fulcrum - Parish of Friern Barnet | The Parish of Friern Barnet

FULCRUM
PARISH OF FRIERN BARNET
February 2015
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Fr. Paul writes on 6th February
The last few days have been somewhat challenging as events far and near have impinged
on the rhythm of ordinary life demanding attention, a response both rational and emotional.
Some realities however are difficult to fathom, let alone understand with any degree of objectivity. Feeling often gets in the way of thinking.
The death of Moaz al-Kasasbeh in Syria was, by any measure, brutal, horrific and without any
reasonable justification as the duplicitous ease with which his captors negotiated with Jordan
the release of a man already dead was shocking. Retrospectively, the image of the Jordanian pilot’s father pleading for his son’s life, ‘a guest among brothers’ is poignant and heart
breaking. How difficult it is to navigate these turbulent ethical waters… the fact that Moaz alKasasbeh was himself involved in an act of aggression against ‘brothers’ seems almost peripheral set against the callous cruelty of his own death. All this violence executed, seemingly, in the name of God.
Hardly surprising then that God is not held in high esteem by some… “Stephen Fry,” runs a
headline this week, “…lets rip at the very idea of God” Gay Byrne from RTE invited Stephen
Fry to imagine what he would say to God, should he ever arrive at the gates of heaven? The
reply comes with all the vehemence that you would expect, “Bone cancer in children, what’s
that about; how dare you, how dare you create a world where there is so much pain and it’s
not our fault…Why should I respect a capricious, mean minded, stupid God who creates a
world so full of injustice and pain…?” These are not questions we, religious people, can duck,
no matter what rationalisation we may choose to give them, because Stephen Fry and atheists are not alone in asking them.
Shakaira Seraphin died this week, she was 12 years old. The circumstances of her death are
not yet fully known and the police are continuing their enquiries. Her death is a horrible tragedy regardless of circumstances. The horror and the sadness are tangible wherever Shakaira
was known and the group of Wren and Compton students and parents who came to lay
flowers and light candles at St John’s yesterday were palpably distraught. There are shadows
here and the spectre of bullying surfaces. Once again, then, the rational mind struggles to
cope with emotion. Shakaira and her mother Leona were baptised at St John’s four years
ago. In preparation for her baptism Shakaira was bubbly, warm, bright and asked searching
questions about God and her baptism. In the midst of all this, Leona and her family are coping with unimaginable suffering.
We may well ask, we do ask, why?
People who impute God with a callous disregard for human suffering at best or who claim
that he is a figment of human imagination seem still to be searching for justice, still seeking to
place human suffering in context, to grasp and understand its meaning, perhaps because an
alternative randomness to suffering appears chaotic and yes, meaningless, without purpose.
Some may wish to believe but it is hard to juxtapose love with bone cancer, burning alive or a
desperately untimely death.
On the cross in Golgotha Jesus, God, Love, dies an ignominious death, isolated, rejected, betrayed, abandoned. There he screams the why of deepest human forsakenness, ‘Eloi, Eloi,
lama sabachthani1?’ Jesus’ why does not in itself justify or explain, give meaning or context or
purpose to the suffering of the world but it does offer a resting place, a place where suffering
is known and recognised and where it is transformed beyond comprehension, a place where
it, suffering, meets God and where love changes everything.
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BISHOP PETER’S FAREWELL
On Sunday 27 January 2015, a farewell service was held at St Paul’s Cathedral, for the Rt Revd
Peter Wheatley, Bishop of Edmonton, who has served in the Diocese of London for 41 years of
public ministry. The service was held 20 years to the day from when Bishop Peter was first licenced as Archdeacon of Hampstead, a position he held until becoming Bishop of Edmonton
in 1999.
The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, preached to a packed Cathedral of family, friends
and all those wishing to thank Bishop Peter for his years of service. There was a representative
from each of the Edmonton parishes, all the Diocese of London Bishops and local dignitaries
including the Mayor of Haringey, the Mayor of Barnet and the Deputy Mayor of Camden – all
who wanted to show their appreciation for the positive impact Bishop Peter has had in the local community. Local schools were also present at the service, with Holy Trinity CE Primary
School in Tottenham playing the steel drums, while the Bishop Stopford School in Enfield provided pupils for the choir. The Bishop of London said: "Peter has been an outstanding leader of
the Church in the Edmonton Area of London and his prayerfulness and serenity have been invaluable to the team. He leaves with our huge affection and gratitude."
During his time in position, Bishop Peter has played key role in supporting the growth of the
church in the Edmonton area. Most recently, he played a significant part in helping to launch
the Diocese of London’s Capital Vision 2020 – the strategic plan for serving London by committing to be more ‘confident, compassionate and creative’. In the seven years up to the publication of this vision, the Edmonton Area had seen more than 30 worshipping communities newly
created, reopened, or revived to active life under the care of Bishop Peter.
Bishop Peter first served in the Diocese of London as Curate at All Saints, Fulham, prior to becoming Vicar of Holy Cross, St Pancras in 1978. In 1982, he moved to be Priest-in-charge of All
Souls Hampstead and St Mary Kilburn and Vicar of St James, West Hampstead. At the same
time as being a parish priest, from 1988 he was Director of Post-Ordination Training for the Edmonton Area until 1995, when he became Archdeacon of Hampstead. He was also Area Dean
of North Camden from 1988 to 1993 and a member of the General Synod from 1975 to 1995.
Bishop Peter has chosen to support Tottenham Hale, in place of a retirement fund, to help raise
£50,000 for the new church centre at Tottenham Hale. The money raised will start the second
phase of the fundraising for the project, which has already raised close to £1 million.
Giving can be through the churches, (send cheques payable to the LDF, labelled on the back
‘Bishop Peter’s Tribute’ to Causton Street), directly online or by text: Text BPPE14 and amount to
70070 (e.g. BPE14 £10).
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The Rector Fr Paul Walmsley Mcleod
Safeguarding Officer—Adults
147 Friern Barnet Lane N20 0NP
Steph Davies 0208 441 7611
0208 445 7844
Safeguarding Officer—Children
[email protected]
Chris Caton 0208 632 0435
(NB: Fr Paul’s day off is Wednesday)
Children’s Champion
The Curate Fr Marius Mirt
Lisa Coletta 07572 385681
2 Hatley Close N11 3LN / 020 8368 8173
Flowers Brenda Pershouse 0208 368 5475
[email protected]
Parish Centre Enquiries/Bookings
(NB Fr Marius’ day off is Monday)
[email protected]
Parish Office St. John’s Parish Office
St. John’s CE Primary School
St John’s Parish Centre
Crescent Road N11 3LB / 0208 368 1154
Friern Barnet Road
[email protected]
N11 3BS
Headteacher Graham Gunn
0208 361 7690
[email protected]
[email protected]
St John’s Playgroup & Youth Group:
Church Wardens
Kat Mutevelian 07817 016657
John Kuti
Playgroup Tuesdays 9-11.15am
07974 250137
[email protected]
St John’s Parish Centre
Helen Edwards 07802 709081
Uniformed Groups Stanford Road N11
Helen.edwards130@ gmail.com
BP Groups/ Church Co-ordinator
PCC Secretary Carol Levy 0208 368 5756
Helen Edwards—as above
Treasurer Andy Beal 0208 361 4960
Guides/Brownies Alison Johns/Penny Aylwin
[email protected]
0208 444 5705
Parish Co-ordinator Janet Beal
Scouts Mhuire Mollison 01923 228 214
0208 361 4960 / [email protected]
Cubs Mary Ballam-Davies 0208 211 9711
Verger Kath Mortimore 0208 886 8824
Beavers Val Finch 07947 820442
Parish Archivist Mary Phillips 0208 445 1784
Junior Church Helen Edwards 0208 368 7152 Any written correspondence to those named
above should be addressed to the Parish Office.
Junior Choir Shirley Davison 0208 361 5758
Fulcrum is our magazine and relies on contributions from the congregation. Any reflections on life, world events,
school news, poetry, stories, autobiographical anecdotes will be gratefully received.
Contact: Becke Nevitt, email: [email protected]
A reminder that the magazine costs us around £1.20 per issue to print, please leave your donation in the church. A
donation of £20 to Andy Beal or one of the churchwardens would cover the cost of your Fulcrum for a year. Don’t
forget to fill in a yellow envelope so we can claim Gift Aid!
The painting on the front cover is The Fast Day Meal by Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin, an eighteenth century French painter
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Church Calendar February 2015
Liturgical Colour/Date/Day
Please pray for…
W1
G2
G3
G4
G5
G6
G7
G8
G9
G10
G11
G12
G13
G14
G15
G16
G17
P18
P19
P20
P21
P22
P23
P24
P25
P26
P27
P28
Parish and People
The Winter Shelter
St John's Playgroup
The European Union
Save the Children
HM the Queen
Those promoting Fairtrade
Parish and People
St John's Prayer Group
Central Barnet Deanery
Samaritans
Alton Abbey
The newly Baptised
Missionaries
Parish and People
The Rector
The Curate
Reconciliation
Our Keeping of Lent
The Bereaved
NSPCC
Parish and People
CANDLEMAS
feria
feria
S Ansgar
feria
feria
feria
2ND BEFORE LENT
feria
S Scholastica
feria
feria
feria
Cyril and Methodius
NEXT BEFORE LENT
feria
Janani Luwum, Martyr
ASH WEDNESDAY
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Friday after Ash Wednesday
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
LENT 1
feria
feria
feria
feria
George Herbert, Priest, Poet,
feria
The Archdeacon
Friern Barnet Road
Persecuted Christians
St George’s, Beira
Martyrs for the Faith
The Church Commissioners
A prayer written by Alix, in Year 4 at St John’s
Dear Father God, help us to remember that even though some of us have more money or some
of us believe in a different religion, we are all equal. We are all humans and even though we
don’t all look the same, it doesn’t make anyone more or less important. Thank you God for
loving us because we are unique. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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The Bishop of London writes:
"We know how much children and young people especially depend on good role models to
help them to grow to ‘the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ' " (Ephesians 4.13).
Our Lent Appeal this year asks the question: 'Who inspired you when you were younger to become the person you are today?' You might make an opportunity to share your answers in your
prayer or study groups or PCCs, giving thanks to God. Practically, the goal of our Lent Appeal is
to fund additional youth, children and family workers to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to
serve their communities.
So this year through the Bishop of London’s Mission Fund (BLMF), which supports many imaginative projects across the Diocese, helping our parishes to flourish and make a real difference within some of the most deprived communities in our City.
Over the past ten years the BLMF has granted over £3 million in funding to a broad range of over
150 projects across London. It has supported much imaginative work across the Diocese helping
our parishes to flourish and to make a real difference within some of the most deprived communities in our city. This supports one of our key Capital Vision 2020 goals: to double the number of
young people involved in the local Christian community. By God’s grace and with your help we
will invest at least £1 million over the next three years in order to realise this goal. I have long
been concerned that so many of our children and young people lack basic Christian teaching
and I hope that you will support this Lent Appeal to inspire a new generation to follow Christ.
The Lent Appeal theme asks us, "Who inspired you when you were younger to become the person you are today?"
There are different examples of youth, children and family workers who play a larger role in a
person’s direction. We feel it is important to reflect on how we all started our journey to find our
faith. The Bishop of Willesden shared the following:
"This year, the appeal theme looks at 'Who inspired you when you were younger to become the
person you are today?' My own Christian journey began in a youth group in Ruislip. From a nonchurch background and as an avowed atheist, I became a Christian because of the prayers
and example of great Christian youth leaders. One, Peter Hawtin, put huge time and energy
into mentoring and discipling us. He was also a racing driver. Tragically, he was killed in a race at
Oulton Park in 1971 – but he left a legacy of numerous young Christians whose lives he had influenced.
"There are many examples both statistically and anecdotally of youth, children and family workers playing a major role in a person’s direction. It’s important that we recapture this vision –
which is central to our 2015 Lent Appeal."
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DIRECTORY
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LENT IN FRIERN BARNET 2015
TUESDAYS
LENT TALKS 2015
Silent Meditation
7.00 pm
CONFRONTATION
Eucharist
7.30 pm
Lent Course
8.00 pm
THURSDAYS
Eucharist and homily
12.00 Noon
Lent Lunches 12:30
in aid of the Bishop of London’s Lent Appeal
FRIDAYS
Eucharist
7.30 am
Compline and Exposition
of the Sacrament
8.15 – 9.00 pm
SATURDAYS
Tuesday 24th February
Nicodemus John 3.1-21
Confronting limitation
Tuesday 3rd March
The Woman of Samaria John 4.1-42
Confronting sin
Tuesday 10th March
The Pool of Bethesda John 5.1-30
Confronting isolation
Tuesday 17th March
The Woman caught in Adultery
John 8.1-11
Confronting forgiveness
Tuesday 24th March
Peter John 21.15-19
Confronting resurrection life
Silent Meditation
8.30 am
Eucharist
9.00 am
All at 8pm in the Parish Centre
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RECOMMENDED LENT READING FOR 2015
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book 2015 In God’s Hands, by Desmond Tutu
(Bloomsbury £9.99; ISBN-13: 9781472908377)
In God's Hands is the 2015 Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book. In this little gem of a book, Archbishop Desmond Tutu distils the wisdom forged through a childhood of poverty and apartheid, an adulthood lived in the
glare of the world's media, and the long and agonising struggle for truth and reconciliation in South Africa, into
the childlike simplicity which Jesus tells us characterises the Kingdom of God. Archbishop Tutu has produced a
meditation on the infinite love of God and the infinite value of the human individual. Not only are we in God's
hands, he says, our names are engraved on his palms. Throughout an often turbulent life, Archbishop Tutu has
fought for justice and against oppression and prejudice. As we learn in this book, what has driven him forward is
an unshakeable belief that human beings are created in the image of God and are infinitely valuable. Each one of
us is a God-carrier, a tabernacle, a sanctuary of the Divine Trinity. God loves us not because we are loveable but
because he first loved us. And this turns our values upside down. In this sense the Gospel is the most radical
thing imaginable. It is extremely moving that in this book Archbishop Tutu returns to something so simple and so
profound after a life in which he has been involved in political, social and ethical issues that have seemed to be so
very complex
Meeting God in Mark by Rowan Williams
(SPCK £8.99; ISBN-13: 9780281072507)
Rowan Williams explores the essential meaning and purpose of St Mark's Gospel for complete beginners - as well
as for those who've read the Gospel many times before and want to see it in a fresh light. Written at a highly
accessible level and packed with illuminating spiritual insights, this book would make a perfect gift for anyone
thinking about confirmation, while also appealing to people who may simply be curious about Jesus and the Gospels and want to learn more about his significance. Includes discussion questions and a Lenten reading guide.
Seeing Jesus and Being Seen by Him by Christopher Cocksworth
(SPCK £8.99; ISBN-13: 9780281070473)
'Come and see.' That is Jesus' invitation [in John 1.39], courteous and confident, welcoming but not overpowering, full of grace and truth. It is the gospel in three words. The two disciples, Andrew was one of them, came and
saw. They stayed with Jesus for a day and they liked what they saw. Andrew then went searching for his brother,
Simon, and told him, 'We have found the Messiah'. Andrew took Simon to Jesus who (says John) 'looked at
him'...'This dynamic of seeing Jesus and being seen by him was transformative ...They were never the same again.
They became Jesus' disciples, people who spent time with him, getting to know him better and learning to see the
world differently, as Jesus sees it. Those are three dimensions of seeing that run through this book: seeing Jesus,
being seen by him and seeing things the way Jesus sees them.'
The Journey: With Jesus to Jerusalem and the cross – The SPCK Lent Book – by John Pritchard
(SPCK £7.99; ISBN-13: 9780281071531)
Takes a 'baptised imagination' approach, anchored in the biblical account but allowing a fair amount of imaginative
leeway. Each meditation has a brief, engaging tail-piece to help us relate one of the 30 gospel incidents covered to
our own experience Personal and affective in style The Journey offers daily (weekday) readings for Lent, from
Ash Wednesday to Good Friday and engages the reader in the encounters Jesus had with various people on his
way to Jerusalem. We are invited to explore the synergy between around 30 incidents - which follow Luke's
chronology from Luke 9.51, as Jesus 'set his face to go to Jerusalem' - and issues in contemporary discipleship.
All books available from Church House Bookshop:
www.churchhousebookshop.co.uk / 020 7799 4064
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Lent - how will you spend yours? John Kuti writes
Lent is upon us... it begins on Wednesday, February 18 and ends on Thursday, April 2nd. In the lead up to lent there is a
reflective mood in the air as people ponder on their intentions for lent, wondering if they are up for it, what to give up
and how long for etc. Some approach it as a challenge, others in a state of repentance (the one time in the year when
they can look to cleanse themselves of the mistakes, bad behaviour etc) and though it may seem surprising to hear this,
there will be those who want to make a sacrifice, give up something in an expression of gratitude for a life they fully
appreciate.
What is lent itself...a time of reflection, a time to fast, a time to lose weight, a time to prepare for something, a time to
build up character, a time to breakdown bad behaviour? It could be one or all of those things and there is likely to be just
as many definitions of lent as there are ways for observing it. Perhaps just as there are many roads that can take one to
the same destination, the focus should, as least initially, be on the motive, the "why" you want or need to get there and
not the "how" you will get there.
So, in the run up to lent, ask yourself why you really want to take part... Is it to copy Jesus, fit in or follow the pack
(others are doing so i should too), try and be better or closer to God or to prepare for an encounter with God?
Being clear on your motive, the reason for doing something, is likely to have an impact on your approach, your willingness
and your success in seeing it through, particularly during the days when it is not so easy. Remembering why you are doing
it might just get you through that very difficult day or moment.
Seeking a good reason for taking part in lent? Well, how about this... because God loves you and you want to learn how
to love him back? Yeah but that is not a real reason for taking part some might say. Actually, it is THE REASON for taking
part I would respond... but that is just a view, my view.
Let's think about this, the Christian celebration of Easter, not just the hiding, finding and eating of Easter eggs (although
this too is part of the experience and can be lovely) is acknowledging the victory of life over death, the resurrection of
Jesus. Why did this happen? Why did Jesus come? Why did he live and die the way he did? Why did he rise from death?
A single answer to any or all of these questions can be found in the gospel of John chapter 3 verse 16... For God so loved
the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Seriously... God really loves us (and that includes you) and he sent his only son, Jesus, to walk the earth and pay the price
for all (I mean all not just some) our sins, to build a bridge and establish a loving relationship between us.
Hard to believe? Yes, I know it can be and that is why there are questions like... How can he love me when there is so
much wrong with me or how can so many terrible things be happening to me if he loves me? The answers to some questions are not as straight forward as the questions themselves... there are many reasons why bad things happen in the
world but they are not because God does not love us. The fact is he does, in spite of who we are or what we have done,
he loves us so much that he sent his son into the world to tell us and remind us of how much. The sacrifice for sin has
been made, there is now nothing stopping us from loving God, well, apart from us.
OK, so say you agree with the above, even if slightly or you are considering it and wondering how this might impact your
approach or participation in lent... how about if we reflect on the following passage from 1 John Chapter 4...
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever
does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as
an atoning sacrifice for our sins... since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Here's a question... what does it take to live in love so God can live in us? The answer is both easy and hard... let your
motivation be more about others and not yourself (notice I said more not all). Think of doing more for others, sharing
more with others, giving more (of our time, patience, love etc. not just money) to others. Easier said that done I realise
but if we focus more on others and they focus more on us... wouldn't that be something?
There might be times when that love is all that is left or all that we have to sustain us during the most difficult
of journeys in life, where no one can walk in our shoes or bear a burden on our behalf.
There you have it, something to reflect on in the lead up to lent and maybe even during lent... God is love and by living in
love, he lives in us... by loving one another, we are loving him who first loved us.
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News
A look back at Christmas.. Christmas in a Synagogue
What does it take to make a great Christmas in a Synagogue? According to Finchley Reform Synagogue you need warmth,
friendship and a big kosher turkey.
The guests of the Together in Barnet Night Shelter really approved of this recipe, they voted their Christmas in the synagogue a wonderful success. For some the highlight was just being able to stay in one place for three days after weeks of
moving on to a new venue each night. For other guests it was the luxury of being able to sleep in for as long as they wanted.
Everyone enjoyed the companionship, the food, television and a game of ping pong (whether they had played before or not).
The Christmas tree decorated by the children of the synagogue was a marvel to behold.
Looking after fifteen guests, male and female 24 hours a day for three days required the resources of seven local synagogues
who all contributed volunteers and food to help the Finchley Reform congregation. I am told that plans are already in hand
for next year.
Christmas is the loneliest time for homeless people. Holly Kal-Weiss and her team made the unbearable not just bearable
but a happy experience and we are all most grateful.
Winter Shelter—View From the Venues
When a church or synagogue takes on the task of providing a venue for three months,
they do more than just open their doors. Each venue undertakes to provide dinner for
17 people one night a week for twelve weeks. This is why the offer from St John’s
school pupils to fund and cook a main course once month is so warmly welcomed. East
Barnet Baptist Church and St Mary Magdalene will benefit this year. Denise Becker and
her young cooks from Year 3 at St John’s School produce fragrant stews and curries,
crammed with veg and generous chunks of chicken plus cake or cookies to have after
with coffee. Just the thing for guests who have had a day out in the cold and wet.
Liz Murray
A Night to Remember (or at least try to)
The Christian Aid Supper Quiz has become a familiar fixture on the calendar over the years for some of us and, in recent
times, our parish has assumed the role of host. That meant an evening for head chef Helen and friends baking delicious
brownies, an afternoon in the parish centre kitchen preparing spicy chilli and tasty potato wedges and an evening sitting at
tables enjoying that food and being tested by our brand new question master with some rather tricky questions. It’s amazing
how the mind goes blank when you’re desperately trying to find the right answer somewhere in the recesses of your brain.
Our parish put up three teams, although it has to be said there were only four of us on our particular table. It was a very
hectic night trying to serve food, clear tables and answer questions all at the same time. Thankfully, everyone seemed more
than happy with the culinary delights on offer and, as ever, thanks to all those who helped prepare the food, the centre and
the questions for the evening. Of course, it was all for the wonderful cause of Christian Aid, a charity whose excellent work
is more relevant today than ever before. We owe a debt to Margaret and Christopher Wood and Joyce Brand for their dedication keeping us all aware of the work of Christian Aid. Please don’t forget that when they’re looking for door-to-door collectors in May.
The quiz itself was a lot of fun and I think all our teams held their end up well, although sadly none of us actually topped the
pile. Questions ranged from 70s’ Sitcoms, History and Music to Sport, Literature and Geography. My favourite answer personally was working out that Shropshire was the biggest English county without a coastline, while another team from our
parish were delighted when Sid James was finally the correct answer to one question, after they’d name-checked the late
Carry On star on several other occasions. All in all, a fun night all-round.
Ed Newman
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Our young community—Kat Mutevelian writes
Toddler group
St John's Church currently offer a term time only toddler group, where parents can bring their children (0-5) along on a Tuesday morning (9.30-11) to the parish centre for a fun filled morning of crafts, a nutritious snack time, creative play and song and
dance. During toddler group sessions, parents have the chance to seek out advice and information on services in the local area
and mingle with other parents; tea, coffee and biscuits are offered. Mums volunteer on a rotary basis to help keep this club
going and we are currently being supported by the year three group and Mr Newman and appreciate all the hard work.
Friern Barnet Youth Project—FBYP
At the Friern Barnet youth project (FBYP), an array of activities and services are offered to enrich the lives of the young people and families within the community. On Friday nights (7-9pm) we run a youth club, where young people aged 11-16 can
come down to the parish centre for a chilled out evening of fun, games and general chit chat for a weekly charge of 20p; we
currently have an x-box, table tennis, snooker table, air hockey table plus others and also have a tuck shop. Our youth club
has become a haven for many of the young people in the area, with our number of weekly attendees now averaging at about
50-60 young people. As a result of the influx of new young people, we have now offer a popular football club and tournament,
which runs from 6-7pm at the power league by the Compton school(£2 pp). Along with our weekly youth club, we organise
trips; this year we took a group of 38 to the west end to see “Wicked” and went to play outdoor quasar with another group
of 40. Most recently, we had a celebratory lunch to mark the end of our recent football tournament. We rely on a group of
dedicated volunteers to help us cater for the growing number of young people we work with.
During the week we work at secondary schools within the surrounding area, where we offer tailored mentoring programmes
for small groups of young people. Our workshops cover a wide range of subjects including self esteem; self image; bullying;
anger management; dealing with stress and anxiety; peer pressure etc. Our referrals come directly from the schools that we
work with and so far the partnerships are proving to be very positive. We also work on a
one to one basis offering mentoring or counselling sessions. More information can be found
on the church website, including contact information for anybody interested in the services
we offer or for those that may consider volunteering for the project.
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St John’s Poetry Competition
Children at St John’s school took part in a poetry competition on the theme of winter. Although we haven’t seen much snow
this year, we wanted to share some of the prize-winning entries.
Snow by Kate Davis Year 6
Winter Poem by Maya Nevitt Year 3
Snow falling
When winter comes and all grows cold
Can’t wait ‘till morning
There is so much beauty to behold
Going to build a snowman
The glistening snow lies all around
“When can we go out Nan?”
And falls so softly without a sound.
Got to wrap up warm
Because of the snow storm
The frost and ice glisten in the night
Rushing out to play
Shining on children having a snowball fight.
On a snowy day
You can hear the snow beneath your feet.
Toboganning down the hill
And if you’re lucky a robin you will meet
Don’t mind if I get a chill
Snowball fight with my friends
While the snow has covered the towns and moors
Just don’t want the day to end
We stay safe and warm indoors.
Making angels in the snow
The snow covers the bare arms of the trees
“Look there’s mum, time to go”
And lays a blanket over nature while she sleeps.
Megan Nevitt Year 1
Winter by Ellen Furness Year 2
I had a tiny polar bear,
His name was tiny Sid,
I put him in the freezer to see if he would live.
He ate up all the ice-cream,
And jiggled all about,
When the bear was finished, he shouted ‘let me out’.
I put him in a hat,
I put him in some gloves
Wellies
Ice
Nippy
Tea
Extra-cold
Reindeer
But then my tiny polar bear had started to melt.
Melt, melt, melt, melt, melt…splodge.
Parents were asked to contribute too:
Frost bites
Winter by Ella Whittick
Hello to the Cold white snow
Goodbye to the sun and warm days
Hello to coats, hats and gloves
Goodbye to t-shirts, shorts and sun dresses
Hello to building snow men and sledging
Goodbye to playing on the beach and in the sea
Hello to Jack Frost making patterns on the window
Goodbye to plants and crops growing in the fields
Hello to Father Christmas and Christmas Day
Goodbye to days in the park playing games with my friends.
Long black nights
Fog-buried dawn
Steamy yawn
Fires glow
Chance of snow
Mittened hands
First flake lands
Glistening trees
Long-gone leaves
Landscape covered
Snow duvet smothers
Nature sleeps
Time creeps
In the still of winter
Becke Nevitt
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School Admissions
Church schools have a long, proven record of excellence across the United Kingdom. As a result
they benefit from the privilege of being sought after by parents making choices for their
children’s education.
The criteria for admissions in most church schools give priority to families committed to the
worshipping life of the Church. That commitment is usually measured by the number of years
and regularity of attendance at Sunday services. The principle is to give priority only to people
who sustain and contribute to the Church’s common life.
One of the more challenging responsibilities I have as Rector is countersigning forms for admission
to church schools. In the past twelve years I have signed many forms, the vast majority with
certainty and a clear conscience. Very occasionally, however, I have felt pressure to misrepresent the truth. The last couple of years have seen an increase in families making applications
based on church attendance and my discomfort over admission forms has risen accordingly.
But this is not just my issue; the Wardens also share in the responsibility of ensuring fairness and
transparency in the process of endorsing school applications.
There is change ahead which, until now, I confess I have strongly resisted. However, to assist
everyone involved, families, schools, Wardens and Rector, we will shortly introduce a register of
attendance; this is common practice in many parishes. All families interested in seeking
admission to a church school, on the basis of their church attendance, will be invited to sign the
register every time they come to church for a Sunday service. This will help those involved make,
sometimes difficult, judgments about admission applications. I hope, really hope, that the
register will make life easier for all.
I have always thought that having a church school in the parish is a privilege. I love being part of
a team who encourages, supports and instils faith in young people, enabling them to ask
questions about human existence and the purpose of life and the nature of God. Witnessing
how children grow intellectually and spiritually, maturing in their own thinking, independently
from those who nurture them, is a gift for which I give sincere thanks.
I love that the desire to educate children in church schools draws many young families into our
‘church family’ where they can grow in faith and develop a deeper relationship with God and
within the Body of Christ, discover the life giving community of the Church. Here we, together,
can seek to pray, give thanks, and serve, bringing others to joyful life, life that is of God’s promise
and of his Kingdom.
Father Paul
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School Life
Wonderful displays of some
of the women in the bible
are currently up in the hall
at St John’s School . Each
year group has written
about the women and the
displays of Ruth, Esther and
Miriam are included here.
First Female Church of England Bishop
The Rt Revd Libby Lane was consecrated as the first female bishop in the Church of England in a packed service at
York Minster on 26th January attended by more than 100 bishops from the Church of England and women bishops
from across the Anglican Communion. Bishop Libby said on that day:
"Archbishop Sentamu has observed, "the way that we show our faith and our love for one another is with two simple things, prayer and parties." Today is an occasion of prayer and of party - and I am thrilled that so many want to
share in both. I cannot properly express how encouraged I have been in the weeks since the announcement of my
nomination, by the thousands of messages I have received with words of congratulation, support and wisdom. I've
heard from people of all ages, women and men - people I have known for years, and people I have never met;
people from down the road, and people from across the world.
"Many of those who have been in touch have little or no contact with the Church of England; not all have been
people of faith, but every one of them has felt this moment marks something important. That all this personal - and
media - attention has centred on me has been a little overwhelming: I cannot possibly live up to everyone's expectation. And so today, at my consecration, I hold on to words of promise from the Bible, a reassurance that all this
does not depend on me … 'the God who calls you is faithful: He will do it' (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
"My consecration service is not really about me. With echoes of practice which has been in place for hundreds of
years in the church, it is a reminder that what I am about to embark on is shared by the bishops around me, by
those who have gone before me and those who will come after. It places the ministry of a bishop in the context of
the ministry of all God's people. And most importantly it retells the good news of Jesus, the faithful one, who calls
each of us to follow him.”
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Winston Churchill, 1874 – 1965
Winston Churchill died on 24 January 1965, aged 90, and this year marked 50 years since his death and funeral.
Churchill was buried on 30th January 1965 after a full state funeral—the only commoner of the twentieth century
to be accorded such an honour. Thousands of people came to pay their respects at his funeral, and the ceremony
was watched by millions more worldwide.
St Paul’s Cathedral, 30th January 1965
“In the hour of unique peril when he led our nation, he led it by evoking the spirit of its history through the
centuries, and he uttered that spirit in deeds and in words simple and timeless. And in leading a nation, he touched
those chords of humanity that belong to all nations … [with] the spirit not only of victory in conflict but of
reconciliation between nations after.” Archbishop Michael Ramsey
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Among the activities at the Carlton Court Care Home in Barnet, where Peggy Slow now lives, are the weekly
poetry readings, which she particularly enjoys. This poem recently caught her attention, and she passes it on to
Fulcrum readers.
The Little Boy and the Old Man
by Shel Silverstein
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I drop my spoon.”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I wet my pants.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often cry.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
Grown-ups don’t pay attention to me.”
And he felt the warmth of the wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
From the Parish Magazine 100 years ago
From the Rector’s letter:
Our own boys are rapidly completing or have already completed their training. Robert Lord and Lancelot Reynolds left for France on December 27th. Leonard Warren has actually been in the fighting line, and Wilfred Hardie
left for Malta about a fortnight ago. Our thoughts and wishes and prayers will follow them and all who have preceded them, and we shall not cease to remember them at the Altar day by day as long as they are away.
Mission Action Plan for Capital Vision 2020
St John’s is in the process of drawing up the next Mission Action Plan to plan for our church community over the
next five years. A survey has been circulated at church to assist this process and your feedback and thoughts are
invaluable. Please complete a questionnaire and return it as soon as you can. All questionnaires are anonymous
and any information is important (even if you feel it’s not!) Do see a church warden and ask to be given a form if
you haven’t seen one yet.
Capital Vision Prayer
Generous God,
You have called us to be salt and light in this great city;
Guide us by your Holy Spirit to discern your will for your Church
as we seek to follow your Son Jesus Christ in loving and serving our neighbours.
Give us the wisdom and strength to fulfil the vision you put before us
and help us to play our part in transforming our earthly city into a sign of the Heavenly Jerusalem
where you live and reign, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God now and for ever.
Amen
Page 18
Amy’s House
An exhibition “Small Stories”, currently at the V&A Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green, shows the development
of dolls’ houses from the seventeenth century to the beginning of the twenty-first, hence portraying the changes in
home life over that period. “Miss Miles’s House” is one of the twelve on show.
Amy Miles was born and brought up in Friern Barnet. Her parents, John and Sophia, moved into the Manor House
in Friern Barnet Lane in 1851, with their first three children: Sophia (3 years old at the time of the move), Charles
(1) and their new baby, Henry. Eliza (known by her second name, Janet) was born after the move in 1854 and
Amy, the youngest, in 1857. Both girls were baptised in St James’s Church. John Miles was governor of the New
River Company and an extensive landowner. Soon after the family’s arrival in Friern Barnet, John was appointed
churchwarden by the Rector, Robert Morris, an office he was to hold for thirty-five years. As the population of the
parish grew, he financed the building of All Saints’ Church, consecrated in 1882, together with its school and vicarage, also providing the land on which they were built. His second son, Henry, was the first vicar of the new parish.
It would be nice to be able to imagine Amy as a child playing with the dolls’ house at her home in Friern Barnet
Lane, but it was not made until the 1890’s. We do not know what led her to create it; the curator of the exhibition surmises that perhaps, following the death of her father in 1886, she was recreating her childhood home in his
memory. By this time, only the two youngest children, Janet and Amy, were still living at the Manor House with
their mother. Their sister, Sophia, had married Edmond Morris, son of the Rector, in 1873; they were living, with
their large family in Stoke Newington. Charles was living in Berkhamsted, Henry in All Saints’ Vicarage.
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Amy would have had the house made and bought most of
the beautifully made furniture which she installed. There is
great attention to detail: the dog curled up on the floor, the
newspaper left on the chair. The house is very up-to-date
with the latest technology. In the hall, there is a telephone;
in the bathroom (to the right on the top floor), the bath is
supplied with hot water from a gas geyser. There is electric
lighting in every room, very advanced for its time. Perhaps
the little girl In the nursery (top left), with its dolls’ house, is
Amy, with her brother Henry at the top of the stairs, Mrs
Miles entertaining a neighbour in the drawing room, and Mr
Miles in the billiard room.
There are several servants: the butler in the dining room (ground floor, to the left of the staircase), the cook in the
kitchen, a maid in the bathroom. This Amy would have taken for granted. In 1861, when she was four, there were
eight servants living in the house: governess, nurse, nursery maid, cook, house maid, footman and groom. In the
coachman’s house, the coachman lived with his wife and their two children; the gardener lived in the front lodge
with his wife and children.
Mrs Miles died in 1902. Following her death, much of the Miles estate was sold for building, but the Manor House
and its grounds survived to become the North Middlesex Golf Club. Janet and Amy moved to a flat in Kensington.
There they managed with just one living-in servant.
We have a tantalising hint that the two sisters had more adventurous lives than we might suppose. In April 1914
they are on the passenger list of the SS Orcoma, arriving in Liverpool, having embarked at Rio de Janeiro.
The month following their return, Janet died, aged 60. Amy died in 1928, aged 70. She was then in Berkhamsted,
perhaps living with a member of her brother Charles’s family. Charles himself had died in 1911, as had their sister
Sophia. Both Janet and Amy are buried in Friern Barnet churchyard; their brother Henry conducted their funerals.
He, having retired in 1932 after fifty years as vicar of All Saints’, died in 1944 at the age of 93. He also is buried in
Friern Barnet churchyard.
It is a hundred years since Amy’s dolls’ house was first on public display. She lent it for an exhibition at the V&A in
1915. Later she gave it to the museum and it was transferred to the Museum of Childhood in 1921.
(The picture is of the Miles family in the Manor House garden. Amy is standing, holding a tennis
racket.)
“Small Stories” is at the Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green (near Bethnal Green Tube Station),
until 6th September (www.museumofchildhood.org.uk). A book “Dolls’ Houses” by Halina Pasierbska, published by the V&A,
describes the collection, with photographs showing the contents in detail.
John Philpott
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Holiday at Home 2015
23rd - 25th July
Following the success of last year’s Holiday at Home, when we welcomed approximately 35 people into our
‘Seaside church’, we have just started making plans for this years ‘holiday’ and the exciting news is that we are
planning to expand our horizons. The expansion is not just in terms of duration – we’re hoping to offer a three
day holiday but also in terms of location, not just one seaside – but a cruise so that we can focus on different
places, cultures and possibly foods on each day!
As before, we will need lots of help to make these days a success: We need to transform the church, we need
to support our guests, to plan, prepare and serve meals (we’ll be serving morning coffee with home- made biscuits, lunch and afternoon tea with home-made cakes each day) and we’ll need things. Do you have lots of artefacts from a particular country or area, items that we can use to decorate the church?
And we need you. Do you think you could take some time off work, maybe a day, maybe more to come and
help? We know that everyone really enjoyed their day last year, perhaps you could consider taking some holiday
in order to give others a ‘holiday at home’? Please come and chat to me if you want to know more.
Shirley Davison