Trinity Times February 2015 60p Rachel Writes … on a memorable journey to Israel must apologise to everyone who has asked me about my pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Picture © Ben Lovell EveryI answer I have given has seemed incomplete. Words don't do justice to into his church. Perhaps, above all what was a privilege, but also a chal- others, I will remember the Jesuit priest lenge. It was bitterly cold, frightening responsible for the Hebrew-speaking at times and painfully sad at others; Roman Catholic community in the Holy naturally beautiful and prayerful in Land who shared his remarkable story places, but in others it was difficult to of conversion from Judaism to Christi- recognise God's presence. It definitely anity. offered more questions than answers. The people made sense in a way the ornate churches and archaeological The greatest sources of joy and inspi- remains didn't. In an unexpected way it ration were the people I encountered. became clear why God chose to take The ones who remain etched in my on human flesh. It was only in doing this memory are my faith-filled fellow- that he could show us who he is and ordinands, our philosophical Arab what he is like. Christian guide living as a refugee in his homeland and a joyful White Father Reflecting on this makes me realise who, in contrast to so many other once again, how important our lives are clergy we met, warmly welcomed us Turn to next page 3 Continued from previous page Rachel Writes in telling, or maybe more often failing will enable us to reflect on our personal to tell, others about Jesus. If we are and communal callings in line with our willing to be shaped, moulded and diocesan priorities for mission. Are we transformed into more Christ-like worshipping God with our whole human beings then people around us heart, soul, mind and strength? Are we are more likely to ask questions about making new disciples through our the good news we carry inside us. witness and our proclamation? Are The Jesuit priest became a Christian we transforming our communities, because he met an elderly nun in serving the poor and disadvantaged whom he recognised great joy. He and offering hope for those in despair? plucked up the courage to ask her where this came from. Her answer There will be five sessions to which changed his life. In turn it was his wit- everybody from all three churches is ness which inspired me. It was his faith invited. The sessions will include input and his own embodiment of peace from the leadership team, time for which challenged and encouraged me discussion, and space for personal to grow as a disciple. reflection and listening to God. As a leadership team we are excited to discover what God is calling us to as a parish. We would love for as many he priest’s story raises questions people as possible to take part in these for us: Do strangers and friends sessions. Look out for more publicity in notice something in us which the coming weeks. (For more details theyT would like for themselves? see Page 9) Do people know that we are Jesus' disciples just because of the way we We hope that as we journey together act and speak? These aren't just through Lent we will all be able to questions I need to ask of myself as a consider how our discipleship brings student in training for priesthood. They joy to the world and inspiration to those are questions which all Christians, lay whom we meet. As I prepare for my or ordained, are called to ask. Are we part in these sessions and continue the salt of the earth? Or have we lost to reflect on discipleship in the light of our saltiness? Are we the bright light of my time in the Holy Land, I shall be the world? Or have we allowed our light pondering anew the privilege of being to grow dim? Or maybe we need to one of Jesus' disciples and what it acknowledge that we were never that means to serve God in this place. bright in the first place? These are difficult questions but vitally important ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES for us as individual Christians and as a FEBRUARY 18: We receive the sign church community. of the cross in ash as a reminder of our dependence on God’s grace at Given they are such important ques- the start of our Lenten journey. tions, we are going to consider them as 10am: Said Eucharist - Guild Chapel a parish during Lent. Our Lent course 7.30pm: Sung Eucharist - Holy Trinity 4 Baptism is a first for Rosebird ack in November, HolyTrinity@Rosebird B celebrated its first baptism. Ann and Richard Coxon explain why they Alpha chose HT@R for James’ baptism and share some of Course their highlights. that led Why did you choose to have to the James christened at HT@Rosebird? altar for First and foremost because Robert we wanted him to be welcomed into a child- and centred church environment. Jesus said, "Let the little Junie children come unto me" and See Page 19 Picture: FELICITY HOWLETT Turn to Page 18 5 Your News from the PCC chance to have a say St.Peter’s HE congregation is to be encouraged to Report by PAT PILTON have a say on the timing of the Parish T Eucharist following the six month experi- P lans for the new look St. Peter’s ment, which began last November, of starting Chapel -- which is to be refurbished as the service at 10am. But the final decision will part of Holy Trinity’s South Side project - rest with the PCC. -- were unveiled at the January meeting of the Parochial Church Council. The Revd Patrick Taylor told the meeting that it was important that the views of the congre- Planning permission for the South Side gation were heard and, through a sermon and development was obtained on January 2 notices in the pew leaflet, he would be urging following the resubmission of the plan to people to talk with members of the PCC and to the local authority and the support of the pass on those views But, he said, it was “not County Archaeologist. Work will begin about the most popular option, but the right in May and Phase One (toilets, storage option for our church.” and a new clergy vestry) is scheduled to take six months. Phase Two -- St. Patrick reminded members that the experi- Peter’s Chapel – is planned to begin in mental change of time had come about as a January next year. result of asking young families how they felt our services could be made more accessible Chairman of the Buildings Team, Mike and attractive to them. One of the clearest Warrillow, said it was hoped the whole messages was that the timing of the Parish project would be complete in time for Eucharist was difficult, especially for those Shakespeare Sunday in 2016. A with young children, and that they would prefer shortlist of six contractors have been an earlier start. Out of this came the new First asked to tender for the contract which Sunday service, Good News @ 10, not a will include an option to repair the South separate service but a single Parish Eucharist Transept gable. Mr Warrillow said it congregation gathering in two places — in the made sense for this essential repair church building for those who prefer the more traditional style, and in the Parish Centre for work to be carried out at the same time, those who like a child friendly and informal assuming funds were available. style. The Friends of Shakespeare’s Church “It has enabled new members of the church in have agreed to launch a new appeal to particular to experience both the formal and raise funds for both St Peter’s and the informal and for us to grow together as a essential repairs to the gable end. It is church,” Patrick said. The change has seen a proposed that the chapel be used for growth in both Good News@10 and Junior small services like morning prayer, Church. On Sunday January 18 there were 27 evening prayer and wedding blessings. children at Junior Church. It might also be used as a quiet area for 6 xxx news from the PCC xxx news from plan gets go-ahead Proposed layout for St. Peter’s Chapel and (right) a similar design at St Brandon Brancepeth in County Durham prayer – although the main private pray- there had also been increases in loose er area will remain the Becket Chapel as collections and general donations. In- this is outside the “donation pay bar” come from visitors was also up, though and close to the votive candle area. not on the shop side where 2013 was an exceptional year. The shop staff, he Seating will normally be for 12 people in said, had done very well to turn in a three or four seat pews facing the altar. similar result. Light coloured furniture will be used and the chapel will have an uncluttered and “We have spent more in the past year simple feel. The reserved sacrament on staff costs, music and outreach, but will be stored in the enamelled aumbry more or less as budgeted for. Over- in the East Wall and a new central spend on printing is particularly large, chandelier to match the one in the North even though explicable, and we may Transept, will hang from the central roof need to look further at how to control rib.