March 2012 - Trinity Times

TRINITY TIMESthe parish magazine of Holy Trinity

MARCH 2012Issue number 84

TRINITY TIMES Page 3

“HAVEN’T FUNERALS CHANGED?”

Someone said this to me just after we’d walked out ofchurch to Monty Python’s Always look on the bright sideof life. Certainly, the differences between the 1662 Bookof Common Prayer Burial Service (where the departed’sNAME isn’t even mentioned) and most modern funerals,where the service is as personal as possible, is huge.

Most funerals these days are a mixture of what you mightcall “sacred” and “secular”. The reason I put both words in inverted commas, isthat I am increasingly coming to think that it is a false distinction: why cannotGod communicate through modern music, poetry, or the way someone speaks(even if they don’t say anything overtly “religious”)? Christians believe in aGod who communicated in and through a human life (the life of Jesus). Jesusused the “everyday” things of his time (sheep, lost coins, people on journeys,father and sons, etc, etc) to convey God......so why shouldn’t we?

I think if a funeral encourages people to grieve, to remember, to reflect, and tofeel hope, then why should it matter if the “medium” of all that is a biblereading, a psalm, a hymn, a poem by Pam Eyres, a reading from Dickens, or asong by Take That, Nat King Cole or Monty Python?

It interests me that – in planning funerals with a family – that churchgoingfamilies increasingly choose “secular” poetry or music; and non-churchgoingfamilies, even if they said on the phone when you arranged to see them “wewant a non-religious ceremony”, often ask (when you get there) if they can have“The Lord’s my Shepherd”, the Lord’s Prayer and “the prayer that mentions“ashes to ashes”......

Sometimes I hesitate about a particular choice. I remember a notorious punksong being requested for the end of a funeral (and a funeral in a church where Iwasn’t even the Vicar!). On the day, it was hearing that song which suddenlyenabled some friends of the departed (who shared the same taste in music) tofinally let go and cry........I shouldn’t be surprised (should I?) that God can drawnear to people in and through anything, including the Sex Pistols!

With love

Father Andy

If you are new to the area and/or reading Trinity Times for the first time -Welcome. Set out below are a few details about the Church which we hope

you will find helpfulAlso check out our website at www.holytrinitygosport.co.uk

We arehere

You will find us on theeast side of Haslar Road;look for the steeple - youcan’t miss us!

We are a Church ofEngland Church in theAnglican Diocese ofPortsmouth and we arelinked with ChristChurch, Stoke Road.

In addition to the timeslisted on the followingpage, we are normallyopen to visitors Tuesdayto Friday 1.30 to 3.30pm and Saturday 10.00am to 2.00 pm.

We worship ‘in the round’which we find is a veryfriendly way of worship-ping - it enhances the feelingof ‘family’ in the church.We use incense at ourSunday services (only) - inother words we are a“Smells & Bells” church.We have hearing loop andvoice enhancement systemsinstalled. This work wasfunded by the NationalLottery through Big Lotteryfund

Our vicar is Rev Andy Davis. (We usually call him Fr. Andy butAndy is OK) As our priest, he is always happy to see anyone whoneeds to talk with him about anything. He can be contacted at9 Britannia Way, Gosport. Tel: 023 9258 0173 or Mobile: 0770991 9602. [email protected] (He is not usuallyaround on Mondays)

And Also

We have 2 meetingrooms available for hire;one holds a maximum of60 people and the other12 people. Kitchenfacilities are available.There are toilets on theground floor and a lift tothe first floor.Telephone Fr Andy fordetails.

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SERVICE TIMES


Trinity Times is published by Holy Trinity Church, Gosport, Hampshire. It is distributedfree of charge to more than 1,000 households and 160 shops in the Parish. You can alsoview in colour on our website: www.holytrinitygosport.co.uk

Editor: Joan Millard

SUNDAYS**

Parish Mass 11.00 amVespers and Benediction 6.00 pm

(A quiet, reflective service to end one week and begin another)Throughout Lent Vespers and Benediction will be replaced by

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

✠MONDAYS

Father Andy’s day off

✠TUESDAYSMass 9.30 am

(30 minutes, quiet, prayerful, peace-giving)

✠WEDNESDAYS5.45 pm Prayer Group

(An informal gathering, to pray – quietly and simply –For the church, the world and those suffering and in need)

Mass 6.30 pm(30 minutes, quiet, prayerful, peace-giving)

✠FRIDAYSMass 5.00 pm

(30 minutes, quiet, prayerful, peace-giving)

**On each occurrence of a fifth Sunday in a month, a joint service will be heldalternating between Holy Trinity and Christ Church. The next joint service willbe held at 11.00 a.m. at Holy Trinity on Sunday 29th April 2012

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LENT THROUGH TO EASTER at Holy Trinity

As we journey through this most important season in the Christian year,why not join us at Holy Trinity for some or all of the following:-

Each Wednesday throughout Marchat 3.00 p.m.

Lent Study Group. See the oppositepage for more information if you wishto join one of the other groups in theDeanery.

Each Sunday throughout March at6.00 p.m.And additionally Sunday 25th Marchat 11.00 a.m.

Stations of the Cross when we followthe steps of Jesus on his journey toCalvary.

Sunday 18th March at 11.00 a.m. Mothering Sunday service.

Saturday 31st March from 9.30 a.m.to 12 noon

Deanery Quiet Morning at St. Mary’sChurch, Rowner led by Father MartinLane

PALM SUNDAY 1st April at 11.00a.m.

When each member of thecongregation is given a Palm Cross tocommemorate Jesus’ entry intoJerusalem. This is the start of HolyWeek.

MAUNDY THURSDAY 5th April at6.30 p.m.

Mass of the Last Supper and Vigil ofPrayer until 9.00 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY 6th April at12 noon

Good Friday Liturgy

HOLY SATURDAY 7th April at8.00 p.m.

The Easter Liturgy. Please bringbells, rattles, whistles, drums etc tomake a ‘JOYFUL NOISE’

EASTER DAY Sunday 8th April at11.00 a.m.

When we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.

Also on the 6th April “Churches Together in Gosport” will hold their GoodFriday Service, outside St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in High Street (or, ifwet, in Christ Church)


TEA TIME CONCERTS 2012

At Holy Trinity we continue our “Tea-Time Concerts” at 3.30 pm on the firstSunday of each month. Admission to all the concerts is free although a retiringcollection is taken for the benefit of the organ restoration project. All themusicians give freely of their talents as their contribution to this project.Afternoon tea is served in the Capper Room after each concert.

These concerts, which last no longer than an hour, present the opportunity tohear fine music in the generous acoustic of this beautiful Church. Why not giveit a try? It’s a very pleasant way in which to while away a Sunday afternoon.

Details of the April and May concerts are set out below.

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SUNDAY 6th MAY

TALK ON HANDEL

by

PROFESSOR GRAYDON BEEKS (USA)

Followed by

CHORAL CONCERT

by

UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH CHAMBERCHOIR and BAROQUE ORCHESTRA

SUNDAY 1st APRIL

Contemporary Music for Recorder and Strings

from

PHILIP HICKMAN on Block-flute

and our own

STRING QUARTET IN RESIDENCE


DATES FOR THE DIARY

Apart from the Sunday Tea Time Concerts, we have the following additionaltreats in store for April and May - watch this space for more information.

WEDNESDAY 18th APRIL 7.30 p.m.

Programme of Music from

HOLY TRINITY STRING QUARTET IN RESIDENCE

SATURDAY 5th MAY 7.30 p.m.

HANDEL ORGAN CONCERTOSand contemporary music

ANDREW CLEARY Director of Music

and Chamber Orchestra fromCHRIST’S HOSPITAL SCHOOL

SATURDAY 18th MAY 7.30 p.m.

Choral Concert of Music

by

FAREHAM PHILHARMONIC CHOIRWith Organ and Piano

Tickets: £11, concessions £9.50, children £2

SUNDAY 20th MAY 6.OO p.m.

FESTAL EVENSONG

sung by PORTSMOUTH CATHEDRAL CHOIR

and Blessing of the Organ

By the RIGHT REVEREND CHRISTOPHER FOSTERBISHOP OF PORTSMOUTH


From: Great Aunt Pru <[email protected]>To: Tamsin OzlingSubject: Looking forward

My dear Tammy,

How time seems to be marching on; already the days are lengthening hereand daffodils are coming into bloom so that we really feel that spring is justaround the corner. I feel that we have barely left Christmas and here we arein Lent and rushing on towards Easter; I just feel I want to put the brakes onsometimes.

It was good to speak to you the other day and catch up on all the family news.I’m looking forward to seeing you when you arrive here at the end of June -you’ve been extremely fortunate to obtain the Olympic tickets you applied forand as I said on the phone, of course you can use my house as your homebase.

I have to say I find it difficult to get excited about the Olympic Games - weseem to be spending a terrific amount of money we can’t really afford onsomething which lasts only a few weeks (including the Paralympics). Thefigure for the opening ceremony seems to me to be astronomical simplybecause it is believed we must outdo all previous opening ceremonies;wouldn’t it be refreshing if, just for once, someone would say “Hey, this is justa sporting event which can be opened by someone declaring it open.” Surelyit isn’t necessary to turn it into an entertainment spectacular!

Well, that’s got that off my chest.

Your plans for the next year or so seem to be well in hand. I was so pleasedto learn that you have managed to secure a place in university over here to doyour Masters; I know you’ve worked really hard over the last couple of yearsto raise the money to pay for this - so well done you! As you say, it makessense for you to stay on here after the Olympics so that you can be ready forthe start of term in October. It’ll give you plenty of time to sort outaccommodation etc., although as I said when we spoke, you’re more thanwelcome to stay with me if you can put up with someone who is swiftlybecoming ‘a grumpy old woman’.

Give my love to everyone down under and in particularlove and kisses to your mum.

From your ever-lovingGreat Aunt Pru

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Mother and SonLuke 1:26-38)

She was to carry the Son of GodTo the world,For the world,

To not be afraid,Though ridiculed and rejectedTo choose to trust and accept,

To serve and obey,To step into the possibilities

Of God’s power and purposes,To believe.

He was to carry the sinsOf the world,

To forgive the world,To not be afraid, but

Through love to cast out fear,Though ridiculed and rejectedTo choose to trust and accept,

To serve and obey,To make possible God’s power and purposes

For those who believe.

The angel announcedThe son to the mother,Knowing she would be

Mother to the son.

By Daphne Kitching

THOUGHT LINES....


Ask children about angels...(and this is what you get!)

Angels talk all the way while they're flyingyou up to heaven. The main subject is whereyou went wrong before you got dead. - Dan-iel, age 9

When an angel gets mad, he takes a deepbreath and counts to ten. And when he lets outhis breath again, somewhere there's a tornado.

- Reagan, age 10

Angels have a lot to do and they keep very busy. If you lose a tooth, an angelcomes in through your window and leaves money under your pillow. Thenwhen it gets cold, angels go south for the winter. - Sara, age 6

Angels live in cloud houses made by God and his son, who's a very good car-penter. - Jared, age 8

All angels are girls because they gotta wear dresses and boys didn't go for it. -Antonio, age 9

Men and women

Three men were hiking through a forest when they came upon a large ragingriver. Needing to get on the other side, the first man prayed, "God, please giveme the strength to cross the river." Poof! God gave him big arms and stronglegs and he was able to swim across in about two hours, having almost drownedtwice.

After witnessing that, the second man prayed, "God, please give me strengthand the tools to cross the river." Poof! God gave him a rowboat and strongarms and strong legs and he was able to row across in about an hour after al-most capsizing once.

Seeing what happened to the first two men, the third man prayed, "God, pleasegive me the strength, the tools and the intelligence to cross the river." Poof! Hewas turned into a woman. She checked the map, went one hundred yards upstream and walked across the bridge.

....AND SMILE LINES

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We went to see Mother Carrie and I gottwo blessings in the service at herchurch. She said that I didn’t needto have ash on my head likeeveryone else because I have nosin.

“Mollie is without sin,” she said.“Oh, no?” questioned our upright.“What about the day when sheraided the chewy cupboard and atenearly all the tripe sticks?” Mother Carrie is very wise. She said thatwas only bad in uprights’ eyes. Upright Christie said it was bad formy tummy the next day.

I grumbled a lot about going out on the bike in the dark and the rain,but it didn’t make any difference. Still, I didn’t need to have any ashon my head even though it was Ash Wednesday. Mother Carrie didn’tsay that our upright is without sin but she didn’t have any ash becauseshe was too busy making thumpy noises on the piano.

We went into the library the other day and someone said I had to goout. “Dogs are not allowed in the library because there’s a cafe here,”she said. Our upright was reading in the paper that someone calledthe Duchess of Cambridge takes her spaniel shopping with her andtook it into a cafe. What would they say to her if she took her spanielinto Gosport Library?

Our upright always used to carry me and we only went to the placejust inside the door where you take books back. Like she told themonce: “Mollie doesn’t spit and she doesn’t chew gum,” (Oh, that wasbefore the time when I did chew some gum) “and she goes to churchregularly, which is more than you can say for a lot of the smalluprights.”

Now she would be able to tell them: “Mollie is without sin.”

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March 2012 - Trinity Times