November 2015
ds to light candle NEE D TO a KN OW I S TO R I E S rist’sD ebirthday an’s View By Very Revd Nicholas Henshall, Dean of Chelmsford WHEN I was 17, I caught a bus to Athens and started walking. It was an extraordinary year. I talked with long bearded monks on top of mountains. I visited Troy. I even found myself in Istanbul during the 1980 Turkish evolution. I was just young enough to find everything compelling and just old enough to survive the experience. Among the many extraordinary memories, there is one brief encounter that stands out. I was walking over the Pindus mountains in central Greece and had seriously underestimated the distance. Water was no problem, but I hadn't eaten for two days when I came down to the village of Metsovo - now a swanky ski resort, then a distinctive Albanian Vlach peasant community. I bought some bread, sat down on the ground and started to eat. Then a door opened behind me. An ancient Vlach woman came out, looked at me long and hard, and then gave me a 100 drachma note (about £1 in 1980). She said simply “for food”. I realised immediately that she had mistaken me for a beggar. I looked at myself - torn shirt, sandals held together CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
I A R E A U P D AT E S I E V E N T S N E A R Y O U
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www.chelmsford.anglican.org
All the fun of the Fayre Harlow church celebrates 900 years: See page 2
Tower of London ceramic poppies are dedicated to fallen heroes of Langford
Close Encounters of the St Mellitus College kind for new students
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Page 2
■ Diocese responds to refugee crisis with your generous support of £46,000: Page 3