editorial - Beverley Minster

Beverley Minster
Magazine
June 2012
£1.00
The Parish Magazine of Beverley Minster, All Saints’ Routh, St Paul’s Tickton, St Leonard’s Molescroft and St Peter’s Woodmansey
EDITORIAL
This month our theme is the Queen’s
Pause for Thought
Diamond Jubilee. The Minster’s
association with monarchs over the
Your sins are forgiven
ages began with King Athelstan
who came to visit Bishop John’s
tomb in the year 934. John became
Saint John of Beverley in 1037 and
this year we celebrate the 975th
anniversary of this event.
Our cover photograph shows the
Queen visiting the Minster for the
first time on 13 July 1977. She is
being presented to members of the
congregation by Revd Peter Harrison
and we thank Hazel Harrison for
submitting this photo and those
below.
Our theme for the July/August
edition is sport, leisure and holidays.
We look forward to hearing from you
with your contributions.
Editorial Team
Reading
Luke 5: 18-26
Reflection
I am one of those people who is always
doing silly things, making mistakes and
living to regret it. So far anyway!
I recently had to be re-educated, having
failed to notice a bright yellow box on
a pole at the side of the road. Happily I
hear I am not the only clergy person who
has had to pay the price for saving three
points on my driving licence.
Then there was the time I went through
a red light, both the times I backed into
another car without looking, and the
numerous times I have hit the kerb in my
wider than usual car (and lots and lots
more!)
My driving instructor, when I finally
learned to drive in my late thirties was
very helpful and encouraged me to let
things go. He said, with a smile, that if
I lived for one minute in the light of my
mistake then I would never be a driver.
Fortunately I took notice of him and
after four attempts actually passed my
driving test. But even now that I am an
experienced driver I regularly do things
that I regret and I still have to let them
go.
But there are many other things in life I
have regretted doing or not doing that
I don’t find so easy to let go. What
about that person I put off going to see,
only to have to take their funeral later.
What about the relationships I have lost
through being too busy, and the things I
wished I had said when I had the chance
to. And then there are the bigger, more
deliberate choices I made that hurt other
people, and the little foolish things that I
regret about myself every day.
And of course the older we get the more
mistakes we make and the more of these
regrets we have. And they do tend to
cling, don’t they? They can hang around
like a dark cloud and spoil our present
and our future with their pointing fingers
2
of accusation. They are called GUILT.
I once met a man who had been in the
army as a youth and did something he
regretted. I have no idea what it was
because he wouldn’t talk about it, but it
had a profound effect on him. I tried
hard to tell him about the love and
forgiveness of God, but to no avail, he
really didn’t believe it, the reason being
that if he couldn’t forgive himself, so how
could God forgive him?
I think it should have been the other
way round, if God forgives us, if Jesus
died to set us free, how dare we not
forgive ourselves! It is a fact that lack
of forgiveness, for both ourselves and
others can literally make us ill and it is so
unnecessary.
In St Luke’s gospel we see Jesus healing a
paralysed man. But he knew as soon as
he faced the man that the problem was
so much more than a physical affliction.
So Jesus forgave his sins. What a
scandal, who would dare do that? But as
the man faced the cause of his problem
and experienced the power of God at
work in Jesus he found himself healed
both physically and maybe even more
importantly he was healed on the inside
too. As he heard the words of Jesus and
saw his smile, he accepted that he was
truly forgiven by God, he got up and
found he could walk.
If you are living with self accusation then
maybe you should listen to the voice
of Jesus forgiving you, “ Your sins are
forgiven, get up, take up your bed and
walk.”
Get on with life, said Jesus to this man
and to us, life is too precious to waste on
something that paralyses us and stops
us living to the full. Did you know that
Jesus is smiling at you too?
Prayer
Father, thank you for the freedom that is
ours in Jesus. Help us today and every
day to let all those things go that would
hold us back from living the abundant
life you have for us. Amen.
Val Clarke
The Vicar’s Page
Jeremy Fletcher
It’s been long in the planning, and much anticipated. It’s the cause of much
rejoicing, and will hopefully be a wonderful experience for all concerned. No,
not my sabbatical, but the celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. As
you read this, around the time of the Jubilee Weekend in early June, I’ll be
thousands of miles away, in Jerusalem, getting to grips with the Holy Land,
a place where I’ve never been. From mid May to early September I’m going
to think about ‘Sacred Place’, and if there’s a city which is such a place, it’s
Jerusalem.
It will be interesting to see what the people of the Holy Land make of our
Jubilee celebrations, if they think about them at all. Our relationship with Jew
and Arab, Israeli and Palestinian is long and complicated. I suspect though that
we may not merit much coverage in the media. That land has more pressing
things to think about. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons to travel. We can think
of ourselves as the centre of everything, only to find that other people don’t
concern themselves with what we do. My journey will, I hope, help me to see
things here in a new light.
One of the reasons to explore ‘Sacred Place’ as a theme is, of course, that
Beverley was such a place for so many, especially for medieval pilgrims. Today
thousands of people still make the journey to the Minster. It was good to
welcome two visiting preachers for our John of Beverley celebrations: the
Dean of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Very Reverend Mark Goodman and the
Reverend Dr Gavin Wakefield from the Diocese of York. Both taught us about
pilgrimage and journeying, and I’ll learn more as I leave what’s familiar and see
what’s new in other places. The Minster felt like a different place when Russian
Orthodox Christians came to venerate St John on his day in the old calendar,
around May 20th.
Travelling, journeying, is so much more than seeing the sights and taking the
photos. It’s about discovering how other people see things and understanding
their concerns. For me in Israel it will be worshipping in new ways, and
encountering those of other faiths who also regard Jerusalem as holy. Our
journey will deepen when we understand each other more. You don’t have to
travel to Jerusalem to find that out – but I’m going anyway.
I’ll keep an eye out for Jubilee events, of course. And, in July and August when
I’m back in Beverley but not at ‘work’ I’ll explore more sacred places. If you
let me I’ll tell you about it as we travel together through the autumn. In the
meantime, I hope that you will be able to look at what’s familiar with a fresh
eye and an open mind, and that both Jubilee and Olympics are celebrations
not of our national identity alone, but of what it means to be a part of a world
of variety and difference.
See you in September.
Jeremy
PHOTOS: Dog: Our St John of Beverley celebrations took on a new meaning as we welcomed
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People for their 30th Anniversary service. Vicars: The visiting preachers
for the St John of Beverley Festival: The Revd Dr Gavin Wakefield and the Very Revd Mark
Goodman. Concert: Hot Gospel and All for One could have filled the Minster, not just the
stage, as we raised thousands of pounds for the Minster and Breast Cancer Care.
Russians: It was a privilege to share with Russian Orthodox Christians as they venerated a
saint of the undivided church (i.e. the first millennium): St John of Beverley.
3
Where have all the young men gone?
Part 2
In last month’s issue, I reminded you that
nationally, the number of churchgoing men is
steadily continuing to decline whilst women’s
numbers are on the increase. I included the
Tear Fund Gender Gap Trend Chart which
showed the percentage of UK Churchgoers in
2010 to be 65% women and 35% men.
Church Leaders including Carl Beech of CVM
(Christian Vision for Men), David Butterfield,
John Sentamu and Rowan Williams all believe
that “it will require a concentrated effort by
local churches against the cultural climate to
tackle this crisis”.
So, are we at Beverley Minster “making a
concentrated effort” to tackle this crisis?
I think we are doing well. Without sounding
complacent, I am genuinely encouraged by
the many groups and activities provided and
supported by The Minster, which successfully
encourage the participation of men.
Some good current examples include:
Men’s Breakfast
Frank Gray convinced me to attend a few
years ago and I’m glad he did. Thanks Frank!
At 08.15 every third Saturday of the month in
the Parish Centre, a dozen or more of us chew
the fat both physically and metaphorically.
Bacon butties, tea, coffee, toast and banter
about politics, sport, religion, current affairs,
family matters, work and the church make for
great fellowship.
Cliff shops, Dave Nicholls cooks, Robert
Edwards leads prayer, Tony Kelham sorts
the dosh, and Steve George eats two bacon
butties, one for himself and one for Frank
Gray. The rest of us offer deeply intelligent
and insightful opinions on a range of
contemporary issues. We also wash up and
clean the cooker!
After the food we enjoy an hour of Bible
focussed fellowship. We take it in turn to
lead the sessions which are currently based
around the CVM’s 12 Codelife principles.
1. Jesus is my Captain, Brother, Rescuer
and Friend. I owe everything to Him.
2. I will do anything for Him.
3. I will unashamedly make Him known
through my actions and words.
4. I will not cheat in anything, personal
or professional.
5 I will look away from the gutter, but
be prepared to pull others out of it.
6. I will keep my body fit and free from
any addictions.
7. I will put the welfare of those closest
to me before my own welfare.
4
8. I will treat all men and women as
brothers and sisters.
9. I will lead as He would lead. I will
honour my leaders provided this also
honours Him.
10. I will use my strength to protect the
weak and stand against the abuse of
power.
11. I will protect the world that God has
made.
12. If I fail I will not give up. He never
gives up on me.
St Michael le
Belfry York link
The 2006 Minster Alpha Course was a life
changing experience for me. It was the
start of re- connection with that missing
something which makes life whole. Prior to
Alpha, I did not have any connection with The
Minster.
I was one of the men who, psychologists tell
us, generally feel more comfortable in new
situations when they attend in fellowship
with other men. A number of the non
Christian men who attended with me have
since been confirmed.
Interest in “the church” develops later, usually
after men have realised there really are some
good, honourable, talented blokes in church
with all the same baggage and woes of any
male friend or colleague. I have met some
brilliant men on my journey.
A group of Beverley
Minster men join
sixty St Michael’s
men aged between Immediately post Alpha, just when faith and
belief are beginning to take root and interest
eighteen and
in learning more is high, the importance of
eighty every year
providing a next step for men is vital.
on their annual
Men’s Weekend
Photography by Eli Lucas. After the 2011 Alpha, the course leader Fiona
at Redmire in the
recognised this and set up a post Alpha
Yorkshire Dales.
course with the possibility of leading into a
The action packed
House Group.
!
programme is a
real energizer from which many of us have
benefitted including our three Youth Workers. Alpha is really effective, enjoyable and
spiritually uplifting both as a basic
introduction to the Christian faith and as a
Minster Youth and Children’s Ministry
brilliant refresher for those who are seeking to
re-kindle their relationship with Jesus.
Lots of great work is being done by Lee, Fiona,
Sue and others who lead amazing teams of
The Alpha guru, Nicky Gumble (male) says
volunteers encouraging our young people, to
that it
get involved with Jesus.
Youth Café, Cell groups, Messy Church and
BSCT ( Beverley Schools’ Christian Trust) are
examples of how the Minster puts young men
in contact with good Christian role models.
The Minster choir
Led by Robert and ably assisted by Mervyn
and others, the choir is swelling in number. It
is cool to be a chorister at Beverley Minster.
u Will help to lead people to a personal
relationship with Jesus.
u is ecumenical in that it covers the basic
Christian truths shared by all traditions
u is probably the most effective form of
direct evangelization in common use today
and is particularly effective in attracting men.
The big question here is how to get men
through the door to start Alpha.
John Toes
Other Groups
Minster Walkers, Thursday Golfers and
Thursday Sun Inn Discussion Group led by
Nigel Young are all good examples of the kind
of activities which men will attend and enjoy.
The Alpha
Course
This is an
excellent way of
introducing men
to Faith.
The Prayer Ministry Team
Next week is the most difficult week in the
year for me as it will be 10 years since my wife
died. Dora had been hit for six some months
earlier when she was diagnosed as having
cancer and a particularly viscious one at that.
There was very little chance of a cure. We
were both stunned as were our 3 children.
However as we were both committed
Christians we refused to give in and turned to
prayer for help and comfort which enabled us
to face up cheerfully to such a dire situation.
It also meant we were both able to face the
future with confidence that we would both
be taken care of by the Lord, Dora in Eternity
and me on my own on this earth which has
proved to be the case.
Dora seemed to be so at peace with her
situation and from that I drew on her faith
as well as my own. However for the next 18
months after her death I have to admit to
feeling very lost most of the time in spite of
being surrounded by a loving family, as well
as so many loving friends at the Minster.
It was about this time in early 2004 that Nick
Drayson let it be known that he was to run a
course for any church members who might
feel that they would like to become part of
The Prayer Ministry Team for which he had
taken responsibility. The Lord stepped in and
urged me to ‘have a go’ which I did.
This was when The Lord truly entered my life
and made me realise that I was not alone
because He was and would always be with
me wherever I was and whatever I was doing,
as long as I acted in accordance with His will.
The Prayer Ministry Team grew out of a
meeting (following David Bailey’s ‘Vision
and Strategy Exercise’) which took place at
Diana Watkins’ house attended by herself, Val
Sargeant and Tracy Pike (nee Pattenden) who
moved to the Midlands after her marriage.
Nick and Catherine took over the running of
the meetings whilst I became responsible for
arranging the rota of 4 people weekly at the
10.30am communion services.
About this time I was encouraged to buy a
computer and after a course at ‘Learn Direct’
realised that it could help considerably
with the organisation of prayer ministry
administration and subsequently took over
the running of the Team. About this time
Nick and Catherine went off to minister in
Argentina where he is now a Bishop.
Apart from personal prayer during services
we also have a Prayer Circle where prayer is
offered by members of the team in their own
time at home. The requests can come from
anyone in or outside our own congregation
who through sickness or any other problems
feel they need the Lord’s help. We sometimes
get requests through the Minster website or
of course written requests on cards deposited
in the Prayer Box which stands on the Bible
Trolley at the Nave crossing during morning
communion services.
This voluntary service has become an
important part of the Minster’s pastoral care
strategy and helps to bear some of the load
which would otherwise have to be carried by
the clergy freeing them up to attend to other
things. It is also totally confidential and no
one’s problems are discussed either within or
without the team, of that you can be assured.
We hold regular meetings at which we assess
the operation of the Team and iron out any
problems, alterations or improvements
which might make us more effective. Fiona
Mayer-Jones has taken overall responsibility
for the Team since her ordination whilst I am
responsible for its day to day operation.
We receive regular training which was has
been based on information prepared by
Richard Carew and adapted from instructions
offered by Holy Trinity Church, Brompton.
These have been updated recently by Fiona
and will be used for future training.
There is also a need for us to have regular
meetings so that we can ensure that our own
prayer needs are met by praying for each
other to avoid being overcome by taking
personal responsibility for other people’s
needs instead of passing them on to God
to take care of them. Getting emotionally
invoved is not an option if we are to operate
effectively. We do accept that we have to be
always loving, caring and understanding for
all those with whom we have contact.
The Team feels that Prayer Ministry is an
essential part of our worship. Our lives are
full of problems of one sort or another and
the Bible tells us that God is always there to
help us if only we allow Him to do so. All sorts
of emotions arise in our lives, some of them
during services and we are always ready to
intercede on a personal basis 24/7. No one
should feel hesitant in coming forward for
personal prayer. We can be approached at any
time and you can lay your problems before
the Lord who has promised to take care of
them. At the very least He will provide peace,
love and comfort.
Many of the Team take it upon themselves
to widen their horizons to take in visiting
people at home, in nursing homes or in
hospital, sometimes to give communion
with a member of the clergy but on other
occasions just to have a reassuring chat, say in
the case of a bereavement. Some of the team
are professionally qualified to deal with these
situations in the course of their work, and are
more than willing to use their skills in their
private lives to the benefit of others. Most
of us have received training by the Diocese
through seminars on Healing or Listening
Courses. However we all recognise that we
are not acting in our own strength but in the
name of Jesus and the Holy Spirit without
whose guidance we would be lost.
All this is made possible by the co-operation
of team members making themselves
available, sometimes at short notice, filling
in for members who may be ill and unable
to attend for duty on the day. For this level
of co-operation I am extremely grateful, and
without which the Team could not function.
We are always seeking new people to join
the team. At present we have 12 members
available for Prayer Ministry, of which only
5 are men. Those available for the Prayer
Circle total 18 which means we could easily
use another 8/10 people. House groups
are probably the best recruiting ground as
members often get involved in personal open
prayer for each other and could use this skill
to good effect.
If anyone would like to consider joining the
Team or would like further information please
contact me or Fiona. Why not use your talents
to improve the Spiritual life of the Minster?
Don’t bury your talents, use them and you will
be rewarded 100 fold. ‘Thus saith The Lord’.
He would LOVE to hear from YOU.
Cliff Morgan
5
50 Years of Ministry
As the Queen celebrates 60 years on the
throne Terry Munro also has a celebration,
as it is 50 years since he was ordained priest.
Originally intending to be a medical doctor
he was studying Science at Cambridge when
he was called to the Ministry. Although
completing his degree he planned to go
to Ministerial College. However his country
called him for national service and he joined
the RAF. Serving God was Terry’s calling and
from a young child he had been involved in
church life. His parents were both Christians,
his father being a lay reader. Some of his early
influences were from the Church and in his
teenage years he was an active member of
the Young Communicants Guild, along with
his future wife Liz.
His spiritual journey has taken him to a wide
variety of places, which have influenced his
faith. While at Cambridge he attended an
Anglo Catholic church and another, which
was run by an Anglican Order of Franciscan
monks. He also responded at a Billy Graham
rally in the mid 1950s.
After leaving the RAF he spent a year
teaching. As he had just married there were
few ministerial colleges that would accept
married students. However after a year he
managed to secure a place at a College in
Lincoln and took holy orders.
His first curacy was at St Chad’s, Far
Headingley, in Leeds. After two years a
visiting preacher, a suffragan bishop from
Jamaica, spoke about the opportunities of life
in Jamaica. Both Liz and Terry were interested
in working abroad and soon received offers
of work, Liz in a primary school and Terry as
Head of RE in a boys’ school in Montego Bay.
Terry admits he never actually taught RE as
the school was in need of a chemistry teacher
and having a suitable scientific background
he was set to work as a science teacher. This
didn’t mean that his work as a priest was put
on hold.
He was asked to help at a church 14 miles
away, 2000 feet above sea level, on alternate
Sundays (a car was provided which was an
added attraction). The congregation was
about 120 with members walking 6 miles to
attend. After three years he was asked to work
at Holy Trinity Church, the second largest
church in Montego Bay. This position included
mission work to the canoe fishermen in an
open-air church held under an almond tree.
One of his first tasks was to baptize 45 new
converts.
In 1970 due to family concerns the family
returned to Britain. At first Terry was out of
Ciaran
work but eventually was offered a parish in
the Ripon Diocese at a small village between
Leeds and Castleford. Parishioners were a
mixture of miners, farmers and commuters.
Life was good. They spent nine happy years
in the parish. Terry became the leader of a
male voice choir and founder member of
the local Gilbert and Sullivan Society. It was
while there, in 1977, that Terry was moved
by the Holy Spirit. A number of parishioners
were experiencing charismatic renewal
and while at a parish weekend, which
didn’t go according to plan, his Christian
life experienced a change. This led to Terry
becoming a founder member of the Anglican
Renewal Ministries.
Although always conscientious in his
preparation for preaching, this experience
changed his preaching. He said, ”It was as if I
stopped talking to the Bible and let the Bible
talk to me”. Talking through this experience
with his Bishop, the Bishop warned, “Look out,
God’s got something planned for you”.
Soon after Terry was moved to Hunslet Moor,
to a parish that was going through difficulties.
He found the work challenging with a lot of
social problems and some violence to deal
with. Throughout Terry was strengthened by
the Holy Spirit.
After 6 years the Bishop asked Liz and Terry
to move once more, this time to Barwick in
Elmet and Scholes. It was while in this post
that Terry suffered from clinical depression.
Although the work was difficult, again Terry
was upheld by the Holy Spirit. Every time he
went into the pulpit he felt a buzz and a real
sense of God’s assurance.
His final parish was in Woodhouses and
Wrangthorn, again not an easy parish. While
there, their house was broken into nine times,
but again Terry was sustained by God. It was
while at Barwick he was made a Canon of
Ripon Cathedral.
Terry has always taken extra duties as part
of his ministry. He encouraged women’s
ministry and had one of the first women to be
ordained in his church. He has also tutored
post ordinands and for many years trained lay
readers. His joy however, is still presiding at
Holy Communion and the buzz he gets from
preaching.
When the time came to retire they chanced
to visit Beverley and it seemed that this was
the place God wanted them to be. The rest, as
Terry says, is history, but we might also add,
the good fortune of Beverley Minster.
Ian Merryweather
Ciaran, who is
13, has been
regularly
attending the
Youth Café for
over a year. It
was at Youth
Café that we
were able to
introduce Ciaran
and his friends
to the weekly
youth club,
Night Café, on a
Friday evening.
For over six
months, Ciaran
and a group of his friends have become well
established Minster young people, and have
attended services including Choral Evensong,
and other Minster events such as Minster’s Got
Talent.
It was one day during Holy Week when I saw
Ciaran, and invited him to the 24/3 Prayer
event which was held in The Peter Harrison
Room. That night, to my excitement, he and
six of his friends attended the prayer event,
confidently writing and speaking prayers
aloud, engaging in different forms of worship,
and sharing words of encouragement
together as a community of friends. For a
number of days, Ciaran and his group of peers
spent hours in this place; somewhere where
they obviously felt loved, welcomed and at
home.
On the second night, after a pretty intense
and emotional time of encouraging and
praying for each other, seven young people
including Ciaran, responded by giving their
lives to Jesus, and became Christians. For
me, it was a huge privilege to journey with
a group of young people, and bring them to
a stage where they committed their lives to
Jesus. It was also a fulfilment of our vision to
see young people come to us through the
Youth Café, and hopefully come to know
Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour.
Ciaran, now regularly DJs at our youth events,
and he made his debut as the Youth Café DJ
at our last event.
I can’t wait to see what God has in store for
Ciaran and all of his peers in the coming
years! Ciaran said:
I want to thank God for all the opportunities
in my life which I’ve had and will have in my
life. I want to say thanks for the gift of life and
sending people to me to help me to realise
what life is all about.
A full video interview can be seen online:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcrbsS7i7G4
Lee Kirkby
6
Clerk to the Closet
One of the attractions of going on holiday, as well as being a time to relax, is the
opportunity to meet new people. In 2010 while on holiday in Oberammergau I did
just that. It was more of a pilgrimage than a holiday as we were going to watch the
Passion Play. A fellow pilgrim turned out to be a retired bishop. In the course of our
time together he volunteered the information that one of his duties when bishop was
“Clerk of the Closet”. Recently Sam Calvert when recounting experiences of receiving
the Maundy Money pointed out that one of the members of the Monarch’s Procession
was the “Clerk of the Closet”. We were both intrigued by this title.
Having a sense of humour the bishop informed me that the first task on being
appointed was to suffer a lot of leg pulling and some slightly lavatorial jokes by his
colleagues. One can only imagine, “Congratulations Bishop! You must be flushed with
pride at your appointment!”
He did however go on to explain his function. One of his main duties was to examine
any theological books to be presented to the Sovereign and to give advice on the
contents and whether they were in accordance with the teaching of the Church.
The Office dates from 1437 and is normally held by a diocesan bishop. He is
responsible for advising on the names of candidates to fill vacancies in the Roll of
Chaplains to the Sovereign. He presents Bishops for Homage, preaches annually in the
Chapel Royal and he receives a salary of £7 a year. More ancient duties were to attend
at the Monarch’s right hand during Divine Service to resolve any doubts that might
arise in spiritual matters and to say grace.
It is heartening to know that the monarch is kept so well informed of theological
thinking. It was also a reminder that the Sovereign is not only the Head of State but
also the Head of the Church of England. Her official title is “Defender of the Faith and
Supreme Governor of the Church of England.” Technically she doesn’t take the title of
Head of the Church as that is Christ’s position. She is required to join in communion,
appoint bishops and archbishops, promote Anglicanism in Britain and open the
General Synod every five years after election to the synod has taken place.
The present Queen has performed her duties faithfully throughout her 60-year reign.
Her coronation was a religious service performed in the sight of God and performed
by the Archbishop of Canterbury. On many occasions of national celebration,
remembrance and anniversary she is seen attending acts of worship. When invited to
Beverley for her Golden Jubilee it was an act of worship which began her visit, before
she attended other civic functions.
Three of our longest reigning monarchs have been queens. Queen Elizabeth 1, Queen
Victoria and our present Queen. Two have had periods of history named after them,
the Elizabethan Period and the Victorian Era. In turn each has had duties and has
played an important role within the Church.
The Queen does not give interviews nor does she make comment but fulfills her duties
with grace and dignity. She will have seen many changes in her 60 years including the
introduction of women priests. In her Diamond Jubilee Year one hopes the General
Synod will correct the anomaly and vote for the appointments of women bishops,
allowing a woman not only to be the Supreme Governor of the Church of England but
also allowing them to take a full leadership role in all areas of church life.
What do you think?
Ian Merryweather
Parochial Church Council Matters
At its meetings on the 19 March and 14 May 2012
the PCC discussed and decided the following:
• Several Faculty applications were under
consideration:
1. A Faculty application for replacement of the
multicore box and two extra speakers to pillars in
the Nave (to improve the Sound System) had now
been submitted for consideration by the Diocesan
Advisory Committee (DAC).
2. The Faculty application for the restoration of the
Hildyard Memorial Panel had been approved by the
DAC and work was now underway.
3. A Faculty application to restore and repair
Churchyard Memorials had been submitted to the
DAC for consideration. The East Riding of Yorkshire
Council would be responsible for carrying out the
work, should this be approved.
• The PCC nominated Steve George as a
representative to the working group that would
input into the decision making stage of the siting
of the Substation for the Dogger Bank Windfarm.
Although Beverley Minster was several miles away,
any rebuilding work to the substation could have
some visual impact on the surrounding landscape.
• A letter had been circulated to the PCC from
Archbishop Sentamu on Parish Share. The Beverley
Minster contribution fell short by £19,000 of the
amount requested by the Diocese. The PCC was to
review this later in the year.
It was felt that the current system was a hindrance
and that the PCC would prefer to be freely generous,
rather than under duress. It was approved that Revd
Jeremy Fletcher and others would take forward the
idea of promoting the principle of a more equitable
‘Generous Offer System’.
• Financial support of The Beverley Schools’ Christian
Trust (BSCT) was considered by the Mission Action
Group. It was agreed to give BSCT £2,600 per year
for a period of three years. This was no longer to
be considered as part of the budgeted giving by
Minster Youth.
• The Beverley Minster was to set up a Jubilee
Beacon on the 4 June 2012.
• The PCC were delighted to note that Peter Jolley,
Gertie Rispin, Sam Calvert and Nancy Sutherby had
all been awarded the Royal Maundy at York Minster
in April 2012.
• The PCC were also delighted to welcome Revd
Valerie Clarke as an Ex-Officio member of the PCC,
having recently been licensed as Associate Vicar.
• Robert Poyser had been recommended by the PCC
as the new Foundation Governor for the Minster
School.
• The PCC noted that Jeremy would be away on
Sabbatical from 21 May 2012 until 2 September 2012
inclusive.
The Queen opens the Church of England General Synod
Anne Almond, PCC Secretary
7
Beverley Minster - St Martin’s Chapel
Throughout the medieval period, Beverley
Minster was a collegiate church administered
by nine canons. Each canon received the
income from a landed estate. The wealthiest
estate was St Martin’s which included land in
the centre of the town. As canons were often
away from Beverley, vicars were appointed
to have ‘cure of souls’ of parishioners in their
prebend and to administer the sacraments.
In 1120 Archbishop Thurstan suggested that
the prebend of St Martin’s altar should build
a chapel-of-ease dedicated to St Mary, to the
north of Saturday Market. All the revenues,
tithes etc. were to go to the prebend of St
Martin’s altar. At first the church of St Mary
consisted of a nave and a chancel.
After the fall of the tower of Beverley Minster,
which demolished the east end of the church,
work began on a complete rebuild. The
first stage of building was the East End and
transepts. The altar to St Martin was sited on
the north side of the nave.
The second stage of building began in 1310.
This was the building of a new nave around
the remains of the old Romanesque nave. In
1324 the site of St Martin’s altar was relocated
to a chapel built above the charnel house,
a free-standing building which abutted the
south west corner of the Minster.
Originally the chapel had an open arcade
into the newly built nave. Evidence of roof
lines on the outside of the present church
suggests that the building was approximately
66 ft high at the apex of the west wall (similar
to the present nave), and probably about
70 ft wide, with three or four bays from east
to west. On the south wall of the chapel
there were probably two or three decorated
windows (in keeping with the decorated style
of the nave) and, after the demolition of St
Martin’s chapel, probably in the 16th century,
tracery from two of these were used to block
the open arcade.
weatherproof. Nicholas Hawksmoor added
the south door of the Minster, and a screen
wall in bays eight and nine which filled in the
bottom third of the originally open arcade
and matched it with the rest of the south
aisle. The two bays west of the Minster font
were rebuilt up to cill level.
Carvings of Georgian faces in the bays west of
the font.
In1380 the third stage of building began. The
south west tower of the Minster was built into
and around St Martin’s chapel. The southwest
tower staircase leads up to a blocked first
floor entry into the chapel and has a door to a
stair down into the charnel. Higher up was an
entry into the roof space of St Martin’s. There
is no evidence, so far, of an entry to St Martin’s
from the churchyard. In the west wall of the
chapel there was probably a perpendicular
window to match the great west window of
the nave.
Edward VI had granted that the Minster
remain a parish church serving the parish
of St Martin and a new parish made up of
outlying townships. Today this is known as
the parish of St John the Evangelist and St
Martin.
Pamela Hopkins
May 2012
Photographs: Bob Aveyard
Bibliography:
VCH Vol. VI Beverley,
Beverley Minster – an Illustrated History. Edited
by Rosemary Horrox
At the suppression of collegiate churches
in 1548 Edward VI (right) granted Beverley
Minster to Sir Michael Stanhope (governor
of Hull) and John Bellows, who planned to
demolish the whole building. The people of
Beverley pleaded with the king that Beverley
Minster as well as being a collegiate church
was also a parish church. This was agreed
and the church was sold to the people of the
town for £100. In order to raise the necessary
money the Chapter House in the north choir
aisle and St Martin’s Chapel in the south west
of the church were demolished. The selling of
these building materials raised £120.
At the beginning of the 18th century
extensive restoration work was carried out in
Beverley Minster. The southwest corner was
probably a muddle where tracery from the
windows from St Martin’s had simply been
inserted into the open arcade to make it
Edward Vl was king of England for only a few
years, and died at 15, but his short reign saw
the full-scale introduction of Protestantism.
Today, traces of the crypt survive about a metre below the
present land level.
8
‘A’ shows first floor entry into
the chapel. ‘B’ indicates the
door to the charnel house.
Arrow points to the roof line
of St Martin’s which joined
the chapel to the SW tower.
A Royal Maundy Day
postscript
Sam Calvert was one of
four recipients from the
Minster Parish to receive
Maundy Money from the
Queen this year in York
Minster.
They were invited
after the event by the
Secretary of the Royal
Almonry to submit a
letter about their experience and memories
of the day. Sam took up this offer and here is
an extract from the reply he received from the
Royal Almonry Office:
“Dear Mr Calvert,
The Queen wishes me to write and thank
you for your kind letter in which you say how
delighted you were to receive the Maundy
Gift.
The Queen was touched to hear how moved
you were by this very special service.
Her Majesty greatly appreciated your kind
message of loyalty and continuing support.
The Maundy Service acknowledges so much
service to local churches and communities.
As a Maundy recipient I am so glad you could
represent all the volunteers who play a crucial
part in the life of Beverley Minster.”
The following Prayer, written at The Queen’s
direction by the Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral
for Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee, will be
used in the Jubilee Thanksgiving Service at St
Paul’s Cathedral on Tuesday 5 June 2012.
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have
commended it for use throughout the Church
of England. Other churches are also welcome
to use the prayer.
God of time and eternity,
whose Son reigns as servant, not master;
we give you thanks and praise
that you have blessed this Nation,
the Realms and Territories
with ELIZABETH,
our beloved and glorious Queen.
In this year of Jubilee,
grant her your gifts of love
and joy and peace
as she continues in faithful obedience to
you, her Lord and God
and in devoted service to her lands
and peoples,
and those of the Commonwealth,
now and all the days of her life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
What are you reading?
A Monthly Series of Book Reviews by Canon Terry Munro
No. 5
A Jubilee Diversion
Thoughts about Christian Fiction
Last month I wrote about C. S. Lewis being
able to combine Christian teaching and
fiction in ‘The Great Divorce’. His Christian
fiction works -- the ‘Out of the Silent Planet’
trilogy (for adults) and the Narnia series (for
children of all ages) are fascinating for a rather
odd reason. Although they are obviously
Christian, they never directly mention Christ
or the Christian story.
Lewis was a member of an informal literary
group in Oxford called the Inklings. Most of
its members were Christians and two of them
wrote remarkable fiction. Charles Williams, an
Anglican theologian and poet is remembered
by many older Christian readers as the author
of a remarkable ‘History of the Holy Spirit’
entitled ‘The Descent of the Dove’, but also
wrote a series of strange mystical novels
which are almost a blend of faith and magic.
Some of them are still in print and perhaps
the best of them, ‘All Hallows Eve’ is well
worth trying. (Use ‘Amazon’ or try the Library).
The other Inkling who is much better
remembered was J. R. R. Tolkien. The Hobbit
and The Lord of the Rings have both had a
cult following for more than half a century.
Tolkien was a devout Catholic and saw
his fiction as one sort of ‘religious’ writing
for readers who couldn’t understand
conventional religion. There is certainly
a great emphasis in all his writings of the
seriousness of the universal conflict between
good and evil, expressed in terms of what one
critic called ‘High Fantasy’.
Two other Roman Catholic writers of fiction
have long been favourites of mine. One is
well known, the other almost forgotten. The
famous one is Evelyn Waugh – his Catholicism
has been described as ‘sometimes agonised’
and his biographers insist that his faith did
not make him an easy and lovable man. Of
all his novels, ‘Brideshead Revisited’ is far and
away the best for revealing the strengths and
weaknesses of English Catholicism between
the wars. For me, the TV adaptation of some
years ago was one of the best realisations of a
big novel on the small screen. Happily I own
it on DVD and return to it regularly – but the
book is great to re-read as well.
The forgotten novelist was called Bruce
Marshall. He wrote just before and through
the Second World War. As a Scottish Roman
Catholic he was a part of what was then a
misunderstood and often suspect religious
minority. His novels deal with varying aspects
of Scottish Catholic life with much insight
-- but also with great humour. The one I reread the most (and still own) is called ‘Father
Malachy’s Miracle’. It is the story of a rather
insignificant Edinburgh Priest who develops
a sort of strained friendship with his Anglican
neighbour. The Anglican priest is probably
the first example in literature of the ‘trendy
vicar’. Father Malachy is upset by the stridency
of the Anglican church notice board with
posters such as “Bring your girl to Evensong
– It’s cheaper than the Pictures. God doesn’t
mind if you hold her hand!”
More serious is the Vicar’s ‘liberal’ theology.
He tries to convince Father Malachy that
miracles are finished (if they had ever really
existed at all). Father Malachy becomes more
and more frustrated and unhappy. There is
one thing however, about which they agree
– the sinfulness of a seedy night club in the
neighbourhood called ‘The Garden of Eden’.
In his distress and frustration he prays for
a repeat of the reputed miracle of the Holy
House of Loreto. The original wonder was the
miraculous flight of the house in Nazareth, in
which the Virgin Mary lived before and after
the birth of Jesus, from its original site to the
Italian town of Loreto, to avoid its destruction
by the Turks.
As Father Malachy prays, the night club lifts
off and is deposited on the Bass Rock in the
Firth of Forth, where it fits into the surface
perfectly. Unfortunately the club was full
of customers at the time and consequently
all sorts of problems and troubles arise for
Father Malachy and his superiors. Eventually
after threats of legal proceedings and a great
increase in the popularity of the nightclub in
its new setting, the Bishop has to intervene.
He concludes that whilst the miracle would in
earlier times have been seen as real evidence
that the Holy Faith was true, nowadays it
would be regarded as conclusive proof that
the Faith was false. Father Malachy is ordered
to try and reverse the miracle – and he sadly
complies. God does as He is asked. The
ending is sad. Father Malachy has to return to
his monastery where he had been before the
book began – and the sceptics, noting that
the ‘Garden of Eden ‘ is back precisely where
it had been before, proclaim that it had never
really moved at all!
It’s a lovely little book which is virtually
unobtainable. There are a couple of copies
advertised online – at exorbitant prices.
However, if anyone would like to read it, you
may borrow my somewhat tattered ‘Pan
Books’ copy.
Happy Reading.
Terry Munro
9
The Magazine Archives
In May 1914, at the Vestry, one of the churchwardens chosen to serve the Minster was
George Osgerby. The Osgerbys are a Beverley family and Ray (aged 89) still lives in the
town. Another descendant, Jay Osgerby, is a designer in partnership with Edward Barber
(BarberOsgerby) who have designed the Olympic Torch which will be passing through
Beverley on the 18th of June. Professor Barbara English has done further research:“The Olympic torch was designed by BarberOsgerby, a furniture and industrial design studio
established in 1996 by British designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. They win many
international awards. Jay Osgerby was born in Oxford, but as far as I know all his direct
ancestors came from Beverley.
The men of the Osgerby family were coach-builders (and pasture masters, freemen and
burgesses). The firm of E W and G Osgerby, coach builders, was established in 1863. One
of the Osgerby workshops can be seen in the High Street Museum, Hull, in the Transport
section, upstairs. The firm’s premises were in Highgate, Beverley, and included workshops for
blacksmiths, wheelwrights and coach painting. Winch operated platforms enabled the ready
transfer of coaches from one department to another. The firm employed 12 men in 1900,
of whom 5 were Osgerbys. Three generations of the Osgerby family managed the business
before it closed towards the end of the 20th century. The workshops were then dismantled
and transferred to the York Castle Museum. The coachworks were demolished to make the
Highgate Court flats, a sad loss. Edward Street, off the School Lane car park (east side) was
named after Edward Osgerby. The family archives are in the East Riding Archives and Local
Studies centre at the Treasure House.
The vehicle in Fred Elwell’s The Last Cab, a much reproduced painting from the Art Gallery, with
a reproduction currently in the Coronation Gardens, was made by Osgerbys, and apparently
still exists somewhere in the North Riding.
The firm of BarberOsgerby has also designed the Paralympic torch, which is coming to Beverley
later in the summer. The current mayor, Peter Astell, is in touch with Jay Osgerby and hopes
he’ll come to Beverley”.
The Olympics will bring many people to England from around the world and although
travel was not easy or affordable in 1909, the Minster was just as keen then to be in
touch with communities overseas as seen in the June edition of the magazine that year.
“Great interest was given to the celebration of Empire Day in Beverley by the receipt of a
message from Beverley in W. Australia that the boys and girls of the Public School there
wished to join hands, as it were, with those of your ancient borough. I am preparing
a Union Jack, with the words, ‘From the children of Beverley, W. Australia, to those of
Beverley, England, 1909,’ which when it has been loyally saluted by the Australian children
on Empire Day, will be forwarded to your kind care, that it may be presented to the most
representative public school in your borough. We shall hope that it may be possible to
receive a flag in return, that, flying over the schools in English and Australian sunshine,
they may remind us always of our kinship. Some picture of your beautiful Minster also to
hang in the Australian schoolroom would be very welcome”. This request was cheerfully
granted.
Sally George
The London 2012 Olympic Torch by east London designers BarberOsgerby
Queen Victoria’s
Diamond Jubilee
1897
In 1966, shortly
after my
marriage, my
husband John
gave me a large
box of his family
photographs,
and kindly asked
me if I would put
them in some
kind of order.
Some of them
were taken in 1895, when his father was a
small boy, wearing a kind of dress. There were
beautiful embroidered post cards, sent before
the First World War and photographs of the
cycling group of the Temperance Society,
where John’s parents met. Then in between
two pieces of cardboard I came across this
beautiful silk programme celebrating Queen
Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee with Opera at
Covent Garden.
Who went from John’s family? His father
would have been too young in 1897. John
had a number of maternal elderly aunts, but
sadly none of them knew anything about
the silk programme. So sadly it remains a
mystery. Was it obtained as a souvenir? Did
one of John’s ancestors actually go to the
performance in the presence of her Majesty?
Unfortunately, we shall never know.
Ruth Weller
Photograph Bob Aveyard
10
Royalty and Beverley Minster
The relationship between Beverley Minster
and British royalty goes back into the Saxon
period. Tradition has it that around 934AD
King Athelstan, then just the ruler of Mercia
and Wessex, called in at Beverley to pray
at the tomb of Bishop John for victory in a
forthcoming battle against amassed northern
forces that would decide the royal destiny of
all England.
The monks were so impressed with his piety
that they gave him the flag of Bishop John to
take into battle and he won an overwhelming
victory at the Battle of Brunanburh – uniting
all England under one Saxon throne for the
first time. In gratitude he bestowed huge
wealth and privileges on to the institution,
helping it become the second-richest noncathedral institution in the entire north of
England.
It is believed that the Saxon charter formally
establishing the institution of Beverley
Minster itself dates from this same raft of
privileges granted in the wake of his victory
in 937AD.
After Bishop John became St John of Beverley,
patron saint of the deaf and dumb, in 1037
his shrine became even more important and
after the Conquest in 1066 the Normans
regarded his tomb as a jewel in their new
English crown, second only in status in the
north of England to the tomb of Cuthbert of
Durham. They continued to believe that the
flag of St John guaranteed success in battle
and elevated John to one of the patron saints
of the Royal Family alongside St George. Men
of Beverley were exempted from answering
any call to arms issued by the King provided
the flag of St John was sent in their place.
During the Middle Ages almost every
monarch visited Beverley Minster to pay
homage to St John at least once during their
reign. The recorded visits are as follows:
Year of Monarch
visit
Dates of reign
1201
King John
(1199-1216)
1299
King Edward l (1272-1307)
1300
1306
1310
King Edward II
(1307-1327)
1314
1316
1319
1335
King Edward III (1327-1377)
1399
King Henry IV
(1399-1413)
1405
1413
1421
King Henry V and Queen Catherine (1413-1422)
1448
King Henry VI
(1422-1461)
1474
King Edward IV
(1461-1483)
King Edward l
King John
King Edward ll
King Henry lV
The tradition died out after Henry VIII’s reforms
when the Minster was closed and due to be sold
for salvage by the King’s agent, (only saved when
it was bought to become Beverley’s civic church).
Subsequent royal visits are as follows:
1640 1642
1795
King Charles I
(1625- 1649)
1905
1934
1950
1960
1977
2002
King Edward VII (1901-1910)
Queen Mary (Queen Mother)
Elizabeth, Princess Royal
Queen Elizabeth (Queen Mother)
Queen Elizabeth II (1952- )
Prince of Wales (later King George IV)
Neil Pickford
Go, and make disciples....
Matthew 28 v19
Are you on a mission?
Could you be persuaded?
Nowadays people don’t stay in the same
area where they were born, let alone the
same house.
It is estimated that people move, on
average, every seven years. 20% of those
who go to church will stop going if they
leave their parish.
For a number of years two or three people
have been keeping an eye on newly
occupied houses in our parish. When
the ‘For Sale’ sign goes down, a Minster
Magazine and Welcome Leaflet are popped
through the door. It’s just to say we are here.
(NB Do not put your fingers through the
letter box!)
There are now several more ‘mini
missionaries’ keeping an eye on their street
or cul-de-sac. They may also be leafleting all
the houses when there is a special leaflet,
e.g. for Christmas or Easter. It’s up to them
how much they do.
More areas could be covered. But we don’t
want two people doing the same bit. Some
co-ordination is needed.
If you would like to help, let me know. You
might even get asked.
Joyce Shaw
11
Registers
Baptisms
Minster Maintenance
Balancing the Wooden Tread Wheel
At the Minster
22 April 2012
22 April 2012 22 April 2012
Benedict Edward Jukes
Poppy Emma Flintham
Hannah Grace Dearing
At St Leonard’s, Molescroft
22 April 2012
Oscar George Purchon
At the Church in Tickton
22 April 2012
Darcy Doreen Hewitt
At St Peter’s, Woodmansey
13 May 2012
13 May 2012
Alfie Rocky Draper
Frankie Rae Draper
Weddings
At the Minster
21 April 2012 28 April 2012
18 May 2012
Robert Andrew Slater and Rebecca Barnes
David Bryan Procter and
Victoria Faith Johnson
John Kenneth Clayton and
Lynn Bedford
Funerals
25 April 2012
Nora Watkins (95)
We have noticed over the past year
that the tread wheel had gone out of
balance. A lead weight was already on
the wheel, this was obviously now in the
wrong place so we removed the weight
from the wheel.
We then had to determine the position
on the wheel where the new weight
would be situated. To do this we spun
the wheel and let it run freely until it
settled. We then marked the bottom
dead centre (BDC) and now we could
put a new weight exactly opposite the
marked BDC. We nailed the old lead
weight that had been used previously
to the inside of the wheel. Next we
wrapped lead around the spoke legs
next to the weight until we got the
correct amount to balance the wheel,
starting with a small amount adding
more until the balance was found.
This helped us work out how much
lead we needed to make the final
weight to fix to the tread wheel. We
removed the lead we had used to get
the balance right and Steve made a
new lead weight which we bolted
on to the tread wheel in a safe and
secure manner.
The resulting outcome is that the
wheel is now balanced and running
more freely, making the job of
walking in the tread wheel to lift the
central boss a lot easier.
Steve Rial and Paul Hawkins
Beverley Minster Parish Centre, 38 Highgate, Beverley, HU17 0DN Telephone: 01482 868540
Email: [email protected] Website: www.beverleyminster.org.uk
Beverley Minster Parish Magazine is published by Beverley Minster Parochial Church Council. Views expressed by
contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial team or the publishers.
Copy date for the July/August edition: Friday 15 June
Editorial Team: Content: Ian Merryweather (e: [email protected]), design: Mervyn King
12
(e: [email protected]), distribution: John Grimshaw (t: 01482 871370), proof-reading: June Stephenson.