January 2003
Churchwardens: Mrs. J. H. Mannings, Mr. J. R. Wyld
EPIPHANY
Bathed in the Light of God
As the Christian Calendar moves from Christmas into Epiphany, the Church changes its focus of attention from St Luke's story of the shepherds and angels to St Matthew's Magi, the Persian astrologers, and their star.
The two stories are quite different from each other. There are only two subjects which are common to both: the Holy Family (although in different locations) and the presence of light.
The light of God, often called the Shekinah, is present when God makes himself known to human beings.
When the shepherds were visited by the angels in Luke's story, they were surrounded by glorious heavenly light - the Shekinah. The central feature of Matthew's story, as the Magi journeyed to Bethlehem, was the star.
It is true to say that the star may well be that heavenly light prophesied by Balaam in the Book of Numbers (Num. 24.17) where he says, "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh: a star shall come forth from Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel; …" This may be the closest reference and clearest explanation of the star in Matthew's story, but the star can also be seen as the Shekinah - the light of God.
Doesn't the presence of the star brighten up and fill the scene portrayed on Christmas cards? The nativity scene is bathed in light. In recent years I have noticed that even the shepherds have their night lit by the same star!
Those starlit shepherd scenes look perfectly normal.
Is it because the Shekinah is shown? Perhaps we don't need to have the angels portrayed in the shepherd scenes, leaving the star for the Magi. Perhaps the theme of the glorious heavenly light is more important than its precise form.
As we are drawn by the light of the star to the Epiphany scene, with the Magi and their precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, we can become aware of the tragic element of the Christmas story, usually ignored or genuinely unknown by many people.
The Christmas story contains the whole of the Christian story in miniature. The Christmas story doesn't stop with the birth of the baby Jesus; it continues on to the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ, and the sending of his Spirit.
In the three gifts we see three important facets of the man Jesus. Gold signifies that Jesus is a King. Frankincense shows Jesus as our great High Priest who intercedes for us in heaven. Myrrh brings us to the tomb of Jesus, reminding us of his passion and death.
In all this imagery we look at the Christmas story in the light of the Resurrection and see that hidden in the poor, vulnerable, helpless child of Bethlehem is the secret of the salvation of the world, including you and me.
I hope that in these dark days of winter, you and I will hold the Shekinah of God in our hearts and minds, and that bathed in his light, we will move forward into the New Year with confidence and faith in the true and living God.
Hugh Bonsey
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CHURCH NEWS What a wonderful start to Christmas with the church filled with children, young families, parents and grandparents and others who came to support the special service for young people on the 8th December.
The children made some marvellous masks and cards then unfolded to us the true meaning of Christmas dressed in various costumes, shepherds, angels etc. Our thanks to all those who organised or helped in any way especially to Tony Cooke the Diocesan Youth Adviser. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The collection taken will go towards a fund for a similar event at Easter.
On Sunday 22nd at 6.00pm our candlelit carol service took place again to a packed church and it was lovely to see so many young families once again. The collection at this service should raise almost £200 - with the help of Gift Aid - and this will go to the Children's Society.
The first Mass of Christmas was celebrated at 10.00pm on Christmas Eve to a fair congregation of around 40 people and on Christmas Day about 20 turned out for the Family Eucharist at 11.15 am which was rather disappointing.
We do hope you will think about attending church services in the year 2003 and keep our church going. Thank you to all those who devote their time to St. Julian's doing duty, cleaning of the church or arranging flowers, bell ringing etc. its nice to see a few of the younger generation doing this. We are most grateful on the PCC, so on behalf of us all at St. Julian's we hope you all had a Good Christmas and wish you all a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year, and all God's Blessing in 2003.
Churchwardens
MARMALADE TIME in aid of St. Julian's. Marmalade will be made in January by several makers. Please place your orders - approximate price £1.60 per 1 lb. jar. We will need jars too.
Libby. Kerr 833589
WELLOW PARISH COUNCIL held a meeting on 16th December at 8 o'clock in the village hall. PARKING ON PAVEMENTS. It is not the first time this problem has been brought to the attention of the Parish Council, but to no avail, and vehicles are causing obstruction, putting pram owners and the elderly at serious risk. The Council urges car owners to use common sense. If there is no improvement advice will be sought from the police and action taken.
The Parish Sweeper Scheme is still going through the decision process.
The date of the District Council Elections has been notified as May 1st 2003.
Joyce Morphew (clerk)
JOHN SHELLARD Iris, Carol, Michael and Anne would like to send a sincere thank you to everyone in Wellow for their cards, letters, flowers and the personal visits following the sudden death of John. We were all very touched by the kind things you said to us about him. Like many of you we expected to see him in his van, driving round with his tool kit for some years yet. We shall miss him very much.
Iris Shellard
THE WELLOW WRIGGLERS would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who helped with our recent fundraising by buying raffle tickets, coming to our evening at the village hall and by giving us all the lovely toys. Thanks to you we made a fantastic £190 and will be able to get some nice toys for the group . The Wrigglers will have their first day on Tuesday 14 January 2003 at 9.30am in the village hall, everyone is welcome from newborns to toddlers. Look forward to seeing you there!!
NANNY IN CANADA Young family are looking for an outgoing, energetic and fun loving person to care for their two children. Do you like working with children? Are you adventurous and would like to explore the Rocky Mountains? We are looking for someone that is interested in coming to Canada to work with our children for at least one year. For further information please email us at jnoelmartin@hotmail.com
FROM THE PAST
John Bull, The National Anthem and Wellow.
Many in Wellow know of the link between the music of the Anthem and the renowned composer and musician, John Bull. He was born c1563 the third son of John Bull of Paglinch, which was within the parish boundary.
The younger John was tutored by William Blitheman of the Chapel Royal and on 24th Dec 1582 he was appointed organist of Hereford Cathedral, later as a member of the Chapel Royal he had the opportunity to take a music degree at Oxford and eventually a Doctorate.
A favourite anecdote is that during a tour of the continent in 1601 he, posing as a novice, applied to a famous musician in order to see his work. During the interview he was shown a lesson of forty parts set to music, the composer saying it was a most complete work and made a challenge to anyone to add one more part. Dr Bull then sat down and composed another forty; the musician tried them and declared that the person to add those was either the devil or Dr Bull.
Part of his patronage came from the Merchant Taylors' Company. During a feast, 1607, hosted by them for the king and Prince of Wales, which cost the Company £1060, the king ate alone in a separate chamber with Dr Bull playing the organ to him; he included an item of his own composition entitled, God save the King.
Around 1617 he went to the continent, some authorities say to avoid religious persecution. But the British official in Brussels reported to the king, I procured an audience with John Bull .....who did steal out of England through guilt......and who left your Majesties service to escape punishment .....for his grievous crimes. Whatever the reason, John Bull spent the rest of his life as organist at Antwerp cathedral.
The national anthem, with the author unknown, appeared first in public at the Drury Lane theatre in 1745 when England was in panic as Bonnie Prince Charlie bought his army as far south as Derby. In Victorian times one Richard Clark obtained a manuscript said to be dated 1619 and attributed to John Bull. Clark copied it with some alteration then declared it to be the national anthem; the original was then lost. The words have changed little over 200 years although one verse containing Confound their politics / Frustrate their knavish tricks, is avoided.
In Jubilee year 2002 a BBC radio programme traced the history of the national anthem and declared Richard Clark to be, a scallywag...and not being able to resist the patriotic name of John Bull played a hoax, still believed today.
So, Wellow still has the colourful John Bull but not the National Anthem music.
GH
LUNCH CLUB Our first lunch of 2003 will be on Thursday January 23rd at 1.00pm in the Village Hall. We really do need one or two extra helpers on a regular basis, so if you feel you can spare a few hours each month we would love to hear from you. After the theft from the Village Hall, we are very short of dessert spoons and table spoons, if you have any you could donate they would be gratefully received. Many thanks.
Janet Earp & Marian Osborne 832561
PLEASE NOTE PARISH NEWS Please can you let IRIS SHELLARD have all copy for the February Newsletter by the 20th of January. It can be left in the shop or delivered to her at 4, THE SQUARE. If you have email that would be very helpful and even better if you could send it Times New Roman to Iris at carol.shellard@virgin.net. The following month Erica Smith will compile the Parish news. Thank you very much . Jill Tremellen