July / August 2020 ICKLEHAM PARISH Magazine The Rectory, Mickleham July / August Dear friends 2020 Ralph Waldo Emerson’s attributed words ‘Life is a journey, not a destination’ may be misinterpreted by some, but they certainly contain an element of truth. So often it is on the journey rather than arriving, where we mature and grow, through experience, through Mickleham life-long learning. | LLP licenced to carry out the reserved legal activity of Over the past two years in the parish I have experienced much on my journey, yet sadly this non-contentious probate in England and Wales by the ICAEW Parish stage of ministry as parish priest has come to a close. There are in the Diocese some parishes with specific short-term needs and, as you may have heard, the Bishop had asked me if I Magazine could support one of them. Despite so much that God is blessing here in this wonderful A community magazine for parish, I know that as ever God’s timing is perfect and so I accepted the Bishop’s offer Mickleham and Westhumble to serve in another parish on a short-term (open-ended) interim ministry. Sue and I will Currently Open* continue to live in Mickleham Rectory for the foreseeable future. After we have enjoyed published under the auspices For Take-Away Food (menu on request) some holiday time (sadly not abroad despite being booked last year!) and I have been on of Mickleham PCC with an retreat, I begin my interim ministry at the start of July. independent editorial panel. Tea/Coffee, Wine, Soft Drinks And Beers So what, in this my last letter to you all, has my journey been like these past two years? We are also stocking basic retail items The magazine is published at Here are three relevant areas where I am still learning: the beginning of each month • To be increasingly aware that the Christian gospel is indeed good news. St Paul wrote 'I am Flour, Bread, Eggs, Milk, Butter, Bacon, except January and August. not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…' (Romans 1:16). Good news is something that is positive, encouraging, uplifting, Cheese and more COPY DEADLINE desirable, it is something new that will be useful, and the gospel certainly is good news for those whose lives are being transformed across the parish. It is good news for everyone, Please pre-order where possible FOR THE not just those who have made the decision to accept and believe, but also those who are * Subject to change according to government regulations SEPTEMBER 2020 either not sure yet or have already decided it is not for them; it remains good news for FULL OPENING POSSIBLY IN JULY AGAZINE them in the fullness of time. * Situation subject to change according to government regulations M TO BE CONFIRMED WHEN PERMITTED • To be as empathetic as I possibly can, trying to understand others, to put myself in their Sunday shoes. During the time of Covid-19 lockdown for example, I am increasingly aware that for LIMITED OPENING: • Tuesday - Thursday 1.30-6.30 pm • Friday – Saturday 1-8 pm • Sunday 12 noon-3 pm 9th August many people experiences of isolation and loneliness may be the norm, whatever the reasons for this may be. Am I doing all I can to support them, practically as well as spiritually in 01306 889932 www.steppingstonesdorking.co.uk [email protected] send to: prayer? At this stage of my journey the challenge for me is to try and understand, to ‘feel’ Sue Tatham how they might be feeling and to respond appropriately. St Anthony Pilgrim’s Way • To be as loving, caring and empowering as possible. The church here will reach its full Westhumble potential when members continue to be released to use their personal talents for God’s Dorking RH5 6AW glory. It is wonderful to see individuals here growing in confidence as God blesses what 01306 882547 they are seeking to do in His name, and being empowered and encouraged to be fully the [email protected] person God has created them to be. Sherlock Funeral Service Sue and I have been humbled by the many expressions of gratitude for our time back in Sherlock Funeral Service is an Contributions in any form this lovely parish, and deeply touched that so many of you were able to express that in a are welcome as are good socially distanced manner in the churchyard on Sunday 7th June - our thanks to you and Independent family owned business, quality photographs. There those who were unable to join us on the day as they were self-isolating. established over 100 years is no charge for advertising With our love and prayers local charity and community l Private Service Chapel & Rest Rooms events. However the editors l Home visits arranged if required reserve the right to shorten The Reverend Canon John Harkin, Mickleham Parish Priest l Pre-Paid Funeral Plans available omit or reformat articles l Free Parking submitted for publication depending on space. he unexpected news of John Harkin's withdrawal from ministry in Mickleham has come Tas a shock and is a great sadness. Both he and Sue have been very much a part of our Telephone: 01306 882266 community during their two years here and we shall miss them very much. We thank them for their spiritul leadership and guidance, and their many contributions to our parish life. Printed by Bishops Printers Trellis House, 190 South Street, Dorking RH4 2ES. And we say farewell with love and every good wish. Email: [email protected] Funeral Directors & Monumental Masons Portsmouth 1 Services via Zoom Mickleham and Westhumble Local History Group he true meaning of what it is to be It does make one think of the value of see you, Tim). It also proves that age is The History of Mickleham Church Ta community was demonstrated to our community and how lucky we are no limit to modern technology as there tremendous effect on Whit Sunday 31st to live here. Certainly, we all have our was at least one nonagenarian. Part IV Graffiti in St Michael’s May when John Harkin set up a Zoom individual trials to deal with, for some This success was followed with another ver the ages graffiti has appeared Banks who had joined Captain Family service for Pentecost. It was a the great sadness of losing a loved one zoom service on Sunday 14th June and in all sorts of public places and Cook’s first voyage to the South joy to experience a packed 49-screen to Covid-19, but this coming together O again the maximum number of screens our church is no exception. The first Pacific as a botanist, Molesworth view (the maximum for us mere meant a lot to me, and I am sure to I the Lord of Sea were visible. We sang, recorded example is the date 1018 accepted a commission as second mortals) which represented, allowing all those who joined in. If I may, on a and Sky and the perennial favourite, which was found marked in red on lieutenant in the royal marines for family members, 100+ individuals personal note, say how lovely it was to The Servant King . John then gave us a the plaster coating by the tower in January 1776. In this capacity coming together to celebrate. It was a see everyone. Ordinarily, I am in the poignant talk about the Disciples and during the rebuilding of the church he was selected to accompany revelation – please excuse the pun – as choir stalls so can only see the first explained their reaction when they in 1823. Antiquarians are doubtful if Captain Cook on his last voyage, we all imagined ourselves together at row of pews and our choir members realised Christ would be leaving them the tower was actually built at that extending over four years. On St Michael’s. opposite: our lady contraltos, the in body, but not in Spirit. After prayers date but suggest that it recorded the 14th January 1779 he was one of tenor(s) and the back of our organist, Guide me, oh thou Great After an opening prayer we sang we ended with rebuilding of the nave. Churchwarden the party accompanying Captain David Fishwick. Lovely and cheery as Redeemer together, but with muted audio, a re-broadcast from the Royal and historian Archibald Gordon Pollock Cook on his fateful trip ashore, they always are, it was a delight to see otherwise it is a cacophony of Albert Hall to that greatest of hymn (1850-1936) pointed out that there and according to accounts of the everyone in the congregation, albeit harmonious noise! John was able to tunes, 'Cwm Rhondda'. Sadly, this was was a major Viking invasion at the end day Phillips was the last man to on a screen the size of a thumbprint. add a personal message to all members to be John’s last service with us as he is of the 10th century and the nave may leave Cook’s side when, besieged It also proves that the Lord indeed of our community, whether they choose called to serve a parish in Godalming. have been damaged then. The Vikings by angry natives, he ordered ‘to the life and an inability to further his career; moves in mysterious ways as for some to come on Sundays or not, to wish He left us with wonderful words from often targeted church buildings during boats’. Cook was attacked and killed Phillips metamorphosed into a gambler, people attending morning service is a them all safety, love and strength to the book of Numbers, The Lord bless their raids.