FEBRUARY 2019
Ministerial Musings
Moderato Cantabile
The liturgical calendar of the Western Churches, after Candlemas on
February the 2nd, runs out of celebrations for the month and marks
the days as “ordinary time”.
There are heightened times in our life with days in red or black etched
in our souls regardless of what the calendar may show. We have
missed days and lost days, days we cannot or would not remember or
account for; and then we have days in glorious red or purple or gold,
which have a particular significance for us and which are treasured for
years to come. Between these two extremes we have what the
liturgical calendar designates as “ordinary time”.
Now I always felt that there is something derogatory in this
expression, a “coming down” from the exaltation or despair of the
significant days. These are the times which do not stand out, one day
comes after the other, and they are negligible, of no account. They are
a slurred dollop, colourless, bland, a burden of duties and
responsibilities we have to shoulder, a boring monotony: the tasks we
have to do over and over again, the dull situations and well-known
faces with their own idiosyncrasies. It is like playing the scale, or the
Czerny finger exercises – nothing exciting about it, but without there
would be no melody, without the dull work there would be no bread
on the table, without those well-known faces there would be no
companionship and human kindness.
Ordinary time – the quiet weekdays, the ordinary times of our life,
which do not spring on us any surprises, be they joyful or sorrowful,
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just what we expect it to be: another day, not very different from
yesterday and not anticipating it being different from tomorrow.
Would that be so awful? Would it be impossible to find joy in
humdrum, in predictability, in commonplace?
The world around us is going slightly mad focusing on the out of the
ordinary, of the amazing and we are made aware by every channel of
communication possible how many extraordinary things – good or bad
– happen in a given day.
But that is not necessarily our life. Stupendous events might go on
around us and newspapers may proclaim our living in “extraordinary
times” but the business of everyday life is something different. And
most is not about the extremes but about the middle road, about the
ordinary.
It may be that the liturgical calendar did get hold of a universal truth
beyond its religious implications: that between the extraordinary
events of our individual and national life, between the swinging of the
pendulum one way or the other, we do need the comfort of our
routine and the assurance of stability.
We should be happy and thankful for a little normality, quietness and
moderation; moderation in voice, in work, in conduct, in our
relationships and politics. Moderation used to be a virtue, but
nowadays it is scoffed at and threatened from every side. Yet in the
symphony of our life, amid the rhythm of unexpected allegros and
andantes or amid the high Cs it is so restful to have a temperate and
predictable passage.
So, for this ordinary time before us I suggest we envisage the musical
term of moderato cantabile and its implications for our life. Consider it
just a recommendation, as I am well aware that the Composer of the
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Perfect Harmony wrote as instruction on the score of each of us: Ad
libitum.( at one`s pleasure).
See you at the OMH.
Mária
Pastoral News
Congratulations to Sue Clarkson on becoming a grandmother again at
the beginning of January and a warm welcome to Amelia, sister to
Alicia and Tyler. May God`s blessing be on the child, her parents,
siblings and all the family!
Dorothy Allen, the oldest member of the OMH, passed away quietly in
her sleep on January the 6th, aged 90. The memorial service was held
on January 22nd at the OMH, followed by the Committal at Mansfield
Crematorium. We hold the family in our thoughts and prayers.
SUNDAY SERVICES FLOWERS
Feb 3rd 6-30 pm Rev Mária Pap Mrs yY BRown
Feb 10th 10- 45 am Rev Mária Pap Mrs C Wycherley
Feb 17th 10- 45 am Rev Mária Pap Mrs B Northing
Feb 24th 10-45 am Congregational Service Mrs P Smith
See page 5 – Ann Binch
STEWARDS
Feb 3rd 6-30 pm Mr R Wain
Feb 10th 10-45 am Mrs J Tedds
Feb 17th 10-45 am Mr R Wain
Feb 24th 6-00 pm Mr P Frost
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SATURDAY COFFEE MORNING ROTA CHAPEL OPENING ROTA
Feb 2nd Ms A Perry Rev M Pap Mrs L Walton
Feb 9th Mrs A Binch Mrs J Tedds Mr N Fisher
Feb 16th Miss C Wright Mrs C Wycherley Mr T Williams
Feb 23rd Ms A Perry Rev M Pap Mr N Fisher
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DIARY DATES FOR FEBRUARY
Fri Feb 1st Words, Music and Silence 11-45 am
Tue Feb 5th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
Wed Feb 6th Women’s League 2.00 pm
Mon Feb 11th Arts and Craft 7-00 pm
Tue Feb 12th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
Wed Feb 13th Meditation 7-15 pm
Sat Feb 16th Music at the OMH 12-15 pm
Tue Feb 19th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
Wed Feb 20th Poetry Evening 7-15 pm
Sat Feb 23rd RE Meeting 12-15 pm
Mon Feb 25th Arts and Crafts 7-00 pm
Tue Feb 26th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
ADVANCE NOTICE
There wil l be a Committee Meeting on Monday, 4th March 2019 at 7-
05 pm.
PANTOMIME THANKYOU
A big “Thank you” to Christine for organising our visit to see the
wonderful production of “Alladin” at the Palace Theatre. Thanks too to
Christine and her team for providing the tea which followed.
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CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES
This month’s Congregational Service will be at 10-45 am on Sunday,
24th February. It will be “A Celebration of Winter”, and will be led by
Ann Binch who will welcome offers of readings, poems, songs,
reminiscences and photographs of Winter scenes by Sunday, February
17th February please.
POETRY GROUP
There will be a meeting of the Poetry Group on Wednesday, 20th
February, starting at 7-15 pm. The evening will feature Christine Smith
speaking on “Christina Rossetti”, and we are encouraged to attend
bringing with us poems by Christina Rossetti to share.
ARTS AND CRAFTS MARKET
We are arranging an “Arts and Crafts Market” for Saturday, 30th March
from 10-00 am until 4-00 pm. Tables for displaying and selling goods
are available at £10 each. If you are interested in having a table, or
know of someone whom might be interested, do let Derek know as
soon as possible as the number of tables is limited.
ADVANCE REMINDER - SPONSORED WALK
We shall again be organizing a Sponsored Walk on May Day Bank
Holiday Monday, 6th May, in favour of the John Eastwood Hospice.
It seems a long way ahead but time to get in training and plan
potential donors.
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For Valentine Lovers everywhere
The Day after Forever
I hold your hand
I gaze in your eyes.
My lips at your command,
Your kiss, a heavenly prize.
We gaze at the Moon
Way up in the sky,
Our hearts are in tune
As the clouds pass on by.
Your lips are so near,
Your voice is so sweet.
May your kiss bring me cheer,
May your smile always greet.
I want you to know,
These words are true,
The day after forever
I’ll still be in love with you.
XXXX
Alistair Hamilton
15.01.2019
DEADLINE
The deadline for the March Newsletter is Sunday, 17th February 2019.
