THE PARISH CHURCH OF SAINT MARY PENWORTHAM
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MARCH 2016
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From the Editors
March winds will blow and we will have snow – well we hope not. But you never
know these days what’s going to happen with the weather.
We are now in the season of Lent when we remember the Temptations of Christ
and His firm rejection of wordly powers. His example shows us that the attractions
of the objects of sense can be transcended and that our attachment to things and
ideas can be loosened.
We also remember his Passion and Resurrection at Easter when He totally
surrendered to the Will of the Father.
Lent is a time for self-examination and reflection. A time to consider the things that
bind us and to see how the ties of habit and desire can be loosened.
Mothering Sunday is on 6th March – a day to remember the spirit of motherhood
both in the church and within families. Mothers provide us with so much; love,
education, understanding and support. Where would we be without
"The sun is brilliant in the sky but its warmth does not reach my face.
The breeze stirs the trees but leaves my hair unmoved.
The cooling rain will feed the grass but will not slake my thirst.
It is all inches away but further from me than my dreams."
- M. Romeo LaFlamme, The First of March
SAINT MARY’S NEWS
YOUnity @ St Mary’s Penwortham ………………….bringing
people together.
On Friday 15th January a dedicated band of music lovers braced the cold to enjoy an
evening of their favourite music. Mulled wine, shortbread and whisky cake helped to
enliven the proceedings.
A variety of music as diverse as could be was played, ranging from Rachmaninov to
Carl Jenkins, Frank Sinatra, Peter Gabriel, Flanders and Swan, Neil Diamond,
Whitney Houston and Michael Buble to name but a few.
Another lovely evening of warmth and companionship.
Hazel Henebury. Contents:
How to have a happy old age
It takes more than health and money to be happy in
old age: you need good relationships with friends
and (hopefully) your family. A recent report by the
Centre for Ageing Better has found that “strong
social connections” are vital to people in old age,
who otherwise may find themselves alone and
struggling, worried and disconnected from others.
From the Editors
Church News
All in the month of
Organisations
Charities
Parish Thanks
Calendar
History Corner
Matters of Faith
Miscellaneous
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Page 1
From the Editors
Christian Aid
There will be a Christian Aid event at the Church Hall on Tuesday 26th April at 7.30
pm. It will be for anyone involved in or interested in becoming a collector for
Christian Aid and will include information about this year’s featured projects. It will
be supported by staff from the regional office in Warrington. Further details next
month
In the meantime if anyone thinks they would like to become a collector, contact me,
we always need more helpers.
Rachel Tuke
Lent Lunches
The traditional Lent Lunches will take place every Tuesday in Lent. The March dates
are 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd between 12.00 noon and 1.00 pm in the Church Hall, PR1
0SR A minimum donation of £2.50 is suggested. All profits are donated to Charity.
Everyone Welcome
PENWORTHAM FOODBANK
We always need the types of food listed below.
Corned beef,
Breakfast cereals and porridge,
Hot dogs
Washing up liquid, Laundry and cleaning products, Shampoo and toothpaste
Meatballs
Fray Bentos pies, Irish stews, chilli con carne etc .
YOUnity @ St Mary’s Penwortham---------------------------bringing people together
COME and SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR RUBBISH!!!
Our March event is a trip to the Farrington Waste Recovery Plant
Sustainability Way, Leyland.
Wednesday March 16th 2016 3. 00 – 4.30pm
Meet at Reception at 2.45pm.
A limited number of places are available, so if you wish to join us and/or
need transport phone or email before the 2nd March 2016 to
Hazel Tel.01772 750639 or 07989 395704 or [email protected]
Susan Tel 07932 222444; or
Jacqui Tel 01772 743143
There is a lift and wheelchairs available. Directions on request.
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Church News
Church Publishes 2014 Attendance Statistics
New Church of England statistics show that just under one million people attend
services each week. The survey, carried out over four weeks in October 2014,
found 980,000 people attending church each week, with 830,000 adults and 150,000
children.
The statistics also show that 2.4 million attended a Church of England Church at
Christmas in 2014 and 1.3 million people attended a service at Easter.
Additionally, 2.2 million people attended special Advent services for the congregation
and local community, whilst 2.6 million attended special Advent services for civic
organisations and schools.
The statistics also highlight the other services carried out by the Church of England
on a regular basis. In 2014 the Church carried out just under 1,000 weddings, 2,000
baptisms, and almost 3,000 funerals every week of the year. Some 12% of births
during 2014 were marked by a Church of England infant baptism or thanksgiving
service whilst 31% of deaths were marked by a Church of England funeral.
As a whole the figures represent a continuing trend which has shown a 12% decrease
in attendance over the past decade, with an average decline of just over 1% a year.
Speaking on the publication of the statistics, the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt. Revd.
Graham James, said: “As part of a prayerful and considered response to these
trends, the Church is embarking upon the biggest renewal and reform process in
over 150 years focusing our resources on prayer, evangelism, discipleship, vocations,
leadership & training.
“We do not expect that trend to change imminently or immediately over the next
few years due to demographics. We lose approximately 1% of our churchgoers to
death each year. Given the age profile of the CofE, the next few years will continue
to have downward pressure as people die or become housebound and unable to
attend church.
“As a Church we are unashamedly committed to following the teachings of Jesus
Christ in our worship of God, discipleship and service to the poor and the
marginalised. Our confidence, resilience and service is rooted in Jesus.
“The story is not one of inevitable decline. During 2013-14 some dioceses continued
to increase their attendance. In the past 12 months alone there are examples of
growth and new churches across the country.”
How ancient words attract younger worshippers
The Book of Common Prayer, written more than 460 years ago, has been found to
have a surprising new use: numerous churches have discovered that it attracts
growing numbers of younger worshippers.
The new trend is easily understood, says the Prayer Book Society. Recent decades
have brought so much liturgical reform to the C of E that fewer and fewer churches
have been using the Prayer Book at all. And so it is only now that the younger
people are even getting a chance to encounter it.
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Church News
‘They are struck by the beauty and relevance of the language, which has inspired
writers like Shakespeare as well as churchgoers down the ages,’ says the Prayer Book
Society’s John Service, who provides a link between the society, churches and clergy.
He goes on: “Unwittingly, many of us use its words and phrases within everyday
conversation in the twenty-first century.”
One south Manchester parish who reintroduced the Book of Common Prayer also
found that “many of our older worshippers welcome the opportunity to attend
services they remember from their childhood.” The parish has seen attendances at
Holy Communion increase from around 30 to 50 since the Prayer Book service
started.
For any church reconsidering the Prayer Book, John Service suggests “an initial step
might be to introduce it just once a month, on a trial basis, so that longer-term
decisions can be made on the basis of practical experience.” Details and support at:
www.pbs.org.uk
Release welcomes freedom for Pastor Saeed Abedini
Release International has welcomed Iran’s recent decision to release the Christian
pastor, Saeed Abedini. He was set free after more than three years in jail,
exchanged as part of a prisoner swap between the US and Iran. This follows a
thawing of relations between the two nations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Saeed Abedini, who is 35, was given an eight-year sentence in 2013 for ‘undermining
national security’. He had been in Iran to help build an orphanage – a building project
that had been approved by the government.
He was severely beaten and his wounds became infected. But a prison doctor and
nurse refused to give him medical treatment on the grounds that he was an ‘infidel’
and ‘unclean’. He was denied medical care for his internal injuries for almost a year.
He was told that if he recanted his Christian faith he would be set free.
Iran is an Islamic republic, where strict Islam and authoritarianism combine. Muslims
who change their faith can be sentenced to death. The authorities keep many church
services under surveillance.
Church urged to work with local councils in celebration planning
HMQ90
Churches have been encouraged to partner with their local council as they plan
festivals, special services or exhibitions over the weekend of 11th and 12th June as
part of the national celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday.
Sir Tony Baldry, Chair of the Church Buildings Council says: ‘The Church of England
is a presence in every community, Her Majesty is the head of our Church and so it
makes perfect sense that celebrations in the local church should be at the heart of
wider community plans.
“This is a great opportunity for partnership between church and local government to
pool resources and ideas to create really special events that will bring people of all
faiths and none together to give thanks for the decades of service she has given us
and to celebrate this special birthday.’
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Church News
Councils have begun to advertise community celebrations on their websites and
some have indicated that road closures will be possible for residents planning street
parties. Church of England schools are holding a competition to design a logo that
churches will be able to use for their events which will be available to download from
the Church Care website. Churches are encouraged to register their plans by
emailing [email protected] and tweeting using #HMQ90. Advice
and resources for planning events can be found at bit.ly/HMQ90
All in the Month of March
It was:125 years ago, on 14th March 1891 that the first underwater telephone cable
between England and France was laid. The first phone call between London and Paris
was made in April.
Also 125 years ago, on 23rd March 1891, that football goal nets, invented by British
civil engineer John Alexander Brodie, were used for the first time.
100 years ago, on 22nd March 1916 that the last Emperor of China, Yuan Shikai,
abdicated and the monarchy was disestablished.
75 years ago, on 24th March 1941 that German General Erwin Rommel’s Afrika
Corps launched its first offensive against the Allies in North Africa, defeating the
British forces at El Agheila in Libya.
50 years ago, on 4th March 1966 that John Lennon famously declared that the
Beatles were ‘more popular than Jesus’ in an interview for the London Evening
Standard.
30 years ago, on 3rd March 1986 that Queen Elizabeth II signed the Australia Act,
severing Australia’s remaining legal ties with Britain and granting it full independence.
Also 30 years ago, on 31st March 1986 that the 17th century King’s Apartments at
Hampton Court Palace, Richmond were severely damaged by a fire that caused
about £5 million worth of damage.
25 years ago, on 21st March 1991 that the British Government announced that the
controversial ‘poll tax’ was to be scrapped and replaced by a new property tax
(council tax) from April 1993.
Also 20 years ago, on 20th March 1996 that the British Government announced
that there was a probable link between BSE and vCJD. This meant that a form of
mad cow disease could be passed on to humans who ate infected beef.
10 years ago, on 1st March 2006 that the Senedd – the National Assembly for
Wales’s debating chamber – was officially opened by the Queen in Cardiff.
Also 10 years ago, on 21st March 2006, that Twitter, the online social networking
service, was founded. The website went live in July of that year.
Lost in translation
Are you travelling this Easter? Keep an eye out for those delightful translations into English that
didn’t quite make it…
Danish airline: We take your bags and send them in all directions.
Cont. page 7
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Organisations
Mothers’ Union
Look out for the spring flowers in our Mothers' Union vase on the windowsill above
the Memorial Book on Mothering Sunday. Usually we have no flowers in church
during Lent, but this special day is an exception for our association. Maureen
Thornton will kindly be arranging them for us.
On Tuesday the 1st of March at 2pm we'll hold our monthly gathering in the Club
Room at St Mary's Church Hall. Our meetings start with a short service of worship,
then a VERY QUICK business meeting. That is followed by a presentation by a visitor
or one of our members. This time Kath Selby will be entertaining us with
reminiscenses of Joyce Grenfell. All visitors are welcome, a snip at £2!!! Do come
along and enjoy!
P.M.Wootton
Guild of St. Mary
At our AGM in January Judith Kirby, Ann Yates and Barbara Richards agreed to
remain as our President, Secretary and Treasurer. The rest of the committee agreed
to stand for another year and were all re-elected.
Anne Hall is our Card/Flower Secretary so please ring her on 746834 to let her
know if any member is ill or is celebrating a special occasion.
New members from ladies of the parish are always welcome so please feel free to
join us especially at our open evenings. If you hear of any good speakers or trips out
for our Guild please let us know.
On March 14th we have a welcome return visit from Mrs Pat Ascroft telling us about
her adventures climbing and camping in Iceland. See you there.
Ann Yates
Dramatic Society
March already – this year the Spring Equinox is on March 20th this year at 04:30 for
the early birds… from then on the daylight hours lengthen and we again bask in the
Sun’s rays... we hope…
We hope you enjoyed our production of “Fool’s Paradise” last month. So good to
see so many of you supporting this super play – and indeed throughout our 60th
anniversary year.
No Passion Play offering this year, so in some senses we shall be having a ‘quiet’ time
now in terms of productions until the rehearsals for the September play start in
earnest in Summer...
The National Operatic and Dramatic Association NODA once again graced one of
the members of our Society with an award for “Most entertaining performance” in
2015. That was an entertaining year for St Mary’s ADS and it is good that the
Dramatic Society’s hard work is appreciated by the wider community. Speaking
personally I feel that any award or nomination is a reflection of the work of the
Dramatic Society as a whole, pulling together as the team we always have been.
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Organisations
We hope you have enjoyed this season’s plays. They have proved to be an
entertaining mix and we hope you were as thrilled with our 60th anniversary choices
as we were.
Some of you might have heard of the uncertainty hanging over the future of the
Church Hall. There is no uncertainty about the Dramatic Society however – we are
now busy planning our 61st Season and are still hopeful that we will be able to bring
you three really good plays. We are determined to keep good drama in
Penwortham!
Our next General Meeting is at St. Mary’s Church Hall, Cop Lane, Penwortham at
7:30pm on Wednesday March 16th 2016 – all are very welcome.
As the Sun begins to warm the earth once again, bringing the opening of the buds
and the return of Mother Nature in all her fullness, may I take this opportunity to
hope you and all your families and friends, like the March Hare, find the Spring in
your step!
Brightest Blessings,
Graham Blackhurst
Charities
Children’s Society
It is not time for the boxes to be collected and opened. It would be appreciated if
they could be brought to me at 44, Central Drive if at all possible. Donations and
contributions can also be given to me as well. Thank you for your support.
Linda Glaister
The Parish Thanks
ALTAR FLOWERS
During Lent flowers are placed in the Memorial Window
March 6th
Lent (Mothering Sunday – Mothers’ Union)
March 13th Lent
March 20th Lent
March 27th Easter Sunday Parish Lilies
ALTAR LINEN
March – Mrs Barbara Collins
Lost in translation
Heathrow: No electric people carrying vehicles past this point.
Japanese taxi: Safety first: please put on your seatbelt. Prepare for accident.
Kenyan maternity ward: No children allowed.
Beijing shop: Haircuts half price today. Only one per customer.
Swedish furrier: Fur coats made for ladies from their own skin.
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Calendar
1st
2nd
3rd
5th
6th
8th
9th
10th
13th
14th
15th
17th
20th
22nd
23rd
24th
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12.00-1.00 pm
2.00 pm
6.30 pm
9.30 am
10.00-12.00 noon
10.00-12.00 noon
7.30 pm
9.00-1.00 pm
Lent Lunches (Hall)
Mothers’ Union
Christian Meditation
Holy Communion
Churchyard Maintenance
Open Church
Bell Ringing Practice
Farmers’ Market
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
MOTHERING SUNDAY
8.15 am
Holy Communion (Order 2)
10.15 am
Holy Communion (Order 1) with Sparks (Children’s
Ministry)
12.00-1.00 pm
Lent Lunches (Hall)
6.30 pm
Christian Meditation
9.30 am
Holy Communion
10.00-12.00 noon Churchyard Maintenance
10.00-12.00 noon Open Church
7.30 pm
Bell Ringing Practice
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
8.15 am
Holy Communion (Order 2)
10.15 am
Holy Communion (Order 1) with Sparks (Children’s
Ministry)
7.30 pm
Guild of St Mary
12.00-1.00 pm
Lent Lunches (Hall)
9.30 am
Holy Communion
10.00-12.00 noon Churchyard Maintenance
10.00-12.00 noon Open Church
7.30 pm
Bell Ringing Practice
PALM SUNDAY
(Palm Sunday Liturgy and distribution of Palms)
8.15 am
Holy Communion (Order 2)
10.15 am
Holy Communion (Order 1)
3.00-5.00 pm
Special Easter Event : Sparks and FAB
12.00-1.00 pm
Lent Lunches (Hall)
6.30 pm
Christian Meditation
MAUNDY THURSDAY
9.30 am
Holy Communion
Calendar
24th
25th
10.00-12.00 noon
10.00-12.00
7.30 pm
GOOD FRIDAY
10.00 am
11.00 am
27th
29th
30th
EASTER DAY
8.15 am
10.15 am
6.30 pm
9.30 am
10.00-12.00 noon
Churchyard Maintenance
Open Church
Maundy Thursday Liturgy
Walk of Witness
(from St Leonard’s to St Leonards)
Short Service
Holy Communion (Order 2)
Holy Communion (Order 1) with Sparks (Children’s
Ministry)
Christian Meditation
Holy Communion
Churchyard Maintenance
History Corner
FROM THE ARCHIVES : MARCH 1916
The Vicar’s Notes
…. On Thursdays during Lent a Course of Addresses illustrated by lantern slides
will be given by the Vicar in the Penwortham End Sunday School at 7.45 on the
“Faith of a Christian, i.e. The Apostles Creed.
Most of you will have seen from the newspapers that the Archbishops of our Church
are inviting us all to prepare for a great spiritual effort this year. It is to be called a
“National Mission of Repentance and Hope”. This will need “preparing” for if it is to
be of any value to us, and we cannot do better than use this Lent for making ready.
The more we turn to God now the more we shall be fit to bring Him an offering of
“repentance and hope” in the Mission. ……………..
Sunday Services
In accordance with the regulations for lighting, the Parish Church has been darkened,
and the same has proved possible in New Longton, so that the Services in both these
places will be as usual. At St Leonard’s the Evening Service will begin at 5.45 for the
present.
Hospital Sunday
The Collections for the Hospital this year amounted to £14:3:9, a decrease on the
previous year of £3:12:9; only at New Longton was there an increase of about 8/-.
On Thursday, Feb. 3rd a Concert was held in the Penwortham End Sunday School in
aid of the Serbian Relief Fund. The Entertainment was promoted by the
Churchwardens, and Mr Dodson, Mr Crane and the members of the Penwortham
Male Voice Choir …. A very pleasant and enjoyable evening was the result of their
labours and well repaid the trouble they had taken.
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Matters of Faith
Our Prayers are Asked
For those recently baptized
17th January
Lauren Alice Moorby, the daughter of Marc Richard Moorby and
Lisa Marie Halstead
7th February
Tabatha Carrie Jones, the daughter of William Peter Jones and
Deborah Jane Jones
14th February
Stanley Albert Stewart Purvis, the son of Justin Purvis and
Leonie Astella Purvis
For those who have recently died
Stella Myers
HIGH DAYS AND HOLY DAYS
1st March St David’s Day – time for daffodils
1st March is St David’s Day, and it’s time for the Welsh to wear daffodils or leeks.
Shakespeare called this custom ‘an honourable tradition begun upon an honourable
request’ - but nobody knows the reason. Why should anyone have ever ‘requested’
that the Welsh wear leeks or daffodils to honour their patron saint? It’s a mystery!
We do know that David - or Dafydd - of Pembrokeshire was a monk and bishop of
the 6th century. In the 12th century he was made patron of Wales, and he has the
honour of being the only Welsh saint to be canonised and culted in the Western
Church. Tradition has it that he was austere with himself, and generous with others living on water and vegetables (leeks, perhaps?!) and devoting himself to works of
mercy. He was much loved.
In art, St David is usually depicted in Episcopal vestments, standing on a mound with
a dove at his shoulder, in memory of his share at an important Synod for the Welsh
Church, the Synod of Brevi.
4th March Casimir - godly king of Poland
Casimir is a good patron saint for anyone whose father drives them crazy. He did
not let an unhappy background stop him from becoming the person he wanted to be.
Casimir’s father, the King of Poland back in 1458, was no picnic as a dad.
For if you think your teens were difficult, consider this: when Casimir was only 13,
in 1471, his father decided to send him to war. He put him in charge of a large army,
aimed at fighting on the Hungarian border.
At 13, this was hardly easy, but worse was to come. Casimir’s father had not
bothered to pay the troops. So soon young Casimir faced a crisis: his soldiers, quite
reasonably, were reluctant to fight Hungarians when they were not even being fed.
The troops deserted, and Casimir had a difficult time surviving the journey home.
Then his father, far from welcoming his son’s safe return, put all the blame of the lost
army on Casimir. He banished his son to the castle of Dobzki. Instead of being
crushed by this, Casimir used the time to think, and he grew up fast.
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Matters of Faith
Next time his father summoned him, he found a determined young man who had
seized control of his own life. Casimir flatly refused to fight again against any
Christian country, and he refused to marry a daughter of Emperor Frederick III.
Casimir had decided he would prefer a life of celibacy, devotion to God, and
austerity, and he stuck to his decision.
When Casimir became king in 1481, he ruled over much of Poland for three years.
In stark contrast to his father, he was loved for his justice, prudence and firmness.
He died in 1484 of tuberculosis at the age of only 26, and was buried at Vilna. But
his good deeds lived after him, and he was canonized by Leo X in 1521.
6th March Mothering Sunday (two options) - 4th Sunday in Lent
There is an old Jewish saying:
God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers.
Mother Church, Mother Earth, Mother of the Gods - our human mothers - all of
them have been part of the celebration of ‘Mothering Sunday’ - as the fourth Sunday
in Lent is affectionately known. It has been celebrated in the UK since at least the
16th century.
In Roman times, great festivals were held every Spring to honour Cybele, Mother of
all the Gods. Other pagan festivals in honour of Mother Earth were also celebrated.
With the arrival of Christianity, the festival became one honouring Mother Church.
During the Middle Ages, young people apprenticed to craftsmen or working as ‘livein’ servants were allowed only one holiday a year on which to visit their families which is how ‘Mothering Sunday’ got its name. This special day became a day of
family rejoicing, and the Lenten fast was broken. In some places the day was called
Simnel Day, because of the sweet cakes called simnel cakes traditionally eaten on
that day.
In recent years the holiday has changed and in many ways now resembles the
American Mothers’ Day, with families going out to Sunday lunch and generally making
a fuss of their mother on the day.
9th March Savio - the youngster who found God
Several years ago the hit film Slumdog Millionaire touched millions of people with its
story of a youngster triumphing against all the odds. Dominic Savio did the same
thing. In fact, he is a good patron ‘child saint’ for children today who struggle to get
anywhere in life.
Savio (1842 – 57) was born into a poor family in Riva, near Turin. There were 10
children. The father was a blacksmith, the mother a seamstress. Somehow, they
managed school fees, and when Dominic was 12, he was sent to the famous school
of John Bosco at Turin.
A strict Roman Catholic school wasn’t exactly the set for ‘Who wants to be a
Millionaire’, but Savio loved it. He responded with enthusiasm to the wise and
moderate spiritual guidance of Bosco, and began to grow. Instead of turning into a
fanatic or prig, he was soon widely loved for his cheerfulness and friendliness to all.
Page 11
Matters of Faith
He was respected by fellow students for his mature, sound advice. Behind it all lay
the key: Savio had discovered God for himself, and had responded with all his heart:
– one story of him tells how he was rapt in prayer for six hours continuously.
Sadly, Dominic Savio contracted tuberculosis. Like AIDS today, it was incurable. He
accepted his disease with dignity and composure. He did not fear death – his deep
and radiant faith assured him that something far better lay beyond.
Savio died aged only 15. He had never been a millionaire; his riches lay in his faith in
Jesus Christ. The memory of this lovable lad lived on, so deeply had he touched the
hearts of the people who knew him. Over 100 years later he was still remembered
– and made a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.
19th March
St Joseph – patron saint of fathers and holy death
Why should St Joseph’s day be in March?
Surely he belongs to Advent and
Christmas, at Mary’s side in millions of nativity scenes around the world.
In any case, as foster-father of Christ and husband of Mary, Joseph played a major
part in the story of the coming of Jesus Christ. All that we know about him for sure
is in the gospels. Read especially Matthew 1 – 2. He was of Davidic descent, but his
trade as a carpenter shows that he was not at all wealthy.
Joseph’s gentleness and decency towards Mary, and his willingness to do God’s will
when it was revealed to him, portray him as a kind and godly person. Joseph is the
patron saint of fathers of families, and he makes an excellent example. He comes
across as a protecting, loyal, thoughtful, self-controlled person, full of integrity, and
willing to work hard. Who wouldn’t want a father like that?
Joseph is also the patron saint of all who desire a holy death. Thus countless
churches, hospitals and religious congregations are dedicated to Joseph.
27th March
EASTER – the most joyful day of the year
Easter is the most joyful day of the year for Christians. Christ has died for our sins.
We are forgiven. Christ has risen! We are redeemed! We can look forward to an
eternity in his joy! Hallelujah!
The Good News of Jesus Christ is a message so simple that you can explain it to
someone in a few minutes. It is so profound that for the rest of their lives they will
be still be ‘growing’ in their Christian walk with God.
Why does the date more around so much? Because the date of Passover moves
around, and according to the biblical account, Easter is tied to the Passover.
Passover celebrates the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and it lasts for seven days, from
the middle of the Hebrew month of Nisan, which equates to late March or early
April.
Sir Isaac Newton was one of the first to use the Hebrew lunar calendar to come up
with firm dates for Good Friday: Friday 7 April 30 AD or Friday 3 April, 33 AD, with
Easter Day falling two days later. Modern scholars continue to think these the most
likely.
Page 12
Matters of Faith
Most people will tell you that Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon
after the Spring Equinox, which is broadly true. But the precise calculations are
complicated and involve something called an ‘ecclesiastical full moon’, which is not
the same as the moon in the sky. The earliest possible date for Easter in the West is
22 March, which last fell in 1818 and won’t fall again until 2285. The latest is 25
April, which last happened in 1943 and is next due in 2038.
Why the name, ‘Easter’?
In almost every European language, the festival’s name
comes from ‘Pesach’, the Hebrew word for Passover. The Germanic word ‘Easter’,
however, seems to come from Eostre, a Saxon fertility goddess mentioned by the
Venerable Bede. He thought that the Saxons worshipped her in ‘Eostur month’, but
may have confused her with the classical dawn goddesses like Eos and Aurora, whose
names mean ‘shining in the east’. So Easter might have meant simply ‘beginning
month’ – a good time for starting up again after a long winter.
Finally, why Easter eggs? On one hand, they are an ancient symbol of birth in most
European cultures. On the other hand, hens start laying regularly again each Spring.
Since eggs were forbidden during Lent, it’s easy to see how decorating and eating
them became a practical way to celebrate Easter.
Miscellaneous
Ready, steady, eat on the run!
Do you eat three square meals a day with your family? If so, you are unusual. It
seems that nine out of ten of us now lead lifestyles so hectic that we often skip
regular eating times, and snack instead. Instead of sit-down eating, we grab food on
the run, or eat on our own in front of the telly or social media. Three quarters of us
rarely or never invite even our friends or family to eat. The recent poll was carried
out by the BBC Good Food Magazine.
Rich – but lonely
Many high-earning men are not as satisfied as you might think. They often resent the
time their job takes, and secretly hanker to be home with their partner and children.
Given the option, they would choose to earn less, in return for more free time. The
research was carried out by sociologists at the University of Leicester, who call the
problem “a form of work-life conflict.’
New household chores for children
Many children are earning their pocket-money with a new kind of household chore:
helping baffled parents with digital challenges such as downloading apps, or posting
photographs on social media.
It seems that 47 per cent of parents with children aged between 10 and 18 have paid
their offspring for digital help. And they pay well: children can earn 20 per cent
more for jobs such as setting up an email address, than for the more familiar but
boring ‘tidy your bedroom’ sort of work. The survey was carried out by Barclays.
Page 13
Miscellaneous
Can you understand your own car’s dashboard?
There you are, driving along, and suddenly, a red light flashes up on your dashboard.
What do you do? Very likely, you stare at it in consternation, and then pull over and
ring the AA or RAC.
The AA alone receives about 17,000 warning light calls every month. March is one of
the peak months of the year for such calls, as the new car registrations have just
been released.
It is hardly surprising that thousands of us are bewildered: many modern cars have
dashboards that resemble the ‘Starship Enterprise’ in complexity. To add to the
problem, one in eight of us do not even carry the handbook in the car.
Meanwhile, the AA is doing its best to help: it has added a catalogue of 1000 symbols
and their meanings to its app.
Get smart over children’s toys
How many toys do your children have? How many do they actually play with?
If you spend your time wading through, falling over and trying to occasionally tidy up
a great variety of toys around your house, here is a poignant finding: while most ten
year olds have 238 toys each, they play with only about 12 favourites on a regular
basis.
It seems that the UK has the second highest ‘spend’ per child in the world – with the
average child receiving about £508 worth of gifts per year. MyGiftClues.com, who
conducted the research, offer a free online tool that aims to help adults choose
longer lasting toys and gifts that their children will prefer.
Passive smoking puts pets at great risk
If nothing else will stop you smoking, consider this: smoking can even kill your pet.
Cats and dogs spend most of their time in your home, and are close to carpets
where smoke particles linger.
Recent research at the University of Glasgow has found that animals exposed to
second-hand smoke develop health problems ranging from cancer to cell damage to
weight gain. Cats are particularly vulnerable, as they self-groom extensively, and thus
ingest smoke particles into their bodies.
Such ‘third-hand’ smoke particles are
considered even more carcinogenic than second-hand smoke.
Miscellaneous observations on daily life
~ A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don't need it.
~ A healthy adult consumes each year one-and-one-half times his own weight in
other people's patience.
~ A pun is the lowest form of humor - unless you thought of it yourself.
~ Based on my calculations, I can retire five years after I die.
~ Birthday cake is the only food you can blow on and spit on and still everybody
rushes to get a piece.
~ Coffee: starter fluid for the morning impaired.
Page 14
Miscellaneous
Hedgehogs in need
Only a few weeks to go, and hedgehogs will be waking up from their winter sleep.
Keep an eye out for them this Spring, and do try and offer food to any that you see.
For hedgehogs are in trouble: numbers have more than halved in rural Britain in the
last 15 years, where intensive farming and poor hedgerow management have
destroyed their habitats. In the city it can be just as bad: fenced off gardens and
lawns laid to concrete can mean death to a starving hedgehog.
There are now believed to be less than a million hedgehogs left in the entire UK,
according to the ‘State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2015’ report. So here’s how to help
your local hedgehog:
Cut a five-inch square hole in the bottom of your garden fence, or remove a brick or
two from the base of a wall, to let hedgehogs get through. Where possible, replace
fences or walls with hedges. Don’t pave over your garden. Encourage insects with
nectar-rich plants. Leave out meaty cat or dog food. Avoid treating your lawn with
herbicide. Pile up logs to create a habitat for hedgehogs. Take care when clearing
piles of leaves, in case you disturb one. And finally, please avoid using slug pellets!
(Advice from Hedgehog Street)
Snoring
A clergyman consulted his doctor about his wife’s snoring. ‘It has to STOP,’ he
insisted.
The doctor was intrigued: ‘Does it really bother you that much?’
‘Well, it’s not just me,’ explained the minister. ‘She is bothering the whole
congregation.’
Page 15
Miscellaneous
Easy
A bit harder
Easy
A bit harder
Page 16
church
Frontophobia: A morbid fear of the front seats in
church. The sufferer is struck by an attack just inside
the church door, and collapses in the nearest back
seat.
Ear Frequency Destruction: Caused by sitting near
the loudspeaker when the minister is singing full
volume, off-key, etc., into the microphone.
Sermonic Throat: A dreaded choking caused by the
start of the sermon. The sufferer unwraps a sweet
very slowly and noisily, which seems to effect a
complete cure.
Double Auricular Clearance: A condition due to
the simultaneous opening of both ear ducts, which
allows sound to enter one ear and leave the other
without any absorption thereof. Condition is acute
during Bible reading and sermon.
Accelerate Vocal Response: A condition which
causes the sufferer to try to sing faster than the
organ.
Retarded Vocal Response: A condition which
causes the sufferer to try to sing slower than the
organ.
Theexits: A condition where the sufferer rushes for
the exit before the minister gets there.
Prayer is asking for rain. Faith is carrying an umbrella.
Solution to last month’s
Beware of these contagious diseases in
Sudoku