August-September 2016
NOTICE
BOOKSHELF
Yancey revises bestseller to mirror changing world THE Diocesan Book Club are reading Philip Yancey’s 'Vanishing Grace' in which he returns to his bestselling book 'What's so Amazing about Grace?' “to re-examine it for today". This book challenges us to show love, forgiveness and humility and tries to show us how others perceive Christians: “…it occurs to me that Christians fail to communicate to others because we ignore basic principles in relationships. When we make condescending judgements or proclaim lofty words that don’t translate into action, or simply speak without listening, we fail to love - and thus deter a thirsty world from Living Water” and again “When I ask ‘Tell me the first word that comes to mind when I say Christian not one time has someone suggested love”
Pleshey marks Magna Carta with embroidery
By JOAN CLARKE
Yancey then goes on to introduce some models of how things could be done better and looks at artists, pilgrims and activists. He then asks the question: “Is the gospel really good news?” and "Finally, what is the role of Christians in a diverse world?" Yancey is a challenging writer who uses many examples, both personal and from other writers, and this book is never less than engaging. You can purchase “Vanishing Grace” from the Chelmsford Christian Bookshop at a special price of £8.50 (RRP £9.99) l The reading group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 1pm in the Library at the Diocesan Office. Please call the bookshop on 01245 294400 for detail. All welcome. RACHEL ORFORD Manager, Chelmsford Christian Bookshop
PLESHEY has been celebrating the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta. Geoffrey de Mandeville, who lived in Pleshey Castle, was one of the 25 rebel barons, responsible for this momentous event with Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury playing a pivotal role in persuading the barons to meet King John at Runnymede. Pleshey's celebrations have included a medieval weekend on the castle site, a visit to Mansion House for a lunch with the City of London mayor, and a Libertea in Pleshey churchyard complete with church bells and medieval games. Four Pleshey folk were granted an invitation to Runnymede to join the official commemoration. A Magna Carta walk took place to Little Dunmow, whose rebel Robert Fitzwalter was leader of the barons. The year ended with a ‘Medieval Extravaganza’ in the village hall. Local schools were also visited, with presentations to the pupils, explaining the significance of the great
charter. During this extraordinary year, 11 ladies began to work on a special project, to celebrate Pleshey’s involvement in the sealing of the Magna Carta. What better way than to produce an embroidered piece, which might grace Pleshey Church? The enthusiastic group of volunteers, known as Geoffrey’s Gang (two of whom are pictured), met to witness the unveiling of the design, which had started life as a pencil
drawing on the back of an envelope. The plan was to make the stitched panel, incorporating significant images of Pleshey’s environment and historic past. The design was inspired by a rose window, but how to show the passing of 800 years? As the oak represents strength and endurance, seasonal oaks seemed the obvious choice, surrounded by Pleshey flora. Geoffrey de Mandeville would take
centre stage, a knight resplendent on horseback, flying his coat of arms and Earl of Essex flag. The surrounding images would be King John’s crown, the Archbishop’s regalia, flint castle, ancient brick bridge, scales of justice and excavated tile design. An image of the wrought iron village sign would mark the 600th anniversary in 1994, since a church licence was granted. The embroidered text was inspired by a 13th
century script found in Westminster Abbey. It was decided that the needlework should be as authentic as possible, using techniques, skills and materials, as used in the 13th century. The only fabrics and threads used would be cotton, linen and silk with everything worked by hand. Natural linen would be the background choice, to reflect the sheepskin charter parchment. Black fabric would echo the stained glass and the famous ‘Pleshey Blue’ would also feature. A variety of William Morris designs would also be chosen, as he was well known for his obsession with all things medieval. There is a fascinating story related to every inch of the embroidery. Join us at Pleshey church on Sunday, September 11 at 4pm to view the finished work and hear about its creation. Churchyard teas will be available from 2 pm-6 pm and the castle site will be open, as it will be National Heritage Day. Further details from Joan Clarke (jryewtree@ hotmail.com).
DIOCESAN CYCLE OF PRAYER — AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016 Cycle of Prayer for daily use in Diocese of Chelmsford “I will give you thanks as long as I live; I will raise my hands to you in prayer.” (Psalm 63).
AUGUST
1 Monday ● MALDON (St Mary) w MUNDON (St Mary)—Clergy: Vacancy (R), John Dickens (AC). ● MAYLAND (St Barnabas)—Clergy: Barry Johnson (PIC). ● Diocese of Ekiti Oke (Ondo, Nigeria). 2 Tuesday ● SOUTHMINSTER (St Leonard) and STEEPLE (St Lawrence and All Saints)— Clergy: Peter Begley (PIC). ● Southminster Primary School: Karen Harden (HT). ● Dioceses of Ekiti and Ekiti West (Ondo, Nigeria). 3 Wednesday ● WOODHAM MORTIMER (St Margaret) w HAZELEIGH and WOODHAM WALTER (St Michael)—Clergy: Vacancy (PIC). ● Woodham Walter School: Susan Dodd (HT).
● Diocese of El Camino Real (Province IX, The Episcopal Church). 4 Thursday Jean-Baptiste Vianney, Curé d’Ars, Spiritual Guide, 1859 ● The retired clergy, Readers and lay ministers who live and work in the Deanery of Maldon and Dengie. ● Diocese of El Salvador (Central America). 5 Friday Oswald, King of Northumbria, Martyr, 642 ● DEANERY OF HADLEIGH—Area Dean: David Tudor. Lay Chair: Ron McLernon. ● Diocese of Eldoret (Kenya). 6 Saturday THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD ● Today’s feast day – borrowed by the western churches from the eastern churches – is all about light and glory. As Jesus sets out towards arrest and death, he gives the three disciples closest to him a vision of what lies beyond the cross, and the invitation to recognise that the way of the cross is always the road to glory. ● Diocese of El-Obeid (Sudan). 7 Sunday THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY ● Pray for the work of the Salvation Army,
London North East Division: Major Norman Ord, Divisional Commander and Major Stephen Huyton, Ecumenical Officer. ● Church of South India [United], Most Revd Govada Dyvasiradam, Moderator, Bishop. 8 Monday Dominic, Priest, Founder of the Order of Preachers, 1221 ● CANVEY ISLAND TM: (St Nicholas, St Anne, St Katherine)—Clergy: David Tudor (AD, TR), Peter Mallinson (TV), Marion Walford (TV), Lesley McGlynn (A), Terry Brown (A). Licensed Lay Minister: Trudy Arnold. ● St Katherine’s School: Anne-Marie Taylor (HT). ● Diocese of Ely (Canterbury, England). 9 Tuesday Mary Sumner, Founder of the Mothers’ Union, 1921 ● EASTWOOD (St Lawrence and All Saints)—Clergy: Steve Spencer (V), Edd Stock (A). ● EASTWOOD (St David)—Clergy: Paul Joyce (V). ● Diocese of Embu (Kenya). 10 Wednesday Laurence, Deacon at Rome, Martyr. 258 ● HADLEIGH (St James the Less);
Hadleigh (St Barnabas)—Clergy: Vacancy (PiC), Christine Robinson (AC), Gemma Stock (A). Licensed Lay Ministers: Guy Negus, Sheena Slater. ● Dioceses of Enugu (Niger Delta, Nigeria) and Enugu North (Niger Delta, Nigeria). 11 Thursday Clare of Assisi, Founder of the Minoresses (Poor Clares), 1253 John Henry Newman, Priest, Tractarian, 1890 ● LEIGH-ON-SEA (St Aidan)—Clergy: Gordon Tarry (V), Steve Poss (A). Reader: Wendy Thornhill. ● LEIGH-ON-SEA (St Clement)—Clergy: Clive Hillman (PiC); Cherry Sandover (A), Neil Dalley (A). ● Diocese of Esan (Bendel, Nigeria). 12 Friday ● LEIGH-ON-SEA (St James the Great) Clergy: William Bulloch (V). ● LEIGH-ON-SEA (St Margaret)—Clergy: Ian Booth (V). ● St Michael’s School: Steve Tompkins (HT). ● Diocese of Etche (Niger Delta, Nigeria). CONTINUED ON PAGE II