May 2020 Dear Friends

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May 2020 Dear Friends. I write to you filled with hope in the Risen Christ. The one who defeated the power of sin and death and has enabled us to live lives of contentment and fullness, whatever the situation or circumstance. This month we not only look back to the joy of Easter, but forward to the Ascension of our Saviour and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. When the Christian Church was birthed into a new reality, things were not the way they were before. We too are faced with a new reality. We too are faced with a moment of change. No doubt, we will each be feeling differently towards this. Our lives, this world and our church is different now, and will probably not return to the way it was before humanity shared the Covid-19 global pandemic experience. None of us quite know the timescale and exit strategy for our post- pandemic lives. We can only speculate for how long social distancing measures will be in place. Our country and indeed this world, will continue to experience a form of disruption for some time to come.

Continued page 3 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 June edition - Monday May 25th 2020

1 Contents HOT PRESS - Bishops of Horsham and Lewes Appointed ...... 2 Pastoral Letter from Joel...... 3 ‘It is well with my Soul’, the story behind the hymn...... 4 Ways to Keep Engaged With Us During COVID-19...... 5 HEARING YOU – A local response to the Coronavirus crisis...... 6 Church of England launches dial-in worship service...... 7 Holy Days for May...... 8 Kirsty Ward now Back Home...... 9 Spiritual Communion...... 10 A Poem by Fr Cecil Champneys Burnham - ...... 21 Parish Giving Scheme...... 23 St Wilfrid's Church 100 Club...... 23 Legacy Policy...... 23 Gift Aid Envelopes...... 23 Parish Pump - News...... 24 Funerals during the coronavirus restrictions...... 29 St. Wilfrid’s Streamed Communion Services...... 30 May Maze...... 33 Bible Bite - ...... 34 Word Search ...... 35 Crossword...... 36 Word Search for May...... 38 Mouse Makes...... 39 Answers for Word Search p34...... 40 Crossword (on p32) Solution...... 40 Answers - Word Search for p31...... 41 PCC Members...... 42 Honorary Assistant Clergy...... 42 Public Worship Suspended at St Wilfrid’s Church until Further Notice. ....42 Contacts...... 43 Revd Pauline Lucas...... 44 HOT PRESS - Bishops of Horsham and Lewes Appointed Following the announcement from Downing Street the next Bishop of Horsham is to be The Revd Ruth Bushyager and the next Bishop of Lewes is to be The Revd Prebendary Will Hazlewood. See https://www.chichester.anglican.org/glitter_news/2020/04/29/dow ning-street-announces-new-bishops-horsham-and-lewes/

2 Continued from page 1 Pastoral Letter from Joel We must work out, therefore, how best to navigate our way through this emerging reality. Is it possible for us to thrive at this time? Could we develop such a depth of security in Christ that we could sing that old hymn with all integrity: 'It is well with my soul'? There's a lot of good advice being offered regarding how we structure our days. It's been advised that we should continue to wake up and go to bed at a sensible time; that we should maintain good levels of hygiene and present ourselves well; that should we have three things to focus on and try to complete each day; that we should exercise for 20 minutes a day; that we should get outside once a day; that we should eat well; that we should do something that stimulates our mind; that we should stay in contact with our friends and family. That we should ask for help, especially if we find our mental fitness to be weakening. I believe we can also thrive at this time, from a spiritual point of view. We can establish good rhythms and patterns that will enable our growth in Christ: through making a spiritual communion; through prayer and the reading of scripture; through listening to, watching or reading Christian content; by being in company with those who can inspire and comfort us in our Christian pilgrimage. I appreciate what Father Ray says in his reflection on Spiritual Communion (see article in this edition): 'the primary purpose… [is] to unite our hearts and souls with the sacrifice of Christ…an active entering into the mystery of Christ's death, resurrection and glorification'. I think the intentional discipline of doing these things will help us to abide and be joined with Christ, as Jesus said a branch belongs and abides to a vine. Psalm 1 reminds us that the one who meditates on the law (that is the word of God) is like a tree which has been planted by a river. Its roots

3 are let down deep, receiving such nourishment that it consistently thrives and produces fruit. May we be like that tree, receiving life-giving nourishment from God. And may we be like the branches who abide and belong to the Vine, which is Christ. So that whatever situation we are facing, however our lives may change, we may know contentment and life in all its fullness. In Christ, with love, Joel and Lella Mennie

‘It is well with my Soul’, the story behind the hymn

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, It is well with my soul.

This hymn was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873, following exceptional heart-breaking circumstances. Spafford was a devout Presbyterian layman from Chicago. When not serving the church, he had established a very successful legal practice as a young businessman.

Unfortunately, during the great Chicago Fire of 1871, Spafford‘s fortunes all but disappeared. He had invested heavily in real estate along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. But as the fire struck and spread, everything that he had worked towards was lost. Not only was he financial devastated but he had also just lost his son to illness a short time before.

4 However, the worst was still to come. Wanting a rest for his wife and four daughters and desiring to join the evangelist, D.L Moody on a tour of the UK, in 1873 Spafford planned a family trip to Europe. However, because of a business opportunity, Spafford ended up staying in Chicago but sent his wife and four daughters on ahead as schedule. They travelled on the SS. Ville du Havre, and he expected to follow them in a few days. On the 22nd November, the ship was struck by an English vessel called the Lochearn and within twelve minutes had sunk. Whilst some of the crew and passengers had been saved, many had lost their lives. Upon landing in Cardiff, Mrs Spafford sent a note to her husband. In it she said “Saved alone”. Spafford left Chicago immediately to join his wife. It is said that he penned the words to this hymn as he approached the site that the ship had sunk.

Ways to Keep Engaged With Us During COVID-19

SaintWilfridBognor FaceBook Group Our SaintWilfridBognor FaceBook Group is there to help keep in touch and Joel posts things for us to think and study every week. If you are not already a member then do sign up so you can post messages. Also, if you would like to become more involved as a contributor or on the admin of Social Media for the church please let us know! Our Church Website https://wilfrid.com Our website is being continually updated and has two new pages - https://www.wilfrid.com/downloads/ where you can download free of charge the Parish Magazine during the COVID-19 Pandemic and https://www.wilfrid.com/video-resources/ for joining in our weekly full Sunday Eucharist which is created from the homes of the individual contributors. A copy of the homily is also usually available.

5 HEARING YOU – A local response to the Coronavirus crisis The Diocese of Chichester with Together in Sussex are launching Hearing You, a new pastoral phone line to enable the people of Sussex to feel connected and supported. It is a phoneline that will provide pastoral support and a listening ear to the recently bereaved and people directly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. It will be staffed by volunteers who are trained in pastoral care and listening skills: clergy and licensed lay ministers. All volunteer listeners will ● have an active DBS and have completed safeguarding training with the Diocese of Chichester ● be able to point callers to their parish clergy ● direct callers to other organisations offering specialist support if appropriate ● offer to pray for the caller or for their concerns. NB This is not a substitute for the emergency services (111 or 999) or a counselling service. It is a human, Christian response to anyone who turns to the Church in this time of need. Hospital chaplains within the diocese will also be able to direct people to the service. The phonelines will be open to anyone living in Sussex whether they currently attend a church or not. The service will initially run until the end of May, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 7.00pm. The Hearing You number is: 01273 425047 For details about volunteering, please contact: Luci Fievet on 01273 421021 or email [email protected] ALSO being launched is a simple statement for people to take into hospital with them. Some people will need it printed by a friend, neighbour or parish priest.

6 We advise that every household should have one of these statements ready for use. This statement will explicitly declare a person’s Christian faith, and request access to a Church of England chaplain while in hospital. A template for this statement is available on the Diocesan website at https://cofechichester.contentfiles.net/media/documents/document/2 020/04/Healthcare_prayer_card_v2.png and is shown below:

Church of England launches dial-in worship service The Church of England has launched a free dial-in worship service to bring prayer to people’s homes while churches are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line. The national line is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044.

7 Holy Days for May 1 Philip and James, Apostles 2 Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith, 373 4 English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era 8 Julian of Norwich, Spiritual Writer, c.1417 12 Gregory Dix, Priest, Monk, Scholar, 1952 14 Matthias the Apostle 16 Caroline Chisholm, Social Reformer, 1877 19 Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, Restorer of Monastic Life, 988 20 Alcuin of York, Deacon, Abbot of Tours, 804 21 Helena, Protector of the Holy Places, 330 24 John and Charles Wesley, Evangelists, Hymn Writers, 1791 and 1788 25 The Venerable Bede, Monk at Jarrow, Scholar, Historian, 735 25 Aldhelm, Bishop of Sherborne, 709 26 Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury, 605 26 John Calvin, Reformer, 1564 26 Philip Neri, Founder of the Oratorians, Spiritual Guide, 1595 28 Lanfranc, Prior of Le Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, Scholar, 1089 30 Josephine Butler, Social Reformer, 1906 30 Joan of Arc, Visionary, 1431 30 Apolo Kivebulaya, Priest, Evangelist in Central Africa, 1933 31 The Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth 31 Pentecost (Whit Sunday)

8 Kirsty Ward now Back Home

Our dear Cherry Ward’s funeral service was on Friday 20th March at St. Wilfrid’s church and conducted by Fr. Ray Whelan. As if this was not tragic enough, within two days on Sunday 22nd March Cherry’s daughter Kirsty Ward had to be taken into A & E at St. Richard’s and then intensive care at St. Richard’s with acute breathing problems and tests showed it was coronavirus. Her condition worsened to the point that she was required to be on a ventilator for ten days in Intensive Care. It wasn’t until 15th April that Kirsty could return home to her family and she was given a guard of honour by NHS workers after becoming one of the first coronavirus patients to leave St Richard's Hospital in Chichester. Kirsty told Spirit FM "It was totally overwhelming, seeing all those people standing there, I couldn't believe it. "Because I'd been on the ventilator, my throat is still quite hoarse and I was trying to say 'Thank you, thank you' but my voice had just completely gone! "I feel so humble that the staff at St Richard's have literally saved my life and helped me well enough to be able to come home, the fact they they were able to do that and then come out and clap and celebrate was totally overwhelming, for myself and my family." Kirsty and her family have been constantly in our prayers at St. Wilfrid’s and we give thanks to God that Kirsty is now recovering and back home with her family. Huge thanks also to everyone in the NHS for all their terrific skill and dedication saving lives in this terrible pandemic. Peter G.

9 Spiritual Communion By Fr. Ray Whelan 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 indwell 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, 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, inseparably 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 Living Body, but the whole person of our Risen, Glorified Lord in His

10 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." So, Jesus is spiritually present in the hearts and souls of those who believe. In the Eucharist, He comes sacramentally into our minds and 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 (making holy) 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."

11 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 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

12 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 '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

13 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 act of remembering (remembrancing) of Calvary but an anamnesis, which is 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" 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:

14 "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. ● 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 Heaven 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

15 Life in quarantine The Ven John Barton muses on our present isolation… Full marks to Jamie Oliver for his Channel 4 series, ‘Keep Cooking and Carry On’. He showed us how to make tasty meals with basic ingredients and a minimum of fuss. The pandemic prompted other encouraging responses. One mother in the ‘at risk’ category said her adult children thought she was immortal until now. Now they ring her every day to see how she’s getting on. An elderly clergyman had offers to shop from two new neighbours whom he hardly knew. The whole nation stopped taking the National Health Service for granted and started showing gratitude. Telephone, television, the internet and email prevented many from going stir-crazy. Some even tried the cryptic crossword, though newcomers should be warned it takes years to learn its secrets! The isolation was tough for many. Isolated families had to get used to each other’s company and foibles for long periods, away from the park or beach. Couples were parted from each other by distance or illness. Those living alone were cut off from visitors and communal activities. Churchgoers missed Holy Communion at Easter for the first time. That should help us identify with millions of Christians across the world who have to pray in secret because their neighbours would persecute them if they did so publicly. Alone-ness, rather than loneliness, can be productive. Albert Einstein valued time alone, when he could “go for long walks on the beach so that I can listen to what is going on inside my head.” Isaac Newton’s greatest discoveries began when he escaped the effects of the bubonic plague, by returning home to the family farm in Lincolnshire. He had time to observe what was going on around him and, yes, that did include watching the famous apple fall. When the bubonic plague was at its peak, the Reformer Martin Luther wrote: “I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become

16 contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, He will surely find me and I have done what He has expected of me, and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others.” Loneliness at the Virtual Chelsea Flower Show, 19th – 23rd May May is the month of flowers. Why not invite your congregation to email you pix of their gardens at this most beautiful time of year, for you to put up on your church website? Invite them to choose a verse from the Bible to go with their photograph. Remember that by now a lot of people will need cheering up and reminding of God’s care for them. All sorts of themes are chosen for the Chelsea Flower Show, but this year’s theme turned out to be scarily appropriate for the Spring of 2020: loneliness and mental health. For, according to Sue Briggs, RHS Director General, “many feel they need gardening in their life now more than ever before, for their mental and physical wellbeing during this national emergency.” Writing on RHS website (www.rhs.org.uk), Sue Briggs says: “This applies to everyone from those who are having to self-isolate to families planning, maybe for the first time, to grow their own food.” And so, “for these reasons, and to do more to support the industry, the RHS will create a Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show, to celebrate our great horticultural industry and gardening heritage.” The Virtual Show will run from Tuesday 19th May to Saturday 23rd May. Guy Barker, chief horticulturalist at the RHS said: “Nurturing plants can make you less lonely and release you from troubles.” Leave your dandelions alone Again, you could invite your readers to send in any gardening tips they have as to how to make the most of May spent mostly at home!

17 When mowing your lawn, avoid cutting your dandelions. That is the advice of the president of the British Ecological Society, Prof Jane Memmott. It will help to save the bees. She explains: “Dandelions are a fantastic source of pollen and nectar for the early pollinators in particular. If they were rare, people would be fighting over them, but because they’re common, people pull them out and spray them with all sorts of horrible things when they should just let them flower. If you leave the lawn to three or four inches, then dandelions, clover and daisies can flower and then you end with something like a tapestry, and it’s much nicer to sit there and watch the insects buzzing about.” Prof Memmott encourages everyone to get a bee hotel for their garden. “There’s nothing nicer than being sat in a chair with a glass of wine and watching the bees going in and out of your own personal little beehive. Even just a potted plant on a doorstep will provide lunch for a bee or a fly or a butterfly.” What is the best way to talk about death? Sadly, there will probably be some deaths in your community this Spring. You may find this article to be useful. Your minister may wish to comment on it. A leading terminal illness charity, Marie Curie, advises that euphemisms are not helpful, and that using direct language about death is the best approach when in a hospital or while talking to children. The euphemisms include: ‘popped their clogs’, ‘kicked the bucket’, ‘passed away’, ‘pushing up daisies’ and ‘leaving this mortal coil.’ Matthew Reed, Marie Curie’s chief executive, says that research has found that the nation “has at least 50 completely different ways of talking about death, which suggests society still has some way to go to feel comfortable about talking about dying, death and bereavement. “While most of us say we are comfortable talking about dying and death, the reality is that many of us are not making any preparations, as it feels a long way off or something that will cause unnecessary upset, both for

18 us and the people around us. But we need to plan more for the end of life, while there is still time to do so.” Grow your lawns The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has called on people to allow flowers to grow on their lawns, instead of insisting on smooth green surfaces. The reason is because nearly 7.5million acres of meadows and pastures rich in wildflowers have been lost since the Thirties, thus removing a vital source of food for pollinators, many of whom are now in steep decline. The nation’s 15 million gardens could help a lot in supporting bees, butterflies and other bugs looking for nectar. Take exercise for even half an hour a day – and lower depression! Here is some good news for us all: if you are feeling low, get moving. A recent study at Harvard has found that even just half an hour of exercise a day can lower the risk of depression by 17 per cent. So – even though we are told to stay home at present, do a work-out in your living room, run around the garden a dozen times, or run up and down your staircase 20 times -anything to get your heart pounding and your body moving! Dieting at home One good thing about staying at home is that you cannot be tempted by food that you see in restaurants, bakeries or the shops. This may be a good time to lose that weight you’ve been trying to shift for years. One good way of doing it seems to be the 5:2 diet. A recent study has found that a strict fasting regime, which cuts calorie intake to around a quarter of regular consumption on two days of the week, works very well. Another diet, the Mediterranean diet, is regarded as a bit healthier, as it also helps improve blood pressure and glucose levels. The findings were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

19 When texting can be dangerous When you go out for your daily exercise, don’t text anyone. It is safer for you. A recent study has found that people who text while they walk are twice as likely to have an accident or near miss with a car, as those who are talking on the phone. The authors, from the University of Calgary, said: “Texting or browsing requires a pedestrian to repeatedly divert their eyes away from the walking environment and traffic, towards the screen of the phone, to type and read messages. …Given the ubiquity of smartphones, social media, apps, digital video and streaming music… distracted walking and street crossing will be a road safety issue for the foreseeable future.” Bless you? People used to say ‘bless you’ if you sneezed. Nowadays they might say something ruder! We live in troubled times. Some say that the expression started in Rome, when plague broke out. Sneezing was one of the plague’s main symptoms, and Pope Gregory I suggested that a tiny prayer in the form of saying, “God bless you” after a sneeze would protect the person from death. Sadly, that does not always work, but we can still remind ourselves of Psalm 91: 4-6 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. Psalm 91: 4-6 Plan for death – and live longer! Here is a curious thing: people who plan for their death actually seem to end up living longer.

20 A recent study of terminally ill patients found that those who discussed with their doctors their preferences for end-of-life care, went on to live significantly longer than those patients who did not. The study was carried out by Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark. 73% of those who had put advanced care plans into place were still alive a year longer, as compared with 57% of those who had no advanced care plan in place.

A Poem by Fr Cecil Champneys Burnham - A HANDFUL OF PRAYERS

Our God exists, a Power above, Who offers all embracing love. For He will help us day by day If only we sincerely pray. For every time you say a prayer, You fill yourself with Heaven's air.

We all have prayer books we can use By night or day whene'er we choose In church at home in open air, In noise or quiet, no matter where. Within your left hand take your right And hold its thumb with pressure light

This is the digit nearest you So pray for those whose love is true Your parents, children, husband wife, Who all give meaning to your life. In prayer for them you'll love to linger Till next you grasp your index finger.

21 This finger's used to teach or scold By those who guide the young or old So pray for teachers everywhere That God may help them with His care And make them wise that all may heed Their good advice in time of need.

Now to the middle finger go. This is the tallest one you know. Above the others see it stand. It represents the great and grand. Here pray that those who lead the nations Be guided in deliberations. We still have a few new The awkward finger's next to come. original copies of the first, It's not so able as are some. second and third books by Pray now for those who're sick or ill, Rev. Cecil on the subject For those whose paths seem all uphill; ‘Rhythm and Rhymes for The blind, the deaf, each homeless one Relaxation’ with original And all whose days are nearly done. illustrations by Lesley King. If you would like to What's last? The little one? That's true. purchase copies by a Least important, its me and you. donation to the church Just for ourselves then let us pray funds contact Elaine Green That God may help us on our way. 07868 564572 We all can have, whate'er our cares, [email protected] A hand quite full of helpful prayers.

22 Parish GivingCarol Scheme Concert th Have You Joined Yet? 5 December Please contact John Wood or Denis Sheppard 01243 865465 about joining St. Wilfrid’s Parish Giving Scheme.

St Wilfrid's Church 100 Club Membership for 2019/20 commencing with the month of June 2019 is now 50 members: Monthly Draw 1st Prize £50 2nd Prize £25. Twice Yearly Bonus Prize £300 (April and October) The draws take place on the third Sunday of each month, with the remaining funds going to help church funds. Please contact Malcolm Vernone should you wish to join the 100 Club in June 2020. The April 2020 winners: 1st Prize £50 (41) Averil Tamblyn 2nd Prize £25 (12) Phina Gorton

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 NewsParish Pump - News

Coping in the Storm The Revd Paul Hardingham considers fear in the face of the pandemic. ‘Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.’ (Mark 4:39). What started out for the disciples as a routine trip across the Sea of Galilee, ended up with a storm threatening to overwhelm their boat! Jesus was asleep in the boat, so little wonder they feared for their lives: ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ (38). Who would have thought two months ago that the world would be overwhelmed by the Coronavirus pandemic and our lives turned upside down! Self-isolating and self-distancing are now part of our daily vocabulary, as we live in an uncertain world. What does this story say to us in our circumstances? Firstly, we read that Jesus calmed the storm: ‘He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’’ (39). He is the Lord of the storm and holds our circumstances in His hands. We are called to trust, not fear, being assured that He is with us to protect us. ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ (40). Nothing is outside of His control. Secondly, despite the calm, the disciples were still terrified: ‘They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!’’ (41). Like us, the disciples were asking why Jesus, who loved them, had allowed the storm to happen! Our circumstances provide us with an opportunity to understand more deeply who Jesus is. We can’t control Him and we don’t always understand His bigger plans for us and His world. We are called to overcome fear and insecurity, by living lives of peace, faith and hope. How contagious can we be for Jesus in a stormy world?

24 Severed from routine and obliged to fashion new habits The Ven John Barton looks to history for a parallel of what is happening now. Imagine a world where everything familiar has gone, the capital city’s most famous religious landmark has been destroyed, you have been transported to a foreign country, and have no idea when or if you will be permitted to go home. That’s roughly what happened to the Jewish people in what is called the Babylonian Captivity more than 500 years BC. Jerusalem and its Temple had been obliterated. In exile, the Jews weren’t treated too badly, but they were bereft of the land they believed God had given them and where they felt Him to be present. When their captors, innocently, asked them to sing one of their religious songs, they bristled, “How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” But their faith matured in the 70-year exile. Scribes consolidated the Scriptures, new kinds of congregations, called synagogues, sprang up where they could worship and teach the faith. Their somewhat provincial view of God actually got bigger – not only did they find Israel’s God accessible in their foreign surroundings, but their prophets began to see that God was for all people. Here’s part of Isaiah, Chapter 45: “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’” Finally, and after many of the original exiles had died, the Persians conquered Babylon, and gave the exiles the option to go home, which many did.

25 There must be a lesson here for many people round the world who, because of Covid-19, suddenly found themselves severed from routine and obliged to fashion new habits for an unspecified period. Regular worshippers were banished from their churches. The observance of Holy Week and Easter had to be in a makeshift fashion. Special events were cancelled. At the same time, on the first Sunday of this ‘exile’ the Church of England attracted its largest ‘congregation’ ever. A recorded service led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is estimated to have been seen or heard by around five million people. Nearly 30 per cent of those watching online were under the age of 34. It’s too soon to say what the long-term impact will be. But while we cogitate on that, don’t forget to send your usual weekly offering to the Church Treasurer! Psalm 34 The Revd Paul Hardingham continues his series on the Psalms by looking at one which was written in uncertain times…. Amid the current coronavirus pandemic, we all live with fear and uncertainty. How do we deal with fear? ‘I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.’ (Ps 34:4). In this psalm, David expresses real fears. He was on the run from Saul, who was trying to murder him! Yet David points to three simple habits that help overcome fear. Praising God always: ‘I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. (1). It was David’s pattern of life to praise God daily, whatever his circumstances. He was acknowledging God’s lordship over his life. Praise affirms that my circumstances are in His hands and He is with me in all that I am going through. Seeking God continually: ‘This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles.’ (6). David looked to God, who released him from all his fears. It’s easy for our fears to overwhelm us and rob us of the assurance that God loves us and wants the best for us. When we seek God, He hears us and responds, as He is not powerless to act. 26 Finding refuge in God: ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.’ (8). David’s personal invitation is to taste and see that God is good. Our fears often tell us that the opposite is true for us. Fear tells us that God cannot be trusted and that He will abandon us. We can make God our secure refuge and not be afraid. This psalm helps us to see fear from a totally different perspective: ‘Fear the Lord, you His holy people, for those who fear Him lack nothing.’ (9). Try a little kindness By the Revd Tony Horsfall of Charis Training. Visit: www.Charistraining.co.uk When TV presenter and celebrity Carolyn Flack took her life in February 2020 the world was shocked and saddened. How could someone so young, beautiful and successful do such a thing? It seems that the pressure of an impending court case, the vitriol she received online, and her own inner pain had become too much for her. Shortly before she died, she posted, ‘In a world where you can be anything, be kind.’ These simple words are a call to our society to become more caring and careful in the way we treat each other. There is too much unkindness about, especially on social media where unkind words are so common and can be so destructive. Kindness can be defined as the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate. It is shown through our words and by our actions, an everyday sort of quality that is not spectacular but which when we encounter it can lift our spirits. It is above all a Christian virtue that ought to be demonstrated in great measure within Christian communities. It is a fruit of the Spirit, an attitude that is formed within us when the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives (Galatians 5:22). It is an aspect of love for love is patient, love is kind (1Corinthians 13:4). Yet sadly, the Church is often no different from the world. Congregations can sometimes be anything but friendly, generous and considerate.

27 Why not try a little kindness this week? Do something spontaneously to help another person. Reach out in friendship to someone who seems lonely, if only by phone! Speak some kind words to those around you. You will feel better yourself, and you will be making the world a better place. The wisdom of afternoon tea By the Revd Tony Horsfall of Charis Training. Visit: www.Charistraining.co.uk My wife and I were at one time missionaries with the Overseas Missionary Fellowship. We joined them in 1975 after a period of training at their headquarters in London. While we were there, we met the hostess of the Mission Home, a matronly lady who had herself served overseas. She was a formidable person, but with a soft heart, and a depth of spiritual wisdom. I remember her offering to our group of would-be missionaries this piece of sage advice: “The missionaries who stay the longest on the field are those who have their afternoon tea.” It struck me then as being very profound, and it is a life rule that I have followed ever since, with great benefits. This practice of course is typically British, but valuable none the less. For us, a cup of tea is the answer to everything. “Let’s make a cup of tea,” we say in any crisis. It soothes and refreshes and helps us get things in perspective. Somehow things seem much brighter when you have had a cuppa, especially if shared with friends or colleagues. But there is more to the custom of afternoon tea. This little ritual gives us permission to stop in the midst of a busy day and rest a while. It enables us to make contact with others, and to step back from whatever is filling our mind at the time. And over time, these little oases are the way we care for our souls as well as our bodies. We read that Jesus, when He was tired, sat down by the well at Sychar (John 4:6). He gave Himself permission to stop and have a break. I like to think on that basis He would heartily approve of afternoon tea.

28 Passed On Canon David Winter writes on Eastertide…. The Easter message is this: death is not the end but the beginning; the natural and unavoidable end of human life. But recently I have noticed people increasingly use the phrase ‘passed on.’ Apparently, no one ‘dies’ any longer. They just ‘pass on.’ It’s our latest attempt to avoid the word ‘death.’ We don’t like the idea, so we try to eliminate the word. ‘Passed on’ or its more negative alternative ‘passed away’ are the current favourites. Just listen to the radio, or people talking. ‘Passed on’ sounds vaguely religious. The person hasn’t disappeared, they’ve simply moved – but where? That left an open question. What we are saying, by implication, is that they have not ceased to exist. Heaven, hell, reincarnation or purgatory are all encompassed in the all popular notion of ‘up there!’ As a Christian who believes in resurrection and eternal life, I suppose I shouldn’t object to ‘passing on,’ but the truth is that before we can ‘pass on’ we have to die. There is simply no alternative. So, let me summarise my personal and doubtless prejudiced conclusions. For me, ‘passed away’ is out because it is simply not true. Anyone who loses a loved one finds that they still exist – in love, in memory, in that photo on the mantlepiece. For many people death is not the end it is a beginning – a door which Jesus called ‘eternal life.’ Died or ‘passed on’, there is light at the end of the tunnel! Funerals during the coronavirus restrictions Funerals have changed almost beyond recognition under the strict new rules to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Church of England funerals may now take place only at crematoria or at gravesides. Only immediate family may attend, and they must keep their two-metre distance.

29 To help those who are grieving-at-a-distance at this difficult time, the Church of England has published a simple guide. It provides both prayers and also suggestions of how people can pay their own tribute at home to the person who has died. These include finding a photograph of the person who has died, writing down memories of them, and lighting a virtual candle in memory of their loved ones. The Revd Canon Dr Sandra Millar, Head of Welcome and Life Events for the Church of England, said: “It’s so difficult when you can’t go to a funeral… to say your last goodbye and know that your special person’s life has been honoured, prayers offered, and God’s love experienced.” More details at: https://churchsupporthub.org/baptisms/occasions- for-follow-up/covid-19-response-funerals/ St. Wilfrid’s Streamed Communion Services Following the closure of our church during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have maintained a full Sunday Communion Service from our website https://www.wilfrid.com by clicking the menu item shown in yellow below Video Resources this takes you to our website link https://www.wilfrid.com/video-resources/ where all the services are available to view. Services have been created from the homes of the individual participants using Zoom video conferencing facilities. Each service is recorded at 8:00am on a Sunday morning and just after 9:00 uploaded to YouTube and made available as streamed videos from our own church website website.

30 We are getting some excellent and most heartening feedback: - Maureen Howland - writes A big thank you to all who make this possible. I feel like I've 'been to Church' also giving me 'near normal' structure to my week. Celia Greenfield writes: - I look forward to Sunday church service every week, my grateful thanks go to you all for making this possible and the hard work that goes into the techy stuff, it will be great when the lockdown is lifted and we can get back to normal...... THANK YOU. Don and Peggy Durrant phoned Peter to say thank you to everyone involved and how they really do appreciate that each week they can engage with a full Communion service as they would in church. Each service is complete with the three readings, homily and intercessions and a realistic background of the church we love and miss so much. Look out for future services from the Video Resources web page and our Facebook Group SaintWilfridBognor Peter G.

31 32 May Maze

33 Bible Bite -

34 Word Search

35 Crossword

Across 1 ‘Therefore let us — passing judgment on one another’ (Romans 14:13) (4) 3 ‘I — — these persons here present’ (Marriage service) (4,4) 9 According to a prearranged timetable (Numbers 28:3) (7) 10 Group of eight (5) 11 The cell into which the Philippian jailer put Paul and Silas (Acts 16:24) (5) 12 — Taylor, pioneer missionary to China (6) 14 Otherwise known as the Eucharist, Breaking of Bread, the Lord’s Table (4,9)

36 17 ‘So that after I have preached to others, I — will not be disqualified for the prize’ (1 Corinthians 9:27) (6) 19 Attend to (3,2) 22 Approximately (Acts 4:4) (5) 23 Tea rite (anag.) (7) 24 Rule of sovereign (8) 25 Test (anag.) (4)

Down 1 The name of the street where Judas lived in Damascus and where Saul of Tarsus stayed (Acts 9:11) (8) 2 ‘The playing of the merry — , sweet singing in the choir’ (5) 4 ‘We have been saying that — — was credited to him as righteous’ (Romans 4:9) (8,5) 5 Dr Martyn — Jones, famous for his ministry at Westminster Chapel (5) 6 Port at which Paul landed on his way to Rome (Acts 28:13) (7) 7 Observe (Ruth 3:4) (4) 8 Minister of religion (6) 13 ‘I am — of this man’s blood. It is your responsibility’ (Matthew 27:24) (8) 15 ‘Greater love has no one than this, that he — — his life for his friends’ (John 15:13) (3,4) 16 Archbishop who calculated that the world began in 4004BC (6) 18 ‘No one can — the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit’ (John 3:5) (5) 20 Establish by law (5) 21 Product of Gilead noted for its healing properties (Jeremiah 46:11) (4)

37 Word Search for May

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 indwell all those who believed in Jesus: the Church was born. And so we have a triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

38 Mouse Makes

39 Ascension Answers for Word Search p34 Blessed Taken Jerusalem Wait Prayer Power One Room Disciples Tongues Flame Joy Praise Confusion Languages Earth Peter Holy Spirit Trinity Father Son triune Crossword (on p32) Solution

ACROSS: 1, Stop. 3, Call upon. 9, Regular. 10, Octet. 11, Inner. 12, Hudson. 14, Holy Communion. 17, Myself. 19, See to. 22, About. 23, Iterate. 24, Monarchy. 25, Stet. DOWN: 1, Straight. 2, Organ. 4, Abraham’s faith. 5, Lloyd. 6, Puteoli. 7, Note. 8, Cleric. 13, Innocent. 15, Lay down. 16, Ussher. 18, Enter. 20, Enact. 21, Balm.

40 Answers - Word Search for p31

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]

41 OUR NEW VICAR

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. 42 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

43 Revd Pauline Lucas On Good Friday 10th April, the Revd Pauline Lucas, vicar of Kirdford, Plaistow and Ifold collapsed and died suddenly. Many of us around Bognor Regis will have been friends with Stephen and Pauline for many years. Elaine and I first met them when we all helped to form a Bognor Regis Christian Drama Society forty years ago. They have attended and supported at different times St. Richard's Aldwick, Thomas Becket, Pagham and here at St. Wilfrid's. Many too will have attended Pauline's Induction by the former Bishop of Horsham, The Right Reverend Mark Sowerby at St. John the Baptist Church in Kirdford on 12th April 2017. We pray for Pauline, for Stephen and their family Ben, Tom and Hester. We give thanks for her time with us and all her ministry, and may she Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory. Peter G.

The 1981 Bognor Regis Christian Drama Society production of Ladislas Fodor’s The Vigil at St. Richard’s and St. Wilfrid’s churches. Pauline and Stephen are third and fourth from the right.