A Reflection from our locum Fr David Houghton ...........
I was so pleased that we were able to share in two ecumenical celebrations
'across the border' in Menton and Sanremo in January. A chance remark by church member Elizabeth Cordone aroused my interest in the story of Augustine's stay at the
monastery of Lérins on Saint Honorat in 596. It is astonishing that, while we just complain of minor delays in our odysseys across Europe, in former centuries our ancestors again and again undertook perilous journeys often with faint prospect of success. Yes, this is how the Christian faith was transmitted to new peoples. Today, it's good to be reminded that we enjoy neighbours of varying Christian traditions. In Sanremo I was joined not only by representatives of the local Catholic and Reformed churches, but also the Romanian Orthodox and Greek Catholic. At that Service I humbly offered these words suggesting the enduring inter-connecting links between England and the Church of England and the early days of Christian presence in our lands.
'In the Year 596 Augustine began his journey from Rome to England at the
command of Pope Gregory to bring the Gospel to the Anglo-Saxons.
It is said that he passed this very spot, here in Sanremo. Augustine made
Canterbury, a small town close to the English Channel, his centre, and from
that time, the church and later Cathedral begun in 1070, has become the
'mother church' of the Church of England and now of the Anglican family
across the globe.
As it happens, I now live in Canterbury and the Cathedral is my 'parish
church'. I minister for this time to one of the many Anglican chaplaincies
across Europe – Bordighera and Menton. So, it is as if I am reconnecting, in
reverse, the same journey made by Augustine, 1400 years ago. It is a
precious bond of the Christian body, reminding us that we confess the same
faith in Jesus, the 'word made flesh', and share the same journey, in our
varying ways, to bring the generous love of God to all peoples.
Thank you all for your kind welcome to me these past weeks. It is wonderful
to find St John's full of life and looking forward to even better days.
Every blessing. David

The presentation of Christ in the Temple. (Candlemas)

In bygone centuries, Christians said their last farewells to the Christmas season on Candlemas, 2nd February. This is exactly 40 days after Christmas Day itself.
In New Testament times, 40 days old was an important age for a baby boy; it was when they made their first 'public appearance'. Mary, like all good Jewish mothers, went to the Temple with Jesus, her first male child – 'to present him to the Lord'. At the same time, she, as a new mother, was 'purified'. Thus we have the Festival of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple.
So where does the Candlemas bit come in? Jesus is described in the New Testament as the Light of the World, and early Christians developed the tradition of lighting many candles in celebration of this day. The Church also fell into the custom of blessing the year's supply of candles for the church on this day – hence the name, Candlemas.
The story of how Candlemas began can be found in Luke 2.22-40. Simeon's great declaration of faith and recognition of who Jesus was is, of course, found in the Nunc Dimittis, which is embedded in the Office of Evening Prayer in the West. But, in medieval times, the Nunc Dimittis was mostly used just on this day, during the distribution of candles before the Eucharist. Only gradually did it win a place in the daily prayer life of the Church.

NUNC DIMITTIS
St. Luke 2.29

Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;
for mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and for glory to thy people Israel.
(We shall be celebrating the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Candlemas, on Sunday 2 February) Photo credit: Peter Tulay

Well Done George!

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has become the Royal Patron of the Omnibus Theatre, Clapham. The Duke is a long-time advocate of the performing arts and arts education and whose dedication aligns with the theatre's mission in creating transformative artistic experiences. 

Omnibus Theatre opened in November 2013 following a seven-year community campaign led by Mr George Owen MBE, the President, and St John's Church council member to save the old Clapham Library from developers. This much-loved Victorian building was transformed into a theatre maintaining the heritage of the Library as a civic space for all. Since then, Omnibus Theatre, which receives no core funds, has gone from a fledgling arts centre into an award-winning independent theatre, home to an ambitious programme driven by the library's legacy of sharing stories. 

Monsieur Benjamin Prischi, organist at St. John's Church, playing his grand piano - 'Seiler', a German Make. The model is 'Louvre' built in 1990. To avoid transporting the piano backwards and forwards, a place has been found in the Chancel of the Church in the space below the decorative pipes of the former organ. Look for it next time you are in church. 

We all thank Ben for providing this addition to the musical instruments of the church.

We look forward to hearing him play his piano in concert or with his friends during a Jazz at St John's session.  Next Jazz at St John's concert Friday 07 February, 18h30, 15€ at the door.

Beware!

Vulnerable people are not always obvious. They are not only children, the homeless, the mentally ill. We can all be vulnerable from time to time, through grief, loneliness, illness or simply by being new in town. When we are vulnerable we are less vigilant, less alert to danger, less able to distinguish the conman from the genuine person offering help. 

Not too long ago, a member of our congregation who had recently moved to Menton was enticed into a car parked outside the church, by someone with a friendly face that he thought he recognised. He asked me to share his story: 

 “I was outside the church and the driver of a large, clean, white Mercedes Benz waved to me, and beckoned me to the car. He looked British, middle aged, round faced and quite jolly. As the sun was shining brightly, I could not clearly identify him, but as I didn't want to offend (we were meeting many new people and forgetting names) I waved back and went to the open door. He said 'I have a present for you, get in, I'll show it to you.' Stupidly, I got into the car, and immediately, I knew that something was wrong. Close-up, I realised I didn't know the man at all. He then showed me a red jewellery box, opened it, and there was a Rolex. He said it was a gift. I immediately got out of the car, assuming he was trying to sell the watch.” 

Fortunately no financial or physical harm occurred on this occasion but we can all learn from it. The vast majority of people are kind and generous but we need to be on our guard for that rare individual who is out to harm us and keep an eye out for others, as well as ourselves.  

Jacqueline James, Safeguarding Officer St John's Church, Menton

Life at St. James-the-Least
The Rectory,
St. James-the-Least

My dear nephew Darren, 

 Visits from your parishioners are always welcome. But I did not expect them to return to you complaining because our pews are uncomfortable. 

 Pews are meant to be uncomfortable. The unshakeable belief of our congregation is that the more uncomfortable the pew, the holier the worship must be. By the same token, an 8am Service is more fervent than one at 11am, since it is much more socially inconvenient. If you add on enduring sub-zero temperatures and damp, then sainthood clearly beckons. The fact that a twenty-first century body is in constant danger of sliding off the seat and requires knees to be folded somewhere near ears at least helps to keep minds focussed – apart for Colonel Wainwright, who still manages to sleep peacefully throughout Matins every Sunday. 

 I could point out that your chairs make kneeling almost impossible – although I suspect that posture is not encouraged in your church, as people would then be unable to read the words on your overhead projector or wave their arms about quite as easily during the hymns. While the majority of our congregation find the Anglican crouch perfectly adequate, you can see those who flop to their knees on hearing “let us pray” from the clouds of dust sent up from suddenly compressed hassocks, which were purchased to commemorate Queen Victoria's Accession. 

 I may also point out that our box pews are very useful for modern times. Once a family is seated, with the door firmly shut, then any toddler is penned in and unable to use the aisles as a racing circuit. Medieval carpenters were clearly forward thinking people. Admittedly, box pew doors do tend to stick and few manage to look dignified while they wait for step ladders to be brought before they can climb out. 

 If only you would remove your chairs and substitute benches without backs, turn off all heating and replace carpets with slate slabs, I am sure your congregation's religious zeal would soar.  Your loving uncle, Eustace

Coins for Funds

Do you remember 'Barbara's Bottle'

which used to be at the back of the church to collect any current euro or sterling coins which were no longer needed by people returning to their home countries or which were weighing too heavily in their purses? Well, Beatrice has now taken on the collecting of such coins in aid of our Church funds, so please give the coins you no longer want to Beatrice or The Rev'd Chris. Thank you.