The magazine of Holy Trinity Parish Church Sutton Coldfield Nov-Dec 2013
Brian Dixon and friends tree-felling. Not as easy as it looks!Brian Dixon and friends tree-felling. Not as easy as it looBrian Dixon and friends tree-felling. Not as easy as it looks!
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From the Editors ...
...to Trinity ...in an exciting run-up to Christmas here at Holy Trinity. The big events are our gala concert on 16th November launching our first concert season under the banner of our new Friends of Holy Trinity, and our first Christmas Tree festival on 6th to 8th December (see page 8). So a couple of “firsts” but all our regular services are also happening with the season of All Souls, Remembrance and then the preparation season of Advent. Some sadness as we remember friends of Holy Trinity who have recently died, but some looking forward too. We hope to see you in church and wish you all the joy of the Christmas season when it does finally arrive! We also wish Roger all the best as he helps Jill through a prolonged illness. We hope Jill will be restored to good health again soon and look forward to Roger’s editing again in the future. Every blessing,
Stella
Contents: John Routh writes
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Through a glass darkly
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Colouring page—nativity
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Highlights from the PCC
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Youth Matters
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Re-ordering
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New prayer group
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Christmas Tree Festival
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The Ambler family / BC-AD
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Another tall story…
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Fattening Flapjacks
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Frank Hill (tribute)
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Mollie Howard (tribute)
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Janet Gardner (tribute)
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Keep on walking
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Liverpool discovered
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On the way to Bethlehem!
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Join the Friends
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From the registers
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Reading Corner (WWI)
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Trinity arrangements
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Bible verse
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Editors: Stella 329 2101 s_thebridge@yahoo.com Roger 308 1185 roger.smallwood@btinternet.com Louise 240 6366
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John Routh writes ‌ .
Saving us from ourselves In late September the news bulletins focused heavily on events in Nairobi. A group of extremist Islamic militants took over a shopping centre and murdered dozens of bystanders. It was horrifying! In truth, it was only the latest in a very long list of inhuman acts. That same weekend, in Pakistan, two suicide bombers walked up to a church as people were leaving at the end of a service was ending and let off their bombs. Dozens of the worshippers died. We hear regular news reports of bombings and killings in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. They come so frequently we have become numbed to their effect - I cannot begin to say how many have died in those countries in the last few years. Looking back a little further we remember the violence in Rwanda and Burundi, in Croatia and Serbia, where neighbours turned on each other for no reason other than their tribal or national origin. It was inhuman. Over the last few weeks I've been watching Simon Schama's TV series on the history of the Jewish people. We all know about the treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany, but how many of us think of what happened to them in the pogroms of eastern Europe in the last century? Sometimes I find the behaviour of human beings utterly depressing. There is an urge in us to give to others labels which make them different from us, and having done that we then persecute and destroy those 'others'. It seems to happen again and again. We label others as belonging to different nations, races, tribes, sexualities. The excuses we find for treating each other as different, as less than human, are manifold. And often religious purity is the excuse we use ... as though any major religion would actually look favourably on such behaviour. When I despair of human beings like this, I need to dig deep within myself. I look to the core of my faith. For me God is a god of love, grace, mercy, and it to those overriding divine qualities I cling. We human beings are deeply flawed, and we need to know that God of love, mercy and grace if we are to be truly 'human'. Faith in that God can redeem us from the dark urge to persecute and destroy, and enable us to see others as our equals, our brothers and Pagesisters!
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So I pray for those who are victims of persecution. And I pray for
those who behave so inhumanly towards them. For knowledge of the God whose grace can redeem them.
John
Through a Glass Darkly Hope for the world Although Advent is a time of penitence the overall tone of the readings for these two months is optimistic and full of hope for the future. But there are warnings too : God wants to save his people but he cannot countenance it when we are careless of the welfare of our brothers and sisters and of the generations that are to come. We need his help to change our attitudes and our priorities. This is what repentance means and we cannot do it by ourselves. The messages of the Prophets tell us that we must not live for ourselves alone, but must look out and up and do what we can to help bring about God’s kingdom on earth. This message was the same for the Old Testament peoples to whom these prophecies were originally addressed as it is for us. For the ancient Israelites it meant ‘care for your poor and your vulnerable and that will prime the pump enabling God to care for you’. In their case that meant bringing them out of captivity and back to the land which God had given them. In our case it means bringing us out of the captivity of our sin and back into the personalities which God originally intended for us. The words of mere prophets have not been enough to achieve this, but at Christmas we are reminded that Jesus came to achieve it for us. If only we are prepared, collectively, to take a few self-denying, people-affirming steps we can not only change within ourselves but we can change the world. We can overcome global warming, world terrorism, international profiteering and all the other huge problems our world faces. We can do it with God’s help and thanks to Jesus, who came at Christmas.
Jean Schneider 5
Re-ordering note?
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Margaret’s memories ... ...from the September PCC meeting
ο Re-ordering: making a holy and welcoming space for tomorrow – the steering committee reported that the consultants had been chosen for the first stage of fundraising. We need to raise approx £1.6million altogether. (following the PCC meeting a full presentation of plans was made to the congregation on Sep 29th including a 3D walkthrough) [see page 7]
ο Friends of Holy Trinity – this had been successfully launched on Sep 8th. A programme of events has been planned. Details available on the Holy Trinity website or in the leaflets to be found in church and Trinity Centre [and on page 24]
ο Financial items were reviewed including the current status, the 2014 budget, salaries, investments, and fees for weddings and funerals.
ο The new Baptism arrangements, mentioned previously, are now in place. Most baptisms will now take place at 12noon on generally the 2nd Sunday. The Baptism family will be asked to attend a morning service beforehand to be introduced to the congregation.
ο Reports were received from the various committees, working groups and inter-church committees. Plans for various services and social events were noted. Details can be found elsewhere in this publication, on the website, on Facebook or in the weekly notices.
Margaret Le Brocq – PCC Secretary
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Youth Matters Over the summer, one of the things I did was to sort out the little room at the Trinity Centre which the two youth groups use to chill out in, and where we keep a lot of our gear. It is not a task for the faint hearted; apart from anything else, it IS a small room and is crammed packed with stuff. It might start off tidy at the beginning of a term but by the end it is both mucky and in a state of chaos. So I have had several sessions (long sessions) of putting the right game pieces in the right boxes, the right CDs in the right covers, untangling wires, locating lost knobs and washers, searching for money down the side of the settee (unsuccessfully this time L), blowing up space hoppers and balls, streamlining the tuck shop, picking all the sticky sweets up off the carpet and cleaning everything that can be cleaned. I also made new cushion covers for the 2 seats that have had massive holes in for the whole of the time I have been in the job. Mission accomplished and as Youth Club restarted it looked great. But, despite our good intentions to keep it looking nice, after a couple of weeks of club it started to look untidy again and by Christmas it will be as bad as it ever can be and the cleaning and sorting will have to be done again. Two things would help: Firstly, if I did a bit of cleaning/sorting more often instead of once a term it wouldn’t ever get too bad and, secondly, there’d be less to do if we could persuade the kids to do their own clearing up a bit more effectively. Some of them are rather backwards in coming forward on that one! I suppose that the above is why we are encouraged to regularly say sorry to God and have the slate wiped clean. It is easier all round if we keep short accounts with God and others. If we let ‘sin’ create a barrier between us and God, or let issues between us and others go unattended then bad situations can escalate and fester, and turn into a huge deal to get sorted. And, WE don’t have to be backwards in coming forward to get the ball rolling. Susie Walker
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Re-ordering update Some 85 members of the congregation met over lunch on 29th September to hear the latest developments with our plans to re-order the inside of the church. It was a useful forum to ask questions, and the dialogue continues, to ensure change is made as sensitively and appropriately as possible. John reminded us in his sermon in church that morning of the changes made to the building since the first congregations assembled on our hill in 1250! There is no one building of a particular era but lots of changes and additions have been made over the centuries. Mike Somers, churchwarden, outlined the rationale behind some of the changes, and a useful document with all the questions raised at the session and the answers is now available. While this may raise more questions for some people, it is all part of an ongoing dialogue to help everyone feel part of the plans while also explaining the long-running discussions behind the scenes with planners and architects which have resulted in restrictions not of our making about what may or may not be done. The next steps are the questions around funding, and we ask for the prayers of the wider parish to help us above all to do God’s will for the building and community to continue to provide a holy and welcoming space into the coming centuries.
New prayer group Did you know a group meets once a month to pray specifically for our church and its needs? All are welcome to come on the second Tuesday of the month to the Trinity Centre at 2.30pm. If you are unable to make this time there is also a prayer card you can take home with intentions for the church and parish for Monday to Saturday every week, a useful focus for daily prayer at home. Do ask via the Trinity Centre if you would like one.
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CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL AND NATIVITY SET EXHIBITION Join us in December for our Christmas Tree Festival, and an exhibition of Nativity Sets from around the world. Local schools, charities, businesses, community groups and our own church organisations are invited to get involved by decorating a Christmas Tree to be displayed in the beautiful surroundings of Holy Trinity Parish Church. The 4ft. living trees will be supplied by the Forestry Commission in pots. After the Festival you will be able to purchase your decorated tree. There will be a colourful display of Nativity scenes and crib sets alongside the Christmas trees. This will feature homemade, handmade, shop-bought, heritage and modern collections lent by our church community. The display will be open to the public from 6th – 8th December 2013. Entry is free but donations will be very welcome. Visitors will be invited to vote (£1 per vote) for their favourite tree and a prize will be awarded to the winner. If your organisation is interested in decorating a tree, please apply online at http://www.htsc.org.uk or please contact Mary Dixon, using the form on the facing page You will then be sent further details and full Terms and Conditions of participation. Entry fee is £20.00 for businesses and £10 for schools, charities, community and uniformed groups. This is a minimum sum and donations will be very welcome. Final bookings and payments must be received in the Trinity Centre office by Friday, 8th November. Entry to the festival will be free. Opening times will be: Fri 6th December
2pm to 7pm
Sat 7th December 10am to 7pm (including a carol concert with audience participation from 6pm to 7pm) Sun 8th December
12 noon to 5.30pm (start of sung Evensong). Page
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HOLY TRINITY PARISH CHURCH CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 2013 CHRISTMAS TREE ENTRY FORM
I/We would like to decorate a Christmas Tree
I/We will display a Nativity Set
NAME: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ORGANISATION: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ADDRESS: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....................................................... TELEPHONE: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EMAIL: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SIGNATURE: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . POSITION HELD IN ORGANISATION: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Please send me details of participation. Please return this form to: Mrs. Mary Dixon, The Trinity Centre, Church Hill, Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield B72 1TF. Or apply online at http://www.htsc.org.uk Terms and conditions apply. For full details please refer to the website. Presented by:
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The Amblers Marette and Simon Ambler have been worshipping at Holy Trinity for some years now and were married here a couple of years ago. They helped set up Trinity Lights, a group for 20, 30, 40 somethings(!) who meet socially and to discuss aspects of faith. They are regular members of the 10am congregation and also support a number of church activities, both social and study-based. Verity (or Alicia Verity Ibironke Ambler to give her her full name) was born on 19th March this year and was baptised at Holy Trinity at the 10am Eucharist on 15th September. It was typical of Marette and Simon’s generosity that the whole congregation was invited to a celebratory lunch afterwards, which made the whole day a delightful celebration with some wonderful food including goat curry, creamy puddings and a great cake. Our thanks to them and the assurance of our love and support as they bring Verity up within our church family. Picture on inside front cover BC - AD This was the moment when Before Turned into After, and the future's Uninvented timekeepers presented arms. This was the moment when nothing Happened. Only dull peace Sprawled boringly over the earth. This was the moment when even energetic Romans Could find nothing better to do Than counting heads in remote provinces. And this was the moment When a few farm workers and three Members of an obscure Persian sect Walked haphazard by starlight straight Into the kingdom of heaven. U.A. Fanthorpe (1929-2009)
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Another tall story…
Carol Hoare brings us another of her sermon illustrations! There was once a man who had worked hard all his life and made a lot of money, but had never spent any of it because he was a real miser and couldn’t bear to be parted from it. When he became seriously ill, he made his wife promise that if he died she would count up all his wealth and put it into the coffin with him, and, very reluctantly, she was forced to agree. Well, eventually the man did die, and the funeral went ahead with great dignity and solemnity. When it was all over, friends gathered round to comfort her, and one asked curiously, ‘Did you really do what your husband asked?’ ‘Of course,’ she answered, ‘I gave my solemn promise to him. I could never break my word.’ ‘But what a terrible waste!’ said her friend, ‘Did you really put every penny into the coffin?’ ‘I certainly did,’ she replied, ‘I counted it all up and wrote him a big cheque.’
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A change for Christmas Here’s a high-calorie recipe that isn't about mincemeat , chocolate or Christmas pudd!
Fattening Flapjacks Ingredients
8 oz margarine 6 oz Demerara sugar 2 oz soft brown sugar 6 oz golden syrup 1lb rolled oats Put margarine, sugars and syrup in saucepan and stir over a low heat until melted. Remove from heat, add rolled oats and mix well. Brush shallow 12” x 10” tin with a little cooking oil and spread flapjack mixture into tin smoothing the top with a knife. Bake in centre of a moderate oven (180°C / 350°F / Gas Mark 4) for 20 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes and cut into bars. Leave to cool completely before removing from tin. Consume immediately or place in an airtight container (not usually necessary!!)
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Frank Stanley Hill 15th September 1931 to 13th August 2013 At Frank’s funeral his son Mark expressed some thoughts about his father as a series of questions, with the title “What do you say about a man?”
• • • •
Who was always there to lend a hand without a question?
• • • • • •
Who could somehow always make you feel safe?
To whom family meant everything?
•
Who loved his grandchildren and saw the world through their eyes?
Who was always ready for action at a moment’s notice? Who dreamed dreams, but put his second and his family’s first? Who was always ready to give advice whether it was what you wanted to hear or not?
Who always liked to laugh with others and knew how to take a joke? Who could make a friend of anyone? Who knew his business world inside out? Who cherished the past?
The answer that Mark and the family gave was this: We are grateful he was our father and we knew him. In the past and on into the future we can say his light will be on and he will be there ready waiting in that window. Frank was someone who made a great impression on people, a man who was loved and respected by all; and who remains in their hearts and memories. Frank had a quite remarkable start to life. He was born in 1931 in the Free City of Danzig, a Port on the Baltic Sea; created by the League of Nations after the First World War; his English father was a teacher there and had married a German girl. In 1939 just before the outbreak of war his father went to England but the rest of the family, Frank, his mother and his brother Harold were unable to leave. So the war years were spent in Danzig; an incredibly dangerous and difficult experience, with bombing and lack of food. Frank in later life would eat absolutely anything, as he said once you have eaten grass, anything is possible. The family finally managed to leave Danzig in 1945 on one of the last boats out before Russian forces arrived, and the family were eventually reunited in Oxford. ...continued overleaf
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Despite this difficult start Frank made a very successful career in the drinks industry; although at the job interview for a job with Mitchell’s and Butler’s he very quickly had to make up a story of how much he drank to impress the interviewer. Apparently he did make up in later life for his earlier abstinence. Frank was a man who knew his chosen business world inside out. A natural salesman who treated his customers as friends; he became an Export Sales manager. He is remembered for his unique management style; action was never ordered just gently suggested. Work brought him back to the UK, supplying Naval bases and ships such as the Ark Royal and the Royal Yacht Britannia. He greatly enjoyed work; leaving for work in the morning singing and coming home in the evening still singing. But at the centre of his life was his family; he was a man for whom family meant everything. He had met Wendy in the Locarno Ball Room in Birmingham and they were married in1962 and, after some years living in Surrey, came to live in Sutton Coldfield. Frank and Wendy’s family grew - three children: Mark, Laurence and Anna, and subsequently five grandchildren. Frank thought the world of them. Frank and Wendy created a lovely home for their family, Frank enjoyed beautiful scenery and filled the house with pictures and photograph albums. He also enjoyed gardening; everything in the garden was immaculate, not a blade of grass or flower was allowed to be out of place. Of course this could lead to problems: once the family went round just putting all the pictures just slightly out of line. Frank of course noticed, and went round carefully putting them straight. Just as well he always knew how to take a joke. This sense of order extended beyond the bungalow. He became the local litter picker; litter stick in hand he soon became well known. The Council became aware of his efforts and presented him with a litter stick, as did one of the Doctors from Good Hope Hospital. The last few years were very difficult because of health problems; the annual holidays in his beloved Bavaria had to be curtailed. But he never ever complained; life was still lived with the same love and care for his family and friends. The Family Tribute from Mark ended with these words:“In the past and on into the future I know we can say his light will be on and he will be there ready waiting in that window.” It is an expression of the Christian faith that Frank held on to all his life; a faith that illuminated his life and was evident to those who knew him.
Our curate, the Revd Paul Duckers conducted Frank’s funeral. Please see photograph of Frank on inside of rear cover. Page
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Mollie Howard Nelsie Mary Howard 28th September 1916 - 14th August 2013 Every generation in a church congregation includes the stalwart member, faithful in worship and committed to a number of tasks in the church over a lifetime. This was never truer than of Mollie, who has died just short of her 97th birthday. She was known to all at Holy Trinity in her younger days and clearly remembered, often with trepidation, as she had been the teacher of many younger church members at what is now Town Junior School! Her reputation for discipline carried over into the church choir of which she was a long-time member singing contralto, and many a choirboy recalled some anxiety knowing of her reputation and in anticipation of her frank manner. At her funeral, however, one member of the congregation said that he had been urged by his sister, now living some distance away, to attend on her behalf, as she had great affection for Mollie who had encouraged her at school, particularly with her singing. Mollie lived as a child and young adult in the parental home in Little Aston having three brothers, two of whom were twins. She rose to become Deputy Head at Town, and much of her leisure time was spent in activities at Holy Trinity. As well as the choir, in retirement she served as PCC Secretary for many years and was also the parish representative for CMS (the Church Mission Society) arranging partner events and fund-raising. She was active in groups such as the Church Fellowship and took part in the church-wide performance of Joseph and his amazing technicolour dreamcoat in 1992, and she was for many years a most assiduous member of the parish team distributing the magazine. She managed to persuade not only the majority of the other residents in her block of flats (Eaton Court) but practically the whole of Mulroy Road to subscribe. You found yourself unable to say ‘no’ to Mollie if she thought you should do something…. Mollie was a committed Christian and someone of whom it would be absolutely correct to say: We shall not see her like again. [At the time of writing it is hoped that Mollie’s ashes will be laid to rest in the church grounds] The photos on the inside rear cover show Mollie in the 1990s, both typical examples of her work for Holy Trinity and service to others.
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Janet Gardner 29th September 1948 - 5th September 2013 Janet will be less well-known to recent members of the congregation. She was brought up in Sutton and attended the church throughout her childhood with her family: father Clive who was churchwarden for many years, and mother Margaret who was involved in a range of activities and latterly served as parish archivist. Her brother Neil now lives with his family in Scotland, and Janet herself was not far from Sutton, in Leamington Spa, having worked at the University of Warwick Library for a 30-year career. In recent years, particularly since Clive’s death, Janet would accompany Margaret to church and some of us would also see them both in Sainsbury’s from time to time. Janet was very close to her mother and supportive of Margaret’s needs with her increasing visual impairment. Having first got to know Janet in the early 80s through being fellow librarians on a local committee, I was surprised and pleased to receive a phone call one Sunday lunchtime in 1987 from Janet who had realised that our family had started worshipping at Holy Trinity, her old stamping ground. Our paths crossed subsequently on occasion, and I was again surprised a couple of years ago to find Janet at a dinner in Leamington organised by Warwickshire County Council where she, now in retirement, was representing volunteers in the library service (where I work now) who deliver books and talking books to the housebound. She commented that she had had cancer treatment but was now in remission. She looked well, so it was a shock to learn the cancer had returned and taken hold this year again. Janet had a lovely personality. The church at St. Mary Magdalene in Lillington was apparently packed for her funeral service, including some 40 former colleagues from Warwick University as well as her many friends from the church where she was Treasurer, and from other areas of her life. Paul and Pat Duckers were able to attend as long-standing friends. Our hearts go out to Neil and also to Margaret, with whom many in the current congregation are still in touch even though Margaret is not able to travel to church as she used to. The photo of Janet on the inside rear cover was taken at her nephew’s wedding earlier this year. She had fretted that she might not make it, but clearly she did and with her customary smile - the way she would certainly expect us to remember her. ST Page
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Keep on walking Read at the memorial service for Janet Gardner by her nephew
How happy will be our shout of ‘Alleluia’ as we enter heaven! How carefree we will be, secure at last from attack, where no enemy lurks and no friend dies. There praise is offered to God and here in this life also; but here it is offered by anxious people, there by those who have been freed from all anxiety; here by those who must die, there by those who will live forever. Here praise is offered in hope, there by those who enjoy the reality; here by pilgrims in transit, there by those who have reached their homeland. So let us sing ‘Alleluia’ although we are not yet in the enjoyment of our heavenly rest, and so sweeten our toil in this life. Let us sing as travellers sing on a journey in order to keep up their spirits. Lighten your toil by singing and never be idle. Sing and keep on walking. And what do I mean by walking? I mean press on from good to better in this life. Persevere, advance in virtue, in true faith and in good living. Sing up - and keep on walking! St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 350-430 A.D
LIVERPOOL DISCOVERED I am a Bootleian with three Brummy daughters. I am now a widower whose wife was an Uppinghamian. My daughters haven't visited Liverpool for a number of years. All three were educated in these parts and are determined to be Brummy. Nothing wrong with that - I love Brum. But why visit Liverpool? Curiosity! So the five of us - five? – well a son-in-law from Kenyan Asia had heard about it from us. (I suppose it is a rare township because it has two cathedrals). Continued overleaf
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Well we started out on the 5th September and were a party of five. We'd hired a car - the amount of luggage for three nights made it obligatory. The other male is an expert driver and we didn't stop (on either of the two journeys). The car we'd hired was a comfortable one and a big boot held all our luggage. Dominic - for that is the other male's name - goes into everything thoroughly and has an instinct for direction and we didn't stop until we were at Jury's Hotel. This is a modern hotel (Irish-owned?) and we were soon shown to our rooms (mine was single and huge). There now. I was the only member who had lived in Liverpool and had been to junior school in Bootle and Grammar School in Crosby. We visited my birthplace - the house had been flattened* - and we spoke to a few people about how things had changed. (I knew more about that than they did- I am ninety-one!) The house where I was born had long gone. But the house we went into -1928- contained my first school: Linacre Lane Primary. We found the caretaker and he was pleased to take us round. (I took photos of him which as I write are winging their way to the caretaker's house. And on to Crosby. My school had been turned into an adult training centre. Angela who was a secretary and showed me my classroom unrecognisable. A lovely girl, whose photo I took and I have sent a print of her... (The playgrounds had continued as a car park. Oh my word! And the labs and lecture rooms‌.) The days when we were there were the days of depression and the Blitz. When I was on fire-watch one night the whole distribution and stores were ablaze and as a bomb had dropped very near my home - all the windows had been blown out. (Our third move ended up with electric light! ) A visit to the cathedrals was exciting. The Church of England model had taken nearly eighty years to build and had dining facilities. It was impressive and huge. Go and see it. The Roman Catholic effort was colourful and had lots of interesting stopping points. (Taste is hard to define...) Next year we are set on going there again. We'd go on the ferries. We'd go through the tunnel. George V opened it in 1934 or 1935. (I remember walking through the tunnel with my grandfather. We'd go to Southport, a rather stylish holiday resort.) Jury's Hotel is really impressive so we'd go there again. There are lots of things to do and see. It is a place for holidays and my birthplace. I believe there are excursions from Sutton Coldfield!
Derrig Ferguson [and no mention of the Beatles, Derrig! Ed.] Page
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Sat 30th November 10.30am to 3pm
On The Way To Bethlehem A fun activity day exploring the real meaning of Christmas For children from school years Reception to Year 4(ish!) at St Peter's Church, Maney Contact Susie on susiepwalker@yahoo.co.uk to book your place!
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Friends of Holy Trinity. Please join!
If you don’t feel confident or comfortable with using the Internet, do join the Friends organisation using this form. You can cut it out or photocopy as you wish, or just send in your details, just as long as we have all the information from you that is requested! For information, The Friends of Holy Trinity Parish Church are supporting our building and its heritage. Your donation will help us secure its future for generations to come. A series of concerts begins on 16th November. Pick up a brochure! Do ring 321 1144 if you would like further information or ask in church or the Trinity Centre.
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FROM THE REGISTERS ... Baptisms 8th September 15th September 22nd September
Jude Hipkiss Annaliese Petridid Verity Ambler Paula Pettitt
We welcome these children into new life with God, as part of our church family
Marriages 23rd August Adam Rawlins & Laura Barrington 24th August Michael Williams & Danielle Godwin 25th August Walton Wilkins & Lisa Johnson 7th September Paul Harris & Kelly Jarvis 21st September Tim Noble & Samantha Banister 28th September Leigh Boden & Margaret Wisener 5th October Paul Bruckshaw & Rachel Thomas
We wish these couples every blessing in their future together.
Funerals 28th August Frank Stanley Hill (see p.17) 27th September Willis Bateman 9th October James William Hill 9th October Arthur Francis Rogers We also remember Mollie Howard and Janet Gardner, former members of our congregation (see pages 19 and 20)
We remember all who have died and ask for God’s comfort to sustain all who are bereaved. Page
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Reading corner As we turn the year to 2014 there are moves in many spheres to commemorate the anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War (4th August 1914). And the book industry is also producing a range of volumes - factual, pictorial and fictional. One with a fresh take that caught my eye (well it would, wouldn’t it!) is by the respected BBC reporter Kate Adie. Fighting on the Home Front: The Legacy of Women in World War One is described on a wellknown website as follows: “In l914 the world changed forever. When World War One broke out and a generation of men went off to fight, bestselling author Kate Adie shows how women emerged from the shadows of their domestic lives. Now a visible force in public life, they began to take up essential roles - from transport to policing, munitions to sport, entertainment, even politics. They had finally become citizens, a recognised part of the war machine, acquiring their own rights and often an independent income. Former BBC Chief News Correspondent Kate Adie charts the seismic move towards equal rights with men that began a century ago and asks what these women achieved for future generations. This is history at its best - a vivid, compelling account of the pioneering women who helped win the war as well as a revealing assessment of their legacy for women's lives today.� If you are looking for a book for younger readers, then Eleven eleven by Paul Dowswell tells a story of 16-year-olds from both sides of the conflict and what happens on the day the armistice is signed. So much is written about the second world war, but it is interesting to reflect on the earlier war which changed so much the progress of the twentieth century and social and cultural values across the world. The armistice of 11/11/1918 was also the start of the annual Festival of Remembrance. These services will probably gain in significance as the centenary commemorations of milestones through the 1914-18 war occupy our thoughts for the next four years.
Stella Thebridge
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Trinity Arrangements for 2014 The cost per issue is 60p, and an annual subscription ÂŁ3-50. If you are a casual reader who would like to subscribe regularly or advertise, or if you have any other queries relating to the magazine, please contact the Trinity Centre in the first instance on 321 1144 or admin@htsc.org.uk
Publication schedule Cover date
Copy deadline st
Publication date
Jan/Feb 2014
1 December
15th December
Mar/April
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Bible verse Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. Isaiah 7: 14 (New Revised Standard Version) 30
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Janet Gardner Frank Hill
Molly Howard Above with church cleaners 1993 (at back with raised broom) Left: serving tea at the Church Garden Party 1994 in the old Rectory
The Olchon Valley, Herefordshire where a Christmas tree is felled each year for our church.
More about our Christmas Tree Page