Change is in the air. As I sit at my computer writing this piece, I am looking out through my study window, It is a beautiful, bright, almost-spring morning, sporting one of the bluest skies that I have seen in quite a while; it looks fresh out there! There are signs of change appearing in nature. And we, the Minster community, are in a time of change.
Those of you who were in church on Sunday, 22nd January, will have heard the announcement that I am being called by God into my first incumbency, and that my family and I will be moving to Surrey sometime during the summer of this year: change is in the air. Change is both exciting, and scary. There is no doubt in the minds of my family and I that God is calling us into this particular ministry , and we are really excited about that, but that doesn't stop the contemplation of an, as yet, unknown future being scary; it doesn't stop the thought of leaving behind familiar faces and places being scary.
And, on Thursday, 2nd February, our new Rector will be installed. It may be extremely presumptuous of me to venture such a comment, but I can imagine that this time is, for Vanessa, both really exciting and really scary. She too has had to leave behind familiar faces and places to come to the place that God has called her to. Her calling must be an exciting one, but that doesn't stop it being scary.
And, of course, the Minster faith community has to face change. I know that you are all very excited about the prospect of a new Rector, but you would not be human if that excitement wasn't tinged with, at least, a little trepidation about what God has in mind for you in the immediate future.
But know this: God has our best interests at heart. God knows our needs, both as individuals, and as a community. I have said many times in the past, that we must all expect God to call us out of our comfort zones at some point. And. when he does that, his grace strengthens us and we feel the power of his love surrounding us, if we allow him. But it is still scary; we are, after all, only human.
However, we can be helped greatly by the reassurance that comes through prayer, and it is ever God's intention that we should make our joys, our fears, and our needs known in prayer. So, could I ask, please, that, during the coming months, you hold in your prayers the following (in no particular order, as they say on 'Strictly Come Dancing'): your new Rector and her husband, my family and I, and the Minster faith community, and all those whose lives are touched by God through the work that we do, and the contact that they have with us, that we may know God's will, God's strength, and God's love and peace in our lives.
God BIess.
The Oculus Sacerdotis (The Eye of the Priest) of William of Pagula discusses marriage in its 3rd Section and in the last Print it was mentioned that the question arose whether one should marry a beautiful or ugly wife. William writes that it is hard to keep a beautiful wife that everyone else is running after on the other hand it is tiresome to have one that nobody wants. On the whole an ugly wife will bring less problems and misery. To put up with a rich wife is something of a torment; to keep a poor one can be difficult.
A few years later a supplement named Cilium Oculi (The Eyelid) was added. This covered various subjects which the unnamed author felt had been left out or not stressed in the earlier work. It included considerations as to who should preach, to whom they should preach, and at what time and place. It made additions to the celebration of Mass, burials etc.
In 1343 the Regimen Animarum was written, where is not known, by whom is also not known. It incorporates all the Oculus Sacerdotis, to which is added parts of the Summa Summarum of Raymond de Pennaforte, the Spanish Dominican involved in the founding of the Inquisition, parts of the Summa of John de Friburgo, and a large tract of St Anselm on doubt. This was a serious attempt to improve the work of William of Pagula at a time when the Church was in chaos. There were two Popes one in Rome the other in Avignon. The Bishops in the English Church were in the main appointed by the King and were in the majority civil servants being rewarded for their careers at court. Of the seventeen English Bishoprics in 1325 twelve were civil servants, as an example Keepers of the Privy Seal were prominent among the Bishops.
We in Wimborne had Thomas Brembre, Keeper of the Privy Seal, as Dean in the mid14th century, he had expected to become a Bishop but this never happened. He was amply rewarded with other positions and was responsible for the appropriation of Shapwich Church to provide the funds for the building of a Chantry for himself within the Minster. It was renovated (destroyed) when the Victorians cleansed it in the mid 19th century.
The Regimen was more interested in the duties of the priest, it gave advice on the collection of tithes, on the conduct of services and the general place of the Church in society. It gives guidance on the subject of the severity of sins and penances. It also contains the whole of St Anselm's work on God's Foreknowledge and Freewill. Some feel that this was to counter Chaucer’s reference to these matters in the Nonne Preestes Tale. In addition there appear to be discussions on the writings of the Mystics, and parts of verses taken from lyrics of that time referring to the demon Tutivillus who is called the Prince of Lollards. This was the time of Wyclif, Rolle, Dame Julian of Norwich and Langland, they were sewing the seeds of the seeds of the Reformation
It was also 1385 time for the Regimen to be arranged in a more logical form, it needed to be cleansed of the superstitions which had crept in, it needed above all to become a true manual of priestly duties and the man to do this was John de Burgo, Chancellor of Cambridge University . His work will be seen in the next Print.
Last September, the Governors of Wimborne Minster appointed the Revd Canon Vanessa Herrick as the new Rector of Wimborne, and thus she will become the first female holder of that post in the thirteen hundred year long history of the church of St. Cuthburga.
Vanessa Herrick was born in Highgate in 1958. Her father was the organiser for the Metropolitan Area of the Royal British Legion, and her mother was a secretary in the Air Ministry (where her parents first met). She has one brother, Robin Renaut, who is six years her senior and is Professor of Geology at the University of Saskatoon in Canada.
Although her parents were not regular churchgoers, Vanessa knew the influence of the Church of England from an early age. "I am a cradle Anglican", she told me.
While at the local church primary school it became clear that she was musically gifted, and this would point her way forward in the years ahead; and so, too, would her membership of St. John's Church, Upper Holloway, where she sang in the choir, taught in the Sunday School and played a prominent part in the musical life of that church. . . . and where she met her future husband.
Vanessa's secondary education was at Grey Coat Hospital - a school not far from Westminster Abbey. Here she passed her' A ' levels, and at the very early age of 17 became a Licentiate of Trinity College of Music, London. After leaving school she embarked upon a gap year and travelled widely.
Vanessa then went to the University of York, which is renowned for its specialisms in early and 20th century Music, to study the recorder, keyboards and singing. She was also a member of the University Chamber Choir. During her first year, she became engaged to David, who was then working in local government - and at that time considering ordination. He and Vanessa were married at Holy Trinity, Fareham, in 1980, at the end of David's first year as a theological student at St. John's College, Nottingham.
The Herricks' move to Nottingham - by which time Vanessa had graduated- saw her embarking on a two year theology course at the same college as her husband.
Next came a move to Ipswich, where David would serve his first curacy at the parish church of St. Matthew, and here Vanessa taught music privately and qualified as a Lay Reader - at 25 the youngest one (by far!) in East Anglia.
After Ipswich it was off to Norwich for David’ s second curacy at the well known church of St. Peter, Mancroft. By this time, the Herricks had a young family, so Vanessa's priority was to bring up her two small children.
Now- more than two decades on - Adam (27 and married last August) is a computer software developer in the pathology department of Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. Peter (25), having graduated in Natural Sciences at Cambridge, is in his final PhD year researching in medical physics at the same University.
A move to Bury St. Edmunds came next following Vanessa's husband's appointment as Vicar of St. George's Church in the town. She herself became Regional Co-ordinator for the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, and for four years she was the link officer for East Anglia. This involved fund raising, publicity and organising meetings and conferences, as well as supporting bereaved parents and training the professionals who became involved when a cot death occurred.
And while in Bury St. Edmunds Vanessa sang with the Kirbye Consort (a 15-20 voice madrigal choir) and with the Bury St. Edmunds Festival Chorus.
However, her work in Bury was not what she wanted to do in the long term, for by now ordination was a powerful magnet - and in 1994, having been accepted for training for the priesthood, she went to Ridley Hall to study for a two year Masters degree in Pastoral Theology.
Following ordination as a deacon in 1996, Vanessa served her curacy in the Cathedral parish of St. James, Bury St. Edmunds, before becoming Chaplain and Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge - where she combined her responsibilities as 'vicar' to the whole of the college community with the post of part-time Tutor in Pastoral Theology at Ridley Hall.
Next came the move to the Diocese of Ely, where Vanessa was appointed Director of Ministry and Vocation. Here she had responsibility for all matters relating to the discernment, selection and training of ordinands, and for vocational work more widely. She worked closely with senior colleagues in respect of the development and support of ministry - lay and ordained - across the Diocese of Ely. In recognition of her expertise in this field, she was appointed (and continues to serve) as a member of the Ministry Council of the Church of England.
On taking up this appointment she was made an Honorary Canon of Ely in 2003, and this was in recognition of the seniority of the post.
Vanessa has written ( or contributed to) a number of books about Christian leadership and about the theology of the creative arts, and her Lent book, entitled 'Take up your Cross' was published in 2005.
You might think that there was little time left for hobbies, but, quite apart from her music, she lists as her interests the theatre, contemporary art, long distance walking (including the pilgrimage road to Santiago de Compostela) and watching international cricket and Rugby Union football. She also plans to take up golf.
And so to Wimborne! "I am naturally looking forward to coming to Dorset, where my priority in this first parish of my own will be to serve both church and town", said Vanessa.
Certainly, with such varied experience, she comes to Dorset well qualified to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of what is a flagship parish in the Diocese of Salisbury.
And as Vanessa comes to Wimborne, her husband is currently Acting Principal of the St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan Ministry Course, which is based in Bury St. Edmunds - and so until his future is clear, he will be making regular short trips to Wimborne.
In the meantime, however, Vanessa's big day draws near, when she will be instituted in the Minster by the new Bishop of Salisbury and inducted by the Archdeacon of Dorset. A big day indeed! Salvete!
"It's not fair!" We've all heard it on the lips of children everywhere. But it's not just children. All of us have an innate sense of fairness. In this country we're famed for our sense of fair play, and so we find ourselves perplexed as part of a society that is becoming increasingly polarised. By ourselves we feel powerless to reverse the trend. But there are things that we can do.
The fair trade movement started over thirty years ago with the object of making trade fair. It all began with a few everyday items - chocolate, coffee, tea - and now there are literally thousands of items bearing the fair trade mark. Fair trade sales in the UK exceed £1bn a year, but that still represents a tiny fraction of all that we buy and sell.
On Friday, 2nd March in Wimborne we'll be delighted to welcome the Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, Harriet Lamb, who has seen a huge expansion of fairtrade goods over the past ten or so years. It's not by chance, but as a result of persistent and sensitive negotiation, that all Tate & Lyle sugar is now fairtrade; that Cadbury's most popular brand, Dairy Milk is too; that Kit Kats already are fairtrade and that Maltesers soon will be. We benefit as consumers as we are assured not only of good quality products, but also of good working conditions and improved living standards for the producers of the coffee, the tea, the cocoa. Companies big and small, Cadbury's or Cafedirect, enhance their reputations and so do shopkeepers and supermarket chains. Harriet will expand on this when she addresses the topic "Fair Trade - good for business?"
If we're serious about rooting out the scandal of poverty worldwide there's no better place to start than by making trade fair - for the producer and the consumer and everyone along the supply chain. The economic woes of the last few years are encouraging us to ensure that all business is fair and ethical, whether we're buying goods (food, drink, clothes, household items) or services (banking, insurance, investments). It was ordinary consumers, people like you and me, who got the first fair trade items on to the supermarket shelves. Churches, faith groups and voluntary organisations have continued to keep up the pressure; we simply know that it makes sense.
So let's fill the Allenbourn Middle School Hall in Wimborne on Friday, 2nd March to meet Harriet Lamb and to hear what she has to say. The evening starts with fair trade refreshments at 6.30 pm and will end by 8.30 pm. If you can come, a telephone call to 01202 886651 or an email to randm@ctlconnect.co.uk will help us with the catering. There's ample parking at Allenbourn School. The address is East Borough, Wimborne, BH21 1PL. We look forward to welcoming you on what promises to be an evening to remember and one that gives us new determination to put fairness at the heart of all our dealings.
Over 30 years ago, Robert and Margaret Pearce set up the first Traidcraft stall at the Minster. Their idea - to sell fairly traded tea and coffee - and to raise our awareness of fair trade issues. This was new and ground-breaking.
The Ceylon tea was delicious and, maybe, in those days the coffee was not quite as good, but it has come on terrifically since then. Now Traidcraft sells top-quality teas and coffees to suit every palate, and also on the table on Sunday mornings are biscuits, sugar, various nuts, and attractive small gifts. cards and wrapping paper. This is just a selection of the wide range of products now available through Traidcraft
Most of us now know about fair trade - the importance of paying a fair price for foodstuffs and other things we consume - so that growers and producers get a fair return for their efforts. It's so obvious, isn't it. Why wouldn't we want to pay people fairly? If we have a choice between a product that exploits farmers and other producers, and a product that values them, we'll choose the one that pays and treats people fairly, won't we? We don't want people to work in exploitative, dangerous or inappropriate conditions. But think back a few decades, and it wasn't so obvious then that we would do anything to change the status quo.
The Traidcraft table at the Minster has done a fantastic job of educating us about fair trade issues. For over three decades, Margaret and Rob, with some helpers, have been setting out their stall, after the 9.45am service, offering delicious and beautiful products.
Now we can see the Fairtrade Mark on some foodstuffs in supermarkets, and that's great, of course. But supermarkets don't help producers to achieve that fair trade status for their food, jewellery, or other goods. In contrast, Traidcraft works with poor and marginalised producers, to help them improve their products and businesses so that they can compete in the market.
So let's go on supporting Traidcraft and other similar organisations. We, as individuals, can make a difference. By buying Traidcraft products, we provide a large part of the income needed to support producers. It's a way of showing our Christian values, and seeking justice for the poor, which is at the heart of our faith.
Fair Trade Fortnight, this year, is from 27th February to 11th March
In 1970 Montefiore was consecrated Bishop of Kingston, South London and he writes: "I liked the objectivity of Catholic Worship, its colourfulness, its dignity, its corporateness, its sense of transendence, its links with churches down the ages, and its use of all the senses in traditional worship.
I loved the simplicity of evangelical worship, its concern for scriptural truth, its emotional quality, its personal element, its feeling of assurance, and its total commitment to Christ. I also appreciated aspects of middle of the road worship, its emphasis on truth, its appeal to reason, its intellectual integrity, its serenity, its admission of doubt, as well as its affirmation of belief. The glory of the Church of England is that one can take what is good from all strands of church life and make it one's own."
His Diocesan, Mervyn Stockwood, and the other Suffragan, David Sheppard, began a visitation of the whole Diocese. He became Chairman of the Readers' Association, and Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Education. Of his books, his only best seller was 'A Confirmation Notebook'.
In 1978, he was consecrated Bishop of Birmingham, and he made a rule that any clergy could see him within 24 hours, if he was in Birmingham.
His day started with a walk from 7 - 7.30am, which was then followed by the Eucharist, Matins, and silence before breakfast at 8.30am. Correspondence was on tape by 10am, and the rest of the morning was for interviews and meetings. The afternoons were for sermon or lecture preparation.
There were regular parties at which his wife, Elizabeth, entertained 20 - 25 clergy and their wives. He took some 35 confirmations each year, and started a bi-monthly Diocesan magazine. He also started a 3 year course for Lay people called "Know, learn & live your faith."
His name was one of the two originally put forward for Archbishop of Canterbury , but Mrs Thatcher decided he would be too abrasive for her, and his name was withdrawn, and Robert Runcie was appointed. During a three month sabbatical, he published a book entitled "The Probability of God". He was strongly in favour of women's ordination. On the national stage, he became one of the 24 Bishops in the House of Lords. He opposed the total deregulation of Sunday trading, and was often on TV.
Sadly, his wife developed Alzheimers, forcing him into an early retirement, and 7,000 people came to his farewell Eucharist at the Birmingham Exhibition Centre. He and his wife retired to Wandsworth, and he looked after her at home.
He was a Trustee of the Friends of the Earth Trust, and was also Chairman of Transport 2000, as well as Chairman of The National Trust for the Homeless. He started a lecturing and writing career, and published a book "Reclaiming the High Ground", a Christian response to secularism, He wrote a 600 word weekly article for the Church Times.
He ends: "I have been a Bishop for 25 years, married for 50 years, and at the age of 75, I am content."
A new Pub has moved into the town of Wimborne Minster. A Weatherspoons has moved into Westborough. The company has spent much time and money in restoring an old building which was in dire need of repair.
To the surprise of everyone the name chosen is 'The Man in the Wall'. A plaque has been placed beside their door explaining that the Man in the Wall, Anthony Ettricke, can be seen in the Minster. Quoting that he is neither in the Minster nor outside the Minster nor in the ground nor above the ground - he is indeed 'In the Wall’.
Anthony Ettricke was formerly from Holt Lodge and was the first Recorder of Poole and the Magistrate who committed the Duke of Monmouth for trial after the Battle of Sedgmoor. He was offended by the people of Wimborne and made a vow that he would not be buried in their church or churchyard - under their ground or over it. To carry out this vow he sought permission to cut a niche in the wall under the south west window in what is now Trinity Chapel. There he placed his own coffin, marking it with the date he was convinced he was to die 1693. He did not die, however until 1703.
His wish was carried out and he was buried in his ready prepared coffin and the date duly altered.
The tomb is brightly decorated with the names and coats of arms of his family; and he gave the church the sum of 20s a year to keep the niche and coffin in good repair. This sum was paid out of the tithes of Parkstone, being part of a fee farm rent.
During the restoration of the Minster in 1855-57 it was discovered that the inner coffin had decayed and that the bones and dust were still there. These were collected up and placed in a box and replaced in the decorated tomb.
An old Guide book by G.F. Score states; - Nicholas Russell says - "This Anthony Ettricke towards the latter end of his life grew very humoursome, phlegmatic and credulous, of an impulse of spirit, insomuch that having once a share in a ship and cargo, and receiving advice that the same was safely delivered in Portland Road, he was so far persuaded that the same ship would be lost before she could arrive at the port of London, to which he was consigned, that he sold his share therein, though at a very considerable discount. He had, however, the good fortune to be a great gainer in the end, for agreeably to his forebodings the ship was lost in her passage."
The Ettrickes were a Border family and at the time of Anthony's death were in possession of the family seat at High Barnes In the County of Durham.
The name of the new Weatherspoons is already causing a lot of interest so the Minster is preparing for a number of bemused visitors who will be looking for our famous Man in the Wall.
You don't have to love camping to love Greenbelt. None of the current Minster Greenbelters camp, but if you do, you get fabulous value for money from your weekend ticket.
You don't even need to go to Cheltenham over the bank holiday weekend in August, as the Minster Greenbelt group brings the Greenbelt themes to the Minster on the first Sunday of each month. If camping is about fresh air, and freedom, and space, then the themes Greenbelt tackles provide space, exploration, and a sense of adventure for the mind and the spirit.
On Sundays 5th February, 4th March, and 1st April, we're tackling the theme of Money. How topical!
On Sunday 5th February, between 5.30pm and 8.00pm, in the Parish Room of Church House (refreshments from 6, 15pm) we'll listen to a talk given at last year's Greenbelt by Bob Holman, who for years has been a community worker in the Easterhouse district of Glasgow. Bob pulls no punches. His talk makes great listening, and is sure to provoke lively discussion afterwards, before we conclude with a short act of worship.
In Session 2, on 4th March, we'll ask ourselves how we can help bring about financial systems of which we can be proud.
In the final Session on 1st April, we'll be asking how all this affects the life of the Minster. Its purchasing and other expenditure, its investments, its banking, and its fundraising.
The Sessions promise to be both stimulating and challenging. No one is suggesting an Occupy camp on the Minster Green -- yet. But you never know. This is just the beginning of an ongoing conversation.
Come along and help shape how the Sessions proceed.
January's edition of PRlNT gave early notification that Shrove Tuesday was fast approaching and thus the now Annual Pancake Race around the Minster. It will take place on Tuesday 21st February.
It will be the 15th year of the race since its revival in 1998. The venue is as previously, outside the main north porch entrance to the Minster and the first race will commence at 11.00am as the Pancake Bell is tolled. Competitors will be required to run around the Minster tossing their pancakes at each of the four corners of the church.
All Competitors should report to the North porch by 10.30am to enrol, complete with frying pan and ready cooked pancake. Anyone can enter, male or female, young or old, individuals, schools, groups, organisations or teams. All are most welcome.
We are indeed grateful to those who have once again agreed to sponsor and support this year's race. . . . The Stour and Avon Magazine will present a Trophy to the overall winner of the adult race (over 18)... . the former owners of the Old Bakehouse Cafe, Martyn and Kathy Curtler will present the Challenge Cup to the winner of the adult race as well as donating £25.00 to the School which wins the Schools relay race and Ken Holloway will present £25.00 to the first junior (under 18) to cross the line in the final of the individuals juniors race. If there are entries, as there have been for a number of years, for a wheelchair race then Eric and Tina Pope at Wimborne Pet Centre will be donating a bag of Wild Bird Food to the winner.
So come on get yourself into training for the big day and pick up an entry form from the Minster or the Parish Office or just turn up on the day.
Offers of help with Stewarding would be appreciated. Names please to Anthony Oliver (888703).
Traditionally, we have always collected for the Mayor's Charities at the Pancake Race. Help with collecting will also be required. The Charities are "The Priest's House Museum" and "The Allendale Community Centre"
The Institution by the new Bishop of Salisbury The Right Reverend Nicholas Holtam and the Induction and Installation by the Archdeacon of Dorset, The Venerable Stephen Waine of the Reverend Vanessa Herrick as the new Rector of Wimborne Minster.
A warm invitation is extended to everyone to attend the Service which is open to all. No tickets are required. It would be good to have a full Minster for this very special Service not only to welcome our new Rector at the start of her Ministry amongst us but also to welcome our new Diocesan Bishop on his first visit to the Minster.
The Service will be followed by refreshments in the Minster.
A Parish Welcome to our new Rector. There will be just one Service in the Minster all day. . . a Parish Eucharist at 11.00am. The Service will be followed by a Bring and Share Lunch which will take place in the Allendale Community Centre at 12.30pm. It is very much hoped that members of all Minster Congregations will join together for this one Service and the lunch which follows. It will give everyone the opportunity of meeting our new Rector more informally than at the Induction. Tickets are available to indicate what kind of food you will bring to the lunch (savoury or sweet). Please bring your finger food (no cutlery will be provided!) to the Allendale Centre between 10.00 and 10.45am on the day or come with it after the Service. Coffee and tea will be provided for a small donation and the bar will be open for everyone to buy drinks.
A short Service will be held in the Minster at 12.00noon to mark the actual date of the 60th Anniversary of the Accession to the Throne of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Some of you may remember that we held a similar service on 6th February 2002 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Accession. This was attended by over 140 people. Another ten years on and the Diamond Anniversary looms. The Service will give us the opportunity to give thanks for Her Majesty's loyalty to our Country and her People.
LUNCH AND CHATin Church House Friday, Please note the change of date this month. You are most welcome to come and enjoy a bowl of soup and a roll in
convivial company All proceeds are inaid of The Sudan Medical Link WILLIAM TEMPLE ASSOCIATION LECTUREMonday, 6th Februaryat The Days Hotel (formerly Marsham Court Hotel) Russel-Cotes Road, Bournemouth Speaker: The Revd. Malcolm Hill Subject: Kaleidoscopic Ministry in Lewisham The meeting will begin at 8.10pm, and will end, after questions, at about 9.30pm. The Association welcomes Christian men and women, of all denominations, who want to learn more about our faith and its application to contemporary issues. The annual subscription is £10.00, or £18.00 for married couples An optional two-course dinner, at £13.75, is available at 7.00pm. The Hotel Charge for attendance at the lecture only is £2.50, plus a WTA charge of £1.00 for non-members. Coffee at 8.00pm is included. For further information, please contact the
Secretary: EDITOR'S ENDPIECEEditor: John Davis Telephone: 01202 - 883962 |
WIMBORNE MINSTER
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| Baptisms | |
| Sophia Louise Crago | 15th January |
| Lucie Florence Legros | 29th January |
| Ethan David Daniel Denham | 26th February |
| Funerals | |
| John William Mills | 23rd January |
| Eric Curry | 25th January |