From the editors...
This is the first issue of The Gander since July, and there is a lot to include. We were all affected by the death last month of Her Late Majesty The Queen, the outpouring of grief and the ceremony of the State Funeral. Revd Gill has kindly allowed us to reproduce her sermon from the Sunday immediately after the Queen’s death, which resonated with many people. As she said, the period of mourning was a reminder of other sources of grief and distress: “We commend to God every lost sheep, and every hidden coin.”
It’s in the same spirit that we mark Black History Month at St John’s this month, starting with our Harvest Lunch and Black History Celebration on 2 October and continuing with a series of talks, a guest preacher and a specially commissioned piece of music later this month.
We also have exciting reports of people’s travels in this issue! The Lunch Club visited Woodcote Garden Centre on a Routemaster bus, while the Choir returned to Derby Cathedral to sing – read more in Chris Eldridge’s article. Clare Brown reports on what sounds like an unforgettable visit to see the Passion Play at Oberammergau, which only takes place once every 10 years, and John Webber tells us about his recent visit to the Hymn Society annual conference at Lancaster University.
Dorothy Oxley’s latest invaluable wellbeing guide is titled “Could it be dementia?” and is recommended for anyone who is worried about their own senior moments – or those of a close relative. And, in the latest gripping instalment from St John’s past, Christine Camplin brings news of wedding bells. We are always keen to hear more from the history of the church and the parish, so please do let us know if you have any stories to share.
As we approach the autumn, many of us are conscious of those worried about the cost of living and rising bills, as well as everyone who is suffering from natural disaster or repression in Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Florida and elsewhere. If you feel you want to do something to help, we have a couple of suggestions: Jim Nurton has written about Will Aid, which supports nine charities, and Revd Rosemary Shaw provides an update on the priorities for Southwark Foodbank.
Thank you for reading!
The editorial team
On the Sunday following the late Queen's death, Revd Gill preached the following sermon. The readings were Exodus 32:7-14, Psalm 51, 1 Timothy 1: 12-17 and Luke 5:1-10
“For me the teachings of Christ and my personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example. I believe that the Christian message, in words of a familiar blessing remains profoundly important to us all:
Go forth into the world in peace,be of good courage,
hold fast to that which is good
render to no man evil for evil,
strengthen the faint-hearted,
support the weak,
help the afflicted,
honour all men.
It is a simple message of compassion – and yet as powerful as ever today, 2,000 years after Christ’s birth.”
These words, from the late Queen’s speech given on Christmas Day in 2000, heralded something of a change in the focus of those messages. The Queen had always alluded to her faith, or to the meaning of Christmas, but commentators note that from that year onwards, the Queen’s Christmas address became a more explicit declaration of her Christian faith. While Britain, arguably, was becoming more secular, the Queen’s message headed in the opposite direction. She obviously sought to share her faith, finding commonality between other faiths, and was keen to inspire faith in others.
Heart and devotion
The power of a constitutional monarch lies in this soft realm of influence and example. In 1957, the Queen acknowledged these limits: “In the old days the monarch led his soldiers on the battlefield … Today things are very different. I cannot lead you into battle, I do not give you laws or administer justice, but I can do something else, I can give you my heart and my devotion….”
We observe at the heart of our government, a life being lived, rather than a job being done, and the late Queen wanted us to notice the faith being lived out at heart of all that.
What do we find at the heart of the Christian faith?
The kingdom of God is the phrase used in scripture to describe the place where God dwells and where a peaceable ethic prevails in contrast to the corruption and violence of worldly kingdoms. Jesus told parables of the kingdom, wanting his hearers to catch something of this renewed atmosphere.
Two parables
He tells the two stories in our gospel reading in response to some bickering about what kind of leader he is, the reading begins: “Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
The Pharisees and Scribes were the supposed good people, officially appointed to be good examples, and they may well have been, and the tax collectors and sinners are the baddies, and they may well have been too. But Jesus tells this story in a way to redefine goodness, to reframe what being a good person is really about.
The 99 sheep behave themselves and stay where they are supposed to be, but the shepherd concerns himself most of all with the one sheep that has wandered from the pathway and got lost, leaving the others to search for it, and not returning until the sheep is found.
And the shepherd says, “Rejoice with me, says the shepherd, for I have found my sheep that was lost.”
The nine silver coins, (ten silver coins was likely to be a wedding dowry) are together in the right place, but one has fallen off the chain or out of the purse and rolled away into some dark dusty corner. The woman picks up her skirts, lights a lamp, and sweeps and sweeps, not giving up until she spots that hidden glint of silver.
And then she says, “Rejoice with me, says the woman, for I have found the coin that I had lost.”
Jesus says, “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance,” and “there is joy in the presence of the angels.”
Each parable ends with a party, because finding what was lost is an occasion for rejoicing. And notice that the protagonism of these stories lies with the finder, with the shepherd, with the woman sweeping, that is, with God.
Because Jesus is describing a repentance, that is not so much about jumping through hoops to be accepted but a being found, and something that always leads to joy. It is a discovery “Oh goodness, I have become lost, I have been wrong, and now I have been set free, and now I have been brought back, and made welcome.”
As the writer Francis Spufford says in his book, Unapologetic, 'We are supposed to be on the side of goodness in the sense that we need it, not that we are it.’
These two parables set up the next one, not in our reading today, the parable of the Prodigal Son, whose message can be summed up thus: God is running down the road to meet you, and simply wants to rejoice that you have come home.
They give us an exuberant image of God, who rejoices in the inhabited world, and delights in the human race. God is just delighted that we have come back again. I like to imagine the rejoicing in heaven, the saints and angels being rather like those who cheer on the sidelines of a race as someone reaches the finish line, spurring them on with applause and whoops of joy.
In the Book of Common Prayer, we are reminded, not that we ought not to grieve at all, but that “we are not to grieve as those who have no hope,” quoting the first letter to the church in Thessalonika:
“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.”
A God of joy
At the heart of our Christian faith we find a God of joy, and a promise of hope of new life and reconciliation, that can become an anchor for us in disorienting times.
During this official period of mourning, which will elicit grief and devotion in some, and a reminder of other sources of grief and distress, and ambivalence in others, it is also important to commend to God all those who will die unnoticed, or whose deaths will not stop the clocks and football matches of the world.
We commend to God every lost sheep, and every hidden coin, thinking especially today of Chris Kaba, whose life was cut short at the age of 24, on Monday, not far away in Streatham Hill, and for his family, desperate for answers and for justice.
And perhaps we can pray for our nation at this time of change, for a renewed ethic of goodness that does not measure a person only by their conformity to ‘hard-workingness’ or their ability to be financially self-sufficient, but one that sees in each person their innate, God-given goodness and worth, that recognises that we are to God a cause for rejoicing. May our lives lived be a parable that speaks of this hope and joy.
Harvest Festival: St John's celebrated Harvest on 2 October. Thank you very much to everyone who donated food and other items, which will all be sent to the Manna Centre.
Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: St John's kept a book of condolence and the church was open for the period between the late Queen's death and funeral. Many people appreciated being able to sit in the church and reflect.
The Bridge: The September issue and previous issues of the diocesan newspaper, The Bridge, are available on the Diocesan website here.
Black History Month: To mark Black History Month, which takes place during October, St John's is hosting a series of talks on Black history on Tuesday evenings. They start at 7pm and all are welcome! We will also have a guest preacher later this month, and don't forget to have a look at the Black History Library at the back of church.On 2 October we held a Harvest Lunch and Black History Celebration. Many thanks to everyone who came and all those who helped prepare and serve food, set up the hall and clear up afterwards!
St John's Choir in Derby Cathedral
By Chris Eldridge
“O magnify the Lord our God, and worship him upon his holy hill…” (psalm 99 v9)
At the start of August this year St John’s choir were on tour and making music at Derby Cathedral.
Derby Cathedral is set on a hill above the River Derwent and only 100 yards from newly-opened Derby “Museum of Making” in a converted riverside silk mill. The choir were singing for The Cathedral Eucharist and for Choral Evensong on three consecutive days, including the Feast of The Transfiguration. In between choir practice and services almost everyone in the choir visited the Museum of Making exhibitions to view the variety of technologies, industry and craft that have made Derby famous.
“… sing praises lustily unto Him with a good courage” (psalm 33 v3)
St John’s choir, supplemented by friends from other church choirs and a representative of St John’s Junior Choir, were performing a range of church music from plainchant and C16th Tallis through to C19th Stanford and C20th Herbert Howells under the very able and energetic direction of John Webber and our organists Nicky and Niall. The discipline and work associated with two practices a day produced a glorious sound and, assisted by the fine acoustic of Derby Cathedral, helped us to lift earth heavenwards.
The University of Derby provided the choir with low-cost hostel accommodation which included kitchen facilities where we were able to prepare and cook meals. Not only are the choir gifted in musical talent but many possess excellent culinary skills and a rota overseen and organised by Christine provided food with ample choice, quality and quantity.
Time away together as a choir provides opportunity for social contact and cohesion which is particularly important now that Covid isolation is no longer a requirement. After Evensong many of us found refreshment at The Olde Dolphin Inne. As a relatively new member of the choir I particularly appreciated the social aspect of the visit. I was impressed by the organising skills of John regarding music and choreography and Sue and Christine in particular regarding accommodation and food.
Derby is a city located at the heart of England with many attractions and places of interest to visit in and around the city, including a UNESCO heritage trail along the Derwent Valley between Derby and Matlock. Two extensive parks are within walking distance of the city centre and within a radius of 10 miles of the city the estates of past grand gentry are open to the public, part of our cultural heritage. As a cyclist I was able to visit a number of these attractions during and after our stay.
“O God , my heart is ready, my heart is ready: I will sing and give praise with the best member that I have” (psalm 108 v1)
St John’s choir under the committed leadership of John Webber is helping to maintain the musical part of our cultural heritage and during the stay in Derby we were able to contribute to the richness on offer within and around this famous ‘city of making’.
Most cathedral choirs continue to thrive but many parish churches have sadly lost such contribution to their worship. At St John’s we are fortunate to hold-on to our musical tradition. Long may this continue.
(Note: the psalms quoted above were sung by the choir at Derby Cathedral)
As a church we already support Southwark Foodbank based in Peckham High St. It is part of PECAN which is a Christian organisation and one of our members, Ish Lennox, is a trustee of the Foodbank.At the September meeting of the PCC, it was agreed that we try to increase our contributions as the need is soaring. Last year Southwark Foodbank provided food for 9,363 people mainly referred by GPs, social workers, health visitors etc. The head of the Children's Society at a recent diocesan conference said we could see 5 million children in relative poverty in the UK by Christmas (there are already 4.3 million). That would mean 1:3 throughout the UK and 1:2 in London and big cities.
The collection container for the Foodbank is now in the church porch so it is a more visible reminder to try to bring a contribution when you come to church if you are able. We will also have a container in the Centre.
Robert Brown, Brenda Lamothe and I will take it in turns to see it is looked after and contents delivered promptly .
Foods most needed are:-
- Pasta, rice and pasta sauces
- Tinned meat, fish such as sardines, tinned veg
- Long life milk and fruit juice
- Tinned fruit and rice pudding, breakfast cereal
- Tea, coffee, sugar, biscuits
- Toiletries and sanitary products
- Disposable nappies
Our circumstances are all different and no one should feel pressurised but if you can please help us as a church to give to those in need. If you have any questions I will be happy to try to answer them
Thank you
Adeyemi Holland’s Funeral
By Maxine Plunkett
A few of us from St John’s went along to the service to say farewell to a dear church brother. His family were amazing and said wonderful tributes to the man, husband and father he was. He was so proud to be a member of St. John’s and was proud of his time spent on the PCC. I’m sure we will all remember him as a loving member of St John’s East Dulwich.
A brief guide to Will Aid
By Jim Nurton
Have you ever thought about making a will? If so, you might like to know about the Will Aid charity. It’s an annual event where solicitors will write a basic will for you for free. Instead of paying a fee, you agree to make a donation to Will Aid, which supports nine charities.
The charities are: Action Aid, AgeUK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, SCIAF, Sightsavers and Trocaire. You can make whatever donation you want, but Will Aid recommends £100 for a single will and £180 for a pair of mirror wills (in other words, for a couple).Will Aid runs during November, but it has already been launched this year and you can now book appointments on the Will Aid website or by phone on 0300 0300 013.
Do you need a will?
Of course, first of all you need to decide if you need a will. If you want to leave all your belongings to your spouse and children, then it may not be necessary. You can also try writing a simple will yourself (there are various resources available online and in some High Street shops).
But if your circumstances are more complicated, if you want to leave certain things to named people, or if you want to leave money to charities (you could even choose to leave a legacy to St John’s!) then you might want to having a solicitor write a will. They will ensure it is drafted properly, witnessed and recorded.
Our experience
My wife and I took part in Will Aid last year. The process is quite simple, but it does take some time and it is good to be prepared. When we booked, there were various law firms in south-east London that were taking part. We booked an appointment with a solicitor in Bromley, and we had a meeting with him to explain what we wanted in our wills.
It is a good idea to book the appointment as soon as possible, as there are limited number of slots and they do get filled up. You do have to meet the solicitor in person so they can talk to you and check your ID, and no one wants to have to travel too far!
It's also worth thinking ahead about who you want to leave money to, or which charities to support, as the solicitor will need full names (including middle names) and addresses of people, and the full name and number of any charities (you can find details of all charities in England and Wales on the Charity Commission website). The meeting goes much quicker if you already have the details to hand.
It took a few weeks for the solicitor to draft the wills, which he sent to us to check. Once we were happy with them, we had to go back for a second appointment to sign them and have them witnessed. In total, it was probably about three months between the first appointment and when we got the final, official, wills – which have now been put away safely in a filing cabinet.
The solicitor was very helpful and accommodated all our requests. He also suggested that we review the wills every five years or so, as our circumstances and wishes may change. Now that we have a basic will, it should be quite simple and quick to update it.
Based on our experience, I would certainly recommend using Will Aid. Writing a will was something I had been meaning to do for a while, so it was good to tick it off while also being able to support the Will Aid charities. And it’s reassuring to think that our families will have our wishes written down, if anything happens to us.
More information
Will Aid claims to have raised over £21 million for good causes since 1988, and helped more than 310,000 people to make wills.
If you do plan to write a will, and want to know more about leaving a legacy to St John’s, you can speak to one of the clergy or to Martin Howell, Stewardship Secretary. St John’s PCC is charity number 1134088.
Could it be dementia?
By Dorothy Oxley
Why do so many of us find the thought of getting dementia so frightening?
For me, I think it’s the possibility of ‘losing myself’ – my personality, my skills, interests and memories. Others fear being unable to do the things they most enjoy, or carry out their day to day activities. ‘Becoming a burden’ to loved ones and friends is another big concern. For anyone who sees the possible signs of early dementia in someone they love, there’s also fears like ‘Will I ‘lose’ the person I love as dementia changes them? What will happen to our relationship? How can I help them? How will I cope?’. There are so many ‘unknowns’!
“Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less” (Marie Curie)
I’m no expert in dementia; my personal experience has simply come from helping or caring for elderly friends and neighbours. Also, just as the causes of dementia differ (though all result in damage to brain cells), so does each person’s experience of the condition. So I think the best thing I can do, in this short article, is to focus on the kind of questions you’re likely to ask when you first worry that you, or a loved one or friend, might have dementia, and to point you to the information and support available from the UK’s two biggest dementia charities, Alzheimer’s UK and Dementia UK.
| HELP AND SUPPORT by TELEPHONE or EMAIL Don’t hesitate to seek friendly, knowledgeable advice right from the moment you start to worry! |
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| Alzheimer’s Society | Dementia UK |
| Dementia Connect Support line: 0333.150.3456 Available: Monday – Wednesday, 9 a.m – 8 p.m. Thursday & Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The line may be closed on Bank Holidays Email: Via website form or dementia.connect@alzheimers.org.uk Southwark & Lambeth Dementia Support Service: Tel. 0207 735 5850, Open Tuesday - Friday, 9.00 a.m. – 5 p.m. Email: southwarkandlambeth@alzheimers.org.uk They also have an online discussion forum for people with dementia and carers. |
Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline: 0800.888.6678 Available: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The line is open on all Bank Holidays except Christmas Day. If lines are very busy, you will be invited to leave a voicemail and a nurse will call you back. Email: helpline@dementiauk.org or via website form Or you can book a ‘virtual’ appointment with an Admiral (dementia specialist) Nurse by emailing http://www.dementiauk.org/closertohome. Nurse. |
| Website links If you don’t have internet access, many of these subjects will be covered by leaflets – ask the organisation’s Helpline/Support team |
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| What are possible warning signs of dementia, and which could just be related to normal ageing? (Both organisations stress that though these signs might alert you to the need to seek a diagnosis via your GP, don’t use them to diagnose yourself or your loved one!) |
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| Alzheimer’s Society Is it getting older, or dementia? (Giving the symptoms plus a comparison chart) |
Dementia UK Symptoms of dementia (without comparisons, but including signs specific to different types of dementia) |
| Why is it important to get a diagnosis? Two very good reasons are:
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| Alzheimer’s Society | Dementia UK |
| Why get dementia diagnosed? | Why you should see your GP if you’re worried about dementia |
| What if your loved one doesn’t want to see a GP? They may be in denial, or can’t remember being forgetful or confused, so don’t think they have a problem. If your doctor offers yearly check-ups, or is seeing the person for something else, this might be a way in. Otherwise, you may need guidance on talking to your loved one about the problems you’ve noticed, and persuading them that the GP could help. |
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| Alzheimer’s Society | Dementia UK |
| Talking to someone about memory problems How to offer help to someone with dementia who doesn’t want it |
Getting a diagnosis - reluctance |
| Preparing for and going to the GP Whether you are the patient, or supporting someone when they visit the GP, it’s a good idea to do some ‘homework’ first (such as preparing information the GP will need to know) and to take notes when there. |
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| Alzheimer’s Society | Dementia UK |
| Going to see the GP | Getting the best out of GP and other healthcare appointments |
Other sources of information are:
- The NHS site, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/about/.
- Dementia advisors: the number for the national advice line is 0800 678 1602
As each person with dementia is different, there is no set ‘one size fits all’ pathway, but in a future issue, I hope to cover possible onward referrals to specialist services such as the Lambeth and Southwark Integrated Memory Service (SLIMS), and navigating the systems of health and social care support, including voluntary and community activities.
By Clare Brown
In 1633, when so much of Europe was in turmoil during the Thirty Years War, plague came to the small Bavarian village of Oberammergau when one man evaded strict quarantine measures and brought it with him. He and around eighty of the villagers died. In response the village council met and, according to a local chronicle, swore a solemn vow “to perform the Passion Play every ten years; and from this time not a single person more died.” They have done so ever since with a few interruptions, and delays; this year’s season should have taken place in 2020.Since I was a small child I have known about the Oberammergau Passion Play, but I never thought I would get there and wondered whether it was really something for me; Robert had much the same feelings. However, reflecting on the sufferings of the past two years during the Covid-19 pandemic and the deaths of a number of dear friends encouraged us to join in a form of collective thanksgiving outside our usual experience. hrough McCabe Pilgrimages we joined a small group of pilgrims, none of whom was known to us, and set off for Munich.
We travelled into Austria, staying for a few days in the small ski-resort town of Maria Alm am Steinernen Meer which was the base for the ‘holiday’ part of the trip. We visited Salzburg, where we were able to celebrate Mass in the cathedral, prayed in some beautiful pilgrimage churches in the area, attended a Family Mass at the local Catholic parish church, and enjoyed the wonderful mountain scenery, as well as getting to know the other members of the group.
In Oberammergau we were lucky enough to stay in the village itself, some of us in a small guesthouse run by the family of Otto Huber who have been involved with the play for many years. It was enlightening to hear his grandson, a student in Berlin, talking about being part of the play since childhood, and to browse the family scrapbooks. The part of Herod this year was played by Anton Preisinger who manages one of the local hotels, and if you look at the gravestones in the cemetery you will find many of the same surnames in the cast list. It is still very much a family affair.
Performance of Passion Plays was not unusual in southern Germany and Austria in the 17th century. In 1634 the villagers actually performed the play on a stage built in the graveyard next to the parish church, near where so many of their neighbours were buried, and this continued until 1830 when a new theatre was built on the present site in the north of the village and later modified in 1890.The current theatre can seat over 4,500 people in a covered auditorium, looking out to a largely open stage and the mountains beyond. Performances are always full, with a varied international audience, and last about five hours with a break for a meal in the late afternoon. The text of the play has undergone many revisions over the years, from versions compiled by monks from the nearby Benedictine monastery at Ettal, and by Josef Alois Daisenberger, the local parish priest, for the performance in 1860.
The older versions incorporated anti-Semitic elements (Judas was always dressed in yellow) and Jewish caricatures which have, since the papal encyclical Nostra Aetate in 1965, been steadily revised with involvement from representatives of Jewish organisations. This year’s text has been edited by Christian Stückl, who has directed the play since 1990, and Otto Huber who is working on a critical edition of it based on the 1662 version.
Although familiar with the Passions of J.S. Bach, I was not prepared for the amount of music in this version, nor for the tableaux vivants which act as an Old Testament commentary on the Passion narrative, nor for the strong roles played by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea in their defence of Jesus both to the Council and to Herod. This year the conflicted motivation of Judas in betraying Jesus was movingly explored. We are still pondering the experience of Oberammergau but feel profoundly grateful that we had the opportunity of going.
The next season will be held in 2030 and, if you have the chance, I would urge you to go.
From July 26 to 29, I stayed at Lancaster University as a member of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland. There we had our annual Conference, actually the first since 2019.The Conference involves are extremely long days, with lectures, shorter talks and two services. On the Thursday we visited Blackburn Cathedral for a Festival of Hymns (we sang 13). The 60-minute lectures included one on William Booth of the Salvation Army, another on ecotheology (understanding nature in our hymn singing), plus a talk on the hymn writer James Montgomery, a journalist from Sheffield (1771-1854). He wrote about 400 hymns, of which we still sing “Angels, from the realms of glory”, “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” and “Stand up and bless the Lord”,
As this year sees the 150th anniversary of the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, Michael Tavinor (the retired Dean of Hereford) had much to say about this unusual man who was a musical giant. Vaughan Williams, although an agnostic, agreed to be the musical editor of the English Hymnal of 1906. He approached his subject in a highly personal way, using folk songs which he had discovered from all over Britain and tunes from many international sources: French Missal tunes, Lutheran chorales, songs from Eastern Europe, music from the Orthodox churches and office hymns from the fourth century onwards.
The English folk song tunes include the music which we sing for “O little town of Bethlehem”, “He who would valiant be”, “I heard the voice of Jesus say”, “Firmly I believe and truly” and many more. He himself composed the tunes which we know to “Come down, O Love divine”, “For all the saints” and “Hail thee, Festival Day”. Vaughan Williams had a dislike for many of the Victorian hymn tunes in “Hymns Ancient and Modern”, which had become the nations’ favourite hymn book since it first appeared in 1861. He was forced by Percy Dearmer, the overall editor of English Hymnal, into accepting a limited number of such tunes, which he put into an appendix; he privately regarded this section as his “chamber of horrors”, hoping that nobody would notice it!
In 2019, during a Very Hot Week, Sue O’Neill and I gave a talk to the Conference in Canterbury on “How we do Psalms at St. John’s, East Dulwich”. This was well enough received to become the catalyst for creating last October’s “Day on Psalms” at St John’s, with speakers coming from Bedford, Cheltenham and Wokingham.
Members of the Hymn Society are a mix of Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, URC and Congregationalists, with a few from the Church of Scotland and the Salvation Army. There are certainly many clergy present, but also many lay people. We had people coming from overseas, including four from Nigeria this time. Some of the delegates are hymn writers and there are also composers of hymn tunes present. It is a privilege to meet so many of these talented enthusiasts and I look forward to next year’s Conference, which may be in Lincoln or Gloucester, both places with Cathedrals.
There are forms at the back of St John’s about membership of The Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Do look at the Society’s website: https://hymnsocietygbi.org.uk
By John Webber
Setting: Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei from Nashdom Mass, by Anthony Greening, except October 30 and November 20
October 2 – Harvest Festival Mass
Processional: 259 Come, ye thankful people, come
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia at Taize chant 13 – “The Lord is gracious, his steadfast love is everlasting: and his
faithfulness endures from generation to generation.”
Offertory: 262 We plough the fields, and scatter
Anthem – “Pleasure it is,” by Cecil Cope
Recessional: 364 God is Love: let heav’n adore him (T.408, 1st, Blaenwern)
Voluntary: The Prince of Denmark’s March – Jeremih Clarke
October 9 – Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
Processional: 137 Come down, O Love divine
Psalm: 111 The works of the Lord stand fast for ever (parags.1,4; verse groups 32)
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia at Taize chant 37: “The word of the Lord endures for ever. The word of the Lord is the good news announced to you.”
Offertory: 235 Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go
Communion: Anthem – “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,” by Peter Aston
Recessional: 476 Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim
Voluntary: Fuga on the Letters of his Name - C.P.E. Bach
October 9 - Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity - Choral Evensong
Introit: “The First Disciples” – John Webber
Responses: Richard Ayleward
Psalm: 144 (anglican chant in E flat by J Randall)
Office hymn: 248 O strength and stay, upholding all creation (2nd.)
Antiphon to Magnificat: “You have done great things, O God, and holy is your name.”
Canticles: Herbert Sumsion in A major
Anthem: “Brother James’s Air,” arranged by Gordon Jacob
Hymn: 342 Breath on me, breath of God (T.178, Carlisle)
Voluntary: Cantique - Edward Elgar
October 16 – Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
Processional: 234 Christ, whose glory fills the skies (2nd; v.3 descant)
Psalm: 121 (Anglican chant by Henry Walford Davies in D major)
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia from Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” – “I am the light of the world, says the Lord: whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Offertory: 310 We hail thy presence glorious
Communion: Anthem – “Give us the wings of faith to rise,” by Jack Abbott (commission as part of our “Black Lives” campaign)
Recessional: 272 All for Jesus! all for Jesus!
Voluntary: Postludium – Flor Peeters
October 23 – Dedication Festival and Bible Sunday
Processional: 205 Christ is made the sure foundation
Psalm: 122 I was glad when they said to me: “Let us go to God’s house” (composed setting)
Gospel Acclamation: Plainsong Alleluia - "O how lovely are your dwelling, O Lord of hosts: my soul longs to enter the courts of the Lord."
Offertory: A&M 2013 293 Lord of all your love’s creation (T.498, Everton)
Communion: Anthem – “Blesséd are the pure in heart,” by Henry Walford Davies,” (CAB no.6)
Recessional: 485 omit v.3 Thy hand, O God, has guided
Voluntary: Voluntary in D major – William Boyce
October 30 – All Saints’ Sunday
Before: plainsong proper 731 (cantor: Sue)
Processional: 197 For all the saints who from their labours rest
Psalm: 149 My mouth O God shall speak of wisdom (all parags; v.gps.3333; cantor: Roger)
Gospel Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia – “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, called out of darkness into his marvellous light.”
Offertory: 353 Dear Lord and Father of mankind
Communion: plainsong proper 731 (cantor: Tina)
Anthem: “Let all the world in every corner sing,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Recessional: 478 Ye watchers and ye holy ones
Setting: Agnus Dei from service in F major by Harold Darke
Voluntary: Processional – William Matthias
October 30 - at 6.00 p.m. – Commemoration of the Departed (All Souls’ Day)
Processional: 295 Let all mortal flesh keep silence
After absolution: Nunc Dimittis: George Dyson in F major
After Collect: Blesséd are the pure in heart – Walford Davies (CAB no.6)
Psalm 121 (Anglican chant by Henry Walford Davies in D major)
Gradual hymn: 353 Dear Lord and Father of mankind
After sermon: God be in my head – Henry Walford Davies (NCAB pg.140)
After commemoration of the faithful departed: 526 Give rest, O Christ, to thy servants with thy saints (Russian Contakion)
After prayer: Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts” – Henry Purcell (NCAB pg.482)
Final Hymn: 120 Thine be the glory
Voluntary: Adoration – Florence Price
November 6 – Third Sunday before Advent
Processional: 338 At the name of Jesus
Psalm: 17 Show me O Lod your loving kindness (additional response no.14; parags. 1,3; v.gps.22)
Gospel Acclamation: Taize chant 13 – Keep me as the apple of your eye: hide me under the shadow of your wings
Offertory: 498 omit v.4 Son of God, eternal Saviour
Communion: plainsong proper 715 (cantor: Maya)
Anthem: “The Call (“Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life),” by Ralph Vaughan Williams (HEP 633)
Recessional: 413 Now thank we all our God
Voluntary: Hornpipe in D major (from the “Water Music”) – G F Handel
November 13 – Second Sunday before Advent (Remembrance Sunday)
Processional: 120 Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son
Gloria and Psalm omitted
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia at Taize chant 37 – “I shall see the goodness of the Lord: in the land of the living.”
Offertory: 271 repeat v.1 at the end Alleluya! sing to Jesus (descant in final verse)
Communion Anthem: “We will remember them,” by Edward Elgar
While walking outside: “Nimrod” (from “Enigma” Variations) – Edward Elgar (organ)
At the Calvary: Last Post and Reveille (trumpet); 417 O God, our help in ages past (with brass)
At the end: (brass)
November 20 – Christ the King
Processional: 352 Crown him with many crowns
Psalm 46 The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold (composed setting)
Gospel Acclamation: plainsong Alleluia – “Blesséd is the King who comes in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!”
Offertory: 332 All hail the power of Jesu’s name (descant v.7)
Communion: Anthem – “Panis angelicus,” by César Franck
Recessional: 373 How shall I sing that majesty…..? (T.NEP 699, Coe Fen)
Setting: Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei from the service in C major by John Ireland
Voluntary: Allegro Maestoso (Sonata No.4) – Felix Mendelssohn
November 27 – First Sunday of Advent
Introit: 501 v.1 The Advent Prose
Processional: 6 Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes
Psalm: 122 Anglican chant by John Robinson in E flat (no response)
Gospel Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia – “Be active and faithful in awaiting the coming of the Saviour, that we may be found alert and joyful in his praise.
Offertory: 7 Hills of the north, rejoice
Communion: Plainsong proper 657
Anthem: The Advent Sequence (NEH 502)
Recessional: 466 Thou whose almighty word (v.4 descant)
Angelus: sung (v.3 descant)
Setting: Penitential Rite from “Short Mass for Advent and Lent,” by Stephen Dean, Sanctus, Benedictus and Eucharistic Acclamation from “St. Andrew’s Responsorial Acclamations,” by Stephen Dean and Agnus Dei from “Mass of St. Edmund of Abingdon,” by Derek Fry
Voluntary: Bells (from “Three Characteristic Pieces” – Jean Langlais)
November 27 – First Sunday of Advent – Choral Evensong
Introit: “Adam lay ybounden” – Boris Ord (CfC2, pg.10)
Responses: Richard Ayleward
Psalm: 9 (Anglican chant in D by George Elvey)
Office hymn: 1 Creator of the stars of night (1st)
Antiphon to Magnificat: “Lord Jesus, thou art the one who is to come, the one whom we await with longing hearts.”
Canticles: Plainsong with fauxbourdons by Thomas Morley
Anthem: “Rejoice in the Lord alway” (“The Bell Anthem”), by Henry Purcell
Hymn: 465 Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown
Voluntary: Chorale prelude – “Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland” – Johann Pachelbel
By Christine Camplin
Saturday morning, 18 April, 1891. Wedding Day. After many difficulties Charlotte Fitch was finally marrying her fiancé Mohamad Ahmad.
It was going to be a long day. Charlotte bundled the family out of their home at 20 Kelmore Grove and into a carriage waiting to take them to St Giles’ Church, Camberwell. The Vicar of St Giles had declined to carry out the service for what was to be Britain’s first inter-faith wedding and the Vicar of St John’s, her local parish church in East Dulwich, had also refused. Revd James McLachlan from Emmanuel Church, Camberwell, officiated. The witnesses were Charlotte’s mother, Rebecca, her brother, Francis, and John Seymour Keay, a friend of Mohamad’s father who was described on the marriage certificate as: “Revenue Secretary to His Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad”.
At last - they were married - but there was little time for a reception. They had to get up to Euston to catch a train to Liverpool. The journey to Liverpool Lime Street took about four hours on the London & North Western Railway. From there a cab took them less than a mile from the station to the Muslim Institute for the part of their marriage that had caused the vicars of East Dulwich and Camberwell so much anxiety.
Liverpool was an international port with sailors and travellers from all round the world. Liverpool solicitor, William Henry Quilliam (1856-1932), was one such traveller. He was raised in a Methodist family, converted to Islam in 1887 while in Morocco, and changed his name to Abdullah Quilliam. In 1889 Quilliam bought three Georgian terrace houses on Brougham Terrace, West Derby Road, and established the Liverpool Muslim Institute with a group of twenty British converts to Islam. (In 1890 a Mohamed Ahmed [sic] was a committee member.) One of the houses, number 8, had a long garden with separate access and a “spacious and lofty room suitable for a workshop” - or a lecture hall.
The mosque, the first of its kind in England opened on Christmas Day, 1889 and with the wedding of Charlotte and Mohamed on 18 April, 1891 it hosted the "The first Mohammedan marriage ever celebrated in England". The vice-president of the Moslem congregation officiated, “a condition of fitness for such office being a knowledge of Arabic“. The bride’s responses were in English, and the bridegroom’s in English and Arabic.
Charlotte repeated the words of the marriage contract: "I stand here in the presence of God and all who are assembled, to unite my heart to your heart, and my destiny to your destiny, and to be called by your name. Thy sorrow shall be my sorrow, thy happiness shall be my happiness." Mohamad made similar promises. He then placed the ring on Charlotte’s finger, and for the second time that day the couple signed their names in the register. One of their witnesses was the Ottoman Consul-General in Liverpool, and another the Minister of Education fur the Armenian Provinces, who had travelled from Constantinople to assist in organising a Moslem congregation in Liverpool.
Mohamad and Charlotte were now married!
Newspapers around the country eagerly picked up the story of the novel event and inevitably they got the facts wrong. It was described as "The first marriage between a convert and a Muslim" - though Charlotte was not a “convert”. She was also said to be the "eldest daughter of Mr Charles Fitch JP of London" rather than the youngest daughter of Alfred Fitch, provision merchant (deceased). Obviously it sounded better. Mohamad, however, was simply “a Mahomedan barrister, practising in London“.
The media were fascinated with the wedding outfits - but not of the bride and attendants (Charlotte’s two sisters, Ellen and Rebecca, were her bridesmaids), but the Iman: "this official ... was dressed in a long robe of crimson silk, beneath which was a tightly-fitting tunic of embroidered black velvet, the whole girdled by a broad gold belt. He wore also a turban of white silk with streamers which fell over his shoulders" (St James’s Gazette, 20 April 1891).
Charlotte and Mohamad travelled back to London and started making preparations to leave England. But first on 15 May Mr and Mrs Ahmad attended a Royal Levee at St James’ Palace where they were presented to His Royal Highness, Duke of Connaught and Strathearne K.G. (Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Arthur) by the Political ADC to the Secretary of State for India.
Soon afterwards the happy couple left for their new life in India. The sea journey from London to Bombay (Mumbai) probably took about three weeks by P&O steamer via the Suez Canal.
(. . . to be concluded)
Who's who
Vicar Revd Gill O’Neill 07958 592 425, vicar@stjohnseastdulwich.org
Curate Revd Gemma Birt curate@stjohnseastdulwich.org
Assistant Priests Revd Anne Clarke anne@oakhurstgrove.com , Revd Alistair McCulloch mccullocha95@gmail.com and Revd Rosemary Shaw rshaw1983@icloud.com
Parish Administrator Denise Fulgoni 020 8693 3897, office@stjohnseastdulwich.org
Churchwardens Tayo Olatunde 07908 679 407 and Julie Whitney 07786 686 385
Parish Safeguarding Officer Mary Dawson (contact via Parish Administrator)
PCC Secretary Christine Camplin
PCC Treasurer Sarah Goudge
Stewardship Martin Howell
Director of Music John Webber
Electoral Roll Officer Denise Fulgoni
Church Flowers Sally Gross
Goose Green Centre Denise Fulgoni
Editors of The Gander Christine Camplin, Jim Nurton, Tayo Olatunde and Dorothy Oxley
(Contact each of the above via Parish Administrator)
Website: www.stjohnseastdulwich.org
Twitter: @StJohnsEDulwich
St John's & St Clement's C of E Primary School, Adys Road, London SE15 4DY
www.stjohnsandstclements.org, 020 7525 9210
Disclaimer
The views expressed in The Gander are not necessarily those of the Editors, Vicar or PCC.
Magazine deadline
Notices and items or articles for possible inclusion in the next issue of The Gander must be with the Editors by the 15th of the preceding month. Please contact the team in person or by email to the Parish Administrator with any questions.
