Rushen Parish Magazine September 2018 2 Contact Details for Rushen Parish Vicar: Rev’d Joe Heaton: [email protected] 832275 Rushen Vicarage, Barracks Road, Port St Mary Readers: Mrs Margaret Galloway Mrs Wendy Heaton Mr Harry Dawson Mr Adam Kelly Active Clergy Rev Roger Harper Rev John Gulland Rev Brian Shephard Retired Clergy: Canon John Sheen Church Wardens: Mr Gerry Callister, 60 Ballamaddrell, Port Erin 474924/834627 Mr Harry Dawson, Thalloo Reagh, Cregneash 478050/835770 Mr Peter Hayhurst, Fois Fraon, Fistard 832974/464949 PCC Secretary: Mr David Bowman, The Old Bakery, Qualtroughs Lane, 837117/260539 Port Erin PCC Treasurer: Mr Stephen Curtis, Clybane Cottage, Phildraw Road, 823475 Ballasalla Parish Administrator and Safeguarding Officer for Children and Vulnerable People: Mrs Claire Jennings: [email protected] 830850 More contact details on the inside of the back cover 3 I am writing this at a time when the Parish of Rushen has lost a dear faithful friend who gave of her time and energy to serving God, and to the life and worship at her treasured St Mary’s C hurch. Similarly, the Mothers’ Union, both in Rushen and on the island, has lost a stalwart member, and someone who will never be replaced. I first met Brenda Watterson at a meeting of the PCC. I was a new member and had not lived on the island very long. In fact I only knew the PCC members who represented St Catherine’s Church at the time and wasn’t quite sure about what to expect. I remember going home after the meeting and telling Pauline that there was a lady at the meeting who wasn’t afraid of putting forward her own point of view. Since then I came to know her as a wonderful, hard- working and dedicated lady who put others first and herself last. She was instrumental in the planning and ultimate construction of St Mary’s Church Hall. The Ladies Working Party, still present today, was a group of hard-working people, committed to raising enough funds to finance the project, and when built, to support it by paying for its upkeep, heating, lighting, and the many other aspects of maintenance required. The group still meets on Tuesday afternoons, and whilst no longer instrumental in maintaining the hall, still looks at ways to raise funds for the less fortunate. Something which was dear to Brenda’s heart. Brenda cared about others and was forever visiting people who were ill, in residential homes, or housebound. She didn’t do this out of a sense of duty, but because she was aware that God had given her the ability to help those perhaps less fortunate than herself. These visits were not just ad hoc, they were a regular feature in her exhaustive time table, and the people she visited appreciated her warmth, love and genuine concern for their well-being. It was the Mothers’ Union and Ladies Working Party that enabled her to take the lead, and the many members of both organisations, appreciated her dedication in ensuring that work and projects in hand were undertaken diligently and with her high standards. She wrote articles for both organisations in this magazine, and she never forgot to get them to me on time. Readers were kept fully informed of forthcoming events and fundraising opportunities undertaken. The parish has lost a dear friend and someone who will never be replaced. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brenda’s family as they too grieve at this sad time. Of course the parish will cont inue to work for God and His Kingdom in the years to come, but my guess is that heaven has now gained someone who will continue to exude love and compassion in abundance. I found this quotation which I feel describes what a wonderful woman Brenda was, it reads: ‘Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same.’ Somehow I don’t think we will ever be the same, but the memory of Brenda will forever be in our hearts. David 4 Psalm 8 – and the wonders of Creation In this harvest season, the created universe can inspire our worship, as it did for David: ‘Lord, our Lord, how awesome is your name in all the earth!’ (Psalm 8:1). What did David see? ‘When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place’ (3). David was moved to worship as he meditated on the night sky and saw the moon and stars pointing to their Maker. His words point to the work of a great artist, whose art reflects the character of the artist Himself. How vast is the universe in which we live! It speaks of a creation shot through with meaning and purpose, demonstrating the tremendous wisdom and power of God. As creation speaks of the greatness of God, it demands our allegiance and loyalty to Him in all aspects of our lives. What did David feel? ‘what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?’ (4). In the light of creation’s vastness, we can feel a little insignificant! Why do human beings exist on this tiny planet in such a vast universe? However, David goes on to answer his own question: ‘You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honour.’ (5). Human beings have a unique relationship to God, because we are created in His image. We are the means by which the invisible God is made visible to His creation. We are called to be partners with God in doing His work in the world, to care for the earth rather than exploiting it. It is a precious resource, along with the creatures it contains! ‘The glory of God is the human person fully alive’ (Irenaeus of Lyons). Revd Paul Hardingham September Prayer Dear Father, September again! How quickly the months roll by. How quickly our lives move forward. Help us this September to welcome the new starts in our every-day lives - the new school year, the new clubs and activities for all ages that start up again this month. There are so many opportunities, so much to keep us busy. Help us Lord, this September to commit each new day and each new activity to you, aware that every day is a gift from you. Help us to choose wisely how we spend the time you give us and to reflect your love and generosity and kindness to those we meet each day. In Jesus name, Amen. 5 Ladies Working Party – St Mary’s Every year, the Manx charity, Friends of Chernobyl’s Children (IOM) brings young people, who live close to the site of the nuclear disaster, to our island for a holiday. Mr and Mrs Rivers of FOCC (IOM) have written to express their thanks to the LWP, “who once again provided a first- class lunch for the children from Belarus and their helpers on Wednesday, 25th July.” In the morning, the children had been making clay models at the Hub, Port Erin, followed by (as described on the charity’s Facebook page), “the most wonderful lunch organised by the ladies of St Mary’s Church, Port St Mary – almost stunningly good, with the most delicious cakes and sandwiches – yum!” This was followed by an afternoon visit to the Met Office at Ronaldsway. We extend our grateful thanks to the many helpers and providers of food. The children had a wonderful month on the island, full of fun and love, and flew back to their families in Belarus on 4th August, with a noticeable difference in their health. Our weekly Tuesday meetings restart on 4th September at 2.15pm in the hall, after our summer break, when we look forward to seeing old friends, and new. We continue to send our love and prayers to those members who are not well, and no longer able to attend our meetings. With best wishes from us all in the Ladies Working Party. Pat Thomson Editor: This month brings us Back to Church Sunday (16th Sept), when church members are encouraged to invite their friends and neighbours to come along. So, just for fun, and tongue in cheek, here is a humorous invitation to people. Do you think in might entice them to come? • Beds - for those who say Sunday is their day to sleep-in. • Safety helmets – for anyone who fears the roof would fall in if they entered a church door. • Blankets and hot water bottles – for those who find our church too cold. • Fans and ice cream - for those who find our church too hot. • Cushions - for anyone who find our seats too hard. • Bicycles – for those who exercise on Sunday mornings. • Hearing aids - for those who find the minister speaks too softly. • Cotton wool - for those who find the minister speaks too loudly. • Score cards - for all who want to rate the hymns/sermons/coffee. • Ready-meals - for anyone who can’t come because they have to cook Sunday lunch. • Some flowers - for those who prefer to seek God in nature. • Christmas poinsettias and Easter palms - for all those who have never seen the church without them. See you Sunday!! 6 Diary of a Momentous Year September 1918 Surviving - and singing - in the trenches 1918 was the final year of the Great War. This year, Canon David Winter is looking back on highlights of those critical 12 months, when the very shape of modern world history was being hammered out on the battlefields.