Last month we witnessed the deaths of children and their teachers and the suffering of their families following the siege in Beslan, Russia. We also recalled the anniversary of 9/11 three years ago when the terrorist attacks in America destroyed the twin towers, part of the Pentagon, and failed to attack a third site, perhaps the White House. As we recall these events, perhaps with anger, despair and a sense of helplessness, we might want to ask where is the hope in these situations.

Yet we are the ‘Easter people’, who celebrate Jesus’ victory over evil and hate. Jesus has called us to repent of our sins and tells us that heaven rejoices over the one sinner who repents. Does that mean we have to forgive those terrorists? Even if we know we can’t, we have to remember that in the mercy of God there is forgiveness, even for repentant terrorists. But what about the next batch of would be terrorists (because that was the reason for the attack, by the way, to provoke Russia into such a devastating revenge that so many more Chechens, and others, would unite in a freedom fighting campaign)? What about the future of Chechnya, or for that matter Palestine or even Ireland? The turmoil that exists in these countries, and the history that has led to today’s situation, is the breeding ground for desperate radicals. While it is clearly right to oppose terrorism, this should not mean seeking vengeance: as the history of the Chechens shows, this merely serves to perpetuate a conflict. We need to remember the text: "Vengeance is mine, says the Lord – I will repay". Our concern is to support all attempts to understand the grievances, which drive individuals to commit such wicked acts, and enable a resolution. This is the very hard task we, as peacemakers, are called to.

The former Rector of Liverpool, the Very Revd. Nicholas Frayling, has devoted his ministry to a study of Ireland and its history. What he has to say in his book ‘Pardon and Peace’ is, I feel, at the heart of the Christian gospel, but it is not always comfortable to hear and so not always welcome. What he calls for is an understanding of how the Irish people feel and how that leads to the hatred and violence we have witnessed over four decades. It is not that he in anyway condones violence, nor in any sense encourages it: quite the reverse - of course he promotes peace. But this is his thesis – that actually it is the English and, to a lesser but not insignificant degree, Scottish who need to first show their regret for a history of hundreds of years of Irish repression and abuse, politically, economically, socially and religiously. A statement of regret, even remorse for past actions, which demonstrates genuine understanding on behalf of the English, would not solve all the problems, but it would be a vital first step in the search for lasting peace and justice.

This then is the conclusion of Frayling and others, including the retired British Major, who served 7 tours of duty in Northern Ireland, that a military response would never be the solution to a much bigger problem. The roots of the trouble go much deeper (in history, arguably, to Henry II’s expedition in 11^th century): in the social consciousness possibly to the ‘Great Famine’ of the late 19^th century in which the potato crop was exported to England while the Irish starved. In three years a million died and by the end of the century the population of Ireland had halved. Those who migrated to America formed the Fenian movement, which was a forerunner of the IRA, but at the time was a mostly catholic movement supported by the clergy as a means of fighting the injustice meted out by a perceived ‘heartless’ England. It’s only when we understand this background that we begin to see where the cauldron of hatred starts. And its only when we can genuinely listen that we can encourage the other to take stock of his/her position.

If the goal is peace, then reconciliation is an essential requisite and this can only take place when genuine understanding takes place on all sides of a conflict. We must not overlook the massive strides that have been made in the last 12 years of the peace process. Although there are significant deficiencies in the process it is a cause for hope that the progress made is based upon a historic, and necessary, compromise, between the Irish/Catholic and the Anglo-Scottish/Protestant communities.

In this national example, as in the local example I mentioned earlier, one of the first reactions is fear: fear of assault, abuse, retaliation or the unknown. Our own picture of the situation has been built on years of social development and we are all prejudiced to our world-view. However wise, well researched and open we may be it is still a given that our world-view is incomplete. The difficulty in expanding our world-view is that we have to listen and take on another’s world-view, which is at some level, threatening. Listening to some one else’s perspective may fill us with anger, disbelief or resentment. If we give in to these feelings we will not listen to the other. If we fail to listen how can we begin to build bridges towards peace, reconciliation and trust? Our hope lies, then, in our ability to listen both to others and, ironically, to ourselves. By knowing our limitations we can be open to others.                                                                                                                                                       David    

The Editor wishes to thank the Rector for his kind help in editing this issue during her absence, and apologises for its shortcomings on that account.

At the end of the service the choir will sing a special anthem composed for the occasion, after which the church will be closed for necessary repairs.

Last month we looked at the two Gospel writers Matthew and Mark, and now it is the turn of Luke and John, so here goes! Luke was, almost certainly, the doctor who accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys. He was clearly an educated man and an excellent writer, with a wide vocabulary. His precise description of illnesses clearly points to him being a doctor. He was familiar with both Greek and Jewish customs, although he was evidently writing for non-Jewish readers. He also demonstrated a social conscience - a concern for the poor, the sick and the very young.

He not only wrote about the events of the ministry of Jesus but also in his Acts of the Apostles tells us about the early Church. His aim was to chronicle events as a record for future generations and he was at pains to establish facts. His record has been confirmed by modern archaeology. His account starts with the birth of Jesus - only one other Gospel starts with the birth, that of Matthew. The information contained in Luke's account could only have come first-hand from the Blessed Mother Mary. Apart from the Nativity, Luke's Gospel draws heavily on the account in Mark's Gospel and the two were clearly close friends; indeed they obviously worked together to produce a definitive record of our Lord's ministry.

John's Gospel is quite different from the other three. It was the last to be written, some 50 years after the events and it assumes that the reader is aware of all the facts of Jesus’ life. It is clearly written to encourage readers to become Christians. It therefore selects events, notably miracles, not with the purpose of recording them, but to draw out the message contained within the miracle. In effect, John's purpose is to establish what the miracle tells us about Jesus. He only writes about events, which he witnessed in Jerusalem and the absence of parables in John's Gospel suggests that our Lord adopted a different style of teaching for the sophisticated city dwellers, using the parables for the more simple homespun country folk. (Joy says that sounds like the "Archers"). Like Matthew, John quotes the actual words of our Lord and his Gospel is the proclamation that Jesus is the Lamb of God - the Messiah and Son of God. It is very much an examination of our Faith.

Last month I started writing about the Gospels by expressing my own admiration for writers. A little while ago, I listened to three ladies - Audrey Currie, Jenny Sagrott and Valentine Searle - expressing their admiration for one writer. They mentioned one book in particular - "Children's Hour" - and said how much they enjoyed it. The author is a prolific writer whose books sell all around the world. So what has this to do with St Faith's? To begin with, we saw her at the Cathedral for the ordination of her son, Father Charles, and at his First Mass in this church. No prizes for guessing that this delightful and talented lady is Marcia Willett.                                                                    Roger Bryant

paperwork, which Audrey had given us, we all went our different ways to enjoy the hospitality of the different churches we visited. Biscuits and fruit squash were waiting for the energetic participants and Warblington had a Heritage Open Day so the old gravewatcher’s hut was on display. The Rector signed in to St Faith’s, Sheila made her way to Portsmouth and enjoyed the sandwiches at St Peter’s in Somers Road, Vicky and Daniel used the Billy Trail to take them onto Hayling, we crossed the county boundary into West Sussex and marveled at the hidden churches around Chichester Harbour.

We all met people with welcoming, smiling faces, learned about other churches and the way they worshipped and enjoyed the day’s exercise. Best of all, we know that St Faith’s and the other historic churches in the diocese will benefit from the sponsorship money we have raised.   Hilary Deadman

Slow me down, Lord! Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time. Give me amidst the confusion of my day, the calmness of the everlasting hills. Allow me to know the magical restoring power of sleep. Teach me the art of taking one-minute vacations … of slowing down to look at a flower, to pat a dog, to read a few lines from a good book. Let me look up into the branches of the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well. Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life’s enduring values, that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.                                                                                                                                                                       Toc H

We met as teenagers, two of a group who used to gather at the bottom of the road in Cosham, found we had things in common, cycle riding being one. I was still at school and Bill was in the Royal Navy, anyhow we became friends. We got engaged on Bill’s 21^st birthday, I was 17, very young, but Bill went off on another foreign draft to the Mediterranean. Two years and 4 months later he returned, in this time we had written countless letters, no e-mails or phone calls in those days. Anyhow, the Rev. Gilroy married us on 2^nd October 1954 at St. Peter and St. Paul, Wymering.

Leigh Park, paths, etc., by then and a few shops. Pauline arrived and our family was complete. We moved into a new house in Havant, lots of gardening to do and letter writing, tapes to send though, now. We were by this time attending St. Faith’s Church, girls in the Brownies, etc.; this became the pattern of our lives. Bill was away from home, but when love and faith is strong it overcomes all things, we’ve had our differences, but not for long. Our children grew up and then the next generation came along, four grandsons and four granddaughters, how lucky we are, very close to all of them. Now we start another line in the family, a great grandchild, a daughter, Shannon Faith, born to Rebecca and Darren.

So here we are two grey haired people who like to think they are young again, lots of hobbies, an army of friends. The love of each other and our faith, which brought us through the ups and downs of 50-years of marriage and all the trials it brings. Here’s to another 50!                              Jenny & Bill Sagrott

I have now been the verger of St Faith’s for 2 years and thought I would give you an insight of a Verger & Hall Manager’s job.

everything is OK. While I'm there I make sure the ladies at the nursery have no problems.

Every 3^rd Wednesday in the month is brass & silver cleaning. Audrey Curry & Peggy Sparks spend the morning making our entire brass & silver gleam. While they are doing this I am often out the front chasing leaves around the churchyard - I say this because as I think I have done one area the leaves have blown to another place. The most important part of my job are of the services we have at St Faiths, from the main parish Eucharist, the busy Easter and Christmas services, funerals, baptisms and weddings (I am the only woman who attends a wedding and don't have to buy a new outfit for it). I take great pride and care setting up each and every service that St Faith’s does through the year.

As you probably know, I am also the hall & bookings manager, which is a very varied job from taking bookings for the hall & house and sending out the bills once a month. We have a variety of people using our facilities: Dog Training, Archery. Havant Orchestra, a Flower Group, Children Parties, and Counseling Groups use the house weekly. Once a month I pop in to each group to make sure they have no problems, etc. I am also responsible for the cleaning & security of the hall & house with the help of Bob Peters & Tom Gomersall. My job is never the same from one day to the next but I do enjoy the variety a great deal. There have been comical times like when a rock band shut the door to the minor hall and the lock dropped. My husband had to go up with a chisel and hammer to get them out! One night I went to lock up and the dog trainers were still there and a local gent who occasionally slept by our bin was there. While waiting to lock up I made him a cup of tea and he asked me for a biscuit and the dog trainer gave him a packet of chocolate fingers. He promptly turned round and asked if we had any plain ones because when he dunked chocolate ones in his tea it left a funny taste!                                                                                                                         Vickie Mockford

Re the extract from the Rector’s sermon published in September’s "Faith Matters", I should like to support very strongly the PCC’s decision to accept the use of modern language in the services of Eucharist, or Holy Communion, in St. Faith’s, except for the 10.30am service on Thursdays. This could be reserved for those who prefer to use the language of King Charles II, the peculiarities of which are clearly shown when reading the Preface to the Prayer Book.

This Preface was used in 1660 when bringing the liturgy ‘up-to-date’ at that time. To quote from it: "That most of the Alterations were made, either first, for the better direction of them that are to officiate in any part of Divine Service, which is chiefly done in the Calendars and Rubricks; or secondly, for the more proper expressing of some words or phrases of ancient usage in terms more suitable to the language of the present times, and the clearer explanation of some other words and phrases, that were either of doubtful signification, or otherwise liable to misconstruction; or thirdly, for a more perfect rendering of such portions of Holy Scripture, as are inserted into the Liturgy". Surely it is sensible, after almost 350 years, for us to do the same, and make our services fully intelligible to the newest newcomer and to the earnest student keen to learn the complete meaning of the services.

To hear Scriptures in modern English really brings out the full meaning and intense significance of the passages to both the seeker and the saint.                                                                       John Smythe

Oscar Carruthers of Fourth Avenue, Denvilles, a 5½-year-old on the way to school one day asked his nannie "what are the poppy wreaths for and why are they there". She explained, to which he said "the soldiers wouldn’t like to see them all messy because they are covered in dead leaves". From then on, he has always cleaned the leaves off and stood the wreaths up if they had fallen over. He went a few days before he went to Holland on holiday to make sure they were tidy, but he wasn’t too happy when he found the wreaths weren’t there when he came back.                                                                                                                                                                 Bubbles

The Hymn was written by Sir Cecil Spring (1859-1918) and entitled "The Two Fatherlands". In my old school hymn book it comes under the section: Social Service – National.

We must remember it was probably written around the time of the First World War when men were off to fight for the freedom of this country – "the love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice". Do we not think of that when we commemorate the Battle of Britain in 1940 or on Remembrance Sunday? Are we not fighting today to save our country from international terrorism even as our troops are trying to secure freedom from tyranny for others? Do we let burglars run away with all that we have?

But the second verse reminds us of God’s Kingdom and the fact that those who die in the defence of freedom join His Kingdom. "And her ways are ways of gentleness and her paths are peace".

I see nothing to disagree with there and it does not speak to me of jingoism. I love it. It was sung at my cousin’s funeral.

A Radio 4 poll suggests the greatest sin is apathy. This hymn is certainly not apathetic but thinks of those who die for us, those who volunteered so willingly at the beginning of the First World War, a war thought to be the war to end all wars. Would that it had been so.                                            Sheilah Legg

Sometimes what is reported in a newspaper, particularly a tabloid, is taken out of context and spun to present a view more in accord with the reporter than the originator. I have not read Bishop Lowe’s newsletter, but taking the piece in "Faith Matters" at face value, I find myself fully in agreement with the Bishop: "My country right or wrong" is certainly not an appropriate Christian sentiment.

Thousands of people, many of them committed Christians, did not support Britain’s role in the invasion of Iraq. Likewise in 1956 many Christians in Britain did not support Britain’s role in the Suez operation. There are many other instances where Christian belief outweighs mere nationalism. Pride in the country of one’s birth or adoption is fine, but when this pride turns to nationalism then there is a danger that truth and principles, including Christian belief, are cast aside. Nationalism fuelled the rise of Nazi Germany, and even now after some 59 years of the ‘United Nations’, conflict and war caused by nationalism still rent our world. Today (3 September), on our TV screens we saw yet another consequence of extreme nationalism – the terrible carnage at the school in the Russian republic of North Ossetia.

It is worth remembering the words of Nurse Edith Cavell as she faced the German firing squad in 1915, "Standing in the view of God and eternity, I realise that patriotism is not enough".                                                                                                                                        John Bradey

Of course the Bishop is right to refuse to sing a hymn that causes him distress, and this is hardly surprising since our liturgy and hymnal abound with phrases that reflect obsolete attitudes and philosophies of times long past, the most obvious to be found in the Psalms!

Having said that, I find his reasoning in this instance more than a little confused. With the possible exception of the National Front, I know of no political party, not even the Scots and Welsh Nationalists, who promote a racist manifesto, far less a policy of economic or political isolationism.

Nationalism is in my opinion an acceptable vice, providing it is rational and non-destructive. Perhaps the circumstance in which nationalism is celebrated in music is relevant to its acceptability. The "Deutchland Ubber Alles" sung at a pre-war Nuremberg rally is a far cry from the same phrases being rendered at an Olympic medal presentation.

To celebrate ones national identity and individuality is not necessarily to isolate oneself; one can only produce a kaleidoscope given a full range of vibrant colours.

Render to Caesar that which is Caesars. God save the Queen!

We have had an encouraging response to appeals for help, but there are many roads within the Parish for which we have no cover. Should you feel able to assist in distribution, as required, of leaflets advertising our activities please advise any member of the Restoration Appeals Committee advising which roads, road or part of a road you could cover. We now have a full list of all roads  within the Parish and can advise you where we still seek assistance.                                Ken Bracher

Plans for the Town Fair began last September soon after the last Fair. This year for the first time, we formed a sub-committee to organise the Fair, meeting monthly. Our vision for the third Town Fair was to extend into West Street to increase publicity in order to attract more people, particularly families, to give the Fair an ecological theme, to have a programme and invite the Mayor. The first task, to set the date, was complicated by the last Saturday in August 2004 being a Bank Holiday weekend, we decided this could be an advantage. There were no weddings booked, so we were able to go ahead on 28^th August. Bookings for the Mayor, the band, the wood turners, dancers, fair organ, Hampshire County Council Library Service, fairground ride and the bell ringers were the first priority.

We felt there was scope to expand the Fair into West Street, but as there are a limited number of helpers to cover the stalls, that it would be better to bring in other organisations providing information, rather than selling goods. This fitted well with our plan to have a green theme and we were able to contact a number of organisations about running stalls. We also decided to use Fair-trade goods for refreshments and prizes.

Much thought was given to making the Fair more of a children’s event. We decided not to have the bouncy castle on safety grounds and have more games and stalls, children fancy dress and to have a barbecue, ice cream and also beer tent to keep parents occupied. The grand Draw is the major fundraising item of the Fair and we gave the prizes an ecological theme, including a wind up radio and organic and fair trade produce. Once this was done it was possible to print tickets and make plans to distribute them.

Local shops and the market traders were very supportive. About two months before the Fair, appeal letters went out to local businesses and these were followed up with a visit. This was time consuming, but very fruitful and builds good community links. A collection for the bottle stall was undertaken in Langstone. Another aspect to the Fair was the exhibitions in the Church. The Havant Remembered Exhibition had been very popular and we decided to reuse part of it. The Art Group also agreed to hold another Art Exhibition.

The Bell Tower visits were popular last year and we decided to expand this to the whole day and seek the support of the local Air Training Corp to supervise these on the day. Church tours were also arranged. We expanded the publicity delivering 4,000 flyers and 200 posters. Havant Borough Council agreed to include an article in ‘Serving You’. This publication is delivered to every home in the Borough and information was included in the press and tourist information publications.

A good deal of time was spent on Health and Safety issues, such as checking insurance, producing safety signs for the town and the churchyard, and first aid. We put out appeals for helpers in the bulletin and a monthly update in ‘Faith Matters’, and also approached people directly, many outside the congregation, about helping.

The Men’s Group cleared the churchyard and put up the banner two weeks before the Fair. Things had been running smoothly, then very close to the Fair date, the dancers had to cancel, the Fair organ was out of tune and had to pull out, and a couple of the green stalls also cancelled. We then had to reprint part of the programme. One of the most difficult things was the very changeable weather in August, and the day before the Fair, was so wet we made a contingency plan of the church in case it was needed. On the Friday, we set up the Exhibition in the church and then had just 20 minutes after the WI Market closed at 12 o’clock to carry 15 tables to the church from the United Reformed Church. Tables, chairs and books were brought round from the hall and there was another session at 7pm when the church was open again for delivering good garden furniture.

Setting up on the Saturday was hectic with a great deal to do. The weather was good and stallholders arrived with their goods; cakes, refreshments, produce, handicrafts, tombola prizes, games, bottles and even the town stocks! As people streamed in through the gate we felt we had achieved our vision.

This month we have 28-pages in "Faith Matters", the largest it has been to date. A big thank you to our contributors who have made it a bumper size! The magazine is the focal point for disseminating information to parishioners and keeping you up-to-date on events and activities in the parish. This includes, inter alia, work carried out by the PDG for the Kairos process, the parishes finances and Restoration Appeal progress, social activities, topics of the moment affecting parishioners and other articles & interests associated with St. Faith’s and St. Nicholas’ and the church in general. The main topic for discussion at the moment appears to be the introduction of "Contemporary Language" into the 9.30am service. Do read David Williams’ article and let the Editor know your views. By writing and having it published in the magazine will help members of the PCC to find out the views of parishioners about it’s introduction.

The Vision Ministry group came up with the excellent idea that there should be a team of people who would be willing to write one article a year for the magazine – not an onerous task – but as yet, there has not been one volunteer! Don’t be shy – I’m sure there are many of you who could write an article once a year for the magazine. Perhaps the members of the Ministry group who made the recommendation would like to volunteer!?

Endeavour Personal Finance; Dyer Burdett; Barrells; St. Faith’s Coffee Mornings; Mr & Mrs Freeston; P LeGoaziou; J Campbell; P Smith; P Stainsby; J&C Stuart; Carrolls Funeral Directors; + anonymous donation.  Total Amount: £1,573.05

I am sure that most of you know now that our PCC voted in July to adopt contemporary language for our principal Sunday morning service at 9:30. I am afraid that I missed that meeting of the PCC: I was in London at the Albert Hall, attending a Prom. This was probably as well; for although it is a subject that I feel rather strongly about, it is also one about which I think it is important for the clergy not to take part - in a voting sense – in the decision. So, I am sure that I would have felt rather frustrated. I understand that the main focus of the discussion was over the first word of the creed: should we say "I believe" or "We believe", so I will cover that here; but first, I want to make a few other points.

First, the use of "traditional" language is becoming quite unusual in the church. Most of our neighbouring churches now use contemporary language, nearly all of them for the main service and most for other services as well. It must be difficult for visitors to us to adapt: it certainly took me several months to get used to the change when I came to St Faith’s. Although I am personally a great fan of the language of the Prayer Book and value Evensong using it, it really is not appropriate. I actually believe that it is something of an insult to the great English reformers – William Tyndale, Thomas Cranmer and Miles Coverdale – to be still using the words they wrote. Those men went to the stake or into exile (both, in Tyndale’s case) because of their belief that the liturgy and scripture should be said in contemporary, vernacular English. If they had graves, they would certainly be turning in them at the idea that people in the English church are using their words four hundred and fifty years on.

Our present order of service booklet is a rather odd mix: parts of it – the collect, Gloria, Eucharistic prayer, Agnus Dei, proper post-communion prayer are in contemporary language. Other parts – the confession, the creed, the Sursum Corda, the Lord’s Prayer and the congregational post-communion prayer are in traditional language. So, in fact very little of our present service will change. Maybe that explains the concentration on the creed at the PCC. Incidentally, I understand that we will not be changing the wording of the Lord’s Prayer. Even our cathedral, which is in most things firmly committed to contemporary language, uses the traditional form of that.

Most of the "traditional" wordings have come down to us through the 1662 Prayer Book. This was an only very slightly modified version of Cranmer’s second prayer book of 1552. In the middle of the sixteenth century thee, thou and thy were vernacular contemporary English. I have not checked this, but I have read that in Shakespeare’s work, which was written mainly in a fairly formal style about fifty years later, about a quarter of the first person singular pronouns are you. By the time of the civil war, in the 1640s, you had become normal English. I think it rather a shame that during the war, in 1646, parliament banned the (then current) 1604 prayer book and issued instead the "Westminster Directory" – a rather modern style puritan "worship resource" book. As a result of this, it became a matter of urgency after the restoration in 1660 to publish a new prayer book and pass a new Act of Uniformity. There was no time for a proper revision of the prayer book into the then current English language. Instead, the 1604 book was reissued with hardly any changes. This is why the 1662 prayer book was full of the, by then anachronistic thees and thys

Possibly, the change, which will be most difficult to get used to, is the move in the congregational response at several places from "and with thy spirit" to "and also with you". This is an attempt to translate the Latin "et cum spiritu tuo" into English. Clearly, "and with your spirit" is the correct literal translation of the Latin. Unfortunately, the Latin is shorthand and the literal translation does not really communicate what is meant. The reference is meant to be with the holy spirit of the priest’s ordained ministry; and so "and also with you" is possibly a better translation of the meaning of the Latin.

The text that we call the Nicene Creed was drafted at the council of Nicea in 325 CE. It was further discussed and modified over the following half century and in church councils at Chalcedon and Constantinople and was finally adopted by the church at the council of Constantinople in 381. The version adopted then starts with the Greek word pistenomen – we believe. It was soon adopted in the Eucharist in the Eastern, Greek-speaking churches and spread gradually across Western Europe during the following centuries. The Latin version, used in the West, began credimus – we believe. Rome adopted the creed into Communion later than most of Europe. It became part of the Roman Mass in 1014, at which time it still began credimus. During the following two centuries, religion became a centralised and priestly undertaking. It was not usual for anyone except the priest to say anything during a service. So, it became usual for the priest to say, "I believe" – credo rather than credimus – when reciting the creed. This usage was confirmed during the Reformation. Although the liturgy was largely reclaimed for the congregation, the individualism of the Enlightenment took over. The creed became a personal affirmation by each believer rather than a corporate expression of the doctrine of the church. That is, of course, the issue here: which is it? I think that during the repeated, shared meal of the Eucharist, it is the community of the whole church that is declaring its shared corporate doctrines. Incidentally, the situation is different with the Apostles’ Creed. That was originally a declaration of faith by those about to be baptised into the church – it is still used for that. It has always begun "I believe". This seems appropriate; when a person is about to become a member of the church community, they should first declare their personal belief; once they have become a member, they are able to join in the communal declaration.

So, when the ASB in 1980 introduced the version of the Nicene Creed beginning "We believe", it was both returning to the original wording and recovering the true theology of the text. Personally, I think it is a commendable change for us to be making to correct one of the aberrations of the second millennium at the start of the third.                                                                                      David Williams

Nearly one in ten young people in Britain has never heard of the Ten Commandments, according to a poll. Even if they had heard of them, nearly half of people aged 15 to 24 could not name a single one of the commandments, the basis on which the whole of Western civilisation is founded. The poll of 1,000 people, carried out by NOP, was commissioned by a group of nearly 200 London churches, which organised a mission on the Decalogue, a two-week just10 series in a marquee on Clapham Common, South London. The main speaker, the evangelist J. John. Pollsters, found that 7 per cent of people aged 15 to 24 had "never heard" of the Ten Commandments, compared with 4 per cent of those aged 25 to 34, 2 per cent of those aged 35 to 44 and 1 per cent of those aged up to 64.

Even mission organisers were stunned by the finding that 44 per cent of those aged 15 to 24 could not cite a single commandment, compared with 14 per cent of those aged 45 to 54.

Over all age groups, the best known commandments were "Thou shalt not steal", cited by 46 per cent, "Thou shalt not kill", cited by 45 per cent and "Thou shalt not commit adultery," cited by 41 per cent.

The least known commandment was the injunction to keep the Sabbath holy, cited by just 4 per cent of those polled. Fewer than one in ten remembered that telling lies is forbidden by the commandments.

The mission’s co-chairman, the Rev Paul Perkin, Vicar of St Mark’s Battersea Rise in South London, a congregation originally "planted" by Holy Trinity Brompton, founder of the Alpha evangelical course, said: "The aim was to ask people how many of the Ten Commandments they could quote. The astonishing thing was that so many people could not think of a single one. I am 54, and any of us who span back to the middle of the last century, even if we did not come from a Christian environment — and I did not — might not know all of them but would nevertheless be aware that we should not steal, murder or bear false witness. What is surprising is the complete lack of knowledge, the lack of awareness."

First You shall have no other gods before Me

Second You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them

Third You shall not take The Name of The Lord your God in vain

Fourth Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath to The Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates; for in six days The Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore The Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it

Fifth Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which The Lord your God gives you

Sixth You shall not kill

Seventh You shall not commit adultery

Eighth You shall not steal

Ninth You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour

Tenth You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbour’s

I have been dealing with the distribution of the magazine for the last twenty-five years and I would now like to "retire" and hand over to someone with more energy than that which I possess. The job is not onerous and it normally takes very little time to deal with it each month. It consists of the following:

1. Collect the 200 magazines from the printers in Brockhampton Lane each month.
2. Put the magazines into bundles for the 11 people who deliver them to various parts of the Parish – these bundles are then placed on the table just inside the northern entrance to the church. Fill up the wall rack and then give the remainder to Vickie who will replenish the rack as necessary throughout the month.
3. Periodically pay into Lloyds TSB in West Street the income from the sale of the magazines (Vickie will give you the contents of the wall-safe and the 11 deliverers will bring or send their collections to you).
4. Once a year, usually in early December but not always, write to each of the advertisers and ask them to let you have their remittances for the following year – the majority of them have advertised for many years and therefore collection of the subscriptions is easy.

If you would like any further information please contact me on 023 9247 8499. I intend to continue in post until the end of this year and I hope that someone will come forward and take over from me for 2005. Would you please contact Fr. David or me because he is aware of my impending "retirement".

A Headmistress of an infant school held up a pair of woollen gloves, which had been found, and asked if anyone recognised them. A little five-year-old said hesitantly, "They're like mine - but they can't be. Mine are lost."

1. Milkman - when you leave the milk, will you please put coal on the fire, let the cat out, and put the newspaper inside the door? P.S. No milk today.

2. Dear Milkman. Baby arrived yesterday. Please leave another one.

My husband keeps telling me to go to hell. Have I the legal right to take the children?

O God, open my heart

That it may be big enough to receive

the greatness of your love.

Open my heart that it may take into it

all those near and dear to me.

Open my heart that it may take in all who

are not lovely in my eyes and whose

hands I do not want to touch.

O God, open my heart

that it may be filled with generosity, kindness,

and reverence for all who enter the sacred

Space of life.