The Vicar’s Page
At the time of going to press with the magazine, Canon
David was in the U.S.A. enjoying a richly deserved holiday. Hence………………….
Dear Church Family,
I thought
of you all this morning, (this was a morning in October), Frank my dog and I
were on the extension to the Promenade, right next to Brithnoth. We don't stand
next to him for long, as Frank doesn't like him very much and after a few
minutes a deep growl shatters the peace, I should think it must be something to
do with Brithnoths raised sword!
But it
was such a beautiful morning, sun shining, tide ebbing smoothly, sixteen
cormorants swimming, diving, and flying. It's amazing how their diving is
simultaneous. There was just a touch of mist that was rapidly disappearing, the
trees turning their lovely gold colour, and it was really, really peaceful. I
thought of all that doom and gloom we are getting from the media day after day,
and I thought what a contrast. I was sure if you had been there it would have
cheered you immensely. It made me think of that song that comes from 'Oliver'
when he sings "Who will buy this wonderful morning and put it in a box for
me?"
I suppose we all get a little miserable when we are
going through the month of November, with it's damp mists, and shorter days,
and a frost or two, not to mention a cold wind, but if you ever need an excuse,
well, curling up with a good book helps to relieve the situation.
Have
you tried Poetry? I was interested to see that we now have a national Poetry
day, it seems that someone has only just discovered that reading or writing
poetry can be inspirational, indeed the poet Laureate Andrew Motion says that
few things give better voice to our deepest feelings than a poem". Well we
know all about the inspiration don't we? when we read the beautiful poetry that
is within our bible, and there are too some very lovely prayers.
I have
long since collected prayers, they are those which "speak to me", I
suppose you could say, touch the heart. In fact this very week at a meeting at
which we celebrated the Eucharist there was one that called to me as soon as I
heard it. I'll print it at the end of this letter. It is true though that what
"speaks to me" may not mean the same to you, even so, I can't resist
recommending a little bit of Isaiah for you to sample, it is Chapter 40. here
you will find beauty, and humour and comfort, how do you like being compared to
a grasshopper!!!!!? I especially like the end bit from verse 28 because I am a
bit of a "twitcher" and I would like to be able to rise up with wings
like eagles!!!
Here is
the prayer that called this week:-
'As the grain once scattered
in the fields, and the grapes once dispersed on the hillside are now reunited
on this table in bread and wine, so Lord, may your whole Church soon be
gathered together from the corners of the earth into your kingdom. Amen.'
Best Wishes to you all,
Avril M. Askew.
FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
Part XXXVIII
As the American Presidential elections will be taking place in November
and All Saints has direct connections with the first holder of the office an
American theme seemed appropriate to this months piece. We shall doubtless be
singing at some time in Advent the hymn known as, “The Battle Hymn of the
Republic.” but its origins are much more of the Civil War rather than the War
of Independence. It has all to do with the commemoration of a soldier called
John Brown killed in a Civil War battle and remembered by his comrades. Julia
Ward Howe heard it sung at a military parade
and, as an ardent abolitionist thought it referred to the other John
Brown who raided the Arsenal at Harpers Ferry and was hanged for his troubles.
Given its background its
imagery is from the Old Testament where so often the people of God encountered
overwhelming odds and triumphed - and that’s certainly how the abolitionists
saw themselves. Here you will find references from Genesis 3, Isaiah 63 and the
Song of Solomon. Most Hymn Books limit themselves to 4 verses - here we have
the original 6.
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming
of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the
grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his
terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on
I have seen him in the watchfires of a
hundred circling camps;
They have builded him an altar in the evening
dews and damps;
I have read his righteous sentence in the dim
and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
I have read a fiery gospel, writ in burnished
rows of steel;
As ye deal with my condemners, so with you my
grace shall deal:
Let the hero born of woman crush the serpent
with his heel;
Our God is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall
never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before
his judgment seat;
O be swift, my soul, to answer him, be
Jubilant, my feet:
Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across
the sea
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures
you and me;
As he died to make men holy, let us die to
make men free:
Our God is marching on.
He is coming like the glory of the morning on
the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, he is succour to
the brave;
So the world shall be his footstool, and the
soul of time his slave:
Our God is marching on.
This is another occasion when two important occasions in the Christian
firmament come together. My church diary begins, not on 1st January,
but on Advent Sunday - it is the start of a cycle that focuses on the
significance, life and ministry of Jesus. It is a time of reflection so that
Christmas can be celebrated for all the right reasons. The way in which the
commercial and secular world commemorates this makes the observance of Advent
difficult and the Christian involvement in these events is imperative -
particularly given the location of All Saints. However a balance needs to be
struck that enables the church to make itself ready to receive God’s greatest
gift. On 30th November at
4pm the Service of the Light will mark the start of 4 weeks of preparation for
Christmas. If you have never experienced this service it is literally a moving
occasion - starting in the darkness by the font, listening to the words of the
prophets and sharing in some memorable music. It is a total contrast to the
Service of 9 Lessons and Carols that follows 3 weeks later, but makes that
service mean so much more. If you really want to experience that for yourself -
come and find out.
St. Andrew is certainly the
Patron Saint of Scotland, but in the world wide family of Christians he is the
patron of Mission. Advent reminds us of the person of Jesus - St Andrew’s
Day reminds us that the continuing
mission promoted by that life is our task - or it will die.
Unbelievable that we should, in
late September when I write this, be thinking of events taking place in
December, but we are. The Victorian Evenings are part of the winter calendar in
Maldon and All Saints will again be playing its full part. This year they take
place on 4th and 11th from 6 -9pm. Help will be needed in
many directions and we can use as many pairs of hands as are available. Please
respond to the requests that will be forthcoming in November as these evenings
afford so many opportunities to welcome so many visitors into our Church.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Sunday 9th
November is Remembrance Sunday and it will be marked in a way that is both
traditional and current. The War Memorial may be set in stone, but our
commemoration should never be. In recent years the numbers attending in the
High Street have been increasing - even 2 years ago when the official service
was in Heybridge over 200 people gathered in the High Street. This is not
really surprising, for though there are almost no veterans of the 1914 - 1918 conflict and increasing few
from 1939 - 1945 there are still people being killed in situations of conflict
all over the world. When we stand in the High street we are remembering far
more than the names recorded on it. Our parish Communion will be at 9.30am in
order that those who wish may join in the Act of remembrance that takes place
at 10.40am. This will be followed immediately by a Civic Service in All Saints.