Concord Magazine OCTOBER 2018 Price 50p - www.parishofmorpeth.org.uk - Parish of Morpeth
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Concord Magazine
OCTOBER 2018 Price 50p
www.parishofmorpeth.org.uk
2
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7
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3
I first heard the Church’s prayer of St Aidan in
August 2015. Revd Canon Ian Knox was leading
the patronal festival celebration at St Aidan’s,
and as he read this prayer, something stirred in
me – I wonder if it does in you too?
O loving God, who called your servant Aidan from
the peace of a cloister to re-establish the
Christian mission in northern England, and
endowed him with gentleness, simplicity and strength: Grant, we ask you,
that we, following his example, may use what you have given us for the
relief of human need, and may persevere in commending the saving
Gospel of our Redeemer Jesus Christ.
I love so many things about Aidan’s story, and about these words. Aidan
could have stayed and lived out his days in the monastery he loved – but
he followed God’s call to leave it. Aidan could have joined in with
successful missionaries elsewhere, but he followed God’s call to where
there was no mission happening. Aidan could have built churches and
places of worship which were exclusive to those who signed up to the
doctrines of the church, but he followed Gods call to establish
monasteries; places of worship, community, of medicine and of
education.
Aidan could have lived a quiet, private life, and enjoyed a quiet private
faith – but he followed God’s call to walk towards those who didn’t yet
know Jesus, and in so doing, left a legacy we celebrate in Northumberland
and across the world even today. The invitation from Aidan’s life, and
from so many of the words of Jesus, is for God’s people to leave their
places of private worship and personal faith, and follow this same call.
Our recent Pathways Mission was one opportunity for Churches across
our diocese to do just that. Beginning on Holy Island, as Aidan and many
others have done before, 26 Bishops and their teams, with clergy and
members of our parishes, set out to serve their local communities, to
share God’s love, and to speak of Jesus Christ.
4
Here in Morpeth, our own faith was stretched as we stepped out of our
comfort zones.
We hosted events in public spaces, collected prayers, listened to people,
shared testimonies, told stories, painted stones, shared faith on a pub
crawl, and joined with regular outreach activities. It was a wonderful
weekend. Thankyou to all who joined in, organized, invited, spoke,
played, baked, and to all who prayed.
For me, my faith always grows when I am outside of the ‘usual contexts’
of Christianity. Focusing outward, serving others and sharing faith can be
demanding – but I know that these times leave a legacy within my own
spirit, and in the lives of those who experience God’s love. Our task now
is to wait in prayerful expectation to see what seeds may grow as a result
of the church ‘leaving its cloisters.’
So may I invite you to pray with me, that we will use whatever God has
given us, as individuals, and as the parish of Morpeth, to bring God’s love,
light, hope and saving life through Jesus Christ to all of those around us.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Beth Rookwood
Leave me alone with God as much as may be.
As the tide draws the waters close in upon the shore,
Make me an island, set apart,
alone with you, God, holy to you.
Then with the turning of the tide
prepare me to carry your presence to the busy world beyond,
the world that rushes in on me
till the waters come again and fold me back to you.
Aidan of Lindisfarne
5
Well it looks as though Summer is
over, and the winter storms have
begun with a vengeance .
You Tube has clips galore of floating cars;
wrecked buildings; flying debris ; big
stormy waves and broken trees in the
road .Scary stuff. Natural, of course, but very scary. And the Halloween tat has
started to appear in the shops, so this month we’ve got some articles about that
and some ideas about what to do with the pumpkin lanterns after the tricks and
treats are finished.
I did think about writing something about the Pathways Mission, but I confess I
was relieved that Beth beat me to it, so there’s a photo-spread instead, where
you can see some of the things that happened over that weekend.
Unfortunately, there are no candid snaps of the pub crawl, which would have
been a useful way of finding out who went on it. There is, however, a photo of
my large gin & tonic at the Friday gig, cunningly placed alongside a pot of tea.
That shot did get a re-Tweet on from Bishop Mark on the pathways Twitter feed,
which chuffed me no end. “Parish gigs always have tea and cake, but rarely large
gins and tonic”. It was a good night and raised a decent sum for the Mayor’s
charity, too. All in all, it was a huge weekend, with events taking place all over
the diocese and we really do have to say an enormous thanks to everyone who
worked so hard to make it happen.
And speaking of raising money for a local charity, on Friday November 2nd at
7pm in St James, we’re going to do our best to raise lots of money for the Percy
Hedley Foundation with ‘SHOWTIME” a concert, given by the Blyth Music and
Theatre Company Singers. There’s a free drink included with the ticket and we’ll
do our best to encourage you to unleash your inner diva (or divo) by listening to
this really good local ensemble singing songs from the shows. Diamante
accessories and/or bow ties; perma-tan and Broadway glamour are optional.
Those of you who remember Dave’s 24 hour ‘Play for Kay’ event many years
ago, will understand why this concert is happening. It’s called ‘Showtime’ but it’s
unofficially ‘Songs for Kay’, so please do come along and we’ll remember her
with love and affection and hopefully raise some money for the Percy Hedley
Foundation, which played such a huge part in enabling Kay Purdue to become
the lovely young woman she was.
By the time you read this, I suspect October will have arrived, Simon will be back
from his Sabbatical; all the harvest will be safely gathered in and we’ll we
counting down to Christmas. My word, doesn’t time fly?
Val Pope
6 Reach out to touch the World this Christmastime No wrapping paper required, ribbon or tags, just knowing that by offering hospitality to a “Stranger Soon to Become Friend”, the experience will stay with you and your guest long after recycling the wrapping paper, storing decorations and finishing off the cold turkey! Here at HOST UK we offer you the opportunity to engage in an extra special Christmas-time by opening your home to an international student for whom the alternative would be, not only being far from home and loved ones but marking time in lonely halls of residence. HOST UK arranges visits for International students all year round but as can well be imagined, festive season hospitality is greatly sought after and valued. Our “festive season” will include the period in the Christmas run up, as well as New Year. Your guest will be someone keen to experience British life with all its special traditions and culture…and keen to share those of their home country. Your hospitality will be a unique gift, invariably remembered and treasured. Your gift to each other and to the world will be that of growing friendship, peace and understanding. Please consider this opportunity and remember that if the festive season is difficult for you, we do operate all year round and hosting can become one of your New Year Resolutions! If you should like to know more, please go to our website www.hostuk.org or leave us a message on http://visits.hostuk.org/Public/ ApplyToBecomeAHost
7
Food for Thought
‘One of the great distractions of the clergy involves
buildings. Often this work has to be done, and
done very well. The Church of England has roughly
16,000 buildings, of which 12,500 are listed, noted
as of historic interest. They need work. As I
discovered as a parish priest, old buildings are
often unfriendly to those attending church,
inflexible for community use and staggeringly cold.
So they need updating as has been done in every
generation since church building started.
Yet there is, I discovered, a perverse temptation in building things. It can
sometimes be done as T.S. Eliot puts it in Murder in the Cathedral, by
succumbing to the fourth temptation, ‘to do the right thing for the wrong
reason’. In a wonderful book by Rumer Godden, In This House of Brede, an
elderly abbess falls for what is called ‘stone fever’, a desire to mark her
tenure in stone and buildings………..
……..Parish priests who have worked steadily and well, leading people to
faith, serving the poor, loving everyone in the parish, contributing to the life
of the local church and the community, may also spend their life in that
craft, and a great craft it is. There may not be any tangible change to see,
although many lives will have been improved and valued. It is a temptation
to say they have done nothing, because unlike the reassuring tangibility of
buildings, we cannot easily see or measure what they have done.
But what is not measurable may be valuable beyond measure. Not allowing
it to define us in the way that the tangible does in some way demeans us, or
demeans those who do intangible things. Implicitly, we say they are lesser.
Money shouts very loudly: ‘Look at me, look at me, see what I am doing and
see how special I am.’
Mammon draws our gaze away from things that are more worthy of our
attention, but have not been given the badge of a comparable monetary
value.’
An extract from Archbishop Justin Welby’s book ‘Dethroning Mammon’
8
MORPETH DOES THE PATHWAYS MISSION WEEKEND
Bishop
Chris; some
friends and
a Monk in
the Park
Tea Time TWICE—one
with little people and one There was also a Pub Crawl,
with Gin & Tonic; a around Morpeth, but we
Groovy band, the didn't get any pictures and
Mayor…..and a lady with we haven't seen any of the
a CAKE (we raffled it) people who did it since they
set out!
9
Assorted Pink Ladies; a
Patently Fake Pink Car and
that’s NOT John Travolta.
Nice jacket, though, Bishop
Chris!
The Mens’
Breakfast (the
fry-up comes
after the talk!)
In the
Waterford
Lodge
Alan
Purdue (6th
from right)
moonlighting in
Blyth with
VoiceMale choir
10
Love, loss and remembering
Autumn has traditionally been a time when Christians explore the big questions
about life and death. Watching the leaves fall and the nights draw in is an
opportunity for all ages to think about love and loss and remember in special
ways. Children ask questions about death for all kinds of reasons. It may come
from seeing a local war memorial, or closer to home with the death of a pet. Or
maybe your child has lost a great-grandparent, grandparent, a family friend, a
teacher, a neighbour, an aunt or uncle.
For some children, the impact of loss has huge consequences, especially if it’s
the death of a parent or a sibling. However and whenever those questions
come, there are good ways to remember those we see no longer with family at
home:
• Light a candle on important days and say a prayer. “Loving God, thank you
for_________and help us to remember them well. ” This is a simple prayer to
say together.
• Gather some items that remind you of that person – letters they wrote,
photos of them, items of clothing – and keep them in a nice box. Children can
add things to the box.
• Taking part in charities connected to the person who died; Race for Life is a
family-friendly event that can honour people who died from cancer, for
example.
• Children can help taking care of a gravesite – pulling weeds, choosing flowers
or other items to bring at special times, washing a memorial stone, etc.
The church also has ways of remembering those we love who have died. This
happens at the start of November, at All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. A week
later, at Remembrance Sunday, we remember those who died in wars, and pray
for peace. At All Saints’ Day (November 1st), we remember those Christians who
have died, who we don’t know personally. A “saint” is someone whose life
shows us how to follow Jesus. There are all kinds of saints – teachers, artists,
scientists, social reformers, troublemakers, writers, and many more. Is there a
saint who shares your child’s name? Their birthday? Think of well-known saints,
like St George for example, and discover together who they were and what they
did. On All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), the church remembers all those we
know who have died. Some churches have a special service where they invite
people to add any names they would like read out to a list – we can hear the
names that mean something to us and light a candle to remember them.
Watch out for details of All Souls services in the parish on the weekly news
sheet11
GOD IN THE ARTS
‘He gave us eyes to see them’
Duccio’s Wedding at Cana
‘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.’
The Rev Michael Burgess is exploring symbols of the Christian faith as
found in works of art.12
Would you like a stall ?
Morpeth Advent Market
St James Church
Saturday 24th November 2018.
Open to the public from 10am until 12 noon
Stalls are available for businesses
selling handmade, locally produced goods only
Total cost of a stall is £20
(optional donations will be invited on the day!)
We would love to have you there!
To book, contact Morpeth Parish Office
01670 503326
(office hours Mon-Fri 9.30am—12.30pm)13
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Play and learn sessions with help from teachers. Just drop in – with or without
a partner. Thursdays & Fridays 1.30 to 4.30 pm ongoing , including holidays
at Hepscott Village Hall14
Blyth Tall Ship Project
On Saturday September 8th. as part of the Pathways Mission weekend, we visited
the Williams II tall ship berthed at Blyth quayside. This opportunity to look over
the ship was hosted by the Blyth Tall Ship Project and Bedlington deanery, but
with some input from Morpeth as Wendy McKenzie
was an events steward and Alan Purdue was singing
in Voicemale on the quayside.
On 19 February 1819 at latitude 62o West and 40o
south Captain William Smith from Blyth ( born in
Seaton Sluice 11 Oct 1790 )made the first sighting of
Antarctica. Sailing south on a trading voyage he was
avoiding a storm at Cape Horn when he sighted the
continent. He later returned, charted the area and
claimed it for Great Britain ( under orders from the
Royal Navy). Sadly after this memorable adventure
his career and finances declined and he died in
obscurity, his achievements unrecognised.
The BlythTall Ship project purchased a
Baltic Trader, very similar to the original
Williams, built in Denmark in 1914, and
she is undergoing a refit with the intention
of repeating the original voyage of Captain
Smith to celebrate the centenary of the
discovery. The work has been undertaken
by community volunteers and trainees,
providing qualifications in seamanship
skills and engineering to young
apprentices in the Blyth area. The original name of the Williams II was Hobaet
( Swedish for hope) and she has certainly brought hope and enthusiasm to
those involved.
Archbishop Sentamu visited the ship to bless her, to congratulate the
apprentices and learn about their work. Unfortunately we had to leave before
that happened! (But we found a picture of the event, which you can see he
obviously enjoyed!)
The above information was culled from display boards at the event, and
volunteers working on the project.
Maureen Chester15
Grow an attitude of gratitude
The Rev Tony Horsfall, a former missionary in East
Malaysia and now retreat leader based in West
Yorkshire, considers the power of being thankful.
Harvest is a time of thanksgiving to God for all His
provision for us. It is good to cultivate a grateful heart,
and studies have shown that people who practise
thankfulness tend to have a more positive outlook on
life, be more optimistic about the future, and are
generally healthier than those who do a lot of grumbling and
complaining.
On one occasion Jesus met a group of ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19). They
called out to Him in a loud voice, asking for Him to have pity of them,
which He did. He sent them to the priest, and on the way they were
healed. However, only one of them returned to give thanks to Jesus, and
he was a Samaritan. He threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked
Him, giving praise to God in a loud voice.
It occurs to me that most of us make a loud noise when we are in need
of help, but we are much quieter about giving thanks. We are not
inhibited when making our needs known to God, but how many of us
make a point of giving Him thanks when we have received His help?
Do we sing His praises loudly? Do we give clear testimony to what the
Lord has done?
Why not try and cultivate the discipline of gratitude in your life? Make it
a rule to thank anyone who helps you in some way, or who encourages
you. Let them know you appreciate them. Review each day before you
sleep, reminding yourself of every good thing that happened, and
offering your thoughts to God as a prayer. Introduce a short time of
giving thanks in your church service. In your home group have a time of
praying short, sentence prayers of gratitude to God. Keep a gratitude
diary.
Rather than focus of what you don’t have, or what has gone wrong, train
your mind to focus on what you do have, and what has gone right. You
will be surprised at the difference it can make.16
William Tyndale
Bible translator and Reformation
martyr
This month is the 500th anniversary of the beginning of
the Reformation, and so a good time to pay tribute to
an outstanding English scholar, translator and martyr of
the Reformation.
William Tyndale (c. 1494 - 6th October 1536) was born near Gloucester, and
studied at Oxford and Cambridge. He could speak seven languages, and was
proficient in ancient Hebrew and Greek. As a priest, his abilities would have
taken him a long way, but by 1523 Tyndale’s only desire was to translate the
Bible, so that English men and women could read it for themselves. It became his
life’s passion.
For Tyndale had rediscovered a vital doctrine that the Church had been ignoring:
that of justification by faith. He had found it when reading Erasmus's Greek
edition of the New Testament. In fact, his life’s work was well summed up in
some words of his mentor, Erasmus: "Christ desires His mysteries to be published
abroad as widely as possible. I would that [the Gospels and the epistles of Paul]
were translated into all languages, of all Christian people, and that they might be
read and known."
Tyndale’s translation was the first Bible to be published in English, the first to
draw directly from Hebrew and Greek texts, and the first English translation to
take advantage of the printing press.
It was to cost him his life. For Tyndale’s work was seen as a direct challenge to
the power of both the Roman Catholic Church and the laws of England in
maintaining the Church’s position.
When the authorities had tried to stop his translation, Tyndale fled to Hamburg,
Wittenberg, Cologne, and finally to the Lutheran city of Worms. It was there, in
1525, his New Testament emerged. It was quickly smuggled into England, and
King Henry VIII, Cardinal Wolsey, and others, were furious.
Tyndale moved on to Antwerp, where for nine more years he continued his work.
Then in May 1535 he was betrayed, arrested, and jailed in a castle near Brussels.
Tied to the stake for strangulation and burning, his dying prayer was that the King
of England’s eyes would be opened. Sure enough, two years later King Henry
authorised the Great Bible for the Church of England, which relied largely on
Tyndale’s work.
Not only that, but in 1611, the 54 scholars who produced the King James Bible
drew very heavily from Tyndale. Even today we honour him: in 2002, Tyndale
was placed at number 26 in the BBC’s poll of 100 Greatest Britons.17
18
Don’t throw the insides away!
Pumpkin & Lentil Soup
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil, plus 1 tsp
2 onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
approx 800g chopped pumpkin flesh, plus seeds
100g split red lentil
2 tsp thyme leaves
1l hot vegetable stock
pinch of salt and sugar
50g crème fraîche, plus extra to serve
Method
Heat the oil in a large pan. Fry the onions until softened and starting to turn
golden. Stir in the garlic, pumpkin flesh, lentils and thyme, then pour in the
hot stock. Season, cover and simmer for 20-25 mins until the lentils and
vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, wash the pumpkin seeds. Remove any flesh
still clinging to them, then dry them with kitchen paper. Heat the 1 tsp oil in a
non-stick pan and fry the seeds until they start to jump and pop. Stir
frequently, but cover the pan in between to keep them in it. When the seeds
look nutty and toasted, add a sprinkling of salt and a pinch of sugar, and stir
well. Whizz the cooked pumpkin mixture with a hand blender or in a food
processor until smooth, then add the crème fraîche and whizz again. Taste for
seasoning. Serve with a spoonful of crème fraîche, a few thyme leaves and the
toasted seeds scattered on top.
Winter vegetable curry with fruity raita
Ingredients
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 onions thinly sliced
½ pumpkin, winter squash or butternut squash, cut into cubes
4 carrots, cut into batons
2 parsnips, cut into batons
3 tbsp curry paste (or gluten-free alternative)
8 large ripe tomatoes, 2 cut into wedges
6 garlic cloves, peeled
thumb-sized piece ginger, peeled and chopped
small pack fresh coriander, chopped
200g brown basmati rice
6 tbsp low-fat natural yogurt
100g mango, cut into cubes
1 tbsp mango chutney
small pack toasted flaked almonds19 Method Heat the oil in a large lidded pan. Tip in the onions and cook for 10 mins until soft. Stir in the pumpkin, carrots and parsnips, and cook for 5 mins until they begin to soften. Add the curry paste and cook for another 3 mins. In a bowl, whizz together the whole tomatoes, garlic and ginger until smooth, then pour over the vegetables, adding 200ml water. Save a handful of coriander to serve, and stir in the rest. Pop on the lid and simmer for 40 mins or until the vegetables are tender. Uncover, stir through the tomato wedges and reduce to the thicken the sauce. Meanwhile, cook the rice following pack instructions. Mix the yogurt, mango and chutney in a small bowl. Fork the rice into a serving dish and scatter the curry with remaining coriander and the almonds. Season, then serve alongside the rice and fruity yogurt. Pumpkin passion cupcakes Ingredients 175ml sunflower oil 175g light muscovado sugar 3 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 200g grated pumpkin or butternut squash flesh 100g sultanas grated zest 1 orange 2 tsp ground cinnamon 200g self-raising flour 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda For the frosting 200g tub full-fat cream cheese 85g icing sugar toasted chopped pecans to decorate (optional) Method Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tray with paper cases. Pour the oil into a large bowl and add the sugar, eggs and vanilla. Beat together, then add the grated pumpkin, sultanas and orange zest. Stir in the cinnamon, flour and bicarbonate of soda, the mixture will be quite wet. Spoon into the cases. Bake for 25 mins until firm and springy to the touch and a skewer inserted in the centre of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack. At this stage you can freeze the cakes for 4 months. To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth then spread on top of the cupcakes. Leave plain or decorate with toasted pecans. Store in the fridge, but return to room temperature to serve for the best flavour and texture.
20
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22
22 One of the first Levites to resettle in
OCTOBER CROSSWORD 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)
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
Across (Genesis 17:15) (5)
1 Tertullus, who presented the high 7 ‘So in Christ we who are many form
priest’s case against Paul in his trial one body, and each — belongs to all
before Felix, was one (Acts 24:1) (6) the others’ (Romans 12:5) (6)
4 As balm (anag.) (6) 9 According to Peter, a wife’s beauty
8 Having explored Canaan, he and should not come from wearing this (1
Joshua urged the Israelites to take pos- Peter 3:3) (9)
session of it (Numbers 13:30) (5) 13 ‘For God did not send his Son into
9 On becoming king of Judah, he had the world to — the world’ (John 3:17)
all six of his brothers killed (2 Chroni- (7)
cles 21:4) (7) 14 ‘The Lord of heaven and
10 ‘Even the — has found a home, and earth...does not live in — built by
the swallow a nest for herself’ (Psalm hands’ (Acts 17:24) (7)
84:3) (7) 15 ‘If your hand — you to sin,cut it
11 Banishment(Jeremiah29:1)(5) off’(Mark9:43)(6)
12 ‘And now I will show you the most 16 Something like these fell from Saul’s
— way’(1Corinthians12:31) (9) eyes as soon as Ananias placed his
17 ‘Titus did not exploit you, did he? hands on him (Acts 9:18) (6)
Did we not —— the same spirit and 18 Track(Job41:30)(5)
follow the same course?’ (2 Corinthians 20 Religious doctrine(5)
12:18) (3,2)
19 Mice den(anag.)(7) Crossword answers on page 24
21 How Egypt is often described in the
Old Testament: ‘the land of —
’ (Exodus 13:3) (7)23
24
Halloween is on the way
It is that time of year again – when the pumpkins with scary faces appear in our
shops, surrounded by skeleton costumes, zombie masks, witch’s hats and sweets
with gruesome names.
How do Christian parents deal with this annual celebration of evil and death?
For of course 31st October has pagan Celtic roots – it was the evening when the
souls of the dead were meant to revisit their old homes on earth.
Most kids just want the fun of dressing up and scaring their friends half to death.
They are oblivious to the darker forces behind it all, or at least do not take them
seriously.
Many Christian families and churches have resolved the problem not by ignoring
Halloween, but by taking it as only the starting point in a festival, not the end in
itself. Hence, they allow their children to dress up, but then take them to a Lights
Party, where the whole story is told, not just the pagan bit. Instead of discourag-
ing any thoughts of evil and death, they encourage the children to consider the
darkness – but through a Christian lens. Christians do not deny death and dying
and evil, but they know that death has no real terrors for us at all, because it has
been defeated through the cross and resurrection of Jesus. Halloween is only
half the story: Christianity is the completion, because God in his love sent Jesus
to save us from darkness.
So - Halloween is a time to remind our children that Jesus is with us in both the
good and bad times of life.
This link may be helpful in considering what your church can do to help its young
people: https://content.scriptureunion.org.uk/what-we-do/new-initiatives/
light-parties-2018
From Parish Pump
CROSSWORD ANSWERS
ACROSS: 1, Lawyer. 4, Balsam. 8, Caleb. 9, Jehoram. 10, Sparrow. 11, Exile. 12,
Excellent. 17, Act in. 19, Endemic. 21, Slavery. 22, Galal. 23, Silent. 24, Tarsus.
DOWN: 1, Locust. 2, Welfare. 3, Ember. 5, Athlete. 6, Sarai. 7, Member. 9, Jew-
ellery. 13, Condemn. 14, Temples. 15, Causes. 16, Scales. 18, Trail. 20, Dogma.25
What is the origin of evil spirits?
Halloween is the month of ghosts and witches and evil spirits. Have you ever
wondered where evil spirits come from, and how we are to view the unseen
world of evil and occultism?
The Bible tells us that evil spirits come from the created angelic order. They
were not created as evil beings, for all of God’s creation was good (Genesis 3:1).
The Bible tells us that a number of angels, headed by Satan, or Lucifer, rebelled
against God’s authority and fell (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19).
The serpent, Satan, is leader of the fallen angels, and opposes himself to God.
But evil and good are not co-equal. ‘Dualism’ (belief in the equal and permanent
existence of evil alongside the good) has no place in the Bible. Unlike goodness,
evil has a beginning and will have an end. Satan’s final destruction is already
assured. (Revelation 12:12; 20:10).
The world of the occult (from the Latin: occultus, ‘secret’, ‘hidden’) is the
intrusion into the forbidden territory of superstition, fortune telling, magic and
spiritism. Its downfall is finally assured through Jesus. His early ministry
established a bridgehead against the evil unseen world; hence the hostile, and
sometimes violent, reaction of the demons. (Mark 1:23-27; 32-34).
Jesus had no fear of demons, and nor need the believer. It is important that
Christians avoid becoming obsessed by the unseen world, to the extent that we
become either intimidated, or fascinated. After the showing in London of a film
featuring the occult, a number of cinema viewers went for counselling. They
were under the impression that they had been ‘taken over’ by evil spirits. They
had not. All 20 recovered after a course of prescribed tablets. They had only
been victims of suggestion.
We are wise, then, not to imagine, as some do, that every sin, habit, illness or
misfortune is due directly to the activity of the Devil and must therefore be
‘exorcised’. Terrible damage has been done in this respect by well-meaning but
uninformed Christian leaders.
Faced by Christ’s authority, the kingdom of spirits has no option but to shrink and
retreat. Magic spells and charms have no power over the true Christian
(provided we do not open ourselves to their influence), for ‘the One who is in
you is greater than the one who is in the world’ (1 John 4:4). If we resist the
devil, he will flee from us (James 4:7). All occultism is to be ruthlessly shunned
(Leviticus 19:31; 1 Samuel 28; Isaiah 8:19, 20; Acts 19:18-20).
The Bible is quite clear that the demonic world is already doomed and defeated
(Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14,15). It is the death of Jesus that has achieved this
victory. We are to be confident, but not complacent – for Satan’s kingdom has
yet to concede its defeat at the Cross. Its final destruction will be at the return of
Christ.
Preb Richard Bewes
This extract comes from his book, ‘The Top 100 Questions’ (Christian Focus)26
27
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0777 409 4850 / 0781 888 715728
On the Bookshelf
Anxious Times
By Carmel Thomason, BRF, £4.99
A book of 24 undated reflections drawing on a range of relevant
Bible passages to offer genuine hope and encouragement in anxious
times. Encompassing the very human emotions of fear and anxiety,
the reflections encourage us to draw comfort and strength from
God's Word even in those times when He seems silent to us. This
book acknowledges that trust and hope in God's goodness doesn't
always come easily, but when embraced we gain the strength to
face our fear with courage and confidence.
All Things Anglican – who we are and what we believe
By Marcus Throup, Canterbury Press, £12.99
Here is a lively and accessible introduction to Anglicanism, for
anyone wanting to know what makes it distinctive. Whether you are
training for Anglican orders, are curious about another
denomination or would like to join an Anglican Church, this guide
will introduce you to the basics of Anglican identity and the ways of
the Church of England. Sections include:
- Why do they do things differently down the road? The breadth of
Anglican church traditions;
- Holy, Holy, Holy - understanding Anglican liturgy
- Reformed and Catholic? - a potted history
- We Believe - a guide to the Creeds
- An Anglican A-Z - a glossary of essential terms
Toxic People – dealing with dysfunctional relationships
By Tim Cantopher, SPCK, £9.99
Jeremy Vine of BBC Radio 2 has called this a ‘brilliant book about
how we identify the often-charming people - who only spread
misery.' Some people are so stressful, they can actually make us ill.
Gameplayers, bullies, users and abusers – all can become a risk to
our health and welfare if we don’t take some action.
This book presents the tools we need to deal with the toxic people in our lives, who
drain our energy. It explains how to make healthy relationship choices, set proper
boundaries and recognise the red flags that should alert us to avoid certain people.
Topics range from: toxic types and how to identify them; dangerous people –
aggressors, sadists and psychopaths; understanding why others behave as they do;
toxic places, including where you work ; and how to protect yourself. If you’re
surrounded by the takers of this world, read this book and gain the freedom to make
your own choices and live your own life.29
Parish Communication Tree
Visit to the Carers’ Group by Vivienne Sommerville on behalf of
the PCC on 30 May 2018.
The Carers’ Group was initiated by Fliss Tunnard, Community
Development Worker, and until she left the Parish Fliss facilitated
these meetings.
Four family carers regularly meet on the last Wednesday of the month at St Ai-
dan’s Community Hall to provide confidential, mutual support. Not all those who
attend are church goers and the group is open to others who may wish to come
along. A hot beverage and piece of cake are an important part of the meeting.
A carer is a family member or paid helper who regularly looks after a child or a
sick, elderly, or disabled person.
The role of the carer is often unsought and may not be fully understood by those
without such experience. This short time is to enable the carers to step aside
from their caring responsibilities with people who are in a similar situation.
The Carers’ Group welcomed the interest of the PCC and discussed their position
on the communication tree agreeing that it would be appropriately placed in the
‘In’ and ‘Out’ sections.
A request was made to announce the Carers’ Group meeting in church during the
preceding Sunday to encourage more people to come along. More information
about the Carers’ Group is available from Vivienne Sommerville (513181)30
From the Parish Registers
Baptisms
September
2nd Lily Ester
Louis Sweet
9th Arthur Fenwick
RIP
August
6th Eric Keen
15th Ronald Winton Green
22nd Elizabeth Lily Olah
30th James Smith
September
4th Kathleen Ann Andrews
5th Douglas Harrison
17th William Robert Jamieson
18th Margo Elizabeth Scott
24th Maureen WaterstoneThe Parish Cycle31
of Prayer for October
1st For refugees and asylum seekers
2nd For those who work with the homeless
3rd For those who work to bring justice and peace
4th Francis of Assisi “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.”
5th Give thanks for family and for friends
6th Give thanks for our team of Readers
7th Give thanks for our team of Clergy
8th For the Concord editorial team
9th For the members and work of the Deanery Synod
10th For our Churchwardens
11th For members of the PCC
12th Edith Cavel, Nurse For all nurses and carers
13th For all who work in the Ambulance Service
14th Harvest Sunday For farmers and all who work on the land
15th For the pupils & staff of Morpeth’s First Schools
16th For the pupils & staff of Morpeth’s Middle Schools
17th For the pupils & staff of Morpeth’s High School
18th Luke, Evangelist For all doctors and paramedics
19th For pharmacists and hospital technicians
20th For the members and work of the Diocesan Synod
21st For our Bishops, Christine and Mark
22nd For our Archdeacons and Area Deans
23rd For the work of Tea Time Church and Playtime Plus
24th For parish house groups and those who lead them
25th For the work of the parish Social & Mission team
26th For the work of the parish CMCs
27th For the work of the Ministry Development team
28th Bible Sunday-Last after Trinity “ Your word is a lamp for my feet” (Ps.119)
29th For our parish choir and singers
30th For our parish organists and musicians
31st Martin Luther For all musicians “Music is….the gift of God” (Luther)32
SUNDAY SERVICES FOR OCTOBER 2018
October 7th 19th after Trinity
St James 8.00am Holy Communion
St Mary 9.30 am Family Communion
St James 11.15am Simply Worship (Non-Eucharist)
St Aidan 9.30am Service of the Word
St Mary 6.00pm BCP Evensong
October 14th 20th after Trinity—HARVEST
St James 8.00am Holy Communion
St Mary 9.30am Simply Worship (Non-Eucharist)
St Aidan 9.30 am Family Communion
St James 11.15am Family Communion
St Aidan 4.00pm Tea Time Church
St James 6.00pm Evening Prayer
October 21st 21st after Trinity
St James 8.00am Holy Communion
St Mary 9.30am Family Communion
St Aidan 9.30am Service of the Word
St James 11.15am Family Communion
St Aidan 6.00pm Healing Service
October 28th 22nd after Trinity—BIBLE SUNDAY
St James 8.00.am Holy Communion
St Mary 9.30am Family Communion
St Aidan 9.30am Family Communion
St James 11.15am Family Communion
St Aidan 4.00pm Tea Time Church
No Evening Service on 4th & 5th Sundays
Please check the weekly pew notes for any alterations
or amendments to services33
34
Please hand your completed form in to Kathleen Simpson, or give it to one
of the Churchwardens. Alternatively, you may send it to the Parish Office
(address on the back cover of the magazine) if you wish.35
YOUTH ORGANISATIONS
PARISH YOUTH COORDINATOR GUIDES, BROWNIES & RANGERS
Miss Anne Newlands Tel: 07895183593 Rainbows
2nd St James Monday
PLAYTIME PLUS All Saints School
Mother and Toddler Group (St Aidan’s) 3rd St Mary's Tuesday
Every TUESDAY & Wednesday during term Abbeyfields First School
time from 9.30 am—11 am Brownies
in St Aidan’s Church, Stobhill 2nd St James Monday
Contact: Parish Office 01670 503326 All Saints School
St Aidan’s Wednesday
Tea Time Church on the second & fourth Parish Hall
Sunday of the month at 4pm in St Aidan's 3rd St Mary’s Tuesday
(Contact parish office 01670 503326) Abbeyfields First School
Guides
PARISH SUNDAY SCHOOL & JUNIOR CHURCH 2nd St James (see contact details below)
Contact: Dr Lindsay Gilfillan Further information from: Elizabeth Kelly
Tel: 07736108772 Tel: 01670 783434
112kellyhpl@aol.com
'Family Events' once a month at Morpeth BEAVERS, CUBS & SCOUTS
Methodist Church (Contact 01670 511078) Low Stanners HQ
4th Morpeth Beavers- Monday & Thursday
BOYS BRIGADE (Manchester St. HQ) 4th Morpeth Cubs - Tuesday & Thursday
Revd Simon White (Captain) 4th Morpeth Scouts
Mrs Val Cowan (Chaplain) Monday & Wednesday
Tel: 07887 594161 Morpeth Methodist Church
Tuesdays: Anchors and Juniors from 6-7.15 6th Morpeth Beavers- Thursday s- Thursday
Company Section from 7.30-9. 6th Morpeth Scouts- Thursday
Explorer Scouts- Friday
Further information: Clive Rich 01670 511623
ALL PARISH POLICIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO VIEW ON THE PARISH
WEBSITE www.parishofmorpeth.org.uk/policies.htm For Safeguarding,
see also Diocesan policies on www.newcastle.anglican.org/
safeguarding/introduction.aspx
YOU CAN ADVERTISE IN CONCORD
£33 for 1/3 page £55 for 1/2 page
£66 for 2/3 page £99 for full page
You supply your chosen artwork/logo and copy and your ad will appear in
eleven editions of the magazine (July & August is a double issue)
Contact Dave Pope for details
Tel: 01670 519520 Mobile: 07714143640 email: dpope@morpethnet.co.ukPARISH 36DIRECTORY
PARISH OFFICE (ALL GENERAL ENQUIRIES) Gift Aid Sec.: Mr Martin Booth Tel: 503584
The Parish Office, St Aidan’s Church, Shields Planned Giving: Mr David Pope Tel: 519520
Road, Stobhill, Morpeth NE61 2SA Tel: 503326 Electoral Roll: Mrs Kathleen Simpson Tel: 518209
Email: morpeth.parish@btconnect.com
Web: www.parishofmorpeth.org.uk MUSICAL DIRECTORS
Monday—Friday 9.30am to 12.30pm St Mary: Mr Colin Davidson Tel: 513381
St James: Mr David Pope Tel: 519520
Community Worker: Kathryn Brown St Aidan: Mr Roy Beasley Tel: 514149
PCC SECRETARY MOTHERS UNION
Mrs Val Pope Tel: 07710233251 Mrs Pauline Young Tel: 511407
Email: val@litnotes.co.uk
MENS’ GROUP
MINISTRY TEAM (PASTORAL ENQUIRIES ONLY) Mr Cyril Meehan Tel: 512879
Revd Simon White (Rector) (day off Wednesday)
The Rectory Cottingwood Lane Morpeth PARISH MAGAZINE (CONCORD)
Tel: 01670 517716 Mrs Val Pope Tel: 515806 val@litnotes.co.uk
email: rev.simonjhwhite@gmail.com Miss Pat Baker Tel: 503429
Revd Jeremy Cooper (OLM )13 Curlew Hill, Revd Maureen Chester Tel: 514569
Lancaster Park (Tel.511593) (Mon, Fri & Sun) Mrs Sally Keith Tel: 515098
email: JeremyLCooper@aol.com
Revd Beth Rookwood (Curate/Pioneer Minister) MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION
3 Stobhill Villas, Morpeth NE61 2SH Mr Eric Fisher Tel: 515401 (St. James)
Tel: 07496672011 Mr Noel Common Tel: 516208 (St Aidan)
revbethrookwood@gmail.com Mrs Val Langston Tel: 510779 (St Mary)
READERS CHILDREN’S SOCIETY COORDINATOR
Mrs Vivienne Sommerville Tel: 513181 Mrs Dorothy Tully Tel: 513928
Mrs Wendy McKenzie Tel: 510311
Mrs Harriet Gilfillan Tel: 07736 108771 CHAPLAINCY TEAM
Mrs Janet Hedley Tel: 514117 LEAD CHAPLAIN: Revd Jeremy Cooper
Mrs Val Cowan Tel: 07887594161 Tel.511593) (Mon, Fri & Sun)
Mrs Muriel Harris Tel: 515579 email: JeremyLCooper@aol.com
(Reader Emeritus)
CHURCHWARDENS
Ms Liz Scott-Tatum 513477 Pinewood Drive
Mrs Carol Reed 513017 Lancaster Park
Morpeth
Mr John Whitbread 223241 Northumberland
Mrs Mary Ord 518123 NE61 3RD
Tel : 01670 512803
Head Teacher
FABRIC COMMITTEE (Chair) Mrs K Halliday
Mr Dave Pope Tel: 519520 http://www.morpethallsaints.com/
email: dpope@morpethnet.co.uk Chair of Governors
Mr Brian Hedley (Mitford Church)
01670 514836 hedleys@outlook.com
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