1

July/August 2008

£1

St Mar t in s Magazine

2

Sumer is icumen in

The famous medieval poem of the title above came originally from Reading Abbey and the manuscript is lodged in the British Library. As such it is one of our most precious and famous works in Middle English and in its brief and at one point bawdy stanza it succeeds in capturing the joy and relief that the warm long days of summer have finally arrived.

The actually metrological arrival of summer is of course problematic but for most of us the two summer months when schools close and holidays take place are July and August, exactly the period covered by this newsletter/magazine.

Christianity also looks towards a summer fulfilment in a theological sense. This is in terms of the completion of all things when Christ shall come again to judge the world and put all things right. This a theme that in a liturgical sense belongs to pre-Christmas Advent, nevertheless it is always with us for Jesus said that we should be like servants ready and waiting for the return of their master. Typically you can find this in Luke chapter 12 vv 35 48 which has words of commendation for those servants who are faithful and condemnation for those who are not. The general idea being that we should be watchful and waiting at all time, that not doubt would include when we are on the beach or more likely sitting in a traffic jam on the way to the coast!

Of course, this could give the wrong impression, as Christianity isn t a never-stopping merry go round, on the contrary we also aspire to the peace of God as described in

3

St Paul s Letter to the Philippians Chapter 4 verse 7. But our faith does demand commitment of the kind that means that there can be no part-time Christians and there is no holiday from the faith. We expect the same of God who is with us night and day and he expects the same of us.

It s a bit like our other Christian duties being a Godparent for example is in turn like being married the intention is that it s for life and a relationship with God is the same.

I for one will not be taking a summer holiday this year, but please don t feel too sorry for me, as I will be on sabbatical study leave from 1st September until 1st December. I shall be trying desperately to finish my doctorate, which I ve been labouring on for the past 4½ years. It is now up to good GCSE O level standard but I think that my tutors expect something rather better

now there s another good analogy for our relationship with God.

- But I ll stop as sumer is icumen in and we should enjoy it.

Nicholas

I apologise for the appearance of this edition of the magazine. It is an emergency measure. Arriving back from one s summer hols to discover that one s email is down AGAIN does not make for a reasoned approach to pagination. Have a good summer, enjoy and take great care of yourselves. We ll be back on Sunday 31st August, A5 format, smiling and relaxed after out summer break. Or someone in BT will be very sorry!

Lynne A

4

Many of you will have seen and wondered about the recent marriage ceremony in St Bartholomew the Great. You will be

interested to see the correspondence by the Bishop of London on this matter.

18th June 2008

Dear Friends,

Many of you will have seen the publicity over the weekend around the service which was held at St Bartholomew the Great on May 31st. I attach a letter I have written to the Rector which sets out the situation as I understand it.

So much good work is being done both nationally and internationally by the Church as it seeks in the spirit of Jesus Christ to address some of the global issues of peace, justice and poverty that confront the peoples of the world. It would be a tragedy if this episode were to distract us from the big agenda.

With thanks for our partnership in the Gospel.

The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Chartres DD FSA

18th June 2008

The Reverend Dr Martin Dudley, St Bartholomew the Great Parish Office, 6 Kinghorn Street, London, EC1A 7HW.

5

Dear Martin, You have sought to justify your actions to the BBC and in various newspapers but have failed more than two weeks after the service to communicate with me.

I read in the press that you had been planning this event since November. I find it astonishing that you did not take the opportunity to consult your Bishop.

You describe the result as familiar words reordered and reconfigured carrying new meanings. I note that the order of service, which I have now received, includes the phrase With this ring I thee bind, with my body I thee worship .

At first sight this seems to break the House of Bishops Guidelines which as I explained in my letter of December 6th 2005 apply the traditional teaching of the Church of England to the new circumstances created by the enactment of Civil Partnerships.

The point at issue is not Civil Partnerships themselves or the relation of biblical teaching to homosexual practice. There is of course a range of opinion on these matters in the Church and, as you know, homophobia is not tolerated in the Diocese of London.

The real issue is whether you wilfully defied the discipline of the Church and broke your oath of canonical obedience to your Bishop.

The Archbishops have already issued a statement in which they say that those clergy who disagree with the Church s teaching are at liberty to seek to persuade others within the Church of the reasons why they believe, in the light of Scripture, tradition and reason that it should be changed. But they are not at liberty simply to disregard it.

6

St Bartholomew s is not a personal fiefdom. You serve there as an ordained minister of the Church of England, under the authority of the Canons and as someone who enjoys my licence. I have already asked the Archdeacon of London to commence the investigation and I shall be referring the matter to the Chancellor of the Diocese. Before I do this, I am giving you an opportunity to make representations to me direct.

Yours faithfully.

The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Chartres DD FSA

And now for some good news from the same source

Dear Friends Church in Meltdown?

Here is some Good News. God has not abandoned us!

On Saturday 28th June at 5pm I will be ordaining 34 men and women to the diaconate, with the Psalm Drummers and a Diocesan choir of 75 drawn from our parishes. I never cease to be amazed as deacons of all ages and backgrounds offer themselves to the service of Christ and his church.

The emergence of St Mellitus College over the past year represents a bold step of faith and trust. The Bishop of Chelmsford and I will lead a service of thanksgiving and commissioning on Wednesday 2nd July at 7pm in the Cathedral and hope that many of you will come to support the hundreds of students, staff and friends who will gather to give praise to God and to pray for his blessing. The new Dean of St

7

Mellitus, the Revd Dr Graham Tomlin, and the Directors of the two constituent bodies: the Revd Dr David Hilborn, Director of North Thames Ministerial Training Course and the Revd Dr Andy Emerton, Director of St Paul s Theological College will be commissioned. We pray that the College will prove to be an instrument of the Spirit in equipping the people of God to proclaim the Gospel of Christ.

2008 also marks the 10th anniversary of ALMA and there will be a special focus on this ever-growing area of the life of the Diocese in The River of Life: A celebration of London s World Links on Sunday 13th July at 6pm in the Cathedral. Doors open at 5.15 and the Twyford School Gospel Choir will be singing from 5.30pm.

The Bishops of Angola, Lebombo and Niassa will be with us for the celebration, together with other bishops from the world-wide church. Prayer and Commitment are two important themes woven into the service and there will be Rivers of Prayer - prayers in the form of words, pictures, postcards and photos which will be attached to blue rivers of cloth that will flow through the aisles of the Cathedral. Please continue to send items for the Rivers of Prayer to Beryl Warren at St Mary s Church, Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 9ES, 020 7359 5481, almacomms@london.anglican.org. We are hoping to see colourful, traditional dress worn by many - I shall do my best.

I commend these events to your prayers and hope many of you will join me in the Cathedral to demonstrate that reports of the demise of the Church have been somewhat exaggerated.

With thanks for our partnership in the Gospel

+Richard

The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Chartres DD FSA

8

9

The Churches Players

The 2009 Pantomime will be decided once we know the potential cast. There is a poster in the Welcome Area encouraging anyone and everyone to become involved in the next Pantomime. Please sign up

Pantomime Charity Donations. At the Pantomime AGM on Tuesday 10th June it was decided that: £400 be donated to each Church = £800 £200 be donated to the Nigerian Project at All Saint's Church £200 be donated to Crossroads in Ealing

£1200 donated to Charity in 2008

We would like to thank everyone who supported Robin Hood 2008

The Churches Players Committee ____________________________________________________

St Martin's Sunday School

We have had an excellent year at Sunday School with many new younger members attending and consistent attendance and good behaviour from the older children. The times when they show the congregation what we do are few, though I'm sure you will all agree that their contributions to some of the family services have been fantastic. We hope in the future to be more visible in order for the children to feel a bigger part of the church family.

10

We have been very lucky to have more parents joining the team who teach the younger children, which means that each of them need only prepare a lesson every six weeks. There are only three of us teaching the older children so it would be lovely if we could have a few more volunteers to take the pressure off.

We are taking August off as usual as most people are away on their holidays. We plan to have a meeting when we get back in September and if any of you feel you would like to be a part of our Sunday School team please feel free to come along. The date of the meeting will be given out in the Notices.

Have a wonderful Summer and remember to read a Bible story or two to your little ones to help them remember God whilst they are away from us. Melanie Heap

Do as you would be done by

Therefore all things you would that men should do to you, do even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

The mark of a child is the absence of any lag between a desire and its satisfaction. No sooner does a want or a need come into the mind of the child than it seeks immediate satisfaction. This is one of the reasons why children cry so readily. We want what we want. And we want it now.

Every human being is prone to selfishness. Oscar Wilde once said: To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance. The selfishness may manifest itself in boasting, in vain display, in pushing to the front, in boring others, for a bore has been described as a man who deprives one of solitude without ever giving company.

There has never been a person who monopolized a conversation without at the same time monotonizing it. A little girl, seeing

11

another alongside of her at a party take a piece of cake, said. How greedy you are to take the largest piece. I wanted that for

myself!

As Francis Thompson put it:

Nothing begins and nothing ends That is not paid with moan, For we are born in other s pain And perish in our own.

Peace is not something that is given; peace is something that is made: Blessed are the peacemakers. We want to live in a give-and-take world and to have done to us what is to our greatest good and benefit. We want to live our lives in peaceful surroundings, to raise our children and enjoy the simple pleasures of being alive. At least that is what we think we want if we in the West weren t so consumed by the desire always to have more.

But peace is made only by war war not against others but against sin and selfishness and egotism, not only in ourselves but in international relationships as well. War is waged with the cross, not one that fights outward like Peter s sword, which cuts off the ears of others, but rather a sword that is thrust inward to cut out selfishness which destroys the brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God and the redemption of his Son. Perhaps we have to think more about living simply in order that so many millions across the world may simply live.

Olave Snelling ( former producer and presenter on Premier Radio in London. She is currently Chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Council.)

Violets When God cut holes in heaven The holes the stars look through

Letter to The Times

Sir, I was intrigued to see that the music before the ordination service at Southwark Cathedral last Sunday included Angus Dei (Martin). A case of the beef of God rather than the Lamb of God?

The Rev Simon Coupland

12

He let the scraps fall down to earth; The little scraps are you! Anon

Fancy that!

Sweet dreams If you are going on holiday with a woman this summer, here s a tip to keeping everyone happy: let her have her sleep. Or be prepared for some trouble! Women are grumpier than men after a bad night s sleep. An over-tired woman feels more hostile, depressed and angry than a man does, according to recent research at Duke University in North Carolina. Her psychological distress is real, and so any man who tells her to pull herself together had better watch out. ** Hello, hello?! What stress are you most likely to take with you on holiday this summer? Your mobile phone separation anxiety, according to a recent survey by YouGov. It seems that 53% per cent of us suffer real distress when in peril of running out of battery or credit, losing our phone, or not having network coverage. In fact, one in five confessed that they would find being out of mobile phone contact as hard as moving house or breaking up with their partner. **

Smells great Perfume on a woman can smell wonderful but beware if she is wearing too much. A woman who wears too much perfume may

13

well be seriously depressed, according to scientists in Tel Aviv. They have found that depression can impair the sense of smell, and so such women over-compensate by spraying too much. ** Sleep the new diet Getting too little, or too much, sleep on a regular basis can increase your chances of becoming obese. If you want to avoid putting on weight, aim for seven or eight hours a night. That is the finding of a recent study on the effects of sleep, carried out at Laval University in Quebec. It was found that people who sleep less than six hours a night are 27 per cent more likely to become obese, and those who sleep more than nine hours a night are 21 per cent more likely. Sleep is thought to effect weight by controlling hormone levels, especially those involved in appetite and feeling satisfied after eating. ** Five tomatoes a day helps keep the sunburn away Eating five tomatoes a day can help prevent sunburn and even premature ageing. It seems to provide a sunscreen factor of 1.3 for your skin. Although of course it is still vital to use sunscreens, shade and protective clothing, tomatoes do seem to improve the skin s ability to protect itself against ultraviolet light. Experts at Manchester and Newcastle universities also found that tomatoes can boost the skin s procollagen levels, a molecule which gives skin its structure and elasticity. ** How smart is your right foot? Next time you get bored at your desk, just try this. It was discovered by an orthopaedic surgeon, and will prove that your right foot isn t as smart as you thought it was. 1. While sitting, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles. 2. Now, while doing this, draw the number '6' in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change

14

direction. Told you so! There seems to be nothing you can do about it. It s silly, trivial... but chances are, you ll attempt it again in a minute or two! ** Why you should be kind to women drivers Serious warning to all men: don t tell your wife she is a bad driver, and above all, NOT when she is at the wheel. Recent research has found that women who are admonished when driving are more than twice as likely to make mistakes as those who have no constructive criticism from their male passengers. During tests, half of the women drivers who were being criticised hit a wandering pedestrian who unexpectedly appeared in the simulation. Even small admonishments, such a man tutting while a woman drives, or shaking his head while she is reversing, can lead to dangerous situations, as the woman gets flustered or annoyed by the criticism. The research was carried out at the University of Queensland in Australia. As far as is known, no research has yet been attempted that would measure a man s level of irritation if criticised by his wife while driving! ____________________________________________________

Home & Family becomes Families First

Britain s biggest selling Christian magazine, Home & Family, is re-launching in August as Families First. Produced by Mothers Union to promote good parenting, encourage loving and lasting marriages, and to support people in an active, Christian faith, Families First will be a lifestyle magazine for people who careabout family life in their own communities and around the world. With a focus on relationship with real people facing real issues - each edition will include interviews and articles on marriage, family life, parenting, Christian faith in action, stories of lives

15

changed, community action ideas, campaign issues and reviews of books, music, films, DVDs, and websites for children. With an existing readership of over 44,000, Families First inherits not only the title of biggest selling Christian magazine, but also will exceed the circulation of the UK s top parenting magazine.

Families First will appeal not just to Mothers Union members but to all people who want to support a positive, supportive approach to families and communities said editor Catherine Butcher. Politicians and statisticians pain a gloomy picture of family life in the UK, but working through churches Mothers Union and many other Christians are making a tangible difference to family life in communities.

To subscribe, or to view a sample copy of Families First visit www.familiesfirstmagazine.com . ____________________________________________________

Send a Cow celebrates 20 years

20 years ago someone had the bright idea of sending a cow to Africa. Soon Send a Cow was born and a small group of dairy farmers began by sending pregnant cows from their own herds to poor families in Uganda. They wanted to help poor farmers in Africa to become self-sufficient by providing them with livestock, training and advice. 20 years on, the charity still works with some of the most vulnerable groups in Africa, including children orphaned by war, families affected by AIDS, and disabled people. All families helped by Send a Cow pledge to pass on the skills and benefits they gain to another family in need meaning that just a little assistance from the UK goes a long, long way. Nowadays, Send a Cow works in 10 countries across Africa, giving hope by providing a variety of locally bought animals and other assistance.

16

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You love me O flame of the Holy Spirit, you pierce the very substance of my soul and cauterise it with your heat. You love me so much, that you have put into my heart the hope and the knowledge of eternal life....you have chosen to come to me, and my love burns with such passion that I know you hear my every prayer. I pray what you want me to pray; I desire what you want me to desire; I do what you want me to do. You have freed me to be your slave. A prayer of John of the Cross (1542 1591), a Carmelite friar famous for his mystical writings

This is something we might like to think about. In the rush of our busy lives it is easy to put off that phone call or visit until we have more time.

The loneliness of the elderly Hundreds of thousands of old people in the UK can go for weeks without speaking to family or even neighbours. According to research by Help the Aged, about 300,000 do not see their families for up to a month at a time. 200,000 hardly ever leave their homes, because they cannot get out easily. More than 730,000 older people are not able to leave their homes more than once a week. The situation is worse for elderly women, who seem to feel the solitude more than men do. Elderly people are in the highest risk group for suicide, being twice as likely to kill themselves as young people. ** ____________________________________________________

Time for a smile? A teacher gave her young class a lesson on the magnet and what it does. The next day in a short written test, she included this question: "My full name has six letters. The first one is M. I am strong and attractive. I pick up lots of things. What am I?"

17

When the papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to find that more than half her students had answered the question with the word: "Mother." ** Noah opened up the ark and let all the animals out, telling them to "Go forth and multiply!" He began to close the great doors of the ark when he noticed that there were two snakes still sitting in a dark corner. Concerned, he said to them: "Didn't you hear me? You can go now. Go forth and multiply." "We can't," said the snakes sadly. "We're adders." ** Paddy's pregnant sister was in a terrible car accident and went into a deep coma. After being in the coma for nearly six months, she wakes up and sees that she is no longer pregnant. Frantically, she asks the doctor about her baby. The doctor replies, 'Ma'am, you had twins.... a boy and a girl. The babies are fine, however, they were poorly at birth and had to be christened immediately so your brother Paddy came in and named them. The woman thinks to herself, ' Oh no, not me brother, he's a clueless idiot... Expecting the worst, she asks the doctor,' Well, what's my daughter's name?' ' Denise' says the doctor. The new mother is somewhat relieved, 'Wow, that's a beautiful name, I guess I was wrong about my brother', she thought....'I really like Denise ' Then she asks, ' What's the boy's name?' The doctor replies ' Denephew '

18

Greek Taverna

Established 1946

The Lantern is a lively, bustling Greek Cypriot Taverna. 100 yds from Ealing Common Station, on the Uxbridge Road.

We offer you the complete night out with good food, wine and entertainment

SEVEN NIGHTS A WEEK

Our Meze, Live Music and the sheer exuberance of the Lantern will ensure that

you have a wonderful time

To reserve your table phone

020 8992 4267

19

Musings on modern life: Gardening Gardens are not made by singing Oh how beautiful , and sitting in the shade. - Rudyard Kipling

Shocking On a bus a man gave his seat to a woman. She fainted. On recovering, she thanked him. Then he fainted.

The ultimate critic The newspapers report how a cinema goer arose from his seat while watching a film and shot himself. I believe that I have also seen that picture.

When talking about your faith .. Make sure it is God s trumpet you are blowing if it is only yours it won t wake the dead, it will simply disturb the neighbours. W Ian Thomas Summer sales: Much trouble is caused by our yearnings getting ahead of our earnings. Anon When considering your future: Give God what's right - not what's left. When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty. Visiting summer exhibitions or foreign cities: Art is here because God meant it to be here. Hans Rookmaaker

God does not keep office hours. A W Tozer

Please don t walk on our church lawn. Grass grows by the inch but is worn down by the foot!

The most terrible of lies is not that which is uttered but that which is lived. - W G Clarke

It is cynicism and fear that freeze life; it is faith that thaws it out, releases it, sets it free. - H E Fosdick

20

It is easier for the generous to forgive, than for the offender to ask forgiveness. Thomson

The world is God s epistle to mankind his thoughts are flashing upon us from every direction.

Plato

There was a man, though some did count him mad, The more he cast away, the more he had. John Bunyan

We cannot control the evil tongues of others; but a good life enables us to disregard them. Cato

Fire is the test of gold; adversity of strong men.

Seneca ____________________________________________________

You are ....

Who is like you, Jesus, sweet Jesus?

You are the light of those who are spiritually lost. You are the life of those who are spiritually dead. You are the liberation of those who are imprisoned by guilt.

You are the glory of those who hate themselves. You are the guardian of those who are paralysed by fear. You are the guide of those who are bewildered by falsehood.

You are the peace of those who are in turmoil. You are the prince of those who yearn to be led. You are the priest of those who seek the truth.

Johann Freylinghausen (1670 1739) a German Pietist ** And don t forget

21

The Black Tie Summer Soiree

Friday 11th July from 8 11 in the Vicarage and grounds of 25 Birch Grove.

£20.00 dine and dance,

With dinner prepared by Michael and The

Lantern Chefs!

Marquee on the lawn,

grand raffle, talent raffle,

string quartet and dancing to the KW duo

22

Saints days for July and August

July

1 Henry, John, and Henry Venn the younger, Priests, Evangelical Divines, 1797, 1813 and 1873

3 Thomas the Apostle

6 Thomas More, Scholar, and John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, Reformation Martyrs, 1535

11 Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte Cassino, Father of Western Monasticism, c.550

14 John Keble, Priest, Tractarian, Poet, 1866

15 Swithun, Bishop of Winchester, c.862

15 Bonaventure, Friar, Bishop, Teacher of the Faith, 1274

16 Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, 1099

18 Elizabeth Ferard, first Deaconess of the Church of England, Founder of the Community of St Andrew, 1883

19 Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, and his sister Macrina, Deaconess, Teachers of the Faith, c.394 and c.379

20 Margaret of Antioch, Martyr, 4th century

20 Bartolomé de las Casas, Apostle to the Indies, 1566

22 Mary Magdalene

23 Bridget of Sweden,

Abbess of

Vadstena, 1373

25 James the Apostle

26 Anne and Joachim, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

27 Brooke Foss Westcott, Bishop of Durham, Teacher of the Faith, 1901

29 Mary, Martha and Lazarus, Companions of Our Lord

30 William Wilberforce, Social Reformer, 1833

31 Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus, 1556

Alternative dates

The Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth may be celebrated on 2 July instead of 31 May.

Thomas the Apostle may be celebrated on 21 December instead of 3 July.

Thomas Becket may be celebrated on 7 July instead of 29 December.

August

4 Jean-Bap tiste Vianne y, Curé d Ars, Sp iritual Guid e , 1859

5 Oswald, King of Northumbria, Martyr, 642

6 The Transfiguration of Our Lord

23

7 John Mason Neale, Priest, Hymn Writer, 1866

8 Dominic, Priest, Founder of the Order of Preachers, 1221

9 Mary Sum ne r, Founde r of the Mothe rs Union, 1921

10 Laurence, Deacon at Rome, Martyr, 258

11 Clare of Assisi, Founder of the Minoresses (Poor Clares), 1253 11 John Henry Newman, Priest, Tractarian, 1890

13 Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down and Connor, Teacher of the Faith, 1667

13 Florence Nightingale, Nurse, Social Reformer, 1910

13 Octavia Hill, Social Reformer, 1912

14 Maximilian Kolbe, Friar, Martyr, 1941

15 The Blessed Virgin Mary

20 Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, Teacher of the Faith, 1153

20 William and Catherine Booth, Founders of the Salvation Army, 1912 and 1890

24 Bartholomew the Apostle

27 Monica, mother of Augustine of Hippo, 387

28 Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, Teacher of the Faith, 430

29 The Beheading of John the Baptist

30 John Bunyan, Spiritual Writer, 1688

31 Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, 651

Alternative dates

The Blessed Virgin Mary may be celebrated on 8 September instead of 15 August.

24

25

26

ESTATE AGENTS

and CHARTERED SURVEYORS

5 Station Parade Ealing Common

W5 3LD (opposite Ealing Common Station)

The Estate Agents for all types of residential property in Ealing, Acton and surrounding areas. Independent, professionally qualified with extensive experience of property sales.

For prompt personal attention and free market appraisal please contact:

Derek Grimshaw FRICS or John Pridham RD., FRICS

Tel: 020 8992 5661 Fax: 020 8993 6128 Email: sales@grimshawhomes.co.uk Website: www.grimshawhomes.co.uk

Open Monday to Friday: 9am-6pm. Saturday: 9am-4pm

GRIMSHAW