Newsletter, August 2010
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The third chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament begins with the lines:

‘For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven’

Time is a difficult concept. Our young grandchildren, together, I suspect, with dozens of others, measure time in ‘big sleeps’. ‘How many big sleeps until we go on holiday?’ ‘How many big sleeps until we come to your house?’ I feel like measuring in big sleeps now! ‘How many big sleeps until we no longer live in Turvey?’ ‘How many big sleeps until I stop being your parish priest?’ For my season here has come to end. I find it incredible to think that we have been here for eight years; when we came I said to myself, ‘Not less than three years and not more than five’ – and here we still are!

For me, my time here has been a glorious season. Full of love and laughter – with occasional heart aches in between! It has felt like a beautiful long summer, interspersed with the inevitable thunder storms that refresh the air and help things grow again. Turvey is a very special village – people inside the church family and outside the church have made us feel welcome and at home. I hope for you my time here has been fruitful and that together we have sown seeds that will flourish and blossom in the years to come - for that is truly the hallmark of a successful ministry.

Rob and I are both incredibly sad to be leaving the village- and I am not sure that I am entirely enamoured of the term ‘retirement’ - although my friends tell me I shall love it when I get used to it. Certainly it will be good to have time to tackle the unread book mountain and sort out 45 years of old photographs. I have threatened to learn Mandarin Chinese or do a physics degree, but I suspect we have more chance of seeing elephants fly!

I think most of you know that we have bought a house on the High Street in Olney – number 121, almost opposite Hilary Brock’s garage - and we shall be moving there in the very near future. I have let the Bishop, the Churchwardens and the PCC know that I should like my last service in All Saints’ as Priest in Charge to be on Christmas Morning. I hope before that there will be a time when we can get together and say more formal ‘good-byes’.

All Saints is a thriving church with a lively and devoted congregation. It is full of talented and committed Christians who are more than capable of keeping the Faith alive in the village until a successor is appointed. I know it is not easy to keep going in an interregnum – but the church is not the vicar. Vicars, Rectors, Priests in Charge come and go. For a time we are given the pleasure and privilege of being amongst you as leaders and friends but your church has been at the heart of village life for over a thousand years and I hope you will keep it there.

The Churchwardens will need and value your help and support - and your prayers during this time of change. My hope is that we continue to grow between now and Christmas – and that in the New Year, All Saints will go from strength to strength.

Thank you all

Yours in Christ

Jo

The Church of England has not been immune from scandals of child abuse. It is, therefore, considered most important that all parishes should have Child Protection measures in place. The PCC has recently updated our policy and we have appointed a new Child Protection Officer. I am delighted that Polly Gough has accepted this role. Her prime responsibility is to make sure that all who work in charge of children and young people have the correct CRB clearance and that she is up to date with any changes in procedure.

If anyone suspects that a child is being subject to any kind of abuse on church premises or during church activities you should speak, in the first instance, to the incumbent who will talk to Polly; should you suspect the incumbent of inappropriate behavior towards a child or young person then the Child Protection Officer should be contacted immediately.

The Diocese has fully trained officers in place who will help further as necessary.

Jo Spray

A friend sent this to me and I am passing it on to you. Cindy.

Friends are like balloons once you let them go, you can’t get them back. So I am going to tie you to my heart so I never lose you.

Live, love, and be happy

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.

Believe everything happens for a reason.

If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.

If it changes your life, let it.

Nobody said life would be easy.

They just promised it would be worth it.

The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it is open. Anthony J D’Angelo

The July coffee morning at Chantry House was a great success and raised a record total of £444 towards church funds. A big thank you to Anthony and Sheila Ormerod for hosting the event and to everyone who helped and supported it. Thanks to the lovely weather everyone was able to enjoy Sheila’s delicious biscuits and coffee outside in the lovely garden. There is no coffee morning in August. We start again on Saturday, 11th September when Rodger and Marilyn Eaton will be our hosts at 52 Oakley Road, Bromham.

A date for your diary — Tuesday 14th September at 7:30 at All Saints Church, Turvey. Come and share ides and have fun with flowers—an evening for both beginners and experienced flower arrangers. Need more information? Further details in next month’s newsletter or contact Jacqui Darrington 881566 and Anne Claypole White 881661.

An evening to relax and enjoy!

Our churchwardens, Mike and Roger

All children receiving exam results this month

All who feel they have lost their way in life

Loving God, the birth of your Son Jesus Christ brought great joy to Mary and Joseph. We give thanks to you for everyone whose birthday we celebrate this month. May they ever grow in your faith, hope and love. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

On Tuesday of this week Sister Zoe kindly let me talk to her about life as a nun at the Abbey and I would like to share with you some of her conversation.

The nuns bought Turvey Abbey in 1980 and moved here in 1981. Two things triggered this move, firstly the nuns were seeking to find larger and more peaceful premises (London being very busy) secondly a small group of Monks in a neighbouring property were also looking to move from London so it was decided that they should all move here together from Cockfosters in London. About half of those that came are still here. Although they are all Catholic now many have come from other faiths such as Anglican and Lutheran and respect the faiths that they have come from. The community at Turvey Abbey is small and consist of ten ranging in ages from 37—78, and is comprised of several nationalities. They belong to the Benedictine family that genuinely seek God and growing closer to him/her in prayer. Prayer is pivotal with common prayer being said five times a day and also private prayer. Therefore there is a good balance between communal and personal prayer. Although mostly a silent community they do listen to the reading or podcasts during mealtimes.

Like most of the nuns have to earn their living, this is done in various ways, through art, retreats, and hospitality. They also receive some income from investments and donations. Artwork is visible throughout the Abbey, either in wall hangings, vestments, weaving and icon paintings. The work also relies on

the gifts of the community at the time. Sometimes they will have someone that can embroider or garden but when they die there is often no one to take their place and so another skill is introduced with the induction of a new nun. Sister Zoe says it is an organic process, when something goes usually something comes in its place, there is always room for something else.

Under St Benedict’s rule guests are to be welcomed ‘as Christ’, these might be individuals seeking quiet and solitude or groups coming for a weeks or weekend retreat. Some of these have religious affiliations, not necessarily Catholic but from a wide religious spectrum. Some are not religious and just want peace and quiet for a couple of days. There are also set weekends with specific themes. For individuals a donation is requested but no one is turned away if they cannot afford it.

Sister Zoe says that living in a group is challenging and by and large is works. They are in a position where they cannot leave work behind and so it is 24/7 which is disciplined and hard work. It is difficult to find a balance. That said they do have hobbies that include making cards, hand work, painting, reading, cycling and walking and also have short holiday periods when things not normally allowed are able to be enjoyed, like watching movies. Although the nuns have traditionally done the cooking, cleaning and gardening they now have some help with these chores.

Like most of us in the modern world, the internet has opened up a whole new experience, it allows them easy access to information not contained in the library. They can use it as a research tool and they can download lectures to listen to. In short the internet has enriched the community.