The Parish LANTERN

The magazine for with St Allen, Zelah, Allet and Shortlanesend

February - March 2021

Church Directory

Vicar: Rev Chris Parsons 01872 263015 (day off Friday) email: [email protected] Ordained Local Minister (retired): Rev Bob Humphries 01872 862827 email: [email protected]

Worship Leader: John Dean: 01872 279794

Churchwardens: Kenwyn: Helen Perry: 01872 277117 email: [email protected] Martin Wright: 01872 222264 email: [email protected] St Allen: Adrian Hare: 01872 540307 David Burgess: 01872 263935

Parish administrator and PCC Secretary: Helen Perry: 01872 277117 email: [email protected]

Bell ringing: Norman: 01872 242569 Choir and organist: Angela Gilbert: 01872 277725 email: [email protected] Mothers’ Union: Tess Dean: 01872 279794 email: [email protected] Wednesday Fellowship: Jean: 01872 271658 Flower arrangers: Val: 01872 222037 To hire the Lychgate room please contact Helen Perry: 01872 277117 email: [email protected] Parish Magazine editor: Jenny King: 01872 225661 email: [email protected]

Please submit items for the April/May 2021 magazine by March 15th thank you From the Vicarage

We are now well into the New Year with the hope of vaccines helping us to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic. It’s been a challenging time for all of us, worse for some than others. Our daily lives have been curtailed in many ways, ways in which we would never have imagined, at least not in the UK. And that has meant we have all had to adapt, in one way or another. Adapting doesn’t always come so easily, especially when we are set in our ways and when it goes on for an extended period of time. But most, if not all of us, I’m sure, have risen to the challenge as best as we are able. In the Bible, in the Book of Joshua, we read of how God helped Joshua to face a new challenge. Joshua was Moses assistant and after the death of Moses, he was charged with leading more than two million people into a strange new land, Canaan, and conquering it. This was an enormous challenge, even for someone of Joshua’s calibre. But God said to Joshua ‘As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave or forsake you.’ We too can take comfort from these words, because God will never leave or forsake us, despite the gigantic mountain we climb at present. While things may not always turn out how we might like them to, God promises he will never abandon or fail to help us. By asking God to direct us, we can conquer many of life’s challenges. Despite the difficulties we face at present, I think spring is a lovely time of year when we are reminded of God’s creation, with flowers bursting forth, birds building their nests and gathering on the feeders in the garden, not forgetting the frolicking young squirrels. Our newish puppy, Roly, now peers at them keenly through the French doors, taking over from Bertie, who was our Jack Russell. Spring is a sign of new growth and renewed hope. We may not be out of the woods yet but let us remember God’s words and meanwhile let us pray for the sick and elderly and those who care for them, the bereaved, the housebound, those who are finding life difficult in other ways and all key workers. By working together, and with God on our side, we have hope, the certain hope, only he can give. May God bless you all.

Chris Parsons 1 Church Matters…….

“Happy” New Year doesn’t feel very appropriate at the moment, but after the difficult start to 2021 we can only pray that things improve as time goes by.

Back at the start of January the PCC took the difficult decision to keep both churches locked, and suspended services until further notice. Whilst recognising parishioners needs to visit the buildings “Church” is really about the people, with the overwhelming priority to keep everybody as safe as possible from COVID19. Rev Chris is recording worship on You Tube and Anthea and David invite you to join the on-line study group meeting on a Monday evening at 7.00pm. Cathedral is live streaming Services over their You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8wkaiiTFnmv1veVsITN2Jg There is the Church of Daily Hope free phone line (0800 804 8044) available 24 hours a day with reflections, hymns and prayers, and many other on-line events from a variety of churches. Don’t forget Rev Chris is still available by telephone if you need him. (01872 263015).

Christmas seems a long time away now, but we were fortunate in being able to hold socially distanced Carol Services at both churches on Christmas Eve which included a small choir at Kenwyn. Tea Time families attended in good numbers for a Christingle Service in early December and wore crowns and waved stars at the January Service marking Epiphany. At the time of writing no firm plans can be made regarding Easter Services etc, but there will be a Lent Course taking place over Zoom.

Discussions regarding the consecration of the “unused” section of St Allen “new” Churchyard, are ongoing, requiring the satisfactory resolution of some legal issues.

A contractor to refurbish Kenwyn Church bells has been instructed, work is currently underway repainting the actual bellframe, and grants have been applied for. Restrictions mean that ringing cannot take place so, for the first time in many years, no bells were rung at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

A leak in the Nave roof at Kenwyn will be dealt with when the weather improves and a gas engineer has advised that, due to the age of the boiler, the intermittent fault should be managed until total replacement becomes inevitable. – Sounds expensive! Notification was received from the Diocese requesting a contribution of £69,502.00 towards the 2021 Ministry and Mission Fund, an increase of around 10%, and the PCC decided to continue paying at the 2020 rate. The money is used to cover the cost of clergy for the Parish plus a share of central costs. The Annual Parochial Church Meeting has been set for Sunday 16th May, so put the date in your diary now. That day Churchwardens will be elected and PCC Members appointed. 2 Helen Perry

Please check the facebook page and A Church Near You website for update details regarding church opening and Services Click here: www.achurchnearyou.com/2437 www.achurchnearyou.com/2431

To make a financial donation click here: https://givealittle.co/campaigns/c64372ab-57e9-4ca0-a2de-c27b82faad65?fbclid=IwAR11Zs- ZUEs5cTPKYyTMgfFq1dvRahlf1E471sGVQBMZ5P94UUtRtof_tcY

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Old Chinese proverb

If there is righteousness in the heart, There will be beauty in the character. If there be beauty in the character, There will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the home There will be harmony in the nation When there is order in each nation There will be peace in the world

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The crafty/creative retreat and weekend individually guided retreat in the new en-suite accommodation has proved to be very popular. It has been very difficult to plan retreats due to the constantly changing Covid-19 rules regarding when we can open. We will contact all those who have expressed an interest in small craft retreats and Individually Guided Retreats to suggest some provisional dates. If you have not already let us know but would be interested in such retreats, then please let us know and we will send the dates to you as well. Please send us your expressions of interest to [email protected].

We are re-opening as much as we are able given the restrictions in place due to the current guidelines. However, we have fewer staff now and they are mostly on reduced hours, so we cannot be open and available every day of the week. We ask for your patience if we are not available to answer your telephone call or email immediately.

The Revd Janette Mullett continues to pray daily in the Chapel. If you have any prayer requests email [email protected]. All prayer requests are confidential. Our Prayer Community also continue to pray in their own homes for the communities around Epiphany House and for all whose lives are touched by the current crisis. Epiphany House has a team of experienced Spiritual Accompaniers who will be more than happy to make a phone call to those who may be struggling or feeling isolated at this time. If you would like someone to phone you please email [email protected] giving your name, phone number and best times to contact you and we will do our best to match you up. 4

KENWYN WITH ST ALLEN

We invite YOU to Join a small friendly group for mutual support as we get to:

Know God Show God Share God

Currently we meet online for about an hour each week. Post-Covid we hope to meet in people’s homes.

If you would like to join one of our groups now or when we are able to meet in homes, Please do get in touch! 01872 260409 or [email protected]

The logo on this flier is used with permission.

5 Rhyme Time The answers to each pair of clues rhyme.

One of three which Truro + A member of the landed Cathedral has gentry

What a vicar does + A film about a Sovereign's impediment

A book by William Thackeray + Also called Our Father

The Eucharist or Lord's Supper + Annual message given by the American President

Sir Trevor Macdonald used to + Visited Jesus after the present this shepherds

Hymn written by John Newton + Held annually on the Thames

Last book of the Old testament + TV series starring Judi Dench & Geoffrey Palmer

Genus name for the owl + Small cross with Jesus on

Hymn with words by Timothy + A book written by Dudley-Smith Alexander Dumas

After Job and before Proverbs + Book written by Ernest Hemingway

Answers in the next magazine 6 Gardening

As we go into a New Year, we sometimes reflect on what happened during the last and boy what a lot to reflect on! Looking back on all the hardships of 2020 makes me look forward to making 2021 a better one.

Something the lockdown last year taught me was how important family and the world around us is. For the Shoesmith clan our hour walks would be together, bonding us as a family, giving my children an understanding of what their parents do and, for a short time at least, help them appreciate nature, rather than constantly being attached to their technology. My children became particularly fond of butterflies during our walks. The fine, sunny weather was ideal, and our local hedgerows were perfect nectar hunting grounds for them. A local pond was also of interest brimming with tadpoles, which they found fascinating. So, in 2021 I have started a plan to keep this interest going. Part of my plan is to spend time with the boys in the garden, somewhere we can further our family time. We’ve already started on a new pond, which in this case will be a wildlife pond. To Sam’s disappointment our wildlife pond will not have a goldfish in it but after explaining to him that Brian the Goldfish (Sam’s chosen name) would probably eat most of the creatures that would come, he soon changed his mind and started to look up pond animals on his tech. This all seemed very interesting to him and he already has me saving old Pringle containers, putting clingfilm on the bottom to make underwater looking devices.

I also look forward to growing some fruit with them. My eldest Jake loves blueberries and is keen to grow this plant at home. Not only are blueberries tasty fruit the shrub itself is very attractive giving you beautiful white, bell shaped flowers early in the year and attractive autumn colour towards the end. A plant easily grown in our mixed border as an ornamental as well as an edible. Ornamentals can be mixed decoratively with edibles just make sure you all know which is which. As for me and my wife, we like flowers and to be able to sit and enjoy them. So mixed varied borders suit us fine and of course a patio area to do the sitting and enjoying. Hopefully being somewhere to watch the visiting butterflies. 2021, will be a better year and as I plan my years gardening at home, I will make sure family time is planned in also. Who knows they might even give me a hand with some of the work?

February and March are the times in the gardening year when things start to move. At the parks the seeds for some of the summer bedding has already been sown and by mid-February into March they’ll be being potted into their final pot size and grown on ready to be planted in May. 7 You really need to start planning and getting the garden ready at this time, actually, if you haven’t you’ve got a little bit of catching up to do! However, don’t worry, it’s easy to get back on track. Yes, I know I’m on about it again, get your organic matter onto the soil. This can be put on as a mulch and if your garden is established, the worms will start to mix it into the ground for you. The good old gardener’s friend. If you’re making a new planting area, you could scatter the organic matter on top and then dig it in. When I was at college, we would double dig. This involved digging a trench and laying a layer of matter at the bottom, it was really hard work. Since leaving college I have never needed to do it. Double digging is a good workout and does the job, but so does placing a layer on top of the ground and digging it in. The latter is much easier but doesn’t burn as many calories. I’ll leave it up to you.

As said, there is light at the end of the tunnel in regard to our daily life restrictions, but we do have to tolerate some frustrating delays for a little longer yet. This doesn’t mean that you have to stop in the garden. If you have the time build a cold frame. This can be constructed from old pallets or wooden boxes, even, in my case some old plastic sheeting, that is left over from some work on the side of my house. Cold frames are a great way of getting your young plants started. Take your cuttings and when ready to pot on, do so and then put into a cold frame. This gives the young plants protection and when things get hotter, lift and open the frame up a little each day to help strengthen your plants and acclimatise them to the outside air. This will help them establish quicker when you plant them, keeping them strong and healthy.

At Boscawen Park Nursery we’re potting up new Dahlia tubers. The cold frames around the edge of our greenhouses are perfect to help them make a start in growing. Of course, as they get taller we will move them out, but the weather should be better by then. February gives you the last chance to take your hardwood cuttings. These are best done before Christmas but there is still a good chance that if you take a few now you’ll still get a good percentage to root. Look up what plants can have cuttings taken this way and then cut off a piece of stem that is about the thickness of a pencil. Make the cutting about 8 to 12 inches long. Dig over some ground and push your cuttings into it. Push into the soil about half, to three quarters and then just leave to root. In about twelve months you’ll have a plant you can move and plant where you want. Or push the cuttings in where you want them to grow. I’ve made a few escallonia hedges this way, cheap and easy to do. As life returns to the garden, we’re reminded that better weather and times are on the way. Get out when you safely can and enjoy your gardening. Liam Shoesmith 8

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SHORTLANESEND METHODIST CHURCH

The situation with regard to opening is under constant review. We can’t wait to resume all activities when the time is right.

Our Facebook page is still operating and has all sorts of interesting information on it.

FIND US AT www.facebook.com/shortlanesendmethodist

If anyone has a prayer request then please put it on our facebook page or slip it on a piece of paper under the Chapel door. The Chapel is regularly checked.

Love and blessings to all.

Jennie Thomas - Church Steward 01872 240774 9 Dear Granny Kenwyn

My daughter is just three. She used to eat everything but now she refuses and only wants to eat sweet things and ‘treats’. Meal- times are a nightmare as she pushes the food away and even screams. I find I am starting to ‘bribe’ her to eat healthy foods such as fruit by promising sweets. She often opens the fridge door and says ‘something else?’ Please advise me as I know it is important to eat healthily.

Your little girl is responding to the way you are thinking about food. She is getting the message from you that ‘treats’ are nice things to eat and healthy food is not. Try to put out the message to her that all the food you offer is good. It sounds as if you may have abandoned three meals a day and that she has got you under her thumb by refusing your food. By giving in and offering only the food she likes, and when she likes, you are storing up trouble for yourself. She will get to know that she has the upper hand. Offer her breakfast, lunch and dinner and give her only very small healthy snacks between meals - such as a small amount of milk or water, little slices of fruit or a tiny cracker with a little cube of cheese. If she refuses the breakfast then take it away but do not let her have sweet things from the fridge at odd moments. Be strict about her eating some of the savoury food first before any pudding is allowed. If you stick to this you will find she will eat her meals. Don’t pile up her plate too much as we all over estimate what a young child can eat. It turns them off if they see a mountain of food. Never try to force a child to eat as that is cruel and it can cause them to choke and will certainly turn them off meal-times. Make sure you start the new routine with meals she likes. Clear out all the sweet yoghurts, biscuits, sugary cereal bars, sweets etc…if they are not in the cupboards she can’t have them! Let her help to make sandwiches and spread her own crackers with a choice of spreads such as marmite, cheese, butter and hummus. Let her mash her own banana. Offer her sticks of carrot and cucumber and thin slices of peach etc. Make the food into a smiley face using a round slice of bread with raisins for eyes and an apple slice for a mouth. It is amazing what you can make food into!…boats with cheese slices for sails, dolls with cucumber sticks for hair etc. 10 Let her pour her own drink from a small jug into her cup. This is very effective for getting children off fruit juices and sweet drinks and back onto milk or water. Ensure mealtimes are a pleasure for her (and you!). Sit and eat with her so she sees you enjoying the same food. Chat about other things such a trip to the park and what you will both do. Don’t make a fuss about any spills or mess. It can soon be wiped up and she can help. Try not to be over- anxious about meal-times as she will pick up on it and use it as a way to get attention. Don’t leave a huge gap between meals so she gets tired and too hungry to eat. Children are such great copiers so, if you can, invite a friend to play and have tea or lunch. This is especially good if the friend is a good eater! However never make comparisons by saying how good her friend is. Be patient as she may be a slow eater and do praise her even if she only eats a little. Never offer food as a reward - read a story, play a game or go to the park. These are real rewards to a child as they involve giving them the attention they so need. Remember to avoid giving messages such as sweets are nice and vegetables are not nice. Granny Kenwyn ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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The stories behind some favorite spring flowers - Part 1

(from an article by Stefan Bucking – ex-Chairman of Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time).

The names are familiar but do we know the origins of their names and the folklore behind them.

Anemone: From the Latin 'anemone' and the Greek 'anemones' (wind or daughter of the wind). Alternatively the windflower, because the flowers flutter in the breeze and only open when the wind blows. Or Grandmother's Nightcap (from its shape), Moggie nightgown or masque flower from Pasquale, relating to Easter.

Buttercup: Legend claims that it got its name from the fact that cows which grazed on meadows full of the flowers produced milk rich in cream. In actual fact the plant is poisonous to cows!

Its scientific name, Homunculus, originates from Latin, meaning 'little frog', as the plant often grows near water. The flowers get their bright colour from yellow pigment in the petals' surface layer, and their shiny surface is due to layers of air just beneath the surface reflecting the light like a mirror. Hence the childhood trick of placing a buttercup under someone's chin and if there's a yellow reflection on the skin, that person is said to love butter.

12 Cowslip: It's ironic that such a lovely fragrant flower should have got its name from its habitat of cow dung-enriched pastures. 'Slip' is related to 'slop' – meaning wet or slimy. Also known as 'Paige' or 'gaggle' – meaning the dangling teats of a cow's udder.

Daffodil: There are numerous explanations for its name. Originally 'daffodil', a word for the plant we now call asphodel. Colloquially known as jonquils – from the French 'jonquil', the colour yellow. In folklore, if you deliberately avoid stepping on them, fortune will favour you. If you give someone a gift of daffodils, they, too, will have good luck. However, a single flower means ill-fortune!

Erica: From the Latin meaning 'heath' – where these spring flowering heathers grow. Summer flowering heather that covers moors is Callus (from the Greek meaning 'to beautify, sweep clean) – hence possibly the name broom.

Foxglove: The scientific name is Digitalis – because the flowers can be put on a finger (or digit) like a thimble. The puzzling part is 'fox' – unless it's because they grow in woods where foxes live. It maybe have its derivation from 'folks' gloves'. In parts of Scotland, it's 'dot-tail' (as 'dot' is a northern word for fox). Other names are ladies' fingers; floppy dock; dead-en’s bells and fairy gloves.

Once widely used in folk medicine as, though highly poisonous, it can be turned into a drug that slows and strengthens the heart.

Part 2 in the next edition.

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14 Thomas Cranmer (1489 – 1556) (remembered on 21st March)

Cranmer was Archbishop of Canterbury (1533 - 1556) and a leader of the English Reformation who was responsible for establishing the basic structures of the Church of England. Thomas Cranmer was born on 2 July 1489 in Nottinghamshire. His parents were minor gentry. As his father only had enough land to give his eldest son, Thomas and his younger brother joined the clergy. Cranmer was given a fellowship at Jesus College, Cambridge in 1510, which he lost when he married the daughter of a local tavern- keeper. She died in childbirth, at which point he was re-accepted by the college and devoted himself to study. He took holy orders in 1523. A plague forced Cranmer to leave Cambridge for Essex. He came to the attention of Henry VIII, who was staying nearby. The king and his councillors found Cranmer a willing advocate for Henry's desired divorce from Catherine of Aragon. Cranmer argued the case as part of the embassy to Rome in 1530, and in 1532 became ambassador to Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Cranmer was sent to Germany to learn more about Lutheranism. Here he met Margaret Osiander, the niece of a Lutheran reformer, who he married. In 1533, Cranmer was chosen to be archbishop of Canterbury and forced (for a time) to hide his married state. Once his appointment was approved by the Pope, Cranmer declared Henry's marriage to Catherine void, and four months later married him to Anne Boleyn. With Thomas Cromwell, he supported the translation of the bible into English. In 1545, he wrote a litany that is still used in the church. In 1549, he helped complete the book of common prayer. After Edward VI's death, Cranmer supported Lady Jane Grey as successor. Her nine-day reign was followed by the Roman Catholic Mary I, who tried him for treason. After a long trial and imprisonment, he was forced to proclaim to the public his error in the support of Protestantism, an act designed to discourage followers of the religion. Despite this, Cranmer was sentenced to be burnt to death in Oxford on 21 March 1556. He dramatically stuck his right hand, with which he had signed his recantation, into the fire first. 15 Wednesday Fellowship

About a year ago we met together to discuss and agree our programme of talks and events for the year 2020. We came up with, as usual, an interesting programme to look forward to and serve as a focus for us all to get together once a month for fun and fellowship. Then, in the words of Robbie Burns, “The best laid plans of mice and men. Gang aft a-gley. And lea'e us nought but grief and pain. For promised joy.”

Yes …. instead of the “promised joy”, the Covid 19 virus took hold on the country and lockdowns and strict rules on meeting in groups came in and thwarted our best laid plans. For some it has been a time of inconvenience and frustration, whilst for others it really has been a time of grief and pain. As I write we are now into another lockdown, and things still look grim.

With the coming of effective vaccines to combat the disease though, there is a distant light on the horizon and we pray that, once inoculations can be rolled out to all the vulnerable, the pandemic will abate and relieve the intense pressure on the Health Service. I know that all Fellowshippers will join with me in praising the selfless attention being given by all branches of medical and care services in this crisis time. How lucky we are in this country to have such a resource to look after us in times of sickness.

So... at a time when we should be making plans for our new year of Fellowship, we are still not able to get together. Please do not think however that Wednesday Fellowship is defunct. It is still alive and well. I am sure we shall get through this dire situation and one day be able to meet together in the Lychgate Schoolroom for fellowship, fun and fine fare! Just as soon as this is possible we will be in touch with everyone. It may be some months, but hopefully later in the year things will return to some sort of normality. (Remember normal?) Then, we'll meet again....

Take care, obey the rules and stay safe, everyone. With God's grace, we shall overcome.

Every blessing to you all Bob Humphries. 16 WEATHER NOTES Here is my weather data summary for November and December last year.

* Average for month. 2020 November December Minimum temperature* 7 °C 44.6 °F 4.79 °C 40.6 °F Maximum temperature* 12.9 °C 55.2 °F 10.12 °C 50.2 °F Mean temperature 9.95 °C 49.9 °F 7.46 °C 45.4 °F Min. relative humidity* 81.57% 80.39% Max. relative humidity* 97.37% 96.97% Mean relative humidity 89.47% 88.68% Min. surface pressure* 1013.7 millibars 997 millibars Max. surface pressure* 1022.9 millibars 1008.9 millibars Mean surface pressure 1018.3 millibars 1003 millibars Rainfall 98 mm 3 6/7” 273.6 mm 10 7/9” Monthly wind gust* 16.4 mph 19.23 mph

December was the wettest month since my records began in 1982. The next wettest December was in 1999 (257 mm 10 ⅛”) and the wettest month had been January 1988 (258 mm 10 1/6”). Storm Bella landing on our shores on Boxing Day was a major contributor to this record total. Even though November had been the driest since 2017, 2020 was the wettest year since 2012. November was the warmest since 2015, but December was the coolest since 2010. The mean annual temperature (11.73 °C, 53.1 °F) was the warmest since 2017. According to the Met Office, the provisional UK mean temperature for 2020 was 9.6 °C, which is 0.8 °C above the 1981-2010 long-term average and was the 3rd warmest year in a series from 1884, with only 2006 and 2014 being warmer.

My (Hendra, Truro) and other observers’ records can be viewed at wow.metoffice.gov.uk. Chris Wells

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On-line home group discussion on Baptism

On Monday 11th January the Parish on-line home group met, virtually of course by courtesy of Zoom, to discuss baptism in the wider context of Jesus’ baptism, after a successful Zoom home group during the season of Advent. We used the words of the hymn ‘On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry’ as our opening prayer. There is something quite different, especially during another national lockdown because of Covid-19, by praying rather than singing the words ‘For thou art our salvation Lord, our refuge, and our great reward; without thy grace we waste away, like flowers that wither and decay.’

After this we read St. Matthew’s account (Ch.3:13-17) of Jesus baptism. It was John the Baptist who thought he was the one needing to be baptised by Jesus, a relative if you remember the first Christmas story, however Jesus was insistent that it was John who was to baptize him, and this marked the start of his public ministry. I have thought that John would have made an excellent disciple, but alas, this was not to be his destiny, and that as they say, is another story.

We looked at the five universal symbols of baptism (though some would say there as many as nine). First there is the sign of the cross, which represents the death of Jesus, and the death of our sinful lives, only to rise to a new, forgiven life in Christ. Traditionally the person being baptised wears white clothing which is symbolic of cleanliness, purity, virtue and holiness. Oil is symbolic of bringing a person and the Holy Spirit together. ‘Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’ Water represents sin being washed away, and the person baptised becoming pure and clean. And finally light is represented by a candle in baptism services. It is symbolic of Christ being the light of the world.

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We discussed how nowadays, not every child wears white at a baptismal service, and some found it hard, near impossible to believe a new born was sinful and needed cleansing before God, before the infant was making conscious decisions for himself/herself. What is said in these home groups largely remains within the home group, so no names are mentioned here, but it shows the open nature of the home group to express personal views in a safe space which might otherwise be frowned upon in a more formal setting, especially if they departed from the official Church of England’s stance.

And so we looked at possibly one of the most controversial issues surrounding baptism, infant baptism versus adult baptism. The argument for infant baptism is along the lines that just as infants were included in the Old Testament covenant (by the symbolic act of circumcision) so too are infants in the act of baptism. In the story of the conversion of the jailor (Acts 16), ‘he and all his household were baptised.’ It would be extremely unlikely that these households did not include children, so supporters of infant baptism say. The argument for adult baptism follows the principle in the New Testament that baptism always follows belief in Christ. There are no recorded accounts in the New Testament of infants being baptised. ‘Household’ in this context referred to the adults and servants of the household - the children were generally excluded in this term in Roman times.

Personally I found it refreshing that a vicar, who shall remain anonymous in this article, and not from this Parish, I hasten to add, offered his own reflections, that infant baptism is an ancient practice based almost entirely upon the incorrect, yet dogmatic, belief that a dying child unbaptised will not go to heaven. That doctrinal view, in his opinion, has long ago been de-bunked but persists in folklore. He added that he would prefer that we named and accepted a baby/child into the church on their parents behalf whilst leaving the child to come to faith and receive baptism as a conscious adult.

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We also discussed stories about our Godparents, some of whom were better examples of Christians than others, and also our experiences of being a Godparent. For someone who is Godfather to one of his nieces, does this mean that I treat her preferentially to other nephews and nieces? I hope not! But being asked to read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, the traditional verses about love, at her wedding at St. Wenn was a privilege, and just to make the service that little bit special I managed to recite the thirteen verses off by heart, with just an occasional look at my crib sheet!

We ended with a five minute reflective video produced by Rev. Martyn Pinnock for the NHS partnership. It showed water in the context of waves rolling in to meet dry land, together with reflective words and music, and provided a new way of meditating on the cleansing power of water. Unfortunately the sound was not so good over the Zoom line, but as my New Years Resolution, as it has been for many years now, to try something new, I succeeded in trying something different.

The on-line home group is now looking and discussing various ways in which God encounters mankind and, at the time of writing, looking for a six week Lent course, so if this article has whetted your appetite, you are most welcome to join us and listen to or take part in our discussions. Please contact David or Anthea Lovelock for further information. Martin Wright, January 2021

20 Saint Allen

Little is known about Saint Allen but he has been identified with the Breton Bishop Alan of Quimper. His Feast Day traditionally falls on 22nd February. An alternative date is Rogation Sunday, which falls on 9th May this year, and has been kept in more recent times with an Evening Service at St Allen amongst the fields and animals, followed by a Pasty supper.

The church has been known variously down the centuries as Eglossalen (1235), Sancti Alluni or Allunus (1261) Seynt Alun (1270), Sancto Aluno (1291), Sancti Aluni (1349) and St Allen by 1664. St Alleyne and Saint Alunus crept in briefly during the 19th Century.

Following the Norman conquest, a stone church was erected in the late 1100s. It was common for a church to be built by the local landowner and it is possible that this was Robert, Earl of Mortain, lord of Cargoll Manor. The bishop of Exeter purchased this manor in 1269 and had one of his palaces at Lanner in the parish. The north doorway (now blocked) is 13th century and a coffin slab in the south aisle and a lancet window in the chancel are also 13th century, and it is thought that the west door in the tower is of a similar age. Charles Henderson considered there had once been a south transept, and inspection of the masonry reveals a former large stone arch just to the east of the arcade.

In the 15th and early 16th century the church was extended on the south and partially rebuilt. The east wall may have been moved 5’ or 6’ further west. This is evidenced by the piscina (?) which has been partially concealed by the wall. 21 The south aisle was added by the Bevilles of nearby Gwarnick Manor. A further extensive restoration of the church was carried out in 1873/4 at a cost of £550 and again in the 1990s at considerably greater expense!

On the west wall of the church, high above the vestibule, the Royal Arms dated 1660 may be seen and in the south aisle there is a board with the Apostle’s Creed painted upon it. This would once have been matched by others bearing the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments – a requirement of the canons of 1604.

There are three medieval granite crosses in the churchyard. One, a wayside cross, was found buried in the churchyard close to the east end of the church in 1862 when the grave of Mary Morris, the incumbent’s wife, was being dug. It was re-erected in 1912 at the south east corner of the church, near where it was discovered. A tall ‘wheel head’ cross, also formerly buried, now stands near the porch following its discovery 1930. Both these crosses are thought to have been concealed at the Reformation and have survived well. The third suffered the indignity of being used as a step at Trefronick Farm until it was presented to the church by the owner in 1911.

Clergymen here have included the Royalist clergyman James Rossington, who was suspended during the Civil War but died back in harness in 1689. Richard Buckland, an 18th century incumbent kept a small notebook giving details of farming and local conditions together with church furniture and plate. Sir Harry Trelawny, the 7th baronet, was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church at in 1777, then was ordained into the Church of England. After ten years he moved to St Allen where he served for two years. The 1881 English Census indicates that John Noon Munford was the Rector and living in the Rectory with his wife and two children and two servants. All far removed from the situation today.

Information taken from Cornwall Historic churches website Helen Perry

22

Sunday 14th March

Mothering Sunday, sometimes known as Mother's Day, is held on the fourth Sunday of Lent. It is exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday and usually falls in the second half of March or early April.

Mothering Sunday was originally a time when people returned to the church, in which they were baptized or where they attended services when they were children. This meant that families were reunited as adults returned to the towns and villages where they grew up. In time, it became customary for young people who were working as servants in large houses, to be given a holiday on Mothering Sunday. They could use this day to visit their own mother and often took a gift of food or hand- me-down clothing from their employers to her. In turn, this moved towards the modern holiday, on which people still visit and take gifts to their mothers.

Traditionally, people observed a fast during Lent. Lent is the period from Ash Wednesday until Good Friday. During the Lent fast, people did not eat from sweet, rich foods or meat. However, the fast was lifted slightly on Mothering Sunday and many people prepared a Simnel cake to eat with their family on this day. A Simnel cake is a light fruit cake covered with a layer of marzipan and with a layer of marzipan baked into the middle of the cake. Traditionally, Simnel cakes are decorated with 11 or 12 balls of marzipan, representing the 11 disciples and, sometimes, Jesus Christ. One legend says that the cake was named after Lambert Simnel who worked in the kitchens of Henry VII of England sometime around the year 1500.

23 Green Issues

Another month, another lockdown. It is very frustrating not to be able to get back to activities but we have all been able to read more, watch more and listen to more than usual, and this enables us all to be a little more informed on what is happening to our environment.

Of course sometimes that is depressing and worrying. The final weeks of the Trump presidency saw massive areas of Alaska’s protected land being opened to mineral exploitation, and closer to home our Government has approved an insecticide lethal to bees for use this year, and has opened the door again on the genetic modification of crops and animals debate. Don’t forget it’s easy to write to you MP about such things. But news can also be interesting and inspiring, as was the Doughnut Economics day which I flagged up in the last edition. This revealed work by the Tin Coast Partnership, Town Deal and Climate Action and others, all striving to reduce our carbon footprint. And the online conference by TEVI, (Cornish for ‘Grow’) showed how lithium mining, ’s space port and other Cornish businesses were putting their concern for more sustainable and climate friendly ways at the top of their agenda. Have a look at their website.

A similarly encouraging collection of projects is to be found in ‘39 Ways to Save the Planet’. This is a new series of short 15 minute programmes on BBC Radio 4 which show what a vast range of creativity and invention is now being devoted to finding new ways to work with our environment rather than merely exploit it. These broadcasts, usually just after the lunchtime news (1.45pm) cover solar power, building cities from renewable materials, using seaweed to reduce carbon emissions and a host of other topics. Programmes already broadcast are available on BBC Sounds.

While you and I are not likely to be able to directly influence or use such ideas, there are two local initiatives which I discovered during the last month which we could all take part in. They both involve the concept that nothing is rubbish. We are used to recycling, especially when it’s organised on our behalf by the council. This kind of public recycling started back in 1977 with bottle banks but there are still things which annoy me that I can’t recycle. However, Superdrug in Truro is now accepting ‘blister packets’, those plastic and foil strips which hold tablets. It doesn’t matter what kind they are, the Truro store will accept them and ultimately they will be recycled into 24 many products like outdoor furniture and waste bins. Like so many big firms now, Superdrug has become very environmentally aware and has committed to recycling 85% of all the waste generated by the stores and distribution. They also in Truro have a collection point for used batteries and inhalers (for asthma etc).

A second recent ‘find’ is the Truro’s ‘Freecycle’ group. This is an internet site which enables anyone in Truro or close to post items that they want to give away. The Freecycle Network™ is actually made up of 5,338 groups with 9,048,247 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and thus keeping good stuff out of landfills. Membership is free, and everything posted must be FREE, legal and appropriate for all ages. To view the items being given away or sought in Truro, you must be a member of the local group. Again, just look online.

So you have no excuses now for not using lockdown 3 to turn out that shed, or attic or spare room and find some new loving homes for your old stuff. And start collecting your blister packs. If anyone has found any other interesting opportunities to treat our resources with more respect and to develop more sustainable living, please let Jenny or I know so we can share them.

Andrew Lancaster

Eco-Theology

The course is running over six Monday evenings and is being delivered by the Rev'd Elly Sheard via Zoom. It started in January but the final four sessions are from 7.30 to 9.30 pm on Feb 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd. To book a place please book through the Eventbrite platform by clicking the book now button.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/truro-cathedral-31232887439

25 Mothers’ Union Epiphany reflection: Book Review Womanist Midrash: An Introduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne by Wilda C Gafney

I love the season of Epiphany! I don’t know if I need an excuse to ponder the mystery and wonder of God’s plan for his people, but here is the perfect opportunity. Epiphany invites us to draw deeper into God’s revelation as we seek the truth the wise men sought; as we respond to the love of God at Christ’s baptism (‘You are my daughter / my son, with you I am well pleased.’); as we witness the presentation of Christ in the temple - and all that meant - through the prophetic voices of Anna and of Simeon. A wealth of cameos to dwell upon. Scripture to fill our hearts and souls with promises of God’s love and His plan for all of humanity through the unfolding story of the gift of his Son, Jesus.

This Epiphany I have been studying the wonders of God’s Scriptures through the eyes of Wilda Gafney. Rev’d Gafney is a Hebrew scholar and her writings explore the scriptures from her African-American world view. She defines womanism as feminism enriched through the multi- layered interaction of gender, class, race, ability, disability, immigration status. She draws out new truths from her own translation of the Hebrew scriptures. For instance, this description of the God who created from the opening verses of Genesis.

In beginning, He, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and shapeless and darkness covered the face of the deep, while She, the Spirit of God pulsed over the face of the waters.

Wilda explains how he-created is a masculine, singular, active verb, whereas she-pulsed is a feminine, singular, active verb. Hence in the first two verses of our Bible, God is presented as both male and female, an understanding we do not derive from an English translation. Wilda writes:

God is female and male, and when God gets around to creating creatures in the divine image, they will be female and male, as God is. 26 I found this, and some of her other interpretations, challenging as well as insightful. Wilda continues through her book to explore the Bible from her world view. In particular she highlights the lives and vocation of the women whose stories can be hidden or half-heard. It is a fascinating read and an academic exploration of the text. Yet there were occasions when she had me diving back into the scriptures to ask - is this really so? For instance, in one of Wilda’s talks she addresses the unspoken bias towards black women from white translators of the Bible:

In Song of Solomon [1.5], the bride’s own words testify: I am black and beautiful [New Revised Standard Version Anglicised]

Not all translations put a positive outlook on the brides words, instead they emphasise that the bride is beautiful in spite of her darkness.

Dark am I, yet lovely [New International Version] I am dark but lovely [New English Translation] I am weathered but still elegant [The Message]

Further reading of Song of Solomon makes me unsure where I would put the emphasis. I leave you to form your own conclusions!

I cannot sign off without acknowledgement of the rapid escalation of Covid19 and the need to do all we can to help prevent the spread of the virus. I trust that you are able to keep safe and to protect those around you through your own safe conduct towards others. May you know God’s presence close beside you as we walk together through this time of great challenge.

Yours in Christ, Mother Alison

27

Local Government News

Without question the most pressing item of the agenda for this article is the Covid-19 pandemic. It is effectively dominating our lives. I know that most people are very sincere in trying to stick to the National Government rules. However the trouble we are all facing is that some people are getting tired of these rules and are attempting to get around the restrictions that have been placed on us so not allowing a break in the vicious situation. It is particularly important that we all take responsibility for the situation and stay at home.

Climate change variation is another concern with the construction of the dual carriageway from Carland to Chiverton. This is, of course, doubling the hard surface area of the roadway and the drainage of surface water goes in from the western end into the rivers Kenwyn and Allen both of which flow into the city of Truro. The Langarth Valley was originally surveyed as an agriculture-based valley and the water flow into the valley calculated as such so that with that the houses; drives; paths; etc. that will be built and added to the area will make the waterflow increase significantly. Yes, I have been told that the Dams constructed at New Mills and Idless will protect Truro from flooding but if there is a need to raise the height of the Dam this may well cause flooding of properties “upstream”. If this does not happen there will be flooding in Truro again and there will be boats again in Victoria Square in Truro as I can remember during my lifetime.

One gets very tired of writing negative statements but am finding it exceedingly difficult this month to have positive things to say. However, we must remain positive; there is a vaccine which we hope will help us all to be able to get back to some sort of “normal” life later this year. A huge thanks to the RCHT and local GP practices for the way that they are rolling out this vaccination programme – no mean feat and many health practitioners and administrators working over and beyond to get it organized and into arms. 28 Please stay at home but if you have to go out remember

Stay safe and keep well.

As usual if you think that I can be of any help. Please do not hesitate to get in touch: Home 01872 273329, Mobile 07962 217 665 or by email [email protected] Yours with kind regards John Dyer

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Any reasonable offers invited please. Proceeds to Kenwyn Church and Parkinson's. Contact 01872 241513 or 07443945643

29 Palm Sunday (28th March)

On Palm Sunday, Christian worshipers celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, an event that took place the week before the His death and resurrection. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy week and is a moveable feast, meaning the date changes every year based on the liturgical calendar. Palm Sunday always falls one week before Easter Sunday.

History The date of the first observance of Palm Sunday is uncertain. A detailed description of a palm processional celebration was recorded as early as the 4th century in Jerusalem. The ceremony was not introduced into the West until much later in the 9th century.

Jesus travelled to Jerusalem knowing that this journey would end in his death on the cross. Before he entered the city, he sent two disciples ahead to the village of Bethphage to look for an unbroken colt:

As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' say, 'The Lord needs it.'" (Luke 19:29-31, NIV) The men brought the colt to Jesus and placed their cloaks on its back. As Jesus sat on the young donkey he slowly made his humble entrance into Jerusalem. The people greeted Jesus enthusiastically, waving palm branches and covering his path with them: The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (Matthew 21:9, NIV) The shouts of "Hosanna" meant "save now," and the palm branches symbolized goodness and victory. On this inaugural Palm Sunday, the celebration quickly spread throughout the whole city. People even threw down their cloaks on the path where Jesus rode as an act of homage and submission. 30 The crowds, recognized him as the promised Messiah however, and believed Jesus would overthrow Rome.

How Is Palm Sunday Celebrated Today?

Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday as it is referred to in some Christian churches, is the sixth Sunday of Lent and the final Sunday before Easter. Worshippers commemorate Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and also remember Christ's death on the cross, praising God for the gift of salvation, and looking expectantly to the Lord's second coming.

Many churches, distribute palm branches to the congregation on Palm Sunday for the customary observances. These observances include a reading of the account of Christ's entry into Jerusalem, the carrying and waving of palm branches in processional, the blessing of palms, the singing of traditional hymns, and the making of small crosses with palm fronds. In some traditions, worshippers take home and display their palm branches near a cross or crucifix, or press them into their Bible until the next year's season of Lent. Some churches will place collection baskets to gather the old palm leaves to be burned on Shrove Tuesday of the following year and used in the next day's Ash Wednesday services.

31 WHAT3WORDS

No, not (on this occasion) anything which Chris or Bob have said in any of their recent sermons but a handy way of finding your way to anywhere you need to find when you don’t have a postcode to put into your satnav.

Basically, the whole surface of our planet has been divided into 3m x 3m squares, to each of which has been assigned a three-word identifier. This has been done in such a way that if you make a mistake in what you type in you will be directed to somewhere so obviously incorrect that you aren’t likely to try to find your way there – and bear in mind that that alternative destination might be in on the other side of the globe!!

Some example locations are Kenwyn Church (backup.skirt.doll) and St Allen Church (denoting.scraper.miles). When your name turns up on an honours list you might find dimes.face.buns helpful (Buckingham Palace) and if the Prime Minister ever needs you to call he will invite you to slurs.this.shark, otherwise known as 10 Downing Street.

More seriously the system has already been used to find lost or trapped individuals and is another way in which the power of the internet and the global satellite system can provide us with help in a form which we could never have imagined. For more information and details of how it works, take a look at what3words.com.

Robert Perry admits.comic.recent

PS I’m not on commission!

32

GET the WORD(S) OUT..... Answers

All the answers are to be found within CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

1. official list; musical range register 2. Away in a …... manger 3. fragrant spice ginger 4. several to my bow! strings 5. three of me, but wise! magi 6. bring into existence create 7. attitude or standpoint stance 8. short prayer of thanks grace 9. anyone who had one according to Cilla heart 10. in the flapjack recipe in this magazine cherries 11. you do this when you eat the above ingest 12. small quantity meagre 13. the bull is in the middle of this target 14. sometimes 'the ----- of attention' centre 15. embarrassment or lack of respect shame 16. small river stream 17. a cheese or nutmeg one grater 18. found in a bottle perhaps? message 19. mysterious and tricky! magic 20. confidently state assert 21. 007 was a secret one agent 22. an edge or border margin 23. possibly a sewing machine or in the choir! singer 24. cartoon Denis was one! menace 25. mixture of sugar and water icing 26. seize quickly snatch 27. you earn this on ----- merit 28. it could be a old one or an egg one! timer 29. amusement mirth 30. she or he takes the answer to No.1 teacher

(Jenny King – Editor) 33 Kenwyn Churchwardens Report to PCC: 19 November 2020 – 20 January 2021

Church: 1. Work to bells/bell frame Faculty applied for 7th December 2020. Faculty List B permission approved 9th December 2020 Matthew Higby contacted 9th December 2020 asking for provisional dates to undertake the works. Acknowledgement received 4th January 2021, but no start date due to Covid situation.

RMBS able to start work on bell frame from 19th January, due to cancelled work elsewhere.

Application for funding from TDGR applied for 7th December 2020. Application for funding from the CCCBR applied for 14th December 2020.

2. Booking system introduced for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services

3. Boiler heat alarm going off for no apparent reason on Sunday 3rd January 2021. Alarm dis-armed, and Truro fire brigade control informed. Alarm replaced 7th January 2021 and working; fire service informed.

4. Fault on gas boiler causing safety cut out. Engineer attended 7th January and advised no safety concerns and okay to override/reset system. Advised that due to cost of repair, replacement boiler be considered when complete failure arises.

5. Water leak discovered in chancel area. Investigate works under way. Builder contacted and advised only temporary repair possible until Spring. Nave roof examined from tower roof & decision taken to leave and observe for now, with lead repair work when weather permits. Quotes required? 34 Lychgate: 1 Formulating way forward to unblock downpipe of Lychgate, incurring no charge.

Churchyard: 1 Children’s Advent Carol trail installed in Churchyard beginning of December, together with outdoor decorated Christmas tree. 4th December 2020

2 Carol trail removed Sunday 3rd January 2021.

Health & Safety: 1 Covid-19 Revised general risk assessment for opening church for services, version 7, completed 9th December, allowing Church to be opened weekdays for private prayer leading up to Christmas. PCC decision taken 9th January to stop all face to face Services and secure church buildings until further notice due to very high risk of COVID infection.

2 Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) Covid-19 Risk Assessment for re-instatement of socially distanced choir, completed 3rd December, allowing 6 member choir from 6th December 2020.

3 Covid-19 Bell Ringers risk assessment completed 3rd December, allowing up to 4 bell ringers to ring for no more than 15 minutes from Sunday 6th December2020.

Following national lockdown all ringing strongly discouraged and ceased from Sunday 10th January.

4 Churchyard Graves and Headstone check commenced 26th December 2020. Areas A, B and R completed, the two one-acre sections near the church and all headstones on the right of the path leading down to the open water trough.

Martin Wright and Helen Perry, Churchwardens

35 EASTER STORY WORD SEARCH

Apostles Jesus Christ Prayer Betrayal Judas Redemption Cave Lamb Rejoice Church Last Supper Resurrection Cross Lent Risen Crown Mary Son Crucifixion Miracle Thorns Disciples Passover Tomb Faith Pennance Good Friday Pentecost 36 Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. It begins on Ash Wednesday (17th February) and is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. It is marked by fasting, both from food and festivities, and serves to replicate Jesus' sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.

From the Registers

Kenwyn

Interment of Ashes:

Edna Hedger, 23rd December