ALL SAINTS COLESHILL VILLA&E MEWSLETTERJTo_._j!^..
mTih eJr>^ ct*.o r1i sT LeJ.Jt.t er April 1968
My Dear Friends,
It is worth while remembering that Lent stems only from Easter
and we must understand its meaning first. Saster is the great Festival
when new life was given to the world and the occasion in the early
Church when new members were admitted by Baptism. Perhaps we ought to
think in terms of a Parish Baptism on Easter Eve when the children can
literally be received "into the Congregation of Christ's flock", and we,
as that congregation, are all present to take part and do the receiving
and welcoming.
The following story is helpful, I think, and revealing: a small
girl suffering painful treatment for a severe physical handicap was consoled
by her mother - "We fd.ll ask Jesus to help you bear it when we
talk to Him tonight". The rebuke was immediate: "Mummy, I can't wait.
Do it now". Children are naturally existentialists. They live in the
here and now and the Christian faith is only of interest to them if it
can be shown to be of practical relevance to their daily lives. That
is one of our jobs.
Yours sincerely,
Allan Campbell.
The Bishop's Letter
My Dear Friends,
This is a month in which many Confirmations take place. What
happens to our younger candidates after they are confirmed? The answer
is quite clear and it can be put most plainly in figures. The number
of confirmed members of the Church of England is about nine million;
the number of communicants at Easter is a little over two million, and
sone of these communicate only once or twice a year. Less than a quarter
of those confirmed become steady practising and active members of
the Church in later life. Every parish priest knows the bitter disappointment
of. seeing young confirmed people who just give up altogether
soon after confirmation. There is no one complete answer to this problem,
which is now occupying the minds of many responsible people in the
Church. I want to suggest, however, that there is one factor in the
situation to which we can all contribute.
Young people are very sensitive to atmosphere. They know at once
if their presence is not welcome or if the attitude of others towards
them is distant or cold or suspicious. They want, (like all of us, only
it natters more when you are young) to be wanted and not rejected.
When they are confirmed they are bold that they are now coming into
the full life of the Church as responsible members of it. Sometimes
they find that there is very little to give them a sense of welcome
or of belonging -or of having any real place in the "family of Christ"
into which they have now fully cone. Perhaps we ought to ask more
often not only whether the. confirmation candidates are worthy to
come into the congregation, but also whether the congregation, by
the quality of its corporate life, is worthy to have new members.
Every congregation ought to have an annual review of what is
happening to its young people. It is not so much a question of what
it is doing for them; it is more a matter of how it is bringing them
into its life, what it is giving them to do, how it is inviting them
to take responsibility. I do not say that this would achieve surprising
results, but whatever its results, it is something we ought to
look for as Christ's people, as the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
whose gift is love. Is this what our younger members find us to be?
To bring young people more fully into the life of the Church may
mean some self-sacrifice on the part of the older members. There are
offices to be held and jobs to be done and sometimes those who have
been doing particular things in the parish for a long time go on.
Ganging to them without asking the question whether it is not time
to let another take a turn, Souetices, but not always, the answer
is that there is no-one at present tc take on this particular office
or piece of work. But sometimes the answer would be that a younger
man or woman is available to take on this work and could do it well.
When this is so, let us see that the younger people are given the
opportunity. If the young adolescents see that men and women in their
twenties and thirties are taking an active and responsible part in
parish life, it will encourage them to grow up and grow into active
membership themselves.
I sometimes tell the candidates aj3 Conflatiations that they will
find a real family spirit in Church Life. I sincerely believe that
such a spirit has been growing in many of our parishes and I rejoice
to see it. But perhaps we have not yet thought through all its
practical implications. A little corporate self-examination An this
point in Lent might be a useful operation.
Your sincere friend and Bishop,
Harry Oxon,
SERVICES
Services for Good Friday and Easter are shewn on the back page.
There will be a Confirnation Service at St. Mary's by the Bishop
of Buckingham at 6p.m. on Sunday, 31st March when, with others, Sarah
Pusey and ¥endy Weller will be confirmed.
EASTER FLOWERS
The Church will be decorated for Easter on Saturday, 13th April
beginning at 10a.m. when the help of as nany volunteers as possible will
be appreciated. Flowers and greenery should be brought to the Church
t>y 9.30a.m. that day if possible. Those who prefer to give a snail
donation are asked to let Miss Boston or Miss Williams know a week previously
so that the appropriate order can be placed. As arum lilies
are so expensive, they will only be ordered by special request.
Flower Rota for the rest of April:
April 21 Miss Boston April 28 Mrs. Waite
THE NBYJ HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE
A special service at which the new experimental Service of Holy
Connunion was used was held at St. Mary's on Wednesday 21st February
for a congregation composed largely of the committees of St. Mary's
and All Saints, Coleshill.
At their meeting on Monday, April 8th, the Parochial Church Council
will decide on its use or otherwise in the Parish.
PROPOSED DIVISION OF THE DIOCESE
At their meeting on Saturday, March 2nd the Amershan Ruri-decanal
Conference voted overwhelmingly for the implementation of the recommendation
- put forward unanimously by the Archbishop's Commission on the
re-organisation by dioceses in London and the South East - that the
Diocese of Oxford be split into three Dioceses, those of Oxfordshire,
Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
REPORT OF THE P.C.C. FOR THE YEAR 1967/8 (abridged)
When the last annual report was presented, it was hoped that an
early date might be fixed for the dedication of the Drake Memorial Chapel.
The Chapel was, in fact, dedicated by the Bishop of Oxford on 18th
April 196? at a private service attended by 18 members of the Drake family
At the Parish Church, the year has seen continuing ?/ork on the restoration
of the building. The room over the organ was fpund to be suffering
from dry rot and wet rot and repairs had to be put in hand urgently,
the organ itself being out jf commission for aany weeks.
It is, unfortunately, not possible to report any real progress in
the matter of the transfer of the tfinchnore Hill Mission Church, though
the Council hopes for sone sign of the unravelling of this conplicated
legal tangle before much further tine has elapsed.
During the year, representatives of the Council, as Trustees of
St. Michael's Trust have hal a number of discussions with members of
St. Michael's P.C.C. concerning a possible variation of the Trust to
broaden its terns,
While the accounts of 3t. Mary's and All Saints show a not unsatisfactory
position for the year, it cannot be overlooked that the sharp
increase in the Diocesan quota has placed a real burden on the Churches.,
Criticism of the manner in tfhich the increase had been introduced was
voiced at meetings of the Ruri-decaiial Conference, where it was found
that the views expressed by Anershori' s representatives were shared by
those from other parishes.
ASH^J^pj-J^^JLgeS
I was glad to find myself wibhin ny own parish this year on this
day and even more so afterwards.
The programme introducing Jo .IB Stuart Anderson and his rendering
of stories from the Bible gave ir. lie at ion of an unusual form of narking
the close of the day and much appreciation is due to those instrumental
in bringing this-monodrania to the Parish Church of St. Mary.
Sincerity through simplicity in foru, movement, declamation and
setting, on platform and within the Church itself was the keynote throuout;
no fussiness in seating, lifting nor unnecessary words of introduction.
The setting, costume and clear uncluttered speaking brought the
stories Compellingly before onej movement was slight but definite and
most effective as was that of the hands when they were used. For me,
the first part of the programme was the more outstanding if comparison
may be drawn. I liked the.costume and indeed the content better. But
throughout the well-filled 3hurch, the concentration of the whole,
including the two small boys seated in the aisle, gave evidence of the
value felt for these interpretations.
The ability of one nan to hold his audience thus was clear and one
felt sorry not to express appreciation in the usual way and, of course,
the only way an audience can. Mr.ybe evidence of this was felt without
sound or sign. We sincerely hope so and would, thank l.lr. Canpbell for
naking this presentation possible and for including the parish of
Coleshill in the congregation. jj Q j^
CURACY
Several potential curates have been to visit Coleshill but no
immediate appointment is envisaged.
TOMSK'S DAY OF PRAYER
The collection at the Coleshill service, held in the Baptist Chapel
on March 1st, in connection with the Women's Day of Prayer, amounted to
£6. 9. 3d. and is to be used to help the distribution of the Scriptures
and Christian Literature throughout the world and to further the work
of the Women's Day of Prayer.
MR. CYRIL SAUNDERS
We are sorry that Mr. Saunders has had to return to hospital for a
further operation. He can be assured of our prayers and good wishes.
THANKS
The babies of Magila Hospital send many thanks both to those who
have so generously kept the Coleshill blanket factory in production and
to those who gave Green Shield Stamps, from the proceeds of which baby
scales were bought.
SCHOOL WHIST DRIVE
The annual Whist Drive held at Coleshill School on March 6th was
very successful and the two first prizes were won by Mrs. L.W.Barker and
Mrs. W.A.Lawrence, playing as a gentleman. Mr. Jim Ware was the M.C.
for a very enjoyable evening which resulted in a profit of £17.14.6d.
for the school funds.
BRIDG-S DRIVE
The Coleshill Village Hall Committee is pleased to announce that
Mrs. Tytherleigh, who has considerable experience with functions of this
nature, has consented to act as M.C. at the Bridge Drive on April 19th.
The same pairs will remain in partnership throughout the evening and will
meet other pairs in much the same fashion as at Whist Drives.
VILLAGE HALL A.G.M.
The Committee invites all people who use the hall, however occasionally,
to attend the Annual General Meeting to be held in the hall
at 8,15p.m, on Yifednesday, April lyth.
Tickets for the Bridge Drive can be obtained from Mrs. Browne, Mrs.
Ovington or any member of the Committee.
Gjijg&II.JffL'E
As previously announced, by kind, invitation of Mr. & Mrs.Raymond
Pusey, the Church Fete thi3 year will be held at Little Bowers, Magpie
Lane, on Saturday, June 8t!i.
A meeting will be hell at Orchard House, Coleshill at Sp.n. on
Thursday, March 28th and anyone who is willing to assist will be welcome
.
EASCTLLGjjS
In the medieval churcA, eggs played a great part in the Easter
celebrations. Forbidden during Lent as part of the fast, they were
symbolic of feasting and joy on Easter Sunday. They were coloured by
boiling with gorse or beetroot and sometimes were wrapped in fern
frond during boiling to give a mottled effect on the shell. Later,
these gaily coloured eggs \rere blessed in Church and distributed to
the congregation for eatinj or for Easter games.
These games included 3uch pastimes as eggrolling, when the people,
with their clergy, went to a local hillside where they' tried to roll
the eggs unbroken through Tickets at the foot of the slope.
In Lancashire, at the present day, groups of boys called pace (or .
pasch) tour certain districts beg;jin^ for eggs before performing an
Easter play. They recite i rh.yi.ie which promises the ungenerous that
"your hens shall all lay addled eggs and your cocks shall lay a stone"
It is interesting to J"ind in an old copy of the Amershani Parish
Magazine that some fifty years ago, the children of All Saints Sunday
School collected eggs at E ister and sent 480 to an Aylesbury hospital^
COLESHILL SCHOLARS 'JO :\TIS1T.,R.O.S.P.A. HOUSE ffi'W° '..
The children of classes 1 and 2 will visit the headquarters of the
Royal Society for the Prevention of Occidents on Yvednesday, May 29th -,
and afterwards go to the Victoria and. Albert Museum where they will <
have a conducted tour of t.ie costume court section.
mm TIE j/jmcH .IG&ISJEER •
Mary Morris of Winchmore Hill,.who lived for many years in
Coleshill, died on January 14th. The service was held at St. Mary's.
• - . R.I .P.
SERVICES
ALL SAINTS. COLESfflLL " " ' THE PARISH CHURCH OP ST. MAb.Y.
_E, very SQ und, ay: ~ ,-, AMERSHAM 0 ' , ————--
~ 9.00a.n. Parish Connunion SzajZ-JMSZ-
10.00a.m. Sunday School in*™*'*' ^Con?unjon
2nd. & Lth Sundays: ^nn^' ^hlldren S Service
fe.OQp^TB^ons n /'fP^' ^ef°J§
-Good Friday; Igt^.^rd A 5th Sundays;
ll.OOa.n. Ante-Communion, Litany ll.OOa.n. Sung Eucharist
TE? as4t- er Dn ay a*1^ *pr aJy ers 2n• -d, .&, • ' Vbh Sundays 0 „ '"..
0 A0
lf _. . , „ . ll.OOa.n. Mattxns 9.00a.n. Parish Concunion „ , -r, . ,
ln O_ .O...O. a.n. oSunod ay oS cih oolT ""Ga--ioXod" oJor idayA 4. n 6.r .0«.0. p.n. E,, vensong lO.OOa.n. Ante-Conraunion 2>OQ _ 3>00p>Q> Service of Devotion
8000p.n. Recital of Music
Easter Day
S.OOa.n. Holy Coionunion
lO.OOa.n. Children's Church
ll.OOa.n. Holy Connunion
6.00p.n. Evensong '. ,
FORTHCOMN& EVENTS
Mon. Mch 25 Mothers Union Lady Day Service, St. G-eorge's 3p.Q.
Thurs 28 Mobile Library Von, Coleshill
Coanittee - Church Pete
Sun 31 Confirnation Service, St. Mary's 6p.n.
Tue Apr 2 Sisterhood, Mrs. Spooner
Thurs 11 Mobile Library Van^ Coleshill
. 7/«Ie Mrs. ^rice Hill, "Three Queens"
Good Friday: Recital by Harewood Singers, St.Mary's 7.30p.n.Bach,Brahns
Sun Apr 14 EASTER DAY etc'
Tue 16 Sisterhood, Open Meeting arranged by Mrs. Ctjanbers
Wed 17 Annual eneral Meeting, Village Hall
Thurs 18 Mothers Union, Coleshill. Mrs. Harvey
Fri 19 Bridge Drive
Thurs 25 Mobile Library Van, Coleshill
Tues 30 Sisterhood, Talk and filn. Mrs. Newberry Fox
SAT MARCH 3C Anershan & Cheshan Bois Choral Society Concert, Dr. Challoner's
G-rsxiniar School Hall, 7.30p.n. "Carnina Burana" - Orff
Thurs May 2 Vellore Concert,Royal Albert Hall - Details in Church Porch
'wed 8 Mothers Union, Overseas neeting, Aylesbury.
Sat June 8 CHURCH FETE
RECTOR: The Revd. Allan Canpbell,M.A. Beaunont, Hervines Rd,Anershan 1135
Published by All Saints Local Church Connittee,
