ELSTOW PARISH MAGAZINE
February-March 2015
1
ELSTOW & ST MICHAEL’S MAGAZINE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
'They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do
not know where they have laid him'.
The German theologian Jurgen Moltmann expresses in a single sentence the great
span from Good Friday to Easter Day: ‘God weeps with us so that we may someday
laugh with him’. There are so many people who, like Jesus of Nazareth, have died
before their time, even killed in their prime. The terrible images that we continue to
see from Afghanistan, and over the last year in Syria, Nigeria and the Sudan. I went
to the cinema recently and watched American Sniper and it brought back to me
some of the truly terrible images that I had forgotten - scenes from the Second Iraq
War. Our world is in very worrying times. The killing fields are everywhere - wherever there is war and famine.
The tomb of Jesus was one such grave. He was a young person snatched, untimely,
from this world. He was a young preacher from Nazareth, only in his early 30s,
when he was dragged off into military custody, interrogated, tortured, falsely accused, and executed. The powers that be got rid of a troublemaker. It was good politics. The Jewish leaders put the squeeze on Pilate, got a guilty verdict, and saved
their own position and authority in the process. This is nothing new; the world
doesn't change. How cruel human beings can be. Such cruelty and destructiveness
ought to be enough to make pessimists of us all. It should make us give up, and
make us despair. But so often it doesn't. No matter how much death comes to sadden our hearts, no matter how heavy the blow that hits us, we usually refuse to give
up. Some years ago a photographer showed a little girl in a bomb blast Beirut, carrying a shiny new brick out of the ruins of a street, in order to start building again.
Life is stronger than death. We refuse to allow death to destroy us. We are going to
live. That is what life is for - living. And that is why Jesus came in the first place to give us life, life in all its fullness.
But what about those who have died? Are they just a fond memory, whose image
will fade from our minds as time goes by? Are gravestones and crosses simple reminders of people who used to be? Or, is there life after death? A world beyond the
grave? And how can anyone possibly know? Annie Johnson Flint writes: ‘If the
Christ who died had stopped at the cross his work had been incomplete. If the Christ
who was buried had stayed in the tomb, He had only known defeat. But the way of
the cross never stops at the cross and the way of the tomb leads on to victorious
grace in the heavenly place where the risen Lord has gone’.
The two disciples on Easter morning certainly did not know. Peter and John were in
the depths of misery, saddened beyond words at the death of Jesus. Then they were
told that his body had been taken away. So they ran to see for themselves. Imagine
how they felt - it must have seemed like the last straw. But perhaps there was a
flicker of hope, as they held onto their severely challenged belief that Jesus really
2
was the Son of God. When they got to the tomb, the stone was rolled back. Inside
were grave clothes, but no body. Had the body been snatched, or could the body
have been raised, come back to life, like he had said? A living body does not need
grave clothes. Which one is it? Is this a hoax, or have we stumbled on the greatest
story ever told?
It would have been eminently reasonable and understandable for the first disciples
to opt for the rational explanation - that the body of Jesus had been snatched away.
That he was dead, and that the dream and the hope were over. If they had decided
that, their eyes would have been closed to the reality of the risen Christ. But instead
they took a tremendous leap of faith, even before they had seen him. As they
opened their eyes they were rewarded with a reality of life that must have taken
their breath away, especially as they began to realise the implications of what had
happened.
For all of us, faith and life can be a real challenge. It is not always easy or logical.
The message of Easter is like the rising of dawn in our hearts. Some are struggling
in work situations; others struggling at home or with their families; some have companions in the struggle; others bear the burden alone, and for others it takes all their
energy to survive. As we journey towards and celebrate and remember the Resurrection we are urged to look beyond our struggles; to look forward with faith. Jesus
came to us because without him our struggles will never be diminished. I believe we
face the same choice that the disciples did: we can opt for a logical explanation and
decide that life ends at death. Or we can begin to open our eyes, however tentatively, to see something of the reality that extends so far beyond this material world.
Life in God goes on and on, there is no stopping it. Jesus is risen from the dead, and
so are we - don't close your eyes to him. Open them rejoice and believe.
With Best wishes for a Happy Easter,
Jeremy
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THE CHURCH CALENDAR
February 2015
1st
Sunday
Epiphany 4
10.00am
10.15am
11.20am
6.30pm
Holy Communion with Sunday School (RC)
Holy Communion at St Michael’s (NM)
Mattins (Group)
Evensong (RH)
Jeremy attending residential Synod until Friday evening
2nd
Monday
10.00am
2.30pm
Mums and Toddlers
Prayer Group in the Vestry
3rd
Tuesday
11.30am
3.45-5.15pm
6.30-8pm
Funeral of the Revd Len Moore – St Andrew’s Bedford
After school club at St Michael’s
Elstow Youth Club
4th
Wednesday
11.30am
1pm
2pm
7pm
Coffee and Soup in the Vestry
Funeral service for Florence Harley at Elstow Abbey,
followed by the Crematorium (PL)
Benefice Bible Study @ St Mary’s Cardington
Alpha Course at Elstow Abbey
5th
Thursday
09.30am
11.00am
7-8.30pm
Morning Prayers at St Michael’s (SS)
Holy Communion (RC)
London Road Youth Club
6th
Friday
7pm
8pm
Choir Practice
Bell Ringing
8th
Sunday
2nd BF Lent
10.00am
10.15am
11.20am
6.30pm
Holy Communion with Sunday School (JRC)
Holy Communion at St Michael’s (RC)
Mattins (JRC)
Evensong (JRC)
9th
Monday
10.00am
Mums and Toddlers
2.15pm
Funeral of Isabel Godwin at Elstow Abbey, followed by the
Crematorium (JRC) TBC
2.30pm
Prayer Group in the Vestry
10th
Tuesday
3.45-5.15pm
6.30-8pm
11th
Wednesday
11.30am
Coffee and Soup in the Vestry
2pm
Benefice Bible Study @ St Mary’s Cardington
6.30 for 7pm Men’s supper club – cheese and wine evening at Summerhill
shop - £7 per person, partners welcome
7pm
Alpha Course at Elstow Abbey
12th
Thursday
09.30am
11.00am
7-8.30pm
After school club at St Michael’s
Elstow Youth Club
Morning Prayers at St Michael’s (JRC/SS)
Holy Communion (JRC)
London Road Youth Club
4
13th
Friday
7pm
8pm
No Choir Practice
Bell Ringing
14th
Saturday
4-6pm
Messy Church at Elstow
15th
Sunday
10.00am
10.15am
11.20am
3.00pm
6.30pm
Holy Communion with Sunday School (RC)
Holy Communion at St Michael’s (JRC)
Mattins (RC)
Baptism Deanne (TBC)
Evensong (JRC)
16th
Monday
10.00am
2.30pm
No Mums and Toddlers – schools on half term holiday
Prayer Group in the Vestry
17th
Tuesday
3.45-5.15pm
6.30-8pm
No After school club at St Michael’s
No Elstow Youth Club
18th
Wednesday
11.30am
Coffee and Soup in the Vestry
7pm
No Alpha Course
7.30pm
Cluster Church Service for Ash Wednesday at All Saints,
Queens Park. No Service at Elstow Abbey.
19th
Thursday
09.30am
11.00am
7-8.30pm
Morning Prayers at St Michael’s (JRC/SS)
Holy Communion (JRC)
No London Road Youth Club
20th
Friday
7pm
8pm
No Choir Practice
Bell Ringing
21st
Saturday
7pm
Bedford Street Angels Meeting at St Peters (JRC)
22nd
Sunday
10.00am
10.15am
11.20am
11.00am
2.15pm
6.30pm
Family Service with Sunday School (JEH)
Holy Communion at St Michael’s (PL)
BCP Holy Communion (RC)
St Mary’s Cardington (JRC))
Baptism of Jack Ford (JRC)
Evensong + Holy Communion and Healing (JRC)
23rd
Monday
10.00am
2.30pm
Mums and Toddlers
Prayer Group in the Vestry
24th
Tuesday
3.45-5.15pm
5.30pm
6.30-8pm
After school club at St Michael’s
JRC to Diocesan Board of Finance Meeting
Elstow Youth Club
25th
Wednesday
11.30am
2pm
7pm
Coffee and Soup in the Vestry
Benefice Bible Study @ St Mary’s Cardington
Alpha Course at Elstow Abbey
26th
Thursday
09.30am
11.00am
7-8.30pm
8pm
Morning Prayers at St Michael’s (JRC/SS)
Holy Communion (JRC)
London Road Youth Club
Finance and Standing @ Rectory
27th
Friday
7pm
8pm
Choir Practice
Bell Ringing
5
March 2015
1st
Sunday
10.00am
10.15am
11.20am
3.00pm
6.30pm
Holy Communion with Sunday School (JRC)
Holy Communion at St Michael’s (NM)
Mattins (JRC)
Baptism - Chamberlain (JRC)
Evensong (JRC)
2nd
Monday
10.00am
2.30pm
8.00pm
Mums and Toddlers
Prayer Group in the Vestry
Friends Meeting in the Vestry
3rd
Tuesday
3.45-5.15pm
6.30-8pm
7.30pm
After school club at St Michael’s
Elstow Youth Club
Parish Council Meeting at The Playing Fields
4th
Wednesday
11.30am
12Noon
2pm
7pm
Coffee and Soup in the Vestry
Cluster group Ministers lunch at Chimney Corner
Benefice Bible Study @ St Mary’s Cardington
Alpha Course at Elstow Abbey
5th
Thursday
09.30am
11.00am
7-8.30pm
Morning Prayers at St Michael’s (JRC/SS)
Holy Communion (JRC)
London Road Youth Club
6th
Friday
7pm
8pm
Choir Practice
Bell Ringing
8th
Sunday
Stewardship Sunday
10.00am
10.15am
11.20am
6.30pm
Holy Communion with Sunday School (JRC)
Holy Communion at St Michael’s (RC)
Mattins (JRC)
Evensong (JRC)
9th
Monday
10.00am
2.30pm
Mums and Toddlers
Prayer Group in the Vestry
10th
Tuesday
3.45-5.15pm
6.30-8pm
After school club at St Michael’s
Elstow Youth Club
11th
Wednesday
11.30am
2pm
6.30pm
7pm
Coffee and Soup in the Vestry
Benefice Bible Study @ St Mary’s Cardington
Governors’ Meeting at Elstow School (JRC)
Alpha Course at Elstow Abbey
12th
Thursday
09.30am
11.00am
7-8.30pm
Morning Prayers at St Michael’s (JRC/SS)
Holy Communion (JRC)
London Road Youth Club
13th
Friday
7pm
8pm
Choir Practice
Bell Ringing
14th
Saturday
4-6pm
Messy Church at Elstow
6
Deadline for the April/May edition of the Magazine to Jacquie Waterfield @ 269
Goldington Road, Bedford, MK41 9PH or [email protected]
15th
Sunday
Mothering Sunday
10.30am
10.15am
11.00am
6.30pm
Joint Holy Communion Service. No Sunday School (JRC)
Holy Communion at St Michael’s (SS)
Holy Communion St Mary’s Cardington - RC
Evensong (JRC)
16th
Monday
10.00am
2.30pm
Mums and Toddlers
Prayer Group in the Vestry
17th
Tuesday
3.45-5.15pm
6.30-8pm
After school club at St Michael’s
Elstow Youth Club
18th
Wednesday
11.30am
5.30pm
7pm
Coffee and Soup in the Vestry
JRC to Diocesan Board of Education Meeting
Alpha Course at Elstow Abbey
19th
Thursday
09.30am
11.00am
7-8.30pm
7.30pm
Morning Prayers at St Michael’s (JRC/SS)
Holy Communion (JRC)
London Road Youth Club
Deanery Synod – All Saints Renhold
20th
Friday
7pm
8pm
Choir Practice
Bell Ringing
22nd
Sunday
Passiontide
10.00am
10.15am
11.20am
2.15pm
6.30pm
Family Service with Sunday School (JEH)
Holy Communion at St Michael’s (PL)
Holy Communion BCP (JRC)
Baptism of Leo Cupit (JRC)
Evensong (JRC)
23rd
Monday
10.00am
2.30pm
Mums and Toddlers
Prayer Group in the Vestry
24th
Tuesday
3.45-5.15pm
6.30-8pm
After school club at St Michael’s
Elstow Youth Club
25th
Wednesday
11.30am
2pm
7pm
Coffee and Soup in the Vestry
Benefice Bible Study @ St Mary’s Cardington
Alpha Course at Elstow Abbey
26th
Thursday
09.30am
11.00am
7-8.30pm
7.30pm
Morning Prayers at St Michael’s (JRC/SS)
Holy Communion (JRC)
London Road Youth Club
Elstow PCC
27th
Friday
7pm
8pm
No Choir Practice
Bell Ringing
28th
Saturday
2pm
Wedding of Pasquale Ciancio and Angela Rebecca Ames (JRC)
th
5 Sunday – remain in our own churches, instead combined Benefice Service will be on Sunday 3 rd May @
Elstow at 10.30am followed by bring and share lunch – Jeremy’s final service.
7
29th
Sunday
Palm Sunday
10am
11.20am
10.15am
11.00am
6.30pm
Holy Communion with procession and palms (JRC)
Mattins (Group)
St Michael’s (PL/ RC/ NM)
St Mary’s Cardington (SS)
Evensong + Holy Communion and Healing (JRC)
30th Monday in Holy Week
10.00am
2.30pm
7.30pm
No Mums and Toddlers
Prayers in the Vestry
Reflections at St Michael’s (PL)
31st Tuesday in Holy Week
3.45pm
6.30pm
7.30pm
No After School Club
No Youth Club
Holy Communion and Address @ Elstow (JRC)
April 2015
1st Wednesday in Holy Week
11.30am
7.30pm
Coffee and Soup in the Vestry
Compline and Address at St Mary’s Cardington (SS)
2nd Maundy Thursday
11.00am
No Service as clergy at St Albans Abbey
7.30pm
Holy Communion and stripping of the altars, and watch until
9pm (JRC)
7.30pm
Holy Communion at St Michael’s (NM)
3rd Good Friday
10.15am
10.00am
11.00am
12.00
Stations at St Michael’s (PL)
Family Service (TH)
Last Hour (JRC)
Soup Lunch in the vestry/cloisters
4th Holy Saturday
8pm
First Light of Easter – commencing in the Vestry (JRC)
5th Easter Sunday
10.30am
10.15am
11.00am
6.30pm
Joint Holy Communion with Sunday School (JRC)
St Michael’s (NM)
St Mary’s Cardington (SS)
Evensong (JRC)
6th Easter Monday
11.30am
Meet at Bedford Station for Pilgrimage to St Albans Abbey
8
SIDESMENS ROTA
FEBRUARY 2015
February 1st
10am
11.20am
6.30pm
Mrs A Barfoot T Barfoot
F W Crossen
Mrs A Wakeling
February 8th
10am
11.20am
6.30pm
Mrs S Batiuk P Batiuk
Mrs M Crossen
Mrs A Knight
February 15th
10am
11.20am
6.30pm
Mrs G Freeman
Mrs D Fordham
Mrs C Parrish,
February 22nd
10am
11.20am
6.30pm
Mrs S Brown Mrs A Morris
A Freeman
Mrs A Knight
Mrs A Wakeling
MARCH 2015
March 1st
10am
11.20am
6.30pm
Mrs A Barfoot T Barfoot
F W Crossen
Mrs A Knight
March 8th
10am
11.20am
6.30pm
Mrs S Batiuk P Batiuk
March 15th
March 22nd
Mrs M Crossen
Mrs C Parrish
MOTHERING SUNDAY
10.30am
Mrs G Freeman
6.30pm
Mrs A Knight
10am
11.20am
6.30pm
A Freeman
Mrs S Brown Mrs A Morris
Mrs A Knight
Mrs A Wakeling
March 29th
PALM SUNDAY
10am
Mrs S Batiuk P Batiuk
11.20am
Mrs D Fordham
6.30pm
Mrs B Routledge
April 5th
EASTER DAY
10.30am
6.30pm
Mrs M Crossen
Mrs C Parrish
9
Mrs A Knight
BIBLE READERS at Elstow Abbey – February to March 2015
1ST LESSON
2ND LESSON
The Fourth Sunday of Epiphany
10.00
1st Feb
am
Deuteronomy 18: 15-20
11.20
*
am
Jeremiah 1: 4-10
6.30 pm 1 Samuel 1: 19b-end
The Second Sunday before Lent
10.00
8th Feb am
Proverbs 8: 1, 22-31
11.20
am
Deuteronomy 8: 1-10
6.30 pm Genesis 2: 4b - end
The Sunday Before Lent
15th
10.00
Feb
am
2 Kings 2: 1-12
11.20
am
Exodus 24: 12- end
6.30
pm
1 Kings 19: 1-16
The First Sunday of Lent
22nd
10.00
Feb
am
Family Service
BCP
11.20
H.C.
am
Genesis 9: 8-17
H.C. +
H.
6.30 pm Genesis 2: 15-17; 3: 1-7
The Second Sunday of Lent
10.00
1st Mar am
Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16
11.20
am
Isaiah 51: 1-11
6.30 pm Genesis 12: 1-9
The Third Sunday of Lent - Stewardship Sunday
10.00
8th Mar am
Exodus 20: 1-17
11.20
am
Jeremiah Chapter 38
6.30 pm Exodus 5:1 - 6:1
READER
Mark 1: 21-28
Phillip Bettles
Mark 1: 40-end
Hebrews 4: 11-end
David Ewbank
Alexander Thomson
John 1: 1-14
Jeremy Tyrrell
Matthew 6: 25-end
Luke 8: 22-35
Delphine Fordham
Catherine Parrish
Mark 9: 2-9
Stephen McDonald
2 Corinthians 3: 12 - end
Eric Crossen
2 Peter 1: 16 - end
Peter Moss
Mark 1: 9-15
Tim Harris
Luke 13: 31 - end
Barbara Routledge
Mark 8: 31 - end
Alan Freeman
Galatians 3: 1-9, 23-end
Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-16
Ann Knight
David Ewbank
John 2: 13-22
Lynne Faulkner
Phillipians 1: 1-26
Phillipians 3: 4b-14
Chris Knell
Anne Wakeling
The Fourth Sunday of Lent -Combined Mothering Sunday Service
10
15th
Mar
10.30
am
6.30 pm
Exodus 2:1-10
Numbers 21: 4-9
The Fifth Sunday of Lent - Passiontide Begins
22nd
10.00
Mar
am
Family Service
BCP
11.20
H.C.
am
Jeremiah 31: 31-34
6.30 pm Exodus 7: 8-24
Luke 2: 33-35
Ephesians 2: 1-10
Matthew Pearce
Ann Knight
Lynn Harris
John 12: 20-33
Romans 5: 12 - end
Janice Thomson
Alexander Thomson
Palm Sunday - Fifth Sunday of the month in our own Churches - Note Clocks go forward
29th
10.00
Mar
am
Isaiah 50: 4-9a
Mark 11: 1-11
Hinson Family
11.20
*
am
Zechariah 9: 9-12
1 Corinthians 2: 1-12
Peter Batiuk
6.30
H.C. + H pm
Isaiah 5: 1-7
Mark 12: 1-12
Catherine Parrish
Easter Sunday - Combined Service with Sunday School
10.30
5th Apr am
Acts 10: 34-43
John 20: 1-18
6.30 pm Ezekiel 37: 1-14
Luke 24: 13-35
* Mattins Group
11
Barbara Routledge
Peter Moss
This announcement was made in all three churches in the Benefice on Sunday
18th January 2015.
As you will all be aware Jeremy has been with us for
over 10 years.
In late September his name was put forward for a
senior post in the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, and
he has now had confirmation he has been made Dean
of the Anglican Cathedral in Nicosia, Cyprus.
This new appointment will begin on Sunday 24th May
and as a result Jeremy’s last Sunday in the Benefice
will be on Sunday 3rd May 2015.
This news is also being made public today at St Paul’s
Cathedral, Nicosia.
There will be an opportunity to say a formal farewell and we can be sure that large
quantities of food will be involved. Meanwhile Jeremy has asked that we pray for
both him and his family as they move into a new ministry and enter a new chapter
of their lives.
So let us pray.
Almighty Father
Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, called his disciples to leave their
homes and to follow him.
We pray for Jeremy as he follows your call and prepares for his new ministry in
Nicosia.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on him that he may be strengthened for the work to
which you have called him and be a faithful shepherd of your flock.
We pray for Beth, Tabitha and Jemima as they prepare for the changes that they
will face. We pray that you will be with them and that they will feel your love and
comfort over the coming months.
And we pray for ourselves. We give thanks for Jeremy’s ministry to us all, and we
pray for your guidance as we enter a new phase in our life together.
We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.
AMEN
12
Celebration at the end of the week of prayer for
Christian Unity
Elstow Abbey hosted an
ecumenical
service
to
celebrate a week of prayer.
Many events had been held
across the town over the
seven days and Christians
from a vast range of
denominations came together
to worship God, to pray
together and to demonstrate unity in the body of Christ.
The Elstow band played, louder than they have ever played before. Thanks to Phil
and Alan for many hours of preparation and technical support, to Bethany,
Rebecca and Liz for the cakes and to Joyce and Angela for serving refreshments.
Thank you to the Rev Roger Sutton, who
had flown in from Dallas that morning, for
his challenging message, encouraging all
Christians to celebrate their diversity but
demonstrate to the world their unity in
Christ.
As this was likely to be the last big service
before Jeremy leaves, Christian leaders
from across the town took the opportunity
to pray for him and his future ministry.
13
Dear Parishioners,
Mothering Sunday Prayers
Thank you, Lord, for our mothers. We remember their loving care, and their
ceaseless love for us. May we show them by our gifts, our words and our actions
that we love them and care about them too.
We pray for those with difficult homes, whose children are difficult to handle; for
those with difficult husbands, who find it hard to be constant and loving; for those
with mothers far away, and those who are lonely; for those families who find it
hard to make ends meet or go short themselves for the sake of their children; for
those mothers who are nearly at the end of their tether. For each one of these
needs, Lord in your mercy - Hear our Prayer
Father, we thank you for the family of the church. Thank you for those who are
true mothers within our Christian community. May they know your blessing and
strength as they care for others.
Remember, O Lord those throughout the world in need, and we especially pray for
mothers in third world countries without enough food and water for their children,
and for those caught up in the recent problems in Syria and the Ukraine.
We pray for social workers, children’s nurses, paediatricians, and all who work with
children. We give thanks for those who teach and care for children and especially
those with special needs.
We remember those who have died, especially at this time of year - those who
have cared for us or those we are close to. May God welcome them into his
kingdom, and may their memory and example inspire us to become more loving to
others.
Jeremy Crocker
14
BELL RINGING at Elstow Abbey
On Sunday, 30 November 2014 in 42 mins
A Quarter Peal 1260 Grandsire Doubles
1
2
3
4
5
6
Sarah-Louise Ward
Adrienne P Sharp
Jenny Thompson
Ann Desics
Stephen H Stanford (Conductor)
Richard J Hillson
Rung for evensong in memory of Florence Annie Mallabar (nee Hyde), Adrienne’s
Aunt, who passed away on 15th November 2014 aged 97.
On Wednesday, 31 December 2014 in 43 mins
A Quarter Peal; 1320 Norwich Surprise Minor
1
2
3
4
5
6
Sarah-Louise Ward
Adrienne P Sharp
Andrew J Spencer
David I Stanford
Richard A Horne
Stephen H Stanford (Conductor)
In fond memory of Robert Wood, a dear friend of this band and ringer from this tower, on the first anniversary of his death. Also for the passing of 2014.
On Tuesday, 6 January 2015 in 43 mins
A Quarter Peal; 1272 Star of Bethlehem Delight Minor
1
2
3
4
5
6
Graham D Hall
Sue Marsden
Janet Garnett
Joan Garrett
Vicky LeFèvre (Conductor)
Alistair F Donaldson
Rung on ‘Golden Oldies’ QP Day for the Feast of Epiphany.
15
THE FRIENDS OF ELSTOW ABBEY
A Cheese and Wine party was held in November to mark the 20th anniversary of
the foundation of The Friends of Elstow Abbey.
The registered charity was set up in 1994 by the then vicar of Elstow, the Reverend
Richard Huband, along with the Churchwarden at the time, Colin Albon. The
formation of The Friends was the result of the very successful Restoration Appeal
held during the late 1980s and the early 1990s, which raised almost £150,000 for
restoration, repairs and improvements to the historic building.
The aim of The Friends is to raise sufficient funds to keep the Abbey church (one of
the gems of Bedfordshire) in good condition and to nurture a community of
interest in its time-honoured traditions of Christian witness. The Friends is run by a
number of Trustees and a committee.
Over the past 20 years the Friends has raised some £54,000 through subscriptions
and events and this has been spent on repairs to the Abbey, repairs to the
Hillersden Ruins, refurbishment of the Organ, repairs to stained glass window
guards, stonework repairs, roof repairs, display boards, furniture for the children’s
corner, repairs to the heating system and recently repairs to the churchyard walls.
It is through organisations such as The Friends that Parochial Church Councils are
helped to maintain our ancient churches.
If you would like to join The Friends of Elstow Abbey - and new members are
always very welcome - then please go to the Abbey website where full details
may be found. www.elstow-abbey.org.uk
16
www.friendsforlifebedford.org.uk
Winter 2014 Newsletter
Happy Christmas
We would like to wish all our volunteers and supporters a very Happy Christmas and take
this opportunity to thank our volunteers for the work you have done over the last year in the
name of Friends for Life. The reports we receive from the homes make it clear that your visits
are exceedingly well received and appreciated.
Sheila Luxon
It is with sadness that we report the death of Sheila Luxon who died on 5 th October. Sheila
was one of FFL’s first volunteers who really embraced the role of Personal Befriender. She
always spoke with enthusiasm about the chats she had with her friend. Unfortunately she
was forced to retire from volunteering in 2010 when she had to give up driving. After a stroke
in 2012 Sheila moved into Anjulita Court. Sheila was a generous contributor to society all her
life and many organisations have benefitted from her positive and kind attitude. She will be
missed.
Patrons
Many organisations invite people who are well-known in the community to become Patrons.
Those who accept such a post do not become involved in the management or day-to-day
activity of the organisation (unless they wish to). However, by associating themselves so
prominently they demonstrate their support and help to raise its profile.
We are delighted that the following have accepted our invitation to become Patrons of
Friends for Life:
Rt Revd Richard Atkinson, Bishop of Bedford
Rt Revd Alan Smith, Bishop of St.Albans
Revd Anne Brown, Chair of Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire Methodist District
Mr Clifton Ibbett, Trustee of Ibbett Trust and Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation.
We welcome all our Patrons and look forward to meeting them and/or their representatives
whenever possible as we continue to expand our activities in supporting people living in the
care homes in North and Mid Bedfordshire.
Autumn Forum
On Wednesday 8th October 2014, Friends for Life hosted “Tackling Loneliness in Care
Homes” Revd Dr Keith Albans, Group Director – Chaplaincy & Spirituality of Methodist
Homes for the Aged gave a presentation and we had some lively discussion. Attendance
was somewhat less than we had hoped. The care homes were not as well represented as we
17
had expected as we felt that this would be of particular interest to Care Home staff and certainly the two activities co-ordinators from Airedale found the evening very useful. They have
since reported with great enthusiasm that they have implemented some additions to their already impressive programme and have some great ideas for the future which will really
benefit their residents.
Our particular thanks go to St Mary’s, Goldington for their support in connection with this
event.
Poetry Group
In conjunction with members of St Peter de Merton Church, we are starting a poetry group in
the New Year. Initially visiting just a couple of homes but as the group grows in confidence it
is hoped that more homes will be included. Home Managers – if you would like the group to
visit your home, please contact Joanne on 01234 213038.
Volunteer Update
Since the last Newsletter we have increased our volunteer base with 7 new volunteers. We
are now visiting over 60 residents, however, after recent consultation with the region’s
homes, we have a list of more than 60 further residents who would benefit from a friend. Our
focus in the new year will be a recruitment drive, particularly in the Sharnbrook area and we
would be most grateful of any help you could give us with this.
You can help by talking to anyone you know who may be able to volunteer and encouraging
them to join us. You may know of a centre where we could put up a poster and leaflets or a
group who may welcome one of our speakers. If you would like any posters or leaflets,
please contact Joanne on 213038 / [email protected] who will be happy to provide
some.
Fundraising Update
We are thrilled to be able to report that Kathryn has been extremely successful recently in
securing further funding, ensuring a stable footing for the next financial year. These grants
include a generous donation from the Verulum House Fund Trust. Unfortunately, all charitable organisations have unavoidable costs so fundraising will continue to be an important aspect for Friends for Life.
Resources Library
Don’t forget the Resources Library to help you with your visits. Thanks to recent successful
grant applications we are regularly updating the resources and will instruments available soon,
these may also be borrowed by Church Groups when visiting homes. The resources are kept at
St Mark’s Church Office, Brickhill. In the Resources Box at St Mark’s is a black folder, each item
has a sheet on which to record who has borrowed the item. The office is open 9am to 5pm
Monday – Friday.
Friends for Life Bedfordshire is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales.
Company number 7951058
Registered Office: Priory Methodist Church, Newnham Avenue, Bedford, MK41 9QJ
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The Bishop of St Albans’
New Year Message 2015
As we bid farewell to 2014, we face a new year which is filled with potential and possibilities.
Among the many events that will take place will be the general election on 7th May. Later in
2015 we will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta. This was a landmark
event which has led to our modern democracy in the Western world.
Nowadays we are all aware of our rights, enshrined in the laws of our land. However, these
rights come with responsibilities. How can I contribute to our common life? Am I willing to obey
the very laws which guarantee us our freedoms? What sort of society do we want to be?
All over Europe, there is a dissatisfaction with our political systems. We can all see their problems. But, compare our situation with Syria, in the grip of civil war. Or the tragedy which is unfolding as IS kills and rapes everyone in its path. It’s a reminder just how fortunate we are in Britain.
However, democracy is a fragile institution. It will only survive and thrive if we are active citizens
and engage in the political process. We have to enter into debates about our future. We have to
make a contribution to our local community. We have to talk to politicians and above all, we
have to vote in the general election. For those of us who are Christians it also means praying for
our leaders, our nation and committing ourselves to contribute to the common good.
Recent press reports suggest that young people might be crucial to the outcome of the next
election. My prayer is that they will also engage in the political debate. We need to help them
realize that it is to a large extent up to them what their own political future will be. If you know a
young person, encourage them to vote, this year and in every election in the future. If you are a
young person, take your own future in your hands. Don’t put it in someone else’s.
But politics can’t solve everything. It’s people who do that. Ordinary people who get stuck into
the issues and opportunities of our local communities. My hope for 2015 is that we will draw on
the deep Christian roots of our nation and work together to become a more tolerant and a more
generous nation.
+Alan St Albans
Archbishop Justin's speech at the launch of the All-Party
Parliamentary Group Inquiry Report on Hunger and Food
Poverty in Westminster this morning.
Monday 8th December 2014
I am really pleased and privileged and grateful to be here with you this morning for the launch of
what seems to me to be an incredibly important report.
I don’t want to talk for too long, so let me focus on why we’re here and why this report is so
important. We all know about the rise in food banks and the number of people turning to them
in times of crisis over the last few years.
19
And there have been two things that have struck me. One was - as I’ve visited food banks and
seen what churches are doing across the country, the Trussell Trust leading it particularly
effectively - it’s how shocking it is to find this happening here. As I said in a newspaper article
yesterday, I’ve seen much worse, very recently, and will do over the next couple of weeks when
I’m travelling, but it’s finding it here, it’s in the wrong place, we don’t do that in this country and
we need to stop. And we’ve seen the response that people who have been shocked by this have
made. There’s been a grassroots response to the problems that have opened our eyes to the
extent of the problems themselves.
The years since the 2008 crisis have been hard ones for many. And the response of compassion,
indiscriminate compassion, generous open-handed compassion, has come principally from the
churches in response to people’s need for food. And I particularly want to pay tribute to Bishop
Tim Thornton, the Bishop of Truro, who has co-chaired the inquiry with Frank [Field] in his work,
in his own diocese, which I saw earlier in the year and also on this inquiry.
We’re here in Portcullis House, so there’s no point pretending that people being hungry is an
easy issue to address within our political system. You all know what the challenges are. Our
democratic system is essential and has huge strengths, but it is sometimes tricky working across
parties – particularly when there’s a large event happening in a few months’ time.
Yet party-political approaches will not work for an issue like this, which has complex roots, and
which affects our most basic needs as human beings. Everyone needs to eat. And therefore I also
want to pay tribute to the dedication of the whole inquiry panel, particularly the Members of
Parliament, who, fairly obviously, take a political risk in doing something that’s all-party. . . but
have done it with immense dedication and they really do deserve huge thanks.
But that’s not the only reason why this cannot be a party political issue. I have spoken to
numerous politicians on this, and I know well that, whereas it’s easy to be cynical, the reality is
that there are huge numbers of people, both from government and opposition, all across the
spectrum of opposition parties, who are absolutely committed to ensuring the wellbeing of their
constituents and all the people in their country.
They are guided by a strong moral compass and we need to recognise that and not always be too
cynical about what we see our politicians doing. The issue is how you turn that moral compass
into practical action.
If we want to understand what is driving people to the point where they will put up with the
shame of having to ask for help from a food bank (and people usually arrive with an unjustified
sense of shame); if we want to find the practical solutions that will substantially reduce the
numbers of people needing to do so; then the only way we can do this is by a collective effort,
drawing on the wisdom of politicians from every political background, of food banks, charities
and non-profits working in the sector, of retailers and of Government departments.
You might think from some of yesterday’s coverage, and today’s, that the report is asking the
Government to move into the food bank sector. It’s not. It is far more interesting and creative
than that. And we see there the influence particularly of Frank’s extensive experience and his
imaginative and creative approach to these issues.
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And that’s what makes me so excited about what is proposed for this new organisation, Feeding
Britain. The agenda this morning is to make sure that this report gets the widest possible
audience. If you haven’t read the report, go and read it, I certainly will be glad you did.
And we’re here to look to the next steps on the path to building a hunger-free society in this
country. Frank and Bishop Tim have asked me to be President of Feeding Britain as it is set up
and goes forward into its pilot stages, and I feel that accepting that invitation is a huge privilege
for me, and I am very grateful to be asked and I accept it with much enthusiasm.
Bishop Tim will continue to lead on this work for the Church of England as one of the founding
trustees of Feeding Britain, along with his fellow members of the inquiry panel, and I will take a
close interest as the project goes forward.
One of the striking things that enthuses me most about this report is that the proposals it
contains are eminently practical and they are not unreasonably expensive. There is always a cost
to setting up pilots and I very much hope that the Government will look seriously at finding the
relatively small amounts that would be needed to match fund charitable donations and grants so
that we can get pilot schemes underway as soon as possible.
But in the longer term we’re looking at making a transformative difference to the lives of many
in this country – and to the nature of the communities we are all part of – without great financial
cost. It is genuinely a case of the common good and genuinely a case of pulling together. It
comes down to our willingness to pull together to make a difference. It’s within our grasp, and
the inquiry itself has been a model of how that can be done.
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An Easter QUIZ
1: At Christ's crucifixion what did the soldiers place on his
head?
Crown
Crown
Crown
Crown
of
of
of
of
Nettles
Thorns
Jewels
Thistles
2: For what of Christ's did the soldiers cast lots?
Clothes
Jewels
Donkey
Cross
3: For how many pieces of silver did Judas betray Christ?
10
20
30
40
4: How did Judas betray Christ?
By pointing at him
Described him to the authorities
With a kiss
Shook his hand
5: Christ was led away to which high priest first?
Annas
Vitellius
Caiaphas
Josephus
6: What was inscribed above the cross?
Prince of the Jews
King of the Jews
Saviour of the Jews
Captain of the Jews
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7: When Jesus died, for how long was there darkness over the land?
3
3
3
3
days
minutes
hours
weeks
8: What was the name of the man who requested Jesus' body for burial?
Nicodemus
Joseph
Philip
Jonathan
9: Who of these was first on the scene after resurrection of Christ?
Simon Peter
Cleopas
Judas Iscariot
Mary Magdalene
10: Pilate offered to release one prisoner - which prisoner did the Jews request to be released?
Jesus
Barabbas
Paul
Barnabas
11: What was the colour of the robe placed on Jesus?
Blue
Red
White
Purple
12: After Pilate found no guilt in Christ, for what reason did the Jews say that
Jesus should die?
He
He
He
He
claimed to be of heaven
said he would destroy the temple of God
claimed to be their King
had made himself the Son of God
13: With what was Jesus' side pierced?
Sword
Knife
Spear
Axe
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14: In what was Jesus wrapped before he was buried?
Goat skins
Linen clothes
Sheep skins
Golden robes
15: Which disciple wanted to see the imprint of the nails before he would believe?
Andrew
Thomas
James
Bartholomew
16: Jesus appeared to his disciples after the resurrection beside which sea?
Red Sea
Sea of Joppa
Sea of Tiberias
Dead Sea
17: Who did Pilate send Jesus to after he had interrogated him?
Herod
Annas
Caiaphas
Caesar
18: Who carried the cross for Christ?
Simon of Cyrene
Simon Peter
Simon the Zealot
Simeon
19: Who rolled away the tomb stone?
Jesus
God
An Angel
A Roman Centurion
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Pancake Recipe for Shrove Tuesday
Ingredients
Serves: 6
 250 g plain flour
 1/4 teaspoon of salt
 2 large eggs
 500 ml milk
 Knob of butter for frying
 Caster sugar (for sprinkling)
 Fresh lemon (for squeezing)
Method
Prep:5min › Cook:15min › Ready in:20min
1. Sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl.
2. Break the eggs into a bowl and then add to flour.
3. Pour in half of the milk and whisk briskly.
4. Add the remaining milk and whisk until the batter is smooth.
5. Heat an 8 inch pan over a low heat. Add a small knob of butter and swirl the pan to coat the
bottom.
6. Use a ladle to spoon the pancake batter into the pan, then tilt the pan to spread the mixture out
evenly.
7. As it sets, shake the pan to see if the pancake is loose, then flip it over with a palette knife. Cook
the other side for 30 seconds -then shake again to see if it's loose.
8. Slide onto a warm plate, sprinkle over some sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice - then eat
immediately!
9. Cook the rest of the pancakes, one at a time but remember to melt a small knob of butter before
adding the batter.
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DETAILS FROM THE REGISTERS
MARRIAGES
December 28th
Rebecca Fiona Docherty and Richard James Lightfoot
BURIALS
November 18th
Barbara Willis (Ashes)
Lizzie Tallentire (Ashes)
December 4th
Cynthia Carpenter (Burial)
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*************************************************************************
Thought for the Day:
“It was only a sunny smile
And little it cost in the giving
But like morning light
It scattered the night
And made the day worth living.”
27
JUST FOR FUN!
Take a break and try finding the Valentine’s-associated words in this word search.
Adore
Candy
Cookies
Dinner
Flowers
Gifts
Heart
Lovebirds
Sweetheart
D
G
I
F
T
S
M
L
S
D
P
X
Q
P
A
S
U
R
E
Y
C
V
I
C
V
E
D
I
G
D
L
P
Y
B
R
Z
I
K
T
K
O
G
V
G
O
J
C
T
R
A
E
H
T
E
E
W
S
L
E
R
S
O
A
U
A
S
N
O
O
L
L
A
B
W
E
R
O
D
A
N
C
I
N
G
C
A
N
D
Y
U
E
K
R
R
F
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S
H
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P
V
W
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W
Y
N
D
Z
I
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C
R
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N
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O
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G
M
F
F
V
P
Z
G
D
F
N
C
E
L
S
S
D
R
I
B
E
V
O
L
K
E
P
S
F
G
O
D
S
L
O
V
E
N
P
P
R
H
O
N
L
E
N
I
T
N
E
L
A
V
J
E
E
R
H
G
V
R
K
F
A
R
H
R
G
V
X
A
T
B
D
O
P
C
A
R
D
S
Q
D
V
U
R
J
X
F
L
Z
L
U
O
Y
G
Y
D
N
E
T
V
Balloons
Cards
Dancing
February
Friendship
GodsLove
Love
Roses
Valentine
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