As most of you will have heard by now I have been
appointed as Rector of St Mark’s Church, Barrington
Hills, Illinois, USA. St Mark’s is a part of the
Episcopal Church of the United States, a part of the
Anglican Communion. So far many of you have said that
you are happy for me, Susan and the girls but sad for
St Faith’s. I very much appreciate your generosity,
but let me say a little bit about where we are going
and also how things look for St Faith’s.
St Mark’s sits in a rural area about four miles from
the small town of Barrington. There are numerous
horse farms in the area, but because of the proximity
to a main road (a quarter of a mile) the church is
well connected to neighbouring towns. The
congregation is gathered from far and wide,
representing a cross section of the local
communities. The church building is modern – 1963
(it’s as old/young as me!) and consist of the church
as well as offices, meeting rooms and space for an
excellent day Nursery. I learnt that although there
are over a hundred families served by the school, only
two of them are attached to the church, so there is
real potential there. One of the aims of St Mark’s is
to serve its community more, so this is one way to do
that.
One of the big differences between the Episcopal
Church and the Church of England is that the Episcopal
Church is just one denomination amongst many and not,
as for the C of E, the Church of the State. As such
parish boundaries do not have the same consequence as
they do here. This means I shall be less active in
the community, and have a lesser profile, than is the
case in Havant. The English situation still offers
many opportunities for the church – even if people’s
knowledge of religion is in decline, there is still an
understanding that St Faith’s is ‘my church’
for very many people in the community whether or not
they regularly attend services.
This brings me on to our situation here in Havant. It
is a strong one and we should be confident going
forward. We have plans (for the church building and
its subsequent usage) and excellent people, who are
committed to the church, its worship, work and life
within the community. Furthermore Bishop Kenneth and
Archdeacon Trevor value St Faith’s very highly and I
am confident they will want to work with you to ensure
a high calibre of priest comes soon to St Faith’s.
So how long will the interregnum last and what is it
like you may ask? The honest answer is it could be
anything from 6 months (super fast) to two years
(super unlucky!). My guess is that, as Bishop Kenneth
is Patron, you will be well looked after, good
candidates will come your way and they will not be
slow in doing so. In the meantime, however, make the
most of an interregnum – it is a genuinely good
opportunity to take stock. You can assess what works
well and what needs fixing. “What direction is St
Faith’s going in” is a key question you can define
for any candidates that come this way. You will
attract high calibre people by being clear about that
and demonstrating that St Faith’s is a
forward-looking, well led, mission focussed church (as
she is).
Above all, keep praying. Pray for the work of the
Holy Spirit to shine through St Faith’s and St
Nicholas for the communities of Havant and Langstone.
Pray for each other as you continue to grow in God’s
grace and pray for the call of a new Rector. Please
be assured that you will always stay in my prayers.
David
Just seven years after the last interregnum we are
about to have another one as a result of the shock
announcement – but not altogether a surprise to many
parishioners - made by the Rector at the APCM on 27
April that he, and his family, will be departing in
July to take up an appointment in Barrington Hills,
Illinois, USA. This will be a challenge for
parishioners to continue the excellent work initiated
by Fr. David during his tenure, among them the Church
Choir, the Sunday Club and the Youth Club, until a new
incumbent is appointed. During an interregnum the
running of the church falls on the Churchwardens who
will need the support of us all. The last interregnum
lasted just over seven months from Canon Derek Brown’s
retirement to the collation and induction of the
Reverend David Gibbons (1 November 2000 to 11 June
2001).
The requirements set out by the PCC at its meeting on
7 December 2000 for an incumbent were: maintain the
forms of worship at St. Faith’s Church; encourage more
parishioners to take an active role in the parish;
attract and maintain an active congregation of all
ages; ensure that home communion is taken to the sick
and housebound; establish a choir and a Sunday school;
encourage candidates for the priesthood, readers and
other forms of Christian leadership; maintain links
with other churches in Havant; maintain good relations
with other organisations in Havant, statutory,
charitable and voluntary; and review the operation of
the parish magazine. All of these have been achieved
– so well done Fr. David – you will be sadly missed by
all. It will be interesting to see what criteria the
PCC sets for the new incumbent and whether time has
moved on and a woman as the next Rector would be
acceptable.
So what can Fr. David look forward to? According to
their website, (http://st-markschurch .org), which is
very professional and designed by a production
company, he will be only the seventh Rector of St.
Mark’s Episcopal Church that was founded in 1954. It
became a parish in the Diocese of Chicago in 1959 with
a new church building in 1963 – not such a problem
with building maintenance like St. Faith’s then!
It acquired a five acre property in 2006 to develop
their vision and future plans – so there may be a PDG!
It has a day school for pre-school children and a
Sunday school that uses the Godly Play curriculum –
and it has pews with a seating capacity of 163! The
village of Barrington Hills is 40 miles north-west of
Chicago – the “windy city” – and has fewer than
4,000 residents.
Congratulations to Andrew, grandson of Rosemary &
Peter Thomas on being awarded the Royal Marine green
beret after 32 weeks of training at Lympstone. He was
one of only 7 out of 56 trainees that started the
course.
Colin Carter
Airspeed!
I am sure you have all heard of the novelist Neville
Shute but how many know that his full name was Neville
Shute Norway. For the purpose of this narrative, I
will use his surname. How many have heard of the
famous inventor Barnes Wallis? We have read in
“Faith Matters” Peter Appleby’s excellent account
of his and Shirley’s “Dambusters” tour when we
read about the bouncing bomb invented by Barnes Wallis
to destroy the dam in Holland during World War Two.
But how many know that Norway, who was born in 1899,
was the chief engineer to Barnes Wallis? (Most of you
are saying yes to all these questions, so top marks!)
In 1923, Norway joined the de Havilland Aircraft Co
Ltd in North London and working with him was an
engineer named Alfred Hessell Tiltman. In 1930, the
two men decided to form their own aircraft company and
Tiltman’s wife suggested the name “Airspeed”.
They aimed to produce a two/three seater single
engined biplane for private owners. They needed to
raise £40,000, a huge sum in those times which were
gripped in the financial depression of the 1930s.
After much effort only £5,300 had been raised,
including £100 from Amy Johnson. The famous airman,
Sir Alan Cobham, persuaded them to drop the venture
and instead to produce a high performance sailplane
now that gliding was all the rage in Europe. He also
commissioned them to produce a pair of small and
simple airliners for his fleet. So in March, 1931,
the Airspeed, operating in York, started
developing a Tern glider with a 50ft span and made of
spruce and plywood. The glider had many attractive
features and was easily assembled. However, only two
were built before the two men turned their attention
to building the airliner, named Ferry. About this
time, under his pen name of Neville Shute, Norway
produced his first novel, “Lonely Road” but he
wrote nothing more for five years while he
concentrated on the Airspeed. The first Ferry
was delivered to Cobham on 4 May 1932 and the second
in June that year. Two more were built and they
served Cobham well over the next three years until in
1935 de Havilland brought out a much improved
airliner, Dragon, which captured Cobham’s market.
Airspeed was in difficulties, with a £4,000
overdraft, when Cobham came to their rescue by
commissioning them to build a long-range aircraft.
The outcome was the A S 5 Courier which was designed
by Tiltman and Norway and proved a great success.
The project required a site where airfield facilities
were available and the two men decided on the new
airport at Portsmouth. This was off the Eastern Road
and on the shores of Langstone Harbour, with the
intention of having a terminal for the expected boom
in flying boats (which never materialised). The
airport was opened on 2 July 1932 by the
Under-Secretary of State for Air, Sir Philip Sassoon.
Airspeed bought 14,000 sq ft of materials to
build their factory and a convoy of vehicles arrived
in Portsmouth carrying this and the partly constructed
Courier. In a small book which came out some years
ago (Airspeed A Short History), from
which most of this information is taken, the author,
Don Middleton, records that someone said “that each
lorry had a man on the tailboard with a shotgun to
repel bailiffs!” Despite receiving praise from
many quarters, the Courier was not a commercial
success with the airlines. There is an amusing story
about a Courier about to leave Croydon Airport for
Paris when the pilot was stopped from flying off by
two bowler-hatted gentlemen who told him they were
bailiffs demanding £300 for unpaid fuel. The pilot
had the presence of mind to suggest they looked inside
the aircraft and, with them on board; he suddenly took
off for France. When the Courier arrived at Le
Bourget Airport, the two gentlemen were taken into
custody by the French Police for attempting to enter
the country without a passport!
I wonder how many know about the huge contribution
that the Airspeed made to D-Day, Arnhem and the
Rhine Crossing in World War Two. To find out, you
must put your order in for next month’s “Faith
Matters” and avoid bowler-hatted gentlemen!
Roger Bryant
Aldsworth House Garden
Opening
Tom and I are looking forward to welcoming you to our
garden at Aldsworth House, Aldsworth on Sunday 8th
June and Tuesday 10th June 2pm-7pm for the
National Garden Scheme. In March over 600 visitors
enjoyed the spring bulbs and we were particularly
pleased to welcome so many from Westbourne. By June
the main borders should be at their peak. We have
roses, clematis, peonies and many other usual and
unusual trees, shrubs and perennials in our 6 acre
garden. A short film of the garden in the 1930s will
be shown and teas will be available. Entrance £3 -
children free. We are a mile from the Stansted Garden
Show 6th-8th June.
Sarah Williams
Palestine
(The author spent the last seven months of the
British Mandate in Palestine)
“And Abraham passed through the land of Sichem ….and
the Caananite was in the land. And the Lord appeared
unto Abraham and said unto thy seed I will give this
land…”
(Genesis Ch 12 v 6 & 7).
“The Lord made a covenant with Abraham saying unto thy
seed I will give this land” (Genesis
Ch 15 v 8).
“When Abraham was 90 years old and nine the Lord
appeared unto Abraham and said unto him….. ‘I will
give unto thee and to thy seed after the land wherein
thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan for an
everlasting possession…..’” (Genesis Ch 17 v 1 & 8).
This was first fulfilled in 1,320BC in the Exodus from
Egypt when the 12 tribes of Israel were established in
Canaan or Palestine. In AD65 the Jews were rash
enough to revolt against Rome and by AD7 Jerusalem was
destroyed and the Diaspora scattered the Jews across
Europe, Russia and beyond.
On 2 November 1917 the Foreign Secretary, Arthur
Balfour, wrote to Lord Rothschild: I have much
pleasure in conveying to you, on behalf of His
Majesty’s Government, the following message of
sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations which has
been submitted to, and approved by, the Cabinet:
’His Majesty’s Government view with favour the
establishment in Palestine of a national home for the
Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to
facilitate the achievement of this object it being
clearly understood that nothing should be done which
may prejudice the civil and religious rights of
existing non Jewish communities in Palestine, or the
rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any
other country’. I should be grateful if you would
bring this declaration to the knowledge of the Zionist
Federation.
On 25 April 1920 the League of Nations entrusted the
mandate to govern Palestine to Great Britain. Over
the next 20 years the infrastructure was built up,
including the construction of Haifa port in 1933.
Between 1922-24 the population increased by 342%. The
Arab population tripled but dropped from 74% to 48% as
Jews flooded in as anti-Semitism grew in Europe,
culminating in the Holocaust. The Jewish aim was
unrestricted immigration but Arab discontent grew as
land was bought up and employment for them was
reduced. In the resulting Arab revolt of 1936-39 the
British lost control and poured in troops. Eventually
17 battalions and a cavalry brigade restored order on
the brink of World War 2. The Zionists embarked on
their own militarisation in defence of their
settlements and by 1939 had 15,000 troops under
command; the basis of the Hagannah, the future Israeli
Army. The Arab leadership was exhausted and suffered
5,000 dead and 15,000 wounded. To bring peace the
Arabs were given an assurance that Jewish immigration
would be limited to 75,000 over five years - 15,000
per year.
During WW2 most Jews cooperated with the war effort
apart from Irgun and the Stern gang. Abraham Stern
was a Polish Jew who arrived in 1940. His aim was to
reach an accord with Hitler by attacking the British
thus allowing European Jews to be evacuated to
Palestine. He continued attacks on the Palestine
Police and the Army until be was killed in 1942.
Menachim Begin, a future Prime Minister, took over and
continued attacks on Police Stations. In November
1944 the British Minister of State, Lord Moyne, was
murdered by the Stern Gang in Cairo.
VE Day was D Day for the Jews and terrorism increased
with Palestinian Jewry in full and open revolt. The
British HQ in the King David Hotel was bombed on 24
July 1946 with 94 killed, the majority British. This
was a Hagannah plan taken over by Irgun who gave no
warning. The Jews took hostages against punishment of
their terrorists. Two Intelligence Corps Sergeants
were hung from an orange tree and their bodies’ booby
trapped in retaliation for the hanging of three Irgun
terrorists in Acre prison.
The Royal Navy had the disagreeable task of
intercepting Illegal Jewish Immigrant (IJI) ships
bringing Jews from the concentration camps of Europe.
By the end of the campaign 47 intercepted vessels were
laid up in Haifa and 67,000 Jews interned in Cyprus.
Boarding parties had the hazardous task of leaping
from warships onto the IJI ships packed with desperate
Jews. Their only defence being entrenching tool
helves, steel helmets and cricket boxes as protection
from ferocious women with their hat pins. The most
notorious of the IJI ships was the Exodus which the
Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin in July 1947 ordered
to be sent back to Hamburg in full view of a UN Fact
Finding Mission and the world press. This aroused
world wide sympathy to which the Palestinian Arabs
pointed out that it was Europe who had persecuted the
Jews and argued that Europe and the USA had no right
to salve their consciences by creating a Jewish state
in the midst of the Arab world.
The British had already announced that they were
relinquishing the Mandate and handing Palestine over
to the United Nations which in turn produced a
partition plan allocating the most fertile half to the
Jews who comprised one third of the population.
Christmas 1947 erupted in carnage and this was when
the author came in.
(The 60th anniversary of the formation of the
Jewish state was celebrated on 14 May. The British
finally withdrew through Haifa on 30 June 1948. The
author will be revealed in the final part.)
Correspondence Column
Regarding the article “Lent Lunches at St. Faith’s’
(May 2008), as the former rector of a group of
country parishes in Devon I feel that I must point out
that large parts of Britain are unsuitable for arable
farming but, producing excellent grass, are ideal for
raising dairy and beef cattle. In addition there are
many upland areas where virtually nothing can be
produced except sheep. Is it suggested we should not
eat the very things which much of our country is most
suited for producing? Rather we should surely be
thankful for all the good things which our country
produces, and for the farmers who work hard, for very
little reward, to produce them.
Richard Acworth
6th – Funeral of Graham Mallet
Cruising Down the River Sea - Part 2
Next port of call on our South America adventure was
Santarem. We had had extremely heavy rain overnight
and when we arrived at our venue for the morning they
were still sweeping the water out so that we could sit
and watch the show. This time things were much
simpler. We sat around a stage area and watched while
dancers, some quite young children, gave a colourful
and lively display.
A different folklore story emerged today. The story
of the seduction by the pink dolphin of the lovely
maiden. Well – you heard the one about the princess
and the frog did you not? Today we were invited to
join in and some of us did so. I was asked to dance
by a very handsome young man – I think he must have
been about 10-years-old!
We went down to the shore area – the puddles were
everywhere but that hadn’t stopped the local traders (‘Fair-trade’
much in evidence I think) setting up their
stalls. Jewellery, decorated blow pipes, masks, hats,
coconuts, etc. I seemed to acquire quite a few hats
over the course of the trip – but then you know what
I’m like with hats!
Back on the bus again – this time to a village nearby
to see and sample local produce. Fruit, some familiar
some not, nuts naturally - Brazils and also cashews.
We were invited to try and buy – I must admit the
number of flying insects put me off a bit. However,
it was interesting to see the Brazil nuts coming from
inside outer shells the size of small grapefruit which
were so hard you needed a ‘sledgehammer’ to
crack them open. There is one animal that can manage
it however – one with sharp teeth like a gerbil – the
agouti. We then saw how they processed the inner
flesh of the manioc tree to turn it into a sort of
tapioca. Very laborious and not very tasty I
thought. However, washed down with the local
firewater it wasn’t too bad! On the way back to the
docks we stopped off at the Cathedral of Our Lady. I
noted that all the floral display was of the
artificial variety – blue roses mostly. But then,
fresh flowers would not last long in the temperatures
here so I think that was justified.
Back onboard for lunch we spent the rest of the day
soaking up the sunshine going ashore again just before
sundown to buy a few more souvenirs and to watch a
wonderful sunset. Our days and evenings onboard ship
were spent in various ways. We had plenty to do –
swim, read, paint, send e-mails, and listen to
lectures by people such as ex-diplomats of South
America, historians, wildlife experts, astronomers,
chefs and writers and others. If you missed a talk
they could be seen on TV in your cabin later! Then of
course there were concerts by the resident musicians,
a Welsh bass baritone and jazz band and the crew
themselves, quizzes – we managed to do quite well –
and last but not least – eating!
The last port of call we made before leaving the
Amazon was to be Belém. Before then however, we
enjoyed cruising along the Curua Una tributary. Quite
a narrow passageway in contrast to the previous day’s
river views. Along the banks there are villages – the
houses built on stilts to allow for the river to rise
up to 12 feet in height. Many churches stood out
identifiable by the crosses on the roof tops. Most
people seemed to have some form of communication
judging by the number of satellite dishes we counted.
As we passed by the villages, children came out to us
in their canoes (in spite of the vigorous wake we were
causing) and we soon realised why this was. Our crew
were throwing empty plastic bottles into the water for
them to retrieve. Other items as well but we couldn’t
make out what they were! Obviously, they could make
use of all the items we no longer needed – how’s that
for instant recycling?
Many moths had landed on deck during the night and
seemed to be happy to spend the day with us. One
adopted Don’s hat and had no desire to move. Some
were as large as my hand and very beautiful. We
sailed on into the night. We are due to dock at Belém
by morning and when we awoke we were there.
A slightly different skyline greeted us. Some high
rise buildings, not exactly sky scrapers, but
nevertheless higher than any seen so far on this
journey and what looked like a Cathedral over to the
right. The quayside was a mix of open air cafés and
object d’art - one in particular looked a bit like the
‘Rocket’ railway engine. We walked around the
city on foot first calling at the Cathedral. Mass was
just about to start and so we didn’t stay long.
Dedicated to Our Lady of Nazareth it was packed with
people. The sun reflected on gold ceiling in the
Sanctuary. I would have liked to have stayed longer
but had to come away. We got the impression of a
lively congregation and a very well cared for House of
God.
Then it was off to the Zoo. Not very large – lovely
shade from trees and a few animals, including a tapir
and baby, a manatee, a jaguar, birds, snakes and
tropical flowers. It was very well kept and quite a
popular venue for a Sunday morning. Then we were
taken to the market. Now there was evidence of the
approach of Christmas. Trees decorated and straw
reindeer for sale! It was very hot and already signs
of the market ending. I bought some more nuts – as
you do. Then we were by the water again. Small boats
moored side by side and everywhere black vultures
picking over the debris – as numerous as our seagulls
but not as pretty!
As we walked along the streets of Belém we were
reminded of the old black and white films such as
‘Tampico’ shot in the 1950’s starring Alan Ladd! -
this was Don’s impression! The buildings were covered
in black mould from the high humidity and gave the
appearance of being old and decrepit. The city was
very lively though as people went about their business
in the market. We stood out from the crowds – oddly
dressed, mostly elderly foreigners. I think they
found us a novelty!
We walked up to the Fort that overlooked the harbour
entrance. It proudly displayed some old cannons, two
of which had been built in Manchester. Our buses
arrived and it was back to base for lunch. The city
was closing for siesta time but we had another outing
booked for the afternoon. This time we boarded one of
the river boats, for the last time as it was to be,
and guess what? Yes more dancing girls and boys,
albeit, canned and loud music. Plenty of free drinks
– soft mostly. Once again we joined in but found it
hard to compete with the skill and youthfulness of the
colourful dance troupe! However, we did our best.
Some of the party opted for a trip to one of the
islands instead. They saw more wildlife including a
tarantula. They also met some mossies! I was glad I
didn’t go with them.
Well, one more treat was in store. We were to be
taken to the ballet at the theatre in Belém in the
evening. An enchanting display by local children
telling the story of a boy with the wrong attitude to
saving the planet. He was taken under the sea to meet
the fishes and other creatures whose lives were
endangered by this thoughtless way of life. A lesson
for us all. On leaving the theatre I fell down an
unlit step and injured my knee. On return to the ship
I ordered a “Baileys” at the bar and used the
ice on my knee. It reduced the swelling and the
throbbing and the knee was OK for use by the next
day. A good unsolicited tip to cure a banged knee.
On that note I’ll sign off! – with more to come next
month.
Shirley Caunter
Did you know this about China?
Total population: 1.3 billion. Christian population:
40 million, of which 12 million are Roman Catholics.
There are 6,000 churches and chapels.
At the height of the Cultural Revolution in the late
1960s and 70s almost all religious activity was
stopped. Today, the church is still persecuted in
some areas, but there are 67 “Official” bishops
and 44 “Underground” bishops. New churches are
springing up all over the country with up to 100,000
converts annually.
Prayers are needed for all the Christian
communities in China, particularly in this year of the
Beijing Olympics.
(And especially in light of the recent earthquake
in Sechuan province – Ed)
Source: Holy Spirit Study Centre, Hong Kong
St Faith’s Flower Festival
Don’t forget the Flower Festival
Friday 27 June 10am-5pm - opened at 10am by Fred
Dineage from Meridian Television; Saturday 28 June
10am-5pm; Sunday 29 June 11am-6pm. On the Sunday
there is a Strawberry and Cream tea at 4pm followed by
a Choral Evensong at 6.30pm. It is hoped that there
will be a “sing along” and a concert on the
Friday and Saturday evening respectively – details
will be published when known.
Walsingham Pilgrims – leave your keys behind!
If you are thinking about going on pilgrimage to
Walsingham and want to know more about what goes on,
here are some notes from my visit this year; they may
or may not help you to make up your mind!
Of course, if you ask anyone else why they go, what
their experiences have been and what they get out of
it, you’ll probably get a different answer. That’s
probably one of the key points about a pilgrimage to
Walsingham; it’s different for everyone.
Following the brief ‘Blessing of the Journey’
service at St. Alban’s church early on Friday morning
before departure, Fr David asked me what the
Walsingham Pilgrimage is for me. I recounted to him
my preparation before leaving home and the realisation
that I didn’t need my keys. It’s a simple thing; I
always put the bunch of keys into my pocket before I
leave the house. They’re essential for everyday life;
getting in and out of the house, the garage and the
office, using the car. But I didn’t need the keys for
the pilgrimage weekend. So there it was. In the
simple symbolism of leaving my keys where they were, I
was leaving the ‘day-to-day’ behind too.
I find that the coach journey to Walsingham flies by.
It’s a chance to chat with people that you may not
have seen since the last pilgrimage or to spend time
with people that you usually only pass the time of day
with. The coach stops for lunch on the way; a chance
to stretch your legs and have a nice pub lunch!
It was raining when we stopped for lunch which
reminded me that I had heard the forecast for the
weekend and it was pretty miserable. On my previous
two pilgrimages, the weather had been very good, so I
was a bit disappointed that the weekend might be
dampened by the weather, especially as there was a
plan afoot to go for a nice long walk on Saturday.
There is a well worked-out itinerary for the weekend;
collective services for all pilgrims, separate
services for small groups, processions, stations of
the cross, a visit to another local shrine, meetings,
a group party and free time on Saturday….phew!
There is no obligation to follow the itinerary,
although most people seem to. Despite the apparently
busy schedule, there is ample time for quiet
reflection in the restful Shrine grounds or in one of
the chapels.
On arrival at Walsingham, there was a short service
starting in the Shrine Church and finishing in the
Holy House, a small tranquil candle-lit room within
the Shrine Church representing the home in Nazareth of
Mary, Joseph and Jesus.
After this, it’s off to our rooms to unpack before a
quick meeting for our pilgrimage groups and then our
first Mass in the Barn Chapel. In contrast to the
Shrine Church, the Barn Chapel is a wonderfully airy
and bright place; I always find this place
particularly serene and calming.
There is an unusual crucifix in the Barn chapel that
utilises a very fine black mesh material to form the
shell of Christ’s body. It’s striking but like some
of the other pilgrims, I’m not sure about it, possibly
because Christ’s body is not complete; the arms are
not present beyond the elbows nor the legs below the
knees.
Following the Mass was the first of the meals; supper
in the Refectory. There is only one word that can be
used to describe the food at Walsingham: excellent!
The Refectory is a modern glass-sided building and the
catering staff is very efficient and friendly. It’s a
great atmosphere; old acquaintances renewed, new
friendships forged.
After supper, small groups met in the Holy House for
prayers offering petitions prepared by the group,
shortly followed by Compline. The night, still being
fairly young, was rounded off with a pint or two at
one of the pubs in the village.
After a brisk walk before breakfast on Saturday (a
full cooked breakfast, I think I may of mentioned that
the food was excellent!), the first service of the day
was the Stations of the Cross. The stations are
distributed around the grounds of the Shrine so it was
good that the weather forecasters got it wrong and we
had a lovely bright morning!
Following this there was a visit to the Slipper Chapel
and Catholic Shrine which is situated just over a mile
away from the village of Walsingham. A few of us
walked whilst others took the coach.
Top Pilgrim’s Tip: There is a café where they serve
wonderful homemade cake!
After returning to Walsingham via the disused railway
track, lunch followed and then the afternoon was
‘free time’. The weather had deteriorated
slightly, so the walk I went on with a friend from St.
Alban’s church was cut short to avoid the impending
downpour (which never materialised despite the angry
looking clouds and increasing winds). Other pilgrims
went on the light railway to Wells-Next-The-Sea, some
went shopping in the village and some just relaxed for
the afternoon.
Following a brief meeting of the pilgrims was the Mass
of Our Lady of Walsingham in the Shrine Church. This
is a well attended service and the full church gives a
real feeling of the companionship of pilgrimage.
Supper followed (more food… time to loosen off the
belt a notch!) and then there was a candlelit
procession of Our Lady around the shrine grounds,
accompanied by the pilgrims singing the Walsingham
Pilgrim Hymn. Pilgrims do get involved in the
services; I was one of the bearers of the image of
Mary for the procession.
The procession was followed by Benediction of the
Blessed Sacrament and a time when the Shrine priests
were available for confession and spiritual council.
The night, still being fairly young, was rounded of
with…. not a pint or two at the pub this time, but by
a party for the pilgrims in the lounge area of one of
the accommodation blocks. A quiz had been organised
based on questions for youngsters (oh dear!) and a
game where the contents of quite a few sealed bags had
to be guessed by feel alone. Pilgrims had brought
supplies of drink and nibbles and a great time was had
by all. It was, as they say, a long night (mainly
because the clocks went forward an hour!).
Breakfast on Sunday morning was followed by the Sunday
Eucharist in the Barn Chapel which included the
Ministry of Healing where the priest lays his hands on
your head and anoints you with oil on your forehead
and palms. For me, this was and has been on past
pilgrimages, the most moving of the weekends’
services. I’m not sure why and I can’t really explain
it; it’s simply uplifting.
A new event this year was the sherry reception for
pilgrims which gave us all a chance to chat about our
experiences of Walsingham. This was followed by lunch
and then a service of Sprinkling and Anointing
including the Ministry of Healing in the Shrine
church. Having had our own service of healing earlier
in the day, a few of us opted to spend some time just
relaxing in the grounds of the shrine, talking about
nothing in particular and listening to the woodpecker
hard at work in the trees of the Abbey grounds.
Afternoon tea in the refectory was followed by a
procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the Shrine
grounds. There was a last visit to the Holy House for
a short service before departing for Havant.
The journey home seems to be longer, probably because
of the anticipation of being re-united with loved
ones.
I hope this account gives a flavour of what a
pilgrimage to Walsingham is like. It will be a
different experience for everyone of course. For
those with access to the internet, there is a
Walsingham Shrine website http://www.walsinghamanglican.org.uk
Remember, if you do go, leave your keys behind……
Graham Frost
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