CENTREPIECE December - January 2020 Free but donations always welcomed

Photo: Paul Milgate-Scarrott

Inside this issue:

While shepherds rambled about their flocks at night

Full list of Christmas services and carols Christmas Tree Festival

Bishop Geoff retires

A Christmas Version of Corinthians 13

“Gawain in Winter”

Money for Mission

St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group - Saving Sight

St John’s awards presentation

The Bell Restoration Project

CENTREPIECE 1 RECTOR Rev. Preb. Richard Grigson, Email: [email protected] Tel: 01785 526001 Rev. Alison Thomas Email:[email protected]

ASSOCIATE & TOWN CENTRE CHAPLAIN: Rev. John Davis ························· 01785 661382 Email:[email protected] LAY MINISTERS Mr. Phillip Taylor ……………….. 01785 780717 Email:[email protected] Mr. Andrew Sillito, Mr. R. Button (Readers Emeriti) Mrs. Pauline Shepherd (Pastoral Assistant, Emeritus) PARISH ADMINISTRATOR /PARISH OFFICE Mrs. Samantha Sagar ...... Tel: 01785 223600 Email: [email protected] For Baptisms and Weddings: Please contact the Parish Administrator Monday 10:.00 -12.45, Tuesday 08.00 - 12.45 Wednesday 10.00 - 12.45 Thursday10.00 - 6.00 Friday 10.00 - 12.45

SERVICES IN CHURCHES

Sunday Eucharist, St. Mary’s 8.00am Sung Eucharist, St. Mary’s 9.30am Family Eucharist, St. Mary’s 3rd Sunday in month 9.30am Sung Eucharist/Morning Prayer, St. Chad’s 11.00am. Eucharist/Morning Prayer, St. Leonard’s 11.15am Evening Worship, St Mary’s 6.30pm. Tuesday Eucharist, St. Chad’s 1.05pm Wednesday Praise & Play, St. Mary’s 10.30am Eucharist, St. Mary’s 1.05pm Thursday Eucharist, St. Mary’s 10.05am Healing Rest & Peace, St. Mary’s - 2nd Thursday of the month 1.05pm. Friday Eucharist, St. Chad’s 1.05pm CENTREPIECE 2

Rector’s Ramblings

While shepherds rambled about their flocks by night.

If you think church services these days can lack a little oomph, then spare a thought for our eighteenth century forebears. Legally they could only sing psalms. The sole exception to this was the hymn: 'While shepherds watched their flocks by night'. Until relatively recently many of the Christmas carols which we take for granted were only sung outside the church. Many more had not even been written. It was the Victorians who, as well as restoring church buildings to a supposed former design, virtually invented the Christmas Carol as we know it.

But not so 'While shepherds watched'. The words are based directly on Saint Luke's gospel, so that meant it was acceptable to purists. They first saw the light of day in 1700 in a collection which otherwise only included the psalms. The psalms, like the words of While Shepherds watched, were shoehorned into a rigid rhyming scheme in common metre. Some psalms were more successful than others. One of the more successful is still sung: 'O God our help in ages past'. Forcing all the psalms into the same shape had one big advantage: you could sing any of the psalms to the same tune. This was especially useful when the church band only knew a few tunes.

So we know of 'While Shepherds watched' being sung to all sorts of tunes. It fits beautifully the tune of 'On Ilkley Moor Baaht 'At'. If you don't believe me: try it. You can sing 'On Ilkley Moor' to the tune of 'O God our help', or the tune of 'While Shepherds Watched'. Perm them any way you want. A few years ago, on a warm sunny Sunday morning in Brittany, we went into the parish church. The hymn during communion was sung to the tune of 'While Shepherds watched'. There was something rather strange about singing the familiar wintery cold weather tune in a sunny very warm church. Our eighteenth century forebears would have had no problem with this, they had no notion that one tune was the 'right' tune or the wrong tune.

But this gets even more fun when you twig which other tunes will fit the words. Readers of a certain age (you know who you are) will remember the soap Dallas, with JR Ewing snarling his way round Texas. If you remember the theme song, try it with the words of 'O God our help'. It fits. I thought I had hit the bizarre jackpot when I realised that 'While shepherds watched' fits the tune 'House of the rising Sun'. That's not surprising, because it's originally a folk song. Then, more recently, I tried singing 'While Shepherds watched' to the tune Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, from Mary Poppins. that fits, too.

CENTREPIECE 3 We think we know Christmas. We think we know what it means. We think we've got it sorted, even down to knowing which tunes fit the words of the songs, hymns and carols. But we don't really know what it means. The shepherds in the fields were amazed. The Magi from the East were bewildered by their experience. The birth of Jesus made Herod afraid. None of them, or us, really knew the importance of the birth of Jesus. For God to empty himself into our world is not something we can control or take for granted.

May our celebration of the birth of Jesus change our lives. ______Farewell to Bishop Geoff

The and his wife Ann said goodbye in an uplifting service at Stoke Minster which featured 12 short first-hand stories of work across the Stafford episcopal area.

Retiring, after 9 years in the diocese, Bishop Geoff said “As Ann and I move on to the next phase of our ministry, we are thrilled that we are leaving a diocese that is in such good heart and positive about future growth. We are less thrilled at leaving so many wonderful friends but are really grateful for the privilege of being able to be part of the journey and can only thank you for your love, support and prayers.”

Christingle Making

On Monday 23rd December from 10:00am till 12:00 noon in St Mary’s we will be making 250 Christingles for the Christingle service! Could you come and help? If so, just turn up. Don’t worry if you can’t stay long, any help would be appreciated.

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Stafford Churches Advent & Christmas 2019

Advent Carol Service, Sunday 1st December: St. Mary’s at 6.30pm

St. Mary’s Christmas Tree Festival: Wednesday 4th December to Sunday 8th December: 10am to 4pm, finishing with Carols Around the Christmas Trees, Sunday 8th December at 2.30pm

Christingle at St Leonard’s, Sunday 8th December at 11.15am

Christmas Cracker activities for children: Saturday 14th December: St. Mary’s 10.30am—12.00pm

Crib service, Saturday 21st December: St. Chad’s at 4.00pm

Carol Services, Saturday 21st December St Chad’s 2.00pm Sunday 22nd December: St. Leonard's 4.00p.m., St. Mary’s at 6.30pm

Christmas Eve: Christingle: 4.00pm at St. Mary’s First Mass of Christmas: 6.00pm at St. Leonard’s 8.00pm at Saint Chad’s Midnight Mass: 11.30pm at St. Mary’s

Christmas Day Eucharist: 8.00am and 9.30 am at St. Mary’s

Take a break from shopping and come and sing carols: Thursday 12th December St. Chad’s @19.30 Thursday 19th December St. Mary’s @ 1.00 Saturday 21st December St. Mary's @ 12.00 Wednesday December 18th St. Chad’s @ 12.00 Friday December 20th St. Chad’s @ 12.00

CENTREPIECE 5 Accessibility

To improve accessibility in St Mary’s for those with wheelchairs, pushchairs or reduced mobility, we have installed a ramp into the Lady Chapel. It also provides a good handrail for those who prefer to use the steps. It has met with approval by everyone we have asked. They like the fact that is very firm, not too steep and not slippery to walk on.

It is hoped to install a similar ramp up to the next level in the future.

This is phase 1 of exciting plans to revamp the children’s area. More Chris Bown trying out the ramp. about this later.

CENTREPIECE 6 Friends of Saint Mary’s

Fish From Oblivion

Fish from Oblivion’s annual Christmas concert is on Thursday 12th December, and promises to be a little different from the average Christmas concert.

Gawain in Winter... ….Is the title of this year’s Fishy seasonal entertainment, and also of the new sequence of "joined-up writing" which Neil Robinson has created for the first half, having been challenged to set some of the medieval story of Gawain and the Green Knight.

Neil Robinson said “This will presumably be the only chance you’ll get to hear this little bit of music theatre in its entirety so we do hope you’ll be able to come. The Green Knight hopes to put in an appearance, with or without his head!

If that sounds a little too serious (it isn’t, honest) the second half will be full of old Fish seasonal favourites, and even (by special request) the odd bit of silliness, including some new Carols To The Tune Of Another for you to join in with, and even perhaps The Panto.” You will hear more examples of what Fr. Richard mentioned in his Ramblings on page 3. I remember hearing carols to the tune of Match of the Day - quite surreal but a lot of fun.

Neil went on to say” We would be delighted if you would either bring some foliage or wear something green (or both). “

Tickets are £8 at the door. Mulled wine and other refreshments will be on sale. Organised by the Friends of St Mary’s, all proceeds will go to the church.

Stafford Christmas cards and Stafford Calendar

St Mary’s has new Stafford Christmas cards on sale, featuring the town centre Christmas lights switch on, and the Shire Hall at Christmas time, plus some beautiful cards of the church.

The Stafford calendar is on sale at Mews Music and in the church. Featuring images of Stafford taken by local photographers, it comes in 4 different shapes and sizes.

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CENTREPIECE 8 A Christmas Version of Corinthians 13 If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I am just another decorator If I slave away in the kitchen baking dozens of mince pies, preparing gourmet meals and arrange a beautifully adorned table at mealtimes, but do not show love to my family, I am just another cook If I work at the soup kitchen, sing carols in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choirs cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point. Love stops cooking to hug a child Love sets aside decorating to kiss your husband Love is kind, though harassed and tired Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has co-ordinated Christmas china and table linen Love doesn’t yell at the children to get out of the way, but is thankful that they are there to be in the way Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things Love never fails Video games, and pearl necklace will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

We have Jan Morgan to thank for sending us these words of wisdom!

CENTREPIECE 9

Address: Unit 3, Baswich Business Park, Tilcon Ave., Stafford, ST18 0YL Phone/fax: 01785 241135 Mobile: 07973 113663 Email: [email protected] Website www.staffordplumbers.co.uk

CENTREPIECE 10 Money for Mission

St Marys -

At the centre of Stafford

At the heart of

A place of welcome

A place of prayer

A place of worship

The main purpose of St Mary’s is to be a place of Welcome whether that be as part of services, to those who visit as tourists or for those seeking a specific purpose within the building.

In order to be able to do this and to make sure that we can be open for the majority of days during the year we need an annual income of £130,000 or a daily income of £400.

During the weekend of 23/24th November we spent time considering how we can continue to enhance this very important building and the need it serves for the local community.

Where does £130,000 per year go?

Parish share – to the . This covers clergy stipends, training, retired clergy pensions, legal advice when we need it, safeguarding advice when we need it, financial advice when we need it and so much more. All churches must pay it no matter their size or place.

Heating and lighting; insurance for the church, salaries for those who keep us going; upkeep of services, regular maintenance, the cost of the Parish Office; publicity.

Where does our income come from?

Regular giving through our envelope scheme and standing order; loose collection on the plate on Sundays; donations in the votive candle stands and in the wall safe which is mainly from the people who visit; coffee concerts, donations and legacies; special service collections; hire of the church; rent; fees; Christmas Tree Festival; Gift Aid which was can claim back if people have signed to say they pay tax and we can consider their gifts for this purpose.

Do we balance the books?

Sadly, we do not. We are currently around £4000 down on where we were last

CENTREPIECE 11 year and last year we fell short of our amount needed through our regular channels by around £10,000. This means that we will need to find and extra £14,000 this year.

Quinquennial Inspection and full Electrical Testing

This was carried out in August and October of this year and each must be done every 5 years to comply with church regulations and also our insurance policies. We have received the inspection report and await the electric report. We already know that there are things to be done straight away and essential things which must be done before Easter 2021. To do this work it will wipe out the money we currently have in our current account. Clearly we need to replace it to pay for things that will happen which we are not yet aware of and also to ensure that an annual maintenance programme is in place.

What have we done so far?

The cost of hiring the church and our fees have been reviewed and these will increase from January 2020. We scrutinise every payment that is made to ensure we are getting best value for money. We are trying to ensure that the building is put to better use and to encourage others to use it.

We are encouraging people to become regular donors through our weekly envelope scheme and regular giving and then to consider Gift Aid if they are Tax Payers.

We have a card machine available for those people who dislike carrying cash but still want to give.

It’s not all about the money?

Not everyone is able to increase their giving.

There are many people who give their time and talents and these are especially valuable to us:

 Stewards who keep the church open

 Servers and sides people who help at services

 Those who visit people in their homes because they cannot get to church

 Those who give their practical skills so we can save money

 Those who give their professional skills for free.

 Those who clean the church and do so quietly and unnoticed

CENTREPIECE 12 We want to ensure that St Mary’s remains at the centre of Stafford and the heart of Staffordshire and is a place of welcome for prayer and worship and peace. It is essential that we are able to continue our Welcome Ministry; and Pastoral Ministry; and Liturgical ministry and that we can share our skills with others.

We look forward to you making this journey with us and if you would like to know more please get in touch.

On behalf of all the Clergy and Congregations at St Mary’s we wish you all a peaceful and joyous Christmas.

Sue Savage (Warden)

News from St Chad’s

Christmas Craft Fair at St Chad’s

St Chad’s held a very successful Craft Fair on Saturday, 1st December. It has now become established as an annual event, with many previous stallholders returning, plus some new ones. There was a steady stream of visitors through the day, right up till 4pm . There was a great range of gifts on offer, the kettle was always on, and it was a lovely atmosphere. Looking forward to doing it again next year!

Crib Have you noticed the crib is in place, outside St Chad’s? Lovely to see as you walk past, and nice for passers by to see a reminder of the religious side of Christmas, not purely the commercial.

News from St Leonard’s, Marston St. George memorial window appeal

To date we have received funds to finance 46 of the 140 window squares, and an appeal for more donations by way of letters is in progress to complete this funding. You can fund one or more squares by either sending a cheque made payable to St Leonard’s church and send the cheque to the treasurer David Mann, 48 The Bramblings, Stafford, ST17 4RN. For more info contact the Parish Office, email [email protected]

CENTREPIECE 13 A Report from the One World Group ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM EYE HOSPITAL GROUP SAVING SIGHT The St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group (SJJEHG) is committed to providing eye care to ALL - regardless of race, religion or ability to pay. The hospital group works in the occupied Palestinian territories where blindness is 10 times higher than in the West. This is due to 3 main factors:  Poverty  Genetics  Limited access to medical care

Poverty: The physical and economic isolation of the occupied Palestinian territories and the frequent outbreaks of conflict there have led to very high rates of poverty and unemployment. This means that 84% of children now live below the poverty line. In Gaza, 80% of people rely on international aid to survive. People regularly defer seeking treatment as they fear how much it will cost. Delaying treatment for eye conditions can result in potentially permanent damage.

Genetics: Hereditary eye disease is common amongst the Palestinian community. The SJJEHG is engaged in research into the causes and possible cures for this. Access to healthcare: Many people are unable to access healthcare because they do not have permits to travel. Needless visual impairment is caused by eye problems being left untreated. The hospital group consists of five expert medical centres across East Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza, which provide internationally accredited eye care. It also has thirteen Mobile Outreach teams who visit those people who cannot easily travel to appointments. 80% of blindness in the occupied Palestinian territories is preventable with medical care, and the SJJEHG endeavours to provide care where it is needed. In order to treat all patients regardless of their ability to pay, the eye hospital group relies heavily on donations. In St. Mary’s we began our support for this project on Harvest Sunday and have already raised enough to fund one major eye operation. To continue our support, we’ve launched an envelope appeal. If you would like to help, packs of 12 savings envelopes are available at the back of the church. The amount you’d contribute each month is entirely up to you, and you wouldn’t be committing yourself to give the same amount each month. If you’re able to, please support this worthwhile cause, bringing the gift of sight to those who cannot afford to pay.

CENTREPIECE 14

A child from a Bedouin Gazan community lost most of her sight in both eyes from childhood glaucoma. Simple drops could have solved the issue had it been caught early.

Further details of the work of the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group can be found on the One World noticeboard and on the website: www.stjohneyehospital.org

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CENTREPIECE 15 The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem

Honours & Awards Presentation. St Mary’s Church Sunday 13th October 2019 Members of St John from Staffordshire and Wolverhampton gathered at St Mary’s Church on Sunday 13th October for a very special Honours and Awards Presentation. The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem traces its roots back to an 11th century hospital in the Holy City of Jerusalem, hence the name. We now associate this with St John Ambulance, and all the work the volunteers do in providing first aid at public events, football matches, theatres. We see them and perhaps don’t realise that all the members are volunteers giving many hours of service to local communities. The Order of St John is also a Royal Order of Chivalry, with the Queen as the Sovereign Head, the Duke of Gloucester as the Grand Prior, the Princess Royal, Commandant in Chief of St John Youth, and the Countess of Wessex as the Grand President. Members who have given many years of distinguished service are made Members of the Order at different ranks. On the 13th October, the Lord- Lieutenant of Staffordshire, acting on behalf of the Queen invested Barrie Hill from Penkridge St John Unit as a Member of the Order in recognition of his outstanding contribution to its work. Nine members were also awarded Service Medals for 12 years of outstanding service, and many were awarded bars to their service medals, recognising those who have given 17yrs, 22yrs, 27yrs, 32yrs, 37yrs, 42yrs, 47yrs and 52yrs voluntary service. Other awards were presented for 500 hours of voluntary service in a year and also for 1000 hours. The High Sheriff and Civic Heads from across Staffordshire were present for the occasion. St John is also responsible for the Eye Hospital in Jerusalem, which St Mary’s is raising money for this year (more about this on page 14). Our own Father John is the County President for St John and also the National St John Fellowship Chairman.

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Photography by Paul Milgate-Scarrott

CENTREPIECE 17 CENTREPIECE 18 Christmas Tree Festival the best yet

Every year Fr. John is heard to say “That’s it, we can’t possibly fit any more trees in.” But every year he does! This year is no exception, he found room for 118 trees, more than ever before. On Tuesday evening, 3rd December, it was officially opened by the Mayor of Stafford, Cllr. Gareth Jones. He said “ I’m told the Christmas Tree Festival has been going for 12 years now, but looking around here, I have a feeling that this will be the best yet.”

With 118 trees, 17 school choirs and 11 adult choirs he is probably right! It ends on Sunday afternoon with a resounding carol concert by Yarlet Schools and Cannock Salvation Army Band.

A lot of work goes into the Christmas Tree Festival and it could not take place without the help of many volunteers. It is impossible to name them all here, but let us just say a big “Thank you” to them all for creating such an enjoyable event. Photos by Paul Milgate-Scarrott

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CENTREPIECE 19 Hatherton Tree Management Quality Professional tree and hedge care NPTC Qualified staff and fully insured Please call for a free quote Office: 01543 422585 Mobile: 07803 601928

CENTREPIECE 20 Bell Restoration Project

It was strangely quiet as we walked to church on Sunday. Why? Well there were no church bells ringing. And there will be none ringing for a while, probably until April 2020.

An ambitious project is underway to replace the bells at St Mary’s. The old bells have now been removed. This was no easy task, they were lowered down through the tower, above the altar. Needless to say, we had to be sure no one was underneath, and so the church was closed to visitors for a week whilst this was going on.

The plan is to replace the complete ring of bells with that of the 10 Bells from St John’s Hanley. They were cast as a complete set by the renowned bell founders Gillett and Johnston and are considered to be of excellent tonal quality.

Two new bells have been cast to create a ring of 12 in a new steel frame.

The new bells have now been cast at Westley Group Foundry in Newcastle- Under-Lyme. They were broken out of the moulds this week and make their way to Nicholson Engineering to be tuned.

The Friends of St Mary’s have pledged to pay for the new ropes (some £2000) and the mats.

The project is costing around £150,000. Please help us to reach our target by making a donation. http://www.stafford.thebellringers.org.uk

CENTREPIECE 21 The Soup Kitchen This beautiful 16th Century eating house offers the ideal place to meet your friends and is described in The Times as “Stafford’s hidden gem”. Visitors from all over the world regularly return and comment ‘there is nowhere else that compares in atmosphere, traditional old-fashioned service and genuine warm welcome which is unique to Stafford’s Soup Kitchen.

CENTREPIECE 22 CHURCH CONTACTS St. Mary’s Churchwardens ...... Sue Savage ...... Brian Westerman .. 823356 Bellringers Selwyn Jones ...... 242116 House Group ...... Monica Srinivasan One World Group ...... Pauline Roycroft ... 244556 Open Door St. Mary’s .... Sue Savage Julian Meeting ...... Sheila Young ...... 252023 Sunday Lunch Club ...... Sheila Young ...... 252023 Director of Music…… ... Margaret Outen….253182 Email: [email protected] Planned Giving Secretary….Jon Clifford…..282688 ...... Email: [email protected]

St. Chad’s Churchwarden ...... Ian Carr

St. Leonard’s Churchwarden ...... Gail Wray …..01889 271176

WEBSITES: Website for StaffordChurches: www.staffordchurches.uk St Mary’s Website: www.stmarysstafford.org.uk St. Chad’s Website: www.stchadsstafford.co.uk Why not follow us on Twitter? @staffordchurch Facebook: staffordchurches.uk

MAGAZINE EDITOR: Steve Turner …………….Telephone 01785 229437 Email [email protected] Mobile 07779091021

FRIENDS OF ST MARY’S Dee Turner ...... 01785 229437 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @FriendsStM Facebook: www.facebook.com/ friendsofstmary CENTREPIECE 23 Festival of Remembrance 2019

Photography by Paul Milgate-Scarrott

Contributions to Centrepiece: If you would like to advertise an event, comment on one you have attended or just share something interesting with us– then please do so. Send it to my email address:CENTREPIECE [email protected] 24 Deadline is about 10 days before the first Sunday of the month.