July 2020 Dear Friends

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July 2020 Dear friends. I was glad when they said to me, let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122.1 Private Prayer I am so glad to have been able to partially re-open the doors of the church again, after so many months of having to keep them closed. My thanks to all those who have offered their assistance to act as stewards, thus enabling us to invite people into the church safely for private prayer. If you would like to come and pray in the church building, you would be most welcome to do so on a Sunday morning, between 9.30AM and 11.00AM. Acts of Worship and Re-opening of Saint Wilfrid Many of us will have found spiritual comfort and refreshment from the regular online streaming of the Eucharistic celebration each Sunday. I must offer my sincere thanks to Fr. Ray Whelan, Peter Green and Jonathan Tamblyn, for the dedication they have shown in ensuring these can take place. It is wonderful to have now heard news that we can actively plan for the resumption of acts of worship and other services, in the church Parish Church of St Wilfrid Ellasdale Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 2SG https://wilfrid.com Vicarage (office closed) 01243 930183 [email protected] SaintWilfridBognor Registered Charity No. 1142723 Magazine & Pewsheet articles/ pictures; please email [email protected] with your name, date submitted and phone number. Thank you. Deadline for August edition - Monday July 20th 2020

1 Contents LINKS...... 2 Pastoral Letter from Joel...... 3 Gull News During Lockdown at St. Wilfrid’s...... 7 Holy Days - July...... 8 Finance Update for St. Wilfrid’s ...... 13 Spiritual Communion...... 14 A Start to Re-Opening our Church...... 20 For Private Prayer...... 20 Neighbouring Parish News: ...... 22 Legacy Policy...... 23 Gift Aid Envelopes...... 23 Looking at God ...... 24 Smile Lines...... 31 A Poem by Fr Cecil Champneys Burnham...... 34 Parish Pump - News...... 36 Ten Years Ago - St. Wilfrid’s Centenary Celebrations...... 46 34 Centenary Memories...... 47 Picture Parable ...... 48 July Maze...... 49 Bible Bite - ...... 50 Word Search ...... 51 Crossword...... 52 Word Search for July...... 54 Mouse Makes...... 55 Answers for Word Search for June p42...... 56 Crossword (on p48) Solution...... 56 Answers - Word Search for p47...... 57 PCC Members...... 58 Honorary Assistant Clergy...... 58 Public Worship Suspended at St Wilfrid’s Church until Further Notice. ....58 Contacts...... 59 Parish Giving Scheme...... 60 St Wilfrid's 100 Club...... 60 LINKS Free Magazine During COVID https://www.wilfrid.com/downloads/ Videos of Sunday Services https://www.wilfrid.com/video-resources/ Facebook Group for notices SaintWilfridBognor 2 Continued from page 1 Pastoral Letter from Joel building. As I write, guidance is being published for how churches and other places of worship can ensure worshippers are kept safe. When the PCC have discerned the application of this guidance for us, we will communicate the plans to the parish. Financial Giving I also want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have continued to give financially to the church, in spite of the church not being open as usual. Thank you so much, your gifts have made an enormous impact. As with so many other churches, organisations and businesses, Covid-19 has had a significant and detrimental impact on our church finances. This is mainly due to a complete stopping of hall hire revenue, no cash collections on a Sunday morning, and the poor performance of our investments. As planned giving has decreased in recent years, the church has become more reliant on the success of these investments and upon hall hire revenue, to mitigate the annual deficit. I am thankful to God that we have the resources in reserve to weather this storm, and I am hopeful as we look to the future and all that God has in store for us. Looking Forward Whilst it’s currently hard to make any concrete plans, the Apostolic Partnership continues to take shape. I wanted to share with you about some of the work that I have been undertaking. Much of my work over the last few months has been that of listening and understanding: to the Wardens and PCC; to congregation members; to the Parish; to other churches leaders and charities; and to representatives of the wider area. As a result of these conversations, five main focus areas are emerging: 1. Sunday Morning Worship. For an informal expression of wor- ship to happen on a Sunday morning, in addition to our tradi- tional and sacramental expressions of worship that happen on a Sunday and throughout the week.

3 2. Courses. For courses to be hosted which help people ask the big questions of life and encourage them to use the Christian mes- sage as the cornerstone for their relationships 3. Helping the most vulnerable. For the doors of the church to be further opened to serve the most marginalised, the poor and the vulnerable 4. Support Groups. For groups and other opportunities to be de- veloped, in which people gather to connect and support each other. 5. Engaging younger generations. For relationships with schools and the University to be developed and strengthened. To ensure that these can be done really well, a number of things have been or are currently happening: ��Reviewing the current outline for worship on a Sunday and throughout the week, and planning for how a complimenting form of worship on a Sunday morning might be added. It has been most helpful speaking with a number of you regarding what you most appreciate about the worship at Saint Wilfrid and what you sense it would be a shame to lose. It has also been so helpful for me to have spent time in communication with Fr. Ray, and I am immensely grateful for his wisdom, pa- tience and sensitivity. ��Understanding which courses would be most appropriate for the people of Bognor and planning for the running of these in from January 2021. In addition to The Alpha Course, we will be hosting The Marriage and The Pre-Marriage Course. We are planning further courses, such as The Parenting Course and Faith in Recovery, in 2022. ��Performing a mission audit which identifies the agencies who are already working for the social transformation of Bognor Regis, and prayerfully discerning how Saint Wilfrid might play its part in the work of social transformation. ��Understanding what is already happening in terms of social gathering, both as an official church activity and beyond this.

4 Furthermore, exploring options for how to encourage people to connect and support each other more. Reviewing our finances and establishing short and long term budgets. This has only been made possible because of the hard work of our outgoing treasurer, who has amongst other things, developed an up to date cloud-based financial infrastructure. Undertaking a review of our communications and the develop- ment of copy and visuals that best articulate the ministry of Saint Wilfrid. A communication plan has been established which seeks to make the most of new technology, whilst also recog- nises the need for traditional forms of communication to be built upon. Auditing of all governance and compliance structures, and where needed introducing or planning to introduce new sys- tems to help in this. Notably, work has taken place to amend the collection, storage and use of people’s personal data (de- tails) and information has been migrated to a new database, as appropriate. Understanding the audio and visual equipment infrastructure which is currently in the church and consulting with industry professionals regarding the procurement of new equipment to meet the need of an informal worship form. Any installation will seek to be done as sensitively as possible to our beautiful build- ing and will require the obtaining of Diocesan permissions be- fore work can commence. I’m grateful for the grants which have been made available to us, to enable this work to go ahead. Reviewing how the office has been managed to date, and what the needs are going forward. I am immensely grateful to all those who have volunteered an incredible number of hours over a number of years, to enable the office and administration of the parish to happen so efficiently. It may be that because of Covid-19, the Church Office will need to remain closed for some time. We await further advice on this.

5 ��Understanding how the relationship with the schools has devel- oped in recent years and working with the head teachers to es- tablish how we might work together moving forward. ��Identifying what paid and volunteer roles will need to be re- cruited for, to enable us to move forward. Each of these need to be recruited safely and fairly. Whilst we can begin recruit- ment now for some of the roles, we will need to delay a number of these until there is greater clarity regarding what we can and can’t do in the short-term, as a result of Covid-19. ��Developing relationships, both with existing members of Saint Wilfrid, and potential new members. I praise God that we now have fifteen people (adults and children) who are looking for- ward to participating in the new forms of worship at Saint Wil- frid. I hope that this overview has been helpful and I would invite any questions or comments about any of this. As I finish this elongated letter to you, may I leave you with the words of St Paul to the Church in Rome. And this is my prayer for you: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15. 13 In Christ, with love, Joel and Lella Mennie

6 Gull News During Lockdown at St. Wilfrid’s It may have been Lockdown this spring but St. Wilf’s resident mother Herring Gull has been busy again rearing another plump and fluffy chick under the bell in our bell tower. Lari, I’ve name it that as it refers to its Order of the Gull Family of Laridae, is growing quickly now on a very fishy diet and has been constantly pestering its parents with an ear piercing high pitched whistle. Both parents are very attentive and fortunately for us ground-based humans do not dive-bomb like their Genus, which is Larus Argentatus, often do when we come near to their young. Last year’s chick fledged successfully and hung around near the church for most of the autumn. Hopefully these young birds will have a good life and they can live up to 49 years. Look out on our Facebook site “SaintWilfridBognor” for further updates and photos, when you come on a Sunday for Private Prayer or are just passing. Just look up and marvel at God’s creation in the microcosm of a single chick, with God’s Grace life goes on as normal here at St. Wilfrid’s. Malcolm Vernone

7 Holy Days - July 1 Henry, John, and Henry Venn the younger, Priests, Evangelical Divines, 1797, 1813 and 1873 3 Thomas the Apostle 6 Thomas More, Scholar, and John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, Reformation Martyrs, 1535 11 Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte Cassino, Father of Western Monasticism, c.550 14 John Keble, Priest, Tractarian, Poet, 1866 15 Swithun, Bishop of Winchester, c.862 15 Bonaventure, Friar, Bishop, Teacher of the Faith, 1274 16 Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, 1099 18 Elizabeth Ferard, first Deaconess of the Church of England, Founder of the Community of St Andrew, 1883 19 Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, and his sister Macrina, Deaconess, Teachers of the Faith, c.394 and c.379 20 Margaret of Antioch, Martyr, 4th century 20 Bartolomé de las Casas, Apostle to the Indies, 1566 22 Mary Magdalene 23 Bridget of Sweden, Abbess of Vadstena, 1373 25 James the Apostle 26 Anne and Joachim, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary 27 Brooke Foss Westcott, Bishop of Durham, Teacher of the Faith, 1901 29 Mary, Martha and Lazarus, Companions of Our Lord 30 William Wilberforce, Social Reformer Olaudah Equiano and Thomas Clarkson Anti-Slavery Campaigners, 1833, 1797 and 1846 31 Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus, 1556

8 6th July Thomas More, Reformation martyr These days, lawyers and politicians are held in the lowest esteem by the public, along with tabloid journalists and estate agents. St Thomas More was both a lawyer and politician, who is today much admired for holding steadfastly to his faith- based principles. He lived in dangerous times, when anyone, even queens, who displeased King Henry VIII could find themselves in a condemned cell in The Tower of London. Sir Thomas More held the office of Lord High Chancellor and at one time was the king’s most trusted adviser. But when King Henry took personal control of the Church in England in order to divorce his first wife, More courageously opposed him. Thomas More was a social philosopher and the author of ‘Utopia’. This book described an imaginary republic governed by an educated elite who employed reason rather than self-interest for the general good of everyone. He was himself one of the pre-eminent scholars of his age. As a Christian theologian he supported orthodox doctrine, vigorously opposed heresy and argued strongly against the new Protestant ideas taking hold in Europe. Although holding the highest political and legal office he was far from being a pragmatic politician and opportunist lawyer. In every matter he was a man who held firmly to what he believed was right in God’s eyes. When Thomas More fell from favour with the king, as a result of his unflinching views, he was falsely accused of taking bribes. When this charge failed, his enemies accused him of supporting a celebrated seer of the times who was strongly critical of the king. This too failed. He was then required to swear to the Oath of Supremacy, acknowledging Henry’s position as head of the Church of England. This he could not do in conscience. He was put on trial and condemned to be hung, drawn

9 and quartered for his treason, a punishment later changed to beheading. He died in 1535 and on the scaffold his final words were ‘I die the King’s good servant, but God’s first.’ He has been officially declared a martyr saint by the Roman Catholic Church. 30th July - William Wilberforce, Olaudah Equiano & Thomas Clarkson During the 18th century many people in England were involved in the campaign to abolish the slave trade. The CofE remembers especially William Wilberforce, Olaudah Equiano and Thomas Clarkson - three very different but all tireless campaigners against the evil practice. Thomas Clarkson (1760-1846) was an Anglican clergyman and one of the most prominent of the anti- slavery campaigners. In 1787 he helped form the first Abolitionist Committee, and his energy and hatred of injustice made him a ‘moral steam-engine’. He travelled hundreds of miles, gathering evidence from people caught up in the slave trade, from ship captains to doctors. Olaudah Equianon (1745 – 1797) had been kidnapped in Nigeria, sold into slavery and sent to the West Indies. When he finally escaped, he made his way to London and became one of the most prominent black campaigners. His brutal autobiography of 1789 ran to nine reprints, and was translated into many languages, bringing home to people the horrors of the slave trade.

10 William Wilberforce (1759 – 1833), of course, became the main figurehead in Parliament. He came from a wealthy family in Kingston- upon-Hull, and represented the town in Parliament. He was recruited by Thomas Clarkson, who saw the need for a brilliant advocate within Parliament. Wilberforce was an inspired choice: not only wealthy and well- connected, but a gifted orator with a social conscience, especially after his conversion in 1785. He made his first speech in Parliament against slavery in 1789, but it was not until 1807, after a debate that raged for many years, that the Abolition Act was finally passed. 7th July St Willibald – the first ever Anglo-Saxon travel writer Where do you go on your summer travels? If you enjoy including a Christian element to your trips, such as making a pilgrimage, or visiting places rich in Christian history, then St. Willibald (d. 876) is the saint for you this month. He was one of the most widely travelled Anglo-Saxons of his time. Willibald began life in Wessex, becoming a monk at Bishops Waltham (Hants). But he obviously had the curiosity that besets all keen travellers – what is it like over there…just over the next hill, round the next corner? And so Willibald set out… for Rome, Cyprus, Syria and above all, Palestine. It was an amazing achievement, just to survive such journeys back in the early 8th century.

11 In Palestine, Willibald made his way round all the Holy Places associated with Jesus, as well as the numerous communities of monks and hermits living there. On his eventual return to Europe, Willibald decided to tell his story. He dictated an account of all his travels to a long-suffering nun, Hugeburc, who wrote it up under the title of Hodoeporicon – the first ever travel book to be written by an Anglo-Saxon After a long stay in Constantinople, the year 730 found Willibald back in Rome, where he settled at the monastery at Monte Cassino. Under his reforming influence, the monastery began to prosper. That got Willibald ‘noticed’, and soon Boniface asked Pope Gregory III to send him on to Germany, where Willibald was made bishop of Echstatt. Here he founded a monastery that became an important centre for the diffusion and development of monasticism. After 45 years as Bishop at Echstatt, Willibald died in c. 786. His relics remain there till this day. 11th July St Benedict (c.480 – c.550) author of the famous Rule St Benedict was an abbot and author of the famous Rule that bears his name. Because of his Rule, Benedict is also the Patriarch of Western Monasticism, and Patron Saint of Europe. Born at Nursia, Benedict studied at Rome, which he then left before completing his studies to become a hermit at Subiaco. After a time disciples joined him, whom he organised into twelve deaneries of ten. After an attempt on his life, Benedict moved on to Monte Cassino, near Naples, where he wrote the final version of his Rule. Benedict’s Rule is justly famous and respected: not only did it incorporate much traditional monastic teaching from revered monks like Basil, but Benedict went on to modify this in a way characterised by prudence and moderation within a framework of authority, obedience, stability and community life. Benedict’s great achievement was to produce a monastic way of life that was complete, orderly, and workable. The monks’ primary occupation was liturgical prayer, which was complemented by sacred reading and manual work of various kinds. Benedict’s Rule became to the fundamental monastic code of Western Europe in the early Middle Ages. 12 Finance Update for St. Wilfrid’s Finance Report to the PCC held by Zoom on 1st July, 2020 7:30pm Peter Green welcomed to the zoom meeting Simon Piatt who will replace him as Treasurer after the APCM, and offered apologies for St Wilfrid’s Independent Examiner Ian Burrows who had intended to join the meeting. Two Financial Reports for the six month period ending 30th June, 2020 were issued to the PCC – the first was the Financial Results of St Wilfrids for the 6 months to 30th June 20 compared with same period 2019 and a separate report showing the six months figures broken down into the March and June Quarters to show the effect of COVID-19 restrictions closing of the church on the financial results, particularly the fall of income and expenditure with a closed church which affected the whole of the June Quarter. Noted for the first 6 mths 2020 and same period in 2019 (2019): 1. Total Income £28,527.47 (£39,834.78) -£11,307.31 -28.4% 2. Total costs £46,451.42 (£49,381.59) - £2,930.17 -5.9% 3. Net Income -£17,923.95 (-£9,546.81) -£8,377.14 -87.7% 4. PG said the figures are not as bad as they may seem because fortunately a new revised Parish Contribution has been agreed with the Diocese to reduce the 2020 figure by 40% from £58,359 to £35,015.40 (PCC agreed at previous PCC meeting on 19th May) this is a reduction of £23,344 in the full 2020 year. 5. The result of (4) is that in the six months of 2020 under review the Parish Contribution already paid is £25,846.20 whereas if the reduced Parish Contribution had been applied over the first six months this would have been just £17,507.70 i.e. overstated the 6 mths charges by £8,338.50. Peter paid tribute to Joel for actively contributing to the Diocesan discussions on COVID-19 and the effect it would have on our finances and ensuring that the revised Parish Contribution for 2020 agreed by the PCC was actually changed to the reduced figure. PG had issued handover notes to Simon and confirmed that they are keeping the QBO accounts up to date jointly using Zoom and shared screens. Peter Green 13 Spiritual Communion An insight by Fr Ray Whelan of what has formed the base of our Sunday weekly Eucharists via Zoom whilst the church is closed to services. Some thoughts about Spiritual Communion when you are participating in the Eucharist, digitally, or even when present but not actually receiving the Sacrament. Don’t we always have a spiritual communion with the Lord Jesus in our hearts? Of course we do, He is always there through The Holy Spirit and especially in prayer, in our bible reading, and most especially in the Sacraments. In His divine nature, Jesus is present everywhere, since God is omnipresent. By the hypostatic union, The Holy Trinity is One God, the persons cannot be isolated. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to in dwell the believer with the spiritual presence of the Holy Trinity. So Jesus lives in us, as does the Father and the Holy Spirit. Therefore we can truly claim that Jesus lives in our hearts – spiritually! In our minds and also in our spiritual life, it is easy to ‘spiritualise away’ the fact that Jesus is in heaven with his full human body, his Risen Body, Blood and Soul and Divinity – glorified, yet in this Body was able to eat, drink, and talk with the Disciples - yes, physically there, spiritually there, completely there. Remember, this He is not there just as a spirit. Otherwise the Bodily Resurrection and Ascension never took place. The Holy Spirit brings Jesus into hearts, inseperably but not indivisibly with the Father and the Holy Spirit who brings the totality of the Godhead. Jesus is present in His real, corporeal and glorified body, in Heaven. In the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus is present in both His human and divine natures, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, transcending space and time, so that Heaven is revealed to earth, Heaven touches earth, discernible by the vision granted by faith. When we hear the words in communion, “The Body of Christ” this is not just a ‘spiritual body’ or the dead body of the Lord, or even a part of His 14 Living Body, but the whole person of our Risen, Glorified Lord in His Living Risen Human Body in both Human and Divine natures – not just a spiritual nature. The Eucharist is a continuation of the Incarnation, when God the Son, Jesus, took a human body from the body of His Mother Mary. His divinity is from God, His body miraculously, from His Mother. I wanted to say ‘Extension’ of the Incarnation, but it is not really an ‘extension’ or even a ‘continuation’ because the Incarnation has never ended. It just IS! When you say, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, then, it says that Jesus is fully present in every sense, in a way that exceeds the way in which He is omnipresent. Or, as it is written elsewhere, it is real not as if other ways are not real, but rather par excellence. St Augustine, in the 5th century described a sacrament as ‘an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace.’ The Church of England has always maintained the importance of the Sacraments and in article 25 states that they are “effectual signs of grace, and God’s goodwill towards us, by the which He doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, (make alive, stimulate) but also strengthen and confirm our Faith in him.” The Eucharist here on earth is not just a sign of this; in the Sacrament of Jesus Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, it is the presence of the new heaven and new earth. It is and was the New Covenant, the New Testament, even before the New Testament Scriptures were put together. It cannot simply be an ‘ordinance’ either. The Eucharist is simply, Jesus. The Eucharist is not merely a ‘symbol’ even in its very deep sense, of investing objects or actions with an inner meaning expressing Christian realities. It goes far beyond that! It is Jesus Himself, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. So, Jesus is spiritually present in the hearts and souls of those who believe. In the Eucharist, He comes sacramentally into our minds and

15 bodies as well. He becomes part of our whole being, and we become part of Him. That is why we crave the Bread of Life. The Eucharist is the continuation of the Incarnation, The Word made flesh, Jesus Himself and we can say with St Paul “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”. (Galatians 2:20) We become what we receive – eat – the divinisation of our bodies as well as our souls and spirits. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria (c. 296– 373), stated his belief in literal deification: "The Word was made flesh in order that we might be made gods. ... Just as the Lord, putting on the body, became a man, so also we men are both deified through his flesh, and henceforth inherit everlasting life." Among our phrases of endearment, we have the phrase, “I could eat you up alive.” It is most often reserved for an infant when a parent wishes to express inexpressible love for his or her child. This metaphor says more about the desire for intimate union between parent and child than the words themselves convey. It lends vividness to the fact (Hilary of Poitiers) that, as the bread of life, Jesus wants to unite himself to us. In his Easter Sermon, 227, St. Augustine exhorts: “If we receive the Eucharist worthily, we become what we receive.” And in receiving Christ, we become one body in him, and through him, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Through receiving the Eucharist, we enter into a unique and personal relationship with the Trinity and with one another, the Body of Christ. Sr. Joan L. Roccasalvo, C.S.J. St. Hilary of Poitiers,(c. 310 – c. 367) a great favourite of St Augustine witnessed to Christ’s bodily presence in the Eucharist. So in the Eucharist, we aren’t just aligned as part of God’s team. We take on the Body of Christ. We become what we consume. If there was any remaining ambiguity about whether or not Hilary understood the Eucharist to be Christ’s literal, physical Body and Blood, there can be none after his comment: “As to the verity of the flesh and blood there is no room left for doubt. For now both from the declaration of the Lord Himself and our own

16 faith, it is verily flesh and verily blood. And these when eaten and drunk, bring it to pass that both we are in Christ and Christ in us. Is not this true? Yet they who affirm that Christ Jesus is not truly God are welcome to find it false. He therefore Himself is in us through the flesh and we in Him, whilst together with Him our own selves are in God.” (St. Hilary of Poitiers) St. Thomas Aquinas once wrote: "Material food first of all turns itself into the person who eats it, and as a consequence, restores his losses and increases his vital energies. Spiritual food, on the other hand, turns the person who eats it into Itself, and thus the proper effect of this sacrament is the conversion of man into Christ, so that he may no longer live for himself, but that Christ may live in Him. And as a consequence it has the double effect of restoring the spiritual losses caused by sins and defects and of increasing the power of the virtues". There have been numerous occasions when actually receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist has not been possible. (Although the last time all public worship was suspended was in the 13th century). There have been a number of occasions in history when the Church, locally, has had to suspend the celebration of public liturgies. This decision is never taken lightly. As a result, the faithful are called to hone their desire for Christ in the Eucharist, trusting that God will commune with their souls. In the Book of Common Prayer the Communion of the Sick states that if a (person), either by reason of extremity of sickness, …….., or by any other just impediment, do not receive the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood……. (they) doth eat and drink the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ profitably to his soul's health, although he do not receive the Sacrament with his mouth. The theology of Spiritual Communion gives us profound insight into the very nature of the Eucharist itself. The Holy Eucharist is actually the source and summit of the Church’s life. Essentially it is the activity of Jesus offering Himself to the Father. In other words, the Eucharist is primarily a sacrifice. The word sacrifice comes from two Latin words

17 ‘sacra’, meaning holy, and ‘facere’ meaning to make. The holy Eucharist therefore is Jesus “making holy” His mystical body, the Church. This is why the high point of the Eucharist is not just the reception of Holy Communion which is highly important, but rather the Doxology “Through Him and with Him and in Him, O God Almighty Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours for ever and ever. Amen!” We have to remember that the Eucharist does not represent a re- crucifixion of the Lord, but joins us beyond time and space to the Sacrifice of Calvary made once and for all in time. We join that sacrifice by offering ourselves, as the Book of Common Prayer says, “And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; ...... (echoing Romans 12:1 “to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship”.) Here, we see the primary purpose of Spiritual Communion, to unite our hearts and souls with the sacrifice of Christ through the Sacrament of the Eucharist, which is not just a mental remembrancing of Calvary but an anamnesis, an active entering into the mystery of Christ’s death, resurrection and glorification. The traditional practice of spiritual communion also teaches us that desire for Christ is a means of communing with Christ. The ancient Church recognized this fact for Christians who were martyred before receiving baptism. Although they did not physically receive baptism, they were sanctified by a “baptism of desire”. Both the Augsburg Confession of Lutheranism and the Book of Common Prayer of Anglicanism affirm that "Baptism is normally necessary for salvation" in accordance with Sacred Scripture: Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, John 3:5, and Acts 2:38. Citing the teaching of the early Church Fathers, Lutherans and Anglicans acknowledge a baptism of desire "where opportunity does not present itself" and a baptism of blood (martyrdom) in "the circumstances of persecution”

18 Their longing to be with Christ allowed them to experience the benefits of the sacrament, even though extraordinary circumstances did not allow them to receive the sacrament physically. The same is true of the Holy Eucharist. St. Thomas Aquinas defines spiritual communion as “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament and a loving embrace as though we had already received Him.” There are many people who are troubled and disturbed by the necessity of suspending public liturgies due to COVID-19. This is understandable. But, we cannot allow it to steal our peace and joy as God’s children. Jesus knows your heart, your will, your desire. Allow that to be a prayer to Him during this time of crisis so that these upcoming weeks may not be a cause of stress, but rather an opportunity for holiness. That is why I recommend using this prayer, whenever you partake of an ‘on-line’ or digital (computer) Eucharist; “My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.” (St Alphonsus Liguori 1696-1787 (aged 90) Another prayer I found on the Internet, is by Mitchell Lewis, a Methodist elder, and alive with us, authored an act of Spiritual Communion, for use in the Methodist tradition: My Jesus, I love you above all things. How I long to receive you with my brothers and sisters at the table you have prepared. Since I cannot at this moment receive you in bread and wine according to your promise in the sacrament of Holy Communion, I ask you to feed me with the manna of your Holy Spirit and nourish me with your Holy presence. I unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from your love. Amen. Another and simpler way of describing it is: ��In His divine nature, Jesus is present everywhere, since God is omnipresent.

19 ��In His human nature, Jesus is present in His glorified body, which is in Heaven. ��In the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus is present in both His human and divine natures, transcending space and time, so that Heav- en is revealed to earth, discernible by the vision granted by faith. May it happen to you, too, each time receive the bread and the wine and the Body of Christ mingles with your precious body and you become what you have consumed. God bless you all and keep you safe. Fr. Ray Whelan

A Start to Re-Opening our Church For Private Prayer At last, after many weeks with a closed church and no public services, on Sunday the 21st June we made a start on a weekly opening of the church for private prayer - to start with just one and a half hours starting at 9:00. All the required social distancing and hand sanitising/washing precautions in place and with seating limited to ten visitors. Entrance was by the west porch door and exit via the south porch. On the first Sunday there were 20 visitors and 19 on the 28th June. A big thank you to all those who prepared the nave (which required stacking all the fabric covered chairs to the sides so that some new easily cleaned plastic covered chairs could be spaced out as required. Our appreciation and thanks to Joel and his team who did the preparations and provided the supervision.

20 21st June 09:00-10:30am

28th June 09:00-10:30am

21 Neighbouring Parish News: Interregnum Vacancies in the Parishes of Aldwick and Pagham When the vacancies in Pagham and Aldwick arose, Bishop Martin suspended both Livings. This was not a punitive action. Rather, it means that the Bishop can work with the Archdeacon, the Venerable Archdeacon Luke and the PCC’s to review options of pastoral for a future pattern of sustainable and expansive ministry. We are living in unprecedented times and the challenges we face have made new demands of us. The deployment of our clergy is one such challenge. However, whilst the financial realities of life are a significant and inevitable factor in our life as a household of faith, the overwhelming priority is the pastoral and sacramental care of God’s holy people, feeding and equipping us all for work of mission and evangelisation. To that end, the Bishop has discussed with the Archdeacon and the Wardens the idea of a secondment of a final year curate to serve both Parishes, and is something that will now take place. Mthr Lucy Sullivan is currently in her final year of curacy in Rottingdean. In order for her to seconded to Pagham and Aldwick she will need to be

22 licensed as an Assistant Curate and it has been agreed that she would be licensed to Bosham to ensure that she has appropriate supervision and mentoring from the very experienced Parish Priest there. However, she will not have any ministerial responsibility in Bosham and her entire focus and energy will be in serving Aldwick and Pagham. This will ensure that both Parishes receive priestly ministry sooner rather than later. There is no obligation on Lucy or the Parishes for her to become Priest in Charge of both parishes in a years time, however we hope that this could be the direction of travel if this year goes well for all concerned. The Archdeacon has made it clear that there will be a need for flexibility and creativity when it comes to reviewing service times and that the current prohibition on public worship affords all parishes the opportunity to review the pattern of worship and plan for how to re-gather when that is possible. Fr Luke will work with Mthr Lucy and the Wardens in this. It is a great blessing that both parishes already have active Lay ministry as well as the generosity of retired clergy to draw upon. Part of the opportunity that the secondment presents is the time to see how the ministry, mission and outreach can be expanded and strengthened across both Parishes. The Archdeacon hopes that the exciting initiative is one that will be welcomed and embraced, and everyone forward to welcoming Mthr Lucy in September.

Gift Aid Envelopes If you are making a donation and pay Income Tax please do use one of the gift aid envelopes as this will increase your donation to the church by 25% at no cost to yourself. Thank You.

Legacy Policy The PCC have agreed a Legacy Policy, and a copy has been placed on the main notice board. Please read it, and if you have any queries, please contact Denis Sheppard or John Wood.

23 Looking at God The Frailty of Life According to one survey, during the lockdown, a quarter of adults in the UK have watched or listened to a religious service and one in 20 have started praying. While the majority of people who contract Covid-19 survive, it reminds us that we are much more frail and weak than we like to think. As the prophet Isaiah says: ‘All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures for ever.’ (Isaiah 40:6-8). Isaiah’s words really resonate at this time. In more normal times we can avoid facing up to our vulnerability, but this pandemic has forced us to recognise our weakness and fragility. However, this shouldn’t lead us to despair or fear; rather it is an opportunity to worship and praise for His constancy and care. In Peter’s first letter he quotes this passage from Isaiah and says, ‘For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God’ (1 Peter 1:23). Peter contrasts our mortality with the eternal Word of God, which bring us new birth and life through the power of the Spirit. Jesus died for our sins and rose again to make us right with God, so that trough faith in Him we can know eternal life. We don’t need to be afraid of our frailty, for God is a dependable foundation on which to build our lives and face eternity. ‘We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree. And wither and perish, but nought changeth Thee.’ (Immortal, invisible, Walter C Smith). Psalm 46 – a psalm of comfort in anxious times Canon Paul Hardingham continues his series on the Psalms. To say that we are living in uncertain times is an understatement! Psalm 46 speaks into our anxiety and fear, just as it did to Israel originally. At this time, we must focus on God, who alone can deliver us in such times.

24 He is our refuge: ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.’ (1). In the midst of our difficulties, God promises Himself to be our refuge, strength and help. A ‘refuge’ is a place of trust, where God promises to protect us. When the whole world is turned upside down, we can come to Him without fear. He is our resource: ‘There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.’ (4,5). Jerusalem was able to withstand enemy attack, because of the water that resourced it. For us, this is a picture of the presence of God’s Spirit, who resources us when we are under pressure. This psalm promises that God’s is with is in all our troubles on a daily basis: ‘The Lord Almighty is with us...’ (7,11). He is our ruler: ‘He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ (10). When we consider all that God has done in the past, we can see the way in which He has worked among us to provide, protect, and deliver us. We are called to ‘cease fighting’ God and surrender our lives to God. Let’s worship Him, as we let go fear and as we depend on Him in this current time of crisis. ‘A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing’ (Martin Luther). Local is back! Peter Crumpler, a Church of England priest in St Albans, Herts, and a former communications director for the CofE, considers the effect of coronavirus on our lives. Odd things have been happening to my world in these past weeks of lockdown. It’s got bigger. I’ve been speaking regularly via the web with friends in Australia and the United States. Worshippers from Canada and South Africa are taking part in our online church services. Other churches are telling the same stories, with increasing numbers of people logging on. It’s got smaller. Even with the relaxation of regulations, many people are still working from home, home-schooling and mostly exercising within walking or cycling distance from where they live.

25 It’s got faster. Arrangements for a funeral in my family were speeded up, with registration and funeral planning carried out over the phone. A doctor’s appointment by telephone significantly cut down waiting time. It’s got slower. Shopping takes longer with queues that people would have complained about before the lockdown. The shops have done a great job to keep the shelves stocked and maintain social distancing. I’ve been thinking about what the long-term impact of the Covid-19 lockdown might be. One of the key outcomes is that local is back. For decades, we’ve been hearing about globalization, and how the world is a much more connected place. It is, and the internet has kept many vital businesses running these past weeks. But we’ve also come to value what’s on our doorstep and in our local streets. Neighbours have become more important. We’re valuing local shops, pubs and restaurants, parks and open spaces. All the people working hard to keep local services going. Christianity is now a major global religion, with billions of followers around the world. But it began local. It began with Jesus Christ, travelling by foot, preaching and healing around a small area of the middle east. From its local roots, the faith spread around the world. Today, churches around the world are deeply rooted in their local communities and are seeking to follow Christ’s example of love and caring. Each of us is rooted into our family, into our key relationships and into where we live. During this pandemic, each of these has grown in importance. Ask Him for ‘pandemic grace’ Michael Oh, Global Executive Director / CEO of the Lausanne Movement, shares some encouragement to those who are facing trouble because of coronavirus. This article has been adapted from a longer article.

26 There are hardships you and your family might be facing, as you try to respond well to the challenges brought about by this COVID-19 pandemic. At the 2nd Lausanne Congress in 1989 in Manila, a Chinese brother shared the story of his imprisonment in a labour camp in China because of his faith. The authorities thought that the best way to reform and torture him was to make him empty the cesspool of human waste. All the human waste collected from the entire camp stagnated in that cesspool. He shared these words: “I had to walk into the disease-ridden mass to empty it, and all the time I had to inhale that horrible stench. My captors thought it was the best place for a Christian leader, but I enjoyed working in the cesspool because I liked the solitude. “In the labour camp, all prisoners were under constant surveillance. None of us could be alone. Only when I worked in the cesspool could I be alone, then I could pray to our Lord as loudly as I wanted. I could recite the Scriptures and psalms of the Bible that I still remembered. No one would come close enough to protest. In those years, one of my favourite hymns when I worked in the pit was ‘In the Garden’. And when I sang this hymn in the cesspool, I understood the meaning of garden, and I knew where God was. I met my Lord in the garden of the cesspool.” That Chinese brother could be thankful for the cesspool. There, he experienced ‘cesspool grace’. That is a grace that can only be experienced in a cesspool. I am sharing this story with you because I think it holds some real perspective for our lives today. Because of coronavirus, you may be facing some very heavy challenges in your life. Maybe it is the loss of a loved one to Covid-19, maybe your business has collapsed, or your job disappeared. Maybe you can no longer pay the rent or mortgage. Maybe you or a loved one is struggling with depression or anxiety and stress. In these days of global pandemic, we are facing circumstances and challenges unlike anything that we’ve experienced before. It is my hope and prayer that, if you are in trouble, you will turn to God and see and experience the unique grace that is offered to you in that

27 circumstance by your Heavenly Father, your faithful Heavenly Father. Anxiety grace. Unemployment grace. Depression grace. Like our brother in the cesspool, in every circumstance, you too can have the opportunity to experience the closeness of God in your suffering in a very unique way. Today, if you feel overwhelmed with the challenges the pandemic has thrown at you, may God would grant to you COVID-19 grace—a grace that you can only experience in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic. May God be with you, my friend. Why sometimes you need a broken heart Brian Draper considers blessing in the pandemic. For details about Brian’s work, visit www.briandraper.org There is a Hasidic tale which evokes Deuteronomy 11:18, and seems especially apt for now: ‘The pupil comes to the rabbi and asks, “Why does Torah tell us to ‘place these words upon our hearts’? Why does it not tell us to place these holy words in our hearts?” ‘The rabbi answers, “It is because as we are, our hearts are closed, and we cannot place the holy words in our hearts. So, we place them on top of our hearts. And there they stay, until, one day, the heart breaks, and the words fall in.”’ It’s often the case that our own breakthroughs seem to happen when we, ourselves, break open, isn’t it? This has been, without doubt, a time of breaking open; if not for us personally, then almost certainly for some of those we know and love. And we’re all affected, in different ways. We’ve all experienced disorientation. We’ve all lost direct contact with people we love. Many still have no physical contact with others. There’s a place for keeping calm and carrying on, but there’s time enough to honour sorrow, too. The words of the Aaronic blessing have flowed so beautifully through the world, in song, this season. So often, it’s when ‘all is well’ that we

28 perceive God’s blessing in our lives. But how resonant, those words, from within a place where all is not? Perhaps we can treasure those words that may have rested gently on our hearts, awaiting the time they fall a little further into place. May we thus be open, within this historic opening. And may, indeed: ‘the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face towards you and give you peace.’ One in 20 starts praying since Coronavirus began Dr Ruth Valerio is Global Advocary and Influencing Director at Tearfund. This article is an abridged version of one which appears on https://www.licc.org.uk/resources/faith-flourishing/ Is the nation turning to God in prayer? Well, not quite yet, but recent research from Tearfund has shown that prayer is more common than many would think, with just under half (44%) of UK adults saying that they pray, and one in twenty (5%) saying they have started praying during the lockdown. In addition, a quarter (24%) of UK adults say they have watched or listened to a religious service since lockdown, 5% of whom say they have never been to church before. Some churches are seeing double, sometimes triple, the number of people watching their Sunday meetings online that would normally attend in person. I am struck by Augustine’s prayer, ‘You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you’. Could it be that as the noise and busyness of normal life have subsided, restlessness has started to surface and, faced with new fears and uncertainties, hearts have started to turn to God? Let this research give you a new courage to offer to pray for people you know who are struggling, or invite them to watch an online service. And

29 let’s also turn our prayers and actions beyond our immediate horizons to remember that we are part of a global community. As fine silver... Here is some encouragement for any of your readers who are going through tough times. Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study. They got to wondering what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest, so as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot, and then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I can see my image in it." If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you. His aim is not to abandon or destroy you, but to refine you - until He sees His image in you.

30 Do you need a new pain killer? Do you ever take pain killers? If so, do you take one for your shoulder, and another one for you knee? Of course not. Once the painkiller enters your bloodstream, it goes everywhere, soothing and damping down the pain, and hitting all the right spots. God works a bit like that on the pain in our lives. He has a prescription for ALL the problem areas of our lives. Most of us carry emotional scars, or a burden, or some heartache, around with us. It may be the trauma of loss, or it may be anxiety for our family. It may be uncertainty over our jobs, and our futures. Whatever it is, God offers us a prescription to help the pain. The psalmist writes: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) Jesus added: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) This kind of help is real and immediate and there for the asking. We don’t have to put up with our dis-ease and struggle alone. God, our heavenly Father, is only a prayer away. Not just twice a day, after meals, but whenever we need him. Smile Lines New version of Apostles’ Creed When our church began live streaming its services, our minister was at first a bit nervous. Still, he kept his cool, and you would never have known he was struggling until he reached the Apostles’ Creed. Then he firmly announced that Jesus was..."confused by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary..." New style of prayer Our minister is still getting used to live streaming our church services. Last Sunday he invited us to join him digitally in prayer by saying firmly: "Let's bow our eyes and close our heads."

31 Crazy? Our minister wanted the title of his next sermon to be posted ahead of time on the church website. He rang our church warden and said that the title was to be: ‘Are Ministers Crazy?’ Not hearing this as a question, the church warden dutifully posted: ‘Our Minister's Crazy.’ Beware As you prepare for the school holidays, remember this: children are natural mimics. They act like us in spite of all our attempts to teach them good manners. Pancakes A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, five, and Ryan, three. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the chance for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'” Quick as a wink, Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be Jesus!" Seagull A father was at the beach with his children when the four-year-old son ran up to him, grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore where a seagull lay dead in the sand. "Daddy, what happened to him?" "He died and went to heaven," the father replied. The boy thought a moment and then asked: "Why did God throw him back down?" Lost in translation Last year, some friends took their six-year-old on a car trip to France. To help pass the time on the way down to the Channel, they encouraged their son to practise his new reading skills by calling out road signs. He fell asleep just before they entered France. When he awoke, he saw the French motorway signs and said in a worried tone, "I think I forgot how to read while I was asleep." Why did God make mothers? Here are some of the answers seven-year-olds gave to the following questions… 32 Why did God give you your mother and not some other mum? God knew she likes me a lot more than other kids' mums like me. What kind of little girl was your mum? I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy. What did your mum need to know about your dad before she married him? His last name.

Why did your mum marry your dad? She got too old to do anything else with him. What's the difference between mums & dads? Mum knows how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

What would it take to make your mum perfect? On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery. Actual complaints received by a resort chain (before lockdown!) On my holiday to India, I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served curry. I don't like spicy food. We booked an excursion to a water park, but no one told us we had to bring our own swimsuits and towels. We assumed it would be included in the price. The beach was too sandy. We had to clean everything when we returned to our room. No one told us there would be fish in the water. The children were scared. It took us nine hours to fly home from Jamaica to England. It took the Americans only three hours to get home. This seems unfair. We had to line up outside to catch the boat and there was no air- conditioning. I was bitten by a mosquito. The brochure did not mention mosquitoes.

33 A Poem by Fr Cecil Champneys Burnham Father Cecil was born This poem is from ‘A Third Book at Brixton Hill in November 1914 and Of Rhythm and Rhymes for went to school at Relaxation’ pubished in 1997 by Belmont College. At Cecil Champneys Burnham, a the end of three years much loved retired priest at St. in insurance he resigned and went to Wilfrid’s. Kings College, It was written to be recited at the London to take a Divinity course and where he became a Bognor Music Club when all the Wordsworth Scholar in Latin. entries sung, played or recited by He was ordained on 24 September 1939 in the members had to have ‘Colour’ Rochester Cathedral and as a deacon he as its theme. served in Sidcup. He was priested in Tunbridge Wells, Pembury, Kent, Great Note in the second stanza a Driffield in East Yorkshire, and subsequently reference to ‘Rex’s challenge’ - a Vicar of Watton with Beswick. Some years reference I believe to Rex Latter later the Archbishop of York appointed him as Vicar of Anlaby. our brilliant organist for many years first at St. John’s and then He married Done in 1945 who died in 1982 in tragic circumstances. St. Wilfrid’s Church. He came back to Sussex, as assistant priest KALEIDOSCOPIC BOY in Heathfield, Rector of All Saints, Hastings, What words would grace this theme Vicar of Westham, Pevensev. Finally Rector of of colour? Harting for four years from where he retired after a heart attack. He went to live in Selsey "Cerulean skies of blue"? where he served as an honorary assistant "The emerald green of foam tossed priest for twelve years during which time he waves"? served two Sequestration periods at Or "Sunset's golden hue"? Sidlesham. In 1989 he went to Gatwick in preparation for an Italian holiday, sat next to Sheila (a long Hyperbole is not my style; serving chorister at St. Wilfrid’s) and married My thoughts fly not so high. her nine months later. His interests over the But yet to rise to Rex's challenge years included amateur dramatics for which I somehow have to try. wrote and took part in sketches and pantomimes. He published three books of his own verse and contributed to many verse I don't pretend the verse you'll hear anthologies. Is anything poetic. Cecil and Sheila settled in Bognor Regis and In honesty I must admit regularly attended St. Wilfrid's Parish Church. It's really quite pathetic. 34 A poor thing this but yet my own. Dad makes me like a Union Jack Rich colours I employ. When I say things untrue. So listen to the puzzled thoughts My bottom's red, my face is white Which trouble one small boy. And I am feeling blue.

"Kaleidoscope" means "Colours A most religious friend of Mum change". Says I'm a wicked varlet. And so do I as well. She tells my Mum my heart is black What colour next I'm going to be Although my sins are scarlet. I cannot always tell. My gran with silver in her hair Declares - so I've been told - I have a friend from Zanzibar My father nearly turned her grey But Who often swims with me. I'm as good as gold. That he is black and I am white Seems very plain to see. When on my summer holidays. The sun comes beating down. Then people look at me and say, And yet my skin's not white at all. "My goodness! Aren't you brown?" At least that's what I think. For when I have my bath each I've had eyes all red with crying night. And black eyes from a fight. The mirror shows me pink. I've had bruises that were purple. But ne'er a conscience white.

I walked upon a frozen lake. When I've bathed, my cheeks are My weight it did not hold. rosy. I started off as white with fright My teeth are pearly white. But ended blue with cold. And when I kiss my mum good night. My hazel eyes are bright. I'm bullied by a boy at school, If with jealousy I'm yellow A great big hulking fellow. And with envy I am green. I dare not fight, I run away. My kaleidoscopic colouring And so he calls me yellow. Must brighten up the scene. Copyright © 2000 [Rev. C. Champneys I'm scarlet with embarrassment Burnham]. All rights reserved. When it's proved that I have lied And turn a sort of sickly green To learn of punishment applied. 35 NewsParish Pump - News

New Archbishop of York to be confirmed Bishop Stephen Geoffrey Cottrell will be confirmed as the 98th Archbishop of York this month. The service, at 11am on Thursday 9th July, will be broadcast entirely via video conference due to the Coronavirus restrictions. The service, which had been due to take place in York Minster, will be in two parts. A legal ceremony with readings, prayers and music, will be followed by a film marking the start of Bishop Stephen’s ministry as Archbishop of York. Bishop Stephen Cottrell says: “I am looking forward to beginning my ministry as the 98th Archbishop of York. This isn’t quite how I imagined it would begin. It is certainly the first time an Archbishop’s election will have been confirmed via video conference. But we’re all having to re- imagine how we live our lives and how we inhabit the world. “These are difficult times. My hope is that through this service the love of God that is given us in Jesus Christ will shine out, perhaps even to those who while never attending a service in York Minster, might have a look online Following in the footsteps of my many predecessors, I look forward to serving our nation and bringing the love and peace of Christ to our world, especially here in the north.” The service will be available on the Church of England website. Arrangements for Bishop Stephen’s enthronement service will be announced later in the year. Gardening Against the Odds? The Conservation Foundation has relaunched Gardening Against the Odds as a virtual network and is getting some excellent interest.

36 As a result, it may be making a radio series soon, featuring some of the projects it has discovered over the years which show how people combat ‘odds’ – mental, physical and environmental – by gardening, even when they have no garden. These people plant seeds which they watch grow, eventually producing growth leading to flowers and fruit. Sometimes they work alone, sometimes there is an opportunity to share, producing a sense of community. All this is nothing new, but many people are discovering the benefits of gardening as a result of lockdown – discovering how gardening can help combat loneliness and depression with a sense of caring and wellbeing sometimes with life changing results. This is a very topical issue and so if you have discovered the benefits of gardening recently – or know someone who has – the Conservation Foundation would love to hear from you as soon as possible. Please contact : [email protected]. Facebook @gardeningagainsttheodds websitehttps://conservationfoundation.co.uk/projects/gardening- against-the-odds/ The Coronavirus, Church & You Survey You are invited to take part in this national survey…details below The Covid-19 pandemic has obviously had a profound effect on churches. The lockdown has severely restricted ministry in areas such as pastoral care, fellowship groups, and serving the community. On the other hand, for those with online access, worship has taken on new and creative forms over the last few weeks. Many clergy and ministry teams have risen to the challenge of operating in the virtual environment. As we pass the most severe period of lockdown, it seems a good time to assess how churchgoers have responded to the experience, and what they think the future might hold. How well have people coped with the pandemic? Has it strengthened or weakened their faith? How has it been for clergy and ministry teams trying to work in this new environment? How have those receiving ministry found this novel

37 experience? Will virtual ministry become part of the post-pandemic landscape, and will this be a good move for your church? We have developed a survey over the last few weeks in discussion with bishops, clergy and lay people which we hope will enable you to record your experience of the pandemic, the ministry you have given or received, and what you think will happen to churches in a post- pandemic world. In an article to launch the survey in the Church Times, the Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, wrote: “This survey is an attempt to go beyond anecdote… It will capture evidence of both excitement and fears for the future, of where stress levels have changed, and whether personal faith has weakened or grown.” This is an online survey, which we estimate it will take you about 20-30 minutes to complete. Most of the questions simply require you to tick boxes, though there are options to specify your particular circumstances, and an opportunity at the end for you to tell us your views in your own words. Alongside questions about the pandemic and ministry there are sections which ask about you: these are important because they will allow us to see how the lockdown is affecting different sorts of people in different contexts. The survey can be completed on mobile phones, though it is more quickly completed on devices with larger screens such as tablets or computers. You can access using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/ycsq9fy2 Please forward this link to any churches or churchgoers you feel might want to take part in the survey and support this research. We should have some initial results within a few weeks and will make these available as widely as we can. The Revd Professor Andrew Village, York St John University [email protected] The Revd Canon Professor Leslie J. Francis, Visiting Professor York St John University

38 Online book of remembrance opened at St Paul’s St Paul’s Cathedral has launched Remember Me, an online book of remembrance for all those who have been living in the UK who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. People of all faiths, beliefs or none are invited to contribute to Remember Me. HRH The Prince of Wales , who recorded a video message, said: “This virtual book of remembrance is here not just to recall our loss and sorrow, but also to be thankful for everything good that those we have loved brought into our lives.” Family, friends and carers of those who have died can submit, free of charge, the name, photograph and a short message in honour of a deceased person via the Remember Me website. The deceased person must have been living in the UK. Remember Me will be open for entries for as long as needed. It is intended that the Remember Me site will become a physical memorial at the Cathedral. Online ‘Talking Jesus’ course FREE during the Covid-19 lockdown HOPE Together has made the hugely popular Talking Jesus course available, rent free, to watch online during the Covid-19 crisis. Roy Crowne, executive director of HOPE Together, said: ‘We have had lots of requests during the Covid-19 lockdown to make the Talking Jesus course available online. There seems to be an increased interest from non-Christians in spiritual issues. People are searching for hope. We want to help equip Christians to tell their story and to talk about the hope we have because of Jesus.’ The Talking Jesus course includes six video-based teaching sessions with inspirational testimonies. To access the course free until end of August visit: www.hopetogether.org.uk/talkingjesus Use your old clothes to help others in poverty Lockdown drove many of us to do a Spring clear-out of our wardrobes. But what do you do now do with the old clothes you no longer want? Charity shops may be closed for the time being, but there’s still a way to donate your old items and support your favourite charities. Just go online and visit Thrift+ . It is an online store where you can buy and

39 donate great quality second-hand clothes. And you get to choose which cause to support when you make a donation. While lockdown measures are in place, they’ve introduced a doorstep collection service, so you don’t need to leave your home to support life-transforming charities. House of Bishops backs phased approach to revising access to church buildings The House of Bishops is continuing to review advice to clergy on the Church’s efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The Bishops have agreed in principle to a phased approach to lifting restrictions with regard to church buildings, in time and in parallel with the Government’s approach, with three broad stages as infection levels improve. An initial immediate phase has allowed very limited access to church buildings for activities such as streaming of services or private prayer by clergy in their own parishes, so long as the necessary hygiene and social distancing precautions are taken. Subsequently it is hoped to offer access for some rites and ceremonies when allowed by law, observing appropriate physical distancing and hygiene precautions. Worship services, with limited congregations meeting, will begin when Government restrictions are eased to allow this. The Bishops agreed that the decision on the timing of when to implement the revised advice on ministers or worship leaders praying and streaming from their church buildings should be made by individual Diocesan Bishops, depending on their local situation. Praying for end to coronavirus crisis, frontline workers and world’s poor British adults are praying for an end to the Covid-19 crisis, as well as for frontline workers and those living in poverty both in the UK and around the world, according to a new poll commissioned by Christian Aid. The research, undertaken by Savanta ComRes, found that one in four (26%) British adults say they have prayed for an end to the Covid-19 crisis since lockdown, while an equal proportion (26%) say they have 40 prayed for people working on the frontline and other key workers since the crisis began. One in five (21%) British adults say they have prayed for people living in poverty in the UK or around the world since the lockdown. The poll also indicated that the Covid-19 lockdown is slightly more likely to increase than decrease people’s faith in God (5% vs. 2%), life after death (4% vs. 2%) and the power of prayer (5% vs. 2%). This was particularly true of younger Brits aged 18-24. Chine McDonald from Christian Aid said: “At times of crisis like the world is experiencing now, faith can play a key part in helping people to cope with daily realities and pressures.” Annual Report for 2019 published by Church Commissioners The Church Commissioners for England, the endowment fund of the Church of England, have published their Annual Report for 2019. Key results include: ● The Church Commissioners made a positive return of 10% in 2019 ● Value of Commissioners’ investment fund stood at £8.7bn (year end 2019) ● Church Commissioners post eleventh successive year of positive returns ● The total return averaged over the past 30 years at 8.5% per annum. ● The Church Commissioners contributed approximately 15% of the Church’s annual running costs. ● In 2019 £19.4m was awards in SDF to 11 projects in 11 dioceses. Free national phoneline bringing worship and prayer Government figures show that 2.5 million people aged 75 and above have never used the internet. And so, to help them, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, recently launched a free national phoneline to bring worship and prayer into the homes of those without access to the internet.

41 Daily Hope, which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England. Click to find out more.

Methodists raise money for struggling Ugandans All We Can, the relief arm of the Methodist Church, is appealing to people to support its Emergency Coronavirus Appeal by doing a 10km sponsored walk. The ‘In Her Shoes’ challenge aims to raise money to buy bicycles for people in rural Uganda, who must spend hours walking to get anywhere. Having a bicycle will be their first step on the long road out of poverty. All We Can says: “During this period of lockdown, with public transport banned, bicycles have been an essential way for communities in rural Uganda to visit markets, health centres, and other services. Support for the Emergency Coronavirus Appeal has helped make regularly sanitised bicycles available for these communities – enabling expectant mothers reach health centres to safely deliver their babies, and families to continue to travel to market, to buy and sell vital food supplies. After lockdown is over, bicycles will continue to change the many lives. You can join the ‘In Her Shoes Challenge’ and raise money for All We Can. Simply create a Facebook fundraiser or a Just Giving fundraising page, and then share it with your friends and family. Details at: https://www.allwecan.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise/in-her-shoes- challenge/

42 Christian Aid’s concern for women during Covid-19 The ACT Alliance, a network of 135 faith-based actors and churches operating in 120 countries, has called attention to the gendered dimension of Covid-19. It is urging that the international community, including churches and religious organisations, should take this into account. Women are afforded fewer rights than men worldwide, and although the disease itself might cause higher mortality amongst men, it is clear that the social impacts of Covid-19 will impact women the most.

Women living in poverty do not have the ability to take time off work, do not have adequate access to housing to self-isolate, and cannot stockpile provisions. Poor women, girls and vulnerable groups are least likely to be able to access healthcare and treatment. The situation will be critical for women migrant workers, women on the move and those living in refugee camps or slums. Daniela Varano, Communications Officer at ACT Alliance said: “Domestic violence cases have risen dramatically as women and girls across most countries have been quarantined, often with their abusers. It is crucial that all governments put in place affirmative actions and inclusive policies that level the playing field.” ACT Alliance, together with its members, has launched a Global Appeal to support the most marginalised communities during this crisis. More killings in Nigeria A recent report from Nigeria claims the latest attacks by Fulani militants killed 620 Christians in the first five months of 2020. The report, by the International Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law (ISCLRL), follows an attack on the Christian village of Gonan Rogo, which claimed 17 lives, including a father, mother and their three young children.

43 The report supports claims by partners of UK-based Release International that the attacks are growing and have the characteristics of an undeclared jihad against Christians. The ISCLRL, an NGO, claims 32,000 Christians have been killed by Islamist militants since 2009. The United Nation puts the figure killed in the conflict in northern Nigeria at 27,000. One of the latest attacks was against the Baptist village of Gonan Rogo in Kaduna State. Armed Fulani militants waited until around midnight on May 12 until the villagers were asleep then set upon them with guns and knives. According to Release’s sister organisation Voice of the Martyrs (USA), the attack on Gonan Rogo was part of a wave of 13 assaults by Fulani militants on villages in Kaduna and Plateau states. ‘The Nigerian government is at best ineffective, at worst reluctant, to prevent these attacks,’ says Release CEO Paul Robinson. ‘Christians in Nigeria have faced an onslaught by Boko Haram terrorists. Now they are having to endure even more deadly attacks by armed Fulani militants. How many more Christian villagers have to die before Nigeria’s military and police take effective action?”

St James the Least of All The Revd Dr Gary Bowness continues his tongue-in-cheek letters from ‘Uncle Eustace’… this was written before lockdown. Beware the spell-checker on your special service sheets! The Rectory St James the Least My dear Nephew Darren When producing material for your magazine or church services, beware the computer spell-checker. We once let our own system check a Christmas carol sheet and, on the night, found ourselves obliged to sing “away in a manager”, mangers apparently being unknown to our machine.

44 If you use special sheets regularly, it seems a law of nature – as with metal coat hangers - that they all intermingle while no one is watching. Thus, on Easter Day, half the congregation will have been issued with sheets for Harvest, which will only become obvious once the service begins. The first hymn will be entirely lost while sidesmen scuttle about looking for replacements only to find that there won’t be enough of them anyway and then the second hymn will be lost while others helpfully wander about church donating their sheets to those looking helpless and then trying to find someone to share with. Never, ever, print on them ‘Do not take home’ as this will only ensure everyone does so. I have sometimes wondered if the instruction ‘Take this sheet home for reference’ would ensure that they stayed neatly arranged in the pews after the service. And if it is a service where babies are likely to be present, be assured that many of the copies will be returned half chewed and coated with bits of whatever the infant had for breakfast. There must be a market for paper treated with a child- repellent flavour for such occasions. Anyone who thinks we are an unimaginative nation should visit a church after a special service to see how many places members of congregations can invent to hide the booklets: under kneelers, neatly folded and hidden inside hymn books, among flower arrangements and behind heating pipes so that no one can quite reach them. They then lurk there reproachfully for the next ten years until mice solve the problem. No, stick to large, hard bound books. They are resistant to teeth and are too substantial to be hidden in pockets. Their only drawback is that they tend to fall victim to the pull of gravity at the quietest moments. Your loving uncle, Eustace 45 Ten Years Ago - St. Wilfrid’s Centenary Celebrations

46 34 Centenary Memories

47 Picture Parable

48 July Maze

49 Bible Bite -

50 Word Search

51 Crossword

Across 1 ‘I pray that out of his glorious — he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being’ (Ephesians 3:16) (6) 4 ‘Saul’s father Kish and — father Ner were sons of Abiel’ (1 Samuel 14:51) (6) 7 ‘Praise the Lord, O my — ’ (Psalm 103:1) (4) 8 See 5 Down 9 Laws (1 Kings 11:33) (8) 13 ‘Who of you by worrying can — a single hour to his life?’ (Luke 12:25) (3) 16 Artistry (Exodus 31:5) (13)

52 17 ‘Your young men will see visions, your — men will dream dreams’ (Acts 2:17) (3) 19 How David described his Lord (Psalm 19:14) (8) 24 ‘If this city is built and its — — restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates’ (Ezra 4:16) (5,3) 25 ‘The holy Scriptures, which are able to make you — for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus’ (2 Timothy 3:15) (4) 26 Intended destination of arrows (Lamentations 3:12) (6) 27 Eve hit (anag.) (6) Down 1 ‘For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find — for your souls’ (Matthew 11:29) (4) 2 Where Peter was when he denied Christ three times (Luke 22:55) (9) 3 Remarkable early 20th-century Indian evangelist, a convert from Hinduism, — Sundar Singh (5) 4 ‘Now the king had put the officer on whose — — leaned in charge of the gate’ (2 Kings 7:17) (3,2) 5 and 8 Across The Lover describes this facial feature of the Beloved thus: ‘Your — is like the tower of Lebanon looking towards — ’ (Song of Songs 7:4) (4,8) 6 ‘Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled — your waist’ (Ephesians 6:14) (5) 10 Trout (anag.) (5) 11 Easily frightened (1 Thessalonians 5:14) (5) 12 The ability to perceive (Ecclesiastes 10:3) (5) 13 One of the clans descended from Benjamin (Numbers 26:38) (9) 14 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who — bread into the bowl with me”’ (Mark 14:20) (4) 15 Resound (Zephaniah 2:14) (4) 18 Traditional seat of the Dalai Lama (5) 20 Precise (John 4:53) (5) 21 Build (Ezekiel 4:2) (5) 22 Beat harshly (Acts 22:25) (4) 23 Darius, who succeeded Belshazzar as king of the Babylonians, was one (Daniel 5:31) (4)

53 Word Search for July

Mary patron repentant sinners contemplative

life seven demons Tiberius galilee

anoint feet follower end Jerusalem

Crucifixion foot St Mary Magdalene, the woman with a past cross tomb It is easy to understand the popularity of Mary Magdalene Body over the centuries: she is the patron saint both of repentant sinners and of the contemplative life. Jesus drove seven morning demons from Mary, who came from near Tiberius in Galilee. faithful humble Mary has also sometimes been identified with the woman devotion who anointed Christ’s feet in the house of Simon. privilege She became His follower to the bitter end. She followed Him to Jerusalem and was present during the crucifixion, standing mankind heart-broken at the foot of the cross. Her love for Jesus did not risen end there, for she went to the tomb to anoint His body on the appeared easter Sunday morning. Such faithful, humble devotion was richly gardener repaid; it gave her a unique privilege among all mankind: she was the first person to whom the Risen Lord appeared on disciples Easter Sunday morning. She thought He was the gardener at return first. obedient Jesus told Mary to go to His disciples and tell them about His resurrection return to Heaven. She was obedient and became the first witness emissary of the resurrection. In those days, the witness of a courage woman was worthless. Despite ridicule, Mary had the courage to speak about Jesus in a place of great disbelief.

54 Mouse Makes

55 Answers for Word Search for June p42

Crossword (on p48) Solution

ACROSS: 4, Arm he. 1, Riches. 4, Abner’s. 5, Nose. 6, Round. 7, Soul. 8, 10, Tutor. 11, Timid. Damascus. 9, 12, Sense. 13, Statutes. 13, Add. Ashbelite. 14, Dips. 16, Craftsmanship. 15, Echo. 18, Lhasa. 17, Old. 19, 20, Exact. 21, Erect. Redeemer. 24, Walls 22, Flog. 23, Mede. are. 25, Wise. 26, Target. 27, Thieve. DOWN: 1, Rest. 2, Courtyard. 3, Sadhu.

56 Answers - Word Search for p47

WE NEED YOUR ARTICLES!

We very much appreciate your magazine contributions - however small or large. The Church Office is closed at present so can you please email contributions to: [email protected]

57 OUR CLERGY

Revd Joel Mennie 01243 930183 Email: [email protected]

Honorary Assistant Clergy

Fr Ray Whelan Fr Mark Everitt PCC Members Churchwardens: Elaine Green, Malcolm Vernone Diocesan Synod Representative: Vacant Deanery Synod Representatives: John Wood, Hazel Barkworth Elected Members: Peter Green (hon treasurer - co-opted), Roger Hollingshead, Stuart Hutchison, Glenda Richards, Keith Richards, Denis Sheppard, Louise Smith (PCC Secretary), Julie Starmer, Hazel Barkworth, Janice Slough (Safeguarding Officer). Public Worship Suspended at St Wilfrid’s Church until Further Notice. We have also closed the Church Office for the fore-seeable future and all enquiries are to be directed via email to [email protected] or [email protected], or by phone to the Vicarage—01243 930183. 58 Contacts During COVID-19 the office will remain closed - PARISH OFFICE contact ☎ 01243 930183 [email protected] Elaine Green ☎ 01243 587825 CHURCHWARDENS Malcolm Vernone ☎ 01243 826725 PCC SECRETARY Louise Smith ☎ 01243 860750

ORGANIST & CHOIRMASTER Chris Wall ☎ 07731 155136

ACTING TREASURER Peter Green ☎ 01243 587825

ELECTORAL ROLL Malcolm Vernone ☎ 01243 826725

GIFT AID OFFICER John Wood, 6a Crescenta Walk ☎ 01243 867510

PARISH MAGAZINE Peter Green ☎ 07540 799346

Julie James ☎ 07909951855 SUNDAY SCHOOL ENQUIRIES [email protected] WIVES GROUP Anne Latter ☎ 01243 868780 Janice Slough ☎ 07971 251994 SAFEGUARDING OFFICER [email protected] STEWARDSHIP OFFICER Denis Sheppard, 5 Parkway ☎ 01243 865465

FAMILY SUPPORT REP Linda Beckley, ☎ 01243 840772

PUBLICITY OFFICER Roger Hollingshead ☎: 07860 794295

WEBSITE Peter Green, ☎ 01243 587825 . https://www.wilfrid.com [email protected]

CHURCH HALL Elaine Green [email protected] ☎ 01243 841275

NYEWOOD INFANTS SCHOOL Anna Wells 01243 823283

NYEWOOD JUNIOR SCHOOL Jon Williams, Brent Road ; 01243 825871 Austen Hindman, Bishop Luffa Close, Chichester BISHOP LUFFA CE SCHOOL 01243 787741

59 Parish Giving Scheme

Have You Joined Yet? Please contact John Wood or Denis Sheppard 01243 865465 about joining St. Wilfrid’s Parish Giving Scheme.

St Wilfrid's 100 Club 100 Club Launch of new scheme deferred As a result of the COVID-19 restrictions on social distancing and a very extensive period where there have been no church services and the church has been shut, it has not been possible to gather in the new membership for the 2020/21 subscription which should have started on 1st June, 2020. It was agreed at the PCC Meeting on the 1st July that as the future move back to normal services is still far from clear, it seems the best idea is to delay any new fund-raising initiative to the new year when hopefully things will be back to normal. One problem is that we have never attracted more than around 50 ish members which means the fund-raising is only around £1,500. There is a need to encourage more members to join and consider other fund-raising ideas that raise more money. Please contact Malcolm Vernone if you have any queries or suggestions..

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