Issue Number 406 August 2014 Dear Friends 1914 and all that The late great historian Eric Hobsbawm coined the phrase ‘the long nine- MISSION STATEMENT teenth century’ to describe the period between the French Revolution in 1789 and the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, a period of world his- Empowered by the love of God in Jesus Christ, and open to the tory dominated by European affairs and interests. Behind Hobsbawm’s coin- workings of the Holy Spirit, the Priory Church seeks to be an ongoing place of welcome and a continuing source of strength to age is his insight that the catastrophic conflict which began a hundred years the community in which it is set and to all those who seek ago this month resulted in new political, economic, religious, and cultural worship, privacy, prayer or fellowship within its walls. trajectories unforeseeable in 1914. Their consequence was the hastening of The Church Office an irrevocable shift in the balance of global power and influence away from Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6AL Europe, whose leading nations had become sclerotically complacent about 01756 710238 their role in world affairs. We continue to live in the path of those trajecto- [email protected] ries. The Rector The Rectory, Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6AL By Armistice Day in November 1918 around three quarters of a million UK 01756 710326 soldiers had been killed in action and over one and a half million had been [email protected] wounded; there were just fifty three civil parishes in England and Wales SUNDAY which had no need of a Memorial to men who had died in the conflict. The 0800 Holy Communion hundredth anniversary of the outbreak of ‘the war to end war’ on 04 August 0915 Liquid Family Worship First Sunday of month 1914 has prompted renewed debate about the military justification for the 1030 Sung Eucharist United Kingdom’s entry into the conflict, a debate which in turn has raised 1830 Evening Prayer (said) Summer months questions about how (and indeed if) we should commemorate the beginning of the war, and other key anniversaries over the next four years. 1630 Evening Prayer (said) Winter months WEDNESDAY For Christians this debate poses particular questions. Our theological re- sponse might well begin with the Eucharist. Each time we gather around the 1000 Holy Communion Lord’s Table we commemorate Jesus’s agonising death. But our commemo- 1845 Choir Practice ration is transformed by our belief that Jesus’s death was followed by his resurrection, and that this marked the possibility of a new beginning for the All regular services are according to the rite of the Book of Common Prayer whole of humanity. Perhaps Christians should see in any commemoration of (BCP), except for the Family service, an informal service for young and old. the outbreak of the First World War an opportunity to offer that possibility WEDDINGS and BAPTISMS: By arrangement via the Church Office afresh to a world in which the open wounds caused by military conflict con- tinue to fester. In doing so, we are able both to honour the personal sacrifice Bishop James Bell, Bishop for the Ripon Episcopal Area of the new of those who fought in what was believed by most people at the time to be diocese (and therefore our Area Bishop) will be presiding and preach- a necessary cause, and to proclaim in our own generation the Good News of ing at a Festival Eucharist on Sunday 07 September. We shall be ob- the reconciling love of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. serving the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (which actually falls on 08 September), one of our patron saints. Bishop With my very best wishes, James will be dedicating at this Eucharist the statue of Mary which was commissioned some years ago and which will stand on the north side of the sanctuary. The practice of lay people bringing up, during the Offertory, the ele- ments of bread and wine to be consecrated by the president is an Rector’s Notes ancient one, and the worldwide Church has always recognised its Further to my letter this month, there will be a short service at the spiritual and symbolic significance. During August I would like to in- Priory on Sunday 03 August at 18.30 on the eve of the centenary of troduce this practice at the Sung Eucharist on Sundays. There is no the outbreak of hostilities in 1914. The service will be one of reflec- special qualification for this role: I hope and pray that all of you will tion, and prayer for God’s mercy, protection, and peace. I commend respond positively if asked to participate in the Eucharist in this way. this to you all as an appropriate way of marking this solemn anniver- Please note that Harvest Festival will be celebrated this year on Sun- sary. day 28 September. The Harvest Supper will take place in the Village The president and preacher at the Sung Eucharist on Sunday 03 Au- Hall on Friday 26 September. gust will be Canon Wendy Wilby. Until her retirement last year, Wendy We are extremely grateful indeed to Anne Lloyd who, at very short was Precentor and Residentiary Canon at Bristol Cathedral. Our notice, undertook to coordinate the catering for the Parish Party on preacher on Sunday 24 August will be the Revd Lesley Ashton, Honor- Sunday 13 July. Thanks are due, too, to all those who answered ary Assistant Priest in the Fountains Group of parishes. Until recently Anne’s request for contributions. Lesley was Vicar of St Mary’s, Hawksworth Wood, in Leeds. After thirty four years as the Priory verger, Joe Pickersgill has decided In advance of the Bolton Abbey Summer Fête at the end of the month, that it is the right time for him to step down from the role. There will I am glad to take this opportunity to thank, in advance, all those be a formal presentation to Joe at a Sunday Sung Eucharist in due whose efforts will make this such a splendid occasion for the whole course, but meanwhile I want to put on record the gratitude of the community. whole Priory community for Joe’s faithful service for over a genera- Details of the Priory Autumn Talks have been finalised and may be tion as well as my personal thanks to Joe for all the support he has found later in the magazine. The focus this year is very much on the shown me since I arrived last year. The Standing Committee has Church’s practical response to those in need, and I hope that you will agreed that Tony Cantlow be appointed acting verger until a perma- support these talks enthusiastically. After some thought, we have nent appointment can be made. decided to move all the talks to the Village Hall this year, as it pro- vides both safer access on dark evenings, and better facilities. PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL – 19 June 2014 people the ruins, has come up with a solution for rainy days. He has pre- pared a computer presentation so that if the weather is inclement, visitors We are pleased to report that some of our long-term plans have either come can see the ruins from the shelter of the Boyle Room. to fruition or are on the point of doing so. The former oil tank storehouse has now been prepared for use as a general store so we can hope to see Liz Higgins PCC Secretary some clutter disappearing soon. We have planning permission for the long- ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY MEETS POPE FRANCIS IN ROME awaited toilets (hooray!) and will soon be able to put the work out to tender. Thanks to Paul Middleton’s talents our website can now be accessed and is In their second meeting within eighteen months, Pope Francis and Arch- winning praise from official quarters. Now we’re poised to choose new light- bishop Justin Welby recently recommitted themselves resolutely to the ing as the bulbs we have used in the past are no longer available. struggle against modern slavery and human trafficking. Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin also spoke about areas in conflict and how churches The Rector reminded us that the Priory serves a parish and that our mission around the globe are called by Christ, our reconciler, to act as peacemakers. includes four aspects: pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The They described their Christian passion for peace-making in places torn interior of the church should show signs of this (like the food boxes in the apart by war, and pledged their ongoing commitment to act as agents of tower) so that visitors realise it is not just an ancient monument. reconciliation and restorative justice. The Special Events team are so far ahead of themselves that not only have Parish Pump they already booked some concerts for 2015, but some for 2016 as well! Preparations for the Fete go on apace and Andy and Lucy Carr have come FIRST FOR PRIORY SIDESMEN? up with a new attraction for the children (of any age): a Human Fruit Ma- On Sunday 12 July, the Rector read the banns for Paul Eggleston and Elea- chine. Look out for it on the day. nor Wallbank. Their wedding is in August. Eleanor officiated as a sidesman Revd John and Rita Bennett deserve our thanks and congratulations for the at this service and what made this an intriguing and memorable event was way they have run such a successful ‘Open the Book’ course at the Boyle that her grandmother, Barbara Hey, and her Churchwarden grandfather, and Petyt School.