I have been following the debate about Muslim women wearing the full veil with interest; I have to say it is not an issue I find easy. On a personal level I know I would hate it – I love to feel the wind on my face and in my hair and if my religion required me to hide my face I think I might rebel. I also find it difficult because I like to see the faces of others – in my present job it is helpful as an indicator of how people feel – in my previous job as a school teacher, I should have found it impossible not to see or be seen.

I also have reservations that some women may be obliged to wear the full veil against their wishes or their better judgement – that worries me most. But I also have a great regard for women, particularly in the Western world, who of their own free will decide to make such an overt statement about their faith and belief. I think that in an increasingly hostile atmosphere it is extremely courageous and I deplore the actions of those who have torn the veils from the faces of some women, or subjected them to other abuse.

There has also been debate about those who wish to wear the cross as a symbol of their faith. Unfortunately, those who see the cross – even ‘the one with the little man on’ – as a fashion item have sadly debased that symbol. But hurray for those who have spoken out and told the world that some Christians at least are willing to stand up and be counted.

There are still parts of the world where it is extremely dangerous to be recognised as a Christian – where churches are ransacked and burnt with worshippers trapped inside and where missionary workers and priests are tortured and killed. Even in some more ‘civilised’ societies, to speak out against the state with Christian teaching can lead to reprisals.

When we live in what is supposed to be a Christian country, where we have the privilege of freedom of speech and the right to worship where we will, why are so many Christians reluctant to speak out for what we believe? Why do we hear so many apologise for ‘having to go to church’ – to coin a phrase, why are we so half baked about our faith? No wonder those of other faiths see as ripe for conversion!

As we enter the season of All Saints when we remember those who in the past were martyred for our faith, maybe we could resolve to stand up and be counted for who we are and for what we believe – at the very least it might win some respect from those of other faiths who are our neighbours.

Yours in faith

Jo Spray

Our Service for Remembrance will begin at the war memorial at 10.40am on Sunday 12^th November. There will be a short ceremony of wreath laying then we shall proceed into church in time to mark the two minutes silence at 11.00am. On the evening of that day, we shall remember those whom we have known and loved who have died. There will be an opportunity to light candles and to pray by name for those we have lost. This takes place in the context of Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer. Please see the parish Chantry list on the tithe table and add any names of people you would like to be remembered.

Will be held in the garden room at Turvey Abbey on Tuesdays 7^th 14^th 21^st and 29^th November either 3-4pm or 7-8pm (the latter with a break for compline) We shall be looking at the rule of St Benedict. If you would like to join one of these groups, please sign the list in the back of the church or in the porch at the Abbey.

What is a travelling Crib? A ‘Travelling Crib’ is a basket with a nativity scene arranged in it. Each day from the beginning of Advent, which this year starts on Sunday 3^rd December, the crib goes to a new home. There is a small ceremony as the crib is handed over at the next house and it is good if the two families can share some refreshment together. It is a lovely preparation for Christmas and also introduces new people to each other. How can I take part in hosting the crib? If you would like to have the crib at your home for one night please telephone Betty Hewett 881738 before the 31^st October.

We are holding this annual event on Saturday 2^nd December starting at 10:30 with lunch to follow. Items to be taken to the Village hall on Friday December 1^st from 6:00pm. Contact Pat 881281 or Gill 720615.

Jam jars with lids please. Sandra Nightingale will leave a box in the church porch and will be grateful for donations of jars (any size) for her Christmas Fayre Stall. Thank you.

We have sent sending £500 to the Bishop's Harvest for the Hungry appeal - that will go to Northern Uganda to buy seeds and farming equipment for areas devastated by war and guerrilla action.

We enjoyed evensong on Sunday the 22^nd October with the Bishop Ben and Canon Lovey Kisembo who are from Western Uganda. They kindly gave us a talk after the service all about their work and missionary in Uganda. After which Jo presented them with a cheque for £250 for their work in Western Uganda.

Volunteers to take part in the flower-arranging rota. Please call Anne Claypole White 881661 if you are able to spare an hour on Saturday, no skill necessary as training given.

Rehearsals will start on Friday 17^th November 3:30 – 4:30 in church and continue every Friday until 15^th December culminating with a dress rehearsal on Friday 22^nd December 10:00-12:00. All children of lower school age are welcome to take part. We would like offers of help with costumes, props and crowd control! If you would like to either take part or to help please contact Sarah Beecham 881688 or Polly Gough 881507.

The next coffee morning will be at 10:15am on Saturday 11^th November at 17 Colson’s Way Olney (near Olney Middle School) by kind invitation of Laraine Coney. There will be a raffle and a bring-and-buy stall, for which contributions especially of cakes and produce would be very welcome. Directions for finding the house will be available at the back of the church. Last month's coffee morning raised £168 towards church funds. A big thankyou to Araminta and Jeremy Edwards for stepping in at short notice to host a very enjoyable event and to everyone who helped with and supported it. We are now planning next years programme of coffee mornings. If you would like to host one of these please contact Anne Claypole White 881661 or Gill Betts 720615.

All who are persecuted for their belief in Christ The growth of the Christian faith in our land

All who have suffered as a result of wars

We pray for the democratic republic of Congo as it is in the midst of a crucial electoral process. We pray too for international commitment to tackling climate change. For Sri Lanka we pray that peace talks will go ahead, despite the continued escalation of violence. And we pray for all those who have been forced from their homes by the fighting in Iraq.

Forget Hallowe'en - mark the day itself! Hallowe'en is an abbreviation for All Hallows Eve, or the evening before All Saints Day. In France and other places on the continent 'Tous Saints' is a very important day and usually a public holiday. When we lived in Northern France, the town band used to process through the streets before everyone went first to church, then to put a bunch of chrysanthemums on any family graves before enjoying a large celebration lunch! In previous years we have tidied All Saints Day away to the nearest Sunday, even though our church is dedicated to All Saints. This year, however, we are going to celebrate properly. We shall have a Eucharist at 7.30pm on Wednesday 1st November, followed by a Fish and Chip, or Chicken and Chip supper in the Manor Room. If you would like to come, there is still time to order! Let Tony Isherwood know what you would like to eat by Tuesday 31st October and give him £3.60p per head. His number is 881354. if you have already signed the list in church, please will you let Tony have any money you owe by Tuesday?

Jo Spray

Profile by C. Woods

 

A familiar figure at All Saints, Betty Hewett was born in Earls Court, then in the county of Middlesex. Her father was an electrician who worked for Kodak and her mother was a housewife except during the war years when she worked a first aid post. She has a half brother, now retired, who lives in Scotland.

When Betty was three the family moved to Harrow where she did her schooling at the local schools. During the war Betty was evacuated to Flore in Northamptonshire and spent the time with her grandmother in the end cottage of a row of three, the outside two had electricity and the centre cottage still had gas lighting. Her Grandmother was from the nearby village of Duston. Betty still has her grandmother’s bible, which amazingly had a newspaper cutting (sadly not dated) inside and on the reverse if had writing about Turvey House Estates Farm Sales with Great Oakes Farm for sale. Living in the countryside made her decide that sometime in the future she would love to settle in a village. Also from that time came her love for walking and canals. Also during the war years she went to dancing lessons but this stopped when the DoodleBugs began as it was thought too dangerous to be out and about.

After leaving school Betty worked for a short time in a day nursery before moving to the Florence Nightingale Hospital for gentlewomen in

Marylebone, London. Betty did her State registered Nurses training in Aylesbury at the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital (which is no longer there) and from there she went to do her midwifery training in Worcestershire and Salisbury. Betty went to Reading for a while before doing a six-month stint in Scotland on the wards. On her return to England she went to Hastings before coming to Bedford to work for three years in the Hospital Theatres. After this Betty went to Kendal for her first sisters post, where she stayed for five years. She then returned to the theatres in Bedford until her retirement in 1964. A career to make anyone dizzy.

Betty fulfilled her wish to move to a cottage in the country when she came to Turvey about twenty six years ago, she loves it here and in her words intends to stay put. The only thing blot on the landscape is the fact that the streetlight, right outside her bedroom window, now stays on all night despite letters of protest. Like a lot of children Betty dropped out of religion but came back after having cancer 24 years ago, she went to the Parish Church in Milton Ernest along with some Catholic friends. It was during an interregnum and the congregation took the evening services. Her Catholic friends also prayed for her at the Holy Cross Church in Bedford. Betty joined All Saints about twenty years ago and is frequently seen at our services.

Betty is a busy bee, quite literally as she belongs to the Maybees, who knit, crochet and do cross-stitch. She belongs to the Wednesday groups, the house groups and the prayer groups at the Abbey, which have now moved to Northampton, but Betty is still going to attend when she can. She helps at playgroup, Little Lights, riding with the disabled and is a member of the Soroptimists. Who are they you might say, they are an International worldwide organisation for business professional women, founded by the man who started the Rotary Club. They also have a non-governmental status at United Nations.

When Betty gets time at home, not often as she is a busy lady, she loves to sit and read along with her beloved cat, Cleo (friend of children) as she loves all children whatever their age. Holidays are spent either at The Donkey sanctuary in Sidmouth Devon, where she can indulge in her love of Donkeys and also support the Sanctuary, or to NHS Retirement fellowship.