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Church and Community News January The monthly magazine of Price 2021 St Blasius Old Parish Church 80 Pence
To Advertise Here Contact Pam Dana (01983) 863189
St. Blasius Old Parish Church
Magazine
SHARING GOD’S LOVE FOR ALL
Worshipping, Serving, Growing
TOGETHER
— CHURCH SERVICES —
We warmly invite you to join us - See details on Page 4
For enquiries relating to Banns and Marriage services, Baptisms and Funerals
please contact: Revd. Jonathan Hall (details below)
Priest-in-Charge Revd. Jonathan Hall Tel: 402480
rev.jonathanhall@btinternet.com
Local Minister: Revd. Tony Richards. Tel: 863607
Churchwardens: Mr. Robert Crawley. Tel: 868436
(Vacant)
Hon. Secretary: (Vacant)
Hon. Treasurer: Mr. Robert Crawley. Tel: 868436
Safeguarding Miss. Pam Dana Tel: 863189
Deanery Synod Members: Mrs. Karen Crowhurst. Tel: 867727
Miss Pam Dana Tel: 863189
Freewill Offering: Mr. Robert Crawley and
Mrs. Joan Roberts. Tel: 864299
Magazine Editor: Mrs. Erica Hall Tel: 402480
editor.shanklinchimes@gmail.com
Magazine Advertising: Miss. Pam Dana. Tel: 863189
Electoral Roll Secretary: Mrs Annette Richards Tel: 863607
Children’s Society: Mrs. Pat Dean. Tel: 868342
Cost of Magazine: 80p per copy. £9.00 yearly. £17.00 by post.
St Blasius Old Parish Church, Church Road, Shanklin, PO37 6QY
website: www.st-blasius-church.org.uk
1
Off with the old and On with the New
The passing of one year into another marks an important milestone in each of our
lives. Whether it is the beginning of a new decade, a new millennium, or simply a
new year - the moment that the clock strikes midnight is usually celebrated with
fireworks, music and a toast to what lies ahead in the coming year. During the weeks
either side of New Year’s Day, the media often present us with a “round up of the
year;” various shows run a “Best of…” or “Favourite scenes from…” and chat shows
provide editorial comment on the events of the outgoing year, with a look ahead to
events that might dominate the headlines during the next twelve months.
The year that we are saying “good-bye” to on this occasion, has been an extraordinary
year, unlike those that any of us have known before. A year ago, no one could have
predicted the impact that the global coronavirus pandemic would have on the world
– it has been something which has touched all of us and brought many changes to
our national and personal lives. Alongside the immense pain and suffering caused,
there has been an outpouring of love shown in the tireless efforts of NHS Staff and
all the Key Workers in many area of community life, together with voluntary support
and fundraising efforts that have inspired us all.
The outgoing year also marks the fourth and final year of negotiations concerning
our future relationship with Europe – talks which finally produced the long awaited
and much needed Trade Agreement, which only came into law on 31st December!
The ongoing pandemic means that there will be no large parties this year to mark the
passing of this extraordinary year and herald the arrival of 2021. The milestone will
be celebrated in a much quieter and more personal way. All of us will be hoping and
praying that the year ahead will be a much happier and brighter year for everyone.
Alongside this, many of us will no doubt be making New Year resolutions. Most years,
these can be very mundane, about trying to be more efficient, trying to keep up to
date with correspondence, or trying to keep desks tidy. Wouldn’t it be good if this
year, we were a bit more imaginative and each asked God to show us one thing that
we can do in the New Year that will enable us to walk more effectively in the light of
his love. This might be a real challenge – learning a new skill, or using an existing one,
in a way that we wouldn’t have dared to consider before. It might be about openly
and honestly trying to put right a relationship that has gone wrong – allowing the
light of Christ’s love – his compassion and forgiveness to show the way to healing the
pain and the hurt in that situation. It might be about offering our time, our energy,
our financial resources to help others who are suffering in this country or other parts
of the world.
2
If we each do this as part of celebrating and giving thanks to God for the gift of this
new year – despite all the national and personal challenges which still lie ahead - we
can look forward to the New Year with hope and courage.
Wishing you a Happy New Year – in which we will find many blessings.
Reverend Jonathan Hall,
Priest in Charge of St Blasius Church Shanklin and St John’s Church, Sandown.
Praying in the New Year
And I said to the man
who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely
into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness
and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light
and safer than a known way.”
The words of Minnie Louise Haskins
used by King George VI
in his Christmas broadcast 1939
3
CHURCH SERVICES IN JANUARY
Details of any changes
will be published on the St. Blasius website
and Facebook page
SUSPENSION OF CHURCH SERVICES
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Due to the Coronavirus
It is with sadness that the Church Wardens and Parochial Church Council have
unanimously decided to suspend all public worship in Church at the present time.
This decision will be constantly reviewed in the light of government and health
advice. Hopefully, the roll out of the vaccination programme and the stricter
measures introduced by the government, will gradually lead to an improvement
and allow us to re-open for worship again in a relatively short timescale.
The Island was moved into Tier 4 on New Year’s Eve, because of the significant
increase in cases. Although Government restrictions allow public worship to
continue across all tiers, many churches have taken the decision to suspend
worship in order to protect the wellbeing of church members and help prevent
the spread of the virus. Many members of our church family are very vulnerable
and have been advised to shield, as during the first national lockdown. Difficult
though this decision is, it is right to play our part in protecting each other and
help to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the community, by suspending public
worship at the present time.
It will of course be a great sadness to not come together for worship as we begin
the New Year. However, the online material will still be available week by week,
and we will be able to keep in touch with each other as we did during the previous
periods of lockdown.
You are warmly invited to
Join in with our Services at home
Worship material including
Prayers, readings, reflections and hymns is
Available on our Church website
4PRAYERS FOR THE MONTH
The Sunday Collects for this month
(with endings omitted)
3rd January- Epiphany Sunday
O God, who by the leading of a star
manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:
mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith,
may at last behold your glory face to face…
10th January - The Baptism of Christ
Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus
revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit:
grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit,
that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children…
17th January - Second Sunday of Epiphany
Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new:
transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace,
and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory…
24th January - Third Sunday of Epiphany
Almighty God,
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving presence:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power…
31st January- The Presentation of Christ
Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty,
whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple,
in substance of our flesh:
grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts,
by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord…
5Book Review
A Life on Our Planet:
My Witness Statement
and a Vision for the Future
By Sir David Attenborough
ISBN: 9781529108279
One of the reviews (written for Waterstones
Bookshops) describes this book as a
“Message of hope in a doom-laden world”.
It would be hard to improve on David
Attenborough’s own synopsis words:
“I am 94. I've had an extraordinary life. It's
only now that I appreciate how
extraordinary. As a young man, I felt I was
out there in the wild, experiencing the
untouched natural world - but it was an
illusion. The tragedy of our time has been
happening all around us, barely noticeable from day to day - the loss of our planet's
wild places, its biodiversity. I have been witness to this decline. A Life on Our Planet
is my witness statement, and my vision for the future. It is the story of how we came
to make this, our greatest mistake - and how, if we act now, we can yet put it right.
We have one final chance to create the perfect home for ourselves and restore the
wonderful world we inherited. All we need is the will to do so.”
Another review states: “Everyone must read this amazing book”. Perhaps reading
this could be a very valuable New Year’s Resolution. . .
Break into our lives, rekindle our hope
and breathe love into our communities,
that we might find new ways of supporting
and upholding one another,
bearing witness to your inclusive love
of family, friend, neighbour, and stranger alike.
Amen.
Rev Denise Liersch
7Starting 2021
with a Wave of Prayer
Every day, people all over the world pray for the work of the Mothers’ Union through
our Midday Prayers. You can see which areas we are praying for by looking on this
interactive map:
https://www.mothersunion.org/what-we-do/where-we-work
Join us in our prayers! You can download our current prayers for January 2021 here:
https://www.mothersunion.org/what-we-do/faith-and-prayer/midday-prayers-
wave-prayer
Our "Wave of Prayer" is a continuous expression of our commitment in prayer to
each other. It runs throughout the year so that the work and members of each and
every area in which Mothers' Union is active is prayed for at some point. We include
this in our Midday Prayers.
If you are looking for online gifts in 2021, don’t forget to look at The Mother’s Union
Website. These sales help to support the valuable work they do, so they can keep
making a change. The MU has a single shared vision uniting over 4 million members
around the world bringing support and care for family life to the heart of every
community. Every penny raised can help towards bringing lasting change.
This attractive Lunch Bag is foldable and
lightweight. The material is waterproof and
insulated. Made from durable rip-stop
Nylon.
Dimensions: 180mm x 170mm x 120mm.
The bag is made by Eco Chic who create
fashionable accessories that encourage
people to carry and re-use bags when
shopping or travelling to reduce the use of
plastic bags.
8FESTIVALS IN JANUARY
From the Church of England Calendar: Major Festivals in bold
1 The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
2 Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishops,
Teachers of the Faith, 379 and 389
2 Seraphim, Monk of Sarov, Spiritual Guide, 1833
2 Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah, Bishop in South India, Evangelist, 1945
6 The Epiphany
10 William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1645
11 Mary Slessor, Missionary in West Africa, 1915
12 Aelred of Hexham,Abbot of Rievaulx, 1167
12 Benedict Biscop, Abbot of Wearmouth, Scholar, 689
13 Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers,Teacher of the Faith, 367
13 Kentigern (Mungo), Missionary Bishop in Strathclyde and Cumbria, 603
13 George Fox, Founder of the Society of Friends (the Quakers), 1691
17 Antony of Egypt, Hermit, Abbot, 356
17 Charles Gore,Bishop, Founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932
18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
19 Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, 1095
20 Richard Rolle of Hampole, Spiritual Writer, 1349
21 Agnes, Child Martyr at Rome, 304
22 Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon, first Martyr of Spain, 304
24 Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva,Teacher of the Faith, 1622
25 The Conversion of Paul
26 Timothy and Titus, Companions of Paul
28 Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Philosopher,Teacher of the Faith, 1274
30 Charles, King and Martyr, 1649
31 John Bosco, Priest, Founder of the Salesian Teaching Order, 1888
May our love for those most vulnerable
in our community
become a beacon of hope for all.
In faith, hope, and love,
in the name of Jesus, we pray.
Amen
Rev Denise Liersch
6The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is
traditionally observed annually, during the
octave of Sts. Peter and St. Paul.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in
2021 has been prepared by the Monastic
Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland.
The theme that was chosen, “Abide in my love
and you shall bear much fruit”, is based on
John 15:1-17 and expresses Grandchamp
Community’s vocation to prayer,
reconciliation and unity in the Church and the
human family.
The Grandchamp Community has its origins
in Europe in the 1930s, when a group of
women of the Reformed tradition sought to rediscover the importance of silence and
listening to the Word of God. Today the community has fifty sisters, all women from
different generations, Church traditions, countries and continents. In their diversity
the sisters are a living parable of communion. They remain faithful to a life of prayer,
life in community and the welcoming of guests. The sisters share the grace of their
monastic life with visitors and volunteers who go to Grandchamp for a time of retreat,
silence, healing or in search of meaning. In producing the material for the Week of
Prayer for Christian Unity for 2021, the sisters are inviting churches across the world
to enter into their tradition of prayer and silence that is rooted in the ancient
traditions of the Church catholic.
Jesus said to the disciples, “abide in my love” (Jn 15:9). He abides in the love of the
Father (Jn 15:10) and desires nothing other than to share this love with us: “I have
called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard
from my Father” (Jn 15:15b). Grafted into the vine, which is Jesus himself, the Father
becomes our vinedresser who prunes us to make us grow. This describes what
happens in prayer. The Father is the centre of our lives, who centres our lives. He
prunes us and makes us whole, and whole human beings give glory to the Father.
Abiding in Christ is an inner attitude that takes root in us over time. It demands space
to grow. It can be overtaken by the struggle for the necessities of life and it is
threatened by the distractions, noise, activity and the challenges of life.
We live in a time that is both troubling and magnificent, an often dangerous time
where we are challenged by pandemics, wars, violence, poverty, racism and climate
change. Yet as Christians seeking reconciliation, justice and peace, we also know the
full value of a spiritual life, have an immense responsibility and must realize it, unite
and help each other create forces of calmness, refuges of peace, vital centres where
9the silence of people calls on the creative word of God. It is a question of life and
death. Though we, as Christians, abide in the love of Christ, we also live in a creation
that groans as it waits to be set free (cf. Romans 8). In the world we witness the evils
of suffering and conflict. Through solidarity with those who suffer we allow the love
of Christ to flow through us. The paschal mystery bears fruit in us when we offer love
to our brothers and sisters and nurture hope in the world.
Spirituality and solidarity are inseparably linked. Abiding in Christ, we receive the
strength and wisdom to act against structures of injustice and oppression, to fully
recognize ourselves as brothers and sisters in humanity, and to be creators of a new
way of living, with respect for and communion with all of creation.
The summary of the rule of life that the sisters of Grandchamp recite together each
morning begins with the words “pray and work that God may reign”. Prayer and
everyday life are not two separate realities but are meant to be united. All that we
experience is meant to become an encounter with God.
Prayer and worship resources for personal use at home can be found on the Churches
Together in Britain and Ireland websites:
https://ctbi.org.uk/resources-for-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2021/
I am the vine, you are the branches…
Lord help us to abide in you.
May your love flow into every branch,
Strengthening, sustaining, supplying
All we need to grow the fruits you call us to bear.
As your love flows into every part of our being,
May our thoughts, our words, our actions
Reveal the characteristics of your love,
And grow fruits that will bring us joy
As we share them with others.
Love, joy and peace,
Forgiveness, kindness and goodness,
Faithfulness, gentleness and self-control;
These are the fruits which grow
when nourished by your love.
O Lord, help us to abide in you,
So that you may abide in us.
Graft our hearts into yours,
So that our lives may be sustained
By the rhythm of your love.
10The Month of January
The month of January is named after the
Roman god, Janus. In mythology, Janus was
the god of beginnings and transitions. The
original ancient Roman calendar had only ten
months and did not include the months of
January and February, until they were added
in around 700 BC.
Janus is frequently depicted on Roman coins,
on buildings and in sculpture. He is often
shown with two faces, one looking back to the
past and one looking forward to the future.
Janus continues to be represented in many art forms today. The human need to
know that God is with us and understands our hopes and fears runs through all time.
In this New Year 2021, we may be looking forward with more apprehension than
usual.
In the Old Testament, the ancient book of Ecclesiastes describes God’s knowledge of
all time, He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God
has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
In the beautiful opening verses of his Gospel, the Evangelist John described Jesus
coming into the world as a light. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him
all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him
was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and
the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-6).
During January, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, or the ‘Showing’ of Jesus to
the world. The festival affirms the wonderful promise from a God whom we shall
one day see face to face. As St Paul writes - “ For now we see through a glass, darkly;
but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am
known.”(1 Corinthians 13 verse 12).
11Update from the Principal’s Newsletters…
What’s been going on in P.E. when it is too wet
outside? Most of the P.E. lessons have been
St Blasius
indoors. This is obviously not ideal, but we have
Primary Academy
made it work. We have played dodgeball, circuit
handball and a number of multi-skills games. All
the children have been starting the ‘walk to the North Pole’. It has been really
nice to see them being so active. Well done and keep on going. Reception class
have been doing so well on the Balance Bikes. I set up a mini-circuit, which the
children had to go around. They are getting really confident and it’s so nice to see
them enjoying themselves.
There is Free training available to all Staff , Parents, Carers and Families, in
association with St Blasius Shanklin C of E Primary Academy . The Aim Group are
supporting parents and families to better understand their children around things
like Autism, Children's Mental Health, Dyslexia, Challenging Behaviour, and ADHD,
plus many more - without cost!! Are you over 19 (since 31st August 2020), lived
in the UK/EU for the past three years, and not currently doing another government
funded course? Then it is free to all! So, what is the catch (I hear you ask)?
There isn’t one - Courses last six weeks, usually taking somewhere between 25-30
hours overall to do (subject to your learning speed). There's no final exam or
extended research required as it is all included. Upon completion you are awarded
an "Official Level 2 Vocational Recognised Qualification" (this is the equivalent of
a Grade 5 GCSE) . Our only condition of them being free to the individual is, that
you cannot withdraw once enrolled without a valid reason (this would cost the
college money) and could mean a fine of £150 could be liable to you (But we rarely
have anyone go forward without knowing they will complete).
Academy Open Day Video… Children may have mentioned that they had seen a
man filming around the academy. This was to enable us to make a video about the
academy to show parents of children looking to choose their primary school ready
for starting reception in September 2021. If you would like to view the video please
use this link: https://vimeo.com/482585679 Thank you to Ian Plested and to all
our staff and children for showing our school to any potential new families.
Mrs Mobley
Principal St Blasius Shanklin C of E Primary Academy.
The deadline for the February issue is Wednesday 20th January
12The January Eco update
1. Resist the temptation of the January sales! Only buy
sustainably sourced clothes that you really need. Perhaps
2021 could be a year to ‘Make do and Mend’ again and
upcycle clothes already in your wardrobe.
2. Try to have a more plant-based diet because the livestock industry
emits as much carbon as the world’s entire transport sector
combined. Even being partly vegetarian, or vegan, is good for your
health (and your wallet). Buy local meat and fish and so send
governments the message that you do not want to buy foods
produced using planet-destroying methods. Start off in small ways
to make it easy and fun – try meat-free Mondays, or Veganuary,
and slowly increase the number of plant-based items in your diet.
3. Remember to take your own shopping bags. Despite widespread
concerns about the environment, single use plastic still remains a
huge threat. The rising sales of so-called ‘bags for life’ demonstrate
that these bags are now used by many customers as a single-use
option! Continue to campaign for plastic free supermarkets,
because they have a vital role to play as catalyst for change.
4. Only buy what you actually need! Challenge the branding and
marketing practices that encourage us to buy more than we need.
(Buy one get one free etc.)
5. We need to buy local products and have more seasonal and local
diets. This will shorten the supply chains that require such huge
amounts of air miles and packaging. We need to challenge the over
consumption that causes so many of the world’s environmental
challenges. Grocery retailers are in a prime position to help inspire
the transformational changes we need.
If you would like to find out more about what you can do to help, have a look
at these fascinating articles: Greenpeace: Checking out on plastics
https://eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/Checking-Out-on-Plastics-
2-report.pdf
Greenpeace: 5-New Year Resolutions
https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/5-new-years-resolutions-future-proof-
2020-green-new-decade/
13Happy New Year!
By John P. Read
Brush away old heartaches. Pray for health and happiness.
Learn from our mistakes. Pray for your fellow man.
Another year is finally over. Pray for all the ones you love.
A new dawn awakes. Pray for those who've lost their way.
Let the old year out. As the midnight hour chimes,
Welcome the new one in. We leave the old and embrace the new.
Bury the bad things of the past I wish the things you wish for yourself,
As a new year now begins. And may God’s love stay with you.
Make your New Year wishes
As simple as you can.
Pray for peace and love,
Not for wealth or fame.
14A
Big Thank You
To everyone who shared
in and contributed to our
Christmas worship.
Both St Blasius and
St John’s Churches were
beautifully decorated -
thank you to all those
who created the
decorations.
It was lovely to have a
choir singing the carols at
all of our special
Christmas services -
particular thanks to our
organists and members of
St Blasius Choir together
with those who also sang
from St John’s. Although
the congregations were
not able to join in the
singing, we were all able
to echo the familiar
words in our hearts in
thanksgiving and praise.
Having installed the new
digital bells at St Blasius
earlier in the year, it was
lovely to hear the sound
of carols ringing out
before the services.
15Grant, O Lord, that as the years change,
we may find rest in your eternal changelessness.
May we meet this new year bravely, sure in the faith that,
while men and women come and go, and life changes around us,
you are ever the same, guiding us with your wisdom,
and protecting us with your love; through our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
William Temple
16Don’t Delete me yet!
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