Ashley Parish Magazine October 2020

How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour, And gather honey all the day From every opening flower!

ASHLEY PARISH MAGAZINE October 2020 1

Isaac Watts (1674 - 1748)

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SEPTEMBER 2020 CLERGY LETTER from Sara Humphries 12 Martindale,, Loggerheads Dear brothers and sisters in Christ As I write this letter at the Autumn Equinox, my garden is still looking very colourful and birdsong fills the evening air, it gives me a moment to pause and count my blessings, and to thank God for the bounty and the beauty that surrounds us. It has the hallmarks of being a truly wonderful ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’.

Over the summer, with falling numbers of people stricken by Covid-19, we have enjoyed three months of relaxed Government restrictions, with St John the Baptist church open for public worship on Sunday and Thursday mornings, and for private prayers on Wednesdays. We were just beginning to return to a new state of ‘normal’ and to start to have hope and plan for the future. However, the feared but inevitable Second Wave of infections seems to be developing apace and we are all holding our collective breaths awaiting further restrictions.

We have found new ways of being Church, especially with our on-line services, however our services in church still have a very different feel, with no choir and members of the congregation aren’t allowed to sing; we can’t share the Peace, and Holy Communion is of one kind only. What I find difficult to comprehend is the outward appearance of a loss of Christian hospitality and fellowship – there are no handshakes or hugging, no chats over coffee in the Chapter House after services, and many people are taking the sensible precaution of staying away if they feel vulnerable or are self-isolating. These are all activities and freedoms that we are very familiar with and normally take for granted, so perhaps now as we prepare to enter Autumn with its longer nights and tighter restrictions, we can take the opportunity to reflect on what being Christian means to us as a community and what’s important. There are so many Christians around the world who have never been able to share the freedoms we have taken for granted. I hope that I for one will come through this experience a better person and will never fail to properly appreciate the simple joy of sharing Christian fellowship with others ever again.

Every blessing and please continue to stay safe.

Revd Sara Humphries Curate, Loggerheads Benefice

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CHURCH OPENINGS – Message from Revd Sara Humphries I send you my warmest wishes & prayers as we continue to walk this extraordinary journey together.

I am very pleased to be able to report that from the 20th September we have three churches open for public and/or private worship, and from the 11th October, all four churches will be open: St Mary’s, Mucklestone is OPEN for Private Prayer: Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00am until 8:00pm and for Public Worship every Sunday at 11:15am as follows:  Sunday 20th September Holy Communion (CW)  Sunday 27th September Family Service led by members of Children’s Church Club  Sunday 4th October Holy Communion (BCP)  Sunday 11th October School Harvest and New Starters (TBC) The church will be CLOSED each Monday for cleaning and CLOSED Thursday-Saturday to be covid-sterile for Sunday St John the Baptist, Ashley is OPEN for Private Prayer: Wednesdays 10:30am until 4:00pm, and OPEN for Public Worship:  Every Sunday at 9:30am for a SAID Eucharist.  Every Thursday at 10:00am for a SAID Eucharist.

The church will be CLOSED on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays for cleaning.

St Peter’s Broughton is OPEN for public worship  Sunday 20th September 11:00am Matins  Sunday 27th September 11:00am Holy Communion  Sunday 4th October 11:00am Matins  Sunday 11th October 10:00am Holy Communion St Paul’s Croxton will be OPEN for public worship Sunday 11th October 11.00am Harvest Songs of Praise All are welcome to our services, however we would appreciate it if people attending services would come prepared with face masks or face coverings AS THESE ARE NOW COMPULSORY IN PLACES OF WORSHIP. Unfortunately, not all areas within the churches will be accessible to start with, and we are not able to open our kitchen facilities to offer our usual hospitality after services.

It is for all our safety that we ask visitors to adhere to any restrictions as directed.

We need to take responsibility for our own personal safety and be mindful of others, so please take care to maintain social distancing in Church at all times, and please do not visit if you have any symptoms of Coronavirus.

There are also sign-in sheets, for us to be able to monitor visitors for Track and Trace.

Every blessing and please stay safe, Revd Sara Humphries

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ASHLEY METHODIST CHURCH WE ARE RESUMING SERVICES IN CHURCH! We are planning to resume services in church on Wesleyan Road, Ashley.

Our first service will take place on Sunday 18th October at 10.30 am. Our preacher will be Rev. Paul Clapham and we shall be celebrating Harvest Festival.

We plan to hold services monthly on the third Sunday of each month for the time being.

Every precaution against Covid 19 has been taken in accordance with Government guidelines. We would ask you please to keep the social distancing rule and to wear a mask while indoors unless you have reason to be exempted.

We regret that we cannot provide refreshment after worship and must ask that you leave the premises promptly after the service. Any social activity must be in the car park and must observe the current rules of social distancing.

We look forward very much to greeting you in person in church!

Our online circuit services will continue to be broadcast on You Tube. Search for Market Drayton Methodist.

MARKET DRAYTON FOOD BANK desperately requires donations to help some of the most needy in our society and can be delivered to The Parish Rooms Church St Market Drayton TF9 1AF Tues 09:00 - 11:00 / Fri 10:00 - 13:00 or leave donations at Loggerheads Co-op especially: UHT milk, long-life fruit juice, tinned fruit & potatoes, pasta &sauce, coffee, biscuits, jam, sponge puddings, custard & rice pudding, tinned meat, fish & vegetables, cereals, nappies sizes 5&6 only, laundry washing powder/liquid, washing up liquid.

Alternatively, a monetary donation can be made via BACS or cheque.

See details here: https://marketdrayton.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donatemoney/ More information on their website https://marketdrayton.foodbank.org.uk/ 7

Book Review: TAMED: Ten species that changed our world.

By Alice Roberts Hutchinson/Penguin 2017 Looking at our doggies here at Blore Heath (Willow and Louie, Edie and Leila) it’s hard to think that their distant ancestors were wolves.

Willow is a lovely spaniel, whilst Jamie is a golden labrador. Edie and Lila are Cavalier crosses. They are so DIFFERENT from each other, so how can they possibly have a common ancestor?

Well, this book says that domestic dogs are all descended from wolves. Somehow, successive breeding has taken place to produce the dog (although in fact quite genetically different from a wolf) and to create all the different types of dog—the various breeds.

Alice Roberts is a professor of genetics and she uses her scientific knowledge to explain how ten commonplace things in our lives have changed from their original wild variety to what we love and recognise today. As well as dogs, she has chapters on wheat, cattle, maize, spuds, chickens, rice, horses, apples—not forgetting HUMANS (who “tamed them all”).

One of Professor Roberts’ ideas is that there was natural variation in the behaviour and temperament of wolves, such that some discovered that by hanging around near a group of humans, they could benefit by receiving scraps of food.

Our ancestors, she supposes, might have encouraged such wolves to hang around and breed, thus creating tamer, more domesticated wolves over successive generations.

In an attempt to show that one could breed tamer, more human-orientied behaviour in a similar species to dogs, a Russian scientist called Dmitri Belyaev started to select tamer silver foxes and inter-breed them. Over successive generations these foxes became tamer around humans. The experiment continues (see video reference below). But as the video shows (it is well worth watching if you are interested in animal behaviour), these foxes have not become dog-like. Let them into a cage with someone sitting in it, they approach and sniff the human but then carry on doing their own thing. In contrast, a dog is really interested in the human and jumps up at him, sniffs and wants to interact.

The scientists have to admit that they don’t really know how dogs became distinct genetically from wolves - although they are confident that wolves are the ur-canine. Is there a missing link?

See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dwjS_eI-lQ&ab_channel=VergeScience

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Saying Goodbye to Sandra and Alan Marsh

Sandra and Alan have lived in Ashley and Loggerheads for 42 years and have enriched our community supporting many activities that make this such a lovely place to live. They have now moved to Dorking in Surrey to be near their family.

“If you want a job doing, ask a busy person”. Alan and Sandra are proof of that.

They came to Ashley with rising professional careers as a Hugo Meynell Teacher and Royal Doulton Finance Director and attended Ashley Parish Church every Sunday with their little ones. They sat with other families with little ones and then joined the contagion of pregnancies to produce even more little ones. They helped to make us a very joyful and noisy church.

Sandra was part of a dynamic team which supported “Save the Children Charity”, holding several annual events which put the glue into our community creating friendships as well as raising funds to lift children out of poverty.

Alan was a volunteer worker at our Loggerheads Library and also worked as an unpaid manager with the Dougy Mac ensuring their network of charity shops brought good income to support the hospice.

Sandra was a Sunday School Teacher and more lately a member of the Social Committee who raised funds (and spirits) for the church.

Continued on page 16

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Hymns that mean a lot to us Number 101 ALL PEOPLE THAT ON EARTH DO DWELL What a wonderful appeal! “All people on earth” - you could not have a bigger audience could you? The words and music date from the sixteenth century. The words are by a William Kethe, who died 1594. Kethe was a Scottish clergy-man who spent a great deal of time in exile for his faith. He helped translate the Geneva Bible in 1560, was a vicar in Dorsetshire and also served as a military chaplain. The music (“Old Hundredth”) is by one Louis Bourgeois (1510-1561) was a follower of John Calvin and was jailed for modifying some well-known hymn tunes!

This hymn is eminently “singable”. You can really belt it out. A splendid conjunction of words and music. And it has lasted successive revisions of hymnbooks for example, it is there in the latest version of Hymns Ancient and Modern. One of the reasons, no doubt, is the totally unchallenging message: praise the Lord, approach Him with joy, FOR WHY? - because He made us, He “takes us for his sheep”, is good, merciful, true and everlasting. Wow! So, along with the heavenly host, let us sing “Praise and Glory evermore, to Father, Son and Holy Ghost”.

All people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.

Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell; Come ye before Him and rejoice.

The Lord, ye know, is God indeed; Without our aid He did us make; We are His folk, He doth us feed, And for His sheep He doth us take.

O enter then His gates with praise; Approach with joy His courts unto; Praise, laud, and bless His Name always, For it is seemly so to do.

For why? the Lord our God is good; His mercy is for ever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, And shall from age to age endure.

To Father, Son and Holy Ghost, The God Whom Heaven and earth adore, From men and from the angel host Be praise and glory evermore.

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DIARY OF A GRANDDAD VOLCANO People have been kind enough to say that they really enjoy reading about our “famous five” over the years : Charlotte, Aimee, Ellie, Callum, and Daniel. I’ve just found episode 5, dating from 2015 or so. Callum was helping me in the workshop and I thought it was time to introduce him to the mobility scooter that we had inherited from Eleanor (Dad’s second wife). It had been languishing in the workshop for a year or two. I sat him on it, showed him that he could make it go and of course he was hooked. Since then, all the grandchildren and their friends have played on that original scooter (sometimes all on it at the same time!) and of course wore it out, and beyond economical repair.

Mindful of the great fun to be had, Grandad hightailed it to the disability shop in ‘Drayton, where the proprietor found me a vintage model that he described as the Rolls Royce of mobility scooters. You take such comments of course with a pinch of salt but I had to admit that it had some whoomph. It could do 6 miles per hour which is going some. That was great fun and they discovered they could tow a trailer behind it.

Eventually that too met its end so what to do next? Good old Ebay uncovered another of the same model for not much money and so Grandad arranged for its transport. With some modifications (thanks to brother Geoff) it too serves as exciting transport around the farm, and even over the grassy fields. They have found out how to have two or even more onboard which adds to the fun. In fact these past few days (gorgeous midSeptember weather) have seen it in use for hours at a time.

What about the volcano then? Well, we had (quite a big) a load of sand delivered for building purposes. Callum’s eyes lit up. He has always loved digging in mud and sand and he was straight away on top of it. Bearing in mind he is now of more mature age, nevertheless Grandad was impressed with how much energy and perseverance he put into building a sandcastle. But wait—it had a massive hole down the centre and other holes, not to mention an unusual shape. Surely it could not be a sandcastle! What was he making?

Cousin Betty (from Cornwall) with g/ children on the new chariot

Continued on page 33

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Goodbye to Alan and Sandra Marsh (continued from page 11)

Church finances have been in the capable hands of Alan for over thirty years, and are continuing to do so from his Surrey home. Each looming problem he met became sorted with his “lets just get on with it” attitude including the immense task of mowing the churchyard which he took under his wing when there was no-one else to organise it.

Our past Rector, Jonathan Eades, believed that faithful Christians had lost their ability to talk about Jesus and God. But for Sandra and Alan, their faith and Sunday by Sunday attendance at weekly worship, their prayers, love of music and positive comments after an inspiring sermon have spoken louder than words. They have been excellent disciples of Jesus in their service to Ashley Church and as we think how much we will miss them, we will be inspired by their example to live and work for the greater good.

Alan and Sandra promise to look in on us when they return to Ashley to visit their dentist and optician. In the meantime we wish them well with their new life in Dorking which will no doubt become very busy – that’s 16

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William Tyndale (Priest: 1494-1536) Anglican Feast Day: October 6 Collect: Almighty God, you planted in the heart of your servant William Tyndale a consuming passion to bring the Scriptures to people in their native tongue, and endowed him with the gift of powerful and graceful expression and with strength to persevere against all obstacles: Reveal to us your saving Word, as we read and study the Scriptures, and hear them calling us to repentance and life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Tyndale's translation was the first English Bible to draw directly from Hebrew and Greek texts, and the first to use the printing press. Unfortunately he upset people, especially a certain Henry Phillips who betrayed him and had him kidnapped. He was subsequently executed as a heretic. His last words reportedly were: ‘Oh Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.’ Henry VIII, fearing his influence, had agreed that he could come back to UK, but it was too late.

His dying request seemed to find its fulfillment just two years later with Henry’s authorization of The Great Bible for the Church of England—which was largely Tyndale’s own work. His version also featured prominently in the Geneva Bible which was taken to the New World to Jamestown in 1607, and on the Mayflower in 1620.

Notably, in 1611, the 54 independent scholars who created the King James Version drew significantly from Tyndale, as well as from translations that descended from his. One estimate suggests that the New Testament in the King James Version is 83% Tyndale’s, and the Old Testament 76%. [Source: Banner of Truth website https:// banneroftruth.org/us/about/banner-authors/william-tyndale/ This US website has a good account of Tyndale’s life.]

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Jasmine watches a rescue (Jasmine blogs with the help of Sue Lea) Well what a story I have to tell! Can you remember when we had that torrential rain? It was a deluge! The morning after we set off for our usual walk in the “dog car” along the wet roads, some flooded in parts. Mum always says “That will clean the wheel arches” as she drives through; she enjoys the splash. Crossing the ford looked daunting but although the water was rushing quite fast it wasn`t too deep so across we drove. My heart was in my mouth, not being an experienced driver you understand. The walk was quite uneventful as there were lots of very large puddles to race through which we all thoroughly enjoyed.

Then, on the way back, Primrose decided to race across the water to the other side and Honey and I followed. Great, a game of chase! We decided Honey was “it” which means we chase her. She ran around trees and we followed but we decided to run back over to Mum. Honey went further downstream and then decided to cross. Normally there would not have been a problem but due to the strong current and the steep sides Honey was finding it difficult to climb out. Mum tried to encourage Honey but she was tired.um wouldn`t risk her going farther downstream so she dived in! Well, I am exaggerating a bit— Mum stepped into the water with one foot which was deeper than Mum thought and the current quite strong so it required two feet. The water was above Mum’s knees but as quick as a flash Mum grabbed Honey, lifted her up then climbed out. You could hear Mum’s feet squelching as we walked back to the car. She was surprised how warm her feet felt but apparently that is because there was a layer of water between her shoes and feet. “Leads on for you next time” said Mum. Primrose and I were very good and waited on the bank while Mum rescued Honey. Mum says we won`t be doing that again. Mum had to take her shoes and socks off outside and Dad had to fill her walking shoes with newspaper to dry them out, which took several days.

It is Primrose`s birthday on the 14th. We have cards ready for her as well as a birthday banner and large photos of her. Her presents include sausages (a must for any dog’s birthday), a large carrot and an organic chew. We all have the same to celebrate and as it is curry night we have a poppadum.

Rodney, a black Labrador that belongs to my Mum`s friend, is the same age as me and he is having a brother 6 months old from Romania who is to be called Sergio. I think I would like one. He is from Barking Mad Dog Rescue but you have to be very special people.

Max the Miracle Dog: The Heart-warming Tale of a Lifesaving Friendship by Kerry Irving Autobiography, featuring the dog he found who really understood him and whose pix taken in and around the Lake District boosted his locksmith business online.

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Mindful walk in September Sue Lea It is a fantastic Autumnal day already warm and apparently getting very hot the sky is blue and cloudless already the sun is pouring through the trees creating wonderful shadows to walk amongst. What a pleasure to walk in such wonderful surroundings on a day like this and gosh I can hardly believe my eyes for about 100 yards in front of me standing motionless on the river bank is a heron! Wow they are magnificent at least a metre high and as I stand quite still watching in awe for I have never got so close to one with having the dogs which are too busy sniffing. I have had time to study it`s beauty it`s long yellow legs and regal silver and white body but sadly it has now decided to take off. To watch a heron suddenly outstretch it`s long wings then rise up with such ease lifting a large body is truly amazing. I am walking on soft dew laden grass with a familiar fresh chill in the air that welcomes this season hardly being able to believe what I have just witnessed. The birds are singing and there is the distinctive coo of the wood pigeons woops I have disturbed a rather large rabbit. The ground is littered with acorns and crab apples as we walk up towards the field passing an alder tree full of shiny black berries and the hawthorn with bright red ones. Crunching leaves can be heard beneath the dogs feet so many have fallen already shades of bronze, gold and copper as well as deep crimson and purple. On the banks the bracken is slowly changing from green to gold. I thoroughly enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the walk finding it restful and restorative in such times. Nature is a wonderful way to feel grounded. Gosh a pigeon is hoping after a magpie in such an aggressive manner that it flies away. I am strolling down an empty field looking ahead at the Downs banks that rise up before me while breathing in deeply this pure air.

Today I am climbing up Cuckoo hill which was used for rifle practice by the soldiers in the 1939-1945 war and as a result of our victory The Downs Banks were donated. As I reach the summit to my delight it is covered with purple heather at my feet as I wonder what the scene must have been like all those years ago as my eyes behold a breath taking view of slumbering woods and fields.

Top tip: “Music can rise up and save you” I heard on the radio and then it said “and this includes nature with glorious bird song as well as bees, etc.” Makes sense to me how about you?

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Charity No. 1179850

Befriender Lifeline Loggerheads Befrienders might have had to stop meeting for coffee and exercise but we are continuing to support our community during this challenging time by helping with shopping, collecting prescriptions etc and keeping in contact with people by phone.

If you need any assistance or would just like a chat please contact us on: 07523512934.

If you are able to volunteer to help us to help others in isolation please also contact us. This might be shopping for them or just giving them a call to make sure they are O.K. We have some top tips for those who are volunteering to keep you and those you are in contact with safe and healthy.

The other place to go for help at the moment if you are NOT one of the people who received the “at high risk” letter is the Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council website (and if you don’t have access to the internet just ring the number above and we can help you do it). Go to www.newcastlestaffs.gov.uk and click on the red button in the top left corner that says “Coronavirus (Covid 19) Assistance For residents who are in need of support”.

Please remember that there are still those about who are not what they seem and will try to scam you, by phone, on your doorstep and on your computer. If in any doubt the simple message is DON’T DO IT and ask someone else first. Only give money to someone you know or have been put in contact with through your family, a neighbour or the Befrienders.

Remember your Neighbours – look out for those who can’t go out.

Phone: 075235 12934 Email: loggerheadsbefrienders@gmail.com Web: loggerheadsbefrienders.org.uk

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THE MAN BEHIND THE GONG

By Margaret Maxwell Recently my attention was drawn to a biography of J Arthur Rank, founder of the Rank Organisation. His great grandfather, John Rank, started a flour mill in Hull in 1841 as a result of the difficulties for impoverished people to obtain flour at a reasonable cost. The business continued to flourish under his son James who married the daughter of an enterprising ship owner. It was their son, Joseph, who broke away from the family business and, through many years of hard graft, built up the biggest personal investment in flour milling in the world.

Joseph’s son, J Arthur, was strongly influenced by his father’s character and lifestyle. Joseph was brought up in a Wesleyan family and at a service in 1883 pledged to serve God always. His whole life was devoted to his business and the church. He set an example of hard work, total integrity, generosity, humility and thrift. He was a devoted family man who believed everything was possible with God. A canny Yorkshireman he gave his stock in flour mills to his children long before his death and left £1 million to Methodist charities.

J Arthur used his inheritance not only to further the milling business but also to promote his Christian faith. He saw the emerging art of cinema as a means for evangelism and quickly became involved in promoting the making of films depicting Bible stories and Christian themes. At first these were very simple and not particularly artistic yet he managed to build up a following which then led him to invest in cinemas themselves. Before long he was drawn into the promotion of movies in general and was a prime mover in the establishment of the British film industry in its heyday.

Moving in the glamorous circles of Hollywood and movie stars he never lost sight of his original motive so that the films he promoted were never vicious or gratuitously violent. He managed, on the whole, not to compromise Christian principles. Throughout his life he prayed regularly, served as a Sunday School teacher and was a devoted family man. He commanded huge respect among the movie world and in the milling business because of his total trustworthiness, straightforward honesty and genuine kindness.

Reading about this remarkable man provides an inspiring experience as well as a fascinating story. The author, Michael Wakelin, was a missionary in South Korea before he joined the BBC’s Religious Broadcasting Department.

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Benefice Prayer As the interviews for the post of our new Rector draw near, I ask that

you continue to pray for the candidates and the interview panel, so that the right person will be appointed. Could you also remember our Benefice in your prayers. I ask that you continue to pray that the right person will see the advert and apply for the position. Could you also remember our Benefice in your prayers.

Almighty God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the church is governed and sanctified, hear our prayer for the Loggerheads Benefice. Give us discernment to recognise the gifts and ministries you have given to us together with the grace to exercise them in harmony with one another and for the good of all. May we have patience in awaiting the appointment and arrival of a new leader for our benefice, and give support to those responsible for choosing that person. Finally, may we trust you, the God of faithfulness and generosity, to guide us through this time of transition and change. Give us grace to let go of all that hinders and entangles us. May we be ready to enter a new chapter in the life of our benefice, for the glory of your Name and the furtherance of your kingdom. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

ASHLEY’S MISSION PARTNER – FREDA CAREY IN PAKISTAN Freda has visited a few times when home on furlough and has been happy to keep in touch with the Church to ensure our praying is relevant. A volunteer is needed to receive letters from Freda and share their contents with the rest of the congregation. If you feel this is something you might be able to do, please speak with the Church Wardens.

Disappointed in Market Drayton I asked a local person if he could direct me to a sweet shop.

He said there is one next to the Hippodrome (J.D. Wetherspoons). So I went, but all they had there were settees and easy chairs.

I was excited to see a sign on a stall on market day: “”Watch batteries fitted here.” So I waited—for half an hour—but didn’t see any fitted at all.

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A meditation for Harvest time, for anytime….

“Today … we find ourselves in a critical moment when the religious traditions need to awaken again to the natural world as the primary manifestation of the divine to human intelligence. The very nature and purpose of the human is to experience this intimate presence that comes to us through natural phenomena. Such is the purpose of having eyes and ears and feeling sensitivity, and all our other senses. We have no inner spiritual development without outer experience. Immediately, when we see or experience any natural phenomenon, when we see a butterfly, a tree, when we feel the evening breeze flow over us or wade in a stream of clear water, our natural response is immediate, intuitive, transforming, ecstatic. Everywhere we find ourselves invaded by the world of the sacred.”

Thomas Berry, June 2002, from his Foreword to “When the trees say nothing” Writings on Nature by Thomas Merton, edited by Kathleen Deignan, Spiritual Book Associates, Sorin Books, Illinois, 2003.

Father Thomas Berry (1914-2009) (picture) was a US priest and self-styled “Earthscholar”.

He argued that we need to transform humanity’s priorities away from self-glorification and despoliation of the Earth.

Read more about him at Thomas Berry.

We see quite clearly that what happens to the nonhuman happens to the human.

What happens to the outer world happens to the inner world.

If the outer world is diminished in its grandeur then the emotional, imaginative, intellectual, and spiritual life of the human is diminished or extinguished.

Thomas Berry

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Christmas shoe box appeal From Barbara Dent Unfortunately we will not be taking in, as in the past, items for inclusion in children’s Christmas boxes.

So I am asking you to fill a box either by yourself or with friends and neighbours. I can get boxes for you if you let me know. Ring me on 01630 672974 to ask for a box.

Shoeboxes arranged on the altar at Ashley Church in 2017 for a Blessing, prior to sending off for distribution.

We have all heard of deaths from this virus.

BUT, we are NOT told how many children are left as orphans. A Christmas box is a way to show our Christian love. Think of it as a birthday present from our Lord, who has given us so much.

I thank you for all your help, With best wishes Barbara Dent

Diary of a Grandad (continued from page 15) A volcano, Callum informed me. See picture. This was a major piece of sand-art but more is to follow, apparently: it is going to erupt! We don’t know when of course because currently it is dormant, but Callum informs me that the pressure is building inside and soon we will see an eruption.

(Secret: Callum already knows how to make a volcano erupt because he did it in a science project with bicarb of soda and possibly vinegar. Just how much of the ingredients will be needed to make a spectacle is a matter currently for conjecture. Watch this space.)

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MARKET DRAYTON METHODIST CIRCUIT LOOKING BACK ON OUR SERVICES Sunday 13th September 2020

Rev. Ruth Jeffries gave a warm welcome to everyone joining our online service and opened with a prayer that our worship be sincere. The Savill families combined to sing Jesus the name above all names. The Bakers and Savills sang He is the Lord. Prayers of adoration were followed by confessional responses and the Lord’s Prayer.

Evie Savill and Lucy Bradeley are about to go to university. Rev. Ruth talked to Evie about her entrance to Cliff College as a student; what prompted her to apply, her feelings, hopes and expectations. Ruth prayed for Evie, Lucy and their families as they move into this new stage.

Elaine read to us from Colossians 2 – how to live in Christ.

Mike Shingler then shared his thoughts prompted by this passage.

He was reminded of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who was persecuted for his faith as the Roman Empire was beginning to disintegrate. Persecutors are blind to the love of Christ. How similar to circumstances today. Mike also considered an oak tree as an image of how our faith is rooted in Christ and God’s purpose for us. Unseen below ground the roots draw sustenance from the earth so that the tree can grow, just as Christ sustains us in a way that material things cannot. We can spread our branches drawing love, healing and peace from Jesus. The leaves identify the type of tree. The acorns feed creatures and provide seeds for future trees. In today’s world we must stand firm against worldly pressures and produce beneficial fruit. Mike prayed for the blessing of God’s love and care on us all.

Songs endorsing this theme were played and sung by Robin Perry.

He gave thanks for God’s steadfast love and support.

Ruth prayed for our world leaders, for the church and for ourselves.

Our final hymn was Great is thy faithfulness.

Ruth closed with a blessing and exhortation to listen to God, to love him and others.

Live services in church on Shrewsbury Road take place at 10.30am. Full precautions against Covid 19 are taken. Please reserve places so that we can organise safe seating. Either call 01630 655957 (also our helpline) or book online at www.mdmc.org.uk/calendar. Our online services and music will continue on You Tube.

Search MDMC. We look forward to welcoming you whichever way of worship you feel is right

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The Mushroom Expert by Edgar Guest Edgar Guest (1881 - 1959) was born in Birmingham, but moved with his family to Detroit, Michigan, when he was ten years old. He worked for more than sixty years at the Detroit Free Press, publishing his first poem at the age of seventeen, then going on to become a reporter and columnist whose work was featured in hundreds of newspapers around the country. Edgar is said to have written some 11,000 poems during his lifetime, most of it sentimental, short, upbeat verse. Critics often derided his work, but America adored him. He was known as the "People's Poet," served as Michigan's poet laureate, hosted a long-running radio show and TV show, and published more than twenty books.

[Source: Your Daily Poet] Bill is a mushroom expert, and Bill is a friend of mine, He has studied the amanita and all its ancestral line; He goes to the fields each autumn to harvest a dinner treat For he knows which are deadly fungi, and which are the ones to eat.

Bill can talk by the hour on mushrooms and he laughs at my timid fears, He is still in the land of the living and has eaten the things for years; He is wise in the lore of the meadow, the swamp and the dark ravine, And I'd say, of the mushroom experts, he's the best that I've ever seen.

If ever I gathered mushrooms I'd carry them back to Bill And ask him to look them over and pick out the ones that kill; I'd trust to his certain knowledge and bank on his judgment, too, For he is a shark on that stuff and can spiel it right off to you.

Bill knows 'em and loves 'em and eats 'em, and all through the days of fall He's out with his little basket in search of the snowy ball; And never I doubt his knowledge, I grant it surpasses mine— But during the mushroom season I don't go to Bill's to dine.

Edgar A. Guest The Passing Throng, 1923

HOT TIP You can read lots of Edgar Guest’s poems free on the Project Gutenberg website

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Looking around—World awareness days October 1 is International Migratory Bird Day. Migratory birds are beneficial to us and the planet's ecosystems because they provide critical services such as seed dispersal, pollination, pest control and more! They are not only vital to sustaining life on Earth, but also provide major economic benefits and jobs through tourism, research and education, and leisure activities such as birdwatching and photography.

They are central to our cultures and have been reflected in our art, music, theatre and belief systems throughout history. Birds inspire us and help us to connect with each other and re-connect with nature. READ MORE FROM THE WEBSITE (LINK ABOVE)

October 5 is World Teachers Day

“In 2020, World Teachers’ Day will celebrate teachers with the theme “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future”. The day provides the occasion to celebrate the teaching profession worldwide, take stock of achievements, and draw attention to the voices of teachers, who are at the heart of efforts to attain the global education target of leaving no one behind.” READ MORE ON THE WEBSITE—LINK ABOVE

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Autumn magic—photos from the camera of Sue Lea

(Clockwise) Elderberries Wild damsons Heather Autumn leaves (with Honey)

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Got a mattock yet? Gardening Notes by The Editor Commenting on their newly-bought garden spade (always a wonderfully exciting purchase, to me at least!), a friend said that they had broken theirs trying to lever out a tree root. A garden fork is even more susceptible to this fate, as several of mine over the years testify. In truth, they are just not designed for such jobs. So what is? Is there really a tool that you can use to lever up roots? Or loosen compacted soil? Yes there is, and it is called a mattock.

Now you might be reading this and saying that you have one already, but I would like to bet that most readers have not got a mattock. They are not commonly found in the gardening sections even of garden centres. In fact I had to buy mine online, once I discovered that they even exist!

Here is a picture of one. Traditionally the haft (shaft) was wooden, although today you can get them made of fibreglass. It comprises (a) a head and (b) a haft/shaft. Note that the shaft is actually oval in cross-section, not round. Moreover, it is not fixed to the handle like an axe. Rather it slides on, being prevented from coming off by the taper on the shaft. A builder’s pick-axe is designed the same way.

You can use one end like an axe to chop roots, and the other end to dig with. You chop down and push forward, which levers up soil, or roots. Today I attacked a massive clump of perennials that had to come out. It would have certainly broken my fork or spade to dig down and lever out, not to mention the strain on my back, but not my trusty mattock. You swing it over your head and chop down, like an executioner, lean forward and hey presto, up comes the stubborn clump. There’s a good instructional video on YouTube that demonstrates.

Now I don’t know who originally designed this tool—perhaps a cunning ancient Egyptian but the design, simple as it is, is ingenious. The fact that the handle is oval means that it is has far more strength when you push forward to lever something up—otherwise the handle would certainly snap. The principle is widely used in many parts of the world, and the tool is then called by various names such as “grub hoe”.

Here is what Wikipedia says: As a simple but effective tool, mattocks have a long history. Their shape was already established by the Bronze Age in Asia Minor and ancient Greece. According to Sumerian mythology, the mattock was invented by the god Enlil.

Have you got one?

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Rev’d Zoe Heming broadcasts nationwide Rev Zoe Heming led an online service, for Sunday September 20th, featuring the gifts of Christians with disabilities and celebrating how everyone is made in the image of God. The order of service is at cofe.io/GodsImageService and you can hear it on YouTube .

The Rev’d Zoe Heming, formerly part of our Ashley Church community as our former curate’s Rev’d Doug Heming’s wife, is now a vicar in Shropshire. But she is also a wheelchair user who lives with chronic pain. She leads this service with contributions, testimony and readings from people with disabilities and long-term illness. In her introductory remarks, she says that the pandemic has hit the most vulnerable hardest. But she believes that online worship has helped many Christians with disabilities – previously living in ‘permanent lockdown’ - to fully participate in worship for the first time.

Zoe says: “We know that coronavirus has hit the most vulnerable members of the community the hardest. It has changed so much about how we live and how we worship together. For so many people who were already living in a more permanent lockdown and isolation through disability and long term illness - and often through inaccessible church buildings and services - like never before, previously over looked and wasted gifts have been set free to be a blessing to our church.”

The service, with the theme of belonging, was broadcast on the Church of England’s website, (see above for link). Zoe said, about her own experiences: “Living with chronic pain for many years and becoming a wheelchair user has been a journey of faith - a painful journey – that has led me to discover new gifts and my own prejudices and the things and barriers that exclude people like me from being able to fully participate and belong to the Church.”  The service features testimony and a poetry reading from Church of England lay minister Peter Philips, from Lichfield, a retired social worker and prison chaplain, who has Motor Neurone Disease.  Members of the Wave Community read the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard from the Gospel of St Matthew.  Prayer was read by Ian Grantham, who is housebound, and Zoe Corney, who lives with ME, read the Lord’s Prayer.  The UK Makaton sign language Blessing features at the conclusion of the service.

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DID YOU KNOW ABOUT …

The Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer?

Well I didn’t until listening to the radio this morning (Sunday 20th September). Some things take you quite aback at their imagination and scope, and this is one of them.

The Wall will be built outside Birmingham at a cost of 10 million pounds and the picture (BELOW) shows what it will look like.

The man behind the project was interviewed on Radio 4 this morning (on “Sunday” with Ed Stourton).

Here is an excerpt from an article in the Guardian (13 Sept, 2020) which gives detail: An enormous Christian monument, more than twice the size of the Angel of the North, is to be built on the outskirts of Birmingham, fulfilling a vision its instigator says came from God. The Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer will be constructed using a million bricks, each representing a prayer from a member of the public and its outcome. The aim is to “encourage and inspire people going through the storms of life”, said Richard Gamble, the project’s chief executive and a former chaplain of Leicester City football club. The monument, which has been granted planning permission with work to begin next year, has three goals: to “preserve the Christian heritage of the nation”; encourage prayer; and “proclaim Jesus for the country”.

A YouTube video tells you “ten things about it that you did not know” about the Project.

Summarising, each brick will have a link that will tell you about an (anonymous) individual prayer story when you hold your phone to it. There will be about a million bricks. It will be paid for by crowdfunding, and part of the surplus money raised will create social housing.

Prayers will be collected by historians, as well as from the general public all over the world.

It is unashamedly Christian. There will be a visitor centre. Here is some more info.: From the Wall website https://www.eternalwall.org.uk/ Go to the website for more information and to donate.

Some of the prayers submitted so far are on the website https:// www.eternalwall.org.uk/answered-prayers

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OCTOBER by Edgar Guest October and the crimsoned trees, The smell of smoke upon the breeze, The morning mist and autumn's chill, The brown of death upon the hill— And yet, a sense of loveliness Which pen or brush cannot express.

A strange, mysterious calm which seems The canvas of a thousand dreams; The calm of duty nobly done, The peace of battles truly won, The joy with which all hearts are thrilled, A sense of promises fulfilled.

Beyond October winter waits To pile its snow before the gates; What men call death shall hurl its stroke Alike at plant or giant oak— And yet beneath the snowdrifts deep We know the violets merely sleep.

Mankind has its October, too, When little more there is to do, And we may claim the sweet content Of strength that has been nobly spent— And yet we fear, when comes the snow, There is no spring where we shall go.

October with its lovely breath Voices the cry: there is no death!

Men read it in a thousand ways;

We see beyond the mist and haze Which shroud the hills and valleys deep, That all shall wake who fall asleep.

See page 37 for another poem by Edgar Guest and something about his life.

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Our cover poem is by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

How doth the little busy Bee Improve each shining Hour, And gather Honey all the day From every opening Flower!

How skilfully she builds her Cell!

How neat she spreads the Wax! And labours hard to store it well With the sweet Food she makes.

In Works of Labour or of Skill

In Works of Labour or of Skill I would be busy too: For Satan finds some Mischief still For idle Hands to do.

In Books, or Work, or healthful Play Let my first Years be past, That I may give for every Day Some good Account at last.

Southampton. The statue panels show him as teacher, poet and philosopher. It was paid for by public subscription.

This lovely poem is one of a series intended for the instruction of children, of course exhorting them to be as industrious as the little bee. But he does, thank goodness, exhort them to engage in “healthful play” as well as Books or Work.

Isaac Watts was a Congregationalist minister credited with writing some 750 hymns. We no longer know many of them, but all of 23 are in the latest edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern including: “This is the day the Lord hath made”, sung to Bishopthorpe, a lovely tune; the better-known “Joy to the World, the Lord is come” which we often sing at Ashley; and the moving classic, “When I survey the wondrous Cross.”

He has been called the “Godfather of English hymnody.”

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The Loggerheads Benefice ASHLEY St John the Baptist CHURCH RECTOR Post being advertised.

CHURCHWARDEN: Jill Cheadle 01630 673968 e-mail : jillclogg@aol.com CURATE: The Reverend Sara Humphries rev.sara.humphries@gmail.com 01630 673740.

BENEFICE WORKER: Denise Keen loggerheadsbeneficeinfo@gmail.com 07761446753 CHURCH VERGER: Linda Watson 01630 673140 LAY READERS: Anna Mortimer 01630 672804 Dr Roger Pooley 01630 673292 Professor Emeritus Dr Helen Dent 01630 673292 ORGANIST/CHOIRMASTER: Peter Shone: 01630 672538 . p.shone@btinternet.com 01630 673331 CHURCH AND COMMUNITY CHOIR: Peter Shone (contact details above) YOUNG PEOPLE: Chair of Management Committee: Jill Cheadle (see above) MAGAZINE EDITOR: John Hegarty 01630 653912 j.r.hegarty@gmail.com MAGAZINE ADVERTISING: Anthony Deere: anthony@loggerheads.me.uk 01630 672820

MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION: Carole Shone: 01630 672538 caroleshone21@gmail.com BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS : Please contact Churchwardens RETIRED PRIEST: Reverend Roger Legg.

RECTOR’S ADMINISTRATOR:

Denise Keen (details above) ****************************************************************** COVER PICTURE: For the full poem and a bit about the poet, see page 53. I should point out that the bees on the photo are bumble bees, whereas the poem is really referring to honeybees. ************************************************************************** PARISH MAGAZINE This is YOUR magazine! Short articles of interest to Magazine readers are always welcome, as well as news items about your group or organisation. We also like letters to the Editor. Send contributions to me, Dr John Hegarty, before the end of the month of the month prior to publication, as an email attachment j.r.hegarty@gmail.com. Telephone enquiries to 01630 653912. Ideally a maximum of 300 words to fill one, A5 page (less if picture included). During the COVID 19 crisis the Magazine is available online only, via the Church/Benefice Website

THE LOGGERHEADS BENEFICE ASHLEY MUCKLESTONE BROUGHTON CROXTON 54

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