THETrinity TIMES

The Parish Magazine of Holy Trinity Church, Henley-on-Thames

May 2021 THE VICAR’S LETTER

Dear friends,

The celebration of Whitsun, or Jesus and give gifts to equip our Pentecost this month could be witness. For the disciples the described as a birthday party for the experience of this power was Church, as we remember the gift of overwhelming. It was essentially an the Holy Spirit to the first disciples encounter with God’s love. For us, (Acts 2:1-13). this can be equally emotional or quiet (we are all different), but all are What are we celebrating? included, and nobody is excluded from this experience. God’s Promise: The disciples obeyed Jesus’s God’s Purpose: instructions as they gathered in the The disciples ‘ began to speak in other Upper Room : ‘Do not leave tongues as the Spirit enabled them.’ Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my (Acts 2:4). The Spirit empowered their Father promised’ (Acts 1:4). They met witness, so that everyone heard them expectantly in prayer for God’s speaking in their own ‘native promised gift. Just as we look forward language’ (lit: dialect, v8). We all have to birthday presents, how eager are different stories to tell of God’s activity we to receive more of the Spirit in our in our lives and they are all valuable. lives? (Often we don’t believe this!) It’s then the work of the Holy Spirit to translate God’s Power: our words in a way that those around ‘All of them were filled with the Holy can understand, and His job to take Spirit’ (Acts 2:4). The disciples even our stumbling words to reach needed the power of the Spirit to be the hearts of others. At Pentecost, different: not fearfully gathered behind 3,000 people were added to the locked doors, but energized to make church in one day! What do we Christ known. The Holy Spirit can expect of the Holy Spirit in our day? transform our lives into the likeness of Best wishes. Duncan The Reverend Duncan Carter

2 Trinity at Four update

Dear friends,

Jesus and the church confess Jesus to be his saving king. Many other 'stones' would be laid on "And I tell you that you are Peter, and top of him. And so, the most important on this rock I will build my church, and thing to appreciate about Jesus' the gates of Hades will not overcome manifesto for church is that 'church' is it." (Matthew 16:18) not primarily an institution, and certainly not a building. Rather, it is a In these forthright words, Jesus family of people who together with launches his manifesto for the church. Peter confess Jesus to be their saving Whatever we may think about church, king. Like Peter, these people are here Jesus makes his own view on weak and flawed, and yet precious the matter plain. and loved by God on account of Jesus, and being built together into a 1. Church is Jesus' people 'spiritual house' (1 Peter 2:4-5), God's Jesus gives Simon the fisherman a dwelling on earth, his people. new name, Peter, derived from the greek term for 'rock'. As we read on in 2. Church is Jesus's plan Matthew's gospel it becomes clear Jesus couldn't be clearer about his that this is not a reflection of Peter's intentions: "on this rock I will build my own personal strength; he would church". Jesus's plan is not to rescue famously deny Jesus' three times. a collection of scattered and Jesus gives Peter his name not disconnected individuals. But rather to because of anything about Peter rescue a people , who will make up his himself, but because of the role he church. Church is central in Jesus's would fulfil. Peter would be the rock- plans to grow his perfect and eternal like foundation on which Jesus kingdom. He even gives his people would build his church. So what made the most awesome responsibility to Peter a suitable foundation? The guard and proclaim the saving gospel preceding verses give us the answer: by which people can be welcomed into this kingdom: "I will give you the “But what about you?” Jesus asked. keys of the kingdom of heaven; “Who do you say I am?” whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you Simon Peter answered, “You are the loose on earth will be lost in heaven.” Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:19). The 'keys' here are the (Matthew 16:15-16) gospel message, which when proclaimed comes with God's Peter, for all his weaknesses, is the authority to call people into his first person to publicly confess who kingdom. Jesus is; that he is God's Messiah- the rescuing king promised in the Old We might think the church looks Testament. Peter, like the first stone rather small and weak, but let's not laid, was the first, but not the last to

3 forget the central role the church has other blemish, but holy and in Christ's plans for the world. blameless.

3. Church is Jesus's passion Church is Jesus' people, his plan, his You can hear the passion in Jesus's passion. And this means that if voice as he declares, "and the gates Christians are to be 'Jesus’s people', of Hades will not overcome it." Here we will also need to be 'church’s speaks one who is as passionately people'. We cannot claim to love and committed to his church as a new follow Christ and also be indifferent husband is to his wife. As Paul writes about his people, his plan and his in Ephesians 5:25-27 passion! This will always be a challenge in our busy, materialistic Husbands, love your wives, just as and individualistic age. And yet when Christ loved the church and gave we truly commit to and live out the himself up for her to make her holy, vision that Jesus has for us as his cleansing her by the washing with church, we will have the great water through the word, and to privilege of seeing God at work to present her to himself as a radiant build and grow his kingdom through church, without stain or wrinkle or any us. Much love, Sam

The Reverend Sam Brewster

4 Christian Aid Week 2021

I take it for granted that, if I want a Any gift that you can make can be drink of water, a wash, a shower, or used to provide communities with the clean my teeth, I can just turn the tap means to build reliable water on, and out will flow clean water, systems. Earth dams can be built to unlimited, even when we have dry form huge basins to collect and store periods. any rain that does fall, often in the form of storms and flash floods. The However, it isn’t like that for everyone. water can then be piped to taps for For example, think of the people of people like Rose to draw from, and Kitui county in Eastern Kenya. these earth dams have already been Christian Aid tells me that they are in shown to be very useful and a life- the grip of a climate emergency. saving means of helping people to Severe drought, followed by extreme farm the land they live on to provide and unpredictable changes in weather food for themselves and their families. have destroyed crops, killed livestock and continues to threaten their Please support Christian Aid during livelihoods. That was before the Covid the week of May 10 to 16. A donation pandemic, which has made matters of £10 could buy a pair of taps at a even worse. We have water ‘on tap’ in water point which will be installed in our homes, but what if the nearest an earth dam; £42 could buy 350 kg water is miles away, and you have to of cement to build an earth dam; £335 get there and back on foot? could pay for a communal water point with two taps at an earth dam. These Could you support Christian Aid by are just some examples, and anything giving a donation during Christian Aid you can give will be so useful. Week to help the people of this region in Kenya? People like Rose, a 68- You can donate online at year-old lady, who has to make a six- caid.org.uk/caw21 . Alternatively, you hour round trip every other day to can give through my Just giving page collect water for her family so that (https://www.justgiving.com/fundra they can farm, drink and wash. She is ising/michael-hails2 ). Any donations hungry and tired, but she has to do it, go straight to Christian Aid. Thank because the lives of her grandchildren you for helping. depend on her. MRH Church Duties

Due to Rosemary Woodroffe absconding to South Wales to be near her family the task of organising the distribution of the church magazines will now be undertaken by Sarah Cook.

Likewise, the annual task of maintaining the Commonwealth graves and placing poppies on the headstones each November will now be done by Charlotte Miles- Kingston.

Rosemary is very grateful for these willing replacements and wishes everyone well.

5 CHURCH FLOWER LADIES

Maureen George Mary Burton

As time goes by, the passing years Mary went on various flower- take their toll on people’s capabilities. arranging courses. Maureen George At long-last, sadly, our Flower Ladies, is also a long-standing flower lady Mary Burton, and Maureen George, who, like Mary, learnt the art of flower have had to reluctantly admit that they arranging from former flower ladies. In can no longer carry out the physical recent years, there have been other work of providing ‘Bright and occasional helpers with church Beautiful’ flower displays for the flowers, including Lyn Clayden and church. Valerie Morgan.

Since the earliest times, places of The church would not be the same worship have been decorated with without its complimentary ministry of flowers. Apart from enhancing the flowers. We hope that others will atmosphere of a dark and gloomy come forward and follow in the building, flowers symbolise the love footsteps of former flower ladies, so and joy of God’s creation, and fit as to continue to fulfil this recreational appropriately into the sacred setting of and gratifying church role. holy worship. Flowers serve as a reminder of the gift of life God has given to us all, and of the wonderful natural world in which we live.

Mary Burton became a church flower lady helper in 1996, twenty five years ago. At the time she had had little experience of the floral art of flower arranging, and learnt the craft over the years from the then serving flower ladies, Diana Brown, Ruth Forster, JB and Barbara Williams. In addition, 6

A celebration of flowers for Holy Trinity church flower ladies. A small selection of the hundreds of flower arrangements they created over recent years. 7 Children’s Pages

Ascension

This month the Church celebrates the Ascension of Jesus, the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and the fact that our God is a Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. After the Resurrection, Jesus was seen on the road to Emmaus, by the Sea of Galilee, in houses, etc. He encouraged his disciples, and said that He was sending them to all corners of the earth, as his witnesses. 40 days after Easter, Jesus ascended into heaven; his work on earth was done. The disciples returned to Jerusalem, and on the fateful morning of Pentecost, there was suddenly the sound as of a mighty rushing wind. Tongues of flame flickered on their heads, and they began to praise God in many tongues – to the astonishment of those who heard them. That morning the Holy Spirit came to dwell in all those who believed in Jesus: the Church was born. And so we have a true God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Ascension Prayer Tongues Languages Trinity Blessed Power Flame Earth Father Taken One Joy Peter Son Jerusalem Room Praise Holy triune Wait Disciples Confusion Spirit

Parish Pump 8 Children’s Pages

9 SERVICES in MAY

The Vicar, the Reverend Duncan SUNDAY 16 th MAY Carter, will lead the morning services, with the assistance of the Licensed Seventh Sunday of Easter Lay Minister, Michael Forsdike. 10:00 A.M. MORNING WORSHIP The Reverend Sam Brewster, will lead the Trinity at Four services. 4:00 P.M. TRINITY AT FOUR

nd SUNDAY 2 MAY SUNDAY 23 rd MAY Fifth Sunday of Easter Whit Sunday Pentecost 10:00 A.M. MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M. HOLY COMMUNION 4:00 P.M. TRINITY AT FOUR 4:00 P.M. TRINITY AT FOUR SUNDAY 9 th MAY Sixth Sunday of Easter

10:00 A.M. HOLY COMMUNION

4:00 P.M. TRINITY AT FOUR

THURSDAY 13 th MAY Ascension Day

6:00 P.M. HOLY COMMUNION

SUNDAY 30 th MAY Trinity Sunday

10:00 A.M. MORNING WORSHIP

4:00 P.M. TRINITY AT FOUR

SUNDAY 6 th JUNE Second Sunday of Trinity

10:00 A.M. MORNING WORSHIP

4:00 P.M. TRINITY AT FOUR

10

Reverend Duncan Carter

Holy Trinity Vicarage Church Street Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire, RG9 1SE Tel: (01491) 574822

The Vicar is always glad to see anyone needing help or advice. Talking through problems and praying with people are his top priorities. Do not feel worried about sharing your problems, whatever the concern, large WEDDING or small. For your reference, his day off is Saturday. 6 th Apr Joseph Henry Thomas Badham and Becky Alice McRobert

FUNERALS

25 th Mar Elara Jae Foxley 26 th Apr Derek John Laye

Our 10:00 a.m. services are available to watch live on You Tube. Go to: www.holytrinityhenley.org.uk/ services-1.html for the link.

11 Good Friday Trail

On Good Friday there was a trail was getting on a bit, and was hoping around Henley telling us five stories to find some young people to take about the first Good Friday nearly over from his job. 2,000 years ago. We decided to go early and arrived at the entrance to the church, where we met the owner of the house where Jesus and his disciples celebrated Passover. He told us that he'd over heard some of the conversation about Jesus saying he was going to die. He was very confused by this. We picked up a map to find out more about what had happened after this meal that had caused him such anxiety.

After that we headed for West Street. We met a man there called Barabas. He was really confused. He had been sentenced to be crucified. He was still wearing his manacles but had been released by Pilate. He appreciated that he was very lucky but vexed as to why. He thought it was something to do with him being released in the place of someone else. We left him to come to terms with this unexpected change of fate.

Our next stop was at the vicarage where we met a Roman guard. He was telling us about how he had been among a group of guards who had been led to a garden. The man who had led them there kissed someone in the garden which was the signal to arrest that man. The Roman guard wasn't sure what this man had done and he certainly didn't look dangerous, but who was he to question the arrest? He was only following orders. He did say he

12 The next stop was in Queen Street, The last stop was in Friday Street. We but on our way as we went along were greeted there by Mary of Duke Street, we called into the bakery Magdalene. She told us that in a short to pick up our Hot Cross Buns. while she was going to go down to the In Queen Street we found a Roman tomb where Jesus had been laid to Centurion standing there with her embalm his body. She was a little bit sword. She looked deeply troubled unsure how she was going to move though. She was telling us about a the stone. There were two guards man who had just been crucified, but standing outside, but she wasn't sure by the last things he had said, she if they would help her if she asked. realised that he must have really been the son of God.

What happened next in the story? We found out at 7:30. a.m. on Easter Sunday outside Christ Church.

"Angels in bright raiment roll the stone away, Kept the folded grave clothes, where the body lay ." Richard Young

After being unable to sing hymns for so long, there was some catching up to do. 13 H.R.H. Prince Philip 1921-2021

Prince Philip, , was Paris suburb of Saint-Cloud. Philip's the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, mother was eventually committed to a the father of Prince Charles and the psychiatric institution while his father grandfather of Prince Harry and relocated to the south of , Prince William. maintaining limited contact with the rest of the family. Prince Philip was born on the island Philip attended the MacJannet of Corfu in Greece, on June 10 th , American School before he was sent 1921. As members of Greek and to the to study at the Danish royalty, Philip and his family Cheam School. During the 1930s, he were banished from his native country relocated to a school in Germany and when he was young, with the boy then moved again to Scotland's subsequently living in France, School, founded by Germany and Britain. Philip married Jewish headmaster Kurt Hahn Queen Elizabeth II before her following the rise of the Nazi party. ascension to the British throne in Many of Philip's family members 1952. Their children include Prince remained in Germany, including his Charles, heir apparent to the throne, sisters, who married into German Anne, Andrew and Edward. Philip aristocratic circles. served as the British royal consort for more than six decades. After graduating in 1939, Philip attended the Royal Naval College, On September 22 nd , 1922, Philip's where he excelled. During World War uncle, King Constantine I of Greece, II, he served in the British Navy while was forced to abdicate the throne. in-law family members were on the The military government arrested opposing Axis side of the conflict. Prince Andrew, and in December, a revolutionary court banished him from Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl Greece for life. Philip's family went to of Merioneth and , France, where they settled in the was also known as Prince Philip of

14 Greece and Denmark, was the only Westminster Abbey, in a ceremony son of Prince Andrew of Greece and broadcast throughout the world by Denmark and Princess Alice of radio. On the morning of the wedding, Battenberg. He had four older sisters: Philip became the Duke of Edinburgh, Cecilie, Sophie, Margarita and and Baron Theodora. Greenwich. While not British, Philip had family ties He and Elizabeth eventually had four to England. Shortly after his birth, his children: Charles, Anne, Andrew and maternal grandfather, Prince Louis of Edward. Prince Charles, their oldest Battenberg, died in London. Louis child, is the heir apparent to the was a naturalized British citizen who throne. had renounced his German titles and King George died on February 6 th , adopted the surname Mountbatten 1952, leaving Elizabeth as his heir. during the First World War. Philip was Philip and Elizabeth heard the news also related to the of his death while travelling in Kenya. as a descendant of Queen Victoria. The accession of Elizabeth to the throne raised the question of the In 1939, King George VI and Queen name of the royal house. On the Elizabeth (the Queen Mother advice of British Prime Minister Elizabeth) toured the Royal Naval Winston Churchill, Elizabeth College. Philip escorted their two proclaimed that the monarchy would young daughters, Elizabeth and continue to be known as the House of Margaret, who were distant cousins of Windsor, a moniker first adopted by Philip’s through Queen Victoria. The her grandfather George V. 13-year-old Elizabeth developed a crush on Philip during the trip. Philip remained the queen's consort Elizabeth and Philip began to for more than six decades, having exchange letters, which would accompanied her in her official duties continue for the next several years. and appearances throughout the In the summer of 1946, Philip asked world. Additionally, he participated in King George for his daughter's hand the work of many organizations, in marriage after allegedly proposing particularly favouring those focused to Elizabeth first. The king agreed, on the environment, athletics and provided that any formal engagement education. Philip launched the Duke was delayed until Elizabeth's 21 st of Edinburgh’s Award in the mid- birthday. To prepare for the 1950s, with a focus on youth announcement, Philip abandoned his achievement. He played polo until Greek and Danish royal titles, took on 1971 and competed in carriage and the surname Mountbatten from his boat racing, with piloting airplanes, oil mother's family, adopted Anglicanism painting and art collecting also among as a religion and became a British his hobbies. subject. While largely avoiding personal The engagement of Philip and scandals, Philip was known for his Elizabeth was announced to the outspoken nature and controversial public on July 10 th , 1947. They were remarks. In honour of his 90 th married on November 20 th , 1947, at birthday, in 2011, the Daily Mirror

15 published a list of "90 classic gaffes" from the London Clinic on June 17 th , that were attributed to Philip over the following more than a week in the years. hospital.

Within his family, Philip intervened in In early 2015, Australian Prime personal relationships, at times Minister Tony Abbott made Philip a leading to conflict. In 1981, he knight affiliated with the Order of pressured his son Charles to either for his decades of royal wed or leave Lady Diana Spencer. service. In May 2017, it was When their subsequent marriage announced that 95-year-old Philip, the proved difficult, Philip and the queen longest-serving royal consort in British reportedly pushed for reconciliation. history, would retire from public After Princess Diana died in a car engagements in the summer. One crash in 1997, Philip participated in month later, he was hospitalized her funeral, walking with grandsons again with an infection, but was said William and Harry in the procession. to be in "good spirits." Months later, Mohamed Al-Fayed In April 2018, after he missed the publicly accused Philip of being a traditional Maundy and Easter racist who orchestrated the car crash services, Philip was admitted to King that killed Mohamed's son, Dodi Edward VII Hospital in London for hip Fayed, and Diana. An official inquest replacement surgery. The operation found no evidence of conspiracy, was successful, and the prince was however, and the crash was ruled discharged from the hospital eight accidental. days later. In February 2021, Philip was admitted Prince Philip has eight grandchildren: to a London hospital as "a Prince William, Prince Harry, Peter precautionary measure" after he felt Phillips, Zara Tindall, Princess unwell. Two weeks later he was Beatrice, , Lady transferred to Saint Bartholomew's Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Hospital, also in London, "where Severn. He also had 10 great- doctors will continue to treat him for grandchildren including Prince an infection, as well as undertake George, Princess Charlotte, Prince testing and observation for a pre- Louis and Archie. existing heart condition." He underwent “successful" surgery for his Having previously dealt with such heart condition on March 3 rd . ailments as a blocked coronary artery and a bladder infection, in early June Philip passed away, the morning of 2013, days before his 92 nd birthday, April 9 th , 2021, at Windsor Castle. He Philip underwent exploratory was 99. abdominal surgery. He was released From The Biography.com website User with permission.

16 On the Perils of Holding a Rose Queen Celebration

The Rectory Saint James the Least of All My dear Nephew Darren

On reflection, inviting your issued for speeding, and not social parishioners to join in our annual distancing, should boost our Rose Queen celebrations may not constabulary’s figures for the next 12 have been entirely wise. It was months. cheering to see that your people arrived on carnival floats, although it I must concede that the group who was less happy that some of them decided to make a papier mache swan should have chosen to dress up as for one of your floats showed great coronavirus bugs, full of those nasty imagination. It was such a pity that spike proteins – that startled some of they did not know a 15-foot-high swan the timid residents in our community. would be driven under a 12-foot bridge. The drama of its emergence, headless, Once the procession started, your was only exceeded by the following drivers did not seem to have grasped float which appeared to have a group the fact that the vehicles were of Brownies being savaged by a expected to tour the village slowly, for demented, bodiless, vulture. the benefit of spectators, instead of treating it as a competitive race. I I am sure that some of your people’s noticed that numbers on your floats offers to help this year’s Princesses gradually diminished as they were campaign for election for Rose Queen flung off while careering round next year were well-meant. However, I corners. Those who had a walk of don’t think our parish really wants a several miles back home while full-blown social media campaign for dressed as pirates and ballerinas had next year’s Rose Queen, and so we will have to decline your offer. my sympathy. Our tea ladies, however, were less sympathetic when The crowning of the Rose Queen is one of your hay bales was spun off on always a high point to the afternoon, but a tight corner and went through our could I point out that the ‘gold’ crown is Women’s Guild like a row of skittles. only metal foil, and the ‘diamond’

The local police normally use the sceptre is only a piece of glass? So, afternoon to do a little gentle point whoever it was in your crowd who duty while drinking gallons of sweet walked off with them, please may we tea; this year, the number of tickets have them back before next year?

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

Parish Pump

17 PARISH JOTTINGS

The end of Lockdowns? Peter Greenman, of ‘Trinity at Four’. Whether or not we shall have further (See pages 12-13 for a fuller report on Lockdowns, we must wait and see. the Easter Trail). The vaccination programme continues to be on schedule, and once Church flowers vaccinated, we will be less likely to Our Flower Ladies, Mary Burton and suffer from the Covid-19 virus Maureen George, after many years of infection, should we catch it, but will keeping our church decorated, are not be completely immune from it. having to retire from their many years Therefore, providing we obey the of service. (See article on Pages 6-7). precautionary rules to counter this dreadful pandemic, we should be well If you are interested in helping to fulfil on the way to returning to a more this gratifying job, or would like to find acceptable way of life, whatever that out more about what the job involves, may turn out to be. Although churches do have a word with Mary or Maureen, or with Duncan. have remained open through most of the pandemic period, singing is still Duke of Edinburgh not allowed. The authorities are now The Duke of Edinburgh died on Friday reassessing this rule, which we hope 9th April at the age of 99. His marriage will soon be relaxed to the Queen, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, was in 1947. At the Sunday morning service on 11 th April, we gave thanks to God in recognition of the Duke’s strong Christian faith and for the many contributions he made to the world’s communities, which he leaves behind him for posterity. The motto on his coat of arms is “God is my help”. (See article on Pages 14-16).

Easter Trail On the morning of Good Friday, Holy Trinity church’s ‘Trinity at Four’ held an Easter Trail for families with 3 to 10 year old children. The trail ran around the town. At intervals along the route, biblical characters told the walkers various parts of the Easter story. An added attraction of the walk was that the children could collect chocolate Easter eggs as an Easter treat. Over fifty families followed the trail. The event was organised by JB

18

Holy Trinity church stands resplendent in the April sunshine whilst successfully enduring its course through the Covid-19 pandemic.

19 THE Trinity TIMES

The current parish magazine of Holy Trinity church, Henley-on-Thames.

Published monthly throughout the year. This issue is Number 317.

Holy Trinity church parish magazines have been produced since 1890.

CONTACTS AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

Vicar

The Reverend Duncan Carter Holy Trinity Vicarage 57 4822

Minister for Trinity at Four

The Reverend Sam Brewster 29 Gainsborough Hill 07899 843461

Licensed Lay Minister

Michael Forsdike 1 Brookside, Watlington 61 2161

Churchwardens

Barbara Williams 14 Lovell Close 57 4533 Michael Forsdike 1 Brookside, Watlington 61 2161

PCC Treasurer Stefan Kotas 07539 822201 Magazine Editor Richard Young 57 8422

The STD Code for Henley telephone numbers is 01491

Holy Trinity website : http://www.holytrinityhenley.org.uk

Readers are invited to contribute articles, features, notices, etc., for publication in the Trinity Times. Submissions should be delivered to Richard Young, 11 Saint Mary’s Close, (Telephone 578422), or E-mailed to the Trinity Times mailbox at ‘ [email protected] ’.

For inclusion in the next magazine, submissions must be received by Sunday the 16 th of May.