the Parish of St thomas' Brampton, Chesterfield

St Thomas' Brampton and St Peter's Holymoorside, Chesterfield

Rector's Letter February 1985-January 1986

Our vision statement: Sharing the love of Jesus

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The Rector's letter is printed in each edition of the Church Magazine

February/March 1985	April/May 1985	June/July 1985
August/September 1985	October/November 1985	December 1985/January1986

February/March 1985

'Caretaker's Letter -Ken Scott

When I started this letter the snow was lazily putting a soft white blanket on the garden, presumably to insulate my little clump of snowdrops from the frost which followed. I put it by because there seemed to be plenty of time, only to be roused by Doug. Inger's "remind Ken his article's got to be in by next week."

Then I looked at the calendar and found that Sunday the 3rd of February (the day on which your distributor gets this magazine) is the 9th Sunday before Easter. As Canon Rollinson says it's amazing how much more urgent this sounds than the old Septuagesima. At least, under the old terminology you felt that you had a few more weeks before giving up chocolate or bacon and eggs for breakfast or whatever form your Lenten abstinence took.

Lenten abstinence is an important duty for Christians although it is doubtful whether it originated in Christianity. I think it more likely that with food becoming short at the end of winter and a few weeks to go before the Spring Harvest arrived, a certain amount of rationing was necessary.
The Church, as with so many other things saw it as an opportunity for teaching and discipline and linked it with Jesus' period of preparation in the desert; and it is a good discipline too. That we should deny ourselves something and use the money saved for some worthwhile charity is a good work and has the advantage of benefitting others.

But useful though the 'going without' is, we should I think, try to do something positive during Lent. Join a Group. Discuss and try to understand more deeply one of the issues of most concern in the world or our own country today. Form a group of your own. Try to find out more about your faith. Visit! Join with the Baptist group or the Bereavement group. Find out what it is like to be with people when the finger of God has touched them, bringing great joy - or great sorrow.

By all means discipline yourself, but also, to use Mother Teresa's phrase, "Do something beautiful for God' this Lent. Remember that Jesus' going hungry was not what was important - the importance lay in his facing up to the agony of life and ministry.

If you want any advice about joining a group, any of the leaders whose names appear in the news sheets will help, and if you are considering starting a group of your own, see me if you require help with subject or programme - my number is at the front of this magazine.

Which brings me to Holy Week. March 31st is Palm Sunday and the first week in April is Holy Week. Only by a proper observance of Lent shall we be able to observe this week as we should and be able with full hearts to sing "Jesus Christ has risen today" on Easter Day

Rev Ken Scott

From the February 1985 edition of the magazine

April/May 1985

From Rev Vernon Brooke, Industrial Chaplain

The city, town life as we know it, could not exist without the work of a great variety of workers. That is how God has made the world.

Industrial Mission starts in the world of work and in the organisations of the industrial town. It recognizes the situations in which people work. It allows us the privilege of meet¬ing them in places where THEY are in a position of. strength, where they are the "experts". It is about people as they are, where they are. This is because mission is the work of the Creator in the world, in the routine of people's lives. Mission is about how we co-operate with the things God is doing in the world.

What do chaplains do?

a) Factory visiting - especially in large factories (at present, for example, I am becoming involved with the Coal Industry). It means sharing in conversations about the interests and feelings of any people we meet there. They are important to a God of love. This visiting is done by full-time chaplains, and sometimes by ministers who have industry and commerce in their parishes. We act as representatives of all the main-stream denominations. We talk to people at all levels in the company as equals, and aim to learn from, and influence as wide a spectrum of views, as possible.

b) Occasional contact with managers, trades unionists, local government officers, etc. - to listen, to understand and to cross the boundaries between Church, industry, education, etc.

c) We try to make what we learn known in the Church through sermons and discussions. We also try to exchange views and impressions with Christians working in industry and other places.

d) Much later, when strong relationships have developed, projects may be planned to deal with specific issues or needs in industry, community or Church.

In the Chesterfield area, the chaplains include Rev. Brian Cooper (Chesterfield Parish Church), Miss Yvonne Harris (Chesterfield. Central Methodist Church), Rev. Hazel Barkham (United Reformed Church), and myself as the full-time chaplain. Chesterfield Industrial Mission is very new and we have a lot to do developing its work.

But Industrial Mission is not just about chaplains, Lay people are also important. Too little is done to enable the Church to benefit from the 'experience of life and struggles of its members, and to offer support and insight to the practical situations they face in their daily ministry.

Many of you have knowledge and skills in secular organisations: you have much to teach us about the realities of life there, and about-people's hopes, fears, and attitudes; and about the forces that make people do what they do and suffer what they suffer. We should be sharing these things together and asking the clergy to help us discover the insights our faith offers to our daily experience of life and work.

Rev Vernon Brooke, Industrial Chaplain

From the April 1985 edition of the magazine

June/July 1985

From the New Rector: Introducing the Frith Family

We've driven through Brampton many times. My parents live in Norfolk and Chesterfield is en route from Manchester. I have always noticed St. Thomas' looking attractive in its well kept surroundings, but I never guessed that one day we would be living and working in the parish.

We are all looking forward to coming. We keep hearing good things about the three churches, the town, the area and Chesterfield folk. It's funny to think that, just a few months ago, Chesterfield didn't mean much more to me than a crooked spire and Tony Benn!

It wouldn't be right to say that we can't wait to come. We have spent eleven very happy years in Haughton Green, a residential area of largely council housing, about eight miles east of the centre of Manchester. We have been privileged to see God at work and the church family. growing. It will be a tremendous wrench to leave.

Pam and I met in Cambridge. She was training as a nurse and I was at a local 'parson factory'. We got married in 1969 during my first curacy at St. Thomas', Crookes in Sheffield. Ruth, now 14, was born in Sheffield, Jonathan (12) was born in Manchester when I was Curate at Holy Trinity, Platt. Sarah (6) and Daniel (3) were horn in Haughton Green.

Daniel is an enthusiast for Mr. Men and lollipops; Sarah is into swimming, gymnastics and 'My Little Pony'; Jonathan (we often call him- Jonty) enjoys computers, table tennis and cricket; Ruth is keen on various sports and art, including music which ranges from Wham! to playing the piano herself. Pam is a country girl at heart, having been brought up on a Gloucestershire fruit farm, and she is fully occupied keeping the five of us out of mischief. She's useful at tennis too. I like nearly all sport (not keen on wrestling!) and cricket in particular.

If I am a bit 'churchy' sometimes, it must be because of my pedigree. My brother Richard and I are the sixth consecutive generation of parsons! But it's not churchiness which is important, but Christ-likeness. It continually amazes me that we, the Christian Church, have been entrusted with the Good News of Jesus Christ and with the responsibility to pass it on. This Good News is always relevant and never old fashioned or out-of-date.

As our time in Brampton gets closer, we feel a strange mixture of excitement and trepidation. Do please pray for us as we pray for you. God surely has great things in store.

Two final things: I hope you'll take the opportunity to hear Billy Graham at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. He's due to be there from 22nd to 29th June and it may be our last chance to hear him in this country. Here in Haughton Green, we have a number of new church members as a result of Billy Graham's meetings in Liverpool last year. He is well worth hearing.

The other thing is - please call us by our Christian names. Looking forward to getting to know you.

Christopher Frith

From the June 1985 edition of the magazine

August/September 1985

'Caretaker's Final Letter -Ken Scott

This is the last time I shall be writing to you in my capacity as 'The Caretaker'. Not that I shall care any less for you, but with the advent of Chris and Pam there will be a new Rector (and a new Rectory too) and I shall be able to resume my shadowy role of Assistant Curate.

When John Cook (our new curate) arrives at the end of September the load will be further lightened, and when he is priested we shall be back to a staff of three - I won't know where I'm at.

I don't know about you, but I think we have brushed through the interregnum very well. Too often when a Rector leaves the congregations drop off alarmingly, but ours have not. Too often pastoral structures fall apart, ours have not. The various groups set up by Vyvyan our last rector are still functioning and functioning well; the P.C.C. is still its own loveable, intransigent self, Philip and David are still full of enthusiasm, new members are being enrolled into the Choir. I think we can say with modest pride that Chris will find a strong, hard working, caring Church when he comes to us.

One thing that happens during an interregnum is that baptisms fall off, parents holding the babies back, as it were, until "The new Rector arrives". Its a darn good job they didn't here, I think my average has been six a month. Poor old Chris would have thought he was on an assembly line. Marriage has also been very popular, but fortunately Rev Willis Fell from St. Mark's has helped out, so that burden has not been too great.

All things considered it has been an interesting time for me - interesting to see so many people working together so well to keep standards of Christian care up, determined that should they be asked to give an account of their stewardship they should not be found wanting, and that whoever came as the new Rector he should find a solid base to work from.

Finally, I should like to thank all those who have helped me in the conduct of worship in our three churches, Canon John Rollinson, and the Revds Bernard John and Vernon Brook; our two Readers Sylvia and Harold who have helped with Evensongs and Family Services; Philip and David for their support and help; and to all of you for your love.

See you again,

Rev Ken Scott

From the August 1985 edition of the magazine

October/November 1985

Christopher Frith's first letter as Rector

We've just had a phone call "Please pass on our thanks to your new Church for the wonderful welcome we received at the Induction and Institution and for the refreshments afterwards." Our friend and her husband hadn't known anyone else present, except the Frith family, but they felt at home and wanted. Pam and I were also conscious of a real warmth which can only be Christian love. We were given a great start. Thank you very much indeed.

We cant hide the fact that we're struggling a little! We struggle to get our lovely new house straight (there's still some way to go here!). We struggle to learn names, to find our way around to discover what is going on and to sort out our priorities.

Yet "struggle" isn't the right word. We know many folk are praying for us and God is in control. I am finding two quotations a real help.

First, some words from the address of William Temple (later to be Archbishop of Canterbury) when he was enthroned as Bishop of Manchester:
"I come as a learner, with no policy to advocate, no plan already formed to follow. But I come with one burning desire; it is that in all our activities, sacred and secular, ecclesiastical and social, we should help each other to fix our eyes on Jesus making him our only guide.... "Pray for me, I ask you, not chiefly that I may be wise or strong, or any such thing, though for these things I need your prayers. But pray for me chiefly that I may never let go of the unseen hand of the Lord Jesus and live in daily fellowship with him. In this way, you will most of all help me to help you".
It's a pity I'm not the first to say these words - but I echo them completely.

Secondly, some words of God through Jeremiah, apply to us all as a Church
"I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Let's do all we can to keep in line with these plans!

Christopher Frith

From the October 1985 edition of the magazine

December 1985/January 1986

It's a funny thing being shaved from your navel almost down to your knees. "If it hasn't grown again within a month, come back and I'11 fix you up with a wig!" said the fellow with the razor and I felt better. Humour helps you cope with loss of dignity.

Anyway, I now know what it's like to go into hospital, albeit for a short stay and a minor operation. I didn't enjoy the experience - but it had compensations. I learned things that I couldn't have discovered any other way and I guess hospital visiting will be more meaningful in future. I was shown great kindness and understanding (especially of my squeamishness). I enjoyed a lazy convalescence, rediscovering the art of lying in. Underlying it all was an awareness of the presence of God.

It was great, although I would prefer it not to have had to happen. On a scale a million times larger, I have the same feeling as I think about Christmas.

The Christmas story has an incomparable beauty. It's the story of a multi¬millionaire deliberately becoming a pauper so that countless beggars might become rich. No ordinary millionaire but the King of Kings. Not mere poverty but the laying aside of everything.
"He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant....he humbled himself and became obedient to death. (Philippians 2: 7,8)

He did it for us. It is right and good to celebrate Christmas - but how much better if it had never had to happen.

Christopher Frith

From the December 1985 edition of the magazine

Rector's Letters 1986