He also warned that the Church has allowed itself to become “tribal and divided” and now needs to “learn again how to love one another, love the world and love God”. He also spoke of his experience of recent months of lockdown. “Do not misunderstand me,” he said. “I hugely miss our church buildings and our liturgy, just as I also miss going to the cinema and eating in restaurants, or just having a coffee; and I grieve for the fact that I was not able to say goodbye to the diocese of Chelmsford in the ways I wanted, nor am I able to hug my new grandson without donning a mask; and I cry out for the pain of all those socially distanced funerals, the thousands of people who have died alone, the baptisms, weddings and ordinations that have had to be postponed; the economic misery which is around the corner and the devastating impact of this pandemic upon the whole life of our world. But neither can I deny, that it has forced me to encounter things about myself which I had allowed to remain hidden behind the security of the things I have had to relinquish.”

He spoke about a group he is leading to discern a vision and strategy for the Church for the next decade.

The vision, he said, is the easy part: “It is unchanging - it is what God has done for us in Jesus Christ and continues to do through the power of the spirit.”

He acknowledged that the Church will have to make decisions about priorities amid limited resources but he emphasised that it has reached no conclusions and hopes to bring some proposals to Synod next year.

“At the moment I am engaged in a very wide-ranging discussion with people from all across the church but with a particular determination to draw in and listen to the voices of younger Christians and those whose voices are not usually so easily heard in Church,” he added.

He concluded: “So, dear General Synod, as we enter some turbulent times and some challenging decisions, we are just going to have to learn again how to love one another, love the world and love God so that, both individually and collectively, we can be the place where God is revealed.

“We’ve not always been very good at this.

“We have allowed ourselves to become tribal and divided.

“We have allowed secondary things to obscure our belonging to each other.

“The Holy Spirit reveals Christ in us; and, through us, may we learn afresh how to share the gospel in the world.”

SICK OF PREACHING? A newly appointed incumbent had just been prescribed bifocals by the opticians. The reading portion of the glasses improved his vision considerably, but the top portion of the glasses didn’t work so well. In fact, he was experiencing dizziness every time he looked through them. He tried to explain this to the congregation at the first Sunday service after his installation. “I hope you will excuse my continually removing my glasses. You see, when I look down, I can see fine, but when I look at you all, it makes me feel sick.”

CENTRE SPOT FOR CHILDREN

ARCHBISHOP URGES THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO ‘LEAD THE WORLD’ AND IMPLEMENT GLOBAL CEASEFIRE The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has welcomed the unanimous vote in the United Nations Security Council for a global ceasefire in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Archbishop has written to the Permanent Five members of the Security Council to urge them to go further than words and to actively promote peace. “I now appeal to the Permanent Five members of the Security Council: lead the world and support the Secretary General in actively seeking to implement even this temporary peace, when trust can be built and reconciliation begin,” the Archbishop wrote.

Archbishop Welby, who sits on the Secretary General’s High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation, called for the Security Council members to act “positively and with speed, responding to this crisis and this opportunity with the same selflessness that enabled its establishment after the great horrors of World War II.”

He also committed his own Church to working actively for peace and called for other churches and faith groups to join in taking hold of the historic opportunity presented by the Security Council’s call amid the pandemic. “In company with other faith leaders and communities around the world, I will use all possible efforts to work with the UNO in each of the areas affected by conflict; to seek peace and pursue it,” said the letter. “I will encourage other churches, faiths and ecumenical bodies to do the same.”

The United Nations Organisation has stood for peace since the end of World War II. Despite the many conflicts since 1945, it has remained one of the most powerful signs of hope and of the intention of human beings to put aside the wars that have been the common experience of nations and peoples throughout history, and seek another way of settling our disputes.

Amidst the unprecedented spread and menacing reality of Covid-19, the appeal by the Secretary General for a global ceasefire is a powerful expression of this legacy. And the unanimous support for the ceasefire in the Security Council is a courageous and inspiring moment of hope in a year of 24 grief and danger, offering us the opportunity to face the pandemic together in unity and compassion.

Both nations and armed groups must now put aside partial and local interest for the common good, and act in solidarity and common humanity to seek to care for the most vulnerable; those caught up in conflict.

WHERE DID THE TRANSFIGURATION HYMN T’IS GOOD LORD TO BE HERE COME FROM? T’is good, Lord, to be here Thy glory fills the night Thy face and garments, like the sun Shine with unborrowed light.

Although the Transfiguration of our Lord is an important event in Jesus’ ministry there are very few hymns set for the feast. However, one such is T’is good Lord to be here which was written around 1890 by Joseph Armitage Robinson (1858 – 1933), not someone otherwise prominent in hymnody. Robinson graduated from Christ’s College, Cambridge, and was ordained deacon in the Ely Diocese in 1881. His roles in the Church of England took him to Durham, Bath and Wells, and Cambridge. Eventually, he became Dean of Westminster Abbey from 1902 until his appointment as Dean of Wells Cathedral in 1911 a post that he held until his death in 1933. He was widely regarded as a most erudite dean such were his considerable scholarly achievements at Cambridge – a BA, MA, BD and DD.

The hymn appeared in Hymns Ancient and Modern in 1904 set to the tune Carlisle composed by Charles Lockhart (1745 – 1815). This tune, also a setting for Breathe on me, breath of God and others, is very familiar. Charles Lockhart was blind from infancy but musically gifted.

RE-COMMENCEMENT OF OCCASIONAL SERVICES IN CHURCH Coronavirus restrictions were eased from 4 July to permit occasional services, that is, baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals, to take place again in churches. As expected, the guidelines issued by the Church of England set an advisory cap on attendance of 30. Nevertheless, where numbers can be set lower this is to be encouraged. Clinically vulnerable 25 people should be advised of the risks of attendance and left to make individual decisions. As with other services, singing, chanting and woodwind instruments are not recommended. Social distancing rules are to be observed and the public worship guidelines cover church grounds, car parks, and courtyards. And, in case you are wondering, baptisms by immersion are not allowed at present.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING GREENSHOOTS Greenshoots Nursery on Peppard Common relies on the sale of plants over the spring to help keep the charity running. This year lock down came just as the first of the seeds had been planted in the greenhouses. A rota of volunteers and trustees was put in place to visit the closed down nursery daily to water the seedlings and outdoor plants, but how were the plants to be sold if no one could go and buy them? The answer came from ourselves and two others involved with the charity who live in Caversham. We put plants from the nursery outside our houses where people could choose their plants and put the money through our letterboxes. We were selling so much that volunteers continuing to plant seeds back at the nursery had a job to keep up! We continued to do this until the nursery reopened at the end of June with a few of the trainees with learning difficulties who could understand the rules around social distancing.

The response and support from local people in the Peppard area has been amazing. While commercial nurseries were still closed people were pleased to buy their summer plants locally and even after the garden centres opened we were still selling a lot of plants every day as so many people wanted to support the charity. So, thank you to all who came to us for their plants and helped to save this precious local charity! Fred & Sue Nickson

DURHAM CHURCH NURTURES SIX PRIESTS IN TRAINING FROM OCTOBER 2020 A Durham city centre church, St Nicholas, known colloquially as ‘St Nic’s’ is celebrating the fact that no fewer than six of its parishioners have been selected to take up ordination training from October 2020. The candidates comprise five women and one man. Three have studied at Durham University, whilst the other three are respectively a trained teacher, a mother of two children and a ministry experience volunteer scheme administrator. 26

The incumbent since 2017 is Arun Arora who served as Director of Communications for the Church of England from 2012. After a career in law he trained for ordination at Cranmer Hall, Durham.

THREE ASSOCIATE ARCHDEACONS APPOINTED The Oxford Diocese has three newly appointed associate archdeacons. They will help to boost the leadership team as parishes emerge from lockdown and, among other things, focus on the common task of being a more Christ- like Church. They are Revd Canon David Tyler, Dorchester, Revd Liz Jackson, Berkshire, and Revd Canon Chris Bull, Buckingham.

David Tyler has been Assistant Archdeacon for two years and has a wealth of past experience as an area dean and parish priest. Prior to ordination he was a chartered accountant.

Liz Jackson will be licensed on 5 September and comes to the Diocese from the Coventry Diocese where she is an area dean of Coventry North and vicar of St Francis of Assisi Church, Radford.

Also taking up his new post in September is Chris Bull. He is currently vicar of Flackwell Heath where he has served for 25 years. He has also been area dean for High Wycombe and is Chaplain to the Buckinghamshire Royal British Legion.

2020 LAMBETH AWARDS Followers of BBC’s Songs of Praise television programme will know Pam Rhodes. She was one of 32 people from across the Church and beyond to receive an award this year. Pam has been involved with the programme for over 30 years and received the Thomas Cranmer Award for Worship. She enjoys deserved acclaim for the warmth and empathy of her interviewing style.

Less well known perhaps, other than to those who read about Church hymnody, is Professor Richard Watson. He too received the Thomas Cranmer Award for Worship for his unparalleled contribution to the study and promotion of the heritage of hymnody in Christian worship. An author

27 of several books on hymnody and literary figures Richard Watson has spent many retirement years editing the Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology.

Commenting on the awards, Archbishop Justin Welby said: “This is the fifth year of the Lambeth Awards, and I am constantly impressed and humbled by the work that recipients have accomplished, sometimes in the most challenging circumstances. Not all are followers of Jesus Christ, but all contribute through their faith to the mutual respect and maintenance of human dignity which are so vital to spiritual and social health.”

30 AUGUST – JOHN BUNYAN – AUTHOR OF PILGRIM’S PROGRESS After the Bible, John Bunyan’s wonderful Christian allegory, the Pilgrim’s Progress, is one of the most celebrated and widely-read books in the English language. It has been translated into more than 100 languages around the world and keeps its place as a Christian classic.

Names of people and places from its pages have been commonplace wherever English is spoken. We need only recall Mr Great-Heart, Mr Valiant-for-Truth, Giant Despair, Madame Bubble, the Slough of Despond, Vanity Fair, the Delectable Mountains, the Hill Difficulty and the Celestial City.

Bunyan was born on 28 November 1628, at Elstow, near Bedford, England, of a poor family. He had little formal education and his father taught him to be a metal worker. His first wife died young. His second wife, Elizabeth, helped him considerably with his blossoming literary career. His conversion was the result of reading the Bible, and the witness of local Christians. From that time the Bible became the great inspiration of his life. He wrote more than 50 books on Christianity. A Baptist by conviction, he had little time for the Established Church.

Bunyan became a popular preacher, but because of his opposition to the Established Church and because he did not have a Church of England preaching licence, he was imprisoned in 1661. It was in prison that he wrote Pilgrim’s Progress. It was not only Bunyan’s greatest book, but was destined to become one of the most popular Christian books in the world.

Pilgrim’s Progress is an allegory, using the names of people and places from the Bible to teach spiritual lessons. The vivid and unforgettable imagery in the Pilgrim’s Progress covers the whole Christian gospel from sin and condemnation all the way through faith, repentance, grace, justification, sanctification, and perseverance to heaven itself.

Bunyan died on 31 August 1688. His portrayal of the death of Mr Valiant For Truth is Bunyan at his allegorical best. This brave old soldier of Jesus Christ had received his summons to ‘go home.’ Calling his friends together he says, ‘“My sword I give to him who shall succeed me in my pilgrimage … My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me, that I have fought His battles, Who will now be my rewarder.” … So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side…’

THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY’S SERMON AT THE CONFIRMATION OF THE ELECTION OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK ON 9 JULY Holy Spirit of God may your words so dwell in us richly that as we reflect and consider it that we may be led in love to be those who draw others to Christ. Amen.

Archbishop Stephen, it is wonderful to be, in one sense or another, at this occasion of your confirmation as election as Archbishop of York. It combines the best of Anglican liturgy and pomp with something which closely replicates a work of Gilbert and Sullivan. It’s also an occasion which contains something of a hospital pass. To speak at an event where you are also speaking is, I may say, deeply intimidating. To hear you speak about Jesus is to be in the presence of someone who communicates the love of Christ and, so much as it is intimidating, it is also a privilege and a pleasure.

The Archbishop of York speaks a lot – it’s almost the definition of any archbishop – someone who speaks whilst they are working out what to say. At the same time, you’ll find that many people find you intimidating until they know you because this job confines you a great deal to very formal settings. When I look at today’s text however – Colossians 3. 12 – 17 – I read that as Christians we are called to clothe ourselves first and foremost, not formally in mitres and finery, but in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Not only archbishops, but every Christian and the 29

Church as a whole are required to have that character which has the savour of Christ.

Living as a Christian means living with billions of other Christians, the ones we see every day, the ones we pray with, the ones we work with and serve with. Not of course only them, but also with those we may never see. Our brothers and sisters across the world whom God calls us to be in relationship with because we all live in the shadow of the same cross, in the joy of the same Easter, in the triumph of the same ascension and in the power of the one Holy Spirit. Living as a Christian requires us, not only to live in fellowship with Christians around the world, but also with the Church throughout time in practice that draws us into traditions and inherited patterns. With the Church of England we know that some of those bring baggage. We find saints and slave traders, the proud and prelatical with the humble servant of the people. They are part of us, of our inheritance to be reformed, to be repented of, to be imitated. We are one in Christ, not by our choice, but by the sovereign and gracious act of God. Thus, Rowan Williams in his addresses at the Primates meeting in Dublin in 2011 reminded them that we are to bring the local to the global, and the global to the local. As primate of England you translate the Church of God to the people of England and the people of England to the Church of God. You interpret the history, you interpret the times, and bring them into relationship with the Church of today. With the role description you have been given it will fall to you to do so, more and more, for the whole Church of England and, yet to retain and develop the relationship with the Archbishop of Canterbury whoever that may be. God has called the two primates to be different in the one mission of God. That means a relationship which leads and inspires the Church to live in relationship at every level from the home group and utterly local to the global, guardians of the faith received and, careful yet prophetic with the tradition. Such is the call of God in Christ, such is the great adventure of discipleship.

In this year, we have learnt to adapt to new circumstances Our safety and security is in returning to the constant presence of Jesus Christ and our relationship with him through his word and his worship. We are to be those who go out, yet, we must unlearn the too often historic arrogance of the Church of England and find a way for Church and disciples together and individually to be clothed in humility, love and forgiveness as the world 30 carries on its noisy passage around us. Look at so called Christian Twitter feeds to see the scale of that task.

Much has changed in our world in a very short amount of time. But our calling and our purpose to declare the good news of Christ who died to give us eternal life remains eternally the same. And so, I hope that everyone will join me in praying for you. That God’s grace will be seen in your ministry, God’s peace will dwell in your heart and his boundless love will draw us all into perfect unity. Amen.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND – BRIEF UPDATES Despite the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on church finances there is good news for all ordinands due to complete training next summer. Around 410 will be offered stipendiary posts, 300 or so being funded by the dioceses, and 110 by the Strategic Ministry Fund. A further 150 or so ordinands training for self-supporting roles will be offered curacies.

Separately the Church Commissioners are supporting cathedral choirs with up to £1m available to ease the impact of Covid-19. This matches a campaign by the Cathedral Choirs Emergency Fund which has pledged to raise £1m through various initiatives such as a celebrity virtual choral evensong.

The Cathedral Choirs Emergency Fund is an initiative of the Cathedral Music Trust, the Ouseley Church Music Trust and the Choir School’s Association. It expects to start providing grants from September to cathedrals to help with funding choristers.

The Church of England is also supporting the work of Public Health England study of the risk of spread of Covid 19 through singing and awaits the results.

CATHOLIC CHURCH – NEW APOSTOLIC NUNCIO TO THE UK In 1914 the Holy See and the UK re-established diplomatic relations. A Holy See Mission to the UK established in 1938 was raised to the status of a nunciature in 1982. The latest Apostolic Nuncio was appointed by Pope Francis in early July. He is Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti who has served in Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Georgia and Armenia. The Nuncio is the Pope’s personal representative to the Church in the UK and represents the Holy See 31 to the UK Government. Among other things, papal nuncios are involved in the identification of suitable candidates when RC bishops retire, usually at 75 unless the Pope asks them to continue in post. Cardinal Vincent Nichols – Westminster – is 75 in November and Archbishop George Stack – Cardiff – is 75 in May 2021.

Incidentally, the UK ambassador to the Holy See is Sally Axworthy. The British Embassy to the Holy See engages with their counterparts on issues such as disarmament, human rights, and climate change.

EPISCOPAL CONSECRATIONS – 15 JULY A vivid reminder of the divisions with the Church of England was evident during two services held at Lambeth Palace Chapel on 15 July. Despite the fact that the Church of England is united in its commitment to uphold the five guiding principles established when women were to be admitted to the episcopate, not all agree on issues of ordination. As a result, the Archbishop of Canterbury after consulting with the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of London set out new arrangements for the consecration of bishops. The Archbishop will ask one of three bishops present to be chief consecrator.

These arrangements were followed at the services on 15 July. The Archbishop of Canterbury as Metropolitan was present at both services. In the first service, the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally consecrated Hugh Nelson and Ruth Bushyager as Bishops of St German’s and Horsham respectively. Bishop Sarah was assisted by the Bishops of Guildford and Dover.

In the second service, Will Hazlewood was consecrated as Bishop of Lewes by the Bishop of Richborough. He was assisted by the Bishops of Ebbsfleet and Fulham.

Archbishop Justin preached at both services and gave to each of the newly consecrated bishops, their rings, cross and staff. He also received their oaths of office whilst Bishop Sarah acting as Dean of the Province of Canterbury welcomed all three bishops.

In an episcopal statement about these new arrangements, the Archbishop said, “we are not stepping back under these new arrangements, rather we are 32 stepping forward to work within the Five Guiding Principles and we invite all to walk with us to embrace those principles and pray for an end to the divisions which remain in our church, for which we grieve and are repentant."

AN INTERLUDE – MOMENTS OF SHOCK On a bus a man gave his seat to a woman. She fainted. On recovering, she thanked him. Then he fainted.

DRAMATIC RISE IN HOME EXERCISE INJURIES DURING THE LOCKDOWN Something like 7.2 million Britons injured themselves while trying to stay fit during lockdown. There has been a dramatic rise in exercise-related injuries, ranging from sprains and strains to pulled muscles and back injuries. Of those of us injured during lockdown, 30 per cent of us were doing classes online or via apps, 28 per cent were weight training and 22 per cent were using home gym equipment.

A doctor at BUPA points out that although “exercise is enormously important for both our physical and mental health, new regimes and workouts should be taken on with caution.”

The British Chiropractic Association (who reported a 660 per cent increase in traffic to its website!) warned that if you do yourself a small injury, do NOT try and ‘run it off’ or ‘push through the pain barrier’. “There’s no science to say that it works. Instead you are risking more damage and a longer lay-off by not listening to your body.”

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO CHRISTOPHER ROBIN? One hundred years ago this month, on 21 August 1920, Christopher Robin Milne was born. He was the only son of the author A. A. Milne and appeared as a character in his father’s Winnie-the-Pooh stories and verses – a role he enjoyed at first but later found difficult to handle.

The characters in Winnie the Pooh were based on his own soft toys or items purchased later. The setting was inspired by Ashdown Forest in East Sussex:

33 his family owned nearby Cotchford Farm and spent weekends and holidays there.

His relationship with his nanny, Olive ‘Nou’ Brockwell, was close and continued into adult life, but when he went to boarding school near Guildford in 1930 he was bullied because his father’s work was well known: one poem, Vespers, brought him “toe-curling, fist-clenching, lip-biting embarrassment”.

He married a cousin, Lesley de Sélincourt, in 1948 and opened a bookshop in Dartmouth. He was close to his father but not to his mother, Daphne, who did not see him during the last 15 years of her life.

Milne had one child, Clare, who had cerebral palsy. He himself had myasthenia gravis in his later years and died in 1996; he was described by one newspaper as a ‘dedicated atheist’.

125 YEARS OF PROMS IN LONDON It was 125 years ago this month, on 10 August 1895, that the Proms (Promenade Concerts) began in London. In fact, the idea of promenade concerts went back to 1838, referring to outside concerts during which the audience could walk about – but in the form introduced by Robert Newman at Queen’s Hall in Langham Place, London, the promenaders were standing members of the audience, and this usage has persisted. Henry Wood – also a talented organist – was the original conductor, and his name became firmly attached to the annual series of concerts. He was knighted in 1911.

The concerts have been sponsored by the BBC since 1927, except for 1940 and 1941, when there was fear of bombing, and in fact Queen’s Hall was bombed in 1941, with the concerts moving to their current home at the much larger Royal Albert Hall. The Proms have now become a huge summer musical festival lasting for eight weeks and with many innovations. The Last Night in particular has become a traditional feature of British life and celebration of Britishness. The Proms have been described by Czech conductor Jiří Bělohlávek as “the world’s largest and most democratic musical festival”.

In the current coronavirus crisis, the Proms will continue, but in a much- changed form – “not as we know them, but as we need them”, say the organisers.

ONLINE OR PAPER COPY? During the past five months, and because of the restrictions imposed by the Covid 19 virus pandemic, we have had to publish the Lamb and Flag online. In some ways, this has benefitted our readers, because online, we are not limited to the number of pages we can provide. My warmest thanks go to Allen Harris for sourcing so many interesting articles. His help is invaluable. I doubt whether many Anglican parish magazines have included a message from Pope Francis given at the CofE online service at Pentecost!

We have had not feedback about the change in production, but we are very aware that the online version will inevitably exclude some readers who have always enjoyed a paper copy of the magazine. As restrictions ease, we shall be reviewing the future production of the Lamb and Flag and it would be very helpful to have your views, as readers, on Online versus Paper copies.

If you could spare a few minutes to let either Allen or me know your thoughts, please send us an email with your preferences. We would love to hear from you! Our email addresses are: Allen on [email protected] Jenny on [email protected]

AND FINALLY - CHINESE PROVERBS TO GUIDE US  Listening well is as powerful as talking well and is also essential to a true conversation.  The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago; the second-best time is now.  The person who asks is a fool for five minutes; the person who does not ask is a fool forever.  Behave towards everyone as if receiving a guest.  The more acquaintances you have the less you know them.  All things change, and we change with them.  Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for his lifetime.  Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.

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Hiring the Parish Room For hire at reasonable rates – Guy Johnson – 07920 children’s parties, small 100065 meetings/functions, baptism parties etc. Magazine articles Please send to Jenny MacGregor [email protected] – the deadline is 22nd monthly. Magazine delivery To arrange delivery of this Please contact one of the magazine to your home churchwardens.

. SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE Although services resumed in each benefice church on 19 July, there is a restriction on numbers. And there may be those shielding and others who would like to continue joining the online service. On most Sundays you can follow the benefice service on video. You will find a link on the website pages on the ‘A Church Near You’ platform. You can also access a text copy of the service order. If you are not able to watch the service as it takes place you can always catch up later.

St John the Baptist: www.achurchnearyou.com/church/166/ Christ the King: www.achurchnearyou.com/church/252/

LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS For those able to access online services the Diocese of Oxford has a dedicated page on their website giving details of services at various times on a Sunday. https://www.oxford.anglican.org/coronavirus-covid-19/livestream/

Principal Diocesan services are usually streamed at 10am and the service order is posted on a Friday.

For those without internet access the Diocesan service can be heard by telephoning 01865 920 930. Select 0 for the whole service or 1 for a shorter version. Standard call rates apply.

However, there are other services throughout the Diocese by parishes at other times of the day. Do take a look at what’s available.

PARISH DIRECTORY As this magazine is being delivered principally through on-line channels the directory has been removed to comply with data protection regulations. The benefice office is closed until further notice

AUGUST PRINCIPAL SERVICE LECTIONARY

Date St John’s Lessons Christ the King 2 August – Isaiah 55. 1 - 5 Eighth Sunday Romans 9. 1 - 5 after Trinity Matthew 14. 13 - 21

6 August – The Daniel 7. 9 – 10 & 13 – 14 Transfiguration 2 Peter 1. 16 – 19 of our Lord Luke 9. 28 - 36

9 August – 1 Kings 19. 9 – 18 Ninth Sunday Romans 10. 5 – 15 after Trinity Matthew 14. 22 - 33

16 August – Isaiah 56. 1 & 6 – 8 Tenth Sunday Romans 11. 1 – 2a & 29 – 32 after Trinity Matthew 15. 10 – 28

23 August – Isaiah 51. 1 – 6 Eleventh Romans 12. 1 - 8 Sunday after Matthew 16. 13 - 20 Trinity 24 August – St Isaiah 43. 8 – 13 Bartholomew Acts 5. 12 – 16 the Apostle Luke 22. 24 - 30

30 August – Jeremiah 15. 15 – 21 Twelfth Sunday Romans 12. 9 – end after Trinity Matthew 16. 21 - end

Please check the parish websites on www.achurchnearyou.com for details of ‘in church’ services to be held during August.