Dec 2020 / St George, Castle Street, Kendal Jan 2021 www.kendalstgeorge.com

From the Priest in Charge

Another year is nearly over and what a year it has been. Perhaps remembered best as a year of uncertainty and surprise. Predominantly dominated by the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic and all the changes that has brought to our lives, but there was also the lead up to, and result of the American presidential election, politicians in the UK resigning, and much loved personalities dying. Every month seemed to bring about another earth shaking event in the world.

Over 2000 years ago there was another earth shaking event, although very few people recognised it at the time. In fact, it was the best news the world has ever had. The Son of God coming to live among us, born to a young couple in a small town that no one thought important enough to have something important happen in it. Yet there an event occurred that changed life fundamentally. An event that was truly earth shaking as it played out over the next 30 years culminating in the death and resurrection of Jesus

Christmas is the time of year when we celebrate that fact.

As we prepare for this event through the season of Advent, let us make a conscious effort to rejoice as did the shepherds on that first Christmas and share the good news with everyone we have contact with – albeit in a socially distanced way. The good news that God loves us and wants us to know him, is just as real today and transcends anything that is going on in the world.

We may not be able to celebrate Christmas in quite the same way as last year. It’s likely that we won’t spend quite so much time planning gatherings and travelling about visiting friends. Our families may not be able to get together with us. It may in fact give us a bit of space and time to engage with the real meaning and purpose of Christmas.

Time to think about who Jesus is and why he came to be one of us. Space to reflect about how amazing it was that God chose to come and be born as one of us. To identify with us, to walk with us, share with us, and above all to experience what we experience.

1 As much as our lives have been disrupted – The fact remains, that at this time of year we have cause to celebrate ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.’ John 3:16

However you spend your Christmas and whoever you spend it with, I pray that this fact will transcend any disappointments or emotions you may be feeling.

I wish you all a really joyful Christmas and a peaceful and blessed New Year.

With love and prayers , Tricia

SACRED SPACE : Reflection on Matthew 1 : 18-25

Read the Bible passage two or three times until you are familiar with it. Then enter the story yourself, becoming a part of it. Take your time over this.

In your imagination, take yourself to Nazareth, around 2000 years ago……. You may look around …… what do you see? ….. Feel the warm sun and the gentle breeze …………..

Allow your gaze to rest on a carpenter’s shop …… what can you see there? ………….. Watch the carpenter at work ……….. What is he making? ………. How different are the things he has made from today’s wooden items? ………. Compare his tools to those of a carpenter from today … Is there any modern thing that you wish you could give him? …. And is there anything which you wish you could bring back to modern times? …………

As you engage him in conversation he tells you that the woman to whom he is betrothed to be married is expecting a baby which cannot be his ………….

2 Listen as if hearing it for the first time -, as though you don’t know the end of the story ………………. ……. Listen as he wrestles with the problem of betrayal ……….. Joseph and Mary may have been engaged since they were children – but now their betrothal is a pledge that can only be broken by divorce…………………. And there is another problem - the law states that a woman having intercourse outside marriage should be stoned to death ….. speak to Joseph as he ponders this dilemma. ….

And now, listen as an angel appears to Joseph ……………. “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name, Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” …. Is Joseph afraid to be confronted with an angel? ………… Does he speak to the angel? ………. Try to put yourself in his position. How does he react to this amazing news ….. and however would he explain this to his family and friends ………. What does he imagine the future to hold? ………….. Will he have to cope with ridicule? …. And the baby is to be named Jesus, meaning Saviour …… what does all that imply? …. Speak to Joseph again ……….

As Joseph takes Mary home to be his wife, how will their relationship have changed? ……………

And now allow your thoughts to turn to God as you place before him your own thoughts ……………… and after you have done so, listen to his reply before returning to the present. Jean Radley

From our Parish Registers

Funerals 9th November 2020 Peggy Johnstone 17th November 2020 Pat Marshall 3 News From Manna House : Lockdown opening & Winter Shelter and Christmas

As an essential service we are still open over this current lockdown. If you or anyone you know needs a takeaway meal, a listening ear or advice on their housing or income issues, they are welcome to come to Manna House. We are open Monday-Friday (Thursday rough sleepers only) from 10am to 1pm.

Winter Shelter Update Due to Covid restrictictions we have been working in partnership with SLDC to make sure homeless people are accommodated safely this Winter. We will not be operating an overnight shelter this year but have been asked to continue providing hot meals as we would on a usual shelter night. Our volunteer teams will be cooking and providing hot meals and a listening ear from 1st December to 28th February here at the Stephenson centre off Ann Street. Could you volunteer? We are still short of people to join teams, contact Penny if interested.

Christmas Gift Cards from Manna House. Due to Lockdown we have been unable to host our annual Christmas Auction, this will be a great loss to the charity’s income, in its place we have some wonderful gift cards for you to buy. £5 buys a Christmas meal, £10 buys an advice session and £20 buys a warm safe bed for the night. You will receive a beautiful card with original art work from local artist, Stuart Gray and a message inside which says what you have bought in your loved ones name. Please order from us on 01539 725534 or email [email protected]

Penny Severn, Outreach and Development, Manna House The Stephenson Centre, Ann Street, Kendal, , LA9 6AA Tel: 01539 725534 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.manna-house.org.uk Manna House Cumbria: Registered Charity No. 1147785 Company Limited by Guarantee 08041948 4

Farewell Letter from Revd. Dr. Chris Taylor

Dear Sisters and brothers

Thank you all so much for the wishes, messages, cards, gifts edible and potable. I think we can eat (posh) ready meals for about three days each side of moving to Wanstead. Such luxury. I know we both appreciate your thoughts and love at this time.

It will be strange, but quite exciting, to arrive in East London so close to a very different and possibly rather quiet Advent and Christmas. I’m sure it will be strange here too. Perhaps Carol Singing around the Parishes should make a come-back.

As I have said before, we are keeping our house here for holidays and the chance to walk up a few hills – none in Epping Forest, but if you find yourself east of London, we will be living at 13 Wanstead Place, London E11 2SW and would love to see you, if we’re allowed.

The churches in the Parish are Christ Church, Wanstead Place, E11, and St Mary’s, Langley Drive E11.

I’ve no hesitation in repeating that it’s been a privilege to work alongside everyone across the Team and I look forward to hearing all your news.

Do please stay in touch

With much love and prayers

Chris

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Children’s pages

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7 12 ways to avoid stress this Christmas

Change your expectations this Christmas. Don’t waste time lamenting what should have been. Instead, try and enjoy whatever is possible this year.

Make a list. Include sending cards, buying presents and organising food for the big day. Having a lists helps keep you in control of your life.

Set a reduced budget this year. With a pandemic raging, this no time to take on Christmas debt. If you can’t pay for it this month, probably best not to buy it.

Exercise each day - it releases happiness-inducing serotonin. That will help you to keep calm and positive over the festive period.

Don’t overindulge. Too much alcohol and rich food won’t improve your life.

Keep calm and keep kind – urge your family members to try and avoid any flare up of family tensions. If you need to cry, cry, but then, keep on keeping on.

Remember those everyday essentials: batteries for new toys, toilet paper, milk, paper towel. Those things you never think about – until they are gone.

Entertain the kids: plan ahead various films, games and whatever it takes to give them a memorable Christmas.

Make the most of Zoom this year with far-flung relatives and friends.

Most of all, include God in your Christmas! This is His Son’s birthday - include Bible readings and carols in your family routine over the festive period.

8 Green grow'th the Holly by Kirsty Steele

A music manuscript from about 1515 and attributed to King Henry VIII has the words:

Green grow'th the holly, So doth the ivy, Though winter blasts ne'er so high Green grow'th the holly.

The next three verses take us through spring, summer and autumn, so this is clearly not a Christmas carol, unlike the familiar 'The Holly and the Ivy'. What may not be known is that holly and ivy are two of the very few native evergreen trees, and in past times must have been especially popular in providing greenery during winter months.

With its shiny spiky dark green leaves, holly is surely one of the most easily recognised trees in this country. Though often bushlike, holly can grow up to ten metres high with a straight trunk and pyramid shape. It is dioecious, meaning each tree is either male or female, explaining possibly why the one in your garden never has any berries!

Nowadays we associate holly with Christmas wreaths and garlands, cards and carols. Pre-Victorian times saw holly branches used as Christmas trees, with the spiky leaves representing Christ's Crown of Thorns and the red berries as drops of blood. Holly brought into the house was regarded as protection against evil spirits and as a refuge for good 'faeries' who would guard the residents of the house in return.

It is interesting to note that where no person or animal brushes by a holly, the leaves lack all spines except the one at the tip. This includes upper leaves on mature trees. A bit like people – be nice and they won't be scratchy!

Back to 'Green grow'th the Holly'. The final verse ends:

The God of life can never die, Hope! Saith the holly.

How wise. Where would we be without hope? 9

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER : ST. GEORGE’S WITH GRAYRIGG M.U.

Here’s another mini newsletter to keep you up to date with M.U. news : First I would like to congratulate Audrey (Benson) who celebrated 50 years as a M.U. member on the 8th October, a remarkable achievement. Secondly congratulations to Eileen Leak who celebrated her 90th birthday on the 30th October. A card and flowers were given to Eileen on behalf of all M.U. members and I know some members also sent individual cards. I understand she was very pleased and had a really good day. Thank you to Vivienne for so generously and kindly sending birthday cards to members. Sadly I think it will be a while yet before we can meet. Jennie and I will continue to keep in touch but, if you feel like a chat, please ring us on 726634 (Mary) and/ or 721503 (Jennie)

1. News from Jane (Liverpool link). Jane and her family are safe and well but are in Tier 3 of Covid restrictions so cannot visit other households. In August Jane and her husband completed a challenge, “Walk around the Parish” 150 miles in a month, sponsored by parishioners. They raised £800 for Church funds, an amazing achievement. All M.U. members are safe and well but are missing seeing family and friends. Jane sends her love to all, remembering us in her prayers. Please remember all members in your prayers.

2. Annual Meeting of Diocesan Council. a) Theme for 2021. The theme for 2021 is “Rebuilding Hope and Confidence”. No ideas leaflet is being produced as it is anticipated any speakers who have been booked for 2020 will transfer to 2021 (that is of course if the current Coronovirus restrictions ease). b) The contribution to M.U. for 2021 subscription is £20 but I am not sure yet if there will be a Deanery levy. A change will be, that as part of our subscription, Families First has been reorganised accordingly. You will receive, direct to you, a new publication twice a year. This will be designed so that all can use it to reach out to new friends and members, encouraging them to become part of this amazing movement. This information is direct from Janice our Diocesan President. If I receive more information it will be in the next Newsletter. 10 c) Helen Belton is always pleased to hear from members who require cards etc. She can be contacted on her mobile number 07779564343 or email her at [email protected]. d) Action and Outreach. Members across our Diocese have been busy sewing, knitting, producing muffin bags etc for a number of hospitals in the north of the county; also Women’s refuges. Welcome bags were put together by Penrith M.U. for two schools. Hopefully we will look to doing this for Stramongate and Grayrigg Schools parents next September. I received all this information from members of Stanwix M.U. in Carlisle. Christmas cards are to be sent to Haverigg Prison by the Dioceses. We have continued to knit strips for masks for Linda Reynolds. No. 8 needles, 20 stitches and 10 rows if anyone is interested in helping. Please phone me if you need more information. e) AFIA. There have been few requests due to Covid 19 this year but many referrals have requested to be deferred until next year. Elaine Nightingale said they were in a healthy position to help families, thanks to Janice (DP) and her inspirational challenge of walking the equivalent miles of the Route de Camino round our Diocese and a thank you to all who sponsored her. I had a chat with Janice who told me that, along with her husband, she was enjoying the challenge – amazing!

If you have any news to share please let Jennie or myself know so that it can be included next time. Thank you to Jennie for typing, emailing, printing off and kindly photocopying the Newsletter for members not on the internet.

Stay safe, take care, Mary Atkinson

Dorothy Britton sends her best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all at St George’s and would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, messages and cards on the occasion of her 100th birthday in June. She was touched to hear from so many of you.

11 Puzzle pages (answers on pages 13 and 14)

This month’s crossword Across 1 Rely (Psalm 62:7) (6) 4 ‘He stretches out the heavens like a — , and spreads them out like a tent to live in’ (Isaiah 40:22) (6) 7 What the dove carried the olive leaf in, when it returned to Noah’s ark (Genesis 8:11) (4) 8 Annoy (1 Samuel 1:6) (8) 9 Judah’s last king, who ended his days as a blind prisoner in Babylon (Jeremiah 52:11) (8) 13 ‘They all — and were satisfied’ (Luke 9:17) (3) 16 Eliphaz the Temanite was one; so was Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite (Job 2:11; 16:2) (4,9) 17 National Association of Evangelicals (of the USA) (1,1,1)

19 Popular song for New Year’s Eve, Auld — — (4,4) 24 Able dock (anag.) (8) 25 The number of stones David chose for his confrontation with Goliath (1 Samuel 17:40) (4) 26 Elgar’s best-known ‘Variations’ (6) 27 Soak (Isaiah 16:9) (6)

Down 1 Money owing (Deuteronomy 15:3) (4) 2 Conciliatory (Titus 3:2) (9) 3 ‘Do this, whenever you — it, in remembrance of me’ (1 Corinthians 11:25) (5) 4 A group assisting in the governance of the Roman Catholic Church (5) 5 One of the gifts Joseph’s brothers took with them on their second journey to Egypt (Genesis 43:11) (4) 6 ‘Reach out your hand and — — into my side. Stop doubting and believe’ (John 20:27) (3,2) 10 Be outstandingly good (2 Corinthians 8:7) (5) 11 ‘What — — that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?’ (Psalm 8:4) (2,3) 12 Horse’s feet (Judges 5:22) (5) 13 Notice (Deuteronomy 17:4) (9) 14 Comes between 2 Chronicles and Nehemiah (4) 15 One of Israel’s northern towns conquered by Ben-Hadad (1 Kings 15:20) (4) 18 Narnia’s Lion (5) 20 One of the two rivers in which Naaman would have preferred to wash (2 Kings 5:12) (5) 21 Avarice—one of the evils that come from inside people (Mark 7:22) (5) 22 Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St George (1,1,1,1) 23 Jacob’s first wife (Genesis 29:23) (4)

Wordsearch : Silent Night This much-loved carol comes from Austria, where it was first sung as Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht on Christmas Eve, 1818. It was written by Father Joseph Mohr, a young priest at St Nicholas parish church, in the village of Oberndorf bei Salzburg. As Christmas 1818 approached, he asked the local schoolmaster, Franz Xaver Gruber, to compose a melody for his carol. Gruber was organist in the nearby village of Arnsdorf, and so was happy to oblige. On Christmas Eve they presented the carol to the church during the midnight mass. The carol went on to become loved world-wide; and the version sung by Bing Crosby is the third best-selling single of all time.

Silent Joseph Night Mohr Loved Young Carol Priest Austria Organist First Midnight Sung Mass Stille Melody Nacht Single Heilige Bing Christmas Version Eve Third Father

Crossword answers Sudoku

13 Sudoku and wordsearch answers

Eileen Leak thanks all her friends at St George’s for the many cards and gifts she received for her 90th birthday, for the beautiful flowers from St George’s Church and the lovely ones from the Mothers’ Union. She wishes everyone a very happy Christmas.

Postage Stamps Especially during this festive season please keep saving your used postage stamps to help charities!

Keep them safe to bring down to Church once it is safe to do so. They will be passed on to Charities for the Blind who can use them for fund raising. Please would you leave about 5mm (or 1/4 “, if you prefer!) of paper round each stamp to help with remov- ing them from the paper.

Thanks to all those who faithfully bring in their stamps already. Please keep up the good work! 14 SMILE TIME Miscellaneous observations during the Christmas season…

Putting on weight is the penalty for exceeding the feed limit.

Christmas: The time when everyone gets Santamental.

People say it’s the thought that counts, not the gift, but couldn't people think a little bigger?

Christmas is the season when your neighbour keeps you awake playing ‘Silent Night’.

You might as well do your Christmas hinting early this year.

Father to three-year old: "No, a reindeer is not a horse with TV antenna.”

Some of these new toys are so creative and inventive. This year they have a Neurotic Doll. It's wound up already.

Christmas is a time when people get emotional over family ties, particularly if they have to wear one.

15 The News Quiz for 2020

As the Parish News won’t be back until February 2021 here’s a quiz to keep you puzzling over the festive season & beyond! Answers next time.

1. Job applications from weirdos and misfits were invited from people to work at which place in London?

2. Which famous actor who died this year is associated with the phrase “I am Spartacus?”

3. In February the Church of advised against the practice of ‘intinction’ – what is it?

4. In a world “where you can be anything, be ______” – what, wrote actress Caroline Flack on Instagram in December 2019?

5. What were we supposed to do in March while singing the National Anthem or Happy Birthday twice?

6.This year was a leap year. What do we call other years?

7. Which village in the Peak District is associated with self-isolation during a previous plague?

8. How long, literally, is quarantine?

9.Why did President Macron visit Britain on 18th July? What other Anglo-French anniversary could he have remembered but for some reason it was not mentioned?

10. How many countries launched space rockets to Mars this year?

11.Who, in their resignation letter in August, on Twitter posted, “I have championed our work, built our relationships and celebrated the diversity of our staff… and will always be an ambassador for the UK and the new Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office” after a four year career in Downing Street which had included scraps with a neighbour? He was going to spend more time with a family in the country.

12. Which day is the furthest away from Christmas Day? 16 13. What was the Battle of the Tennis Court and why was it remembered in Au- gust?

14. The BBC banned singing the lyrics from which song from the Last night of the Proms, because it had a link in their mind with slavery and colonialism?

15. This year marked the 400th anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower. What event did they start which led to a public holiday?

Let's hear it for the Christmas card!

A folded piece of Christmas cheer Came through the post today! I love it when those cards appear I love the things they say!

And at this busy Christmas time I’m always glad to see The Christmas scene or Christmas rhyme That you have sent to me.

The trouble that good people take Is really, really kind – Some people even sit and make A card for me to find!

And in our virtual world of text And pictures on a screen These bits and bytes leave me perplexed If you know what I mean?

And so I think that it is fine To see your kind regard I can admire this Christmas time

Your real Christmas card!

By Nigel Beeton

OUT AND ABOUT : St Michael’s,

Very many thanks to Lois Sparling for telling us about this lovely church and sharing her accompanying poem

You need your ‘outdoor shoes’ to reach this 250- year old fellside chapel in the northwestern Lakes – but if you find yourself travelling between and or Workington one day, do take the time to follow the back roads and stop off here.

The detour’s worth it for a sense of continuity of centuries of prayer and worship, a welcoming kind of solitude and the wide views across the Solway.

There has been a church on this site, a hundred yards up from the little road that runs from Sosgill to , and west of the old coffin route contouring round Mosser Fell to the north of Loweswater, since the Middle Ages.

To this day, despite being largely rebuilt in 1773, this simple sanctuary has its Norman font and its 16th century roof trusses. It also has no running water, electricity or mains gas, so it’s easy to imagine the original church not being so very different from today’s. The only significant ornament is the pretty east window, installed during the chapel’s last refurbishment in 1925.

Only used for occasional services today, in the census of 1851 St Michael’s was recorded as having 22 regular attenders at its afternoon service. However, the curate of the day also admitted: ‘I have been there when none has been present on a wet day and I have seen above 100 at other times’. They were Christians but flawed human beings, just like all of us, of course.

18 By Mosser Mains and Mossergate On the peat bog and the pasture Low-slung and shuttered against the winds Whipping up from the Solway A tiny fellside chapel beckons folk still From Blindbothel and Brandlingill From Mockerkin and Millgillhead To pause a moment in their busyness Lifting their eyes to the wide horizon Or step through the unlatched door Of chantry, chapel-of-ease and schoolhouse Long sidelined to summer Sunday afternoons And gas-lit winter festivals And back through the years - Welcomed by whittlegate curate, John or Harry, Isaac or Samuel, To yet another baptism or burial – Comforted by mere mortality.

19 20 At St George’s Church (with social distancing) Christmas services As we are in a state of some uncertainty we cannot say for definite what our services will be at the moment. However, please check on our website nearer the time, or on our Faith Online telephone service including parish news – 01539 310125. I also send out a weekly email with news, so if you don’t receive those but would like to please contact me on [email protected] and I’ll add you to the list.

Services we hope to have are as follows: Service of readings and carols – 6pm on Wednesday, 16th December. Of course we still won’t be able to sing as a congregation – but we’ll be able to listen. Christmas Day family communion service – 10am Friday 25th December.

Online using Zoom: Worship throughout the week will continue on Zoom, as will Coffee and Chat . Please contact me if you wish to join in

By telephone: Faith Online – 01539 310125 Please remember our Faith Online telephone service with Revd Tricia’s Thought for the Week, someone’s favourite hymn (please contact me if you would like yours played sometime), parish news, a recording of the Sunday Service and much more. It’s a good and easy way to keep in touch especially for those with no internet connection.

Through our website: www.kendalstgeorge.com Jean Radley