Malvern Priory £1.00 Magazine

The Parish Church of St. Mary & St. MichaelJUNE 2020 ISSUE

Malvern Priory Magazine

£1.00

One of the most encouraging elements of lockdown has been, for many of us, the online services. This rather strange experience of worshipping together when we are not together has been rewarding and spiritually uplifting. Every week more and more people have been getting involved, and learning new skills, and each week we see an increasing number of familiar and friendly faces on our screens.

But who are the people keeping us together in this way and how in the world do they do it? Well, the top bananas are our curate, Jonny Gordon, Piers Maxim, Katherine Little, John Hamilton and Chris Boulton, together with dozens of other members of our church making their own contributions.

So how does it work? Chris Boulton explains. “The week beforehand the diff erent contributors put their pieces together from home with audio and/or video recordings, etc. When more than one household is involved then it becomes more challenging! For example, the worship band includes a number of separate instrumentalists and singers who need to be mixed in terms of audio and video to make the fi nished product. The complicated part is to synchronise the pieces and to do this we use a click fi le which includes metronome and instructions to singers and musicians who listen on headphones as we record our contributions. It is incredibly time-consuming and we are all on a learning curve. We are fortunate to have John Hamilton (keyboard) who is experienced at sound mixing. As far as editing the band videos, I was a complete novice, but have been on a steep

learning curve with the help of online tutorials!” He notes, “Piers, our Director of Music, is also applying similar techniques to get more and more of our choir members involved”. Chris estimates that every minute of fi nal audio and video can require some ten hours of

preparation. “I have a new respect for fi lm makers,” he adds.

Putting the services together takes a huge amount of time. During the service which was fi lmed just before the magazine went to press, Piers brought together 27 Priory choristers using 19 separate video clips. They sang ‘Come Down, Oh Love Divine’. All the video clips for a service are brought together using video editing software and most of Thursday to Saturday are set aside for this task—which falls by default to Jonny with his video-editing experience. However, both Katherine and Chris have managed to give him a couple of well-earned breaks.

But what of our parishioners who are not able to access the online services? Happily, they are not forgotten and remain fi rmly on the PALs radar. Each week, Rita Corke and Anne Eglington ensure that they receive a copy of the newsletter and of the sermon through their letter boxes. One more example of a loving enterprise which, together with the work of PALs, keeps us all in touch with one another.

So much work, so much care. We owe an enormous debt of thanks to each member of our church who puts in time and eff ort to ensure that, in spite of everything, we are still at one with each other and at one with Our Lord.

Mary Rowswell

ONLINE SERVICES

John Gordon

Katherine LittleChris Boulton

Piers Maxim

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?What marvellous weather lifted our spirits during the early part of the lockdown. Mind you, most folk in Malvern could enjoy it, unlike those in, say, Manchester or Hartlepool. They are so much more restricted in places like that.

One feature I often heard as lockdown began was a re-discovery of nature, of birdsong, of plants developing, trees opening and a hopefulness that shows nature can manage fairly well without our efforts to improve on it. Do you know the joke: Vicar leaning over garden fence, “Ah Joe, it’s wonderful what the Lord can do and help make your garden beautiful”. Joe, “You should have seen it when He had it to himself”.

Yes, nature can take us back, give delight—and also feed us. Maybe you know I am involved with a Christian charity, Farming Community Network, which helps farming families when things go wrong. Farmers have carried on whilst some folk have emptied shelves in food shops. Out in all weathers—and my! was it wet this winter—the farmers have seen to it that the food gets to the suppliers who take it to the shops. Naturally I think that, like the wonderful women and men who work for the NHS and its support services, the farming community is just as much in the front line. Could we fend off the virus if we were undernourished? Would we be content with a simple diet of the same thing, day after week after month, as some in third world lands have to?

One of my sons works on the land and has been out in all weathers, in winter clearing trees fallen because the ground was so wet, re-erecting fences to ensure animals don’t get into your garden or block the road (which is worse?), carting supplies, clearing barns of muck, tending animals and dealing with recalcitrant machinery. It’s so easy to ignore food production when most of our lives are lived in dry, comfortable conditions. When even a visit to the shop can be made without doing more than shiver as we cross a wet car park.

Has Covid-19 woken us to the reality that our urban culture has blinded us to the wonder of creation, to our need for wholesome food and to the place of faith in understanding where we fit in alongside the insects, plants, soil, animals, air, water and the rest? Nor forgetting climate change, more of a life changer, I think, than even this pandemic. Maybe it has. So again we need to recall the great mystery of faith, that God created what is good, humans have a special relationship with it, humans have made mistakes, Jesus has broken the mess we and our forebears made of the beauty of Creation, and maybe, just maybe, the pandemic is the result of that misuse of God’s generosity that Christ came to change. Yes, I believe it’s back to the drawing board once again. Renew our faith, replace our trust in the Almighty and learn afresh to love our neighbour.

Peter Lawrence

(Peter’s charity can be found at fcn.org.uk or ask him)

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MY FRONT LINE: MEET PHIL WEATHERILL

Most of my workingtime is spent as aProbation ServiceOfficer in Hereford. Ihave been in this postfor twelve months, mymain role being thatof Duty Officer in theMagistrates’ Courtwhere I carry outoffender interviewsand offer themagistrates proposalsto help them withsentencing. When I’mnot in court I havevarious tasks in theoffice includingseeing offenders forappointments and assisting offender managers when needed. I am also involvedwith case allocation on the computer, which can be tedious at times but which isessential in order to link my work in court with that of the Probation Officers.

I greatly enjoy my work in court. Ultimately, I represent the Probation Service incourt which allows me to liaise with a range of different agencies, from defencesolicitors and prosecutors, to drug workers and police officers. Court is aninteresting place, especially for a Probation Officer, because it combines theformality of the courtroom with the more personal setting of interviews withoffenders, who are often in need of support. It can be very satisfying sitting incourt when the magistrates clearly have faith in my work and their sentencing isin line with my proposal. It is even more satisfying to see an offender, weeks oreven months after I have interviewed them, who has been attending sessions orprogrammes which have clearly led to a positive change in them. But sometimesit is nice to have a break from court work so, when I am asked to carry out homevisits or attend meetings such as homelessness forums and multi-agency groups,I am always happy to go along.

I mentioned how satisfying it is seeing a positive change in someone but myrole can also be challenging when I see offenders who haven’t shown anychange. There have been times where certain offenders have found themselvesin worse situations and I regularly see certain faces back in court. This is wheremy faith is most affected but also most important. I believe everyone deserves achance to change and put right their wrongs. Sometimes, though, I sit in courtand find it difficult to see where that change in an individual is coming from.After all, it is up to an offender to want to try and turn their life around and takeadvantage of the support that they are being offered. What the Probation Servicecan do, especially through my role in court, is to find out what aspects of anoffender’s life are linked to their offending behaviour and offer them as muchsupport as possible in addressing issues such as drug addictions, homelessness,family breakdown, etc. I should add that, although I have talked about how muchthe probation service seems to support the offender, our overall aim is to protectthe public by rehabilitating offenders and encouraging them away from crime.

I ask for people to pray for offenders who struggle with certain aspects of theirlife so that they not only get a chance to change but that they take that chance. Ialso ask you to pray for probation officers in their supervision of offenders, andpeople from other agencies who offer offenders regular support. If anyone hasany questions about my work for the Probation Service please feel free toapproach me in church.Phil

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After delicious puddings, Chairman Rod Corke welcomed 114 people to his first Annual Meeting as our Vicar. David Webster read from Isaiah 43, encouraging us to look back thankfully, and look ahead with energy and anticipation. He prayed for vision, wisdom, faith and joy in our journey.

Neil Pauley and Jeremy Tudge were elected Churchwardens. Jeremy thanked retiring Churchwarden Ann Oldfield for all the experience, wisdom and guidance she had brought through the Vacancy. Paying tribute to Jeremy as co-warden, Ann thanked everyone for their prayerful support. The booklet of reports showed the rich breadth of activities within our church. The Vicar thanked all involved. Treasurer Andrew Horne presented the accounts. Most of our expenditure was on keeping the church open to visitors, music, mission giving, outreach, and administration. There was a deficit of £7,400 on an income of £326,200, but our unrestricted reserves were acceptable. 2018 was the first full year with a Church Manager in place, and with the costs of operating Church House. Despite this we still nearly continued to pay our way. Our total funds had increased by £27,000, due to an increase in restricted funds. Our parish share contribution of £122,000 (a 6% increase on last year) represented 46% of the demand.

Activities undertaken during 2018 included refurbishing Church House (£17,000), and urgent repairs to the SW Buttress (£33,500 paid with the help of £30,000 from The Friends). Future activities would include urgent stonework repairs using £27,000 of restricted church fabric repair funds to undertake £150,000 of repair work, through grant-gearing including a grant from National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Mystery Play, subsidised by the PCC and grants, would bring both financial benefit (by fulfilling a condition of the grants, namely to engage in an activity for the community) and benefit as an outreach activity. A substantial commitment of funds would be needed to finance preparations for the Priory Plan. Andrew thanked all who worked with him. The Vicar thanked Andrew for his safe hands. Nicholas Jackson and Richard Weatherill were elected to one-year vacancies on Deanery Synod. Nick Logan, Glenda Pocock, Alistair Sawers, Joan Willis and Jeremy Wray were elected to the PCC. Jeremy named seven Service Wardens (formerly known as Deputy Wardens) and 45 sidespeople were appointed.

Rod shared his first impressions of Malvern and the Priory. He and Rita had found it delightful to live and minister in this unique place. He continued to be thrilled that the church was often full to capacity on Sunday mornings. Rod thanked everyone for the love shown them, and for the tremendous efforts put into making the Priory the Body of Christ—a very special place. Rod summarised the Priory’s Vision, as featured in the Priory Plan, under three headings: Restoring, Refreshing and Reconnecting. Rod thanked Chris and Robert Pearce for all their work in documenting a new organisational structure for the PCC. Chris explained how all the current groups would function under the oversight of one of four committees: Buildings, Finance, Mission or Worship. The Standing Committee and Management Team dealt with day-to-day concerns.

Chris Little showed slides of recent visits between the Priory and our partnership church in Wolmirstedt. He described preparations for the visit of Ina Lambert and six members of her congregation from 30th May - 2nd June, and invited everyone to join in. Robin thanked Christine Wells for her work as PCC Secretary, from which she was now retiring after a total of 17 years. Nick Jackson expressed thanks to Rod for all that he had brought in the last ten months. Rod and Rita had formed strong relationships with church members, visitors and newcomers alike. Nick also thanked the retired clergy and lay ministers.

Rod thanked all who contributed to the life of the Priory, and the Management Team for their wisdom before closing the meeting in prayer.

Christine Wells

REPORT BACK FROM THE ANNUAL MEETING

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FROM THE VICARAGE

Rod Corke,Vicar

Did you ever pull funny faces as a child? I expect you did. Most children do. I tried it once or twice, but when my mum caught me doing so, she told me that if I pulled a face and the wind changed, I would stay like that. And I believed her!

One man, who made a fortune pulling funny faces, was American comedian, Jim Carrey. He starred in the hit fi lms Bruce Almighty, Liar Liar and The Mask. But it is a fi lm he made in 1998 called The Truman Show that I would like to write about. Not because of Carrey’s face pulling or comic timing but because the plot is so ingenious and interesting.

Christoff is a TV director who comes up with a plan for the ultimate reality TV show. He persuades his network to build Sea Haven, a vast metropolis inside a giant dome. Inside the Sea Haven world, 5,000 cameras watch everything that happens. The studio controls night and day, and the weather. Everyone living in Sea Haven is an actor who responds to scripts and the director’s instruction—except Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey). Truman is brought in as a young child and told that his father died in a sailing accident, so going beyond the waters that surround Sea World would be dangerous.

This reality TV show is screened 24/7 and is a great success. Truman grows up, and appears happy, and Christoff decides he should marry an actress called Meryl. But although the network controls his environment completely, they cannot make love happen. Instead, Truman falls in love with Sylvia, who is an extra. Sylvia lets Truman know that he isn’t living in the real world, and Truman cannot believe this. But Sylvia has sown a seed of doubt and eventually Truman overcomes his fears, gets a boat, sails out and crashes through Sea Haven’s pretend sky.

I think a lot of people believe that God is like the director, Christoff , in this fi lm. He creates a universe and then controls what happens. I’ve heard both of these statements recently: ‘God has sent this virus to reduce the size of the human population.’ and ‘God

had sent this virus as a punishment for our sins.’I don’t think the God I worship has done either. The

God I believe is not like ‘god’ Christoff in The Truman Show, manipulating situations and treating his people like puppets acting in a soap opera. The God I worship gives us the gift of free will to use for good or bad, and He sends us Himself through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s purpose is to bring the Kingdom of God to earth, and He enables us to do this in three ways.

Firstly, the Holy Spirit is our helper, giving us strength and power to show love and compassion to others in Jesus name.

Secondly, the Holy Spirit is our comforter. In a recent magazine article, Nidim Edam Laperouse was interviewed. His daughter, Natasha, died suddenly, having had a severe allergic reaction after eating an unmarked sandwich at Pret A Manger. Nidim has become a

Christian. He describes how he saw angels hovering over his daughter’s body and how this has comforted him in his grief.

Finally, the Holy Spirit is our advocate, helping us to stand against injustice. Christians have been at the forefront of leading campaigns against poverty, slavery, fair trade and third world debt. The Holy Spirit fi lled the heart of Lord Shaftsbury, Mother Teresa, William Wilberforce, Elizabeth Fry, Josephine Butler, and countless Christians who dedicate themselves to justice and peace.

God’s Holy Spirit—God’s presence on earth—came down at Pentecost and has fanned the fl ames of mission and Christian action ever since. God’s Spirit is with us and in every hospital ward up and down this country, comforting and healing. Please continue to pray for our hospital workers and particularly Hospital Chaplains, who are on the frontline, bringing the love of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, into desperate situations.

Christoff ‘god,’ the director of Sea Haven

bringing water to the thirsty, sight to the blind, light to those in darkness, forgiveness to the sinner, and eternal life to those burdened by this world and the reality of death. The wine is a symbol of that goodness and fl avour, both in creation and in salvation—the wine at the dinner party, and the wine in the chalice in communion. Jesus as the true vine brings that fl avour and goodness to us.

Both truths speak out to us from this month’s image of Jesus in an icon. In the Orthodox Church the icon is a window into the kingdom of heaven. As we stand and pray before the icon, if we can bridge ‘the distance of the heart’ (the space between the human eye and the icon), then God can reveal His glory to us. Here we see the face of Jesus in a 16th century icon, which is in the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens—the icon of Christ the true vine. He looks out at us, the Gospel book in His lap and His hands outstretched to bless the twelve disciples. The icon illustrates very vividly that metaphor of Jesus when He says that He is the vine and

they are the branches. But those hands are also welcoming us to be with the twelve: they invite us to off er our lives to live in Jesus.

Anselm Grün, a German Benedictine, tells how one of his fellow monks wondered what a diff erence there would have been if Jesus had said, ‘I am a slimming camomile tea.’ But no, He says to us in the Gospel and in the icon, ‘I am the true vine’: live in Me like my twelve disciples and your lives can be fruitful in my service.

GOD IN ART: ‘I AM THE TRUE VINE’Jesus the Good Shepherd has been a popular inspiration for artists from the earliest days of Christianity. But this month we focus on another image that has been just as powerful and infl uential from the fi rst centuries of the Church: Jesus the Vine.

We think of grapes and the vine as symbols of the Eucharist and the sacrifi ce of Jesus, but early artists borrowed their inspiration from Greek and Roman sources with Dionysos (or Bacchus), the god of wine. For pagan believers, wine was a sign of intoxication and renewal of life, and Dionysos was a god who died and rose again. Under that infl uence, sculptors would carve vines on Christian tombs as a sign of that promise of new life.

But those artists were also infl uenced by the vine as an image of the people of Israel in the Old Testament, with God as the vintner tending his vine, as they were infl uenced by our Lord’s own words in St John’s Gospel. When Jesus talked of Himself as the vine, He was pointing to two truths. The fi rst was the connection between the vine and the grapes: it was a symbol for the intimate relationship between Jesus and His followers. They are the grapes, because they receive their fruitfulness from Jesus. Without Him, there would be no growth, no maturity, no fruit. ‘Whoever remains in Me, with Me in him, bears fruit in plenty.’

The second truth in this image is the wine that can bring life a new taste. Just as Jesus changed water into wine, His whole life was one of transformation—

Page 22

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WHY DON’T … WHO?

It is possible this article may never be published as it contains incitement to insurrection. If it is printed, and you, gentle reader, are of a nervous disposition, you may wish to turn the page at once.

For those still with me: have you ever heard, or much worse uttered, the dread words “Why don’t they… ?”? It may have been during your working day, at school, or socialising with friends or even when discussing your church. It might concern something pretty radical that has just occurred to you, or something much less momentous like a new way of doing something. Whichever, have you then asked the next question “Who is/are ‘they’?”? And have you had the uncomfortable feeling that ‘they’ might be you? Maybe on your own or with a group of like-minded people whom you could bring together.

If you’ve got that far, you may next consider “Is what I’m suggesting a good idea, and how would it affect what is already being done in that area?” That needs thought and prayer. From there we progress into what often seems to be the stumbling block, especially where the church is concerned: “Mr/Mrs… has been doing something similar for years and I would hate to hurt his/her feelings”.

So let’s consider those supposedly tender feelings of the long-serving helper: how often have I heard “I would like to step back, but if I do, who will take it on?” with the silent thought “and would they do it right?” I suggest we ask another question preceding that one: “Is what I am doing still necessary to the smooth running of the body I’m serving? Or has it run its course?” What seemed essential in 1990 may not be needed today. So here we need more thought and prayer.

The outcome of these parallel processes may be where the call to insurrection comes in. I would like to suggest that if you are filling a voluntary role in the Priory and are aged 70 or more, you should take a sabbatical, maybe for a fixed period, or open-ended. This would give everyone the opportunity to think “Why hasn’t that been done? Do we need it? If so, could I do it?” And from there would come a group of fresh–minded people serving The Lord in a 21st century way.

Remembering “the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body… now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it”, we ask “What is my role?”

Elizabeth Dunnett


Hundreds of local Christians will be joining forces during a worldwide eleven day prayer-athon for local communities and for the world. The international initiative is called Thy Kingdom Come and local participation takes place in the Priory grounds from 30th May – 9th June. It involves hundreds of Christians and churches from across the diocese, including the Priory itself, St Mary’s, Source, St Andrews and All Saints, the Baptist Church, Lansdowne Methodist Church, Lyttelton Well Chaplaincy, Holy Trinity and the Guarlford and Powick Churches.

A marquee will be set up in the grounds of the Priory and laid out with prayer stations for topics like blessing our world, our community, our youth and children and ourselves, with body, mind and spiritual healing. There will be an adventure prayer walk in the grounds of the Priory for children over the half term weekend and opportunities for prayer throughout each day with short services at 9.00am, 12.00 noon, and 5.00pm plus a workshop on prayer at 12.30pm. All the workshops will be different and there will be a full programme available.

This global prayer movement invites Christians across the world to pray between Ascension and Pentecost so that more people may get to know the Christian Church. ‘We want people to pray for the worldwide Christian family and for themselves,’ said the Rev. Rod Corke, vicar of Malvern Priory. ‘Everyone is welcome to join us.’

Thy Kingdom Come is an initiative inviting international churches to join in prayer together to help others and to invite people to pray, to ask for prayer and to act as witnesses to their faith. The event opens on Thursday 30th May and continues daily until 9th June. Full details can be found on the Priory website greatmalvernpriory.org.uk. There will also be a display of Morgan cars in the Priory grounds.

Mary Rowswell

MALVERN CHRISTIANS UNITE Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.

Page 22

VIEL GLÜCK, ALI…

GAYNOR-SMITHO W E N & C O.

S O L I C I T O R S

Solicitors andCommissionersfor Oaths

Opening Hours: 9.00 – 5.30pm,MON – FRI. Out of hours: Saturdaymornings by appointment

133, Barnards Green Road, Malvern Freephone: 0800 [email protected]

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SIL is a ‘not for profit’ organisationNominated for Herefordshire CareEmployer 2018

Do you want to work somewhere where every dayis different? Working with people livingindependently in their own homes.We currently have vacancies for shorter calls of afew hours, mornings/evenings as well as 24 hoursshifts and experience is not always essential.

TO APPLY PLEASE CONTACT:Gemma: 01568 616653 [email protected]

Support WorkersLedbury, HerefordshireRate of Pay: £8.00 per hour (up to£28,000 per annum)Location: LedburyHours: Various over 7 days, rota basis

WHY DON’T … WHO?

It is possible this article may never be published as it contains incitement to insurrection. If it is printed, and you, gentle reader, are of a nervous disposition, you may wish to turn the page at once.

For those still with me: have you ever heard, or much worse uttered, the dread words “Why don’t they… ?”? It may have been during your working day, at school, or socialising with friends or even when discussing your church. It might concern something pretty radical that has just occurred to you, or something much less momentous like a new way of doing something. Whichever, have you then asked the next question “Who is/are ‘they’?”? And have you had the uncomfortable feeling that ‘they’ might be you? Maybe on your own or with a group of like-minded people whom you could bring together.

If you’ve got that far, you may next consider “Is what I’m suggesting a good idea, and how would it affect what is already being done in that area?” That needs thought and prayer. From there we progress into what often seems to be the stumbling block, especially where the church is concerned: “Mr/Mrs… has been doing something similar for years and I would hate to hurt his/her feelings”.

So let’s consider those supposedly tender feelings of the long-serving helper: how often have I heard “I would like to step back, but if I do, who will take it on?” with the silent thought “and would they do it right?” I suggest we ask another question preceding that one: “Is what I am doing still necessary to the smooth running of the body I’m serving? Or has it run its course?” What seemed essential in 1990 may not be needed today. So here we need more thought and prayer.

The outcome of these parallel processes may be where the call to insurrection comes in. I would like to suggest that if you are filling a voluntary role in the Priory and are aged 70 or more, you should take a sabbatical, maybe for a fixed period, or open-ended. This would give everyone the opportunity to think “Why hasn’t that been done? Do we need it? If so, could I do it?” And from there would come a group of fresh–minded people serving The Lord in a 21st century way.

Remembering “the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body… now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it”, we ask “What is my role?”

Elizabeth Dunnett


Hundreds of local Christians will be joining forces during a worldwide eleven day prayer-athon for local communities and for the world. The international initiative is called Thy Kingdom Come and local participation takes place in the Priory grounds from 30th May – 9th June. It involves hundreds of Christians and churches from across the diocese, including the Priory itself, St Mary’s, Source, St Andrews and All Saints, the Baptist Church, Lansdowne Methodist Church, Lyttelton Well Chaplaincy, Holy Trinity and the Guarlford and Powick Churches.

A marquee will be set up in the grounds of the Priory and laid out with prayer stations for topics like blessing our world, our community, our youth and children and ourselves, with body, mind and spiritual healing. There will be an adventure prayer walk in the grounds of the Priory for children over the half term weekend and opportunities for prayer throughout each day with short services at 9.00am, 12.00 noon, and 5.00pm plus a workshop on prayer at 12.30pm. All the workshops will be different and there will be a full programme available.

This global prayer movement invites Christians across the world to pray between Ascension and Pentecost so that more people may get to know the Christian Church. ‘We want people to pray for the worldwide Christian family and for themselves,’ said the Rev. Rod Corke, vicar of Malvern Priory. ‘Everyone is welcome to join us.’

Thy Kingdom Come is an initiative inviting international churches to join in prayer together to help others and to invite people to pray, to ask for prayer and to act as witnesses to their faith. The event opens on Thursday 30th May and continues daily until 9th June. Full details can be found on the Priory website greatmalvernpriory.org.uk. There will also be a display of Morgan cars in the Priory grounds.

Mary Rowswell

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••HEAVEN IN ORDINARY...

SOMETHING UNDERSTOODThe month of June sees the Church emerging from the long seasons of Lent and Easter into the even longer Trinity season, which stretches through the summer into the autumn. Some churches call this period Ordinary time, which I rather like. Without ordinary, we would not appreciate the extraordinary.

It seems to me that most of us are yearning for a touch of the ordinary right now. We have done our best to make the most of diffi cult times under lockdown, but are looking forward to ‘normal’ human contact and, as some people put it, getting our lives back. In truth our lives have carried on, albeit within boundaries. And we have had time to refl ect. A little while back in the midst of all this, I read something which stuck with me and got me thinking: ‘God does not send us plagues to teach us things, though we can learn from them.’

When bad things happen, people ask why. The God revealed in Jesus does not visit plagues on people, nor wish natural disasters on anyone. Rather, the Gospel shows us a God who chooses to walk with us, meets us in the storms of life, and experiences the highs and lows of what it means to be human alongside us.

So what are we learning? After years of bruising debate about our relationships within Europe, we are learning the art of listening and talking kindly with one another again. Community spirit is fl ourishing and in the midst of isolation we have become more connected, not only through social media, but also through the humble telephone. We have learned what it is to miss our social contact with one another; love of neighbour has re-emerged in a new and stronger way.

We are learning that we are connected across the whole world. ‘Me fi rst’ does not work when facing a common challenge to our well-being—whoever thought we could all be fi rst anyway? What happens thousands of miles away aff ects us and we are learning that we are all responsible for each other, challenged to work for the common good because that includes our own good.

George Herbert, the seventeenth-century priest-poet, wrote a poem called Prayer, in which he used the delightful phrase ‘heaven in ordinary’. As we enter these weeks of Ordinary time, we could try to see what we have learned. You might like to look up the poem, for tellingly it ends with these simple words: ‘something understood.’

Robert Jones, Archdeacon of Worcester

Prayer the church’s banquet, angel’s age,God’s breath in man returning to his birth,

The soul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage,The Christian plummet sounding heav’n and earth

Engine against th’ Almighty, sinner’s tow’r,Reversed thunder, Christ-side-piercing spear,

The six-days world transposing in an hour,A kind of tune, which all things hear and fear;

Softness, and peace, and joy, and love, and bliss,Exalted manna, gladness of the best,Heaven in ordinary, man well drest,The milky way, the bird of Paradise,

Church-bells beyond the stars heard, the soul’s blood,The land of spices; something understood.

George Herbert (1593-1633)

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

TITWILLOWWITH APOLOGIES TO WS GILBERT

VE DAY COMMEMORATION IN EVESHAM

Evesham had planned a big commemoration for VE Day in the town’s marketplace, which would have been opened by the town’s vicar, Andrew Spurr, and would have featured lots of bunting as well as music, clothing and hairstyles from the end of the war. However, with the Coronavirus pandemic, a very diff erent commemoration was planned.

“We have held a number of events marking key WW2 anniversaries in Evesham and our Civic Remembrance Service is always very popular, so I was keen that we should still commemorate

the 75th anniversary of VE Day in some way,” said Andrew. So he worked with Evesham’s Mayor and the Chair of the Royal British Legion to put together a simple service. It was recorded at the war memorial early on the Monday morning, with each segment and individual speaker fi lmed separately so that appropriate social distances could be kept. The fi lm was then edited together to be released on VE Day on the parish website and various social media pages.

“Altogether, it is around 12 minutes in length. It includes

sections on remembering, thanksgiving and prayers for future peace and the Mayor, Councillor Mark Goodge, reading part of the speech given by Winston Churchill declaring the cessation of hostilities,” said Andrew. “It’s so important to remember that the freedoms we enjoy were hard won as well as valuing and affi rming the parts of our society that are a direct result of WW2, including the NHS and our welfare state.”

You can watch the fi lm for VE day at: http://www.eveshamparish.com/

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

On a tree by a river sat little Tom TitSinging ‘willow, titwillow, titwillow’.His mate fl uttered in and beside him did sit,Singing ‘willow, titwillow, titwillow’.“Oh, where are the people?” bewildered, he cried,“Tis many a day since a soul I have spied”“I think,” said his wife, “they’re all staying inside!”“Oh willow, titwillow, titwillow”.

“I do like the quiet, I do like the peace!“Oh, willow, titwillow, titwillow,“But fi nd myself wondering why did they cease“Singing willow, titwillow, titwillow?”“The people in hundreds of cars they all came“Especially when there was no sign of much rain,“The weather’s so nice, it seems such a shame!“Oh willow, titwillow, titwillow!”

“I think I can tell you!” – she’d a smile on her beak,Singing willow, titwillow, titwillow,“For I saw some people last Saturday week,“Singing willow, titwillow, titwillow,“They stood in a group, they were fl ying a kite,“Along came a police car with lights fl ashing bright,“It seems the Old Bill gave those people a fright!“Oh willow, titwillow, titwillow!”

A buzzard, above them, then uttered his ‘mew’Oh willow, titwillow, titwillow.As quick as they could off to safety they fl ew,Singing willow, titwillow, titwillow!Arrived at their nest then our avian pairCorrectly concluded what caused human scare:“They’re frightened of critters that fl y in the air!“Oh willow, titwillow, titwillow!”

Nigel Beeton

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Page 5

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How Not to Totally Put Your Children Off God – a conversation on Christian parenting between a father and his sons

By Howard Worsley, Monarch, £8.99Parenting can be the best or worst of times. It can

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You may have read an appeal in recent Priory magazines for hosts to look after children from Belarus during their health-giving holiday. All children in an extended area of that country continue to be affected by the contamination from the Chernobyl catastrophe of 1986. Thank you very much for your concern, for your prayers, your encouragement and financial help. We need to raise over £7,000, mostly for travel and visas. Much is generously given ‘in kind’ eg. dentist, optician, occasional days out and local barbecues. The families enjoy the Three Counties Show and the children enjoy Lifepath and also a day at a local school. We do have the host families for this year and some already asking about next year!

So why do we, a dedicated committee, invite children every year? We know that the need remains and will not go away for generations. The Chernobyl Children’s Life Line is a national charity which, since 1996, has supported us by working with the local education department to select a leader and children, and arrange their travel and visas. Each year since 2009 we have welcomed Olga, an English teacher, bringing ten different children from her town of David Gorodok, on the borders of Ukraine. Now, as we prepare for four boys and six girls to arrive, after a very long journey, we know that they particularly enjoy the joint activities. The first day they will play and relax in Malvern gardens—weather permitting!

Thank you for enabling this life changing experience for the children and their families. They are so appreciative—the photo shows Olga and children preparing to give their farewell concert—and Thank you very much resounds across Malvern. We say to them Spaseeba!! Thank you for visiting us.

Dorothy Knights

BOOK REVIEW

JUNE 1940 – A MONTH TO REMEMBER

June 1940—80 years ago—was a dramatic month in the Second World War, and one that saw two of the most memorable speeches in English.

As the evacuation of Allied Forces from Dunkirk was completed, recently appointed Prime Minister Winston Churchill told the House of Commons on 4th June: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”

Surprisingly he did not broadcast it to the nation: it was not recorded until 1949, “for posterity.” When he spoke, the French had not surrendered, and the idea that “in God’s good time” the USA might conceivably have to ride to the aid of a ‘subjugated’ England actually depressed as many people as it invigorated.

Two weeks later, on the 18th June, with the battle in France lost, Churchill did address the country directly with a rallying call in what must indeed have seemed a very dark hour. “The Battle of Britain,” he said, “is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilisation.” He concluded by saying that if Britain were to last a thousand years, people would still say, “This was their finest hour.”

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Crossword Solution – May

Page 10

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What have Marsabit and 15 Scout Leaders from Hereford and Worcester got in common? Not a lot at the moment… but we hope that after this summer and in the years to come, a lasting legacy. At the end of July this year, 15 Scout Leaders will set off to Marsabit, Kenya.

Two years ago Martin Bradley (Assistant County Commissioner H&W Scouts) contacted me, after seeing pictures of my time with a group from the Priory in Marsabit in 2015. He had the idea of organising a trip through Scouts to somewhere in East Africa. With the contacts I’d made from the Priory trip, Bishop Rob Martin, Bishop Qampicha and Graham McClure (GoMAD), plans began to form and within six months we had 15 Leaders signed up for our trip this summer. It was decided that the 2019 trip would be for adult Leaders. If successful ,we hope to have further trips in the coming years for the youth within Scouting 16-18 year olds. On the way from Nairobi to Marsabit, we pass close by to Nyeri, Baden-Powell’s resting place and lodge, where he spent his final years. This will be quite a special visit for us.

Onwards to Marsabit, where we will be undertaking a number of projects—repairs and completion of the Bubisa water catchment system; maintenance of Laisamis gutters and water tank; Wings school: teaching, and painting a classroom mural; building a water tank for Goro Rukesca church; and education and promotion of menstrual health.

On Sunday 9th June, Bishop Rob will be visiting the Priory, where we will here an update from Marsabit, and a commissioning service for our trip. “I’m in a strange mood… looking forward to going home, but also not wanting to leave Kenya. I do hope I have the opportunity to return to Marsabit… the place and the people will remain in my memories and my heart… ” This from my diary on 15th October 2015!

Dylan Farrier

WORCESTERSHIRE SCOUT LEADERS TO MARSABIT

BRING ‘N’ SHARE SUNDAY LUNCH ON 23rd JUNE

VISIT A FARM SUNDAY – 9th JUNE 2019

“Leave it better than you found it…” Lord Baden-Powell, Chief Scout.

Grab some ready-cooked food from the supermarket shelf and avoid the washing up on Sunday, 23rd June—join us for a bring ‘n’ share lunch in the Lyttleton Room from 12 noon to 2.00pm. After lunch you will be able to enjoy a short powerpoint presentation explaining more of the

work done by CMS (Church Mission Society) which our church supports, and also see a clip with greetings from the Tester family, our mission

partners in Lima, Peru. If possible, sign the list at the back of church to say that you are coming , but you are very welcome to turn up without doing so.

Ruth Pole and the Witness Group

Some local farms are opening their gates to visitors. They want folk to experience and learn how they produce the food we buy in shops. Look online under ‘farmsunday’, go to visit a farm and enter your preferences be it animals, machinery, technology and the like. But it’s for one day only so grab the chance to find out more.

Peter Lawrence• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

MOTHERS’ UNION OFFERS RANGE OF RESOURCESThe Mothers’ Union has made a very practical response to the coronavirus. As their website explains, “We know that our work and experience in re-building communities and supporting family life is going to be more important than ever once the threat of COVID-19 subsides. Our members will be some of the first in line to support those around them.”

In the meantime, MU has drawn together a range

of resources to “help nurture our members and their friends and neighbours through this

challenging time.” The resources will “help combat feelings of loneliness, to nourish faith and to help you continue to feel connected to your friends and community.” These include: rainbows, prayer cards, prayer resources, puzzles’ resources, and Bible study resources. More info at: https://www.mothersunion.org

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

REFLECTED FAITH: A STRING OF BEADS

As you pray or simply spend time quietly at home, have you ever thought of using a rosary? Holding something can be very comforting. A rosary has beads in groups of ten, a separation and then a single bead. This is repeated fi ve times in a circle and then there’s a diff erent set of beads on a single line from that in a pattern of single, space, three beads, space, single and then at the end, a crucifi x.

A couple of years ago the Archbishop of York went on a pilgrimage around the Diocese of York of which he is also the Diocesan Bishop; visiting every Church of England church and church school. He was also welcomed into many other non-church places and situations. Wherever he went he distributed a set of ‘beads.’ These were in sets of three beads, a space and a single bead, repeated four times. At the central point of the circle was a wooden cross. As he spoke, he

invited those around him to pray using the beads and then to continue to use them in their own time and in their own ways.

All of us in our diff erent personal circumstances are living in some isolation—as families with young children, teenagers, three generations, couples together, young singles, and the widowed. So many diff erent situations but like those diff erent strings of beads, whether as a single or in small groups, each is part of the whole and separated we may be—but not alone.

This month, if you don’t have a set of beads just get some string and make knots in it. As you pass the knots through your hands, think of other people, situations and places, and do include yourself and your own church. Perhaps say a traditional prayer on each bead or just use the words, ‘Lord have mercy’.

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9466_Ellerslie_Malvern _PrioryAd_90x130_V1.indd 2 24/09/2019 12:51

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• PRIORY PEOPLE: OBITUARIES

During the last months, several Priory members have experienced the death of a loved one: we extend our sympathy to them all, especially at this time when they are unable to have the funeral and thanksgiving service they would have chosen. In the Priory itself, our family has lost:

PENNY HOLDEN, who came to Malvern late in life to be near her family and who worshipped with us for as long as she was able, valuing the worship and fellowship she experienced.

MARY WITHERS, whom we remember as a resident of Malvern, involved with her husband Frank in various civic groups and activities. We valued the help she was able to give for some time in the Priory Shop.

FRED HOMER, who leant his considerable energy to various facets of church life, from the practical help he gave the Custos, to much help in the Shop, especially with the finances. He enjoyed greeting visitors and giving them a history of the church. He was also a member of the Magazine team, where he again organised the finances and built up a relationship with the advertisers which put the Magazine on a sound footing. He was never afraid to express his opinions, but bore no ill will to those who contradicted him or put an opposing view. In his last years he developed dementia and moved into care where he died. Some Priory members will remember his family: Phil, Diane and Ben.

ANGELA HIGHMORE, a much-loved member of the Priory family over many years. She and her late husband David gave quiet and effective help in many areas, including managing Lunch Box for a number of years, and were among the founder members of the Lyttelton Well. Angela continued to organise the Pound a Week Scheme for the Well in the Priory until she was well into her nineties, and handed over the records of this—all in order—when she could no longer manage. We remember the hospitality that she and David offered to so many of us, and her stoical continuation after David’s death in 2013. Eventually she had to admit that managing on her own had become too much for her, and she spent her last years in Albion Lodge, well cared for and stoical and patient to the end.

We give thanks that all these people are at peace with the Lord whom they had served among us, and hope to remember them in church when we can come together again.

Elizabeth Dunnett

NEITHER BOMB NOR BULLET: BENJAMIN KWASHI, ARCHBISHOP ON THE FRONT LINE – BY ANDREW BOYD

Neither bomb nor bullet can silence this turbulent priest who courageously continues to speak

powerfully the truth, saying that until his time is up, he will live each moment of the gospel, stating that it is the only hope of Africa and the world.

Ben Kwashi has been described as one of the most infl uential Christians alive. His home is in Jos, on the frontline of faith in Nigeria. Here, Boko Haram and

heavily-armed Fulani militants are fi ghting to create a hard-line Islamic state. They have killed thousands and driven millions from their homes. A brutal assault on his wife Gloria drove Ben to his knees as he made the decision to forgive and found the strength to press on. They have turned their home into an orphanage and its grounds into a zoo.

The challenge of Ben’s message—to live joyfully for the gospel even in the face of terror—has never been so timely. Heart-wrenching, and humorous, his story will inspire you to live your life—and your faith—to the full.

This book is a must! It can be bought at the Priory shop or The Lyttelton Well, price £12.99.

Rosemary Webster

Page 3

If you could go back in time and meet me in my twenties, you would be in for a surprise. Instead of a bald head, you would see a wavy mane of brown hair reaching down almost to my shoulders. This was the 1970s, and men wore their hair long. I can still remember my hair blowing in the wind…

The truth is I miss having a head of hair and, if I could have my long hair back

again, I would say ‘yes please.’ But, being a baldy does have some advantages. For example, I don’t need to buy a comb, my haircut at the barber’s is half price, I have no need of conditioner, drying my hair takes moments, a hair-dryer is not required, and hair no longer falls in my eyes.

What I experienced with my hair, happens in other parts of my life. There are compensations and joys at every age. Sometimes the vicarage seems rather quiet and empty as our children have grown up and left home. However, now we can enjoy being with our four grandchildren (soon to be five!), but we don’t have the continual responsibility that parents have. At the end of a delightful afternoon, our lovely grandchildren go back to mum and dad, and they have all the hard work to do!

When Jesus ascended into heaven he was no longer visible to the disciples. They must have missed him terribly. Yet, through the coming of the Holy Spirit, rather than being disheartened and miserable, the disciples were emboldened and Christianity spread rapidly. By the end of the fourth century A.D. Christianity was the major religion in the Roman Empire and today two billion people claim allegiance to Jesus.

You may be going through a hard time at this moment, but life does compensate. Having a faith, gives us strength to see beyond ourselves and to have hope in Jesus. So what is good in your life? What can you celebrate? What can you say thank you to God for?

Between Pentecost and Ascension, the congregation of the Priory are joining with other churches around Malvern to take part in ‘Thy Kingdom Come’. This is the Archbishop’s prayer initiative, encouraging us to pray together and expect to see God working within us. There will be two prayer marquees on the Priory grounds. The first will be a welcome tent, encouraging people from the community to come in and experience prayer activities. The second, a much larger marquee, will hold prayer stations and prayer workshops. There will be a sanctuary area and an opportunity there to sit quietly, and give thanks to God for all his provision. Do come and experience ‘Thy Kingdom Come’.

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES HAS A FUTURE HOPE‘A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones. An' I hear the word of the Lord!’

At this time of global pandemic, we live with stark reality of death and life. Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones (37:1-14) was given when God’s people were in exile in Babylon. They felt dead, being separated from home and God! The vision answers God’s question: Can these bones live?’ We can also feel cut off from God, facing the loss of job, business, home or health, with churches unable to meet on Sundays. This vision assures us that God has power over death and can breathe new life into what is hopeless.

When Ezekiel is told to ‘prophesy to the bones,’ God brings them back to life: the bones come together and

are covered with muscles and skin. He then prophesies to the wind, from the four corners of the earth, to bring the bodies alive. The physical bodies are then fi lled with God’s breath to bring new life. The miracle of this story is that God not only makes these bones live, but also brings the life of His Spirit.

The Covid-19 virus robs people of their life by suff ocation, so that they can’t breathe. Our hope beyond the pandemic is that the gift of God’s Spirit will bring new life to our lives, churches and world. Life will certainly look very diff erent in the future, but we can be assured that God is with us and that we are safe in His hands.

‘I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’ (vs14)

BOOK REVIEW

How Not to Totally Put Your Children Off God – a conversation on Christian parenting between a father and his sons

By Howard Worsley, Monarch, £8.99Parenting can be the best or worst of times. It can

be a role we love best, or one that causes us great insecurity. There is no formal training for parenthood. There are no clear benchmarks of success and yet it demands all our resources, skills and attention.

This book is the merging of the author’s deep convictions of parenting with examples of both “When it worked” and “When it did not work”. He has also elicited the help of his sons to write their perspectives on how their experiences and memories connect (or differ from) his own. This book will share stories of parenting success, but is honest about the times of failure, too.

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You may have read an appeal in recent Priory magazines for hosts to look after children from Belarus during their health-giving holiday. All children in an extended area of that country continue to be affected by the contamination from the Chernobyl catastrophe of 1986. Thank you very much for your concern, for your prayers, your encouragement and financial help. We need to raise over £7,000, mostly for travel and visas. Much is generously given ‘in kind’ eg. dentist, optician, occasional days out and local barbecues. The families enjoy the Three Counties Show and the children enjoy Lifepath and also a day at a local school. We do have the host families for this year and some already asking about next year!

So why do we, a dedicated committee, invite children every year? We know that the need remains and will not go away for generations. The Chernobyl Children’s Life Line is a national charity which, since 1996, has supported us by working with the local education department to select a leader and children, and arrange their travel and visas. Each year since 2009 we have welcomed Olga, an English teacher, bringing ten different children from her town of David Gorodok, on the borders of Ukraine. Now, as we prepare for four boys and six girls to arrive, after a very long journey, we know that they particularly enjoy the joint activities. The first day they will play and relax in Malvern gardens—weather permitting!

Thank you for enabling this life changing experience for the children and their families. They are so appreciative—the photo shows Olga and children preparing to give their farewell concert—and Thank you very much resounds across Malvern. We say to them Spaseeba!! Thank you for visiting us.

Dorothy Knights

BOOK REVIEW

Page 11

MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTIONSPlease send all contributions for the magazine by email whenever possible to [email protected] with the deadline of the 10th of the previous month at the latest. Written articles should be clearly marked “Magazine” and placed in the “M” pigeonhole at the back of the Priory. The deadline for these is the 8th of the previous month. Contributions should be limited to a maximum of 500 words and, where accompanied by relevant photographs, reduced accordingly. Where photographs of young people are provided, please confirm that parental permission has been obtained to publish in this magazine. Articles will also be considered for inclusion on the Priory web site - if for any reason this is not acceptable, please mention when submitting articles. Some photographs, especially of young people, may not be published on the web pages.No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission from Malvern Priory

PRIORY PARISH OFFICEChurch House, Church Street, Malvern WR14 2AY Parish Administrator: Mary WeatherillTel: (01684) 561020 (answerphone) Email: [email protected] Open to Public:Monday 11:00am-12:00 noon; Tuesday 10:00am-12:00 noon; Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 9:30am-1:00pm

LYTTELTON WELL (Christian Centre at entrance to Priory)Tel: 01684 573702 Email: [email protected] about Priory bookings of the Lyttelton Rooms should be made at the Priory Parish Office (details above)

THE WELL COUNSELLING www.thewellcounselling.co.ukTel: 01684 563456 Email: [email protected]

GREAT MALVERN PRIORY WEBSITEwww.greatmalvernpriory.org.uk Webmaster:[email protected] For information on services, events, outreach, people, history and much more. Members’ section gives access to the notice sheet and other information not publicly available. Register or Login to access (link at top of all pages except the Home page).

C o u n s e l l o r , M B A C P

0 7 5 8 1 0 4 2 1 2 4 d c m s t o c k f o r d @ g m a i l . c o m w w w . m a l v e r n l i n k c o u n s e l l i n g . c o m

Diana Stockford

Attentive listening, supportive challenge, creative choices

Almost 1,000 people will be participating in the annual Lifepath event at Malvern Priory this year with just under 800 children attending from 20 local schools and up to 150 volunteers from 21 churches in Malvern and beyond helping out.

In a day off from regular lessons the children will take part in a number of different activities. They will have the opportunity to dress up as monks and experience the daily rhythm of work and prayer, they will prepare, cook and sample a monk’s meal and they will take part in hand-bell ringing and learn about the importance of bells in the routine of monastery life. There will also be the chance to learn about medieval medicines, have a go at brass rubbing and ancient tile decorating, and to become archaeologists, finding and identifying hidden treasures.

The days will include many other activities plus discussion and collective worship with action songs and stories, giving children and staff the chance to reflect on their own ‘lifepath’. The aim behind the week-long event is to provide a day to explore Malvern’s Christian heritage by telling the story of the Benedictine monks who founded the Priory in 1085, almost 1,000 years ago.

For the first time in the twelve-year history of Lifepath at the Priory there is to be a Community day on Saturday 29th June, from 10.00am – 3.00pm. “I wish my Mum and Dad (or brother or sister) could see this!” are words sometimes said by school children at the end of a Lifepath day. Others also ask what it is all about so this year, there is the opportunity for anyone and everyone to come to the Community Day, to stay as long as they want, to join in as much as they want, and to see and experience just what it’s all about. All the activities will be going on within the Priory building—hand bells, tower bells, medieval medicine, tile-making, brass-rubbing, spinning, archaeology, medieval cooking, calligraphy, architecture, medieval maths, the daily life of a monk, and the different aspects of the prayer journey—love, sorry, thanks and please. There will be upfront explanations on the hour, short silences and Lifepath songs—and there will be refreshments. Visitors will be invited to add their stone to the cairn that we’ll have been building all week.

If you have often heard Lifepath spoken of, but have never witnessed it, this is your opportunity to do so! Come and see what 800 primary school children will have experienced during the past week. All are welcome, from people visiting Malvern to members of our community who have wondered what is happening each year in Malvern when they see so many ‘Monks’ around the Priory! We hope to see you there.

Lifepath at the Priory starts on 24th June. Volunteers are always needed so if you feel you might be able to help, Ros Ponting can be contacted on 01684 572165, or email the Parish office via the website – greatmalvernpriory.org.uk

Mary Rowswell

EIGHT HUNDRED CHILDREN COMING TO LIFEPATH

(with HOT supper)Saturday, 8th June

7.00 – 9.00pmin Great Malvern Priory church

Tickets: Adults £7, Children £4

FAMILY BARN DANCE

01684 540809

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BACK IN THE DAYBack in the days of tanners and bobs, When Mothers had patience and Fathers had jobs. When football team families wore hand-me-down shoes, And TV gave only two channels to choose.Back in the days of three penny bits, When schools employed nurses to search for your nits. When snowballs were harmless; ice slides were permitted And all of your jumpers were warm and hand knitted.Back in the days of hot ginger beers, When children remained so for more than six years. When children respected what older folks said, And pot was a thing you kept under your bed.Back in the days of Listen with Mother,When neighbours were friendly and talked to each other. When cars were so rare you could play in the street. When Doctors made house calls and Police walked the beat.Back in the days of Milligan's Goons,When butter was butter and songs all had tunes. It was dumplings for dinner and trifle for tea, And your annual break was a day by the sea.Back in the days of Dixon's Dock Green,Crackerjack pens and Lyons ice cream.When children could freely wear National Health glasses, And teachers all stood at the FRONT of their classes.Back in the days of rocking and reeling, When mobiles were things that you hung from the ceiling.When woodwork and pottery got taught in schools, And everyone dreamed of a win on the pools.Back in the days when I was a lad, I can't help but smile for the fun that I had. Hopscotch and roller skates; snowballs to lob. Back in the days of tanners and bobs.

If you could go back in time and meet me in my twenties, you would be in for a surprise. Instead of a bald head, you would see a wavy mane of brown hair reaching down almost to my shoulders. This was the 1970s, and men wore their hair long. I can still remember my hair blowing in the wind…

The truth is I miss having a head of hair and, if I could have my long hair back

again, I would say ‘yes please.’ But, being a baldy does have some advantages. For example, I don’t need to buy a comb, my haircut at the barber’s is half price, I have no need of conditioner, drying my hair takes moments, a hair-dryer is not required, and hair no longer falls in my eyes.

What I experienced with my hair, happens in other parts of my life. There are compensations and joys at every age. Sometimes the vicarage seems rather quiet and empty as our children have grown up and left home. However, now we can enjoy being with our four grandchildren (soon to be five!), but we don’t have the continual responsibility that parents have. At the end of a delightful afternoon, our lovely grandchildren go back to mum and dad, and they have all the hard work to do!

When Jesus ascended into heaven he was no longer visible to the disciples. They must have missed him terribly. Yet, through the coming of the Holy Spirit, rather than being disheartened and miserable, the disciples were emboldened and Christianity spread rapidly. By the end of the fourth century A.D. Christianity was the major religion in the Roman Empire and today two billion people claim allegiance to Jesus.

You may be going through a hard time at this moment, but life does compensate. Having a faith, gives us strength to see beyond ourselves and to have hope in Jesus. So what is good in your life? What can you celebrate? What can you say thank you to God for?

Between Pentecost and Ascension, the congregation of the Priory are joining with other churches around Malvern to take part in ‘Thy Kingdom Come’. This is the Archbishop’s prayer initiative, encouraging us to pray together and expect to see God working within us. There will be two prayer marquees on the Priory grounds. The first will be a welcome tent, encouraging people from the community to come in and experience prayer activities. The second, a much larger marquee, will hold prayer stations and prayer workshops. There will be a sanctuary area and an opportunity there to sit quietly, and give thanks to God for all his provision. Do come and experience ‘Thy Kingdom Come’.

FROM THE VICARAGE

Rod Corke,

Vicar





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DAILY HOPE: A FREE WORSHIP PHONE LINE older people believe the TV or a pet to be their daily source of comfort and interaction. While many organisations are encouraging people to make better use of technology, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures also state that 2.5 million people aged 75 and above have never used the internet.

Callers will hear a special greeting from the Archbishop before being able to choose from a range of options, including hymns, prayers, reflections and advice on COVID-19. Options available include materials also available digitally by the Church of England’s Communications team such as Prayer During the Day and Night Prayer, updated daily, from Common Worship, and a recording of the Church of England weekly national online service. A section called Hymn Line offers callers a small selection of hymns, updated daily. An option entitled ‘Hymns We Love’, provides a hymn and reflection and is based on an initiative by the Connections group.

Pippa Cramer, founder of Connections, said: “At Connections we have found that well-loved hymns are a source of comfort and hope to our seniors. Hymns we Love has proved to be an accessible and popular way to explore the story and meaning behind some of our favourite hymns.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has launched a free national phone line as a simple new way to bring worship and prayer into people’s homes while church buildings are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England, available 24 hours a day, on 0800 804 8044. The service is supported by the Church of England nationally as well as through the Connections group based at Holy Trinity Claygate in Surrey and the Christian charity, Faith in Later Life.

Archbishop Justin said: “With many in our country on lockdown, it’s important that we support those who are feeling lonely and isolated, whatever age they are. The Daily Hope service will allow people to hear hymns, prayers and words that offer comfort and hope. I want to urge people to spread the news about this service. If there is someone you know who is particularly struggling, give them a call and let them know about the Daily Hope. I’m going to phone a friend; will you join me?”

Although thousands of churches across the country are now running services and prayer groups online while public worship remains suspended, many people—especially older people—do not have access to the internet. The line also recognises the impact of social distancing restrictions and self-isolation measures on those suffering from loneliness.

Statistics from Age UK suggest that 49% of

https://soundcloud.com/the-church-of-england/sets/time-to-pray

https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/church-online

Howard & Christine Wells Katherine & Chris Little Monica & Richard Crookall

Dorothy KnightsHilary & Peter BabbRosemary Webster

Mary Campbell Susan Appleby Jane Myhill

ST SOFA’S

PRAISE GROUP DURING LOCKDOWN

Practically unheard of back in March, ‘to Zoom’ is one of the brand new phrases borne of our current socially-distanced situation, and the Priory’s Praise Group has been ‘zooming’ together for some weeks now. Sadly, not all of us have the technology to join and we miss those people very much, but for those who can (around 14 of us), our usual Tuesday 6.00pm rehearsals have been recreated in our various living rooms and follow the long-established pattern of prayer and singing. The limitations of Zoom mean that while we can

each listen to Christine’s

piano lead, we cannot actually hear one another sing, but nevertheless, seeing one another, having time to chat

together and each singing at home is proving to be a joyful and precious time of fellowship and worship in these days of physical separation.

As a group we send our love to you all and look forward to the time when we can once more meet all together and sing God’s praises. In the meantime, if you would like to join us via Zoom on a Tuesday then you would be most welcome—please contact Christine Wells for more details.

Katherine Little

We worship at St Sofa’s nowSince Covid came to stay.We don’t dress up or do our hairBut still we come to pray!

Our Vicar is a clever chap,A Zoom with his ITAnd so we sit down ev’ry weekAnd meet up virtually!

Our Parish Church stands empty,With praise she does not ring;But still her people gather roundTo pray, and praise, and sing!

The virus is a nasty thingYet it has helped us seeThe church is NOT a buildingBut folk like you and me!

Nigel & Carol Beeton

2020 SERIES

“Come People Of The Risen King, Who Delight To Sing His Praise...”

Keith & Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend

REFUGEE WEEK: 15th — 21st JUNE As the annual ‘Refugee Week’ approaches, various Christian relief agencies and campaign groups warn that coronavirus could have a catastrophic impact on the refugees whom they are trying to help. But fi rst, the big picture.

According to the UNHCR: “We are currently witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record. An unprecedented 70.8 million people around the world have been forced from home. Among them are nearly 25.9 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18.” Refugees are especially vulnerable, as their usual homes of makeshift tents or fl imsy shelters are over-crowded and without clean water or sanitation, making social distancing and isolation impossible. Also, many refugees are already suff ering under-lying health conditions and mental health issues.

As the head of the Humanitarian Division at Christian Aid, Nick Guttman, also points out: “Refugees are some of the most vulnerable people in the world. Access to medical facilities is limited and the de-stabilisation of the global economy is likely to have an impact on their livelihoods and the fl ow of humanitarian aid.” He warns that it is only a “matter of time” before it reaches the countries with a high number of refugees; Bangladesh, Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Tearfund has highlighted the

problem of warning the one million Rohingya people, crowded in camps in Bangladesh. “There is no internet provision in the camps and the mobile network is currently suspended, so getting the message out about the dangers of the virus relies on word of mouth.”

Meanwhile, Open Doors is concerned for the plight of the Pygmy people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many fl ed their rainforest after persecution by Islamist rebels, and are now living in camps where they are extremely vulnerable to the virus.

Leprosy Mission has warned that India “faces a human timebomb, waiting to explode.” Communities aff ected by leprosy, malnutrition, overcrowded living conditions and poor sanitation, make “ideal breeding ground for the spread of coronavirus. Social distancing and isolation are impossible in these densely-populated areas.”

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

LIONS’ TEETH!Many of us actually like dandelions. Their amazingly cheerful colour always brings a smile to our faces. The not-so-neat-and-tidy gardeners among us can simply enjoy fl owers where they grow. The name 'dandelion' apparently derives from 'dent de lion' – lions' teeth, owing to the tooth-like shape of its leaves. There are many diff erent varieties of dandelion, but they all have the toothed leaves arranged in a rosette around the single fl owers, each one made up of up to 200 [yes, really!] tiny fl orets on a smooth stem, that when picked, releases a milky substance known as latex.

The golden heads, which close up at night, in wet weather, or if picked to go in a vase, give way to the seed-heads we all know as clocks. Who cannot remember proclaiming the time as a child, having blown the seeds away, counting each breath as an

hour? And who, if this happened in the garden, remembers the reaction of a parent, or

grandparent, to the effi cient dispersal of the seeds all over the vegetable patch or fl ower bed!

In the past, dandelion drinks and concoctions have been valued for their medicinal powers in combating a variety of complaints, and the Victorians used to cultivate them in order

to fi ll sandwiches with the young leaves. Fizzy drinks manufacturers still produce a variety known as Dandelion & Burdock, and intrepid wine-makers can use the fl owers to concoct a heady brew. The roots, some say, can be dried and ground up for use as a coff ee substitute. It is those same roots, long and strong, that our grandmothers would water carefully, to the amusement of onlookers, in order to pull them up completely.

To many of us, dandelions are one of Nature's joys.

CROSSWORD

MAGAzINE CONTRIBUTIONS

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Priory Parish officeChurch House, Church Street, Malvern, WR14 2AYParish administrator: Mary WeatherillTel: (01684) 561020 (answerphone)Email: [email protected] to Public:Monday 11.00am - 12.00 noon;Tuesday 10.00am - 12.00 noon;Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 9.30am - 1.00pm

Great Malvern Priory Websitewww.greatmalverpriory.org.ukWebmaster: [email protected] information on services, events, outreach, people, history and much more. Members’ section gives access to the notice sheet and other information not publicly available. Register or Login to access (link at top of all pages except the Home page).

lyttelton Well(Christian Centre at entrance to Priory)Tel: 01684 573702Email: [email protected] about Priory bookings of the Lyttelton Rooms should be made at the Priory Parish Office (details above).

the Well counsellinGwww.thewellcounselling.co.ukTel: (01684) 563456Email: [email protected]

Please send all contributions for the magazine by email whenever possible to [email protected] with the deadline of the 10th of the previous month at the latest. Written articles should be clearly marked “Magazine” and placed in the “M” pigeonhole at the back of the Priory. The deadline for these is the 8th of the previous month. Contributions should be limited to a maximum of 500 words and, where accompanied by relevant photographs, reduced accordingly. Where photographs of young people are provided, please confirm that parental permission has been obtained to publish in this magazine. Articles will also be considered for inclusion on the Priory web site - if for any reason this is not acceptable, please mention when submitting articles. Some photographs, especially of young people, may not be published on the web pages.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission from Malvern Priory

ACROSS

1 See 23 Across

3 Where the thief on the cross was

told he would be, with Jesus (Luke

23:43) (8)

8 Invalid (4)

9 Blasphemed (Ezekiel 36:20) (8)

11 Adhering to the letter of the law

rather than its spirit (Philippians

3:6) (10)

14 Shut (Ecclesiastes 12:4) (6)

15 ‘This is how it will be with anyone

who — up things for himself but is

not rich towards God’ (Luke 12:21)

(6)

17 Mary on Isis (anag.) (10)

20 Agreement (Hebrews 9:15) (8)

21 Native of, say, Bangkok (4)

22 Deaf fort (anag.) (5-3)

23 and 1 Across ‘The Lord God took

the man and put him in the Garden

of — to work it and take — of it’

(Genesis 2:15) (4,4)

DOWN

1 Struggle between opposing forces

(Habakkuk 1:3) (8)

2 James defined this as ‘looking after

orphans and widows in their distress

and keeping oneself from being

polluted by the world’ (James 1:27) (8)

4 ‘The one I kiss is the man; — him’

(Matthew 26:48) (6)

5 ‘Be joyful in hope, patient in — ,

faithful in prayer’ (Romans 12:12) (10)

6 St Columba’s burial place (4)

7 Swirling current of water (4)

10 Loyalty (Isaiah 19:18) (10)

12 ‘God was pleased through the

foolishness of what was — , to save

those who believe’ (1 Corinthians 1:21)

(8)

13 Camp where the angel of the Lord

slew 185,000 men one night (2 Kings

19:35) (8)

16 ‘There is still — — — Jonathan; he is

crippled in both feet’(2 Samuel 9:3)

(1,3,2)

18 David Livingstone was one (4)

19 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority

(1,1,1,1)

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