MARCH 2021 - "The Church in the Park - Growing in Faith, Hope and Love" - Edition 263 - NET

Edition 263

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

       MARCH 2021
         kettallsaintschurch@gmail.com

A MESSAGE FROM DAVID
March this year is taken up entirely with Lent. The Sundays include the
third Sunday, the fifth Sunday - the start of Passiontide - as well as
Mothering Sunday and Palm Sunday.

One of the Church's great Festivals - the Feast of the Annunciation -
also falls in March. In normal years many of our churches would be
marking that.

The month ends with the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy
Week. So actually, despite being taken up by just one season, it's a
month full of contrasts and variety.

It reminds us that the journey to the cross - and so to the glory that lies
beyond it - is not monochrome. The question for us during Lent - and
so during life, for Lent is one picture of life - is how we allow ourselves
fully to experience the lessons and insights offered by these
interruptions without their becoming distractions, without losing our
way on the journey.

Can our thankfulness for mothers and mothering, our celebration of
Mary and her role in the coming of Christ, and the story of Jesus' initial
welcome into Jerusalem make sense for us in relation to Lent and not
despite it? Sometimes we treat these days as a kind of 'relief' from the
rigours of the season.

But maybe we need to see them as important steps on the
journey. Perhaps this Lent we can approach these special days in the
month in a new way and ask how they help us in our journey towards
the cross and beyond.

Of course this is all more difficult this year. So that's another layer of
meaning to contend with. But we can learn from all of this, including
the difficulties. Lent in future will always include a small echo of Lent
this year. So let's make it a special time in our walk with God.      David

The Christian Chronicle
                   Revolt or Reform?
Welcome back to the Christian Chronicle, we’ve only moved forward
a couple of years, to 1420AD to be precise. I needed a better
perspective on something that was brewing when we left off last time
– as you will see, things did develop as I feared. Last time we examined
a lot of the politics within the Church, but I ended by referencing two
key individuals I wanted to tell you about. Together, they’ve put
forward ideas and challenges to the papacy that are difficult to ignore.
I cannot yet tell, and I don’t think the church knows either, whether
this amounts to revolt, that needs to be suppressed, or reform, that
needs to be embraced.
To help you make your mind up on this one, we need to go back to
England during the latter half of the last century. Just before the mid-
point of the century, Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Bradwardine
had been writing in support of the necessity of God’s Grace – the
message trailed by St Paul in his Epistles and previously championed by
Church Fathers such as Augustine. Inspired by these writings, a young
Yorkshireman called John Wycliffe went up to Oxford. This coincided
with the Black Death ravaging England, with mortality amongst clergy
particularly high. Wycliffe considered priests appointed in replacement
to be uneducated, or generally disreputable, and began to voice his
opinions to this effect.
Having achieved being Master of Balliol College, he was presented to be
priest of the Parish of Fillingham in Lincolnshire. Later he was also
granted a “Prebend” (a bit like the position of a Canon) at Aust, in
Gloucestershire. He held both posts simultaneously yet continued to
live mainly at Oxford, visiting his parish infrequently (something quite
common, apparently, among the priesthood). In 1374, after completing

his Doctorate in Theology, he received the “Crown Living” of St Mary’s,
Lutterworth, a parish he did support more attentively, whilst still
retaining his connections to Oxford University.
By this point, he’d, nevertheless, caught the attention of senior
politicians. There was tension in England between the rule of the King
and the role of the Catholic church. Wycliffe began to write negatively
about certain matters within the church, also favouring the supremacy
of the King. The common factor in his complaints was money. Wycliffe
opposed the collection of “annates” (a sort of fee levied on new
appointees to the clergy); “indulgences” (a means by which individuals
could, supposedly, receive a reduction in the punishments for their sins,
or those of loved ones, in return for a payment to the church); and
simony, which we’ve met before, (where church offices and roles are,
effectively, purchased.)
Wycliffe’s negativity to many traditions within the church drew the
attention of Pope Gregory XI and he faced various inquisitions. His views
divided the Bishops as he was summoned to Lambeth Palace. Wycliffe
prepared his defence and published his conclusions not only in Latin, as
was traditional, but also in English, so any educated person could read
them. The death of Gregory meant that the proceedings against
Wycliffe were never concluded. He continued, however, to write
extensively against Catholic traditions and ideology such as: the celibacy
of the clergy, the concept of purgatory, transubstantiation, pilgrimages,
and praying to Saints; he openly attacked monastic tradition and the
role of the papacy.
Up until this point, the Bible was only available in either the original
Hebrew and Greek, or through the Latin translation by Jerome known
as the Vulgate. Wycliffe felt this restricted the reading and
understanding of the Scriptures and so he initiated a massive project
that oversaw the translation of the Bible into English (or Middle English
as it is sometimes called). Wycliffe himself translated the New
Testament, whilst his friend, Nicholas of Hereford, addressed the Old

Testament; both were assisted by John Purvey who has later revised the
translations further.
Whilst Wycliffe caused many tensions within the Catholic Church, he
was never formally excommunicated during his life. He did have
significant following and appointed a number of “poor priests”, who
were mostly laymen, to preach on his ideas. It’s been suggested that
such preaching was a factor in the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. His
followers have been given the name of Lollards by Catholic authorities;
originally intended as an insult, it was received as a title of honour!
Wycliffe died at the end of 1384 in Lutterworth having suffered a stroke
whilst saying Mass on the Feast of the Holy Innocents (28th December).
The Lollard movement continues, however, and have refined Wycliffe’s
position statements into 12 “Conclusions” that were presented to the
English Parliament and nailed to the doors of both Westminster Abbey
and St Paul’s Cathedral in 1395. Collectively, they called for significant
reform of the Catholic church. In response, the Council of Oxford, in
1408, forbade the translation of the Scriptures into the vernacular,
unless otherwise thoroughly approved by church authority, and the
Council of Constance, in 1415, declared Wycliff a heretic, ordering his
remains to be exhumed from consecrated ground and burnt. The seeds
of doubt, however, have been sown.
The teachings of Wycliffe inspired many beyond the shores of England,
too; not least being a Bohemian theologian and philosopher by the
name of Jan Hus. Hus came from an impoverished background and
trained for the priesthood by moving to Prague and singing/serving in
churches as a means to supporting his studies. Once ordained, he began
to preach, often in contradiction to the traditions of the Catholic church,
and often in line with the Wycliffe/Lollard views. Hus also condemned
indulgences, and, in particular, those offered from Antipope John XXIII,
something that earned him excommunication. Hus was summoned to
the Council of Constance and, on attendance, was immediately
arrested. The Council condemned him also as a heretic and he was

burned at the stake on 6th July, 1415. Witnesses reported hearing him
singing Psalms as the flames rose around him.
Hus has also amassed many followers, known as Hussites, and this
movement has already gained momentum across large parts of eastern
Europe. So much so, that the papacy has legitimised Crusades against
the Hussites. (This is the bit I was concerned about and why I moved
forward a couple of years.) Such is the force being levied against the
Hussites that it is a definitely appropriate to refer to them as ‘wars’; so
far, the Hussites are resisting. There is great depth of feeling, and I am
not sure that these challenges to Catholic traditions are going to go
away easily. If this is a revolt, then it is not being suppressed easily; if
this is the start of reform, then it is being resisted fiercely. Who knows
where this will lead?
                         LET SPRING RISE

                     Let spring rise in my garden fair
                  With the spirit of love felt everywhere
                   Let every bloom be Heaven blessed
                   When it wakens from its winter rest

                   Let spring rise in my garden green
                  With the spirit of hope in every dream
                      Let every bird and every bee
                     Sweeten each new day for me

                    Let spring rise in my garden plot
                    With every sweet forget-me-not
                   Let spring rise in the fields and hills
                      With marigolds and daffodils

                   Let spring rise in this heart of mine
                  With gentle rain and warm sunshine
                     Let spring rise in my garden fair
                  With the spirit of love felt everywhere
                               All rights reserved – Steve Howkins (from Rothwell)

Tuesday Evening Lent Course

23rd February – 23rd March Exploring God's Mercy
We invite All Saints members to join with St Peter & St Paul and St
Michael's for their Tuesday evening Lent Course.
We will be following a course by Steven Croft, the Bishop of Oxford:
'Exploring God's Mercy: Five Images of Salvation'. David will be leading
the course and all the clergy will be involved.
We'll be meeting online on five Tuesday evenings: 23 Feb and 2, 9, 16
and 23 March, all at 7.30 pm.
More information about the course:
'The great mystery of the human condition and God's action to save us
is too vast to be contained in a single image or one kind of language. The
Bible uses a kaleidoscope of word pictures of human life and God's
intervention in it.
Exploring God's Mercy is a short course for groups that focuses on five
classic images of the Christian gospel which are woven through scripture
and the Christian tradition: Lost and finding the way; Trapped and set
free; Sick in soul and healed; In turmoil and being at peace; Barren and
becoming fruitful.
Each chapter explores one of these images through stories, popular
culture, biblical material and Christian tradition, supported by YouTube
clips and further film suggestions.'
We encourage you to get hold of a copy of the book and use it
during Lent whether or not you are able to join us for these meetings.
You can get a paperback copy from Church House Publishing for £6.99
or download an electronic version (in ePub format) for £4.99. On
Amazon you can download a Kindle edition for £4.79.
Here is the Zoom address:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81006911125

Meeting ID: 810 0691 1125
Passcode: 673281
Landline: 0203 051 2874
                              --------

                      PRAYER REQUESTS

Bishop Stopford School
faith | justice | responsibility | truth | compassion
Please pray for;
   •   Ms Silverthorne, the Governing body and the Leadership team
   •   The Chaplaincy, Mrs Toward
   •   The teachers, all staff working at the school and for the school
   •   The students in year 11 and 13 regarding grades
   •   All year groups
   •   Mental health and well being
   •   Families, relationships at home
   •   Parent and teacher relationships
   •   New teacher appointments
   •   God’s mercy, guidance and wisdom for all
   •   Help from above for all in need
   •   A safe return to school

MORE HISTORY OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH
                   THE BURNHAM FAMILY

I’ve been keeping busy researching some of the named items in church
during Lockdown. I have found a whole family of things! The Burnham
family for one. Some of the congregation may still know of the family.

                                Thomas William Burnham born
                                23.3.1864 in Charwelton, near
                                Daventry, died in 14.5.1927.
                                He married Kate Elizabeth Bowtle on
                                26.12.1883 in Kettering.

                             Kate Elizabeth Bowtle was born
                             30.1.1862 at Horn Lane, Saffron Walden,
                             Essex. She died 31.10.1934.
                             Living in Kettering at 79 Alexander St, 49
                             Havelock St, and 32 William St.
                             They had at least ten children; Leonard
                             Oliver Thomas, Horace James, Oliver
                             Bowtle, Ethel May, Grace Florrie, Wilfred
                             Richard, Bertram William, Frederick
                             Howard, Jack and Jessie Agnes.

In “The First Century of All Saints Church” book by Fr Ron – it states:
One of their sons, William Bertram helped with fundraising at All Saints
church in 1925 selling tickets at 1d. “The tickets are sold in books of 12
and can be obtained from Mr. Bert Burnham, 32, William St.”
I have also found out that our tall processional cross was given in
memory of him “Pray for the soul of Bertram William Burnham (server)
Obit – Feb 2.1934. Jesu Mercy. This cross is given by Kate Elizabeth his
mother”.

We also have a large sanctuary gong that sits on the credence shelf
with the inscription “Pray for the soul of Kate Elizabeth Burnham
faithful communicant & worker - Obit - Oct 31 1934. Given by her sons
& daughters”.
                   ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                     WE FELL ASLEEP

         We fell asleep in one world, and woke up in another.
                          Suddenly Disney is out of magic,
                                Paris is no longer romantic,
                    New York doesn't stand up anymore,
     the Chinese wall is no longer a fortress, and Mecca is empty.
 Hugs & kisses suddenly become weapons, and not visiting parents &
                   friends becomes an act of love.
 Suddenly you realise that power, beauty & money are worthless, and
            can't get you the oxygen you're fighting for.
 The world continues its life and it is beautiful. It only puts humans in
              cages. I think it's sending us a message:
 "You are not necessary. The air, earth, water and sky without you are
                                  fine.
      When you come back, remember that you are my guests.
                       Not my masters."

      Author

   Haroon Rashid

HANDS UP…

…if you remember the story of Daisy the robin that starred in Saints
Alive! last year? Karam was really pleased to tell me that she is back!!!
“Yesterday (21.2.21), I spotted her at bottom of the
garden - I made a mental note to check if she has a
nest there. Then this morning I saw her - went inside
to get my camera and was so disappointed she had
gone. Called out her name and with a special whistle I
used to play - she came on the fence to have a look at me. Mentally I
knew it was Daisy. She then followed me around the garden like a
puppy. My Daisy! Got some dry meal worms from shed - left over box
when I looked after her to wean her off live meal worms. Put on
ground and she happily ate. So, thrilled at our reunion.      Karam Bharij

                There really is light at the end of this tunnel!

                    OUR DEBT TO THE FOREST

Trees are surely among the best-chosen gifts of nature to man. From
rain and from the scorching sun they afford shelter whilst from the
pressure of the blast they protect our homes and our gardens. They
provide the matchstick from which we procure a light and the log which
blazes in our grate. They give us the door by which we enter our
dwelling, the beam and rafter that support our roof, the floor on which
we tread. For our meals they give us the table, for our rest the bed; for
our household and farm tools the handle, for our travels the boat; for
our evening smoke the pipe, for our worship the church pew. At life’s
beginning they present us with the cradle, at our journey’s end the
coffin. Music is in their leaves, nourishment in their fruits; and whether
in vast forests, in woodlands, in stately avenues, in parks, in gardens, or
standing in solitary grace, they furnish a third part of the whole world’s
beauty. (Seen on a wall at Foxlease - a training and activity centre for Girlguiding in
Lyndhurst, Hampshire)

RIGHT NOW -

-somebody is thinking of you.
-somebody is caring about you.
-somebody misses you
-somebody wants to talk to you.
-somebody wants to be with you.
-somebody hopes you aren't in trouble.
-somebody is thankful for the support you have provided.
-somebody wants to hold your hand.
-somebody hopes everything turns out all right.
-somebody wants you to be happy.
-somebody wants you to find him/her.
-somebody is celebrating your successes.
-somebody wants to give you a gift.
-somebody thinks that you ARE a gift.
-somebody loves you.
-somebody admires your strength.
-somebody is thinking of you and smiling.
-somebody wants to be your shoulder to cry on.
                                                author unknown

                 TO A DRESSING GOWN

  I’m just a humble dressing gown, I’ve always known my place,
     Was never worn for visitors, for that would bring disgrace.
        But now there are no visitors, Corona’s seen to that,
      The only souls my owner sees, are husband dear and cat.
      She wears me down to breakfast, we do the washing up,
    I’m still around at lunchtime, when of tea she makes a cup.
    She wears me down the garden, when early she does walk
         To water the tomatoes, and to the hedgehogs talk.
           I’m also there at dinner. We like a glass of wine,
       And then we watch the telly; those dramas oh so fine.
         I help with online banking, I save on washing, too,

That once which had to hide away, Is needed all day through.
    No more a humble dressing gown, I’m worn day-long with pride,
      The house and garden my domain, with puss cat at my side.
              Author - Sharon Billington, Louth, Lincs.   (sent in by Wendy)

                           POM POMS etc
If anyone has any brightly coloured wool they don’t need – could you
make some pom-poms or a few crochet squares please? Big, small
whatever size! We’re making a “Happy Tree” as we start to come out
of Lockdown. Come along and tie your master pieces to the tree near
the carpark gates during playschool hours or Saturday mornings. I have
put a long piece of French knitting around the trunk ready for you to
tie your artwork to. The whole of William Street is going to “yarn
bomb” the street!!            --------
                                          USPG have changed their name
                                          to bring the Society up to date
                                          and to more accurately reflect
their relationship with the church around the world. They are now the
United Society Partners in the Gospel, and that greater emphasis on equal
sharing is emphasised in their aims, firmly rooted in biblical values:

Rethinking Mission - Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what
is the will of God. Romans 12:2
Energising Church and Community - I came that they may have life, and
have it abundantly. John 10:10
Championing Justice - But strive first for the kingdom of God and his
righteousness. Matthew 6:33
Open to Encounter - Mission in the 21st Century
Our Lent Collection 2021 will once again be a little different from our
usual practice of distributing envelopes for donations on Palm Sunday
and collecting them back in on Easter Day, but USPG still needs our
support, perhaps more than ever this year.
You can donate on their website: https://www.uspg.org.uk/ or
contact Jennie Loasby direct.

PETER BRACE RIP

Peter was born in Kettering on the 25 June 1936 to Alfred and
Catherine Brace. He was raised in Regent Street, Kettering, along with
his younger sister, Valerie. Peter attended Park Road Infants and Junior
schools before going on to Stamford Road School for Boys.
While at school he joined the Scouts, he later became a Venture Scout
then, when the leader of the Scout group left, was asked to step in as
leader until they found a new one. He ended up doing this for many
years, assisting with Scout meetings, camps in England and abroad (he
was on a camp in Germany in 1966 when England won the world Cup
and I believe took the scouts over the border to Austria for the evening
just in case of any trouble that night).
On leaving school he had an interview at a couple of Engineering firms
in town but chose to work at Timsons Perfecta Works in Bath Road
where he managed to secure an Engineering apprenticeship. he also
attended Kettering Technical College during this time.
At the time Peter was completing his apprenticeship all able-bodied
men were required to complete their National Service but his was
deferred until he had completed his engineering qualifications. Peter
joined the RAF and trained on the Wirral before heading out to
complete his service, at El-Adem in Libya and Sharjah in Aden, as a
wireless operator where he picked up a lifelong interest in weather

forecasting after having to transmit them backwards and forwards
across Air bases.
Peter was asked if he wanted to stay on in the RAF, after his
compulsory two years had ended, He said that he stood a good chance
of travelling the world with Timsons and as the RAF had only sent him
to deserts, it didn’t seem such a good option. He went back to work at
Timsons and ended up being sent abroad over 40 times to many places
including Australia, New Zealand, Africa, India, China and America but
he was almost never sent to a desert. The only continent he didn’t visit
was South America.
Peter met a young Marian Hyde through their love of Music, Musical
Theatre and scouting. Marian ran a cub pack and many a family holiday
was spent under canvas with a coachful of cubs or scouts around. They
were married on 2nd June 1962 at Rockingham Rd Methodist Church,
(now the Salvation Army building). This, apparently, was an adventure
as it turned out Marian’s wedding dress was too wide to fit down the
aisle between the seats so the morning of the wedding was spent
unbolting the church seats from the floor so they could enter and
leave down the aisle.
November 1963 saw the arrival of Chris, they lived in Little Harrowden
for a few years but then moved back to Kettering where Sally was born
in 1969. Peter started working around the country and abroad as a
Service Engineer for Timsons installing and servicing printing presses
taking him away for weeks at a time, which he carried on doing until
he retired just three months short of completing 50 years’ service.
When he wasn’t travelling the world, he was a part time scoutmaster,
only because he could never guarantee being in the country. He also
spent time working backstage for the Gang Show, Operatic Society and
the Regent Players both on show nights and building scenery and
mechanical stage equipment before shows. He was involved with
Kettering Twinning Committee and visited Kettering’s twin Town,

Lahnstein in Germany, on many occasions. He also visited with Bishop
Stopford School, where Marian worked, and where he drove the
minibus full of musical instruments on their bi-annual visit. He made
many friends there over the years. Peter was a member of All Saints
Church and had many roles there over the years from Hall bookings
manager, typing and printing the weekly bulletin, painting the walls
and fences, polishing floors and his most well-known job of turning the
pages for the organist on a Sunday. He found great comfort in his
strong faith and had many friends at church.
Although he was away a lot with work, when at home he loved
spending time with his family, supporting them all with their various
hobbies and interests. Driving and supporting Marian to Eisteddfods,
concerts, craft events and her many hobbies and interests and
supporting throughout her illness. He was also a loving, caring dad to
Chris and Sally supporting them in everything they did.
He always there for anyone who needed help – lifts to hospital, fixing
things, helping people to move house, rescuing Sally up whenever her
various cars broke down – the list is endless.
In 1996 Marian sadly passed away from her lifelong illnesses. Peter
showed great courage and strength throughout this sad time and we
know that his strong faith helped him through.
He was really proud and happy when Sally married Allan in 1998
knowing that Marian had met Allan before her death. 1999, brought
more happiness when his first Grandchild, Cameron, was born and he
raced up to the hospital from work as soon as he heard the news. His
first words to Allan were ‘I’m a Grandad!’ and his smile was a mile
wide. This was matched in 2002 when his Granddaughter Emily arrive.
Once he retired in 2001 we expected it to be a more relaxed time for
him, but if anything, he found himself more to do, especially as he now
had babysitting duties added to the list, so he never quite managed to
fit in those projects he’d been saving up over the years. He said that

they just didn’t spell retired right, and it should be “re-tyred” as if he
had been fitted with new wheels ready to go again.
He was always out and about, off caravanning or walking with friends
or the Ramblers or on Pilgrimages in Spain and Portugal or to
Walsingham to raise money for the church when they needed a new
extension. On a Monday night he would usually be found at one of the
local pubs with neighbours and friends from ‘The Carriage Drive Gang’
having a pint or two.
In his later years Peter’s health started to decline firstly being
diagnosed with diabetes then with kidney failure and heart problems.
He did still go on walks until the unfortunate time when he broke his
hip then a year later his femur. Although it eventually stopped him
from walking, he was as determined as ever to do what he could for
himself. Peter had many health issues but never complained and when
asked how he was he always answered ‘Nay so bad’. He had kidney
dialysis three times a week. We (family) cannot thank everyone
enough for the expert care and support from the Kettering Dialysis
Unit, the staff at Kettering General over the last few years, and the
Carers from Rainbow Care. They didn’t come to Peter for long, but
they made such a difference and treated Peter with the kindness,
respect and dignity he deserved.
I would like to end by saying thank you to Peter for being the kind,
caring, supportive and loving Dad, Grandad, family member and friend
we all know and love. Safe journey – until we meet again.
                                                      Sent in by Sally Gunn

                A birth certificate shows you were born.
                A death certificate shows you have died.
                 A photo album shows you have lived.
                                                          author unknown

Please send in your snippets, news,
prayers etc to Angela. The deadline for
the next edition of Saints Alive! is the
30th March. The April edition will be
ready from Sunday 4th April 2021.

  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

“So when you cry, don’t grieve for me
        Or for days that used to be
       Don’t you ever cry in sorrow.
       Cry for joy that we could feel
          Love that is forever real,
       Love so many only borrow...”

In loving memory of David John Taylor Waite
       19 April 1944 - 03 March 2018

With all our hearts you are loved and missed
               every day xxxx