The Parish Magazine of Earls Colne & White Colne Photo by Doug McKenzie . August 2021 Dear Readers, As I write this letter the 19th July is just around the corner, the day that has labelled by many media outlets as ‘Freedom Day’. Since March last year many of our freedoms, that we took for granted, were taken away because of the pandemic, in a bid to keep people safer, and now, the legal restrictions are soon, in most part, to be removed. As I reflect on this, I’m reminded of the phrase, ‘Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should’. Through the Old and New Testaments the Bible is clear that God’s desire is that we love one another, that we care for each other, especially the vulnerable. There are many throughout the country, in our villages too, who are filled with anxiety and fear when they think about the Covid restrictions being lifted. I understand and share the longing for us to regain some sense of ‘normality’ when it comes to such things as social distancing and mask wearing, but we mustn’t ignore the anxiety and fear of the most vulnerable in our communities. We must make sure that we continue to show our love and care for one another, which we have done so well through the pandemic so far, and this may need us to continue to offer up some of our freedoms in the process. At this point I am uncertain what church will look like beyond the 19th July in relation to masks, singing, coffee, drop in’s, Messy Church, etc. We will explore ways in which we can return to some of these life-giving and faith-enriching activities within our church, but we will do so carefully, gradually and with love and consideration for those who are anxious at the thought. These continue to be uncertain and scary times for many. If this is how you feel please do contact us (contact details are printed in this magazine). We are here to listen, to help where we can and signpost you to other sources of support if we can’t. And we will ensure that there is a safe way for you to worship and both contribute to and receive from the life of our church family. With much prayer, www.colnechurches.com 3 On Saturday 26th June in the beautiful surroundings of St Mary’s Bocking Reverend Sharon was ordained Priest, together with Reverends Catherine and Elise, by Bishop Roger. It was a joyous and intimate celebration, tinged with the sadness that, due to Covid restrictions each were only able to have eight guests. Photo by Doug McKenzie Reverend Sharon’s journey began many years ago with an ever-growing inner feeling that God was calling her to ordained ministry. This was confirmed and encouraged by others and it is a privilege to see, even in these last two years, how Sharon has blossomed in her calling. God calls us to many and varied roles. In the Colnes we have an amazing team of people, lay and ordained, who do all we can to share the love of Christ in the life and worship of our community. If you have an inner feeling of what God might be calling you to do, or if you want to explore how to listen to God more clearly, or if you just want to find out more about those questions of faith, Christianity and spirituality, then please do get in touch. Revd Mark 4 www.colnechurches.com Sun 1st 10.00 am Earls Colne # 10.00 am Colne Engaine 10.30 am White Colne 3.00 pm EC Millennium Green Wed 4th 9.30 am Earls Colne Sun 8th 10.00 am Earls Colne # 10.00 am Colne Engaine Wed 11th 9.30 am Colne Engaine Sun 15th 10.00 am Earls Colne # 10.00 am Colne Engaine 10.30 am White Colne Wed 18th 9.30 am Earls Colne Sun 22nd 10.00 am Earls Colne 10.00 am Colne Engaine Wed 25th 9.30 am Earls Colne Sun 29th 10.00 am tbc Halstead Team Service # - streamed on Zoom and The Three Colnes Facebook Page Morning Prayer - Mondays and Saturdays at 9.00 am on The Three Colnes Facebook Page. Would you, or would someone you know, like a visit from a member of our pastoral care team? The team members are: Mrs. Beryl Amy 01787 223486 Mr. Terry Hawthorn 01787 223140 www.colnechurches.com 5 ● Many people can describe transcendent moments in nature where they feel deeply connected to something bigger than themselves and Forest Church is a way to explore that connection within our community. Forest Church is a fresh expression of church drawing on much older traditions when sacred places and practices were outside – but it is also drawing on contemporary research that highlights the benefits of spending time with nature in wild places. Forest Church isn’t just normal church happening outside, instead it attempts to participate with creation. And it isn’t just a fellowship group doing an outside activity: we aim to learn, worship, meditate, pray and practice with the trees, and with all creation. Join us on Sunday 1st August, 3 pm at Earls Colne Millennium Green. You might want to bring a camping chair or picnic blanket and be prepared for the whatever the weather might be. So we can manage the event within any Covid regulations that may be in place please let us know if you intend to come by emailing Helen Sherfield – [email protected] Revd Mark Most mobile phones and other devices will connect automatically to the free Wi-Fi, but if not then look up settings and Wi-Fi and County Broadband should be displayed. Click on and you should connect. 6 www.colnechurches.com Can you sing or play an instrument (even a shaker or tambourine)? Now that we returning to our church buildings for many of our services, we are looking to put together a worship band which will help lead the music once a month in one of our three churches across The Three Colnes. If this interests you and you want to find out more please contact Revd Mark – [email protected] / 01787 220347 a. stunted in growth, thin or meagre b. said of formal, old-fashioned dress c. wet, drizzly and misty a. the dregs at the bottom of a bottle b. the collection of mud on boots c. impacted coal dust in a mine a. the state of being intoxicated b. squeamish or easily upset C. being idle or good for nothing ******************* c. to creep about in a sly way a. a gleam of light a. to be irritable or cross www.colnechurches.com 7 Earls Colne Heritage Museum A Shoemaker’s Diary In 2016 a visitor to the Heritage Museum, John Walmsley, brought with him a diary loaned by a friend in Halstead. The diary contains entries by Samuel Lee, a shoemaker who lived and worked in Earls Colne during the middle years of the 19th century. When the diary begins in 1851 the Lee family are living opposite The Lion in a house with a workshop (now the Colne Valley Butchers and the Graze Delicatessen) which Samuel rebuilt in 1833. (Right) As well as Samuel and his wife, Louisa, the household includes their younger son, Barnard (9) and daughters Sarah (14) and Frances (18). Their two elder daughters have left home. Frances, whom Samuel affectionately calls “Franny”, works with her father, stitching and completing the shoes. Samuel learnt his trade as a “Cordwainer” (the traditional name for a shoemaker which he recorded on his Census return) from his father, Robert. As well as supplying footwear to customers in the village, Samuel built up a stock of items which he sold to a wholesaler in London. Robert accompanied him on those sales trips and, in 1853, they made a profit of £50 from the deal of which Robert took home £40. It was after Robert’s death a year later at the age of 94 that Samuel’s financial problems began because he felt obliged to pay his widowed mother a “pension” out of his own pocket. The diary starts to list the sums which Samuel or one of the children took to his mother, Ann, at Great Tey each week. He was also expected to give his regular customers extended credit. In 1854 William Matthews, the prosperous seed grower who lived at Ashwells in Park Lane,was allowed to build up a debt over a period of nine months for items ranging from 7 old pence to sole a child’s shoe to 15 shillings for a pair of “new button boots” for Mr Matthews himself. Samuel was a member of the congregation at the Baptist Church, which he calls “the Meeting House on the Green”. His own headstone is still in the old graveyard behind the church building. When he needed loans to ease his financial difficulties his main benefactor was William Tawell, the draper who was an Elder of the Baptist Church. It was William’s son, James Augustus, who donated the land for the Burrows Road cemetery in 1890. 8 www.colnechurches.com The diary gives the impression that the Lees were a close-knit family. After Sarah left home to join her elder sister, Mary, as a domestic servant in London, Samuel kept in close touch with the girls, either by visits or by letter. When Mary accompanied her employers on a trip to Europe, he received letters from her posted in Germany and France.