The Rock
Magazine for the Parish of Tettenhall Regis
November 2014
Sunday Services at St. Michael’s
8am Holy Communion (last Sunday 1662) 10.30am Parish Communion 6.30pm Evensong
Sunday Services at Christ the King
9am (1st only) Holy Communion 10am (1st only) Family Service – no Communion 10am Family Eucharist 6.30pm (3rd) Healing Service
Sunday Services at St. Paul’s
10.30am
Monday 8.30am Tuesday 9.15am Wednesday 8.30am 9.30am 10.30am Thursday 8.30am
Worship together with Holy Communion Children’s groups most weeks.
Weekday Services
Morning prayer at St. Michael’s Eucharist at St. Michael’s Morning prayer at Christ the King Eucharist at Christ the King Eucharist at St. Michael’s Morning prayer at St. Michael’s
The parish online
St Michael’s:
www.stmichaels-church.org.uk www.facebook.com/stmichaelstettenhall
St Paul’s:
saintpaulspendeford.wordpress.com
Messy Church:
www.facebook.com/messychurchtettenhallregis
Cover photograph: “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red”, by Aurelien Guichard, available from http://bit.ly/rocknov14cover
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Rev’d. Jack Lloyd I have only known Jack for the six years since I came to the parish but have greatly appreciated his fellowship and kindness and have never ceased to be astonished by the way in which he made the most of all life had to offer, right to the end of his long life.
It was with much sadness, that I learned of Jack’s death on Monday 20 October. He had died rather suddenly that day even as they were preparing to discharge him from hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gillian his wife and his son John and daughter Rosemary. Jack died at the age of 93 having been active in ministry at St Michael’s until about a year ago when he became ill.
Those who joined the retreat at Rydal Hall in October were grateful to have had that time with Jack and Jack was very pleased to have been there – frail as he was.
Jack’s funeral eucharist will be on Tuesday 11 November at St Michael’s Church at 11.45am. Do put the word around so that many of those who knew him from different walks of life may be able to be there to pay their respects and to send him on his way with their prayers.
Jack took great care of body and spirit and encouraged others to do the same. I am sure that that contributed to his long life of active service and to his enjoyment of a full life. We can entrust him with confidence to the God he served. May he find refreshment light and peace in God’s presence.
It was rather unusual that Jack was ordained at the age of 80 and still had the opportunity to give such active years of service – and many people have expressed their appreciation already of the way he carried out his ministry as well as the sort of person he was.
Richard Reeve
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Harvest Flowers on additional arrangements. Eileen was persuaded out of “retirement” and we were fortunate to recruit two new members of the team in Jean and Margaret.
As Harvest approached panic set in amongst the flower arrangers. Hazel had been taken ill (she is on the mend), Elsie was about to go into hospital, and Vera, who for the past few Festivals had arranged flowers on the alter was on holiday.
Howwever this was a wake up call and made us realise how vunerable we were and really did need more volunteers to join the team not only for the festivals but also for the rota during the year. If anyone is interested please speak to Sue Woodhouse or Mary Jones.
Eleanor’s great nephew was getting married and we wanted the flowers to look especially good. In the end all was well and everyone pulled together doubling up and taking
Smiles from the aisles Live” station. If the church councils could approve a few time changes, then we might see “Micks at Six” but it’s probably a step too far to expect the rector to act as DJ for a rave service billed as “Dick’s Mix at Micks at Six”
Maybe it’s time for our churches to take a fresh look at marketing. Other than the odd A5 sheet through a few letterboxes around Christmas or a piece of painted wood near the entrance, we don’t do a lot to promote our product.
But what of St Paul’s? Do we sell their informal layout with “Prayers on Chairs” or the triple strength communion wine with “Get Merry with Perry”
Looking at how others do it may provide a few hints. One trick seems to be the good old TLA (Three Letter Acronym). We all recognise BHS, KFC and M&S – does that count as three or two? (even if it is two it would still be at TLA anyway!)
We mustn’t forget that three may soon be four - so I’ll set you the challenge of marketing Holy Cross, Bilbrook. I’ll start you off with “Meet Big Boss at Holy Cross”. I’m sure you can do better - much better!
Well – congratulations to Aldersley who are already there with their ground breaking CTK.
Perhaps we can all do better at making our churches known to the rest of the world - how will you be doing it?
Sadly, this doesn’t work so well for the other two so we may need other techniques like the BBC with its “Five
Crossley Michaelford 4
ST. PAUL’S, PENDEFORD
What? A quiz night Where? St Paul’s When? Sat 15 Nov How? hard will it be .......................................................
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A mix of questions to suit all ages & skills!
Why?
haven’t you bought your ticket yet ? ADULT: £3 CHILD: £1.50 Under 5: FREE
SAT 15 NOV Doors open 7.10pm Quiz starts 7.30pm
Tickets from GEOFF (844105) or The OASIS CAFE
Please feel free to bring your own drinks and snacks
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The Divine in Nature in God—especially within the quiet centre of your own being. When you enter the poustinia in prayer, you begin to understand that as we come from eternity, so will we return to eternity. Within this simple state of mind comes a tremendous peace, a peace that shatters the illusion between life and death. As we understand that life is truly timeless, our attitude becomes like that of the poustinik, and all fear gradually disappears.
While we were in Rydal we had ample opportunity to reflect on the way in which the divine is reflected in nature. From the windows of the chapel we were treated each morning to the interplay of light and shade and the many and subtle ways in which they influenced the landscape. It is hardly surprising that the dramatic scenery of the Lake District has been a great source of inspiration to poets, writers and artists and, in our morning sessions, we were invited to reflect ourselves on the ways in which there wonderful surroundings spoke to us about creation and inspiration and to re-tune our minds, ears and hearts to be more receptive to this.
To pray and align our soul with God’s will in this way requires the willingness to risk the known for the unknown. It also requires the willingness to cultivate selfawareness; in fact, self-awareness is an essential tool for the fulfilment of the humble instructions of St. John. If we were made in the “image of God” what is that image supposed to look like? Within the soul’s desires we discover that there are only three things we need: To love, to be loved, and to feel that we belong. If God is love, and we are to be the image of God, then we were made to love, and when we love we are most like God.
Saint John of the Cross, a Carmelite priest and a great mystic, taught the monks a humble exercise; to sit and contemplate where they could view the open sky, hills, trees, fields, and growing plants, and to call upon the beauty of these things to praise God. This simple meditation on Nature reminds us of Divine Power, and the wisdom and goodness that exist in Her. If we stop for a moment to consider the origin, magnitude, beauty, fullness, activity, and order of all things, we cannot doubt the beneficence of God.
In life, the soul does not grow in the same way as the body, although we often speak as if it does. As the body grows older and begins to lose strength, the soul gains strength—but only if we nourish our spiritual being. The mystery that surrounds spiritual growth can only occur if we are open to it. We cannot live life fully being spiritually stagnant, merely functioning, lacking imagination,
To be constantly in prayer in all we do is referred to in Eastern Christianity as living within a poustinia. Although this originally meant a sparsely furnished room where one could focus solely on prayer, poustinia has come to mean any place where you can take refuge 6
with knowledge but no wisdom, with little or no creativity, without the expression of art and music, without the pursuit of selfless love. The book of Psalms tells us, “If today you hear my voice, harden not your hearts.” We must listen, with our hearts and souls, in order to follow our true path, which is the path of love. The pursuit of spirit is spiritual love, expressed as compassion, tenderness, concern for others, service, goodness, gentleness, forgiveness, and understanding.
please you. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Thomas Merton, a well-known Trappist monk who was a brilliant writer, spiritual master, and a man who embodied the quest for God and human solidarity, wrote a wonderful prayer that speaks to this pursuit.
The ultimate abandonment of one’s role is not to have a self as a fixed point of reference; it is the freedom to manifest God with selfless love through one’s own uniqueness.
Dear Lord, Nourish us, Shed your light upon all of our thoughts, Breathe holy inspiration into our hearts and minds, Bring peace to the world and us.
MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact
Allen Roberts
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Bible Class “Why I come to Bible Class.”
a greater knowledge of our Religious Textbook, the Bible. Not just the wellworn parts but the more unfashionable and difficult. Fascinating! Reading aloud passages, followed by open discussion, is a most effective and enjoyable way of achieving understanding painlessly. The groups’ insights are often surprising. We’re a happy band of Pilgrims no longer just students but friends united by a common purpose, understanding the Bible. It’s also the best coffee morning in the district!”
Each member of the class was invited to reflect on their reasons, and this is what they came up with:
“To meet with like minded people who want to study and discuss, and help each other to understand the Bible; which in turn not only increases our knowledge,but also our faith.” “To recall good memories of my childhood R.E. Lessons.” “A habit that’s hard to break.”
“Companionship, nice people, also learning more about the Bible. Social experiences, relaxing cup of coffee and social chats.”
“Educational as well as a good social experience.” “I’m in Bible Class because I want to learn about the Bible. The class is very friendly and helpful. I have learned a lot since belonging to the class and I thoroughly enjoy the company.”
If you want an answer to whether human existence is meaningful, absurd (as questioned in Ecclesiastes) or a waste of time, come and join us in our discussions and maybe find some answers.
“I really look forward to every 2nd Friday. Why? Well it’s our Bible Study Class meeting at Church Cottage. We’re a small group of students committed to getting
Mary Sims
Are you part of a group like the St. Michael’s Bible Class? Let others know what you are up to and they might just want to come and join in. Send you information to therock@tettenhallregis.com or drop it into the Parish Office. Simon Douglas
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Poet’s Corner: For the Fallen, Laurence Binyan The theme of National Poetry Day (October 2nd), this year was ‘Remembering’: appropriate in the year when we remember the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and it gives us an opportunity to look at some well-loved lines of poetry and the man who wrote them.
point in the poem, saying that the dead will be immortal because they are in the memory of the living. Even more than that, the last stanza, says the dead will live on in more permanent ways: ‘As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust.’ The moving last line, ‘We will remember them.’ is stated as a matter of fact and following convention, when it is read at Remembrance Day services, it is repeated as if to reinforce it.
In September 1914, shortly after the start of the Great War, Laurence Binyan wrote ‘For the Fallen’ –although the whole poem may be unfamiliar, anyone who has been to a Remembrance Day service in Britain, Australia, New Zealand or Canada, will know the fourth stanza:
The poem was published in The Times on September 21, 1914 and was immediately popular. The fourth stanza, which seemed to capture the spirit of the time, was detached from the rest of the poem (some critics think the whole poem is rather dull and point to the Second World War poems Binyan wrote as being superior). Sir Edward Elgar set it to music in ‘The Spirit of England’.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
These lines are read every day at the Menin Gate Memorial and on Remembrance Sunday our clergy will be amongst thousands who will say them at War Memorials in parish churches throughout the country. With time, the lines have come to commemorate all those who have fallen in conflict.
By the outbreak of war, Laurence Binyan, who was already known as a poet, scholar, dramatist and art critic, was moved by reports of the number of casualities already inflicted on the British Expeditionary Force following the battles of Mons, Le Cateau and the First Battle of the Marne. His response was to write ‘For the Fallen’.
Binyan himself was too old to serve in the War, but he volunteered at hospitals in France. He had a long career as a respected art critic, specialising in oriental art. He wrote poetry all his life. He died in 1943, aged 73, and is buried in Poets’ Corner in Westminster
Talking about it later, he said that the four lines of the fourth stanza – the ones we are so familiar with – came to him first. You can see how it is a turning 10
Abbey among 16 Great War poets. The inscription on their memorial quotes the words of another war poet, Wilfred Owen:
‘My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity.’ Jane Seabourne
THE ROCK REVIEW GROUP The next meeting of The Rock review group will be Thursday 6th November, 7.30pm at Church Cottage. For further information, please contact the group, via therock@ tettenhallregis.com or call me on 01902 741028. Simon Douglas
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Thought for the Day – Rabbi Jonathan Sacks 24 July 2014. Available from http://www. bbc.co.uk/programmes/p029l4sm
What’s changed is that it’s become much harder today to define British identity. Things that used to hold us together and help immigrants integrate – a common language, a shared culture, a collective code of conduct – have fragmented. That can sometimes make it hard for new arrivals to feel they belong.
Over the weekend there was quite an argument between and within the parties about EU immigration. Is it a good thing, a bad thing, or a good thing gone too far? It’s a fraught and delicate issue, yet I wonder whether we haven’t been looking at it the wrong way.
Besides which, the internet has made it possible to be physically in one place but mentally somewhere else. If my father were arriving now, he could, courtesy of the web, be reading Polish newspapers, watching Polish television and in his mind be there as much as here. There are so many global as well as local influences on us today that, whatever our policy on immigration, we still have to ask what holds us together as a society and what makes us work for the common good.
My late father was an immigrant to this country from Poland. Many of my Jewish contemporaries can tell a similar story two or three generations back. They came often as small tradesmen, yet they contributed hugely to Britain. They faced prejudice, as immigrants do now. But they’d internalised an ideal. They thought of themselves as proud British men and women, and proud Jews. They felt it in their bones. They were doing what Jews have been doing since the days of the prophet Jeremiah, twenty six centuries ago, when he wrote to the Jews who’d been taken as captives to Babylon. Don’t weep, he said. Seek the welfare of the city where you have been taken, and pray to God on its behalf, for in its peace you will find peace. In other words, keep your identity but contribute to society. That’s what my parents taught us to do. They had a Hebrew phrase for Britain. They called it a malkhut shel chessed, a “kingdom of kindness.”
That’s a two way process. As a society we have to have pride in our identity, our history and heritage, and want newcomers to share it. On the other hand, those who come here from somewhere else do well to heed Jeremiah’s advice to seek the peace and welfare of the country, remembering, as we never allow our children to forget, that this really is a kingdom of kindness.
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I’m Fine, Thank You John Tonks has submitted a poem which preaches the practical benefit of positive thinking as we grow old:
There is nothing the matter with me I’m healthy as can be. I have arthritis in both my knees And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze, My pulse is weak and my blood is thin But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in. Arch supports I have for my feet, Or I wouldn’t be able to go on the street Sleep is denied me night after night, But every morning I find I’m all right, My memory is failing, my heads in a spin But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in. The moral is this – as my tale I unfold, That for you and me who are growing old, It’s better to say “I’m fine” with a grin, Than to let folks know the shape we’re in. How do I know that my youth is all spent? Well my ‘get up and go’ has got up and went, But I don’t really mind when I think with a grin, Of all the grand places ‘my get up’ has been. Old age is golden, I’ve heard it said, But sometimes I wonder as I get into bed, With my ears in the drawer, my teeth in the cup, My eyes on the table until I wake up. ‘Ere sleep overtakes me, I think to myself Is there anything else I could lay on the shelf
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Parish Calendar for November 2014
Sunday 2 November
All Saints Sunday Revelation 7.9-17, Psalm 34.1-10, 1 John 3.1-3, Matthew 5.1-12
6.30pm – Parish
Thursday 6 November
Friday 7 November
Memorial Service, St. Michael & All Angels 7.30pm – The Rock review group, Church Cottage 7:30pm – Quiz and Chips, Christ the King (for more information, contact Keith: 01902 831135 or khwhitehouse@hotmail.com)
7.30pm – St. Paul’s
Sunday 9 November
Youth Club, The Oasis Café
Remembrance Sunday, Third before Advent Wisdom of Solomon 6.12-16, Psalm 70, 1 Thess 4.13-18, Matthew 25.1-13
Services for Remembrance Sunday: 8.00am – Holy Communion, St. Michael’s 10.00am – Eucharist, Christ the King 10.30am – Holy Communion, St. Paul’s 10.45am – Parish
St. Michael’s
Communion, beginning with act of Remembrance,
St. Michael’s DCC, Church Cottage 7.30pm – Christ the King DCC, Church Friday 14 November 7.30-9.00pm – St. Michael’s Youth Group, Church Cottage Saturday 15 November 7.00pm – Quiz Night, Holy Cross Church Hall, Bilbrook 7.30pm – Quiz Night, St. Paul, Pendeford
Monday 10 November
Sunday 16 November
7.30pm –
Second Sunday before Advent Zephaniah 1.7,12-18, Psalm 90.1-12, 1 Thess 5.1-11, Matthew 25.14-30
Saturday 22 November
PCC, Parish Centre 7.30pm – St. Paul’s Youth Club, The Oasis Café from 2.00pm – St. Michael’s Christmas Fair, St. Michael’s School
Sunday 23 November
Christ the King
Wednesday 19 November
Friday 21 November
7.30pm –
Ezekiel 34.11-16,20-24, Psalm 95.1-7, Eph 1.15-23, Matthew 25.31-46
St. Michael’s Pastoral Committee, Church Cottage 7.30pm – Big Welcome/Diamond Jubilee Celebrations meeting, Church Cottage – Magazine Copy Deadline, to therock@tettenhallregis.com Friday 28 November 7.30-9.00pm – St. Michael’s Youth Group, Church Cottage
Monday 24 November
10.00am –
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Sunday 30 November
First Sunday of Advent Isaiah 64.1-9, Psalm 80.1-8, 18-20, 1 Corinthians 1.3-9, Mark 13.24-37
6.30pm – Advent
Carol Service, St. Michael’s
Upcoming events New Life Sale, St Michael’s Church
Wednesday 3 December
7.00-9.00pm –
Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday 7 December
3.00-4.30pm – Messy
Christingle, Christ the King, followed by:
4.30pm – Christingle, Christ the King
From the registers… It is a wonderful privilege to share in the special occasion of baptisms and weddings in our churches. If you have photos from the event, we would love to include them in the magazine or on our webiste. Send them to therock@tettenhallregis.com or share them on our Facebook page.
Baptisms St. Mic h a e l’s
19
Lauren Green
Olivia Tunney
Weddings St. Mic h a e l’s
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Michael Carter & Elizabeth Hurd
25
Benjamin Jennings & Hayley Whitehouse
Funerals St. Mic h a e l’s
21
Margaret Barnes, following a commital at Bushbury Crematorium
Bush bu ry Cre m atoriu m
15
Kelvin Graham
20
Michael Edwards
T e l ford Cre m atoriu m
15
Alan Gregson 15
Parish Information Parish Office, Church Cottage, Church Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 9AJ tettenhallregis@gmail.com | 01902 751622 The office is open 10am‑12pm Monday-Friday.
Clergy Rev’d. Richard Reeve. . . . . . . . . . . . 742801 Rev’d. Jim Perry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562133 Rev’d. Patrick Bryan . . . . . . . . . . . . . 689550 Readers Mrs. Stella Salt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 764887 Mr. John Vickers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651790 Mrs. Dot Clayton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780920 Mr. Keith Whitehouse . . . . . . . . . . . 831135
Rev’d. Simon Douglas . . . . . . . . . . 741028 Rev’d. Allen Roberts. . . . . . . . . . . . . 765741 Rev’d. Ruth Brooker . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399644 Mr. Peter Rowley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 751762 Mrs. Christine May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397031 Mr. Marcus Woodhouse . . . . . . . 759379
Parish Wardens Mr. Cyril Randles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 758797
Mrs. Dawn Parsons . . . . . . . . . . . . . 822390
St. Michael District Wardens Mrs. Roberta Evans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 751444
Mrs. Paula Timmins. . . . . 07782 512013
Christ the King District Wardens Mr. Ivor Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 753960 Mrs. Dawn Corfield. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 753433 St. Paul District Wardens Mr. Eddie Baker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 829040
Mrs. Joan Phillips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785844
Magazine Contacts St. Paul’s Mrs. Sue Ellick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 578822
Christ the King Mr. Martin Bristow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 833411 St. Michael’s currently vacant Subscription & Distribution Mrs. Elaine Dovydatis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 757775
The December edition of the Rock will be available on Sunday 30th November. All contributions by Monday 24th November to therock@tettenhallregis.com The views and opinions in the magazine are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the clergy, editor or PCC. The electronic version of the magazine is sent via email 12 times a year, at no cost. To subscribe go to: http://stmichaels-church.org.uk/rock/ A paper copy is available, costing £3 a year for 12 copies. Speak to one of the contacts.