November 2020 ISSUE the Parish Church of St
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Malvern Priory £1.00 Magazine NOVEMBER 2020 ISSUE The Parish Church of St. Mary & St. Michael PRIESTLY ORDINATION For someone who had grown up as a Pentecostal, musical and worshipful moments throughout with being ordained as a Priest was somewhat unexpected. some very difficult-to-sing pieces. Despite this, it has happened. It was supposed to take The end result was way more than I could have place at Petertide, at the end of June or beginning hoped for. It was gutting that only a few people could of July, but the Covid pandemic soon put a stop to attend the service, but I felt the prayers of the Priory that. We had no idea when it would take place and family throughout. it became slightly frustrating as a result. As things My journey towards ordained ministry has been a developed, the plan to have the service in each good decade long—if not more—and being ordained of our parish churches was decided. Normally, an a priest has been a pivotal moment both personally ordination is a huge Cathedral event with hundreds and ministerially. It’s not something that can easily be in the congregation. It’s a big affair and a memorable explained in words; much like when we come to the life event. To be honest, communion table, there’s having this taken a mystery about it, an away felt horrible and otherness that I’ve learnt upsetting and it took to embrace. It’s more than quite a while to come to just a ‘job’, and although terms with the fact that doing the ‘priestly this significant moment things’ like presiding at in my vocational journey communion or being able would be a very stripped to give a blessing are a back experience. I could huge privilege, there’s not have been more something of the being wrong. present for people and Our team at the helping others flourish in Priory was incredibly their own priesthood that supportive and worked really gets to the heart of hard to allow for a responsibility imparted at brilliant service. Our ordination. custos team, Rob and I look forward to the next James, Church Manager year or so working with Anne, Administrator Rod and others at Great Mary and Vicar Rod put Malvern Priory, and it’s in so much effort, even so good to be in a church accommodating my where I am encouraged fussy nature, in planning and blessed by the people out and making the of Malvern as much, if not service happen. The more so, than I could ever Maxim family, as well as encourage and bless them. Nick Jackson and Megan created some amazing Revd Jonny Gordon Page 1 THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH REMEMBER, REMEMBER… Remembrance Sunday belongs to us all. If we ceased to remember, we would be under-rating evil. November used to be called, in Church circles, ‘The Remembrance Sunday is full of a sense of God’s EIGHT HUNDRED CHILDREN PRIORYMonth of thePARISH Dead’, withOFFICE All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Church House, Church Street, Malvern WR14 2AY urgent desire for peace and reconciliation in His world. ParishDay Administrator:at the beginning Mary Weatherill and of course Remembrance It is a day to concentrate on prayer for the peace of COMING TO LIFEPATH Tel:Sunday (01684) 561020soon (answerphone)after. Observance of the great Church God—not just the absence of war, but God’s positive Email: [email protected] Almost 1,000 people will be participating in the annual Lifepath event at Malvern OpenFestivals to Public: may be diminishing but although a majority peace. Priory this year with just under 800 children attending from 20 local schools and up Mondayof the 11:00am-12:00 population noon; cannot remember the Second World The beautiful Hebrew word Shalom (Peace) is found to 150 volunteers from 21 churches in Malvern and beyond helping out. Tuesday 10:00am-12:00 noon; Wednesday,War—Hitler’s Thursday War—and & Friday 9:30am-1:00pm hardly any the First, thankfully throughout the Bible. The word means the total In a day off from regular lessons the children will take part in a number of that day is still observed with great reverence. different activities. They will have the opportunity to dress up as monks and wellbeing of human society, the health and harmony experience the daily rhythm of work and prayer, they will prepare, cook and GREATEach year, MALVERN in the iconoclastic PRIORY 60s and 70s, there were of the community, where love for God and one’s sample a monk’s meal and they will take part in hand-bell ringing and learn about WEBSITEvoices urging that the time had come to drop it even neighbour is seen in action. It is a word in daily use in the importance of bells in the routine of monastery life. There will also be the www.greatmalvernpriory.org.ukthough at that time there were still huge numbers Israel (where it is so badly needed) and is even writ chance to learn about medieval medicines, have a go at brass rubbing and ancient Webmaster: [email protected] people for whom the day brought poignant large above Tel Aviv airport—just like ‘Welcome to tile decorating, and to become archaeologists, finding and identifying hidden Formemories information onand services, a renewed events, outreach, sense people, of bitter loss. The first Heathrow!’ treasures. history and much more. Members’ section gives Remembrance Service at which I officiated was in The days will include many other activities plus discussion and collective worship access to the notice sheet and other information not Yes, we still need Remembrance Day. It is a challenge publicly1962 .available. Thankfully, Register orthose Login to voices access (link did at not prevail. with action songs and stories, giving children and staff the chance to reflect on top of all pages except the Home page). to us. their own ‘lifepath’. The aim behind the week-long event is to provide a day to Our civilisation is a bit precarious, and wickedness Tim W Gunter explore Malvern’s Christian heritage by telling the story of the Benedictine monks and sin continue to bring wars and chaos. who founded the Priory in 1085, almost 1,000 years ago. LYTTELTON WELL (Christian Centre at entrance to Priory) For the first time in the twelve-year history of Lifepath at the Priory there is to be Tel: 01684 573702 a Community day on Saturday 29th June, from 10.00am – 3.00pm. “I wish my Mum Email: [email protected] and Dad (or brother or sister) could see this!” are words sometimes said by school Enquiries about Priory bookings of the Lyttelton children at the end of a Lifepath day. Others also ask what it is all about so this Rooms should be made at the Priory ParishHAVE YOU TRIED THE NEW Office (details above) year, there is the opportunity for anyone and everyone to come to the Community Day, to stay as long as they want, to join in as much as they want, and to see and THE WELL COUNSELLINGLYTTELTON WELL? www.thewellcounselling.co.uk experience just what it’s all about. All the activities will be going on within the Tel: 01684 563456 Priory building—hand bells, tower bells, medieval medicine, tile-making, brass- Email: [email protected] To increase café space, the bookshop area has been cleared for more tables. The rubbing, spinning, archaeology, medieval cooking, calligraphy, architecture, bookshop has temporarily been moved into the 'counselling suite' at the far end of medieval maths, the daily life of a monk, and the different aspects of the prayer BOOK REVIEW journey—love, sorry, thanks and please. There will be upfront explanations on the Diana HowStoc Notkfo tord Totally Put Yourthe Lyttelton Children Off Rooms. God You’ll find an inviting and well-displayed shop with a wide range hour, short silences and Lifepath songs—and there will be refreshments. Visitors C o u n s e l l o r , M–B AaC Pconversation on Christianof cards, parenting gifts and books, as well as seasonal stock including Advent calendars and will be invited to add their stone to the cairn that we’ll have been building all week. between a father and hiscandles, sons calendars, diaries and Christmas cards. Attentive listening, supportive If you have often heard Lifepath spoken of, but have never witnessed it, this is challenge, creaBytive Howardchoices Worsley, Monarch,Much-needed £8.99 professional counselling by Christians continues, but as they can't do your opportunity to do so! Come and see what 800 primary school children will Parenting can be the best or worst of times. It can 0 7 5 8 1 0 4 2 1 2 4 it face-to-face, the counsellors have been trained to counsel by telephone or 'Zoom'. have experienced during the past week. All are welcome, from people visiting d c m s t o c k fbeo r d a@ roleg m a iwel . c o lovem best, or one that causes us great Malvern to members of our community who have wondered what is happening •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••w w w . m a l vinsecurity.e r n l i n k c o u n Theres e l l i n gis. c noo m formal training for parenthood. each year in Malvern when they see so many ‘Monks’ around the Priory! We hope to There are no clear benchmarks of success and yet it demands all our resources, skills and attention. see you there. This book is the merging of the author’s deep Lifepath at the Priory starts on 24th June.