The Parish Pump for December 2004
PARISH PUMP
Parish Pump is published every month except January, and should be
distributed to every household in the ShillValley and Broadshire benefice. If
you do not receive a copy, please contact Jane Brylewski.
Advertising does not cover all our costs, and we welcome donations (suggesting
£5/year) which you can send through your Parish Pump Correspondent (see
inside back cover), the person who delivers your Parish Pump, or directly to
Ellie Maughan. If you have not already done so, please send your £5 to cover
2004’s issues. In any event please send £5 to cover 2005’s issues.
We welcome articles, letters, diary items, or just good ideas for future articles
(and criticism, whether good or bad! Ed). Please submit through your local Parish
Pump Correspondent, or directly to Richard Martin. Photographs are also
welcome. We prefer all copy to sent electronically (),
although paper is fine too!
All copy for inclusion should reach the editorial office by the 10th of the
month preceding publication.
Advertising enquiries are welcomed, and should be directed to Lin Edgar.
We are indebted to all the Parish Correspondents, and all those in all the
parishes who make possible the publication and distribution of Parish Pump
every month.
EDITOR
Richard Martin
Cotswold Woollen Weavers, Filkins, Nr Lechlade, Glos GL7 3JJ
Tel: 01367 860491 Email:
TREASURER
Ellie Maughan
Home Farm, Kelmscott, Lechlade, Glos GL7 3HD
Tel: 01367 252220 Email:
ADVERTISING
Lin Edgar
The CotswoldWildlifePark, Bradwell Grove, Burford, Oxon OX18 4JW
Work Tel (Tuesdays - Fridays, 10.00am - 5.00pm): 01993 823006
Home Tel: 01993 845544 Email:
DISTRIBUTION
Jane Brylewski
The Willows, Signet, Burford, Oxon OX18 4JQ
Tel:01993 822479 Email:
Any views expressed in Parish Pump are not necessarily those of the benefice clergy, nor
of the editorial team.
EDITORIAL
An article in a recent Parish Pump outlining the Church’s position on
hunting drew several comments, and we return to the issue. From bar to
dinner table, it continues to be a sore point, both for those for and against a
ban. By the time you read this, the law might well have been settled. But will a
ban be universally accepted, and can absolutist morality justify it?
We report on a speech from The Bishop of Chelmsford, who spoke in the
House of Lords along with a surprisingly large number of anti-ban bishops,
and we have a fiery article from Richard Thomas, our diocesan Director of
Communications. The Bishop admits that ‘many Christians and people in
Essexbelieve that hunting is morally unacceptable’. However he himself does
not take an absolutist position, for, he continues,
‘Christians… believe that in matters of moral opinion consent is important and vital.
One should not impose something on people against their consent unless there is an overriding reason for it.’
And there is the rub: one man’s ‘overriding reason’ often leads to another
man’s feeling of persecution. Bans on tobacco, fireworks, conkers and
hanging-baskets, zero-tolerance policing of motorists: to their projectors all
might seem laudable, but the Bishop thinks none are truly justifiable.
Dr Thomas goes further, and sees the attempt to ban hunting as an example
of ‘Government Fundamentalism’, in which the traditional evocation of
God’s will as the defence for draconian action is replaced with an absolute
belief in the power of the political will. Dr Thomas suggests the Government
has created a secular god in its own image, and goes on:
“Logically, we cannot discriminate between the different causes that fundamentalists
espouse. Whether it is Islamic, Israeli, Christian, or [British] Government
fundamentalism, it has to be resisted.”
Strong stuff indeed! But not a party political point, for all governments are
inclined increasingly and heavy-handedly to lay down the law (watch Bush on
abortion). It is simply that any government, like any man, can believe
passionately in whatever it likes; but, even on moral issues, where there is no
disadvantage for the majority, the rights of minorities should not be curtailed.
One is reminded of that hoary old saw, emblazoned on many a banner
blowing in a revolutionary wind ‘When injustice becomes law, resistance
becomes duty.’ Post-ban, can we expect the Church to lead the charge against
the fox and the Government?
Richard Martin
BENEFICE SERVICES
28th November - Advent I
9.00am Alvescot Holy Communion HM
10.00am B Bourton Family Communion and Baptism RM
10.00am Filkins Parish Communion LJ
10.00am Langford Family Service FSG
10.00am Shilton Family Communion and Baptism NUW
11.00am Broadwell Matins LJ
6.00pm Kencot Advent Carols LJ
6.00pm Westwell Evensong HM
4th December
5.30pm Shilton Youth service HM
5th December - Advent II
10.30am B Bourton Benefice Eucharist Service HM & LJ.
6.00pm Westwell Evensong HM
12th December - Advent III
9.00am Shilton Holy Communion NUW
9.00am Westwell Holy Communion RM
10.00am B Bourton Family ServiceGA
10.00am Langford Carol Service HM
11.00am Broadwell Matins NUW
11.00am Kencot Parish Communion LJ
4.00pm Alvescot Christingle Service HM
6.00pm B Poggs Carol Service NUW
6.00pm Holwell Carol Service LJ
19th December - Advent IV
9.00am Langford Holy Communion NU-W
10.00am B Bourton Family Service DP
10.00am Filkins Parish Communion LJ
11.00am L Faringdon Carol Service HM
6.00pm Alvescot Carol Service RM
6.00pm Kencot Carol Service HS
6.00pm Shilton Family Carols LJ
6.00pm Westwell Carol Service NUW
20th December
6.30pm Kelmscott Carol Service NUW
24th December - Christmas Eve
4.00pm Alvescot Crib Service HM
5.00pm Filkins Crib Service LJ
11.30pm B Bourton Midnight Mass RM
11.30pm Langford Midnight Mass NUW
11.30pm Shilton Midnight Mass HM
25th December - Christmas Day
9.00am Westwell Holy Communion with Hymns NUW
10.00am Alvescot Family Communion LJ
10.00am Broadwell Family Communion RL
10.00am Filkins Family Communion HM
10.30am Holwell Parish Communion NUW
11.15am Kencot Parish Communion LJ
11.15am L.Faringdon Parish Communion RL
11.15am Kelmscott Family Communion HM
26thDecenber - St Stephen’s Day
10.00am Langford Holy Communion HM
2nd January - The Epiphany
10.30am Kencot Benefice Eucharist Service LJ & NUW
6.00pm Holwell Evensong NUW
9th January - The Baptism of Christ
8.00am Kencot Holy Communion HM
9.00 am Shilton Holy Communion RM
10.00am Alvescot/B Bourton Parish Communion NUW
10.00am Filkins Family Communion HM
11.00am Broadwell Matins NUW
11.00am L Faringdon Parish Communion LJ
4.00pm Langford Evensong LJ
6.00pm Westwell Evensong NUW
6.00pm Shitlton Youth Service HM
16th January - Epiphany II
9.00am Langford Holy Communion RM
9.00am Westwell Holy Communion HM
10.00am Alvescot Family Communion HM
10.00am Broadwell Family Communion NUW
11.00am Kelmscott Parish Communion HM
11.00am Kencot Parish Communion NUW
11.00am L Faringdon Matins AP
6.00pm B Bourton Evensong RM
6.00pm B Poggs Evensong NUW
23rd January - Epiphany III
9.00am Holwell Holy Communion RM
9.00am Shilton Holy Communion HM
10.00am Alvescot Morning Service HM
10.00am B Bourton Family Communion NUW
10.00am Filkins Parish Communion LJ
10.00am Langford Family Service FSG
6.00pm Kencot Sing for Joy HS & LJ
6.00pm Westwell Evensong NUW
30th January - Epiphany IV
10.00am Broadwell Parish Communion RM
10.00am Shilton Family Service HM
11.00am L Faringdon Family Communion NUW
6.00pm Holwell Evensong HM
There is also a Communion Service every Wednesday at B Bourton at 10.00am
SERVICE CELEBRANTS
AP Arthur Pont DP Debs Price 01993 847039
FSG Family Service Group GA Gil Allison 01367 860xxx
HM Harry MacInnes 01993 845954 HS Helen Squire 01367 860337
JM Judith Mount 01285 850242 LJ Liz Johnson 01367 860846
NUW Neville Usher-Wilson01993 822464 RM Roland Meredith 01993 851142
THE LECTIONARY
28th November - Advent I (P)
Isaiah 2. 1-5 Psalm 122
Romans 13.11-14 Matthew 24. 36-44
5th December - Advent II (P)
Isaiah 11. 1-10 Psalm 72. 1-7
Romans 15.4-13 Matthew 3. 1-12
12th December - Advent III (P)
Isaiah 35. 1-10 Psalm 146. 5-10
James 5. 7-10 Matthew 11. 2-11
19th December – Advent IV (P)
Isaiah 7. 10-16 Psalm 80. 1-7
Romans 1.1-7 Matthew 1. 18-25
25th December - Christmas Day (W)
Isaiah 9. 2-7 Psalm 96
Titus 2. 11-14 Luke 2. 1-14
26th December - St Stephen’s Day (W)
2 Chronicles 24.20-22 Acts 7. 51-end
Psalm 119.161-168 Matthew 10. 17-22
2nd January - The Epiphany (W)
Jeremiah 31. 7-14 Psalm 147. 12-20
Ephesians 1.3-14 John 1. 10-18
9th January - The Baptism of Christ (W)
Isaiah 42. 1-9 Psalm 29
Acts 10.34-43 Matthew 3. 13-17
16th January Epiphany II (W)
Isaiah 49. 1-7 Psalm 40. 1-11
1 Corinthians 1.1-9 John 1. 29-42
23rd January Epiphany III (W)
Isaiah 9. 1-4 Psalm 27 1. (2-3) 4-9
1 Corinthians 1.10-18 Matthew 4. 12-23
30th January Epiphany IV (W)
1 kings 17. 8-16 Psalm 36. 5-10
1 Corinthians 1.18-31 John 2. 1-11
THE RECTOR’S LETTER
‘On coming into the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary and they bowed
down and worshipped him’ ( Matthew 2.11)
Dear Friends
have enjoyed getting to know some of you in my first few weeks in this
Benefice, both in Christian worship and in some wonderful village events.
As we approach the Christmas season we can find ourselves incredibly
busy and rushed, with shopping and parties and all the preparations that take
place.
In our busyness it is easy for us to miss out on the extraordinary Christmas
event that we mark and celebrate at this time of year.
It took a long time for the full significance of Jesus to sink into the
consciousness of his contemporaries. In some ways it was harder for them
than it is for us. To bring their hearts and minds around the reality that this
particular baby who grew up in ordinary circumstances in their first century
was the creator of everything that exists was utterly extraordinary. It is still
difficult to grasp. How on earth did Mary his mother reach that conclusion?
The experiences of visions and dreams and extraordinary visitations would
have made her realise that her child was very special; but to call him God was
another matter altogether. What about all the messy part that goes with
babies, the dirty linen and looking after a small child, could God really be in
the midst of all that?
There were three attitudes that were evident in Mary which may have opened
up her heart and understanding, and which may also open up our souls to
God if we are willing.
Firstly we see Mary waiting. Wait is a word often used in the Bible. Wait for
the Lord – says Psalm 27.14. Both Simeon and Anna, elderly people in the
Templewere waiting for God’s kingdom. The disciples were told to ‘wait for
the promise of the Father’. It suggests an attitude of open expectancy. God
will work, he will show himself, but it will be his timing and not ours.
Increasingly in today’s consumer culture we are used to getting what we want
when we want it. As we approach Christmas we could perhaps seek to chose
to wait and remain open and alert and full of anticipation for God – even in
the midst of a busy life.
Secondly we see Mary weighing. We are told that she pondered all these things
said about Jesus deeply within her ‘She kept all these things and pondered
them in her heart’. She meditated on them. That was the way that revelations
and illumination came. It is the way that Jesus has revealed himself to men
and women down the ages and continues to do so today for those who are
willing to ponder and meditate on the mystery of Christ.
Thirdly we see Mary wondering. Having young children myself, Christmas
has a renewed sense of great wonder, but as adults we too easily lose that
childlike sense of wonder. It’s a mark of humility when we allow ourselves to
be moved by the marvels that are all around us.
So during this time of advent, as we prepare for the coming of Immanuel -
God with us, may I invite you to join with me to wait, to weigh and to
wonder and be open for Christ to be with us this Christmas.
Harry MacInnes
LINK WITH UGANDA
Many of you will know, and have fond memories, of Canon Samuel
Mfitumukiza from Uganda who came to minister within this
Benefice. Canon Samuel has offered to host a team from this
Benefice to visit the Muhabura Diocese sometime next year, possibly around
May or June 2005.
Canon Samuel will be here in Oxford from 15th December to 20th January
and hopes to meet with a group who would like to go. If you are at all
interested in being apart of this team or knowing more details do contact me.
Harry MacInnes
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
At our last meeting we welcomed our new Methodist Minister, The Rev
Peter Goodall and much enjoyed getting to know him. We meet again
at 2.45pm on Wednesday 1st December in the Methodist Chapel
Schoolroom, Filkins, when we look forward to hearing from The Rev Liz
Johnson for the first time.
Our meetings are open to everyone. Please join us if you would like to do so.
MAB
WIZ JOINS THE TEAM!
Harry MacInnes is not the only new face in the benefice…
My name is Wiz Sammonds and you will be seeing me around the
benefice with Liz for the next six months or so. I am in my second
and final year at theological college, training to be a vicar. Before
coming to Oxford to study I was a children’s nurse for four years then trained
as a health visitor and worked in Southampton.
I am very much looking forward to being on placement with Liz and meeting
lots of you. I am not very good with names, so bear with me; I will try my
best!
Wiz Sammonds
FROM THE REGISTERS
Holy Baptism
10th October Alvescot Eleanor Catherine Woodcock
31st October Shilton Kieran Keith Day
7th October Shilton Charlotte Stafford
Holy Marriage
23rd October Little Faringdon Stuart Mann to Emma Louise Garratt
23rd October Black Bourton Richard John Axtell to Sandra Mary Flynn
Holy Burial
12th October Shilton Burial of Ashes, Peter Riley aged 47years
1st November Black Bourton Glyndwr Luckett aged 91 years
THE CHURCH AND HUNTING (Part 2)
Two months ago, Parish Pump carried an article about the Church’s attitude to
hunting. Although, by the time this issue is published, the matter may already be settled
one way or the other, we return to the subject for three reasons.
Firstly, our own Bishop of Dorchester thought it worthy of mention during his sermon
at Harry MacInnes’ induction service, secondly, the Bishops generally have been
extraordinarily keen to speak on the matter in the House of Lords (and by no means
taking the line one might suppose), and thirdly because what they, and other sections of
the church are saying often raises interesting connections between Christian principles,
ethical behaviour, and freedom of choice.
In October, speaking in the House of Lords, Viscount Astor pointed out that;
“Eleven Bishops—the right reverend Prelates the Bishops of Chelmsford,
Hereford, Oxford, Portsmouth, St Albans, Wakefield, Bath and Wells, Bristol,
Guildford, Lincoln and Chester—have all spoken and voted in favour of
hunting.”
The Bishops of Exeter and of London, have also spoken publicly against a ban, and there may very well have been others. In general the Bishops have taken one or more of four lines. One, there is no moral case against hunting, two, no government should so wilfully criminalise a hitherto legal activity without due cause, three, in an increasingly diverse society, legislation should generally uphold minority rights, and four, essentially urban legislators should beware of (further) embittering those who live
in rural areas.
As an example of what the Bishops have been saying, here is the Bishop of Chelmsford
speaking in the House of Lords recently:
If Parliament, as a whole, cannot find a way of enabling our people to live
together with difference then we are failing in our democratic duty. “Just a
few days ago, I spent a day in Bullwood Hall Prison. It was a very sobering
experience. Part of the day was spent experiencing prison education. Among a
whole range of principles, we were taught the following principles, “You ought
to be able to see the other point of view whether you agree with it or not.
Every point of view may be right for the person holding it but not right
enough to be imposed on others”. If Parliament cannot practise that, what
message are we giving out to the people?
“One of the things that Bishops can do in this House is to bring our dioceses
with us. Mine stretches from five east London boroughs all the way through
to rural north Essex. I am in no doubt that there is a real difference among
the people of the diocese of Chelmsford, as there is in the Christian Church,
on the moral principles at stake. Many Christians and people in Essex believe
that hunting is morally unacceptable. But Christians also believe that in
matters of moral opinion consent is important and vital. One should not
impose something on people against their consent unless there is an
overriding reason for it.
“I can tell the House that hunting is not a major topic for debate in the pubs
of east London, but the temperature is rising in north Essex. The concern is
not just about hunting, but about the fact that people in rural communities
feel that they are or are not being heard.
“The issue is not a narrow one. There is quite a debate on the moral issue,
even in rural areas. But rural communities feel that they are not being heard
and not being understood, but that they are being overridden by legislation of
this kind.
“There are two other reasons why I believe that we need to be very cautious. I
have always taken the view that banning things is a very bad way of
legislating. I too have rather a long list of things that I believe are undesirable
and socially corrupting. That list may include matters such as adultery,
gambling and tobacco, but we have found ways of managing them without
banning everything in sight. My tutor at Cambridge wrote an important book
on prohibition in the United States—what a disastrous process of legislation
that was. Are we really sure that a ban is the way to handle an issue like this?”
Coming closer to home, and with the author’s permission, we reproduce a forthright
article which originally appeared in The Door in September. It was written by the
Communications Director for Oxford Diocese, who says the Government is ‘pursuing a
course of secular fundamentalism’, of which a ban on hunting is an example.
The treatment of the massed protests of the countryside alliance, coupled
with the police response to the sharper, more desperate measures taken
by otherwise law-abiding protesters on day of the vote against hunting
with dogs, surely must cause all Christians to ask serious questions about the
growth of fundamentalism in our country and our Government. It is not