Vicar’s Letter October 2009 Dear Friends 
On 1st September new regulations came into force about the switch-over (pun intended!) from incandescent to low-energy light bulbs. But many people do not like the enforced change as the lamps take a few seconds to warm up. Oh dear! What an impatient nation we are. Bring back candles - that’s what I say - they were good enough for my grandparents, so they should be good enough for me!
The rumpus reminds me of the old joke - “How many Anglicans does it take to change a light bulb?” “CHANGE! Who mentioned change?”
I’m reminded of my mother who was resistant to having a refrigerator saying that putting the milk outside with a damp tea towel over the top was all she needed to keep the milk fresh. Also I can still remember someone telling me that colour television would never catch on.
How we dislike change - and then, after a while, embrace it! I’m sure that the same will apply with these new lamps.
On a more positive note many “senior” people have acquired computers to keep in touch with the family via email and video links. The learning curve for them was steep, but the rewards were well worth the change and the embracing of the new technology. But there was no denying the hard work, and not inconsiderable stress, involved.
But something never changes. That is God’s love for us as shown in Jesus Christ. The prayer said in the evening service of Compline is appropriate - “Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the silent hours of this night, so that we, who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world, may repose upon thy eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
Yours, neither incandescent nor low-energy!
Malcolm

NOTES FROM THE VICARAGE
Please come to Harbridge Church at 5.30pm on Friday 2nd October for a Celebratory Evensong marking the completion of the restoration work and a time to say thank you to those who gave money and worked so hard in “making it happen”. After the Service you are invited to stay for some cheese and a glass of wine.
There will be no Service in Stuckton Chapel on Wednesday 7th October.
Pet Services - at Hyde, 11.15am on 18th October and at Ellingham, 11.15am on 25th October. Please come along with your pet or, if you do not have a pet, bring a well-behaved human friend!


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St Mary and All Saints, Ellingham

The present building dates from the 12th century.

It was originally a priory; the chancel was

probably the Chapel of St Mary and the nave

became the Parish Church of All Saints. The porch

in Georgian style was erected in 1720 and the west

wall rebuilt in 1746. A fine sundial is fixed in the

tympanum above the porch, and has found to be

accurate within 5 minutes and 35 seconds.

To the right of the south door will be found the

tomb of Dame Alice Lisle. She was beheaded on

the 2nd September 1685 in Winchester for

sheltering two men at her home, Moyles Court,

after Monmouth's defeat at the Battle of Sedgemore.


(The photograph above shows the exterior of the church taken at Eastertide).


 

Ellingham Church also has an enthusiastic choir, which sings at most services. If you would like to enquire about joining the choir, or booking the choir for a wedding or other special service then please contact the Director of Music, Mr Paul Wilkins, on 01202 829125















(Ellingham Church Choir)                                                                                     (Easter Day 2008)

Sunday Services:

 

First Sunday -

Holy Communion (BCP) 11.15 am


Second Sunday -

Morning Prayer (BCP) 11.15 am

Songs of Praise / Evensong (BCP) 5.30 pm

(Alternating)


Third Sunday

Morning Prayer (BCP) 11.15 am

                                                                                      (Beating the Bounds)  Walkers gathering at Ellingham 2009


Fourth Sunday

Family Service 11.15 am

Holy Communion (BCP) 5.30 pm


Ellingham Church - the interior



                                                                                      (Church Refreshment Tent - Ellingham Show 2009)










                                           

                                                                                       (Pet Service Congregation? )


The interior contains a canopied pew, a unique series of embroideries and an of Elizabethan screen of great merit. The Altar reredos, which is Victorian, is also of note being designed by Gilbert Scott. Within the design there are images which represent the four gospel writers. At the west end of the church will be found an earlier reredos dating from the 17th century, and is considered to be the work of Grimlin Gibbons. It was moved to this position during the restoration which took place in 1884/85.(The photograph shows the Chancel and Sanctuary of St Mary).



The Altar Frontals

(1)                                                                                          (2)






(3)                                                                                         (4)









These frontals are the work of Mrs. Midge Burnett , and were worked between the early 1970s and the mid-1980s. (1) The 'Crown of Glory' completed in 1980 was designed to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the founding of the New Forest and is used mainly for the festivals of Christmas and Easter, and occasionally on Saints' days. This frontal took two and half years to complete, and contains 800,000 stitches. (2) 'Crown of Thorns' completed in 1976 and is used in Lent and Advent. This was inspired by the Royal Engineers' Screen to the Garden of Gethsemane, Coventry Cathedral. The frontal took two years to complete. (3) 'Fishes of the Holy Trinity', inspired by the fish in the River Avon which flows through the Somerley House Estate, home of the Earl of Normanton, joint patron of the Benefice, and dedicated to Mrs Burnett's husband John, who was at one time churchwarden. This frontal completed in 1985 took two and half years to complete. (4) ‘Tongues of Fire’  representing the coming of the Holy Spirit which is celebrated on Whitsunday. (The photographs above show (1) 'Crown of Glory' (2) 'Crown of Thorns' (3) Fishes of the Holy Trinity'  (4) ‘The Tongues of Fire.)