Edition 264

“The Church in the Park – Growing in Faith, Hope and Love”

APRIL 2021 [email protected] A MESSAGE FROM CARYS

One of the stories which has struck me most in the last few days was shared on the BBC website. It was a story of how forensic artists had, using 3D scanners, reconstructed the faces of two people who had been buried in a Scottish graveyard, at any time between the about 1300 and 1650.

What’s remarkable about the images (which can be seen at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife- 56523810) was the familiarity of the faces. The middle-aged man, with a slightly jovial lopsided smile, looked like anyone we might meet in the street. The woman, slightly younger perhaps, square jawed and firm featured, also with the look of an ordinary person whom we might meet today, only placed in time by a working woman’ s headdress. Lives lived long ago, and lost long ago, but precious to them and to all who knew them.

Time somehow collapses when we are confronted in this way with distant faces, which are nevertheless familiar. And in their fresh presentation of the past, such faces seem to remind us again of the profound significance of human life, made in the image of God. They call us to connect with people who have gone before us, and remind us that theirs were not lives lived in sepia, or in cartoon-like marginalia in ancient manuscripts, but ordinary flesh and blood technicolour, with all the joy and love, rage, loss and pain that lives are still lived today. God’s creatures, like us; beloved like us, and caught up in God’s saving grace, like us. They remind us of the dance between the individual and the universal and give us a glimpse, in the heart of history’s sweep, of pinpricks of humanity.

This past year, with its blend of loss and deprivation, of individual stories of being embattled or courageous in the face of international, worldwide devastation, has also been a time when the individual and the universal have tussled for our imagination and sympathy. We have been called to love our neighbour, and ask who our neighbour is; we have seen the ache of individual loss and heard of the overwhelming heartbreak of losses in the thousands and hundreds of thousands. We have known the importance of being vaccinated individually, at the same time recognising the need of entire continents to be made safe, knowing that widespread and individual safety circle around on each other.

And we find ourselves now, again, at a moment in the year when we hold together the individual and the universal. We mark and celebrate again the extraordinary story of a single man, to whom we open our lives and by whom we know ourselves to be transformed. And we know too that this individual story is a universal one, and that lives lived here in Kettering are made rich by the same life, lived 2000 years ago, who has enriched individual lives and entire communities ever since - including the lives lived hundreds of years ago in Scotland, brought up in the faith of the Church, who stare out of 3D scanned reconstructions.

With Easter, we are called again to this dance between the particular and the universal. We are called to know ourselves beloved, precious and eternally held by God, and to know whole communities, nations and peoples equally precious. We are called to remember Jesus, the one who lived, died and rose again, for those amongst whom he lived, for each of us, and for the millions who have lived since then.

We are called to remember Christ who shapes all our lives, whom we meet in each other, and who stares out of the eyes even of faces brought vividly to life from a Scottish graveyard from hundreds of years ago. Carys.

The Christian Chronicle Maid of Orléans – Rouen’d

Every now and again, a single person or event makes a profound impact on history. I’ve only moved forward to 1431 because there’s been one such person who’s captured the attention of much of Europe. As ever, there’s a back story which needs telling; for context, I’ll start there as the background’s good, but the main tale is truly captivating. Just as there’s been fallings out within the church, there’s also been animosity among the secular powers. Everyone’s after more power. There’s been tension between England and France since William invaded England in 1066. The English relationship with the Scots is no better, and since the Scots won a significant victory over the English at Bannockburn in 1314 the English kings have sought to extend their Kingdom elsewhere. The French and Scots are allies, often uniting against a common enemy. France, 1328, and Charles IV died without a direct male heir. Isabella, his sister, and mother to English King Edward III, tried to claim the throne for Edward, but the French nobility rejected this. England controlled Gascony in southwest France but otherwise had no foothold and the French crown passed to nearest male relative, Philip, Count of Valois. In 1337 Philip tried to regain Gascony and so commenced a war that’s been going on, with just a few short breaks, ever since – it’ll soon be a one-hundred-year war! In short, the English gained some victories, then, mid-14th Century, the ‘The Black Death’ plague hit both countries hard; France suffered most – half their population died! England recovered better from the following economic crisis but changes in leadership on both sides saw fortunes swing both ways; then domestic unrest and limited finances combined to result in a period of relative peace that lasted from 1389 to 1415. In France Charles VI became suddenly mentally unwell in 1392 resulting in bitter conflict between factions competing for the role of Regent. On one hand there was the Duchy of Burgundy, on the other the Duchy of Orléans that was also supported by the influential Armagnac family. The matter descended into something only just short of outright civil war. 1413 saw a numeric change of English King, as Henry V succeeded his father Henry IV. He attempted to take France via political allegiance and marriage to Catherine of Valois (Charles VI’s youngest daughter), but this was rejected, so he set about seeking the goal by force. Henry invaded France and secured a crushing victory at the Battle of Agincourt. Over the next 5 years Henry captured most of northern France and, after meeting Charles VI, secured the Treaty of Troyes. Many suggested Charles was not fit to sign the Treaty and, indeed, it was the Queen (Isabeau) who signed on his behalf. Henry finally got to marry Catherine and it was declared that the throne of France would pass to him on Charles’ death as Charles also disinherited his own son, also Charles. This was his 5th son but given the first 4 had all died by this point, the 17-year-old Charles was left as ‘Dauphin’, the title given to the French heir apparent. Forces remaining loyal to the Dauphin were concentrated on the eastern sector of the country. Whilst they secured victory at the Battle of Baugé, near Anger, in 1421, it was but a minor hiccough in the progression of English dominance. After a significant siege, Henry captured Meaux, a Dauphin stronghold, in 1422, but then Henry died whilst still in France, never gaining the French throne; Charles VI died just 2 months’ later. A change, therefore, on both thrones: the English successor, Henry’s son, also Henry, was less than 1 year old when his father died. Charles’ death, and the Treaty of Troyes, meant he also inherited the French throne. Henry V had arranged for his brothers to be Regents: Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, as Lord Protector of England and John, Duke of Bedford, to be Regent of France. Bedford continued his brother’s military progress, and by the latter part of the decade the Dauphin, was all but defeated. Time to rewind a few years. In 1412 (or there abouts - no-one’s really sure), a girl named Jeanne was born to farmer Jacques D’Arc and his wife Isabelle in the town of Domrémy in north eastern France. Whilst Jacques owned a 50-acre farm and was a local official, he’d no formal standing and Jeanne’s early childhood was unremarkable and without education. In 1425, aged just 13, she reported seeing visions whilst in the garden; saints who told her to drive out the English and take the Dauphin to Reims to be consecrated as King. These particular Saints are quite significant: St Michael (the Angel), leader of God’s armies against Satan in the Book of Revelation; St Catherine (of Alexandria), a Princess Saint martyred as a virgin in the early 4th century who converted many to Christianity; and St Margaret (of Antioch), also martyred in the early 4th century, as a teenage virgin and associated strongly with indulgences (something I’ll deal with at a later date). Both Catherine and Margaret are from the ‘14 Holy Helpers’, a particular group of Saints identified by the Catholic church. At 16 she persuaded a relative to escort her to the garrison at Vaucouleurs where she petitioned the Commander to take her to the Royal Court. Initially the Commander turned her away, but a few months later she was back having persuaded two of the Commander’s soldiers to support her. Jeanne predicted defeat in a battle near Orléans days before messengers brought word, claiming a revelation by divine grace as she was tending her flocks; this was enough for the Commander to take her to the Dauphin. After meeting the Dauphin, she travelled with his army seeking to lift the siege of Orléans. Whether Charles was persuaded of Jeanne’s divine mission, taken by her presence and demeanour, or simply grasping of straws (the fall of Orléans would end his challenge for the throne), is not clear. Wearing borrowed armour and armed only, effectively, with a banner, she went with the troops into battle. I’ve seen sketches of her wearing a sword but haven’t heard any reports of her ever using it. Despite being wounded, she returned to the battle, guided the troops to victory and lifted the siege – all viewed as a sign of her Holy ordinance. With Jeanne advising on strategy, the French advanced on Reims winning numerous battles en-route including Patay that was as devastating to the English as Agincourt had been to the French. Charles was consecrated King on 17th July 1429, the day after the city had fallen to him. Jeanne urged that the armies press on to take Paris, but the Dauphin’s generals delayed. During a brief truce, Jeanne dictated a vitriolic letter to the followers of Jan Huss, citing them as heretics. On resumption of hostilities, Jeanne was with the army near Compiègne when she was captured by Burgundian troops allied to the English. After several escape attempts, she was moved to Arras before the English bought her capture and she was moved to the English stronghold of Rouen. Several attempted rescues were thwarted. Early in 1431 a “trial” (if you can call it that) was commenced against Jeanne for heresy. The “Judge”, Bishop Cauchon, didn’t have correct jurisdiction; the main investigator could find no adverse evidence against her; she was denied a legal advisor; and the Tribunal was carefully selected to be partisan pro-English. Jeanne had worn male soldier’s clothes to avoid detection when passing through enemy lines; she’d also worn male clothing in prison as protection against molestation and rape, which a dress wouldn’t have done. However, despite such valid reasons, these were regarded as acts of cross- dressing, a form of heresy, and her short, practical hair style was taken as further evidence against her. All the elements were stacked against her, so it’s not surprising that Jeanne was declared guilty and condemned to death. She was burned at the stake in the marketplace at Rouen on 30th May 1431. After her death, her body was burnt twice more to reduce it to ashes and the remains thrown into the River Seine to prevent any collection of relics. The trial was so clearly unfair and prejudicial that, already, many are hanging their heads in shame. Whether known by her name Jeanne D’Arc or her honorary titles, Maid (La Pucelle) of Lorraine, or Maid of Orléans, she’s a heroine of France.

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL

Fr. Brian sends good wishes for a happy and blessed Easter.

Pam Chandler wishes everyone at All Saints a very happy Easter with every blessing.

Ruth Inyon writes: as I walk to work each day it is lovely to hear the birds singing at the dawn chorus and see the daffodils unfolding their petals to reveal their splendour. To see the sun rise and glow in the orange sky as it comes up each morning. To walk beside the rather full Slade brook as it meanders through the housing estate where I work. Spring is on its way at last. As we travel through this season of Lent again, we have hope and the promise of our Lord’s salvation that he is always with us on life’s journey. I would like to wish all my friends at All Saints a very HAPPY EASTER and pray we can all in the near future worship together in the church again. You are remembered in my prayers. May the risen Lord renew your spirit this Easter. Love Ruth.

VIRTUAL HOUSE GROUP BY ZOOM

The House Group, we will be resuming on Zoom in April on Wednesdays 7th and 21st. Details to be sent out to group members nearer the time. New members are always welcome – please contact Alan & Lyn for further details.

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Continuing on with THE BURNHAM FAMILY

I didn’t know when I was researching the Burnham Family (in the March magazine) that I actually knew Kate Burnham’s granddaughter, Mary who sadly died last year. Frederick Howard Burnham and Margaret Ethel Loasby who married in 1930, lived at 80 Regent St Kettering. Frederick and Margaret Burnham had two children: Mary Patricia born 1932, and then Anne who married Raymond Varnfield in 1958. Mary later married David McKee in 1960.

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Nobody is more important than anyone else

We see rainbows when the rain stops and the sun comes out. Then an arc-shaped curve may appear in the sky. Sometimes it is pale, sometimes it is bright, but you can always see the seven colours – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. The coloured stripes are about the same size as each other. They are side-by-side, yet each is as important as the others. It wouldn’t be as wonderful if one of the colours wasn’t there – or if one of the colours was far bigger and brighter than the rest.

ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PAPER ABOUT ALL SAINTS PRAYER REQUESTS Bishop Stopford School faith | justice | responsibility | truth | compassion

Please pray for; • Ms. Silverthorne, the Governors, and the Leadership team • Sally and the Chaplaincy • Year 11 and 13 Grading • Year 6 summer introduction days • Year 7 to experience some normality in their first year of secondary education & friendships to be affirmed • Staff changes to come • Protection for the new deputy headteacher • Relationships • Students & families’ anxieties to be replaced by peace • Protection from the pandemic and testing to go smoothly • Evangelism amongst the students • God’s Word to be heard in assemblies • Easter display and the message of hope • Hearing ears • God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven • God’s mercy that leads to repentance • Growth in grace and in the knowledge of our Saviour Jesus Christ

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen

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Just 3 keys to enjoy life: ctrl+alt+del

1. Control yourself 2. Look for alternative solutions 3. Delete the situation that gives you tension!! MY LATEST PROJECT

I have been looking to find something special about Easter for you all to see in this edition. Then I remembered a photograph that I saw on the internet some years ago and have never had the time to research it or find anyone who knows anything about it. But now I have!! It has taken me ages to find this hidden gem! I now know at lot more about it as the information out there is quite scant. This is a plaster relief picture of the crucifixion dated 1577, that is at Rushton Hall. I tried to translate the Latin but after finding a bit about a whale I stopped thinking it was a joke! Then I went back to it and saw the story of Jonah and the whale staying inside it for three days and how it relates to Jesus in the tomb for three days. It is amazing that this is still in existence.

photograph by Mike Ingram (Northampton) Sir Thomas Tresham’s coat of arms is on the bottom. I contacted Dr Claire Gapper FSA and she gave me the English version: “The Latin inscription was translated by J Alfred Gotch (a Northampton architect who was a great enthusiast of Sir Thomas Tresham’s buildings in that county): ‘Behold the health-giving symbol THAV [the Greek T, tau, resembling a Cross], the noble Tree of Life. This was the second Brazen Serpent; a Joseph sold for filthy lucre; a Jonas who was shut for three days in the whale’s belly. This was a fount of springing water, a ….. Priest; a Lamb who was slain ….; and a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, who washed away our sins with His Blood. O how the Jews imagine many vain things, and the peoples raged with their hands! These raise the head, these laugh, these curse. There are some who wish to cast lots for the tunic. There is one who pierces the tender heart with a cruel spear. There is one who wishes to quench great thirst with gall. But the Mother, O Mother, overcome with tears begins to faint; but the womanly knee gives the help of woman.’ The text may have been written by Sir Thomas Tresham himself or it may have come from a contemporary devotional text, so far unidentified. The sculpture was probably copied from a foreign engraving.”

THE SWEETEST SONG A BIRD CAN SING

The sweetest song a bird can sing Is sung to greet the joy of spring Like daffodils we face the sun That warms the bones of everyone

The little robin sweetly trills For budding trees and daffodils To greet the reawakening Of all the hope that spring can bring

The sweetest song a bird can sing Is sung to greet the joy of spring May every heartbreak and defeat Be blessed in spring with all things sweet The winter world was grey and cold But now the sun pours down like gold So now we’re feeling young and free And blessed with springtime ecstasy

The sweetest song a bird can sing Is sung to greet the joy of spring My ears can hear a symphony Where birds and bees are wild and free

This broken hearted world of woe Can make a friend become a foe But when the birds begin to sing It’s all forgotten in the spring

The sweetest song a bird can sing Is sung to greet the joy of spring Like daffodils we face the sun That warms the bones of everyone

All rights reserved – Steve Howkins (from Rothwell)

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GIVE LAVISHLY! LIVE ABUNDANTLY!

The more you give, the more you'll get, The more you laugh, the less you'll fret, The more you do unselfishly, The more you live abundantly, The more of everything you share, The more you’ll always have to spare The more you love, the more you’ll find That life is good and friends are kind. For only what we give away Enriches us from day to day. Helen Steiner Rice Please send in your snippets, news, prayers etc to Angela. The deadline for the next edition of Saints Alive! is the 27th April. The May edition will be ready from Sunday 2nd May 2021.

WHO’S WHO AT ALL SAINTS PARISH CHURCH

Priest-in-charge Rev. David Walsh Reader John Stapleton 520342 Lay Minister Alan Ridley 529426 Churchwardens: Richard Lewis 513703 Angela Brett 522158 Safeguarding: Julie Loake 077434 00812 Hall Manager: Lyn Ridley 529426 Secretary: John Sockett 501851 Treasurer: Marie Morrison 725219 Saints Alive! Angela Brett 522158

Email: [email protected] Website Address: http://kettallsaintschurch.btck.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsparishchurchkettering/

Or follow us on Twitter @AllSaintsKett Les Ridley

This edition of Saints Alive is sponsored in memory of Les Ridley who would have celebrated his 100th birthday on 1st April this year. It was a long-standing matter of debate within the family whether he was born in the morning or afternoon – his mother would never tell so it was deduced that it must have been morning! Hence, he would say there is no fool like an old fool! God Bless.

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This edition of Saints Alive is sponsored by Sue & John Owen in loving memory of Joseph “John” Allen 1.8.1922 – 1.4.2009