MARCH 2019
Ministerial Musings
A Divided House
In the time of the Roman Empire, March was the first month of the
year. Named after Mars, the god of war and the mythical ancestor of
the Romans, it was the month of new beginnings in more ways than
one: it ushered in the new year, and with the winter frosts melting
and the ground becoming fertile it was the perfect month for both
farmers to resume farming, and warriors to resume warring.
Mars, as a mythical figure and later on as the fourth planet from the
Sun, exercised human imagination from the beginning, just think about
“Martians” or the many literary works of H.G.Wells, Asimov and
others. Gustav Holst in, anticipation of First World War, started his
famous suite the Planets, with Mars, the Bringer of War in which the
music tells us about the planet’s mood – brutal and frightening just like
the Roman god of war. But by far, my favourite presentation of Mars is
in Tom Holt`s novel “Ye Gods”. Here, Mars is a very nervous and
unsettled god as he is expected to ride in front of the battles, but after
several millennia, in which weapons development has progressed, he
continues to wear 3mm thick gilded bronze armour, which is no help at
all. As the writer describes him, as a gesture of protest “his shield now
bears a large Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament logo, and he has
taken to showing up at anti-war rallies incognito.”
Wouldn’t`t it be wonderful to have a “domesticated” Mars and the
war-mongering on the pages of books or in the musical notes?
Be that as it may, right now, in the year 2019 of the Lord, it looks like
the month of March is once again showing all the characteristics of the
ancient month. Spring is round the corner and nature is ready for
renewal, for rebirth and growth. This symbolism of a new life, a new
1
threshold at this time goes beyond Nature, beyond our individual life
and takes the form of a collective aspiration as March supposedly will
bring in a new beginning for this country. I wrote “supposedly” as we
are told from every side that Brexit will happen, but what form will it
take nobody knows so far. The spirit of the God of war is symbolically
very much present in the warring factions on the political and social
scene and in the anger of ordinary people. All the key-figures of this
drama, which sometimes wears into burlesque, have their own
conception of what this new beginning should be about and how they
can accomplish it for the common-good. As nobody is willing to
compromise and the clock ticks on, blame apportioning has a field day.
As some of you might know, my favourite sport is figure-skating,
though according to my husband it cannot be considered a sport at all.
This month will bring the World Championship and I will have a couple
of wonderful days watching it. Now in this sport there is a competition
for pairs and for dancing, where the judges are looking not at the
skaters’ individual performance but at their performance as a pair. This
means that if one of them fails an element – even if the other executed
it beautifully – they will get marked for the failed element. At the end
of the performance it is quite interesting to watch how the pair deals
with their failure while they are expecting their marks: some won`t
hold hands and won`t even turn to the other, they just sit next to each
other as strangers, seething with resentment; the one who did not fail
would scowl or look angry and disappointed and so on. But there are
others, who try to comfort their partner, with gestures and soothing
words, with the encouragement that next time will be better.
If you think about it this is something pretty familiar to married
couples, to team-sports and to democracies, where results are not
judged on individual brilliance, but on our collective, overall
performance. As individuals, it may be below our expectations, we may
feel cheated or annoyed, but resentment and bitterness are not
2
conducive to change and to a common future; we need good will,
patience and understanding to move forward.
It would be good for all of us to remember Jesus’s saying: “A house
divided cannot stand...” and accept that both in our personal and
national life compromise and cooperation have their place, especially
as there are so many unknowns we are facing.
Whatever the month of March will bring, I hope it will be a realization
that wherever we stand, whatever outcome we expect, the words of
Richard Gilbert are relevant:
“In all our times of truth and triumph, of faith and fortitude,
Let us celebrate what we share.
We are, after all, in this together.”
See you at the OMH.
Mária
SUNDAY SERVICES FLOWERS
Mar 3rd 6-30 pm Rev Mária Pap Miss C Wright
Mar 10th 10- 45 am Rev Mária Pap Mr & Mrs Faulkner
Mar 17th 10- 45 am Rev Mária Pap Mrs A Binch
Mar 24th 10-45 am Congregational Service Mrs P Smith
See page 5 Derek Smith
Mar 31st 10-45 am Rev Mária Pap Mr D Wright
3
STEWARDS
Mar 3rd 6-30 pm Mr R Wain
Mar 10th 10-45 am Mrs J Tedds
Mar 17th 10-45 am Mr R Wain
Mar 24th 10-45 am Mr P Frost
Mar 31st 10-45 am Mr R Wain
SATURDAY COFFEE MORNING ROTA CHAPEL OPENING ROTA
Mar 2nd Miss C Wright Mrs C Wycherley Mrs L Walton
Mar 9th Ms A Perry Rev M Pap Mr N Fisher
Mar 16th Mrs A Binch Mrs J Tedds Mr T Williams
Mar 23rd Miss C Wright Mrs C Wycherley Mr N Fisher
Mar 30th Ms A Perry Rev M Pap Mrs L Walton
-
DIARY DATES FOR MARCH
Fri Mar 1st Words, Music and Silence 11-45 am
Mon Mar 4th Committee Meeting 7-15 pm
Tue Mar 5th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
Wed Mar 6th Women’s League 2.30 pm
Mon Mar 11th Arts and Crafts 7-00 pm
Tue Mar 12th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
Wed Mar 13th Meditation 7-15 pm
Sat Mar 16th RE Meeting 12-15 pm
Tue Mar 19th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
Mon Mar 25th Arts and Crafts 7-00 pm
Tue Mar 26th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
Sat Mar 30th Arts &Crafts Market 10-00am –
See page 5 4-00 pm
4
THANKYOU
The Allen Family would like to thank Mária for the thoughtful Service
of Remembrance for Dorothy Allen on 22nd January 2019. Also a big
thank you to the ladies of the Chapel, Ann, Catherine, Yvonne and
Annie for organizing the refreshment afterwards.
CONGREGATIONAL SERVICE
This month’s Congregational Service will be at 10-45 am on Sunday,
24th March. It will have the theme of “Someone I Admire”, and will
be led by Derek Smith. He will appreciate offers for you to tell
something of someone, famous or little known, you’ve admired or who
has made a useful contribution to your life – by Sunday, March 17th
please.
ARTS AND CRAFTS MARKET
There will be a wide variety of arts and crafts on display and for sale at
the “Market” in our Schoolrooms on Saturday, 30th March, from 10-00
am to 4-00 pm. We are to have our own Cake Stall, and will appreciate
any cakes you may wish to bake for us. This will be our first such
Market, and, if it proves both enjoyable and profitable, it may well
become an annual event. Bring your friends – see you there!
EMU FAMILY DAY
The EMU will hold its Family Day at Boston on Saturday 11th May. In
the programme: visits to Maud Foster windmill, to the
market/shopping/historic Boston, to the Boston Docks, and a short
devotion by the District President. Participants are free to pick and
choose. Own arrangement for lunch, but tea will be provided in the
morning and afternoon.
5
Do let Maria know ASAP if you are interested, as we would like to hire
a van, if number of participants warrants it.
I Am a Candle
Alistair Hamilton
I am a candle,
I will lighten your pathway
If you will let me,
Even in your darkest hour.
Close your eyes
And I will be there.
You cannot be kept
In the dark forever.
My flame is eternal.
Humankind have tried to extinguish my flame
But someone else will come along
And set me alight again.
I have been around for many centuries:
I have been on mountain peaks – and underground;
I have had blood on me – and been surrounded by barbed wire.
I give humans a warm light to brighten their fog of ignorance.
I have no political or religious aspirations,
Neither have I any nationality.
You’ll find me always at your service.
I am simply – candle.
DEADLINE
The deadline for the April Newsletter is Sunday, 24th March 2019.
