From the Registers

Baptism
3rd March. Leake St Mary. Flyn Louis Mullins, infant son of Brian and Carolyn, of Knayton

Burials
14th March. Leake St Mary. Wilf Sleightholme, 76. A true native of the area, from the age of 8. He lived most of his married life in Knayton.

April 2002 - the meaning of Words

Word watchers may enjoy the daily challenge on the meaning of certain words, for example in The Times on the bottom left-hand corner or somewhere. Often words we know change their meanings with use. Or a word that used to be familiar in its own context suddenly bounces upon us as a new word with a totally different meaning. A word that is currently in vogue in the media is fiesty - often suggesting someone - usually a woman - prepared to “have a go”. In fact it has a rather insulting meaning: malodourously flatulent, and better describing French cheese! Currently Stinking Bishop tops that league of readily available items!

Being Eastertide we might consider the word Resurrection: in Greek anastasis. It means an Awakening, getting up and going. It can be used to mean departure, destruction, rebuilding, removal, making someone/thing stand up. Jesus talked about his departure during his lifetime, and the meeting with Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration was about that very subject. His resurrection might be more easily grasped in terms of his getting up and going from the tomb but also his getting up and going from this earthly life and also in terms of our awakening to the truth about him and his departure.

Another word is Majesty (Hebrews 1v3, 8v1) which in Hebrew means Excellency, Greatness, Honour, Beauty, and in Greek: Greatness (but hinting at arrogance if used negatively or critically). We think of Jesus going before us to the Father but also it hints at his own completion of his work and being raised up in his esteem. What I am hoping to suggest is that by analysing words we use we may identify what we feel about Christ and therefore experience the Resurrection as a new dimension within ourselves.

Furthermore our own experience of Majesty will colour our understanding. The respect that surrounds the monarch and the elevation of the monarch in our esteem reflect the mood the word generates in us and our response. Because we still have a monarchy that has evolved over the centuries we can have a real experience of the biblical imagery, based on the same encounter in those days with the monarch, his court and how he was respected. To live out that description is helpful, whether we be monarchists or republicans. Having seen an exhibition of the Spanish Civil War last month, at the Imperial War Museum, there is an irony that Franco, who as a Nationalist and Nazi defeated the Republicans and Communists, replaced himself with a restored monarchy as the safest form of government.

Thus if Christ Risen is to rule in our lives, regardless of temporal institutions passing on earth, we have a heightened sense of his greatness and beauty despite the ravages of the Cross, earth and men on his person. His victory transcends all and raises him to new heights.

May you encounter him at every level of his majesty.

T.H.

Then Jesus took his disciples up the mountain and gathered them around him.

He taught them saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are the meek.
Blessed are they that mourn.
Blessed are the merciful.
Blessed are they that thirst for justice.
Blessed are you when you are persecuted.
Blessed are you when you suffer.
Be glad and rejoice for your reward is great in heaven.”

And James said “are we supposed to know this?”
And Simon Peter said “will we have a test on this?”
And Phillip said “I don’t have any paper.”
And Bartholomew said “do we have to spell correctly?”
And Mark said “do we have to hand this in?”
And John said “the other disciples didn’t have to learn this.”
And Matthew said “may I go to the toilet?”

Then one of the Pharisees who was present asked to see Jesus’
lesson plan and inquired of Jesus:

“Where are your learning and assessment objectives?
What range of teaching strategies did you draw from?
Did you provide a differentiated provision?
Can I see a cross section of pupil’s work?”

And Jesus wept.

Soon Political Correctness, Human Rights and Bureaucracy will bring the Western World to a standstill. Then we will weep, for we will be the poorer, and unable to say what we mean or be prevented from infringing the rights of others and sharing our faith.
T.H.

from: The Rev. J.Richards, Manor End, East Worldham, ALTON,

Hampshire, GU34 3AX. 26 Feb. 2002.

Dear Toddy.

This is to convey a piece of useless information - today is the 70th anniversary of the original occupation of your present house as the newly built Vicarage of Leake Parish. My parents were married in 1924 and came to live in a rented farmhouse at the corner of the then A19 and the road up to Borrowby. I was born in 1925 and my brother and 3 sisters were all born in the old house. Even at the tender age of 6, I was aware that parishioners were not all pleased to raise the £1800 for the new house; perhaps the Consetts and other well-to-do people made large contributions. There were certainly quite a large number, living in Knayton mostly. The Admiral and Mrs Consett used to come to Matins in a Daimler with chauffeur. The nobs and farmers came to morning service, the maids and farm lads in the evening - they liked to walk back to the villages, at least in the summer, and no doubt loitered a bit if it was a fine evening. When we moved to Knayton, the walk to school took a bit longer. There was a farmer in Knayton called Clark, who had 6 sons then 6 daughters. Percy Clark was my age so we would walk together. Behind the new Vicarage was a farm and I can remember the November threshing with the steam traction engine. The field next to the garden was full of cowslips. The garden took a while to establish, and we moved on to Wilton-in-Cleveland in 1935. I joined the Royal Navy in 1943 and had a happy time there until 1971 when I went to Wycliffe Hall, thence ordination by Donald Coggan at York in 1973.

Hope all goes well with you and your enormous benefice.

Yours,

(I remember the late Peter Consett saying he retired from the Royal Navy in about 1938 - because he was always seasick! Ed.)

KEEPING FAITH IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

This is a series of events designed to encourage rural partnerships in the North East. Originally planned for the Spring of 2001, the events were to mark 10 years since the Archbishops’ Commission on Rural Areas Report. The events were postponed for one year .........

Wednesday 1st May Ushaw College, Durham, 5.30 for 6.00 to 8.00 p.m.

‘What can we do about tackling Rural Social Exclusion?’

Wednesday 20th May Hexham Agricultural Mart, 5.30 for 6.00 to 8.00

‘Whither Agriculture and the Rural Economy?’

Wednesday 5th June Kirkby-in-Cleveland Church Hall, 5.30 to 8.00

‘What kind of landscape and rural environment do we want?’ Event jointly chaired by the Archbishop of York and the Abbot of Ampleforth.

Saturday 15th June at King James I Community College, Bishop Auckland

A special event titled ‘A Rural Revelation’, 10 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. with a short service of commitment to rural renewal at 12.15 p.m.

There is no charge for these events, which are open to all.

The Bishop of Whitby

POEMS AT THE PALACE

“HUMANITY AND GOD: Male and female perspectives on the divine”
(Personal Journeys into Spirituality through the eyes of the poets)
Guest Chairman: Nigel Forde

THURSDAY 25th APRIL THURSDAY 9th MAY
THURSDAY 2nd MAY THURSDAY 16th MAY
7.30 p.m. at BISHOPTHORPE PALACE

£16 ALL-SESSION TICKET  £4-50 SINGLE SESSION  includes wine

Tickets and further information from:
The Reverend F.A.R.MINAY, Tel. 01904 - 744213