Bridges March - April 2015 by James McGowan

Suggestion donation 50p

Issue [3] March & April 2015

bridges

Welcome to the third edition of bridges

This bi-monthly magazine brings you news from the Christian community in Ballasalla and the surrounding villages, along with details of what’s on in the weeks ahead.

As the days lengthen and we begin to see signs of new life all around us, our cover image this edition reminds us of what we can look forward to now that Spring has well and truly sprung – those warm summer days are not too far away!

New about plans to develop a Credit Union for the Isle of Man

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Lent moves into Easter as winter turns toward spring The seasons move on and we look for sign of new growth

Issue [3] March & April 2015

We see the seasons change once more before our eyes, we look toward a season of work and growth.

In all this let us never miss those moments of awe and wonder all around us. As the days lengthen take time to wander in our beautiful surroundings and see what you discover. Manx Poet T E Brown offers an opening verse to this edition with some thoughts from his poem, A Mornings Walk.

Do you have news to share? We’d love to share your news and details of events. If you’d like to include anything in our Mar/April edition please send this to bridgesiom@gmail.com or drop in a paper copy to the Vicarage on Crossag Road.

Then sung a lusty bird, whose throat was clear And strong with elemental cheer, Till very heaven seemed lifted with the joy Jet after jet tumultuous music burst Fount-like, and filled the expanding sphere; Whereat my soul was fain to slake its thirst, Intent, and ravished with that blest employ.

Would you like to advertise in bridges? We print six full colour editions per year with a print run of not less than 200 copies. Prices for a full year start from £25 per quarter page. To find our more email bridgesiom@gmail.com or telephone 01624 822469.

Rushen Abbey Mill, pre 1950.

Issue [3] March & April 2015

Ut Sed Est

Meals ‘n’ Movies at The Mill Winter Season 2014-15

with the Island Spirituality Network

Another season of five varied films on Saturdays offered by ISN for our enjoyment and discussion. To be shown in the comfortable Lounge at St John’s Mill Meal at 6.00pm -- £17.00 pp Film at 7.00pm

Oct 18

The Intouchables

France 2012 (sub titles) (PG 15)

An irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility, The Intouchables has broken box office records in its native France and across Europe. Based on a true story of friendship between a handicap millionaire (Francois Cluzet) and his street smart ex-con caretaker (Omar Sy), The Intouchables depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humor between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common.

Nov 22

Calvary

Ireland 2014 (PG 15)

Darkly comic thriller starring Brendan Gleeson, who plays Father James as priest of a rural Irish parish. During confession one Sunday, an unseen local informs Father James of his plan to kill him as a way of gaining retribution for abuse he suffered as a young boy at the hands of another Catholic priest. Left with only seven days to

Issue [3] March & April 2015

Greetings from the Vicarage! After the winter months, it feels as though the seasons are moving on at a fast pace (although, I know not to count my chickens too soon – I remember the ‘Great Snow of 2013’ which hit the Island on the week before easter!). Speaking of Chickens, the vicarage garden has recently aquired three – do look out for ‘vicareggs’ at fete’s as at the current rate of production we’ll have a suplus soon. Eggs are a feature of church life too – not least because we’re selling the Real Easter Egg after services and events during lent (for just £3). These fairtrade chocolate eggs contain all the usual ‘easter egg stuff’, along with a storybook retelling the Easter story. Easter often takes second place behind Christmas in the list of Church celebrations; this shouldn’t be the case. It is through the Easter narrative that our Christian faith finds it’s true meaning: a meaning summed up in three words, Love, Forgiveness and Hope. It was only from God’s love for us that we find a way to true forgiveness through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The detail of this event should then give us hope for better and greater things to come. Our villages and communities have been hit by sadness and tragedy during the first months of 2015. Many families have been touched by grief and crisis. In our human search for answers, well we often find none. In the world around us, and in the details of that first Easter we cannot avoid the fact that the cycle of life is continually moving and is out of our control. Whilst we see green shoots, and hear of the impact of the resurrection, we cannot forget, that even this ‘newness’ those things which once were are not fully restored to there former self. The trees will not blossom in quite the same way, those spring bulbs may not appear in the number and place as before. Their beauty is still there, their growth is full of life but they are different. We look towards warmer days once more. May we look for those shoots of regrowth and newness of life, even if they are perhaps very different to what we expected. We hold those cherished and loved memories of what once was, and may we hope for greater things ahead as a result of our experience and growing understanding of what has passed. As lent continues, may you find space to reflect. When that great Easter Morning arrives may we all find love & forgiveness, assured of hope of things to come. With every good wish & prayer, James

Issue [3] March & April 2015

Music plays an important part in the life of our parish, although perhaps in ways which some of us may not always see. Our organist and choir-‐mistress, Mrs Hilary Sewell, shares some thoughts on recent events. The long awaited service at Malew for All Saints and All souls went very well indeed. This was led by Revd James McGowan with a choir of sixteen, four to each part and two extras who had not been able to attend the rehearsals, but joined in as they were able. We sang ‘What are these that are arrayed in white robes?’ by John Stainer, with Dr John Bethel conducting. The singers joined us from Douglas, Onchan, Ballaugh, Foxdale and Peel, as well as locals from Malew and The Abbey. It was altogether a very creditable and enjoyable performance, giving a poignant moment of quiet reflection in the service. On a lighter note, Nathan Burrows (9 yrs old, from the Abbey Church), has appeared as soloist at two church Carol Services and the Christmas Day dinner at St Mary’s-on-the-

Music Matters

Harbour, and is now practicing hard for the Guild Music Festival. Also, with private tuition,

Carys Hoile is achieving success in various music examinations, as is her sister Arwen. We

wish them well. Hilary Sewell. Across the parish there are many opportunities to join in. During the festive period Santan Church welcomed younger members of their extended community as soloists. Sung evensong takes place monthly at St Marks, and during lent a new musical setting for some services of communion has been introduced. The Parish Music group, AMMP, has begun to re-‐establish it’s presence in our pattern of Sunday services, and we look forward to seeing their presence grow over the coming months. Our choirs from Malew and Santan rehearse together most Wednesday’s in the Abbey church, and AMMP meet regularly to try new things, giving chance to prepare music, develop skills and grow friendships. Music is a great way to escape from the routine of life for a short while. In our parish we are of course aiming to be the best we can, but above all we aim to offer a warm welcome and safe space for anyone who wants to join in. If you’re interested in taking part, (you don’t have to commit to appearing in public on a Sunday), why not come along to our rehearsals?

Issue [3] March & April 2015

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Issue [3] March & April 2015 Ballasalla We welcome you once again to the Parish Hall to enjoy ‘For food, friends and fellowship, we thank you Lord’ Home-made Soups with Bread; Cheese & Biscuits; Fresh Fruit; Tea or Coffee on Thursdays th 5 , 12th, 19th, 26th March with reductions for children Proceeds to Church funds with collection for ‘Water Aid’ In God's Hands is the 2015 Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book. At the time of writing around a dozen people have taken copies of the book to read in their own time. Why not join in? For more information on the book, search for information on amazon or have a look at the Jan/Feb issue of, Bridges. Copies can be ordered by contacting the Vicarage (priced at £7.00), or from any good bookshop (RRP £9.99). You’re invited to join together with others who have read the book to share thoughts and reflections on what you have read (and to a time of fellowship too – conversation won’t be limited to just the book!). Come to either afternoon tea at the Vicarage on Wednesday the 25th March at 2pm, or earlier in the week on Monday 23rd from 7pm in the Whitestone. Midweek Communion in Lent Thursday’s at 11:45am in The Abbey Church

The Abbey Church

LENT LUNCHES

In the Parish Church Hall 12noon to 2.00pm £6.00

A book for Lent

All are welcome to join us for a short service of communion before lunch.

Issue [3] March & April 2015

Taize Evening An evening of music and reflection. Starting with soup and a roll from 7.30pm Saturday 4th April 2015

Daffodil Afternoon Tea 2pm-‐4pm Saturday 11th April 2015 Entry £4

Issue [3] March & April 2015

The Parish of Malew and Santan The Abbey Church Ballasalla - St Lupus Kirk Malew St Mark’s St Marks - St Sanctain Santan !

Regular Sunday Services across the Parish St Marks ~ 8am Book of Common Prayer Communion Weekly

Kirk Malew - 9:30am

Book of Common Prayer 1 & 3 rd Sundays - Communion 2 nd & 4 th Sundays – Morning Prayer st

The Abbey Church, Ballasalla - 11am

1 st Sunday – Family Service 2 nd & 4 th Sundays – Common Worship Communion 3 rd Sunday – Common Worship Morning Prayer

St Sanctain, Santan – 11am

1 st Sunday – Book of Common Prayer Communion

2 nd Sunday - Book of Common Prayer Morning Prayer 3 rd Sunday - Common Worship Morning Prayer 4 th Sunday – Common Worship Communion ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ th 5 Sunday’s all our congregations gather together for one service only. th 30 November – we meet together at Santan at 11am.

Wed 11 Mar Communion at Bishop’s House 9:15am Wed St Catherine’s 9:00 ! 18 Mar th Wed ! 25 Mar Abbey Church 9:00 ! st Wed Arbory 9:00 ! 1 Apr th ! 8 Apr Wed St Catherine’s 9:00 th ! Wed ! 15 Apr Abbey Church 9:00 nd Wed 22 Apr Arbory 9:00 Revd James McGowan th Wed 29Malew Apr Vicarage~Crossag St Catherine’s Road~Ballasalla~IM9 3EF9:00

Issue [3] March & April 2015

A Manx Credit Union? Credit unions are an example of truly community-‐focused financial services provision. People decide to use them for a whole range of reasons -‐ for example, it might be because they:

1. are determined that their savings won't be used to fund questionable activity in other countries, and will only be lent out to local borrowers meeting certain standards. They have a particular interest in knowing that their money contributes to a flourishing local economy, supporting local jobs, livelihoods and projects; 2. don't have the level of savings that would enable them to open an account with a commercial banking provider; 3. are new to the financial services arena (perhaps because they are young), and want to establish a credit rating and financial track record -‐ life tools that are increasingly essential if people aren't to become marginalized; 4. want to keep their finances with an organisation which is friendly but professional, and where financial information and signposting is part of the offering; 5. believe their needs will be best served by an organisation which has no shareholder-‐driven profit agenda to potentially compromise members' interests, so their savings won't be eroded away by unreasonable charges and fees; 6. are keen to feel fully involved with the organisation because of their ownership interest -‐ with the opportunity not only to save, borrow and learn, but also to volunteer for tasks relating to the organisation. Credit unions don't just provide services and help build financial capability -‐ they can foster a true sense of community belonging, and establish lifelong financial and social relationships. An island community such as ours, with its strong sense of independence, resilience and community, is in many ways a perfect candidate for the establishment of a Manx Credit Union.

Issue [3] March & April 2015

David Talbot, founder and member of the Manx Credit Union Working Party writes… 20th February 2015 We have good news to report from the Manx Credit Union Working Party on the progress being made to start a credit union on the Island. Credit unions aim to build a savings culture with affordable loans available to its members. We are members of a national credit union trade association UKCU Ltd from whom we receive expert advice and encouragement. From the ‘expression of interest’ forms we now have 537 people who have responded positively, with over 90 people ticking the volunteer box and 25 people offering by way of donation ‘seed money’ to get the project off the ground. On a world-‐wide basis there are now 57,000 credit unions with 208 million members operating in 103 countries (Source: World Council of Credit Unions). We should no longer deprive Isle of Man citizens from the benefits of the credit union movement. A consultation is taking place seeking views of ‘all parties interested in establishing, offering services to, or becoming a member of a credit union’. Please ring and leave a message on 619459 if you would like a copy of the consultation mailing to you. The consultation closes on 13th March 2015 so I would encourage you to respond by writing to Mrs Susan Woolard, Policy Advisor, Financial Supervision Commission, PO Box 58, Finch Hill House, Bucks Road, Douglas IM99 1BT or emailing susan.woolard@gov.im, stating why you believe the Isle of Man should have a credit union. If you are able to contribute to the questions asked in the consultation about possible changes to legislation or if you want to discuss any aspect with the Working Party, that would be tremendous. The important thing is that the FSC get a flavour of public opinion so that Government are not able to say that there was insufficient interest shown. This is a window of opportunity to bring about a socially relevant enterprise with far reaching benefits for all our citizens. To stay in touch go on line at www.mcu.im and fill out the ‘expression of interest form’. If you wish to speak to someone in the credit union office you can Tel: 619459 or Mobile 490640. Thank-‐you!

Issue [3] March & April 2015

News From the Pews

a snapshot of what’s been going in our churches St Marks

Building work to finish the repairs to the bell tower are now complete. This included repairs to exterior masonry along with the re-‐rendering of internal walls behind the organ and some unexpected repair to rotten roof timbers which were discovered during the planned works. The pipe organ remains ‘under wraps’. Internally a lime render has been used, this will take a long time to dry out, but will mean that this part of the building can ‘breathe’ again. If the wall is dry enough, the organ will be re-‐commissioned by Easter – otherwise we are working toward it being back in use for our first wedding in St Marks in early May. The schoolroom continues to be great source of community reawakening! The Snowdrop Tea and ‘quiz night’ have contributed almost £1000 extra towards repair work, as well as providing a chance for folk to get together and catch up on skeet. At the time of writing a ‘crowdfunding’ appeal is running on social media with the aim of raising a further £3,000 by the end of March. This has had a great response and it looks certain that we will meet (if not exceed) this target. In total, as a result of efforts mentioned here and elsewhere, we hope to spend around £9,000 on the hall within the next three months installing gas fired heating and hot water, renovating the toilet to include a shower and repairs to window frames. It’s been a busy few months – but we look forward to a great spring and summer ahead.

St Sanctain.

No building work at Santan – phew! Life at Santan continues with it’s ‘monthly mix’ of BCP and Common worship led by a growing variety of people. In the first months of the year, the people of Santon gathered to say a fond farewell to a number of faces from the community. In a reflective start to the year, we rightly honoured those who have gone before us. Plans are afoot to revive a former highlight of the social calendar in Santon – the Summer Barbecue (and maybe even a bonfire night do). Santon often feels a very ‘dispersed’ community, but in these first months of 2015 we have seen much to be thankful for in the strength of friendships across the fields!

Issue [3] March & April 2015

News From the Pews

a snapshot of what’s been going in our churches St Lupus, Malew

In case you hadn’t noticed – our photo is out of date; the first phase of restoration to the exterior of the building is complete, and attention has moved to the West end and Bell Cote. Again, through the generosity of benefactors and efforts of many (notably, the Friends of Malew) this work will go ahead in the coming weeks. The exterior of the church is beginning to reveal some of it’s hidden character as one of the oldest (and perhaps most culturally significant) church buildings still in very regular use on the Isle of Man. Internally, a temporary reordering of the ‘center’ of the church is planned (under an Archdeacon’s License). This will see the removal the Victorian pine ‘vicar’s & readers’ stall, the now tatty and thread bare carpet and one or two other small (and reversible) changes. Alongside we are beginning a period of more serious thought about the longer-‐term layout and use of St Lupus – don’t worry, no one is planning wholesale removal of pews! Alongside this, thought is being given as to how we might create a dignified sacred space that enhances some of the unique features of the building whilst maintaining it’s current character.

The Abbey Church, Ballasalla

Our efforts to add increasing light into the interior of the church have been hampered somewhat by bureaucracy, we will not give in! Our Sunday services are slowly moving back toward being ‘communion’ centered as often as possible. Though, the plan isn’t to simply stick with the ‘old routine’ & form of service. The choir have introduced a new music setting for use during lent to reflect the different character of the season, and we have begun to ‘weave’ communion into our all age services too. A suggestion is that over time we move to having two ‘formal’ (ie robed choir, organ etc) communion services per month, a family service and a more informal all age communion service each month. Also, on the horizon (for the whole parish, but particularly for the Abbey Church) we plan to introduce a culture of children being ‘admitted’ to communion before confirmation. This will be introduced at the Annual Meeting in April and then time given for the parish to reflect on this before it’s implementation.

Issue [3] March & April 2015

Full$details$of$our$Holy$Week$and$ Easter$Services$will$be$published$ on$our$website$and$Facebook$ pages,$alongside$publication$in$ church.$A$summary$of$some$of$ our$services$is$published$here.$ Palm%Sunday%29th%April% St$Marks$A$8am$BCP$Communion$! Malew$–$9:30am$BCP$Communion$ St$Sanctain$A11am$CW$Communion$ The$Abbey$A$11am$All$Age$Communion$ Monday%30th%April% ! Evening$Prayer$A$6:30$pm$Kirk$Malew$ Tuesday%31st%march% Evening$Prayer$–$6:30pm$St$Sanctain$ Wednesday%1st%April% $ Evening$Prayer$–$6:30pm$St$Marks$ Maundy%Thursday%2nd%April% % Communion$&%Stripping$the$Altars$A$7pm$St$Sanctain$ Good%Friday%3rd%April% Good$Friday$Reflection$A$11am$St$Sanctain% Good$Friday$vigil$A$2:30pm$The$Abbey$Church$ Easter%Sunday%5th%April% % St$Marks$A$8am$BCP$Communion$followed!by!breakfast! $ Malew$–$9:30am$BCP$Communion$ St$Sanctain$A11am$CW$Communion$ $ The$Abbey$A$11am$All$Age$Communion% $ During!Holy!Week!a!number!of!our!services! will!use!a!series!of!paintings!by!Sieger!Koder! as!a!basis!for!our!refelction.!Sieger!Koder! who!was!imprisoned!during!the!second! world!war,!then!later!trained!as!an!artist! before!becoming!a!Roman!Catholic!Priest!in! Germany.!His!distinctive!artwork!has! become!a!personal!attempt!at!reflecting!on! the!atrocities!carried!out!during!the!second! world!war.!

Issue [3] March & April 2015

This!year!we!in!the!Isle!of!Man!are! celebrating!our!65th!Anniversary,!the!Island! has!over!700!members!in!30!Institutes.

DATE!

SPEAKER/EVENT! SUBJECT/DETAILS! COMPETITION!

Inspired!by!the!success!of!the!WI! movement!in!England!and!Wales.!The!first! WI!in!the!Isle!of!Man!was!founded!in! Lezayre!in!1949!quickly!followed!by!six! others!across!the!Island;!these!seven!WI’s! came!together!in!1950!and!formed!the! IOM!Federation!of!Women’s!Institutes,! affiliated!to!the!National!Federation!of! Women’s!Institutes.!

Wednesday! !Ian!Coole! See!it!my!way! Visionary!Item! 7th!January! Wednesday! Mrs!Ruth!Hall! Dolls!Houses!! Anything! 4th!February!! Miniature! Wednesday! Andrea!Tabb!! DATE! SPEAKER/EVENT! Trading! SUBJECT/DETAILS! Scarf! COMPETITION! 4th!March! Standards! Wednesday! Liz!Main! !Ian!Coole! See!it!my!way! Visionary!Item! Pilates!! Viking! thth 7 !January! 18 !March! Longboat! Wednesday! Mrs!Ruth!Hall! Dolls!Houses!! Anything! House! th 4 !February!! Miniature! Peel!! Wednesday! Quiz!Night! Andrea!Tabb!! Trading! Saturday! BRAAID!HALL! !Scarf! 4thst!March! Standards! 21 !March! Liz!Main! Pilates!! Viking! Wednesday! Robert! Metal!Detecting! Brooch!! STth 18 !March! Longboat! 1 !April! Middleton! !Wednesday! Birthday!Meal! !! !!House! Contacts nd Peel!! 22 !April! President! Saturday! Quiz!Night! !Wednesday! !Annual! !!BRAAID!HALL! !!! thst!March! 621 !May!! Fundraising! Miss!Mona!Radcliffe!!!851408! Wednesday! evening!! Robert! Metal!Detecting! Brooch!! ST 1 !April! Middleton! Wednesday! TBD! Visit!or!walk!! ! Secretary! th !Wednesday! Birthday!Meal! !! !! 20 !May!! nd Mrs!Brenda!Skillicorn! !22 !April! !Wednesday! !Lezanne! !Annual! !! !! Wednesday! !Jewellery!Making!!!Evening!Bag!! 626829/428269%% thth 6 !May!! Fundraising! 17 !June! Jewellery!! evening!! e'mail!stmarkswi@manx.net! Wednesday! Kath!Prior! Scrapbooking!! Photo!! st Contacts Vice!President! Wednesday! TBD! Visit!or!walk!! ! 1 !July! th Treasurer! 20 !May!! Visit!to! ! Mrs!Barbara!Hyslop! Wednesday! President! ! !15th!July! Ronaldsway! Mrs!Ann!Skillen !Lezanne! !Jewellery!Making!!!Evening!Bag!! Miss!Mona!Radcliffe!!!851408! Aviation! Competition!Secretary! Wednesday! 17th!June! Jewellery!! Museum!! Mrs!Shirley!Taylor! Secretary! Scrapbooking!! Wednesday! Kath!Prior! Photo!! Saturday!! Southern!Show! ! ! st 1 !July! Mrs!Brenda!Skillicorn! Committee! !25th!July!! Wednesday! Visit!to! ! ! th Ronaldsway! 626829/428269%% Mrs!Heather!Beckett! 15 !July! Aviation! e'mail!stmarkswi@manx.net! Mrs!Mair!Moore! Museum!! Saturday!! Southern!Show! ! Mrs!Sandra!Cain! Treasurer! ! !

@!7:30pm!

This!year!we!in!the!Isle!of!Man!are! celebrating!our!65th!Anniversary,!the!Island! has!over!700!members!in!30!Institutes.

ST!MARKS!SCHOOLROOM!

1915]2015!

MEETINGS!HELD!IN!A!HUNDRED!YEARS!OF!THE!WI!

PROGRAMME!!!

2015%

CELEBRATING!61!YEARS!

1915]2015!

WI!

A!HUNDRED!YEARS!OF!THE!WI!

ST!MARKS!&!DISTRICT!!!!!!!!!!

Mrs!Jane!Arzt!

!25th!July!!

Mrs!Tracey!Tuck!

Mrs!Ann!Skillen !

Issue [3] March & April 2015

From the Diary

March Wednesday 4th -‐ St Mark’s WI – 7:30pm St Mark Schoolroom Thursday 5th -‐ Lent Lunch – The Abbey Hall – 12noon – 2pm Sunday 8th -‐ Malew Commissioners Civic Service – 3pm The Abbey th Thursday 12 -‐ Lent Lunch – The Abbey Hall – 12noon – 2pm Sunday 15th -‐ Mothering Sunday th Thurs 19 – sat 21st – Godly Play Training.

Sat 21st -‐ Wedding – The Abbey th Tuesday 24 -‐ PCC – 7:30pm Mon 23rd -‐ Lent book discussion – 7pm The Whitestone th Wednesday 25 –Lent book discussion & afternoon tea at the Vicarage 2:30pm Sun 29th -‐ Palm Sunday April Fri 3rd -‐Good Friday th Sat 4 -‐ Wedding – The Abbey th Sun 5 -‐ Easter Sunday th Tues 14 -‐ Annual General Parochial Church Meeting 7pm The Abbey May Tues 5th -‐ Santan LCC th Fri 8 -‐ Malew LCC th Sat 9 -‐ Wedding – St Marks

Revd James McGowan Malew Vicarage Crossag Road Ballasalla IM9 3EF 01624 822469 revdjamesmcgowan@outlook.com www.malewchurches.com @malewandsantan

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