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Connecting the church and community in East Hull

June 2014

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Editorial...

“WITH THANKS TO GOD AND THE

POWER THAT OTHERS PRAY IN”

Recently my father was rushed into hospital by ambulance. The more medically minded among you will well understand the various ailments that afflicted him, but suffice it to say that he was extremely ill. Of course I prayed about it. But I was touched by how readily members of my church and parish included him in their own daily prayers. Most had never met him but they readily asked God to care for him. The first few days were quite bleak. If I am honest I had never seen my father so ill. I found myself praying harder and more deeply. So did the church! I received little messages of goodwill by text or by word. It is a statement both reassuring and powerful that says ―he is in my prayers ―But no statement is more reassuring than God‘s wonderfully recuperative touch, and His quiet voice saying ―trust Me, he is in My care‖ My father‘s condition now, though still unwell, is a world away from that ambulance trip and emergency admission. I myself feel both foolish and enlightened, in equal measure, to witness this testimony to the potency of prayer, and to the wondrous compassion that God so readily displays to each and every one of us. I know that I simply have to trust in God‘s care and the way He moves within our lives, but in darker days such trust can call a leap of faith. But it is a leap that we must make all the same. When I consider then, my Father‘s progress in hospital, I see full well the result of such a leap!

The Editor wishes to record his deep and sincere gratitude, first to

God for His unfailing mercies; and secondly to all of those people

who continue to pray for his father‘s recovery. You are too numerous

to recall here, but I thank each and every one of you in equal

measure.

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CHURCH MISSION

OR MISSIONARY

CHURCH?

© Aian MacPherson

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The Rev Thomas Dykes was, I am led to believe, a good friend of William Wilberforce, a founding member of CMS (Christian Mission Society) and the founder and first Minister of St John's Church. St John's was originally founded as a Chapel of ease, to minister to the fishermen and sailors. St John's was a daughter church of Holy Trinity and was built on what is now the site of Ferens Art Gallery. The reverend Dykes ministered there for the first 56 years of the churches life.

Surviving both the move of St John's church premises from town to its current location and fire and bombing, a stone remains in the side chapel of St John's today recording this epitaph to the reverend Dykes:

Ever faithful in preaching Christ crucified, his ministry was eminently blessed; whilst, by his fervent piety, conciliatory spirit, and

uniform consistency of conduct, he was endeared to all who knew him.

I only heard about the Reverend Dykes for the first time three days ago. I had known for a couple of weeks that I would be writing for this month's Echo, and - the editor assured me with no hint of a threat - that it would be appropriate to reflect upon the history of CMS as they celebrate 200 years since the foundation of a society in the vicinity. Whilst reflecting on the past I thought it important to point to the future and here, in the Reverend Dykes epitaph, I was given a gift of transition.

I had considered, for this article, using ‗The Five Marks of Mission‘ developed by the worldwide Anglican Communion to illustrate what the church should be doing if it is truly the church. These are:

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To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom To teach, baptise and nurture new believers To respond to human need by loving service To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth

The Reverend Dykes was one in a long line of saints who has lived out at least some of these ―Marks‖. He was ‗ever faithful in preaching Christ crucified‘, that is proclaiming the good news of the kingdom. Dykes ‗fervent piety‘ I relate to his ministry of service to the fishermen and sailors of Hull. Also to a life which, in its opposition of slavery alongside other members of the Clapham Sect, sought to challenge the injustice of the structures of the world. By his ‗conciliatory spirit‘, he dem-onstrated to those around him a pursuit of peace and reconciliation. By his long ministry, his teaching and by his ‗consistency of conduct‘, he was ‗endeared to all who knew him‘, and I'm sure received the privilege of baptising and nurturing new believers.

God’s mission is the purpose of the church; our DNA is the

cross of Christ: the sign of God's mission to bring us home to the kingdom. Some people say we are church with a mission, others say we must be a missionary church. I'm not sure I really see a difference. The church is a worshipping and living sign of the kingdom. At best the church reforms the unjust structures of society, serves, loves, reconciles, and lives in peace; we are church with a mission. At worst we, the church, become self-interested, greedy and blind to the injustice that we and others execute, but we still demonstrate the Gospel when we acknowledge our sin and come back to God; we are at least the beggar who is able to tell others where to get a piece of bread; we are missionary church.

I hope one day to have earned an epitaph similar to that of Thomas Dykes, to have been a minister of the Gospel, to have followed the example of the Saints in living out God's mission to the world. But failing that, may it at least be said that I was found with the tax collector praying ‗Lord Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner‘. To Him be glory in the church.

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Quite a while ago I spent time helping a young Indian doctor who had, whilst working in this country, encountered quite serious problems. However all was resolved and he returned to India and I, for my part, had almost forgotten the happening. But imagine my surprise when, out of the blue, I received a telephone call from India inviting Sandra (my wife) and I to his wedding – which was to be a traditional Hindu event. So off we went and spent five weeks there and the wedding was a fantastic happening – spread over three days! We were attired in customary Hindu wedding clothes which we still have and, indeed, again wore when we later gave a local talk about our experiences! But Hindu kindness and compassion was ever to the fore – more so when Sandra was struck down with a severe tummy upset. As a group they constantly prayed for Sandra‘s recovery and, from the leaflets they gave us, I was impressed by one in particular which I have copied below:

A LESSON OF TIME... ―When a bird is alive it eats ants. When the bird is dead then ants eat the bird. Time and circumstances can change at any time so don‘t devalue or hurt anyone in life. You may be powerful today, but remember that time is more powerful than you! One tree makes a million matchsticks – but only one matchstick is needed to burn a million trees ……… So be good and do good at all times.‖ ….and yes – Sandra did make a full recovery!

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When discussing the incidence of poetic language in the Bible, I referred to ‗the dazzling brilliance of the Lord‘s presence‘, Exodus 33 v18, ‗Then Moses requested, ‗Please let me see the dazzling light of your presence.‘

This phrase is a particular favourite of mine and it was called to mind recently in a striking way. It is at this time of year that the countryside is truly illuminated with the fields of flowering oil seed rape crops. Their brilliance is even more overwhelming than their perfume that I rank alongside the fragrance of the hay meadow and also the scent of flowering privet. (I am fortunate not to suffer from hay fever as I understand that pollen from the bright yellow flowers is an allergen to those who do.)

This year I had the unexpected opportunity to view the spectacle

from the air. I am familiar with the aerial patchwork effect of the fields

but here with the bright yellow ‗patches‘, the fabric of the land was

richly enhanced, lifted and lit up. It was truly dazzling and brilliant. I

found this symbolic and a reassurance of the Lord‘s presence.

HE IS

HERE © Heather Clarke

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DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE....... WEDNESDAY 18th JUNE 2014

To the editor—drypoolecho@gmail.com

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MABEL: WEDDING

BELLES © Margaret King

It seemed to Mabel that everything about that day in June was perfect, even the dew sparkling on the grass. ―What?‖ said Raymond, ―were you up so early that there was still dew on the grass?‖ Mabel smiled. ―I didn‘t want to miss a minute of today,‖ she said, ―and who was up so early watering the hanging baskets?‖ ―I want everything to be perfect for my Sarah.‖ Said Raymond Tilly had invited Mabel to spend the night with her, Annette, Tony and Raymond. The sisters had always been close and shared family occasions such as this. ―Where is Sarah?‖ asked her brother Tony, ―is it breakfast in bed for brides?‖ ―Gracious no,‖ Said Tilly‖ Sarah is at the Hairdressers with the bridesmaids.‖

The morning passes in a happy blur as the flowers are delivered, neighbours pop in to wish them all well and the cards and presents arrive. Mabel and Tilly were busy making sandwiches. ―We can‘t have anyone fainting with hunger,‖ quipped Annette, ―and by the time the service is over, and the photographs taken, tummies will be rumbling. Mabel was one of the few people allowed to see the bride in all her finery. But Aunty Mabel had always been a special person in Sarah‘s life. While Raymond wiped away a tear as Sarah took his arm.

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The service passed as if in a dream and they heard the words ―You may kiss the bride‖ The bridal party went into the vestry to sign the register. It seemed a long while to one young guest, no doubt with thoughts of the food and party to follow. ―My teacher, signs a whole class of us quicker than that! It doesn‘t take that long.‖ He moaned.

But the happy couple were

coming down the aisle, soon to

be bombarded with confetti. So

we will leave them there, to start

a new and happy life together!

―Ready?‖ he asked as the organ started up the familiar Wedding March. She nodded and smiled as a little gasp went up from the guests at the picture of happiness.

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Trisha Wick, Principal of the Chaima Christian Institute at Maridi in South Sudan and former vicar of Victoria Dock Church is the parish CMS mission partner. Here’s a round-up of her latest news.

CRISPS Whilst in Juba recently I decided to buy some treats to take back to Maridi. I found some apple pie and vanilla custard flavoured crisps. I bought two packets - one to eat in Juba and one to take to Maridi. They were disgusting! They were soft and tasted like rotten cheese. CHOIR

I sometimes sing with the Choir in the English Service. The congregation love it when I do this especially when I dance too. I have been teaching them some new songs. Recently we have an influx of new members. Continue to pray for the musicians in the Cathedral as there continue to be many tensions amongst them. EYE My right eye still has a problem but is not deteriorating at present. I hope to get it properly checked when I am back in UK in August for a month's holiday.

SECURITY SITUATION Bishop Justin describes the security situation in South Sudan generally and around Maridi as complex and unpredictable. So far Maridi has remained mostly peaceful. Things could change at any moment so please pray for a solution to the unrest and for God's wall of protection around Maridi.

NO SALARIES

Soldiers, police, government workers etc. have had no salaries for the past three months and so are becoming increasingly disgruntled and desperate as they seek to provide for their families. We fear that robberies and drunkenness will increase.

STUDY AT NIGHT

My payot (mud hut where I receive visitors) is being used by some of the students from Chaima Institute for study in the evenings as they have no lights in their homes to study when it is dark.

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MANGOES It is now mango season and this year there is such a huge number of mangos that many are going to waste as we cannot eat them all. Great if someone could dry mangos and set up a business for this. In my garden I have four different types of mangoes as I brought seeds from Uganda years ago so I am growing mangos not usually found in South Sudan. MY FAMILY I am so grateful to my brother and sister for all they do in caring for my Mum. Many thanks to Filey Parish too for all they do. BISHOP JUSTIN

Bishop Justin is away for a month. Part of his time will be spent in Northern Ireland. Thank God that he was granted a visa. GODMOTHER Later this month I will be Godmother to two little baby boys who will be baptized. The fathers are both members of the English Service choir so it an honour to be asked. I have to attend several baptism preparation classes with the families before then. Love and God bless to you all

NEW BAND Earlier this year three musicians from the English service formed a band called 'Eternity Gospel Band'. They are very good and recently went to Yei to record some songs. They hope soon to produce their first album called 'My God is wonderful'. Pray for Amin, Elisee and Abbassie in this new venture. CHAIMA FARM

The crops we have planted on our Institute farm are growing quickly as at present we have a good mixture of sun and rain. Our main crops are maize and ground nuts (pea nuts) but we are also growing tomatoes, onions and cabbages. VISITORS

This month we hope to welcome two visitors to Chaima Christian Institute: Robin Minney who is coming from UK to teach the theology students for a month, and Faith Apolot who is coming to audit our finance books. HOLIDAY IN UK I hope to arrive in UK on August 7th for a month's holiday including celebrating my 60th birthday on September 4th. My mother and I hope to enjoy five days together in Scotland plus many other outings.

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‘He alone is my rock and my

salvation; he is my fortress, I

will never be shaken.’

Psalm 62:2

Some time ago, after I‘d read

the above verse, I wrote the

following in my diary; ‗The

Lord—my rock, my salvation

and my fortress—will never let

me go. He knows what I‘m

feeling. He knows when I‘m

going through difficult times. I

need to remember that when all

around me seems frail and

unreliable. He is firm and solid.

His love for me will never let me

go. He is still there for me, still

holding me up. It may not feel

like it at the time, but he is

preventing me from being

shaken.

Today, re-reading what I‘d

written then, I thought about the

person who was inspired to

write Psalm 62—King David.

David had many difficult times in

his life but he chose to focus on

God. He knew that God was

his rock, his salvation and his

fortress. He knew that events

could shake him, but God

wouldn‘t let him go. David‘s

faith was built on a solid

foundation. He never said

things would be easy because

we belong to him. But He did

say ‗Never will I leave you;

Never will I forsake

you.‘ (Hebrews 13:5). Isaiah

41:10 encourages us not to be

afraid, or dismayed because He

is with us while we‘re going

through life‘s trials and

tribulations. He will strengthen

and help us to cope at these

times. He will uphold us with

His right hand.

I love the way David ends that

verse ‗I will never be shaken.‘ I

think it speaks volumes.

Whatever my future holds, I

hope and pray that my faith will

stay strong as I remember that

God will not let me go. He will

hold me steady.

OH LOVE THAT

WILT NOT LET

ME GO

© Carole Harvey

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I have been asked to write my 1st article for the Echo about my son Jacob‘s Rugby gala day. He trains for East Hull Bulldogs who are the youngest team of East Hull A.R.L.F.C.

The day started with a photo shoot of the whole club at the KC Lightstream Stadium. The club chairman Les Shaw and club president Ray Butler said that there are 250 kids in the whole club aged between 4 – 17. Everyone is welcome, we do not discriminate against any walk of life including disabled,we can always find a role within the club for anyone, and all are welcome. We are a community based sports club and love to promote sports and activities within the community. We have children who come to us from as far as North Hull and West Hull.

Les stated that the club is not funded and rely on donations and charity events such as today‘s gala to raise money for the club. This event was held at soccer sensations on Greatfield on Bank Holiday Monday 26th May 2014, and consisted of rides for younger children, bouncy castles and a food van. The pitches were open for kids to play on. The bar was open and the coca cola flowed freely! At 1pm there was a raffle draw followed by a live band playing on an outside stage. The music was a mixture of country, 60‘s and 70‘s, a bit for all tastes.

As the day wore on it became quite cloudy but it didn‘t seem to dampen the spirit. The event was a success and very crowded.

They are community based and train at St Richards School on

Marfleet Lane. All newcomers are welcome. Jacob trains on

Mondays night from 6pm – 7pm. Anybody interested in joining

please attend the school playing fields on a Monday evening and

ask for Stuart.

RUGBY GALA

DAY © Wendi Clarke

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GEOFF HOWLETT’S CD REVIEW

Hillsong United Zion (Hillsong: HMACD275)

This is Hillsong United‘s third studio album, following the rather indifferent release of ‗Aftermath‘ in 2011. This time, the sound and concept of the album has changed dramatically and that results in one glorious release. The opening ‗Relentless‘ has a great electronic sound to it, and the song is really moving, as the lyrics describe God‘s love as being ‗relentless‘. ‗Up In Arms‘ is mature pop, whilst ‗Oceans‘ has a more intimate quality, where the female vocalist leads sensitively until the song explodes with the power of the Holy Spirit. I very much liked the atmospheric ‗Mercy Mercy‘, complete with its, practically, monotone vocal. The album flourishes throughout, and ‗Love Is War‘ is one of those songs that simply washes over you as you focus on God, completely. The title track is an instrumental, and I‘d love to see a choreographed dance set to it. On it‘s own, it‘s truly powerful, but I feel that there‘s even more that it could offer. If you think that you know what to expect from a Hillsong album, then think again. This is a huge step forward in praise and worship, which concludes in the epic (in a Coldplay sort of way) ‗King of Heaven‘. A wonderful album.

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TRISHA’S TRIBUTE

© Trisha Wick

supported and cared for has also developed over the years and I can honestly say that at present I feel better supported than ever before. My Regional Manager visits me regularly, emails are answered quickly and there is always someone on the end of the phone. We have an annual Mission Partner Appraisal which is very helpful. There is great fellowship with other CMS Mission Partners also. A number of years ago CMS moved its Headquarters from London to Oxford. This was a traumatic time with some staff resigning as they did not wish to move their families to Oxford. However, I have noticed that since then the people CMS employs are of even higher caliber than before and the CMS UK team is very skilled, highly qualified and very efficient. Please do all you can to support CMS

Drypool’s CMS Mission Partner in South Sudan, Trisha Wick, shares here a short testimony in tribute of the CMS on the Hull Branch’s bicentenary.

I have been a Mission Partner with CMS for the past 16 years. I was impressed when I was first interviewed and believed then, as I do now, that CMS is wanting to keep up to date with the way mission should be approached today and adapts accordingly. The way a Mission Partner is

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PRESENT IMPERFECT: MEETING GOD IN UNEXPECTED

PLACES (AND WILBERFORCE AND J.B. DYKES

CAME ALONG TOO...)

© Shane Blades

―How was the Wilberforce event?‖ asked Christine. I sighed heavily, ―Not at all what I expected.‖ ―Tell me more‖ Said she. So I did. Excitement had crept in earlier that day when I took a phone call from Carl at our church. He informed me that at precisely 2pm, at Jubilee Church in Hull, 200 hundred Africans would be turning up. ―So?‖ I had replied, ―It is a big church!‖ I heard the sigh of frustration at the other end of the line but chose to ignore it. ―They are turning up to give personal testimonies about how, because of Wilberforce, they are free people today. I was talking

to someone from the church and they told me all about it. I can‘t go myself, but I thought you might be interested with it being Wilberforce.‖ An understatement if ever there was one reader! Sheepishly I thanked him and hung up. And rang Dave! And so it was that Shane, Dave and Callum (Dave‘s son) duly presented themselves at the appointed hour and were ushered quietly into the main auditorium. ―It started at one,‖ explained the usher, ―but you are more than welcome.‖ One o‘clock? My mind went back to the‖ 5minute ―carol service and Howard‘s mistiming. It seemed that Carl‘s was as bad. ―Never mind,‖ said Dave, as ever the sanguine one, ―we‘re here now let‘s enjoy the testimonies.‖

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As we entered a raucous musical group were singing rather laborious tunes with much repetition. I groaned inwardly-happy clappy! It really wasn‘t my scene at all. We took seats at the back, but everybody was standing and swaying, and we three felt obliged to do similar. We stood up and half heartedly swayed in conjunction with the ―stirred up‖ acolytes. Dave was better at it than us, as Callum and I looked at each other and joined in with a resigned demeanour. Mercifully, after about 15 minutes, the group announced that they were taking a break, and that coffee would be served in a side room. Everyone applauded one guest for different reasons perhaps. We all looked at each other. This was our chance to escape. We had only to head out into the street and then discreetly (and quickly) walk away. But something held us there. Perhaps the lure of coffee proved irresistible. At any rate we tarried. And were lost! Armed with coffees and more than the quota of provided biscuits, we still thought to escape. It was too late! The audience were returning to their seats. Stalag Luft 14 beckoned.

We had no choice but to join them. I resigned myself to endless hours of ―happy clappy‖ worship. But it wasn‘t the band who took to the stage. A slim, elderly lady was introduced by the co-ordinator, and carefully threaded her way to the lectern. Kate, Lady Darvos explained that she was a direct descendent of William Wilberforce himself. Suddenly God had my full attention. I soon realized that this was why I was here and why the coffee break had detained us. I never cease to be amazed by the subtlety of God. Kate, as she preferred to be known, spoke calmly and eloquently but with a most impressive passion about the legacy her predecessor had left, and how she personally had responded to it. We sat enthralled. There was barely a cough from the audience. She had our attention and how she rallied us. So simply yet effectively! Humbly yet powerfully. She clearly had a large helping of William‘s oratory powers. I wondered what it must have been like listening to him. Something similar I decided. And as she sat

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down, to tumultuous applause, we felt that we all stood with her. We all felt that we simply had to continue the cause. It was as simple as that! God had surreptitiously drawn us all together that day. And had spoken, not through a mighty leader, but a slightly frail, very humble Christian! Christine seemed impressed as I concluded my narrative. ―One thing confuses me though,‖ I told her, ―I don‘t know where those coaches went with the 200 Africans on board them!‖ But if that wasn‘t enough reader, I was reminded a second time how God meets with us unexpectedly. Having returned from our beloved capitol city and the Church Magazine Conference, I found that I had much to muse upon. Sitting in St. John‘s (back row of course and behind a pillar) I considered all the ideas that the weekend had put to me, and my own that resulted from them. Now I do realize that sometimes my enthusiasms outrun good sense and reasonable practicalities. It was time for a short prayer (plenty of time during the sermon!)

―God,‖ I began, ―if I am on the right lines with my thinking of what You want me to do, then let ―Holy, Holy, Holy‖ be one of the hymns we sing this morning.‖ I sat back. There was no reason that it should be. But I would wait and see. Halfway through the service, a time when Antoine suggests hymns, I listened carefully. Nothing! No JB Dykes hymn of any description. I began to wonder. Perhaps I had been over enthused as usual. And then, as the offertory hymn began, I thought I recognized some familiar notes. It was! It was ―Holy, Holy, Holy‖. My eyes moved Heavenwards. God how could I ever have doubted You. Later, over coffee, I told Antoine about my thoughts. I noticed that he stared at me to begin with. ―I didn‘t know why I was playing that one,‖ he explained, ―it didn‘t fit in at all. I just felt that I had to.‖

We could only look at each

other for a moment. And I could

only echo Thomas. ―My Lord

and my God.‖

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A few weeks ago, Shane and I,

accompanied by my sister

Allyson were privileged enough

to be invited to the Association

of Church Editors‘ Annual

Meeting and awards ceremony

held in London.

After a very early start, we

arrived at the venue, somewhat

bleary eyed , having almost

gotten lost on the tube due to

parts of the Central and District

lines being closed for the

weekend. We were revitalised

however by the speech given by

this year‘s keynote speaker.

Stephen Poxon, former editor of

the Salvationist newspaper

which was both amusing and

inspiring, regularly punctuated

with the reassurance that

whenever faced with problems in

producing your magazine we

should ‗be undaunted, because

it‘s writing for the King!‘

YOU’RE

WRITING FOR

THE KING! © Christine Brain

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The Echo Editorial Team were

honoured to receive a

Certificate of Achievement for

producing the magazine. The

parish is extremely blessed with

talented contributors across the

parish sharing the stories,

pictures and wisdom which

bring a unique voice to this

publication and we would like to

thank all those who send

articles for helping to make this

possible. There was stiff com-

petition from many higher

budget magazines and it was

the quality of your contributions

that shone through. We‘re

sure that what we get is just the

tip of the iceberg and there are

other aspiring writers who per-

haps haven‘t had the confi-

dence to send us something

yet. We‘d love to hear from

you. Remember:

‗Be undaunted, it‘s writing for

the King!‘

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25th MAY SAW THE EAST HULL DEANERY CONFIRMATION SERIVCE HOSTED AT ST COLUMBA. THE CONFIRMATIONS WERE CONDUCTED BY THE ARCHBISHOP OF

YORK WITH THREE DRYPOOL CANDIDATES BEING CONFIRMED. HERE’S A SELECTION OF PHOTOS FROM THE EVENING.

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In total, 11 candidates were confirmed from across the Deanery. These were (in alphabetical order): Jacqui Best, George Blanchard, Noel Briggs, Sheila Cooper, Lesley Damon, Lorraine Fairhead, Linda Gray, Nell Hackney, Luke Parfitt and Ann Storey. Here they are pictured with clergy and the Archbishop.

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25th MAY SAW THE EAST HULL DEANERY CONFIRMATION SERIVCE HOSTED AT ST COLUMBA. THE CONFIRMATIONS WERE CONDUCTED BY THE ARCHBISHOP OF

YORK WITH THREE DRYPOOL CANDIDATES BEING CONFIRMED. HERE’S A SELECTION OF PHOTOS FROM THE EVENING.

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Above: Drypool candidates Jacqui Best (St John‘s), Luke Parfitt (Youth Cell) and Linda Gray (St John‘s) smile for the camera. Centre: Luke cuts the cake which was made for the occasion by Sarah Hussey.

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GROWING CONCERN

OVER HUNGER IN THE UK

―Hunger in the UK is a real issue which must be of concern to us all, including the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party,‖ said Steve Clifford, general director of the Evangelical Alliance. He went on: ―Last year more than 5,500 people were admitted to UK hospitals suffering with malnutrition. …Many of our member churches are playing their part hosting and stocking food banks and we need the political parties to play their part as well.‖

The Department for Work and

Pensions has also published

research showing that a third of

families affected by the Benefit

Cap have already had to cut

spending on essential items

such as food, while more than

one in ten of these families have

needed to borrow money to

make ends meet – often from

payday lenders.

Christian unease is growing over the issue of hunger in the UK. Now the Evangelical Alliance, which represents two million Christians across 79 denominations, has called on senior politicians to put the issue of hunger in the UK firmly on the political agenda. It is also urging the cross parliamentary inquiry into foodbanks and food poverty in Britain, led by the Bishop of Truro, to include in its Terms of Reference an investigation on wage level stagnation, food price rises, and benefit changes and failures - as they relate to the rise of hunger.

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9th June is St Columba Day. Here we take a look at the life of the saint who brought Christianity to the UK and whose name one of our churches carries.

Columba was born in Donegal of the royal Ui Neill clan, and trained as a monk. He founded the monasteries of Derry (546), Durrow (c.556) and probably Kells. In 565 Columba left Ireland with 12 companions for Iona, an island off southwest Scotland. Iona had been given to him for a monastery by the ruler of the Irish Dalriada.

Why would a monk in his mid-40s go into voluntary exile? Various explanations include: voluntary exile for Christ, an attempt to help overseas compatriots in their struggle for survival, or even as punishment for his part in a row over a psalter in Ireland. Whatever the reason, Columba went to Iona

COLUMBA OF

IONA—

MISSSIONARY

TO THE UK

and spent the rest of his life in Scotland, returning to Ireland only for occasional visits.

Columba‘s biographer, Adomnan, portrays him as a tall, striking figure of powerful build and impressive presence, who combined the skills of scholar, poet and ruler with a fearless commitment to God‘s cause. Able, ardent, and sometimes harsh, Columba seems to have mellowed with age.

As well as building his monastery on Iona, Columba converted Brude, king of the Picts. Columba had great skill as a scribe, and an example can be seen in the Cathach of Columba, a late 6th century psalter in the Irish Academy, the oldest surviving example of Irish majuscule writing. In his later years Columba spent much time transcribing books.

Columba‘s death was apparently foreseen by his community, and sensed by his favourite horse. He died in the church just before Matins, and it is a tribute to this man that his traditions were upheld by his followers for about a century, not least in the Synod of Whitby and in Irish monasteries on the continent of Europe.

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‗We don‘t want to lose you, but we think you ought to go‘, sang music hall star Vesta Tilley in the Summer of 1914, when theatre stages became recruiting centres as young men, urged on by their girlfriends and wives, made their way forward to offer themselves for military service. This was, of course, in those first heady months of the war, the ‗over by Christmas‘ time, when not to volunteer was to risk being given a white feather of cowardice in the street. Rapidly a huge volunteer army was assembled, and soon made its way to the western front. The songs of the music-hall went with them - indeed, this was an army that sang and whistled its way into those muddy trenches and kept on singing, even when it turned out that the war was going to be long, bitter and brutal. ‗Pack up your troubles in your old kitbag‘, they sang, ‗and smile, smile,

smile‘. All that was needed was a ‗lucifer to light your fag‘. After all, ‗What‘s the use of worrying - it never was worthwhile‘. Soon that song was joined by others - I learnt many of them from my father: ‗Madamoiselle from Armentieres, parlez-vous?‘ ‗It‘s a long way to Tipperary‘ and so on. The songs of the music hall became the songs of the battle-field. Soldiers on leave or in ‗Blighty‗ for medical treatment sat in the cheap seats and sang their heads off, while a singer on stage, often wearing patriotic uniform, marched up and down orchestrating the performance. (‗Blighty‘ incidentally was the soldiers‘ slang for Britain or

THEY WENT

WITH SONGS

TO THE BATTLE

© David Winter

25

home - it‘s from an Urdu word brought back from India by a previous generation of soldiers, and actually means ‗European‘.) When, in his most famous poem For the Fallen, Laurence Binyon

wrote that ‗they went with songs to the battle‘ he was stating the truth. ‗Pack up your Troubles‘ was the defining song of the trenches, though in the harsh light of reality its message seems a bit like whistling in the dark. As the war went on and year followed year, so the songs tended to change their mood. In 1918 it was Ivor Novello‗s first

great hit, ‗Keep the home fires burning . . . till the boys come home‘ that stirred the audiences‘ hearts. The same shift occurred in the Second World War, from the confident ‗We‗re going to hang out our washing on the Siegfried Line‗ in 1939 to Vera Lynn‗s plangent voice assuring war-weary troops in 1944 that ‗We‗ll meet again, don‗t know where, don‗t know when‗. . Popular songs, in other words, captured very accurately the mood and heart of the nation. As they always have been, their trade secrets were smiles and tears.

26

BAPTISMS

St Columba

Charlee Rae Carter Ruby Lee Pearson Henry Ron Bartrum

Victoria Dock Jack Bell

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NEWS FROM OUR PARISH ROVING REPORTER...

The afternoon group met as usual on the first Wednesday, and we started with a time of worship and prayer. Then Briony was welcomed to the meeting. She works as a music therapist at Dove House . She had brought with her all sorts of instruments and after talking about her job, she invited us to take an instrument each. We then had a time of ‗making music‘ with each of us just making a sound, not all at once but in groups. It was amazing just to hear it! It was a fun afternoon and we all learnt something from it. Thanks Briony.

27

A DATE FOR YOUR

DIARY

Columba, which will be fol-lowed by a celebratory tea.

(We understand this will be at 4.30pm but please check service sheets for full details). Aian and his wife Kia have been with the parish for around a year now and has become a strong support to many parish activities, including Youth Cell, St John’s Community Activities, Starting Blocks and much more. He has also become an excellent contributor to the Echo for which we register our thanks. We send Aian all our good wishes for his ordination and look forward to this very special day, cameras at the ready to include in next month’s magazine!

SUNDAY 15TH JUNE 2014 will be Aian MacPherson’s ordination as priest at York Minster. There will be no ser-vices at St John’s or Victoria Dock that day to enable those who wish to attend the 10am service in York to be able to do so. There will be a morning service at St Columba for those unable to get to York. In the afternoon Aian will be presiding over his first communion service at St

\

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28

The Rectory, St. James the Least

1 June 2014

My dear Nephew Christopher, Your remark that you rather liked the silence we keep before starting Services gave me pause for thought. I suppose all things are relative. I know that the noise your congregation makes before worship resembles a packed stand on the football terraces any Saturday afternoon, but the days seem long-gone when I could expect our congregation to sit in real silence for ten minutes. There’s the sound of the treasurer counting the previous day’s jumble sale takings, of the ladies at the back asking each other when the fish van will next come round, and of Major Hastings’s deafening whisper as he comments some women’s choice of hats. Add to this the weekly competition between the organist and the bell ringers to see who can make the most noise, the roar from the choir vestry as they all complain they don’t like my choice of hymns and the sound of books, umbrellas and collection money being dropped. I sometimes suspect that an informal rota is arranged whereby people volunteer to drop heavy objects in rotation, thus maintaining a constant clatter, for which no single person can be held responsible. There is also the weekly ritual when the verger – always waiting

ON THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF KEEPING SILENCE IN CHURCH

Drypool Echo: Family Fun

29

until the church is full – goes round each microphone, giving them a bash and bellowing “Testing, testing” and relishing the echo as it bounces off the walls. The only time the noise level drops significantly is if the congregation see Miss Simpson sidle up to me to have one of her confidential little chats about someone in the village. Everyone knows that her information will provide more than enough to keep gossip flourishing for the following week. Equally, periods of silence during Services are rarely welcomed; some find them threatening, but the majority simply assume it means I have lost my place. I gave up after one occasion when, on announcing we would say the Lord’s Prayer and then leaving a time of silence for recollection, a choirman leaned over to me and whispered helpfully: “It begins ‘Our Father’ ….” Your loving uncle, Eustace

© Rev. Dr. Gary Bowness

Sudoku

Drypool Echo: Family Fun

30 Drypool Echo: Family Fun

31 Drypool Echo: Family Fun

1 See 23 Across 3 Where the thief on the cross was told he would be, with Jesus (Luke 23:43) (8) 8 Invalid (4) 9 Blasphemed (Ezekiel 36:20) (8) 11 Adhering to the letter of the law rather than its spirit (Philippians 3:6) (10) 14 Shut (Ecclesiastes 12:4) (6) 15 ‗This is how it will be with anyone who — up things for himself but is not rich towards God‘ (Luke 12:21) (6) 17 Mary on Isis (anag.) (10) 20 Agreement (Hebrews 9:15) (8) 21 Native of, say, Bangkok (4) 22 Deaf fort (anag.) (5-3)

23 and 1 Across ‗The Lord God

took the man and put him in the

Garden of — to work it and take

— of it‘ (Genesis 2:15) (4,4)

1 Struggle between opposing forces (Habakkuk 1:3) (8) 2 James defined this as ‗looking after orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself from being polluted by the world‘ (James 1:27) (8) 4 ‗The one I kiss is the man; — him‘ (Matthew 26:48) (6) 5 ‗Be joyful in hope, patient in — , faithful in prayer‘ (Romans 12:12) (10) 6 St Columba‘s burial place (4) 7 Swirling current of water (4) 10 Loyalty (Isaiah 19:18) (10) 12 ‗God was pleased through the foolishness of what was — , to save those who believe‘ (1 Corinthians 1:21) (8) 13 Camp where the angel of the Lord slew 185,000 men one night (2 Kings 19:35) (8) 16 ‗There is still — — — Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet‘(2 Samuel 9:3) (1,3,2) 18 David Livingstone was one (4)

19 Driver and Vehicle

Licensing Authority (1,1,1,1)

―I think that God‘s works are so beautiful that I am amazed that people can admire them but deny that they have a Maker.‖

Commissioner Catherine Bramwell-Booth

32 Drypool Echo: Family Fun

33 Drypool Echo: Family Fun

34

Regular Services & Worship—All Welcome! St Columba, Holderness Road/Laburnum Avenue, Hull Sundays 10.30 am Mid-week Communion Tuesdays 9.30 am 15th June—Celebration Communion 4.30 pm (See Page 27)

St John, Rosmead Street, Hull Sundays 10.30 am Mid-week Communion Wednesdays 9.30 am Informal Parish Prayer & Praise—2nd Sunday 7.30pm

Victoria Dock, Southbridge Road, Hull Sundays 10.45 am NB: NO SERVICES AT VICTORIA DOCK 15TH JUNE—SEE PAGE 27

Mothers’ Union: Daytime Group Wednesday 4th June at 2pm (at Holy Trinity) Evening Group Tuesday 24th June—Time tba

St Columba

Knitwits: Wednesdays 11th & 25th June at 1.30pm Contact Liz Pacey on 705723 for further details

St Columba

Flower Guild: Wednesday 18th June

Coffee Morning 10—12 noon at 22 Seafield Avenue.

Proceeds toward the work of Trisha Wick in Sudan

Community Drop-in Day Tuesdays 9.30am—2.30pm Community Garden Chairobics Police & Council Advice Debt Advice Breakfast & Lunches Support And much more...

ALL WELCOME St John

Drypool Echo: Directory

35

Total Praise Gospel Choir: Do you love to sing or worship? Total Praise is on the lookout for new members. Every Thursday (Term Time) Doors open 7.30pm for coffee & chat, 8pm rehearsal All Welcome

St John

Youth Cell: (Parish Youth Group) Thursdays 5—7pm

Contact Rev. Aian Macpherson on

07929 733555 for details

Playgroups/ Mother & Toddler Groups: Starting Blocks Tuesdays 10—11.30 am Term time & half term holidays Play, craft, songs, bible stories, prayer and spirituality for toddlers. Healthy snack. Free but donations and participation welcome.

St Columba

Alphabet Mondays Mondays 9.30 – 11.15 am Crafts, activities and singing time. No need to book during term time but booking essential during school holidays. £1.50 per family, includes fruit, toast & drink plus hot drinks (Lynsey & Steve 07891 368434 Surestart Toddler Soft Play Wednesday 1.30-2.30pm Thursday 10-11am Friday Playgroup Friday 9.30—11.15am £1 per child

St John

Child Dynamix Youth Group: Mondays 5.30—8pm

St John

Drypool Echo: Directory

Hull Regency Dancers: Dancing Jane Austen would have enjoyed Fridays 7—9pm No Previous knowledge necessary Everyone Welcome

St Columba

The Big Lunch:

Sunday 1st June 2pm

St John

36

Clergy: Rev. Phil Goodey, Team Rector (St Columba) The Rectory, 139 Laburnum Avenue, Hull, HU8 8PA Tel. 786553 email: phil.goodey@gmail.com Rev. Martyn Westby, Team Vicar (St John) 383 Southcoates Lane, Hull, HU9 Tel. 781090 Rev. Aian MacPherson, Curate 2 Harcourt Drive, Hull, HU9 Tel. 07929 733555

Readers: Margaret Liversedge (Tel. 588537) Liz Pacey (Tel. 705723) Graham Wragg (Tel. 223050) Dave Norton (Tel. 803736)

Wardens: St Columba

Liz Harrison (Tel. 797110) John Saunderson (Tel. 784774) St John Lynsey Maughan Lorraine Iveson Victoria Dock

Richard Boniface Graham Wragg

Drypool Echo: Directory

37

Parish Office: Drypool Rectory, 139 Laburnum Avenue, Hull, HU8 8PA Open Tuesday 7.00—8.00pm & Friday 10.30am—12.00noon Email: drypoolpcc@drypoolpcc.karoo.co.uk Website: www.drypoolparish.org.uk

Magazine Team:

Shane Blades, Editor 26 Linkfield Road, Hotham Road North, Hull, HU5 4NN

Tel. 07949 040495 email: drypoolecho@gmail.com

Carole Harvey, Rep (St Columba)

Tel. 07733 222727

Carl Allison, Rep (St John)

07908 180672

Elaine Galloway, Rep (Victoria Dock)

Tel. 224959 email: drypoolpcc@drypoolpcc.karoo.co.uk

Allyson Brain, Community Rep

Email. allyg1978@hotmail.co.uk

Christine Brain, Page-setting & Design

Michael Footit, Illustrations

Martin Houlton, Cover Photograph

For Advertising, contact the Editor

Community Centre: St John‘s Church, Rosmead Street, Hull, HU9 2TA

Drypool Echo: Directory

38

Funeral Directors

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T. S. ANNISON & R. BODDY 01482 329327

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39

DIY

Our churchwarden has the courage, but not always the skills, to tackle any DIY job that needs doing around the church. For example, in the church shed are still pieces of the church lawn mower she once tried to fix. So our vicar wasn‘t surprised the day he found her in the vestry, attacking the vacuum cleaner

with a screwdriver. "This thing won‘t cooperate," she complained.

The vicar thought for a moment: "Why don‘t you drag it out to

the shed and show it what you did to the lawn mower?"

40

Views expressed in this publication are those of the contributors and are not necessarily shared by the editorial team or the parish staff.

June 2014 © The Drypool Parish MMXIIII

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