JUNE 2021 - "The Church in the Park - Growing in Faith, Hope and Love" - NET

Edition 266

“The Church in the Park – Growing
    in Faith, Hope and Love”

         JUNE 2021
         kettallsaintschurch@gmail.com

A MESSAGE FROM ALICE

Hello everybody,

I hope that you are all keeping well, and it’s great to have returned to
services within the Church building.

This time of year marks the beginning of ordinary time in the Church’s
calendar. This is the long period when we are between the big seasons
of the Church’s life – the perhaps flashy ones of celebration – Easter
and Christmas, and the more austere ones of preparation and
penitence – Advent and Lent. With the exception of Saint’s Days and
Feasts, we will stay in ordinary time now until Advent. A long period
stretching out across summer and through autumn (if we ever get a
summer that is!).

The colour for ordinary time is green, which is often said to represent
growth. And this time does feel like one of change and growth, with
new possibilities opening up, and hope on the horizon. However, it is
also a time of tiredness, even exhaustion. We are all worn down by the
past year and a bit. We need to take time to take stock, to heal, and to
reset.

I’m reminded that a lot of growth is unseen, that big tall trees spend
time putting down roots, taking time to absorb the sunlight, and laying
up stores for another time. That growth is not always quick and
instant, but often slow and incremental. Ordinary time can be a chance
for rest and refreshment as well, a time to re-think our priorities, both
individually and collectively as a church.

So I pray that the coming summer is a chance for real rest and growth,
a time for new plans, but also a time to recover and allow God to work
quietly within us; healing, restoring, and making all things new.

Alice x

The Christian Chronicle
                    Sinful and Worthy?
Last time I told you about a lot of things being started whilst others
were coming to an end. We’ve moved on to 1517, so I suppose I need
to bring you up to date - not that the world of the Western Church is
any more settled, as we’ll soon see. It’s the middle of the year and the
5th Lateran Council has just ended, just before Easter – it’s only taken
5 years!
Last time I said concilicism had become a dirty word, well this Lateran
Council has certainly nailed that one. There’d been a last attempt of this
approach with a gathering at Pisa in 1506 but that hadn’t gone well, and
the 5th Lateran Council has firmly overturned what little came out of
Pisa. It seems to have also condemned conciliarists to the eternal long
grass.
The Council also sought to regulate the teachings of the clergy from the
pulpit – there’s now requirement of documented evidence of
competence in preaching! The church is also worried about these new
‘printed books’, and so the council set a requirement that a local Bishop,
no less, give his permission before any new book is printed. The council
did have an eye to the welfare of the needy though - it also sanctioned
financial institutions, under ecclesiastical supervision, to provide loans
to the needy in the form of pawn shops. You could say they’re keeping
control of the wonga.
The church has continued its persecution of those considered heretic
(probably why there’s strict teaching rules!) and anyone considered to
be a witch. A significant “age of discovery” seems to have started - an
Italian named Christopher Columbus has succeeded in sailing across the
vast ocean to the west of Spain and discovered many new islands and
lands. In addition to the lucrative spice trade to the East, it seems there’s

now an equally lucrative trade westwards in those placed in ‘perpetual
servitude’.
To some, certain increasingly popular items are to be regarded as vanity
- mirrors, cosmetics, fine clothes, musical instruments, even some books
and paintings - all vanities and this means sinful. Just before the end of
the century, a Dominican Friar called Girolamo Savonarola gained
significant support in his writings against such vanities and on Mardi
Gras, 1497 there was a large bonfire of these vanities in Florence to
eliminate this avenue to sin. This ‘sparked’, you could say, other similar
events across Europe.
I reported last time that the Cappella Magna had been restored as a
chapel to the papal residence, the Apostolic Palace, in Rome and is now
being referred to as the ‘Sistine Chapel’ in deference to Pope Sixtus IV
who’d commissioned the work. All shiny and new it was still somewhat
plain as a chapel of such significance, but it still put the neighbouring
Basilica church of St Peter’s to shame. So, Pope Julius II ordered two
significant actions, first St Peter’s was to be demolished and replaced,
and second, he commissioned Italian artist Michelangelo Di Lodovico
Simoni (or just Michelangelo for short) to add a bit of decoration to the
Sistine Chapel. It took him over 4 years, but he's done a pretty good job!
Such lavish projects don’t come cheap. Julius was quite a feisty
character – nicknamed the Warrior Pope – indeed it’s been suggested
that he took the Papal name Julius not in deference to 4 th century Pope
Julius I, but in emulation of Julius Caesar! Needless to say, he wasn’t
popular in all areas, and was perhaps in need of protection. Well, that’s
the suggestion as to why he established a personal protection detail
known as the Swiss Guard. Having called the 5th Lateran Council, he then
died in 1513.
Ever since Dante Alighieri described Purgatory 200 years ago there’s
been an increasing consideration of the cost of sin, or more to the point,
what the avoidance, or limitation of time in Purgatory might be worth.
The concept that those remaining in the living can hasten the transition

of those that had died from Purgatory to Heaven by means of prayer
and supplication has gained momentum. These “indulgences” are
provided at a cost, Julius II not only allowed donations to the church in
respect of indulgences, many say he actively encouraged them, as they
brought in vital funds to support the rebuilding of St Peter’s. Some have
taken this approach to an extreme: a German Dominican Friar called
Johann Tetzel has become quite renowned for granting indulgences on
behalf of the church; indeed, just earlier this year he’s been given the
title of ‘Grand Commissioner of Indulgences’ for a large part of
Germany. Many have previously spoken out about this practice (such as
Wycliffe and Hus) and recently there’ve been further rumblings among
theologians on this matter. It seems that the question of whether
there’s worth attached to sin (or, at least, the relief of penitence for it)
is very much a hot topic!

            VIRTUAL HOUSE GROUP BY ZOOM

The House Group, we will be continuing virtually on Zoom in June on
Wednesdays 2nd and 16th. Details to be sent out to group members
nearer the time. We will continue looking at Galatians between now and
the Summer.
New members are always welcome – please contact Alan & Lyn for
further details.

            A LITTLE ADO ABOUT SOMETHING!

                   Fr. Brian invites you all to celebrate the 40th
                   anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on
                    4th July. Fr. Andrew will preach and, hopefully,
                    there will be refreshments (even if it’s in the
                    carpark!!)

REMEMBER DAISY THE ROBIN?

Karam Bharij still has Daisy visiting him in his
garden. She has a nest and is busy feeding
her own babies now! What a lovely return
for taking her in and looking after her when
she fell from a nest. She has been his faithful
companion since the beginning of Lockdown.

                   EVERYONE IS IMPORTANT

During Mark's first month of college, the professor gave his students a
pop quiz. He was a conscientious student and had breezed through the
questions, until he read the last one: "What is the first name of the
woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. He
had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired
and in her 50s, but how would he know her name? He handed in his
paper, leaving the last question blank.
Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would
                         count toward the quiz grade. "Absolutely,"
                         said the professor. "In your careers, you will
                         meet many people. All are significant. They
                         each deserve your attention and care, even if
                         all you do is smile and say 'hello'". Mark never
                         forgot that lesson. He also learned her name
                         was Dorothy.

Drive/Walk/Ride & Stride

This year it is taking place on Saturday September 11th. You could enjoy
a look at Historic Churches in and around Kettering and be sponsored,
and All Saints will benefit from half of the sponsorship. Taking part also
enables us to be eligible for grants for the church. Richard will have the
sponsorship forms soon! Please let him know if you would like to join in.
Why not take a picnic and arrange to meet up for lunch at a certain time
and place?
    “THE HEART IS A GARDEN REMEMBRANCE ITS
                      SWEETEST FLOWER”

We are trying to rationalise our gardens to make maintenance simpler
but we know a number of roses were planted in memory of loved
ones. Please let me know by the end of June if you object to unhealthy
roses being removed? Otherwise, we will proceed in our efforts to tidy
up. I have removed over 100 thistles today
and you cannot even notice any missing!
If you have any shrubs etc planted in the
gardens, are you able to have them tidied up
at all as they are looking so sad currently?
If you feel like a little weeding or clipping on
a Saturday morning come along – we
wouldn’t turn you away 9.30 – 11.30. We need the ivy off the wooden
fence so that it can be painted. Thank you. Angela
_________________________________________________

THE MOON IN JUNE

            I met joy along the way
     She stopped and smiled at me today
        So now I’ve filled my happy cup
 With the moon in June and the sun coming up.

        I met glee at the crossroad sign
    She smiled at me in the warm sunshine
        So now I’ve filled my happy soul
With the moon in June where the green hills roll.

   The moon in June when the roses bloom
  With songbirds singing a summertime tune
        Oh, I’ve just filled my happy jar
   With the moon in June and a lucky star.

         I met mirth in the wild wood
  With Mother Earth where the air smelt good
       So now I’ve filled my happy head
     With the moon in June and roses red.

         Love is all you need to know
       To take you down life’s river flow
        And love is all you need to feel
        To know this life is really real.

          I met grace in fields of green
     At nature’s pace by a winding stream
      So now I’ve filled my day with love
    With the moon in June and a turtledove.

       I met June with a smile to share
         And a scent of roses in the air
      So now I’ve filled my happy brain
   With the moon in June by a field of grain.

The moon in June when the roses bloom
               With songbirds singing a summertime tune
                     Oh, I’ve just filled my happy jar
                 With a moon in June and a lucky star.
                               All rights reserved – Steve Howkins (from Rothwell)

                 HOT CHOCOLATE ANYONE?

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a
reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now
retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about
stress in their work and lives.
Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen
and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of
cups — porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive,
some exquisite. He then told them all to help themselves to the hot
chocolate.
When they each had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:
"Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving
behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only
the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot
chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases
even hides what we drink. What all of you
really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup
... but you consciously went for the BEST cups.
And then you began eyeing each other's cups.
Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate;
your job, money and position in society are
the cups. They are just tools to hold and
contain life. The cup you have does not
define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by

concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate that
God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the
cups. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just
make the best of everything that they have. Live simply, love
generously, care deeply. speak kindly and enjoy your hot chocolate!!”
                                                  Author unknown

                       PRAYER REQUESTS

Bishop Stopford School
faith | justice | responsibility | truth | compassion
Please pray for;
•    Thanksgiving for the school, staff and students alike
•    Thanksgiving for all who pray for the school
•    Thanksgiving for the light of Christ that is shining in the school
•    Ms Silverthorne, the Senior Leadership team, Governors, the
     Pastoral care team
•    The new Deputy Head Teacher
•    The Chaplaincy
•    Student assessment and achievements, well being - physical,
     mental and spiritual.

                       BANDS IN THE PARK

We will be selling tea/coffees from church if Bands in Park go ahead this
year, along with strawberries and ice-cream. The dates are in the church
diary, Covid restrictions permitting. Keep praying for better weather!
We get a good income from this and really need to get back into the
swing of things.

MORE RESEARCH ON ALL SAINTS CHURCH, KETTERING
We have a small brass crucifix on a labelled
wooden block at All Saints Church, Kettering
that states “Dennis Redhead – Server – Died
18th September 1941.”
I thought that in the 80th year of his death it
would be fitting to find out who Dennis was!
On Facebook, I came across Patricia Joan Varley,
living in Florida USA who remembered Fr
Round, she says “We used to paddle in the
Pleasure Park in our Sunday clothes, fell more
than once. I remember our Grandparents used
to take us to the bandstand on Sundays to hear
the brass band, and there were groups of German young men, prisoners
of war with guards... so humane and kind.” Pat was christened at All
Saints in 1937. She went to Park Rd school, and the Central school. Pat
left behind in England her brother Rod. At 20 years old she married Jack
Brown an American man in 1957 and lived with him in USA.
                           Pat was the aunt of Dennis Bernard Arthur
                           Redhead who was born December 1924. As a
                           youngster he was a server at All Saints,
                           Kettering. Dennis lived at 33 Union St until
                           1937/8 and then moved to 60 Orchard
                           Crescent, he died of appendicitis aged 17 on
                           18th September 1941.

                           Dennis was the son of Elsie Edith Blencowe
                           and Elliott Arthur Redhead who marred at St
                           Andrews Church, Kettering on 30.3.1918.

                        Rod Varley (uncle of Dennis) tells me that
Sunday mornings was a trip to the London Rd Cemetery with his

Grandad with whom he lived.
They cut the grass around the
grave and put flowers in the vase.
Pat stayed home with Gran to
bake and help with dinner. Gran
died when he was 12, Pat had
gone to live with her Mum and
her new family, so it was Grandad
and Rod until he got married.
Dennis lived at 60 Orchard Cres,
where Rod was born. Because Rod
was only 1 year old, he doesn’t
know where Dennis went to school. There was also a brass plaque on
the wall of the children's chapel for Dennis which Rod last saw as a
teenager.

Father Round was a lovely gent, once on the way to church Pat and Rod
couldn't resist a go on the swings before the service. Someone flicked a
swing, Rod ran in front of it and had a nasty cut to his temple that
wouldn't stop bleeding, despite Pats' efforts. She took him to the back
of All Saints church and Father Round carried out first aid on him and
sent them home – we must have made the service start late!
Rod’s Gran Edith went into the same grave as Dennis and he maintains
it to this day.

One final link of this family to All Saints is that Rod was part of the
Kettering Royal Naval Association and was at the dedication service of
the Naval Standard in church when it was laid up and Fr Ron Cook was
their padre.

Information thankfully contributed by Rod Varley and family.

                    ______________

HISTORICAL RECORDS OF ALL SAINTS
                                              January 1914

       I am, Your faithful friend and servant, C. B. Lucas.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

  Jennie Loasby reports that our Christian Aid total is a brilliant £330.
                   Thank you for your donations!

                KETTERING PHOTO QUIZ £1.50

Angela has a black and white quiz of parts of Kettering. All of the
photos can be seen somewhere in Kettering. To win the £20 prize, just
name where the pictures are. The person with the highest score will be
the winner. If there is more than one person with the same score, the
winner will be pulled at random out of a hat.

            A MESSAGE FROM OUR SACRISTAN

Those of you who have attended our recent Sunday services, will no
doubt have noticed our beautiful brand-new banners, white for the
Easter period, and red for Pentecost Sunday. They were purchased
with a legacy from Ronnie Halsey. Ronnie loved All Saints and was
involved in many of the activities here until her health stopped her. I
think you will all agree the banners are a fitting tribute to a lovely lady.
David Halsey is now home and hopes to join us in church as soon as he
is able. We send him love and best wishes.

Our Sunday services are going well, sticking strictly to the rules as
given by The Church of England, face coverings, hand sanitiser, 2 metre
gaps between seats, the priest alone at the altar and no singing. We
are all hoping it won’t be long before things are back to normal and we
can welcome all our friends back for normal services and of course a
‘cuppa’ afterwards. Until then keep well and keep safe, we are all All
Saints family and we are here for each other.                         Nina

Please send in your snippets, news,
prayers etc to Angela. The deadline for
the next edition of Saints Alive! is the 22nd
June. The July edition will be ready from
Sunday 27th June 2021.
The following months are still available
to sponsor: October onwards.

   WHO’S WHO AT ALL SAINTS PARISH CHURCH

 Priest-in-charge       Rev. David Walsh
 Reader                 John Stapleton                  520342
 Lay Minister           Alan Ridley                     529426
 Churchwardens: Richard Lewis                           513703
                        Angela Brett                    522158
 Safeguarding:          Julie Loake                     077434
                                                         00812
 Hall Manager:          Lyn Ridley                      529426
 Secretary:             John Sockett                    501851
 Treasurer:             Marie Morrison                  725219
 Saints Alive!          Angela Brett                    522158

               Email: kettallsaintschurch@gmail.com
     Website Address: http://kettallsaintschurch.btck.co.uk/
   https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsparishchurchkettering/

               Or follow us on Twitter @AllSaintsKett

This edition of Saints Alive:

Remembering our dear friend
        Brenda Cooper
on her 95th birthday 6th June.
We could have had a tea party!