The Vicar writes - AdlibitumAnd yet there is the legacy of Christianity in the calendar everyone lives by, with Christmas as one fixed date in the year which everyone takes account

WINTER 2014/15

Internet site: www.stjamesthegreater.org.uk

Church Office email address: [email protected]

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8.30 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Choral Eucharist

6.30 pm Choral Evensong & Sermon

A CHILDREN'S SUNDAY CLUB in the Church Hall in school term time starting off in church at 10.30 am

MIDWEEK HOLY COMMUNION

8.15 Tuesdays 10.15 am Thursdays

See Calendar for variations and details of services on saints' days

MINISTRY TEAM Vicar

Canon Glynn Richerby BD AKC

St James the Greater Vicarage 216 London Road

Leicester LE2 1NE 0116 254 4113

Associate Non-Stipendiary Priest

Revd Jane Sharp

0116 270 6002

Honorary Associate Priests

Revd David Clark BA Canon Henry Evans MA

0116 255 8988 0116 270 0954

Very Revd Dr Derek Hole Hon LLD Hon DLitt

0116 270 9988

Readers

Mr David Brunning MA Mr Anthony Green BA

0116 241 8742 0776 970 2272

Dr Angela Jagger PhD BA Mr John Raven MA

0116 271 9185 0116 270 7591

Pastoral Assistant Sacristan

Miss Vicky Roe BPhil.Ed MA Mrs Janet Burton

0116 255 2108 0751 035 3097

In this Winter 2014/15 issue …

SERVICE TIMES & MINISTRY TEAM ………………...….…… see inside cover

THE VICAR evokes the English Spirit ……………………………....……...… 4

PROFILE of Polly Taylor with handmade cards for all occasions …………..... 6

YEAR OF ST MARK – Vicky Roe gives an overview …..............................….… 8

CHOIR NOTES from Matt Haynes – now MMus (Cantab)……………......…10

TOYS ON THE TABLE – a special Christmas appeal ………........…….…… 12

THE SIXTEEN – concert tickets an ideal Christmas present? ……..…....….. 12

CALENDAR OF SERVICES & EVENTS ……………….…….. see centre pages

GOOD COMPANIONS – Janet Burton on an end with new possibilities .....17

WARS OF RELIGION Angela Jagger reflects on conflicts past & present ..... 18

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The Powell family & others ……………..….… 21

THE INCOMPLETION OF ST JAMES’S – Glynn Richerby on the centenary 22

OBITUARIES – Patrick Musinguzi, Will Warner & Kath Edgley …………… 24

COMMEMORATIVE FLOWERS ………………………...…….....…….…… 27

WHAT’S ON & WHO’S WHO ……………….……...……….. see back cover

Copy for the SPRING 2015 edition of the Quarterly should reach the Vicar by Friday 30 January 2015

please send as Word Document (*.doc) to g,[email protected]

YOUR QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTOR IS:

…………………………………………………….. TEL’ ………………...….

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The Vicar writes … ‘CHRISTIAN ENGLAND’ – is it still possible to entertain any such idea?

Not only is there the obvious presence of many citizens of other faiths, there is also an increasing secularisation among people with either no particular faith or no faith at all – that is, their everyday lives are organised without reference to God.

And yet there is the legacy of Christianity in the calendar everyone lives by, with Christmas as one fixed date in the year which everyone takes account of.

Advent may not be in the consciousness of most people, but the main character of the season – a time of preparation – has certainly caught on, if only in terms of shopping for presents and stocking up for ‘the festive season’.

Of course, it could be argued that there is nothing specifically Christian in the mad rush to shop and make ready for Christmas. Also, a mid-winter festival long pre-dated Christianity in what we now call England. It was the genius of the early Christian missionaries to ‘baptise’ the pagan Roman feast of Saturnalia and turn it into a celebration of the birth of Christ, catching people’s imaginations with a celebration of the coming of the Light of the World at the darkest time of the year.

A similar take-over bid by Christian missionaries was made for the pagan feast of Eostre, at the spring equinox – a traditional celebration of nature’s new life emerging from the dead season of winter. To this day, ancient customs to do with flowers, bunnies and eggs are combined with the Christian celebration of Christ raised from the dead.

If St Paul were to visit a multi-religious and multi-cultural city like Leicester today he would have good reason to feel he was revisiting Athens on one of his missionary journeys [Acts 17.22-23]: “I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar

with the inscription, “To an unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.”

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It is the “unknown god” of our present time that Christians seek to make known when folk religion still brings many uncommitted people to church at Christmas. What a responsibility! What an opportunity!

Christmas is coming! The 25th of December is predictable without the need to consult a calendar. Easter is an altogether different matter with its variable date. This in itself is a challenge to our secular age with the need to change the length of school terms and much else besides to fit in with Easter being either early or late.

Easter is early in 2015 – 5 April – which means that the season of Lent begins at a correspondingly early date, Ash Wednesday being on 18 February. Therefore our Church’s Lent programme needs to be announced in this winter edition of the Quarterly.

The overarching theme of Lent 2015 is to be ‘English Spirituality’. This is something broader than notions of a Christian England, taking into account all that has influenced and shaped the souls of English people. At a time when the Scots, the Welsh and the Irish have a growing sense of who they are, there are calls for the English to become clearer about their own identity. It seems to me that the Church of England should have a leading role in helping to identify a spiritual dimension to what it is to live and move and have our being in England.

I have invited four guests to speak at Evensongs in Lent. They are to address the theme of the English Spirit from their knowledge of music, literature, art and the English spiritual tradition. They are Neil Crutchley, former music critic of the Leicester Mercury (February 22); Richard Gill, a lifelong teacher of literature (March 1), Alan Caine an artist and lecturer at the Richard Attenborough Centre (March 8); and Rosy Fairhurst, a newly arrived Canon at the Cathedral with a keen interest in relating the English spiritual tradition to modern conditions (March 15).

Midweek study groups are to take up a Diocesan Lent course based on the significance and implications of the forthcoming re-interment of a King of England, Richard III, in Leicester Cathedral. Six sessions will include Bible study and discussion of the relevance to us of aspects of the life, death, and rediscovery of Richard III – for example, mortality, burial rituals and resurrection to new life.

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Profile POLLY TAYLOR starts selling Christmas cards to the congregation every

September! “I set out my stall early – as soon as the catalogues begin to

appear – so that St James’s people become aware of what I have to offer”.

Seasonal and other greetings cards handmade by Polly have been sold since

1996 as a means of raising funds for charities. She particularly delights in

raising awareness of little known charities: “For example Admiral Nurses who do for people with Alzheimer’s disease what the better known Macmillan

Nurses do for people with cancer – which I first heard about through

watching Countdown on TV. I also heard about talking books for children from

a Classic FM advert”.

Polly says she “hasn’t a clue” how much she has raised for different charities.

All the proceeds are collected in and paid out through our church’s Charity Committee. “Whatever cards I don’t sell I use myself” she says, with a laugh.

Polly grew up in Barkby. She went to Loughborough High School For Girls, leaving at 16 “which was much more common then”. She first took a course

in residential child care on the advice of her mother “in case nursing didn’t

work out”. Polly then began training as a nurse in Manchester. After 18

months she realised that nursing – as it was then – wasn’t for her. She went on to train as a mainframe computer operator.

“Life really began for me when I became disabled” is Polly’s astonishing claim.

Having suffered for many years with joint pains – dismissed by doctors as

psychosomatic – she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 1992. In 1993

she collapsed at work at British United Shoe Machinery Co with crippling

back pains. She was housebound for 3 months, relying for help on the

goodness of friends. “And you certainly find out who your friends are”.

“Timid since childhood” [difficult to imagine!], Polly insists that illness made her gain in confidence. “I learnt to challenge certain doctors who would

otherwise have reduced me to tears and to stand up for myself – even when I

couldn’t actually stand up!” and she decided that she would apply nothing but

positive thinking to this new situation. This included finding out everything she

could about her condition, keeping doctors on side and doing everything possible to ensure that she would enjoy life to the full. Above all, Polly

resolved to keep cheerful and to bring good cheer to others. With this

outlook, Polly is sometimes asked if Anna is her second name. Polly says

“Happiness isn’t having what you want, it’s wanting what you have”.

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Polly decided to do something positive about her Christian life in 1980.

“I was always religious in a way, but wasn’t brought up in the Church.” This changed as a result of praying hard about a particular dilemma “and the

answer came while I was peeling potatoes”. She felt the need to give thanks

for this answer to her prayers “in a proper place – but churches were

frightening places”. An advertisement in the Leicester Mercury for an Easter Evensong at St James the Greater caught her attention and Polly found herself

across the road in Victoria Park watching people coming into church. She

observed that evidently respectable people along with someone noticeably

eccentric were each equally greeted in the outer porch. This gave Polly the courage to step inside “and immediately I felt as if I’d come home”. Polly

entered fully into things and was prepared for Baptism and Confirmation.

Later Polly moved house to Thurmaston, where she joined the parish church

and made good friends. She returned to St James the Greater in 2003 after moving into her present home: “My second coming” – as she put it, with a

gale of laughter. The Vicar was asked to bless this new home and garden. Polly

especially asked for opportunities to be involved in fundraising – a rare offer!

Meanwhile, a big part of Polly’s new life had been the discovery of new things

that she could do. From previously having no interest in craftwork, Polly first

found a satisfaction in doing cross-stitch which led on to all sorts of other crafting skills. “It’s the parable of the talents – I never knew I could do these

things”. So that ever since her return to St James, Polly has used her

discovered talents to raise money for good causes. “I’m always after their

money, but I give good value!”

Polly’s dog is Benjy – “with a ‘y’ as both it

and he have long tails”, she quips. Together they’re part of a scheme called

Pets as Therapy. Benjy accompanies Polly

every week to visit patients in Brookside

Court – a convalescent home in

Knighton. Also, twice a week Polly listens to Year 2 readers at Overdale School.

“I help to remedy their shyness or lack of

practice at home or where English is a

second language”.

Polly’s love of life and terrific sense of fun

is infectious. Please support her current making and selling of Christmas cards to benefit the church repair fund.

8

Year of St Mark by Vicky Roe

FROM ADVENT SUNDAY, we turn to

Year B of the Lectionary – the three year

cycle of Bible readings as authorized by the Church of England.

Each year in the cycle focuses our attention on one of the ‘synoptic’ Gospels – Matthew, Mark and Luke. (Syn-optic means literally ‘viewed together’.) Since

Mark is a much shorter Gospel than Matthew or Luke, a good deal of St.

John’s Gospel is also read in the ‘year of Mark’.

Scholars regard Mark’s Gospel as the earliest one to be written, probably

around AD 65.

Who wrote it? From the earliest days of Christian

tradition, the writer of this gospel has

been identified as John Mark, son of the

Mary in whose house the first Christians

used to meet in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12). Later, John Mark became an apprentice

missionary with Paul on his first tour, and

remained associated with him in one way

or another until that apostle was

martyred (Acts 12:25; 13:5, 13; 15:37-38;

Col 4:10; 2 Tim 4:11; Phm 24).

Of more significance for the writing of the Gospel, however, was Mark’s

association with Peter (1 Peter 5:13). Again tradition helps us by describing

Mark as Peter’s “interpreter”, and by telling us that Mark wrote down the

narrative of the life and death of Jesus, based on what he had heard from the chief apostle himself. There is clear evidence of eyewitness reporting, which

reflects the part that recollection of Peter’s talk and preaching played in the

composition of the book. There is also reason to believe that Mark himself

was present at the last stages of Jesus’ ministry (Mark 14:51-52).

The part that Peter played as the authority behind Mark’s Gospel accounts for

the fact that Matthew and Luke largely reproduce Mark’s Gospel, in some places verbatim, whilst adding to it more of the teachings of Jesus and the

birth stories, which Mark omitted.

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Mark’s Message

Mark’s Gospel is written in a breathless, action-packed style. The Greek word for “immediately” (euthos) is used 42 times. Twenty miracles are found

in Mark, more than in any other Gospel, and are seen as proofs of Jesus’

mission from God.

Mark emphasised Christ’s activity, power and authority. Jesus is declared to

be the Son of God at the beginning, middle and end of the book, i.e. at his

baptism (1:11), at his transfiguration (9:7) and at the scene of his crucifixion (15:39).

Yet, Mark also shows us the humanity of Jesus: he is grieved (3:5), has

compassion on the crowds (6:34) and is troubled (14:33). Mark’s preferred

title for Jesus is ‘Son of Man’, which he uses fourteen times.

Mark records for us Peter’s memory of the actual Aramaic words used by

Jesus: ‘Talitha koum!’, ‘Wake up, little girl!’ (5:41); ‘Ephphatha!’, ‘Open!’

(7:34); ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’, ‘My God, my God, why have you

forsaken me?’

Mark also records Peter’s memory of Jesus’ special kindness to him and

Peter’s awareness that he did not deserve it. He makes Mark leave out Jesus’

words about Peter being a rock, because Peter remembered when he was not

a rock (compare Mark 8:27-30 with Matthew 16:13-20).

Read it yourself

Being so brief, St.

Mark’s Gospel can easily be read in

one sitting. Why

not set aside a

couple of hours to

do so in

preparation for a

year to ‘unpack’ St

Mark?

References

An Outline of the Bible – Scripture Union.

A Panorama of the Bible – Lay Action Ministry

William Neil’s One Volume Bible Commentary – Hodder and Stoughton

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Choir Notes From Matthew Haynes, Director of Music

IT’S ALL change again! Southampton University, Cambridge University, Bath

Spa University, Leicester University and RAF Welbeck have this time been the

institutions that have benefited from the enrolment of our wonderful young people from the choir.

It seems like only yesterday that Frazer Nisbet was wearing the cloak as head boy and singing solos in the Advent Carol service! He is now adjusting

well to life on the south coast having served an amazing eleven years as a

member of the choir.

Ellie Tobin and Pippa Judge have each been an integral part of life here at

St James, both being founder members of the girls’ choir. They have swapped

robes and choir practice for lectures and parties at Cambridge and Bath.

Joseph Gurman has decided on a military career and has enrolled at RAF

Welbeck where he trains to be an engineer.

Each individual mentioned here deserves true thanks and our very

best wishes as they embark on the next chapters of their lives. It’s easy to become down about the loss of such incredible personalities but I

look forward to them all returning when ‘school’s out’ to enjoy the festive

periods in our calendar.

We welcome back Richard Paterson to the bass section after having a year

of study and vocal development.

Alistair Jackson, father of Kathryn in the girls’ choir, has been press-ganged

into service and also joins the bass section.

I’m delighted to have my mother, Kathryn, join the alto section alongside

Maddie Welland who has also begun a degree course at the University of Leicester. At least we’ve managed to keep one of our excellent singers from

escaping to a new city!

Welcome to Kelsi Lamb – a year 10 student who has joined the girls’ choir

this term.

Congratulations go to 9 of our choristers, who trained for and passed RSCM

examinations last term. Maddie Cowley, Philomenah Halladay and

Kathryn Jackson each gained an RSCM Bronze medal, and Hannah

Cowley, Bethan Raja, Caitlyn Bruce, Rosie O’Brien, Alex Coles and

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Josh Bell each gained an RSCM Silver medal. Choristers are tested in all

aspects of singing as well as Christian knowledge. The examinations are thorough and vigorous and huge credit goes to Roxanne Summerfield for

her many hours of dedication in training the choristers. Be sure to share in

their success on Sunday 23 November at evensong where they will be

presented with their medals.

The choir are due to embark on a similar model of tour in 2015 as in 2014.

After an extremely successful tour to Devon the past summer led by Mike Rule, it has been decided that we all love caravan parks with swimming pools,

games rooms, bars and other leisure facilities so much – that we’re going to

do it again! This time, it’s to Yorkshire where we are to sing the services at

Beverly Minster and to give a concert at Bridlington Priory. It is also hoped that we can sing at York Minster on the Monday evening at the beginning of

the tour. A trip to the sea-side and possibly a ride on a steam train to

Hogwarts station are all in the melting pot. More to come soon!

Finally, I’m delighted to be able to welcome new potential choristers from a

new scheme running between our Church and the Samworth Enterprise

Academy. About a dozen children have been taking part in the choir school

initiative and have thoroughly enjoyed the sessions after school on a

Wednesday so far. 7 of the group attended the Service of Remembrance and

were very encouraged by the experience. It is hoped that this may be the key

to maintaining a strong choir of

children, long into the future. If you are able to help with driving the

minibus once a month, please

contact me and offer your help. If

you would also like to become a chaperone for the group, I would

also be extremely pleased to hear

from you.

CONGRATULATIONS to our Director of Music, Matthew Haynes

on being awarded a Master of Music

(MMus) degree by Cambridge

University.

The photo was taken after his

Graduation with King’s College &

Chapel in the background.

12

Toys on the Table – Special Christmas Appeal PLEASE BRING new toys to services on Sunday, 7 December – for children in Leicester and Leicestershire who might not otherwise receive gifts

at Christmas.

The need this year is as great as ever – especially for gifts suitable for toddlers under the age of two and for teenage boys. There are particular difficulties in

finding gifts for these very different age groups. Many toys – and especially soft

toys – are not suitable for children under 36 months. Early play toys

specifically intended for toddlers would be highly appreciated. CDs and computer games may seem a good idea for teenage boys, but they may not

have the necessary hardware to make use of them. Their needs are best

catered for with stationery, wallets and gift sets for personal hygiene.

Please note that gifts should NOT be wrapped.

Cash donations are also extremely useful – not least that among unavoidable

overheads is payment of a premium by the charity for public liability insurance.

Also some available cash makes it possible for the charity to purchase well-

aimed gifts for the age groups where insufficient presents are donated.

THE SIXTEEN – the world

famous choral ensemble with their

internationally acclaimed conductor

Harry Christophers are coming again to St James the Greater

on Thursday, 28 May – for the

eighth successive year that St James

the Greater has hosted the Sixteen on their Choral Pilgrimage.

The programme is entitled ‘Flight of angels’ – including music by Francisco

Guerrero and Alonso Lobo, two Spanish composers of the Renaissance

period. The wonderful sound of The Sixteen singing this very Spanish music will resonate well around St James the Greater for another memorable

concert. Please note the date in your diary.

Tickets from £10 to £32 would make super Christmas gifts! Application

forms are at the back of the Church or arrange to call at the church office in person on a weekday 0116 254 4113. Online payment by debit / credit card can be made www.stjamesthegreater.org.uk

http://www.stjamesthegreater.org.uk/

13

Calendar of Services & Events

NOVEMBER

30 Sunday FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: Glynn Richerby

10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant & Preacher: Jane Sharp

18.30 Advent Procession – from darkness to light

DECEMBER

2 Tuesday 08.15 Holy Communion Francis Xavier, missionary, 1552 Celebrant: Glynn Richerby

4 Thursday Nicholas Ferrar, founder of the Little Gidding Community,1637

10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Glynn Richerby

14.30 At Home with Hilary Simpson at 24 Holmfield Road 6 Saturday 19.30 Leicester University Chamber Choir Concert

7 Sunday SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 08.30 Holy Communion(BCP) Celebrant: Derek Hole

10.30 Sung Eucharist with Toys on the Table Appeal

Celebrant: Glynn Richerby

Preacher: David Clark 18.30 Evensong Preacher: Glynn Richerby

8 Monday 19.00 Rainbows Hospice Carol Concert

9 Tuesday 08.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Glynn Richerby

19.00 Loros Carol Service

10 Wednesday 19.00 Leicester High School Carol Service

11 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Glynn Richerby

14.30 Stoneygate School Carol Service

19.30 Musical & Amicable Society Concert

12 Friday 19.30 Leicester Theological Society at Holy Cross Centre, Wellington Street Dr Miriam Gill:

Art, History and Faith

13 Saturday Lucy, martyr 304 Samuel Johnson, moralist, 1784

14 Sunday THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT


10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant & Preacher: Glynn Richerby 15.30 Radio Leicester Carol Service admission by ticket

18.30 Evensong Preacher: Angela Jagger


17 Wednesday O Sapientia

14

DECEMBER continued

18 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Glynn Richerby 19.30 Leicester Philharmonic Choir Concert

20 Saturday 19.30 City of Leicester Singers Concert

21 Sunday FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: David Clark

10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant & Preacher: Glynn Richerby

18.30 Festival Service of Nine Lessons & Carols

23 Tuesday 11.00 Christingle-making in the Vicarage

24 Wednesday CHRISTMAS EVE 18.30 Christingle Service

23.30 Midnight Mass

Celebrant & Preacher:

Glynn Richerby

25 Thursday CHRISTMAS DAY


10.30 Family Service led by Glynn Richerby

11.45 Holy Communion (shortened)

Celebrant: Glynn Richerby

28 Sunday THE HOLY INNOCENTS


10.30 Eucharist with carols Celebrant :Glynn Richerby

18.30 Service in Anticipation of the New Year

30 Tuesday 08.15 NO SERVICE

JANUARY 2015

1 Thursday The Naming & Circumcision of Jesus

10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: David Clark

4 Sunday EPIPHANY SUNDAY

08.30 Holy Communion (BCP) Celebrant: David Clark 10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant & Preacher: Derek Hole

18.30 Evensong Preacher: Anthony Green

6 Tuesday Epiphany

08.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Glynn Richerby 19.45 Standing Committee in the Vicarage

8 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Jane Sharp

15

JANUARY continued

9 Friday 19.30 Leicester Theological Society at Holy Cross Centre, Wellington Street Dr John Young

Radical Orthodoxy – 14th Century Style – Piers Plowman

11 Sunday THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST

08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: Jane Sharp

10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant & Preacher: Glynn Richerby

18.30 Epiphany Carol Service

13 Tuesday Hilary, bishop, 367 George Fox, founder of the Society of Friends,1691



18 Sunday SECOND SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins


10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant & Preacher: Glynn Richerby 18.30 Evensong Preacher: David Clark

20 Tuesday Richard Rolle, spiritual writer, 1349



25 Sunday CONVERSION OF ST PAUL

World leprosy Day

08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: Jane Sharp

10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant: Glynn Richerby

Preacher: Anthony Green

18.30 Evensong Preacher: Glynn Richerby 27 Tuesday 08.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Glynn Richerby

19.45 Parochial Church Council

29 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant:

FEBRUARY

1 Sunday CANDLEMAS SUNDAY Septuagesima 08.30 Holy Communion (BCP) Celebrant: Glynn Richerby

10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant & Preacher:

18.30 Candlemas Service

3 Tuesday Anskar, archbishop & missionary, 865



14.30 At Home with Hilary Simpson at 24 Holmfield Road

16

FEBRUARY continued

7 Saturday 19.30 Dave Comedy Festival Concert

8 Sunday SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT 08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: Glynn Richerby

10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant: Derek Hole

Preacher: Jane Sharp

18.30 Choral Evensong Preacher: Glynn Richerby

10 Tuesday Scolastica, abbess, c543 08.15 Holy Communion Celebrant: Glynn Richerby

12 Thursday 10.15 Holy Communion Celebrant:

13 Friday 19.30 Leicester Theological Society at Holy Cross Centre,

Wellington Street Richard Gill: Parables

15 Sunday SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT Quinquagesima

08.30 Holy Communion Celebrant: David Clark 10.30 Sung Eucharist & Baptism of Grace Haynes

Celebrant & Preacher: Glynn Richerby

18.30 Choral Evensong Preacher: Glynn Richerby

17 Tuesday Janini Luwum, archbishop & martyr, 1977


18 Ash 19.30 Liturgy for the start of Lent

Wednesday Celebrant & Preacher: Glynn Richerby


22 Sunday FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT


10.30 Sung Eucharist Celebrant: Glynn Richerby

Preacher: tbc 18.30 Choral Evensong Speaker: Neil Crutchley

in a Lent series on the English Spirit - in Music


19.45 Standing Committee in the Vicarage


Diary Date Friday 13 March 19.30

Leicester Theological Society at Holy Cross Centre, Wellington Street

Lord Williams of Oyestermouth, Former Archbishop of Canterbury:

Theresa of Avila and Thomas Merton: two anniversaries

17

Good Companions move on by Janet Burton

CHRISTMAS LUNCH together with other members of the church on

Thursday, 18 December will mark the end of meetings of Good Companions.

However I do hope they will try to join us on Thursdays for a short service in church followed by the Coffee Drop-in. There are also plans for additional

events on Thursdays for both former Good Companions and other members

of the Thursday congregation.

I took over leadership from Pauline Plummer 2 years ago – to bring the Good

Companions up to 40 years of meetings. Before Pauline there had been two

other leaders – Gladys Humberstone and Peggy Piper.

The regular group has now reduced to seven members, four having recently

left due to ill health. Four other members pop in to see us from time-to-time. The average age of the seven members is now 90 – a wonderful age! –

they certainly look younger. I have really enjoyed the company of the ladies

and gentleman, but all good things come to an end sometime.

I would like to thank my friends, Vicky, Barbara, Cherry Joyce and girls from

the choir for entertaining Good Companions with talks, singing and flower

arranging among other events in the programmes that have been arranged.

Photo of a service of Holy

Communion for Good Companions held in the Church

Hall on the first Wednesday in

the month

The Vicar adds …

ON BEHALF of Good

Companions and all who

have been associated

with the club in the past two years, huge thanks

to Janet Burton who has

put a lot of time and

energy into the meetings

– organising, setting up, washing up and putting away – together with 3 hours of travel on each occasion. All of this has been in addition to Janet being the

church’s Sacristan – an exacting and time-consuming voluntary job of setting

up for services, which she says is “so fulfilling and keeps me on my toes.”

18

Wars of religion by Angela Jagger

A HEADLINE in a recent newspaper article

was The Wars of Religion. That’s a phrase

that goes back to wars between the various Christian denominations in the sixteenth

and seventeenth centuries, especially on the

continent but reflected in this country in

the Civil War. It tells us that religion is no

stranger to conflict.

Religion can become tied up with politics. In

Europe the problem was solved to some extent following the wars of religion by a

separation of church and state. The words

of Jesus ‘Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the

things that are God’s’ were used as a foundation for this.

Jesus gave that answer to those who approached him in the temple in the last

week of his life, asking him whether they should pay taxes to the Roman Empire or not. By his answer Jesus cut through the dilemma of an ‘either…or’

argument. So in Europe we now have a number of countries where Catholics

and Protestants live side by side, both loyal to the state which protects them.

But this dilemma has not gone away. The relation between religion and

politics has become perhaps even more complex in our time. It is difficult

when we look at particular areas of conflict across the

world such as the Holy Land,

and more recently to the

relation between different religions in Iraq. But so that we

should not be tempted to

consider this a problem that

only applies to those at a

distance we should not forget of course our own

Yazidis fleeing Isis though the Sinjar mountains difficulties in Northern Ireland

which, although diminished from what they were 20 years ago, have not been

fully resolved.

19

We like things to be logical so that we feel we are in command of the

situation. The theologian Charles Davis wrote some years ago about what he called "The Temptations of Religion". One of these he identified as what he

called “the lust for certitude”. We are tempted, he suggested, to do away

with the paradox of faith, looking for our security in false certainty. And I

wonder how much this is behind the present rise in what has sometime been called religious nationalism, the need to feel ‘we’ whoever ‘we’ are have the

right and definitive view as opposed to those out there who are seen as wrong

and offending against God. In the sixteenth century this led to the attempt to

impose one particular version of the Christian faith in a particular country.

In this situation we can be tempted not to recognise that faith, if it is true to

itself, honestly recognises doubts and uncertainty. Indeed faith is most truly faith if we act, trusting God without out the certitude of his presence.

Every group – whether it is religious or political, local or national – likes to feel a sense of identity. This identity is often to be found in stories.

If you want to get technical, a word that is often used for this telling of stories is myth. In popular parlance the word myth

suggests something that is not true. But in

literature, theology or religious studies it can

actually mean something which is profoundly true – a truth which is so great that it cannot be told

literally becomes true in the telling of the story.

The Bible is full of such stories which tell us

something about human nature, about who we are and about what we understand ourselves to

be.

For Christians the story par excellence is that of

Jesus who was willing to give up his own life and

face the uncertainty of death in order to bring

others – including those who showed him

violence – into the compass of the grace of God.

Each religion has its own stories. But if misunderstood they can go profoundly wrong rather than be a means of conveying profound truth. If we

go back to Davis’s idea of “lust for certitude” this is perhaps an example of

stories being treated in the wrong way. If taken too literarily they can imply

that the other is not only mistaken but profoundly wrong and perhaps outside

the purview of God’s love.

20

In searching for certainty for security we may seize on to the nearest thing

and seek truth where it is not. There seems to be a good example of this in the New Testament account of Paul and Barnabas curing a lame man [ Acts

14:8-20]. They did this in the name of

Jesus to bring healing to someone in

distress. The local people, however – including the priest of the local shrine –

misunderstood. He came to them treating

them as the gods Zeus and Hermes and

wishing to offer them sacrifice. The apostles showed their distress at this by

rending their clothes and managing to

persuade them that it was not they were

not to be elevated into the divine, but were

servants of the one true God. The volatile nature of the situation was shown by the

fact that another religious group managed

to turn everyone against Paul and his

companions, driving them out of the town with violence. It seems that in

different ways the two groups were looking for religious certitude rather than

accepting the gracious action of the love of God to the lame man, shown

through the action of the apostles.

What can this have to say to us in our present situation? I suggest two things:

Despite the distressing nature of much that we see on our television screens,

it is very important that we are not easily swayed into making superficial

judgments about what is going on. We need to avoid being forced into seeing

things in ‘either / or’ways. Just as Jesus could cut through the false dilemmas put to him, we should be able to avoid being forced into accepting one side of

a dilemma. It does seem to me that if we look at a situation like that in the

Holy Land the different sides put forward what is a very logical position, but

without seriously listening to the other. Only if that ‘either / or’ way of

looking at things is challenged can there be a true hope for peace.

Sometimes all we may feel able to do is to pray for those in distress, and it is important to do this. On the other hand it is important not to be paralysed

into inaction. It is possible for all of us to support humanitarian help which

material aid to those in need. Just as Paul and Barnabas were willing to help

the lame man out of compassion, so we may be called to offer aid to those in

distress.

21

Where are they now?

ROGER POWELL was a very popular curate at St James the Greater from 1994 to 1998. During this time he secretly courted Heather from St John’s,

Clarendon Park. They were married in May 1998 shortly after Roger’s move

to St Paul’s and St Augustine’s parishes in Leicester.

Since Easter 2005, Roger has been Rector of The Ridgeway Group of three

parishes in Wiltshire – Holy Cross, Chiseldon (the largest village), St George,

Ogbourne and St Andrew, Ogbourne – all 12th century churches. Roger

hugely enjoys being a parish priest, with Heather commissioned as a Lay Pastoral Assistant to the Chiseldon parish.

Their first born, Benjamin

(now 15) was critically ill as a

baby and so it is wonderful

that he is now thriving at

Marlborough School where he boards and is in his GCSE

year. He is very sporty.

Sophie (12) has just started

secondary school where she has notched up the highest

number of house points in

the school. She is a keen

dancer and footballer. Samuel (8) goes to the village junior

school. A keen footballer, he

was spotted by a talent scout

a year ago and has since

attended a football academy.

The Photo was taken in the

summer at St Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, Dinard in

Brittany. This was on the

occasion of a gathering of the

Davey family (formerly of St James’s) with the Powells together with Margaret

Terry (who has a house in Dinard) for the baptism of John Davey’s son Theo.

John was Head chorister at St James’s during Roger’s time as curate. His son

is named after Theo Saunders, a former Director of Music at St James’s.

22

The INcompletion of St James the Greater an address by Glynn Richerby to mark the centenary of the building

I’M SORRY, but it has to be said – our church

building is not complete. It is unfinished!

A ‘campanile’ or bell-tower was intended to be the

most impressive feature of the building – as high as

the church is long. A watercolour by the church’s architect H L Goddard gives his impression of what

the campanile would have looked like.

Such a huge tower would have certainly fulfilled the

then bishop’s ambition – as he put it – for this

church “to arrest the attention of the passer-by”.

On the highest of the high fields above the town, so

recently developed, such a tower would have

dominated the skyline. Furthermore, as that bishop rather curiously went on to say, this tower would

have been “a symbol of the greatness of the town.”

100 years ago, the hope was that the tower would some day be added – to

quote from the Leicester Mercury on 25 September 1914 reporting on a

special service held the previous day:

“… the dedication of the western extension of the church of St James the

greater, London Road, marks an important stage in the completion of a very

handsome building.

The campanile has yet to be erected, but it is felt that that can wait, though

it would be a great pity if the period of waiting were very long …”

So when I first came to be Vicar here, I was intrigued to know whether the

foundation for the tower had been laid and whether there had been any attempt to revive the project. Such are the grandiose ideas new vicars have!

But even as I was daring to entertain the idea of resurrecting the project two warning notes sounded in my mind. First were the words of Jesus:

“Would any of you think of building a tower without first sitting down and

counting the cost?”

I would certainly not want to go down in the history of this church as being the sort of person Jesus identifies as:

“… the man … who started to build and could not finish.” Luke 14.28 – 30

23

Also, I remembered reading a novel by William Golding ‘The Spire’ – about

the dean of a cathedral called Jocelyn – whose ambition was to build the highest spire ever conceived. Everyone else is against the plan – including the

master mason. But Dean Jocelin drives the project by sheer will power.

As the spire goes up the pillars take the strain and the building begins to sing

in an alarming way. Jocelin increasingly spends his time up aloft with the masons, exulting in their progress on the spire, and less and less time down

among the complaining people. Being up there also conveniently removes him

from a disturbing lust for the wife of the master mason.

I won’t tell you the outcome of the novel – that would spoil the story for you

to read it yourselves. But taken together with the words of Jesus it’s probably

as well a tower for St James has not and, being realistic, is never likely to be built. Also, in view of the cost of restoration work recently carried out on the

west front, it is unthinkable how much more it would have cost for the

scaffolding alone even before remedying erosion caused by 100 years of

weathering on such a huge structure!

The motivation for the project was dubious in the first place – “a symbol of

the greatness of the town” instead of being “to the glory of God”. How easy

it is – and how easy institutional religion makes it – to mistake the trappings

for the real thing. Our faith – or a near substitute for faith – often seems to

depend on the splendour of our places of worship, the loveliness of the music

and the dignity of the ritual. But the Spirit of the living God is not contained in

the wrappings of religion – no matter how impressive these may be.

When St Paul used the language of church building he did so before there were Christian church buildings as such. He was referring to something else:

“Do you not know” – St Paul asks Christians in Corinth – “that you are

God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you.” 1 Corinthians 3.9b – 17

It is – or should be – absolutely clear that God is honoured not primarily in

monuments whether built of wood and brick, or stone and marble, or even of

silver and gold. But God is honoured in the way we regard one another as

being in the image of God.

How appropriate, therefore, that as we mark the centenary of the

INcompletion of the west end of our church , we should not to regret the

absence of some stupendous tower, but go out to love and serve the Lord in

every man, woman and child we encounter out there – each one of them

epitomising the pinnacle of evolution and our encounter with them part of a

process that will complete God’s purpose in having created the universe – for

each of them, along with each of us, are living temples of the holy spirit.

24

Obituaries

Patrick Peter Mukama Musinguzi died 3 August 2014 aged 55 years

Pastor Patrick Musinguzi founded the World

Outreach Church – a Pentecostal congregation –

that met in the Undercroft of St James the Greater for several years from 2003. Patrick’s sudden and

unexpected death shocked the wider church

community in Leicester, where he was well-known

and much respected, especially among the

‘Commonwealth’ churches here.

Born in 1959, Patrick was the son of an Anglican priest in Uganda. As a youngster, he had survived an assassination attempt,

when a soldier tried to kill him and another boy with one bullet. This

experience convinced him that God had a purpose for his life.

Patrick came to Britain from Uganda in 1991, where he met and married

fellow Ugandan Maureen Thakker, who had also fled here with her family for

safety. Together they began ministering to African and Afro-Caribbean

people in Leicester. For five years, the main morning service at St James was immediately followed by the World Outreach service. The two congregations

memorably joined together for morning and evening services on Pentecost

Sunday 2006, with Pastor Patrick as guest preacher at evensong. Although

quietly spoken in general conversation, he was bold and powerful in the pulpit, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Several couples from the World Outreach

Church were married in St James the Greater during their time with us.

Eventually, their congregation moved out, when they obtained their own

premises.

Pastor Musinguzi’s ministry was not limited to Leicester. He planted other

churches in London and went on regular missions to the Caribbean and Uganda. He had a heart for winning souls to Christ and mentoring the next

generation.

Although apparently in good health, Patrick had a premonition of his death. At

his funeral in a packed All Nation’s Church, his family, friends and flock

testified to his faith, love and commitment to them and to God. He leaves a

widow, Maureen, and daughters Mugabi Ruth, Mugisa Gladys and Mugume Grace.

25

David Thomas (Will) Warner

died 16 September aged 77 years

Will was essentially a practical man whose service

to God was in getting things done. With the calling

and outlook of an engineer, he personified the

expression “Where there’s a Will, there’s a way”.

Will was born on Boxing Day, 1936. The family

home was in Stanley Road. He went to Stoneygate

School and then on to The King's School, Canterbury. He acquired the nickname Willy – or

Will – whilst at school and this stuck with him.

Will served an engineering apprenticeship with Parmeko in Leicester. At

Cleco Electric Industries he spent many happy years making bespoke fork-lift trucks.

Will married Kate in 1959. They lived in Toller Road before moving to

Waldron Drive in Oadby – where Simon was born in 1964 – and then to The Old Mill House at Houghton-on-the-Hill in 1977. Kate died in 1986 after 25

happy years of marriage. Shortly after this, Will retired early and took a

voluntary job helping out at the Douglas Bader Centre – a day centre for

disabled people on the St Matthews’ Estate – where he became very involved

for over 20 years.

In 1989 Will married Julia – whose first husband Jack had died, also after 25

years of marriage. Will and Julia celebrated a second silver wedding

anniversary in January of this year. They enjoyed adventurous holidays and became involved in many different activities both separately and together. Will

was a keen member of the Rotary Club of the Wreake Valley. He went to

Church with Julia and she went to the pub with Will.

Will’s involvement at St James’ grew, becoming a member of the charitable-

giving committee and chairing a very successful a funding campaign before

serving a term as Church Warden. Most recently he oversaw the disabled

access project – building an extension including a lift – of which he was

justifiably proud.

The Old Mill House having become too big and draughty, two years ago Will

and Julia downsized into a lovely new home built next door. Never happier

than with something purposeful to do, Will’s health recently declined until he

became too weak and out of breath to do anything. His release came peacefully in his sleep.

26

Kathleen ‘Kath’ Mary Edgley

died 15 October 2014 aged 101

Until nearly the age of 100, Kath regularly attended evensong at St James’s

accompanied by her niece, Judith Hughes. Previously, Kath – along with her

sister Ida – had been for many years closely associated with St Margaret’s Church in Leicester. With all the attention there has been this year on the

centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, it is a wonderful

realisation that Kath lived through all these years.

Kath and her family moved to Leicester from Ashley in Northants in 1927.

For almost 40 years Kath worked for Stoyells – a lingerie shop – on Market

Street. She had a great sense of fashion and style. Amongst her surviving family "Aunty Kathy" was very much a focal point of all family occasions. The

offspring of two nieces and a nephew made her a great aunt and a great-great

aunt. Kath had an ability to relate positively to children of any age Among her

interests was a love of the great musical films of the 1950s, including

Oklahoma, South Pacific and High Society. Always energetic, Kath made long cycle trips and in later life, long walks.

Following her retirement, in a brief encounter at a bus stop, Kath met Jim

Malings. This was to lead to a long and happy friendship for more than twenty

years. They spent many holidays together both at home and abroad and often

went on day trips by train.

Kath was an alert, vibrant and independent

character. Her self reliance was evident even after she moved into Melbourne Home in

2007. Keeping her room in an immaculate

condition and never letting her own standards

of presentation slip, she was a quiet,

thoughtful and friendly resident.

On her 100th birthday, Kath was delighted to

receive a telegram from the Queen. Shortly after she fell out of bed and was admitted to

hospital. Despite 26 stitches and treatment for

a broken arm she made a surprisingly quick recovery. It has only been in

recent months that Kath's health declined. She received support and kindness

from the staff at Melbourne Home and died there very peacefully. May she

rise in glory.

27

Commemorative Flowers

DECEMBER

ADVENT – no flowers, by tradition

25 Tim Johnson in memory

of Alan, Joy & Christopher

Lady Chapel pedestal

Audrey Wheeler

in memory of Sid and their parents

28 Angela Hefford in memory of her brother William R Barrett

JANUARY

4 Jill Valentine & family in memory of Joe

11 Vacant 18 Doris Makepeace

25 Jeremy & Christine Josephs

in memory of Sarah

FEBRUARY

1 Rosemary Freer

9 Brian Foster

in memory Brigitte, family & friends

15 Tony Rudge

22 Caroline Beardsmore

in memory of her father

What’s on ... SUNDAYS Sunday Club in school term time 10.30 Large Hall

Contact Mrs Jo Stapleton 39 Craighill Road, Leicester LE2 3FD 270 2001 WEDNESDAYS

SJ2 – Under 14s’ Youth Club 19.15 – 20.45 Undercroft

Leader Mr John Raven 291 London Road, Leicester LE2 3ND 270 7591 THURSDAYS

Coffee Drop-in 10.45 – 11.30 Large Hall Organiser Mrs Doris Makepeace 7 Bransdale Road, Wigston, Leicester LE18 1XU 288 5315

St James’ Singers 19.45 alternate Thursdays Ashman Music Room Director Mr Michael Rule 99 Ratby Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0GF 0787 530 5269

Scouts Beaver Scouts 17.30 – 18.30 Cub Scouts 18.30 – 20.00 Scouts 19.30 Undercroft

Leaders Mr Tony & Mrs Alison Hurst 30 Repton Road, Wigston, Leicester LE18 1GB 288 9457 FRIDAYS

Boys’ Choir & Girls’ Choir Practices 18.00 Full Choir Practice 19.30 Ashman Music Room

Director Mr Matthew Haynes 44 Conaglen Road, Aylestone, Leicester LE2 8LD 0788 576 0364

SATURDAYS Stop-by Project for the homeless 11.00 – 14.00 Undercroft

Coordinator Salma Ravat Contact through Church Office 254 2111

Who’s who … For Ministry Team see inside front cover Churchwardens

Miss Julia Walker 3 Paddock Close, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5GG 271 9347

Mr Michael Bull MBE 15 Dore Road, Leicester, LE5 5HG 220 1581

Deputy Wardens Dr Tony Bentley Contact through Church Office 254 2111

Mrs Angela Hefford 15 Southernhay Road, Leicester LE2 3TN 270 6060

Mrs Barbara Penrose 38 Stoneygate Court, London Road, Leicester LE2 2AJ 270 3666 Mrs Margaret Terry 26 Woodbank Road, Leicester LE2 3YQ 288 3668

Mr Keith Vaughan Stretton Cottage, Great Stretton, Leicester LE2 2FR 259 2524 PCC Secretary

Mr Philip Jones 52 Carisbrooke Road, Mountsorrel, LE12 7BR 237 4894

Church Administrator & Hall Booking Secretary Mrs Annabel Cowley Church Office, St James Hall, St James Terrace, LE2 1NA 254 2111

Treasurer & Gift Aid Secretary Mr John Sharp Orchard House, 15 Orchard Lane, Great Glen, LE8 9GJ 259 2758

Chairman, Stewardship Committee Mrs Pam Spokes 7 The Albany, London Road, Leicester LE2 1RH 270 4710

Director of Music

Mr Matthew Haynes 44 Conaglen Road, Aylestone, Leicester LE2 8LD 0788 576 0364 Organist & Associate Director of Music

Mr Michael Rule 99 Ratby Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0GF 0787 530 5269 Assistant Organist

Ms Roxanne Summerfield 15 Hall Close, Glen Parva, Leicester LE2 9HZ 277 6277

Head Servers Mr John & Mrs Angela Finn 4 Colne Close, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4GA 292 9562

Flower Guild Co-ordinator including commemorative flowers

Miss Julia Walker 3 Paddock Close, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5GG 271 9347

Child Protection Officer Vicky Roe 4 St James’s Terrace, LE2 1NA 255 2108

Vulnerable Adult Officer Ms Maggie Weller Contact through Church Office 254 2111

Documents

The Vicar writes - AdlibitumAnd yet there is the legacy of Christianity in the calendar everyone lives by, with Christmas as one fixed date in the year which everyone takes account