We had a delightful surprise this summer: German historical novelist Rebecca Gablé got in touch to say that a design using quotations from 2 Timothy 4:7 taken from one of St Martin’s stained-glass windows has been used as the edge painting on her new book — and the image has set off quite a buzz on social media in Germany.Rebecca wrote to say she first thought the artwork was the work of her publisher’s designers, but when she recognised the words of St Paul she began to investigate and traced the design back to our church. Hundreds of readers have reacted with enthusiasm — in some cases discussing the artwork more avidly than the novel itself.We were happy to help. In reply we sent Rebecca photos and a short history of the window: it is a memorial to Henry William Pitcher VC, who won the Victoria Cross in India in 1863. After his death his widow, Emilie (Emilie Selina Augusta Chapman), later married the Reverend Thomas Le Neveu, then Rector of St Martin; it was during his time that the Pitcher memorial window was installed. The Victoria Cross is the UK’s highest gallantry award, and the window is one small but moving thread in the long tapestry of St Martin le Vieux — a place of worship on this hill since at least the 11th century, with evidence of worship here going back even earlier.Rebecca kindly offered to send a copy of the book, which now sits in the Vestry — even though it’s in German — and asked if she might share our photos with her followers. We were more than happy for her to do so.It’s a wonderful reminder that our little parish and its windows have stories that travel — sometimes quite a long way. If you visit Germany and spot the book in a shop take a peek at the edge painting and remember the people and history behind it.
When I was a Padre in the Army Reserve, part of my role was to look after the spirituality of the soldiers in my regiment. In the Army, there are people of all faiths and none and my role was not to push them in any direction, it was to enable them to flourish and explore their own spirituality which informed their values and beliefs and as a result, they can flourish as individuals and find the inner resources to do a hard job on a difficult day. I did that representing the CofE and my viewpoint of someone who tries to follow Jesus. I was always amazed at the turnout for church parade where we would sing hymns, pray for our family and friends and they would humour me by laughing at my bad jokes in the sermon. Amongst them were Agnostics, regular Churchgoers, Pagans’ Spiritualists Muslims and Gurkhas of the Hindu faith. These church parades weren’t compulsory, but an opportunity for all of us to gather and explore the individual inner world as a community. Afterwards the conversations with these soldiers we're often about their values, there hidden inner lives, their fears and worries as well as their hopes and dreams. It was and remains one of the greatest privileges I've ever had to be trusted and privy to their inner world.What feeds your inner world?Each of us has experiences that nourish us. It might be the simplicity of a walk, the laughter of a child, the sight of a bird soaring against the sky. Some find sustenance in silence, others in a stirring piece of music that resonates inexplicably deep within. For many, faith is a touchstone—a candle flickering in the dark, a whispered prayer carrying hope.Too often, we neglect this inner space. Yet, it is something we should value, nurture, and protect. During the Occupation, Canon John Wilford wrote of the women of The Guild of Service and Intercession, who worked tirelessly to serve both church and community. They had a future dream, to restore the Parish Church’s Lady Chapel as a Chapel of Memories, a place where anyone could come for reflection. Wilford captured this beautifully:“It will be a haven of rest for weary people in the years that are ahead. Into it will come many an anxious soul, any day at any time, to seek the rest and quiet which a little chapel, hidden away from the outside world, will surely give.”The Parish Church was a haven during the occupation, it is still a place where anyone is welcome to wander around, to sit down and find space and quiet, to bring a grandchild into the children’s corner. It’s a space where a candle can be lit, a prayer muttered, or silence can be welcomed from a busy day or the Labyrinth in the Lower Cemetery can be explored. The Church is a place which is there for you - to feed your soul.
The other day, I a song stuck in my head “sung” by Michael Caine, in the Muppet Christmas Carol called “Thankful heart” – Scrooge has just awoken from his ghostly visitation and enters London on Christmas Day, a changed man, and sings “And every day will start, with a grateful prayer and a thankful heart”. I did get a strange look when I started humming this “Christmas” song in May. Yet having a grateful prayer and thankful heart was highlighted to me at the commemoration and re-enactment of the Liberation of Jersey. I cannot deny there was a lump in my throat when I saw the Union Flag raised over Fort Regent and there was a grateful prayer for those who brought, and those who still bring freedom to others. Also a thankful heart that since those dark days, we still live in freedom - freedom to go where we want, talk to who we want, moan at what we want - all without fear of oppression or consequence. Liberation Day is a day to stop and recognise and celebrate the freedom that we enjoy, and not to take it for granted. It is important to hear the stories of the occupation and the hardships suffered, and the unimaginable joy and gratitude to the Red Cross with the life-giving arrival of SS Vega and to Force 135 on Liberation Day.We live in freedom, we live in a democracy, we live in a beautiful island, and we live, of course, in the most beautiful of all the twelve parishes, it is right to have gratitude and thankfulness as part of our daily lives. But also, a sense of responsibility that we need to ensure this freedom is not lost. We can’t physically bring freedom to the world, but we can make a difference. Going back to Scrooge, he is grateful for what he has, and he aims to live for the betterment of others as a result, it’s a challenge not just for Christmas, but all the year around. Often you hear the word ‘salvation’ in churches - the ancient root of that word is freedom, the lifting of oppression, and better things to come. When we pray, Thy Kingdom Come in the Lord’s Prayer, we are praying, hoping for freedom to come. But prayer is not just telling God what we want, prayer challenges us, to be part of making a difference in the world.How do you feel when someone waves “thank you” if you let them out of a junction? How do you feel when they don’t! A simple act of kindness can make a difference, a thank you, a smile, signing a petition, or giving to a charity! All small things in the grand scheme of things but when we consider what happens in our world, and the freedom we enjoy, don’t be surprised if “how do I play my part?” nibbles at your conscience or a grateful prayer or a thankful heart make a surprise visit.
You may notice that the Grass in the Parish Cemetary is not being cut. This is due to the annual appearance of the Autumn Lady's Tresses or Spiral Orchids, small, endangered Orchids only found we believe in Trinity and St Martin's Cemetary's.The leaves form in late July/ August just before the flowers and last over the winter before dying back in July and the cycle starting again. The orchids take 11 years to flower from seed and do have tubers below ground. You can find out more https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiranthes_spiralis or see a video about them on this You Tube Video https://youtu.be/NeL_OryMQ0w?si=oEpYWjwaa93YpJib which is about the Orchids in the New Forest
