Teddy Bears' Picnic
Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Magazine of the Parish of St Matthew with St Paul, Winchester October 2018 £1.50
Services
Monday 4.30 pm Evening Prayer St Paul’s Lady Chapel/vestry/parish rooms Tuesday 4.30 pm Evening Prayer St Paul’s Lady Chapel/vestry/parish rooms Wednesday 11 am [BCP] Holy Communion St Matthew’s Wednesday 4.30 pm Evening Prayer St Paul’s Lady Chapel/vestry/parish rooms Sunday 8 am [BCP] Holy Communion St Paul’s on 1st Sunday of month St Matthew’s on all other Sundays Sunday 9.30 am Family Communion St Paul’s on 1st Sunday of month Sunday 9.30 am Parish Eucharist St Paul’s on all other Sundays Sunday 11.15 am [BCP] Holy Communion St Matthew’s on 1st Sunday of month Sunday 11.15 am [BCP] Mattins St Matthew’s on all other Sundays
Interested in meeting Children and young people/getting involved? people welcome Women’s group meeting monthly, 7 pm, at the first Sunday of each month: 9.30 am Roebuck for supper; please contact Julia Seal, Family Communion for all ages with DIY 854849, [email protected] crèche and band (opportunity for Men’s group meeting on the second Wednesday children to play in band) of the month, 8.30 pm, at the Roebuck for a drink 2nd to 5th Sundays: 9.30 am Parish and a chat; please contact Chris Sharp, 849186, Communion with activities for children [email protected] and young people (five different age- Tea with Friends on the second Monday of the groups) plus a DIY crèche month, 2.30–4.30 pm; please contact Linda St Paul’s @ 4: short, informal family Russell-Smith, 853584, or Heather Riley, 862867 service with craft activities at 4 pm St Paul’s Coffee Pot, usually meeting on the every third Sunday of the month, with second Friday of the month, 9.30 am–noon in refreshments afterwards St Paul’s, for real coffee, homemade cakes confirmation preparation for all those of and a chat (donations for Building for Life); secondary-school age who are children welcome interested Daytime book group usually on the first Monday baptisms: contact Canon Peter Seal, of the month, 2.30 pm; please contact Talia 844878, [email protected] Hedstrom, 868728, or Christine Bennett, 852681 regular under-fives’ services during the Tuesday homegroup, meeting fortnightly; week with pre-school and toddler new members welcome; please contact James groups Clay, 852141 toddler group, 0–3 years, Thursdays Meditation group, Tuesdays, 7.30 pm in the parish 9.30–11.30 am in the parish rooms rooms; all welcome St Paul’s pre-school, 2 years 9 months to Wednesday homegroup, meeting weekly, 7.45 pm; school age, five days a week 9.15 am– please contact Susie Richardson, 07813 641646 2.15 pm in St Paul’s Hall Thursday homegroup, meeting fortnightly, 7.30 for 7.45 pm; please contact Peter & Irene Please contact Mary Copping, 07921 Casey, 808776 886016, [email protected]
We’re grateful to all who send in photographs; this month they are by Heather Ellis, Henrietta Lucas, Ursula Payne, Chris Sharp and Vicki Tibbitts. 2 | From the rector
Dear friends, For us as a family we’re in one of those ‘in between’ stages that so many of you have experienced at the time of a bereavement. What I mean is, those days after a loved family member has died and as you prepare for the funeral. Julia and I are so grateful for the messages of support, lovely cards and letters, and prayers so many of you have showered upon us following my father’s death. If I may reflect with you briefly: Philip (senior) was 86. He had been ill in bed for three months. The medical care he received from the local health centre was outstanding. His family gave him 24-hour care, meaning he could stay at home until the end. He died peacefully with my mother holding his hand and my younger brother alongside them both. Dad was ready to die. He wasn’t fearful. So it can be described as a ‘good death’; one we surely all hope for. As a family we will miss him very much, but we know just how much we have to be thankful for. I’d be grateful for your ongoing prayers, please, for my dear mum Jane, who has vascular dementia. The Clarendon Way walk: the worst weather we have experienced! It rained constantly, but fortunately gently, for the second four hours. Seven of us completed the 24 miles. (A total of 21 of us, plus three dogs, walked all or part of the way.) We were soaked through when we arrived in Salisbury and both relieved and grateful to have lifts home in warm cars. Thank you so much to the many people who sponsored us. The grand total currently stands at an astounding £11,478. This includes the very generous match funding, which doubled the sponsorship, and gift aid too. This adds to our Building for Life appeal (see p. 14). The month ahead looks less intensely busy in the parish than September has been. St Matthew’s folk look forward to their annual Bring and Share Supper on Saturday 20th. The 9.30 service the next day includes the laying on of hands with prayer for healing. Every celebration of the Eucharist is a time for healing, but this special, intentional service is an opportunity to pray particularly for health and healing – our own and that of others. If ever a bit of healing was needed it is surely within the political structures of our nation as we head towards Brexit next year. I find myself rather lost for words to try and articulate what we’re going through and what we might expect to experience. We can go on praying, not in some naïve sense that it’s all going to come right; but in a deep-down, trusting-in-God way. Engaging in the ongoing debate, in the here and now, is part of our Christian calling. Speaking out, even when we know others will disagree, can at times be the right thing to do; the church has always had a prophetic voice. Maybe ‘holding on tight’ and trying not to be overcome by worry is our current calling. Tom Simpson was ordained priest on Saturday 29 September in Exeter Cathedral. It was good to be able to send a card and gift via his parents John and Susan. We pray that Tom, Gemma and their two boys will be strengthened in the way of life Tom has been called to. A few weeks ago I was delighted to be able to announce that, as from the end of June next year, we will have a curate. Liz Stuart works at the University of Winchester as the Deputy Vice Chancellor. She is a Professor of Theology – and a naturally pastoral person who will bring many gifts as she trains with us. Liz will necessarily be part-time. Mary and I much look forward to welcoming her. With every good wish and prayers,
Sunday services: October Bible readings 7 October Genesis 2: 18–24; Mark 10: 2–16 [p. 689] 14 October Hebrews 4: 12–16; Mark 10: 17–31 [p. 694] 21 October Acts 16: 6–12a; Luke 10: 1–9 [p. 1191] 28 October 2 Timothy 3: 14–4: 5; John 5: 36b–47 [p. 727]
| 3 Diary dates
The Annunciation: A Pilgrim’s Tues 23 O C T O B E R Quest – Mark Byford & Debbie Puzzlers’ club Thrower in conversation St Matthew’s, 2.15 pm Mon 1 Wessex Centre, 7–8.30 pm Christian meditation Book group Fri 12 Parish rooms, 7.30 pm Teg Down, 2.30 pm St Paul’s Coffee Pot Wed 24 Tues 2 St Paul’s, 9.30 am– Space in the City noon Alister McGrath lecture on United Church, 12.30–1 pm Dawkins versus C. S. Lewis Christian Aid murder Thurs 25 Cathedral, 7 pm mystery evening Christian meditation Twyford, 7 for 7.30 pm Toddler group Parish rooms, 9.30–11.30 am Parish rooms, 7.30 pm Sat 13–Sun 20 Sun 28 Wed 3 Winchester and District Green Space in the City series starts Week Bible Sunday United Church, 12.30–1 pm Sun 14 Taizé service Cathedral, 6 pm Faith Development group Winchester Camerata concert Parish rooms, 2 pm St Paul’s, 6.30 pm Mon 29 Property committee Thurs 4 Mon 15 Parish rooms, 9 am Under-fives’ Harvest Building for Life steering group Tues 30 celebration Parish rooms, 8.30 am St Paul’s, 9.30 am Christian meditation Alister McGrath lecture on the Parish rooms, 7.30 pm Toddler group Incarnation Parish rooms, 9.30–11.30 am Cathedral, 7 pm Wed 31 Fri 5–Sun 7 PCC meeting Space in the City Men’s weekend Parish rooms, 7.45 pm United Church, 12.30–1 pm Hilfield Friary Tues 16 Sun 7 Women’s group N O V E M B E R Junior servers meeting Roebuck Inn, 7 pm Sat 3 Parish rooms, 4 pm Christian meditation Wedding of Joanne Bishop and Mon 8 Parish rooms, 7.30 pm Robin Williams Western School governors Wed 17 St Paul’s, 3 pm Western Church School, 7 pm Space in the City Sun 4 Building for Life fund-raising United Church, 12.30–1 pm All Saints’/All Souls – special group Deanery Synod service to remember loved Vestry, 7.30 pm Tbc, 7.30 pm ones who died in years past Tues 9 Thurs 18 St Paul’s, 3.30 pm Christian meditation Toddler group Fri 9 Parish rooms, 7.30 pm Parish rooms, 9.30–11.30 am Western Church School Wed 10 Sat 20 Remembrance service Space in the City St Matthew’s Supper St Paul’s, 10.30 am United Church, 12.30–1 pm St Paul’s Hall, 6 for 6.30 pm Sat 10 Men’s group Sun 21 Autumn fayre Roebuck Inn, 8.30 pm Laying on of hands with prayer St Paul’s, 10.30 am–12.30 pm Thurs 11 St Paul’s, 9.30 am Sun 11 Toddler group St Paul’s @ 4 Remembrance Sunday, marking Parish rooms, 9.30–11.30 am St Paul’s, 4 pm 100 years since the end of WWI
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Family feedback We welcome those who have We pray for all who are unwell: We offer our love, sympathy and worshipped with us for the first Cheryl Barge, Caroline Behan, Judy prayers to close family and friends time in recent weeks, and hope Golding, Joy Hart, Andrew James, of those who have died recently, that you may feel at home and Julia Jones, Laura Liepins, Anna including Michael Broad, Scot encouraged to come again. McKenzie, Emma and Mark Miller, Buchan, Michael Pain, Philip Seal Kate Morgan, Jean Reeder, Les (senior) and Mike Thomas. Scott and Jane Seal.
Coming up
Space in the City Remembering War, Making Committee are hosting another ‘Whodunnit?’ at Peace is the title of this autumn’s series of free Twyford Village Hall on Fri 12 October, 7 for 7.30 Wednesday lunchtime talks, 12.30–1 pm at the pm. Tickets £15 to include coffee, tea and after- United Church. The speakers will consider what has dinner mints. Bring a hamper, torch and your best been said and done, painted and composed and detective mind! This year the EU will be match- written, that has been inspired by the experience funding all monies raised by a ratio of 4:1! It’s a of war and the hope of peace. great night out and it would be fabulous to have a 3 Oct Revd Michael Jackson, ‘Where peace and couple of tables of St Matthew’s/St Paul’s folk! passion meet: reflections on Woodbine Willie’ Tickets/information from Julie Sharp, [email protected], 07952 236887. 10 Oct Mike Gowlett, ‘What ho, Giotto! Stanley Spencer at Sandham Memorial Chapel’ First-ever Winchester and District Green Week, 17 Oct Christopher Seaman, ‘War-torn musicians’ Sat 13–Sat 20 October, promoted by Churches 24 Oct Pat Gaffney, ‘Global peacemaking – the Together in Winchester and Winchester Action on struggle goes on’ Climate Change. This is a great opportunity for 31 Oct Revd Canon Dr Sarah Hills, ‘The Community community organisations, local businesses and of the Cross of Nails, Coventry Cathedral’ individuals to showcase existing green activities and inspire sustainable living across the district. 7 Nov Mike Wooldridge, ‘We cannot say we didn’t Contact [email protected]. know: reporting war and peace’
Winchester Camerata concert at St Paul’s, Sun 14 The reflection of the natural world At Winchester October, 6.30 pm, leader David Blunt. Programme University’s foundation lecture on Thurs 4 October, entirely by women composers, including Clara 6.15 pm in the chapel, TV documentary presenter, Schumann, Lili Boulanger and Elisabeth Jacquet author and Anglican priest the Revd Peter Owen- de la Guerre. Tickets £12.50 (students £5) from Jones will speak on ‘Ecorria’ and explore what it is Louise Woods, 732487, [email protected], or to be human and who we are in the eyes of the on the door. natural world. Book your place via [email protected]. Uganda trip At the end of October Mollie Stannard is travelling to Kampala, Uganda, to work as a Eco stall Look for it at Winchester Cathedral’s volunteer for four weeks at Wakisa Ministry, a Harvest weekend, 6–7 October! They will be Christian pregnancy crisis charity. She would like to running a simple survey entitled ‘How did you get fill a suitcase with light essential items that are here?’ and playing an Eco Church film. difficult to come by or expensive in Uganda. This includes pens, pencils (coloured and lead), exercise The Annunciation: A Pilgrim’s Quest Mark Byford, books, needles and thread, fabric nappies and former Deputy Director General at the BBC, in cotton wool. If you would like to contribute, there conversation with Debbie Thrower of Meridian is a box at the back of St Paul’s for your donations. Tonight about his recent book, at the Wessex Centre on Thurs 11 October, 7–8.30 pm. Find out St Paul’s autumn fayre, in aid of Building for Life, what he learned during a three-year, 30,000-mile will be on Sat 10 November, 10.30–12.30. Save the devotional journey to search for the spiritual date! Great stalls, books, toys, jigsaws, bric-à-brac, meaning of St Luke’s story of the Annunciation. crafts, face-painting, raffle, coffee, cakes and mince Tickets (£5) from Winchester Cathedral box office. pies. For more details, or to contribute, please contact Vera Edwards, [email protected], Christian Aid murder mystery evening The 867242. Geriactors and Winchester & District Christian Aid | 5 Beyond Ourselves
Our journey into hope What does it take to be British? Through the charity Compassion UK, Geoffrey and Max and I came to London in 2002 and, while it Jo Burnaby’s daughter Sally and her husband John wasn’t our intention to stay for more than two sponsor four children in Haiti. Last year they were years, we are still here ... 16 years later! You may able to fly to Haiti and visit three of the families. be surprised to know that our two children, Oskar They kept a photographic record of their trip and and Friedrich – who were both born in this country, have now devised a 40-minute illustrated talk speak English as their first language, attend Kings’ entitled ‘Our journey into hope’ about their time in School and live life just like all their friends – have Haiti. Coincidentally, this year’s Christian Aid Week to register their right to become British citizens. was aimed at helping vulnerable people in Haiti – They cannot simply apply for a British passport; especially those displaced by Hurricane Matthew – we tried that and the application was rejected. by building hurricane-proof homes to help them Most teenagers don’t realise that they don’t have weather future storms. secure status until they apply for post-18 education Sally and John have offered to come to St Paul’s to and are turned away because they can’t access give their talk after the 9.30 service on Sunday funding or student loans. What will happen to EU 4 November. This will be in the Lady Chapel, and citizens in future is unclear. Without British you will be very welcome to attend, with your nationality our sons may face higher tuition fees after-service drinks. than British people. If universities class them as international students, they will charge tens of thousands of pounds. In April 2018 the fee for registering a child as a British citizen was raised to £1,012. The charity Citizens UK has calculated that much of the fee – about £640 – is profit, leaving just £372 for administrative costs. Oskar and Friedrich will now have to go through a similar process to what Max and I experienced two years ago, when we naturalised and became British citizens (although I don’t think we’ll ever lose our German accents!). Many children are going through the expensive process of applying for citizenship, despite never Sally and John with Melissa, one of their sponsored having known any other country. For some families children, and her aunt and granny who look after the fees are more than a month’s salary and will her, at their home at La Source in southeast Haiti put enormous pressure on them, not to mention those who simply cannot afford to pay. Most importantly, they are not claiming a benefit but Eco Church simply wish to exercise their right to register as a An exciting and challenging Environmental Policy was British citizen. adopted by the PCC at its September meeting. Squarely England has always been very welcoming to both of based in the context of living out our faith, it affirms: us and I have never heard anyone say anything Through Christ, God has created an awesome and negative about my background. However, the fact majestic cosmos to bring him praise and glory. We that my children are now being treated as second- are but one part of his created order. class citizens makes me wonder; it worries me, and Jesus has redeemed the whole earth through his it raises many questions. death and resurrection. We recognise that we have a special responsibility I started a petition calling on the Prime Minister, to care for the earth so that human life and all Theresa May, to lower the fees and remove the God’s creatures may be sustained in harmony. profit-making element. Here is the link to the petition, if you feel you would like to support this: Setting out this single objective – as a church tiny.cc/fa75yy. I would like to emphasise that this is community, we will take environmental concerns into not just about Oskar and Friedrich, but much more account in our mission, worship, study, education, for all those families who simply cannot afford to training, pastoral, administrative and other projects and pay this sort of money. programmes – it aims ‘to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and to sustain the life of the earth’. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Julia Stolle
6 | How to do mission in the face of depression By Ruth Radley, our mission partner in South Sudan until 2016
‘We all believe this is the right step for you at this from anyone else. In some ways perhaps that has time in your life – hold on to that in the tough made accepting my present situation harder – times.’ These were the words I heard when I was feeling I had let down so many people who had selected as a mission partner. Little did I know how supported me so faithfully. much they would come back to me over the years. However, I am learning that life isn’t perfect, and at I have been with Church Mission Society since times that imperfection overwhelms us. We are not 2001, when I was a short-termer in Tanzania. Did I lesser Christians because we are struggling with suffer from poor mental health previously? Not at mental health. Our bodies can get sick at different all. My personality was such that I was always quick times, and so can our minds. I prayed so hard for to feel happy and rejoice about certain situations, God to help me, I begged and begged, but quick to weep and feel sad or angry about others, continued spiralling downwards. I recognised that, but I would always bounce back fairly easily. sadly, I wasn’t strong enough to live in South Sudan. However, it doesn’t mean I can’t still Did I expect that almost eight years after leaving for support friends there, and the encouragement goes South Sudan I would return burned out and with both ways. Perhaps, as Henri Nouwen says, I am a clinical depression (which I had almost certainly ‘wounded healer’. been living with, but hiding well – even to myself – for at least 18 months)? Or that two years later I Don’t go it alone Another thing I struggle with is would still be on medication? No, I did not. doing mission as a single person. It is a reality that, however great your friends, you do have to But that is where I now find myself. CMS have been somehow fit in with their family commitments. And amazing, supporting me with debriefing and when you move somewhere new, there is no one friendship, but it’s a long, painful road. I am still a who knows you – everything is an effort. However, mission partner, doing my best to go forward with whatever I may feel at times, I am not alone. I have life and mission amid many questions. So here are a a small team of people around me who have been few small things that I have learned along the way. faithful in supporting me and have not been too Be real About five months into an intended six- fazed by the e-mails they have received. And there month leave in the UK, I finally accepted returning are others who have kept in touch and been to the place l loved and had called home, and concerned. Back in the UK, I live in a house-share, which was suffering terribly through war, was not not alone. I have a spiritual director, and my team going to happen. I was no longer healthy enough to who understand life is tough, and four CMS mission live there and be effective. partners who regularly check up on me. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, Accept, no matter how long your faith journey, having believed I would be there for at least 10 you will never know it all or have it all sorted years. Calling a few important people in South There is so much that I simply do not understand, Sudan to tell them I was not returning was but I still serve a God I believe wants to be known incredibly tough. I loved them and had invested so to all. Who is for us, not against us, though at times much into what was my home. I struggle with that. I also know disappointment with God and am still working through that. After a long while I was strong enough to think about my future, and grateful that working in I know that life doesn’t always go the way we chaplaincy at Birmingham Children’s Hospital fitted had planned or hoped. I perhaps have a deeper with both the hospital and CMS, as well as me. I understanding of the difficulties people go through was broken, am still healing and see this new as I walk alongside parents and families through mission work as part of my healing story. the tough moments in hospital that may somehow stay with me as I continue in this life of mission we Accept you are human One of the hardest things are called to. has been being put on a pedestal as an ‘amazing person’. I am who I am – flaws and warts and all – (Extracted from an article in Church Mission doing what I have been called to do, no different Society’s The Call)
In our woundedness, we can become a source of life for others Henri Nouwen
| 7 Faith development
Monks, nuns and Henry others are vigorous and healthy. All in all, there are around 340 women and 115 men in this country, Alice was really surprised the other day in Tesco’s. with a total of 1,872 people worldwide. She thought she knew all about nuns, but then she It is not a life that many are called to in the 21st met one without a rosary on her belt. ‘Why not?’ century; it is a life under the threefold vow of she asked. ‘Oh, hello’, said the nun, ‘Well, that’s poverty, chastity and obedience, and it is a lifelong because I’m not a Roman commitment in intention. Catholic nun, I’m an Much thought and prayer is Anglican’. ‘But Anglicans UK religious communities being given these days to can’t be nuns’, said Alice. ‘Oh 20–30 31+ possible alternatives. At yes, they can’, was the reply, members members 1–4 3% Lambeth the archbishop has ‘and monks and friars as 8% members 31% a community supporting him well, though the same 10–19 under a 12-month person can’t be all three, of members commitment. course!’ 21% Some communities have a I suspect quite a lot of us are Third Order. The Society of St like Alice but, if so, we are Francis has just under 2,000 actually about 200 years out tertiaries, of whom I am one, of date. Five hundred years living under a simple vow of ago England was full of 5–9 prayer, of commitment to my monasteries and nunneries, members Franciscan brothers and and the envy of the rest of 37% sisters, of living a simple life Europe. But then when and of service to all people. Henry VIII broke from Rome it all changed. He didn’t disagree with what monks and nuns did and There is so much more I could write. Do ask me, how they lived, but he did cast his greedy eyes on ring me, e-mail me ([email protected]) … what they possessed, and within a few years their and when you next see a nun, a monk or a friar homes had all been closed, and all their land and (and it would need another half-page to explain the property ‘acquired’. And that, said Henry, was difference), do speak to them. They may prove to that … except that it wasn’t! be Roman Catholics after all, but all are lovely people – holy and very human. For in the early 19th century various loyal members Bishop John Dennis of the Church of England began to feel that perhaps God was calling them to this ‘religious’ life, as it is called. What was it that attracted them, and still Women’s weekend does their successors? Ladies: would you be interested in attending a two- day, minimally led retreat over a weekend Basically it is a life in community, devoted both sometime in 2019? If this appeals to you, please to prayer and to the service of God. Many register your interest with Liz Stannard, 855871, communities (for there are lots of them, as you will [email protected], during October or read shortly) focus on a particular type of service. If November. Thank you. you have ever watched Call the Midwife on the BBC you will have seen women at work in that way. With the NHS now set up, that community has Epiphanies moved on to other things. At Whitby, the You are invited to a meditative poetic evening at St Community of the Holy Paraclete focuses on Lawrence’s on Thurs 11 October, 7.30–9 pm, with education. Communities specialise in many things, Chris Mann, Emeritus Professor of Poetry at Rhodes but all that is secondary to the corporate prayer life University in South Africa (free, but preferably book they share. via [email protected], 849434). Some communities are for women, some for men ‘Who’s never experienced a flash of insight, great and a few for both. They are to be found all over or small? Epiphanies, flashes of insight that have a the country. In Hampshire there are men at Alton, transcendental significance … Epiphanies require women at Southsea. Franciscan friars have their prayer and contemplation to thrive … Epiphanies base in Dorset, at Hilfield. There is a mixed are part of daily life. A mysterious energy, dubbed community near Worcester. In Britain there are 35 in the Christian tradition as “the Holy Spirit”, keeps different communities, many of them quite small in trying to get through to our violent species. We are numbers. Some are getting elderly and fading, but churlish to repress its voice.’
8 | A Bible reading a day ... a section of a gospel over a few weeks. Without helps you work, rest and pray these notes I would be likely to end up not keeping up with regular Bible reading.’ The Common Worship lectionary we use as the source of our Bible readings in church designates New Daylight (3 readers) ‘It provides an “entrance” the last Sunday before Advent as Bible Sunday. This into the Bible by focusing on some verses each day year it falls on 28 October, and we plan to mount a to help with the discipline of regular Bible reading. small exhibition in St Paul’s to promote regular The readings are grouped into topics – e.g. Bible reading. Discipleship, Jerusalem – and are taken from both Old and New Testament. Notes and comments It’s said that if ballet dancers don’t practise for one explain the verses and bring them to life.’ day, they notice; if they don’t practise for two days Geoffrey Burnaby their colleagues notice; and if they don’t practise birchmore1@talktalk,net, 865432 for three days we all notice! It may not be so obvious if Christians don’t read the Bible every day, Book review but sooner or later it will be noticed. This is a readable, well- Different Christian traditions give different weight researched book from the Bible to the habit of daily private Bible study, but all Reading Fellowship, based on agree that it’s an important discipline – a practice considerable practical to be fostered if faith is to grow deep roots. What experience and offering if, instead if seeing it as a duty, we think of it as a positive concepts and practical gift – an opportunity to sit in the Lord’s presence, suggestions. Harriet Mowat is a focus on God’s word and keep the channels of social scientist and communication open? gerontologist, Donald a recently retired GP and Daily Bible reading notes from the Bible Reading consultant to the NHS in old-age psychiatry. Fellowship (BRF) provide a structure: a manageable passage of scripture and the thoughts of a wise, The introductory chapters discuss both Christian compassionate and experienced commentator. BRF and societal views on ageing. No radical views here, have for many years been offering various series of but a valuable summary of issues facing us, as well notes, from the seriously theological to the quietly as a useful trip through various models of ageing. contemplative, from those written specifically for The authors consider the links between spirituality women to reflections for older people. and ageing and how needs change and evolve, pointing out that ‘ageing well’ or ‘successful ageing’ Whichever series you choose, it introduces you is, unhelpfully, beginning to mean ‘not becoming a over time to the whole sweep of scripture, from burden to others or the health service’. Genesis to Revelation, allowing you to absorb its wisdom, develop your understanding and Using the device of telling the story of two fictitious encounter daily inspiration, encouragement and characters, the authors give realistic practical challenge. (A number of other Christian publishers examples of possible ageing ‘trajectories’ whilst offer daily Bible reading plans, but not all provide indicating other common paths. The second-half- commentaries or help with obscure passages.) of-life issues are summarised briefly as well as the changes that often occur post-retirement and, later At St Paul’s a small group of people use BRF notes still, the end-of-life issues we each inevitably face. to support our individual daily reading, and we make a bulk order. Please contact me if you would The search for meaning in general – and for like to join in; readers from St Matthew’s would be spiritual meaning in particular – does not become especially welcome. Current members observe: any less relevant in older age. However it does, typically, change over time, and this is helpfully Day by Day with God (1 reader) ‘Finding time to explored. The authors face squarely the fearfulness read the Bible every day can be difficult, but these of irrelevance and pointlessness, exacerbated by notes provide both the passage from the Bible and what can be experienced as stigma and worry one woman’s interpretation at your fingertips. about ‘becoming a burden’. Likewise, issues of Many issues that bother women are addressed; mental as well as physical decline are explored they often seem to be for me personally, cheering sympathetically along with the impact of me, or sometimes acting as a gentle reminder that I disabilities, suffering and loss. If this all sounds am straying from the Christian way.’ deeply gloomy, it does not come across that way at Guidelines (2 readers) ‘I find the BRF Bible notes all. I found it refreshing that the very real issues, valuable because the version I use has a good increasingly experienced in one form or another by amount of space for thoughts, explanations and those of us becoming conscious of our ‘senior comments (it does not print the reading itself). years’, are considered realistically but positively. Apart from addressing different topics, it may cover Michael Joseph
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Ride + Stride
New Wine
Junior servers at St Paul’s Education Sunday
Teddy bears’ picnic
10 | Parish camping
Clarendon Way walk
| 11 From our elected representatives Brexit, public health and PMQs This month, after a quiet party conference season, on www.stevebrine.com) will know there is indeed we return to Westminster for what promises to be much going on as well as Brexit. Although we took one of the most fascinating sessions in the modern the usual bucket-and-spade vacation in Devon this history of our parliament. The conventional August, my work as Public Health Minister doesn’t wisdom is that parliament – and government – is stop during summer recess, and I’m pushing ahead consumed by Brexit, and there’s no denying it’s the with the implementation of our world-leading big issue of our time. But don’t let the #fakenews Childhood Obesity Plan, among many other tasks. old media tell you nothing else is going on. Your MP Last month I announced our consultation to ban is a minister at the sharp end, the Department of the sale of energy drinks to children. There are dual Health, and I know for sure this is not the case. health and educational concerns around their marketing to our children, and we need to act. Now, it’s no secret I campaigned and voted for There have also been announcements from me this Remain in the referendum but, as a democrat, I summer around the medical use of cannabis and accept the result and refuse to talk our country making the HPV vaccine available for boys. down for my own ends. As I said in 2016, I don’t share the negative-mindset view that our country is Locally, I was so pleased recently to commend the doomed, small and no longer relevant. But I also Building for Life project by writing in support of a don’t believe 17 million people voted to harm our big grant application the parish is making. I know country, so I will in the end support a deal that many residents stand full-square behind Peter Seal respects the referendum result and puts practical and the team in faith, word and deed; we are so reality for our economy and our country over lucky to have each other. I fully trust this ambitious theoretical, dreamy ideology and cheap newspaper project will be completed and am reminded of the columns. I am no doubt testing the patience words in Psalm 127: ‘Unless the Lord builds the of your excellent editor, so I will simply point house, those who build it labour in vain’. constituents wanting more to a recent article I Finally, I have thrown open my allocation of tickets wrote, ‘Burkhas and Brexit’, which sums up where I to PMQs via public ballot and the next date is Wed am as a (still) centrist, moderate government MP. 5 December (see my website). Any constituents who receive my monthly Steve Brine, MP for Winchester newsletter on e-mail (you can sign up in two clicks
Doorstep glass recycling and High Street security Council activity seems to be picking up apace, and sure doorstep glass recycling is introduced. We also we’ve had many requests to deal with a range of believe the Council ought to be looking at other issues – in particular glass recycling, the state of the types of recycling, such as food waste, which a streets, parking and the security barriers on the number of people have also requested, and which High Street. In addition we’ve done much work on is successfully managed in other areas. the major projects: Silver Hill 2, the proposed new Last Christmas, security barriers in the leisure centre and development around form of ad hoc concrete blocks the station. appeared on the High Street. Many For now we’d like to say a few words people have commented on how ugly about glass recycling and the High and random they appear; they were Street barriers. We’ve received many e- only intended to be a temporary mails from people living in this area, all measure. The aim is for them to be of whom are keen to see doorstep replaced before this Christmas and we collection of glass for recycling – have been looking at, and making something we wholeheartedly support. The City comments on, proposed alternatives. We are keen Council could have introduced this some seven to ensure that whatever replaces them in our very years ago but decided it was too costly; we have special High Street will be effective without being been challenging them on it ever since. A petition ugly or inappropriate. They need to fit in with the to a meeting of the Council last February has given existing streetscape. new impetus to this issue, and we are now keeping Liz Hutchison, Lucille Thompson and Martin Tod up pressure on the current administration to make Councillors for the St Paul ward
12 | Some thoughts about words
Coming across a little book that I took to be an old From the worst to the best of words and, of all I diary, I discovered that it was instead a collection of have known in a long life, my favourite is ‘grace’, The Wit and Wisdom of Winston Churchill, because it describes so many things and even someone honoured by many in the past as a heroic sounds like its meaning. We admire the grace of leader, but with more recent studies having movement of a dancer or an athlete, in nature pointed out his mistakes, his weaknesses and his the flight of a bird or the beautiful running of an failures. Surely, however, few would dispute that animal like the cheetah. And there is grace in the he was someone whose words in war and peace movement of trees in a breeze or across a field of had a profound effect on those who heard them, tall corn before it ripens. There is another meaning, and in the recent film The Darkest Hour, Gary however, which belongs to those who live with Oldman’s brilliant portrayal of him suggested that disabilities, pain or many other problems, but do so his famous ‘we shall never surrender’ speech in the without self-pity and with a courage that can only House of Commons in 1940 finally silenced those be described as grace. who believed sincerely that we should negotiate Of all things, however, grace belongs to our faith. with Hitler. Its dictionary definition of ‘the free and unmerited When first thinking of this subject, I favour of God’ speaks as it should, was tempted to write that it is hard but perhaps it does not reach the to find politicians now who speak Words belong to us all warmth of the gift we hope for and with such eloquence, but by chance and we can choose give thanks for in so many of our two former presidents did recently how we use them prayers alone or together. Whether at the funeral of John McCain, and we say them in thanks before a meal the words of the senator himself, or at the end of serious meetings when bidding farewell to Congress, were a or celebrations, or whether they are a part of a perfect combination of thought and humour minister’s blessing as we leave our churches, grace spoken by a good man. is always there – as amazing as that which inspired John Newton to write his great hymn. My little book was about wit and wisdom, and in this small space I can scarcely touch on the I know little of the history of language but wonder centuries of words about them that have been left how and when our distant ancestors began to for us. But to pick one name from my dictionary associate certain sounds with things or actions or of quotations and proverbs, of 350 pages of even feelings, and how those sounds became the quotations more than 60 belong to Shakespeare. words we learn when we are babies and use for the Amongst the proverbs, however, I take issue with rest of our lives. They belong to us all and we can the one that states, ‘Sticks and stones may break choose how we use them – whether to help do my bones, but words can never hurt me’. They great things like changing the world or minute can, and they do, as the weapons of the liar, the things like someone writing about her thoughts for bully and the tyrant; and in this age of mass a parish magazine. communication, once out in the world, for good Heather Riley or ill they are there for ever.
Contributed by Liz Elsworthy
| 13 Building for Life Sponsored readathon We’re making good progress! On Sat 17 November, 9 am–6 pm, a series of 50 I keep reminding myself that we are involved in a narrative passages from the Old Testament (King big and complex, as well as costly, project; so it’s James’ version) are to be read aloud by a team at St not surprising that it’s taking quite some time! By Matthew’s, in a readathon organised by the Friends way of reminder: our aim is to create a building of St Matthew with St Paul. All six volunteers will that has everything needed for both the read for three sessions and each will take about 30 worshipping congregation and the wider minutes. With 18 sessions in total, the reading time community. We’re a parish that is on the ‘front will be around nine hours. Many thanks to the foot’, looking ahead with confidence, believing in readers, who will be Stephen Adam, Christine an ongoing future which God goes on revealing. As Bennett, Keith Brown, Philip Morgan, Heather Riley William Carey said, ‘Attempt great things for God, and Mike Russell-Smith. St Matthew’s will be open expect great things from God’. throughout the readathon for people to come and sit quietly and listen. Our fund-raising currently stands at £560,000 of the £850,000 on our yellow-brick road. That is: The aim is to raise £3,370 to cover the cost of a money already received or pledged, plus Gift Aid, chancel carpet for St Paul’s (a previous sponsored plus any grants we know we will be receiving. readathon in 2015 raised over £3,000 for St This is a truly remarkable sum. Again, many Matthew’s, and we’re hoping to raise a similar thanks to everyone who is making this possible. amount on this occasion). Over the past four years It really is a huge team effort, with every the Friends have donated £13,500 to the PCC to be contribution greatly appreciated. used for improvements to both churches as part of the Building for Life vision for the future. STOP PRESS: £15,000 just pledged by the Congregational & General Charitable Trust. Could you be a sponsor to help us achieve our New total £575,000. target? Look out for the sponsorship forms, which will be available in both churches from Your fund-raising team, so ably led by Bill Lucas, mid-October. continues to work consistently and very hard. Grant Geoffrey Burnaby and Keith Brown applications are complex and extremely time- consuming. Please pray for those giving their efforts to this, and that we will soon have some more successes! Ride + Stride Alongside this work, detailed cash flow analysis is Thanks to all the volunteers who generously gave taking place, with a careful eye to any risks we their time to welcome visitors to St Paul’s and St need to anticipate. This will enable the Finance Matthew’s for this year’s Ride + Stride, held on 8 Committee and then, in due course, the PCC to be September. Thousands of people were cycling, able to make informed, realistic and appropriate walking, running or driving around the county’s decisions as to when we will have sufficient money historic churches and chapels for Hampshire and to begin building work. The current hoped-for start the Islands Historic Churches Trust’s annual event. date is summer 2019. (This timing means we’ll be Thankfully the day was fine, which very much able to have our Community Day next year on 11 reflected the atmosphere inside the church and the May, and need someone to take the lead!) enthusiasm of groups of participants; St Paul’s Knowing that St Paul’s will not be usable during the welcomed 36 visitors, St Matthew’s 22. General building work (10–12 months), we’re giving careful feedback and comments were most encouraging – thought to where Sunday worship can be held. We particularly interest shown for the future have our beloved St Matthew’s, where there will be alterations to St Paul’s … together with many Sunday services at 8.00 and 11.15 each week remarks complimenting the delightful floral display according to the Book of Common Prayer; some at the entrance to the church, healthy from St Paul’s may find they would like to worship refreshments and quiet for visitors to sit and rest there. We plan to hold the 9.30 Parish Communion before venturing on. A visitor to St Matthew’s in the hall at Western, our church school, where commented on how impressive the kitchen facility there will also be rooms available for our really is in such a small space. important Sunday School. More, of course, about Cyclists ranged from Bishops Waltham, Cheriton, these arrangements as the time draws closer. Hursley, King’s Somborne, King’s Worthy, As always, please do not hesitate to be in touch Southampton, West Wellow and Wickham with Bill Lucas, our St Paul’s churchwardens Chris to Winchester. Seaman and Chris Sharp, our treasurer Amanda Heather Ellis, Co-ordinator Berridge, or me, if you have any questions. Peter Seal 14 | Children’s and youth work update
Teddy bears’ picnic This was a first, and it was good to see so many families coming to this fun Coming up day. Vicki Tibbitts had prepared lots of activities Thurs 4 Oct, 9.30 am and games for the children, and a large team of Under-fives’ Harvest people provided wonderful food. Everyone celebration enjoyed themselves, including Peter Seal and me! It was a good opportunity talk to people in relaxed surroundings. Sun 21 Oct, 4 pm St Paul’s @ 4 In the September service we talked St Paul’s @ 4 family about Moses, found in a basket by the River Nile as service, ‘Joseph’s a baby. We thought of God talking to him from a amazing coat’, with burning bush, and God clearing a path through the tea afterwards Red Sea for his people to leave Egypt on their way to the Promised Land. The children enjoyed filling up a large tray with water and discussing how we could make it divide. A miracle, one suggested! Yes, but anything else? Maybe put two trays on the them up. In another session the children enjoyed water, creating a way over? So that’s what we did, making masks. and we walked some cardboard people across. Thank you to our helpers for the younger groups There were songs and craft activities, and then that meet in St Paul’s Hall; we welcome three new families stayed for tea and chat. people on to the team. One Sunday the Climbers Thursday toddler group We’re grateful to Victoria and Explorers (ages 4–7) made colourful ‘stained- McCabe and her team for continuing to lead glass’ crosses from tissue-paper. Another time they Toddlers this term. New people have been coming, were told the story of a mum whose daughter was and there’s been a good number each week. very ill. She went to ask Jesus to heal the girl. As she wasn’t Jewish, Jesus checked whether she had Sunday morning groups We’re pleased that Aaron faith in God, but he saw that she believed in him Burrows, studying Theology at the University of and he told her to go home. When she got there Winchester, has returned after the summer her daughter was healed. The children collaged holidays and this term he’s leading Destination hearts with pasta pieces to take home and hang up (ages 8–10). In one September session the group to remind them that Jesus loved them. One Sunday started with some games then discussed what it they made a lovely Jesus Christ acrostic: means to be a Christian. Some lovely, meaningful thoughts came from this. Jesus Christ, God’s Son Excellent things come from him Aaron attends Wednesday lunchtime Eucharist at the university chapel, which is where I first met Son of God looks after us him. The chapel has been completely renewed Unexpected things happen inside and our plan is to take Destination and Special person Transition there one Sunday morning. We’ll hold a short service and Aaron will explain more about Church is where we praise his name the chapel. We continue to advertise for another Helps us through life youth assistant. Respect all people In Scramblers (pre-school age) the children heard Incredible life the story of Noah and made pictures of the Ark on Saves our souls paper plates. That week’s game was finding the Totally awesome. animals hidden around the room and pairing Mary Copping
You are warmly invited to contribute items to the magazine – it would be good to hear a wide range of voices from our community. Please e-mail them to [email protected] or send them to Ursula Payne at the Parish Office, St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Hill, Winchester SO22 5AB. (Final editorial choice rests with Peter Seal, and we reserve the right to edit contributions.)
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Please contact Katy Palacio, [email protected], 844878
THE LOG CABIN
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COMMUNITY SPACES Garden design available for hire and construction St Paul’s parish rooms Three adjacent, interconnected rooms with a kitchenette; use of chairs and tables St Paul’s Hall A medium-sized hall seating up to 60 people with a kitchenette St Paul’s Church Will Ridpath Space for up to 300 people to sit, a modern Over 20 years of creating sound-system and kitchenette gardens to suit your needs St Matthew’s Church
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| 17 Richard Steel & Partners Family owned FUNERAL DIRECTORS
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Services for individuals Services for businesses Buying and selling property Farms and estates Landlord and tenant Business acquisitions and disposals Wills and powers of attorney Commercial property Divorce and family law Employment law Support for the elderly Civil litigation Tax advice Dispute resolution Trusts Administration of estates Employment law
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Disclaimer: Advertisements in the parish magazine are accepted in good faith from local organisations, businesses and individuals. The publication of these advertisements should not be taken as a recommendation or endorsement of the products or services offered. | 19
Contact us
Parish Office, St Paul’s Church Canon Peter Seal, Rector Katy Palacio, parish St Paul’s Hill, Winchester [email protected] administrator, room bookings, SO22 5AB, 844878 854849 (h) 844878 (office) advertising Usually open M, W, F, 9.30–3 M, Tu, W, Th [email protected] www.stmatthewstpaul.org 844878, M, W, F Revd Mary Copping, Asst Priest, Ursula Payne, rector’s assistant, Ali Galvin, music administrator children/youth work co-ordinator Building for Life project [email protected] [email protected] administrator 07734 458773 07921 886016, M, Tu, W, F [email protected] 844878, M, Tu, Th Bishop John Dennis Nathalie Schulz, PCC secretary Ian Rees, organist, St P’s [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 868881 810509 07824 686147 Revd Neil Birkett, Asst Priest Amanda Berridge, PCC treasurer Prue Skinner, organist, St M’s [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 864910 777808 854210 Stephen Adam, Licensed Lay Tim Stannard, stewardship Niki Bray, safeguarding officer Minister (LLM) secretary, St P’s (children and adults) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 883511 855871 07786 837535 Gary Ruffell, LLM Emeritus David Blunt, legacy officer, St P’s Jan Walley, parish visiting 881513 [email protected] [email protected] 810641 808441 Chris Sharp, churchwarden, St P’s Mike Russell-Smith, legacy Sarah Eadie, flowers, St P’s [email protected] officer, St M’s [email protected] 849186 [email protected] 624259 853584 Christopher Seaman, churchwarden, Maggie Brecknell, electoral roll Heather Riley, flowers, St M’s St P’s officer [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 862867 849192 856552 Alexa Heady, assistant Geoffrey Burnaby, Friends of St Jean Gardner, local magazine churchwarden, St P’s Matthew with St Paul distribution [email protected] [email protected] 853482 841151 865432 Dick Wilkinson, Silvia Brown, St Paul’s Pre-school Janet Bird, postal magazine churchwarden/health, safety and supervisor distribution security officer, St M’s supervisor@stpaulspreschoolwin 881173 [email protected] chester.co.uk 865705 07879 645600 Roger McKearney, health, safety and Bill Lucas, Chair, Building for Life All gifts gratefully received security officer, St P’s Project Cheques payable to St [email protected] buildingforlife@stmatthewstpaul. Matthew’s PCC 624115 org Sort code 55-81-26 Account 73264024
If religion, if religions have a meaning, it is to liberate that core of goodness in human beings. Paul Ricoeur