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No. Not Pixies. "Piskies" is the short name for members
of the Scottish Episcopal Church, for Anglicans north of the border.
In terms of numbers it's quite a small church, but it managed the
transition from the Catholic Church of the Middle Ages through the
Reformation, without the burning of hundreds of heretics, which shamed
England under the Tudors.
The "Presbies" are those who belong to the Church of Scotland,
a Presbyterian Church, like the United Free Church in England. The
Church of Scotland is recognised as the National Church in Scotland,
but they will insist that they are not an Established Church. The
only connection with the government is that the Queen sends a representative
to their annual Assembly.
The Piskies may be small in numbers, but have had a major influence
on the Anglican Communion as it is today. You have no doubt heard
of a gay bishop being consecrated in the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A.
Who hasn't? Well, it was the Piskies who started it. When those revolting
American colonists wanted their own bishop rather than the Bishop
of London, the bishops in the Established Church of England refused
to consecrate him. The Scottish bishops were quite happy to do so,
and have ever since been close to American hearts. I have been privileged
to elect a Scottish bishop, along with one priest and one layman from
every parish in the diocese (about 150 in all). And we didn't even
consult with Downing Street!
The Americans and, I think, every other church in the Anglican Communion
does the same, and sometimes they elect a woman. After 45 years as
a Non-Conformist Anglican, it is still strange to find myself in an
Established Church, constrained by Parliament and the Government of
the day.
If you are in Scotland on a Sunday, it's worth looking out for the
churches with a sign outside which looks like a large almond balanced
on one end, with a bishop's mitre inside, the sign of the Scottish
Episcopal Church. They will give you a right Piskie welcome.
Douglas Hadfield
The pews we had for sale have now all gone and we shall shortly
be replacing them with chairs to match the ones we already have
in the South aisle. There is an opportunity to donate a chair complete
with a dedication plaque if you so wish at a total cost of £100.
If you would like to do this in memory of somebody or simply as
a gift to the church, perhaps you would get in touch with Carol
Brookhouse. Tel: 01295 760315.
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Heating and the use of
the Church
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Many of you will be aware of the contractors who have been in church
during most of January installing the new heating system. This will
be quiet and efficient so that we should be able to keep the church
at a low heat all the time through the winter months. This will
be so much better for those using the church who have faced an icy
coldness as they have entered in the past when the church has not
been scheduled for use. It will also be far better for the long
term welfare of the fabric - it is not good for ancient buildings
to be subjected to cold one minute and then heat the next - hopefully
it will result in less in the way of repairs to the structure in
the future.
We now have a building which can be used much more flexibly than
in the past, and after Easter we look forward to welcoming Mums
and Toddlers into the church (yes, we do have storage for their
equipment where the boiler used to be - we¹re working on the
access !). An art group is looking to use the church, and there
are still hopes that Paul Duncombe might be able to have a monthly
fruit and veg stall in the back of the church - now we are talking
about how things used to be! - a few hundred years or so ago!
John Roberts
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In the beginning............in
the end - God
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I have always liked the book by Bishop John Robinson called "In
the end God" where he argues that heaven and hell are states
of mind that we bring on ourselves and that in the end we shall
all be raised to closeness with God. If we have led lives that have
been God centred, this state of being close to him will be truly
heaven. If, on the other hand, we have led lives that are totally
against his love and care, then the last place we shall want to
be for eternity is close to the eternal creator who we have rejected
through life.
Beginnings and endings always herald change and, as I contemplate
retirement, Will Adams looks to the future as your priest. We have
been working towards this now for sometime and have managed to reduce
the period of time that the Benefice is legally without an incumbent
to 2 weeks when often it takes 2 years to fill a Benefice such as
this - so we hope there will be a real sense of continuity. But
there must be change; I have had a wonderful 13 years or so ministering
to the communities of Helmdon, Syresham, Whitfield, Radstone and
latterly Lois Weedon and Wappenham (not forgetting all the smaller
hamlets) and I thank you all most sincerely for all the support
and encouragement you have given me. One person cannot be all things
to all people and, please God, in Will Adams the parishes will find
someone who is both able to continue the work we have begun and
consider areas I haven't even touched - understanding together and
with you, that both in the beginning of things and in their ending,
there is God.
I cannot in all conscience, and don't wish to, say goodbye, as we
are in the happy situation of being able to stay living in Pimlico.
But sometimes old Vicars are bad news! So if you hear me or I hear
you starting a sentence which begins "In the last Vicar's time
we always used to......." can we both feel free to tell each
other to stop please?!
John Roberts
An introduction to Bible reading for anyone, including the curious
who have not thought to look into the Bible before. Jean Spendlove
01295 768196.
Ckers (a Youth Group organised by the Church and Chapel together
for children of Helmdon from school year 5 upwards) meet in the
Reading Room from 6.30 to 7.45pm on alternate Sundays. We plan to
have a musical evening on 20th February and to go for a night hike
on 6th March. Any new members or helpers would be welcome so please
contact Kathy Quiney or Jane Barnes if you wish to join us.
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The Friends of St Mary
Magdalene
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The Friends hope to arrange a musical event in the Church at the
end of February / early March - this is not confirmed yet so check
the noticeboards for details. A Safari Supper will definitely be
held on Saturday 14 May - we would welcome any volunteers who are
able to offer their homes as a venue for one of the courses. Looking
further ahead, we are organising an Open Gardens event on Sunday
26th June or Sunday 3rd July. We would like to hear from anyone
willing to open their garden for viewing. It doesn't have to be
grand or immaculate - most people have something in their garden
which would interest others. For information on any of these events,
please contact Chris Gartside on 01295 760523 or Vanessa Vicars
on 01295 760477.
Chris Gartside
Wednesday 23rd March at 8pm, 12a Church Street, Helmdon
Holy Week Bible Study
Monday 4th April Deanery Lady Day Service followed by International
Lunch at St Peter's Brackley.
Wednesday 27th April at 8pm, St Mary Magdalene Church, Helmdon
Hazel Fountain will lead a workshop on helping families
May - to be arranged
Deanery sponsored walk
Bee Aczel 01295 760816
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