Starlings and Rooks In starlings are mainly seen near the market so GD Representing St Michael’s was very pleased to see 13 in her garden, waiting for their Women's World Day of Prayer service meal! In winter huge flocks Friday 3 March, 2pm and St Chad’s (murmurations) of up to a

MILLION birds can be seen Headingley St Columba URC ’swarming’ in their roosts: a February 2017 60p 'Am I Being Unfair to You?' ”spectacular noisy sight”. For more information visit WWDP website Our new diocese—how’s it going? When I lived in the country there was a larger rookery nearby www.wwdp.org.uk at the Manor. In our garden we see crows, magpies, jays and A message from Bishop Nick St Michael's Stage Group presents...

recently jackdaws – no rooks! Howev- St Michael’s Lunch Club er, when we went to Chapeltown on So much has been achieved since the Diocese of the 2017 pantomime which meets at Muir Court, our “Age Concern” walk * I was Leeds was created two and a half years ago. Bringing amazed to see and hear a rookery. are looking for drivers. If anyone can help together three diferent dioceses was a complex pro- 'Aladdin'

please contact Tony Whatmough. cedure, but we are now part of a coherent body, Jenny Wren whose benefts are being increasingly revealed.

* We also visited St Martin’s The bishops and archdeacons are working closely Church. I thought the tower looked Breaking down the barriers with their areas, and the combined spiritual wealth odd: it was to have had a spire but the ground wouldn’t have support- of 656 churches, over 240 church schools and three 9 - 11 February at 7.30pm ed it. Inside it is reminiscent of St cathedrals has brought increased creatve energy. Tickets from Janet Lewis Michael’s. It is not mentioned in We now have a central ofce in Leeds (complete with Pevsner, my Victorian , or Churches. a charitable cofee shop that’s open to all), a new Loving, Living, Learning Mary Duffty parish share system, new governance and further delegaton of authority from the diocesan bishop to the area bishops. We aim to:

Churches Together in Headingley

Some of the challenges we face include tackling Love God, the world and one another. the fall in clergy numbers, growing our churches and maintaining parish share. It remains vital to reach This photo was taken at this year’s Unity service at Live in the world as it is, but drawn Headingley Methodist Church. Each cardboard box children and young people with the Gospel. represents a barrier between us and God. by a vision of something beter, At the heart of all we do are the values captured in we want to help individuals Hitting the Mark our diocesan strap line, ‘Loving, Living and Learn- and communites fourish.

ing‘. It’s a useful list to check against everything we Friday 10, 17, 24, 31 March and 7 April Lent course from Church of Headingley Methodist Church Hall Bermuda - based on the do. What does that mean for you and your church? Learn when we get things wrong, 12.15pm for 12.30pm Five Marks of Mission. by listening and growing together. + Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds St Chads will be on kitchen duties on 24 March, “The Church exists by and St Michael's on 31 March. mission, just as fire exists by burning” Emil Brunner

Up and coming Traidcraft Stall Dates The 2017 Lent course starts at St Chad’s after the 9.30am service on Tuesday 7th March. For more details please ask 12 February Tony Whatmough. 26 February The deadline for artcles for the March 19 March editon is: Monday 20 February Tribute to Catherine Stewart Church Calendar, February 2017 The Joys of Sexagesima My friendship with Catherine developed in South Africa We sang “Njalo siyathandaza, siyanikela, siyadumisa” – Date Time Services We think of Lent as lasting for forty days, a long when she was based at All Saints’, Pampierstadt, teach- Always we pray, always we give, always we bless. Cath- Sunday 5th 8:00am Holy Communion at St Chad’s period of penitence and self-denial. Originally the preparation for Easter was much shorter ing and taking part in the life of the Anglican parish. Our erine lived out these words to the end of her life. Her life 9:30am Green Communion at St Chad’s than this. It had extended to forty days by the experiences in South Africa had a profound effect on us will continue to reverberate into eternity, like a note in Four before 10:00am Shire Oak Sunday - Parish fourth century, reflecting Christ’s forty days of Lent both: for Catherine, her vocation to medicine and eventu- music, resounding with the generous, exuberant love of Communion at St Michael’s confrontation with temptation in the wilderness. ally marriage to Lesego, a son of Pampierstadt, and for God, which is for all of us. 12 noon Holy Communion at St Michael’s me, ordination. We were each given a Setswana name, Christ’s period in the wilderness is a strong fea- 6:30pm Choral Evensong, both churches Sermon at Catherine’s funeral by Revd Sarah Miller, ture of our Lenten liturgy to this day. The story a sign of inclusion into our communities. Catherine’s was th Lorato – meaning love. St Agnes’ Church, Manchester, May 2016 Sunday 12 8:00am Holy Communion at St Chad’s inspires much of what we focus upon: inward

9:30am Parish Praise at St Chad’s reflection, self-denial, the combatting of tempta- “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see Catherine’s departure last year was moving because she Three before tion – with the purpose of sprucing ourselves up Lent 10:00am Parish Communion, St Michael’s face to face,” says St Paul. “Now I know only in part; leaves behind a six year old son and a husband. She spiritually, ready for our celebration of Easter. 12 noon Holy Communion at St Michael’s then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.” was a young mother of 41 years and had a lot to offer, Half term 6:30pm Choral Evensong, both churches Catherine had a gift for friendship. She had an extraordi- week begins Lent used to begin on a Sunday (now the first both here and abroad. Catherine gave of her best to live 8:00pm Worship on the Edge at St Chad’s Sunday of Lent). If you count forward from that, nary number of friendships into which she poured great the Gospel to the full. Before the illness struck she was there are forty days until you get to Good Friday. love and commitment. There was a sense in which we Sun 19th 8:00am Holy Communion at St Chad’s never fully knew her; there was element of mystery about planning to move back to South Africa with her family to In Latin the Sunday that started these 40 days 9:30am Parish Communion with baptsm was called Quadragesima, ‘fortieth’ — that is, Catherine. Only God, her creator knows Catherine fully – serve in her capacity as a medical professional. Cathe- Two before of Liliandra Schofeld at St Chad’s the fortieth day before the Redemption. and now she fully knows God in his perfect love: rine was generous and did not cling to her possessions. Lent 10:00am Parish Communion, St Michael’s In the fifth century the practice grew up of count- Catherine had a gift for bringing people together. In Ox- This sermon about her is a faithful account of her life. Half term 12 noon Holy Communion at St Michael’s ing fifty days before Easter, by analogy with the ford she arranged for Cardinal Basil Hume and Archbish- The full text is available from either Tony or Tom. week ends 6:30pm Choral Evensong, both churches fifty days between Easter and Pentecost. This op Desmond Tutu to meet each other. She had great in- th Sunday, the fiftieth day before Easter, was called Gwen Richards Sunday 26 8:00am Holy Communion at St Chad’s tellectual gifts. She was equally at home talking about Quinquagesima, using the Latin word for science, politics, Theology, literature (she read widely – 9:30am Parish Communion with baptsm ‘fiftieth’. This works if you count from the Sunday The editor offers sincerest apologies Proust was amongst her favourite authors); she was a Sunday next of Hedley Smith at St Chad’s preceding the first Sunday in Lent, and continue linguist, fluent in French and Setswana. She had great for the delay in publishing this sermon before Lent 10:00am Parish Communion, St Michael’s up to Easter Day: a precise parallel with the fifty gifts as a doctor, and in her specialism in sexual health. 12 noon Holy Communion at St Michael’s days from Easter to Pentecost.

6:30pm Choral Evensong, both churches Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not worry about what you In the sixth century this anticipation of Easter will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.’ Cathe- was taken a step further when the Sunday rine always loved simply, she wasn’t into “stuff”. She before Quinquagesima Sunday came to be would have clear-outs and give away things she hadn’t called Sexagesima, being Latin for ‘sixtieth’. used for a time and didn’t need. She shopped frugally This ‘counting in tens’ did not work so well, since and ethically; she never wasted anything. Jesus speaks it was only seven days before Quinquagesima. of investing in lasting things – in love of God and love of A similar extension by analogy named the neighbour. If we invest in these our hearts will be right. Sunday preceding Sexagesima Sunday as Catherine invested in people: in her family – her parents Septuagesima Sunday (Latin ‘seventieth’). This and wider family, in Lesego and Tolamo, into whom she instance of ‘counting in tens’ was even more poured her great love and energy of mind, body and spir- approximate than it was for Sexagesima. it; in her friends, her colleagues and patients; she invest- In the seventh century the beginning of Quadra- ed in her relationship with God through her life in the gesima (i.e. Lent) was brought forward a few Church – at Magdalen College Chapel, Oxford; at All days, to the Wednesday before Quadragesima Saints’, Pampierstadt; here at St Agnes’ and at St Sunday to allow for forty fasting days in Lent Michael’s, Headingley in Leeds. (since the Sundays in Lent are not fasting days).

‘Do not fear for I have redeemed you; when you pass The use of Quinquagesima, Sexagesima and through the waters, I will be with you.’ Catherine’s rela- Septuagesima continued after the Reformation tionship with God strengthened and sustained her as you will see if you look at the Book of Com- through times of joy and of pain, the death of her brother mon Prayer – though you will look in vain for Alastair, and in the last six years of her illness. these Sunday names in Common Worship. Catherine knew the grace of God and her spirit of faith and love was constant, even through suffering. Joyce Hill My Family and Other Churchwardens Captain David Phillip Hirsch VC

David Hirsch was the son of Harry and Edith Hirsch of Kearsley Spinning Company, now defunct and demolished. Next up is Mum’s younger brother Jack. Having wor- Grove. He was a keen cricketer. He served Grandad worked there, bare footed, as a Master Mule shipped as a teenager at St Philip’s they bought a house in with the Prince of Wales’s Own 4th Battalion. He was Spinner untl he retred through ill health in 1942, four St Bartholomew St, literally opposite the Church. There killed in action at 9am on St George’s Day 1917. The years before his death aged 58. Dad worked there in the Jack became a Sidesman, Chief Boiler Stoker and then following is an extract from the London Gazette, dated Card Room from his fourteenth Birthday untl, afer years Churchwarden. I was confrmed there. Just imagine, my 14 June 1917: of Night School, he lef and went to University, aged 23. Uncle and Godfather escortng, with his Pole, my Bishop as “Captain Hirsch, although twice wounded, returned they trolled round the Church at my Confrmaton. In 1964 I too worked at Kearsley, on a vacaton job. The over fire swept slopes to satisfy himself that the defen- Carder, who had known Grandad for six months back in When St Bartholomew’s closed and was knocked down, sive flank was being established. Machine gun fire was 1942 announced, as soon as he saw me, “The Bur- Jack returned to St Philip’s. Gran accompanied him to his so intense that it was necessary for him to be continu- tonwoods are back”. Whereupon most of the older female frst service wearing an appearance of sanctty that only ously up and down the line encouraging his men to operatves told me that, if things had worked out, they Grans on missions of great importance can adopt. Jack be- hold the position. He continued to encourage his men could have been my Mother. came a Sidesman and, during an interregnum when Lay in the face of machine gun fire until he was killed…” Now Grandad was the frst in my family to hold Ofce in Reader Dad was Chairing the PCC, Churchwarden. At 12 noon on Thursday 27 April we will unveil a commemorative stone at the St Chad’s War Memorial the Church. He was a Sidesman at St Peter’s, Farnworth, Jack followed the family trend and died at the age of 62. dedicated to the memory of David Hirsch VC. The ceremony will include an overview of David Hirsch’s life, but a Sidesman with a diference. During the Depression A couple of years later Mum picked up the Warden’s Pole, the formal citation, and finally the dedication of the commemorative stone. All wishing to attend are encour- he always put a half-crown on the Plate “pour encourager St Philip’s frst Lady Churchwarden. Shorter than Pat and as aged to be at the Church by 11.45am in time for the procession down from the Church to the War Me- morial. We hope to be all gathered at the War Memorial for a prompt start at 12 noon. les autres”. Grandad could speak, but not read or write, heavy as me, Mum, with her formidable untrained intellect fuent French. That’s WWI and French pubs for you. He (she too went into the Mill aged 14) must have been a With thanks to Elizabeth Johnson for the photo and extract, cited in research into the St Chad’s War Memorial was in the Royal Artllery and never advanced beyond the sight to behold at PCC, Deanery and Diocesan meetngs. rank of Gunner. He always swapped this half-crown for a Certainly I could never say No to her. God knows I tried. Leeds Pilgrimage 2017 sixpence that he could ill aford before the Plate was To be contnued What keeps us walking the Leeds Pilgrimage? “The shared “ofered to God.” Brian Burtonwood experience of friendship, intenton focused on pilgrimage … Our next Sidesman was Dad, at St Philip’s, Bolton. For You never know what’s going to happen next! … some odd reason, he declined invitatons to be Church- It’s a great tme to stop and refect—alone, or with others … The seasons changing in front of our eyes” warden, remaining a Sidesman untl called to train to be a Lay Reader (partly in grattude for our Vicar’s coaching of Walking from Swilllington to Methley we were wel- Photo credit: Tom Lusty, comed by rural Christans at St Mary’s, , me in Latn). All our Sidesmen had served in the Forces. To Photo credit: Pippa Woodhams, snowdrops at Swillington who hold early morning Eucharist and refreshments see them literally march up in two ranks with their Col- pilgrim route from Swillington on Wednesdays, and great enthusiasm for their foral lectng Bags on Sermons Sunday would have made the decoratons. A team were clearing the ground for the bountful snowdrops, shared Drill Sergeants of the Brigade of Guards green with envy. at their Snowdrop Festval on 25 February. “From the Registers” In those days in Bolton, not only did Vicars and Church- Bright lights and visions We walked on the day of the feast of the Conversion of wardens atend the Archdeacon’s Visitatons ,but also Saint Paul, pondering the nature of our own nature-based visions, as we enjoyed Sidesman had to be formally sworn in too. All Churches the blinding light of winter sunshine. It was also the fnal day of the Week of Pray- atending a Visitaton at Bolton Parish Church booked their er for Christan Unity, and we started out with refectons on themes of pilgrim- own Private Room at a local hostelry for an afer service age. We are an ecumenical group, open to anyone who wants to join, and conver- satons refected our own small desire for Christan unity. “Drinking do.” Unlike Grandad and me, Dad rarely partook of alcohol. Dad always came home, post Visitatons, some- Waters and waders Near Swillington, alongside the river Aire, its parallel canal, what inebriated afer a couple of halves, or that’s what he and large pools or lakes, lies the St Aidan’s bird reserve. Due to ownership dis- always told Mum he had had. putes, this beautful former colliery country is not an RSPB reserve yet, but is open to public access. It is a fabulous place to get lost among the pools and water chan- Confirmed at St Chad’s by Bishop Later, St Philip’s “dos” were favoured by the presence of a nels, watching waders, owls, starling murmuratons, and in spring hearing the Paul on Sunday 22 January: new(ish) Archdeacon. He had sung next to Dad as a boy in booming of biterns. We concluded our Pilgrimage at The Rivers MEET cafe in Juliette James St Peter’s Choir. Dad went into the Mill whereas the Arch- Methley for home made food at its best! Tom Hawthorne deacon had entered the Ministry, but they remained frm Join us for Wedge 6 of Leeds Country Way, on Wednesday 23nd February. We will friends untl Dad’s death. The Archdeacon was one of a be walking on from Methley to Carlton and beyond. Please phone the Leeds Leanne Hawthorne large group of Clerics who ofciated at Dad’s Funeral. Church Insttute on 0113 391 7928 for tmes and bus details. John Bradbrook The Millennium Resolution Morning Prayer Disasters Emergency Commitee Appeal for Syria and the Yemen I jump up and greet you, King of High Heaven. You are my maker, the stars and the sun, Several months ago I became obsessed with the news image of the little five year old boy, Omran Daqneesh, in you are my lover, restorer and healer, Aleppo, pulled out of the rubble of a bombed building my joy and my freedom, you are the One. and placed, bleeding and alone on an ambulance seat. I felt powerless as I longed to reach out and comfort I stand up to meet you, King of High Heaven, him. The idea of somehow sending "angels" to attend to all that I think stands to reason, stands to meet you, him and be by his side came into my mind's eye, and I all that I say speaks to pardon, speaks to seek you, knew that I needed to "speak" with my painting to share all that I act infected by fun. these feelings and bring angels to comfort Omran.

For you are the frstborn of all thoughts, all reason; The depiction of angels interacting with humans has been used throughout history. I am grateful for the work you make the frst thought before it’s begun, of Andrei Rublev and William Bouguereau for inspiration you make the frst move before it’s in season, in helping me find the right note for the angels in this you hit the jackpot when the wheels haven’t spun. work. Painting this was the only way I felt empowered in the face of such insane world events. As you view this So I rise up and praise you, King of High Heaven, painting, may the ideals communicated therein bring to utering words that are not my own; you joy, hope and peace. for your coming among us, King of High Heaven, Judith Mehr When John Bradbrook (recently confrmed at St fesh of our fesh, and bone of our bone. Omran, Angels Are Here! St Michael’s is supporting this Emergency Appeal Chad’s) moved into his fat in 2004 he tried to dec- Judith Mehr © 2016 http://judithmehr.com over the coming weeks orate the place with pictures and press cutngs. One of these was the Millennium Resoluton which had pride of place on top of the cooker. St Chad’s Silver Eco Church Award is First for Leeds Episcopal Area

John read out the resoluton as a prayer at the St Chad’s has recently gained a Silver Eco Church confrmaton service. John writes: “In a way I think Award. It was presented by the Bishop of Rich- mond, Paul Slater during a confirmation service at that the Millennium Resoluton is needed now St Chad’s on Sunday 22nd January 2017. more than ever. We live in troubled, uncertain tmes and this Resoluton is a clear statement of Spearheaded by the Green Team, St Chad’s has previously worked for and gained three awards un- faith that people can hang on to”. der the Eco Congregation scheme. The Eco Church Award launched in February last year replaces the Eco Congregation scheme. It is run by A Rocha UK, a Christian charity working for the restoration of the natural world. Churches complete an on-line survey about how they are caring for God’s earth in five key areas: Worship and teaching; Management of church buildings; Management of church land; Community and global engagement; Lifestyle. “Morning Prayer” won a competton in 1999 by The answers a church provides collect points to- Bishop Paul with Revd Tom Lusty and some members of the the Student Christan Movement. Entries were en- wards an Eco Church Award. The St Chad’s award St Chad’s Green Team – (left to right) Alan Griggs, Mary Hen- derson, Katie Fabri, Helen Cruickshank, and Mike Willison. couraged to address the fourth theme of the reso- is the second Silver award in the Diocese after St James’, Baildon. It is the second award in the Leeds Mike Willison, one of the founder members of the luton, “delight in the good”. It was published in a Episcopal Area after the Bronze gained by St Ed- Green Team at St Chad’s some 15 years ago said, mund’s, . collecton of poems enttled Let there be: praying “It is a great honour for St Chad’s environmental the new millennium (McCrimmon Publishing Co, Bishop Paul, who chairs the Diocesan Environment work to be recognised in this way, and a testament 1999) in the secton “Delight in the Good”. Group, said, “I’m really pleased to be able to pre- to the tremendously hard work put in by Suzanne sent St Chad’s with the first Silver Eco Church Dalton leading our Green Team over the years. It is I wanted to write something with an incarnatonal Award in the Leeds Episcopal Area as their contri- sad Suzanne could not be with us today as she has recently moved to Oxford to be near family.” and Celtc feel to it. bution to caring for God’s creation. I would really encourage parishes and individuals to make use of Further information is available via the Eco Church the free on-line resources provided by Eco Church. website http://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/