Rushen Parish Magazine

October 2018

2

Contact Details for Rushen Parish

Vicar:

Rev’d Joe Heaton rev.joeheaton@gmail.com 832275

Rushen Vicarage, Barracks Road, Port St Mary

Readers:

Mrs Margaret Galloway

Mrs Wendy Heaton

Mr Harry Dawson

Mr Adam Kelly

Active Clergy

Rev Roger Harper

Rev John Gulland

Rev Brian Shephard

Retired Clergy:

Canon John Sheen

Church Wardens:

Mr Gerry Callister, 60 Ballamaddrell, Port Erin 474924/834627

Mr Harry Dawson, Thalloo Reagh, Cregneash 478050/835770

Mr Peter Hayhurst, Fois Fraon, Fistard 832974/464949

PCC Secretary:

Mr David Bowman, The Old Bakery, Qualtroughs Lane, 837117/260539

Port Erin

PCC Treasurer:

Mr Stephen Curtis, Clybane Cottage, Phildraw Road, 823475

Ballasalla

Parish Administrator and Safeguarding Officer for Children and Vulnerable People:

Mrs Claire Jennings, rushenparishorg@gmail.com 830850

More contact details on the inside of the back cover

3

Churches traditionally celebrate Harvest in the autumn. In times past, Harvest was a major festival celebrated in villages and towns across the country. Harvest is a celebration of all the good things God gives us, whether that’s produce that we grow or our capacity to generate income in today's world. It’s also a time to enjoy these good things through food and friendship, and to give to others who may be less fortunate.

After all, 2000 years ago the apostle Paul challenged the first Christians in Rome to ‘practise hospitality’ (Romans 12:13). Hospitality is defined as ‘The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.’

Meals are an important part of hospitality and can be used to build strong, vibrant communities where strangers can become friends.

As the author of Hebrew wrote: ‘Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it’ Hebrews 13:2.

Harvest is an ideal time to build community over good food and conversation. Invite friends, neighbours or colleagues. Welcome strangers. Get to know some new people and, if your guests want to make a gift to cover the cost of the meal, you can bless the unseen Guest at your table. A line in the Lord’s Prayer asks God to ‘Give us this day our daily bread’. When we say that line, we’re asking God to provide the basic things in life that keep us healthy and happy. It can start with the food we need to eat each day, but for lots of different reasons, not everyone has enough.

So saying thank you for our food is important – we might thank the person who cooked it, and we might go back further and think of the people in the shops where we bought the ingredients, and even trace it right back to the farmers who grew the crops in the first place.

Saying grace before a meal is a way of saying thank you to God for making the earth and everything in it – all good things come from God, and it’s up to us to use them in the very best and most generous way. Try singing this grace: “One, two, three, four, five, thank you God that I’m alive. Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, thank you God for food. Amen!”

One of the most traditional graces goes like this: “For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful and keep us always mindful of the needs of others.”

Some families hold hands while they say grace – this reminds us that we are thankful not only for our food, but that we can share it with people we love, as in this prayer: “Thank you God for food, and family, and friends. Amen. or “Thank you God for food, and family, and friends, we remember those who have no food today, and those who have food, but nobody to share it. As you have blessed us, help us be a blessing for others. Amen.”

David

4

was used by pilgrims going to the great festivals in Jerusalem. Just as this road was full of dangers, this psalm speaks to our problems and set-backs, whether illness, family or work issues, or fear.

Where do we look for help? ‘I lift up my eyes to the mountains…My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.’ (1,2). The hills speak of a Creator God, who is bigger than our troubles, for whom nothing is beyond His reach.

What is His care like? It is constant: ‘He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber’ (3). God is never off duty in His care, as we are constantly His concern. It is close: ‘The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand’ (5). God is not watching us ‘from a distance’ as the songs says! His care operates at close quarters, to take the heat out of situations, or when circumstances are dark and uncertain. It is continuing: ‘the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and for evermore.’ (8). God’s care is all encompassing, through life and eternity. We are not immune from difficulties, but in the bigger picture, God will use these in His eternal purpose for our lives. The psalm is fulfilled in Jesus, who has secured eternal life for us.

So, let’s trust His care for us, and not be like the lady who asked: ‘why pray when I can worry?’

Psalm 121 – the God who knows and cares

The Rev Paul Hardingham continues his short series on various Psalms.

A man asked a friend about the two greatest problems in the world. The friend responded, ‘I don’t know, and I don’t care!’ ‘You got them both!’ the man replied.

Psalm 121 presents a God who both knows and cares about our problems. As the first Song of Ascent (Psalms 120-134), it was used

What does God do all day? Ever wonder what God does up there in heaven? Some of us imagine God the Father resting on a great gold throne, surrounded by angels dressed in white, eternally playing on harps. And beyond them are millions of people, standing about. After all, as one hymn (Jerusalem, my happy home) puts it: where ‘congregations ne’er break up and Sabbaths never end’. To be honest, a fairly awful prospect.

But the Bible says differently. Jesus talks of His Father as being engaged with the world, working with us, giving us our daily bread, guiding us, caring for us, protecting us from evil, answering prayer, judging wrong and welcoming those who turn to Him. Where Christians are working, there the Lord is too: ‘And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them’. (Mark 16.20) So God does not merely sit there and watch us work, He actually works with us.

5

Ladies Working Party – St Mary’s

We are all still coming to terms with the sudden death of our leader and very dear friend, Brenda, whose funeral service on 30th August, at the Parish Church, was led by Rev Peter Upton-Jones, with prayers from Rev Joe Heaton, a moving poem, found in Brenda’s handbag, “Miss Me but Let Me Go”, read by Sue Maddrell and the Nunc Dimittis sung by the choir, in her memory. Our love and sincere sympathy go out to her family and friends, a large number of whom came to fill the church to capacity.

We thank God for her life and her selfless service. Loving and caring, she claimed to be “an ordinary person” but the way in which her death has been met shows that the whole community regards her as anything but. From David Bowman’s Parish Magazine Editorial, to the Rev Hinton Bird’s funeral tribute, to the Examiner’s “Fond farewell to tireless Brenda”, she has rightly been recognised as a very special force for good in the community. Christian faith and love in action – that is how I shall remember Brenda. We cannot replace her, but yes, we can learn from her example. “I’m not special”, she claimed. I beg to disagree. And I thank God that my grandchildren were able, like so many over the years in Port St Mary, to learn in Sunday School in St Mary’s Church, from Auntie Brenda. Thank you, Brenda, for everything.

Our first meeting on 4th September, after our summer break, was an emotional one. We shared our own special thoughts and memories of Brenda. Her chair was vacant, but she was with us in spirit.

We welcomed Jan Withey to the LWP, who although a helper for a long time has been unable to come to our Tuesday meetings due to other commitments. We wished Barbara Qualtrough a very happy birthday and discussed Harvest Sunday on 30th September, a joint service in St Mary’s, followed by a faith lunch. We plan to decorate the church on Thursday 27th, at 10am.

We are delighted with the new chairs which are first class, in style and comfort, the colour suiting both the church and the hall. With the new tables already in the hall, it is looking very smart indeed. Outside, the grounds are being beautifully looked after by Eddie Perkins, and the newly painted railings are all adding to the cared for appearance of the church.

Each Tuesday afternoon, in the hall at 2.15pm, we welcome old friends and new. We send our love and prayers to everyone, especially those who are unable to get about as once they could, who are facing medical treatment, and who are missing a much loved relative or friend. We think about you and pray for you.

With love and very best wishes from us all.

Pat Thomson

6

victory. Their economy was struggling, and morale was low. The Allies, now sure of final victory, wanted it all over without further disastrous casualties. The politicians, fearful for their own futures, wanted time, but the generals were now calling the shots. The time had come for a ceasefire, then let the negotiating begin. The military won this battle, at least. The word ‘Armistice’ was banded around: not a treaty, but simply (as the Latin word suggests) as a laying down of arms. The three most influential national leaders on the Allied side agreed, and the Germans and their dwindling band of associates had no choice but to go along with the solution. An Armistice was agreed for a memorable date: the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year. Following preliminary discussions, a negotiated treaty would be finalised at Versailles in the following January. Compared to Brexit, that is express progress! The Armistice was, in some ways, simple. The guns would go silent, killing would cease from that designated hour. The Versailles negotiations, on the other hand, would be complex, though somewhat simplified by the fact that the Germans came naked to the table. They were desperate to save their land from occupation, whatever the cost. In fact, it cost them £6.6 million in reparations (probably about six billion pounds today). Each of the Allies had important items for the peace agenda. France wanted Alsace-Lorraine restored to French sovereignty, and the Rhineland demilitarised. Britain wanted German military power negated and problems in the Middle East solved. The Americans wanted democracy restored and the will of the people recognised throughout Europe. The three leaders – David Lloyd George and Presidents Clémenceau and Woodrow Wyatt agreed about most of the agenda, including the carving up of The German colonial empire in Africa. Peace would come at last, but not, as one wise man observed, the ‘kiss of peace’.

Diary of a Momentous Year: October 1918

1918 was the final year of the Great War. This year, Canon David Winter is looking back on highlights of those critical 12 months, when the very shape of modern world history was being hammered out on the battlefields.

October 1918 was the month when both sides, in their different ways, decided that they had had enough war. The Germans, following their defeat at Amiens, no longer had any hope of a strong negotiating position in peace talks, let alone

Of mice and men A minister went into his local pet shop to ask for some help. ‘I need at least 50 mice, 2,000 ants and as many of those little silverfish that you can get.’ The pet shop owner was startled. ‘We can probably do that, but it might take some time. Mind if I ask why you are placing such an unusual order?’ The minister shrugged. ‘It’s simple. I've accepted a call to another church, and the church council told me to leave the parsonage the way I found it.’

7

News from St. Mary's Junior Church

At the time of writing Junior Church has just resumed after our summer break. It was good to be back together again as we shared our holiday experiences. We chose which songs we would like for the upcoming Harvest and took part in some art and craft activities. The children were excited to see the new tables and chairs in the hall which look splendid, well done to all those who selected them.

As we are now fairly small in number, both children and adults, we are having an “all age group” - Junior Church. We are going to be using some new Scripture Union material called Mosaic which is aimed at all age groups. If any readers have children who they think might like to join us, we would love to see some new faces. Also, if anyone feels that they could help out with the group we would appreciate it. It would not be too much of a commitment, one Sunday morning a month. If you would like more information you can ring me on 827545.

Some of the children enjoyed the two weeks of the Beach Mission. Unfortunately, the hot weather we had been experiencing didn't continue, but the team still carried out all their planned activities. It was, as always, lovely to see the “Port” so busy, especially the beach. They had a lovely afternoon for the Bible Sand-text activity.

This month we will be preparing for the Parish Harvest service to be held at St. Mary’s on 30th September, still to come at the time of writing.

We would like to congratulate Lukas on his excellent GCSE results and wish him well as he begins his “A” level studies. We wish all the children well as they begin their new school year. Please pray for the Junior Church as we also begin our new “school year”.

With love from St. Mary's Junior Church

Carole Coole

Whose fault is it, anyway?

In a small town a businessman put in planning permission to build a nightclub complete with dancing girls. The local church started a vigorous campaign to block it from opening. The church launched a petition and held prayers in public. Work progressed, however, right up until the week before opening. Then one night a bolt of lightning strike hit the nightclub and it burned to the ground. The church members were rather smug after that, until the nightclub owner sued them all - claiming they were responsible for the fire. Loudly protesting their total non-involvement and innocence, the church members were all taken to court. As the case began, the judge looked over the paperwork and observed: ‘I don't know how I'm going to decide this. It appears that we have a nightclub owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that doesn't!’

8

News from St Catherine’s and Kirk Christ

At Kirk Christ it has been a busy month with a wedding on the 16th August when Helen Sheppard married Philip Walmsley, it was a joyous occasion with children involved as flower girls and groomsmen. At St Catherine’s Church, on 4th August, the Rev’d Joe Heaton married his eldest son Joshua to Breeshey Mort. It was a lovely day with brilliant sunshine. The bride and groom were so happy together. Another wedding at St Catherine’s took place on 1st September when Emma Fenlon married Darren Watterson. Our best wishes and blessings are given to all On 7th September Kirk Christ hosted an evening of musical entertainment. This was one of the parish’s major fundraising events of the year and there was much support from all four congregations. The event proved most successful. At St Catherine's there was a series of successful summer concerts, and on 6th September the monthly ‘Soup Inn’ recommenced.

Gerry Callister

“Peace! Be Still!” was commanded, Of the Galilean sea, As disturbed, inland currents Raged about tempestuously: Adult men in confusion, Wept and ranted anxiously. In waters mounting high, Crashed the boat from side to side: “Save us teacher, or we die,” Was in desperation cried. “Peace! Be Still!” came the reply, “I am here, what ‘ere betide.”

Troubled waters subsided – Calm replaced an errant swell For astounded fishermen - - - - Strangely, peace upon them fell - - - Simple faith brought the answer As posterity does tell. “Peace! Be Still!” the Saviour calls, Troubled though our thoughts may be; Here, upon life’s ‘inner sea’. “Trust obey! have faith in me” Faith has strength; to set one free – Give to minds tranquillity.

‘Inner Tempests’ by Margaret Couper

“Who is this? That even the winds And sea obey him” Mark 4:41

9

October 2018 Crossword

Down 1 Ravenous insect inflicted on Egypt in vast

numbers as the eighth plague (Exodus 10:14) (6) 2 Well-being (Philippians 2:20) (7) 3 Small piece of live coal or wood in a dying fire

(Psalm 102:3) (5) 5 Sportsman or woman (2 Timothy 2:5) (7) 6 The original name of Abraham’s wife (Genesis 17:15) (5) 7 ‘So in Christ we who are many form one body,

and each — belongs to all the others’ (Romans 12:5) (6) 9 According to Peter, a wife’s beauty should not

come from wearing this (1 Peter 3:3) (9) 13 ‘For God did not send his Son into the world to —

the world’ (John 3:17) (7) 14 ‘The Lord of heaven and earth...does not live in

— built by hands’ (Acts 17:24) (7) 15 ‘If your hand — you to sin, cut it off’ (Mark9:43) (6) 16 Something like these fell from Saul’s eyes as soon

as Ananias placed his hands on him (Acts 9:18) (6) 18 Track (Job41:30) (5) 20 Religious doctrine (5)

Across 1 Tertullus, who presented the high priest’s case

against Paul in his trial before Felix, was one (Acts 24:1) (6)

4 As balm (anag.) (6) 8 Having explored Canaan, he and Joshua urged

the Israelites to take possession of it (Numbers 13:30) (5)

9 On becoming king of Judah, he had all six of his brothers killed (2 Chronicles 21:4) (7)

10 ‘Even the — has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself’ (Psalm 84:3) (7)

11 Banishment (Jeremiah29:1) (5) 12 ‘And now I will show you the most —

way’(1Corinthians12:31) (9) 17 ‘Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not —

— the same spirit and follow the same course?’ (2 Corinthians 12:18) (3,2)

19 Mice den(anag.) (7) 21 How Egypt is often described in the Old

Testament: ‘the land of —’ (Exodus 13:3) (7) 22 One of the first Levites to resettle in Jerusalem

after the exile in Babylon (1 Chronicles 9:15) (5) 23 ‘As a sheep before her shearers is —, so he did

not open his mouth’ (Isaiah 53:7) (6) 24 Paul’s birthplace (Acts22:3) (6)

10

August Crossword Solution

August Sudoku Solutions

The winner of August’s Sudoku competition was George May. It was good to have an entry from someone who doesn’t often take part. It shows that there is still some interest in this little bit of fun! George was sent his £5 prize money through the post. The draw took place in my home with a visitor choosing the winning entry. Please do have a go if you can, it’s good fun! (Editor)

Collections at Funerals There was some confusion over the collection taken at the end of Brenda Watterson’s funeral service.

It is normal practice in the Church of England that all collections taken within the church building become the property of the church. Collections for charity can be taken at funerals but they must take place outside of the church or be donated to the charity.

To ensure that there is no more confusion it has been decided that the officiant will announce details of any collections being taken within the church building, and that charitable donations will need to be sent to named charities.

11

Think of Piccadilly Circus, and that small stature of the angel poised with bow and arrow. Most people think it stands for Eros. It does not. It stands for Anteros, his brother, the god of selfless love. It is a memorial to the greatest Christian Victorian philanthropist, politician and social reformer of his generation – Lord Shaftesbury.

Anthony Ashley Cooper, the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury (1801 – 1885) was a devout Christian who spent his life fighting to help ease the plight of lunatics, chimney sweeps, children in factories, women and children in the mines, opium addicts, and children without any education. His own early life was loveless and bleak – his parents formal and frightening, his early schooldays a ‘horror’ of ‘cruelty and starvation’. The only love came from the family’s housekeeper, Maria Millis. A biographer wrote: ‘She provided for Ashley a model of Christian love that would form the basis for much of his later social activism and philanthropic work.’ The reality and homely practicality of her Christian love were a beacon for the young Ashley. She told him Bible stories, she taught him a prayer. After Christ Church Oxford, where he proved an outstanding scholar, Ashley turned to politics. In 1826, aged 25, he was elected as Tory MP for Woodstock. He was eager to serve on parliamentary committees that got things done; his great life’s work had begun. Lunatics: In 1827 lunatics were kept chained naked in straw, forced to sleep in their excrement. They were washed in freezing cold water, with one towel for 160 people and no soap. There was gross over-crowding and inedible food: asylums were places to die in. Shaftesbury’s’ maiden speech in Parliament was in support of a Bill to improve conditions. He wrote: ‘By God's blessing, my first effort has been for the advance of human happiness.’ It took years: from 1827 to 1884 he fought for a succession of Lunacy Acts, writing later of ‘the years of toil and care that, under God, I have bestowed on this melancholy and awful question.’ Child Labour and Factory Reform: Again, reform took years. Shaftesbury fighting for the Ten Hours Act from 1833, 1842, 1844, 1846 and 1847 – when it finally got through Parliament. No child under the age of 9 should work in the cotton or woollen industries below the age of 9, and no one under 18 must work more than ten hours a day.

Continued on Page 17

Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury - the Poor Man’s Earl

12

No plant can survive in dry shade, right? Wrong! There’s something suitable for every type of space

By Perfectplants.co.uk: an on-line shop offering delivery to your door of plants, gifts and accessories: Tel: 01323 833479

There are always areas of a garden that pose a problem, even to keen gardeners. But these can be viewed as a challenge for those who like to experiment. The most common situation in which it’s difficult to find things that will grow is that of dry shade. Under trees, next to a north-facing wall or at the base of hedges. But even this seemingly inhospitable environment opens up a world of possibilities.

Take ferns, for example. There are a few that can cope with dry shade, and what better way to cover the soil? Ferns are not blessed with gaudy colours, nor are they floriferous. But they are architecturally beautiful. Largely shade-loving, some ferns are drought-tolerant, once established. These include the low-growing, light green and luscious Blechnum spicant; the stately maidenhair fern, Dryopteris filix mas ‘Cristata’ with fronds that grow up to 60cm tall; and the low-growing, deciduous northern maidenhair fern called Adiantum pedatum ‘Imbricatum’.

If you want something other than green, consider Heuchera. The purple types, in particular, can survive in dry shade once they are established. Heuchera provide a great opportunity to plant en-masse in order to achieve weed-suppressing colour and they look particularly effective when contrasted against lime-green foliage such that that provided by ornamental grass Hakonechloa. The latter is also able to withstand a certain amount of dry shade and you will certainly gain a lift of the spirits when you see it.

Never assume that ‘difficult’ areas in the garden can’t be planted. You only need look at the weeds to appreciate that some plants are tougher than others. The more plants you purposefully add to your garden, the fewer opportunities there will be for weeds to colonise the bare soil. Once you have plugged your gaps with plants, here’s a few more tasks for October. Make the most of daylight hours while you can, the clocks go back one hour on 28 of the month!

• Plant spring-flowering bulbs this month.

Everything except tulips can go in the ground now. Wait a few more weeks to plant tulips because of a pesky fungus problem called Tulip fire.

• If you have cannas and dahlias outside, they will be fine in light frosts. You can mulch heavily during October, or dig them up, dry them out and store until spring.

13

character. His life spanned the end of the twelfth and beginning of the thirteenth centuries. He was born into a very wealthy family, but after what he called his ‘conversion’ standing before a crucifix. He renounced all his possessions. In fact, he stripped himself of his of his wealthy garments in a public square in his home-town, Assisi. For the rest of his life he and his followers, including his feminine counterpart. St Claire longed, prayed and worked for a life of simplicity – a lifestyle without luxury or privileges. For the Franciscan brothers and the Poor Claires. This meant no private possessions at all. Francis saw that many poor people without these things, actually seemed to live happier and more fulfilling lives than the ambitious rich. He spoke of a simple life not shaped by money or power but by love and mutual concern. As his hymn says, ‘it is in giving of ourselves that we receive’. Of course, poverty; in our modern western world is seldom a matter of blissful simplicity, as present-day Franciscans recognise. For too many it is a matter of poor diet, over-crowded rooms, rough sleeping and unemployment. The call of today’s followers of Francis and Claire is that those who are better-off should ‘live more simply, so that others can simply live’. Christians follow a Master who said that he came with ‘good news for the poor’. They believe that many of us today can be that good news.

St. Francis - and the Life of Simplicity

Just about the only thing most people know about Francis of Assisi is that he talked to the birds. Church-goers also know the popular hymn based on his famous prayer, ‘Make me a channel of your Peace’, which was sung at the funeral of Princess Diana. However, Italy’s patron saint, whose feast day is this month (the 4th) was a more complex, and some would say controversial

• Divide up perennials such as hardy geraniums and Achillea this month. Plants for free! Give some to friends or dot them about the garden ready for the next growing season.

• Rake leaves off lawns because they cause brown and yellow patches. Leave them on flower beds as the dead foliage will provide cover for insects and will therefore act as a larder for birds.

• Feed the birds! These welcome visitors to the garden will brighten up your winter. Once you start to feed, keep doing so as they will rely on your garden for sustenance.

• Growing pumpkins for Halloween? Leave them on the plant until the skin has hardened, but harvest before the first frost. Leave several centimetres of stem attached and allow them to dry in a cool place until carving time.

Dinner Interviewer: ‘If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead, who would it be?’ Applicant: ‘The living one.’

14

All in the month of October

400 years ago, on 29th Oct 1618, Sir Walter Raleigh died. This famous English explorer, writer, poet and courtier was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth 1. Well known for popularising tobacco in England. Executed for treason by King James 1 (mainly to appease the Spanish).

100 years ago, on 1st Oct 1918, British and Arab forces led by T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) captured the Syrian capital, Damascus, from the Turks.

80 years ago, on 30th Oct 1938, Orson Welles’ famous radio adaptation War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells’ was broadcast in the USA. It allegedly caused nationwide outrage and panic as listeners thought the events described in the broadcast were real. 75 years ago, on 17th Oct 1943, the Burma Railway (also known as the Death Railway of WW2) was completed. The Japanese built it using Asian labourers and Allied prisoners-of -war, thousands of whom died. (One of the railway bridges is the famous Bridge over the River Kwai.) 60 years ago, on 13th Oct 1958, the book ‘A Bear Called Paddington’ by British children’s writer Michael Bond, was published. It marked the debut appearance of Paddington Bear. 50 years ago, on 5th Oct 1968, a riot took place in Derry, Northern Ireland. A Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association march went ahead despite a government ban, as it took place at the same time as the loyalist Apprentice Boys. When the activists defied the ban, they were surrounded by Royal Ulster Constabulary and beaten. More than 100 people were injured, which sparked two days of rioting. The incident marked the beginning of the Troubles. 40 years ago, on 30th Oct 1978, Ugandan-Tanzanian war began which would see the downfall and ousting of Ugandan President Idi Amin (in April of the following year). 30 years ago, on 1st Oct 1988, Mikhail Gorbachev became President of the Soviet Union. 10 years ago, on 7th Oct 2008, the Financial Crisis began with an Icelandic bank that went into receivership. Within two days other banks began collapsing – and the crisis was underway.

Say again?

Three elderly church ministers, all hard of hearing, were playing golf one sunny spring morning. The Methodist minister observed, ‘Windy, isn’t it?’ ‘No,’ the Baptist pastor said, ‘it’s Thursday.’ The Anglican vicar agreed: ‘So am I! Let’s go get a pint.’

15

The Sense of Taste

This is the fourth of the poems my wife wrote for the leavers’ service for the children at my school in July 2003. They were all about the senses with the sixth sense being that of ‘love’.

I remember feeling very small And very hungry too! It had been an age since breakfast And there’d been so much to do. Then the helper placed before me White milk in a cup, I had never tasted better And I quickly drank it up! They we played a game of tasting To see which was the best. We enjoyed the crispy apples It was a lovely test. Of all the things which we tasted Not all of them were nice. We didn’t always like our dinner, But we all liked sugar mice! Now as we’re growing older Our tastes are changing too. Our choices are much bolder As are the things we do. We learn to be discerning In what we do or taste, So the things which we have learnt here Will never go to waste.

Pauline Bowman

We plough the fields with tractors, With drills we sow the land; But growth is still the wondrous gift Of God’s almighty hand. We add our fertilizers To help the growing grain; But for its full fruition, It needs God’s sun and rain.

All good gifts around us Are sent from heaven above, Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all His love.

He only is the maker Of galaxies and stars; Of birds and beasts and flowers, And any life on Mars. Atomic powers obey Him Yet still the birds are fed; By Him our prayer is answered: Give us our daily bread.

All good gifts around us Are sent from heaven above, Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all His love.

With many new machines now We do the work each day; We reap the fields with combines, We bale the new-mown hay. But still it’s God who gives us Inventive skills and drives Which lighten labour’s drudgery And give us better lives.

All good gifts around us Are sent from heaven above, Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all His love.

Kindly supplied by Inez Joughin

We plough the fields

16

From the Registers

Weddings (August2018) 4th August Breeshey Mort & Joshua Heaton St Catherine’s Church @ 11am 16th August Helen K Shepphard & Philip J Walmsley Kirk Christ @ 11.30am 25th August Ciara L Kaneen & Philip W Hardisty St Mary’s Church @ 1pm

Baptisms (August 2018) Sunday 1st July Willow Isla Doyle St Catherine’s Church @ 11am

Funerals (August 2018) Friday 3rd August Leslie Maddrell Kirk Christ @ 10am Thursday 16th August Margaret Isobel Watterson St Mary’s Church @ 1.30pm Thursday 30th August Brenda Margaret Watterson Kirk Christ @ 2pm

Safeguarding

The Parish of Rushen is committed to the safeguarding, nurture and care of everyone within our church community. If you, or someone you know, are concerned that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk or has been harmed, or are concerned about the behaviour of someone towards children or vulnerable adults, please contact:

Rushen Parish Safeguarding Officer, Claire Jennings (Tel. 830850)

The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser has yet to be appointed. For more details contact the diocese.

A copy of the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy is available on the Diocesan website: http://www.sodorandman.im/safeguarding_inclusion

Prayer for changing seasons

Faithful Father,

As the leaves change colour and fall we are reminded of life’s changing seasons. We become aware that time passes more quickly than we expect or plan for. Help us to make the most of each day You give us - and to be thankful. Thank you that through all the changing seasons You are unchanging. Your love goes on reaching out. Thank you for sending Jesus who died to make it possible for us to know You and come to You when our days on earth are completed. Help us to trust Him, to receive Him and to live in the power of His Spirit, now and forever. In Jesus’ name,

Amen

17

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Watterson, who were all remembered during the service, so it was lovely to start our new session with the joy of welcoming a new member.

We thank the Rev Roger Harper for conducting the service – he told us that it was his very first MU service! Mr John Binns played the organ for our hymns.

Jane Gunn will be taking part in the MU Sponsored Walk along Douglas promenade on Saturday 13th October starting from Summerland at 11am. Non-Mothers’ Union members are welcome to take part.

Our next meeting is on Monday 8th October at 2pm when Mrs Margaret Galloway will “Tell Tales out of School”.

Guests are always welcome at our meetings.

Elsie Faragher

Rushen Mothers’ Union

It was with great pleasure that we welcomed Mrs Gail Eagles to our opening Communion Service on Monday 10th September in Kirk Christ Parish Church. Mrs Eagles joined us to welcome Mrs Audrey Hibbert as a new member of Mothers’ Union.

Rushen Branch lost four dedicated members this summer, Mrs Peggy Kelly, Mrs Winifred Quayle, Mrs Enid Binns and Mrs Brenda

From Page 11:

Miners: In 1842 he fought to outlaw the employment of women and children in coal mines. Climbing boys: Thousands of young boys were dying in terrible pain – scorched, blinded and suffocated by soot, or with cancer of the scrotum. Ashley fought for Bills in 1840, 1851, 1853, 1855, 1864 until finally the Chimney Sweepers Act 1875 closed the practise down. Education reform: 1844 Ashley became president of the Ragged School Union that promoted education for poor children. He wrote that if it were to fail, ‘I should die of a broken heart’. Religion: Lord Shaftesbury was a devout Christian who became a leading figure in 19th century evangelical Anglicanism. He was President of British and Foreign Bible Society for nearly 30 years. He was very sympathetic to the Jews and advocated their return to the Holy Land. Lord Shaftesbury’s funeral service at Westminster Abbey on the morning of 8th October 1885 drew thousands of people. The streets along the route were thronged with the poor: costermongers, flower-girls, boot-blacks, crossing sweepers, factory hands and many more. They waited for hours just to see his coffin go by. He was dearly loved by them as the ‘Poor Man’s Earl’. One biographer wrote: ‘No man has in fact ever done more to lessen the extent of human misery, or to add to the sum total of human happiness.’

18

‘He gave us eyes to see them’ – Duccio’s Wedding at Cana

God in the Arts

For 2018, the Rev Michael Burgess is exploring symbols of the Christian faith as found in works of art.

‘The conscious water saw its God and blushed’ – in those words, the poet Richard Crashaw describes the first miracle of Jesus at the wedding feast in Cana.

This sign at the beginning of our Lord’s ministry points ahead to that other meal when a cup of wine will be poured out for many. The cup is a rich image of life in scripture: from the cup found in Benjamin’s sack in Genesis to the cup of blessing in Paul’s letters. The cup may be filled with bitter wine to reflect life’s sorrow, while the cup of Psalm 23 overflows with goodness. It is as rich an image as the bunch of grapes we often see in a church window or carved on a screen – a sign of the goodness of Creation that brings us the gift of wine.

The wedding at Cana speaks to us of the generosity and gift of our Lord who transforms the feast. Duccio di Buoninsegna portrayed it in the panel he provided for the Maesta, the glorious altarpiece for Siena Cathedral in 1311. We see the table lavishly spread, while Jesus, sat by the side of His mother, blesses the water pots. The servants are busy pouring what is now wine into the jugs and cups. It is the new wine of the kingdom.

Everywhere that Jesus went, the old was made new. For the widow of Nain he changed tears into joy, for Zacchaeus selfishness into love, for the thief on the cross despair into hope, for Mary Magdalene the end of the road into a new journey. What our Lord did at Cana, He went on doing in His ministry, changing not just water, but transforming human lives. And we share in that transforming love at every eucharist as we drink of the cup of blessing.

These are some words of the poet Elizabeth Jennings:

‘Those grapes, ready for picking, are the sign Of harvest and of Sacrament.’

19

Children’s Page

20

Lead, kindly Light, amid th'encircling gloom, lead Thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home; lead Thou me on! Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou shouldst lead me on; I loved to choose and see my path; but now lead Thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on. O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till the night is gone, And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I Have loved long since, and lost awhile!

Meantime, along the narrow, rugged path, thyself hast trod, Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith, home to my God. To rest forever after earthly strife In the calm light of everlasting life.

Lead

Kindly Light

In 1833, the young theologian and Anglican vicar John Henry Newman (1801-90) was traveling in the Mediterranean when he was struck down by a fever that nearly killed him. 'My servant thought I was dying and begged for my last directions,' he recalled in his autobiography. 'I gave them as he wished, but I said, "I shall not die, for I have not sinned against light."'

Newman recovered slowly, but felt desperately homesick. On the way back to England, he took an orange boat from Palermo to Marseilles which was becalmed in the Straits of Bonifacio. Thus stranded, in an exhausted and emotional state, Newman was impelled to write this verse as a meditative poem called 'The Pillar of the Cloud', expressive of his longing for consoling Christian certainties in an age of mounting doubt.

There has been much puzzlement over the nature of the 'kindly light' and the identity of the lost 'angel faces' in the last line. When challenged on these points, Newman replied crisply, 'I am not bound to remember my own meaning.'

He was displeased when the poem was turned into a hymn in 1845 – by which time he had converted to Catholicism, where congregational hymn-singing formed no part of divine service.

To no avail: his words embodied the maudlin spirit of the age, to the point at which Queen Victoria asked it to be read to her as she lay dying. It was also the last hymn to be sung on the Titanic – not, as is sometimes said, as the liner was actually sinking, but at the final service given on board by the chaplain on the afternoon before the disaster.

The Story Behind the Hymn

John Newman

21

Rushen Parish Prayer Diary

Praise the Lord for all the seasons, Praise Him for the gentle spring,

Praise the Lord for glorious summer, birds and beasts and everything.

Praise the Lord Who sends the harvest, Praise Him for the winter snows;

Praise the Lord, all ye who love Him, Praise Him, for all things He knows.

Amen

October 2018 This is your invitation to pray day by day for:

1st Those people weighed down with debt who see no solution to their problems 2nd Joe, our vicar, and those who minister to us in the Parish of Rushen 3rd Children attending Castle Rushen High School 4th All people taking part in sporting events 5th The residents and staff of all the care homes in the Isle of Man 6th William Tyndale who translated the scriptures into English 7th Those who are housebound who would love to attend a church service today 8th Farmers and agricultural workers preparing for the winter ahead 9th The children who are affected when families break up 10th Our local shops and businesses, and for those who work in them 11th Liz Hull as she gets to know more about the parish and our worship 12th The ministry of healing for the sick and disabled 13th King Edward the Confessor and those who brought Christianity to our shores 14th All Saints, known or unknown, now in heaven 15th The many people who anxiously wait for news of sick relatives 16th Fishermen who work tirelessly to provide us with fish to eat 17th The work of all charities both at home and overseas 18th Luke the Evangelist, remembered for his healing, and whose day is celebrated today 19th Older people who need warmth as winter approaches 20th Employees throughout our country striving to meet their targets 21st People in prison seeking to improve their lives 22nd Christians around the world 23rd Preparations for Christmas in shops and other retail outlets 24th The work of the Southern Mission Partnership 25th The dedication of those who work among people with mental health problems 26th King Alfred the Great, whose day it is, and those baking cakes today! 27th Babies born today and the families into which they are born 28th Those who are persecuted for their faith 29th Artists, poets and musicians 30th Those who look after our churches and arrange the flowers week by week 31st Those who work in the hospitality industry

22

3rd October 11.45am Southlands Holy Communion (CW) 2pm St Mary’s Play & Praise

7th October 8am St Catherine’s Holy Communion (BCP) (Trinity 19) 9.30am Kirk Christ Morning Prayer (CW) 11am St Mary’s Holy Communion(CW) 11am St Catherine’s Morning Prayer (CW) 3.15pm St Peter’s Harvest Festival

14th October 9.30am Kirk Christ Holy Communion (CW) (Trinity 20) 11am St Mary’s All-Age Service (CW)

11am St Catherine’s Holy Communion (CW) 3.15pm St Peter’s Evening Prayer (BCP)

21st October 8am St Catherine’s Holy Communion (BCP) (Trinity 21) 9.30am Kirk Christ Morning Prayer (CW) 11am St Mary’s Holy Communion (CW) 11am St Catherine’s All-Age Service (CW) 3.15pm St Peter’s Holy Communion (BCP)

28th October 9.30am Kirk Christ Holy Communion (CW) (Trinity 22) 11am St Mary’s Morning Prayer (CW) 11am St Catherine’s Holy Communion (CW) 3.15pm St Peter’s Evening Prayer (BCP) 4th November 8am St Catherine’s Holy Communion (BCP) (Trinity 23) 9.30am Kirk Christ Morning Prayer (CW) 11am St Mary’s Holy Communion(CW) 11am St Catherine’s Morning Prayer (CW) 3.15pm St Peter’s Harvest Festival 7th November 11.45am Southlands Holy Communion (CW) 2pm St Mary’s Play & Praise

11th November 10.45am Kirk Christ Holy Remembrance Service (Remembrance) 10.55am St Catherine’s Holy Communion (CW) 3.15pm St Peter’s Evening Prayer (BCP)

(All services subject to change) (CW) Common Worship (BCP) Book of Common Prayer

Services October 2018

October2017

23

Contact Details for Rushen Parish

St Mary’s Sunday School Leader:

Carole Coole, Cronk-NyGreiney, Fisher’s Hill, Arbory 827545

St Mary’s Ladies Working Party

Mrs Susan Maddrell, Athol Lodge, Fistard, Port St Mary 833151

St Mary’s Hall Bookings:

Mr G Callister, 60 Ballamaddrell, Port Erin 474924/834627

St Catherine’s Hall Bookings:

Mr & Mrs G Callister, 60 Ballamaddrell, Port Erin 474924/834627

Web Site/E-mail:

www.rushenparish.org.uk admin@rushenparish.org.uk

Magazine Editor

Mr David Bowman, The Old Bakery, Qualtroughs Lane, 837117/260539

Ballafesson, Port Erin

e-mail: dbow43@manx.net

Articles for the magazine should be submitted to the editor no later

than 20th of each month. This arrangement is subject to change.

Parish Director of Music:

Mr M D Porter, 10 Fairway Drive, Rowany, Port Erin 832143

Churchyard Enquiries:

Please contact Mr Harry Dawson: 478050/835770

or Mr G Callister: 474924/834627

24

October 2018 Sudoku Competition

Altogether I received 26 entries from 13 of you for the August competition. It was a record and I’m grateful to everyone who took part. The two puzzles above are again classed as easy so hopefully I will receive a good number of solutions. The usual rules apply: Entries need to be with me no later than the last Friday in October. They can be pushed through my letter box, sent through the post or given to one of the churchwardens. The prize for he winning entry is £5 and this will either be handed to you in person or sent to you through the post. Good luck! (Editor)