THE PARISHIONER

Ockham with Hatchford and Downside Newsletter

MARCH 2014

ASH WEDNESDAY – mourning our sins

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. But why 'Ash' Wednesday? The

reason has to do with getting things right between you and God, and

the tradition goes right back to the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites often sinned. When they finally

came to their senses, and saw their evil ways as God saw them, they

could do nothing but repent in sorrow. They mourned for the damage

and evil they had done. As part of this repentance, they covered their

heads with ashes. For the Israelites, putting ashes on your head, and

even rending your clothes, was an outward sign of their heart-felt

repentance and acknowledgement of sin. (See Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel

13:19; Job 2:8, 30:19; Isaiah 58:5; Jeremiah 6:26; Jonah 3:6)

In the very early Christian Church, the yearly 'class' of penitents had

ashes sprinkled over them at the beginning of Lent. They were turning

to God for the first time, and mourning their sins. But soon many

other Christians wanted to take part in the custom, and to do so at the

very start of Lent. They heeded Joel's call to 'rend your hearts and not

your garments' (Joel 2:12-19). Ash Wednesday became known as

either the 'beginning of the fast' or ‘the day of the ashes’.

The collect for Ash Wednesday goes back to the Prayer Book, and

stresses the penitential character of the day. It encourages us with the

reminder of the readiness of God to forgive us and to renew us.

The Bible readings are often Joel 2:1-2, 12 – 18, Matthew 6: 1-6,16 –

21 and Paul’s moving catalogue of suffering, "as having nothing and yet

possessing everything." (2 Corinthians 5:20b - 6:10)

The actual custom of 'ashing' was abolished at the Reformation, though

the old name for the day remained. Today, throughout the Church of

England, receiving the mark of ashes on one’s forehead is optional.

Certainly the mark of ashes on the forehead reminds people of their

mortality: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return..."

(Genesis 3:19)

The late medieval custom was to burn the branches used on Palm

Sunday in the previous year in order to create the ashes for today.

The Collect for Ash Wednesday is:

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in

us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and

acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all

mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ your Son

our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. AMEN.

Meet and make friends over soup and roll at the

LENT LUNCH Proceeds to Mary’s meals. Saturday 8th March 12.30-2.00 East Horsley Village Hall

Parish Clergy

Rev’d Elizabeth Bussmann

(01483 283713)

Rev’d Kerry Tucker

(01483 210167)*

Rev’d Elisabeth Burke

(01932 863886)

Church Wardens

Mrs Sally Pound

(01932 863279)

Mr Richard Peters

(01483 568837)

*Kerry’s Parish days are Mondays and Wednesdays

Don’t forget to keep up to date with everything happening

in our Parish by going to www.ockhamchurch.org.uk

Please send articles for the next edition to Andrew Jackson

by the 19th of the month preceding publication to

jacksoa1@me.com

MU4ALL Is Just That! For ALL THE BEEHIVE The Beehive meets once a month on the 4th Thursday at 2.00 p.m. at St. Martin’s Court. Coffee, cake and a time to share, whilst making a difference to others in need. We meet together to work at MU projects, such as neonatal supplies, knitting, making blankets and quilts and any particular needs which arise.

MARCH 13th Recipe Exchange 2.00 p.m. Community Hall (Elisabeth Burke) 24th Lady Day Diocesan Service 10.45 a.m. Guildford Cathedral (Jean Bayliss) 27th Communion, Soup Lunch and Reflection 12 noon St. Martin’s Church Rooms (Sandy Conway)

Revd Annie Dixon is running an information session on dementia for anyone

interested in finding out more. It is particularly suitable for anyone who has a

family member with dementia or for those offering pastoral care in parishes.

The session is from 10am to 12 noon on Saturday 5th April at St Michael's

Chapel, Downside.

There is no cost or need to book and there will be refreshments at the start.

More details Elisabeth Burke 01932 863886

FORTHCOMING SERVICES Sunday 2nd March Sunday before Lent 9.00 am Downside Songs of Praise 10.30 am All Saints’ Parish Communion (PEBBLES) Wednesday 5th March Ash Wednesday 8.00 pm All Saints’ Holy Communion Sunday 9th March First Sunday in Lent 9.00 am Downside Holy Communion 10.30 am All Saints’ FAMILY SERVICE Sunday 16th March Second Sunday in Lent 9.00 am Downside Songs of Praise 10.30 am All Saints’ Parish Communion (PEBBLES) Wednesday 19th March 6.00 pm Downside Prayer of Stillness Sunday 23rd March Third Sunday in Lent 9.00 am Downside Holy Communion 10.30 am All Saints’ Parish Communion (PEBBLES) Sunday 30th March Mothering Sunday 9.00 am Downside Holy Communion 10.30 am All Saints’ FAMILY SERVICE

The Prayer of Stillness Bible Verse for March

A Lenten saying:- "WATCH AND PRAY, LEST YOU BE PUT TO THE

TEST" Mark 14 v 38

Ockham Cricket Club

As the rain slowly subsides and the evenings start to lengthen, our thoughts turn to cricket. By ‘our’ I’m referring to the members and volunteers of Ockham Cricket Club. Cricket has long been played on the Hautboy Meadow and the current generation are keen to carry on the club’s proud heritage. The club field two XIs on a Saturday, playing in the Surrey Downs League, and a friendly XI on Sundays. We pride ourselves on having one of the most picturesque grounds in the area – as I’m sure you’ll all agree. In 2012 the club resurrected the tradition of Cricket Week, where matches are held every day of the week. The 2014 Cricket Week kicks off on Sunday June 22nd with the annual match between the Village and the Club, bringing to mind thoughts of the famous Gentlemen versus Players matches made famous throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. From the old to the new and Cricket Week continues with a Twenty20 triangular tournament held in the evenings. On Wednesday 25th June we play host to an invitational side on Ockham Old Boys and up and coming young stars – this year played in the memory of our late departed friend Noel Gordon. Cricket Week closes on Sunday 29th June with the Neal Greenwood Memorial match played against Leatherhead CC. The club are also looking to strengthen our ties to the local community, and we’d like to extend an open invitation to both residents and visitors alike. Whether you’re interested in playing, volunteering, or just fancy wiling away a couple of hours in the sunshine our door is always open. There are plenty of ways to stay in touch – find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @OckhamCC or register on our website http://ockhamcc.play-cricket.com/ We look forward to seeing you throughout the summer. Paul Watson Chairman - Ockham Cricket Club

26 YEARS AS SLAVES It is hard to think of Ockham as a station on the “underground railway” along which fugitives from slavery in the American South travelled to freedom; but for one young couple it was exactly that. By 1848 William and Ellen Craft from Macon, Georgia, had been married for about 2 years. Ellen was the daughter of a slave owner who had taken her from her mother when she was 11 years old and given her away. He also had sold the rest of his illegitimate slave children to pay his debts. This experience made Ellen determined that any children she might have would not be born as slaves and “torn from her”. During the Christmas holiday in 1848 with Ellen disguised as a white man and William as her attendant slave, they bluffed their way by train and ship to Philadelphia. They were feted by the influential Anti-Slavery movement in New England but their sanctuary there was brief. As soon as the Fugitive Slave Act was passed in 1850 their former owner sent agents to seize them and eventually the US President ordered their arrest. In January 1851 their supporters smuggled them out through Canada to Liverpool and arranged for them to receive a sympathetic reception. As both had been illiterate when they left Georgia their further education was an urgent necessity and places were quickly found places at the Ockham Industrial School. A factor in the choice of Ockham was the fact that Judge Stephen Lushington, who lived at Ockham Park, was an ardent supporter of the anti-slavery movement and his daughters supervised the schools. The placement was successful and long before the end of their two year stay at the school the Crafts were writing fluent articles for the Press and addressing public meetings. In due course they moved to London where William set up a carpentry business and they were active in a variety of reformist movements. After the Civil War and Emancipation they returned to the USA and established their own Agricultural School for the children of freed slaves. The Crafts own story “Running 1000 miles for freedom “is

available free on line as are details of the Museum of London Docklands educational tour of exhibits on the Crafts for schools and other children’s groups. The Ockham Church Register adds colour to the bare outlines of history. It records that after all their wanderings and 6 years of marriage, the Crafts first child, Charles, was born safe and free, at Ockham and was baptised at All Saints on 2 January 1853. The emotions which must have attended the baptism ceremony, and the Christmas which preceded it, can be imagined. An indication of their feelings is provided by their return visit seven years later bringing two more of their children to All Saints to be baptised. It is well said on the East Window, “Suffer little children to come unto me”. Commemorating World War 1 We are looking at how we might commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1 in August 1914; it will clearly make Remembrance Sunday this year something rather special. We are researching the names of the fallen on the memorials both in Ockham village and Hatchford churchyard and already some interesting facts have come to light. One idea is to produce a booklet about those named on our memorials and possible to stage a display of memorabilia. There are one or two items in the Surrey History Centre which we may be able to borrow which might form the centrepiece of this. We would very much like to hear from anyone who may have memorabilia, artefacts or family stories relating to World War 1 which they could contribute. Family members do not have to have been living in Ockham at the time – we believe that there are probably only a handful of families from that time who still live in our villages, which would make any exhibition difficult to put on. So if you have anything at all you would like to contribute please contact Richard Peters, Churchwarden, on 01483 568837 email: richard.peters43@ntlworld.com or send it to him at 71 Springfield Road, Guildford Surrey GU1 4DW.

News from St Matthews: We are having an exciting time at St Matthew’s at the moment, having 89 children. Just one more child and we would be full at 90. This would be the very first time that the school has had 90 children. To reflect the need for more space we have been working very hard on our outdoor area. It looks beautiful, all due to the hard work of very kind parents at half term. We are blessed to have such support and enthusiasm at St Matthew’s from our parents. Yesterday parents were outside in the freezing cold painting and planting. Their work is uplifting and makes such a difference to everyone’s outlook. Their thoughtfulness reflects our theme for the children this half term at St Matthew’s. The children have been thinking about how they care about family and friends, and how lucky they are to have lovely homes and loving families. Reception, Rabbit’s Class, have been learning about The Wise and Foolish Man, and the Walls of Jericho. Year Two, Badgers, have created a reflective book entitled ‘Thoughtful’. They are considering the ‘Big Questions’ and some of their Big Questions in their book include: Why have rabbits got fluffy tails?; Why did God make the World?; Why are trees so big?; Why do animals make different sounds?; Why is the world so big?; Why is football so popular!?; How fast can plants grow?; Why are acorns so tiny? We uncovered three very precious items this half term at St Matthew’s. Three pieces of beautiful tapestry work. One was completed by Daisy Irene Dance in 1912, and the other two were completed by Minnie Seury aged 9 in 1902, and aged 14 in 1907. They are now very proudly displayed on the wall in the entrance area at St Matthew’s. The care and detail in each piece is astounding and should anyone wish to see them you would be extremely welcome to call us. If you have any knowledge of these ladies I would be very interested to find out more. Next week, Shrove Tuesday, we will be making pancakes as we start to think about Easter. This is a very important time in our school calendar and we look forward to sharing it with you.

Rhian Thornton