This is about unsung heroes, although this is a contradiction in terms. Confused? Then read on. Have you heard of Mami Nixon, Annette Warren and Louanna Hogan? Let me rephrase that - Have you heard these ladies? The answer is "Yes" if you have seen the films "My Fair Lady", "Show Boat" and "State Fair" because they provided the singing voices in these films for, respectively, Audrey Hepburn, Ava Gardner and Jeanne Crain. They were unsung heroes because their names never appeared in the film credits. We have the DVD of "My Fair Lady" and in the extras is a film clip of Audrey Hepburn as Eliza charmingly singing two songs from the film. However, the grey suits in the front office would not take a chance on using Audrey's own voice and so it was dubbed by Mami Nixon. More surprisingly, they would not risk Julie Andrews as Eliza although she had starred in the part on Broadway and in the West End. They were to rue this decision because within 12 months Julie successfully starred in the films "Mary Poppins" and "Sound of Music". Ava Gardner actually sang in the film "Show Boat" and very well judging by the film clips later released. However, her voice was dubbed by Annette Warren before the film went on general release. Well that is enough about films. What about the real world of St Faith's? Who are our unsung heroes? Firstly, let it be said that there are too many to list here but the following are representative of many more in the parish. We have seen Bob Peters wheeling his beloved Margaret into church, carefully manoeuvring her wheelchair next to Audrey Currie, placing her books on her lap and then sitting attentively in a neighbouring pew, ready to respond to her every need. We witnessed his great grief when Margaret died, a grief which was shared by all of us. He is a very special man. We watch Roger and Marian Simmons arriving every Sunday with Judy, assisting her out of the car, guiding her across the pavement into church and to her pew. We witnessed their support for Judy when dear Phyllis died. They are a very special couple. How many in St Faith's will know of the many years Liz Gilbert spent running the Mothers Union in Havant, cleaning this church and acting as Sidesman, a duty she continues to do at the Sunday 9.30am service? She is another very special lady. There are many others we could name like Olive Andrews, not in robust health but caring for the dogs of friends when they need to get away, Audrey Currie taking parish telephone calls with courtesy and good judgement, John Bradey beautifully writing the Baptismal Certificates which are treasured by families, Vickie Mockford taking on tasks and responsibilities beyond her required duties, and so many more. May I wish them and everyone in St Faith's a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.                                                                                                                                                         Roger Bryant

Each year we make donations to individual charities, generally in the order of £50 or £100. This is in addition to retiring collections and the like. This year the PCC decided to select a smaller number of charities but to give them more, with the intention of keeping in touch with them during the year. We may also consider having retiring collections for them on suitable occasions. The following payments were sent in December:

Overseas Missionary Fund £200 (Rod and Glenda Thomas in Japan), Emmaus £200, IDWAL £200, Seafarers £200, Mercy Ships £200,, Barnarbas £200,, Boys Town India £150, Christian Aid £100. Total £1,450.

As you will see, we include a payment of £150 for the maintenance and education of a child in India, currently a boy in Boys Town but sometimes a girl in Girls Town. Members of the PCC also maintain another child out of their own pockets. In addition to our payment to Christian Aid, we will be substantially reducing our charges for them using the Hall in May, although we lose income from bookings we cannot take in this two-week period. Finally, you will have read Joan Medley's excellent and moving article in December's "Faith Matters" about Mercy Ships, which influenced us into including this charity in our giving.

On page 16 of the October 2003 edition of "Faith Matters", there was a break-down of the Parish Share for 2003 showing a comparison of St. Faith’s share with four other areas in the Havant Deanery. Here are the figures for 2004:

There is something about poetry which makes it unique; sometimes the poet in a few lines expresses truth and insight more than a thousand words from a pontificating politician, prince or prelate. I have been reading "Autumn Journal" by Louis MacNiece (published in 1939) – a journal in verse of the author’s thoughts and reflections in the autumn of 1938. A time when the rasping voice of Hitler was heard on the wireless followed by the raucous roars of ‘Sieg Heil’ from his fanatic followers. A time when people, hoping that it was true but fearing it was not, cheered Mr. Chamberlain when he descended from an aeroplane, flourished a piece of paper and said that it meant "Peace in our time". Meanwhile Czechoslovakia was sacrificed and before the next year was out, Warsaw was in ruins and Europe was at war. MacNiece in his inimitable way captures, in his verse, the tenor and mood of the time. He sets his own emotional and intellectual experience together with trivia of every day life, against world events; the settlement of Munich, events in Spain, and the foreboding sense of impending war. The Journal begins with these lines – "Close and slow, summer is ending in Hampshire, Ebbing away down ramps of shaven lawn where close clipped yew Insulates the lives of retired generals and admirals And the spyglasses hung in the hall and the prayer books reading in the pew" and ends with these – "On the banks of Rubicon – the die is cast There will be time to audit The accounts later, there will be sunlight later And the equation will come out at last". I had first came upon this slim volume many years ago; reading it today was a new experience which I relished. It evokes a world long gone, a world much different from ours today, but in some respects similar. In the Thirties; governments, politicians, some with well meaning blunders, others with aggressive intent, led the world into war. Today, politicians, governments, appear to have learnt little, if anything, from the past and the world is still rent with conflict and suffering. Governments, organisations, never learn, only individuals learn, and those that do are seldom giving a hearing. Perhaps, maybe, another New Year will bring a new beginning, a New Year of peace and concord – perhaps, maybe.                                                                                                                                             JB

The bell ringers Christmas Dinner was held in the Church Hall on Saturday 13^th December and attended by 49 people from the St. Faith’s bell ringers, other neighbouring, and beyond, bell ringers (farthest being from Salisbury) and parishioners. The meal, provided by Peter Hake and his team, was excellent – the Cloutie Dumplings (Scottish Christmas Pudding) were particularly worthy of mention. Barbara and Bill Skilleter organised the whole evening superbly, and Fr. David provided the after dinner jokes (they may appear in a future edition of ‘Faith Matters’!).

As churchwardens we are officers of the bishop - it is a very old position going back to the thirteenth century when it achieved legal recognition and by two centuries later churchwardens were chosen annually in a parish meeting (all adult parishioners having a voice in the election - much as today). Having agreed to become a churchwarden I bought the book which helped me to know some of what is involved, and although voted at the annual general meeting (13^th April 2003) I was not actually a churchwarden until the Bishop’s Visitation on 28^th May 2003. The visitation for Havant Deanery was at Rowlands Castle this year (different churches take it in turn), all churchwardens must attend. We all had a five-minute appointment with the archdeacon Chris Lowson where we were asked how things were at St. Faiths, any problems etc., - we could also ask questions. Tea and cakes were served in their very nice extension and then there was a service during which we all made a declaration to faithfully and diligently perform the duties of this office. It was now official. We have also attended churchwardens training course at St. Peter and St. Paul at Wymering; it was interesting to hear from some of the other churchwardens about similar problems particularly fund raising! So what do the duties include, they don't actually include changing seats but we do - isn't it strange how things appear differently from a different seat. Greeting people, especially new members for services, organising sidesmen, readers and people to take the offertory to the altar and attend lots of meetings. To compile and maintain a full inventory of all articles appertaining to the church, a full copy of which to be sent to the bishop. Inspect the fabric of the church at least once a year and bring a report to the PCC before the AGM, maintain order in the church and churchyard especially during divine service - we may remove persons who disturb the performance of the service or who show they intend to. Providing seats for the parishioners, we cannot exclude an orderly person on the grounds that the church is full if he can stand in a part of the church as will not interfere with the conduct of the service. We cannot demand payment by way of rent for the exclusive use of a seat! However if a parishioner intrudes himself into a seat contrary to the direction of the churchwardens we may remove him, providing that we do not use unnecessary force or cause a scandal by disturbing the worship of the church. We can't sell the silver either and of course when the mayor comes to a service we get to escort them to their seat and then back to their car. But I think one of the main things is to be a link between the parish and the Rector and to support the Rector as much as possible, but I'm still learning - I'm sure there is lots more.                                          Sandra Haggan

Last month I mentioned that the Reverend Bruce Cornford would turn up again with our Churchwarden, Sandra Haggan, in a very unlikely venue. That venue is the King's Theatre but first some background. In 1897 John Waters Boughton formed the Portsmouth Theatres Company. This incredible man rebuilt the Theatre Royal twice, rebuilt the Prince's Theatre and built the King's Theatre. He was a great man of the Theatre and he brought the finest actors of the period to Portsmouth. He died in 1914. Because of the need to purchase the required land, Boughton planned the King's in great secrecy. The theatre was designed by the renowned architect Frank Matcham and built by Corke Builders. Designing the theatre was very difficult because of the odd shape of the land. It meant for example that there could not be an impressive facade because this was at the apex of a virtual triangle. The theatre took 12 months to build which, even in those days, was an unusually long period of construction. The stage area was built over a spring and in the early years there were occasions when water had to be pumped away from under the stage! Matcham's design was not considered one of his best but the auditorium was very impressive, with cream and gold being the main colours and the seating in green plush. Originally the theatre was adorned with the busts of Shakespeare, Dickens, Mozart, Beethoven and others but these are thought to have been removed in the 1920s when the King's was redecorated. The King's had 2,172 seats when it was formally opened on 30 September 1907 by Mr H B Irving, son of the renowned actor Henry Irving. Although he brought some fine plays to the theatre, it was not a success and from the 3 August 1908 it became a variety music hall. In the 1920s, silent films were shown in the King's and "talkies" from 1931. Happily, it reverted to being a theatre from 1932. It flourished during the post-war years but has struggled in recent times, being close to closure last year. However, it has taken on a new lease of life and the public has rallied round to support it. So what has all this to do with Sandra Haggan and the Reverend Bruce Cornford? As you all know, Sandra organises superb trips for us to the King's to see pantomimes and shows. We owe her so much and not just the money for our tickets! (I'm joking, I hope!) As we saw last month, to go on one of her trips to the King's is an enjoyable and eventful experience, particularly if all the tickets fail to arrive! So what about Bruce Cornford? Every year he filled the King's with great Services of Witness on Good Friday. I thought this was extraordinary until I spoke to Audrey Currie. She remembers her early days at St Faith's when on Good Friday a great procession went through the streets of Havant finishing at the Empire Cinema where a large Service of Witness was then held. We lost the cinema but, happily, we still have the King's, Audrey and Sandra!                                                                                                                                   Roger Bryant

Introduction. After the fall of the Roman Empire, an indigenous form of Christianity developed in the British Isles, which was regarded by Rome with great mistrust. It celebrated the divine spirit in all-living creatures and plants as well as in the human soul. Its legendary figures were hermits who lived in the forests, befriending the animals and birds and pilgrims who travelled into remote areas to spread the gospel. To both pagan and Christian Celts, religion was not removed from the activities of every day life. Celtic paganism recognised both gods and goddesses who appeared in nature as trees, animals or natural forces. The main places of worship were in holy hills, springs, rivers, lakes, trees and in forests. Pagan Celtic spirituality embraced a connection between the material world and "otherworldly" realms. The transition from pagan practices and ideas of worship to Christianity was a moderate process which culminated in nature being seen as the handiwork of God rather than something with divine power in its own right. Over the years, Celtic ancestral holy places were altered gradually by Christian worship. Aspects of Celtic paganism that were not unacceptable were absorbed, while other elements were discouraged. The local legends of the old gods, goddesses, and heroes were gradually reworked as episodes from the lives of Christian saints. Thus, the new Christian religion did not disrupt traditional society, but maintained its continuity and stability. The main change from paganism to Christianity came from the exclusion of women from most of their traditional religious roles. In the Christian church there was no place for priestesses or goddesses. Celtic tradition recognised thousands of individual saints, many of whom were worshipped in Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Brittany as reverently as their pagan forerunners whom they displaced. In the medieval era, these traditions were particularly prevalent. Although, traditionally, their lives are held to be role models of Christian righteousness, many of the more significant Celtic saints actually assimilated the representative attributes of the older gods, goddesses and elemental beings.

The Decline of the Celtic Church. In the year that St. Columba died, 597, the Catholic missionary St. Augustine arrived in England; his mission, to convert the Anglo-Saxons. However, the Celtic church was already established and had consequently assimilated many of the pagan deities into its beliefs and converted a significant number to the religion. Conflicts arose as Celtic Christianity and Roman Catholicism competed for converts, status and lands. Even though the Celtic missionaries effectively spread word of their church throughout western and central Europe, the Celtic church was on the losing side of a power struggle with the centralised church of Rome. One of the reasons for this was Celtic monasticism. Monastic life under the rule of St. Columba was severe and invariable. The alternative, Benedictine rule, was much more compassionate to the daily needs of its brethren and thus more attractive to prospective monks. Also, unlike the independent Celtic monasteries, the Benedictines had a centralised command structure. In time, the Benedictine rule replaced the harsher disciplines of self-denial demanded by the Columbanian rule in the Celtic-founded monasteries. In some places, the transition was more gradual, with an interval that used a mixed rule based partly on the Columbanian and partly on the Benedictine. The downfall of Celtic Christianity can be traced to Northumbria in the middle of the seventh century. King Oswald, a Celtic Christian, at the bidding of his wife Eanfled, a Roman Catholic, summoned a church meeting. The meeting was not originally called to settle a doctrinal difference. Rather, it was due to the fact that the Celtic and Catholic churches used different calendars. This meant that each church celebrated the movable feasts, such as Easter, on different dates. Thus, within the Northumbrian court, there were two Christian observances that conflicted with one another. When the Celtic Christians were feasting at Easter, the Catholics were still fasting in their period of Lent. King Oswald presided over the gathering at the monastery of Steaneshalch (Whitby) which included a Celtic delegation from Holy Island (Lindisfarne) let by Abbot Colman, and a delegation represented by Abbot Wilfrid from Ripon. Bishop Cedd of Essex served as a translator between the Gaelic-speaking Celts and the Anglo-Saxons. Oswald knew from his wife and her advisor, the Catholic priest Romanus, that the Catholics would completely reject changing to the Celtic calendar so he began by asking Colman to justify the tenets of the Celtic tradition. Wilfrid, the more eloquent of the two representatives, when given his turn to speak attacked the very foundation of the Celtic Church by saying it was built on the teachings of Columba rather than St. Peter, the founder of the true church. Ultimately, Oswald decided to replace the usage of the Celtic church with the Roman Catholic practice stating "When I come to the gates of heaven, there will be no one to open them". On the grounds that St. Peter, rather than St. Columba, held the keys to heaven the Celtic church was forced to give way to the Catholic church. The Celtic priests who would not accept Oswald’s decision were expelled immediately. From Lindisfarne, Colman accompanied by a party of monks travelled to Scotland, carrying with them holy relics, the bones of St. Aidan. In Scotland, the Celtic church did not recognise Oswald’s resolution which came to be known as the Synod of Whitby, but the Catholic church now had Celtic Christianity on the decline. In 670, another synod was convened at Autun, which made the Benedictine rule mandatory in all monasteries in France and decreed that Celtic rule would be abolished there. Despite the synods of Whitby and Autun, which eradicated Celtic Christianity in England and France, the Celtic church flourished in Scotland and Ireland, continuing the longest in areas of Scotland where, in 1069 King Malcolm Canmore officially abolished the Celtic church.

We were born before television, before penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, plastic, contact lenses, videos, Frisbees and the pill. We were before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ball point pens; before dishwashers, tumble driers, electric blankets, air conditioners, drip-dry clothes, and before man walked on the moon. We got married first and then lived together (how quaint can you be?) We thought ‘fast food’ was what you ate in Lent, a ‘Big Mac’ was an oversized raincoat and ‘crumpet’ we had for tea. We existed before househusbands, computer dating, dual careers, and when a ‘meaningful relationship’ meant getting along with cousins, and ‘sheltered accommodation’ was where you waited for a bus. We were before day care centres, group homes and disposable nappies. We never heard of FM radio, tape decks, electric typewriters, artificial heaters, word processors and young men wearing earrings. For us ‘time-sharing’ meant togetherness, a chip was a piece of wood or fried potato, ‘hardware’ meant nuts and bolts and ‘software’ wasn’t a word. Before 1940 ‘Made in Japan’ meant junk, the term ‘making out’ referred to how you did in your exams, ‘stud’ was something that fastened a collar to a shirt and ‘going all the way’ meant staying on a double-decker to the bus depot. Pizzas, McDonald and instant coffee were unheard of. In our day, cigarette smoking was ‘fashionable’, ‘grass’ was mown, ‘coke’ was kept in the coal house, a ‘joint’ was a piece of meat you had on Sundays and ‘pot’ was something you cooked in. ‘Rock music’ was a grandmother’s lullaby, ‘Eldorado’ was an ice cream, a ‘gay person’ was the life and soul of the party and nothing more, while ‘aids’ just meant beauty treatment or help for someone in trouble. We who were born before 1940 must be a hardy bunch when you think of the way in which the world has changed and the adjustments we have had to make. No wonder we are so confused and there is a generation gap today. BUT by the grace of God, we have survived! Alleluia!!

Here we are in another New Year. What articles will you be writing for "Faith Matters" this year? Last year we had some very interesting articles and some lively discussions in the Correspondence Column that I hope will continue. Should you wish to remain anonymous you can, but please do write with your views. This year, and future years, are going to be a challenge for Christians and their beliefs. There is a guide, "Some Issues in Human Sexuality", to the debate about homosexuality and the Church, and there is a bill to be introduced in Parliament which will allow homosexuals to ‘marry’. With this bill, and the number of single parents increasing, there is talk that marriage will, eventually, not be recognised. As Rosemary Thomas quoted in the December issue, "The Bible is clear that the only legitimate context for sexual intercourse is in marriage and marriage can only take place between a man and woman (Genesis 2:24). Sexual acts between men and women before marriage (fornication) or outside marriage (adultery) are also condemned (Matthew 5:27-28)". Over the festive season, we were told that Christmas might offend people of other religions and that religious cards should not be sent to firms or displayed. Some schools even banned nativity plays for the young children. The Red Cross already bans cards with Christmas festivities on them and some Government Departments too - there was nothing festive with the Post Office stamps this year. We received a Citizens Advice Bureau card – on the inside there was something written in ten different languages and at the bottom in small letters was the word ‘greetings’. There was even a library that refused to put up a small poster to publicise the carol festival at a church on the grounds that it could offend non-Christians. If these trends continue, there will be fewer and fewer people in this country that will know the true reason as to why we celebrate Christmas. So what do we do about it? – or what can we do? Do we just accept it as being politically correct and the way society is going? The New Year sees some old advertisers dropping out and new ones coming in. Should you have cause to use any of the advertisers, then please mention that you saw their advert in "Faith Matters". Communications within the Church during 2003 has improved but there is still a long way to go. Let us in 2004 make the magazine the focal point for information. It has been suggested that more details should be given in the magazine about the various clubs and groups in St. Faith’s. Some of this is already available on our website, but not everyone views that. To provide the information, I need the help of the club/group leaders and would appreciate if they would provide me with details of contact name, contact telephone number, when and where they meet, the aim/purpose of the club/group, programme of events and any other relevant information. I will then produce a regular page in the magazine. A happy and healthy 2004 to you all, and please keep those articles coming in for your magazine.                                                                                                                    Colin Carter

We are going to join with our friends at St. Albans for this treat on Saturday 17^th January at 7.30pm. There will be a three course meal for just £5 per person, bring your own drink. The Dutch auction is just a bit of fun, bring along anything, something silly, something you would like to get rid of or something rather nice, wrap the item to keep the surprise of what is being bid for. Tickets from Sandra Haggan – also let her know if you would like a lift.

A celebration for Burns Evening on Saturday 24^th January in the Church Hall at 7.30pm. An evening to include music, singing and tasty food at just £6 per person – come along and join the fun. Tickets from Michael Johnson and Sandra Haggan. This event is being organised by Denvilles Ecumenical Church (as last year) and half of the proceeds raised will go towards our Restoration Appeal.

Following last year’s successful evening we are going to have another murder! Cloak & Dagger the Murder Mystery specialists perform "Quentin De Borghe Presents" on Saturday 21^st February at 7pm for 7.30pm in St. Faith’s Church Hall. The cost, which includes a fiendishly puzzling Murder Mystery and a delicious three-course dinner, is just £15 per person. More information and tickets available from Sandra Haggan. All proceeds for the Restoration Appeal.

On the Saturday 24^th and Sunday 25^th April we are hoping to hold an exhibition in church with the theme "High Days and Holidays – Havant Remembered". We would like to have a display connected to the church – weddings, baptism, outings, etc. Also anything connected to Havant – schools, works outings, etc. So please look out your old photographs and if you can help in anyway please contact either Ann Buckley or Sandra Haggan.

This year we shall be getting together with the parishes of West Leigh and Leigh Park. The course devised by the clergy of our local parishes will involve sermons that link into the topics contained in the weekly group gatherings. There will be packs and training available for potential group leaders, so if you are interested please see Fr. David.

As you are by now aware, the Diocese is encouraging the parishes to consider its way forward in the light of reducing clergy numbers and declining church attendance. To some degree this is a continuation of the process we have begun in our Vision, but we will be invited to consider given areas of the life of the church in groups planned to be run from Easter to Pentecost. A part of the working out of this project is how we work together with neighbouring parishes. We are grouped for the Review with Emsworth and all Hayling Island parishes. Watch this space!

Let no-one hurry him Lord

Give him the rare and incomparable gift of time

Days to dream, dragonfly days, days when kingfisher

Suddenly opens for him a window on wonder

Let no-one chivvy him Lord, let him meander

Lark happy through childhood, by fern-curled stream

Fringed butter yellow with kingcups, by secret ways

That paws have worn through the wild

Give him cuckoo-loud days, and the owls cry by night.

Dear Lord give him rainbows;

Show him a nest filled with sky-blue promises;

Scoop up the sounding oceans for him in a shell

Let him keep his dream

So that he will always turn his face to the light,

Live merrily, love well;

Hold out ungloved hands to flower and child,

Be easy with animals, come to terms with time

Lord, let him keep his dreams;

Let his riches be remembered happy days

Anon