malvern priory magazine
TRANSCRIPT
Malvern Priory Magazine
The Parish Church of St. Mary & St. Michael
In this issue…
Apathy and Apostasy Priory Magazine – Annual Report
Science and Faith ×3 Joining our Wolmirstedt guests in May
A Welcome from the Priory Who’s Who – meet the Barkers
Open Doors A Plea for Sustainability from the Bishop of Dudley
May comings and goings, endings and beginnings...
May 2015 50p
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Regular weekly events: Priory Home Groups: To confirm times and venues of House Groups please contact
Ted Crofton on 01886 833376
Monday –Saturday 9.00am Daily Prayer in the Priory. Tuesdays 6-7pm Praise Group in the Lyttelton Rooms Wednesdays 6.00pm Sketch Club youth drama group in the Lyttelton Rooms Thursdays 11.30am Holy Communion 6 – 7pm Table Tennis in Lyttelton Rooms Fridays 4.15pm Adult Handbells practice
5.15pm Junior Handbells practice 6.00pm Junior choir practice 7.00pm Adult choir practice 7.45pm FEATv! at the Vicarage
Sundays 10.30am Youth and Children’s Groups in the Lyttelton Rooms (except when it is Altogether Worship)
7.30pm Youth Badminton Hour in the Lyttelton Rooms
Contact details for Priory Church Officers and Organisations inside back cover
Magazine Contributions
Please send all contributions for the magazine by email whenever possible (to [email protected]), with the deadline of the 10th of the previous month at the latest. Written articles should be clearly marked "Magazine", and placed in the
"M" pigeonhole at the back of the Priory. The deadline for these is the 8th of the previous month.
Contributions should be limited to a maximum of five hundred words, and where accompanied by relevant photographs, reduced accordingly.
Where photographs of young people are provided, please confirm that parental permission has been obtained to publish in this magazine.
Articles will also be considered for inclusion on the Priory web site – if for any reason this is not acceptable, please mention when submitting articles.
Some photographs, especially of young people, may not be published on the web pages.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission from Malvern Priory
Printed by Aspect Design, 89 Newtown Road, Malvern WR14 1PD www.aspect-design.net
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From the Vicarage
May comings and goings, endings and beginnings...
Dear Friends,
During this month, there are a number of significant comings and goings, endings and beginnings. For example, at the Priory we shall commission the Parochial Church Council during the 10.30am Parish Communion on Sunday 3rd May, and I know that members of the newly-constituted PCC would value your prayers as we seek to take forward the Priory Plan to the next stage.
Then, following the elections held on Thursday 7th May, there may well be many comings and goings, endings and beginnings, as a result of whatever votes we have cast! How important it is, that we keep those elected to serve in the House of Commons and local authorities in our prayers, as they take on the responsibility which has been entrusted to them by the electorate.
Later this month, we look forward to the visit of a group of friends from our German partnership link church in Wolmirstedt, who are coming to Malvern from Thursday 14th to Monday 18th. A lot of events will be happening over those days, and we shall be joined by our guests at the 10.30am Parish Communion on Sunday 17th May.
On Thursday May 14th, we shall mark Ascension Day in a new way. As well as the 9.00am Tower Top Service and 11.30am Holy Communion in St Anne's Chapel, there will be an evening service with a difference! We aim to gather up by the Worcestershire Beacon for an Ascension Day Sunset Service, which will begin at 8.30pm and finish by c 9.00pm (i.e. just after sunset). Why are we doing this, you may well ask?! Because Ascension Day is such an important but often under-celebrated festival. On Ascension Day, we recall how the Risen Lord Jesus, after telling His disciples that they would be "clothed with power from on high" when the Holy Spirit came, "withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven" (Luke 24. 49, 51).
His going would now enable the Holy Spirit to come and empower them to be His witnesses. The ending of His time spent with them after Easter would lead to the beginning of a new way of relating to them, one no longer bound by time or space - the way of faith, not of sight. We know that Jesus, like the setting sun, is now beyond the horizon of our sight. But, one day, the Lord has promised to return. Then we shall see Him in His true glory, the radiant glory of God that will never withdraw from sight again.
Wishing you every blessing in Jesus Christ, the Risen and Ascended Lord of all,
John Barr, Vicar
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MAY
1 Fri 10.00 am Mothers’ Union Prayers 2 Sat 4.00 pm Evening Prayer
3 Sun, 5th Sunday of Easter, (Easter 4, BCP) 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Parish Communion, with PCC commissioning 4.00 pm Confirmation class at the Vicarage 6.30 pm Evening Worship led by the Praise Group 7 Thurs 10.00 am Priory Tots in church
7.00 pm Basic Safeguarding Awareness Training by Diocese in Guesten Room
9 Sat Malvern Priory Choirs Day 2.00 pm Choirs Association AGM 5.00 pm Choral Evensong
10 Sun, 6th Sunday of Easter (Easter 5, BCP), Rogation Sunday 8.00 am Holy Communion
10.30 am Altogether Worship 12.30 pm Holy Communion 4.00 pm Confirmation class at the Vicarage 6.30 pm Holy Communion with Prayer Ministry 11 Mon 12 – 1 pm Prayers for Peace, Lyttelton Prayer Room 13 Wed 10.30 am PALS meeting with coffee
14 Thurs, Ascension Day 9.00 am Tower Top Service 11.30 am Holy Communion
8.30 pm Sunset Service on the Beacon 15 Fri 7.00 pm Beetle Drive to welcome Wolmirstedt visitors 16 Sat Bellframe fundraising trip to Whitechapel
9.30 am Wolmirstedt visit to Tewkesbury Abbey and Sudeley Castle 7.00 pm Concert by Zara Edwards and friends
17 Sun, 7th Sunday of Easter (Sunday after Ascension, BCP) 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Parish Communion 2.30-4.30 pm Messy Church, Lyttelton Rooms 4.00 pm Confirmation Class at the Vicarage 6.00 pm Caféchurch at Costa 6.30 pm Evensong 8.00 pm Farewell to Wolmirstedt visitors in Lyttelton Rooms 18 Mon 7.30 pm Meeting for Lifepath Activity Group Leaders and their
Assistants 21 Thurs 7.30 pm PCC meeting 23 Sat 9.00 am Malvern College Commemoration 4.00 pm Evening Prayer
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24 Sun, Pentecost (Whit Sunday, BCP) 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Morning Prayer 12.30 pm Holy Communion 4.00 pm Confirmation Class at the Vicarage 6.30 pm Choral Evensong 25 Mon Welcome Day Food Festival in Priory grounds 12 – 1 pm Prayers for Peace, Lyttelton Prayer Room 29 Fri 1.00 pm Wedding of Ryan Dolan and Charlotte Wheeler 30 Sat 12 noon Organ Recital by Paul Rosoman
31 Sun, Trinity Sunday 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Baptism and Confirmation with Holy Communion 6.30 pm Choral Music, Readings and Reflections on the Holy
Trinity
JUNE
4 Thurs 10.00 am Priory Tots in church 6 Sat 7.30 pm Concert by the Elgar Chorale: Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and
Handel’s “Dixit Dominus”
7 Sun, 1st Sunday after Trinity 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Parish Communion 6.30 pm Engaging Issues with Bob Forster from Tearfund
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Thought for the Month
Apathy and Apostasy
‘We’re in an age of apostasy!’ younger daughter Pip pronounced firmly on Easter Day. ‘Definitely. That’s what it’s called!’ I had to look it up. 'Apostasy', the old-fashioned paper dictionary confirmed, 'the abandonment of one's faith or religion.'
That makes it sound like a positive decision, but what I note around me is the spadesful of apathy, particularly on the subject of the Election. I'm writing at a time when, alas, the campaign has only just begun (all may have been decided when you read this). There seems an abandonment of any real fervour or hope. All are agreed that there is no agreement: we are told 'the two-party system has gone forever'. If there are changes afoot, it is mostly caused by a weariness. Swathes of young voters are not sure they want to vote at all, no-one seems hopeful of a clear outcome, and many say they can't even see the point of registering. And people died to get the vote, and still die in other countries!
I think we live in 'interesting' times - as in the old Arab curse ‘may your life be interesting’ - because I feel that big changes are coming. There is already a huge change in how faith is seen in this country. That same ‘what’s the point?’ and a kind of wearily fashionable atheism, 'cos Science has proved it, innit, makes up much of any spiritual life we have. As a teacher I cannot fail to be aware that it is at the very best deeply uncool to have faith, especially Christian faith. School pupils think Christianity is on the way out, so why bother? Sunday is for football, swimming, shopping, relaxation - not for wasting time at a service. In the media we get derision and mild humour (mild if we’re lucky), the acceptance that the norm, what you expect, is atheism and that it's absurd to believe in some creative spirit. People have learned to switch off and are deeply unaffected. Their point is, 'I don't need a God; I'm doing fine without.'
Decline is certainly in the air. At the last General Synod the numbers game was played; the Church of England could be ‘eliminated in its heartland unless it urgently attracted new members'. (We need to be sure that we are attracting them to something they feel they DO need: to make people aware of the sadness of spiritual apathy). The Dean of Worcester thought we had about 10 years to go in many rural parishes.
And yet - pace the joke about change in the Church of England - the church has never stood still. We shouldn’t forget that the Church of England was hard-won after a lot of religious wars. Making it 'The Establishment' wasn’t easy. There were always ups and downs. It just doesn't feel like that.
Some of us who go back to the 50s (ulp!) remember a time when churchgoing on a Sunday was a most respectable use of time. You wore a hat, mostly (well, not the men) and it Wasn’t Done to shop or buy or otherwise disrespect Sunday. Even more so in Victorian times: the days when a kindly friendly superstition ruled - in SILAS MARNER, George Eliot's 1861 novel, the lovely character of Dolly Winthrop attempts to persuade Silas to go to church because 'it would do you
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good' to hear the psalms intoned. All is peace and tradition and comfort. Dolly's faith is a bit vague - she talks of 'Them above as takes care on us' - but her devotion to the community is as solid as rock.
Our Church – in particular the Church of England – is in decline. There is no doubt about this; we are sliding down a slope, and seemingly are rather startled by it. Priests given 6, 9, 12 parishes to oversee are fighting a losing battle, bravely though they fight, and gamely though they hang on to the principle of keeping churches open.
BUT - are we downhearted? Not in any way! There's a challenge coming, and maybe we'll all have to be fitter Christians, prepared in the spiritual gym for the long run (forgive me, dear St Paul, I'm stealing your metaphor). The church started small and lean, but it was tough. Numbers are not what God is worried about. Jesus began with 12 - about the size of some congregations. God's church will prevail no matter what. Perhaps churches will be smaller: but we will choose to come because of our faith. Those 'interesting times' have come already to Christians in the Middle East and beyond. We must be ready for an age of - yes, Pippy, apostasy - where tradition and establishment will again count for nothing, but where real faith will fit us with all the Armour of God. Let's gird those loins!
Chris Shepherd
– o0o –
LINK NURSERIES Horticultural Therapy Centre
Open BANK HOLIDAY MONDAYS 4th and 25th May, 10am – 3pm
Excellent plants for all your needs: borders and baskets, beans and bedding, annuals and alpines, grown with care by adults recovering from serious mental ill-health
Refreshments and home-made cakes on sale, raising funds for the Friends of Link Nurseries.
There will also be a free talk at the Friends' coffee morning Friday 8th May 10-12 on 'How to Grow Happy Tomatoes'
Thank you for your support. For information on the Nurseries, ring 01905 831881
For info on the Friends, contact Judith Aldridge, Secretary to the Friends, 01684 566044 [email protected]
Link Nurseries, off Hospital Lane, Powick, Worcs WR2 4NH Open for sales of plants & produce 9.30-15.30 Mon to Fri
Planters and raised beds for the new season made to order
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Priory Magazine What is the point of a Priory magazine? To report on activities past; to let you know of events to come; to inform about PCC discussions and plans; to get to know one another better; to hear from our link missionaries and church partners, and organisations that we support; to keep in touch with the diocese and wider church; and, of course, to be encouraged and helped in the growth of our faith. All this, and more (obituaries, crosswords, humour, book reviews, recipes etc.) So how can you live without a copy each month? Well, obviously many people do, quite happily! I feel sad when I hear folk happily say “Oh, I never read the magazine!” as though this is something to be proud of. Hours of work go into preparing it each month, and it costs just 50p to buy (one-third per month of the cost of a newspaper per day). I would encourage (urge!) more Priory members to buy and read the magazine each month. At present 350 copies are printed, and always some are left over. Why not buy one for yourself, and one to pass on to a friend or neighbour? In the past we have been able to pay £1,000 each year to the PCC. Last year, due to increased printing costs and decreased revenue from advertising, we were able to pass on only £650. The intention of the magazine is, of course, to inform, not to make a profit, but we do need to reverse this trend by selling more copies. It can also be read on the Priory website. I am grateful to Terry Shepherd (Compiler) and Roger Sutton (Advertising and Finance) for the enormous amount of work they put into it. Also thanks to all contributors.
David Webster (Editor)
– o0o –
ENGAGING ISSUES: TEARFUND EVENING
SUNDAY 7th June 6.30pm
Everyone is welcome to hear Tearfund speaker, Bob Foster.
Bob will give a presentation on the current Tearfund focus, a project called “No Child Taken”. It concentrates on the whole, sometimes unsavoury topic of child trafficking. Bob will include a short DVD on the subject and use Matthew 18: 1-6
as the basis of his address.
Bob says in his email, “I am looking forward to meeting you and sharing fellowship in June... and I love Malvern!”.
Please come yourself and bring lots of friends to think more about this
important issue.
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Science and Faith
Since our Science and Faith (Walcher) lectures began, as part of our 925 Celebrations in 2010, we have had 9 eminent scientists speak to us about their particular scientific discipline and their faith. We have had 2 physicists, an astrophysicist, a radio astronomer, a botanist, a molecular biologist, a climatologist, a geophysicist and a neuroscientist. Some of them, such as John Polkinghorne, Sir Ghillian Prance, Tony Hewish and Sir John Houghton, have been leading scientists in their fields. Our speaker last year, and preacher on the Sunday, was Prof Bob White, a geophysicist, who spoke about “acts of God” such as earthquakes and volcanoes. We saw some unique and recent footage of a volcano actually erupting in Iceland. This year we shall have not one but 3 speakers, on 3 successive evenings. They will be:
- Wednesday 23rd September: Prof Andrew Sims, Past President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, University of Leeds. His topic: “Is Faith Delusion?”
- Thursday 24th September: Prof Meric Srokosz, Prof of Physical Oceanography, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, speaking on “Oceans, Climate Change, and Christianity.”
- Friday 25th September: Prof Simon Conway Morris, Professor of Evolutionary Palaeobiology, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, speaking on “Is the Evolution of Humans Inevitable?”
These three lectures promise to be fascinating, and stimulating, and to remind us again that there is nothing incompatible between the Christian faith and modern scientific understanding and discovery - rather that the one informs and complements the other.
David Webster Cartoons
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Bellframe Project News
Work is still going on in the bells chamber making preparations for when Whitechapel return in July to install the steel strengthening beams. The remains of the redundant steelwork in the bellframe, including redundant bolts etc., have been removed. During this work it was discovered that the small space between the bells chamber floor and the ceiling in the ringing chamber had been filled with sawdust when the bells were installed in 1887. This was their method of sound proofing, which did have the merit of working. Whitechapel’s bell hangers and designer returned to visit the bells chamber after all the bells were removed, to measure up and decide how the next stage of the project will be undertaken. The Bellframe Project designer, Barry Johnson, has now provided detailed and working drawings so that Whitechapel can fabricate the steelwork and install it.
During the period whilst the bells are out of the tower, an opportunity was taken to get the ringing chamber decorated. The paint used is a specialised type of paint which allows the masonry to breathe.
I understand that there may still be a few places left on the coach for the visit to Whitechapel Bell Foundry and the Tower of London on the 16th May, which is being organised by Peter Babb.
Over £229,000 has been raised in cash or pledges to date. However, because of cost inflation and some additional work, we still need to raise about £8,000 to complete all the necessary work. If you would like to help by making a donation, you can do so either in the Priory’s collection box, or go to the Priory’s website at:
www.greatmalvernpriory.org.uk/bells.
Trevor Still (Chairman Bellframe Funding Group - Project Manager)
– o0o –
CONCERT IN THE PRIORY
Saturday 16th May at 7pm
Zara Edwards (soprano) with other soloists and West Mercia Police Band
Tickets £12 – email [email protected]
in aid of Flint House Rehabilitation Centre for serving and retired police officers injured whilst on duty
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Malvern Priory Lunch Box
Malvern resident and Priory member, Sally Taylor, was invited to speak to Lunch Box about the work of her daughter Jo, in Malawi.
When Jo & her friend Sophie visited the country as part of a world-wide travel experience, she was very impressed by Malawi and the rural people, their poverty and lack of many facilities including running water and medical services.
Temwa works to support the people of northern Malawi. This area is one of the most disadvantaged and remote regions in the world. Temwa trains villagers to grow a variety of vegetables and fruit to improve the nutrition in their diet. They plant trees to combat the devastating effects of deforestation. They run HIV testing clinics and work to combat the stigma surrounding those who test positive. They build school blocks and fund students through their secondary school education. They enable entrepreneurs to turn their business plans into reality with small business loans - crucially, these projects are all driven by the local communities.
In many of the region's villages, Temwa is the only organisation working with them. It is a growing charity with a dedicated team of thirty-nine full-time Malawian staff in Malawi. The majority of the staff is from the local communities. This instils a unique cultural understanding and trust amongst these remote communities.
Temwa has a small UK-based office in Bristol, with two full-time staff and the support of loyal volunteers who generate valuable funds and create awareness of the work that is being done. Although the two offices are in different countries, they operate a united team. In the local language “temwa” means community love. This symbolises their mission: the community working together, for each other.
A collection was taken after the meeting in support of Temwa. Roger Sutton
– o0o –
Prayers for Lyttelton Well
During May, we ask your church to pray specifically for:
THE AGM FRIDAY 15th MAY: Pray for the right decisions, those elected to serve and Godly encouragement for all involved in the Lyttelton Well.
ADMINISTRATION: Pray for wisdom and efficiency in all aspects of the administration of The Well. Pray for the computer systems and the people who use them, that both may be virus-free!
WEBSITES: Pray for the effectiveness and use of the websites for both The Well and the Counselling Service.
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Priory People
Obituary
Joan Nicholls
Joan died on 15 February at the age of 84, after a period of ill-health which ended a very full and active life.
When the Priory's Social Responsibility and Action group was set up in 1999, Joan as a founder member told us she had been in community work throughout her working life, as nurse, health visitor, probation officer, and, since retirement, a prison visitor. She was also at that stage the Priory's Christian Aid representative, organising the annual collection in the parish. Service to the community was the keynote of her life.
Joan was the oldest of five siblings. Her youngest sister, 14 years younger, remembers the firm hand with which she kept them all in order; that firmness would be no bad thing in a potential social worker. Joan married Michael Lewis and gave birth to Andrew, Peter and Debbie. However, she was widowed while the children were still young; she needed to draw on her confident and independent spirit to support them into adulthood. Evidence of her loving family was revealed in her grandchildren's contribution to her funeral service. Later, Joan found happiness in her second marriage, to Maxwell Nicholls, thus becoming a loving stepmother, and cared for him until her own failing health prevented her from doing so.
In the Priory, Joan was one of the people who revived the Priory Mothers' Union in 2004, having previously served as Diocesan MU Secretary. She was a valued and thoughtful member of Asherina House Group. In her spare time she loved walking on the hills, accompanied in recent years by her beloved dog, Dolly. She was a member of the Footpath Society, and also volunteered front-of-house in Malvern Theatre. Her love of the sea was reflected in the singing of “Eternal Father, strong to save...” at her funeral.
As she became physically weaker, Joan remained alert and continued her interest in her family and friends. She is remembered fondly by many Priory members who rejoice that her suffering is over and that she is at peace with the Lord whom she served for so many years.
Elizabeth Dunnett
– o0o –
LYTTELTON WELL COUNSELLING SUITE OPEN MORNING SATURDAY 6th JUNE
10am – 12noon You are invited to come and have coffee and biscuits while viewing the newly-
refurbished Counselling Suite
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Welcoming our guests from St. Katharina’s Church, Wolmirstedt 14th - 18th May 2015
A group of 11 friends from our partnership church in Wolmirstedt, Saxony-Anhalt, will be arriving late on Thursday 14th May for an Ascension-tide visit to Malvern. It would be lovely to have Priory members joining our guests at any (or all!) of the following activities: Friday 15th May 10.00 Full English Breakfast in the Morgan Bar at the Foley Arms Hotel. Cost £5.50. 13.20 Leave Southlea Car Park, Priory Road by car for visit to CJ’s Café, Old Grove Farm, Lower Eggleton HR8 2UL for walking tour of apple orchards, cider tasting and afternoon tea. Wellies may be advisable! Return around 16.30. Cost £5.00 excluding transport. 19.00 - 21.30: Beetle Drive with Fish and Chips Supper at Lyttelton Rooms, with thanks to the Welcome Group. Saturday 16th May 09.30 - 17.00: Leave Southlea Car Park by coach for Tewkesbury and Sudeley Castle. Light lunch at Tewkesbury Abbey Tea Rooms. Cost £25 per adult; £18 per child aged 15 or under. Sunday 17th May 10.30: Morning Communion service in Priory with partnership theme. 20.00: Farewell evening in Lyttelton Rooms with Bring and Share Supper, singing and exchange of official greetings. Monday 18th May 1.30pm: Group leaves from Priory grounds by minibus for 5.00pm flight from Birmingham airport. To join in any of the Friday and Saturday events, please book a place by contacting one of the planning team: Chris Little, Ursula Ashworth, Jill Crofton, Terry Shepherd, Christine Wells, Pat Wollaston.
Christine Wells
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Who’s Who in the Priory
Meet Delysia and John Barker
When and why did you come to Malvern? John: In December 1987 on my retirement from the RAF. I had been posted to RSRE during my service in the RAF so we already knew the town. I had farming relatives in Worcestershire and parents in Pershore. Historically between 1947 and 1952 I had been here as an apprentice at the TRE and lived in the Geraldine Staff Club on Geraldine Road. Delysia: We still had contacts even though it had been 25 years, so I felt it was a good place to come.
When and why did you come to the Priory? John: Delysia and I and our young family had worshipped in the Priory when Canon Lunt was there. At that time Marita and Leo Christian had wonderfully welcomed us. Having been to a number of different places of Christian worship during our postings, after retiring perhaps we were going to prefer something different. We would try the Priory first – and who welcomed us? Marita and Leo again! Wonderful! Julian Charley’s ministry was just right for us (as is that of John and Mary Barr).
How would you describe your relationship with God? John: I would say my relationship has matured over time, particularly during my retirement when I’ve had more opportunity for hands-on witness. I thank Him every day. Delysia: I always think of myself as a practical Christian because I like doing things like visiting the sick and elderly, driving people when necessary, being part of the welcoming in the church, and generally helping whenever I can.
What is your favourite scripture? John: I follow the Every Day With Jesus daily Bible reading and prefer the NIV Study Bible. I don’t have a favourite scripture but have chosen John 4:14, which is in the courtyard of the Lyttelton Well: Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Delysia: John 1:1-15, it says it all for me. Part of it is the only scripture I had to learn at school because I was the angel Gabriel in the school play.
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What is your favourite hymn? I was hungry and thirsty … Delysia:
When I needed a neighbour I was cold, I was naked, … Were you there, were you there? When I needed a neighbour When I needed a shelter, … Were you there? And the creed and the colour When I needed a healer, … And the name won’t matter, Were you there? Wherever you travel, I’ll be there…
by Sydney Carter, because it covers a lot of things that we experienced in service life in moving around so often and meeting people of all sorts of faith. John: I can’t sing, so I like easy to sing hymns, such as Alleluia, alleluia, / Give thanks to the risen Lord. / Alleluia, alleluia / Give praise to His name.
What are your hobbies and interests? Delysia: My main one has been Girl Guiding from the age of ten. Gardening. I belong to a couple of clubs called Tangent and Growing old gracefully. John: Very long-term member, 45 years, of the Orders and Medals Research Society and of the Birmingham Medals Society. One day a week I am a volunteer researcher helping the Worcestershire Regiment museum with their medals. I’m a Life Vice-President of the Malvern Rugby Football Club and very interested in rugby generally. We’ve been caravanners since 1965, when we were based in Germany. Until recently I engaged in long-distance walking. My favourite walk was the 630-mile South West Coastal Path, which I did in both directions with the support and assistance of Delysia and overnighting in the caravan.
Have you any desires? Delysia: To have more patience and to keep healthy and active for a long time. John: At age 85 with declining health, nothing too dramatic, but I would like to keep in reasonable mental health and capability.
What are your roles in the Priory? Delysia: I polish the brasses in St Anne’s once a month. I am on the flower rota, car rota, and care scheme. We both do porch welcoming and Sunday coffee rota. John: I’m a has-been reader, sidesperson, PCC member, and Church Warden. I have been very involved in the Lyttelton Well and am still a Priory member of the Lyttelton Well Company.
What part of the Priory services do you like most? John: We’ve an excellent diverse range of services, something for everybody, and long may that last! Delysia: I prefer modern wording and approach to services so that I can fully understand and participate in what is taking place. Sylviane Outram
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A Letter from the Bishop of Dudley
We are God’s hands and feet
– now is the time to take action on climate
Who gives a monkey’s about climate change? Not many of us it seems. But please wait if you’re about to turn to the next page. This is crucial stuff and is the biggest moral question in front of us.
Perhaps we feel the topic is just too big. Perhaps the sceptics have done such a good job at saying the science is all wrong. Perhaps we quite like our lifestyle and creature comforts and don’t want to lose out. Yet, there are ways for each of us to make our own contribution and make a difference; the scientific consensus is that we are seeing major effects from increased carbon in the atmosphere and these effects will increase unless something major is done; and Christians need to keep asking how do we live in a Jesus-centred way where having sufficient and caring for our world neighbour are priorities. When we see so many devastating effects of climate change in terms of increased sea levels, major weather events, flooding and drought, we need to wake up. In the Solomon Islands, for example, the rising sea level has made the soil of some of the low-lying atolls so salty that people have had to leave their homes and move to other islands, resulting in community tensions. Across the globe climate change is having a disproportionate impact on the world’s poorest people, who are not the major polluters of the atmosphere with carbon. Climate change knows no international borders. It will come back to bite us and make life more precarious. We should not tolerate that the suffering and death of others is inevitable and acceptable. On Good Friday, Bishops from across the Anglican Communion issued an urgent call for action for climate justice. Called ‘The World is our Host’:
http://issuu.com/anglicancommunion/docs/the_world_is_our_host I commend this pastoral statement to you. Please read it, reflect upon it, and then make a personal transformational response. Be drawn into its message of a loving, creative God who shares his creation so that it might be enjoyed but not exploited for greedy short-term and selfish motives.
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We need also to be putting pressure on our new government to take the impact of climate change seriously. Churches have an admirable history in campaigning and this is our new moral challenge. The voice of the poorest and all of us who want to protect our planet for our children’s children to flourish, needs to be heard by the leaders of the world so that they will make the prophetic step change that is needed at the Paris Climate Talks in December. Many say this is our last chance. Pray and act now. As part of the statement, all Anglicans are encouraged to: Join in prayer and fasting for climate justice on the first day of each month as
an integral part of life and worship; Implement energy conservation measures in church buildings and move
towards renewable energy sources as quickly as possible; Take measures to conserve, recycle and collect water around church buildings
and properties; Nurture biodiversity on church land by creating safe habitats for indigenous
species; Support local communities by sharing water, energy and arable land resources
for local food production; Support sustainable land-use initiatives, including a halt to the clearing of
native forests; Advocate for sustainable water, food and agricultural practices in our
communities. It is imperative to take into account the interwoven relationship of food, water and energy systems.
Bishop Graham
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Open Doors
"If one part (of the body) suffers, every part suffers with it." 1 Corinthians 12:26.
We dream of a world in which every Christian who is persecuted is remembered and supported by other Christians.
Open Doors is one of the mission partners supported by the Priory. It was founded in 1955 by Brother Andrew, a young Dutchman called by God to be His ambassador to the faithful.
Open Doors is an international ministry serving persecuted Christians and churches worldwide. They supply Bibles, leadership training, literacy programmes, livelihood support, and advocacy services. They also seek to mobilise the church in the UK and Ireland to serve Christians living under religious persecution.
They have compiled a World Watch List, highlighting the 50 countries where it is most difficult to live as a Christian. These are the places where followers of Christ must keep their beliefs hidden and where living the gospel means facing beatings, imprisonment, discrimination and abuse. The top ten countries on this list are North Korea, Somalia, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan, Iran, Pakistan, Eritrea and Nigeria. In the UK and Ireland Open Doors strives to raise awareness of global persecution, mobilising prayer, support and action among Christians.
"We don't know who you are and have never seen your faces, but your support is our strength and encouragement." - North Korea Church leader.
Please pray for the work of Open Doors and the persecuted church. More details are available from myself, John Tanner, or from www.opendoorsuk.org. The greatest gift you can give a persecuted Christian is the knowledge that they’re not alone; maybe you could write a letter or send a card? There is a letter-writing guide with more information at the back of the Priory. I also have a copy of "God's Smuggler" by Brother Andrew, if anyone would like to borrow it. It's a book of his experiences and really shows that there is no limit to what God can do, and no task is too small for Him.
Tracey Farrier
– o0o – Smile Lines How many women can one man marry? A little boy who attended his first wedding worked that one out pretty quickly: the answer is 16. It is easy, if you think about it. Four better, four worse, four richer, four poorer. Comes to 16. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?
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Welcoming visitors to the Priory
We have been welcoming for two hours each Wednesday afternoon for a while now, and we find it rewarding and fun. Our historical knowledge of the Priory has increased and if we cannot answer any question there is always a custos to ask or someone on the bookstall or books in the folder.
Most visitors are pleased to find someone to greet them with a smile and a welcome. Only the odd few don’t want to know. We have greeted folk from all corners of the British Isles and over much of the world - especially the U.S.A. (including Hawaii), Australia and New Zealand, etc. Last week we were travelling through Birmingham to London (our train from Malvern was cancelled!) and in New Street Station we met a couple we had greeted at the Priory the previous day! They recognised us and came over to have a chat.
Now that the heating has been renewed it is lovely and warm in the cold months, there is a seat to sit on or one can walk round for exercise. Some days we have only about 10 visitors but then is the chance to have a good chat; on other days we have had as many as 65 people. There is no better way to spend a couple of hours.
If you feel you could help with this valuable service do have a word with Peter Young, who would be pleased to find you a slot even if it is only one hour per month. Of course, there is no grumble if occasionally you cannot come, but more help would be welcome. If you wish to ask about it we would be pleased to have contact.
Richard and Monica Crookall
FRIENDS’ DAY Sunday 28th June 2015
2.45pm Annual General Meeting in Priory 4.00pm Talk in the Priory by Colonel David Axson on ‘The College
of St George, Windsor Castle’ 5.00pm Cream Tea at the rear of the Priory 6.30pm Choral Evensong - Preacher is The Venerable Robert
Jones, Archdeacon of Worcester
ALL WELCOME
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The Friends of Malvern Priory
Coffee Morning - Thank you to all those members who attended our coffee morning in March. I am pleased to report that we raised over £300 for our funds.
Annual Outing - I am delighted to report that Meryn Nance, who has recently joined the Priory and is a member of the choir, has
kindly agreed to take on the role of organising future outings. Hopefully there will be a Friends outing later this year.
Dates for your 2015 Diary:
Friends' Day - Sunday 28th June 2015. The day will commence with the AGM. The talk prior to the Cream Tea will be given by Colonel David Axson, until recently the Honorary Secretary of The Friends and Descendants of St George's Chapel, Windsor and a Military Knight of Windsor. Tickets for the talk and the Cream Tea will be £7.50 and will be available in advance from the Priory Office. The Venerable Robert Jones, who was installed as the Archdeacon of Worcester last year, will be the preacher at Choral Evensong. Unfortunately, the bells will still be silent in June but we look forward to hearing them again (in all their new glory) next year!
AGM – Sunday 28th June 2015. The AGM will be held at 2.45pm - before the talk on Friends’ Day. Please note the slightly earlier time.
Friends Officers and Council I will be standing down as Chairman of The Friends at the AGM after nearly 5 years. In addition Elizabeth Dunnett will also be retiring as our Honorary Secretary. As a result we will be looking for volunteers/nominations for both of these appointments in June at our next AGM. Please note that our Constitution requires nominations for these appointments to be made to the Honorary Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM. Because of other retirements there will also be vacancies for new Council members. If you are interested or would like to explore what is involved, please let me or one of the other current officers know.
Mike Selby
– o0o –
More Smile Lines
Found in church pew-sheets….
The youth group will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the church hall this Friday at 7pm. The congregation is warmly invited to attend this tragedy.
Weight Watchers will meet at 7pm at the parish church. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.
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Junior Choristers Concert
On 31st January a capacity audience crowded into the Lyttelton Rooms to hear our junior choristers give their annual concert.
The evening started with the youngsters, aged from 7–17, entertaining us with individual pieces, both vocal and instrumental. The wide range of instruments on show included piano, guitar, flute, bassoon, horn and trumpet as well as the mellifluous tones of the hand-bells; we were also treated to a Gilbert & Sullivan ‘patter’ song, complete with props. The juniors then joined forces in a rumbustious performance of Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo, a work that is as much fun to listen to as it obviously is to sing! Once the ark was safely back on dry land, we all tucked in to an excellent (if unseasonal) Ploughman’s Supper.
This popular event gives our young choristers a great opportunity to perform in public before a sympathetic and appreciative audience. The large attendance, comprised almost entirely of choir members and their families, reflects the very healthy state of choir recruitment. However, we will consider holding the concert in the church next year so that we can extend a welcome to more Priory members.
Thanks are due to Piers, to our virtuosi accompanists, and to all the choir adults who worked so hard to make the evening a success.
Richard Weatherill (Choirs Association Chairman)
– o0o –
Quotes of the Month
If you want to find out what’s wrong with a man or woman, elect them to public office. There are two sides to every question, and if you want to be popular, you take both.
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The Priory’s Director of Music, Piers Maxim, is now available to give private singing, piano and organ lessons.
Competitive rates; unparalleled experience in all styles of music making; all standards, from beginners to international
professionals
Contact on: [email protected]
Or 07776 337 558 (mobile)
Whatley Recordon Solicitors
Your local lawyers with a positive approach to help you
Friendly Expertise
Welcoming Town Centre Offices
12, Worcester Road, Malvern Tel (01684) 892939
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DO YOU STRUGGLE to find presents for people who seem to have “everything”?
The Lyttelton Well sells Gift Vouchers which can be exchanged for meals,
coffees, etc in the Café or books in the Bookshop
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PROFESSIONAL MEASURING, MAKING & FITTING SERVICE
COOKSHOP
WE INVITE YOU TO BROWSE AROUND OUR EXTENSIVE
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COOKS’ KITCHEN & DINING TABLE
PREMIER STOCKISTS OF STELLAR, LE CREUSET, MEYER & SKK
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EGYPTIAN COTTON SHEETS, HANDKERCHIEFS
BEDSPREADS & THROWS
OWN CAR PARK ADJACENT TO EDITH WALK www.gordonsmithmalvern.co.uk
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CRIDLAN & WALKER
Gt Malvern’s Oldest Established Business
ORGANIC BUTCHER
Stockists of South African Products
Deli, rotisserie, chickens, hot beef and pork daily
229 WORCESTER ROAD, MALVERN LINK WR14 1SU Tel: 01684 573008
www.cridlanandwalker.com
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Solicitors and Commissioners for Oaths 133, Barnards Green Road, Malvern
Freephone 0800 6191837
www.gaynor-smith-owen.co.uk [email protected]
We Cover most Aspects of the Law
Opening Hours: 0900 – 5,30pm MON – FRI Out of hours: Saturday Mornings by appointment
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Clearly the Cleanest All carpets, curtains, and upholstery
Carefully and conscientiously cleaned Try before you buy – free if not delighted
Call Ian Jones Tel: 0800 085 4425 Mobile 07831 332226
Chaceley Glos GL19 4EG
Give your home a fresh look
Touch, Smell and Feel the difference
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Simon Cobban
Joiner/ Handyman Services
Skirting/Architrave Built in cupboards
Kitchen fitting Fencing and decking Doors and windows
No job too small
Reliable service, references available
– Mobile: 07810 486 104
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DAVENHAM PERRINS HOUSE Residential care Residential & nursing care 148, Graham Road Moorlands Road Malvern Malvern Tel (01684) 574385 Tel (01684) 562701
Reg Charity No 226 064
Mobile Foot Carer
Are you unable to reach to cut your own toe nails?
Toe nails cut and filed by a trained foot carer
£15 -£18 depending on location
Experienced with the elderly.
For appointment phone
(01684) 565879
We are now cleaning in Malvern
Houses and Commercial Properties Professional and reliable service
Tel: 07973 412 862 4, Westlea Close, Worcester WR2 5UH
Westside
Window
Cleaners
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If you know about being a parent and can volunteer a few hours
each week to help a family
become part of Home-Start
For an informal chat about Volunteering for Home-Start,
Call Jess or Jan on 01684 893125
Home-Start Malvern Hills Ground Floor Office Suite,
Upper Chase Road, Malvern, WR14 2BU
Email: [email protected]
Registered Charity no 1114857
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May Crossword
Solution for April
Across 1 ‘Therefore let us — passing judgment on one another’ (Romans 14:13) (4) 3 ‘I — — these persons here present’ (Marriage service) (4,4) 9 According to a prearranged timetable (Numbers 28:3) (7) 10 Group of eight (5) 11 The cell into which the Philippian jailer put Paul and Silas (Acts 16:24) (5) 12 — Taylor, pioneer missionary to China (6) 14 Otherwise known as the Eucharist, Breaking of Bread, the Lord’s Table (4,9) 17 ‘So that after I have preached to others, I — will not be disqualified for the prize’ (1 Corinthians 9:27) (6) 19 Attend to (3,2) 22 Approximately (Acts 4:4) (5) 23 Tea rite (anag.) (7) 24 Rule of sovereign (8) 25 Test (anag.) (4) 24 Rule of sovereign (8) 25 Test (anag.) (4)
Down 1 The name of the street where Judas lived in Damascus and where Saul of Tarsus stayed (Acts 9:11) (8) 2 ‘The playing of the merry — , sweet singing in the choir’ (5) 4 ‘We have been saying that — — was credited to him as righteous’ (Romans 4:9) (8,5) 5 Dr Martyn — Jones, famous for his ministry at Westminster Chapel (5) 6 Port at which Paul landed on his way to Rome (Acts 28:13) (7) 7 Observe (Ruth 3:4) (4) 8 Minister of religion (6) 13 ‘I am — of this man’s blood. It is your responsibility’ (Matthew 27:24) (8) 15 ‘Greater love has no one than this, that he — — his life for his friends’ (John 15:13) (3,4) 16 Archbishop who calculated that the world began in 4004BC (6) 18 ‘No one can — the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit’ (John 3:5) (5) 20 Establish by law (5) 21 Product of Gilead noted for its healing properties (Jeremiah 46:11) (4)
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Malvern Priory Church Contact Tel E-mail Vicar The Rev’d John Barr 563707
Associate Minister for Children, Youth and Families The Rev’d Dr Mary Barr 563707 [email protected] Minister in Secular Employment The Rev'd Dr Alison Gray [email protected]
Readers David Webster
833239
Chris Shepherd 575884 Reader Emeritus Tony Waters
540068
Custos & Head Verger Peter Young Priory Vestry
Deputy Custos Robert Payne
Director of Music Piers Maxim
560564
Church Officers Churchwardens Rosamund Ponting
572165
Peter Babb 568342 [email protected]
PCC Vice-Chairman Robin La Fontaine
592416
Hon. Secretary PCC Christine Wells
564909
Hon. Treasurer PCC Roy Boyer 572414 [email protected] Planned Giving Administrator
[email protected] Mike Eglington 567640 Legacies Administrator
[email protected] Stuart Wollaston 568483 Electoral Roll Officer
Mike Eglington 567640
LYTTELTON WELL (Christian Centre at entrance to Priory) Tel 573702 E-mail [email protected]
Enquiries about Priory bookings of the Lyttelton Rooms should be made to the Priory Parish Office (see contact details opposite)
Lyttelton Well Counselling & Listening Service Tel: 563456
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Church Organisations
Contact Tel
Bellringers John Clements 561010 Care Scheme Co-ordinators Jane Poels 573960 Jen Boyer 572414 Children’s and Youth Ministry Co-ordinator The Rev’d Dr Mary Barr 563707 Choirs Association Richard Weatherill 899329 Flower Arrangers Co-ordinator Ann Oldfield 564500 Friends of Malvern Priory Mike Selby 564953 Home Group Co-ordinator Ted Crofton 01886 833376 Magazine Editor David Webster 833239 Magazine Adverts/Distribution Roger Sutton 565273 Mothers’ Union Dorothy Knights 561358 Newcomers Co-ordinator Sue Pain 564998 Pastoral Counsellor Tim Marks 07817 465213 Prayer Ministry Co-ordinator Elizabeth Dunnett 563272 Priory Area Links Scheme (PALS) Anne Eglington 567640 Priory Handbell Teams Joan Willis 594570 Shop Administrator Huw Foxall 892455 [email protected] Sunday Transport Co-ordinator Edwina Hawker 567491 Visits and Events Coordinators Ann Oldfield / Peter Young 561020
Great Malvern Priory Website http://www.greatmalvernpriory.org.uk
Information on services, events, outreach, people, history and much more……
Webmaster [email protected]
Priory Parish Office, Church Street, Malvern WR14 2AY
Tel: (01684) 561020 (answerphone)
Open to public Monday 11:00 – 12:00, Tuesday 10:00 – 12:00 Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30 – 1:00
Church Secretary Mary Weatherill [email protected]
Articles for the Parish Magazine
Copy via email by the 10th of the preceding month at the latest please to [email protected]
Written articles marked "Magazine" should be placed in the "M" pigeonhole in the Priory by the 8th of the previous month
Communications about advertising, and payments of invoices, can be left at the Parish Office
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Easter Sunrise Service on Worcestershire Beacon
Photograph by David and Rosemary Webster
Photograph by Trish and Philip Robinson