In spite of the fact that our November services of remembrance – All Souls on 1st and Remembrance Sunday on 8th – have had to be limited in terms of attendance and slightly altered in terms of procedure – there is no question in my mind that they will mean even more than usual to most people this year, given everything we’ve all been through with Covid-19.Commemorations in Marston for the 100th anniversary of the installation of the War Memorial in the former Churchyard have also had to be curtailed, though the Parish Council and a dedicated band of volunteers are doing their best to ensure a “taste” of the celebratory and commemorative elements of the ceremony held in 1920. These included the green archway across the road and assorted displays and exhibitions, as well of course food and drink, and it is clear that the newly installed War Memorial was a symbol of all of this community engagement and collective experience and memory.Although remembering and the month of November are now so firmly established in the psyche and “soul” of the nation – primarily of course on account of the First and Second World Wars – it is worth reflecting on the fact that Christians have always taken the opportunity at this time of the year to remember and give thanks for departed loved ones in the annual Feast of All Souls, which always follows All Saints Day in the Church’s calendar. The festival provides such a strong and for many such a reassuring opportunity, when we are able to “connect” spiritually and emotionally with our loved ones, and all the saints down the ages. We are not of course speaking of either ancestor worship or veneration – but our memories are both strong and loving, and also deeply life affirming. No doubt we all come to these services with different needs and hopes and expectations, but in the reading of names and the lighting of candles, and in the silence, we all join together in a very special, meaningful and powerful way.In his book “England’s Thousand Best Churches” Simon Jenkins describes very movingly an experience he had whilst undertaking research for the book, at the little church of Up Marden – “...a place of delicious remoteness in the Sussex Downs. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">The evening was warm and the gloaming was rising from the valley beneath. Through a churchyard hung low with trees I could sense the air filling with the ghosts of villagers climbing up the hill to that tiny building. I sensed their coming for a thousand years. As they arrived, they hurled their hopes against those walls, wept on altars and filled rafters with their cries. That shed called a church had received their faith, and offered in return a humble consolation. Now mute in death, these people communicated to me as they did to Eliot, ‘tongued with fire beyond the language of the living’. I could not be immune to the spirits of such a place.” (2000, page xxix)</span>Jenkins refers to T.S Eliot and lines from his wonderful poem “Little Gidding” – ‘You are not here to verify, instruct yourself, inform curiosity or carry report. You are here to kneel where prayer has been valid’. In our services of remembrance, and in all our services and visits to the church this month, and always, we kneel, remember and give thanks, and we pray, in a place where prayer has been, and continues to be, valid – to our loving Father in heaven, who hears all the prayers of our hearts.May God bless each one of us in this coming month.The Revd Alec Brown.
Dear friends“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory,” wise words indeed from the incomparable Dr Seuss.During October I banned myself from reading any fiction. I have so many non- fiction books on my “to be read” pile that I needed to take drastic action. It`s hard. My reading matter at the moment relates to grief journeys and dementia!My Aunt has dementia so I condensed about 40 photograph albums into one large memory book and it was incredible to see how that unlocked some of my Aunt`s memories when we were able to see her. I want the people who are caring for her to know what she was like and the adventures that she had.We can have memories of people, events, and places. How often do you hear a piece of music and it immediately unlocks a memory? Memories are so important in helping us develop a sense of identity and belonging.On the 1 st November we have our “All Souls” service when we particularly remember those we have loved and no longer see and perhaps on that day we will share memories that will make us laugh and cry in equal measure and it is good to remember and share those stories.On the 8th November we have Remembrance Sunday where we remember all those who have died in war, preserving our freedom. “At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”Both our services at All Souls and Remembrance will be different during COVID but we can still remember in a myriad of ways.In the Bible Moses told the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land to always remember God`s faithfulness.<span style="font-size: 1rem;">On the cross one of the thieves asked Jesus to remember him. Each time we have communion, “Do this in remembrance of me”, we remember the life, death and resurrection of Christ.</span>No matter how we are feeling at the moment we need to remember that God will never forget us. He has each of our names tattooed on the palms of his hands. Our memories of God`s faithfulness can be a welcome lifeboat in dark times. .So continue to make memories and keep remembering that God is with you always.Love Christina
Dear friends,So many people at the moment are grieving. Some grieve the loss of a loved one or an unwelcome diagnosis. Some are still shielding and grieving the lack of human contact. Others grieve the lack of holidays and family outings. There is grief about the loss of a sense of a normal life and the absence of a feeling of safety. We have also moved from summer into colder, darker times and that can make us sad.We are moving towards All Souls where we remember all who have died and it is a time of year for remembrance, reflection and for many a time of grief.I have become rather obsessed by “the Repair Shop” on the BBC ever since visiting the Wield and Downland Museum, where it is filmed. If you have never watched it, the premise is simple. People bring items that have great sentimental value and are in need of repair and the experts get to work. Somebody brought in a handmade toy Spitfire which was the only item left that connected a family with an uncle who died at the Battle of Britain. There are a myriad of things brought in. I am always telling Nathaniel that the most important things in life aren’t things, but sometimes they are important. At the moment it may be a photo of you being hugged, a family holiday itinerary, a love letter or something you have been given. It may be a bear that is great to hug when things seem hard. At this time when we remember people who have died, talking about them, sharing stories is so important.<span style="font-size: 1rem;">I read a lovely quote from Jamie Anderson “Grief I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.”</span>When each of us are feeling some degree of sadness we need to be kind to ourselves and need to show compassion to others. Jesus experienced grief and loss and we can be assured that however we are feeling, he is with us.Remember it is ok not to be ok and everyone’s grief journey is different. No one can tell you how you should be feeling. So take time out for yourself but also reach out to someone who may just want to talk. The Ministry Team are always available if you want someone to listen or want prayer.It’s good to talk.Love Christina
We always make New Resolutions in the New Year. However, September and October are also useful times to reflect on the next months ahead and changes we might make. September/October marks a new school term, new university term and, for most, a return to normal work after, hopefully, some time for relaxation over the Summer. Of course, this year, has been a very different start to the academic year. As I write, COVID-19 outbreaks are still rising and we may face more serious lockdown as the weeks progress. For me, October marks, God willing, my priesting in Chester Cathedral on 3rd October. This will be a very curtailed ceremony as the cohort will be divided into three groups, with only two visitors per candidate allowed in the cathedral. There will be a live screening in the refectory for three additional visitors only. However, one shouldn’t complain. It is the culmination of several years of discernment and a rollercoaster of a journey shared with friends and family members. It is not about personal validation or supremacy. The role of the priest is a humble role; it is one in which we are servants of Christ and would do well not to forget that. This is a ministry of servanthood and, as Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, writes in his new book “On Priesthood”, the stoles we wear around our necks are ”towels of service.” Paul also writes to the Philippians “ Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” So, my priesting will be a small ceremony but that is fine. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">My greatest sadness is that this Autumn is my first birthday without any parents to spend it with, and also no parent to share my priesting with. I am what is now defined as an “adult orphan.” Without the protective illusion of a parent’s timeless presence, the future suddenly seems more urgent. There are precious memories which contain the roots of life, but parents are the last connection to that unless we have siblings too, which share in those moments, and I am an only child.</span>So, life is brief, we must all use our time wisely and as Stephen Cottrell also writes ”Find enough time to sleep, enough time to pray, then do what you can.”Please keep me in your prayers as I begin life as a priest and I pray that all our ministries would bring the message of Christ to others.Blessings to you all,Jenny
