The Beacon Easter 2015

EASTER 2015 THE BEACON

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What’s On

DISCOVER WHAT’S HAPPENING IN AND

AROUNDST. STEPHEN’S THIS

EASTER BOOK REVIEWST. STEPHENS

BUILDINGS UPDATE

RECTORY RECIPE MALT CHOCOLATE

CHEESECAKE

LENT 2015 THE BEACON

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From the Editor When I was a child, I hated Easter. We’re going back over 30 years, so this was in the days when we had three TV channels, and kids' weekend programming was an hour and a half on a Saturday morning. Easter was a long dreary weekend when all the shops were shut, it rained every day, and the only things on TV were Songs of Praise and horse racing.

I’ve changed. I’ve grown. The Revd. Philip was saying in his sermon a few weeks ago that there are things that as a child you can't appreciate, and that come to you later in life. His examples were the joy of an early night, spinach and pancetta with a suggestion of nutmeg, and Bach. Mine is appreciating “Yes Minister” and Easter. Even as mortals, our journey to Easter Sunday can be of the same nature of Christ's sojourn to the cross. It can be a monooushian* journey with Christ.

For a non-Christian, Easter is Cream Egg time. But for Christians, it is a holiday of meaning and contrast. Unlike Christmas, which is (supposed to be) full of peace and joy, Easter is drama. Lent is a time of denial and reflection. Maundy Thursday is for vigil and anticipation. Good Friday is a day of remembering Christ's sacrifice and suffering. By Easter Sunday, we can return to joy, triumph and indulgence in the victory of life over death, and light over darkness. At St. Stephen’s, we’re in a wonderful position where we can really, personally be part of that drama from start to finish.

For fellowship and exploration of the meaning of Lent, St. Stephen’s and Charlcombe St. Mary’s join together in lent courses that you can attend once a week for 5 weeks. We’ve done some smashing ones in the past, and it's always lovely to sit and get to know people you see in church but with whom never have time to chat. There’s tea and cake too.

On Maundy Thursday at St. Stephen’s, we’re invited to join in the Agape supper in the Church Centre. It is an echo of the last supper, with song, prayer and reflection interspersed around a gorgeous Middle Eastern feast. We enjoy hospitality and peace, and afterwards we are invited to spend half an hour keeping silent vigil with Jesus before his death, in the candle-lit church. It is probably my favourite part of our church's calendar, capturing the essence of our faith.

On Good Friday, the Walk of Witness leaves from St. Stephen's church at 9.00 am. We begin with hot cross buns and then we walk with a really, really big cross to the Abbey, stopping at churches, gathering other Christians, and listening to readings and singing hymns on the way. By the time we reach the Abbey, we will have joined with church groups who have made their way from all parts of Bath, with their own really, really big crosses. Outside the Abbey, the walk usually concludes with a performance of the crucifixion, or a band and a sermon.

Easter Sunday starts at 6.00 at St. Mary’s Charlcombe, in celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Prosecco will be served, if you can handle alcohol at that time in the morning. It’s early. I’ve yet to make it to that one. At 10.45 at St. Stephens there will be the service of celebration, followed by cake and fine coffee. I can usually make it to that.

If you’ve never done any of the activities that take place over the holiday, I strenuously urge you to try them. The first Easter that I joined in, I had to force myself to do it. I was late for the cross walk (I often am) and turned up sweaty and out of breath at the Hay Hill Baptist Church (I often do). I was last into the Agape supper, too, very nervous and sheepish. Now, though, you can't knock me back. For me, it beats Christmas. There's none of the panic and chaos and debt. It's all reflection and community and triumph. Come along, really do. I’ll be there, maybe even on time.

* (pronounced mono-owsheean) - New, fancy theological word for me, meaning to be of the same nature or essence.

– Torie Peters, Editor


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A note from Philip

Hello, and Happy Lent!

Hang on, surely that’s about as likely as ‘Happy January’ - but think again. Yes, there is an air of giving up something, but let’s focus on what we can take on. There is a lingering sense of doleful duty when we think about faith or church matters, the ‘shoulds’ kick in, in what a friend called ‘hardening of the oughteries’. Maybe we never grow out of the Sunday evening heaviness of ‘Religion’, the very idea of Bible Study or Prayer likely to turn our hearts to lead.

But wait. About five years ago I was reading a book about prayer (out of a sense of duty, of course) when I came upon this:

‘What if God does not demand prayer as gives it? What if God offers prayer in order to nourish and satisfy us … Instead of prayer being another demand that threatens to deplete your energy further, it could become the place of replenishment and access to the love which gives life meaning.'

It changed forever the way I felt about being with God. It may be this idea resonates with you. Well, Lent is a good time to do something about it. There are lent groups meeting on Monday morning, evening and Tuesday afternoons. Even if you can’t make these, there is material available. There is a book, ‘We make the road by walking’ by Brian McLaren which is at church to buy. Fifty-two gently encouraging short chapters to help explore the Bible in a refreshing new way. A prayer booklet to connect us to what’s going on in our City, and more besides.

I remember when I was ten, my mate Richard Hughes and I used to play on my shed’s flat roof. One day he jumped off on to the lawn below. It seemed incredibly high, but he just did it. Then he encouraged me to do the same. I was sitting on the edge for over an hour before I finally made the jump.

Love Lent! Go gently into it and dare to hope that you will be changed in some way, no matter how small.

See you soon,

Grace and peace,

– Philip


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Book Review Do you want to go on a journey? Do you want to be challenged about how you understand the bible – to see it with fresh eyes and a fresh understanding? Are you prepared for a book that offers questions framed in a new way based on a source you think you know but fear you don’t really understand? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then you need to read this book.

In ‘We Make the Road by Walking’, Brian McLaren has found a way of asking questions that open up possibilities that offer new ways of understanding the bible. He bases his 52 chapters firmly in scripture and he doesn’t shy away from difficult questions. From Genesis to Revelation, this is a comprehensive biblical narrative theology and yet McLaren keeps each chapter concise, avoiding religious jargon and writing in a simple, direct style – you can read each one aloud in 10 minutes.

McLaren is not afraid to challenge and promote change, for over a decade he’s been challenging people to explore a new kind of Christianity. He believes we are in a ‘new moment of emergence, pulsing with danger and promise’, he sees this as a ‘catalytic period in which all our spiritual traditions will be challenged and changed’ and with this book he plays his part in challenging and changing.

The preface to the book starts:

“You are not finished yet. You are ‘in the making’. You have the capacity to learn, mature, think, change and grow. You also have the freedom to stagnate, regress, constrict and lose your way. Which road will you take?”

Take a journey this Lent, read this book, meet with your friends, discuss what you read, and walk this road together.

– Kate Stringer

Study groups are running on Wednesday evenings in the St. Stephen’s foyer. Contact Christian Duckwork

([email protected]) or the newsletter team for more details.

We Make the Road by Walking: A Year

Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation and

Activation

By Brian D. McLaren

Paperback RRP: £11.99

Publisher: Hodden & Stoughton

ISBN: 1444703706Kindle eBookRRP: £4.68

Publisher: Hodden & Stoughton

ASIN: B00HW2EG9U

Copies are available at a

discounted price of £9.99 from Revd.

Philip

‘Life is a journey and

faith is an adventure and

we make the road by

walking.’

Brian D. McLaren

mailto:[email protected]



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Buildings update Issues of cracks in the vestry wall has been on-going for as long as the oldest church members can recall, but it was not until February 2011 that the Church Architect’s five-yearly report recommended that investigation should be initiated and additional monitoring of the wall commenced. By December 2013 it was apparent that the cracks in the masonry had significantly extended and a structural engineer was appointed to determine the potential cause and the remedial work necessary to stabilise the wall. Despite extensive work, which included the digging of trial test holes in order that the foundations could be inspected to determine if movement of the footings was the primary cause, no obvious faults were apparent. However, the structural engineers report did identify a number of factors which combined could result in the type of damage to the masonry that the vestry was suffering. For example, it is known that the vestry and chancel were built some 40 years after the original church construction, and the foundations of this later build were relatively shallow compared to the rest of the church! This factor, when combined with the significant clay content of the soil, large trees adjacent, traffic vibration, and mortar dry out, are considered to be the reasons why the vestry wall has suffered movement and subsequent damage.

Prevention of further movement in the 1882 build is considered unrealistic and it was decided that management of the situation is an acceptable and affordable solution, at least in the short term. To that end, two large transverse steel beams have been installed to the inner wall of the vestry as a stabilisation measure, the two stained glass panels, which were buckling due to adverse stress loads, have been covered for protection, and the process of close monitoring has commenced. To date, no obvious additional movement or cracks have been observed. The cost of this stabilisation work was approximately £5,000 which is considerably less that the £50,000 figure which had at one point during the investigations been mentioned.An independent, dedicated committee has now been established to determine the way forward for the church building with active participation of our church architect, and it is anticipated that outline costed proposals will be produced within 12 months.

Meanwhile, do pray for us as we seek God over repairs, reordering and fundraising!

- Rick Meopham, Deputy Church Warden

Cracks on the vestry wall


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What is the Mother’s Union? Did you know that the Mother’s Union is a Worldwide Christian Charity that works to support families worldwide? To achieve this, MU is involved Worldwide, Nationally, in Bath and Wells and At St. Stephen’s. Here’s how.

WORLDWIDE

• With over 4 million members in 84 countries, MU is often first on the scene because we have “home grown workers” available all the time. Andrew White, the Vicar of Baghdad, works extensively with MU in his work.

• As a result of its Literacy and Numeracy Projects and Family Life Programmes, MU has been invited to sit on the United Nations since 1995 and is therefore one of the few NGO’s to be directly involved in speaking out and shaping policies on women’s issues, HIV/AIDS, FGM and gender based violence.

NATIONALLY

• MU is frequently consulted by governments on matters relating to families and family life.

• As a result of lobbying Parliament through the “Bye, Bye Childhood” campaign, the MU chief executive was asked to head up the government’s review into the sexualisation and commercialisation of children. The resulting report, “Let children be children” has led to many changes including a dramatic reduction of the sale of sexualised clothing for under 16 year olds and major improvements to on line safety for children. On 10th February, the MU was involved in organising the global Safer Internet Day, with the slogan “Let’s create a better internet together”.

IN BATH AND WELLS

• Working with Social Services to setup and run 3 Contact Centres in the Diocese which provide neutral and safe meeting places and support for families with contested access rights.

• Organising parenting courses with fully trained and accredited leaders.

• Making baby gowns and angel pockets for premature and still born babies and knitted blankets for nursing homes and hospitals.

• Away From It All holidays – providing family holidays for those unable to afford a break.

• Supporting Women’s refuges by providing essential household items and personal items.

• Providing emergency food boxes for areas of Somerset affected by last year’s floods.

• MU members run a café during the Bath Christmas Markets.

• Supporting students living away from home, MU has written, produced and funded a student cook book with is distributed free of charge at Freshers’ fairs in Bath’s 2 universities.

AT ST. STEPHEN’S

• SOAP (Support on a Plate) meals ministry.

• Organising refreshments for parents of children starting school at St. Stephen’s Primary School in September.

• Joining other Bath members at the University Fresher’s Fairs and Bath Christmas Market Coffee Shop.

• Providing lunch for couples attending marriage preparation day.

• Knitting blanket squares at some of our monthly get together.

- Pat Brocklebank


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Mothers’ Union News • Women's World Day of Prayer, St. Saviour’s Church - Friday 6th March, 2pm – Each year,

the Mothers’ Union organises a Women’s World Day of Prayer to remember and pray for Women around the world who suffer under oppression and fear. Women's World Day of Prayer 2015 is has been prepared by women from the Bahamas. All are welcome and it should be finished in time to collect children from school.

• MU Families First Cake and Craft meet, St. Stephen’s foyer, 7.30pm - We’ll be eating cake, sharing our skills and bringing our own crafty things to work on. All are welcome. The Cake and Craft Meets happen every 4th Tuesday of the Month. The next ones coming up are:

o 24th February o 24th March o 28th April o 26th May

For more information about being involved with the Mother’s Union, contact Pam Cavellini ([email protected]) or Pat Brocklebank ([email protected])

Regular events at St. Stephen’s Church • Mondays 8.30am – Morning prayers (side chapel)

• Mondays 6.45pm – Bell ringing class (Tower/foyer)

• Thursdays 8.00pm – Church choir practice (Foyer)

• Saturdays 9.30am – Morning Prayers (side chapel)

• Saturdays 10am – 12pm – Parish pop in and coffee (Foyer)

• Sundays at 10.45am – Sunday worship:

1st and 3rd Sunday of the month – Choral Communion with children’s groups 2nd Sunday of the month – Whole church Communion

4th Sunday of the month – All Ages altogether service – 45 minutes




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Special Events Lent course – “Hope Actually”, from the Church Urban Fund: "Wherever you get your news from, hope seems in short supply. Disenchantment with our political and economic systems is running very high. Where do we find genuine hope – hope that will not disappoint us?”

The course will run every week through lent, and St. Stephen’s is offering a choice of 2 times and venues:

• Mondays from 23rd February – 8-9.30pm at the Rectory, Richmond Place

• Tuesdays from 24th February – 2.30pm at Richard Brooke’s home - Tournasol, Charlcombe Lane

In addition, on Mondays from 23rd February, 11.00am to 1.30pm in the church foyer, Ken Bowey will be leading a Lent group looking at Galatians.

• Easter Service for St. Stephen’s School, St. Stephen’s Church - Friday 27th March, 9.30am -Adults welcome to attend in the balcony.

• Eucharist with Ashing, St. Mary's Charlcombe - Wednesday 18th February, 7.30pm

• Compline for Holy Week, 8pm – A service of compline in holy week. Monday evening at Charlcombe St. Mary’s, Tuesday evening at St. Stephen’s, and Wednesday evening at Christ Church.

• Agape Supper, St. Stephen's Church Centre - Thursday 2nd April, 7.00pm – a feast of fellowship and reflection, treading the path of the Last Supper, followed by vigil in the church.

• Walk of Witness (Cross Walk), departing from St. Stephen’s Church Foyer - Friday 3rd April, 9.00am – join churches across bath for a procession through the town to the Abbey, stopping along the way for sermons and hymns. Hot cross buns served before-hand.

• Vigil at the Foot of the Cross, St. Mary's Charlcombe – Friday 3rd April, 2pm

• Young Person’s Easter Vigil and sleepover, St. Stephen’s Church – Saturday 4th April, 5pm – Our popular Easter vigil for young people will be held again this year, where older children are invited to spend the night in the church, have fun, keep vigil, and join St. Mary's Charlcombe for the Easter Sunday Dawn celebration. Contact [email protected] for more information.

• Blessing of the light, St. Mary's Charlcombe - Saturday 4th April, 7.30pm

• Easter Sunrise Service with Brazier and Prosecco, St. Mary's Charlcombe - Sunday 5th April, 6.00am – a dawn celebration for the Risen Christ.

• Easter Sunday Service, St. Stephen’s Church - Sunday 5th April, 10.45am – a joyful, packed service to celebrate that He is Risen! Followed by cake, tea and coffee.

• Churches Together in Bath meeting, Swainswick Church - Monday 20th April, 10.30am – CTiB consists of local churches who seek to strengthen fellowship with each other and foster a common mission of service in the city.

• Picnic and Praise in the Park, Alice Park - Sunday 3rd May, from 12.30 – Part of the Larkhall festival and organised by Churches Together in Bath, this spring time gathering begins with a picnic, and is followed by hymns sung by church singers at 2.00pm.

• Clypping Service, St. Stephen’s church - Sunday 17th May, 10.45am – in honour of the building’s 175th anniversary, we will be holding this ancient and unusual service of thanksgiving for our Church, followed by cake, tea and coffee.

• Richard Brookes' last service as Reader, St. Stephen’s Church - Sunday 31st May, 10.45am – Richard is a highly accomplished explorer, having worked with Sir Edmund Hillary. For many years, he has also been the licenced lay reader at St. Stephen’s and St. Mary’s Charlcombe. This will be his last service before retirement and will be followed by a lasagne bring and share lunch to celebrate and give thanks for his service.




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Congregational Shorts This issue’s interviewee from our congregation is Peter Baxter.

Where did you grow up? I grew up in London between Clapham and Wandsworth commons.

What was your first experience of church? I’ve gone to church since I can remember. I remember Sunday School, being read bible stories. It was quite strict but maybe that was just for me. I also remember being paid 50p a week to sing in the choir.

What is your favourite childhood memory? I feel ambushed.

What do you do at St. Stephen’s? I am a deputy church warden, which involves opening up the church, setting up, safety checks, stuff like that. I am also a Foundation Governor at St. Stephens School.

What’s your favourite thing about St. Stephen’s? A traditional Anglican Church but with a relaxed family atmosphere. Which is essential with my 3 daughters running around.

What are you currently watching on TV? Oh, um, what are we watching Karin?

What are you currently reading? I don't have time to read books much of the time. Well I read lots of newspapers, but mostly lots of books when I’m on holiday. The last thing I read was The Climb, by Chris Froome.

If you were a superhero or supervillain, who would you be? Is there a super geek one?

What is your favourite bible story? Jonah and the Whale was my favourite as a child, because of the large fish swallowing a man.

Name someone who helped you to where you are today. My long suffering wife, Karin. She's supported me with my job over the years, and with our lovely family.

– Questions by Christian Duckworth


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Rectory Recipe – Billy’s “Every day is Valentine’s Day” Malt Chocolate Cheesecake Ingredients

•200g finely crushed Malted Milk biscuits •100g melted butter •5 tablespoons caster sugar •600g full fat soft cheese •300ml double cream •300g melted white chocolate •200g melted milk chocolate •2 tablespoons Horlicks •37g bag of white Maltesers

Method 1. Line base and sides of a deep 23cm spring form (or loose bottom) with baking parchment.

2. Combine the crushed biscuit crumbs, melted butter and 2 tablespoons of the caster sugar and press into the base of the tin. Chill whilst making the filling.

3. Divide the cream cheese and cream in half and place into two bowls. Add the melted white chocolate to one and the melted milk chocolate, Horlicks and the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar to the other. Beat each with an electric whisk until smooth.

4. Spread the milk chocolate mixture evenly on top of the biscuit base. Spoon the white chocolate mixture over the top and gently smooth.

5. Decorate with Maltesers and chill for at least 5 hours until set.

Jacket Potatoes – Philip’s tips…

What? Surely everyone can bake a potato. Well, yes, but here’s a tip I once received that changed for ever the way I do it

• Take a fairly large potato - King Edwards, for example.

• Wash off dirt, and leave very wet.

• Pierce several times with a sharp cook’s knife.

• Put on a tray and sprinkle with Malden sea salt, both sides.

• Put into preheated (190C fan) oven.

• Leave for 60-75 minutes.

• When you get it out, the skin should be firm, a bit crunchy.

Now, here’s the secret. Don’t cut it open. Instead, put a tea towel on the top, and smash it with your fist. Obviously not so you pulverise it, and it flies everywhere, but enough to seriously crack it open. It takes practise, but aim to stop a half inch below the skin. What happens is that the steam escapes all at once, and the potato automatically turns to fluffiness without any further action. Just drop in a chunk of butter, or whatever you like, and it’ll melt its way through with ease. Mmm.(Sorry if you already know this).


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Colophon The Beacon is produced on behalf of St. Stephen’s church, Lansdown, Bath.

Opinions expressed in the newsletter may not be those of St. Stephen’s church.

Priest in Charge: Revd. Philip Hawthorn Email: [email protected] Phone: 01225 420946 (church office)

Newsletter team Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07809 680242 • Torie Peters (Editor)

• Kate Stringer (Planner and copywriter) • Karin Baxter (Producer)

Message Board Karin Baxter can provide a lift into town and help with grocery shopping on Tuesday's or Friday's for anyone who could use her help or company. Contact Karin on 07980 666880

Torie Peters and the St.Stephen’s Help on a Plate can provide a hot meal to anyone who finds themselves housebound. Contact Torie on 07809 680242

• Do you want to start a bible study group? • Would you like to car-share to church? • Do you need volunteers for community work?

Contact Torie Peters at [email protected] (07809 680242), and your notices will be included in the next edition of our newsletter, The Beacon.

The Beacon Easter 2015

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Transcript of The Beacon Easter 2015