Rector′s Remarks
In the late 1980s and early 1990′s I had a brilliant job which, amongst other things, required me to work on several Caribbean islands often spending several weeks there living in very comfy hotels. One evening during one visit to St. Thomas, part of the American Virgin Islands, I was walking from the pool back to my room. As I opened the door I was grabbed from behind. I was held tight despite some fairly desperate struggles. In the meantime my attacker′s companion ran into my room and grabbed my handbag. I was thrown to the ground and the two men fled. It is the only time I have been a victim of violent crime. Once the bruises had healed and the shock had passed I was left feeling furious. The one thing I wanted was for the two men to be caught, locked up and the key thrown away. Actually they were never caught.
However, can you imagine my response if on my next visit to St. Thomas, the police had contacted me saying that they had been caught. The police then might have told me that instead of sending the two men to prison the judge had asked me to meet with them. If that had had happened I would have found myself involved in something called restorative justice.
The subject of restorative justice was raised by our MP, Alistair Burt, following my Rector? Remark last month on the subject of forgiveness. Restorative justice involves forgiveness and is a system of justice that is being experimented with in this country. In our traditional justice system the offender is seen as having offended against the state. Victims have few opportunities to make any input. Victims and offenders are kept apart with others, prosecution and defence lawyers, speaking for them. Offenders are not encouraged to take responsibiity for their actions and motives.
In the restorative justice system the offence is seen as being against an individual or a communitiy. The victim has an opportunity to participate in the process if they want to ?it is always totally voluntary. The victim and the offender sometimes meet with a trained, impartial mediator to consider what happened, why it happened, the impact the offence has had and what can be done to put things right. The offender is encouraged to take responsibility for his/her actions and as a result sometimes turns from a life of crime. Examples of the actions that are agreed to help put things right include: getting offenders to remove graffiti and repair property they′ve damaged; bringing shoplifters face to face with store managers to hear how shop theft affects others; and getting offenders to write letters of apology. For the victim, studies have shown that they are far less likely to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and are able to resume their normal lives more easily if they have participated in a restorative justice process.
Although you might or might not have heard of restorative justice is this country, it is the basis for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. It was established by Desmond Tutu to bring healing after the horrors of the aparteid years. As far as I can judge it seems to have been successful in preventing revenge being taken by one side and preventing any sense of “having got away with it”on the other side.
Restorative justice might sound a soft option compared to imprisonment but in reality it is not as it forces the offender to confront what s/he has done and the impact it has had. That reality is rarely if ever addressed in prison which is often described as a graduate school of crime particularly for younger offenders. Restorative justice is painful for the offender but it might well achieve what Mr. Gorman hoped for which I quoted last month. If his words are changed slightly they would read “the offender was once a child with all that potential for good that is in every child. She/he became a criminal possibly after being a victim of poor parenting and schooling her/himself. If you face yourself and what you have become then it is possible to reclaim the good that is still hidden deep inside.”
I have no doubt that a wide use of restorative justice would be truly healing for victims and offenders and so good for all of us. The question that remain is whether as a society we want to find a better way of handling crime with the forgiveness that is involved or do we still think that overt punishment with no question of forgiveness is the best way
Jan Brookshaw
Return to Menu
Lent Course
This year we will be holding a Lent course at Swineshead village hall on Sunday evenings from 6pm to 7pm on the following Sundays:
28th February
7th March
28th March
Our Bishops have written the programme. Each session is standalone so if you cannot make all the sessions that will be fine.
Each session will be based on the reading from St. Luke′s gospel for that Sunday. Each session is in two parts:
1. This section is called “Listening with our hearts”. We listen to and pray on the passage from St. Luke using a method called “Holy Reading”.
2. This section is called “Listening with our minds”. A reflection on and questions about the passage are offered for discussion. At the end of the discussion it is hoped that we will have identified the following: one thing that has struck me, one thing that I want to do and one thing that I want to pray about or for.
If you want to have an advanced look at the course you can find further information at: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/Mission/Lent-Course-201
Jan Brookshaw
Return to Menu
Lent Compline
It being Lent from 17th February, once again we set some extra time aside to quietly worship God one evening a week. As usual we will be using the service of Compline which lasts about 20 minutes. The word Compline comes from the Latin ′completus′ which means completion. Compline is said when the day is complete and is intended to wind us down ready for a good night “sleep assured of God” love and protection. Do join us at 8pm at the following venues:
Tuesday 23rd February Mike & Lesley Pond, Mintaka, Stanbrook Way, Yelden
Tuesday 2nd March Jan Brookshaw, Stodden Rectory, Upper Dean
Tuesday 9th March Robin & Alison Mackonochie, The Croft, Park road, Melchbourne
Tuesday 16th March Bob Green & Denise Halson, Church Close, Shelton
Tuesday 30th March John Braga, Crown Cottage, Lower Dean
Return to Menu
Lent Lunches
Our Lent course feeds us intellectually and Lent Complines feed us spiritually. But what about our physical bodies? Well come to our Lent lunches for a simple, nourishing lunch of soup and cheese with good company. Donations for the costs of the meal and to give to our Stodden charities are welcome but the important thing is to come and enjoy yourself. Each lunch starts at 12.30pm, finishing around 2pm.
Thursday 25th Feb Sarah Croft, Meadow Cottage, Knotting Road, Melchbourne
Thursday 4th March Lesley & Mike Pond, Mintaka, Stanbrook Way, Yelden.
Friday 12th March Julie Botterill, 36 Wood End, Pertenhall
Thursday 18th March Vicki Beers, Shelton Hall, Shelton
Thursday 25th March Lindsay Langley, Te Aroha, Aylott Close, Upper Dean
Return to Menu
Saint of the Month
Although on February 14th we celebrate St. Valentine with his very positive message about love between two adults, another person is worth remembering in February who rarely knew what true love it — Margaret of Cortona.
Did you have a miserable childhood? Were your parents more absorbed in themselves than in you? Later, looking for love, did you fall for the wrong man? Perhaps you now have children of your own, and struggle to raise them. If you feel your life has been wrong-footed from the start, and that there is no way of putting it right now, then Margaret of Cortona is a saint for you. She was born the daughter of a small farmer in Tuscany way back in 1247. Her mother died in her childhood, and a jealous step-mother moved in, who distanced her from her father′s love. Lonely and vulnerable, Margaret was then seduced by a knight of Montepulcians. He did not offer marriage, and so she lived as his mistress for nine years, hanging on to the only affection she had ever known. She even bore him a son. Then one day her knight was murdered by persons unknown. Margaret′s life was in crisis.
What happened next seems to indicate that Margaret was desperate to put her life right in the only way she knew how. She gave away the riches that the knight had left her, and returned to her father and step-mother, humbly seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. They, who had let her down in the first place, slammed the door in her face. Margaret then sought out the Franciscans, and became a penitent. She was desperate for kindness, forgiveness and peace in her sad life.
What happened next is a tragic example of how the church let people down. For when Margaret turned to the Franciscans in repentance, they did not tell her the wonderful news: that indeed she could be forgiven, because Jesus had already paid the price to redeem her. Instead, they told her a lie: that she would have to learn forgiveness by on-going acts of abasement and severe mortifications. She was never told the simple truth: that God loved her, and lavished forgiveness on her. And so the final tragedy of Margaret′s life began: for years and years she practised severe acts of self-abasement: starvation, sleeplessness, the daily torment of hair-shirts. She was never told that all this was pointless, that her sins were gladly forgiven because Jesus had died for them on the cross.
There is nothing so broken in our lives that God cannot fix it. At whatever point we turn to him, he accepts us just as we are. Forgiveness is just the beginning of the good things that God wants to give us. He wants to begin a life-long work of restoration and healing in our lives. Poor Margaret never found that out in this life. So she must have had the most wonderful surprise when at 50 she died, and woke up in heaven.
Return to Menu
Passover for Christians
On Monday 22nd March, in the evening at a village hall, there will be an enactment of the Jewish Passover with an explanation of both its meaning to Jews and to Christians. We will be led through the 15 stages of the Passover Meal and the evening will be built around the 4 cups of wine, the remembrance of God′s promises to his people and the four stages by which Israel was delivered from slavery in Egypt. Hopefully it will be an interesting evening which will inform us about the background to our own Maundy Thursday in which Jesus celebrated the Passover and from which our service of Holy Communion has come.
Full details will be in next month′s Honeycomb but please do put the date in your diary now.
Return to Menu
St. Valentine didn′t work and your broken heart really hurts art really hurts
Has anyone ever broken your heart? If so, you will know that it really does hurt. Now science has caught up with romance, and it agrees —: yes, you really are in physical pain.
There is a genetic link between physical pain and social rejection. The gene regulates the body′s most potent painkillers, mu-opioids. Variations in the gene govern how much social pain a person feels in response to social rejection.
Scientists describe a broken heart as an overlap in the neurobiology of physical and social pain, and say it makes perfect sense. As one professor explains: “because social connection is so important, feeling literally hurt by not having social connections may be an adaptive way to make sure we keep them.” Whatever the cause, anyone who has ever been in love and lost knows the pain all too well. The research was carried out at the University of California (where else?).
Return to Menu
Clergy numbers in the Church of England
Ever wonder how many clergy there are out there, and what the future may hold? Some recent figures can give us an idea: In 2008, another 490 candidates were accepted to train in the C of E. That meant there were then 1411 in training, in all. Also in 2008, 574 new clergy were ordained into the Anglican church. Of those, 321 were entering full-time paid ministry.
But the number of retirements also remained high. This meant overall a loss of 112 full-time paid clergy and this is a continuing trend. All in all, by the end of 2008, there were some 28,000 licensed and authorised ministers, ordained and lay, active in the Church of England. Since 2000, the proportion of those under 30 years of age recommended for training has increased slightly - to 17 per cent. The C of E wants to further encourage young vocations to the priesthood.
Return to Menu
St.Valentine worked so now what do you call yourselves?
Boy marries girl — what last name do they use? Gone are the days when the girl used the boy′s name automatically. But the day has not yet arrived when the boy is happy to use the girl′s name.
So what is the solution? Double-barrel your names, or mesh them. To double-barrel is easy: simply put one last name after the other. Meshing is a bit more complex. Firslty the couple will need to spend £52 on a deed poll to change their name. Then comes the actual meshing them together. The first recorded mesh was in America, when Jean Westhafer and Paul Moore of New York got married and became the Westmoores back in 1975.
Figures from the UK Deed Poll Service show a growth in the number of people choosing to change their names. Last year more than 50,000 decided to do so — double the number as in 2005. Thus, for example, Richard Harland and Louise Anderson became the Harlandersons when they got married. As Richard said: “It makes a statement that we are a unit and treat each other as equal.” What happens when two double-barrels want to marry each other? Or two meshers, come to that.
Return to Menu
The Ash in Ash Wednesday
On Ash Wednesday we will be holding a Holy Communion service at 8pm at Melchbourne. During the service there will be the opportunity, for those who wish, to partipate in what is known at the imposition of ashes.
It′s a strange feeling; first the grittiness when they are first placed, then a tingling sensation, then a time of self-consciousness of knowing they are there like a dirty smudge. Lastly comes the decision — should I wipe them away before leaving the church or later? But what is the point of it all?
There are many references in the Bible to people using ashes as signs of either penitence or preparation for an important event (Jeremiah 6:26). In church records, ashes are used for penitents by the sixth century, but it is not until the beginning of the eleventh century that the faithful took part in a ceremony on the Wednesday before Lent that included the imposition of ashes. It is only later that this came to be called Ash Wednesday.
In the twelfth century the church recommended that the ashes were to be created by burning palm branches from the previous year′s Palm Sunday — that is how we and most churches still do it.
Over the centuries the emphasis of meaning for the imposed ashes has changed, from a preparation for baptism, a renewal of baptismal vows, to an understanding of a community′s preparation for the event of the Paschal mystery of rebirth at Easter.
If you participate in this part of the service as words, “remember that you are but dust, and to dust you will return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ. Amen” are said what will you be focusing upon?
Return to Menu
Mothers Union
Mothers Union meets on Wednesday 17th February at 2.30. p.m. in Pertenhall Village Hall when Anne Delight and a friend will be coming to talk about pilgrimage to Lourdes. It is not easy to keep going when members either have family commitments or are getting elderly themselves but we usually have around 10 people present and it is an enjoyable afternoon so do come and enjoy an afternoon with us. Gillian Aylott. 01234 708174.
Return to Menu
Bible Study/Fellowship Meetings
A small number of people meet most Tuesday mornings to study and discuss something to do with our faith. We have been looking at the TV programme on Christianity through the Ages, and will start a Lent study on 23rd February. We meet in each others houses so contact Joy and Malcolm McBratney or Gillian Aylott to find out where we are that week.
Return to Menu
Wanted ! Old and New Photos
The Dean PCC are compiling a notice board in Dean Churchto showthe people and places of Deanthrough time. Does anyone have any interesting photos, books or pictures we could use ? We would love to see anything you may think is of interest and will return it to you.
Many Thanks
Emma Napier 01234 708987
Return to Menu
Smile with Valentine′s Day in mind
Oops!
Memory is what tells a man his wedding anniversary was yesterday.
Listen
My wife says I never listen, or something like that...
Insanity
Doctor:“Has there been any insanity in your family”?
Woman: I′m afraid so. My husband sometimes thinks he′s the boss.
Lights
Halfway through a romantic dinner, my husband smiled and said, ”You look so beautiful under these lights.”
I was falling in love all over again when he added, ”We really should get some of these lights.”
Honeymooners
For our honeymoon my fiancéand I chose a fashionable hotel known for its luxurious suites. When I called to make reservations, the desk clerk inquired, “s this for a special occasion?”
“Yes,”I replied. “t′ our honeymoon.”
“And how many adults will there be?”she asked.
Tuesday 2nd March Jan Brookshaw, Stodden Rectory, Upper Dean
Tuesday 9th March Robin & Alison Mackonochie, The Croft, Park road, Melchbourne
Tuesday 16th March Bob Green & Denise Halson, Church Close, Shelton
Tuesday 30th March John Braga, Crown Cottage, Lower Dean
Thursday 4th March Lesley & Mike Pond, Mintaka, Stanbrook Way, Yelden.
Friday 12th March Julie Botterill, 36 Wood End, Pertenhall
Thursday 18th March Vicki Beers, Shelton Hall, Shelton
Thursday 25th March Lindsay Langley, Te Aroha, Aylott Close, Upper Dean
Return to Menu
Saint of the Month
Although on February 14th we celebrate St. Valentine with his very positive message about love between two adults, another person is worth remembering in February who rarely knew what true love it — Margaret of Cortona.
Did you have a miserable childhood? Were your parents more absorbed in themselves than in you? Later, looking for love, did you fall for the wrong man? Perhaps you now have children of your own, and struggle to raise them. If you feel your life has been wrong-footed from the start, and that there is no way of putting it right now, then Margaret of Cortona is a saint for you. She was born the daughter of a small farmer in Tuscany way back in 1247. Her mother died in her childhood, and a jealous step-mother moved in, who distanced her from her father′s love. Lonely and vulnerable, Margaret was then seduced by a knight of Montepulcians. He did not offer marriage, and so she lived as his mistress for nine years, hanging on to the only affection she had ever known. She even bore him a son. Then one day her knight was murdered by persons unknown. Margaret′s life was in crisis.
What happened next seems to indicate that Margaret was desperate to put her life right in the only way she knew how. She gave away the riches that the knight had left her, and returned to her father and step-mother, humbly seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. They, who had let her down in the first place, slammed the door in her face. Margaret then sought out the Franciscans, and became a penitent. She was desperate for kindness, forgiveness and peace in her sad life.
What happened next is a tragic example of how the church let people down. For when Margaret turned to the Franciscans in repentance, they did not tell her the wonderful news: that indeed she could be forgiven, because Jesus had already paid the price to redeem her. Instead, they told her a lie: that she would have to learn forgiveness by on-going acts of abasement and severe mortifications. She was never told the simple truth: that God loved her, and lavished forgiveness on her. And so the final tragedy of Margaret′s life began: for years and years she practised severe acts of self-abasement: starvation, sleeplessness, the daily torment of hair-shirts. She was never told that all this was pointless, that her sins were gladly forgiven because Jesus had died for them on the cross.
There is nothing so broken in our lives that God cannot fix it. At whatever point we turn to him, he accepts us just as we are. Forgiveness is just the beginning of the good things that God wants to give us. He wants to begin a life-long work of restoration and healing in our lives. Poor Margaret never found that out in this life. So she must have had the most wonderful surprise when at 50 she died, and woke up in heaven.
Return to Menu
Passover for Christians
On Monday 22nd March, in the evening at a village hall, there will be an enactment of the Jewish Passover with an explanation of both its meaning to Jews and to Christians. We will be led through the 15 stages of the Passover Meal and the evening will be built around the 4 cups of wine, the remembrance of God′s promises to his people and the four stages by which Israel was delivered from slavery in Egypt. Hopefully it will be an interesting evening which will inform us about the background to our own Maundy Thursday in which Jesus celebrated the Passover and from which our service of Holy Communion has come.
Full details will be in next month′s Honeycomb but please do put the date in your diary now.
Return to Menu
St. Valentine didn′t work and your broken heart really hurts art really hurts
Has anyone ever broken your heart? If so, you will know that it really does hurt. Now science has caught up with romance, and it agrees —: yes, you really are in physical pain.
There is a genetic link between physical pain and social rejection. The gene regulates the body′s most potent painkillers, mu-opioids. Variations in the gene govern how much social pain a person feels in response to social rejection.
Scientists describe a broken heart as an overlap in the neurobiology of physical and social pain, and say it makes perfect sense. As one professor explains: “because social connection is so important, feeling literally hurt by not having social connections may be an adaptive way to make sure we keep them.” Whatever the cause, anyone who has ever been in love and lost knows the pain all too well. The research was carried out at the University of California (where else?).
Return to Menu
Clergy numbers in the Church of England
Ever wonder how many clergy there are out there, and what the future may hold? Some recent figures can give us an idea: In 2008, another 490 candidates were accepted to train in the C of E. That meant there were then 1411 in training, in all. Also in 2008, 574 new clergy were ordained into the Anglican church. Of those, 321 were entering full-time paid ministry.
But the number of retirements also remained high. This meant overall a loss of 112 full-time paid clergy and this is a continuing trend. All in all, by the end of 2008, there were some 28,000 licensed and authorised ministers, ordained and lay, active in the Church of England. Since 2000, the proportion of those under 30 years of age recommended for training has increased slightly - to 17 per cent. The C of E wants to further encourage young vocations to the priesthood.
Return to Menu
St.Valentine worked so now what do you call yourselves?
Boy marries girl — what last name do they use? Gone are the days when the girl used the boy′s name automatically. But the day has not yet arrived when the boy is happy to use the girl′s name.
So what is the solution? Double-barrel your names, or mesh them. To double-barrel is easy: simply put one last name after the other. Meshing is a bit more complex. Firslty the couple will need to spend £52 on a deed poll to change their name. Then comes the actual meshing them together. The first recorded mesh was in America, when Jean Westhafer and Paul Moore of New York got married and became the Westmoores back in 1975.
Figures from the UK Deed Poll Service show a growth in the number of people choosing to change their names. Last year more than 50,000 decided to do so — double the number as in 2005. Thus, for example, Richard Harland and Louise Anderson became the Harlandersons when they got married. As Richard said: “It makes a statement that we are a unit and treat each other as equal.” What happens when two double-barrels want to marry each other? Or two meshers, come to that.
Return to Menu
The Ash in Ash Wednesday
On Ash Wednesday we will be holding a Holy Communion service at 8pm at Melchbourne. During the service there will be the opportunity, for those who wish, to partipate in what is known at the imposition of ashes.
It′s a strange feeling; first the grittiness when they are first placed, then a tingling sensation, then a time of self-consciousness of knowing they are there like a dirty smudge. Lastly comes the decision — should I wipe them away before leaving the church or later? But what is the point of it all?
There are many references in the Bible to people using ashes as signs of either penitence or preparation for an important event (Jeremiah 6:26). In church records, ashes are used for penitents by the sixth century, but it is not until the beginning of the eleventh century that the faithful took part in a ceremony on the Wednesday before Lent that included the imposition of ashes. It is only later that this came to be called Ash Wednesday.
In the twelfth century the church recommended that the ashes were to be created by burning palm branches from the previous year′s Palm Sunday — that is how we and most churches still do it.
Over the centuries the emphasis of meaning for the imposed ashes has changed, from a preparation for baptism, a renewal of baptismal vows, to an understanding of a community′s preparation for the event of the Paschal mystery of rebirth at Easter.
If you participate in this part of the service as words, “remember that you are but dust, and to dust you will return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ. Amen” are said what will you be focusing upon?
Return to Menu
Mothers Union
Mothers Union meets on Wednesday 17th February at 2.30. p.m. in Pertenhall Village Hall when Anne Delight and a friend will be coming to talk about pilgrimage to Lourdes. It is not easy to keep going when members either have family commitments or are getting elderly themselves but we usually have around 10 people present and it is an enjoyable afternoon so do come and enjoy an afternoon with us. Gillian Aylott. 01234 708174.
Return to Menu
Bible Study/Fellowship Meetings
Return to Menu
Saint of the Month
Although on February 14th we celebrate St. Valentine with his very positive message about love between two adults, another person is worth remembering in February who rarely knew what true love it — Margaret of Cortona.
Did you have a miserable childhood? Were your parents more absorbed in themselves than in you? Later, looking for love, did you fall for the wrong man? Perhaps you now have children of your own, and struggle to raise them. If you feel your life has been wrong-footed from the start, and that there is no way of putting it right now, then Margaret of Cortona is a saint for you. She was born the daughter of a small farmer in Tuscany way back in 1247. Her mother died in her childhood, and a jealous step-mother moved in, who distanced her from her father′s love. Lonely and vulnerable, Margaret was then seduced by a knight of Montepulcians. He did not offer marriage, and so she lived as his mistress for nine years, hanging on to the only affection she had ever known. She even bore him a son. Then one day her knight was murdered by persons unknown. Margaret′s life was in crisis.
What happened next seems to indicate that Margaret was desperate to put her life right in the only way she knew how. She gave away the riches that the knight had left her, and returned to her father and step-mother, humbly seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. They, who had let her down in the first place, slammed the door in her face. Margaret then sought out the Franciscans, and became a penitent. She was desperate for kindness, forgiveness and peace in her sad life.
What happened next is a tragic example of how the church let people down. For when Margaret turned to the Franciscans in repentance, they did not tell her the wonderful news: that indeed she could be forgiven, because Jesus had already paid the price to redeem her. Instead, they told her a lie: that she would have to learn forgiveness by on-going acts of abasement and severe mortifications. She was never told the simple truth: that God loved her, and lavished forgiveness on her. And so the final tragedy of Margaret′s life began: for years and years she practised severe acts of self-abasement: starvation, sleeplessness, the daily torment of hair-shirts. She was never told that all this was pointless, that her sins were gladly forgiven because Jesus had died for them on the cross.
There is nothing so broken in our lives that God cannot fix it. At whatever point we turn to him, he accepts us just as we are. Forgiveness is just the beginning of the good things that God wants to give us. He wants to begin a life-long work of restoration and healing in our lives. Poor Margaret never found that out in this life. So she must have had the most wonderful surprise when at 50 she died, and woke up in heaven.
Return to Menu
Passover for Christians
On Monday 22nd March, in the evening at a village hall, there will be an enactment of the Jewish Passover with an explanation of both its meaning to Jews and to Christians. We will be led through the 15 stages of the Passover Meal and the evening will be built around the 4 cups of wine, the remembrance of God′s promises to his people and the four stages by which Israel was delivered from slavery in Egypt. Hopefully it will be an interesting evening which will inform us about the background to our own Maundy Thursday in which Jesus celebrated the Passover and from which our service of Holy Communion has come.
Full details will be in next month′s Honeycomb but please do put the date in your diary now.
Return to Menu
St. Valentine didn′t work and your broken heart really hurts art really hurts
Has anyone ever broken your heart? If so, you will know that it really does hurt. Now science has caught up with romance, and it agrees —: yes, you really are in physical pain.
There is a genetic link between physical pain and social rejection. The gene regulates the body′s most potent painkillers, mu-opioids. Variations in the gene govern how much social pain a person feels in response to social rejection.
Scientists describe a broken heart as an overlap in the neurobiology of physical and social pain, and say it makes perfect sense. As one professor explains: “because social connection is so important, feeling literally hurt by not having social connections may be an adaptive way to make sure we keep them.” Whatever the cause, anyone who has ever been in love and lost knows the pain all too well. The research was carried out at the University of California (where else?).
Return to Menu
Clergy numbers in the Church of England
Ever wonder how many clergy there are out there, and what the future may hold? Some recent figures can give us an idea: In 2008, another 490 candidates were accepted to train in the C of E. That meant there were then 1411 in training, in all. Also in 2008, 574 new clergy were ordained into the Anglican church. Of those, 321 were entering full-time paid ministry.
But the number of retirements also remained high. This meant overall a loss of 112 full-time paid clergy and this is a continuing trend. All in all, by the end of 2008, there were some 28,000 licensed and authorised ministers, ordained and lay, active in the Church of England. Since 2000, the proportion of those under 30 years of age recommended for training has increased slightly - to 17 per cent. The C of E wants to further encourage young vocations to the priesthood.
Return to Menu
St.Valentine worked so now what do you call yourselves?
Boy marries girl — what last name do they use? Gone are the days when the girl used the boy′s name automatically. But the day has not yet arrived when the boy is happy to use the girl′s name.
So what is the solution? Double-barrel your names, or mesh them. To double-barrel is easy: simply put one last name after the other. Meshing is a bit more complex. Firslty the couple will need to spend £52 on a deed poll to change their name. Then comes the actual meshing them together. The first recorded mesh was in America, when Jean Westhafer and Paul Moore of New York got married and became the Westmoores back in 1975.
Figures from the UK Deed Poll Service show a growth in the number of people choosing to change their names. Last year more than 50,000 decided to do so — double the number as in 2005. Thus, for example, Richard Harland and Louise Anderson became the Harlandersons when they got married. As Richard said: “It makes a statement that we are a unit and treat each other as equal.” What happens when two double-barrels want to marry each other? Or two meshers, come to that.
Return to Menu
The Ash in Ash Wednesday
On Ash Wednesday we will be holding a Holy Communion service at 8pm at Melchbourne. During the service there will be the opportunity, for those who wish, to partipate in what is known at the imposition of ashes.
It′s a strange feeling; first the grittiness when they are first placed, then a tingling sensation, then a time of self-consciousness of knowing they are there like a dirty smudge. Lastly comes the decision — should I wipe them away before leaving the church or later? But what is the point of it all?
There are many references in the Bible to people using ashes as signs of either penitence or preparation for an important event (Jeremiah 6:26). In church records, ashes are used for penitents by the sixth century, but it is not until the beginning of the eleventh century that the faithful took part in a ceremony on the Wednesday before Lent that included the imposition of ashes. It is only later that this came to be called Ash Wednesday.
In the twelfth century the church recommended that the ashes were to be created by burning palm branches from the previous year′s Palm Sunday — that is how we and most churches still do it.
Over the centuries the emphasis of meaning for the imposed ashes has changed, from a preparation for baptism, a renewal of baptismal vows, to an understanding of a community′s preparation for the event of the Paschal mystery of rebirth at Easter.
If you participate in this part of the service as words, “remember that you are but dust, and to dust you will return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ. Amen” are said what will you be focusing upon?
Return to Menu
Mothers Union
Many Thanks
I was falling in love all over again when he added, ”We really should get some of these lights.”
Honeymooners
For our honeymoon my fiancéand I chose a fashionable hotel known for its luxurious suites. When I called to make reservations, the desk clerk inquired, “s this for a special occasion?”
Know your spouse
While attending a Marriage Seminar dealing with communication, Tom and his wife Grace were told by the instructor: ?t is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other.?
He addressed Tom. “Yor instance, can you name your wife′s favourite flower?”
Tom leaned over, touched his wife′s arm gently and whispered, “It′s self-raising, isn′t it?”
The rest of the story gets rather ugly, so I′ll stop right here.
Work
First friend: “Whom are you working for these days?”
Second friend: “Same people. My wife and four kids.”
Fishing
Two men were sitting on a riverbank fishing. Suddenly, they looked up to see a funeral procession going over the nearby bridge. One of the men took off his cap and solemnly held it over his heart.
“That was a nice gesture,” observed his friend.
“Hoh,”replies the first, “it was the least I could do, we were married for 25 years.”
Return to Menu
SHELTON
Correspondent- Sarah Morgan 01933 461256
e-mail: honeycomb@handsoffit.co.uk
Wedded Bliss
It was the first wedding at St Mary′s for nearly 17 years and it was a real white wedding. My daughter Jennifer Halson married Alistair George on the 9th January at 1pm. The weather played it′s part to keep us on the edge of our seats with family and friends coming from near and far. Aunty Veneda coming in via Luton airport from Spain panicking on Wednesday as Luton airport closed due to snow but she made it in on Friday.
High Wycombe was the amongst the hardest hit areas, from there travelled an usher a bridesmaid (brother and sister in law) also a Grandmother and a uncle and aunty, they all made it through the snow to arrive with us in good time. Alistair′s Aunty and Uncle had to dig themselves out of 2 feet of snow to make it off the estate where they live but undetered arrive they did!!
Friends and family descended on Shelton, Shelton was dressed in her best white outfit, it was truly beautiful, snow on Friday night tidied up the frantic to′ing and furrowing of the troop of “Flower fairies” who decorated the church with 150 gold and Ivory roses. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Heather, Margaret, Vicky, Michelle, Sarah and Sharon for making the church look so grand. The Church blossomed and waited.
Saturday morning broke, a beautiful morning despite the chilling wind the sun shone hairdressers arrived followed by photographers ushers 2 bestmen and 4 bridesmaids, a flurry of activity and we were ready, my daughter looked so beautiful in her wedding dress, she and her bridesmaids walked across to the church fashionably late. Sorry to Jan and the congregation who were kept waiting along with Alistair I know it was cold but the photographers could not do without just one more photo!
Oliver my grandson (Jenny and Alistair′s son) fell asleep as the service started, he woke up just as his parents were taking their vows. There were 4 babies under 1 year old in the congregation, a recipe for a noisy wedding? No, they were so good, all of them, nothing marred the service.
Thank you Jan for the wonderful service, Jenny and Ali chose two very good readings and the sermon echoed the theme of lasting love. More photographs at the signing of the register and then the procession out of the church to the sound of church bells. Unfortunately Shelton bells cannot be rung but Bob came to the rescue with a recording of wedding bells played inside and outside of the church, magical!!
The reception was at the Chequered Skipper in Ashton followed by a honeymoon in London.
Written by Denise Halson, a very proud Mother, mother in law and grandmother amongst my many titles!!
Return to Menu
MELCHBOURNE
Correspondent- Philip Pahl
Church Clock
The church clock has been repaired and the dial restored to its former glory including the original inscription — “Time speeds away”. It is now in full working order and serves as a visual (and aural!) reminder of the active church in Melchbourne.
The clock was originally built in 1909 by John Bull of Bedford and is one of only three examples of this type of clock by John Bull that still exist. While the clock will still need to be serviced it is hoped that it is now good for another hundred years!
Now, of course the work has to be paid for, and although the church has already received kind and generous donations from a small number of people, we are still left with a significant deficit. To help overcome this there will be a Flower, Arts and Crafts Festival on the first weekend in May (contact Alison on 01234 709464) and Robin Mackonochie will be running the London Marathon — if you live in Melchbourne expect him to call on you in the coming months for sponsorship!
The Mulchbourne Gardens Club
The second meeting of the club was held on Sunday 10th January attended by 7 members. Plans to run and stock the flower stall at the Feast Day were discussed and progressed. A Group for Melchbourne allotmenteers has been set up at http://www.downtheallotment.co.uk and you may wish to join in for a chat or info. We are also planning a visit on the Saturday to the Edible Gardens Show at Stoneleigh Park 19th — 21st March details at http://www.theedible gardenshow.co.uk. We intend to apply for a group booking so make contact as soon as you receive this edition if you wish to attend. Anyone interested in joining the Mulchbourne Gardens Club please contact me, Philip, on 01234 708730 or email santapodphil@aol.com
The much revised and extended history of Melchbourne is nearing completion but we are still desperately short of old photographs, drawings, maps, etc. If you have any of these or documents relating to the village could you please contact Robin Mackonochie on 01234 709464 (robinmac2@googlemail.com for any already digitized). He will gladly collect, scan and promptly return them.
Church Cleaning and Flowers Rota
Service 14 February Cleaning Malcolm and Joy
Service 28 February Cleaning Audrey and Ruth<
There is a regular church cleaning rota and volunteers are always welcome. Anyone wishing to be included on the rota should contact Audrey on 01234 708728.
Village dates for your diary:
27th March 2010
Beetle Drive - 7:30 Melchbourne Village Hall
2nd & 3rd May 2010
Flower Festival/Arts & Crafts Fair in and around Melchbourne
11th July 2010
Return to Menu
YELDEN
Correspondent- Sue Taylor 01933 355380
e-mail: taylor.topo@btinternet.com
Yelden Methodist Chapel
February 7th 2010 at 11.00a.m Sunday Service led by David Hudson.
Christmas Eve
The weather was against us for the joint Carol Service with Melchbourne on Christmas Eve but everything looked so beautiful and a rare treat to have a white Christmas. The service was led by Jan, and Mike Pond co-ordinated the hymns and a new format of the Christmas story told from Joseph? point of view. There were several 3 year olds who appeared to enjoy the freedom of the Church with its dimmed lighting. Our organist came all the way from Toddington, being a member of the Bedford and District Organists Association and had played our organ on a previous visit. Christmas spirit was with everyone and we all enjoyed mince pies and a warming punch. Thank you everyone who helped decorate the church and tree.
Carolyn Hilton
We were all shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Carolyn on the 6th January. Carolyn was born in Yelden and, apart from a few years working in London, lived all her life here. She was a real pillar to our small community and particularly gave great support to the Village Hall as treasurer, as organiser of the Bonus Ball Lottery and in many other ways and to the Parish Council. Carolyn was endlessly seen around the village delivering leaflets and Honeycomb come rain or shine. Her friendship and loyalty to Yelden will be greatly missed by us all.
St Valentines Dance
Just watch this space — more news later but keep Saturday 20th February free.
Cleaning
Flowers
7th February Lesley / Jenny ?9am
Cleaning
21st Feb. CATHEDRAL VISIT
7th March Rosemary and Lorna — 9am
Return to Menu
PERTENHALL
Correspondent- Chloe Reid 01480 861525
e-mail: chloereid@tesco.net
December 2009 100 Club Draw
December 2009 Draw
No 62.
No 18
No 116
No 37
No 7
No 45
Mrs T Osborne
Mr and Mrs Creasey
Mrs E Wheeler
Vicky Whittle
Mr M Hickling
Mrs E Saunders
£20
£10
£7
£5
£5
£5
Night at the Races
Pertenhall Village Hall committee are starting their social year with a Night at the Races, in our nice, warm Hall on 27th February 2010. Tickets will be £12.50 for adults and £6 for under 16s. This includes a hot meal and your first glass of wine. Racegoers please contact Paul Sheard on 861457, Di. Birtwhistle on 860800 or any committee member for your comfy seat at the “course”
Litter pick
The next date for the litter pick is Saturday 6th March 2010. Mark the date in your diaries!
Return to Menu
Dean
Correspondent — Annette Brooks 01234 709505
pegasustrans@btinternet.com
Chapel Services:
Sundays 14th and 28th February and 14th March at 2.30p.m.
We wish to thank all those who supported us and helped us have a lovely Carol Service in a warm chapel even though it was so snowy outside.
We pray the Lord will enable services to continue in 2010. The Rev Ralph Eveleigh and his wife keep us going with regular services and visiting. Mrs Rosemary Hallworth is the local member who keeps the Chapel going: grass cutting and Chapel preparation as well as the usual mass of paperwork coming through the post.
Library van.
Despite difficulties due to the snowy weather the mobile van has continued to come when the road was clear. In February it is due on Fridays 12th and 26th from 3.15 to 3.45. Please support this service which is of such value to those who do not find it easy to get to Bedford.
Postal van
This continues to come on Mondays 1.45 till 2.45 and Wednesdays 11.40 till 12.40. It is encouraging to see people are making use of this service.
Return to Menu
SWINESHEAD
Correspondent- Jenny Leishman 01234 709241
e-mail: JenLeishman@aol.co.uk
Flower Festival/Arts & Crafts Fair in and around Melchbourne
11th July 2010
Return to Menu
YELDEN
Correspondent- Sue Taylor 01933 355380
e-mail: taylor.topo@btinternet.com
Yelden Methodist Chapel
February 7th 2010 at 11.00a.m Sunday Service led by David Hudson.
Christmas Eve
The weather was against us for the joint Carol Service with Melchbourne on Christmas Eve but everything looked so beautiful and a rare treat to have a white Christmas. The service was led by Jan, and Mike Pond co-ordinated the hymns and a new format of the Christmas story told from Joseph? point of view. There were several 3 year olds who appeared to enjoy the freedom of the Church with its dimmed lighting. Our organist came all the way from Toddington, being a member of the Bedford and District Organists Association and had played our organ on a previous visit. Christmas spirit was with everyone and we all enjoyed mince pies and a warming punch. Thank you everyone who helped decorate the church and tree.
Carolyn Hilton
We were all shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Carolyn on the 6th January. Carolyn was born in Yelden and, apart from a few years working in London, lived all her life here. She was a real pillar to our small community and particularly gave great support to the Village Hall as treasurer, as organiser of the Bonus Ball Lottery and in many other ways and to the Parish Council. Carolyn was endlessly seen around the village delivering leaflets and Honeycomb come rain or shine. Her friendship and loyalty to Yelden will be greatly missed by us all.
St Valentines Dance
Just watch this space — more news later but keep Saturday 20th February free.
CleaningFlowers
7th February Lesley / Jenny ?9am
Cleaning
21st Feb. CATHEDRAL VISIT
7th March Rosemary and Lorna — 9am
Return to Menu
PERTENHALL
Correspondent- Chloe Reid 01480 861525
e-mail: chloereid@tesco.net
December 2009 100 Club Draw
December 2009 Draw
No 62.
No 18
No 116
No 37
No 7
No 45
Mrs T Osborne
Mr and Mrs Creasey
Mrs E Wheeler
Vicky Whittle
Mr M Hickling
Mrs E Saunders
£20
£10
£7
£5
£5
£5
Night at the Races
Pertenhall Village Hall committee are starting their social year with a Night at the Races, in our nice, warm Hall on 27th February 2010. Tickets will be £12.50 for adults and £6 for under 16s. This includes a hot meal and your first glass of wine. Racegoers please contact Paul Sheard on 861457, Di. Birtwhistle on 860800 or any committee member for your comfy seat at the “course”
Litter pick
The next date for the litter pick is Saturday 6th March 2010. Mark the date in your diaries!
Return to Menu
Dean
Correspondent — Annette Brooks 01234 709505
pegasustrans@btinternet.com
Chapel Services:
Sundays 14th and 28th February and 14th March at 2.30p.m.
We wish to thank all those who supported us and helped us have a lovely Carol Service in a warm chapel even though it was so snowy outside.
We pray the Lord will enable services to continue in 2010. The Rev Ralph Eveleigh and his wife keep us going with regular services and visiting. Mrs Rosemary Hallworth is the local member who keeps the Chapel going: grass cutting and Chapel preparation as well as the usual mass of paperwork coming through the post.
Library van.
Despite difficulties due to the snowy weather the mobile van has continued to come when the road was clear. In February it is due on Fridays 12th and 26th from 3.15 to 3.45. Please support this service which is of such value to those who do not find it easy to get to Bedford.
Postal van
This continues to come on Mondays 1.45 till 2.45 and Wednesdays 11.40 till 12.40. It is encouraging to see people are making use of this service.
Return to Menu
SWINESHEAD
Correspondent- Jenny Leishman 01234 709241
e-mail: JenLeishman@aol.co.uk
7th March Rosemary and Lorna — 9am
Return to Menu
PERTENHALL
Correspondent- Chloe Reid 01480 861525
e-mail: chloereid@tesco.net
December 2009 100 Club Draw
December 2009 Draw
No 62.
No 18
No 116
No 37
No 7
No 45
Mrs T Osborne
Mr and Mrs Creasey
Mrs E Wheeler
Vicky Whittle
Mr M Hickling
Mrs E Saunders
£20
£10
£7
£5
£5
£5
Night at the Races
Pertenhall Village Hall committee are starting their social year with a Night at the Races, in our nice, warm Hall on 27th February 2010. Tickets will be £12.50 for adults and £6 for under 16s. This includes a hot meal and your first glass of wine. Racegoers please contact Paul Sheard on 861457, Di. Birtwhistle on 860800 or any committee member for your comfy seat at the “course”
Litter pick
The next date for the litter pick is Saturday 6th March 2010. Mark the date in your diaries!
Return to Menu
Dean
Correspondent — Annette Brooks 01234 709505
pegasustrans@btinternet.com
Chapel Services:
Sundays 14th and 28th February and 14th March at 2.30p.m.
We wish to thank all those who supported us and helped us have a lovely Carol Service in a warm chapel even though it was so snowy outside.
We pray the Lord will enable services to continue in 2010. The Rev Ralph Eveleigh and his wife keep us going with regular services and visiting. Mrs Rosemary Hallworth is the local member who keeps the Chapel going: grass cutting and Chapel preparation as well as the usual mass of paperwork coming through the post.
Library van.
Despite difficulties due to the snowy weather the mobile van has continued to come when the road was clear. In February it is due on Fridays 12th and 26th from 3.15 to 3.45. Please support this service which is of such value to those who do not find it easy to get to Bedford.
Postal van
This continues to come on Mondays 1.45 till 2.45 and Wednesdays 11.40 till 12.40. It is encouraging to see people are making use of this service.
Return to Menu
SWINESHEAD
Correspondent- Jenny Leishman 01234 709241
e-mail: JenLeishman@aol.co.uk
Return to Menu
PERTENHALL
Correspondent- Chloe Reid 01480 861525
e-mail: chloereid@tesco.net
December 2009 100 Club Draw
December 2009 Draw
No 62.
No 18
No 116
No 37
No 7
No 45
No 62.
No 18
No 116
No 37
No 7
No 45
Mrs T Osborne
Mr and Mrs Creasey
Mrs E Wheeler
Vicky Whittle
Mr M Hickling
Mrs E Saunders
£20
£10
£7
£5
£5
£5
Night at the Races
Pertenhall Village Hall committee are starting their social year with a Night at the Races, in our nice, warm Hall on 27th February 2010. Tickets will be £12.50 for adults and £6 for under 16s. This includes a hot meal and your first glass of wine. Racegoers please contact Paul Sheard on 861457, Di. Birtwhistle on 860800 or any committee member for your comfy seat at the “course”
Litter pick
The next date for the litter pick is Saturday 6th March 2010. Mark the date in your diaries!
Return to Menu
Dean
Correspondent — Annette Brooks 01234 709505
pegasustrans@btinternet.com
Chapel Services:
Sundays 14th and 28th February and 14th March at 2.30p.m.
We wish to thank all those who supported us and helped us have a lovely Carol Service in a warm chapel even though it was so snowy outside.
We pray the Lord will enable services to continue in 2010. The Rev Ralph Eveleigh and his wife keep us going with regular services and visiting. Mrs Rosemary Hallworth is the local member who keeps the Chapel going: grass cutting and Chapel preparation as well as the usual mass of paperwork coming through the post.
Library van.
Despite difficulties due to the snowy weather the mobile van has continued to come when the road was clear. In February it is due on Fridays 12th and 26th from 3.15 to 3.45. Please support this service which is of such value to those who do not find it easy to get to Bedford.
Postal van
This continues to come on Mondays 1.45 till 2.45 and Wednesdays 11.40 till 12.40. It is encouraging to see people are making use of this service.
Return to Menu
SWINESHEAD
Correspondent- Jenny Leishman 01234 709241
e-mail: JenLeishman@aol.co.uk
Sundays 14th and 28th February and 14th March at 2.30p.m.
We wish to thank all those who supported us and helped us have a lovely Carol Service in a warm chapel even though it was so snowy outside. We pray the Lord will enable services to continue in 2010. The Rev Ralph Eveleigh and his wife keep us going with regular services and visiting. Mrs Rosemary Hallworth is the local member who keeps the Chapel going: grass cutting and Chapel preparation as well as the usual mass of paperwork coming through the post.
Library van.
Despite difficulties due to the snowy weather the mobile van has continued to come when the road was clear. In February it is due on Fridays 12th and 26th from 3.15 to 3.45. Please support this service which is of such value to those who do not find it easy to get to Bedford.
Postal van
This continues to come on Mondays 1.45 till 2.45 and Wednesdays 11.40 till 12.40. It is encouraging to see people are making use of this service.
Return to Menu
SWINESHEAD
Correspondent- Jenny Leishman 01234 709241
e-mail: JenLeishman@aol.co.uk
St Nicholas Church | ||
| Date | Cleaning | Flowers |
| Feb 28th | Pauline, Clarissa, Diana | No Flowers Lent |
| March 14 | Edna, Jan, Emma, Margaret | No flowers:Lent |
Swineshead Rainfall
Villagers may be interested to learn the official rain figures for 2009, as compiled for the Met Office by Michael Whitlock. Despite the exceptionally wet July and then another wet spell in November and December, overall the year was still drier than average. The total was 565.6mm (22 1/4in) compared with the long term average of 616.67mm (24 1/4in). September was the best month with only a little over 1/4in of rain.
New Year′s Eve Dinner 2009
A wonderful village celebration took place in the Village Hall on New Year′s Eve to welcome in the New Year. The event was self-financing with every participant providing food and making a practical contribution toward the evening. The profit from the cash bar will be split between the Village Hall & the PCC as usual. Everybody embraced the Black & White theme to varying degrees from 1930? gangsters to some spotty mice, not to mention a black & white cat!
We hope that this brilliant event will become a fixture on the Swineshead social calendar.
100 CLUB January Draw Winners
Thursday 7th Teas
| 1st Prize | £20 | Brian Steven′s Family (86) |
| 2nd Prize | £10 | Phil Hall (70) |
| 3rd Prize | £5 | Robert Bratcher (9) |
| 4th Prize | £5 | Peter Thompson (30) |
Village Hall
The VILLAGE HALL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will be held in the village hall on Monday 8 February at 7.30pm. All villagers are invited to attend and will be most welcome.
There was a good turnout for the Sixth Bell Bar on New Year′s Day. As usual it opened at noon for a festive start to the New Year and served the customary Bloody Marys.
For the rest of the year, it will be open from 8pm on the first Friday of the month, the next being Friday 5 February, followed by Friday 5 March.
Afternoon Teas will be served in the village hall from 3pm on Thursdays 4 & 18 February, and 4 & 18 March.
Return to Menu
Forthcoming Attractions
20th February | Yelden | St Valentines Dance |
 | ||
Return to Menu | ||
21st March | Shelton | Shelton Open Gardens |
 | ||
Return to Menu | ||
27th March | Melchbourne | Beetle Drive |
 | ||
Return to Menu | ||
Contents this edition
Rector′s Remarks
Lent Course
Lent Compline
Lent Lunches
Poppy Appeal
Saint of the Month
Passover for Christians
St Valentine did′t work
Clergy Numbers
St Valentine did work
The Ash in Ash Wednesday
Mothers Union
Bible Study
Old Photos wanted
Smile with St Valentine
Around the Villages
The Deans
Melchbourne
Pertenhall
Shelton
Swineshead
Yelden
