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New Member of the Burlington House

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 14:08:03 +0100

My name is Dickens and I have come to live at the Burlington House, where there are three adequate servants who dote on me.

I arrived yesterday and knew right away that I was in my 'forever home'. Fortunately there are many places to hide from Etelvina and the cat-sucking monster (aka vacuum cleaner).

I had a house tour when I arrived and found a litter box on every floor, a convenience I really appreciate and the maid service is prompt.

I'm not a lap cat, like my people were expecting - I am a chest cat.

I enjoyed my first mass this morning, and it was very nice of the Dean to wait until I was settled on my chair before beginning the confession.

Here is a picture for you to admire:

Notes from our House in Bristol

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 14:34:02 +0100

Last week was a particularly eventful week. We are in the midst of a promotional film about our ‘Loaves and Fishes’ project being made. It is being funded by a generous donation from the Archdeaconry fund, the encouragement of the Diocesan Education officer in conjunction with West Knowle Media Centre and our local primary school, St Barnabas. A lot of preliminary work had been done including Hilda Mary being filmed doing a school assembly about our Community and work and the Yr 6 children visiting here and some of them learning how to interview and film.

So last weekend we were ready for action. Three members of the media centre descended on us in time for breakfast last Sunday and spent the whole day engaged in and filming our usual Sunday happenings including lunch for 14 and food bags being handed out to over 200 hundred people! They plus year 6 pupils then spent the next 2 days with us. Marina the producer was very moved by all the people she met and stories she heard.

This would have been enough in itself but it happened to come at the same time as the quinquennial repairs to the house and a new boiler being installed. So the whole house is swathed with scaffolding and we have 6 men working outside and 2 inside. This involves much tea making and keeping our eyes and ears open to make sure all jobs are being progressed as we wish!
We nearly got shut out of the garden when the scaffolders asked a new volunteer if we needed to use the garden door. “Oh no its raining .The Sisters won’t need it” I overheard this just in time. “What? Not need it for the next 6 weeks? You must be joking!”
By some miracle the noisiest drilling and banging managed not to coincide with the children conducting interviews in the “Quiet Room”!

Many of the people who come to us were only too willing to share their stories and how we have helped them, and also to become film stars! And that was just the first 3 days of the week.

Rosina retreated to Clevedon to draw breath on Wednesday. Margaret escaped to her art class on Thursday. We had our evening Liturgy on Thursday in the main room, the chapel still being full of stuff because of the new boiler etc going in the sacristy. Fortunately the Quiet room was no longer needed for interviews by the time we needed it for a temporary chapel!
Well much more went on besides including rescuing a fledgling bird in the middle of the filming on the Sunday but this is enough for one week and comes with much love from us all till next time!

Hilda Mary CSC

Leaders Conference in Whitby

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:58:37 +0100

The Conference of Leaders of Anglican Religious Communities was held at Sneaton Castle Centre, Whitby, 14-18 June 2010.

Our Sister Linda Mary (far right) was able to attend on our behalf this year, and she enjoyed the opportunity to meet other Leaders and to hear The Right Reverend Dom Stephen Ortiger OSB, Worth Abbey, the guest speaker.

Solomons Archbishop David visits UK

Fri, 21 May 2010 12:33:45 +0100

Archbishop David and Mary from the Solomons visited me on the 16th May and spent a night here at Trinity. It was so lovely to have them and was a break from essays in order to host them.

I took them around the campus after having some tea and then we went out to see a bit of Bristol. It was good for them to have a space here, because they have a full time table and meeting lots of people that have some sort of connection to the Church of Melanesia.

On Monday morning, after breakfast, we went to the College chapel for morning prayer and then the Vice Principal and the Chaplain had a meeting with him, before Linda and Anita arrived for another meeting.

I was so proud to have five visitors on Monday, but then missed them all when they have left.

Veronica CSC

Visiting Clevedon

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:53:27 +0100

We are at Clevedon and we are going to Bishop James house today for a few days holiday.

Lillian Mary and Agnes CSC

UK Provincial Report 2010

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 07:48:18 +0100

If you would like to
download a copy of the report,
please click on the icon above.

For a slideshow of some of the highlights since the last Provincial’s Report to the UK Chapter in
May 2009, please click here.

Easter in Canada

Mon, 5 Apr 2010 11:31:18 +0100

We had a mostly quiet Holy Week.

On Thursday I attended the Maundy Thursday service at Church House at noon; all the other services we attended were at the Cathedral in Hamilton. Michael and Heather went on Thursday evening where instead of a sermon three people led reflections. Michael set up the altar of repose at home, and Heather and I took the 2:00 - 3:00 am slot at the Cathedral vigil. The three of us attended the Good Friday service, and last night Heather went to the Easter Vigil. We all went to the Festival Service this morning, where Heather and I read the lessons and the Primate preached. After the service we had Easter egg cookies and coffee, then home for a quiet dinner of barbecued lamb. We had no guests for Easter this year - we've had enough excitement for a while!

Margaret CSC (Canadian Provincial)

Easter Greetings from Elisa Helen

Sun, 4 Apr 2010 11:26:05 +0100

Hi folks,

I have just finished my last service of Easter Day and the services have again been stunning. Of the three Easter Services we had at least 200 people over all and the participation has been wonderful. Our Good Friday services were special also and we did a liturgy based around the Passover for Maundy Thursday which was also well appreciated.

We had a liturgy of the passion in the Church on Good Friday which was followed by an ecumenical stations of the cross which was also bilingual Dinka [Sudanese] English. We did this in a nearby park and I’d say there were over a 100 people present. The Sudanese drummed and sang as we moved between the stations and each reflection was in both English and Dinka. It was really special.

Our Easter vigil which we did at 11.30pm was also bilingual. We didn’t have so many at that although a number Sudanese turned out and everyone really enjoyed it. The Sudanese drums and singing were very joyous and our Easter hymns - the two we sang - seemed lifeless in comparison. Next year I think we’ll make it a dawn service.

The 10am was English and had over 80 people present and the music and energy in the worship was so inspired and full of life.

And I’ve just finished the Sudanese communion which I encourage them to do as much of the service as is appropriate in Dinka. I’m still trying to say ‘the Lord be with you’ but it is so different and I struggle every time.

I always keep on saying Tenebrae over the Triduum, I’ve grown to love it and it makes me feel really connected to the community. I advertise it so that if anyone wants to join me they can. This year I had between 6-8 people saying it with me each day which was lovely. I’ve created a little prayer corner in the church where we gather everyday for morning prayer and I have a very faithful little band of folk who join with me each day and it is lovely.

Blessings to you,
I hope your celebrations of the resurrection have touched and fed you also,
In Jesus Christ’s name,
Elisa

80th Birthday for Mary Jo

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 19:48:55 +0000

The people of the parish of St. Margaret of Antioch at St. Anne's-on-Sea in Lancashire enabled our Sister Mary Josephine to celebrate her 80th birthday in grand style! The church was filled with people for the 10am eucharist, and more than 80 stayed for the buffet lunch following the service. A helium-filled birthday balloon graced the place of honour and in addition to the many friends from the parish, friends from Mary Jo's school days and former colleagues also joined the celebration.

If you would like to read the homily, please click here.

Writing on Justice and Peace

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:35:41 +0000

In thanksgiving and celebration for 60 years in profession, Ann Mechtilde produced a booklet of poetry, entitled Imperfect Words. It is a wonderful collection and some of the Sisters enjoyed hearing Ann read aloud some of her poems on the Sunday afternoon following her special day. We were also each given a copy of the booklet -- and they were very much appreciated.

And if that wasn't enough to give us all a warm glow, Ann was then honoured by receiving a prize for her poems, in a special evening at St. Thomas Aquinas Church!

From the Programme:

A Celebration of Writing on Justice & Peace Issues
Supported by Music

Last autumn, our Justice and Peace Group here at St. Thomas' launched a writing competition in association with local churches, schools and other organisations.
The competition has been particularly aimed at lending encouragement to students' nurturing idealism and moreover their practical pursuit of social justice.
...
The competition has been sponsored by means of a fund specifically created for such purpose by the parishioners of St. Thomas'.

There were three categories for children and one for adults and we heard samples from works in each of the categories, and also enjoyed listening to a string quartet from the local German School, and songs by children from the Grey Court School.

Several Sisters attended to support Ann on this special occasion and we all enjoyed the evening very much.

80th Birthday for Sheila Julian

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:57:24 +0000

Sheila was able to celebrate her 80th birthday in grand style!

The first part of the celebration was with her local church and the group that normally gathers for the Tuesday eucharist. The next part was a special meal with the Sisters at West Harrow. And the final part included 'High Tea' and 'Festal Evensong' at Ham! Tea and sandwiches, followed by dainty little cakes (and a 'proper' birthday cake) were shared out among the Sisters and Guests. Quite a jolly gathering with Sheila's singing bears among the crowd.

The photograph is a mandala from one of Sheila’s books:

Colourful Prayer:
a new way to pray when words are inadequate

Diamond Jubilee for Ann and Ruth

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 12:15:39 +0000

When Ruth found herself in hospital after Christmas with a chest infection, and most of the country was snowed in, we were a bit worried whether Ann and Ruth would be able to celebrate the great occasion of their 60th anniversary as they had hoped and planned.

Fortunately, Ruth recovered her strength and the snow melted a little -- and there was a very happy gathering at Ham to mark this special day.

Ruth had specially requested some fireworks 'candles' she had seen at Shirley Anna's confirmation and they can be viewed in their full glory below.

The other candle is the remaining third of Ruth's profession candle, specially painted by one of Ruth's friends for the occasion.

Ruth has regained much of her strength now, and no longer needs the wheelchair which was supporting her on the day (helping to conserve energy!)

If you would like to see more photos, please click here.

If you would like to read the homily, please click here.

RIP Sister Elspeth CSC

Fri, 1 Jan 2010 20:20:15 +0000

Our Sister Elspeth died peacefully at 8-20 pm this evening, January 1st. Nicholas, our Chaplain, anointed her yesterday and several Sisters had the opportunity of visiting her over the last couple of days.

May she rest in peace, and rise with Christ in glory.
Alleluia! Amen!

If you would like to read the homily preached on the occasion of Elspeth’s funeral, please click here.

The Wave - Climate Change March

Sat, 5 Dec 2009 21:46:09 +0000

Sister Ruth White CSC writes:

Thousands of people demonstrated in London in the UK’s biggest climate change march on Saturday. 50,000 people had come together to demand action on climate change. The purpose of those marching was to call for an “ambitious, fair and effective deal in Copenhagen” and “for all to recognise unequivocally that there is a moral imperative to tackle the causes of global warming”.

The demonstration was preceded by various events including an ecumenical service at the Methodist Central Hall Westminster. Vivien and I attended. Archbishop Rowan Williams and Archbishop Vincent Nicholls took part. What they had to say was inspiring. For me the core message was ‘Let us live more simply so that others may simply live’. Well over three thousand people attended this service. The energy and enthusiasm of the congregation were palpable.

I joined the demonstration at Trafalgar Square. The colour of the day was ‘blue’, sartorial innovations appearing from all directions, including some startling electric blue rinses! The march had begun at Grosvenor Square, reaching us at Trafalgar Square at 1:45pm. In the vanguard came the blue ‘Wave bus’, event leaders aloft, shouting their encouragement to the marchers and onlookers below. I threaded my way into this sea of waving posters. I was near the front. We walked at a steady pace along Whitehall to the Houses of Parliament, encouraged by a watching crowd who waved and clapped. Just ahead of me I espied two familiar figures - Richard and Penny B (our Associates). They had come with an Ipswich church contingent. It was good to share the excitement with them. We arrived in Parliament Square, tramped past Westminster Palace and the Abbey, and walked up Milbank before crossing the Thames at Lambeth Bridge. As we looked behind us we could see a mass of people following, banners aloft and swathes of blue. On the Albert Embankment we walked by St. Thomas’s Hospital, crossing the river again at Westminster Bridge. From there we saw an astonishing sight - a seemingly endless stream of people on Lambeth Bridge. The circle was almost complete! The atmosphere became electric.

At the foot of Big Ben the march came to a halt. In the waiting crowd a sufi sat on the tarmac and prayed. A child let go a blue balloon. People talked. Others just stood and stared at the spectacle. I found friends from A Rocha, a Christian Environmental Group. And suddenly there was Diana M, one our Associates! With her were Brenden from St Thomas Aquinas and Gerhart from the Lutheran Church at Ham. We hugged and laughed and exclaimed. Our meeting, it was a 1 in 50,000 chance!

Big Ben struck three. The crowd raised its hands in a great wave, up and down the river, across the two bridges, encircling the Houses of Parliament. And along Whitehall still the marchers were coming.

It began to rain. The crowd whooped. A few drops, then suddenly it was a downpour. The earth, sky and heavens - they too clapped their hands!

http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/the-wave

95th Birthday for Dorothea

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 23:32:48 +0000

Sister Catherine CSC writes:

I thought that you might like to see a picture of Dorothea taken Thursday on her 95th Birthday. Hilda E and Jennifer L, staff members are seated with Dorothea. Beryl, Schol, Annaliese and Marguerite are standing behind. Dorothea realised that she is now nearer to 100 than 90 and sends her love to all.

News from Westminster Abbey

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:58:56 +0000

Sister Judith CSC writes:

This has been a momentous year at the Abbey. We have had several events related to the 200th Anniversary of Darwin's Birth and 150th of the publication of The Origin of Species. This actual date was on Tuesday this week, 24th November, and the nave was absolutely packed for the lecture by a member of the theological think-tank, Theos, Nick Spencer, Darwin and God. For Darwin's Birthday in February we stood around his grave in the north choir-aisle and flowers were laid there from Downe House.

Others big Anniversaries have been those of Handel (250 years) and Henry Purcell (350 years), both buried in the Abbey, Purcell being organist and choir master. The melody, Westminster Abbey (Christ is made the sure foundation) I discovered is that for the Alleluias of a Cantata he wrote for the Abbey choir. Last Friday night Aileen and I went to the concert Hail Bright Cecilia which was later broadcast by the BBC. It was magic.

Apart from Commonwealth Day and the very moving memorial to the victims of the Victorian bush fires, we had the big service for the passing of the WW2 Generation on 11th November and lots of others in between. This last Wednesday was a Christingle for nearly 800 children marking the Children's Society. Dorothea was amazed that they all held lighted candles on their oranges and nothing went up in smoke!

Well, I could write you a book about it all but must close with much love for Christmas and 2010.

Confirmation Day for Shirley Anna

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:31:19 +0000

Our Alongsider Shirley Anna writes:

Sunday 15th November was the day of my Confirmation. I was confirmed at Parish Church of St. Andrew, Ham with a group of approximately 20 others ranging in age from school aged to post-retirement aged. The Rt Rev Dr Richard Cheetham, the Kingston Area Bishop presided on the day. It was a wonderful culmination to the confirmation classes which we had attended over the previous few weeks which had really helped me to focus on what my faith means to me. I am pleased to say that the church was packed, partly because the sisters turned out in force to support me. At the end of the service candles were lit on a cake which had been made for all the candidates. Each of our names had been iced onto the cake and what a surprise..... four of the candles turned out to be sparklers. This made for a lovely photo opportunity and many were taken by an official photographer, Sisters and by several proud parents. The photo session continued outside of the church. I wish to convey my thanks to Simon and the team at St. Andrew’s and to all the Sisters for making this special day particularly memorable for me.

UK Provincial Chapter

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:53:46 +0000

During our UK Provincial Chapter this year, some of our Sisters visited Golders Green Parish Church of St. Alban’s to hear Archbishop Desmond Tutu speak at their centenary celebrations.

We were inspired to hear him remind us that God is weak without us... without each of our offerings of bread and fish.

We give thanks for Archbishop Tutu and his ministry around the world and for the ministry of the Tutu Foundation UK.

Blessing of the Autumn Backdrop

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:38:43 +0000

Our Alongsider Kathy has lovingly and painstakingly stitched this beautiful backdrop of Autumn Leaves for our Chapel at Ham. At the Eucharist we gave special thanks for her, and for the beautiful patchwork which she was inspired to create:

God we give you thanks for the whole of your Creation. We thank you for the beauty of your world, for the cycle in nature of death, ongoing life and resurrection. We thank you for the creative gifts you have given your people, enabling them to express themselves in art and the work of their hands.
We ask you to bless this autumn backdrop and Kathy to whom you gave the gifts and the skill to make it. We pray that all who see it may be led to praise and thank you for your gift of the beauty of the natural world, especially in this season of Thanksgiving and harvest. We dedicate it to your honour and glory in the name of the glorious Trinity, Father Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Djerriwarrh Festival

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 18:12:39 +0000

I’ve just been introduced into part of the Melton culture which has been a fascinating experience. So thought I’d send you something about it. This is the Djerriwarrh Festival.

It started with a parade which had about 58 floats from various local community organisations. The combined churches float [included in the picture] had about 150 people following a truck with the Church of Christ youth band playing on the back. It was great and our float got the Chair Person’s prize for the overall best float, so we’re pleased as punch.

Yesterday the main street was closed all day and there were stalls and activities all over the town and thousands of people were out and about.

Last night there was a concert with a well known local celebrity and that was then followed by a great fireworks display.

The festival continued today in a less spectacular way with concerts and events around the civic centre which is just across the road from me.

Elisa Helen

If you would like to read more about the festival, please click here.