This was the magazine of St Brelade's Church. This edition dates from 2005.
Giving and Receiving
They call it Global Warming - But I've been very cold. Perhaps someone will explain it - Or is it because I'm old? -- Anon
EASTER MESSAGE 2005
New Year 2005 saw the whole world moved to offer aid to those areas hit by the Boxing Day Tsunami. During the last few weeks we have been hearing about the rebuilding work undertaken by people who probably felt that they had nothing left to live for. It is heartening to see people who had their whole world literally swept away in an instant starting again. However, some of the resorts which were destroyed in Thailand were fairly unsavoury centres of "sexual tourism" and the Thai government have declared a firm intention not to let these sorts of places develop again. So, even out of unbelievable destruction, new resolutions to build a better society have come.
Although I trust none of us will ever experience the terrifying force of a tsunami, we all, at some stage in our lives, feel as though our lives have been turned upside down - maybe through bereavement, loss of a job, or illness, or failed relationships. We feel as though there is nothing to look forward to and it's just not worth starting again. But we can use these devastating events to get rid of some of the negative things we cling to, that stop us from rebuilding with the optimism of the Tsunami victims, determined to make a better future.
This, of course, is the heart of the Easter message that we hear every year. During Lent we identify with Christ and his followers as their hopes and dreams turn into disillusionment and suffering, culminating in the hideous torture and death of Jesus. What a tsunami of desolation must have washed over Mary, the disciples and followers of Jesus on that first Good Friday.
But we know that that was not the end of the story. Easter Sunday was the triumphant beginning of the tidal wave of Christian hope and love which we seek to share with the world. So wherever there is hope, love and faith, there is God leading his people from despair to a better future. And it does not matter whether they work under the Red Cross, the Red Crescent or wear silly Red Noses, it's the desire to make a difference for the Global Family that matters, for we are all children of God however we choose to acknowledge (or ignore) Him.
So I hope that this Lent you have tried to shed some of your prejudices and misconceptions, maybe patched up a relationship, or taken a small step to change the world - even if only by buying some fairly traded goods! Then, you will be truly ready to celebrate the New Life with Jesus on Easter Day.
Have a very Happy Easter, Mark.
NEWS FROM ST. AUBIN-ON-THE-HILL: From Christopher Davey
As Editor of The Clarion, I am writing this quarter's contribution. This is because Denise Waller's husband Rodney, who is also our outgoing Church Warden - in post for some fourteen years now - is undergoing very serious heart surgery even as I write. We wish him and Denise the greatest good fortune in recovering from this operation, and bear both in our prayers.
One of those volunteering to take over from Rodney - we really do need three Church Wardens - is Iris Fritz from Hanover. Having holidayed in Jersey over many years and attended our Church whenever she was over here, she became so enchanted with the Island that she decided to uproot herself from Germany, and take up an IT project post with the Royal Bank of Canada. She is now loving her time here, and, as a committed Christian, has offered to bring some youthful feminine blood into our Church, having already helped Kay Pirouet with the Sunday Kid's Club.
In the latter context Kay's venture with the children has proved so successful that early in 2004, it had become increasingly clear that the space afforded by the Vestry was inadequate. So we applied for, and finally, after much delay, received all the necessary permissions to erect an, albeit temporary, chalet in the northeast corner of the Churchyard opposite the Vestry external door. This has involved the excavation of the earth-mound in that corner, which was dug out by Community workers under the auspices of La Moye prison.
In the latter context Kay's venture with the children has proved so successful that early in 2004, it had become increasingly clear that the space afforded by the Vestry was inadequate. So we applied for, and finally, after much delay, received all the necessary permissions to erect an, albeit temporary, chalet in the northeast corner of the Churchyard opposite the Vestry external door. This has involved the excavation of the earth-mound in that corner, which was dug out by Community workers under the auspices of La Moye prison.
The foundations of sand and blocks have been laid, and even now the Chalet is being erected, and we have every hope that, notwithstanding Rodney's unfortunate absence, it will have been wired up, furnished and ready for opening by Easter. Planning have insisted that, to conform with the build-date of the Church (1880), it must be decorated with 'Colonial era' friezes, and that the paint-work of the structure must be of a dull purplish grey, with the window sashes in white and the doors in red, with royal blue frames. it will not be visible from the main road, but the end result shduld therefore be, not only functional, but quite interesting. With time and weathering, of course, these rather garish colours will surely tone down.
Back in January Kay Pirouet, Kitty and Jessie Blampied joined with members of The Bay to visit Joel and Manjula in South India where they were celebrating their Bicentennial. We shall all be hearing about this trip on 'India Sunday' (3rd April at 10.30am). In the meantime we have been praying for their granddaughter Mini, who has been struck down with Typhoid Fever: she is now recovering, but is still very weak. Another miracle is that Bill Morrice, our long standing and beloved organist, has finally fought off and been reported clear of MRSA.
On the afternoon of Saturday 2nd April at 2.30pm, again with the Wailers out of commission, Christopher and Debbie Davey will be organising the first of the now famous twice-yearly Jumble-Sales in the Parish Hall. If you get there late, you will miss all the best things! (By the way, Jumble may be left at the back of the Church from Monday 28th March).
A symbol of hope in jail.
When Singapore fell to the Japanese in 1942, Ethel Mulvaney, a Canadian, was working there for the Red Cross.
Along with more than 4,000 internees, she was locked in Changi Jail, which had been built to accommodate just 400 prisoners. They suffered four years of crowding and hunger, flies and filth, with loneliness and isolation and no news of family at home. Sometimes it seemed that even God had forsaken them.
As the first Easter approached, this brave Red Cross worker went on behalf of the others to ask the officer in charge of the prison if they might sing hymns in the courtyard on Easter morning. "Why?" he asked. "Because Christ rose from the dead on Easter morning," she replied. "No," he barked. "Return to the compound."
Twelve times this strange little drama of request and refusal was repeated, then to their astonishment came the order: "Women prisoners may sing for five minutes in courtyard number 1, Changi Jail, at dawn on Easter morning." In the presence of one guard they sang for five minutes, in which they praised God for Christ's resurrection, the only hope to which they could cling.
Silently they marched back, and as Mrs. Mulvaney entered the passageway, the guard stepped up, reached under his brown shirt and drew out a tiny orchid. Placing it in her hand he said very softly: "Yes, Christ did rise. I know it's true just as you do." And with that he turned and was gone.
Mrs. Mulvaney stood there, her eyes brimming with tears, knowing that she and the others need never again feel completely forsaken in Changi jail. Someone else shared with them the Easter faith.
"About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." (Acts 16:25)
Joy Hedges.
Editor's note:
I am most grateful to the editor of the "Eastleigh News Extra" Mary Payne, and to Joy Hedges, for allowing me to publish this very moving story. -- Elsie M Pryor
Back in January Kay Pirouet, Kitty and Jessie Blampied joined with members of The Bay to visit Joel and Manjula in South India where they were celebrating their Bicentennial. We shall all be hearing about this trip on 'India Sunday' (3rd April at 10.30am). In the meantime we have been praying for their granddaughter Mini, who has been struck down with Typhoid Fever: she is now recovering, but is still very weak. Another miracle is that Bill Morrice, our long standing and beloved organist, has finally fought off and been reported clear of MRSA.
On the afternoon of Saturday 2nd April at 2.30pm, again with the Wailers out of commission, Christopher and Debbie Davey will be organising the first of the now famous twice-yearly Jumble-Sales in the Parish Hall. If you get there late, you will miss all the best things! (By the way, Jumble may be left at the back of the Church from Monday 28th March).
A symbol of hope in jail.
When Singapore fell to the Japanese in 1942, Ethel Mulvaney, a Canadian, was working there for the Red Cross.
Along with more than 4,000 internees, she was locked in Changi Jail, which had been built to accommodate just 400 prisoners. They suffered four years of crowding and hunger, flies and filth, with loneliness and isolation and no news of family at home. Sometimes it seemed that even God had forsaken them.
As the first Easter approached, this brave Red Cross worker went on behalf of the others to ask the officer in charge of the prison if they might sing hymns in the courtyard on Easter morning. "Why?" he asked. "Because Christ rose from the dead on Easter morning," she replied. "No," he barked. "Return to the compound."
Twelve times this strange little drama of request and refusal was repeated, then to their astonishment came the order: "Women prisoners may sing for five minutes in courtyard number 1, Changi Jail, at dawn on Easter morning." In the presence of one guard they sang for five minutes, in which they praised God for Christ's resurrection, the only hope to which they could cling.
Silently they marched back, and as Mrs. Mulvaney entered the passageway, the guard stepped up, reached under his brown shirt and drew out a tiny orchid. Placing it in her hand he said very softly: "Yes, Christ did rise. I know it's true just as you do." And with that he turned and was gone.
Mrs. Mulvaney stood there, her eyes brimming with tears, knowing that she and the others need never again feel completely forsaken in Changi jail. Someone else shared with them the Easter faith.
"About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." (Acts 16:25)
Joy Hedges.
Editor's note:
I am most grateful to the editor of the "Eastleigh News Extra" Mary Payne, and to Joy Hedges, for allowing me to publish this very moving story. -- Elsie M Pryor
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