Not quite the Lantern magazine...

There will be no print version of The Lantern magazine for May. Instead The Lantern team have been turning our energies towards an e-magazine to be read on your phone, tablet or computer. We are not going to attempt to reproduce the format of The Lantern, as that seems unfair to subscribers who do not have such gadgets. Instead we are going to have four short weekly newsletters. We advise you not to print them off as the photos have too few dots to print well, but we hope you enjoy looking at them on screen. Contents: Minister’s Letter (Rev. Rob Marsh) Seen on a Walk Celtic Blessing Daily Hope telephone service In the Garden Editorial Foodbank News Christian Aid Week Tolkein Poem Keep Smiling Through

We have often said that it is a pity we do not print in colour, especially when it comes to the beauties of nature. So we are going to take this opportunity to include lots of colour photographs, particularly of gardens and places within walking distance of Kirby Muxloe. Such as this one taken on Thursday 30th April, of the church with a symbol of hope in these troubled times:

Minister’s Letter (Rev. Rob Marsh)

As I sit writing this, it is the week after what has been one of the strangest Easters for all of us. Never would we have been able to envisage the closure of the churches, the inability to meet and worship on Easter Sunday. For me personally, it is the first time in over ten years, where I have not been in a Church somewhere. One of the reasons I have been putting together the weekly services, is to encourage us to remember that we are the Body of Christ, and that even in these difficult times, we can still meet for worship. Many of you have been in touch and told me that you enjoy the services and that you make a point of taking part in them at 10:30 on a Sunday morning. For me, it has been interesting to see the total number of views that we are getting each week. It is a difficult time for all of us, I have to spend a lot of time speaking with families who had baptisms planned, couples with weddings booked, both of which have had to be postponed. At present, we cannot hold any funerals in the Churches, and any held at crematoria or at the graveside, must have a minimal attendance. It is, I feel, our responsibility to support the families afterwards, offering them the opportunity to return to the church, if they wish, for a celebration memorial that family and friends can attend. As part of this difficult time, we are also waiting to hear about our new Rector, Gareth, joining us. We look forward to him and his family joining us when they are able, and I do feel that once we are able, we should plan to have one almighty party. In the words of both Vera Lynn and our Queen, “We will meet again, don’t know when” but at least we know where. Can I close with a prayer that perhaps, we can all use in this current time. Lord Jesus Christ, You taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick and to assure the isolated of our love and your love, For your name’s sake. Amen

Seen on a Walk

Bluebells in Ratby Boroughs, April 2020 (taken by Janet)

Celtic Blessing

Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me, Be thou a smooth path below me, Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me, Today – tonight – and for ever Columba

New Telephone Service

The Archbishop of Canterbury has just launched this service which contains recorded messages including a welcome from the Archbishop, a reflection on a hymn (changing each day); hymns and prayers specifically for people isolated due to Covid-19. Please help to spread this news particularly among people who do not use the internet and who would appreciate the sound of a human voice.

In the Garden

Here is a picture of Ann’s garden in April with a lovely white magnolia Stellata framing the scene. Below are a few specimens from her extensive collection of cacti and succulents which were featured in The Lantern some time ago.

Marilyn is enjoying the pots of tulips (above) on her patio (below), and remembering the cold, dark winter’s day when her son Ian helped her to plant them.

Editorial

What brings you comfort? That is possibly a better question than ‘how are you

coping?’ which so often brings the answer ‘fine’. Of course those of us who

are breathing freely, whose loved ones have recovered and who know where

our next meal is coming from may feel that we have no right to say anything

but ‘fine’ compared with the many people who are worse off. It is still a

traumatic time for all of us though. Personally I have good times (normally

when the sun is shining) and times when all I can be bothered to do is re-read

things like Winnie the Pooh. I think it is acceptable to acknowledge that

isolation and worry about world events are traumatic enough to allow us to be

a bit kind to ourselves, and not feel that we have to be constantly doing

something useful. So for me, children’s books and the garden are a great

comfort. For others I think baking (if you can get the flour) and poetry fulfil the

same need. Remembering past challenges can also be helpful, and many

people will be celebrating the anniversary of VE day in their own gardens,

waving to neighbours over the fence.

The online worship service which we can access through the church website

is also a great source of strength to many of us. Of course, there are many

church services we can find on the internet, some of them with wonderful

music (personally I am enjoying archive recordings from King’s College,

Cambridge) but nothing is so encouraging as hearing the familiar voices, and

knowing that our friends from church are listening too. After forty days ‘fasting’

from St Bart’s, I am missing the members of our church congregation.

They say every photo tells a story, and that is what I am hoping about the

photos we have here. They all relate to someone we know finding comfort in

nature, in humour, or in the kindness of local people. For the next three weeks

I would really like you all to send me one such photo. Perhaps of birds on your

birdtable, a cake you have baked or our crazy postman dressed as a knight in

shining armour – anything that has cheered you up. Or if you don’t have a

camera (I don’t, myself), just tell us about it.

Hoping to hear from you!

Carolyn Winkless

carolyn@stbartskm.org tel, 2392132

Foodbank News

Suzanne Carvell (above, left) of Kirby Muxloe Primary School is collecting food and taking it to Braunstone Foodbank. The photo is of a delivery on 22nd April. If you would like to take a contribution for the next delivery to Suzanne’s house in the village centre, email carolyn@stbartskm.org for the address.

Christian Aid Week

Christian Aid Week is 10 to 16 May. It will not be possible to collect cash in the usual way, but existing needs have not gone away and now people need help to deal with Covid-19 as well. All donations made during Christian Aid Week will go towards tackling the coronavirus throughout the world. Please will you consider making an online donation? You can do this by credit/debit card at https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/christian-aid-week The coronavirus outbreak threatens the health of our neighbours near and far. Together we must respond quickly to help the most vulnerable.

Coronavirus has shown us that our futures are bound more tightly together than ever before. And now it is spreading across the world’s poorest countries, putting people living in poverty at great risk. These people are already facing a lack of water, food and healthcare. Some are homeless. Some are living with underlying health issues such as HIV. As coronavirus infection rates speed up, they will feel the impacts of the virus deeply. We must respond now. Coronavirus impacts all of us. But love unites us all.

Together with local partners, Christian Aid is working quickly to limit the impact of coronavirus in some of the most vulnerable communities around the world.

drawing on its experience from the Ebola crisis and helping communities to prevent and delay infection.

providing essential soap, water and handwashing training. ensuring urgent health messages get through to help keep people safe. working through its networks of church partners and faith-based

organisations to reach the most vulnerable at this critical time.

Christian Aid is responding to the coronavirus outbreak in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean.

It is working together with partners and faith leaders to inform people about the risks, offering hygiene and hand washing sessions, equipping health facilities with supplies and providing training to frontline aid workers.

It is providing food packages to some of the most marginalised families and ensuring protection for women affected by domestic violence.

A prayer for times of isolation (from Christian Aid)

‘For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come… will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8:38-39)

God of heaven and earth, in these times of isolation, apart from loved ones distant from friends away from neighbours thank you that there is nothing in all of creation, not even coronavirus, that is able to separate us from your love. And may your love that never fails continue to be shared through the kindness of strangers looking out for each other, for neighbours near and far all recognising our shared vulnerability, each of us grateful for every breath, and willing everyone to know the gift of a full and healthy life. Keep us all in your care. Amen.

Tolkien Poem

Keep Smiling Through