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Rather surprisingly in many ways, the regular programme Thought for
the Day continues on Radio 4 each morning after many years; hopefully
still broadcast to an appreciative audience. During that time, though, there
have been considerable developments in the content of the daily thoughts
offered to listeners.
Nowadays, they have to take account of the variety of religions being
practised in our country. Whether such thoughts from within our multi faith
society are always understood and valued, the present BBC policy of
inclusion is both sensible and unavoidable but it raises a significant
question which hitherto seemed to pass unnoticed. All of us now need to ask
a fundamental question. When a member of one particular religion is speaking
in the broad context of so many other religions, what should be the
speaker's aim? Should he or she look for and stress the agreements
between the various religions (which are of course considerable) or should
the listener be faced with the sometimes very profound disagreements
between various religious practices?
Naturally the answer has to be both. Religions contain coherent and
incoherent aspects at the same time. There are in all of them both good
things and bad. Religious activities do not necessarily bring harmony but
nor do they always bring conflict. Usually they produce a subtle and complex
mixture of both. So everyone who still calls themselves religious must learn
new critical skills and be more alert to what can distort and mislead in any
belief system. We must face the demanding problems of how to handle our
differences with love and mutual respect.
This has led some critics seriously to ask if the world would be better
off without all religions. Yet surely by now we realise such a thing is
never going to happen. For better and for worse human beings cannot but by
nature be religious in some shape or form. Even those who claim to practise
no religion actually satisfy their religious instincts in disguised forms of
idolatry and indulgence. Irreligious and casual indifference do great damage
but it remains true that the human heart is restless until somehow it comes
to rest in God.
In her novel Loitering with Intent Muriel Spark puts these words
into the mouth of one of her characters:
"although I was a believer, I felt strongly that Dottie's concept of
religion was of necessity different from mine, in the same way that, years
later when she made the dramatic announcement that she had lost her faith,
I was rather relieved since I had always uneasily felt that if her faith
was true then mine was false."
A timely warning to committed Christians as much as those of other
faiths.
So a thought for today could be that people need to be much more careful,
critical and informed about every religion. Whatever religious practices are
accepted and used they must be disciplined with great sensitivity, pursued
with careful and detailed study and, above all, always with deep and growing
humility.
Fr Paul
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Those of you who were present at the Annual Meeting in April heard the
announcement of a possible new service at St Mary's at 9.30am on Sunday
mornings. This idea has come out of the consultation exercise held in
January and is now being actively considered as a major initiative for
outreach in the Parish. The Clergy, the Ministry Leadership Team, the
Mission and Outreach Committee and a 'cross-committee' meeting of
representatives from the various committees of the PCC have all discussed
the implications of starting a new service. These have also been discussed
at the consultation follow-up meetings and the proposal will be taken to the
PCC during this month.
At present, this is very much in the planning stage. Initial thoughts are
for a non-eucharistic act of worship which will be very flexible in its
pattern and content. The worship will probably include music, drama, prayer
and teaching in various forms. The service will take place every week and
initially will be advertised through our Church schools. A team, which will
include some members of the clergy, will need to be formed to take on the
regular planning and leading of the new service.
As discussions continue, please pass any comments you wish to make
through the members of the Ministry Leadership Team. Also, and most
importantly, please pray regularly that God will bless and guide us in this
new initiative and that the necessary people and resources will be provided
in order to take it forward.
Fr Michael
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I joined Saint Mary's Prestbury in September 2003 and was delighted to
read early in the New Year of a Prestbury and All Saints' pilgrimage to
Walsingham in May. The reason I was delighted was threefold:
to revisit north Norfolk;
to realise a lifelong aim, a pilgrimage to Walsingham;
to begin building relationships with my 'church family'.
Leaving for Walsingham on the Friday evening I felt happy to be returning
to north Norfolk, where for me the sun shone, the flint-stone faced
buildings nestled into a gentle countryside and the sea was never far away.
However, it wasn't until our first 'gathering together' on the Saturday
morning that the real meaning of a pilgrimage began to assume significance.
Up until this time I had given minimal prayer and minimal thoughts to the
issue of a particular intention during the busy weeks leading up to May.
Waking up on May Day in my attic room in Mileham House overlooking orange
slate rooves and crafted kitchen gardens, I was aware that my neighbours
were rising early to attend the first mass of the day. Upon their return we
met in Mileham kitchen and extolled the virtues of the first 'cuppa of the
day'. As we drank our tea and I began to absorb my surroundings I also
wondered where these committed neighbours of mine hailed from. I certainly
did not recognise them from St Mary's . . . any guesses? From there I
strolled through the Shrine gardens to the dining-room and after a welcome
and splendid breakfast walked to our first gathering. As the morning
progressed with a service in the Holy House, free time and Bible study I
began to sense the beginnings of a journey. By lunchtime the journey began
to assume a structure with the Walsingham pilgrims' manual becoming my route
map, the Holy Shrine my base and the pilgrims my companions.
Saturday afternoon enabled pilgrims to discover the local area such as
visiting seals off Blakeney Point, walking the beaches at Wells and Holkham
and exploring Walsingham. I chose the last (with two members of St Nicolas')
and we concentrated our time in the Priory of the Blessed Virgin May. Before
entering the grounds we 'genned up' on the history in the Priory museum and
enjoyed local artefacts of 'life through the centuries' in Walsingham. We
found peace, beauty and history during our two hours of discovery within the
Priory walls. The original site of the Holy House, the pack-horse bridge and
the twin wells were just three of the many areas of interest which we
enjoyed, talked about and were keen to know more about.
For me, Sunday was the highlight of the journey. We attended mass at St
Mary and All Saints', the sun shone through the clear glass windows, the
church was full and the love for God and the joy of everlasting life through
Christ our Lord inspiring, sincere and at times overwhelming. Later in the
day we walked around the Stations of the Cross in the Shrine garden singing,
praying and reflecting upon the colourful stations and life-size crosses.
The services when everyone 'had a part' held special meaning for me.
Throughout the pilgrimage we had our meals together and enjoyed a drink
or two at the Black Lion. As a newcomer I was made welcome, given choices
and included in services and activities. Father Grant and Father Stephen,
together with Colin and Margaret Holman, were our shepherds. They cared for
us all and in turn I felt cared for by all our pilgrims. As they followed in
the footsteps of Jesus, showing their love, care and acceptance by smiling,
fetching chairs and coffees, lending rosaries and service sheets, our
attendance at intercessions in the holy house grew in depth and meaning. On
Sunday night I felt enveloped by the Fellowship of the pilgrims and the
spirit of God.
My lifelong aim achieved . . . a Pilgrimage to Walsingham. Interestingly,
as I write, I feel that I am at the beginning of a very special journey. Not
surprisingly my love for Norfolk continues to grow, so too does the
relationship and fellowship with my church family. And for the future ...
before embarking upon another such journey I need to find time for quiet
prayer and thought so as to focus upon a particular intention.
Jean Johnson
Thinking about Walsingham ......
Why do we go? A holiday for the soul?
To relax us, release us, restore us, refresh us, renew us, recharge us.
(I think I must have read this somewhere, sometime.)
Margaret Waker
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Born in Hanwell, Ealing, where his father was curate, Raymund was
educated at St John's Leatherhead, a school founded to educate the sons of
the clergy. In 1945 the 18-year old Raymund joined the Army and was sent on
a Russian course at Cambridge before being despatched to Germany as a
translator working on the 'death trains' recovering bodies. The language
appealed to him, and, after demob, he went to read Slavonic languages at
Nottingham University, graduating in 1952. By then his father had become the
parish priest of St John the Baptist, Stockton-on-Tees, where Raymund, still
a student, met and married Margaret. Job hunting was a problem. He tried his
hand at teaching, but the C stream at Jarrow Grammar School polished him off
- he was not cut out for it! An SPG Mission boat, the Centurion, docked in
Teeside bringing the Bishop of Accra, John Daly, to the Vicarage to stay
with the family. Bishop John pointed him in the direction of the Foreign
Office in London, and the post led him to GCHQ in Cheltenham, where he
worked until retirement. Here Raymund and Margaret joined St Mary's, and
brought up Christopher and Catherine.
Raymund's real vocation was in serving - 'to the glory of God and the
edification of his people'. Church liturgy and ritual were his forte.
A series of curates, on becoming incumbents, have expressed gratitude for
the rather rigorous 'training' received at his hand. He was Sacristan and
'Head Server' at St Mary's for many years. He was also a Churchwarden, and a
one time member of the choir.
Raymund was a long-serving member of the Guild of Servants of the
Sanctuary. He was the local Chapter Secretary, a Group Councillor, editor of
The Server, the national magazine for Servers, and a member of the GSS
annual Glastonbury Pilgrimage planning committee.
Within this Diocese he served for many years on the Bishop's Council, the
Deanery and Diocesan Synods, the Diocesan Board of Patronage, and the
Redundant Churches Committee.
Raymund devoted well over ten years to caring, most lovingly, for both
his parents, who lived next door, and Margaret's mother, who all lived to a
great age with increasing frailty. Five grandchildren provided light relief.
Raymund had a deep personal spirituality. His chosen rule of life
involved personal prayer, spiritual reading, saying the daily offices, and
attendance and serving at Mass on several weekdays. Very quietly and
generously, he supported many Christian charities. When St George's Home for
ladies with learning difficulties, run by the Community of St Peter, moved
to Cheltenham in 1985, Raymund worked behind the scenes to support the
Sisters, taking on more responsibilities as the Sisters died and there were
no others to replace them.
His connections with the Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham stretched back
to before the war, and he had a strong devotion to Our Lady. This led to his
active membership of our own Walsingham Cell, and of the local branch of the
Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was a member of Church
Union.
His Requiem Mass seemed so appropriate. Twelve concelebrating priests,
and some thirty robed servers processed into a church packed with people who
gave praise for the Resurrection and thanks for Raymund's unswerving faith
and service.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Fr Stephen
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It was a shock when I heard of the sudden death of Dave Browning, who
lived for many years in Prestbury. On the Saturday he had been to his
regular 9.30am Eucharist at St Mary's and then on to the coffee morning at
the Prestbury United Reformed Church.
Dave loved to have a chat in spite of his speech problem, caused by the
car accident in which he nearly lost his life. I met him when he came to the
first meeting of Prestbury Writers' Workshop fourteen years ago. He enjoyed
the company of the members and he was soon writing the story of his early
years, when he lived in Cheltenham Lower High Street.
I was amazed when he wrote about his later years when he had become the
British motorcycle 1968 250cc champion and of his exploits at the TT Races
on the Isle of Man. He went on to race in America and on the Continent until
his retirement. He had printed Seven Springs, a collection of these stories,
and we performed it in a number of places, much to his enjoyment.
His disability never stopped him from getting around. He was in the cast
of the Prestbury Passion Play, he visited his family in America several
times, and recently went with Richard Mason to do a Sky dive from 10,000
feet.
At his funeral service in Bethesda Methodist Church (which he attended
regularly) the Minister had his many friends from the village smiling at the
different ups and downs which made up his life - with a special message from
Fr Stephen.
I shall miss that full smile and the gleam in his eyes, which meant yet
another story was on its way. Sleep well, Dave.
Tudor Williams
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Was it different? No, of course not: Fr Michael, wearing the same robes
as usual, welcomed us with the familiar words; we confessed our sins and had
them forgiven; we prayed the collecting prayer and listened to a Bible
reading; we interceded on behalf of others and ourselves; and we shook hands
all round to share God's peace. The great prayers of offering and
thanksgiving were verbatim from the book, with the congregation joining in
at the usual places; we said the Lord's Prayer, received communion, were
blessed and the Mass ended.
But yes, it was very different, and I enjoyed being part of it.
Everything which did not need a priest (ie most of the service) was
conducted by children, the nine who had received their first communion at
Easter: William, Sophie, Simon, Sam, Peter, Matthew, Martin, Luke and Ebony.
One group asked us to confess our sins in writing on pieces of pink paper,
which we then sprinkled with incense and dropped into a large pot, where
they burned away to nothing but a cloud of sweet smoke while Fr Michael
pronounced us absolved of them. Two children read the lesson, and then
another invited us to stand in a semicircle round the platform holding hands
(we were in St Nicolas') while two more read some prayers. The preparation
for the Eucharist saw all nine clustered round Fr Michael at the altar,
washing and drying his fingers, counting and breaking wafers and pouring
wine and water.
After the service the children called for three cheers and a round of
applause for their instructors, Marion, Linda and Fr Grant. Then out came
the party bag and each child received a small gift: a Communion Cube (ask
one of them to show you!).
Frances Murton
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In February I invited readers to write a metric version of a Bible
passage. The following poem is not one of the passages I suggested, but is
based on the Old Testament book of Ruth, all four chapters of it. (Where is
Ruth? Mutter to yourself 'joshua-judges-ruth', and then recall that Moses
led the people out of Egypt, handed over to Joshua, who took them in to the
Promised Land, and that the Israelites were ruled by Judges before Samuel
chose some Kings for them, and you should find her.)
Editor
Ruth
Two young women lost their spouses:
With mother-in-law, went to find new houses.
One was homesick, and went back home;
The other pressed on, preferring to roam.
Naomi said: 'Don't linger with me',
But Ruth begged: 'Let me stay with thee'.
Then Naomi found a place which she knew,
Where there were relatives, just a few.
So said to Ruth, 'Here, we'll remain,
And you can go out and glean the grain'.
So off went Ruth to work in fields,
And found she could get some very good yields.
Now Boaz, who was a cousin of sorts,
Found Ruth was constantly in his thoughts,
Decided she was the love of his life,
And persuaded her to become his wife.
So they were married happily,
And thus began a dynasty.
Phyllis Winter
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III - The Younghusbands' Train of Troubles
The Younghusbands' brushes with authority centred on a house which
Catherine persuaded her husband to build at Longwood. Tired of living in
tents or rented cottages, and distressed by losing 'the greater part' of her
stored crockery, linen, clothes, saddles, boots and chairs in a fire,
Catherine demanded a 'family home' of her own. But its construction diverted
scarce labour and materials from urgently needed public works, provoking
official displeasure, subsequently exacerbated when Younghusband, prompted
by his wife, claimed compensation from the authorities for providing his own
accommodation, which the government refused, with a reprimand for
impertinence!
But it was the use of the house for Catherine's social activities that
brought them their most serious problems. One outstanding incident occurred
at the maiden meeting of the St Helena Turf Club in April 1817 when she
invited members of Napoleon's entourage to refreshments between the races,
not only to meet officers of the garrison, but the Allied Commissioners to
whom they were officially persona non grata. To host a mixed party in
the relaxed social setting of a race meeting was the height of political
indiscretion. When it was reported to the Attorney-General that Madame
Stürmer, wife of the Austrian Commissioner, had even been seen chatting
convivially with General Bertrand, he was furious, and advised Governor
Hudson Lowe to 'turn her off the island' forthwith. After all, this was not
her first serious offence. When, in November 1816, Napoleon's Secretary, Las
Cases, had been arrested and later deported for maintaining forbidden
correspondence with Napoleonists overseas, a search of his rooms revealed
that he had also been carrying on a clandestine correspondence with Mrs
Younghusband! That Hudson Lowe did not take his Attorney-General's advice
and 'turn her off the island' after the race-meeting is therefore all the
more surprising, and may say something of the strength of her personality.
She was, as Napoleon observed, 'une femme d'ésprit'! But she was also an
inveterate gossip and it was this proclivity which now got her husband into
hot water.
Catherine liked to shine at her house parties as a witty and
well-informed hostess. Unfortunately circumstances at St Helena provided
nothing if not fertile ground for rumour and recrimination with the result
that her spicy speculations almost forced her husband into a duel with a
fellow-officer of the 53rd, Capt Charles Harrison, and led to an action at
law, brought by the wife of another of his subordinate officers, Lt Michael
Nagle, against Catherine for having 'aspersed her character'. The brunt of
the case had to be taken by her husband, however, as it brought public
humiliation on the Regiment, and he was held responsible for the damages
awarded Mrs Nagle - £250 no less! The Court seems to have taken into account
that she was a clergyman's daughter.
The Younghusbands left St Helena, no doubt with great relief, on the
reduction of the 2nd Battalion of the Regiment in July 1817, arriving in
Cheltenham, with Emily, on 2nd October. Catherine's later career is so far
unrecorded, though War Office records show that her husband retired on
half-pay, living first at Middleton Hall, Belford, and then Clive Cottage,
Alnwick, Northumberland, until his death in 1853.
A Younghusband pedigree appeared in The Genealogist, II (Old
Series), p53, and six of Catherine's lively letters from St Helena,
including one to her sister Rachel at Cheltenham, were published in
Blackwood's Magazine (No 1582), August 1947, pp144-153. They provide a
unique and colourful insight into the early period of the Napoleonic exile
on St Helena.
Trevor W Hearl
March 2004
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All Saints' Arts Festival
From 7th to 19th June All Saints' Church will host a variety of arts
activities ranging from drama, arts and craft, music, to exhibitions and a
recital. Over 400 children from local schools and nurseries will visit the
church over the two weeks and there will be opportunities for adults to try
out their own artistic skills by joining an art class. From Friday 11th
onwards we will be joined by Patrick Haughton, a member of the Newlyn
Society of Artists, who will act as our artist in residence. He has worked
with many school children and amateur artists and during his time with us
will focus on the architecture of the church building and its furnishings.
On Saturday 19th June the church will be open all day for a display of all
the work undertaken during the Festival.
This is an opportunity for anyone with an interest in art and
architecture to take part in activities that will stimulate and bring the
church to life. No artistic talent is required to join in, so have look at
the programme below and decide what you would like to do.
Monday 7th June
Drama workshops for schools and craft sessions for playgroup and local
nurseries.
These will run throughout the two weeks.
Wednesday 9th June
10.00-1.00 General Art Class for adults with Marie Styles. All levels
welcome.
To book a place call Tim Winder (234299) or Jill Bradley (238934). Cost
£3.
Friday 11th June
7.30-9.30 Art class with Resident Artist, focussing on observational
drawing, investigating the building, its architecture and contents. All
levels welcome.
To book a place call Tim Winder (234299) or Jill Bradley (238934). Cost
£3.
Portrait Exhibition by Cheltenham Photographic Society (runs until
15th).
Saturday 12th June
9.30-11.30 Sunday Club Arts Activity with Resident Artist.
10.30-4.30 Displays of artwork by Playgroup and local nurseries.
Linen exhibition/Wednesday Art Club exhibition.
12.00-1.30 Refreshments and light snacks available.
7.30pm Voice & Verse, poetry and songs on the theme of the seasons, £5
to include a glass of wine/soft drink. Tickets available on the door.
Children free.
Saturday 19th June
10.00-4.00 Grand open day - all art from the two weeks displayed in the
church.
Ploughman's lunches and refreshments available. Come and try the
labyrinth.
Raffle drawn at 3.00pm
Sunday 20th June
12.00-4.00 Church open for viewing art displays.
For further details see leaflets available in church.
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Ordinations and First Masses
Fr Grant and Fr Peter will be
ordained priest in the Cathedral on Saturday 3 July at 5pm. All are
most welcome to come.
Fr Grant will preside for the
first time at All Saints' on Sunday 4 July at 10.30am (united
service) followed by lunch (salmon, salad & strawberries) for all at St
Nicolas'.
(NB no 9.30 service at St Nicolas' and no 11.00
service at St Mary's)
Fr Peter will preside for the
first time at St Mary's on Sunday 11 July at 11.00am (united service)
followed by a pig roast for all in the Rectory garden.
(NB no 9.30 service at St Nicolas' and no 10.30 service
at All Saints')
There will be said Eucharist/Mass at 8.00am in all
three churches on both Sundays
Confirmation preparation
Please pray for Claire Lacey and Vicky Barnard who are
preparing for confirmation. Claire usually worships at St Nicolas' and Vicky
at St Mary's. The confirmation service will take place in Gloucester
Cathedral on Friday 4th June at 7.30pm. All are very welcome to attend.
Corpus Christi - Thursday 10th June
Once again congregations from all three churches in the
Team Ministry will join together for a United Sung Mass at All Saints' at
7.30pm. This will be followed by cheese and wine.
Parish Annual Meeting
Congratulations to Marion Beagley and Jerry Porter on
their election as Churchwardens, to
Peter Attwood and Peter Horne on their election as
Assistant Wardens, and to Sue Bolton,
Anne Brooks, Michael Cole and Linda Hodges on being elected members of the
PCC.
Ringing Course at St Mary's
There will be an 'introduction to change ringing' course
run in the tower on Monday
evenings from 7.30-9.00 pm, starting on Monday 5th July and running for six
weeks. Each week there will be a short theory session, followed by hands-on
training.
The course is an opportunity to learn about
bell ringing without any
long-term commitment, but any participants who want to continue will be
invited to join the local band.
Numbers are limited, so booking is essential. Please
contact Mary Lynch on bells prestbury.net
Mary Lynch
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
 You are a
marvellous lot! You rose to my challenge magnificently. Your generous
donations helped us reach our target of £3,400 in two weeks, so eight young
people from Cheltenham Community Projects, together with their two youth
workers, set off to Outward Bound
Aberdovey for a week of challenges all round. The fact that they were still
there on the last day was a great achievement in itself.
Various comments have come back: 'had a brilliant time,
instructors were really nice', 'good fun but now I'm knackered', 'great
time, can I go again?', 'nice views, shame about the weather'.
Thank you all.
Diane Lyle, Gloucestershire Outward Bound Association
Christian Aid
Many thanks to all who collected, counted and contributed
to the house-to-house collection in Christian Aid Week. The total so far is
well over £5,000. (The final figure will be available in next month's
magazine.) This includes £125 from the Ecumenical Service held at the URC,
£77 from John Elliott's very stimulating Gloucestershire quiz and £46.05
from the children's shoe-shine at St Mary's, as well as the money in the
envelopes. We are very grateful to you all for this great effort.
Gill Ashman & Paddy Spurgeon
Christian Aid Quiz
The winner of the Christian Aid Quiz was Mrs Kathleen
Woodward with 49 correct answers out of 50. She has received a well-deserved
prize of Fair Trade goodies.
Thank you to everyone who took part in the Quiz. It raised
£77 for Christian Aid.
John Elliott
St Mary's Bakestall on June 20th
The next Bakestall falls on Fathers' Day. Why not come and
buy him a cake? Better still, make one to bring for sale along with those
from members with surnames A-F.
Margaret W & Linda M
Diologue
The next issue of the Diocesan Newsletter Diologue should
be available sometime in early June. Maybe this one will contain the article
from Prestbury! Do make sure you collect your copy from church - we order a
fair number, but they come at the wrong time to be distributed with your
parish magazine. Alternatively you can view it on the diocesan website
www.glosdioc.org.uk
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