The Pilot, September 1994 – Part 2
St Helier Pilgrimage: A Light-hearted Review
CLERGY-SPOTTERS had a lean time at this year's Pilgrimage to St Helier's Oratory at Elizabeth Castle (writes our special correspondent, Lynceus Le Cahouain). Time past, scores were often high but this year's sightings were few. I espied but a brace of Rectors (5 points each plus a 10 point bonus for one of them being Jersey born and bred - a virtually extinct breed). A Vicar was seen among the pilgrims (4 points minus 2 for being unrobed). Foreign missionaries, not of the Established Church, are not technically admissible but, in these ecumenical times, one might be allowed a couple of points each for the black-robed Presbyterian "Churches Together" gentleman from Bonnie Scotland and the fetchingly red-stoled Dean (RC) who is a native of one of the smaller Channel Islands. In all, a paltry 26 points. Disappointment would not have been so acute, however, had one the more diligently perused the Good Book prior to the peregrination. Did not the prophet Isaiah forecast, "Thou shalt seek them and thou shalt not find them" (Isaiah 41:12
Feeling has recently been rising in the Jersey Clergy-Spotting Society (not to be confused with the more numerous, especially among local journalists, Clergy Baiting Society) Radical elements therein insist that the scoring system be updated. Why, members indignantly cry, should the clergy get all the points? Why not let the laity score, as they do in every other walk of life, more particularly in recent years within Mother Church herself? Spot the Layperson, they insist, would be easier and equally exciting. However, a handicap system would surely be essential. Ten evangelicals could, say, be equivalent to one Christian of more traditional or catholic inclination, in order to reflect the current balance in the Island. Disciples of Dr David Jenkins would attract a negative score while the spotting of an admirer of the views of the Cambridge theologian, Don Cupitt (his canonisation, by the Humanist Society is, by the way, but a matter of time) would result in the loss of all points until the end of the following strictly-to-be-observed Lent.
The formulation of new rules could obviously not be left to the Society itself or even to a Church synod. Nor is it a matter for the States Sport, Leisure and Recreation Committee but for the much weightier and more prestigious Etat Civil. Perhaps Connétable Godel will kindly arrange for a sub-committee to look into this as a matter of urgency.
Readers will agree that this item should take precedence over Deputy Matthews' hare-brained scheme to get people to marry on the beach. How long before a couple and their guests, having failed to decipher the JEP tide-tables, or even to find a copy on the British mainland, arrive to find the tide up? It would have been simpler prior to 1937 when planes landed and discharged their passengers directly onto West Park beach. Jetting in for a brisk exchange of vows would have been child's play in those days. Think of it: two or three minutes on the sands, a few quick snaps of the happy couple on the Servisair steps, then off they could fly to a reception somewhere affordable (but perhaps I've missed the point of enticing people to come to Jersey to wed).
To conclude on an ominous note. Did anyone else spot that English-registered truck labelled "Motorway Maintenance" parked between the Castle and the New Slip on Pilgrimage Day? Is this here in connection with the proposed Island-encircling promenade? One hears a whisper that the new prom will be named the S1 as a tribute to a certain Senator formerly prominent in the stevedoring world. A nice idea even if the inclusion of a multi-lane highway, with link roads to several new golf courses, in addition to the cycle track, might appear a touch grandiose and out of line with this politician's modest aspirations for Island tourism. On the plus side, the copious quantity of rock blasted out during the construction could easily infill the shallow waters between St Martin and Les Ecrehous where we could then build lots of large sheds like those which grace our lovely harbour. Easy access, too, for the TA when further French invasions threaten.
In the meantime, I will keep PILOT readers up-dated on the clergy-spotting front as the situation develops. We live in exciting times
SOME families are blessed with the ability to see the funny side of life and the Secombe family have certainly shared that joy with others in many ways. Fred Secombe, elder brother of "him with the very infectious laughter," has written several books. This new one on my shelf is called 'Hello, Vicar' and is every bit as funny as the three that went before. The story of the clerical outing to. Hereford by car convoy is a gem 'of description - can't you just picture an ancient Ford 8 and "at the wheel was the Reverend Isaiah Jenkins, a tiny garden gnome in his late eighties, with a tendency to drive on the wrong side of the road"? With a start like that you just know that the whole affair is going to be a delightfully hilarious disaster. Warning: this is a "laugh-out-loud" book so be careful where you read it!
Hodder have recently published a lovely gift book called 'Your Baby's Baptism'. It explains the service step by step and shows that the baby is at the start of what can be a life-long relationship with God and the Church family
The book has good watercolour illustrations, a most useful list of books for further reading, and a two-page spread for keeping a record of the day. It is meant as a gift book but would be equally useful to have as a church copy to lend to parents and godparents.
The next book is for those who want to grow and are prepared to work at it, to read, evaluate, reject or accept the ideas put before them. Ronald Rolheiser has written a book called 'The Shattered Lantern' on rediscovering the felt presence of God. "Our churches," he says, "are slowly emptying and, more and more, the sense of God is slipping from our ordinary lives." If you find the first chapter a bit heavy going, break the rules and read the last chapter first and then go back over the beginning.
Hodder have recently published a lovely gift book called 'Your Baby's Baptism'. It explains the service step by step and shows that the baby is at the start of what can be a life-long relationship with God and the Church family
The book has good watercolour illustrations, a most useful list of books for further reading, and a two-page spread for keeping a record of the day. It is meant as a gift book but would be equally useful to have as a church copy to lend to parents and godparents.
The next book is for those who want to grow and are prepared to work at it, to read, evaluate, reject or accept the ideas put before them. Ronald Rolheiser has written a book called 'The Shattered Lantern' on rediscovering the felt presence of God. "Our churches," he says, "are slowly emptying and, more and more, the sense of God is slipping from our ordinary lives." If you find the first chapter a bit heavy going, break the rules and read the last chapter first and then go back over the beginning.
Good things do come in small packages, sometimes. There's a small book of graces, compiled by • Pam Robertson, which contains some real gems. There are children's graces, historical graces, humorous and musical graces and even wedding graces and birthday graces. Mealtimes need never be the same again, or picnics for that matter (p.73).
Those of you who are aware that Christmas is approaching and who are wondering where to look for a suitable 10¬12 minute sketch/play will be glad to know about a book called 'Plays on the Word' by Derek Haylock. It includes eight Christmas sketches. Derek Haylock is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of East Anglia at Norwich
Those of you who are aware that Christmas is approaching and who are wondering where to look for a suitable 10¬12 minute sketch/play will be glad to know about a book called 'Plays on the Word' by Derek Haylock. It includes eight Christmas sketches. Derek Haylock is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of East Anglia at Norwich
The Mother's Union Worldwide
By MARY BEAL, Deanery Chairman
SEPTEMBER seems a long time from July but even so this is the first opportunity to report to you that £1,064 was raised at our Annual Overseas Sale. It never ceases to amaze me that so much is raised in a relatively short time and I do want to say thank you for the work and effort put in to make it so successful, and thank you too to Senator Jean Le Maistre for officially opening it and for spending so much time with us.
The work of the Mothers' Union worldwide continues to grow and it is a privilege that we can be a part (albeit a small part) of a growing and lively Church. Many of our members have a very hard life and the MU is a very important and valuable part of it, particularly so for our members in Rwanda; this is an extract from a Factfile produced by the Central Overseas Chairman, Barbara Lawes:
CHURCH AND MU PERSONNEL
We have very little definite news. Esperence Cyafubire, the former MU worker in Kigali, has been killed together with her five children. The Assistant Bishop of Kigeme, the Rt Rev Alexis Bilindabagabo is dead. Thacienne Karuhije, the present worker in Kigali, went to Tanzania with her five children a few days before the fighting began to nurse her parents. Her husband Alphonse returned to Rwanda and was believed to be in Kigali. Esther Mukabatsinda, MU Worker for Kigeme Diocese, is still in Nairobi following a course there. We have no news of any of the other MU worke7. They are Mrs Irabraruta of Butare Diocese, Mariana Nyiraneze of Byumba Diocese, and Mrs Musabirnana of Shyira Diocese.
Josephine Rwaje, MU Diocesan President of Byumba and wife of Bishop Onesphore, left for the Mothers' Union Provincial Trainers course in Zambia a few days before the fighting began. We have heard that Josephine's husband, the Bishop of Byumba, and their five children (aged between 3 and 13) went South to Gitarama with the Bishop of Kigali and Bishop Jonathon the assistant Bishop, they are staying with the Bishop of Shyogwe. We have no further news of other Bishops or Diocesan Presidents.
Josephine is desperate for definite news of her husband and children which, so far, we have not been able to give. Now the Provincial Trainers course in Zambia has ended and all the other trainees have left for their homes. Sadly there is no way that we can re-unite Josephine with her family at the moment and so, after fax communication with her, the Overseas Department is arranging for Josephine to go to Nairobi in Kenya where there are a number of Rwandese and she thinks there may be news of her husband. We are in negotiation with the College of the Ascension at Selly Oak to arrange a shore course for her there so that she can apply to come to the UK with a student visa. Until such time as she can rejoin her family the Mothers' Union does have an obligation to help and support Josephine, not only financially, but also by surrounding her and her family with our love and prayers.
RELIEF FUND
At the moment there is no way that we can send Relief Fund money to Rwanda. However, as soon as it is possible, we will do so.
Some of the refugees who have managed to escape from Rwanda are in Kagera Diocese in Tanzania. Although many will be in the huge refugee camps, if the usual pattern is followed many will also have gone to relatives. Families of, say, ten will now be caring for perhaps 20 or 30 refugees as well. This Diocese recently also had a huge influx of refugees from Burundi and so the people must be quite desperate for ways of providing the basic necessities of life for so many. Yet such is the hospitality in Africa that they will not turn anyone away. At the Overseas Committee meeting on 10th May it was agreed to send a gift of £10,000 from the Relief Fund to the Bishop of Kagera for Relief work amongst the refugees from Rwanda in his Diocese. If any branch, Parish or Diocese wishes to send donations to the Relief Fund for Rwanda and her people it will be warmly welcomed. However, as usual, the gifts will go from the existing fund rather than waiting for special appeals. Therefore the Overseas Committee would be most grateful if donations could be sent to the Relief Fund rather than earmarked for Rwanda. This will enable us to respond quickly to future emergencies. (Cheques payable to the Mothers' Union please).
As we pray for the people of Rwanda let us also pray for the people of Burundi, just south of Rwanda, made up of the same ethnic groups and experiencing the same problems, many thousands killed, many more are refugees both within and without Burundi, and fearful of what the future holds, that they may be upheld and find relief and comfort
RSCM
THE Royal School of Church Music was founded in 1927 by Sir Sydney Nicholson, then organist of Westminster Abbey. His vision was for the RSCM to help all engaged in church music to appreciate the spiritual basis of music in worship, to achieve higher standards of music making and to discover the glories of church music. These aims remain the ideals of the RSCM. Sir Sydney summarised his vision in a quotation from 1 Corinthians 14 v. 15. "I will sing with the Spirit and with the understanding also," which became the motto of the RSCM. The RSCM believes that music plays a major part in enriching Christian worship, whatever the tradition or circumstance, and that it should continue to do so.
The RSCM has grown from relatively modest beginnings to the point where it has over 7,000 affiliated churches and schools in the United Kingdom and the English speaking world as well as some 4,000 personal members. Through the ecumenical church music centre at Addington Palace, Croydon, and also through a regional network for local events and training it seeks to help all who are concerned with the Church and its music.
Over the years we have been able to organise a number of local events in the Island and it is with pleasure that we shall be welcoming MR JOHN WARDLE, MA, FRCO (who is the RSCM's Regional Director for the south) to Jersey from 7th to 9th October. During his stay he will be visiting individual affiliated choirs and schools, directing a Choir Workshop on 8th October at St John's Primary School and on Sunday 9th October, directing combined affiliated choirs in Festal Evensong also at St John's Church. It is hoped that individual members of congregations will support their church choirs by attending Festal Evensong, which will also include some congregational hymn singing.
In order to ensure that its work continues to develop and expand the RSCM is appealing for a substantial sum to provide particularly for the needs of a new home; after 40 years it has to leave Addington Palace.
By MARY BEAL, Deanery Chairman
SEPTEMBER seems a long time from July but even so this is the first opportunity to report to you that £1,064 was raised at our Annual Overseas Sale. It never ceases to amaze me that so much is raised in a relatively short time and I do want to say thank you for the work and effort put in to make it so successful, and thank you too to Senator Jean Le Maistre for officially opening it and for spending so much time with us.
The work of the Mothers' Union worldwide continues to grow and it is a privilege that we can be a part (albeit a small part) of a growing and lively Church. Many of our members have a very hard life and the MU is a very important and valuable part of it, particularly so for our members in Rwanda; this is an extract from a Factfile produced by the Central Overseas Chairman, Barbara Lawes:
CHURCH AND MU PERSONNEL
We have very little definite news. Esperence Cyafubire, the former MU worker in Kigali, has been killed together with her five children. The Assistant Bishop of Kigeme, the Rt Rev Alexis Bilindabagabo is dead. Thacienne Karuhije, the present worker in Kigali, went to Tanzania with her five children a few days before the fighting began to nurse her parents. Her husband Alphonse returned to Rwanda and was believed to be in Kigali. Esther Mukabatsinda, MU Worker for Kigeme Diocese, is still in Nairobi following a course there. We have no news of any of the other MU worke7. They are Mrs Irabraruta of Butare Diocese, Mariana Nyiraneze of Byumba Diocese, and Mrs Musabirnana of Shyira Diocese.
Josephine Rwaje, MU Diocesan President of Byumba and wife of Bishop Onesphore, left for the Mothers' Union Provincial Trainers course in Zambia a few days before the fighting began. We have heard that Josephine's husband, the Bishop of Byumba, and their five children (aged between 3 and 13) went South to Gitarama with the Bishop of Kigali and Bishop Jonathon the assistant Bishop, they are staying with the Bishop of Shyogwe. We have no further news of other Bishops or Diocesan Presidents.
Josephine is desperate for definite news of her husband and children which, so far, we have not been able to give. Now the Provincial Trainers course in Zambia has ended and all the other trainees have left for their homes. Sadly there is no way that we can re-unite Josephine with her family at the moment and so, after fax communication with her, the Overseas Department is arranging for Josephine to go to Nairobi in Kenya where there are a number of Rwandese and she thinks there may be news of her husband. We are in negotiation with the College of the Ascension at Selly Oak to arrange a shore course for her there so that she can apply to come to the UK with a student visa. Until such time as she can rejoin her family the Mothers' Union does have an obligation to help and support Josephine, not only financially, but also by surrounding her and her family with our love and prayers.
RELIEF FUND
At the moment there is no way that we can send Relief Fund money to Rwanda. However, as soon as it is possible, we will do so.
Some of the refugees who have managed to escape from Rwanda are in Kagera Diocese in Tanzania. Although many will be in the huge refugee camps, if the usual pattern is followed many will also have gone to relatives. Families of, say, ten will now be caring for perhaps 20 or 30 refugees as well. This Diocese recently also had a huge influx of refugees from Burundi and so the people must be quite desperate for ways of providing the basic necessities of life for so many. Yet such is the hospitality in Africa that they will not turn anyone away. At the Overseas Committee meeting on 10th May it was agreed to send a gift of £10,000 from the Relief Fund to the Bishop of Kagera for Relief work amongst the refugees from Rwanda in his Diocese. If any branch, Parish or Diocese wishes to send donations to the Relief Fund for Rwanda and her people it will be warmly welcomed. However, as usual, the gifts will go from the existing fund rather than waiting for special appeals. Therefore the Overseas Committee would be most grateful if donations could be sent to the Relief Fund rather than earmarked for Rwanda. This will enable us to respond quickly to future emergencies. (Cheques payable to the Mothers' Union please).
As we pray for the people of Rwanda let us also pray for the people of Burundi, just south of Rwanda, made up of the same ethnic groups and experiencing the same problems, many thousands killed, many more are refugees both within and without Burundi, and fearful of what the future holds, that they may be upheld and find relief and comfort
RSCM
THE Royal School of Church Music was founded in 1927 by Sir Sydney Nicholson, then organist of Westminster Abbey. His vision was for the RSCM to help all engaged in church music to appreciate the spiritual basis of music in worship, to achieve higher standards of music making and to discover the glories of church music. These aims remain the ideals of the RSCM. Sir Sydney summarised his vision in a quotation from 1 Corinthians 14 v. 15. "I will sing with the Spirit and with the understanding also," which became the motto of the RSCM. The RSCM believes that music plays a major part in enriching Christian worship, whatever the tradition or circumstance, and that it should continue to do so.
The RSCM has grown from relatively modest beginnings to the point where it has over 7,000 affiliated churches and schools in the United Kingdom and the English speaking world as well as some 4,000 personal members. Through the ecumenical church music centre at Addington Palace, Croydon, and also through a regional network for local events and training it seeks to help all who are concerned with the Church and its music.
Over the years we have been able to organise a number of local events in the Island and it is with pleasure that we shall be welcoming MR JOHN WARDLE, MA, FRCO (who is the RSCM's Regional Director for the south) to Jersey from 7th to 9th October. During his stay he will be visiting individual affiliated choirs and schools, directing a Choir Workshop on 8th October at St John's Primary School and on Sunday 9th October, directing combined affiliated choirs in Festal Evensong also at St John's Church. It is hoped that individual members of congregations will support their church choirs by attending Festal Evensong, which will also include some congregational hymn singing.
In order to ensure that its work continues to develop and expand the RSCM is appealing for a substantial sum to provide particularly for the needs of a new home; after 40 years it has to leave Addington Palace.
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