PARISH AND PEOPLE
The Magazine of St. Mary the Virgin,
Goldington
April 2020 80p
We wish all our readers a very Happy Easter
ST. MARY’S DIRECTORY
Vicar: The Rev’d Simon Dommett 01234 351920 The Vicarage Church Lane Goldington, Bedford, MK41 0AP [email protected]
Associate Priest:
The Rev'd Jennie Cappleman 01234 266952 [email protected]
Licensed Readers:
Michael Furlong 01234 352134
Cathy Sanderson 01234 346889
Churchwardens: Mr Brian Backhouse 8 Lydford Close, BEDFORD, MK40 3AZ 01234 403255
Mrs Wendy Watmough 34 The Spinney, BEDFORD, MK41 0ET 07588 185347
Parochial Church Council Secretary:
Sarah Collinson 01234 262123
Treasurer:
Richard Kirby 01234 266425
Safeguarding Officer: Cathy Sanderson 07870 679699
Environmental Officer: Colin Last 01234 356261
Health & Safety Officer: Vacant
Electoral Roll Officer: John Sheffield 01234 357439
Church Hall Manager: Mr Geoff Sowerby 01234 403411
Enquiries about baptisms and marriages are always welcome.
Please contact the Vicar as above.
Other enquiries should go to the Church Office
01234 328823 or e-mail [email protected]
Registered Charity No: 1131568
1
Our Vicar writes ...
Happy Easter
Christ is risen, he is risen indeed, Alleluia!
This joyful shout of celebration will ring out in churches all over the world this
Easter as they have done over the centuries. Each year the church (the
people rather than the building) proclaims the confidence and joy of the
Easter message, that Jesus has been raised from the dead and has defeated
evil.
For many Easter will mark the end of their preparations during Lent. It isn’t
something that just happens. It is something that is planned and prepared
for. Planned and prepared for from before the beginning of time, as it is all
part of God’s plan and purpose for humankind.
During this lent “Live Lent” encouraged us all to think about God’s creation
with the Live Lent campaign.
https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/livelent-2020-care-for-gods-creation/
Now some may think that Easter is all about people, if they don’t think it is
about bunnies, but the truth is that Easter is about all of creation. It is about
humankind, plants, animals and the environment. For none of these live in
isolation, nor can they exist without the other.
We read in the book of Genesis that God created the world and saw that it
was good. He created the heavens and the earth, the sky and the sea and all
living creatures and saw that it was good. God didn’t create the world for it
to be destroyed although humankind appears to be trying hard to have a go
at that. God created it so that we could enjoy it - we could care for it as
stewards so that we could celebrate in it.
As Christians celebrating Easter, we should also be standing up and shouting
from the roof tops, as God has saved us so we must save His creation.
The Church of England’s lead Bishop for the Environment, Nicholas Holtam,
writes:
“There is a climate emergency and we are all called to exercise leadership
in this area, prioritising the fifth mark of mission ‘to strive to safeguard
the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth’.
Without this being done wholeheartedly the other four marks of mission
lack meaning and credibility in today’s context. It is now clear that almost
everything we do needs to be seen through the lens of the environment.”
2
So I would want to encourage you to think about your lifestyle and its
sustainability. Have you switched to green energy? Are you committed to
recycling? Are you reducing your use of plastics and making sure that your
local and national stores know that you want them to use less plastic or
reduce it altogether? Are you saving energy, not just to reduce your bills
but to reduce our carbon footprint on creation?
Easter is a story of redemption and salvation, about new life and new hope.
May our lives reflect this new life and new hope for ourselves and for God’s
wonderful creation too.
Loving God, creator of our common home,
You fill the earth and sea and sky with life
Forgive us our neglect of your creation
The choking waste of our pollution
The damage done by careless habits
And our indifference to future generations.
Help us to amend our lives
To refuse more plastic if we can’t reuse it
To lift our voice for lasting change
And to live well and gently on the earth
To the glory of your Son, the Living Word
Through whom you made this fragile world.
Amen.
Simon
From the Registers
We remember those who have died
18th February Marjorie Michowicz
20th February Alan Odell
21st February Campbell Fortune
25th February Pauline Ellen Taylor
27th February Hilda Joan Sharman
5th March Carol Anne Rinaldo
Eco Church
RESPONDING to climate change becomes ever more urgent
and we have been looking at practical ways in which we at
St Mary’s can do more to help out. In last month’s magazine
Jennie talked about us using less plastic. I hope some of
you, like me, took the pledge to give up plastic for Lent (and
beyond). She also made reference to Eco Church.
ECO CHURCH is an initiative run by A Rocha UK, a
Christian charity, to promote good environmental practice.
Its web based Award scheme is designed to motivate
churches to establish caring for God’s earth as an integral
part of their everyday work and witness.
IT is supported by Christian Aid, the Church of England, the
Methodist Church and Tearfund, and since its launch 3 years ago has
attracted many churches to join in, including Clapham Methodist,
Christ Church, St Andrew’s, Park Road Methodist, St Marks and
Putnoe Heights in the Bedford area.
AT the heart of Eco Church is a unique, online survey that enables
churches to both record what they are already doing to care for God’s
earth, and to reflect on what further steps they can take to that end and
then act accordingly.
IT challenges churches to look at five key areas of church life:
Worship and teaching
Management of church buildings
Management of church land
Community and global engagement
Lifestyle
CHURCHES complete the online Eco Survey about how they are caring
for God’s earth in these different areas. The answers a church provides
will collect points towards an Eco Church Award – the more your
church does, the more points you get.
It is very supportive with much information and practical suggestions
on how to live a greener life.
3
4
I believe it is a good way of helping us to monitor the progress of our
own environmental policy, allowing us also to compare what we do
with other churches and provides an incentive to improve things. It is
in essence an independent environmental audit of our churches
activities.
WE have taken the first step and registered as an Eco Church.
OVER the next few weeks we will be filling in the Eco Church survey,
which covers questions about all aspects of our church life. This will
provide us with an idea of where we are and will also highlight areas
for improvements. I will be reporting back on progress as we complete
the survey.
VISIT the following sites for more information about Eco Church:
ecochurch.arocha.org.uk
churchofengland.org/environment
ANYONE who would like to get involved, or to find out more, I would
happy to hear from you.
Colin Last,
Environmental Officer
An indication of how seriously the issue of climate
change is being taken by the Church of England is
that in February the General Synod passed a motion
recognising the climate emergency. It has called on
all parts of the Church to reduce their emissions year-
on-year, aiming for a target of net zero by 2030 at the
latest.
This is an ambitious deadline, revising the previous
target date of 2045 considerably, and presents us all
with a major challenge. The 2030 target is achievable
but only if we all support it and take the necessary
actions now. There are just 10 years to make it
happen.
5
Church Rewiring
As we write this issue we are expecting the church rewiring to
start during March. This much needed work has been enabled
by the generous donations of time by a small group seeking
grants, by others giving directly to the cause and by
others organising and supporting fund raising initiatives.
We had hoped the work would be completed by Easter
but we now hope it will be before the end of April. This
will make the church a safer place and we can rejoice
that we can return our midweek services to the church
building again.
I am very grateful for all who have helped in so many ways,
and for the legacy we will leave for future generations of a
safer church.
Congregational Surveys
My thanks to all who completed and returned the two
congregational surveys in January and February. They
helped to take a snapshot of where we are as a church and a
congregation. They will also be used to help inform our
decisions about possible future directions of the church and
about what might be needed by the church family. An
analysis of the results will be available in church and
has already been shared with the PCC members. There
are many positive things shown in the survey, including a
steady and committed congregation. Many people
commented on how welcoming the church is and what
they enjoyed about the services and worship. The survey
also points to some areas of church life that we need to work
on and we will be doing this in the coming months and years.
So thank you for all who helped.
See next month’s issue for the results of our
Annual Church Meetings: Churchwardens, Deanery Synod
Representatives and the various officers and members of the PCC.
6
The Stations of the Cross for All
Part 2 - The Cross as a Journey - Dennis Bratcher
T he Stations of the Cross has two related meanings.
In one sense, the Stations of the Cross refers to the
liturgical practice of using various events in the final
hours of Jesus’ life as a structure for prayer and meditation (also called
the Via Crucis or Way of the Cross). These events encompass Jesus’
journey carrying his cross from the Hall of Pilate where he was
condemned to death to the site of his execution on Golgotha
(Calvary).
T here are presently Fourteen Stations of the Cross on the Via
Dolorosa, some with chapels or places to pray
and meditate.
1. Christ condemned to death;
2. the cross is laid upon him;
3. His first fall;
4. He meets His Blessed Mother;
5. Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross;
6. Christ's face is wiped by Veronica;
7. His second fall;
8. He meets the women of Jerusalem;
9. His third fall;
10. He is stripped of His garments;
11. His crucifixion;
12. His death on the cross;
13. His body is taken down from the cross; and
14. He is laid in the tomb.
7
WHITE-upon-GREEN
A poem
She not the smallest of all flowers
Nor the most abundant:
Superior to humble daisy-of-the-chain;
Anterior to larger, yet shyer, lily-of-the-valley,
In the main.
She not the whitest of all flowers:
White rose, white tulip.... chrysanth...
Convolvulus [ horrid? ]
More florid.
Yet spurn not this drop of snow:
White-on-green...
As white-on-green as striped sun-blind
Lovingly drawn out by pole-with-hook
To shield your fishmonger's fish;
As white-on-green as flag of Pakistan unfurled;
As white-on-green as Deckchair-man's deckchair;
As white-on-green as your stylish drawing-room carpet;
As characteristically white-on-green as an Eddie Stobart lorry...
White-on-green.
Godfrey Holmes
9
1. Memories from an Octogenarian - Sylvia Tysoe
It all started when I was born, so my uncle teased me. War broke out when I
was one month old and my Mother was evacuated with a baby and a toddler
not yet two years old. East End of London was too vulnerable being near
dockland. You realise this is how mum told us.
It was not organised as we were led to believe. A group of mums and children
were sent to Bungay to be greeted off the train by ladies expecting school
boys. No one offered my mother to live with them until a young lady took
pity on us and took us home to her parents. The story was sad as Mum told it,
but now as a mother of three boys I can relate to her problems. The hosts
would not leave Mum alone in the house and every Sunday left her to walk
the streets whilst they went to church. Winter came and then the news
declared that a war was not happening! Mum and two daughters were home
for Christmas to be with Dad who worked at night baking bread to feed the
district.
My memories begin when Dad and a neighbour dug a large hole at the far end
of the garden to sink a large shelter where Mum and Dad put beds inside.
Most nights Mum would wake us up, put coats and wellingtons on then escort
us down in the darkness to the shelter. We only had a candle to see by, and
sleep did not come quickly. Mum stayed in the house, I think listening to the
radio, before joining us in the shelter. One day Mum explained we would
need to go to the shelter at bed-time. I now realise the siren went more often
which made her in a great hurry. A blanket to cover where the door might be
proved useless: Mum heard the noise above and grabbed my sister just as it
stopped. The next morning at daylight we hurried to the kitchen door to find
the kitchen cupboard smashed with cracks showing in the wall but the house
was still standing. Sadly two houses a few gardens away were totally
demolished. A forbidden play spot after the war, but for Barbara and me this
was a warning. The parents decided the children must go away. My sister by
now was at school but the dangers were getting harsher. Our neighbours also
had two daughters who needed to get out of London. An acquaintance they
knew who lived in Frampton on Severn agreed to help us: with a girl and boy
10
of their own it proved almost impossible. I remember being on the platform to
travel. Dad told Mum to get on the train to find seats and he passed me
through the window. London was panicking!
When I think about my stay there, hating it all the time and begging to go
home when Mum and Dad visited must have upset them as much as I was
unhappy. The five children went to school every day and the mother and
father went to work although not all the day: I could not read or write and was
forbidden to cross over the road, even though I rarely saw a car. The school
was at the far end of a large village green; I would sit on the fence and watch
them walking home, wishing they would hurry up. I always think my love of
chocolate was due to small pieces of white chocolate appearing on the table.
“Father” worked somewhere to bring home broken bits. Do I love tomatoes
for the same reason? “Mother” worked in a ‘glass house’.
During the holidays we were allowed to explore and play along the river side.
Playing in the garden had resulted in an awful accident. A large dog was
chained up near a garden path; of course instructions were issued but we were
young and ran everywhere. My sister was badly bitten on her leg and the
result has stayed with me !
Mum and Dad sent letters to us which Barbara read out to me and replied to
them. I do remember a special visit. The journey was long as they came by
‘tube’ to London to catch a train to Stroud then a bus to the village. I watched
them walk across the village green - Dad carefully carrying a large box. My
birthday cake: wonderfully home made and iced! We celebrated my fifth
birthday. I was delighted but still cried ‘take me home’. As a parent now I
realise how hard it was for my Mum and Dad.
Autumn came and at last I was allowed to walk with the others to school! I
was so excited! Small bottles of milk in crates were carried in to place beside
the guard by the open fire. It was often frozen but I still disliked warm milk.
The small village school was overcrowded. Two teachers were in charge of
two classes in one room. In my excitement, I waved across to my sister. I was
reprimanded! Trust me! A mistake before my school life had even started.
(To be concluded)
If you have concerns
Children, young people and adults
If you have a concern about an individ-
ual's physical, sexual or emotional well-
being, it is your responsibility to seek
advice and support from your Parish
Safeguarding Officer (PSO) /Diocesan
Safeguarding Adviser (DSA).
Clergy, church wardens, volunteers or
other church officers
Any safeguarding concerns or allega-
tions about anyone in a Parish role must
be immediately reported to the DSA.
If you or someone close to you (e.g. a
partner or someone you live with) be-
comes involved in any police or Social
Services investigation, you must notify
the DSA immediately.
Mission
The Gospel speaks of welcome for all,
especially the most vulnerable, into a
Church which affirms the value and
dignity of every human and those in
positions of responsibility and
authority are truly trustworthy.
Being faithful to this therefore
compels us to take with the utmost
seriousness the challenge of
preventing abuse from happening
and responding well where it has.
From Promoting A Safer Church, the
House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy
Statement.
For further information, guidance
and resources, please visit:
www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding
Important contact numbers
Parish Safeguarding Officer PSO
Ms Cathy Sanderson
07870 679699
Parish Priest (vicar)
Rev’d Simon Dommett
01234 351920
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
Jeremy Hirst (DSA)
01727 818107
Diocesan Out of Hours
07867 350886
Local Authority (Children)
Central Bedfordshire
0300 300 8142
Local Authority (Adults)
01234 276222
Emergencies only 0300 300 8123
Safeguarding at
St. Mary’s
A Pocket Guide
What to do if you have a
concern about a child, young
person or adult within the
church.
In an emergency call 999
1 2
If you have concerns
A member of the congregation
Any safeguarding concerns or
allegation must be immediately
reported to the PSO/DSA.
Please be assured that all matters
will be dealt with confidentially by
the Church and reported to the
police and/or social services as
required to protect those who are
vulnerable from harm.
Remember
Dos and don'ts for handling a
disclosure
Don't X Promise complete confidentiality
X Ask leading or probing questions
X Investigate
X Discuss with people who do not
need to know
X Delay in reporting the disclosure
to the PSO/DSA
Remember
Dos and don'ts for handling a
disclosure
Do
Remain calm, approachable and
receptive
Take it seriously
Listen carefully, without
interrupting
Acknowledge you understand
how difficult this may be
Offer reassurance - it is the
right thing to tell someone
Tell them what will happen next
Make a written record of
exactly what has been said and
when
Report
Is there an emergency?
Is there an immediate risk of harm?
YES NO
Contact the
police and
social services
THEN
Contact the Parish
Safeguarding
Officer (PSO) and
Diocesan
Safeguarding
Adviser (DSA)
THEN
Complete a written record and email it
to the DSA
THEN
The DSA will arrange the response,
report to statutory agencies and
support the parish
6 5
4 3
13
Several of you have said you would like a copy of The
Safeguarding Pocket Guide, an essential item for your wallet,
bag or pocket which we included in Parish & People last summer.
So here is another opportunity to make your own handy guide.
It tells you what you need to know about St Mary’s vital role in
safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and how you should
deal with any incidents which may arise.
To make your guide, gently ease the centre page of the magazine
from the staples and cut down the central fold line. Fold pages
labelled 3 & 4 down towards pages 5 & 6 and then fold page 1
towards page 2.
Always keep your guide to hand.
New Church Logo
We are very grateful for all the people including the Guides who submitted a suggestion for our new church logo. This has prompted much good discussion about what we want the logo to convey and what we want it to say about the church, people, building and mission. We have been asking the congregation to vote for their favourite three designs and these are now to go to the PCC for a decision. The decision will not be straightforward and may involve some evolution of the suggestions as they are converted into a final design from the draft ideas. But I am excited about the energy this has created and the discussions that have been shared. It has been pointed out that this is an important decision for us as a church as it will be our 800th anniversary year in 2028 so the logo could be prominent in what we do for that celebration.
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 2020
10th – 16th MAY
Dear Friends – here is the timetable for our Christian Aid
fundraising this year, with some already underway.
Following a recent discussion with the PCC about the style
of our fundraising, the consensus for this year was to
closely follow along the same lines as before. But we will
endeavour to promote “Invitation” to others from our
community to join us, and be as inclusive as we can. So
please bear this in mind and share the dates and Invitation
with neighbours, as well as our friends and family.
Thank you, Wendy and Dorothy.
14
It was a great pleasure and privilege to have Heather Johnstone from CMS, Church Mission Society come and speak at our worship in February.
Using a slide show she shared with us what she had been up to in Tanzania.
As a PCC we support her from our charitable giving but you could also support her directly with money and with prayer. We published Heather’s latest newsletter in the January issue of Parish & people but if you missed it you can sign up to receive it directly with the link below
https://churchmissionsociety.org/people-in-mission/heather-johnstone/
Back copies of Parish & People are available from the Editorial Team if you prefer a printed version.
Heather Johnstone
15
DATE EVENT VENUE
Feb 26 –
April 9th
Count Your Blessings 2020
Daily Reflections &
Challenges for Lent
Collect pack from
Church, complete at
home
April 4th
Saturday
Ladies Breakfast
Bucket Collection
9.00 am The Orchard
Harvester
Riverfield Drive
April 18th
Saturday
Men’s Breakfast
Bucket Collection
9.00 am The Orchard
Harvester
Riverfield Drive
May 1st
Friday
Bluebell Walk
Anyone welcome to join us
Meet Church Car
Park for 9.30 am start.
Dogs welcome.
£3 donation
May 10th –
16th
Christian Aid Week -
envelopes for Church
Members, family & friends
Return red envelope
with your donations
on Sunday 17th May
May 11th –
17th
Sponsored Walk by
Richard Kirby
Yorkshire Wolds Way
80 Miles
May 16th
Saturday
Craft Demonstration and
Cream Tea
Open Invitation to all
Church Hall 2.30 –
4.00 pm
Admission £3
March –
May 16th
Christian Aid Loose change
boxes
Collect surplus
change. Return box
17th May
CANCELLED
CANCELLED
16
Each month the diocese of St Albans publishes a
Prayer Diary with suggestions for prayer for the
Anglican Communion worldwide and parishes within
the diocese itself.
These can be downloaded from the following link with details of what each
diocesan group or parish wants to give thanks for and what they would like
us to include in our prayers.
https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/Daily-Prayer-Diary-
March-May-2020-A4.pdf
To publish them all each month in Parish & People would take too much
space and so this month we have just printed a very brief summary of the
parishes for April.
Do let us know if this is helpful or if you would like to receive this information
in some other form.
1st April Diocesan Mission and
Pastoral Committee
Executive Committee
2nd April Diocesan Board of
Education
3rd April - 18th April
In the Biggleswade Deanery
Cockayne
Cople
Dunton
Eaton Socon
Eyeworth
Great Barford
Moggerhanger
Northill
Old Warden
Potton
Roxton
Sandy
Sutton
Tempsford with Little
Barford
Willington
Wrestlingworth
19th April - 30th April
In the Bishop Stortford Deanery
Albury
Bishop’s Stortford
Bishop’s Stortford, Holy
Trinity
Braughing
Furneux Pelham
Gilston with Eastwick.
High Wych, St James
Hockerill, All Saints
Little Hadham
Much Hadham
The Mundens
Sacombe
17
Hot Cross Buns
Ingredients
450g strong flour
A good pinch of salt
75 g sugar
1 egg
50 g melted butter
75g currants or sultanas
50 g cut mixed peel
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp cinnamon
150 ml tepid water/milk mix
1 sachet easy blend yeast
Method
Sieve the flour, salt, sugar and spices into a large bowl
Add the yeast
Stir in the beaten egg, melted butter and water/milk mix.
Add the dried mixed fruit.
Knead well to a soft dough.
Cover and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in
size.
Knock back and form into twelve buns marking each with a
cross cut into the top with a sharp knife.
Leave to raise again and bake at gas mark 5 - 6 for about
15 - 20 minutes.
Brush with a sugar/water glaze.
Enjoy with a friend!
For Good Friday...
19
Quick book reviews – our faith and the environment
There are an increasing number of books which explore environmental issues
from a faith based perspective. I’ve been reading quite a few as part of my
Christian Rural & Environmental Studies course, some of which are really good
introductions to Christianity and the environment aimed at the general reader.
Whether you’re wondering about what practical steps you can take, what the
Bible says or enjoy reading real life inspirational stories, there’s something for
you.
A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues by Martin and Margot
Hodson is designed for group or personal use. The book covers eight
key issues including climate change, biodiversity, food and
development. The chapters are part autobiographical and part
background information; they also include Biblical reflections on the
themes and Bible studies with questions for reflection or discussion. This is a
great introduction for anyone who would like to study a few key areas in some
depth and relate them to the Bible.
L is for Lifestyle: Christian living that doesn’t cost the earth by Ruth
Valerio is divided into 26 bite sized chapters, one for each letter of the
alphabet. It’s a book to encourage practical action and after an
overview of the topic each section ends with some suggestions of
things you can do to make a difference. There are also lists of websites
and books for further reading. Ruth is also the author of the 2020 Archbishop
of Canterbury’s Lent Book Saying Yes to Life which uses Genesis 1 to explore
environmental issues.
Dave Bookless’ Planetwise is a book of two halves – the first looks at
the Biblical basis for creation care and the second looks at living it out
through discipleship, worship, lifestyle and mission. Each chapter
ends with some questions for reflection. This book might particularly
appeal to anyone interested in how the church as a whole might
respond to environmental issues but it is also the story of how Dave and his
family changed their lifestyle. Their story is also the focus of God Doesn’t Do
Waste which is more autobiographical and tells how Dave became involved
with the Christian charity A Rocha. Dave and the A Rocha team turned an urban
wasteland in Southall (West London) into a Country Park. This is told in a
narrative style and would be a good read for anyone who prefers a book that
can be read straight through.
Shelly Dennison
20
Sense of EasterSense of EasterSense of EasterSense of Easter Baked bread Pure nard in alabaster Shards of pottery, shattered Gasps of shock A foretaste
Leafy shades Olive groves and palm branches Trees and broken branches Spit on cheek Dusty betrayal
Bitter herbs and rosemary for remembrance Acrid sweat, sickly sweet blood Sour saliva, hyssop and soaked bread Deep, deep agony
Cool of dank stone White clothes rasping the skin Freshness of linen encasing, Surrounding, wrapping Incense and myrrh from an earlier gift Time passes
A gardener and three women at dawn Shared bread and fish on a fire on the beach The smell of eternity Risen indeed
From St Mary’s Book of Prayers
22
CALENDAR, APRIL 2020
Wednesday 1 Frederick Denison Maurice, Priest, Teacher, 1872
Sunday 5 PALM SUNDAY
Monday 6 MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK
Tuesday 7 TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
Wednesday 8 WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
Thursday 9 MAUNDY THURSDAY
Friday 10 GOOD FRIDAY
Saturday 11 EASTER EVE
Sunday 12 EASTER DAY
Monday 13 MONDAY OF EASTER WEEK
Tuesday 14 TUESDAY OF EASTER WEEK
Wednesday 15 WEDNESDAY OF EASTER WEEK
Thursday 16 THURSDAY OF EASTER WEEK
Friday 17 FRIDAY OF EASTER WEEK
Saturday 18 SATURDAY OF EASTER WEEK
Sunday 19 THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
Tuesday 21 Anselm, Abbot of Le Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher, 1109
Thursday 23 GEORGE, MARTYR, PATRON OF ENGLAND, C. 304
Friday 24 Mellitus, Bishop of London, first Bishop at St Paul’s, 624
The Seven Martyrs of the Melanesian Brotherhood,
Solomon Islands, 2003 Saturday 25 MARK THE EVANGELIST
Sunday 26 THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
Monday 27 Christina Rossetti, Poet, 1894
Tuesday 28 Peter Chanel, Missionary in the South Pacific, 1841
Wednesday 29 Catherine of Siena, Teacher, 1380
Thursday 30 Pandita Mary Ramabai, Translator of the Scriptures, 1922
ST MARY’S DIRECTORY
Parochial Church Council Committees
Finance: Richard Kirby 01234 266425 Pastoral: Chris Jones 01234 959952 Property: Nick Fowler 01234 400294 Worship: Cathy Sanderson 07870 679699
Music at St Mary’s
Organist: Vacant Keyboard: Jane Davey 01234 360851 Choir: Sarah Collinson 01234 262123 First Sunday: Jane Davey 01234 360851
Bellringers
Tower Captain: Jenny Thompson 01234 216571
Church Services
Altar Servers: Frances Tyler 01234 303407 Flowers: Sally Gilbert 01234 266552
Intercessions: Tim Hern 01234 317847 Lesson Readers: Brenda Keech 01234 266743 Sacristans: Wendy & Bill Roffe 01234 342287
Verger: Antony Collinson 01234 262123
Social Groups
Catering Team: D Kirby & S Barker 01234 266425 Craft & Chat: Elaine Abraham 01234 301181 Indoor Bowls: Dorothy Kirby 01234 266425
Ladies’ Breakfast: Chris Graham 01234 213501 Men’s Breakfast: Brian Backhouse 01234 403255 Knit & Natter: Elaine Abraham 01234 301181 Walking Group: Richard Kirby 01234 266425
Other useful Contacts
Archivist: Sarah Collinson 01234 262123 Beavers: David Batten 07523 215187 Bible Reading notes: Jane Preston 01234 306361 Children’s Society: Christine Chapman 01234 342724 Church Library: Susan Lane 01234 404970 North Bedford Churches Together: Colin Last 01234 356261 Guides: Nesta Gedrych 07708 954462 Lifts to Church: Sheila Berry 01234 359470 Planned Giving: Michael Barker 01234 306139
Signing Group: Sue Lennon 01234 407298 Traidcraft: Andrew & Shelly Dennison 01234 217261
Editorial Team: Sarah Collinson Mary Everitt Christopher Hjelt Brenda Keech
Proofreading: Shelly Dennison
Distribution: Brenda Keech
Treasurer: Mary Cope
Please note that the deadline for articles to be included in the May issue is Sunday, 5th April. The deadline
for the June issue is Sunday, 3rd May. Articles, where possible, should be sent by e-mail to
[email protected] or submitted to one of the editorial team on a memory stick accompanied by hard copy.
Hand-written items are also accepted.
REGULAR SERVICES AT ST. MARY’S
SUNDAYS
First Sunday of the month only 8.00 am Holy Communion (B.C.P.)
9.30 am Family Praise – There is no Communion but plenty of music, singing, listening to God’s Word and prayer.
5.00 pm Contemplative or Taizé Service
Second, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of the month 9.30 am Parish Communion (Common Worship)
with activities for children.
Third Sunday of the month 9.30 am Family Communion (Common Worship) This service is especially child and family orientated.
Second Sunday of the month 5.00 pm Evensong (B.C.P.) March - November (except August)
WEEKDAYS
Monday, Tuesday and Friday 9.00am Morning Prayer (CW)
Every Wednesday 10.00am Holy Communion (B.C.P.)
www.stmarygoldington.org.uk