Author: mrgsponderings

See, amid the winter’s snow

This photograph of Winter at Tarns Hows, in the Lake District, was taken by my friend Gill Henwood. It immediately brought to mind the Carol, See, Amid the winter’s snow. A reminder, too, that as the secular world packs away the Christmas decorations, Christians continue to celebrate the Christmas season, which, like Lent lasts for 40 days and comes to a conclusion on the Feast of Candlemass – February 2nd.
I offer this Carol as a continued meditation on the joy of the birth of Jesus, and the photo of God’s incredible brushtrokes as the snow dusts the wonders of nature. Long ago I climbed up to the summit of Helvellyn and saw this view from the other direction though not in winter . The breathtaking beauty is captured in the stillness around the Tarn and the movement of the clouds. For me it becomes an illustration, therefore, of the importance of balancing our activity with stillness.

For many this time of lockdown has provided opportunities, for those so minded and are able, to spend time in quietness and be reminded that we are not required to always be on the go. Indeed, that would be harmful. The psalmist wrote in Psalm 46, Be still and know that I am God. Those battling to nurse and care for patients in hospital, Covid sufferers and those with other life-threatening illnesses, cannot be still, nor those who are caring for people at home. So the call to stillness for those free to sit within it is a call to pray and be still on behalf of others. Prayer is never a last resort in any situation, it is always the first resort. We can do a mighty work just holding people in love to God.

I once questioned a nun about those in her community who were living the life of hermits in Wales. I had the temerity to say that they had it easy. They were free to pray as they wished. In the non-fierce ways that nuns have, she begged to differ! “The hermits are in the front-line of the battle against the demonic and all that is evil and which afflicts the life of our world. We hold them in love to God as they battle against darkness on our behalf.” I remember what she told me almost word for word!
Those of us who are able to do the same are doing a great and vital ministry ministry.

May the photo above help us to see what that ministry is. Stillness and contemplation of God together with activity on His behalf in loving others in prayer on His behalf. Especially those whose lives are very dark and very fearful right now.

1 See, amid the winter’s snow,
born for us on earth below,
see the tender Lamb appears,
promised from eternal years.

Refrain:
Hail! Thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption’s happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”

2 Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He, who throned in height sublime,
sits amid the cherubim! [Refrain]

3 Say, ye holy shepherds, say,
what your joyful news today;
wherefore have ye left your sheep
on the lonely mountain steep? [Refrain]

4 “As we watched at dead of night,
lo, we saw a wondrous light;
angels singing ‘Peace on earth’
told us of the Savior’s birth.” [Refrain]

5 Sacred Infant, all divine,
what a tender love was Thine;
thus to come from highest bliss
down to such a world as this! [Refrain]

6 Teach, O teach us, Holy Child,
by Thy face so meek and mild,
teach us to resemble Thee
in Thy sweet humility! [Refrain]

[Mr G]

Keep us safe, Lord

Photo by Gill Henwood

Gill Henwood ponders on the protection a winter Iris needs in the Lake District where she lives. This leads her to think about the Protection we need in these dark times and as the year turns towards a new future on the threshold of 2021, we are encouraged to place ourselves under the protection of God anew.

The only way a winter iris can flower outside in the conditions of the Lake District – heavy rain, frost, snow, wind – is with protection
Protection from a sparkling water bottle as a cloche! As each bud reaches for the light, a bottle and cane are placed to protect it and enable the flower to open.
Beauty, joy, perfume of primroses – the iris fulfilling its promise in creation.
The survival of the iris even in snow has reminded me of many precious quiet times sharing Night Prayer: 

‘Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings’ (Psalm 17.8). 

So profound a prayer – for this new year, on New Years Eve.

[Gill Henwood]

Tribute to – The Right Reverend Dr. Sir John Waine KCVO, GCStJ.

Bishop John Waine, who has died aged 90 years, was the Bishop of Chelmsford from 1986 to 1996. To his ministry of leadership and service of the Church in East London and Essex he brought considerable experience, having served for twenty years as a parish priest in Liverpool and ten years as a Bishop. He had previously been Bishop Suffragan of Stafford in the Diocese of Lichfield and Diocesan Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.

Commanding huge respect for his tact, wisdom and insight, Bishop John always tried to see both sides of a situation and was careful in his handling of those who perhaps felt that their view had not prevailed. With an incredible gift of humour – his responses were always perfectly well-timed – and a great ability to charm others, his ministry of encouragement, support and friendship was appreciated and will be remembered by many. An extremely outgoing and gregarious person he was a committed supporter of Ipswich Town Football Club, loved to watch Cricket at Lords and enjoyed a glass of single malt whisky!

His time in Chelmsford saw him also serve Her Majesty the Queen as Clerk of the Closet, take his seat on the bench of Bishops in the House of Lords and Chair the Church Commissioners at the time of the financial unrest in the early nineteen nineties. He became the Episcopal Visitor to the Benedictine Community of St Mary’s Abbey at West Malling in Kent and, for twenty five years served at Honorary Chaplain to the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London, the Livery Company of which he was to become Millennium Master in the year 1999- 2000 and where he continued to serve on the Court until the end of his life.

As Diocesan Bishop, John Waine built strong relationships with his clergy and church congregations, visiting parishes regularly. He challenged the Diocese to raise money for the Inner City Appeal following the 1980’s Report “Faith in the City” and on a famous day in 1994 ordained over fifty Women Priests at three services in his Cathedral after the change in legislation which made this possible. He built up a good team amongst his Senior Staff by making strong appointments and his inimitable style made it possible for them to respect him and work alongside him as they developed their own gifts and abilities.

In retirement he served on the Press Complaints Commission and became Prelate of the Most Venerable the Order of St John of Jerusalem.

Throughout his ministry John was constantly supported by his wife, Pat, who survives him along with their three sons Stephen, Ian and Simon, their wives, and seven grandchildren. A devoted family man, he enjoyed seeing each of them flourish in their own lives and interests.

Often described as one of the last Prince Bishops of the Church, he had, in his heart a strong faith, a deep humanity and a real love of those around him.

May he rest in peace. Amen.

Philip Need

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Thank you to Philip who has written this tribute to Bishop John.

Philip was his chaplain for a time and also a friend.

I didn’t know John as Bishop of Chelmsford. I got to know him through Livery friends when John was  chaplain and then Master of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers. He was always friendly, charming and humourous. When Stephen Cottrell became Bishop of Chelmsford, I lost a 50p bet to him because I was convinced the new Bishop would be called John.  (I wonder why!) Naturally when I paid up he was gracious in victory, though he quickly pocketed the coin!