The Revd Writes...“That many things revolve thou mayest explore And when thou dost dissolve it is no more, For so this earthly transitory mound In an eternal motion still runs round.”Last year I received an email from an American academic, Professor Wendy Wall of Northwestern University in Evanston, north of Chicago, querying whether I could help with some research work that she was doing on the C17th poet, Hester Pulter. Were there any relevant memorial stones in Cottered Church? As a still newly arrived parish priest I had not heard of Hester Pulter and, when I asked neighbours and friends, no one in Cottered seemed to have heard of her either. Wendy however reassured me that Hester Pulter had made a lasting contribution to English literature and pointed me to her own research project ‘The Pulter Project’ available online. Thus I began to learn about another notable character who lived within one of our own village communities and whose writing in recent times has taken the academic world by storm. In 1996 a ‘lost’ manuscript was discovered in the Brotherton Library in Leeds. The manuscript contains 130 poems and some 30 pages of a prose romance written by Lady Hester Pulter under the pseudonym of the Noble Hadassas, a biblical reference to Esther. Since the discovery, her literary fame has gone from strength to strength. It is believed she was born in Dublin in 1605. Her father, James Ley became the first Earl of Marlborough in 1626. Hester married Arthur Pulter whilst still a young adolescent and lived the rest of her life at Broadfield Hall. The Civil War proved to be a difficult time for the Pulters. Arthur hung on to a pragmatic neutrality; Hester’s voice was unequivocally for the King, as is reflected in some of her poems. Revolution and strife in the outside world became a metaphor for her own internal suffering and melancholic state, a consequence of witnessing 13 of her 15 children die. Such trauma led to her seeking consolation in her writings and in a worldview that clung to an understanding that ultimately God holds all things in his hands. She believed passionately in the circle of life and death and in this understanding found a meaning to life that endured. The above lines from her poem, Circle 3 give expression to her own articulating of that faith. She would surely have rejoiced in the circular patterns of the later C19th floor tiles now in place in the sanctuary of Cottered Church. Pulter’s poems are beautifully written. Her use of language connects with a woman’s struggle to give vent to her feelings of what it means to have lived in a time and a place in history dominated so much by the chauvinism of Roundhead and Cavalier alike. What she writes has for so long lain hidden from view, like much of her own personal anguish, yet is now being explored in the light of day by our own generation who are learning to appreciate her literary gifts in ways in which she would never have thought possible, and to value in ways she would never have believed. It was a real pleasure to welcome Professor Wall to Cottered in July this year as she made her own personal pilgrimage to Cottered to walk in the footprints of our newly discovered heroine of the pen. Discover Hester Pulter for yourself at https://pulterproject.northwestern.edu/(Cover photo is of Broadfield, home of the Pulter family, in Henry Chauncy, The Historical Antiquities of Hertfordshire (1700), plate between pp. 72-3. Folger Shakespeare Library.)God Bless Mark
The Revd Writes… The month of August is, for many, the opportunity to step back from the day-to-day routine and take a break. In our post-pandemic world holidays are now back on track even if the cost-of-living crisis means a ‘staycation’. We have regained our freedom to roam. For children in particular there is much to be said for learning more about our local environment, with fun to be had during days out, perhaps with grandparents and friends stepping in to share the juggle of childcare needs. School holidays often mean relatives, friends and neighbours all joining together, giving voluntarily of time and energy to ensure that children are kept fruitfully occupied and engaged, ensuring that the journey of learning never really stops. Indeed, childcare costs, even with government support, is a big item for many family budgets with now more than ever before over the last two decades, parents turning to their parents for help when it comes to looking after children. 82% Of all grandparents now spend some time helping to look after their grandchildren, contributing an estimated £6.8 billion to the economy. So, a BIG Thank You to everyone helping to look after children this school holiday. A founding principle of Christian faith is that God gives of himself voluntarily in love to humanity. The whole history of Christian faith is focused on God going out of his way to step in to save men and women from themselves when they fail to love properly - often catastrophically so. This theological understanding centres on following the example of Jesus in serving others and has been a founding principle of much of our modern-day voluntary sector movement. ‘I help to look after my grandchildren, not because I always want to, but because I believe it is the right thing to do. If I believe that God first loved me then it is my Christian duty to love others and where better to start than with my grandchildren.’ July saw village fairs taking place across our communities. Hardworking committees, made up solely of volunteers, pulled together to celebrate the best of who we are and in doing so helped to raise thousands of pounds for those institutions and charities on which we all rely. Without this activity, much of the social and built fabric of our villages would quickly fall into a state of neglect. Our local schools, village halls and our ancient churches are all dependent upon the goodwill and generosity of what is given freely, not just in terms of maintaining bricks and mortar but equally in terms of sustaining relationships and community cohesion. August brings a time of much-earned rest for this group of volunteers. And another BIG Thank You from all of us to them. A consequence of the COVID pandemic has been to see a dramatic decline in volunteering of all kinds. Some estimates put this at up to fifty per cent, with many not rushing back to pick up on commitments they previously undertook. If the summer holiday period means you are having a think about the possibility of volunteering, rest assured you are needed! The benefits can be hugely rewarding not least for mental health and wellbeing. If you are not sure where to start… You might like to ask if you can help by listening to children read in one of your local schools… God Bless Mark
The Revd Writes… Not all is what it seems. Recent anxieties about Artificial Intelligence have brought to the surface the need to question what at first appears to be original thought but on further investigation reveals to be a construction of words cobbled together to look like something that in fact it is not. It is now possible for an essay or sermon(!) on any given topic to be produced in any particular style in a matter of seconds. Those who teach and who work in academia must now be more vigilant in spotting the fake from the real – and that is more of a challenge than ever before. Did the student really write this? Caution, suspicion, and the need to be vigilant against falsehood have taken on a whole new meaning when it comes to Artificial Intelligence and the impact it has on our everyday lives. The recent discovery of new fragments of medieval wall paintings in the recently restored and redecorated Mortuary Chapel at St Peter’s in Benington has raised tantalizing questions about what lies underneath the whitewashed plaster. Evidence of wall paintings, dating back to the C14th, were uncovered many years ago at the west end. The recent discoveries raise the question of whether the whole of the Church was once decorated, in pre-Reformation times, possibly with the same floral pattern as revealed at the far end of the nave. Was what is now a plain white interior once a wild splash of reds and browns celebrating God’s creation on every wall? The whitewashed surfaces are not all that they seem. Over thirty years a parish priest has taught me that people too are often not what they first might seem. The experience of bereavement often reveals whose one’s true friends are. Sometimes those who you were most expecting to be around to support fail to appear whilst those whom you least expected to give a shoulder to lean on show loyalty and kindness beyond measure. There is no telling, though our common life together means we know what it is to be disappointed by some and equally, pleasantly surprised by others. It is best not to rush to judgement when it comes to people. Different circumstances bring to the surface what our characters are really made of. Though made in the image of God, we all have the potential to fail each other – but also, we have the potential to succeed in our loving of one another too. If Artificial Intelligence raises anxiety and suspicion then the question of how we resettle and reintegrate offenders back into society, particularly those who have committed serious crimes, understandably raises anxiety and suspicion even more so. Is it possible for someone who has committed a grievous offence to be reformed in such a way as to be enabled to make a valuable contribution to a community? Can all that it seems on the surface of past history be transformed underneath so that the individual might learn and be allowed to live a life in the light of day rather than the darkness of night? And can a community of generous-hearted neighbours tolerate such a change? There’s a wisdom in reminding ourselves occasionally that, quite often, not all is what it first might seem. God Bless Mark
I am writing to say Thank You to you for all your support over these past six months - your time, commitment, and money. Without your support, the work of our five Churches in our communities across our Benefice simply could not happen. It is tempting to think that somehow things just always happen or ‘will be alright on the night’, the truth is that this is rarely the case. As a grassroots organisation with limited resources ‘stuff happens’ in our Churches because someone has kindly volunteered to step in to plug a gap be that from doing a reading during worship, helping out at our Foodbank, or sweeping the church floor. Voluntarily offering of ourselves to support the life of our shared ministry is an important part of Christian discipleship. But I want to emphasise that, in whatever way you support the work of our Churches, your contribution is not taken for granted. April and May saw four Annual Church Meetings taking place for our five Churches. Cottered and Throcking share a Joint Church Council so they ‘share’ one Annual Church Meeting. A big thank you to those who have stepped down from Parochial Church Council committees this time around after many years of faithful service between them including, Harriet Roche (Ardeley), Lynn Spicer, Tony Williams (Benington), Alan Bennett and Rachel Edwards (Walkern). Welcome to new members Clare Baker (Benington) and Tom Nutley (Walkern). An extra big thank you to our erstwhile Churchwardens who have agreed to continue for at least one more year (!), Jackie Hayward (Ardeley), Kathy Cassells and Lesley Greensmith (Cottered & Throcking), Beverley Harlow and Maggie Hawkins (Walkern). I want to pay tribute too to our PCC Secretaries who shoulder much of the administration supporting our PCCs, Julie Tyers (Ardeley), Christine Brown (Benington), Kathy Cassells (Cottered & Throcking) and Miki Phillips (Walkern). Our committees have some vacancies, including for churchwardens at Ardreley and Benington. If you would like to consider one of these roles or would like more information on the work of any of our committees, please speak to me or any of the committee members. Being part of the structures that help our Churches to think through and develop strategies for moving forwards into the future can be great fun! You can read Annual Reports for each Church on the various websites at A Church Near You and at Churches Together in Benington and Walkern. The Coronation of King Charles III was a momentous occasion for all of our Churches and the village communities we serve. Alongside the deep spiritual significance of the occasion commemorated in all of our worship, much fun was had by all. A number of Coronation events including the Flower Festival at Cottered have taken place. A number of projects within our Churches are also underway. The new oak posts around the War Memorial at Ardeley look splendid. Well done Ardeley PCC for bringing this project to fruition! A new Coronation Hedge is being planned for St Mary’s Churchyard at Walkern and Benington PCC is thinking hard about commissioning a Royal Coat of Arms for St Peter’s. Future generations will be able to look back and take note of how their forbears marked this historic moment in time and the important part played by their own Parish Church. Over the last year much time has been given over to ensuring that each of our Church buildings is up to date with its quinquennial survey. It is the statutory responsibility of each PCC to make sure that the church building is surveyed by an architect appropriately experienced and qualified to survey such historic buildings. We hold within our care some amazing ecclesiastical gems which both inspire with their great age and design as well as being sacred places for many for solace and quiet meditation. Each Church now has an active Fabric Committee in place and each of our five Churches is currently in the process of undergoing some degree of essential repairs. At Ardeley plans are afoot for major works to low-level masonry and stained-glass. After many years of debate, Benington is close to completing essential repairs to the Chapel. Cottered and Throcking are having some roof repairs effected whilst at Walkern the Chancel Roof is all set to be re-tiled. Apologies for any disruption these works may cause. We manage five building sites! £6 000 has been spent on quinquennial reports over the last little while, which sounds like a lot, however, these very detailed reports mean that we can develop clear strategies for works moving forwards. St Mary’s, Walkern will have its next quinquennial survey done sometime later this year. A particular joy this past Easter was to see three members of St Mary’s, Walkern Confirmed by Bishop Richard, the Bishop of Bedford, in St Albans Cathedral. I know that the journey of faith has been profound for each of them, and it is our particular privilege to continue to walk together beside them as they each find their place within the life and place of God’s Church. If you think the Church can be of any help to you, don’t hesitate to be in touch! God Bless, Mark Photo: Repairs to the Mortuary Chapel at St Peter's, Benington.
