THE CLARION The Magazine of The Parish of

rooted in faith • open in thought • reaching out in service May 2021

From the Vicar Before Easter I was invited, along with our In many ways those questions feel inadequate after churchwardens, to join the Bishop of this year, when so much has changed that it is for a Zoomed evening to discuss the question, difficult to recall what life was like when it began. It What is the Spirit saying to the churches? As we is easy to be nostalgic for the time when we did not marked a year since the first lockdown, the event need to cover our faces or stand apart, when we provided a timely opportunity to think about what could travel, visit, embrace and so on, and wish for we have learned from the church’s perspective those possibilities to return and to go ‘back to during the pandemic. We were offered two verses normal’. It may be harder to consider that the old from Revelation 3, where God writes to each of normal was a mixed blessing. What this year has the seven churches about what the Spirit of God revealed is how fragile, how unequal, how was saying to them, in their day. precarious life had been, and continues to be for so many people in our society, and indeed in our ‘To the angel of the church in Sardis write…Wake parish. Think of the jobs lost, the homes at risk, the up and strengthen what remains and is at the point education missed, the effect on mental health, on of death.’ (v.2) family life, on community life (including that of our ‘To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write…I church). What will things be like by this time next have placed before you an open door that no one year, I wonder? What will we need to do to can shut.’ (v.8) restore a sense of balance and security not just for These verses reminded me of four questions we ourselves, but to the lives of our neighbours whose began to think about here at St Mary’s as we came plight has been so much worse because of poverty, out of that first lockdown, never dreaming that we inequality, and discrimination? would be where we are nearly a year later, with continued restrictions, and the ongoing effects of the pandemic on our society, our church, our world, not to mention the appalling number of deaths from the virus. The questions were: 1. What did we stop doing as a result of the pandemic that we long to begin again? 2. What did we stop doing that we will be content not to do again? 3. What are the things that we started doing that we will be pleased to stop? 4. What are the things that we began to do, that will continue into the future? Dove window, St Mary The Boltons

The verses from Revelation are a way to start: joined St Mary’s very recently; indeed, one began What are the things that remain, that need to be coming along to church last summer, when we strengthened? Perhaps our sense of responsibility reopened for worship after the first lockdown. The for others in need? Perhaps our sense of belonging sessions involved our discussion of Richard Giles’ to each other in our church and our community? book How to be an Anglican, so it was a short course And what doors of opportunity have opened up for of introduction to the , and what us? Opportunities are often hard to recognise as we it means to belong as a new Christian. mourn things lost, but they will be crucial to our One candidate, Elsie Powers, was confirmed on 22 moving through this crisis hopefully and faithfully. April at St Mary by Bishop Graham, and the other, Charlotte Stella will be confirmed later in the I hope we will together look at these questions in year, having done the course from her family’s the coming weeks and months, and pray for home in Northumberland. strength and openness to what the Spirit is saying to our church, and in our time. I am aware that there may well be others in our Jenny Welsh church community who have not yet been confirmed (or indeed baptised). I would like to encourage you to consider whether now is the time for you to be prepared for this next stage in your

life of faith. There may be others who were confirmed years ago, who would like a refresher course on the basics of our faith and our church. If you are one such person, please get in touch with me and we can plan to run a course for you.

We will soon be able to meet in person (up to 6 people, assuming the government’s roadmap is correct) and so I will be glad to host a group, either in church or at the vicarage, from after the end of May. If there are children from the congregation who would like to be prepared as well, I will gladly run a junior course, with the help of any interested parents.

Please do be in touch. Confirmation Preparation Jenny Welsh, Vicar Many of us were baptised as children, our parents and godparents bringing us along to church to begin our journey of faith. For some people, the next stage was confirmation, when we

made for ourselves the promises they made on our behalf, to follow in the way of Christ. During lockdown, I was pleased to have several sessions with two people to prepare them for confirmation. Both of these young women had

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Elizabeth Lowry Corry I had to swear allegiance to the American The following text was written by Susanna, Elizabeth’s Constitution’. niece, with the intention to celebrate Elizabeth’s 100th She enjoyed her time there, took the opportunity birthday. Elizabeth sadly died on 18 April, only a few to travel and see places, but had no doubts about days before she would have reached 100. coming home to England by March 1956. ‘The Elizabeth was born in 1921, the eldest of four Americans all thought I was crazy not to stay’. children. In her earliest days she and her sister, Her time in America gave her the confidence that Edith, were looked after by a nanny, LaLa, at their sustained her future career in executive grandparents’ home, as their parents were based in administration. She worked first for Brooke Bond, India. LaLa was much loved and had also looked then The British Association for the Advancement after their mother when she of Science, and finally at the Association for was a child. When Elizabeth Information Management (ASLIB), where she ran grew out of the nursery she their conferences. In 1987 she published a book was taught by a governess, titled, Let’s have a Conference. Miss Rapley. ‘Rappey’ was In retirement she has proof-read new books for the not loved, but her teaching Army Records Society and been an active member showed its worth once of her Residents’ Association. She had already begun Elizabeth arrived at to paint, but on retirement painting, studying art boarding school at history and architecture, and enjoying classical Southover. music have been her main interests. Throughout her After school she embarked on the ‘Season’ and was life she has travelled widely, going as far afield as presented at court in a white silk dress sewn with Singapore, Australia, Thailand and Mexico, but tiny pink roses. without a doubt her greatest love was for Italy. In 1938 she left for Dresden for a six months In recent years she had often said ‘It would be so exchange. There was some anxiety about whether embarrassing to be 100’. she should go, as war seemed imminent. The family However, we know she was also rather proud of consulted a cousin, Lord Halifax, who was Foreign being so resilient. While she had to accept that at St Secretary at the time. They decided she could go on Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home she was in a condition that she would return the minute she was place that could care for her well, she missed her told to. flat and as a lifelong and committed Christian she She stayed with the family of Hans Riphahn, who missed her church. played the viola for the Dresden Opera. She had Susanna Carver piano lessons and learnt German. Staying with this family, she realised she was not really a musician, but did love going to the opera, which she did at least twice a week. This was a very happy time for her.

During the war she worked for MI5, first at

Blenheim and then in . ‘Poor Mother, I arrived in London just as the bombs were starting’. She was working as a PA in an American Finance Company in 1954 when they offered her the opportunity to work for them in New York. She felt it a daring thing to do as few people she knew went to America in those days. ‘It was very complicated -

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Would you be an NHS Volunteer had little to do for several months. However in Responder? December, because of the overwhelming demand, The NHS are still looking for more people to they changed the rules and I was able to apply to become volunteers. This may sound surprising in make deliveries to people in need. view of the easing of the lockdown, but there are still many people out there who are in isolation or You need to be over 18 and have a smartphone, who are afraid to go out where they could catch because the NHS Responder app is installed on a the virus. There is a range of tasks that can usefully smartphone. Guidance notes are provided, with be done by volunteers, with varying levels of advice for dealing with particular situations and involvement: ideas for questions to ask a client if you are stuck. Then, when a message arrives, you hear a siren (or Check in and Chat: making simple phone calls other chosen noise) to alert you. You are given the Shopping and prescription collection name, address and telephone number of the person Transport and delivery of (e.g.) medical referred. You ring them up, preceding their number supplies with 141 to ensure the recipient does not find out Patient transport your number. This and other rules are laid down Vaccination centre stewarding for the protection of volunteers. Any expenses incurred can be reimbursed. Please see the poster displayed here. More details may be found on the website I have been able to help on several occasions, doing nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk shopping or (most commonly) collecting prescriptions from a local pharmacy, and clients In March last year I joined the 750,000 people who usually express great appreciation. It helps to have a signed up to volunteer. To start with, being over car, but the tasks can be done on foot as on the app 70, I was only available for Check in and Chat, and you can set a limit (in km) to how far from home you can be asked to go. One client was so afraid of coming into contact with me that she asked me to leave the goods outside her flat door and would not open the door until I had gone. On another occasion when she wanted me to deliver a package, this was lowered down on a string from her third- floor window.

The great thing about the service is that I can switch the app on and off when I please, and so will not be interrupted at an inconvenient time. I just have to remember to switch it on (and in my case, to switch on my smartphone first) when I know I have a couple of hours to spare. The app then shows the accumulated number of hours for which I have made myself available, which gives me an exaggerated sense of my achievement, after doing what in practice is very straightforward. Philip Bedford Smith

Call 0808 196 3646 or visit nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk

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St Mary’s Autumn Fair An Update from Dad’s House Planning is tentatively but positively going ahead to hold a St Mary's Autumn Fair on Saturday 18th September, 12noon - 4pm, in The Boltons’ Garden We will hold the first Fair planning meeting after the 10.30am service on Sunday 23rd May, in the Church garden - please do join us, everyone welcome! This week Dads House is choosing to celebrate our Clair Gordon longstanding friendship with St Mary the Boltons. We have benefited from their compassion for a good number of years, from the time and generosity of parish members such as Philip and Verena (and her delicious baked goods) to the support shown by Reverend Jenny Welsh.

Resulting from the generosity we have received,

Dads House has been able to spread some joy and

relief over the Easter period by distributing food Christian Aid Week and vital products to our local community. 10—16 May Christian Aid works We continue to be thankful to the parish of St Mary to bring an end to the Boltons. world poverty and With love, has been helping refugees since 1945. Billy Magranaghan It provides essential Chief Executive food, shelter and Dads House legal assistance to people far from home. 22 Lillie Road London This year, Christian Aid week will focus on the SW6 1TS Climate crisis facing us all, but particularly for those Email [email protected] who are living in poverty and for whom a reliable Registered Charity Number 1172419 source of clean water is becoming increasingly Website www.dadshouse.org.uk scarce. From drought to flooding, climate change robs people of control over their lives. Extreme weather means people like Rose are struggling to survive without a reliable source of water.

By helping communities to build better earth dams to harvest more water; sow drought-tolerant crops that grow even with the fewest of drops; or set up an advocacy group to demand change at the highest level, Christian Aid will work to put a stop to this climate crisis.

For more information about Christian Aid’s appeal, or to support their work, please visit https:// www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/ christian-aid-week. 5

Services and Events at St Mary’s Sunday 2 May Fifth Sunday in Eastertide St Mary’s is now open for public worship on 8am Holy Eucharist (BCP) Sundays. We ask that all who come observe the 10.30am Holy Eucharist with music COVID-19 requirements of physical distancing, face Readings Acts 8.26-end coverings and sanitising of hands. If you have John 15.1-8 COVID symptoms or have tested positive, we ask 12.15pm Baptism of Josephine that you stay home until your quarantine period is and Abigail Rose over. Monday 3 May Bank Holiday We will continue to publish the podcast until CHURCH CLOSED COVID restrictions are lifted, and we invite you to listen with us at 10.30am if you are not coming to Sunday 9 May Sixth Sunday in Eastertide, church during this period. It includes hymns that Rogation Sunday you can sing at home, readings and prayers led by 8am Holy Eucharist (BCP) members of the congregation and a sermon. You 10.30am Holy Eucharist with music can find links there to the order of service and to Readings Acts 10.44-end the Donations page, so that you can make your John 15.9-17 weekly offering on line. Why not bookmark Preacher The Reverend Philip Welsh www.youtube/user/boltonsmusic for easy access (the whole back catalogue since lockdown began Tuesday 11 May can also be found there). 7pm PCC (by Zoom)

If you are not able to access the podcast, we will Wednesday 12 May gladly send you a paper copy of the order of 11am Silent Prayer service, including the script of the sermon, words to the hymns and a set of intercessory prayers. Phone Sunday 16 May Sunday after Ascension the office to be put on the Postal Mailing List: 020 8am Holy Eucharist 7835 1440. 10.30am Holy Eucharist with music Readings Acts 1.15-17, 21-end The church is open for private prayer daily John17.6-19 Monday – Saturday, 8.30am – 2pm Sunday 23 May Pentecost 8am Holy Eucharist (BCP) 10.30am All Age Eucharist with music Sunday 25 April Fourth Sunday Readings Acts 2.1-21 in Eastertide John 15.26-27,16.4b-15 8am Holy Eucharist (BCP) 11.30am Organisational meeting for 10.30am Holy Eucharist with music the Autumn Fair Readings Acts 4.5-12 John 10.11-18 Sunday 30 May Trinity 4pm APCM (by Zoom) 8am Holy Eucharist (BCP) 10.30am Holy Eucharist with music Readings Isaiah 6.1-8 John 3.1-17 12noon Last Sunday Recital

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Sunday 6 June Trinity 1 Silent Prayer in Church 8am Holy Eucharist (BCP) The Silent Prayer meetings continue in church on 10.30am Holy Eucharist with music the second Wednesday of each month, 11am to Readings Genesis 3.8-15 12noon. The next dates are: Mark 3.20-end 12 May 9 June 14 July These meetings are designed to give an opportunity to join with others for silent prayer and meditation. Sit anywhere in the Nave, but spaced out. We begin with a short reading, then two sessions of twenty minutes with a short break between. If you are practised in meditation or simply wish to join others for the first time, you are welcome.

Year’s Mind May Victor Smith George Godbolt Helene Stockton Frances Vernon Grenville Lake Ronald Palin Charles Tait Noël Santanna Jean Garraway Patricia Behr Richard Dowbiggin Norman Griggs Richard Branston Rosemary Hulse Martin Hulse Paul Newall Ivor Porter Edward Hamilton Richard Hopkins

Photo: Edwina Sassoon

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Parish Office Reading at St Cuthbert's and St Matthias’ St. Mary’s Church House School The Boltons, SW10 9TB Sheila Gibbs 020 8788 9744 www.stmarytheboltons.org.uk Social Secretary 020 7835 1440 Margarete Geier 020 7373 1639 Vicar Sunday School Reverend Jenny Welsh [email protected] [email protected] 020 7835 1440 and 07864 807959 Safeguarding at St Mary's (Day off Thursday) The St Mary The Boltons’ Safeguarding Officer is Clair Gordon. Her role is to help us to safeguard Parish Manager and promote the welfare of children Jane Ellard and adults at risk. She is the first point of contact [email protected] for children, adults at risk and other members of 020 7835 1440 the congregation regarding suspicions of abuse and Verger/Caretaker other safeguarding concerns. If you have any David Ireton concerns, please contact Clair on 07850 944 834. 020 7244 8998 In the event of Clair not being available, Kelly 07881 865 386 Webb may be contacted at 07971 552 014. (Day off Wednesday) Alternatively, speak to: Sheryl Kent, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser: 020 7932 1224 Churchwardens Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service Antony Bryceson 020 7937 1055 (CCPAS) helpline: 0845 120 4550 Edward Quinton 020 7373 6094 Family Lives: 0808 800 222 (Previously Director of Music Parentline) Childline: 0800 1111. John Ward 07853 406050 Children's Champion [email protected] The St Mary The Boltons’ Children’s St Mary’s Church Bank Details Champions are Chris and Katie Fowkes. Their Account name: role is to ensure that the voices and needs of PCC of St Mary with St Peter & St Jude the children and young people are heard and Account number: 80692190 reflected in parish life. They can be contacted Sort code: 20-80-14 via: [email protected].

Assistant Treasurer Bill Gallagher 020 7384 3246 There is a Hearing Loop in operation at St Mary The Electoral Roll Officer Boltons Fiona Parsons [email protected] or call the Parish Office Contributions for the June Clarion should be sent to the Parish Office by 24 May. Gift Aid Secretary Philip Bedford Smith [email protected] The PCC of St Mary with St Peter & St Jude, West The Clarion Editor Brompton is a Registered Charity, No 1133073 Verena Tschudin 020 7351 1263 [email protected] 8