Elland Occasionals

Caedmon of Whitby

2012-02-10T10:23:00.000Z

The North Yorkshire Town of Whitby has long been one of my favourite places. Above the bustling and popular harbour, the Abbey Ruins stand to remind visitors and residents alike, that the Town was one of the Cradles of Christianity in the North, a tradition carried on in our own day by the prayerful presence of the Sisters of the Order of the Holy Paraclete. The Venerable Bede, in his ‘History of the English Church and People’, tells of the Abbey’s origins under S.Hilda, and includes the story of Caedmon, who is commemorated each year on February 11th.

Caedmon is the earliest English Poet whose name is known. He was a simple herdsman, described as ‘ignorant of Song’ – that is, he was unable to contribute to the story-telling and singing within the Community, which regularly marked the Celebration of Feast days in the Christian Kalendar. Beded tells us how he Was unable to compose, until, one night, in answer to his prayer, a dream gave him a vision of the glory of God, and the gift of composition:

Praise we the Fashioner now of Heaven's fabric,
The majesty of his might and his mind's wisdom,
Work of the world-warden, worker of all wonders,
How he the Lord of Glory everlasting,
Wrought first for the race of men Heaven as a rooftree,
Then he made Middle Earth to be their mansion. (A Loose Modern Translation!)

Sadly, this is the only one of Caedmon’s works that have survived, but it gives us a precious insight into the prayers of our forebears in the faith, as they strove to bring the Good News of God’s Love to the people of our land. Let us honour S.Caedmon as the father of English Poetry and Song, and, in honouring him, praise above all our God who answers prayer, and who gives gifts of creativity and skill to his people.

Old Mortality

2012-02-03T11:23:00.001Z

Had we but world enough, and time (Andrew Marvell)

Old Mortality is the name of a Novel by Sir Walter Scott, which I have never read, but the title seems an apt introduction to my current succession of random but nontheless significant, for me, thoughts.

Last Friday afternoon brought an opportunity to meet with members of the Ecumenical Chaplaincy Team at the Prince of Wales Hospice, Pontefract. After many years with a full-time, salaried Chaplain, the Hospice finds itself unable to fund a replacement after the last one left, so they have assembled an impressive team of Volunteer Chaplains, most of whom are new to this Ministry. I was asked to speak with them, as someone 'established' in this Ministry.

Not replacing a full-time Chaplain is, I think, a backwards step, which to be fair was acknowledged by the Pontefract Hospice management, and they are actively seeking ways of getting back to that model. However, as the immediate future will be based around Volunteers, I was impressed by the numbers of local Clergy willing to be involved, by their enthusiasm and insights, and by the way that they are clearly valued and supported by Staff at the Hospice.

One of the great gifts of the Hospice Movement is that we can freely talk about death. We don't pass away, we certainly don't get lost, we die, and as Hospice Chaplains, together with all Professionals involved in this essential part of Heath Care, that means we can talk about our own Mortality as well. In fact, more than that, I suspect it is essential; not all the time, not in a gloomy kind of way, but recognising, as one of my colleagues at Overgate Hospice will say,

Nothing is more certain than death,
nothing is less certain than when that will happen,
it's just that some of us will get a clue with a particular diagnosis.

Grace Sheppard puts it this way

‘We all have to die one day. The Important thing is to be ready, and then we can really get on with living.’ (Grace Sheppard, Living with Dying, 2010)

So, what brings all this on?

This week, I have reached a significant, (ahem), anniversary, one of those birthdays that does signify the passing of time.

But at my back I always hear
Time's winged chariot hurrying near;
And yonder all before us lie
Deserts of vast eternity. (Andrew Marvell)

I have never been a great one for Birthdays, they come, they go, life goes on, but I can't help noticing the physical changes that are happening. Nothing substantial or essential has worn out yet, and recent medical concerns have simply resulted in nothing worse than Blood Pressure Issues. Medication has resulted in some interesting side effects; the good news is that the crippling migraines seem to have gone, and the initial need, once starting the tablets, to be always aware of the location of the nearest Convenience has fortunately faded. Less good, I now have a permanent cough, and the circulation in my hands, never great, (see Raynaud's Phenomenon), is now worse than ever. I am seriously considering saying Mass wearing white gloves on cold mornings, and the next person with whom I share the Peace who says, 'Aren't your hands cold', needs to understand why I will be screaming the following at them - 'It's not my fault, I am not doing it on purpose, it's medical, stop mocking me.'

Above all, perhaps it is the Spiritual possibilities in this later (not latter) part of Life that fascinate me. The Shadow side, the re-realisation that even now I have only just begun, only just taken the first steps on life's Pilgrim Way, something to which I need to give more thought and prayer, a topic on which I intend to return to here. For now, as a Good Franciscan, I pay my respects to Sister Death,

By Death, our Sister, praisèd be,
From whom no one alive can flee.
Woe to the unpreparèd!
But blest be those who do your will
And follow your commandments still.

Chaplain Needed

2012-01-20T20:47:00.000Z

For Overgate Hospice, 20 hours a week.

Details Here

Of Carols and Common Purpose

2011-12-16T20:04:00.001Z

'This must be your busiest time, Vicar.'

I smile inanely, and resist the temptation to say no, that would be Holy Week, and by the way, I'm not a Vicar. Instead I mentally award myself £5 for everyone who says that to me, with a £10 bonus if they are active church-goers, who therefore ought to know better.

I am up to £120 so far.

Christmass falling on a Sunday this year ought to mean that the first part of next week will give us, on paper at least, a little breathing space. The Schools and Hospice have completed their various Carol Services, Nativities and Light Up a Life, the main Parish Carol Service is this coming Sunday, leaving just a Home or two before we are into the Christingle, Midnight Mass and Christmass Morning itself. The daily round of Prayer and Eucharist, Funerals (lots) and pastoral care continues, while tomorrow we begin perhaps my most favourite time of Year, the Eight days of Prayer before the Nativity, beginning with O Sapientia.

This week I have completed my Common Purpose Course, meaning I can rejoice in describing myself as a Common Purpose Graduate. Last Year, the Bishop's Staff encouraged me to take part, and found the funding as well. I don't easily sign up for Courses on Leadership, not least because I'm not entirely convinced that Priesthood and Leadership, as the Secular world sees it, are talking the same language. There are still aspects of the relationship that trouble me, but, a year on, I have had a great time in sharing all this with a good cross section of People and Places from the Private, Public and Voluntary Sectors in Yorkshire. I hope I can understand a little more about the challenges and opportunities that they face, and I hope that one or two have learnt a little more about what the Christian Church has to offer as well.

Advent Musings

2011-12-01T10:30:00.001Z

Advent is upon us. In the midst of the December gloom, cold and darkness – and it’s not even Winter until December 21st !– we are called, like John the Baptist, to prepare the way for Jesus. In Advent we look for the promise of his glory, knowing we will celebrate his coming among us in the Child of Bethlehem at Christmass. The Church’s colour for Advent, like the season of Lent, is purple, a colour of preparation, of incompleteness, but the two seasons are not the same. Advent is first of all a time of joyful expectation, of getting ready, of fitting our hearts and lives to meet our Lord.

It is all too easy to allow ourselves to be overcome with the busyness, the rush and the urge to consume that the world seems to think is the only way to behave; that is a sure way to miss the heart of what God has to say to us. We enjoy the Carols and the gifts, the tinsel and the time to spend, if we are fortunate, with family or friends, but the Church reminds us to look first of all for the Good News of Jesus. Some will make sure that prayer and Bible reading don’t get forgotten, perhaps by coming along to an extra weekday Mass or two in Church; some will make use of the gently penitential elements of Advent, making use of the Sacraments of Anointing, for healing, or Confession, allowing ourselves to celebrate Christmass with a renewed spiritual strength, while others will quietly give up one or two treats for the season, giving the money saved either to the Children’s Society, (at the Christingle Service), or to our Christmass Retiring Collection for the Homeless, especially the work of Crisis at Christmass.

During Advent, our Sunday Liturgies help us to look forward, by concentrating on a number of Characters from the Scriptures. We begin with Abraham, Moses and the Patriarchs, who trusted God even when they had no idea, literally, where they were going. We think of Isaiah and the Prophets, who in the midst of violence, and economic disaster, looked forward to God’s salvation. Above all, at the heart of Advent, is Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The feast of her Conception, December 8th, is celebrated on this day in both the eastern and the western Church. This feast acknowledges the preparation by God of his people to receive their Saviour and Lord, putting 'heaven in ordinary' and showing that mortal flesh can indeed bring Christ to the world.

It's good to look forward to celebrating our Advent Liturgies, and to the special events of the season. Perhaps this prayer, for the Feast of Mary’s conception, is one we might use regularly during the season. It will help us to put our priorities in order, and to know something of the thrill and the passion of this season,

God most high,
from the first moment of her conception
you favoured the Virgin Mary with your grace,
that she might become the mother of the world’s Redeemer.

As you blessed the daughter of Israel,
so grant us the grace
to be fully engaged in your service,
eager to do your will.
Hasten that day of gladness
when you will bring to completion your saving work,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.

Questions

2011-11-25T19:28:00.000Z

Today we have completed the Visits from and to Brooksbank School. All 10 Year 7 Classes visit All Saints, and then we have an opportunity to lead a session for each Class back in School, talking about the life and work of a Priest.

The Questions are always fun.

Amongst this year's gems were:

'Don't you think you should be doing a proper job?'

'Why do you wear that plastic thing round your neck?'

'Is it wrong to sit on a Gravestone?'

'Do you burn the Bodies?' - My Answer, Are you talking about Cremation? - 'Yes, what happens when you burn a body?'

'Is there anything banned in Church?'

We did conclude, however, with my being told, 'It would be a shame if Church wasn't there - there would be nowhere to sit when you needed help'.

Confirmation

2011-11-21T10:56:00.000Z

Amongst 17 Candidates from our Deanery, Confirmed last night at St Matthew's Lightcliffe, Rachael (1st on Bishop Tony's left), Paul (2nd), and Margaret (6th), from St Mary's Elland.

Normal Service is Resumed

2011-11-21T10:51:00.000Z

This time, it was going to be different.

So much to be hopeful about - but no,

England 8 - 30 Australia

Its not the despair that gets me down, it's the hope.

St Martin's Day- In Remembrance and a Royal Opening

2011-11-11T19:55:00.002Z

The Commemoration of St Martin of Tours, Patron Saint of the Armed Forces, who turned from warfare to be a servant of the Prince of Peace.

A Fresco by Simone Martini, showing St Martin leaving the life of chivalry and renouncing the Army.

St Martin discovered what our own generation is yet to learn, that wars will end when we no longer see the need to fight. His Feast Day provides a fitting back-drop to the observance of Remembrance Day, and a reminder that there is always a better way.

Today saw a Royal Visit to Overgate Hospice, as the Duke of Gloucester returned, after his Visit in 2009 to formally open the new Day Hospice Extensions. The Visit included an Act of Remembrance at 11am, which I was delighted to be asked to lead.

Much of this week has been taken up with hosting visits from Brooksbank High and West Vale Primary Schools to All Saints. Over the next couple of weeks, together with my colleagues, we will be leading follow up sessions in Brooksbank, on what it is like to be a Priest.

As the School serves an area wider than Elland, for many, it is their first visit to All Saints. We ask the young people first of all to sit quietly, and then describe how the building feels, almost inevitably getting the response, 'Peaceful.' Out of the mouths of babes....

A New Yorkshire Diocese

2011-11-01T15:50:00.000Z

Here we go again - "Church of England closer to creating a single Yorkshire diocese"

Click Here for more Information

All Saints Sunday

2011-10-31T09:59:00.002Z

After the years of dreaming and hoping, planning and fund-raising, grant applications, and sheer physical hard work, at last, the reality, and the Dedication of the Canon Winter Centre by our Bishop, Stephen, after he had Presided at our Patronal Festival Mass.

The Centre is named after Ernest Winter, Rector of Elland 1893-1917, the founding Inspiration for All Saints Church.

A Grand Day!

Click Here for a Link to the Text of Bishop Stephen's Sermon at Mass.

Bishop Robert Freeman

2011-10-29T18:05:00.000+01:00

To York yesterday, Friday, for a third celebration there within a few weeks. After the visit of the Image of Our Lady of Walsingham to the Minster, and the Wedding of David, our Parochial Treasurer, to Jan in the Church of St Michael-le-Belfrey, this time it was back to the Minster for the Consecration of the New Bishops of Durham and Penrith. Here is Bishop Robert Freeman of Penrith, formerly our Archdeacon, as he processes out of the Minster carrying his newly presented Pastoral Staff. As ever, at our Metropolitan Cathedral, a marvellous occasion:

I have always loved the description of the heart-shaped West Window of the Minster as 'The Heart of Yorkshire':

Welcome...

2011-10-26T16:43:00.000+01:00

...to Daisy Kathryn Burrows.

Born 24th October 2011, 7lb 10oz.

We are a Grandfather.

Where did that go?

2011-10-01T14:21:00.000+01:00

Holidays over.....Edinburgh a fond memory....School's back...Parish Meetings re-start....National Heritage Weekend....Classic Cars Exhibition...St Mary's Patronal Festival....the sad death of our colleague Fr Laurence...a Glorious Requiem....Retreat at Alnmouth Friary.....Our Lady of Walsingham at York....Canon Winter Centre completed...Fabric Work at St Mary's.....worshipping in a Building Site....
A Thanksgiving for 30 years of Overgate Hospice....Confirmation Preparation....Michaelmass.....Fr John Gribben CR......Some Domestic Health issues....

Suddenly it's October 1st. Where did September go?

Overgate Hospice - The First 30 Years

2011-09-26T15:20:00.000+01:00

A Sermon preached at the Minster Church of St John the Baptist, Halifax, 25th September 2011, at a Service of Thanksgiving for 30 years of Overgate Hospice - Canon David Burrows, Hospice Chaplain

Reading 2 Corinthians 4.7-15

Because you care, we can, and have done so for 30 years.

This Service of Thanksgiving is an acknowledgement of a genuine and lasting Community Achievement, of 30 years of caring.

First time visitors to the Hospice will often comment on the striking carvings in the Entrance, the generous gift of the Wood-Carvers, panels representing the towns and villages, the cultural, political and sporting life of Calderdale. At the heart of it is a panel simply showing two intertwined, open hands, the Hospice logo. Little by little, over the last 30years, Overgate has worked its way into the heart of our Community. We are upheld by great waves of affection and care, which are given practical expression in so many ways.

If you want to know where you are going, it’s good to know what brought you to where you are now, and on whose shoulders you stand. As we have looked back this afternoon, so we will look forward. In an ever changing and challenging world, Overgate too has to change and grow as well. Sometimes those changes may be difficult to live with, but there remains the challenge and opportunity set down by Dame Cicely Saunders and the pioneers of the modern Hospice movement, to care for human beings at their most vulnerable, to care for the whole human being in an holistic way, and, to be open enough to learn from those in need. Each and every one of us has a unique human dignity – that dignity is not diminished in the face of illness, or in the face of death. One of Overgate’s key statements says, ‘ we cannot add days to your life, but we can add life to your days.’ A so-called life-limiting illness, can indeed be life-fulfilling.

There is a traditional Christian prayer, perhaps little used these days, that speaks of praying for a good death, of dying in the faith one has professed, of paying respect to the things that have been of significance and value in life, of being cared for and valued. Many have discovered that it is not the life-limiting elements of cancer that endure, but those that are life-enhancing.

In the words we have just heard from his 2nd Letter to the Corinthians, St Paul writes of living the human life as like having Treasure in clay jars – jars that can be so easily broken. We are vulnerable, but capable of all that is beautiful, and honest, and holy – afflicted but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; struck down, but not destroyed. For Christians, it is in the messiness and the vulnerability of life, that life’s real purpose is to be found.

Overgate rightly takes it’s place in a rebellion, a movement that has quietly challenged and changed attitudes to illness, and to dying. The very word Hospice, of course, signifies a resting place, a breathing space, a place of shelter and of haven, it’s origins lying in the mediaeval pilgrims’ Hospices, on the great Christian pilgrimage routes. Whatever Spirituality feeds and sustains us, wherever we find ultimate meaning and value in life, in the journey of life, and in the journey of dying, it is the gift of care, and time and love that the Hospice represents. That these things are no longer hidden away, that we can speak once again of death, is in part due to places like Overgate. Perhaps there is a vital lesson to be learned as well, by those who in our own day plan, and manage, and legislate for our sometimes target-obsessed Health Services: there is a better way.

Of all the things people comment on about Overgate, the one that always strikes me most of all is when people comment on its ordinariness, and that might be the greatest virtue we have to offer, of facing the hard-headed realities of disease and dying and all the messiness that involves, with a good deal of practical common sense and care, with the willingness to go the extra mile.

In the words of Grace Sheppard, ‘We all have to die one day. The Important thing is to be ready, and then we can really get on with living.’

Emblems - A New Exhibition, by Fr Matthew Askey

2011-09-22T14:28:00.000+01:00

You are invited to the exhibition opening:

EMBLEMS - on the themes of life and death.

Time :Saturday, October 1st · 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Location: Armley Gallery (Armley Library)

Armley Library: 2 Stocks Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire,

An exhibition of 8 new paintings by Matthew Askey - EMBLEMS - at Armley Library.

The Exhibition runs from: 1st Oct - 30th Nov 2011 @ Armley Library

Then at Wakefield Cathedral from Sat 21st Jan - Sat 18th Feb 2012.

There will be a catalogue available with all 8 paintings reproduced, an introductory text by Revd Iain McKillop all about the history of Emblems in art and culture; and the text of a "conversation" between myself and Adrian Marc Lister, who runs the Armley Gallery. The exhibition then travels to Wakefield Cathedral in the new year.

This exhibition was made possible with the financial assistance of ACE (Art and Christianity Enquiry), Wakefield Diocese, and CJW printers, Elland.

Tea, Coffee, and perhaps something stronger will be served during the opening. (catalogue available at the opening only, or by contacting me).

Fr Matthew Askey

http://www.utopiapark.co.uk/

Swap for Yer Dandy

2011-09-22T14:19:00.004+01:00

‘An Evening of Blarney’ Friday 30th September, 7 for 7.30pm in the Canon Winter Centre at All Saints: Fr John Gribben, CR will entertain us with tales and stories from a Belfast childhood. Admission £5, all monies raised will go to the Appeal at the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield. Tickets are available in advance, or on the Door.

In Memory of Father Laurence Wood

2011-09-22T14:17:00.000+01:00

The Address at the Requiem Mass for Fr Laurence Henry Wood, 12th September 2011, All Saints, Elland - Fr David Burrows

Mary has particularly asked that this occasion should be one of thanksgiving; when I met with Fr Laurence a few weeks ago to plan these Funeral Rites, his specific instruction was, that if there has to be a sermon, it should be brief and uplifting – I will endeavour to achieve both.

We give thanks today for a husband and father, a grand-father and brother, and for our friend’s faithfulness and loyalty, for his humour and good companionship, for his gentle sense of mischievousness, and for 58 years of priestly ministry.

Knowing where you come from was very important to Laurence; Laurence Henry Wood, was born on 17th January 1927, third son of four boys, Frank, Thomas, and the late James, to Hanson and Edith Harriet Wood.

He was named after 2 Uncles who had died in the Great War, and baptized at St John’s, West Vale. Eventually the whole family were in the Choir there. Laurence was confirmed at Halifax Parish Church, and won a scholarship to Elland Grammar School, after his early education at West Vale.

By now he and the family knew the dark days of the War, of blackouts and rationing, and despite being in the Air Training Corps, Laurence’s Service was as a Bevin Boy, serving in 1945 in Pontefract and Barnsley. He needed to grow up fast, and learn a whole new language. He was rightly proud of his Service, not least when the Bevin Boys were finally given something of the recognition they deserved, just a few years ago.

Laurence spent 5 years at the Theological College at Kelham, under the patronage of the Holy Angels, which was very significant for him. He was made Deacon in June 1952 at Wakefield Cathedral, and his ordination to the priesthood being delayed by the Coronation, as the Bishops had to travel to London for rehearsals in those pre-M1 days, was ordained Priest on 14th June, 1953. He served his Title at St Saviour, Ravensthorpe, and subsequently worked in Parishes as Curate of Almondbury, in charge of St Michael and St Helen, and then as Vicar of Linthwaite, at Bonsall & Cromford in the Diocese of Derby, before returning to this Diocese to Longwood, with Outlane, and also as part time Chaplain of St Luke’s Hospital, before 16 years at Liversedge took him to retirement- on paper at least. He helped in some 60 Churches during that retirement, as well as being Hon Asst back at Linthwaite, before filling a similar role for us here in Elland. I know I am not the only Rural Dean to be grateful for his readiness to travel, and help out, often at short notice.

But a list of Churches can only tell us so much – for we need to go back to Ravensthorpe for the most significant event of his life; there he met Mary, and they were married by Bishop Roger Wilson in 1956, at 9.30am in the morning, as the Bishop had to get back to entertain a visiting Colonial Bishop. They had a family, Mark, John and Ruth, who married Richard, giving them 2 grand-daughters, Harriet and Victoria.

If it was important to Laurence to know where he had come from, it was equally important to know where he was headed, and what he was looking for. He showed always a great spirit of service, and a great devotion to the task. In nearly 60 years of ministry, just think how many Baptisms and Weddings that has involved, how many visits to weep with those who weep, to rejoice with those who rejoice; so many Funerals. A lifetime of memories which he was pleased to share, and, perhaps most significant of all, week by week, Sunday by Sunday, the grace and mercy of God in the Holy Eucharist of the Altar, and the faithful reciting every day of the Church’s prayers, Morning and Evening. Laurence remained faithful to the patterns of prayer and devotion formed within him a lifetime ago. It was this foundation, together with Mary’s loving support, that enabled him to help so many others to see something of God’s love. On his Coffin, as he faces his people for the final time, lie the symbols he especially requested, his Ordination Stole, the Bible given to him at his Priesting, and a small chalice and paten from his Home Communion set. Signs of Laurence’s faithfulness, signs also of the love of God in Christ Jesus, crucified and risen, who meets us here at the Altar, who will wipe away every tear from our eyes, despite the sadness and pain we know today. For Christ is the bread of life, whoever comes to me, he says, will never be hungry, whoever believes in me will never thirst.

There were difficult and sad times for Laurence, of course, not least in the death of James, his youngest brother. There were the inevitable struggles of priestly ministry. One of the pieces of music Laurence has chosen today for Park Wood, is ‘The War March of the Priests’, a piece of significance for the Bevin Boys I understand, but also, I think, tipping the hat to the other side of a priest’s life. Yet Laurence faced these struggles, as he faced the news of his illness, knowing God’s faithfulness and strength. His last days, lovingly cared for at home by Mary and the family, were indeed grace-filled, and largely, mercifully, pain-free, and I’m grateful that I was able to see a little of him in those days, as we shared Holy Communion, and as Laurence made his plans for his Funeral.

There was a little phrase Laurence would use – ‘God Willing.’ Will we see you at Mass on Sunday, Father? - ‘God Willing.’ In his last days, his faithful prayer for a quiet and peaceful death, God Willing, was answered. Today we say goodbye to our friend. Today we surround him with our love and our prayers, as we commend him to God’s sure keeping, and we trust that Mary and all his family, will know that same love, and be supported by our prayers, in their loss.

The Holy Angels remained very important to Laurence. He slipped away a little sooner than we were expecting, late on the evening of Friday 2nd. Once we had prayed for him, it was after Midnight when I left the house. Almost without thinking, I turned on the radio, only to hear, fittingly, Faure’s ‘In Paradisum’, a setting of the Latin words of the Requiem Mass. ‘May the Angels lead you into paradise, may saints and martyrs receive you, and lead you to the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.’ May that be our prayer for him today. May he rest in peace, and Rise in Glory.

September's Pastoral Letter

2011-08-31T20:10:00.002+01:00

September, and a new School Year begins. Please remember our Staff and young people at Elland C of E School in your prayers, especially those who are new to the School, together with those who have moved to new Schools since leaving Elland in July.

Both of our Churches will be open during the National Heritage Weekend, S.Mary’s on Friday 9th, from 11am-1pm, and from 10am-4pm on Saturday 10th. All Saints will be open on Saturday 10th from 10am-4pm, when there will also be a display of Classic cars in the Church Grounds. The same weekend also marks S.Mary’s Patronal Festival, beginning with the Annual Organ Recital on Friday 9th at 7.30pm, with Jonathan Bielby, recently retired Director of Music at the Cathedral, and always a welcome visitor. The Patronal Festival Eucharist will be at 10am on Sunday 11th September, and the Celebrant and Preacher will be Bishop Tom Butler, honorary assistant Bishop in our Diocese, having recently retired as Bishop of Southwark. This service is for all – there will not be 9.30am or 11am services that day (though the 8am Holy Communion at S.Mary’s will happen, for those who absolutely cannot be there at 10am.)

September 11th, 2011, is also the 10th Anniversary of the atrocities of the Terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. People of good will, of all faiths and none, will be marking this day as Awareness Sunday – A Path to Peace, and prayers for peace and reconciliation will be offered in S.Mary’s. John, our Archbishop, writes, “Around my neck I wear a cross bearing the words of Archbishop Oscar Romero. The words read, ‘Peace will flower when love and justice pervade our environment.’ I welcome Awareness Sunday as it seeks to reach out and build better relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.”

As you read this, we hope that work will be complete on the Canon Winter Centre at All Saints. Bishop Stephen will be formally opening the Centre at All Saints-tide, though it is already being used for one or two church events. A Group is meeting to consider publicity and making best use of this marvellous new facility for the Church in Elland – its good to know dreams can be realised sometimes! Fundraising began for the Centre well before I arrived in Elland 9 years ago; we are, of course, now in a very different economic climate, and some of the Corporate and Business use we aimed for, may now be harder to find. I know that many of you pray regularly that we will make the best use of our Church buildings, and, with those prayers, we are sure that regular community use will emerge.

The next stage of the Fabric Work at S.Mary’s will see plaster removal and drainage work start on Monday 12th September, together with work on the monuments in the St Nicholas Chapel, which will probably have begun by the time you read this.

Talking of the venerable and valued ....our best wishes to Fr Philip who reaches 70 this month – and retirement! Once he reaches this milestone, he will receive formal Permission to Officiate from the Diocese, and will now serve as one of our Honorary Assistant Priests. While he continues as a valued member of our Pastoral Team in Elland, from now on he is moving towards a different working pattern, of Sundays plus two days in the week, which will mean he is not as available as before.

During September, we will be using a new Diocesan Resource for prayer, Praying for the Earth, at the daily Mass, remembering the environment in our public and private prayers of Intercession. Many Christians find this a useful time to pray for our care for God’s Creation, not least in our lead up to the Harvest Thanksgiving, and the Feast of S.Francis of Assisi, both of which fall at the beginning of October.

All Creation worships you, O God,
and we your people bless you for the beauty of the earth.
We thank you for making a good world in the beginning,
and for making it better by the Word made flesh,
whose death and resurrection in the body
reveal the promise re-creation of the universe.
May your Kingdom come on earth as your will is done in heaven
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

With my prayers, and in gratitude for yours,
Fr David

Heavenly Treasures

2011-07-30T14:29:00.003+01:00

A major piece of hugely expensive Market Research has apparently revealed that you are 26% more likely to attend a cultural event if you live in London.

(A spontaneous piece of research among my nearest and dearest revealed however, that 100% of us are irritated by such patronising rubbish.)

So, my annual cultural visit to the big City, and two great exhibitions, Treasures of Heaven at the British Museum, and Devotion by Design at the National Gallery.

If you view the works in the Medieval Galleries in the Sainsbury Wing at the National Gallery, it is not immediately obvious what most of them are. Framed and exhibited as individual paintings, many of them were originally part of altar-pieces until subsequently broken up. This wonderful example, from the exhibition, is The Virgin and Child Enthroned, with Narrative Scenes (1260s), by Margarito of Arezzo.

Devotion by Design gives an opportunity to view a number of altar-pieces, sensitively lit, and at an appropriate height - there is even a quasi-altar, with cross and (inappropriately sized and positioned) lit candles, to put across something of the height and scale involved. Two 15th century pieces are shown in such a way that it is possible to examine the back as well as the front, to understand how they were originally put together, and how it has been possible to recreate them. An Exhibition that says as much about presentation as it does about art and meaning. Many of these works would only have been seen with any sort of clarity by the Priest standing at the Altar, or perhaps by a pious Benefactor, yet they were still painted with as much care and attention to detail as possible. Perhaps what the Exhibition is not quite able to get across, is that like the carved stonework high on a medieval Cathedral, which only the carver and the Angels would ever see, they were done for the glory of God, and that means only the best is good enough.

Although I was not wearing 'Clergyman', I noticed a clerical collar or two at both Exhibitions, and I'm sure that I wasn't the only one to quietly pause in prayer and reflection, as the spiritual and the mysterious quietly returns to public, secular, spaces. I wonder what Karl Marx would have made of a show of Reliquaries beneath the astonishing dome of the British Museum's Reading Room, the site of his creation of the Communist Manifesto!

Treasures of Heaven presents a collection of Reliquaries, and associated items, some chosen for the quality of the craftsmanship, others for what they have to say about the Christian approach to remembrance, and to the Saints over the Centuries. Hugely enjoyable, and sympathetically presented, the story continues after the dislocation caused by the Reformation, when many relics were destroyed or dispersed, and those that remained for use in devotion were scaled down and re-assessed. One case presents secondary relics of Charles I, King and Martyr, though not, sadly, the blood-stained table in the Deanery at Windsor, said to have been caused as his body was prepared for burial in St George's Chapel, and the exhibits conclude with a reflection on the Visit of the Relics of St Theresa of Avila in 2009, and with a contemporary film presentation on Remembrance. The sheer persistence of these items, regardless of what you might think about the efficacy of prayer and the saints, is a rejoinder to the secular mind-set, and, in its own way, a statement of the significance of the Spiritual.

The Reliquiary of St Baudime

This picture could have been taken in a Shop attached to a Pilgrim Shrine, as you can buy pilgrim badges, medals and pictures and both serious and popular Books on the Saints, but it is actually the British Museum's Gift Shop.

The Museum itself, outside of the Treasures Exhibits, (which you have to pay to see), was as uncomfortably packed as ever, so much so that I didn't linger for long in the Galleries, especially once I had re-acquainted myself with the Lewis Chessmen.

Most of these wonderful 12th Century figures, probably carved in Norway, but discovered off the Isle of Lewis, at Uig in 1831, are now on show here, with only a few to be found in the National Musuem of Scotland. I sense a campaign for their repatriation north of the border coming on!

Nothing for the Journey - Well Done Ben!

2011-07-27T19:36:00.001+01:00

Sent: Saturday, 23 July 2011, 20:39

Subject: I have made it!

Hi Fr David,

I just wanted to let you know that at 5pm today I made it to Buckfast Abbey! I still cannot believe I have actually walked here from my front door. It has been an incredible journey and I have met so many new and fascinating people on the trip who are spread out all over the country. I have constantly been amazed at the kindness of strangers and I was given shelter every single night of my walk.

I really could not have done it without the prayers from Elland. There were times in my walk when I was really struggling, specifically on Wednesday when I had to walk 33 miles from Bristol to Somerton. My feet and ankle were really sore and the temptations to give in started to whisper in my head. However, with so many people praying for me I was able to find new bursts of energy and walk every single step of the journey.

Thank you so much,

Ben.

P.S The next part of my summer will be my trip to Zimbabwe from 25 August until 9 September.

A message from Ben Bradshaw, an Ordinand at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, who was on placement with us in Elland during Lent 2011. Here is a reminder of what the walk was all about:

'On the 11th July I will be starting a 322 mile walk from Mirfield to Buckfast Abbey. On my walk I will experience the reality of the Gospel (Luke 9:3). I will not be taking any money at all with me on my journey; I will be completely dependent of God and the kindness of strangers. I am undertaking this challenge in aid of the refugees at Tongogara in Zimbabwe and the disabled residents of Mutemwa settlement also in Zimbabwe.

I visited both places in 2010 and was deeply moved to do something to help them. The refugees have fled from all over Africa having suffered horrific experiences, everyone I spoke to had witnessed loved ones being murdered. They told me that their faith has been the only thing that has kept them going through all of this. However, the only building at the camp that they have to worship in is too small and is falling down, meaning the refugees are unable to come together as a community to worship which is so vital to keep them going.

The refugees at Tongogara are some of the poorest people on the planet and life at the camp is very tough. They are dependent on the UN to provide them with very simple and basic food and also a small amount of schooling. The church we are building will also be used as a community centre, allowing for the children at Tongogara to get a better education and give them the best possible chance of a future. Many of the children have spent their whole lives within the refugee camp and know of no other way of life.

So far we have raised £10,000 towards the church building which has meant work is now well underway but we still need to raise more if we are to finish the church and make a massive difference to the lives of a lot of people who have been through so much and continue to go through so much.

Mutemwa settlement in Zimbabwe cares for over 60 patients who all suffer from various disabilities including leprosy. As at Tongogara, life at Mutemwa is extremely hard and money is always short. The residents are in constant need of food, medicines, medical care, clothing and shelter all of which are vital to improving the standard of life for the residents.

John Bradburne devoted the last 10 years of his life to care for the residents of Mutemwa before he gave up his life for them and was murdered in 1979. He has become the inspiration for my walk as he lived his whole life trusting in God and in the kindness of strangers. John's unusual and saintly life meant he was often called a Vagabond of God. He was neither a nurse nor a doctor; he was simply a servant of God, a man who loved the downtrodden and those rejected by society. This fundraising will allow the love and care John showed to the residents of Mutemwa to continue.

I have a big target to reach which is why I am doing such a challenging walk. However, if we can raise it, then we will have made a huge difference to the lives of some of the very poorest people on earth.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.'

http://www.justgiving.com/Ben-Bradshaw

St Benedict

2011-07-11T15:18:00.001+01:00

‘Prefer Absolutely Nothing to the Love of Christ’ – St Benedict

July 11th is the Feast day of St Benedict. The Church’s Kalendar describes him as the Father of Western Monasticism, and Patron of Europe. Benedict was born around 480 in what is now central Italy. As a young man he was sent to study in Rome, but seeking greater meaning in his life, he withdrew to live as a hermit at Subiaco. He quickly attracted disciples and established a number of communities. Around the year 525, after some disagreement, and surviving an attempt to poison him, (which puts our own disagreements as Christians into some perspective!), he moved to Monte Cassino with a band of loyal monks, dying there in about the year 550. Monte Cassino itself was to become the site of a very destructive battle during the Second World War.

Benedict wrote a Rule for his Monks, based on his own experience of ordinary, fallible human beings striving to live out the gospel. He would be amazed to know that his Rule, that he describes as a ‘Simple Rule for Beginners’, has influenced countless numbers throughout the Christian centuries, and continues to do so today, simply because it is so helpful. Benedictine Monks and Nuns, Oblates and Associates, who try to live out something of the Monastic way in their own homes, lives and families, ordinary Christians and even business leaders and politicians, have found solid guidance for living in the Rule of St Benedict.

Benedict is a master of keeping things in balance, of knowing that there is a need for Prayer, Work and Rest in every Life. He teaches the value of silence and simplicity, of not being afraid to confess weakness, and of serving others rather than always seeking to gratify your own personal desires. We are to listen to God with the ‘Ear of the Heart’, a lovely phrase, reminding us that the spiritual dimension of life is as real and as significant as all that we touch, taste and see.

Summer days are upon us, and whether you are planning a Holiday or not, I hope there is time for rest and renewal for each one of us. Time perhaps to pause and take stock, to consider the priorities in our lives, and to consider, like Benedict and the Rule, whether or not we are giving sufficient time to God, to listening with the ear of the heart, to scripture and to prayer. Benedict himself reminds us in this prayer not to try and travel too quickly along life’s way, but to look around and enjoy the journey:

Gracious and holy Father,
give us wisdom to perceive you,
intelligence to understand you,
diligence to seek you,
patience to wait for you,
eyes to behold you,
a heart to meditate on you,
and a life to proclaim you;
through the power of the
Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.

Holy Benedict, Father of Monks, Patron of Europe, pray for us!

The Hepworth

2011-07-09T19:14:00.002+01:00

For once, a Saturday afternoon without 101 things still to do before the Lord's Day begins, so the current Mrs Burrows' wish to visit the new Debenhams in Wakefield means I can finally get around to a visit to the Hepworth, centrepiece of the Waterfront regeneration project alongside the River Calder, a £35m home for the work of the locally born Sculptor and Artist Barbara Hepworth, as well as the Wakefield City Art Gallery Collection.

A great place to spend a couple of hours, perhaps what really impressed me most of all was the Gallery Building itself. It's location, even alongside a main traffic artery is stunning, well thought out, and the environs perectly complimentary. Officially, the design is 'bold and modern'; some have criticized it as brutalist, but, for me, it works - the galleries are light and airy, almost as if you were inside the Artist's Studio. Local interest is present also in a collection of prints and paintings of the nearby Chantry Chapel, also open this afternoon, and a hive of activity.

The End of the World is Nigh - Please Give Generously

2011-06-29T15:37:00.001+01:00

....is one way to attract attention and donations, for the 'John Martin: Painting the Apocalypse' Exhibition at Sheffield's Millenium Galleries.

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, John Martin,1852

Martin, who lived from 1789-1854, was one of the most popular artists of the 19th century, justly popular for his vast narratives, often dealing with apocalyptic scenes from the Bible or classical mythology.

The Great Day of His Wrath, John Martin, 1853

This particular work is part of his Last Judgement Trilogy, of massive scale and impressive detail; among the mass of teeming humanity falling into the abyss are a Cardinal or two, Popes and lawn-sleeved Bishops, together with one of those new-fangled Steam Locomotives and Carriages.

Well worth going to see - but how much do you tip for the Apocalypse?

Catching Up

2011-06-25T19:53:00.001+01:00

Preaching in the Cathedral at Evensong last Sunday, Trinity Sunday, fulfilling the annual (voluntary) duty of an Honorary Canon, a veritable feast of Stainer and Stanford. Too many times I've heard sermons that have tried to explain the Trinity, so I preached on the Trinity as a mystery and reality to be lived out, not as a problem to be explained away. An unusual highlight of the early part of last week was the opportunity to reflect on Liturgy with a Suffragan-Bishop elect, - and to teach him how to use a Thurible!

Corpus Christi was duly observed with a Sung Mass and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, while the following day saw the opportunity to say Mass for the Nativity of St John the Baptist at St Paul's King Cross, in the early days of their Interregnum. St John, to whom a number of Churches are dedicated in Calderdale, and whose severed head is graphically portrayed on represenatations of the old Halifax Coat of Arms in Barry's magnificent Victorian Town Hall, is also portrayed on the glorious High Altar Reredos at St Paul's

(The High Altar at St Paul's, King Cross)

Friday Night took us to Headingley, for a long awaited Derby clash between the mighty Leeds Rhinos, and the Bradford Bulls......Bradford were the least poor of two off-form Teams, and it wasn't a good night for Leeds fans, though the weekend's Rugby theme did pick up with a Saturday afternoon spent at the marvellous Heritage Centre at the George Hotel in Huddersfield.

The First Sunday after Trinity will bring a thank you and farewell to Luke, our latest Mirfield Ordinand, as he completes his placement with us, a Garden Party, and Benediction at St Paul's, before thoughts need to turn to Bishop Tony's Pastoral Visit on Tuesday, the episcopal OFSTED......

Feasts in June

2011-06-01T14:49:00.000+01:00

June begins with two very important Holy Days, as the Queen of Seasons, Easter, reaches its glorious conclusion. The whole of the great Fifty Days of Eastertide form a single festival period, in which a tone of joy and thanksgiving is sustained.

Ascension Day is the fortieth Day of Easter. The Lord commissions his disciples to continue his work, he promises the gift of the Holy Spirit, and then he is no longer among them in the flesh. The Ascension is therefore closely connected with the theme of mission. The arrival of the promised gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost completes and crowns the Easter Festival.

Following the day of Pentecost, Ordinary Time, or the Season of the Year, resumes. The first Sunday of this period which will take us right through to the eve of All Saints is Trinity Sunday. The following Thursday is a particular day of Thanksgiving for the Holy Eucharist, Corpus Christi, celebrated with a Procession of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. The principal Commemorations of the Saints in June include the Apostle Barnabas (June 11th), the Birth of S John the Baptist (June 24th) and the Apostles Peter and Paul, (June 29th), together with two others who ought perhaps to be better known in our Nation, S.Columba of Iona, (June 9th), and S.Alban, the first martyr of these islands, (June 22nd).

Some Prayers attributed to St Columba

Be Lord Jesus, a bright flame before me,
a guiding star above me,
a smooth path below me,
a kindly shepherd behind me:
today, tonight, and forever

Kindle, O Lord, in our hearts, we pray,
the flame of love which never ceases,
that it may burn in us and give light to others.
May we shine forever in your temple,
set on fire with that eternal light of yours
which puts flight to
the darkness of this world;
in the name of Jesus Christ,
your Son, our Lord.
Amen.

Wakefield, Walsingham and Weetwood

2011-05-28T15:01:00.001+01:00

An unusual shot of the Shrine Church at Walsingham taken from the College garden.

I have been trying to find time to post these pictures for a few days, but it has been one of those weeks - or normal life, as we call it. Last weekend saw our Parish Pilgrimage to Walsingham, and in between the carefully timetabled rush from one thing to another, I did remember to take a few shots of Fr Philip leading the Stations of the Cross on a beautiful Saturday morning.

Before travelling down on the Friday morning, it was off to Wakefield Cathedral with our Year 6 Class from Elland C of E School, for a visit generously funded by a collection on Education Sunday. Ali, the Cathedral's Education Officer was present to welcome us, to show our young people around the Cathedral, reflecting on the faith that inspires a living building, and then to take part in a Stained Glass Workshop.

What was clearly noticeable as we worked in areas just along from the votive candles, was how many people were coming in to light a candle, and to offer a prayer. The Cathedral's fairly unique position, not just in the City Centre, but very much merging with it, obviously encourages people to call in as easily as calling into their favourite shop.

Last Tuesday was spent in the plush surroundings of Weetwood Hall in North Leeds, now a well appointed Hotel and Conference Centre, but when I knew it 30 years ago, a somewhat run-down University Hall of Residence. The first day of the Common Purpose Course, which the Diocese has encouraged me to take part in this year. I don't easily sign up for Courses on Leadership, not least because I'm not sure that Priesthood and leadership are the same, but this was a very long but fascinating day, with a good cross section from Private, Public and Voluntary Sectors in Yorkshire.

The 15th All Saints Art Festival

2011-05-02T10:41:00.000+01:00

Thank you as ever to the 'Home Team' for all the hard work that has gone into this weekend.

Post-Triduum Thoughts

2011-04-25T13:27:00.000+01:00

These first pictures were taken early on Holy Saturday in All Saints, the Altars stripped and bare, the Cross used for the veneration during the Good Friday Liturgy clearly visible.

Holy Saturday began with a gathering for Morning Prayer and the Litany, together with a Reading from an ancient Homily, on the Harrowing of Hell, the Christian poetic imagination's response to 1 Peter 4.6, where the Gospel is preached even to the dead.

As the day wore on, gatherings of the faithful descended on both churches, to clean, decorate and prepare for the great day. By late afternoon, as these pictures show, Holy Saturday has given way to Easter Eve.

The Font and High Altar at S.Mary's, ready for Easter Day.

On Holy Saturday, the Aumbry in the S.Nicholas Chapel at S.Mary's still empty, awaiting the joyous restoration of the Blessed Sacrament:

All the services of the Great Three Days have been noticeably well attended this year, from Bishop Stephen presiding for us at the Maundy Thursday Liturgy, right through to the Dawn Liturgy, and the 4 celebrations of the Holy Eucharist on Easter Day. Despite some exhaustion on the afternoon of Easter Day, having surfaced at around 3.45am, my conscience, my faith and my Church all instruct me that this day is the Queen of Feasts , meaning that some feasting and drinking is obligatory.....

A few more pictures of All Saints, taken in the early evening of Holy Saturday, awaiting the visit of the women to the Tomb:

In the middle of the Medieval East Window at S.Mary's, you can just see on this picture a wonderful Resurrection Image, based on the account in St Matthew's Gospel, as Christ holds the Royal Victorious Banner, and the soldiers cower in terror.

Thou Art Risen, O Lord!

Let the quiet Altar dazzle with light;

let us haste to thy Presence, wondering, incredulous for joy;

and partake of thy Risen Life.

(Eric Milner-White)

Palm Sunday, of the Lord's Passion

2011-04-17T20:26:00.001+01:00

A well-attended Sunday, some of the faithful away, but well balanced by a sprinkling of occasionals, and one or two new folk. The happy, holy chaos of the procession around the streets at All Saints, and then our Bishop Stephen, presiding at the Liturgy at St Mary's. This year his pilgrimage through Holy Week sees him based principally in our Deanery. The first time I have ever heard a Bishop begin a Homily with the words, 'I have only been tear-gassed once...'.

Despite being Ordained for over 20 years, there always seems to be a sense of Holy Week suddenly taking me by surprise. This year has been no exception, despite an attempt to get ahead. Palm Sunday has taken us where we need to be, spiritually and practically, and I trust we are ready with readers, and with feet to wash and eyes to watch for Maundy Thursday. There will be Holy Oil Stocks to prepare, various bits of furniture to move, service sheets to find or produce which, together with the Daily Liturgies, will take us through the next three days. An encouraging number of folk have come forward and responded to the invitation to Confession or Counsel.

A helpfully reflective Evening Prayer and Benediction tonight - the Lord turned up. As there are houses built quite close around All Saints, its often possible in the silence to hear conversations going on outside, children shouting and playing, car doors being shut - a real sense that we are the Church in the world, and the Lord's Blessing is given for all in our Parish, whether they are aware of it or not. As we pray in a petition we often use on Sunday evenings, may the Lord remember those who have said no prayers on this Lord's Day, and those who do not know how to pray.

Mothering Sunday

2011-04-02T13:56:00.000+01:00

The 4th Sunday in Lent is known by various titles; Refreshment Sunday, Laetare Sunday or Mothering Sunday. It marks a mid-point in the season of Lent, when fasting rules and Lenten disciplines are relaxed, so we can be refreshed when we take them up again! Words traditionally used in the Liturgy today, from the prophet Isaiah, encourage us to rejoice:

Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her. Rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her; as a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you, says the Lord: you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. Isaiah 66.10,13

We give thanks today for our Holy Mother, the Church, and the spiritual Jerusalem; for the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God; for all mothers, and for all who care for children. The flowers offered in many churches today are gifts from Mother Church.

The Christian tradition for today is therefore much richer and more inclusive than the commercial Mothers’ Day; (before the false idol Hallmark got involved, the origins of the secular Mother's Day are to be found in an anti-war movement by Mothers of American Soldiers in World War 1.) Today we pray also for those whose experience of motherhood is difficult, or for families and relationships that are broken or estranged. Our life in community as Christians reminds us that we are all children of one Heavenly Parent and Creator, the God and Father of us all.

Today's Good News

2011-03-24T19:41:00.002Z

Good News for the Fabric Appeal at St Mary's...from Today's Halifax Evening Courier

Published on Thursday 24 March 2011 09:33

Elland’s historic parish church will undergo major refurbishments thanks to a £157,000 grant.

St Mary the Virgin Church at The Cross received the grant from English Heritage under the Repair Grants to Places of Worship scheme supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Grade-I listed church needs work doing to its east, west and south walls, a new drainage system, repairs to monuments and windows and a roof security system.

But a further £25,000 is needed to complete the work, which they hope to raise through more grants and fund- raising events.

Peter Uttley, church warden and treasurer at St Mary’s, said: “The grant will enable this historic building, which has served the local community for over 800 years, to continue to provide support and a place of worship for the next generation.

“I am hopeful that this can be achieved by contributions from a number of sources including the local community.”

An English Heritage spokesman said: “St Mary’s dates from 1180, making it one of the oldest buildings in Elland. It is at the centre of the town’s historic core.”

The church received a £105,000 grant from the fund last year. That was spent on roof repairs, guttery, masonry and drainage.

Quinquagesima Thoughts

2011-03-07T20:16:00.000Z

Quinquagesima, meaning Fifty Days, the traditional title for the Sunday before Lent, Fifty days before Easter Day.

With such a long pre-Lent this year, I had thought it would leave good time for getting together the various bits and pieces we need to have ready for the beginning of Lent, but, in the end, as ever, the last few days have been marked by a great rush. School Half-Term did include a few days off, some of which was shared with the flu and generally feeling 'not good'. I did however, mange a trip to Heptonstall, and the chance to take a few atmospheric photographs on a wet and windy day, around the ruined Church of S.Thomas the Apostle and S.Thomas Beckett, and its Victorian replacement.

Black village of gravestones.

Life tries.

Death tries.

The stone tries.

Only the rain never tires.

...from Heptonstall, by Ted Hughes.

..and, because I was very cold and wet by now, just one of Heptonstall's marvellous octagonal Methodist Chapel.

Last week I was asked to speak to the final year Ordinands at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, on aspects of ordering the day, and managing the Study. While the sum total of what I know about administration can be found here, courtesy of the excellent Dave Walker, there were some interesting conversations around boundaries and managing expectations. In particular, I was grateful for thoughts on both the opportunities and pressures caused by the expectations of 24/7 availability; how difficult it is now to walk away from the i-phone and e-mail, especially on what is supposed to be time off.

At the time I was there, the College was undergoing an Inspection, and I was told that it was likely that one of the Inspectors would sit in on my session. It was therefore a little bizarre to discover that one of the Inspecting Team was my old Theological College Warden, Archdeacon Bill Jacob; he came to say 'hello', but then did the decent thing and passed me over to another member of the Team, thereby displaying a fine Christian act of charity in not seeking recompense for certain incidents all those years ago....A veil remains drawn.

Lent and the Parish of Elland

2011-03-04T19:12:00.002Z

In 2011, we are marking 400 years of the Authorized Version (AV) of the Bible, also known as the King James Version. Although it was by no means the first translation of the Scriptures into the English language, this version, translated by a gifted collection of scholars and Saints, and based on what had gone before, has become known and loved throughout the English speaking world and beyond. It is still read by many and used in a number of Churches, including the monthly Evensong at S.Mary’s. Elsewhere on this blog you can read an article by Tony Murphy about Sir Henry Savile, the Elland Parishioner who helped to translate this Bible.

Each generation has an opportunity to rediscover the message of the Scriptures. The Bible is indeed the Book of Life, for in its pages, we encounter our Lord Jesus. One way to study together is based around Lectio Divina, a traditional and rewarding way of reading and praying with the Scriptures, used by Religious Communities, in Parish Communities and Groups, and by individuals. It forms the heart of the Lent Course we will be using this year, entitled Praying the Scriptures. The Course has been put together by a group representing the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Leeds and Hallam, as well as our own Diocese of Wakefield.

ASH WEDNESDAY, the first day of Lent, falls on 9th March. It is a day when each one of us should be in Church, to receive the Sign of the Cross in Ash, and to dedicate our observance of this holy season to the Lord. There will be a said Mass that day in All Saints at 12 noon, and the Parish Eucharist in S.Mary’s at 7.30pm. In addition our School will be marking the beginning of Lent in S.Mary’s at 1.30pm, and there will be an opportunity to be ‘ashed’ at this service as well.

On the First Sunday of Lent, we will launch our LENT APPEAL. This year we are supporting OVERGATE HOSPICE, and we hope everyone will take a collecting box away with them, and return them to Church on Maundy Thursday. Our Preacher on March 20th will be Dr Eilidh Gunson, who is one of the Doctors at the Hospice, and also a Methodist Local Preacher. All care given by the Hospice is free, but to fund that, each and every day the Hospice needs to find £5000.

Many people make the effort to attend an extra act of worship in Lent. Perhaps it is by coming along to one of the daily masses, an extra Sunday evening service, or the STATIONS OF THE CROSS, every Friday in Lent in All Saints, beginning on 8th February at 7pm. This simple yet moving devotional service takes around 30 minutes, and helps us to walk with our Lord on the way to Calvary, and the empty tomb.

Lent is a time when we are challenged to think about our financial giving to God’s Church. As a Parish we have a number of financial needs, together with development work, and it is absolutely crucial that we meet our obligations to the mission of God’s Church through our Share of Diocesan costs.

Lent is also a time when all of us are challenged to take to heart the call to repentance proclaimed in the Gospel. Perhaps, this year, it would be right for you to arrange to meet with me, or with any of priests to think about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, that is, Confession. Any one of our priests would be delighted to give you an opportunity to talk over any of the events listed here, or any aspect of the Faith. Lent is God’s springtime, God’s gift to all of us, helping us to prepare for our celebration of Holy Week and Easter.

May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love.

Elland and the King James Bible

2011-02-23T09:33:00.002Z

THE ELLAND PARISHIONER WHO HELPED TRANSLATE THE KING JAMES BIBLE
-An Article by Tony Murphy

As the English-speaking world celebrates the 400th anniversary of the first publication of the Authorized Version of the Bible, we in Elland can take some pride in that one of its leading translators was baptized and, in his youth, worshipped here at St. Mary’s. Henry Savile was one of three sons and five daughters born to Henry and Elizabeth Savile of Bradley Hall, situated between Greetland and Holywell Green (and now part of the clubhouse of the Bradley Hall Golf Club). He was baptized shortly after his birth on 30th November, 1549 in the church where his family had worshipped for generations and where they had provided benefactions over the years, including a chantry dedicated to St John the Baptist (where the present organ casing is situated) and the rebuilding of the chancel, with its very fine east window.

Henry, as with his elder brother John, was educated at home by private tutors, one of whom may have been the rector at Elland. He then followed in both his father’s and elder brother’s footsteps to Brasenose College, Oxford, which he entered at the remarkably early age of twelve. Here he made rapid progress in the liberal arts and his scholarship was recognized by Merton College who awarded him a Fellowship; he later astonished the university with his detailed knowledge of Ptolemy’s Almagest at his MA examination. He travelled widely in Europe for over four years, meeting leading scholars in France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the Low Countries and copying or purchasing manuscripts wherever he went. Savile, both in his studies and in his own publications on Greek and Latin texts and also on astronomy, was undeniably at the cutting edge of Rennaissance humanism.

On returning to Oxford he very quickly procured the Wardenship of Merton College and later the Provostship of Eton College. These promotions were not without controversy. He had been engaged as tutor in Greek to Queen Elizabeth after his travels and spent much time cultivating influential friends at Court. Both Lord Burghley - the Queen’s chief minister - and Sir Francis Walsingham (her Secretary and chief “spy-master”) lobbied the monarch on his behalf. Nor was he universally popular with his fellow academics who felt over-looked. However, he certainly built up both Merton and Eton Colleges, furnishing their libraries with rare books and manuscripts and adding to their buildings. He was also a key figure in the establishment of the Bodleian Library with his personal friend Thomas Bodley and paid for new building works, in particular the famous Tower of Five Orders in the Schools Quad, for which he provided masons from Elland in its construction.

But it was his knowledge of the Greek language which led the new King, James 1, to include Savile among the 47 scholars appointed to provide the new Authorized Bible. What is most remarkable is that Savile alone of all these men was not in holy orders. Perhaps the knighthood bestowed by the king on him in 1604 was meant to lend further credibility. It seems that he was also appointed leader of his particular team at Oxford University which was assigned to work on the Four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles and the Book of Revelation. Savile’s team met in his Warden’s rooms at Merton College. Here, over the seven years from 1604 to 1611, they studied the original Greek text and earlier English versions by Tyndale, Coverdale and the so-called “Bishops’ Bible” which had been introduced in Elizabeth’s reign to counteract the perceived Puritan leanings of the Geneva Bible, written by English refugees from Queen Mary’s Catholic reign. Both James 1 and Archbishop Bancroft were hoping for a translation of the Bible which authenticated the ecclesiology of the Anglican church and its Episcopal structures. What they also got was a literary work of art, whose resonant phrases and poetic cadences would echo down the years.

Henry Savile lost his only son during his work on the Bible, and would devote the rest of his life mainly to a translation of the complete works of the early Christian Father of the church St John Chrysostom, which he published in eight folios privately at great expense. He also founded and generously funded two professorships at Oxford - in geometry and astronomy - which exist to this day and died at Eton College on 19th February, 1622. He was buried in a simple tomb in the chapel there but his widow constructed a fine mural monument to him in Merton College. He had come a long way from his roots in Elland.

Franciscanism for non- Franciscans

2011-02-19T14:13:00.000Z

S.Francis and the Franciscan Tradition belong to the whole Church: Interesting reading here. Not for the first time, it is the Daily Prayer Book of the Society of St Francis that sows the seeds.

Mind the Gap

2011-02-18T19:43:00.000Z

(This is a version of a paper written a few years ago as part of the Franciscan Third Order Study Initiative. More Information and papers here )

MIND THE GAP – A REFLECTION ON A FRANCISCAN UNDERSTANDING OF COLLABORATIVE MINISTRY

As the life of the Christian in the Church became common, humdrum, ordinary, people began to think of and look at the clergy and those living in vows as if they alone were the genuine, 100% believers.

Prompted by both a radical, exciting re-discovery of the theology of the ministry of all the baptized, and by the practical steps necessary in the face of the numerical decline of the stipendiary priesthood, new patterns of Collaborative Ministry are emerging within the Church of England. They aim to enable and encourage all the people of God in the life of Christian discipleship, whilst looking to develop new initiatives in ministry and mission within the Church. This essay is an attempt to ask if a Franciscan emphasis may shed light on this process. A brief overview of Francis’ model and how that subsequently developed will be followed by some reflection on the contemporary situation within SSF, and a consideration of pointers for the future.

Francis exploded upon a struggling and moribund Church, yet he seems to have understood the radicalism of his call as a re-call to the true roots of the tradition. Giovanna Casagrande, reflecting particularly on the stream of the early sources represented by Thomas of Celano, understands Francis, in taking the habit, making a statement as a lay penitent-hermit, surrounded by his little brothers who were principally laymen, in opposition to contemporary monastic developments placing the vowed life in institutional settings. He sums up Francis’ mission thus

From both versions of the Letter to the Faithful, we can deduce the essence of penance in terms of behaviour and attitudes: love of God, neighbour and enemies; mercy, charity and almsgiving; hatred of the body with its vices and sins; confession of sins, reception of the sacrament of the Eucharist, and respect for the priests who administer it; humility rather than ambition; not serving the world through the desires of the flesh, cares, ambitions; fasting, abstinence from vices and from an excess of food and drink.

Add to this the injunctions against oath taking and the bearing of arms in the (recreated) 1221 Rule of the Third Order, and a picture of equality before God in penance begins to emerge. Francis himself, however, struggled to keep his rights as ‘keeper of the vision,’ contributing to the administrative and spiritual tensions within the Orders both before and after his death.

The Kalendar of the Church of England, though interestingly not that of the Roman Catholic Church, preserves the tradition of regarding Francis as a deacon; he is described as ‘Friar, deacon and Founder of the Friars Minor,’ the evidence for this relying almost entirely on Thomas of Celano’s account, subsequently used by Bonaventure, of the gift of the Crib at Greccio, where Francis certainly acted as a deacon in proclaiming the Gospel. (There is also the tantalising evidence of the contemporary frescoes at S.Benedict’s Monastery at Subiaco.) Certainly Francis’ authority seems to have rested on charism rather than ordination, an unusual but not unique situation in the medieval church.

Laurentio C.Landini, in a marvellous ‘whodunnit’, traces the clericalization of the emergent Orders. The rule of 1223 states, ‘Let them be called Friars Minor’, a statement of equality testifying to the evangelical, lay basis of the first fraternity. He concludes however, that the Order had no alternative to such clericalization, if it was to survive in the atmosphere of a heresy hunting church under economic pressure, without a theology of lay discipleship. Francis placed his Orders at the feet of the Church to do with as they wished, and, notwithstanding the courage of Clare of Assisi, that is what the church did! The brothers contributed to a centralising Papal tradition, and as the Order of Penitents developed into the Third Order, it became an umbrella for some very odd communities.

The date of Landini’s work is crucial; in the wake of Vatican II, Roman Catholic communities looked to their roots for patterns of renewal. Within the Franciscan family in communion with the See of Rome is an astonishing diversity, and understandings of Francis and of Franciscanism of which, as Anglicans, we are sometimes only able to catch partial and potentially misleading echoes. Authority and access to decision making within the Catholic Franciscan family, still lies principally with those who are ordained. There seems to be a general feeling among many contemporary Franciscans that the various branches of OFM have missed an opportunity; even the constitution of the Secular Franciscan Order clearly implies that it can only function with priestly beneficence!

Within the Anglican Religious tradition, the Franciscan life is relatively young, meaning that only now is SSF beginning to face the challenges that many other communities faced in the 1960s. The communities that coalesced into SSF seem to have resisted the temptation to simply recreate an idealised medieval ‘age of faith’; the somewhat eccentric combination of the evangelical Brother Douglas, with Fr.Algy’s catholicism and the depth of spirituality of Fr.Andrew SDC represent a gift to the church for which many of us are grateful still. Peta Dunstan traces the story of the opening up to office without regard to Ordination; yet perhaps we should also consider words recorded in Brian Taylor’s conclusion to his work on the origins of English Anglican Religious, “there is still much of the atmosphere of an English public school in a lot of communities.”

Over the last 40 years, increasing numbers of First Order brothers and sisters within SSF and CSF have been ordained, a situation not without tension, while within TSSF, offices are of course open to all professed members. I am aware of a number of priests for whom the living out of the TSSF Rule became a significant and formative point in discerning a vocation to priesthood. The language of vocation now rightly belongs to all the baptized, and indeed, ought to remain central in our own formation as members of a religious order. The necessary tension but unfortunate confusion within TSSF of loyalty to the Rule balanced with our own personal opportunities and needs does seem to lead to a levelling out, an assumption that our needs in meeting together are the same. In the April 2003 Third Order Network, Dick Bird contributed some thoughts reflecting on the possibility of separate interest groups within TSSF; the article met a critical response in a subsequent issue, yet as a one time member of just such a ‘Franciscan clergy cell’, I can pay tribute to the value of such an arrangement.

In conclusion to this brief survey, it is worth asking, which Francis do we wish to model? Whichever one we choose will of course say as much about us as about Francis. In a recent work, Laurence S. Cunningham argues against ‘Francis-lite’, i.e. the Francis that comforts rather than challenges. Francis was neither evangelical protestant nor new age messiah, but an orthodox figure who loved the creation because he loved the incarnate Christ, who composed the Canticle of the Creatures in the face of intense suffering, who became at La Verna a living, stigmatized icon of the crucified in both the brutality of human pain and the reality of divine redemption. Yet we can only encounter lofty theological truths in our common life with our brothers and sisters. There is a genuine Franciscan tradition that sees ministry as an activity to which all brothers and sisters are called, though the pattern of that ministry will vary between individuals because of vocation, context and opportunity.

A Churchyard Oddity

2011-02-12T10:50:00.000Z

While taking some pictures for yesterday's blog post, I came across this unusual stone, now forming a part of the path in the lower churchyard, but undoubtedly moved there from elsewhere.

It reads 'Ebenezer Clegg and John Crosland Church Wardens of Elland 1736'. The cutting, though uneven, seems to have had at least as much effort put into it as some contemporary Grave markers near by, suggesting it was not meant as a temporary sign. I presume it was a marker, or a Boundary post, especially as the extent of the Churchyard was once much greater, going over where Huddersfield Road is now.

The View from Here

2011-02-11T20:11:00.001Z

A view that has not been seen as clearly for some years. Thanks to Calderdale Council's work over recent days, much of the undergrowth around the east end of S.Marys has been cleared away. The graveyard has technically been closed for well over 100 years, and its maintenance demands have gradually got too much for us in recent times, despite sterling work by some dedicated individuals.

These pictures were taken earlier today, in poor light. Though there is still work to do in restoring this area, we have been able to take a significant step forward. Over the other side of Huddersfield Road, behind the photographer's back, as it were, is the disputed site on which Morrisons have applied to build a new supermarket; an application not without controversy, but which does seem to be supported by most people in Elland. It will certainly go a long way towards regenerating a forgotten part of this Town.

Last night we held an Open Meeting within the Deanery, a consultation on the Draft Measure that has been sent from General Synod to the Dioceses, that will permit the Consecration of Women as Bishops in the Church of England. An excellent turn out heard two very different presentations, one in favour of the Measure, one not, but both speakers charitably and constructively wishing to engage with each other, not simply to win debating points. Wherever we begin from, conditions our view of things, even though we may be standing much nearer to each other than we think. Although we struggled a little to understand the Synod-Legalese in which the measure is cast, there was, on the whole, a commendable willingness to remember that we are fellow members one of another, and of the Body of Christ, and not rivals or opponents. A Vote was taken, the result clearly in favour of the Measure, though not by the necessary majority to pass were it any more than advisory. Clearly a number who are not necessarily against the principle, are not sure that this is the right way to go about it.

Its all kicking off very soon however. Tomorrow, finally, a new Super League season begins, 4 games

tomorrow, 3 on Sunday, all televised live from Cardiff, the Magic Weekend. As they say, Bring it on..

The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

2011-02-02T20:18:00.002Z

Sometimes, its just about turning up, particularly when you don't want to, and especially rewarding if you are generally not feeling up to going out, or know there are 1001 things waiting on your desk...

We moved our Parish Celebration of The Feast of the Presentation, popularly known as Candlemass, to last Sunday. That ought to make today, 2nd February, an Ordinary Day, a Feria, in the language of the Church's Kalendar, but it seemed more appropriate to use our Wednesday Morning Eucharist at S.Mary's, which follows the Prayer-Book Tradition, to bring out an often neglected aspect of that Feast: Mary's Thanksgiving after Childbirth, or, as the Prayer Book calls it, the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

From S.Mary's East Window: the 19th Century Purification panel on the right, alongside a 15th Century panel depicting the Annunciation to St Anne

Following that there was an opportunity to catch up with Wendy, Head of our Church School. This is an uneasy time for many Calderdale Schools, not least with huge changes in Budgets, and with widespread job losses in Children and Young People's Services. Increasingly, Schools will need to come together to source and purchase the support and specialist skills that Local Authorities will be increasingly unable to provide.

An afternoon session in the Hospice, some time with Staff, some with the Day Hospice Guests, the Multi-Disciplinary Meeting, and pretty much by accident, as I wandered around aimlessly, a conversation where, for once, I was the right person in the right place.

Lord, now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace...

Tomorrow will bring an opportunity to meet Ben, a Mirfield Ordinand who will be undertaking a pastoral placement with us, followed by a Deanery Clergy Chapter Meeting, and the Parish Safeguarding Group undertaking our Annual Review.

St Thomas Aquinas

2011-01-28T19:19:00.001Z

Today we have given thanks for St Thomas Aquinas, priest, Dominican, Teacher of the Faith, the 'Angelic Doctor'. Despite the historic rivalries of Franciscans and Dominicans, the sons of St Francis were told always to regard the sons of St Dominic with true Christian Charity. So, to be true to my Franciscan heritage, I have duly spent part of today reading St Thomas, and have come across these gems. My source tells me they are among the most well known and well loved in the whole of Christendom; I confess to never having seen them before! In reparation, I will now add them to that eclectic collection of prayers I try to use regularly.

A Prayer before Study

Grant to me, O most merciful God,

that I might ardently love,

prudently ponder,

rightly acknowledge

and perfectly fulfill all that is pleasing to you,

for the praise and glory of your name. Amen.

Holy Cross, my certain salvation,

Holy Cross, may I ever adore,

Holy Cross of the Lord be with me,

Holy Cross, my refuge, for ever. Amen.

St Thomas Aquinas, ora pro nobis!

The Canon Winter Centre takes shape

2011-01-15T15:02:00.001Z

A few pictures taken this morning, the outside in heavy rain, to show the progress so far in the redevelopment of the Lower Vestry at All Saints Church, to form the Canon Winter Centre.

After many years planning and fund-raising, it is good to see this long-cherished project finally beginning to come to fruition.

On the Ninth Day of Christmass

2011-01-02T20:18:00.001Z

Recent silence on this blog has been the usual late Advent and Christmasss-tide mixture of illness and a little too much to do at times, or as Father Dougal said to Father Ted, 'great, what have we got today, Ted- Mass, Confessions and stuff?' One of the lovely things about the Parish of Elland is that we are able to observe the Liturgical Year without needing to keep moving Festivals to the nearest Sunday, which will perhaps, have made us one of the relatively few Parishes not keeping today as the Epiphany. Instead, confident of a reasonable turn out on Thursday evening, (7.30pm at All Saints since you asked), today has been the 2nd Sunday of Christmass, the first Lord's Day of the Year of Our Lord 2011, and has included a Christmass Wedding, as we have sent Andy and Emma on their way with a suitably seasonal and joyful celebration.

There are 12 days of Christmass, and I am doing my best to celebrate our Lord's Incarnation by continuing to over-eat and drink on each one of them; I would not be defending the faith in its fullness were I to do otherwise. We have duly observed the Feasts of S.Stephen, S.John the Divine, the Holy Innocents, S.Thomas Becket, the Holy Family and the Holy Name with faithful congregations. S.Nicholas has has rewarded me for being such a good boy over the last year with plentiful supplies of book tokens, some of which the good booksellers of the City of York have already benefited from, including a rare collection of Philip Larkin's prose, which has taken a lot of tracking down. I remain enough of a dinosaur to enjoy looking for books, rather than simply ordering from certain t'internet sites, and to enjoy finding unexpected ones in unexpected places. We have also been taught, as a family, not to take Sister Water for granted. She is, as S.Francis reminds us, 'most humble, useful, precious, chaste,' and was, for 6 whole days, held up by frozen pipes to the Rectory, meaning every last drop had to be carted over from a fortunately still working pipe in the nearby Church Hall.

Elsewhere the New Year, has already witnessed the usual range of atrocity and human hatred. Squabbling continues over the so-called Ordinariate, with a general lack of graciousness that can only harm the Body of Christ. Leeds United have continued to contrive to throw away winning positions and settling for draws, but at least the mighty Leeds Rhinos beat local rivals Wakefield 40-22 in the New Year friendly, meaning that the season isn't too far away.

A Few More Pictures

2010-12-14T17:48:00.000Z

Many thanks to Howard Pickles for these photos.

The Dioceses Commission

2010-12-10T13:34:00.000Z

Although a Northerner, I am not a Yorkshireman. I am quite content to be here however, having lived here for longer than anywhere else. All my ordained ministry has been in the Dioceses of Ripon and Wakefield, I am an Honorary Canon of a Yorkshire Cathedral, and, the one element of which I am most proud, my youngest Son is a born and bred Tyke. (A Loiner to be precise). None of this necessarily gives me any particular insight into the newly released report of the Church of England's Dioceses Commission, planning future patterns for the Yorkshire Dioceses, but it does mean I am interested.

The heart of the Report proposes a newly enlarged Diocese of Wakefield, principally covering the existing Dioceses of Ripon & Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield, with a number of Parishes geographically 'on the edge' being asked to consider where they might best belong. There is a fairly decent summary of the whole 120 pages here. Much comment has followed online, but not much from within the Dioceses concerned. They are either taking time to read and reflect, or ignoring what is being said elsewhere; after all, as Yorkshire and England cricket great Fred Trueman said in another context, 'not from Yorkshire? Then its nowt to do wi'thee.'

This morning,a paper copy of the Report came crashing through my letter-box, startling the cats. No doubt, others are going to be startled by some aspects of it. It is too early to say whether or not this is the right way forward, but I think the members of the Commission deserve some recognition; firstly because they have listened (I was part of a group that met with them earlier this Year), and secondly, because they have come up with a scheme that is practical, and provides a good basis for discussion within the three Ridings, and beyond.

Of Fayres and Festivals

2010-12-06T11:12:00.002Z

Despite the weather, or maybe even because of it, it is good to celebrate two very successful events, the Christmass Fayre at S.Mary's, and the Christmass Tree Festival at All Saints. A lot of hours put in, and real dedication shown by our own people to get everything ready, surprising numbers through the door, candles lit, prayers offered,..and money spent!
Many thanks to all, and to Alan Willington for these pictures from All Saints.

An Advent Musing

2010-11-24T18:57:00.002Z

It’s cold and wet, it seems to get dark around midday, and the heating needs to go on even earlier. Everyone you talk to seems depressed about the weather and the time of year. There is only one thing I can say in response to all this….and that’s ‘good’, for it means that Advent will soon be with us!

In Advent we look forward. In Advent, God’s people, are called to be people of hope, knowing that God is about to act. We will re-tell the story of the Patriarchs and the Prophets, until history brings us to a point in time where God acted to share our human lives. Jesus, the Son of God, was born of Mary in the stable at Bethlehem, come to share our humanity, with all its joys and sorrows, and through his death and resurrection, to lift up all that is human into the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven. If that seems a lot to grasp, it means we are never left alone, that there is always a meaning, purpose and dignity to every human life, however difficult the way may seem.

Alongside those difficult times, perhaps life can seem just grey, or a little obscure. Advent is an opportunity to listen again to God’s promises, but if we are really to do that, it will need a little discipline and determination, for there are so many other noises ready to drown it all out. Perhaps the real shame of this time of year is not the over-commercialisation, but that it is so easy to get dragged down onto the trivial and the irrelevant. So, here is a very simple Advent exercise.

You can read this all at one go, or at a few sittings, but spend some time with the Book of Isaiah, chapters 40 to 55. This section, often known as ‘second Isaiah’, was written at a time of exile, when the homeland of the people of God has ceased to exist and Jerusalem has been destroyed. Yet God will not forget his people, and out of the darkness emerges the promises of the Messiah, come to serve and save his people.

There will be a number of Readings from Isaiah during Advent, forming a backdrop as we look forward. On Christmass Day we will hear these words, drawing together the heart of the message,

Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem,

For the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. (Isaiah 52.9)

Enjoy the carols and the glitter by all means, but may there be a little time for sharing in the spiritual pilgrimage of the season.

May the Lord when he comes find us watching and waiting,

2010-10-15T19:44:00.002+01:00

Friday, and the early Mass was preceded today by an unusual game of 'Hunt the Chasuble.' The Sacristy at All Saints is being decorated, which means the entire contents of that Tardis-like space are now arranged temporarily in the Chancel, behind the main/nave Altar. Once suitable vesture was found, we gave thanks for the formidable Carmelite and Teacher of the Faith, S.Teresa of Avila, author not only of the famous bookmark, but also of the line , From silly devotions and sour-faced saints, Good Lord, Deliver me; an essential prayer for catholics of all traditions. We also made a commemoration of the Anniversary of the Translation of the Image of Our Lady of Walsingham, recorded on this well known picture, as the Image was moved from the Parish Church to the newly built Holy House, in 1931.

From the Collect: ..aided by her (Mary's) Intercession with your Son, we might walk the pilgrim way of faith and so come to our home in heaven.

After a fairly gruelling but not untypical week, much of the rest of today has been spent playing catch up, especially in the preparation and addressing of Invitations to the November Memorial Services, and All Souls Requiems.

Pursuing the blessed relief of the trivial round, the common task, I did find time also to clear out the front of the garage, and take a car load of stuff up for recycling. Having changed out of clericals to do this, as inevitably it can be a grimy task, occasioned a variety of insults; our local RC priest spied me, and decided to announce that I appeared to have put on a little weight, while a (lay) colleague from the Hospice Chaplaincy Team, calling round to collect the Blessed Sacrament and make arrangements for this afternoons visits, informed me he had never seen me without a Clerical Collar, and that I looked almost human.

Someone obviously needs to get a life...I have a horrible feeling it's me....

Scarecrow Showtime

2010-10-15T10:53:00.001+01:00

Pictures from Scarecrow Showtime, another successful Scarecrow Festival at St Mary's Church.

Many Thanks to all concerned for their hard work!

Collated, Licensed and Installed..(but not canonised!)

2010-10-14T14:00:00.003+01:00

For your support and encouragement, thank you.

September

2010-09-01T18:59:00.001+01:00

September, a new School year, a new start for various Organisations, and, the return of lots of meetings!

This month we look forward to S.Mary’s Patronal Festival Weekend, and to our Churches’ involvement in the National Heritage Weekend, and Treasures Revealed.

During the 8 years that I have worked in Elland, I have lost count of the number of conversations I have had with people who visit one of our church buildings for the first time. Some have been Elland folk all their lives, who might say, ‘I always wondered what this church was like.’ Some have perhaps moved to the area recently, and are beginning to get to know what is going on. Some might have come along to a special service, a Baptism, or a Wedding, or a Funeral. Others may have come to an event or exhibition that we are hosting, or to one of our regular Sunday or Weekday services, or just popped in on the off chance when the building is open.

Whatever the reason, people often speak warmly of what they find, and I hope they always feel welcome. Some visitors will simply come along and admire the architecture. Others will want to know a little about how the building has evolved over the years, responding to different needs and opportunities. Some will look at the details of statues, or stained glass windows, the great hanging crosses, the screen, or the Stations of the Cross. Others will be fascinated by those little details that tell the story of the people of our communities, gravestones, memorial plaques and the like. Some will have a great sense of how all of human life is to be found there, with its joys and its sorrows – for churches are places of both mourning and celebration. Some may want information to guide them, and may join us at one of our regular acts of worship.

Many will be moved to light a candle, a sign of hope, of warmth and of prayer, and to perhaps write a few words, and place them on the prayer board. We pray for our guests and visitors regularly, and offer the requests for prayer that they leave. Whatever reason, we are welcome in the House of God, a place of peace for all.

The Blessing of Eric Treacy

2010-08-27T20:16:00.003+01:00

To Pickering today, and a journey over the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Whitby, behind 'Black 5' 45428 Eric Treacy, named after a former Bishop of Wakefield and Railway Photographer, and re-dedicated this morning by the current Bishop, with Bishop David Hope in attendance, (just visible in the Engine cab in this shot:)

The text for the Bishop's Address: Isaiah 6.1-3: 'I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the Temple...

A Grand day Out!

Honorary Canon

2010-08-10T20:46:00.001+01:00

Thank You for so many kind words and good wishes following the announcement that the Bishop has invited me to become an Honorary Canon of Wakefield Cathedral. The Installation will take place during Choral Evensong at the Cathedral on Sunday, 10th October, at 6.30pm, and there is an open invitation to all to be present at that Service.

Living with Dying

2010-08-04T20:18:00.000+01:00

Sometimes a line or two just jumps out, and stays with you for a few days. I read these words last week by Grace Sheppard, writing of the life and death of her husband, David, one time Bishop of Liverpool:

We all have to die one day. The important thing is to be
ready, and then we can get on with living.

End of the School Year

2010-07-16T20:40:00.001+01:00

After a week of General Synod generated hurt, misunderstanding, vitriol, confusion and uncertainty, how refreshing it was today to step well away from Church politics, and take part in two End of School Year services; one at St Chad's School Hove Edge, to which I was invited as Rural Dean as they await their new priest, and the second at our own Elland Church of England School. Two groups of Year 6 children, celebrating and remembering how far they have come, and looking to the future. Best wishes to all our Staff and young people at Elland for a safe and happy holiday, and a big thank you to Freda McGowan, our Head, as she retires, to Jane Ashley for being a brilliant acting Head, and to all the Staff for their hard work and dedication this year.

General Synod

2010-07-07T20:13:00.000+01:00

In the run up to the July Sessions of General Synod, as politics, posturing and position taking seem to have pushed out prayer, a modest contribution: a prayer that has been used in this Parish over the last few months

Heavenly Father, you have promised by your Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth.
We ask for the gift of your Spirit, for guidance and grace for the Church of England at this time.
Bless our Bishops, and all who have difficult decisions to make.
Teach us to respect and honour the convictions of others that are sincerely held, even if we cannot agree with them.
When the way ahead seems difficult or uncertain, help us to hold on to your love, from which we cannot be parted, by life or by death;
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hanging Baskets Festival

2010-07-06T11:57:00.000+01:00

Thank You to all at St.Mary's who contributed to a very successful weekend, a Flower Festival with a difference - The Hanging Baskets Festival.

More Pictures from Mara

2010-07-05T20:20:00.000+01:00

A School to Celebrate

2010-07-02T12:59:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to all at Elland Church of England School: For the Award of the Inclusion Quality Mark, (the first Primary School in Calderdale to receive it), and the re-award of the Investors in People Accreditation, both awards presented today, at a special Assembly by Jane Donaldson, Calderdale’s Director of Childrens and Young Peoples Services. We have also had another superb Pantomime this week, ‘Dick Whittington and his Cat’: well done to all. We know there is much to celebrate about our School, and it is good to know others recognise it as well!

2010-07-01T19:31:00.001+01:00

All Saints Anglican Church, Nyasura, Diocese of Mara

Pictures from our Link Parish, as they celebrate the Dedication of their new Church by the Archbishop of Tanzania. The cost of the Altar and decoration of the Church has been met by the Parish of Elland.

In the words of Frances, the Parish Secretary, 'Praise The Lord Jesus Christ brethren in Elland!'

2010-06-29T18:04:00.001+01:00

More pictures from last weekend's celebrations:

2010-06-28T15:26:00.002+01:00

A Glorious Weekend

Bishop Stephen and Father Matthew, pictured after the Ordination to the Priesthood, Saturday 26th June, at Wakefield Cathedral.

Fr Matthew pictured in All Saints yesterday, after having celebrated his First Mass, for the Guidance of the Holy Spirit. Exhilarated and exhausted, at the conclusion of the individual blessings! The red vestments are the gift of the Parish. Here he is pictured with his mother, Susan, the Vicar of Drighlington, Preacher at his First Mass. A memorable weekend for all.

2010-06-19T12:21:00.002+01:00

Today is officially the final day of the Pope's Year for Priests. For the Parish of Elland, an appropriate time to reflect on some Anniversaries of Ordination. Fr Laurence has just marked 57 years in the priesthood, Fr Michael 47 years. Together with it being some 21 years since my own priesting, this weekend marks 3 years since Fr Philip was ordained, and, I suppose, the end of his Curacy, though as he is a 'self-supporting priest', we are delighted that his future ministry continues to be with us. It is good to remember also in our prayers, Fr John Leonard, of St Patrick's RC Church in Elland, who has just marked his Golden Jubilee.

We look forward to next weekend: on Saturday, Fr Matthew will be ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Stephen in Wakefield Cathedral, and will celebrate his First Mass next Sunday, at 4pm in All Saints, at which the preacher will be his mother, The Rev'd Susan Askey. We will pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon his priestly ministry, and upon us all, that we may be renewed as faithful Christian Disciples of Our Lord.

In a Homily to mark the conclusion of the Year, Pope Benedict has reminded us of St John Vianney, the Cure d'Ars, Patron of Priests. He has reminded us also that the year must mark a renewing and a purity in priestly life. At the end of a difficult year in the light of ongoing abuse scandals, and the continual revealings of deep divisions in the life of the Church, surely all can aspire to that.

A few years ago, Mayhews published a series of little books by Fr Graham Jeffery, intended to be a priest's encouragement and companion. From time to time I return to them, for he is simply one of those priests with the ability to find a few words, to say all that needs to be said. In thanksgiving for the gift of Priesthood, but with a deep sense as well of my own inadequacy, I pray

Help me to remember your agenda Lord,
Not the building up of your church,
but the building of your Kingdom.
Not the spreading of our faith,
but the spreading of your faith in us,
not the deepening of the sense of our guilt,
but the deepening of the sense of your love,
each of us so precious to your Kingdom.

2010-05-24T11:35:00.003+01:00

14 Weddings this year, between our two Churches, as well as a couple of Blessings. Every one different, every one unique, bride and groom with their hopes, dreams and fears. Each one a privilege to plan for, and a great day to share in, but you will understand if one particular Wedding this year will stand out in the memory for a long time. Chris, our eldest son, married Sally at All Saints last Saturday, and I was humbled and honoured to be asked to officiate, and to pray for God's blessing on them.

Heartfelt thanks to everyone at All Saints, and to the good folk at Pennine Manor who made the day go so well, and here is the proud mother of the groom, together with Harry Thomas, our niece's son.

So how do we round off the perfect weekend: by seeing the mighty Leeds Rhinos defeat some blokes from Bradford, that's how...

2010-05-17T19:44:00.002+01:00

Confirmation

Emma, Anna, Lucy, Alice and Dominique, together with Fr Philip (on the left), Fr Matthew (on the right), and the blogging priest in the middle, after celebrating their Confirmation and First Holy Communion, with Bishop Stephen, in Wakefield Cathedral last Saturday.

Lost in meditation, Fr Matthew appears to be contemplating his return in a few weeks to the Cathedral, for his Ordination to the Priesthood.

2010-04-28T20:18:00.002+01:00

A New Franciscan Office Book (Part One)

Quietly slipping onto Amazon and Church House Bookshops Lists this week, but available shortly after Easter direct from Hilfield Friary, a new Office Book for use by all three Orders of The Society of St Francis. Previous books, containing orders for the Divine Office, (Morning, Midday, Evening and Night Prayer), plus a host of extra material, have been well received and much used throughout the Church; the 1981 version cropped up all over the place, (no doubt because the Orders in the Alternative Service Book were so unhelpful), while the 1992 book, published in two slightly differing forms as The Daily Office SSF, and Celebrating Common Prayer, was a joint work between the Franciscans and a number of interested Anglican Liturgists. It is still treasured by some, (available online here), and taught English Anglicans a new, generous understanding of the practice and purpose of Daily Prayer. Many of the insights gained from using these books contributed to Common Worship: Daily Prayer (preliminary version 2002, authorised version 2005), which, in a competitive market where denominational loyalties do not necessarily count, has quickly become the prayer book of choice for the majority of clergy and parishes, and, if the sales figures are a reliable guide, for many others, notwithstanding the persistence of the Book of Common Prayer, and the Roman Breviary in some places.

For Deacons and Priests, celebrating Morning and Evening Prayer every day is a key part of our identity, along with the Daily Mass, the deep roots of both corporate and personal prayer. Because of its roots, and its pattern of prayer 4 times a day, Common Worship: Daily Prayer (CW:DP) has a Franciscan feel in many places, and we have used it in here in Elland since it was published. Broadly speaking, its compilers intended to take the best from the 2 approaches to the Daily Office that have featured through the Christian centuries, the 'peoples' Office, (movement, ceremony, lots of repeated items and relatively small amount of Psalmody and Bible Readings) and the 'monastic', (static, lots of options, Psalms, Readings)

As a Franciscan, there are aspects of the second that I miss, when using CW:DP, firstly the Invitatories, (sentences said at the beginning of Morning Prayer, inviting us to worship), which CW:DP has either flattened (in Seasons)or removed (in Ordinary Time); secondly, the invariable 'alleluia', at the end of the Gloria, which CW:DP either ignores (Ordinary Time) or puts elsewhere, and thirdly, the Kyries, or Shorter Litany, which CW:DP has removed in favour of responses familiar from the Eucharist. I am delighted to see that all three persist in the new Daily Office SSF.

The structure of the new book is refreshing, though taking a little time to get used to. After the 7 forms of Morning, Midday, Evening and Night Prayer, the sections of the book are arranged in a progressive, logical form - first the Psalter, then the canticles, then the Collects and sentences for the sanctorale (saints days) and temporale (Church Year). Anglican Books tend to arrange things the other way around, with the Psalter at the back. The versions used for Psalter and Canticles have been brought in line with CW:DP, best described as an attempt to be contemporary but dignified, following the NRSV Bible. On the whole they read well and rhythmically, with only the occasional jarring word or phrase. After the need to offer the Church a wider form of daily Prayer with the 1992 version, this definitely seems to be a distinctly Franciscan book, with Midday Prayer in particular using prayers from both Francis himself, and from within the Franciscan tradition.

I am beginning to use the Book for those times, mostly Evening Prayer, when my colleagues and I don't currently pray together, and will return to this topic soon.

2010-04-26T20:07:00.000+01:00

All Quiet on the Western Front

Too quiet on here, so a Reader tells me. Easter days have passed in a haze of joyful Paschal Liturgies, together with Weddings, Baptisms, Annual Meetings and Funerals, or, to put it another way, the everyday stuff of a parish priest. There have also been a myriad bits and pieces for our Vacant Parishes, arranging cover and (more) Annual Meetings, and 24 hours away in Ilkley trying to learn how to be a Rural Dean. One Son has celebrated his 18th Birthday, while another prepares for his forthcoming Marriage, (via the stag weekend in Edinburgh at the Rugby League.)

As the May Bank Holiday weekend approaches, we are busy preparing for the All Saints Art Festival, and to welcoming new and returning visitors. The 'home team' work tremendously hard to put all this on, together with the good will of the Artists whose work we exhibit.

The following weekend we are off down the A1 and the A17, for the Parish Pilgrimage to Walsingham.

We already have many prayers to offer, many candles to be left at the feet of Our Lady, for individuals in joy and in sorrow, for our Parish, as we try to move forward with our Transformational Plan, building on our strengths, aware of too many pressures, especially financial ones, and for our Anglican Church, in days of confusion and uncertainty.

God willing, we return from Walsingham spiritually refreshed, physically knackered, to host the Archdeacon's Visitation for the Calderdale Deaneries. I have been ordained long enough to have caught the last echoes of the system whereby, as a very junior Diocesan Deacon/Priest, I was formally summoned to the Archdeacons Court of Visitation (togther with the rest of the serving Diocesan Clergy), the letter bearing some terrible threat about what was to be done to my members and appurtenances, if I failed to appear. Sadly however, I don't recall the then Archdeacon of Leeds wearing Gaiters.

2010-04-23T20:10:00.000+01:00

To Pray is to Serve

The ladder of Christian prayer not only reaches to heaven and rests more firmly on earth. More than that, it unites heaven and earth very closely, because the ladder is Jesus, the Incarnate Lord. In him, through him, we share today in the prayers and praises of the blessed saints in heaven. In him. through him, we touch with our prayers the sins and sorrows of humankind. And in him, through him, our prayers shall be made one in him, as he is in the Father in the bond of the Holy Ghost. To whom be glory, praise and thanksgiving from angels and from all people, now and for evermore.

-Archbishop Michael Ramsey, who died on this day in 1988; from a sermon preached at the Consecration of the new Chapel at St Mary's Abbey, West Malling, 1966.

2010-03-30T18:25:00.000+01:00

Invitation to the Easter Liturgy

On Easter Sunday, 4th April, at 5.30am in All Saints Church, we celebrate the Easter Liturgy. This Involves:

The Lighting of the New Fire, the Blessing of the Paschal Candle, the Vigil of Readings, the ‘Sounding’ before the Gloria (please bring rattles, bells etc.),
the Renewal of Baptism and the first Holy Communion of Easter.

and is followed by the Easter Breakfast at about 7am.

The Easter Vigil is the most important Mass of the Church’s year, and the first celebration of the Eucharist during the fifty-day long celebration of Easter, the Queen of Seasons. It is this service to which every other Eucharist points during the year.

We gather as dawn breaks, in the cloisters at All Saints, where a bonfire, the Easter fire is blessed by the celebrant. This new fire symbolizes the radiance of the Risen Christ dispelling the darkness of sin and death. The Paschal Candle is then marked, blessed and lit. This Paschal Candle will be used throughout the Season of Easter, remaining by the altar, and throughout the coming year at baptisms and funerals, reminding us of Christ, who is light and life.

Once the Candle has been lit, it is carried by a deacon into the Church, itself in complete darkness, stopping three times to chant an acclamation, ‘The Light of Christ', to which the people respond 'Thanks be to God'. As the candle proceeds through the Church, all present (i.e. those who have received the ‘Light of Christ’) light candles, from the light of the Paschal Candle. As this symbolic ‘Light of Christ’ spreads throughout those gathered, the darkness is diminished.

Once the Candle has been placed on its stand in the sanctuary, a deacon proclaims the Exsultet (the Easter Proclamation), after which we listen to a Vigil of Bible Readings, tracing our story, from Creation, to Exodus and Resurrection. The Gloria and Alleluia, from which we have refrained during Lent, are both joyfully restored to our Worship, before we process to the Font, singing the Litany of Saints, remembering our Christian family in heaven. Baptismal Vows are then renewed, for which we have been preparing during Lent, before the first Holy Communion of Easter. The Dismissal is accompanied by the lighting of a Paschal Candle for St Mary’s, so the Light of Christ can be proclaimed throughout our Parish.

It is both my privilege and my joy, to invite you to be present at this Service, which is for the whole Parish. In word and silence, in song and acclamation, in shared action and the gifts of God himself, we celebrate Christ, who has burst through the deep waters of death for us. It is to the death of Christ and his Resurrection, proclaimed in this dawn Liturgy, that all our worship looks, as it proceeds on Easter Morning, and throughout the Easter season. For this is the Queen of Seasons, as we reflect on the Resurrection appearances of Christ in the Gospel, and as we move towards the Festivals of the Ascension and Pentecost.

As our Lenten pilgrimage draws near its goal, may the Lord strengthen us, that we may stand with hope at the Foot of the Cross, and with wonder and joy with Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb. May we celebrate with love the joyful 50 days of Easter, the Great Sunday.

Grant, Lord, that we who are baptized into the death
of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
may continually put to death our evil desires and be buried with him;
and that through the grave and gate of death
we may pass to our joyful resurrection;
through his merits,
who died and was buried and rose again for us,
your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Your friend and priest,
Father David

2010-03-26T14:57:00.000Z

Our Lady of Sorrows

The 4th Station: All Saints, Elland

On this Friday of Passion Week a commemoration is made of Our Lady of Sorrows. May she pray for us, that we may follow her Son on the way to Calvary.

Sometimes this version of the Hail Mary is used:

Hail Mary, full of sorrow, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of compassion, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The 13th Station: All Saints, Elland

Lord Jesus Christ,

when you were raised upon the cross,

your mother Mary stood beside you in your passion:

may your Church, as it shares in your suffering and death,

come to share more deeply in your risen life;

for, with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

you are alive and reign,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

2010-03-12T14:17:00.001Z

Mothering Sunday

Our Lady of Elland (St Mary's)

Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her, says the Lord

We give thanks for our Holy Mother, the Church, and the spiritual Jerusalem; for the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God; for all mothers, and for all who care for children. The flowers offered to us are gifts from our Mother, the Church.

Our Lady of Elland (All Saints)

The Christian tradition for today is therefore much richer and more inclusive than the commercial Mothers’ Day; today we pray also for those whose experience of motherhood is difficult, or for families and relationships that are broken or estranged. Our life in community as Christians reminds us that we are all children of one Heavenly Creator, the God and Father of us all.

2010-03-08T20:03:00.001Z

Bishop Edward King

Only one place to be today. Lincoln, to mark 100 years since the heavenly birthday of Bishop Edward King. He has been described as 'the fragrant flower of the Oxford Movement', the renewal of catholic understanding within the Church in the 19th century. When I first went to the Diocese of Lincoln nearly a quarter of a Century ago, there were still one or two around who had been confirmed by him, and at the time, he was the 'newest' of the Saints in the Church's Kalendar. A number of us for whom priestly formation took place at the much missed Lincoln Theological College (never thought I'd write that!)found it almost inevitable that we should fall under his spell - and it is good to revisit his vision, courtesy, and sheer love of his Lord and his people

Archbishop Rowan has been in Lincoln to mark the Centenary, and it is difficult to find a better understanding of what Bishop Kng still means than this:

The Archbishop talks to Crosslincs (Diocese of Lincoln newspaper) about the legacy of Bishop Edward King.

While many Bishops of Lincoln have passed out of people's memories, just a few of the 71 bishops who have held the post remain firmly in the memories and observances of the Church of England.

But it is Edward King − perhaps even more than St Hugh − who remains steadfastly in the minds of the Church, particularly for his extraordinary capacity for pastoral energy and dedication.

So 100 years after his death, the Diocese of Lincoln will be honoured by an extended visit from the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams, who strongly believes that it is necessary to honour Edward King.

"Edward King reinvented two things in the 19th century," said the Archbishop.
"He reinvented pastoral theology − the whole science of training a clergy which was competent pastorally and humanly; clergy who had a sort of professionalism in care.

"And he reinvented what a diocesan bishop could be and do, I think, in terms of accessibility, concern for the poorest − not something that other 19th century bishops had ignored, but certainly something that he brought to the fore in a quite fresh way. I think that in both of the those ways he contributed enormously to what we now absolutely take for granted about the role of a priest and a bishop.

On his invitation from Gladstone to be Bishop of Lincoln, Edward King wrote to a friend: "I am glad it is John Wesley's diocese. I shall try to be the Bishop of the Poor. If I can feel that I think I shall be happy."

The Church has, of course, changed greatly from King's day, and I asked the Archbishop whether his legacy was still relevant, given the world we live in, or consigned to history.

"The Church has changed enormously, of course, but I hope it hasn't changed in those two respects," said the Archbishop. "I hope that it hasn't changed in taking absolutely seriously the need to have clergy who are deeply trained in prayer, in thinking and in the disciplines of caring for people. And I hope that we still believe that bishops ought to be that sort of person, that sort of apostolic, person-related character who can speak for those who are disadvantaged, who can uphold a really compelling vision of what the Church might be and what God's love is."

Edward King famously befriended and converted condemned prisoners in Lincoln Prison. In 1887 he heard about a young fisherman from Grimsby who had killed his girlfriend. The chaplain at the prison was having great difficulty in relating to the condemned man, and King intervened. He taught the prisoner about the "unseen realities of life and death, sin and forgiveness, and the Parable of the Prodigal Son." The young man was reportedly deeply moved, and was confirmed. Bishop King received his confession, and applied − unsuccessfully − to the Home Secretary to have the capital sentence commuted. King accompanied the prisoner to the scaffold, and sustained him with "strong prayers" until the trapdoor was opened. It would, however, be hard to imagine a diocesan bishop today being able to devote so much time to individual causes.

"I think it's certainly a job with different pressures," said the Archbishop.
"I should be very, very sad if I thought that the job as it is now has made it impossible for bishops to be that sort of person. I think we would have lost something absolutely essential to the nature of being a bishop. A bishop is not somebody who is separated from clergy by a whole load of administrative responsibilities. A bishop is a priest who has a certain number of extra symbolic, co-ordinating functions, but remains fundamentally a pastor in the Church."

In 1890 Edward King was tried before Archbishop Edward Benson for ritual practices, after a churchwarden from Cleethorpes witnessed the bishop celebrate the Eucharist at St Peter at Gowts Church in Lincoln. The Bishop faced eastwards away from the congregation, and at the Offertory he mixed water with the wine. At the absolution and the concluding blessing the Bishop faced the congregation and made the sign of the cross with upraised hand − all of which became usual practice within a few years.

J Hanchard's Sketch of the Life of Bishop King, with portrait lists what those opposed to his appointment felt: "By his continued connection with the English Church Union, we have the link which connects him with the Ultra-Ritualistic faction. From the approbation his Lordship has bestowed upon persistent law-breakers, we cannot feel any confidence that he will exercise his authority to stem the tide of unreasoning sacerdotalism. By the work he maintained at Cuddesdon; by his apparently sincere regard for Romish playthings; by the display of gaudy gew-gaws at his enthronement; and by his self-conscious vanity in sitting to be 'taken' for the admiration of 'the faithful' without even having sacrificed his whiskers to the Catholic razor, he is unquestionably assisting in 'digging the grave of the Establishment.'"

Dr Williams believes that the trial was an embarrassment to the Church, and only served to strengthen the affection with which Edward King was held.

"I think that after the Public Worship Regulation Act of 1874 there was a growing sense that the attempt to impose conformity on Church worship by the laws of Parliament was actually making both the Church and the state look rather silly," said the Archbishop. "King's trial brought that to a head, in a sense. Here was one of the holiest, most learned, most pastorally engaged, most involved bishops in the Church of England going through a ridiculous process, which everybody was embarrassed about.

"Archbishop Benson was clearly embarrassed about it, and I think that general embarrassment did teach Church and State something about the need to give the Church a little bit of room to work out its own disciplines on its own terms about worship, and to catch up with the flexibility and changes in worship practices that were going on on the ground."

The Archbishop said that there would always be a temptation for the Church to try and over-regulate worship. "We rightly believe that there are standards for public worship and that there are things that we have got to have in common and say in common and do in common," he said. "You can't just make it up as you go along. At the same time, what really speaks to people and transforms people and deepens their faith will change from one context to another.

"The Church of England learned that the hard way in the late 19th century by this series of rather daft experiments in control. King's trial, in a sense, showed the absurdity of it."

A century after King's death, the Church of England is a very different organisation, and I asked the Archbishop what he thought King would have felt about its development. "I think he would be amazed at the amount of paperwork and regulation that we've created for ourselves and that we've created in response to Government pressure," he said. "And I think he would be disappointed that we were focussed so much on rather short-term goals.

"King was a deep man, and he believed that clergy ought to have depth; that they ought to have the kind of training that allowed them to go deep in their own faith, and the resources of the tradition, and of the Bible, and I think he would have said that we're very much at risk of crowding that out, of creating people who are problem-solvers rather than thinkers and reflectors. "He would have said, in the words of somebody else, it's not High Church and Low Church that matter, it's deep Church."

Times change, and the Church in 2110 may not bear much resemblance to today's Church of England, but the Archbishop is certain that Bishop King will still provide an example in another 100 years.

"I hope that in 100 years' time the Church will still remember him with gratitude, and will remember how it was possible − even in a very stratified Victorian society − for somebody in his privileged position to be a trusted spokesman for the railway workers and the brick-makers, and all the people at the bottom of the heap in society," said the Archbishop. "I hope the Church will still think that that is part of what a bishop ought to do, and that the Church will still be working for the kind of depth and the kind of groundedness in spiritual integrity that belonged to Bishop King."

2010-03-05T21:16:00.001Z

Gethsemane

Images from his work 'Gethsemane', by my colleague and our Parish Deacon, Father Matthew Askey, currently on display in the All Souls' Chapel in All Saints Church.

Matthew writes, on his website: Utopia Park,

Gethsemane is conceived as a series of prayer meditations that make up a continuous narrative when seen as a whole, it is similar in structure to the Stations of the Cross. This series brings before us the events of Maundy Thursday evening in the Garden of Gethsemane; the turning point in Jesus’ ministry and the start of his Passion.

It is a key moment for Christians, the point where Jesus prays that God’s will be done and where he hands himself over to the officers, trusting that this is what is needed for him to realise his mission. Gethsemane is an intensely prayerful evening where Jesus shows what is needed (prayer) and where the disciples fail to rise to the challenge and sleep through the agony Jesus is experiencing as he humbles himself and confirms his destiny.

We are invited to take up this prayer in God’s eternity and join Jesus in the garden as he prays for all he holds dear, the future of his friends and the peace of mankind.

2010-02-27T18:01:00.009Z

The Dalesman's Litany, or why I am the Rector of 'ell.

It's hard when folks can't find the work where they've been bred and born

When I was young I always thought I'd bide 'midst roots and corn

But I've been forced to work in town so here's my litany

From Hull and Halifax and Hell, good Lord deliver me

A version by Dave Keddie of Bradford, of a song either written or collected by a Dr Moorman around 1900, The Dalesman's Litany tells the story of a lament for pre-industrial Yorkshire, its refrain, From Hull and Halifax and Hell, ( or from 'ull, 'alifax and 'ell) taking us as far back as a 16th Century Folk Song, The Beggar's Litany. At the time, both the Halifax area and the sea port of Hull reserved a particular form of justice for Coiners, those who doctored the legal coins of the Realm. In both places they faced execution, by hanging in Hull, and by the Gibbet, a primitive guillotine, in Halifax. (A replica of the Gibbet still sands on Gibbet Street, sadly it seems to have no part in the Town's Civic and Corporate identity...)

It is just possible that and 'ell in the refrain should be Elland, referring either to the settlement in Lower Calderdale, or to a contemporary Lord Savile of Elland, not noted for his compassion towards criminals, the Savile family roots being found in Elland.

Either way, as the Rector of Elland, it may just be I am the Rector of 'ell.

For a lovely version of The Dalesman's Litany sung by the late and much missed Tim Hart click here

It's hard when folks can't find the work where they've been bred and born

When I was young I always thought I'd bide 'midst roots and corn

But I've been forced to work in town so here's my litany

From Hull and Halifax and Hell, good Lord deliver me

When I was courting Mary Jane, the old squire he says to me

I've got no rooms for wedded folk, choose whether to go or to stay

I could not give up the girl I loved, so to town I was forced to flee

From Hull and Halifax and Hell, good Lord deliver me

I've worked in Leeds and Huddersfied and I've earned some honest brass

In Bradford, Keighley, Rotherham I've kept my bairns and lass

I've travelled all three Ridings round and once I went to sea

From forges, mills and coaling boats, good Lord deliver me

I've walked at night through Sheffield lanes, 'twas just as being in hell

Where furnaces thrust out tongues of fire and roared like the wind on the fell

I've sammed up coals in Barnsley pits with muck up to my knee

From Barnsley, Sheffield, Rotherham, good Lord deliver me

I've seen fog creep across Leeds bridge as thick as the Bastille soup

I've lived where folks were stowed away like rabbits in a coop

I've seen snow float down Bradford Beck as black as ebony

From Hunslet, Holbeck, Wibsey Stack, good Lord deliver me

But now that all our children have gone, to the country we've come back

There's forty mile of heathery moor 'twixt us and the coalpits' stack

And as I sit by the fire at night, I laugh and shout with glee

From Hull and Halifax and Hell the good Lord delivered me

2010-02-15T20:01:00.012Z

The Burial of the Alleluia

Alleluia, song of sweetness, voice of joy that cannot die;

alleluia is the anthem ever raised by choirs on high;

in the house of God abiding thus they sing eternally.

Alleluia thou resoundest, true Jerusalem and free;

alleluia, joyful mother,all thy children sing with thee;

but by Babylon's sad waters mourning exiles now are we.

Alleluia cannot always be our song while here below;

alleluia our transgressionsmake us for a while forgo;

for the solemn time is coming when our tears for sin must flow.

Therefore in our hymns we pray Thee, grant us, blessed Trinity,

at the last to keep Thine Easter, in our home beyond the sky,

there to Thee for ever singing alleluia joyfully.

A Rubric in Common Worship: Daily Prayer records:

On Shrove Tuesday, ‘Alleluia, alleluia’ may be added to the financial versicle and response at Evening Prayer. After Night Prayer on Shrove Tuesday, ‘Alleluia’ is not said again until Easter Day.

This is a remnant of the Burial of the Alleluia, a medieval ceremony that marked a certain amount of liturgical restraint during the season of Lent. Before the reform of the Church’s Calendar, JM Neale’s translation of a Latin Hymn, described simply as Before 11th Century in The English Hymnal, was set to be sung on Septuagesima, 70 days before Easter, when the Lenten mood of the Liturgy began. The version quoted here, from a translation in New English Praise, is suggested for use on the Sunday next before Lent.

A Liturgical farewell to the shout of praise, the restraint from Alleluia is a sign of the Church’s exile in this coming season of Lent. Medieval Liturgy, half religious ceremony, half pageant, found ways of literally burying a piece of parchment on which the word was inscribed, sometimes with musical notation. Sometimes the burial took place in the Churchyard, sometimes in the Easter Sepulchre, where it was joined by the Blessed Sacrament on Maundy Thursday, and a wooden cross on Good Friday, for all three had a part to play in the Easter Liturgy.

The musical notation gave the note for the Song of Triumph on Easter Day, for it is the joyful restoration of Alleluia, not its absence that is the point. When the Bishop presides at the Easter Vigil, a modern Roman Rubric suggests that, before the first Alleluia that precedes the Easter Gospel, a deacon should approach with the words, ‘’Most Reverend Father, I bring you a message of great joy, the message of Alleluia’. Liturgical restraint does not forbid the use of the word in other contexts of course; I treasure a story told by a priest friend, of how the choir in his first Parish practised for Easter Day by miming the word, not so much ‘He said Jehovah’, (Life of Brian fans), more don’t mention the Scottish Play, (or Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth, Simpsons fans.)

May the Lord of all compassion grant us grace to keep a holy and joyful Lent.

Let us Bless the Lord, Alleluia, Alleluia

Thank be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia.

2010-02-11T14:18:00.004Z

Snow has fallen, Snow on Snow..
Well, not really today, just the briefest of flurries, but it does give me the excuse to post this wonderful picture of All Saints Elland, taken just before Christmass by Angela Byram.

2010-02-11T11:27:00.003Z

Fags, Mags and Bags

It's finally back for another series - the funniest half hour on the radio. Wednesdays, Radio 4, 11.30am. If you missed it, catch up by clicking here.

2010-02-09T12:37:00.003Z

Anglican Franciscan Pioneers

On this day, members of the Third Order of the Society of St Francis keep a commemoration of the Anglican Franciscan Pioneers, giving thanks for the vision and faith of those who established the Franciscan Life in the Anglican Communion in its Three Orders. It gives me a good opportunity to quote one of the heroes of this particular Communion of Saints, Father Andrew of the Society of the Divine Compassion. Fr Andrew died in 1946, having been ordained over 50 years, the first Religious to be ordained in a habit since the Reformation. Although none of his work remains in print, copies can often be found lurking in second hand bookstores. (Many of his Retreat addresses were transcribed by participants, and so are printed in appropriately bite-sized forms for a new Century, now none of us allegedly has an attention span!)
Fr Andrew wrote, in words that continue to inspire:
Never judge God by what happens to you; but see what happens to you in the light of the Incarnation, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

2010-02-08T20:32:00.001Z

He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy.

Its probably 30 years since I saw it all the way through, but it was good to see Life of Brian again at the second of my colleague's occasional series of Film and Faith Evenings. I suspect a film like this couldn't even be made today. Too many people to risk upsetting, too many fundamentalists too ready to resort to a violent and aggressive response, missing the fact that this in itself contradicts of the 'fundamentals' of the Biblical record. What struck me most was how tame it felt, certainly compared with when I first saw it on release, my home town being one of few that didn't seem to have any concerns in showing it. The 17 year old me laughed at it then, and the 47 year old me still does. It is a beautiful looking Film, Director Terry Jones wanted it to look like a French Art Film, and succeeded.

If the Pythons had known in advance how some Church hierarchies would respond, the film's gentle criticism of organised religion and of the human need for a Messiah would surely have been much stronger. As it is, it's the political scene of the 1970s that is really in view, as Reg and his anarcho-syndicalist collective of Judean Revolutionaries continue to miss the point. While the closing scene's cheery stoicism, Always looking on the Bright Side of Life, is certainly not the Gospel understanding of Death and Resurrection, there was one truly chilling scene that could not have been intended at the time - the crack suicide squad of the Judean Popular Front, and their mass suicide, while Brian looks helplessly on. In 1979 we laughed at the idea of a political suicide, Kamikaze pilots notwithstanding, little knowing what the suicide bombers of the 21st Century would bring. Ironically perhaps, but the Life of Brian stands now for a slightly old fashioned understanding of human nature, a gentle reminder that we can and should do all this living thing a lot better.

2010-02-08T19:36:00.000Z

Random and Occasional

This is a blog for my Random and Occasional Jottings on Parish Life, Liturgy and Spirituality, Music, the mighty Leeds Rhinos and Leeds United, and whatever else takes my attention. Having tried occasional blogging in the past with articles on the Parish websites, I'm bemused that a return to regular blogging on my part should have coincided with Pope Benedict's call to priests to Blog. Perhaps more than anything else, this Blog is a challenge to myself. I am not good with words, especially if they are my own. Praying the Liturgy however is a joy, as (most) of those words are given. As a child there was considerable doubt whether I would ever be able to speak clearly. Nowadays we would call it speech therapy, but then it was perhaps simply common sense on my parents behalf that transformed a situation. But I am left with the recurring sense that any words, spoken or written, of mine, are at best a challenge, and sometimes an ordeal, to one person in particular - me. So may I occasionally make a little sense at least, and carrying on trying to live out this priestly vocation!