The Parish Church of
HOLY TRINITY, TARLETON
Parish "Webzine" August 2006

Dear Friends,
Summertime for many is a time for exploring. Ever since I discovered the churches of Cornwall, so beloved of the late John Betjeman, I have been an avid church crawler. I find them fascinating places. The manner in which they are built, furnished, decorated and used can tell us not simply how fashions have changed but also how man’s vision and understanding of God and the Church has varied over time and between different Christian traditions.

Yet when I explore an unfamiliar church or cathedral I do not always understand everything that I can see. I sometimes struggle to decipher the symbolism in an obscure window. I wonder what this or that object is for - and whether it has a name.

Holy Trinity and St Mary’s in Tarleton are familiar to us, hardly places to discover and explore you might think. But I suspect that even here on our doorstep there are things that we miss, or perhaps I should say no longer notice in quite the same way as a new visitor might.

Take, for example, the East window in Holy Trinity which portrays the Crucifixion. When was the last time you really studied it? It is rich not only in colour but also in symbolism and in references to scripture.

Below is an edited description of the window written in 1921 when it was dedicated to the memory of Archdeacon Fletcher, the Rector who oversaw the building of Holy Trinity.

In designing this window the artist has endeavoured to render the scene as nearly as possible in keeping with the facts as we know them. Christ is shown upon the Cross: looking down he sees his mother and his beloved disciple John. Speaking to them Jesus says: “Woman, behold thy Son!” (St John 19:26)

Mary, his mother, is almost prostrate and St John is tenderly supporting her. Behind is her sister Mary, wife of Clopas, weeping. (St John 19:25)
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At the foot of the Cross is Mary Magdalene clinging to it in an agony of despair, whilst the priests and Roman soldiery look on in grim satisfaction or indifference respectively. (St John 19:21 ; St Mark 15:31)

The scene is depicted on the hill of Golgotha (St John 19:17), and round the base of the hill is an unruly crowd of unbelievers shouting execrations, and tearing their clothes, thereby showing their contempt. In the background is silhouetted a distant view of Jerusalem.

The empty throne which awaits the Ascension of our Lord is shown at the head of the window surrounded by angels glorifying God. (Revelation 7:11) Near the throne are the seven torches of fire representing the seven spirits of God. (Revelation 4:5)

Rays of light emanating from the heavenly throne pierce through the window down to the crucified Christ. The Cup of Agony (St Luke 22:42) is introduced on the left, and the open book on the right is symbolical of the prophecy fulfilled. These symbols also suggest the importance of both the Eucharist – “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (St Luke 22:20) – and the Holy Scriptures.

It will thus be seen that the upper part of the window represents the heavens, and the lower parts thereof the earth, and that both are bound together through the Sacrifice which Christ made once for all upon the Cross.

So when you next find yourself in church, either in Tarleton or away, and there’s something you see or hear that you’re not quite sure of – don’t be frightened to question. Learning about our Christian heritage – understanding where we have come from – is an important part of our journey in faith.

Happy exploring! With my prayers and best wishes,
Fr Nicholas

FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS 2006

Baptisms “Inheritors with us of the Kingdom of God”
25th June Madison Rose Jones
2nd July Jack Bamber

MOTHERS’ UNION AUGUST
This month two of our Members, who have been associated with the Mothers’ Union for many years are celebrating special occasions. May and Fred Finney will celebrate their Diamond Wedding on August 10th, and Muriel Eatough will celebrate her 101st Birthday on 20th August. We send our love and congratulations to them, and wish them well.
There are no meetings planned for this month, and our Autumn session will begin on Monday 4th September when the prayer group will meet in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at 2.00 pm.
Pat Heap

Diamond Wedding
Canon and Mrs Finney invite you all to share in the celebration of their Diamond Wedding by coming to 1 Howard Drive on Thursday 10 August. They will be “At Home” between 2.30 and 5.30, or between 7.00 and 10.00, for “drinks and nibbles”. Please, no presents – just come!

Heritage Weekend
St Mary’s Church, Tarleton
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th September
St Mary’s will be open to visitors.
10 am to 4 pm
There will also be a display of photographs
of the last 40 years of the Rose Queens of Tarleton
plus old photographs of Tarleton and Mere Brow Walking Days
and a display of photocopies of Holy Trinity magazines from 1889.

Help wanted at St Mary’s
Do you fancy church sitting for the Heritage Weekend? (Saturday and Sunday 9th & 10th September, 10 am to 4 pm) There is a list displayed at the back of church for those who can sit for an hour or two, to greet and count the visitors.

Help wanted at St Mary’s Churchyard
The churchyard needs more helpers to keep it as tidy as it is now. Volunteers to mow and - especially - to strim round the graves and the edges of the paths are required urgently. If you have the time and energy, please talk to Fr Nicholas, Gail, or George.

The Social Committee
Sunday, 27th August – Old Church Sunday – Bucks fizz and nibbles will be served after the 10.30 a.m. Eucharist at the Old Church.

Sunday 17th September 2006 – Family Treasure Hunt in the afternoon – further details later.

Friday 22nd September - Harvest Supper and Quiz - details later.

INFORMAL WALKING GROUP August Bank Holiday Monday
Monday 28th sees us assembling in Burscough at the Clinic car park (go over the railway, through the pedestrian confused lights, then immediately left into Lord Street, then first right.) We will leave at 10.30 am.

The walk takes us alongside the railway, then down lanes across farmland to Martin Mere. We skirt the bird reserve to emerge across the railway again to take lunch at the Martin Inn.
This has just changed hands again, and when we sampled the short lunch menu it was good food, well prepared, in generous portions.

We return almost entirely along the canal towpath (passing two more pubs) to pass under the main A59 road and then turn directly back into the car park from the tow path.

All welcome to walk both ways, one way or just meet us for lunch.
Ian 07767 638996.

The William Temple Lecture: Bishop Tom Wright
On Thursday 22nd June, Tom Wright (Bishop of Durham) was the inaugural lecturer of what is to be a regular series of lectures at Blackburn Cathedral. His title was: Believing in the Real World: the Challenge of Faith to Secularism and Fundamentalism.
He started with two ideas that had been used by Dr Jonathon Sachs about God’s guidance. Looking at Israel in the Wilderness, making mistake after mistake, he suggested that God operated rather like one of those SatNav systems. When you deliberately take the opposite direction, it doesn’t say ‘naughty, naughty’ but rather ‘I wouldn’t have started from here, but since you are here, we can go this way.’ But there is also the example of a variety of ant that, when lost, instinctively looks for another one to follow. That’s OK until the lead ant is also lost, and looking round for guidance, finds the tail end of the column that is following it …
He reminded us of William Temple’s statement that “The church is the only institution that exists for the benefit of non-members.”
He highlighted how both secularism and fundamentalism had fallen into a post-enlightenment trough where rational debate was replaced by table pounding, sound-bites and spin. “We don’t understand ourselves, let alone each other.”
He spelt out three ways to read his title, Believing in the Real World. First, there is belief: it exists, it is being re-emphasised - eg politics looking for values. He pointed out that in an interfaith and very secular world, tolerance is not enough. We need to move from tolerance through understanding to friendship.
Second, it is belief acting in the real world. Among many good points, he pointed out how fashionable interest in Gnosticism (The Da Vinci Code) turns its face against the real world, while Christianity is firmly rooted in the flesh and blood world - from the birth of Christ to his death on the cross.
Third, we must be visible in the world. He is certain that the church must be out in the market place, there in the wider community, and not just in self-regarding closed groups.
He finally quoted Bp. Jack: ‘What the church needs is more prayer ... and more parties.’
Ian

TLM Pilgrimage to Lindisfarne
Six of us from two of the three parishes woke at crack of dawn to drive to Bilsborrow to pick up the coach at 7 am. We proceeded via Lancaster and then up the M6 to meet a group from Cockermouth. While waiting for them at the Rheged car park we were surprised to notice several very noisy oyster catchers - with young. Our coach was running late - not the only one - so we arrived to find the first half of the pilgrims had set off on the walk across to Lindisfarne and we would follow in a half an hour. Our group promptly picnicked then followed a leader through initial mud out onto the marked pilgrimage way over sand through little runnels.
We were greeted by the leader and the earlier party who were eating their lunch. We drifted into Lindisfarne village, looking for souvenirs, and gradually made our way into the priory grounds where the full 700 were assembled. There were TLM supporters there from all over the NW, Yorkshire, and the NE, and they sang enthusiastically. The address by Eddie Askew was an excellent exposition of the Acts story of Jesus, the boat full of fish, and Peter being asked three times ‘Do you love me?’
We walked briskly back to the coach - we had been warned not to dally because of the tides - and set off back across the Pennines and down the M6.
Arriving home at 11 pm we all went to bed tired but happy: it had been a superb day.
Sue

Musical help wanted at St Mary’s for the Heritage weekend
Nearer the time, a list will appear for those prepared to play the foot powered organ (or any other instrument they care to bring along) during the time the building is open for the Heritage Weekend.

Christian Aid
The total collection this year was £1,615.79 - which is £203 up on last year.
I would like to thank everybody for their support this year.
John Russell

More cheerful anonymous nonsense from Emails …

The computer swallowed grandma -
yes, honestly, it’s true.
She pressed ‘control’ and ‘enter’
and disappeared from view.

It ate her up completely,
the thought just makes me squirm.
She must have caught a virus
or been swallowed by a worm.

I’ve searched in the recycle bin
and files of every kind;
I’ve even used the Internet,
but nothing could I find.

In desperation, I ‘asked Jeeves’
my searches to refine.
His sole reply was negative,
nothing was found on-line.

So, if inside your ‘Inbox,’
my Grandma you should see,
please ‘Copy’, ‘Scan’ and ‘Paste’ her
and send her back to me!

Please continue to pray for our ordained friends.

KEITH THOMASSON
Keith was licensed as a Partnership Priest in the East Bristol Partnership on July 4th at 7.30 pm. This took place at St Ambrose Church, Stretford Road, one of the churches in the Partnership.

He, Anne Claar and Susannah are temporarily living in another vicarage in the group. Their current address is St John’s Vicarage, Mayfield Park, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 3NW.

Alison Alp and Alexandra Logan are still seeking new roles.

The Mission Action Plan Prayer
God of new beginnings, we pray that you will transform your church as you renew us by your love. Give us vision for the journey that we may travel light, and live increasingly by faith. Inspire, enliven and empower us, so that along the Way we may be sustained by the life of Christ in ourselves, in one another, and in the world. Amen

From a newspaper advertisement for a Lincolnshire restaurant:-
Exquisite tastes for any pallet!
..and it was their exclamation mark.

FESTIVALS in AUGUST
15th August is kept as the major festival of the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout most of Christendom.

Mary occurs throughout the gospels. First, as the young countrywoman who accepts that unlikely call to bear the Son of God, and utters the Magnificat. She ‘bears these things in her heart’ as St Luke tells us. St John shows her present at Jesus first sign at that wedding in Cana. She is there at his crucifixion.

Often sung at Christmas, but covering much more, is the folk carol “The Joys of Mary.” As well as his birth and death, this includes Jesus making the lame to go, the blind to see, bringing the dead alive. It ends with her seventh joy ‘to see her own son, Jesus Christ, to wear the crown of heaven.’

In contrast, on 24th of August we remember Bartholomew, one of the twelve. And that’s all we know about him!

Matthew, Mark and Luke all mention him in the list of Apostles: “and Bartholomew.” Luke mentions him again as being with the other apostles in the upper room when they were hiding after the Resurrection and before Pentecost. This time he appears in the list as “Bartholomew and.“

That might be encouraging to us modern day disciples - you don’t need to make headline news to be a follower of Jesus.

This is a popular time of year for Flower Festivals. Some of you may have seen the lamp-post teasers down the Southport New Road for the festival at St Stephen’s Church, Banks.
One lamppost had two slogans on it for different events, but with the same background colour, leading to the surprising sight of:-
St Stephen's, Banks
For Sale.

Parish Visiting Team
If you know of anybody who would welcome a visit, either because they are in hospital, or because they are confined to the home for whatever reason, or because they are new to the parish, would you please fill in one of the slips at the back of the church and place it in the box or contact Fr Nicholas on 812614

From previous magazines
Parish Jottings August 1891 by Archdeacon Fletcher
Mr. Crippin, of Bank Hall, has been kind enough to intimate to our Rector that he wishes to take the Sunday School teachers and singers connected with the Church, and such of our Sunday School scholars as are fourteen years old or upwards, for a day out at Blackpool, and he is sending similar invitations to the Rectors of Bretherton and Rufford.
A special train from Croston (and possibly Rufford) will be provided, and Wednesday, the 19th of August, will most likely be the day. The younger children are not to be forgotten, and Mr. Crippin intends to give them a treat at Bank Hall upon another day. We hope that our friends will all enjoy themselves, and that they will not be to tired to give three hearty cheers at the end of the day for the gentleman who has shown them such kindness.

Cluster activities even then!

PARISH DIARY for August
NORMAL SUNDAY SERVICES
8.00 am Holy Communion,
10.15 am Sunday School and Crèche
10.30 am SUNG EUCHARIST
(3rd Sunday, PARISH FAMILY COMMUNION)
July
Sunday 30th Seventh Sunday after Trinity
8.00 am Eucharist
10.30 am PARISH EUCHARIST
August
Tuesday 1st 10.00 am Eucharist: Oakgate Close
6.50 pm Choir practice
(last before holiday break)
Wednesday 2nd 10.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
+ coffee & chat
Sunday 6th The Transfiguration of Our Lord
8.00 am Eucharist
10.30 am PARISH EUCHARIST
Wednesday 9th 10.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
Thursday 10th Fred & May’s Diamond Wedding: see above
7.00 pm Eucharist
Friday 11th 12.15 pm Eucharist
Sunday 13th Ninth Sunday after Trinity
8.00 am Eucharist
10.30 am PARISH EUCHARIST
Wednesday 16th 10.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
Thursday 13th 7.00 pm Eucharist
Friday 14th 12.15 pm Eucharist
Sunday 20th Tenth Sunday after Trinity
8.00 am Eucharist
10.30 am CHURCH FAMILY EUCHARIST
Tuesday 22nd 6.50 pm Choir practice
Wednesday 23rd 10.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
Thursday 24th St Bartholomew
10.00 am Old Church Cleaning
7.00 pm Eucharist
Friday 25th 12.15 pm Eucharist
Sunday 27th Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
OLD CHURCH SUNDAY
All services at St Mary’s
8.00 am Eucharist
10.30 am PARISH EUCHARIST
then Bucks Fizz & nibbles
6.30 pm Sung Evensong
Tuesday 29th 6.50 pm Choir practice
Wednesday 30th 10.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
September
Friday 1st 12.15 pm Eucharist
Sunday 3rd Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
8.00 am Eucharist
10.30 am PARISH EUCHARIST
Monday 4th 2.00 pm MU Prayer Group:
Blessed Sacrament Chapel
Tuesday 5th 10.00 am Eucharist: Oakgate Close
6.50 pm Choir practice
Wednesday 6th 10.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
+ coffee & chat
Thursday 7th 10.00 am Old Church Tidy
Friday 8th Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Cluster Eucharist at St Mary’s, Rufford ((to be confirmed)
Saturday 9th HERITAGE WEEKEND
& Sunday 10th 10 am to 4 pm St Mary’s open
Forward dates: September
Sunday 10th Sunday School restarts
Sunday 17th - Family Treasure Hunt – further details later.
Monday 18th - next full PCC (changed from 255th)
Friday 22nd - Harvest Supper and Quiz: details later
Sunday 24th - Harvest Festival: 8.00 am Eucharist
10.30 am Church Family Eucharist
6.30 pm Sung Festal Evenson