The Magazine of The South Wye Hereford

and South Wye Rural Parishes November 2020

Price 50p

Hello and Welcome

In a conversation today I wondered what we will remember about 2020 when we look back from 2040 or 2060. What will be taught in schools or handed down in “What did you do during Covid-19, Daddy?” conversations? The answer might in part depend upon how long has passed - memories fade over time, and time affects our perspective on events. Our view of the C-19 pandemic will partly depend on whether there has been a similar outbreak since. Will we remember 2020 for clapping and community support, for restrictions and rules - or for something else altogether?

I was a child in the 1970s - when veterans of the first World War were in their 70s and 80, and my cultural heritage includes my Granny’s spirited rendition of a monologue about the Kaiser being thrown out of Hell and an unexpurgated version of ‘Mademoiselle from Armentieres’ (which I did not learn from my Granny.) These mixed with ‘O Valiant Hearts’, ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ and ‘Testament of Youth’ in my muddled folk memory of the Great War. Throughout the last century public views of the 1914-18 conflict have shifted; the hopeful understanding of it’s horrors as the war to end all wars was given the lie in 1939; since then it has been variously seen as a heroic struggle for democracy and freedom, as ‘Lions lead by Donkeys’ and in other, more nuanced ways.

The second World War was more immediately part of our community story in my childhood - most veterans were in their 50s, most adults, even in rural Herefordshire, had memories of bombings, munitions work, evacuees and rationing. It is difficult to comprehend that today we are further away in time from the Battle of Britain than my childhood was from the Battle of the Somme.

The occasions for Remembrance this month will provide us times of gratitude for what was achieved in the darkest moments of war, but we will be marking that Remembrance in a very different way as we struggle with the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. Remembering is not just about focusing on past events. It can also give us a perspective on the present day. Amongst the terrors and horrors of war, we remember and give thanks for the courage, selflessness and self sacrifice of those who served in uniform and on the home front. How can we ensure that in 2060, memories of the C-19 pandemic will include the same virtues alongside the loss and the fear? In this edition, the theme of remembering so that we can change our future actions is highlighted, not just in traditional acts of remembrance but also in our response to more recent events including the IICSA report (pg 21.)

Anne

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Contents

Hello and Welcome 1

A Message from the Archdeacon of Hereford 3, 4

South Wye Hereford - online resources 5

South Wye Rural: St Andrews and St David’s 6

What am I reading next Sunday? 7

South Wye Hereford - St Martin’s 8

South Wye Hereford - St Peter’s Bullinghope 9

South Wye Hereford - St Martin’s 10

St Martin’s Roll of Honour 11

News from the Diocese of Hereford 12 - 14

News from the Church of England 14, 15

At Sixes (but definitely not Sevens) 16 17

For Our Prayers 18

Coffee Time 19, 20

IICSA - The Anglican Church 21, 22

Acts of Kindness 23-24

The Samaritans 25

St Michael’s Hospice 26

Hereford Cathedral 27

Martin of Tours 28

Advertising 29-36, 38

Meet the Team 37

Copy for the December edition of ASPIRATION should be sent to the Team Office by 18th November to: aspiration@stmartinshereford.org.uk The magazine will be published on 27th November.

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Letter from the Archdeacon of Hereford

I write this as the view from my window is looking very autumnal. The leaves are turning and the nights are drawing in, the warmth of summer is slowly ebbing away. This time of year marks a change in the churches year as we move away from Easter and Pentecost and begin to prepare for Advent. In the Church Calendar we have some significant moments coming up and the Kingdom Season is almost upon us. The liturgists and those who plan our lectionary have created a number of markers along the way that help remind us of the role that Kingdom has in our faith. We have All Hallows Eve (Halloween), All Saints and All Souls and then Christ the King. In between we have Remembrance Sunday and in more recent years Armistice Day has taken on new resonance in society as a whole. These moments all have something in common they are about memory and remembering and they remind us that we belong to something bigger than ourselves. These memories are all the more poignant this year for me as we have just had a significant family funeral. We have been looking through old photographs. It was a very odd feeling as photographs going back to the early part of the last century were recovered. I am sure over time we will as a family sit down and work out who they all are and no doubt scratch our heads as we work out the significance of why certain shots were taken. It struck me that the black and white photographs have lasted far better than colour from the 60’s & 70’s. I guess most of us of a certain age have boxes of old photographs and possibly even slides. Slide shows feature strongly in my memory as when I was growing up every friend and relative seemed to want to show us their holiday slides. What struck me is that these pictorial records of life are very much a unique part of 20th Century life, everything now is digital and dare I say it disposable. Now if we don’t like them we simply delete them or manipulate them in a computer until they look the way we wanted them too. These church festivals allow us to remember. All Saints reminds us that we are part of a worldwide church which stretches back through history and we give thanks for the ordinary Christian men and women who worshipped and prayed often in the same churches as we do today who have gone before us. There is a strong and unbreakable spiritual bond between those in heaven who have gone before us, and the those of us living in this present time.

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The Book of Common Prayer refers to those in heaven as the Church Triumphant and those of us who are here and now as the Church Militant. Strange terms in the 21st Century but it captures well the sense that the Kingdom is both here and yet to come. Those who have gone before us are the great cloud of witnesses that cheer us on that the writer to the Hebrews reminds us of, for we collectively are the Saints. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, …” Hebrews 12:1 All Souls allows us a moment of reflection as we remember with thanksgiving those who have died who we love but see no more. It offers us a powerful window in to God’s heart of compassion for those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones and allows us as a church to accompany one another on that journey. It reminds us too that we have a Saviour who has overcome the sting of death and fulfilled for us the promise of eternal life. It is in the festival of Christ the King that we are reminded that our faith has a Saviour who will return to wind up history and restore God’s Kingdom. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and it is to him and him alone we owe our homage and worship. It marks the end of the Church year with a strong reminder that Jesus Our Saviour is prophet, priest and King. Ultimately this is a period of reflection, of memories and of thanksgiving like the season of autumn it can feel full of melancholy but it is also one of joy and celebration. In our COVID dominated world it is good to be reminded that there is life beyond ourselves and that there is an unbroken chain of Christian witness going back through the centuries. Sometimes we need to stop and reflect that there is more to life than this present moment, that things will change and we will

see a new creation. Until then we simply need to share with each other the joys and tears of our common humanity and remember with thankfulness those who have gone before us in faith who have ensured that we can take forward the message of hope for our world.

Archdeacon Derek Chedzey

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Hereford South Wye

My Perspective

A series of talks and discussion starters on Thursdays. Each week one of the team gives a short reflection on something to do with our faith and how we live it.

Join us on the St Martin’s Facebook page Facebook at 10am every Thursday. If you can't make 10am you can watch later.

South Wye Online Services and Resources Through the Week 8:00am and 8:00pm daily Morning and Night Prayer on St Martin’s Facebook. These services use the Common Worship service and the order of service can be found on the Church of England website churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer or by downloading the Time to Pray app to your ‘phone. If you would be happier using a book, please get in touch with the office and we can lend you one to try.

Thursday My Perspective: a weekly reflection from one of the team. Join in on St Martin’s Facebook any time from 10am Thursday.

Sunday We are now going to be livestreaming our 9am service from St Martin’s. The service will then have hymns added and then will go on our Youtube and Facebook pages later on Sunday. This will enable us all to share the same service but to continue to offer those who participate online to sing hymns, which is important to many of you.

Telephone service: To listen to an audio version of the Sunday service, call 01432 806066 from lunchtime on Sunday – the service will be available for the whole week. This will cost you the same per minute as a local ‘phone call. There is a message and then some silence before the service starts – don’t panic, if you have heard the message then the service will start before long.

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Harvest Festival Service – St Andrew’s, Dinedor On Sunday 18th October at 11am Rev. Neil Patterson officiated at our celebration of Harvest Service. Due to COVID-19 restrictions being in place the usual auction of produce in the church, followed by a Harvest lunch in the village hall could not go ahead this year. Hopefully, we can return to normality in 2021.

Despite the event being slightly subdued this year twenty parishioners attended to make up a “socially distanced” congregation. Those attending were invited to bring dry goods or tinned food which was later donated to the Food Bank at St Martin’s. Other harvest produce items were displayed in the churchyard and purchased by members of the congregation after the service.

Those attending were exceedingly generous with their donations and over £200 was raised for church funds.

Our thanks must go to Irene Goodman for playing the organ. Although no hymns were sung the accompanying music was greatly appreciated by all. Thanks also to Joyce Nicholls for baking a wonderful decorative Harvest Loaf and all those who helped prepare the church to enable the service to take place. Future services at St Andrew’s scheduled to take place:

Sunday 29 November at 6.30pm. Patronal Evensong – Rev. Mark Johnson. Sunday 13 December at 6pm. Carol themed service – Chris Over.

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What am I reading next Sunday?

Date 1st November 8th November

‘Sunday’ All Saints Remembrance/ 3 before Advent

Colour Gold/White Red/Green

Old Testament Daniel 7: 1 - 3, 15 - 18

Wisdom 6: 12 - 16

Psalm 149 70

New Testament Ephesians 1: 11 - 23 1 Thess 4: 13 - 18

Gospel Luke 6: 20 - 31 Matthew 25: 1 - 13

Date 15th November 22nd November

‘Sunday’ 2 before Advent Red/ White

Colour Red/ Green Christ the King

Old Testament Zephaniah 1: 7, 12 - 18 Ezekiel 34: 11 - 16, 20 - 24

Psalm 90: 1 - 8 95: 1-7

New Testament 1 Thess 5: 1 - 11 Ephesians 1:15 - 23

Gospel Matthew 25: 14 - 30 Matthew 25: 31 - 46

Date 29th November 29th November

‘Sunday’ Advent 1 (Lectionary) Advent 1 (Wye Christmas)

Colour Purple

Old Testament Isaiah 64:1-9 Genesis 12:2-3

Psalm Psalm 80:1-8

New Testament 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Gospel Mark 13:24—end Matthew 1:1-6, 2:1

Sunday Readings: As usual, it is important to check with the person leading your service that they are expecting you to read the lessons given here, especially if it is a special service or your regular service pattern is disrupted at the moment.

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Hereford South Wye

Wye Christmas? A journey through Advent in South Wye

Christmas in 2020 is going to be very different - so many of our traditions are going to be affected by the C-19 restrictions - as well as the inevitable changes to services, even the guest list for Christmas dinner is likely to be very different. The run-up to the festive season will be different too. We won't have a Christmas Fayre or carol singing as we are used to.

So this Advent, we are going to embrace the change and mark the season differently in South Wye. As we may have fewer Christmas services when we would traditionally hear the Christmas Bible readings we are going to start to hear them in Advent. Each week we will be looking at a different aspect of the Christmas story which we will explore through Bible study, preaching, reflection and family activities. As far as possible there will be a blend of on-line and on-site provision so that everyone can join in.

Starting in the run-up to the first Sunday of Advent we will be asking a set of questions - Why Bethlehem?, Why Angels?, Why a Baby?, Why Shepherds and Why Wise Men? in search of the wonder and awe of the answer to the big question - Why Christmas? Booklets, prayers, craft ideas, bible studies and readings to use at home or in small (under six) groups will be available in church or email the office and we can send them out.

Visiting the Team Office Christine and Sharron are working hard to maintain the office as a safe place for them to work. The office is now open 9:00am - 1:00pm every day, but we are trying to keep physical visits to the office to a minimum. Please ‘phone or email if you possibly can, rather than visit. If you do have to come to the office, please wear a mask. In general the front door will be unlocked and the office door will be locked and we will assist with enquiries through the service window in the lobby. Maintaining the safety of staff and visitors must be our priority, and for me there is also the selfish consideration that if both Sharron and Christine are required to isolate at the same time the office will have to be closed again. Thank you for your patience and consideration with this. Anne

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St Peter’s Bullinghope, Hereford South Wye,

Services in November

Sunday 1st 11:15am Holy Communion Sunday 8th 11:00am Act of Remembrance 11:15am Morning Prayer Sunday 15th 11:15am Morning Prayer Sunday 22nd 11:15am Morning Prayer Sunday 29th 11:15am Morning Prayer

You are very welcome to attend any of these services - please wear a face covering in Church and inform the office so that we can plan safe, socially distant seating. Hand gel is available in Church. A ‘track and test’ register will be taken of those who attend. Thank you for your understanding of these precautions. Some of these restrictions may alter as new legislation and guidance emerges from the Government and Church of England.

St Peter’s APCM

At the Vestry meeting and APCM after the service on the 18th October our Churchwardens Jeff and Simon Paget were re-elected, the PCC was elected and the accounts and reports for 2019 were presented. This was the meeting that had been postponed from April and it was a little odd to be discussing 2019 after all that has happened in 2020.

The most important part of the conversation was the thanks that were given to so many people whose hard work had enabled the church and it’s ministry over the year. It was also lovely to remember the support of the Canary Bike Riders at different events, the unveiling of the Rotherwas memorial plaque, the Petertide service and picnic, the Afternoon Tea and the Christmas Tree Festival. Copies of the Annual Report and the Accounts for 2019 are available in Church.

PCC A PCC meeting will be held on 29th November after the 11:15 service

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St Martin’s, South Wye

November Services

Sunday 1st 9:00am Said Communion 10:00am Said Communion 4:00pm All Souls Service Sunday 8th 9:00am Said Communion 10:00am Said Communion 11:00am Act of Remembrance Sunday 15th 9:00am Said Communion 10:00am Said Communion Sunday 22nd 9:00am Said Communion 10:00am Said Communion Sunday 29th 9:00am Said Communion 10:00am Said Communion

You are very welcome to attend any of these services; face coverings must be worn in Church, and washing facilities and hand gel are available in Church and should be used on entering and leaving Church. Please inform the office if you intend to attend so that we can plan safe, socially distant seating. A ‘track and test’ register will be taken of those who attend. Thank you for your understanding of these precautions. Some of these restrictions may alter as new legislation and guidance emerges from Government and CofE.

Bonus Ball The bonus ball scheme has now been running at St Martin’s for three years, during which time it has raised valuable funds for the church, while also giving you the chance to win money - maybe not millions, but every little helps! The next half year started at the beginning of October, so for those who pay by cheque/cash your next £26 is due. It can either be sent to the office or if you do online banking, you can pay directly. The sort code is 30-80-55 and the account number is 42121368. There are a few unallocated numbers so if you want to increase your chances of winning please let the office or myself know. Thank you for your continued support. Sue Cockroft.

Are you missing Silver Threads, Lovely Lunches, Knit and Natter, Tuesday Coffee

or Tea-Time Praise? Maybe you are missing them all! We are starting small, Rule of Six compliant, catch-ups over coffee. A chance to see our friends, chat and also share some thoughts about how we can safely continue and develop the work of some of those groups over the months to come. Please contact Jo (07563 382923) for details.

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AE Arnold WA Arnold J Bevan E Carey J Cooper EA Cooke F Cotterell EC Cutler CJH Day R Dykes

CP Evill MC GA Field T Goodwin J Grady JT Grady JB Hand EJ Evans J Evans EM Hiles J Hickey

JJ Horrigan E Hopson T Holloway W Jones E Lucas G Llewellyn DGG Levason T Lawley P Lawler FW Mole

H Miles W Owen T M Palmer W Pearce CE Miles

H Pearce L Preece AJ Powell J Pugh J Roderick A Swaincot A Saunders A Teague P Teague TW Tringham

JC Tringham OT Treherne R Tibbey R Turner G Williams TH Woolaway MF Thomas CD Baker RA Baker C Bickerton

LA Bromage H Brown DT Bubb A Davey GC Dunning JWH Dykes DH Flowers FC Gwynn HA Hall JB Hibberd

DH Hill GF Hodges PSF Hogan RH James RM Jones

AG King WF King RT King H Peregreen L Powell JCL Price W Reading WT Rex GE Rolls JT Silcox

KC Sims GC Snowzell AJ Steel JF Stephens FR Taylor AAW Waythe J Welling AL Williams GG Williams A Wood

BGM Milliken Bishop

D Cooper ` H W Benbow WG Deen RT King DD Cooper JB Hand WEL Hick JSM Moores E Pickard

P Reddy T Labalaba TPW Tobin A Kent M Bishop

T Goodwin RT King JR Anderson JH Hooker R Richardson V Phillips R Consiglio PS Hill JS Windon RP Arnott

ADR Baxter RL Leonard A Slater SP Anderson TGC Palmer L Barker JA Ball SH Johnson FM Benson DJ Naden

AE Gallagher C Hennessy K Small JE Daubney S Garthwaite N Patterson LJ Tandy KA Butterton G Baldwin MJ Bonness

B Tinnion M Halls AM Powell RD Lyon L Collins FM Rennie

St Martin’s Roll of Honour

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News from the Diocese of Hereford

Reflections on generosity and giving from our Diocesan Secretary

"These last few months have caused a pause on ‘normal’ activity in a way that we have not witnessed since the Second World War. This pause has been incredibly difficult for so many people on different levels and the after-effects are only just emerging as we come to the end of this first phase.

"There is no question that our quiet and tranquil corner of the Church of England in Herefordshire and South Shropshire bordering Wales has been shaken, albeit less violently than many urban areas. The impact of COVID has had some positive impact: our online presence and engagement with live-streamed services, weekly e-briefings, and the Bishop’s video messages show clear results. We have seen new people come to faith, had higher than normal attendance at some services and online meetings, we have discovered new skills and tools to enable us to work and interact together, and we have still been able to be a church without our buildings.

We have also been able to demonstrate to our neighbours and our partners in the Councils and NHS just how effective the church community can be in supporting those in need. Our existing network of volunteers and charitable organisations have provided a huge range of crucial interventions at a time of crisis. Some, such as food banks, pastoral visiting / befriending teams and safer communities have been busier than normal, while others have set up new services to provide food parcels, delivery of medication, street pastors in town centres, a 'home safe from hospital' scheme, and housing for the street homeless. These have been remarkable in both the speed they were set up, the effectiveness of their operation, and in how positive the statutory bodies have been about them.

"Sadly, as expected, there are other consequences too. The loss of loved ones is hard enough but the lack of proper funerals to grieve has been very difficult. No Sunday worship, cancelled weddings, no baptisms, social isolation, family separation, domestic violence, shielding, job losses, furlough, school closures, disruption to agricultural food chains, fear and anxiety have all become a reality of the past few months.

We started 2020 in Hereford Diocese full of ambitious plans. We had planned a large-scale welcome for our new Bishop, Richard Jackson, and we anticipated a straightforward replacing for our retiring Bishop in Ludlow. (PTO)

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We projected investment in a new church plant in Hereford in the Bobblestock area of the city and creation of a new youth church in St Peter's. We saw opportunity to grow and expand our intergenerational mission projects in market towns across the Diocese and had carefully planned to achieve all of this with a balanced budget. Even now that the effects of COVID-19 are known and the drastic impact on our income is taking effect, we have not paused our investment plans. We know that it is now more crucial than ever that we continue to trust God and seek growth in our church communities.

"The only one of our ambitious plans that we are unlikely to achieve is our balanced budget. A combination of Parish Offer defaults and a reduction in parochial fees is forecasted to lead to a reduction in income of at least £700,000 this year and 2021 may be even worse.

"Fortunately, the Diocese is a strong position to weather the storm. Both the Diocesan Board of Finance and many parish churches have reserves for a rainy day and now it is raining they will need to be used! The central office has been working extremely hard over the past few years to reduce costs and increase income which means we are in better position than most other dioceses to cope. In headline terms between 2017 and 2020 the (central) Diocese has:

• Made budget savings in excess of £715,000. In our context, as the lowest spending Diocese this is a significant amount. Roughly 60% of this has been ‘central’ cost savings and 40% related to clergy reductions.

• Reduced full time equivalent staff (excluding externally funded) from 31.2 fte to 26.4 fte

• 12 Diocesan staff members have left and not been replaced, 5 new posts have been added

• Increased income / received new grants over £1m to pay for posts / reduce deficit

• Generated £4.9m in net capital receipts from sales of glebe / parsonage land by working hard to get planning permission or increased value. This money can then be invested to give a greater annual contribution towards costs.

• In 2019 & 2020 we have committed around £220,000 of money through total return to support parish ministry such as the intergenerational missioners. More projects will follow in 2021 and approximately £250,000 is put aside each year.

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(cont. from previous page) "However, the storm can only be weathered for so long and our reserves and investments will only last for a few more years before they are depleted beyond repair. Much has been made of Parish Offer contributions (to our Common Fund for parish ministry) remaining the same for the past 8 years and we are now starting to see this decline steeply with the 2021 Offers, whilst other unavoidable costs are increasing. Where there is no other alternative then this might have to be accepted for 2021 but we must not see this as a re-basing of our Offers but more see it as a one-off blip. We must collectively avoid a spiral of decline and should work together to continue to pray and seek new growth in our numbers spiritually and financially.

"One Deanery in our Diocese has already come together and pledged to increase their Offer in 2021. They are concerned about many aspects of their finances but they don’t want to bury their ‘talents’ at a time when they are needed most. Above all they are trusting in a God that they believe will provide abundantly,

"We have a new Bishop with an excellent team supporting him, all with strong commitment to our existing mission which is to see Spiritual and Numerical Growth in the Diocese of Hereford. We all need to come together provide the resources we need to achieve this vision."

Sam Pratley, Diocesan Secretary

‘Renewal’ for Church is coming despite ‘trauma’ of pandemic – Archbishops The Church will emerge “renewed and changed” from the crisis of the global coronavirus pandemic, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have said. In a recent joint address to members of the Church of England’s General Synod, Archbishops Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell said that amid a time of trauma, loss and struggle in this country and around the world, Christians have proved to be a “people of hope”.

Archbishop Justin acknowledged the multiple challenges and crises we are facing including hunger, poverty, domestic violence and climate change. He said churches have played a vital role serving their communities and bringing hope through the gospel. But the Church itself will, he said, emerge changed.

(PTO)

News from the Church of England

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“We do not know what kind of Church of England will emerge from this time except that it will be different,” he said. “It will be changed by the reality that for the first time all churches have closed – first time in 800 years. It will be changed because for the first time we have worshipped virtually.”

He continued: “Out of these times we will see renewal – not because we are clever but because God is faithful. We will see a renewed and changed Church emerging from the shocks of lockdown. It is a Church that at the most local has fed so many, been in touch with the isolated through the heroic efforts of all who take part in it, of clergy and laity and those who even weren’t near the church before these times. It is a Church which has continued to pray and to offer worship through our Lord Jesus Christ, even if in new and unusual ways.” Archbishop Stephen spoke with emotion about the impact of pandemic. “I hate this Coronavirus,” he said.

“I hate it not only because so many people have died, but because so many people have died alone, unable to hold the hand of their beloved. “I hate it because our health service has been stretched to the limit. I hate it because so many are bereaved and could not even sit next to a family member at a funeral.

“I hate it because weddings and baptisms and ordinations have been postponed or have gone ahead without the parties that were meant to be with them. “I hate it because children’s schooling has been disrupted. I hate it because so many people are so ill, so many crying out in pain, so many isolated, lonely, fearful, depressed.

“I hate it because behind locked doors terrible things have happened. I hate it because the poor and the disadvantaged have been hit the hardest. “I hate it because it has left so many people across the world feeling hopeless as if life itself has been taken from us.” But he said he was also thankful for the faithfulness of all who have served others during the crisis and risen to the challenge.

He added: “I am thankful that despite all the horrors of a Covid world we are learning a new commitment to Christ and how to be a humbler, simpler, church and we are putting Christ at the centre of our lives and learning very, very, very painfully what it really means to be a church that is dependent on Christ alone. “And I am filled for longing: I long for us to be a more Christ-centred and Jesus-shaped church witnessing to Christ and bringing the healing balm of the Gospel to our nation for this is our vocation.”

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In response to the introduction of the ‘Rule of Six’, the Diocese of Oxford has introduced it’s own set of ‘Sixes’ which struck me as a useful and compassionate approach to what is likely to be a challenging and difficult winter for some people. It fits well with the work that Jo is doing in supporting members of the Church family to go out for a socially distanced coffee in groups of six (see page 10.)

We are aware that restrictions may well change in the next months - may even have changed between my writing this and your reading it. But as things stand we are planning to offer as much of our missional work as possible—our Advent course, study and prayer groups, families work and social groups for example - in a blend of ‘groups of six and online/at home provision. We will try to ensure that if necessary, this provision can all go entirely on line. We are also hoping to extend our ‘rule of six meetings’ so that, as far as possible, most members of the church family are part of a six. Former Brownies will be familiar with the concept - were you ever a sixer or a seconder? The sixes might meet in person or virtually, or a bit of both and might not all know each other well to start with. I hope that it will be a chance for us to get to know one another al little better over the winter, as well as enabling us to share our faith, even if our usual groups and courses are not available.

The Oxford Sixes are: Six months is the new horizon; Six days to work and a sabbath to rest; Six people to journey with; Six ways to be salt and light; Six percent to your church and Six people to pray for and there is more detail from the Diocese of Oxford website below. Do any of those particularly appeal to you? Do they seem helpful? Please let me know what you think. Anne Six months is the new horizon We need a new horizon for our hope and for our lives. We may need to set that horizon now on Easter, not Christmas. The spring will bring better news after a difficult winter. We now know the journey through COVID-19 will be a marathon, not a sprint. Within that six month horizon, we will need to lean back into the great themes of the church year. We will give thanks for harvest, celebrate the beauty of creation, dwell deeply on the themes of remembrance, grief, and the hope of resurrection, celebrate God’s kingdom of justice and peace and the coming of Jesus, dwell on Christ the light shining in the darkness and never overwhelmed and look forward to Holy Week, and Easter.

(PTO)

At Sixes (but definitely not Sevens)

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Six days to work and a sabbath to rest This will continue to be a demanding season. It will be vital to watch over ourselves and to rest. Make sure you plan your sabbath and keep it. Rediscover the gift of one day each week for re-creation, not just chores. Plan it well. Days off and holidays will be vital for our clergy, churchwardens and volunteers, many of whom are working so hard with extraordinary dedication and skill. Please ensure you encourage one another. Spread the load wherever you can for lay officers as well as clergy.

Six people to journey with The Christian faith began with a small group of disciples. This is a time for us all to rediscover Church as a small group of six people who support one another; pray together (online or in one place); care for each other, serve together and explore everyday faith together.

Six ways to be salt and light This will be a demanding winter for the communities we serve in so many ways. It’s a good time to ask one another, who are the people and organisations you are supporting in the wider community? What plans will be needed to strengthen foodbanks and night shelters? How will you serve those who may be isolated over Christmas? How can you encourage and support schools and teachers and health workers? Who is on the margins, who has slipped away and who is in danger of being forgotten? This is a season to remember that our communities need us to be salt and light and to bring courage to others.

Six percent to your church This is a challenging time for church finances. Income from lettings and fairs and cash collections has dropped. We need a miracle of giving to sustain the church through this period. The Church of England recommendation is to give five percent of our income to and through the local church. If your income is falling or uncertain you may, of course, need to reduce this. But if your income is stable can you give 1% more through the pandemic through the whole of next year and until church finances recover?

Six people to pray for All around us, people are searching for faith and meaning in these times. As Christians we must not be silent witnesses to the wonders of our faith when there is so much strength and healing in the Christian Way. Are there six people you can pray for, invite into community and encourage to discover more of Christian faith during this season? Can you accompany them to baptism next Easter?

https://www.oxford.anglican.org/six/

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The Diocesan Follow! Prayer

God who in Jesus calls us - open hearts and minds to your invitation. God of the pilgrim way - be our companion day by day. God of the still, small voice - teach us to pray. Grant that in our calling, our following, our pilgrimage we may see your kingdom of truth and peace - and delight to bring others to your love. We make this prayer through Jesus, the Lord. Amen

For our Prayers

Those who are ill or in need of your prayers, including: Glenys H Gaynor C Ann W Carol Marcia R Oliver Chrissie Hana Joe D Nick D Brenda B Immie B Lee Roger Seren W Dot G Emma Bob Harry Viv Tom M Helen Barbara W Those who have died and those who mourn their loss: David P John David Paul Rick Mary Those who will be baptised this month Jadzia Isla May A Collect for Remembrance God, our refuge and strength, bring near the day when wars shall cease and poverty and pain shall end, that earth may know the peace of heaven through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for all those affected by Coronavirus Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy. Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

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Doodle Box

Coffee Time

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Across 1 ‘The Lord Jesus... took bread, and when He had given — , he broke it’ (1 Corinthians 11:24) (6) 4 ‘He has taken me to the banquet hall, and His — over me is love’ (Song of Songs 2:4) (6) 8 Surrey town that hosts the National Christian Resources Exhibition (5) 9 Also known as Abednego (Daniel 1:7) (7) 10 Liken (Isaiah 40:18) (7) 11 A son of Etam, descendant of Ju-dah (1 Chronicles 4:3) (5) 12 A part of the temple where the blood of a young bull was to be smeared (Ezekiel 45:19) (9) 17 ‘They make many promises, take false — and make agree-ments’ (Hosea 10:4) (5) 19 Roman province to which Paul re-turned after evangelizing it on his first missionary journey (Acts 16:6) (7) 21 Material used to make baby Mo-ses’ basket (Exodus 2:3) (7) 22 ‘And feeble as — , in thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail’ (5) 23 ‘The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep — to his voice’ (John10:3) (6) 24 Stalk carrying the sponge of wine vinegar given to Christ on the cross (John 19:29) (6)

Down 1 Elijah dug one round the altar he built on Mount Carmel and filled it with water (1 Kings 18:32) (6) 2 ‘I am not — of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salva-tion of everyone who be-lieves’ (Romans 1:16) (7) 3 Buddhist term relating to belief in reincarnation (5) 5 Damascus disciple who, at God’s command, restored the sight of the blinded Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:12) (7) 6 and 16 Horses: their sound (Jeremiah 50:11) (5) and their gait (Joel 2:4) (6) 7 A three (anag.) (6) 9 Athenian council addressed mem-orably by Paul (Acts 17:22) (9) 13 Abide by (Galatians 3:5) (7) 14 Persian princes (Daniel 3:2) (7) 15 Force (Galatians 6:12) (6) 16 See 6 Down (6) 18 Paste (anag.) (5) 20 How the cedars of Lebanon are described (Isaiah 2:13) (5)

Last Month’s Solution

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The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, IICSA, published its overarching investigation report into the Church of England (and Church in Wales) on Tuesday 6th October. The enquiry into the Anglican church in England and Wales is one of 15 investigations being looked at by the Inquiry. The full report is available at https://www.iicsa.org.uk/publications/investigation/anglican-church and makes shocking and sobering reading. If the Church is failing to protect the most vulnerable - and in some cases, actively protecting the perpetrator - then we are failing at the most basic level and have failed for too long. Amongst the extensive conclusions of the report are that:

• The Church of England failed to protect some children and young people from sexual predators within their midst (D1.1, p108.)

• … much has improved ...However, there is still more to be done (D1.2, p108.)

• … the Church of England is yet to regain fully the trust of those who have been abused. It has been slow to find ways to engage effectively with victims and survivors or to learn from their experiences. (D1.3, p108.)

• Attitudes to safeguarding ought to be an important element of the selection and training of clergy. (D1.32, p 112.)

The report made a number of recommendations in the areas of the structure and auditing of safeguarding within Churches, clergy discipline, information sharing and support for victims and survivors. A response and timetable is expected from the Church of England within 6 months. Some of the case studies and evidence reported are shameful and our response has to reach throughout the local and national Church. Cultural problems such as clericalism, prioritising the Church’s reputation over the needs of victims and survivors and the naivety which sometimes assumes that nice people cannot do awful things can influence any member of the church, lay or ordained, and we overcome this when we recognise them in ourselves or others. Please do report any worries - we all share the responsibility to keep our children safe. If you have safeguarding concerns about any child or adult, please bring them to me, to your parish safeguarding officer or directly to the Diocesan safeguarding Advisor Mandy McPhee (07875 757396). Thank you

Anne

IICSA - The Anglican Church

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Church leaders responded to the report: The Archbishop of Canterbury said “To fail on safeguarding casts a profound stain across every good thing we do. I have said this before and I continue to stand by it. But I am acutely aware as we come towards the end of this year that while there is a genuine commitment for the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults to be the highest priority of all parts of the Church, it is evident we still have not got it right. The report published today is a stark and shocking reminder of how so many times we have failed – and continue to fail - survivors. Apologies are vital, but they are not enough. We have to listen. We have to learn. And we have to act. In calling for the enquiry, through a letter to the then Home Secretary Theresa May in 2014, I was aware that although it would be something that survivors had demanded it would also be a deeply painful process to tell their stories. I am very grateful to them for their courage. We cannot and will not make excuses and I must again offer my sincere apologies to those to have been abused, and to their families, friends and colleagues. There is clearly much to respond to and an in-depth consideration of today’s report is vital. IICSA has shone a light on the past and present to help us better inform our future safeguarding work. They are owed our thanks which we give wholeheartedly. I pray this report and its recommendations will result in the changes needed to make our Church a safer place for all now and for future generations.”

The Bishop of Hereford made this statement: “I am deeply sorry that today, once again survivors are painfully reminded of the abuse they have suffered. I continue to pray for all those affected or involved in the publication of today’s IICSA II report – Abuse in any form is not acceptable and we are ashamed of our failings in the past and we apologise unreservedly to those affected. In the diocese of Hereford we are committed to best practice in safeguarding but recognise we all need to do more to ensure it is an intrinsic part of the culture of our church. I commend the recommendations of this report to all our clergy and volunteers in the churches of Hereford Diocese. We all have a crucial role to play to make sure the Church is a safe place for everyone. We must all be ready and willing to respond with compassion to the needs of survivors, ensuring our systems and processes provide robust, appropriate support and redress. If you or anyone you know has been affected by abuse in any of our churches, please contact our safeguarding officer. The Church of England provides an independent free support service called Safe Spaces. It is a national support service independently run by Victim Support and provides a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. Freephone: 0300 303 1056

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Acts of Kindness

Since September 2015, People in Motion have been actively involved in sending aid throughout Europe for distribution to refugees travelling in search of a safer life. We have provided many large vans full of clothing, tents, blankets and food which have been loaded onto shipping containers bound for Syria and Greece.

We have sent many volunteers over to the camps in France and Greece to help distribute donations and provide shelter for people there. People in Motion are teaming up with Choose Love and their partners to address the current urgent need. f you can’t travel or don’t have items to donate, you can still buy nappies and basic wash bags for refugees and displaced people from the Choose Love store – just go to www.choose.love.

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Acts of Kindness

We welcome all gifts of food or donations of money. We are short of tinned meat, rice (tinned and dry), tinned custard, tinned spaghetti, toothpaste (adult) and men's toiletries (we currently have plenty of baked beans, pasta, tomatoes and soup). During the Covid crisis donations CANNOT be brought to our premises at 41 Monkmoor Street. We have a temporary food donation point at CLC on Edgar Road. (Christian Life Centre, 133 Edgar Street, Hereford HR4 9JR) https://www.clch.cc/. We will be open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10 to 12. There are donation points in nearly all the supermarkets in Hereford: Co-op, Waitrose, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Lidl, Asda and Tesco at Bewell St. and Belmont. Large donations from businesses or associations can be accepted but it would help if you phone in advance to make arrangements. Donations of money can be in cash or by cheque made out to "Hereford Food Bank" or you can visit our Facebook page to make an online donation. Alternatively you could set up a payment directly to our CAF Bank account - the sort code is 40-52-40 and the account number is 00030491 If you are a UK taxpayer, your donations can be gift aided, please complete a gift aid form and all future gifts will be included in your declaration. Cheques and gift aid forms can be posted to The Hereford Food Bank, 41, Monkmoor Street, Hereford, HR1 2DX. (Our Charity Ref.No. is 1170826) Do you know that you can support us by shopping at Amazon Smile? There is no cost to you but we receive 0.5% of the purchase price. Select Hereford Food Bank on Amazon Smile or visit https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1170826-0

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Every six seconds somebody in the UK contacts Samaritans for help. Whether it’s by phone, email or letter, Samaritan volunteers are available to support anyone struggling to cope, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Most people go through difficult times, and contacting someone who won’t judge about what’s troubling you, no matter how large or small the issue feels, can really help. Suicide is not inevitable, it is preventable. and we know that suicidal thoughts are often temporary and can be interrupted, so finding our contact details could make all the difference. Samaritans Herefordshire Branch want to raise awareness of the 24/7 emotional support available, to as many people as possible in our local area during this especially difficult time. Phone free on 116 123 Email jo@samaritans.org. Write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK Chris, PO Box 9090 Stirling FK8 2SA In May 2020 Samaritans also launched a free Self-Help app to encourage people to be kind to themselves and look after their emotional wellbeing. The app aims to provide a means of accessing support for people who may struggle to use Samaritans’ listening service, or find it difficult to express how they are feeling when talking to someone. Visit selfhelp.samaritans.org to try out or download the new web-based app and find out more. If you might be able to lend a hand in Herefordshire by displaying posters or contact cards please get in touch with Herefordshire Samaritans Outreach 44a Berrington Street, Hereford, HR4 0BJ Email: outreach.director@herefordshire-samaritans.org

For more information about Samaritans, including other ways to help, please go to www.Samaritans.org

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St Michael's Hospice Postcards From Life 2020 Brightwells are hosting the Postcards From Life Timed Auction of 221 beautifully crafted lots for St Michael's Hospice. This auction does not only include some wonderful work, but will also help raise vital funds for the end-of-life care provided at St Michael’s Hospice.

A selection of the artwork will be on display in the old ‘Delights Café' downstairs in Maylord Orchards, Hereford until Sunday 15th November. The Café is closed to the public and the artwork will be displayed on boards adjacent to the windows. Or browse through the 221 works of art on display online at

https://www.brightwellslive.com/timedauctions/ The artwork can be bought by bidding on the same page, where full instructions on how to bid are given. Each postcard comes in a wooden frame.

Bidding on lots 1-110 finishes on Monday 16th November, starting at 7pm; each lot finishes 1 minute apart, with lot 110 finishing at around 8.50pm. Lots 111-221 finish on Tuesday 17th November, again from 7pm onwards.

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Hereford Cathedral Weekday Services 8 am Morning Prayer 11.15 am The Eucharist (Monday - Friday) The Eucharist will be celebrated at 8.30 am on Saturday. 5.30 pm Evensong (lower voices) Evening Prayer on Wednesday Sunday Services 8 am Holy Communion (BCP 1662) 10 am Cathedral Eucharist 11.30 am Morning Prayer 3.30 pm Evensong (lower voices) Support for the Cathedral Choir Hereford Cathedral is very pleased to announce that it has received £127,000 from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund, to support Hereford Cathedral Choir. Arts Council England announced an investment of £257 million in 1,385 venues, theatres, museums and cultural organisations, through the first tranche of Culture Recovery Fund: Grants programme administered by the Arts Council. The fund, which was applied for by the Perpetual Trust, will help to cover the costs of the choir and other musical costs, including pastoral and safeguarding support along with the care of the cathedral’s historic organs, as the cathedral faces a significant loss of income as a result of the pandemic. Hereford Cathedral Choir returned to the stalls at the beginning of September following almost six months away due to the ongoing restrictions - this was quite possibly the longest time without choral services in Hereford Cathedral since the 1650s. The choir had been greatly missed by the cathedral community and there were many emotional responses from members of the congregation upon their return. Geraint Bowen, Director of Music, said: “The choir plays an essential role in training young and developing singers, as well as providing paid employment for our lay clerks, with many of our former choristers and scholars going on to establish careers as professional musicians. We were all very pleased to be able to return to singing services within the cathedral and look forward to be able to return to our wider performance programme as and when restrictions permit us to do so. At a time in which so many musicians are facing uncertainty, this funding is very welcome.” Hereford Cathedral Choir consists of 9 lay clerks and 18 choristers as well as four music scholars who train and study with the cathedral each year.

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Martin of Tours – Pioneer of Western Monasticism Commemoration of St Martin has suffered in the last century since his feast day - the 11th of November - was adopted as Armistice Day. Whilst Martinmas may not be the celebration that it once was, it is still fitting that we remember the Saint who gave his name to St Martin’s Church. Martin of Tours (316 – 397), a monk bishop, born in Pannonia (now Hungary) became one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages. Martin’s father was a pagan officer in the Roman Army, and Martin was intended for the army as well. But from an early age Martin wanted to be a Christian, and he felt that as a Christian he could not serve the Roman Empire. Martin was imprisoned for this early ‘conscientious objection’, and not released until 357, when he was nearly 40.

One day Martin met a nearly naked beggar at Amiens. He took off his cloak, cut it in half and gave the half to the beggar. There is a tradition that as Martin rode away protected from the winter weather by only half a cloak, the clouds parted and the warm sun melted the frost. Soon after this, he had a dream in which Christ appeared to him, wearing the half of the cloak which Martin had given away. The part of the cloak kept by himself became a famous relic (cappa Sancti Martini) and during the Middle Ages, was carried by the king into battle, and used as a holy relic upon which oaths were sworn. The priest who cared for the cloak in its reliquary was called a cappellanu, and ultimately all priests who served the military were called cappellani. The French translation is chapelains, from which the English word chaplain is derived. A similar linguistic development took place for the term referring to the small temporary churches built for the relic. People called them a "capella", the word for a little cloak. Eventually, such small churches lost their association with the cloak, and all small churches began to be referred to as "chapels".

Martin was the pioneer of western monasticism: he founded the first monastery in the whole of Gaul about 360. He was made bishop of Tours in 372 and as bishop continued his simple life as a monk and evangelist. For the next 25 years this greatly loved bishop travelled his diocese by donkey and by boat, preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.

We are not able to commemorate St Martin this year as we have recently, but we can at least spare him a thought on the 11th, and follow his example of pacifism generosity and faith.

Anne

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Team Administrator

Christine Cook

Meet The Team

TEAM OFFICE (at St Martin’s Church) 89 Ross Road, Hereford HR2 7RJ office@stmartinshereford.org.uk

OPENING HOURS Mon - Fri 8.30 am - 12.30 pm Call in to see us on a weekday morning or phone us on 01432 353717

Websites: www.stmartinshereford.org.uk www.stdavidslittledewchurch.org.uk

Or find us on Facebook St Martin's Church, Ross Rd, Hereford @stpetersbullinghope

Anne Dowdeswell Team Rector. Hereford South Wye (St Martin’s and St Peter’s) 07864 938898

Administrative Assistant

Sharron Brown

Intergenerational Missioners (Job Share)

Penny Littlewood Associate Minister. Hereford South Wye (St Martin’s and St Peter’s) Contact through the office please - 01432 353717

Team Office Staff

Clergy

Jo Child

07563 382923 Joanne.child@hereford.anglican.org

David Bland 07563 382872 David.bland@hereford.anglican.org

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'When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.'

Kohima Epitaph John Maxwell Edmonds (1875-1958)