Malvern Priory £1.00 Magazine MARCH 2021 ISSUE The Parish Church of St. Mary & St. Michael A JOYOUS WELCOME TO TWO NEW PRIORY PEOPLE Congratulations to James and Megan Wall who were delighted to welcome Iolo James to their family on Tuesday, 26th January. They would like to thank the many members of the Priory congregation who have sent cards and presents to celebrate the good news together but apart. “The photo is of his first trip into the big wide world—a Thursday Communion—at nine days old. This was also the week we celebrated Candlemas; how appropriate!” Proud grandma, Helen, gazes Megan and James lovingly at her first grandchild… Congratulations also to Katherine and Chris Little who, on Tuesday, 9th February, welcomed their daughter Martha Ellen to the world. "We are thrilled and thankful for the safe arrival of Martha who weighed 6lb 5oz. Thank you to all our Priory friends for their prayers, cards and messages of congratulation. We look forward to introducing Martha to her church family soon." Katherine and Chris WHAT IS A FRIEND – PART TWO? MAGAZINE DONATION Following the article ‘What is a ask you to pass it on to a neighbour Friend’ in the February issue of the or friend, and to encourage them If you read the Malvern Priory Magazine, we have to support and enjoy this beautiful magazine on-line included a Friends’ leaflet in this building in Malvern, which is part of our and would like to March edition with details about joining the heritage. Do also visit our new Facebook make a donation Friends of Malvern Priory. (If you are reading group: The Friends of Malvern Priory. towards the this on the website and would like to pick up production costs, Anne Eglington, Chairman a form, please go to The Friends section where please deliver it to you will be directed to the appropriate link.) [email protected] Church House. If you are already a Friend, please can I 01684 561020 Thank you. Page 1 THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH REJOICE IN THE LORD! so, since exercise has been a valid reason for leaving the house, I’ve probably spent more time enjoying Ages ago, I spent the first few years of my working the Hills over this past year than I did in the previous life living in London. Although there was a twenty years put together. Again, because I knew the wonderful range of cultural experiences on offer, Hills would always be there for me, I actually ventured I found that I couldn’t afford to go to the theatre onto them only infrequently in the past. It has taken or to concerts very often. But the odd thing is that Covid-19 to make me appreciate their true value. neither did I venture into those places that I could Those of us who have been Christians for many easily have afforded to visit, such as museums and years may be in danger of falling into a similar trap. art galleries; places that I’m sure I would have found We know that God is always there for us, but we can very interesting. Looking back, I regard this as a easily come to regard him as a kind of divine NHS, wasted opportunity and have often wondered why I only calling on him when we feel we need him. A didn’t make the effort. great feature of the Priory’s Prayer Vine is that it does I’ve come to the conclusion that, perversely, not just consist of requests for prayerful support the reason is that, since these places were always in response to need, but also includes messages of available to me, I felt that I could visit them thanks for blessings received. Yet God’s love goes whenever I wanted to. But, because of that, I never even wider than this. He is there for us all the time, actually quite got round to going. In a strange way, whether or not we have anything specific to ask (or I’ve experienced a similar situation (but in reverse) to thank) him for. Let’s take full advantage of that during the past 12 months of lockdown. constant, loving presence by following St. Paul’s One of the few benefits of being largely ‘confined injunction to “rejoice in the Lord always”. In that way to barracks’ during the pandemic is that I’ve taken the joy of the Lord really can become our strength, far more advantage of living on the slopes of the both as individuals and as a worshipping community. Malvern Hills than I ever have before. Walking from home, I can be on the Hills in a matter of minutes Richard Weatherill ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• NEW AREA DEANS APPOINTED Six priests have been appointed as new Area Deans in the Diocese The new Area Deans are: following the change in the number of our deaneries from thirteen to six. All of those appointed will take on the role of Area Dean in Greater Dudley – addition to their parish ministry and other roles. David Hoskin (Rector of Brierley Hill) Area Deans will have a ministry of leadership and care in Kidderminster & Stourport – partnership with Bishop John, Bishop Martin and the archdeacons. Tim Williams (Rector of Kidderminster They will work to support clergy and laity, representing the parishes West) at meetings with the diocesan senior staff and sharing information Redditch & Bromsgrove – with parishes as we work together to build healthier and more Paul Lawlor (Vicar in the Holy Trinity, sustainable churches across the diocese. In each of their areas, they Redditch Team and Redditch Town will now establish a deanery leadership team including a Deanery Centre Centre Chaplain) Lay Chair, Secretary and Treasurer and set up the governance Worcester – structure through the Deanery Synod, which they will co-Chair. Diane Cooksey (Vicar of St Nicholas, As the Greater Dudley deanery is much bigger than the others, Warndon) the Area Dean will be supported by two sub-deans, who will work Malvern & Upton – across the whole deanery with specific areas of responsibility. Mark Badger (Rector of Kempsey & Andrew Sillis (Vicar of St Thomas in Stourbridge) and Rachel Newell Severn Stoke w Croome d’Abitot) (Vicar in the Dudley Team) have agreed to take on this role. Bishop John said: “These very gifted priests have been Pershore & Evesham – commended to me in a consultation I undertook with their Sarah Dangerfield (Priest in Charge colleagues. I am very grateful to them for being willing to take on of Fladbury, Hill & Moor, Wyre Piddle, this crucial but demanding role. I pray God will bless them in it.” Cropthorne & Charlton) Page 2 WORCESTERSHIRE SCOUT LEADERS TO MARSABIT “Leave it better than you found it…” “Leave it better than you found it…” Lord Baden-Powell, Chief Scout. Lord Baden-Powell, Chief Scout. What have Marsabit and 15 Scout Leaders from Hereford and Worcester got in common? What have Marsabit and 15 Scout Leaders from Hereford and Worcester got in common? Not a lot at the moment… but we hope that after this summer and in the years to come, a Not a lot at the moment… but we hope that after this summer and in the years to come, a lasting legacy. At the end of July this year, 15 Scout Leaders will set off to Marsabit, Kenya. lasting legacy. At the end of July this year, 15 Scout Leaders will set off to Marsabit, Kenya. Two years ago Martin Bradley (Assistant County Commissioner H&W Scouts) contacted me, Two years ago Martin Bradley (Assistant County Commissioner H&W Scouts) contacted me, after seeing pictures of my time with a group from the Priory in Marsabit in 2015. He had the idea of organising a trip through after seeing pictures of my time with a group from the Priory in Marsabit in 2015. He had the idea of organising a trip through Scouts to somewhere in East Africa. With the contacts I’d made from the Priory trip, Bishop Rob Martin, Bishop Qampicha and Scouts to somewhere in East Africa. With the contacts I’d made from the Priory trip, Bishop Rob Martin, Bishop Qampicha and Graham McClure (GoMAD), plans began to form and within six months we had 15 Leaders signed up for our trip this summer. Graham McClure (GoMAD), plans began to form and within six months we had 15 Leaders signed up for our trip this summer. It was decided that the 2019 trip would be for adult Leaders. If successful ,we hope to have further trips in the coming years It was decided that the 2019 trip would be for adult Leaders. If successful ,we hope to have further trips in the coming years for the youth within Scouting 16-18 year olds. On the way from Nairobi to Marsabit, we pass close by to Nyeri, Baden-Powell’s for the youth within Scouting 16-18 year olds. On the way from Nairobi to Marsabit, we pass close by to Nyeri, Baden-Powell’s resting place and lodge, where he spent his final years. This will be quite a special visit for us. resting place and lodge, where he spent his final years. This will be quite a special visit for us. Onwards to Marsabit, where we will be undertaking a number of projects—repairs and completion of the Bubisa water Onwards to Marsabit, where we will be undertaking a number of projects—repairs and completion of the Bubisa water catchment system; maintenance of Laisamis gutters and water tank; Wings school: teaching, and painting a classroom mural; catchment system; maintenance of Laisamis gutters and water tank; Wings school: teaching, and painting a classroom mural; building a water tank for Goro Rukesca church; and education and promotion of menstrual health.