FROM THE VICAR—OCCASIONAL PAPER
SEPTEMBER 2009
Dear Friends,
Week by week our Newsletter carries information about events and services. However, from time to time there is a need to write at more length about aspects of our parish life. I am delighted that later this year we will be publishing “New Connections” on a quarterly basis. Chris Yorke will be editing this – please let him have any items/articles of interest. In the meantime I am writing this occasional “Green Paper.” So called, simply because that is the colour paper we have in the parish office!
Fr David
ALL SOULS
In the middle ages many parish churches had “chantry chapels”, where prayers were said for the departed, and requiem masses celebrated on their behalf. It seems likely that St Leonard’s had such a chapel, and – while the practice of prayers for the dead declined after the Reformation – the Vicar of Heston in the mid 19th century (Spooner) was still referring to the east end of the north aisle as “the chantry.”
Of course, throughout the years that part of our church has been used in several ways, but since the reordering of a few years ago, and the relocation of the organ, it has recovered its role as a focus of remembrance. In addition to the impressive South African War window, it houses the WW1 memorial, and the parish Memorial Book.
Last year, the PCC decided to introduce an altar into this area, thus forming a worship area to complement the Lady Chapel on the south side. This has now been done, and I do invite you, if you have not already done so, to admire the simple and yet beautiful oak altar, lectern and rails. They certainly make a worthy addition to our church.
However, the purpose of placing an altar here is not just to adorn the building, but to be a positive contribution to our life of worship and pastoral care. I hope that this chapel, to be known as the All Souls Chapel, will once again be an area where the faithful departed may be appropriately remembered and prayed for.
To this end, we will be establishing a list of “Anniversaries of Death”. This will be kept in the parish office, and anyone may ask for names of departed loved ones to be entered on it. Simply hand a note into the office – or to the clergy or churchwardens - with the name, and date of death. There is no charge for this, and the list will be quite distinct from the Memorial Book – entries into which will continue to be managed as heretofore. However, names in the anniversaries list will be printed in the newsletter and prayed for as “Year’s Minds” each month.
We will also have a monthly Eucharist at the All Souls’ Altar for all those whose anniversaries fall during that month, and we will also invite the friends and relatives of those whose funerals, or interment of ashes, have been conducted by the parish clergy. For the time being, this monthly “Requiem” will be on the first Saturday of each month, at 9.30am., starting on Nov 7th. This will give an opportunity for any who are helping with the monthly working party to attend, and I hope that we may keep the church open afterwards until midday, for people to pray, light a candle, or just visit.
As you will know, concerns about Swine Flu have meant that, since late July, we have not been sharing a physical exchange of the Peace, nor the giving of the chalice. I am aware that, while some people welcome this precaution and see it as prudent, others have found it troubling.
Whatever our personal views, I think we are bound to follow the strong advice of the Archbishops, and this is what we and most other parishes have done. While the incidence of flu seems at the moment to be at a low ebb, it would be unwise to resume our usual practices, only to have to abandon them again in a few weeks time if the expected winter increase in infection occurs.
Please be assured that the unfailing teaching of the church throughout the centuries is that the fullness of the Holy Sacrament is received even if only the consecrated host is given. Also, the sharing of the Peace with a gracious bow, eye contact, and the word of peace, is just as much a real gesture of solidarity and reconciliation as any handshake or bear-hug!
While nobody welcomes the situation we find ourselves in, and we hope to return to normal as soon as possible, we will, I know, for the time being bear with it in mutual forbearance and Christian maturity.
OTHER HATS
Somebody asked me the other day whether I had been awarded the V.C! Well, the cross I wear in my lapel is certainly impressive, but it isn’t an award for gallantry. It is my Air Training Corps Chaplains badge, one of the roles I fulfill as well as being Vicar of Heston.
On a regular basis I visit the 86 squadron on their evening meetings in Vicarage Farm Road, and lead “Padre’s Hour” – discussing moral and religious matters with 40 or so very bright young men and women. It certainly keeps one on one’s toes, and while many of the cadets are not from a Christian background, it is a privilege to serve them. We look forward to seeing them in St Leonard’s on Remembrance Sunday.
Another job I have, and one that is rather more time consuming, is Director of Reader Training for the Kensington Area. This involves arranging training courses for people preparing, over three years, as Lay Readers . In years 2 and 3 they follow an in-depth course on Biblical Theology, Pastoral Care, and Liturgy and Preaching. However, the first year consists of an introductory series of six four week courses on the Old Testament, New Testament, the Creeds, Anglicanism, Spirituality, and Worship.
These courses are open to everyone, not just those studying to be Readers, and are ideal for people who would like to know a bit more about their faith. This year the courses are being held at St Mary’s, Osterley, on Monday evenings beginning on October 5th at 7.30pm. I will be leading the first four sessions on the Old Testament. If anyone from St Leonard’s would be interested in attending, please ask me for a leaflet.
