HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

Bradford on Avon  

Parish News

february 2011

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DIRECTORY Priest in Charge The Revd Joanna Abecassis 18A Woolley Street 864444 email: joanna@abecassis.freeserve.co.uk Churchwardens

Joan Finch 40, Palairet Close, BoA 863878 Trevor Ford 25, Downavon, BoA 862240

Retired Clergy The Ven John Burgess, Canon David Driscoll, The Revd Alun Glyn-Jones, Canon Peter Hardman, The Revd Jim Hill, The Right Revd Bill Ind, The Revd Angela Onions, The Ven Ian Stanes, The Revd Karl Wiggins, Canon Humphrey York. Lay Ministers Graham Dove (licensed) 868654 Dr Malcolm Walsh (retired)

Director of Music Gareth Bennett 01380 728772

Times of Services (Check Bulletins and notices or Church web site)

Sundays 8am Eucharist 9.30am Sung Eucharist (coffee afterwards) 6pm Evensong, Compline, etc Weekday Eucharist 10am Wednesdays 12 noon Fridays

Times of Meetings Choir Practice 6.30pm Church, Tuesdays Junior Church 9.30am Masonic Hall (1st and 2nd Sundays in the month, September to July (except Easter) Mothers’ Union 7.30pm Masonic Hall, (usually) 3rd Thursday Bell Practice 7.30–9pm 2nd and 4th Mondays Holy Trinity Web-site www.brad-avon-ht.org.uk Diocese Web-site www.salisburyanglican.org.uk Weekly Bulletin Notices to Trevor Ford not later than Wednesday for the following Sunday. Please let the Priest in Charge, LLM or Churchwardens know if someone needs

visiting at home or in hospital.

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DIARY FOR FEBRUARY 

Parish News copy date for March is 13th February

6 SUNDAY THE FIFTH SUNDAY BEFORE LENT 9.30am Sung Eucharist 6pm Compline 13 SUNDAY THE FOURTH SUNDAY BEFORE LENT 9.30am Sung Eucharist 6pm Evensong Christ Church 20 SUNDAY THE THIRD SUNDAY BEFORE LENT 9.30am All-Age Eucharist 6pm Compline 27 SUNDAY THE SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT 9.30am Sung Eucharist 6pm Evensong WEEKLY SERVICES Sunday 8am Eucharist (Traditional Language) Wednesday 10am Eucharist Friday 12 noon Eucharist (Traditional Language) with lunch out afterwards Daily (apart from Tuesdays and Sundays) Morning & Evening Prayer at 8.30am and 5.30pm (please enter via the north door – opposite the Saxon Church – and check Bulletin for any cancellations) WEEKLY GROUPS Monday (fortnightly from 31st January) 7pm ‘Faith Explored’ (for venue: please ring 868654) Tuesday 10.30am mainly music (a group for young children – school terms only) Thursday 11am ‘Faith Explored’ (10th & 17th only) Vicarage, 18A Woolley Street

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‘Ordinary Time’ – but is it ever? It is good to be able to write again! It seems (and is) a very long time since I last did so in mid-November: in fact, given that I have now been here for 6 months, that is one-third of it! I always think the Seasons of the Church fit so beautifully with the world around us. So we have had a breathless tour through the Seasons of All Saints (when the leaves are on the ground and winter is drawing in); Advent as we all prepare in our different ways for the incarnation – this year amidst those extraordinary way-below-freezing temperatures and snow; Christmas itself in which we rejoiced together, and with a memorable day on Christmas Eve in the snow as we celebrated Dan and Clare Henderson’s marriage (complete with a Christingle), then welcomed at least 450 for a fun and exciting Crib and Christingle Service as we shared the story together, and then the glories of Midnight Mass; and now, throughout January, we have been celebrating the glorious Season of the Epiphany with some exciting new Common Worship liturgies at 9.30am.

I took a week’s worth (one mixed-age House in the Music Centre each day) of ‘Collective Worship’ up at St Laurence in mid-January. The overall theme was ‘Darkness into Light’, and I took as mine ‘Epiphany: the bud unfurls…’ And I had some fun exploring the parallels of how we might see the incarnation on that first Christmas night actually in the shadow of the darkness which surrounded it – things did not bode well, with the darkness of that night, the stable, the scruffy shepherds, the young mum a long way from home and her supportive relatives, and then of course Herod’s edict.. And I reminded them how we, as a church, celebrated the Feast of St Stephen, the first martyr, on the day after Christmas. The bud was tightly closed ─ as are the winter scenes around us. But then…. ‘Epiphany: the bud unfurls…’ ─ I love the Season of Epiphany! We begin to see, quite literally, the buds unfurling and the first snowdrops ─ and it never ceases to excite and enthral us ─ and then we see the gradual revelation, the ‘opening’ of that bud, of just what Jesus Christ is all about, as we are reminded of his Baptism (and ours), of the call of the first disciples, and so on. For that light of Christ is always shining in our darkness: we have our dark moments, of course, but nothing can put out his light ─ and I used one of those wonderful re-lighting birthday cake candles to prove the point! So St Laurence is very much a part of our Church life ─ and I hope that the links will become ever stronger. As indeed with Fitzmaurice Primary, of which I am now a Governor as well.

So following the Feast of Candlemas on 3Oth January, we start this period of ‘Ordinary Time’ and I for one heave a sigh of relief! No more great days in the calendar till Ash Wednesday (9th March). But then of course this is what life is about: about living out together all these riches of the mystery of Christ. And we must always remember how Jesus regularly used to take time ‘apart’. We need to do that too ─ and you might even like to join me at Morning or Evening Prayer one day or for ‘Faith Explored’ on a Thursday morning… So let’s keep our buds unfurling too ─ as every day is so special.

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W hen I wrote the last piece, 2 months ago, I was confident that we would have a link set up in the Sudan by now. Unfortunately, I underestimated the way things move over there, and I have had no replies whatsoever. Of

course, with the Referendum coming up, they had other things on their minds. I shall keep working at it.

I am delighted to report that Sylvia and Ian Stanes have decided to take on the leadership of the branch next year as a joint venture. Sylvia to attend the Diocesan and Deanery meetings, Ian to lead the meetings at home. The MU in the diocese is led by a joint team of Ann Howard and Jane Lax, but there isn't a husband and wife team leading a branch yet, so they may be the first. It makes a great deal of sense to share the responsibility. I have been very lucky in that I have had the time to put into it, and have enjoyed making a big job out of it, but not everyone has that time available. However, that's for next January, at the time of writing, we haven't even had our AGM, when it will be announced!

Our December meeting was well attended, despite the weather. One member said she would have hated not to be able to get there because it was the start of Christmas as far as she was concerned. Our theme this year was Animals, and it was surprising how many poems I found with animals in the Christmas Story, and some that were not in it. It was a lovely evening, finishing with mince pies and sherry, so we all went out warm into the freezing temperature outside.

Our next meeting was our dinner at the Old Manor Hotel, Trowbridge, an easy venue to reach, but not so easy to get into! They'd had a burst pipe the day before; the front of the hotel was still flooded, and we had to make our way around to the back. However, once there we found it warm and inviting. Our meal was served on time, and everyone was pleased with the food. I had done a hard bargaining deal to get a three-course dinner, plus coffee or tea for £16, and it was well worth it.

We had masses of prizes for our raffle, and I think everyone took something home. Then came the entertainment. Ian had found another one-page pantomime, this time 'Tragedy in the Far East'.

Six of us took part, and we had to say our names each time they appeared in the narrative. Beryl Cox brought the house down each time she said “Gardener Pong”, until even Ian, the narrator, was laughing. Whatever part we give her, she always makes the most of it. Well done, Beryl! So, a much enjoyed panto. I read a letter from a 98-year old woman to her bank. Her bank manager thought it was so good that he sent it to The Times! It caused a great deal of amusement.

Our next meeting, as I said, will be our AGM when Evelyn Humphrey leaves the committee and Angela Onions comes on in her place. I look forward to my last year as Enrolling Member, having done five of my allotted six. I do hope the branch will continue to grow — we are always looking for new members! — but also that we shall continue to look outward, and further the work of the MU wherever we can.

Chris Hodge

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A Happy New Year from the Junior Church Team

Looking back, Christmas seems a long time ago. Although the ice and snow were beautiful to look at, if we weren’t too caught up in daily chores, or shopping, or struggling to get the car started and get to work, we still couldn’t help wondering when our days would be back to normal.

We (the Junior Church Team) also wondered whether we would be able to get the Nativity acted out this year and whether all the children would turn up to our Sunday morning slot and rehearsals through all the bad weather. But, as usual, with God’s help it happened! And we offer a big thank-you to Muriel for playing the piano, to David for putting up the lights, to Peter for erecting the staging, to all others who gave a helping hand, and most of all, of course, thank you to all the

children who took part and were brilliant! Well done Hugh for narrating the story for us.

We look forward to the New Year when several more children are joining us and we welcome all new members as well as our regular attendees to Church at 9:30am. Junior Church dates for February are 6th and 13th.

Junior Church Team

The Junior Church calendar for the whole year can be found on the church web site at http://www.brad-avon-ht.org.uk/juniorchurch.html

The Junior Church Christmas tableau 

David Milne 

Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem 

Patrick Vincent 

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Parish Christmas Card Distribution A special thank you to all members of the congregation who helped with the distribution of the 3,000 parish Christmas cards. One was delivered to every home in the parish plus packs to local hotels and guesthouses, the library and the tourist information office. We hope you agree that it is a very worthwhile form of communication and responsible for many of the ‘new faces’ apparent at our services over the Christmas period.

The front of the very attractive card was designed by Sylvia Stanes and was appreciated by everyone.

Thank you to Sylvia and to Trevor for arranging the printing; John and Beryl Cox and John Ticehurst for helping me to bundle all of the cards up.Your assistance and continued support are much appreciated.

Marlene Haffenden and Parish News Assembly Team

Thank you to the HT Family There are so many people to thank for their help and support over the Christmas period that it would be inappropriate to name names as I would surely omit someone really special.

Help was readily available to put up and decorate the Tree and remove it later in the season; the Church paths were gritted and salted; candles were prepared, lit and eventually removed; Christingles were prepared; the bells were rung; we had music and singing in abundance. The Church was resplendent and a warm welcome was available to all who came to our services.

I said I would not name names but two people who must be named are Mary and Trevor Ford. They gave so much of their energy, enthusiasm and time to Holy Trinity over the festive period, and since then, to make Joanna's first Christmas with us a memorable one.

I am only sorry I was not able to be there but thank you all most sincerely for your prayers, thoughts, encouragement and cards received during my recent stay in hospital.

Thank you. Joan

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LIZ NETLEY: A TRIBUTE Liz Netley sadly passed away on Sunday 2nd January after bravely fighting a long illness. However, she would not want us to be sad for long as her life was vital with a great sense of fun. She indulged in her passion for wild life and writing her nature diary, which she shared with us through Parish News. She was also one of the small group of readers who recorded tapes of our magazine monthly for those with sight problems.

Liz was a teacher for many years. She enriched the lives of those who knew her with her acute observations and amusing anecdotes of creatures great and small in the beautiful countryside in which we live.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes to Brian and their sons, Chris and Andy. A Eucharist and Celebration of Liz’s life took place in Holy Trinity

Church on Thursday 13th January and filled the church, with families and friends of Liz and Brian coming from various parts of the country to pay their respects. The Revd Bill Matthews and Jean drove down from near Newark and many old friends were reunited in a way that would have warmed Liz’s heart.

Reflections on Liz’s life were read by Liz and Brian’s sons, Chris and Andy and tributes were paid by Janet and Ian Back. The Prayers of Intercession were lead by Chris Hodge and the Address was given by The Revd Joanna Abecassis. The Epistle was read by Brian, and the Gospel by the Revd Margaret Davies. Familiar hymns such as The King of Love my shepherd is and Rock of Ages were sung, with the choir singing Lead me Lord during the giving of Communion.

After the Commendation, Farewell and Dismissal the congregation left to the sound of the Karg-Elert Chorale Improvisation on Nun danket alle Gott played by Gareth Bennett.

While the private family committal took place at the Bradford on Avon Cemetery, the rest of the congregation were invited to St. Margaret’s Hall for refreshments and were later joined by the family.

On this day the first snowdrops were seen in Liz's garden. Ann Holland

Liz's diaries, printed in the May and August 2010 editions of Parish News, included the following entries:

First snowdrops, January 2011 BH 

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Thanks from Brian and family Thank you so much for your prayers and support during Liz’s long struggle with disease. She is now at peace with Our Lord. Special thanks to Joanna and Chris Hodge during that time.

Following such a wonderful service for Liz on the 13th, more thanks are due to Joanna, Gareth and each member of the choir, each of the bell ringers, Mary and Trevor.

Thank you to all who attended the service; the amount donated on the day for the NSPCC was £917.

Andy, Chris and I appreciate your support for us. Brian

Feb 4th: On the way back from Trowbridge, by the Beehive, saw a rook doing an amazing Concorde impression – nose/beak down and wings held back!

June 20th: Our pond is alive with

demoiselle flies. The vibrant electric blue males are hunting for the rather drab brown females. Having found one they join with the female who then lays eggs upon the pond weed.

They are an absolute joy to watch. There must be up to eleven of these delightful insects darting like tiny jewels around the water.

June 23rd: Over the house heard a seagull challenge call – looked up and saw the bully boy attacking a young, rather small buzzard. The seagull was obviously enjoying mobbing the youngster and was trying to encourage more gulls to join in. Suddenly, high in the sky, an adult buzzard appeared. The seagull lost his voice and departed, very quickly!

June 27th: Had a lovely drive around the Cotswolds. Swathes of lady’s bedstraw growing on the verges, like little mats of glowing gold interspersed with white and pink of field bindweed – a delightful flower, short, bell-like and small. Goldfinches darted in and around the hedges and we saw a yellowhammer, the first I’ve seen for several years. There is gossamer in the breeze. Brian watched in delight as a tiny spider climbed along its floating strand to alight on him.

Air France Concorde

Rook Concorde

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Peter bows out On December 19th the Holy Trinity family were invited by Joanna, Joan and Trevor to indulge in sherry and mince pies after the 9.30am service. This was also the service at which Peter Wills relinquished his rôle after 11 years as Holy Trinity’s Verger, and so it was appropriate that we should use the occasion to offer our collective thanks to Peter for all he has done for the church. Fortuitously, it was also a good occasion to celebrate Peter’s birthday. We rarely miss an opportunity at Holy Trinity!

Bill Matthews writes: Peter had been working as a Verger for the Army Chaplaincy at Warminster and had reached the compulsory retirement age of 65. We were enormously fortunate that he was willing to take on the work at Trinity for an ‘honorarium’ that had very little indeed to do with the hours worked. He had enormous pride in getting things right, so that services ran smoothly; pride in the appearance of the church; a love of Trinity and of the Saxon Church and St Mary Tory. He was always willing to meet, and talk to groups of all kinds. I have a memory of Peter advancing majestically up the aisle with a fire blanket to put out some unruly tea-lights on the pulpit at a Christmas midnight service. I always reckoned that he listed in one

direction, and I in the other as we walked up the aisle! He is a technophobe, with a hearty dislike of emails, etc., but he was a formidable presence when dealing with illicit photographers at weddings. He showed great commitment to the Diocesan Guild of Vergers and gave great support to clergy and to churchwardens. It was always

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good, when you were ‘at the front’ to know that he was in charge at the back.

And Tony Haffenden writes: As Churchwarden for six of his 11 years, it was a great pleasure to work with Peter. His unselfish involvement and the first-rate standards he set in so many areas of Holy Trinity's activities were very genuinely appreciated. We had many laughs as well and if you ask him I am sure he will amplify the stories of a certain Churchwarden failing to get through the door on to the top of the tower, and the search for the silver salver which had gone missing! His wife Jo was a towering support to him in his rôle especially in the many hours of dedicated time he spent in the Church. I am sure that I am like many others who really appreciated the work that Peter did and will truly miss him in the role of Verger.

After the distribution of sherry, mince pies, and slices of the traditional Chris Hodge ‘illustrated’ cake, Peter was presented with a cheque and a bottle of champagne and regaled us with some of his own memories of ‘vergering on the impossible’!

Bryan Harris

In the church bulletin for January 9th, Peter wrote the following message of thanks:

Thanks to Trevor I have been given this space in order to thank everyone who contributed so generously to my retirement gifts. Besides a very large cheque I also received a very nice bottle of champagne and a commemorative coin. The money will be well used as we have not got a digital radio and quite recently our old DVD recorder/player decided it also needed to retire. So when we listen and watch we shall always be reminded of Holy Trinity and our friends.

Thank you all so much and a very Happy New Year to you all. Peter

Baptisms Isobel Frances Norris 19th Dec Marriages Daniel Henderson and Clare Wood 24th Dec

Funerals Liz Netley 13th Jan

FROM THE REGISTERS 

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Food Bank News  CHURCHGOERS PRAISED FOR GENEROSITY IN GIVING 

PRACTICAL HELP TO OTHERS 

Thank you for all the boxes MORE than 100 food boxes have been distributed this year as part of a scheme run by Bearfield Church in Bradford on Avon. The boxes are used to help recently re-housed people settle in, to assist people in debt, or are given to people who have been recently released from prison or discharged from hospital. Holy Trinity and Christ Church, the United Church, Zion Baptist Church and the Old Baptist Chapel, the Quakers and St Nicholas Church in Winsley all contribute a box every month.

Organiser Frank Turner said: “It is surprising how many people there are around who need this sort of help. We get a lot of individuals identified by churchgoers. We include a form so that people can let us know a bit about them. If we know that a box is going to a child we can include some more sweets, or some more tea and coffee for a pensioner.”

“At Bearfield we are often thanked for the boxes and at times the tearful gratitude is very touching. Our donors are never thanked in the way we are, and we would like to pass on some of the thanks we have received and assure them that their great generosity is very much appreciated.”

The scheme, which is 18 months old, currently operates from the church's school room. Thanks to a grant of £550 from Bradford Town Council, and £250 from St Nicholas Church, it is moving to a more secure room.

Each church receives a list of items every month so congregations can contribute, with about £25 worth of tinned food, pasta, rice, UHT milk, biscuits, chocolate and sweets, in each box. Many people also make individual donations, which are used to make up extra boxes. Recipients are also identified through Bradford Children's Centre and St Laurence School, as well as Selwood Family Project, Community and Corsham and the Southside Family Project in Bath.

The Wiltshire Times, December 9th 2010

Pastor Sue Glanville and boxes co‐ordinator Frank Turner with the food boxes collected for 

local disadvantaged people. 

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The Choir with the Director of Music, Gareth Bennett, the Revd Joanna Abecassis,  the Churchwardens, Joan Finch and Trevor Ford,  and the Verger, 

Peter Wills, at the Advent Carols by Candlelight service, November 28th, 2010. 

photo: David Milne 

Holy Trinity Food Bank We delivered four complete boxes in January, which is very encouraging. There is a great need for them in these cold months when hard-pressed families often have to choose between paying their fuel or their food bills. Sunday 6th February is the date for our next collection. If you miss it you have three options:

i. Leave your contribution in the container in the south porch ready for the March collection.

ii. Bring it direct to 5, Orchard Gardens (Tel. 863011) iii. Double up on your March contributions.

And PLEASE — NO GLASS JARS.

Thank you all for your continuing generosity. Margaret & Bryan Harris

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A urora Borealis, as the northern lights are officially known, means ‘the dawn of

the north’. In the days of old, when people saw this spectacular light show up in the skies, they thought these ‘dancing spirits’ might be dangerous. They thought they were a sign from the gods that they should show creation some respect.

In the north of Norway, the sun was worshipped as the main force of nature. However, the moon, stars and planets were also worshipped and idolized. The northern lights were the strangest and most mystical of all the lights in the firmament, because they change all the time. The light can stay motionless for quite some time, then suddenly start moving, like a ‘heavenly dancer’. Sometimes it flares up without warning and explodes in a fiery crescendo in the sky.

Scientists, who still don't fully understand the northern lights, are particularly interested in the interaction between solar activity and its effect on the earth. The particles that are flung out from the sun are harmful. If our atmosphere didn't protect us from these particles, we would be in trouble. So, we could say that the old myths about the northern lights are true; we should regard them as a

reminder that we must respect creation!

In the far north of Norway , the sun disappears below the horizon at the end of November and is not seen again until the end of January. However, although the days are short, it is not dark. For below the horizon, the sun's rays shine up into the sky, reflecting light down onto the frozen landscape, lending it a magical gleam. In winter the north is lit up by the fiery northern lights at night and by this magical light in the day, with its ever-changing hues of pink, mauve, blue and orange.

Midwinter is typically a time for thought and reflection. And, of course, anticipation: for the sun does not stop reminding us that it will soon be coming back — it will return to light up the landscape, and its power will heat and feed all of creation.

This period of waiting for the sun to return, which has a clear parallel in Advent, was an important time of year in the pre-Christian faith. People thought that the sun disappeared because they had taken it for granted, and that it had to be coaxed back through repentance and penance. People promised to mend their ways, and then welcomed the return of the sun with tokens of gratitude and

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS ─ THE HEAVENLY DANCER 

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Crossword solutions

Across 1, Prosperity. 7, Raisins. 8, Admit. 10, View. 11, Confetti. 13, Distil. 15, Groyne. 17, Navigate. 18, Whit. 21, Enoch. 22, Trodden. 23, Prophetess. Down 1, Pride. 2, Ovid. 3, Pastor. 4, Reaffirm. 5, Timothy. 6, Providence. 9, Tridentine. 12, Kingship. 14, Saviour. 16, Statue. 19, Hades. 20, Rome.

promises of doing better in the future. This bears more than a passing resemblance to our era's New Year resolutions.

In summer, when the sun is at its brightest and shines all day and all night, it is all too easy to forget the wonderful promises and again start taking the sun for granted. Once again, the sun disappears, leaving people to sit and ponder. This was a time to think about one's life, regret mistakes and look for ways of improving.

Sometimes there are mother-of-pearl clouds. Mother-of-pearl ─ or nacreous — clouds, are formed much higher than normal clouds and consist of tiny ice crystals that form when the stratosphere cools down in winter in the polar regions. The sun's rays from below the horizon hit these ice crystals, which refract the light, creating these unique opalescent colours.

Since the northern lights and the polar night light shows are so unpredictable, we felt we were incredibly privileged to see not only the magical changing light (Polar night light) firsthand with the most amazing shades and hues lighting up the day-time sky but also the spectacular Northern Lights on two separate occasions. Unforgettable!

Joan Finch

The Northern Lights 

Err…. A thought for all church councils as the New Year begins: “To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a committee.”

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BRIGHT THE VISION THAT DELIGHTED... Holy Trinity on view*. Curtains drawn to shade the sun. That oft accursed box beside the hearth flickering, monochrome or colour.

BBC at half past ten. “Morning Service”, ...poker voice. “Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire”.

For nine million viewers, another programme.

For Holy Trinity it started weeks ago. Monday meeting with producer. Vernon chose the hymns and anthems. David timed the sermon; kept it short. Script on yellow paper ─ foolscap! ─ twenty pages give or take a few. Camera cue sheets ─ four in all ─ long shot, close up, pan and zoom.

Church in chaos days before. Cables snaking down the aisle. Link lighting console to organ console. Floods and spots, and inkie-dinkies; light from a score of man-made suns. Sheets of black shut out God’s sun from God’s house.

Full rehearsal on Saturday. The church is full, but not with worshippers ─ scaffolders and electricians, cameramen and general porters, Producer, his assistant and floor managers. Clergy, choir and servers wait. Four in the congregation ─ David, Rachel, Pamela and Catherine to practise their offertory procession. Manager in head-phones talks to those unseen. The service starts and follows the plan.

“Face west to say the sermon blessing.” “I’d rather not.” “Of course, we wouldn’t press you.” “Then say it here, one pace before the step.” “We’ll move the mike...” “No. Move the choir.” “Choir, form up procession here.” “It can’t be done. No room.” “The Crucifer...” “The choir goes first.”

* On August 9th, 1970, there was a television broadcast of the Family Eucharist service at Holy Trinity. This account of it, written by a member of the choir, first appeared in blank verse in the parish magazine of the time. It has been slightly edited and recast in prose (more or less) for this reprise.

Editors

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No lost nerve. A change of plan. “Is that OK Vic?” Vic, outside in an armoured van, mixing sound and vision, gives silent “Yea” or “Nay”.

Kevin looks angelic, so do Mo and Nin. John Boyce is losing interest ─ rapidly. Choir boys, once impressed, grow more blasé by the minute.

A break before recording. Visits to the vicarage to answer calls of nature. A cigarette or cough sweet for the voice. Cassocks off. Now the boys behave as others do before the camera at football matches ─ they forget they are in church.

“Remember boys, the ends of words.” A quick run through, then held on tape. And finally the rehearsal ends. “Until tomorrow. No late nights. It all depends on you”

Sunday morning, the 9th. Banns are read at 10.15am. Psalm rehearsal loosens voices. Cameras scanning over test cards. Candles lit.

Two minutes. The congregation stands. Choir boys, forgetting Howard has a beard, concentrate on looking nice for God and mum. Smoothing surplices, tucking ruffs. Choirmen joke with workmen, idle for an hour. Clearing throats with nervous coughs. Then, after a silence, Vernon starts to play, as Keith ─ in a suit! ─ is tackled by the choir.

The ten-mile walk ─ no turning back. And then the psalm ─ we’re under way. “Our Father, who art in Heaven...” Camera three on dolly, tracking down the aisle, unseen at home, but the congregation know. “Hallowed be Thy name...” or can it be? The camera crews are silent ─ a good sign ─ or so the producer says.

Debra waits for her collect cue. Then faultlessly reads, all Britain’s eyes upon her. Choir and people let off steam. Then, Tony telling Gospel truths, in an Oxford accent; no trace or northern living here.

continued..

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Now, David, facing camera two, remembers where to stand and what to say. A little boy with teddy bear looks and laughs around the church. “Children should be happy in their pew.” Camera shows him yawning ─ bored. Producer laughs ─ it can’t be helped.

The moment they’ve been waiting for. The Halls walk down with the offertory. The choir sits back and listens to itself. Michael and Lloyd are happy they were singing yesterday. Pictures of faces, and stained glass windows, candles and a pretty girl ─ Rosemary, for remembrance.

Cameras winking small red lights. Unknown man before the monitor fiddles with the brilliance. The final prayer.

A clever choice of hymn ─ a subtle pun: Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones ─ thunders out across the ether into everyone’s front room. Then treble voices raised in descant bring the service to a close. The choir recesses, Vernon plays, Announcer speaking fades away. All the money, time and effort gone to glorify our God.

But what reactions did it gather? Producer is happy ─ “It went well.” The vicar is off to choir camp. The choir is but half its strength at evensong. And letters from unknown viewers trickle in.

“Dear God, we gave our best amidst the unfamiliar, the unaccustomed heat and glue. Forgive our lack of concentration. We hope we helped a few along the way.”

Howard Brayton Supplied by Pat Irving

Not all free! A nursery school teacher was teaching her class about living in a democracy.

She said: “One of the things we should be happy about is that, in this country, we are all free.” One little boy stood up in protest. “No,” he said indignantly. “I'm not free. I'm four.”

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THE KING JAMES VERSION: 400 YEARS ON Which of these means more to you:

Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully, or

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled?

Both are translations of Matthew 5:6, but the first is from the Good News Bible from the 1960s, while the second is the King James Version, or Authorised Version, of 1611 (KJV for short). For many people, the older version goes deeper, is more stirring and tells us more about God.

In 2011 we mark its 400th anniversary. There are a range of celebratory events — from talks by celebrities to readings in tiny churches. As we shall be hearing often, the KJV has shaped the hearts and minds of English-speaking people throughout the world in these four centuries. It first coined many words and expressions that have become part of the language — so much so that most people wouldn’t necessarily think of them as biblical, and usually think that they’re from Shakespeare (especially as he was writing at about the same time). So we have: ‘loving kindness’ (Psalm 17 and elsewhere), ‘the signs of the times’ (Matthew 16), ‘the powers that be’ (Romans 13), and many more.

But the old-fashioned words aren’t just part of our heritage, like an ancient monument; their poetry can speak directly to our needs today. They can give a stronger and more immediate sense of God’s tender love and glorious majesty, from ‘I water my couch with my tears’ (Psalm 6:6) to ‘Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels …’ (1 Corinthians 13:1).

It’s easy to be put off by the dark type and odd words: ‘thee’ and ‘thou’, ‘-eth’ endings, ‘abide’ and ‘sojourn’. Some parts, especially the Epistles, can be dense and tortuous. We can’t turn the clock back: the KJV can never be the only version for us now. But if we use both old and new translations together, we gain so much more.

In its heightened language, the KJV gives us a richer appreciation of wonder. So, just as we wouldn’t want to knock down old churches, we shouldn’t leave the KJV unread. It’s not just a cultural landmark, but it’s something that can shape our lives right now.

Rachel Boulding Deputy Editor, Church Times

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I n December I decided to escape the cold weather and the Christmas hassle so embarked

on an aptly named small cruise ship The Spirit of Adventure. No bingo, no cabaret, interesting lectures and 3000 books in the library ─ sounds fine, I thought.

We flew to Dubai, an amazing place ─ sun and skyscrapers and the redundant QE2 parked in the harbour. Next day we were in Oman on a dhow cruise to a fjord ─ mountainous with dolphins playing around the boat.

Then there was a lecture from the captain about pirates. It seems they are a real danger in the area, so various precautions such as 24-hour deck patrols, very few lights at night, razor wire on the lower deck and no heroics from the passengers. At the end of the cruise we were told that there had been 15 incidents in the area between Christmas and the New Year. Needless to say the film Pirates of the Caribbean was not shown.

I was impressed by the city of Muscat ─ clean, green and safe with flower beds everywhere. The Sultan’s yacht, almost as big as our ship, dominated the harbour. I was fascinated by life in the souk. Nearly everyone in Arab dress ─ father walked ahead sometimes carrying the baby, followed by wife/wives carrying the shopping. No sign of Christmas but gold,

frankincense and myrrh for sale everywhere.

Then we headed to India and the great city of Mumbai. What a contrast! I had been to India but had forgotten about the culture shock ─ the crowds, the poverty and the noise. As a companion said “They don’t spend money on paint”.

We then travelled down the coast and in Goa I suffered every traveller’s worst nightmare ─ I got seriously lost. We were taken some distance from the ship to the city of Old Goa and told to spend an hour in the market. It was a fascinating sight but I lost touch with my friends and couldn’t find my way back to where the coach was parked. It was hot and tiring and all the streets looked the same. Eventually I was found by a sizeable search party amid much rejoicing.

The next event was an enjoyable excursion on a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala.

The Acromas cruise ship Spirit of Adventure 

IT IS WISE TO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED? 

photo Saga/PA 

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Then it was Christmas, so we did all the traditional things ─ carols, midnight mass and other services. Several of the lectures were on topical subjects eg. The Star of the East. We had Christmas lunch, not dinner because the Captain and Officers had to be on the bridge looking out for pirates that evening.

Boxing Day we spent cast away on a desert island which was a little spot in the Maldives ─ very beautiful with sand like silk, warm clear sea and waving palms. To my consternation I lost my identity card somewhere on the beach so wondered if I would be allowed back on the ship. I didn’t have the required desert island discs with me! Fortunately I was given a duplicate, though the crew are fined if they lose their cards. Mine was later found on the beach and someone else’s keys were found in the sea.

Three days at sea followed during which we crossed the equator with due ceremony and greeted the New Year. No deck party because of the pirates!

We had more interesting lectures including one from an ex-ambassador to one of the Arab

States and another about life on board. The crew were exclusively Filipino, polite and smiling in spite of working a 10-hour day minimum, 7 days a week for 4 months before they had any leave.

Then the Seychelles. More beautiful beaches. Mountains and all manner of tropical plants. And finally, Mauritius. Another lovely island, and then to the airport for a 12-hour flight to Heathrow.

Back to reality ─ or was it all a dream?

Val Dyer Note: A Guardian headline on 13th January 2011 read: Saga cruise passengers ordered below deck during brush with Somali pirates. The ship was the same Spirit of Adventure! Editors.

A houseboat — formerly  a spice boat — on Lake Vembanadu, Kerala, India. 

IT picnic Looking over the log book kept by the computer support staff at my office, I noticed several entries stating that the problem was PICNIC.

I asked one of the technicians what PICNIC meant.

He laughed as he told me it meant “Problem In Chair, Not In Computer.”

photo Bryan Harris 

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I would like to respond in turn to Joanna’s kind “quick response” of November to my article in the

October 2010 Parish News on the subject of Good, Evil, Free Will and God’s Plan. Joanna did say that my approach of logic and argument to the article’s subject would not bring the true answer (or words to that effect). She said that “only Faith will get us there”. If by that Joanna meant the word “there” to mean the ultimate truth of the matter, then regretfully I cannot join her in that conclusion. The definition of Faith in the Concise Oxford Dictionary is:-

Belief in religious doctrines, especially such as affects character and conduct, spiritual conception of divine truth independent from proof.

The key phrase of that definition, for this discussion, is surely ‘independent from proof’. The brilliant French scientist and philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) wrote the following words :-

The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing. It is the heart which perceives God and not the reason. That is what Faith is. If the reader should conclude that

Pascal’s words fully support Joanna’s approach, they should be aware that Pascal also wrote the next words which give a more ambivalent reading :-

If the Christian God exists, believers will inherit everlasting life. If he does not exist, they will be no worse off than unbelievers. Therefore Christian belief is worth the risk.

I wish to take forward the argument that unless God himself gives his own explanation (somehow) of the article’s subject, and how the quoted case histories fit in with it, the ultimate truth behind this subject (and similar knotty theological problems) has to be approached as near as possible by us humans using careful observation and analysis of human behaviour, scientific research and testing, historical records, archaeological findings, and the application of logic. Then deductions must be drawn from all this evidence. Sadly, Faith alone will not get us there; it would be so much easier and comforting if it did. I submit that it will only give us a comfortable (or uncomfortable) analysis of certain oral histories and religious teachings, although this can also be weighed in the balance of truth. However, Faith independent from proof should not be allowed to sweep everything else aside. I offer a general theory of subject analysis and exploration, and call in aid astro-physics, molecular science and Sherlock Holmes! I shall also refer to two classic case histories where, in my view, the Christian Faith has clearly led its adherents astray from the truth. I submit that we must also keep a sense of perspective in all this by remembering that the High Priests and adherents of all past religions in history have probably declared that their religion “is the one true faith” where the answers to life, death, and the purpose of life, are to be found.

I shall start with those two classic case histories just mentioned. As I understand the matter, the Roman Catholic Church in the XVIth Century believed (as it had done for 1000 years

OBJECTIVITY 

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before) that the solar system was in fact a system in which the sun and all the other planets actually circled around the Earth. This was based on the argument that as God had created the Earth (as described in Genesis) it must be the centre of the system, around which all other heavenly bodies were subservient. The writings of the Greek Aristotle and the Egyptian Ptolemy were regarded as further proof of this. The Holy Office declared this concept to be part of the Faith, and that to believe otherwise was heresy. When in 1543 Copernicus wrote down and quietly published his astronomical observations and detailed experiments, which clearly indicated that all the planets (including Earth) revolved around the sun, giving us our vital light and heat, other men of learning followed on with further proofs of the elliptical shape and laws of motion of the solar system. Matters finally came to a head when, in 1632 (after a previous Papal warning in 1616), Galileo openly challenged the Church by publishing a scientific treatise comparing the planetary concepts of Copernicus and Ptolemy, and conclusively demonstrating the scientific truths of the concepts of Copernicus. The Holy Office would have no truck with such an idea, so publicly expounded. Faith ordained that this was heresy. Galileo was formally tried by the dreaded Holy Inquisition, and threatened with excommunication unless he ‘recanted’. Such a punishment was a terrible one in those days, with all manner of appalling practical effects on the life of the individual concerned. So he publicly recanted as was required of him, and kept his own true thoughts private for the rest of his life. Thus one can say that in this episode of the Church’s history,

the ordinary folk of Christendom were totally misled by the Faith; only a few learned men and their aristocratic patrons knew otherwise. If I am right, it took the Holy Office another two hundred years before it swallowed its pride and publicly declared that Galileo’s arguments had been correct.

Then we have the continuing belief to this day by certain Christian sects, particularly in the USA, that the Earth (and all things on it) were created in just six days of human time, exactly as described in Chapter 1 of Genesis. I am not personally at all clear how members of such sects can honestly (to themselves) set aside the multitude of scientific observations which support the original Theory of Evolution by Darwin, and the many detailed studies of life forms (and their hierarchy) which have followed. Nor can I understand how those members can equally ignore the results of a wealth of geological studies that have revealed the many periods of rock formation and different life forms, each lasting many millennia. However, I am faced with the fact that those members do just that. I put it to you that they are totally misled by their Faith, by ignoring the plentiful evidence to the contrary. I also maintain that the common statement that humans are made in the physical likeness of our Christian God is unproven and unlikely to be true, given both the physical nature, variety and forces of the Universe in which we think He rules, and the well-established theory of the origin of species by Darwin. If there is any statement by Jesus Himself referring to man being in the likeness of God, then I would suspect that He was referring to non-physical aspects.

continued..

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At this point the reader may say, “Ah! but the ‘broad church’ of the Church of England, in this enlightened age, does take note of proven science and history, and only relies on its Faith to fill the void of the unknown because it is handed down from God”. I would however urge the reader to exercise caution about such an approach, not least because a fair bit of that Faith is, I submit, not God made but man made, based on the interpretation of oral histories and religious discussions by men. The reader may respond that man has only made the Doctrines of Faith in a spirit of holiness, always looking for spiritual guidance. I can accept that this was often the case, but I submit that this does not guarantee that they reached the right answers. Is it not also true that the history of the Early Church and Medieval Church of Europe also shows several examples of the main drive of the Church leaders then actually to be the consolidation and exercise of religious power, as well as temporal power. A key feature in this period of the Church was the suppression of any religious dissent. In this current enlightened age, does the Church of England really have an open mind, ready to discuss any new and possibly radical ideas about the Faith, ideas that might disturb an otherwise comfortable trust of its members in its Faith? Is it possible that the same Faith can be confused on some issues, eg. the concept of there being a ‘limbo’ existence for us humans between Earth and Heaven? If Faith by definition is independent of proof, should we rely solely on it as our guide into the unknown aspects of any subject containing religious issues?

It is now time to set out my general theory for exploring and analyzing any subject, given my approach that one always needs to search for the real ‘level of truth’ (as I have previously argued). If any reader is familiar with a billiards scoreboard, they will know that it usually consists of a brass stopper at one end of a brass rail, and an identical brass stopper at the other end. On that rail is located a free-moving brass marker indicating the actual score at any point in the game, between zero and the ultimate score possible. Now carry that concept to the analysis of a subject. If one regards the left-hand stopper as zero knowledge of a subject and the right-hand stopper as its ultimate truth, one can say that the correct positioning of the marker shows the current state of proven knowledge of any subject. For the life cycle of an oak tree, the marker will I think be hard against the right-hand stopper, whereas the knowledge of the workings of the human brain will have a marker perhaps about one third along from the left-hand stopper. One can give a name to the area between the marker and the zero stopper and I call it the Known Territory. Equally, I name the area between the marker and the right-hand stopper as the Unknown Territory. Thus, the content in the Known Territory consists of such things as verified observations, personal statements, proven scientific facts and theorems, relative administrative decisions, man-made machines that work, sound statistical analysis, and whatever other tangible material should be brought to bear on the particular subject in question. In the Unknown Territory however, no argument or theory can be ruled out

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and everything can be ruled in. This is where Faith resides, but it is not alone there, as I shall seek to demonstrate.

Sherlock Holmes was famously wont (and so informed Dr Watson) to evaluate all the known facts and current evidence surrounding a crime or mystery, and then build on them by creating in his mind a ‘working hypothesis’ of what the missing pieces of the puzzle were likely to be, the likely motive, and the likely culprit. He would then set out in a methodical and logical way to test that hypothesis by searching for further clues in a likely place, background research, scientific tests, careful interrogation of witnesses, and logical deduction. As devotees of Holmes will know, nine times out of ten his ‘method’ would succeed in bringing the culprit to book. I submit that the same approach should be made to the solving of an Unknown Territory, even if the ultimate truth is found to be currently beyond our level of knowledge. I suggest that the Holmes method is deliberately used in pushing forward the boundary of knowledge in molecular science and the building blocks of the laws of physics in space; a working hypothesis is formed by such deduction, and then the results of those observations and mathematical equations are tested on the blackboard, in laboratories, and even in designed experiments aboard space capsules. The same is true in the continuing astronomical observations and testing of theories on the creation of the Universe, its many properties

and structure, its size and boundaries. I believe that you will find the same kind of approach in all properly structured studies in the natural and medical sciences. Thus knowledge is advanced step by step, but few dare to say that the Christian Faith actually contains the broad shape of the ultimate truths in such matters, and that science will prove this in the end. Many workers in these fields may well be sustained by a personal Faith in their daily lives, but I submit that they never replace science and logic with tenets of Faith. They surely know that science has already led to some surprising answers and will probably continue to do so in the future.

Thus I personally must continue to hold that even such matters as Good, Evil, Free Will and God’s Plan should be explored in a manner that Holmes would have approved, and whilst its Unknown Territory may continue to exist for many centuries to come, we should surely seek to reduce its size where we can by evidence, logic and deduction. I would argue that God is likely to approve such efforts on our part, using the talents with which we were endowed, as best we may in the tangle of His mind. Faith will be an important element in the Unknown Territory for many people but it will never be conclusive proof. Remember what St Paul said in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13, Verse 12.

Alan Knight

The Salvation Army’s founder General William Booth was in full spate. Suddenly he stopped and stabbed a finger at a young man busily writing, and called out, “Young man, are you saved?”

To which the astonished individual replied: “ME, sir? I’m a reporter!” Colin R Coote

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A Five‐Finger Prayer 1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those

closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as CS Lewis once said, a “sweet duty.”

2. The next finger is the index finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The middle finger is the longest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the Queen, the Prime Minister, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is the ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes the little finger — the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, “The least shall be the greatest among you.” Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

Supplied by Margaret Purves

Audio version of Parish News  We are unfortunately unable to continue to provide audio tapes of Parish News. We apologise to the four users of this service, but we hope to find an alternative means of bringing the magazine to them.

We should like to thank Nick Nutt, who has been carrying out the technical side of production in addition to coordinating the extensive ‘human resources’ arrangements needed to produce the tapes, and of course the panel of readers who have been giving their time to this project for a number of years.

A number of large-print copies of future issues of the magazine will be made for those members of the congregation who would find this helpful.

Editors

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The Rectory St James the Least

My dear Nephew Darren,

The disasters you inflict on church life are made the worse because they are so well meaning. I appreciated your concern when you heard one of our parishioners had slipped on a gravestone. Your desire to help was entirely commendable; sending your own church’s Health and Safety Officer to give us some advice was kindly-meant. But the thousand-page report was not welcome. If we implemented your officer’s suggestions, life would become unbearably safe.

St James the Least has survived perfectly well for the last 600 years without gutter cleaning inspections, path degreasing and electrical safety certificates, so I think we may survive a little longer without them. As far as I am aware, the only disaster to hit us was when Cromwell’s soldiers stabled their horses in the nave – which I suspect a few of our oldest members still clearly remember.

The shock the sidesmen sometimes get when switching on the lights occurs only occasionally, is relatively mild and soon over – and if it happens when preparing for the 8am service, helps to wake them up. The fact that the weight of the Duke of Clumber’s marble sarcophagus is slowly detaching the south aisle from the rest of the church is very slow – and the pews in that area are used only once a year when his relations visit from America to commemorate his death at Agincourt – which is probably just beyond remembrance of the oldest of our congregation.

Leaks from the ceiling in the north aisle are solved with the row of buckets – and even you must concede that the fungi on the oak beams look really rather attractive when the sun catches them. The sapling growing out of the spire is certainly an issue – although it looks so attractive in Spring when in blossom. As for our fire extinguishers, they were serviced when my predecessor-but-two was in office, and I have the certificate to prove it.

Do thank your health and safety officer for all his work and tell him we shall bear his recommendations in mind. Also tell him I was so sorry he slipped and broke his leg as he was entering your own church last Sunday. If only he had been encased in bubble wrap, it would never have happened. Perhaps you could put that on the agenda of your next health and safety meeting.

Your loving uncle, Eustace

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In the Footsteps of the Conqueror 4 days half board in Normandy, 

3rd to 6th October 2011 Travel by luxury coach to visit the Pegasus Bridge, the D-Day museum, Falaise (birthplace of King William), la Suisse Normande, Honfleur and a guided tour of Caen (including Duke William’s castle and the two Abbeys built by William and Matilda)

The cost will be £275 per person sharing on a half-board basis, the single supplement is £70. Extras (gratuities, entrance and guide fees and one lunch) will be about £40 per person.

Contact: John Cox, 01225 864270 or jandbcox@hotmail.com or add your name to the list at the crossing.

Falaise Castle, home of William of Normandy. 

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Tai Chi Class Guide HQ, 18, Church Street, Bradford on Avon, 

Friday 2 ‐ 3.30pm, £5 per session Tai Chi is increasingly popular among Westerners as a gentle form of exercise. The Chinese have practised this softest of the martial arts for centuries. It works with the breath to build core strength in the body through exercise and the form. Anyone can practise Tai Chi, there are no physical or mental barriers to learning the form and the best way to practise it is methodically and slowly, absorbing each movement and doing a little every day to build up slowly.

By relaxing and letting the weight sink into the legs and lowering the centre of gravity, balance is maintained and tremendous reserves of power and stability are found. In all the exercises we aim to relax muscles, open up the joints and concentrate on aligning the spine. Breathing with the diaphragm helps to lengthen and deepen the breathing increasing the blood’s oxygen supply and benefiting the internal organs. The slow turns from the waist performed in Tai Chi are mentally and physically calming and the slow sunken movements of the form lead to inner resilience in addition to the physical benefits of strong muscles, balance, flexibility and a well aligned body.

A small group meets every Friday at the Guide HQ in Church Street at 2pm. Most of us are Holy Trinity members and we would welcome new students. Please contact me on 01225 866215.

Judith Holland

Holy Trinity Street Market 2011 Coordinating this year’s Street Market on Saturday, July 2nd will soon begin in earnest. Our nine Church stalls, which are the mainstay of the event ─ Teas and Refreshments, Mothers’ Union Pantry, Saxon Club Gifts, Plants, Books, Children’s Toys, Bric-à-brac, Tombola, and the Grand Prize raffle ─ are gearing up as well. Each year the organisers of these stalls and their helpers pull out all the stops to create a special day ─ a landmark event for the town, for the Church and for local families to enjoy. It’s a tried, tested and true recipe, but perhaps some things could be done differently. Do you have an idea that might make the Street Market even better? Please email jsieasby@hotmail.com with ‘Street Market Ideas’ in the subject line. Thank you one and all.

Jackie Easby

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L ooking back on 2010, most of the 220 or so recorders in the county who have sent me details agree

that it was, with only a few exceptions, a very good year for butterflies. The exceptions were the Chalkhill Blue, which had a very poor season, and the three immigrants, which were much scarcer than of late — the Red Admiral, Painted Lady (most recorders, including myself, failed to see a single one) and only five Clouded Yellows were reported.

Nearly all of Wiltshire’s 41 other species did very well and the family of blue butterflies were seen in huge numbers on the chalk grassland sites, particularly in the south of the county. The Small Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue and Adonis Blue were seen in 100s on their favoured sites. One recorder estimated 20,000 Adonis Blues on a site near Coombe Bissett, south of Salisbury — an incredible spectacle.

All this followed one of the coldest winters on record and it will be interesting to see if the same pattern occurs in 2011, when we have already had a long, cold period of icy weather. This is thought to be beneficial to butterflies (and probably some other creatures), killing off parasites, viruses and diseases which tend to flourish in mild, damp winters, destroying large numbers of over-wintering butterfly eggs, caterpillars and chrysalises.

Needless to say, at the end of 2010 with the worst November freeze for 17

years and December being the coldest on record, there were no outdoor sightings of butterflies reported after the last Red Admiral on 19th November at Westbury.

I was quite surprised to come across a Small Tortoiseshell fluttering on the inside of my office window on 4th December, disturbed from hibernation (I had no idea it had been in the room). Being a cold day and with snow still lying, I placed it in the cold, dark garage and hoped it would re-enter hibernation until the spring. A similar experience at a house in Newtown occurred on 8th January but because the weather was reasonable, the butterfly was released outside.

At the time of writing (16th January), rather surprisingly, there have been three butterflies reported outdoors – a Brimstone flying in Salisbury on 8th January, a Red Admiral flying in Swindon on 11th and a Peacock in Jonquil Burgess’s garden, probably also on 11th.

It seems remarkable that the Red Admiral has managed to survive during the bitterly cold period of ice and snow, since it is believed they cannot go into deep hibernation, unlike its close relatives, the Peacock, Comma and Small Tortoiseshell. The Brimstone is also a true hibernator.

© Mike Fuller Wiltshire Butterfly Recorder

WILTSHIRE BUTTERFLIES December 2010 & January 2011 

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Butterfly With a tremor of its wafer wing

They say a butterfly in spring

Can in time spin a tornado

Across the Kansas plain

Or hurl a tidal wave booming

Into Carolina’s tranquil bays.

So, what then of a kiss for the dying,

An embrace for the lonely

Or a tenderness to the crushed?

What of a whisper of grace

A word of love hovering unfurled,

Or a door to truth flung wide?

Will not these unwind the twisted hearts

And still the waves of endless whys?

Is this not the fountain spray

That soars through time

To splash eternity in my eyes? Judy Studd

This extract from the June 2010 issue of Reform Magazine is reproduced here with permission.

The first verse of this poem refers to the idea from Chaos Theory that the flapping of a butterfly's wing might create tiny changes in the atmosphere that may ultimately alter the path of a tornado or delay, accelerate or even prevent the occurrence of a tornado in a certain location. The flapping wing represents a small local change which causes a chain of events leading to large-scale alterations of events (like a 'domino' effect). Although the butterfly does not “cause” the tornado in the sense of providing the energy for the tornado, it does “cause” it in the sense that the flap of its wings is an essential part of the initial conditions resulting in a tornado, and without that flap that particular tornado would not have existed. It's a theory! There is no evidence that such a chain of events has ever actually occurred.

Editors

The endangered Adonis Blue butterfly on a first class postage stamp. 

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Brigid, you could say, was the female Patrick of Ireland. Historical facts about this first abbess of Kildare may be scarce, but her Lives, written from the 7th century, tell many anecdotes and miracles which over the centuries have become deeply rooted in Irish folklore.

Brigid came from a village near Kildare, of parents of humble origin, and is said to have been baptised by Patrick and become a nun at an early age. She is credited with founding the monastery of Kildare, a powerful influence for Christianity in Ireland.

The miracles attributed to Brigid show her to have been a woman of great compassion and generosity. There are stories of how she could multiply food, especially butter, for the poor. Other stories tell of her changing her bath-water to beer, in order to satisfy the thirst of unexpected visitors. Even her cows gave milk three times the same day, to enable visiting bishops to have enough to drink.

Brigid’s cult grew rapidly in Ireland, where it became second only to that of Patrick. In England, there were at least nineteen ancient church dedications in her honour (the most famous is St Bride’s, Fleet Street). There is also St Bride’s Bay, Dyfed, which underlines the strong connection between Irish and Welsh Christianity. St Brigid is patron of poets, blacksmiths, and healers. She is usually depicted with a cow lying at her feet, which recalls her phase as a nun-cowgirl.

Source: Parish Pump

SAINTS CORNER 1st February: Brigid of Ireland, died ca 525 

THE SAXON CLUB The Saxon Club will be meeting in the United Church Hall starting on Tuesday February 1st. This will offer our club members easier access and better facilities. Joining with our fellow Christians is really exciting and I hope some good outreach can come of this. God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform!

Our philosophy is still the same with new members welcome, whether church members or not, but we ask for prayers from our congregation for our new venture.

Angela.

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For Prayer in february

We pray for: ♦ Fitzmaurice School and The Children’s Centre ♦ The Choir and our Director of Music ♦ The Churchwardens and the selection of a new one ♦ The Bradford Group Ministry

West Wiltshire Interfaith Group  5th Feb An event for young people aged 14 and above with parents 12.30pm to 4pm at Clarendon College, Oliver Building, Frome Rd,

Trowbridge Historian Jahan Mahmood will be speak on the sacrifices made by migrant

communities of the UK during the two great wars and the great contribution made to the UK economy by the migrant communities.

Refreshments served at 4pm (free). To book a place please contact Rose Young,

01225 752503 or 07920409156, or Farzana Saker 07834812663

21st Feb An evening with Wanda Nash

Ivy House, Warminster, 6pm to 9pm, with a light meal (£5.00) Phone 01225 868195 for further information, or to book a place.

Saxon Club Programme for February 

We meet in the United Church Hall at 2pm on Tuesdays. You are very welcome to join us.

February 1st: Freda Ferne — Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon 8th: Newspaper Headlines 15th: To be announced 22nd: Anything Goes

We are happy to welcome any new members who might like to join us — churchgoers, non-churchgoers, those with a faith, those without. Just come, relax, have a cup of tea and make new friends. We have a definite rule that neither religion nor politics is ever discussed!!

Angela

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Quick Crossword      The Bible version is the NIV

Clues across 1 Success or wealth (Deuteronomy

28:11) (10) 7 Forbidden fruit for Nazirites

(Numbers 6:3) (7) 8 Concede (Job 27:5) (5) 10 Look at (Psalm 48:13) (4) 11 Much in evidence after weddings (8) 13 Condense (Job 36:27) (6) 15 Breakwater (6) 17 Give a tan (anag.) (8) 18 More usually now called Pentecost, —

Sunday (4) 21 After living for 365 years, it was said

of him that ‘he walked with God’ (Genesis 5:23–24) (5)

22 Trampled (Judges 9:27) (7) 23 For example, Miriam, Deborah (Exodus

15:20; Judges 4:4) (10)

Clues down 1 Arrogance (Proverbs 8:13) (5) 2 Roman poet from first century BC (4) 3 So rapt (anag.) (6) 4 Declare again (2 Corinthians 2:8) (8) 5 Paul’s ‘fellow worker’, to whom he sent

two epistles (Romans 16:21) (7) 6 God’s foreseeing care and protection (Job

10:12) (10) 9 Traditional form of Roman Catholic Mass

(10) 12 ‘The Lord... has given the — of Israel to

David and his descendants for ever’ (2 Chronicles 13:5) (8)

14 ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my — ’ (Luke 1:46–47) (7)

16 The central element in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, identified and interpreted by Daniel (Daniel 2:31) (6)

19 ‘On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of — will not overcome it’ (Matthew 16:18) (5)

20 City where Paul was under house arrest for two years (Acts 28:16) (4)

Source: Parish Pump

Solutions on page 15.

35

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Officers

The Revd Joanna Abecassis, Chair Joan Finch (Churchwarden) Trevor Ford (Churchwarden) Graham Dove (Hon. Secretary) Jeremy Lavis (Hon. Treasurer)

Members

STANDING/FINANCE COMMITTEE Chair, Churchwardens, Secretary and Treasurer

CHURCHWARDENS EMERITI Norman Hanney, Jeremy Lavis, Mike Fuller, Anne Carter, Tony Haffenden

FRIENDS OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

Patron: Dr Alex Moulton Chairman: John Cox Secretary: Mike and Jenny Fuller Treasurer: John Woods Committee: Anne Carter; Bryan Harris; Jeremy Lavis; Rev Angela Onions; Raymond Winrow Ex officio: Joan Finch; Trevor Ford

PARISH NEWS

Editors: Ann Holland (862731) & Bryan Harris (863011) e-mail: HT.ParishNews@gmail.com Distribution: John and Beryl Cox (864270) Subscriptions Collector: Mary Ford (862240) Price: Annual subscription £5.00 in advance .

BRADFORD GROUP MINISTRY

This comprises the three benefices of Holy Trinity, Christ Church with Westwood and WIngfield, and Monkton Farleigh, South Wraxall and Winsley. The clergy meet regularly for

prayer and shared planning, and there is an informal Group Council consisting of the licensed clergy and churchwardens, with Licensed Lay Ministers. The Group was established in 1975.

Anne Carter Sue Platt

Graham Dove David Rawstron

Marlene Haffenden* Edward Shaw

Pam Harman Kathryn Swift

June Harrison* Anthony Swift

Ann Holland Dr Malcolm Walsh*

Cecilia Hynes-Higman Anne Willis*

Dr Nick Nutt John Woods*

* Deanery Synod representative Diocesan Synod representative

36

OTHER OFFICERS & ORGANISERS PCC Secretary Graham Dove 868654 email: secretary@brad-avon-ht.org.uk PCC Treasurer Jeremy Lavis 863600 Bellringers Phil Gaisford 863538 Bookstall Rev Angela Onions 309001 Brass Cleaning Chris Hodge 866220 Brownies Jennifer Hazell 863860 Director of Music Gareth Bennett 01380 728772 Church Stewards David Milne 864341 Coffee on Sunday Elaine Giles 868654 Display Co-ordinator Revd Angela Onions 309001 Electoral Roll Officer Alan Knight 860991 Flowers Jonquil Burgess 868905 Foodbank Margaret & Bryan Harris 863011 Guides Judith Holland 866215 Junior Church Alison Cook 864116 June Harrison 863745 Mothers’ Union Chris Hodge 866220 MU Prayer Circle Chris Hodge 866220 Publicity Officer Ann Holland 862731 Servers Mary Ford 862240 Saxon Church and St Mary Tory Trustees Chairman Anna Tanfield (all bookings) 863819 Secretary Diana Shaw Stewart 863253 Treasurer Jeremy Lavis 863600 Sidesmen Rota Joan Finch 863878 Stewardship Secretary Pam Harman 866995 Street Market John Cox (Community Stalls) 864270 Colin Johnston (Church Stalls) 868132 Jackie Easby (Communications) 07708 331389

Parish Representatives on other organisations: Bradford Group Council: The Churchwardens Children’s Society: Anne Carter Christian Aid: Jonquil Burgess Deanery Synod: June Harrison, Marlene Haffenden, Dr Malcolm Walsh; John Woods; Anne Willis (Deanery Information Officer) Diocesan Synod: Anne Willis Churches Together: David Rawstron St Laurence School: The Revd Joanna Abecassis and Dr Heather Knight, (Foundation Governors) The cover picture on the printed version of Parish News is from a drawing by Jonathan Pomroy. Printed at the Parish Office, 18A Woolley Street, Bradford on Avon. Parish News also appears (in colour) on the Holy Trinity website: www.brad-avon-ht.org.uk/. Previous issues of the magazine can also be found in the magazine archive on the church website.

The Saxon Church of St Laurence 

The chapel of St Mary Tory