e.lichgate news August 2020

The graphic is from Wikimedia Commons at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Transfiguration_by_fra_Angelico_(San_Marco_Cell_6).jpg

St. Paul’s, Serving Hasland, , Winsick & Corbriggs St. James’, www.stpaulshasland.com

WEB DIRECTORY St Paul’s: www.stpaulshasland.com www.achurchnearyou.com//church/19826/ facebook page: St-Pauls-Church-Hasland The easiest way to access it is to go the A Church Near You page for St Paul’s and click on the facebook link next to the word Social. You don’t need a facebook account just to view the material.

St James the Apostle: www.achurchnearyou.com/church/13274/

The See of Ebbsfleet: http://www.ebbsfleet.org.uk The Society: https://www.sswsh.com The Diocese of : http://www.derby.anglican.org/en/ The Church of : www.churchofengland.org

LIVE-STREAMING SERVICES The Sunday Mass at St Paul’s will continue to be ‘live-streamed’ on the parish facebook page: just search for ‘St Paul’s Church-Hasland Facebook’. You don’t need an account to see the service, only if you wish to interact with it. When the Mass is at St James’, it will have to be recorded and ‘posted’ afterwards.

THE PARISH WEB SITE Some of you may have noticed a redesign of the parish website. This was rather forced upon us as the company hosting the site gave notice of removing the technical solution that was in use and neither I nor Alan Cooke, who has maintained the site since the start of the last interregnum, had any experience of the new solution they were offering. In the end the decision was made to move the hosting of the site to a new provider as I had some experience of a possible technical solution with them. The new site is a ‘work in progress’, please bear with me as I work on it!

Can I take this opportunity to thank Alan for the constant work he has done in running the website over the past three years, I know that it has been appreciated by many people. Fr Geoffrey

2 August 2020 From your Rector and Vicar Dear friends It was a joy to be able to welcome the first parishioners back to church at St Paul’s last Sunday and as I write, St James’ is preparing to re-open on 26th July, when the people of Temple Normanton will be able to celebrate their Patronal Festival. Even though we are having to do things slightly differently at the moment, I hope that you agree that this return to some semblance of normality is really good news: after all the Church is about the Good News of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God and the return of public worship certainly helps us in that proclamation. Some of the regulations mean that there cannot be two services ‘back-to-back’, either both in Hasland or one in Hasland followed by one in Temple Normanton, as we did before lockdown. This has necessitated some rethinking of service times, particularly in Temple Normanton, in order to strike a balance between the two communities: basically a weekly Mass has been maintained in both churches. At St James’ I will celebrate Mass on the last Sunday of the month and Stephen Wright will lead a service of Communion by Extension on the 1st Sunday. The Tuesday and some Thursday masses will return, please see ‘Services in the two Parishes’ and the Calendar for details. At the moment things in church will be done very simply, enabling us to gain confidence that it is possible. It is hoped that in time other elements such as readers, intercessors and servers will be brought ‘back into the mix’ as and when people feel comfortable to do so safely and in line with best guidance: it is better that we seek to follow even a simple ‘road map’ rather than end up in a ‘car- crash’ by trying to move too quickly. We are now STRONGLY ADVISED to wear masks in church - which means you should - unless you have a good medical reason for not doing so. Along with the usable chairs and pews being spaced at 2m intervals, the church being well ventilated and hand sanitiser being applied on entry and exit, this works to minimise the risk for anyone attending either of the churches and will help us to make some progress, albeit slowly, in returning to some sense of normality. I look forward to being able to welcome you when you feel able to return to your church. Fr Geoffrey

3 SERVICES IN THE TWO PARISHES To attend church: • You need book. (this ensures there are not too many people) • Telephone Fr Geoffrey 6pm - 7pm on Wednesday the week before. (e.g on Wednesday 5th August for services on 9th, 11, 13th August) • Please bring a mask.

St Paul’s Hasland

Sunday 10:30 am Parish Mass Tuesday 7:15 pm Low Mass Last Sunday —— No Parish Mass The Friday and Saturday Masses remain suspended at this time.

St James the Apostle Temple Normanton

Thursday before —— No Low Mass 1st Sunday 10:30 am Communion by Extension Thursday 7:15 pm Low Mass Thursday before —— No Low Mass Last Sunday 10:30 am Parish Mass That is, there is not a Mass on the Thursday before the church is used on the Sunday - the 1st and the last Sunday in each month. There is a Mass on other Thursdays.

Benediction & Sunday School At the moment, Benediction is yet to be restarted in either parish. Sunday School is not yet able to restart. CONTACT THE RECTOR FOR MORE INFORMATION 4

CALENDAR & READINGS FOR AUGUST Sunday 2nd 1st Reading Isaiah 55:1-5 The 8th Sunday 2nd Reading Romans 9:1-5 after Trinity Gospel Matthew 14:13-21 Tuesday 4th S John Mary Vianney (The Curé d’Ars) Thursday 6th 1st Reading Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 The Transfiguration 2nd Reading II Peter 1:16-19 of The Lord Gospel Matthew 17:1-9 Sunday 9th 1st Reading 1 Kings 19:9-18 The 9th Sunday 2nd Reading Romans 10:5-15 after Trinity Gospel Matthew 14:22-33 Tuesday 11th S Clare Thursday 13th Feria Sunday 16th 1st Reading Revelation 11:19-12:6, 10 The Assumption of the 2nd Reading Galatians 4:4-7 Blesséd Virgin Mary Gospel Luke 1:46-55 Tuesday 18th Feria Thursday 20th S Bernard Sunday 23rd 1st Reading Isaiah 51:1-6 The 11th Sunday 2nd Reading Romans 12:1-8 after Trinity Gospel Matthew 16:13-20 Tuesday 25th Feria Sunday 30th 1st Reading Jeremiah 15:21 The 12th Sunday 2nd Reading Romans 12:9-21 after Trinity Gospel Matthew 16:21-28

FROM THE REGISTERS

CHRISTIAN BURIAL 24th July Mary Elizabeth THOMPSON aged 75 (at Temple Normanton Cemetery) 5 WHAT WE CAN - AND CAN’T - DO IN CHURCH

We can: We Can’t Worship God Share a pew with people we Sanitise our hands don’t live with Receive The Body of Christ Receive the Blood of Christ Keep socially distanced Share the peace with others Light a candle Sing hymns or other music Wear a mask to keep others safe Have refreshments afterwards Say our prayers Stay in church to have a natter Use the WC (please sanitise after use) Talk to others once outside Get baptised, married or hold a funeral *

* BAPTISMS, MARRIAGES & FUNERALS IN CHURCH It is now possible for baptisms, marriages and funerals to take place in church but government restrictions around the number of people permitted to attend do have to be followed for everyone’s safety. At Hasland, the maximum number of mourners at a funeral or congregation at a baptism Including the child being baptised) will be 28 (plus priest and verger), from a maximum of 8 households, as defined by the government. For a wedding that will reduce to 27 to allow for the possibility of a legal objection being made. These maximum numbers also have to include any photographers, videographers and so on. It is obviously not known how long these restrictions around numbers will continue for. At Temple Normanton the maximum number is much less, currently 14 as the chairs are arranged as 6 single chairs and 8 chairs in 4 pairs. Very careful planning will therefore be needed for any of these services to take place in the Church of St James the Apostle Temple Normanton and an early conversation with Fr Geoffrey is essential.

COFFEE We may not be able to have coffee after Mass, but just look what coffee stands for: Christ Offers Forgiveness For Everyone Everywhere

Silence is the absence of noise, but peace is the presence of God.

6 CHURCH FINANCE AT THIS TIME Both parishes continue to make their full Common Fund payments to the diocese, thank you to everyone who is continuing to generously support either of the churches, it is very important that it is maintained if at all possible. Whilst not directly linked it is generally held to speak of the deployment of clergy in the long term. Both parishes have, as far as I am aware, a spotless record supporting the mission and ministry of the church in this way and as we begin to come out of lockdown I hope that it will prove possible to maintain that. At St Paul’s, the 100-Club, the drawing of which was suspended after lockdown began, has now restarted and the winning numbers appear in the magazine. Fr Geoffrey

WHAT IS ‘COMMUNION BY EXTENSION’? The 1st Sunday of the month service at Temple Normanton was, before lockdown and will be once again, public worship with communion by extension and so, as it restarts, I thought it worth penning a few words about what it is. I am sure that we are aware that, in our parishes, only a priest or bishop with whom we are in full communion can celebrate Mass, the Holy Eucharist, in which the elements - the bread and wine - are consecrated, becoming for us the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we can make our Communion ‘then and there’. Both of our churches also reserve the sacrament, that is, some of the consecrated hosts are placed in a secure place (an aumbry in Hasland, a tabernacle in Temple Normanton as it is free standing) so that communion can be taken to the sick and housebound. When a priest cannot be available it is permissible under certain circumstances, for communion to be distributed from that previously consecrated and this is what is taking place in public worship with communion by extension. On the 1st Sunday of the month, when Stephen Wright as a Lay Reader, takes such a service, this is what is happening, the Blesséd Sacrament having been consecrated the previous Sunday. I am grateful to Stephen for agreeing to restart this 1st Sunday service at St James’, enabling people to receive communion on two Sundays each month in Temple Normanton as well as the two Thursdays that will be available.

7 The Rev Michael Burgess considers ‘The Transfiguration’ by Fra Angelico. It is found in the Dominican convent of San Marco in Florence THE TRANSFIGURATION – BEHOLDING THE GLORY `TQ – Tingle Quotient – is the name given to those things that can produce a tingle down the spine or a frisson of excitement. It could be a piece of music or the sight of an evening sunset at sea. We look, we hear, and our sense of wonder as something sublime unfolds before us produces delight and awe. We see a hint of glory that can even lead us to worship. I think the monk who lived in cell no 6 at the Dominican convent of San Marco in Florence must have felt that when he entered his room and saw for the first time the fresco of the Transfiguration that Fra Angelico had painted. I am sure the sight would have stopped him in his tracks, just as Peter, James and John were stopped in their tracks as they beheld their Lord transfigured before them on the mount. From 1436 Fra Angelico painted a whole series of frescoes for the convent from the High Altar to the Chapter House to the cells of the monks. Here in cell no 6 there is a restrained simplicity and directness about the Transfiguration. One of the three disciples looks out towards us, while the other two are caught up in wonder and awe as they look on Jesus with the faces of Moses and Elijah on either side. Here Fra Angelico is not seeking to impress a wealthy patron: he is providing a focus for devotion and prayer for the monks of his community. The scene speaks to us of that sense of awe and reverence. On August 6 we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration. The Gospel accounts relate that special moment of revelation to the inner group of disciples. The glory shown to them evoked a sense of wonder and marvel, but also a sense of loss. For the glory proved elusive and just out of human reach. The moment of revelation passed, and the disciples had to go down the mount again to meet the crying needs of the world, all but forgotten when they were with their Lord on the mountain top. The monk in his cell would ponder the glory of Fra Angelico’s fresco, knowing that he would be called from his cell to take up his monastic duties. But the painting would go with him to sustain and nurture his life. It is the same with us: we have moments of glory. But they pass, and we must return to our daily lives. As we look on this month’s painting, we sense that glory and wonder which can sustain us through life. As Thomas Jones says in his poem on this episode: Like a pearl we hold Close to our hearts what we have heard and seen.

8 Tim Lenton looks back on the start of a national treasure… 125 YEARS OF THE PROMS IN LONDON It was 125 years ago this month, on 10th August 1895, that the Proms (Promenade Concerts) began in London. In fact, the idea of promenade concerts went back to 1838, referring to outside concerts during which the audience could walk about – but in the form introduced by Robert Newman at Queen’s Hall in Langham Place, London, the promenaders were standing members of the audience, and this usage has persisted. Henry Wood – also a talented organist – was the original conductor, and his name became firmly attached to the annual series of concerts. He was knighted in 1911. The concerts have been sponsored by the BBC since 1927, except for 1940 and 1941, when there was fear of bombing, and in fact Queen’s Hall was bombed in 1941, with the concerts moving to their current home at the much larger Royal Albert Hall. The Proms have now become a huge summer musical festival lasting for eight weeks and with many innovations. The Last Night in particular has become a traditional feature of British life and celebration of Britishness. The Proms have been described by Czech conductor Jirí Belohlávek as "the world's largest and most democratic musical festival”. In the current coronavirus crisis, the Proms will continue, but in a much- changed form – “not as we know them, but as we need them”, say the organisers.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CHARITY SHOPS Are you feeling the financial squeeze just now, but still enjoy shopping? Why not visit some of your local charity shops? Never have charity shops needed you so much. Coronavirus has meant a huge drop in donations, and many charities face huge financial shortfalls. The good news is that charity shops are well worth visiting this summer. Vast amounts of clothes and household items were donated following the lockdown this Spring. Grounded at home, people decided to declutter and clear-out! The result is that, as a spokeswoman for Oxfam says: “People can expect to find some really great treasures to buy.” It should be very safe to shop, for as Julie Byard of Cancer Research UK, explains, the charity shops put all donated items into isolation before putting them on the shelves. She adds: “We’re grateful for all donations and to everyone who volunteers and shops with us. 9 For those of us who loved Winnie-the-Pooh…. By Tim Lenton WHATEVER HAPPENED TO CHRISTOPHER ROBIN? One hundred years ago this month, on 21st August 1920, Christopher Robin Milne was born. He was the only son of the author A. A. Milne and appeared as a character in his father’s Winnie-the-Pooh stories and verses – a role he enjoyed at first but later found difficult to handle. The characters in Winnie the Pooh were based on his own soft toys or items purchased later. The setting was inspired by Ashdown Forest in East Sussex: his family owned nearby Cotchford Farm and spent weekends and holidays there. His relationship with his nanny, Olive ‘Nou’ Brockwell, was close and continued into adult life, but when he went to boarding school near Guildford in 1930 he was bullied because his father’s work was well known: one poem, Vespers, brought him “toe-curling, fist-clenching, lip-biting embarrassment”. He married a cousin, Lesley de Sélincourt, in 1948 and opened a bookshop in Dartmouth. He was close to his father but not to his mother, Daphne, who did not see him during the last 15 years of her life. Milne had one child, Clare, who had cerebral palsy. He himself had myasthenia gravis in his later years and died in 1996; he was described by one newspaper as a ‘dedicated atheist’.

Canon David Winter is feeling very solitary just now… THE WAY I SEE IT: What have you missed most during lockdown? It's a good question, because it is about the things that make us tick. When I examined my list, I found obvious things - going to church, live sport on TV, meeting up with friends for a coffee or a beer. But as I thought more deeply about it, I realised that what I missed most was TOUCH. For nearly four months I have not touched another human being! That is an astonishing deprivation. When a baby is born, its first experiences are all of touch. The strong hands of the midwife, mother’s excited and loving embrace, tiny hands reaching out to feel mummy’s face. We touch our way into life. And then it goes on. Holding hands with friends, being hugged by grandma, your first serious kiss, and perhaps a last tearful one at the end of a much-loved life. We greet each other with a holy kiss, the Bible says. And why not? Sight, smell, hearing and touch. Four senses. And I think lockdown has taught me that the greatest of these is touch! Praying might be asking God fervently to send rain. Faith is carrying an umbrella.

10 Kirsty Steele, a retired teacher and active church organist. THE STATELY ROSEBAY WILLOWHERB If wildflowers were to compete in terms of height, Rosebay Willowherb would have to be one of the contenders for first prize. By mid- to late-summer its height can reach four feet or so [120cm] with pyramids of pinkish-purple flowers cheering up the most unlikely places, for it is happy to grow on railway cuttings and embankments and amongst ruined buildings and disturbed ground. Indeed, during the Second World War, Rosebay Willowherb was often one of the very first plants to cheer up London's bomb-sites, and even ground that had been cleared by fire, resulting in it having another, but far less attractive name – Fireweed. Spring flowers tend to have white or yellow petals – snowdrops, primroses, daffodils, wood anemones and celandines. This trend is abruptly changed when bluebells make an appearance. By midsummer however, warmer colours have made an appearance, and Rosebay Willowherb is no exception. The flowers, with deep pink petals intercepted by purple sepals account for the first word of the name, while the leaves, which grow in spirals around them, are responsible for 'Willowherb' being added, as they become narrow at each end, and therefore resemble [loosely!] those of a willow tree. In the times of Queen Victoria this wonderful plant was a treasured addition to many gardens and it was not nearly as abundant in the countryside. However, Mother Nature soon dealt with that! Once the flower is pollinated, seed capsules form. When ripe, they split to release many, many billows of seed, all ready to be blown far and wide by autumn winds. So, we now have a plant loved by many, often from a car or train. But while the size and vibrant colour mean it cannot hide, the fluffy seeds tell us that autumn will not be far away. Body parts A doctor in our village surgery often plays a game with his younger patients to put them at ease, and to test their knowledge of body parts. And so it was that one day, while pointing to my young son’s ear, the doctor asked him solemnly, "Is this your nose?" Alarmed, my son glanced over to me and said softly: "Mum, I think we'd better find a new doctor!" Keep your distance! I never thought the comment, "I wouldn't touch you with a six-foot pole" would become national policy, but here we are! 11 SAINTS THIS MONTH: 4th AUGUST St Jean-Baptise Vianney (1786-1859) Invariably known as the Curé d’Ars, this particular saint is the patron of parish priests. He was born near Lyon in 1786 and his early life was spent as a shepherd boy. He did not excel at academic study, including his time at seminary when he was training for the priesthood and he was reputedly the most unlearnéd of students but also the most holy. He became curate of Écully for two years and then, on the death of the parish priest in 1817, was appointed as priest at Ars-en-Dombes, a village of just 250 souls and it was here that he was to spend the rest of his life. During the 30+ years that he spent there, the ministry that developed brought comfort to thousands of people as they sought him out, for his holy advice both within and outside the confessional, where he spent up to 16 hours a day. A train from Lyon brought up to 300 people a day to see him and visitor numbers grew to 20,000 a year just before his death. Over time the acquisition of greater experience and compassion made him more sympathetic to human frailty and he stressed more the importance of the love of God and the liturgical prayer life of the church. Both church and state attempted to bestow honours upon him - a canonry which he received against his desire, the robes for which he sold to aid the poor and the knighthood of the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour, the decorations for which he never wore and into which he was never invested! He was canonised in 1925 and named patron of parochial clergy. FROM BAD HAIR DAY TO GOOD HAIR DAY. Like everyone else we have not been able to go to the hairdresser or barbers to have our hair done. It was deep joy when we were given the long-awaited news that our hair salons and barbers were opened once again. I was getting quite concerned, especially when my ears disappeared under my ever-growing hair. Help was at hand. Though unplanned. I happened to be in Grassmoor last week, and decided to walk along the road to see whether the barbers were open, and deep joy it was, with only one customer in at the time. My anxious wait was short; I was soon draped in protective gear, fighting my way through it I checked that the barber had not got lost in my forest of hair. But being the professional that he was order was restored and I could once again meet my adoring public with my head held high. I now understand it when you ladies always say that having your hair done makes all the difference, not only to your appearance but also your state of mind. Making you feel, and look beautiful both outside and inside. To check this out I decided to walk home hoping for admiring glances at my beautifully trimmed hair. Sadly, that was not to be. The only comment I got was from a barking dog who looked at me and went barking mad. Heigh ho, you can’t win them all! Stephen Wright 12 GETTING TO KNOW NEXT DOOR This time last year, how well did you know your neighbours? Around one in five of us have since admitted that we had never even spoken to them. What a difference a pandemic makes. Now twice as many of us have talked to our neighbours in the past week as compared with last year. A further one in three of us have also done something to help a neighbour. This works out to 33 million people having talked to a neighbour in the past week, and 15 million of them even helping one during lockdown. Seven in 10 of us also said that people in our area are now more likely to stop for a chat, and three quarters of us want their new-found friendliness to continue. The survey was commissioned for the Big Lunch, a National Lottery- supported initiative from the Eden Project. STILL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOURS? One side-effect of lockdown has been seeing more of our neighbours – which of course can be very nice indeed. But if those neighbours constantly play loud music or hold smoky barbecues, it can be tiresome. And just wait until they invest the latest craze: a big bubbling hot tub for their garden. The craze seems to have started when we realised that summer holidays were not happening this year. Sales of garden Jacuzzis went up 490 per cent on eBay, and at Argos almost every style was sold out. On Amazon, hot tubs feature on the ‘most wished for’ list. But now social media is buzzing with complaints about neighbours who flout lockdown advice with ‘hot-tub parties’, and neighbours who are inconsiderate when emptying their hot tub – sending a flood of water over into your garden. All in a name I'm dyslexic, and recently attended a Zoom conference about the disorder with a friend. The speakers asked us to share a personal experience with the group. I told them stress aggravates my condition, in which I reverse words and letters when I'm tense. When I finished speaking, my friend blurted out, "Now I know why you named your daughter Hannah!" What am I? A teacher gave her young class a lesson on Zoom on the magnet and what it does. The next day in a short test, she included this question: "My full name has six letters. The first one is M. I am strong and attractive. I pick up lots of things. What am I?" When the answers were sent in, the teacher was astonished to find that more than half her students had answered the question with the word: "Mother." 13 Canon Paul Hardingham considers the times of our lives

ETERNITY IN THE HUMAN HEART ‘He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.’ (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

The 60s hit ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ by the Byrds is based on verses in this chapter: ‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.’ The different seasons of life are not random, for God is in control and His timing is perfect: ‘He has made everything beautiful in its time.’

The verse goes on to say that God ‘has also set eternity in the human heart.’ This means that we all have an in-built sense that there’s more to life than what we can see, as we search for meaning in life. However, we can fill our lives with other things: career, pleasure, shopping and relationships. While good in themselves, these things can never ultimately satisfy. It is only a relationship with God through Jesus that truly satisfies. How does this challenge us?

Firstly, we are to live for God in all that we do, knowing that it all counts for eternity. This includes helping others find a personal relationship with Jesus Christ for eternity.

Secondly, we accept that there is lots in the current ‘season’ where it’s difficult to know what God is doing: ‘no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.’ However, we do know that everything has consequences for eternity.

Finally, how can we be more aware of eternity every day? Spending time with God in worship and prayer will bring us the true pleasure that belongs to eternity.

‘You made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.’ (St Augustine). -ooOoo- The purpose of prayer and of God’s call in your life isn’t to make you number one in the world’s eyes but to make Him number one in your life. - Ravi Zacharias It is impossible to have the feeling of peace and serenity without being at rest with God. - Dorothy Pentecost Sin is not hurtful because it is forbidden, but sin is forbidden because it is hurtful. - Benjamin Franklin

14 CHRISTIANS IN THE WORLD (The unknown author of the Letter to Diognetus (probably 2nd or 3rd century) wrote to explain the Christian faith to a serious enquirer. Its recipient was probably a pagan of high rank, possibly the emperor himself.) You can't tell a Christian from a non-Christian by where he lives or the way he speaks or how he dresses.There are no 'Christian towns', there is no 'Christian language', and they eat drink and sleep just like everybody else. Christians aren't particularly clever or ingenious and they haven't mastered some complicated formula, like the followers of some religions But while it's true that they live in cities next to other people, and follow the same pattern of life as they do, in fact they have a unique citizenship of their own. They are, of course, citizens of their own lands - loyal ones too. But yet they feel like visitors. Every foreign country is their homeland, and their homeland is like a foreign country to them...They are nationals of various states, but citizens of heaven. To put it simply - the soul is to the body as Christians are to the world. The soul is spread to all parts of the body and Christians through all parts of the world. The soul is in the body but is not of the body; Christians are in the world but not of the world. WHERE ARE YOU LORD? Why is it that I think I must get somewhere, assume some position, be gathered together, or separated apart in the quest of my study to pray? Why is it that I feel I have to go somewhere, or do some particular act to find you and talk with you? Your presence is here - in the city, on the busy bus, in the factory, in the cockpit of the aeroplane, in the hospital, in the patients’ room, in the intensive care unit, in the waiting room, in the home at dinner, in the bedroom, in the family room, at my workplace, in the car, in the car park and at the traffic light. Lord, reveal your presence to me everywhere and help me become aware of your presence each moment of the day. May your presence fill the non-answers, empty glances and lonely times of my life. (Robert Wood)

-ooOoo-

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s love; and your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s love. When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another. (Helen Keller)

15 HYMN: The story behind … JUST AS I AM The hymn ‘Just As I Am’ must be one of the most famous in the world. It has been sung by tens of millions of Christians at Billy Graham Crusades the world over, just for starters! Yet it was not written by a professional who was ‘aiming’ at a specific market, as many songs seem to be written today. Instead, it was written by an artist in Victorian times. Her name was Charlotte Elliott, and she was born in Clapham in 1789. She grew up in a well to do home, and became a portrait artist and also a writer of humorous verse. All was well until Charlotte fell ill in her early 30s, and slid into a black depression. A minister, Dr Caesar Malan of Switzerland, came to visit her. Instead of sympathising, he asked her an unexpected question: did she have peace with God? Charlotte deeply resented the question and told him to mind his own business. But after he left, his question haunted her. Did she have peace with God? She knew that she did not, that she had done some very wrong things. So, she invited Dr Malan to return. She told him that she would like to become a Christian, but would have to sort out her life first. Dr Malan again said the unexpected: “Come just as you are.” The words were a revelation to Charlotte. She had assumed that she would have to put her life in order before she could hope to be accepted by God. Instead, she realised that Jesus wanted her just as she was – and He would take care of the sin. Charlotte became a Christian that day. 14 years later, in 1836, Charlotte wrote some verses that summed up how it had been between her and Jesus that day. They ran:

Just as I am, without one plea, But that thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bids’t me come to Thee O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, tho tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt Fightings within, and fears without, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Charlotte could not have dreamed that 150 years into the future, her verses would be sung by millions of people all over the world, as they responded to the Gospel presented at many great Billy Graham crusades, and made their way forward to do just as the hymn describes – to come to Jesus Christ, despite sin and fear and doubts, to come ‘just as I am.’

16 THE WORK OF PEACE Give us courage, Lord, to stand up and be counted, to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, to stand up for ourselves when it is needful for us to do so.

Let us fear nothing more than we fear you. Let us love nothing more than we love you, tor thus we shall fear nothing also. Let us have no other God before you, whether nation or party or state of church. Let us seek no other peace but the peace which is yours, and make us its instruments, opening our eyes and our ears and our hearts so that we should know always what work of peace we may do for you. (Alan Paton - 1903 to 1988)

Musings on modern life: Gardens are not made by singing ‘Oh how beautiful’ and sitting in the shade. - Rudyard Kipling Summer Sales: much trouble is caused by our yearnings getting ahead of our earnings. -Anon Please don’t walk on our church lawn. Grass grows by the inch but is worn down by the foot! - Anon We cannot control the evil tongues of others; but a good life enables us to disregard them. – Cato If parents haven’t learned something from experience, they can always learn it from their children. - Anon When a girl reduces, she is going out of her weigh to please some man. - Anon Tomorrow never comes, but the morning after certainly does. - Anon Buying what you do not need is an easy road to needing what you cannot buy. - Anon By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher. - Socrates There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than internet banking. It's called marriage. - James Holt McGavran In character, in manners, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity. -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow The newspapers report how a cinema goer arose from his seat while watching a film and shot himself. I believe that I have also seen that picture. – Anon Terrorists no longer scare me. Not after the past months at home with my partner, three children, two dogs and a moody cat. - Anon

17 Some miscellaneous observations on modern life... Fools rush in where fools have been before. It's called ‘take home’ pay because you can't afford to go anywhere else with it. Success is relative - the greater the success, the more relatives. If at first you succeed, try to hide your astonishment. You must have learned from others' mistakes. You haven't had time to think all those up yourself. People like criticism - just keep it positive and flattering. It's okay to let your mind go blank, but please turn off the sound. Worry kills more people than work because more people worry than work. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places. Misers aren't much fun to live with, but they make great ancestors. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming. The real reason you can't take it with you is that it goes before you do. Junk is something you throw away about three weeks before you need it. Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were. Some people are like blisters. They don't show up until the work is done. A babysitter is a teenager acting like an adult while the adults are out acting like teen-agers. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you a mechanic. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognise a mistake when you make it again. Who’s right for which job? Does your company struggle with the problem of properly fitting people to jobs? Here is a handy way to decide…. Take the prospective employees you are trying to place and put them in a room with only a table and two chairs. Leave them alone for two hours, without any instruction. At the end of that time, go back and see what they are doing. If they have taken the table apart in that time, put them in Engineering. If they are counting the cracks in the floor, assign them to Finance. If they are screaming and waving their arms, send them to Manufacturing. If they are talking to the chairs, Personnel is a good place for them. If they are sleeping, they are Management material. If they are writing up the experience, send them to Technical Publications. If they don't even look up when you enter the room, assign them to Security. If they try to tell you it's not as bad as it looks, send them to Marketing. And if they've left early, put them in Sales.

18 TIME FOR A SMILE Our new vicar had just been prescribed bifocals. The reading portion of the glasses improved his vision considerably, but the top portion of the glasses didn't work so well. In fact, he was experiencing dizziness every time he looked through them. He tried to explain this to the congregation on Sunday: "I hope you will excuse my continually removing my glasses. You see, when I look down, I can see fine, but when I look at you all, it makes me feel sick."

While repairing a picture frame, a lady had to replace some chipped gold leaf. She asked at the hardware shop, “Do you have any gilt?” The shopkeeper replied. “Sometimes it’s overwhelming,” While watching her baby brother being christened in church, a little girl caught the attention of the minister and she whispered, “Behind his ears too, please. Due to the quarantine, I'll be telling only inside jokes.

A one-pound coin met a twenty-pound note and said, "Hey, where have you been? I haven't seen you around here much." The twenty-note answered, "I've been everywhere - hanging out at the casino, I went on a cruise and did all the tours, then back home for a while, before going to a few theatre shows and shopping expeditions. And how about you?" The one-pound coin replied, “Oh nothing much, just the same old routine - church, church, church." The magistrate was in a happy mood when he asked the man who was in the dock, "What are you charged with?" The man replied, "Doing my shopping too early, sir." The magistrate said, "That's no crime; just how early were you doing your shopping?" Came the reply, "Before the shop opened, sir." A Sunday School teacher challenged her children to take some time on Sunday afternoon to write a letter to God. They were to bring their letter back the following Sunday. One little boy wrote, "Dear God, we had such a good time at church today. I wish you could have been there." On a bus a man gave his seat to a woman. She fainted. On recovering, she thanked him. Then he fainted.

Noah opened up the ark and let all the animals out, telling them to "Go forth and multiply!" He began to close the great doors of the ark when he noticed that there were two snakes still sitting in a dark corner. Concerned, he said to them: "Didn't you hear me? You can go now. Go forth and multiply." "We can't," said the snakes sadly. "We're adders."

19 MUSINGS ON OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH The New Testament is a love letter to you from God. - Gregorio Tingson If you want your neighbour to know what Christ will do for him, let the neighbour see what Christ has done for you. - Anon To serve God and my church and to love all human beings is my creed. - Mary G Robling It is not the possession of extraordinary gifts that makes extraordinary usefulness, but the dedication of what we have to the service of God. - F W Robertson Make sure it is God’s trumpet you are blowing. If it is only yours, it won’t wake the dead, it will simply disturb the neighbours. - W Ian Thomas God does not keep office hours. - A W Tozer When considering your future: give God what's right - not what's left. - Anon When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty. - Anon This church is prayer-conditioned. - Anon Comfort for new curates - when God ordains, He sustains. - Anon WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning. - Anon Art is here because God meant it to be here. - Hans Rookmaaker It is cynicism and fear that freeze life; it is faith that thaws it out, releases it, sets it free. - H E Fosdick It is easier for the generous to forgive, than for the offender to ask forgiveness. – Thomson There was a man, though some did count him mad, The more he cast away, the more he had. – John Bunyan How can you expect God to speak in that gentle and inward voice which melts the soul, when you are making so much noise with your rapid reflections? Be silent, and God will speak again. - Francois de la Mothe Fenelon Understanding is much deeper than knowledge. There are many people who know us, but very few who understand us. (Anon) The best gifts you can give: To your enemy, forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to a customer, service; to every person, love; to every child, a good example; and finally, to yourself, respect. I don’t have time to worry about who doesn’t like me, because I’m too busy loving the people who love me. Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact. Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it’s the courage to continue that counts. Churchill Hope is being allowed to see that there is light despite all the darkness. Tutu We are all broken, that’s how the light gets in. Hemmingway

20 AUGUST RECIPES

Thanks to Val Crampton

ONE POT SPANISH CHICKEN 1 red and 1 white onion cut into 8 wedges 500g new potatoes, quartered 4 garlic cloves, whole 8 tomatoes, quartered 75g chorizo, sliced 8 boneless, skinned chicken thighs ½ tsp sweet paprika ½ tsp dried oregano 1 pepper, deseeded, sliced Seasoning to taste Pre-heat the oven to 180c, gas 6. Put the onions, potatoes, garlic and tomatoes in a roasting tin, season. Toss together and roast for 20mins. Slash the chicken thighs 2 or 3 times and season well. Mix the paprika and oregano together and keep to one side. Take the roasting tin from the oven and scatter the chorizo over the veg and stir it through. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables and sprinkle with the paprika and oregano mix. Return to the oven for 20mins. Take the tin out and tip carefully to one end where you can spoon up the juices and baste the chicken then tuck in the sliced pepper around the chicken pieces, turn up the oven to 200c gas7 for final 20mins until chicken is golden and crisp. Serve with crusty bread and a salad.

SUMMER PUD. Nothing beats our old favourite strawberries and ice cream. Serve it in a meringue nest with a scatter of raspberries, blueberries and whipped cream topped with flaked nuts and you have something a bit special. Or you could serve chilled rice pudding with roasted nectarines. Just halve and stone the nectarines and gently fry in butter and a little demerara sugar to caramelise them. Easy peasy.

21 VIEWS FROM THE PEWS

Has the Church of England made itself irrelevant?

CORONAVIRUS or CORONAPHOBIA ? Two thousand years ago, Christ walked the highways and byways of Palestine, healing the sick, and offering succour and words of comfort to those in distress. When he was put to death his disciples, twelve very ordinary men with no special skills, took up the mantle, and the church was born. Fast forward two thousand years, and on 23 March the Church of England shut and bolted its doors ‘Go away – you are not welcome’, just at the time when congregations and communities needed it most, if only for private prayer. If the early disciples had taken the same course of action, there wouldn’t be a church. Maybe there still won’t. WHERE WERE YOU?

I was scared, I was frightened, were you there, were you there? My church was shut and locked up; you weren’t there.

My needs went unanswered, perhaps I do not matter, You weren’t there

I’m told you stream a service, I can’t share, I can’t share You know I have no email; do you care?

My needs go unanswered, perhaps I do not matter, You weren’t there

I’m still self-isolating, do you care, do you care? No phone call, visit, letter, you don’t care

My needs still unanswered, to you I do not matter, You weren’t there

I hear the church has opened, I don’t care, I’m not there. I say my prayers at home for God is there.

My needs now God has answered, to Him I know I matter, You’re nowhere

22

ST. PAUL’S 100 CLUB

Not surprisingly, 100 Club draws were suspended when the church was closed. However, the draws for April, May and June have now been held, and the results are set out below. The plan is to hold the draws for July, August and September in early September, and distribute those prizes. Hopefully, after that, it may be possible to resume 'normal service'. Meanwhile, if any members wish to make payments, Jane Pemberton will be pleased to receive them in cash, or by cheque payable to Hasland P.C.C.

April Draw 1st prize Gillian Doar No. 95 2nd prize Jill Smithurst No. 70 3rd prize Peter Bailey No. 85 4th prize Jill Smithurst No. 90

May Draw 1st prize Richard Arnold No. 86 2nd prize Iain Grubb No. 23 3rd prize Roy Dowsett No. 13 4th prize Peggy Grubb No. 37

June Draw 1st prize Jacquie Adams No. 94 2nd prize John Grubb No. 14 3rd prize Chris Mather No. 97 4th prize Joan Basford No. 33

23 TRIBUTE TO MARY THOMPSON. It is with great sadness that we record the passing of our beloved Mary, who we laid to rest on Friday July 24 in the Temple Normanton cemetery Our thanks to Fr Geoffrey for taking a beautiful graveside service, surrounded by her daughter Janice, family and her many friends The sun shone which was a real bonus. Mary was a much loved and lifelong member of St James’ Church family and will be very much missed by us all. Mary will be affectionately remembered for her many qualities, including her amazing culinary skills which she put to good use for us at our many fund raising events which mainly centred around food, not to mention her corned beef hash done in her slow cooker, orange trifles, Her platters of salads and much, much more, and if there was anything left over, we never went home empty handed. Here are some comments made by members of the congregation which sum up Mary’s abiding qualities which she shared with all of us. We are a small, but close congregation, and Mary was very much part of it. Mary was a thoroughly nice person, with a strong, humble faith. Tireless and cheerful, making a huge contribution to our Church, especially to our regular parish meals, and would often slip an extra portion of pudding into my dish. Mary was always welcoming to visitors. We will all miss Mary very much. I remember the Victorian tea Party and Mary entering into the spirit of things by wearing a pair of bloomers. A genuine person helpful and loving, you could turn to Mary for anything. Reliable and always cheerful, with a great sense of fun, a jolly person and a pleasure to be with. A loving and approachable lady, always ready to give you a hug. Mary was a wonderful lady, thoughtful, kind, and always there to support anyone in need. We will miss her very much, especially her fantastic scones, and orange trifles. On a very personal note. Mary would give me a lift home from church on Sundays, and as I got out of her car, Mary’s parting words to me we LOVE YOU LOTS. CHEERIO. After the service Janice invited us all back to Ash Tree House for tea and cakes, which we enjoyed sitting out in her beautiful garden. Mary, may your soul rest in peace and rise in Glory. Stephen Wright

24

HEALING TOUCH AURORA PAPERCRAFTS Relax, unwind and rejuvenate Handmade cards & With your choice of: Wedding stationery For samples or to discuss your REIKI, requirements contact DAWN on HOPI EAR CANDLES, 07759 914 773 or visit REFLEXOLOGY OR Facebook.com/ MASSAGE AuroraPapercrafts Tel 07855 386 447

Flowers for all occasions MRF IBBOTSONS JOINERY & 14 Road, Hasland BUILDING 01246 273730 SERVICES www.ibbotsonsfruitandveg.co.uk 07950 761 592 Fitted Kitchens and Bathrooms Fruit and vegetables First & Second Fix – Joinery No. 1 for quality Bespoke Joinery The Specialists In Heuga Carpet Tiles KATE’S

CHESTERFIELD CONTRACT FLOORING PANTRY For all your catering 55 Sheffield Road requirements Chesterfield S41 7LS 01246 275851 01246 233232 4 Mansfield Road, Hasland

MOUNSEY Kevin Slater MEMORIALS Professional Painting

and Decorating 6 Old Hall Road Internal and Brampton External Quality Work at the 01246 206673 Right Price Free Booklet of Designs on Request Tel. 01246 558826

Just for You J.N. & D.J.ADAMS Cards and gifts for all occasions INTERIOR & EXTERIOR 6 Mansfield Road PAINTERS & Hasland DECORATORS Chesterfield PRIVATE & COMMERCIAL 01246 271202 01246 559170 07719 764651

L.S.LANDSCAPES & The GARDENING HASLAND Patios, slabbing, Astro turf, DENTAL decking, fencing. raised beds, cleaning to driveways & patios. PRACTICE

NO GARDEN TOO BIG 182 Hasland Road, Hasland or too small Chesterfield, Genuine quotes beaten Tel: 01246 232039 07562 359 396 [email protected] Samantha Thompson BDS

FAMILY FUNERAL DIRECTORS FOR SIX GENERATIONS B. Hattersley & Sons Ltd For Personal, Reliable and Professional Funeral Service

TELEPHONE 232820 AT ANY TIME Offices and Private Chapels of Rest 211 CHATSWORTH ROAD, CHESTERFIELD (Also resident at 104 Longedge Lane, Wingerworth)

Andrew Hattersley, BA, DipFD, Georgena Hattersley, BA

W.T. Parker’s

For Property Chartered Surveyors, Auctioneers, Estate Agents & Valuers 4 Glumangate, Chesterfield S40 1QA Tel 01246 232156 Fax 01246 551213

DANSIES Office Equipment, Computers & Stationery Of Chesterfield since 1946 CRACKED.SMASHED. BROKEN PHONE? We’ll make it good as new Plus Monthly offers on GHD, Dyson, Vax and more! 10% discount on any repair – bring this advert to claim. 409 Chatsworth Road, Brampton, Chesterfield S40 2DH Tel: 01246 273794

Email: [email protected] Web: www.dansies.co.uk

J R HOULT & GRANDSON FUNERAL DIRECTORS

FUNERALS COMPLETELY FURNISHED HOULT’S MEMORIALS GOLDEN CHARTER PRE-PAID FUNERAL PLANS ALL ASPECTS OF TRADITIONAL BLACK DAIMLER MEMORIAL LIMOUSINES WORK UNDERTAKEN 24 HOUR SERVICE BROCHURE FOR A COMPLETE & BESPOKE AVAILABLE SERVICE ALL UNDER ONE ROOF ON REQUEST PLEASE TELEPHONE 01246 851194 THE LODGE, 1a CHESTERFIELD ROAD, NORTH WINGFIELD INDEPENDENT FAMILY BUSINESS SERVING THE COMMUNITY OVER 100 YEARS

THE THREE COTTAGES

229 Mansfield Road, Hasland, Chesterfield S41 0JJ

01246 769857

www.thethreecottages.co.uk

Where a warm welcome and good food awaits you

STEPHEN PLEDGER INDEPENDENT FUNERAL DIRECTORS

FOR A COMPLETE SYMPATHETIC SERVICE

PRIVATE CHAPEL OF REST AND OFFICE

MERCEDES BENZ FLEET

WE OFFER A COMPLETE FLORAL SERVICE

BURIAL OR CREMATION ARRANGED IN ANY AREA

GOLDEN CHARTER PRE-PAID FUNERAL PLANS AVAILABLE

WE ARE ALSO MONUMENTAL MASONS

TELEPHONE 01246 855101 AVAILABLE 24 HOURS Director Stephen Pledger [email protected]

Heath Road, , Chesterfield, Derbyshire S42 5RA Harold Lilleker & Sons Ltd

Independent Family Funeral Directors 24 Hour Service

Private Chapel of Rest

Members of SAIF

369 Hasland Road, Hasland, Chesterfield, S41 0AQ

Tel: 01246 277095

Email:[email protected]

Golden Charter Pre-Paid Funeral Plans available from Harold Lilleker & Sons Ltd

Call us on 01246 277095 today for a free, no obligation quote for your personalised, pre-paid funeral plan.

Peppe hair design

for Consultation and Appointments 710, Abbeydale Road, Sheffield, S7 2BL Telephone : 0114 2583633

Hasland Chiropody Elaine Rudge MBChA Dip Pod Med Health Professions Council Registered

38 Mansfield Road, Hasland S41 0JA Tel: 01246 279521

For a huge range of OUTDOOR POTS AND PLANTERS DECORATIVE GRAVELS GARDEN SCREENING OUTDOOR FURNITURE CHIMENEAS BIRDBATHS and much more, visit VAN GEMEREN AND CO LTD Chesterfield Garden Centre, Mansfield Road, Hasland, Chesterfield Tel 234710 Also on site: W E van Gemeren for sheds, timber buildings Tel 563799 Chesterfield Aquatics and Reptiles Tel 558444 Derbyshire Bonsai for Bonsai & Garden plants Tel 563800 Ace Garden Machinery Tel 550058 BRAILSFORD CLEANING SERVICES Professional, Residential & Commercial Carpet, Upholstery and Exterior Cleaning Services. Gutters & fascia cleaned, conservatory cleaned & restored Windows & frames deep cleaned, drives, decking & patios cleaned Fully Trained – Fully Insured – Complete Customer Confidence Telephone: Mobile: 07971 265 286 or 01246 540346 email: [email protected] (son of Marie in the choir) Grassland Hasmoor…Big Local, has been awarded £1million to help the residents of Grassmoor and Hasland to set up projects that improve the two communities. If you would like to be involved in the activity or find out more about what is currently happening, please get in touch with our Support Workers… Tel: Dallas 07825 183569 or Karin 07825 294346 email: [email protected] or visit www.grasslandhasmoor.co.uk

Are you interested in volunteering? Speak to a GHBL Support Worker to find out about our volunteer opportunities

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