I have just finished reading a book I have had many years called "A Study in Southsea" by Geoffrey Stavert, chronicling the time (1884- 1890) Arthur Conan Doyle spent in Southsea as a Doctor. It is an extraordinary book, telling of Doyle's early literary works, notably the first Sherlock Holmes book ("A Study in Scarlet"), his dabbling in the occult, his practice in Southsea and his prowess at cricket and football. It gives a most revealing picture of life in Victorian Southsea including the Church, which was served at that time by some remarkable priests. Take for example The Reverend Henry Lindsay Young, Vicar of St John's, Portsea, described as a no-fun-on-Sunday-or-any-other-day preacher. In 1884, he took on the local branch of the Young Men's Christian Association for having the effrontery to engage the services of a Mrs Billington, who he believed to be an actress, to give a dramatic recital to raise funds to establish a Portsmouth scholarship at the Royal College of Music. The Reverend Young was so incensed that he wrote to the "Evening News" saying that he thought that this "heinous" crime required the Association to drop the word "Christian" from its title. The Editor labelled him a "clerical firebrand" and attacked the Reverend Young in his editorial, which started a furious exchange of letters in the "Evening News", including a defence of the clergyman from Conan Doyle. Look at the life style of The Reverend Charles Russell Tompkins who was an Assistant Curate at St Judes Church. The book states that, "Not content with a wife and seven daughters to minister to his creature comforts, the Rev Tomkins also maintained a cook, a housemaid and a nurse". This establishment was in a Thomas Owen (the great architect of Southsea) house named "Elmwood", described as pleasantly commodious, with lawns and hedges on three sides, and situated on the corner of Elm Grove, where Telephone House is now. The author suggests that St Jude's was a comfortable parish in 1883! I can hear Charles Keay and David Williams banging on the Rectory door any time now! There are many outstanding priests of this period including, of course, Father Dolling, who engaged the services of one of Doyle's friends, a distinguished architect named Henry Ball to design the magnificent St Agatha's Church. Another priest of great renown of this period was the Reverend Reginald N Shute, Vicar of St Michael's, North End. He campaigned against prostitution in Portsea with all the vigour of Dolling, setting up a mission for "fallen women" in the worst district of the town. He was described as a Ritualist of the old school, a stickler for ceremony, who even segregated the sexes in his congregation! Did you know that one priest played with Conan Doyle for both the Portsmouth Football Club and the Portsmouth Cricket Club? For that and much more, you must wait for next month's "Faith Matters".                                                         Roger Bryant

On Sunday the Vicar officiated and preached his farewell sermon. The Choir then sang the anthem '0 clap your hands together'.

The Vicar will start his annual holiday on June 13th. He therefore asks that the missionary boxes be returned to him by June 10th.

Last month we wrote in "Faith Matters" of the King's Theatre and by chance a superb local book has just been published about this great theatre with the title "Southsea's Box of Delights". It is by Lesley Buxton and is priced at just £4.95, with all the proceeds going to the King's Theatre Trust. There is a forward by the distinguished actress of screen, television and theatre, Kate O'Mara, who has given very loyal support to the King's which was the inspiration of her Great Grandfather, John Walters Broughton, about whom we read last month. The book is an excellent read and features all the greats who have appeared at the King's over the years. Did you know that Margaret Lockwood appeared there as Peter Pan, with her young daughter Julia as Wendy. Margaret in a harness swung out above the audience in a manner, which would have been considered too dangerous in these safety conscious times! Noel Coward appeared in three of his own plays including "Blithe Spirit" in 1943, John Le Mesurier appeared there in 1947 many years before "Dad's Army", Paul Schofield appeared as Alexander the Great in Terence Rattigan's play "Adventure Story" in 1950, and in the same year Rex Harrison appeared in T S Elliot's "Cocktail Party", years before "My Fair Lady". Sean Connery played an American marine in the 1951 production of the musical "South Pacific", years before James Bond and 007, and so it goes on, complete with a host of wonderful photographs including one of the Student Prince John Hanson, without his pension book! However I leave the best to last. Details are given of a concert on 1 November 1942 by the Orchestra of the Royal Marines conducted by the famous Captain F Vivian Dunn, Director of Music RM. In the Horns is Musician D W Guest - yes, Shirley Caunter's father, Don Guest. When he left the Royal Marines, Don worked as a civilian for the Police in Portsmouth. He told me that on one occasion a distinguished visitor was introduced to him with the words "Mr Guest was a Bandsman in the Royal Marines." Don replied, "Oh no! I was not a Bandsman; I was a Musician!" As Peter Thomas will tell you, a member of the Royal Marine Band is a Musician, not, as in other military bands, a Bandsman!" Do enjoy the book.                                                                                                                                      RHB

Wm. P. Mackay gave an illustrated lecture on 'The Romance of Coffee'. Afterwards tea was served by the hostesses.

It is also hoped that the new machine will prove useful in clearing snow from the track. It is expected to be ready for use in this country in the summer.

It was with great sadness that we learnt after Christmas that Tom's beloved Kathleen had passed away. Those of us who have seen them at St Faith's will have this picture of Tom quietly leading Kathleen by the hand up to the Altar to receive Communion. They went through life hand in hand from their first meeting in 1942, when they were stationed in the Armed Forces at Ilsley, near Ringwood, in the New Forest. Kathleen was born in Warsash during the First World War, when her father was a soldier. She moved around during her childhood, living in Gloucester, Bristol and Southsea before moving to Westbourne in 1920, then to Havant in 1938. She and Tom had a wartime romance, becoming engaged in 1943 and married in 1944. They had 59 years of married life, which brought them a daughter, Anne, a son, Alan and grandchildren Darren, James, Nina and Jemma. Kathleen was very proud of her lovely family and they were very proud of her. For many years she worked in St Faith's helping with the flowers, the Parish Harvest Dinner and the many social activities. In recent years she has battled against illness, winning the affection and respect of the little community of Granville Close, friends in St Faith's and all who came into contact with her. She was a lovely and serene lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with dear Tom and his family at this sad time.

The Church of England lost one in eight members in a single year, it emerged yesterday. The register of names on its membership rolls fell by 12 per cent after the lists were brought up to date in 2002. The 166,000 names removed included those of dead parishioners and of others who had simply deserted the CofE. News of the drop in membership came as last year’s attendance figures showed the numbers going to Sunday services down 2 per cent to 916,000. The Church’s electoral rolls, which record the names of those entitle to vote for parish officials, are seen as the best guide to membership. Unlike recent changes to the methods of measuring attendance, they cannot be revised to improve figures. The audit of the rolls in 2002 saw the list of 1,372,000 names reduced to 1,206,000. One Church official said yesterday, however: ‘There are signs of growth in church attendance in many dioceses among children and young people under 16 despite a decline in overall attendance’.

Dear Bertha,

I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savour, not to endure. I'm trying to recognise these moments now and cherish them. I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good China and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out £28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank. "Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now. I'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologise and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favourite food was. I'm guessing; I'll never know. It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and lustre to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God. If you received this, it is because someone cares for you. If you're too busy to take the few minutes that it takes right now to forward this, would it be the first time you didn't do the little thing that would make a difference in your relationships? I can tell you it certainly won't be the last. Take a few minutes to send this to a few people you care about, just to let them know that you're thinking of them. People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don't need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there. I don't believe in Miracles. I rely on them. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Extracted from the 'Daily Mail'

A Church of England report, produced by a team led by the Bishop of Maidstone, the Rt. Rev. Graham Cray, noted that fewer than one British child in four is now baptised in the CofE. It recommended that the Church stop trying to bring people into services on Sunday and instead attempt to rebuild itself by setting up new, less formal churches that meet at other times. It asked the Church’s leaders: ‘Is it important for a church to meet on Sunday?’ And it added: ‘many in Britain now have minimal knowledge of the Christian faith. The Christian story is no longer at the heart of the nation. Although people may identify themselves as Christian in the national census, for the majority that does not involve belonging to a worshipping community or any inclination that it should. During the 20^th century, Sunday school attendance dropped from 55% to 4% of children, meaning that even the rudiments of the Christian story and Christian experience are lacking in most young people.’ It concluded: ‘The consequences for a national church, used to operating among people and institutions on the assumptions of Christendom, are acute.’ The report recommended an end to the ancient parish system by which each locality has its own church. Instead, it suggested introducing ‘network churches’ to try to attract worshippers in different ways. ‘Venues and meeting days are getting more diverse,’ it said. ‘This is a response to the sense that Sunday is no longer a church day for our society, but rather a family day or DIY day or sports club day or whatever people choose to do.’ Rising divorce and family break-up rates mean that, rather than go to church, many children visit their absent fathers at weekends, it added. ‘The reality is that mainstream culture no longer brings people to the church door.’ The report is to be discussed by Church leaders at the meeting of its parliament, the General Synod, this month. The Synod will be told that the Church of England should give its blessing to unmarried cohabiting relationships and gay ‘civil partnerships’. Legal contracts for cohabitees would end ‘a potential cause of injustice and misery’, according to a motion set down by the Diocese of York. The CofE has resisted pressure over recent years to give its approval to cohabitation. Its bishops have backed the idea that marriage remains the only proper background for sex and having children, and attempts to recognise cohabitation have been reject. But the advance of the homosexual lobby in the Church of England – which has in recent months been divided by rows over gay bishops – may have blurred the traditional lines of doctrine for many Synod members. The York motion said that legal contracts other than marriage between two cohabiting adults is ‘socially desirable.’ The Government is currently legislating to give status akin to marriage to gay couples who declare themselves in a ‘civil partnership’. The Synod will be urged to declare racism the eight sin. Church leaders will debate a motion that such prejudice should be elevated to the level of a sin. It would join the seven sins of lust, anger, envy, gluttony, sloth, pride and greed.

Many of you will remember a bookshop, "Bookends", at 2 North Street, which moved to Emsworth some years ago. Last March, I had the great good fortune to purchase a book, which I now value above any other with the exception of the Bible. The title is "The Miracles of Jesus" by Cosmo Gordon Lang and it was first published in October 1900, when Lang was Vicar of St Mary's, Portsea. As we know, he went on to be Archbishop of York and then Canterbury. My book was the fourth reprint in October 1902 and is in mint condition. Astonishingly, it cost me just £4! Subject to space and the demands on our excellent Editor, Colin, I thought I would write about the miracles, one by one, expressing the views of Lang and quoting from his excellent prose. In his forward from "The Vicarage, Portsea" in October 1900, Lang stated that (the book) "assumes the substantial accuracy of the Gospel narratives. It does not attempt to deal with the philosophy or the evidences of the Miracles." I start with the miracle of "Turning Water into Wine". The first striking thing about this miracle is that we have the blend of two apparently opposite concepts - Jesus as man and Jesus as God - the natural and the supernatural blended together in the simplicity of the story of the marriage feast at Cana. Jesus was invited to the wedding because he was known to the families. They were inviting Jesus, the man. He had been in their midst for most of his 30 years; a neighbour and friend, one presumes. When the wine runs out, the Blessed Mary turns to Jesus as a mother to her son for help but he gently rebukes her. "Woman, what have I to do with you? My hour is not yet come!" We must presume that she was used to turning to her son for help; perhaps there is a presumption in her manner. Suddenly, Jesus reveals his independence and the gulf between mother and son. In Lang's words, "The Blessed Mary learns that her son is her Lord." The act of turning water into wine is deeply symbolic. In Lang's words, "He took the water of our human life, and turned it into the wine of the divine life. The wine did not simply come; the water became it. That is the divine method." Jesus did not come as another being. He came in flesh as a man and He made his human nature divine. We take the water of our earthly experience and turn it into the wine of Christianity. The artists paints what he sees, he does not change the scene. In Lang's words, "The Christian is the true artist of life. He takes what he finds in the lot he shares with ordinary men - of sorrow and joy, of labour and rest, of success and failure, of capacities and incapacities. He does not quarrel with it; he does not change it. It is not too much to say that the main business of a Christian life is to go through the world turning its water into wine." And what of the words, "You have kept the best wine to last"? Is not this the great testimony of our Faith? We had the wine of our youth, the wine of family and friends, but the best is yet to come in the Kingdom of God. Amen!                 Roger Bryant

On the evening of Friday 16^th January, Jan and I, together with around 50 parish magazine editors attended a reception given by the Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt. Rev. Kenneth Stevenson and Mrs Sarah Stevenson at Bishopsgrove in Fareham, for the presentation of prizes to the winners of the ‘Most Improved Parish Magazine’ competition for 2003. The December 2002 magazine was compared to the December 2003 to see which had improved the most. No, we didn’t get a prize! Should there be another competition we shall have to do better! First prize of £200 went to Carisbrook which has a circulation of 3,300 copies for church and the community; second prize of £100 went to Farlington which produced some colour pictures in their 2003 magazine; and third prize of £50 went to St. John’s Church, Newport, who had a children’s colour supplement, produced by the children of the Church. It was very interesting, talking to other editors and viewing magazines from the different parishes, each with their own purpose and readership. The Ministry Vision group has been asked to consider the ‘Role of the Parish Magazine’ within the PCC’s Communications Strategy.                Colin Carter

In view of recent events and correspondence may I recommend some light New Year reading? C S Lewis’s "The Screwtape Letters" is in Havant Library and the quotations he uses are well worth pondering. The letters themselves do have a datedness about them but that is not to detract from their eternal truths. The quotations are: "The best way to drive out the devil, if he will not yield to texts from Scripture, is to jeer and flout him, for he cannot bear scorn." Luther. "The devil … the prowde spirit … cannot endure to be mocked." Thos. More.                                                                S.L.

The issue of homosexual priests is a matter of concern for many, if not most, of the clergy and laity of the Church of England. The Rector has expressed (Faith Matters November 2003), what was to my mind, a somewhat equivocal view tending towards acceptance – but I accept I might have misconstrued his remarks; others have given definite opinions which admit no ambiguity (Faith Matters October 2003, November 2003, December 2003). When the issue of women priests was a matter of concern and debate in the Church, the PCC carried a resolution which read, "That this Parochial Church Council would not accept a woman as Incumbent or Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice or as a team Vicar for the Benefice". Perhaps the PCC would now consider making known its view on the issue of homosexual priests.                                                                              John Bradey

"Places of the Passion" – A Course for Lent 2004

This course, designed by the clergy of the Anglican parishes of Leigh Park, West Leigh and Havant, has a broad appeal for all to enjoy. Set amongst the places of prayer, judgement, uncertainty, death and resurrection of Holy Week, there is a chance to relate our experience of Christ’s passion to our own lives. For all of us there is the place of uncertainty or judgement, which we know only too well, but there is also death and resurrection – the chance to live again after the dark nights of the soul. The course also gives us a chance to appreciate something of the other Anglican churches of the area, because each week of the course will be accompanied by a sermon at the Sunday morning Eucharist given by one of the Assistant Clergy or Reader from the four churches: David Williams, Charles Keay, Wendy Kennedy and Mary Close. The sermon will reflect the material set for that week of the course. It is hoped that there will be a number of groups in each parish, so please look out for the list of groups so you can sign up for the time that fits you best. Please join in and make the most of this opportunity for fellowship and an experience of Christ’s places of the Passion.

Vision to Mission

As you will have seen by now copies of the Rector’s Vision to Mission document has been placed in church for you to read. The findings of the six Vision groups have been co-ordinated and re-arranged in priority order. The Vision groups are being asked to meet again to take the proposals for Phase I and produce specific plans for their implementation. These plans will be reviewed by the PCC in May. If you should like to be involved please approach one of the group leaders, who are:

Church Administration                                               Alan Hakim                   9247 1681

Education                                                                     Michael Laird                9247 2489

Ministry                                                                         Paul Utting                   9248 3984

Outreach                                                                        Rosemary Thomas      9248 3836

Worship                                                                         David Gibbons            9248 3485

Buildings Management Strategic Planning              Lisa Roonan                 9245 5966

The Christmas Dinner was held on the evening of Tuesday 6^th January at the Bear Hotel, following the Epiphany Eucharist in the Church. This is the second year it has been held and, like last year, it was a great success. 42 parishioners attended and thoroughly enjoyed the good food, good wine and above all the atmosphere of friendship and fellowship. So, a big thank you to Sandra Haggan, who with her indefatigable energy and commitment once again enabled us to enjoy a memorable occasion. The raffle was drawn at the end of the evening and the winner of the limited edition print of St. Faith’s by Sarah Butterfield was won by Mrs. Petit. Other winners were: Red Wine – Judy Glenister; White Wine – Miss Phillips; Tin Biscuits – Mrs Johnson; Books – Michael Laird; Christmas Table Decoration – Beryl Carter; Jigsaw Puzzle – Christine Wright and Basket of Flowers – C. Westaway

For Football Lovers (Roger & Sandra please note!)

A footballer asked the Vicar "do they play football in heaven?" The Vicar said he did not know but would pray and let him know. A week later the Vicar saw the footballer and said, "I have some good news and some bad news. Yes, they do play football in heaven, but you are in the team in 3 weeks time"!

Electoral Roll

The Electoral Roll of St. Faith’s Church will be revised between the 1^st-14^th March 2004. This is not the year for a completely new Roll. If you wish to be included on the Roll and your name is not already on, please obtain an Application Form from Audrey Currie prior to the 1^st March. Being on the Electoral Roll enables you to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting and also to be considered to be a member of the Parochial Church Council.    Audrey Currie Electoral Roll Officer