ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, HAVERHILL, SUFFOLK / 2018- SUGGESTED DONATION - £1 BLESSED BE GOD FOREVER

Church Contacts: Lenten Talks 2018 Rector:: Revd Canon Ian Finn [email protected] The season of Lent in the Christian Church year is a time for reflection.

01440 708768 / 07981371732 On Ash Wednesday (14th February) the people who come to church to receive ashes Assistant Priest: on their foreheads as a sign of repentance (saying sorry) and forgiveness offered by Revd Canon Graham Owen God for our sins. The time from Ash Wednesday until : Palm Sunday (25th March) , Good Friday (30th March), Easter Day (1st April), is a traditional time for [email protected] reflecting on our lives, our faith and how we put that faith into practice in our lives, 01787279172 and the values that we live by. Benefice Missioner: So the Haverhill Lent Talks will help us reflect on how people in our Haverhill com- Capt. Andrew Payne munity, express their faith and values in their lives. [email protected] As you can see I have managed to get a range of different points of view and ways of expressing the Christian faith. 01440 762871 I am especially pleased that Matt Hancock, as a newly appointed Secretary of State Churchwarden: and member of Government and the Cabinet, has accepted my invitation to speak.

David Bone The format will be: 40 minutes including a couple of hymns and a reading (chosen [email protected] by the speaker). A couple of prayers, then the speaker will talk about the theme ‘My 01440 763118 Work, My Faith’ for between 10 and 15 minutes. There will be no question and answer session! I want reflection not argument or Churchwarden: disagreement. The speaker has a right to their views and expression of values as Jane Eccleston they express them. [email protected] Refreshments will be served afterwards in the church with a chance to meet the 01440 702307 speaker. Magazine Editor: St Mary’s as you know, is a warm and friendly meeting place. The central heating will be on, chairs are comfortable. There is accessibility for all. Martyn Richardson I think this will be a good time of Lenten reflection for people of faith, or not, to [email protected] come and hear some public figures, and people who put faith into their work and life 07564336485 values. RECTORY RAMBLES February 2018 St Mary’s Church

Dear friends, Haverhill

In 1989 Tim Berners-Lee invented the worldwide web and computer networks Lent Talks started to be used by the general public, rather than just by scientists. Today about eighty to ninety per cent of the adult population in the developed world 2018 uses the internet, and it is just about as easy to communicate with a friend on the other side of the world as it is with your next-door neighbour – especially with the MY WORK …… MY FAITH rise of social networking sites like Facebook. These days, if you find someone who has something interesting to say, you can tell hundreds of like-minded people in your social network about it in the click of a button. And they in turn can pass the message on to their friends.

Are we as Christians making good use of our social networks, wheth- Short talks on how Faith affects work er online or in person? Who do we know who might be receptive to Sundays during Lent at 4pm meeting ? Who do we know might be lonely or feeling lost in this busy and confusing world. Who can we share the news with? 18 th February: Councillor Mrs Maureen Byrne And if they object, as well they might, perhaps we should resist the (Town Councillor & Union worker) temptation to argue, persuade or criticise, but simply invite them th like the disciple Philip said to his friend Nathaniel, to “Come and 25 February: The Rt. Hon. Matt Hancock MP see.” (Secretary of St ate for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport & our local Member of Parliament)

Come and see, come and find out who Jesus is and how much He wants to love 4th March: Major Linda Squirrell you more, if you will allow Him. (Salvation Army and experience of working with the homeless)

18 th March: Mr Henry Wilson God (Haverhill Reach Projects including the Foodbank) bless. Short 40 minute service with 15 minute talk included. Refreshments served afterwards for a chance to talk to the speaker.

Father ALL WELCOME Ian (Rector)

Do you find it difficult to talk about your faith?

If a stranger asked you why you go to church, what

would you say?

FAIth pictures is a 6 week course to enable you to do this with confidence

Coming soon at st. marys Start date to be announced St. Mary’s Church Women’s fellowship PRAYER with LAYING ON of HANDS The fellowship meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 2:30pm in the church community area. Mrs. Betty Jennings is our Chairman. Mrs. Barbara Gibbs is our Treasurer, and Mrs. Moira Lovell the Secretary.

In the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ who We enjoy a varied calendar of events, last year our Annual social event took place in May when members and guests were entertained by the U3A Choir and their con- laid His hands on the sick that they might ductor Charles Shipp, a raffle was held with the proceeds being donated to Christian Aid. Included in the programme over the past year we have enjoyed talks given by be healed, I lay my hands upon you. church members and guest speakers, they have spoken on a variety of subjects in- cluding; “The duties of being and the responsibilities of a Church Warden.” An ex- May Almighty God bring you healing, police officer spoke of his career in the Metropolitan Police Diplomatic Department. Father Graham gave an interesting talk entitled - Our Church - how did it come to wholeness for body, mind and spirit. look like this? To illustrate his points he showed us many photographs of churches built over the centuries. Jane Eccleston showed s short film and spoke on the Great I pray this with you in Jesus’ Name. AMEN Abington land settlement scheme where her family farmed. In November, Mrs. Jackie Lawrence came to demonstrate and teach us how to make Christmas cards. After the talks we enjoy refreshments and a good chat, the afternoon ends around 4:15.

We held our Annual lunch in July and also met at Christmas. The year concluded with our Annual service which was held in church and celebrated by Captain Andrew Payne, Richard Hart played the organ. This included the familiar Christmas Bible readings and our favourite carols. After the service we retired to the community area for refreshments and secret Santa.

If you would like to join our friendly group or would like more information about our activities, please feel free to have a word with either Barbara Gibbs, or myself (Moira Lovell) or just turn up on Tuesday 6th March which will be our AGM. You will certainly be made most welcome.

Moira Lovell Secretary THE WINNERS OF THE PRESTIGOUS LITTLE ERNIE

JANUARY 1st Becky Espin 2nd Diana Allin 3rd B. Espin

February 1st Claudette Lyons 2nd Chris Hart 3rd Barbara Gibbs

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S

© MARTYN RICHARDSON 4 ST.MARYS CHURCH

FESTIVALS OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ENGLAND FOR FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY 1ST

Brigid of Kildare, Abbess of Kildare, c.525

FEBRUARY 2ND

THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE (Candlemas)

FEBRUARY 3RD

Anskar, Archbishop of Bremen, Missionary in Denmark and Sweden, 865

FEBRUARY 4TH Gilbert of Sempringham, Founder of the Gilbertine Order, 1189

FEBRUARY 6TH

The Martyrs of Japan, 1597

FEBRUARY 10TH

Scholastica, sister of Benedict, Abbess of Plombariola, c.543

FEBRUARY 14TH Cyril and Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs, 869 and 885

FEBRUARY 14TH Above: Herbert’s “Easter Wings” printed sideways on facing sheets of paper. Valentine, Martyr at Rome, c.269 Below: George Herbert’s beloved church in Lower Bremerton, Salisbury. FEBRUARY 15TH Sigfrid, Bishop, Apostle of Sweden, 1045

FEBRUARY 15TH Thomas Bray, Priest, Founder of the SPCK and the SPG, 1730

FEBRUARY 17TH Janani Luwum, Archbishop of Uganda, Martyr, 1977

FEBRUARY 23RD Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, c.155

FEBRUARY 27TH George Herbert, Priest, Poet, 1633

George Herbert (3 April 1593 – 1 March 1633) was a Welsh-born poet, orator and Anglican priest. Herbert's poetry is associated with the writings of the metaphysical poets, and he is recognised as "one of the foremost British devotional lyricists." Born into an artistic and wealthy family, Herbert was largely raised in England and received there a good education that led to his admission in 1609 as a student at Trinity College, Cambridge. He went there at first with the intention of becoming a priest, but when eventually he became the University's Public Orator he attracted the attention of King James I. In 1624 and briefly in 1625 he served in the Parliament of England. After the death of King James, Herbert's interest in ordination renewed. In the middle of his thirties he gave up his secular ambitions and took holy orders in the Church of England, spending the rest of his life as the rector of the little parish of St Andrew’s Church, which is located in the Town of Lower Bremerton, Salisbury. (see image opposite)

He was noted for unfailing care for his parishioners, bringing the sacraments to them when they were ill, and providing food and clothing for those in need. Henry Vaughan called him "a most glorious saint and seer". Never a healthy man, he died of consumption at the early age of 39. The event is described in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:22–40). According to the gospel, Mary and Joseph took the Infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days (inclusive) after his birth to complete Mary's ritual purification after childbirth, and to perform the redemption of the firstborn son, in obedience to the Torah (Leviticus 12, Exodus 13:12–15, etc.). Luke explicitly says that Joseph and Mary take the option provided for poor people (those who could not afford a lamb; Leviticus 12:8), sacrificing "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." Leviticus 12:1–4 indicates that this event should take place forty days after birth for a male child, hence the Presentation is celebrated forty days after Christmas.

Upon bringing Jesus into the temple, they encountered Simeon. The Gospel records that Simeon had been promised that "he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ" (Luke 2:26). Simeon then uttered the prayer that would become known as the Nunc Dimittis, or Canticle of Simeon, which prophesied the redemption of the world by Jesus:

LORD, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace; according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people: to be a light to lighten the gentiles and to be the glory of Thy people Israel (Luke 2:29–32).

Simeon then prophesied to Mary: "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:34–35).

The elderly prophetess Anna was also in the Temple, and offered prayers and praise to God for Jesus, and spoke to everyone there of His importance to redemption in Jerusalem .

Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Presentation at the Temple by Ambrogio from the Sherbrooke Missal Lorenzetti, 1342 (Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence).