WIXLIB

Highlights of 2013. The Chairman explained that although the emphasis of thelast year had been on ‘raising the Friends’ profile’, the revision of our very datedConstitution in conjunction with the Charity Commission had taken up anenormous amount of time. Highlights of the previous year included the recentissue of a new guide book on the Priory stained glass by Katherine Wells, theouting to Burford Church and Mill Dene Gardens, Blockley, and ‘Friends Day’including a lecture, cream tea and choral evensong. Since the last AGM grantstotalling 26,062 had been made to the PCC.New Constitution. The latest version of the proposed new Constitution which hadbeen widely circulated for comment was discussed along with three additionalamendments agreed by the Friends Council. The new Constitution was adoptedsubject to clarification of one sentence covering the three officers and theirmembership of the PCC.Election of Officers. The three Officers Mike Selby (Chairman), Derek Valentine(Treasurer) and Elizabeth Dunnett (Secretary) were re-elected unanimously. Aftermany years of loyal service Helen Wells, Norman Savage and Michael Martin (Coopted) resigned from the Council. Philip Robinson was elected as a new memberwith Anne Savage, Roger Sutton and John Bonny being re-elected. The Chairmanrecorded his thanks to all members fortheir service to The Friends.A Tour of the Stained Glass at GreatMalvern Priory. We are delighted to saythat Katherine Wells recently completed asuperbly illustrated guide of themagnificent stained glass in the Priory.This has been requested by numerousmembers of the Priory and visitors since allthe copies of the previous guide were sold.The guide has been funded by TheFriends and is available from the Priorybookshop. It only costs 5.00.Outing 2014. Anne Savage is planning avisit to Salisbury Cathedral on Thursdayth8 May. The cost less lunch will be 20. Anne will be pleased to hear from allwho are interested in this trip.Dates for your 2014 Diary:Coffee Morning (at 12 College Road)Saturday 22nd MarchOuting to Salisbury CathedralThursday 8th MayFriends' DaySunday 29th JuneNext AGM not until June 2015 as a result of our new Constitution being approved.Mike SelbyPage 9

Page 10

Fairtrade in the Malvern AreaBrief historyThe Malvern Fairtrade group, enthused by the aims of the Fairtrade movement,determined to gain Fairtrade status for Malvern which was achieved in 2003 whenMalvern became a Fairtrade Town, the 18th to attain this recognition in England.Supported by the Town Council, the local group members encouraged, and stillencourage, local shops, restaurants, businesses and churches to stock and useFairtrade products.TodayThe idea of Fairtrade may have started off small but it has grown to become aforce that nobody dared hope for. Since those early days the number of Fairtradeproducts has increased beyond all expectations of the early pioneers of themovement and Fairtrade products now range from the original tea, coffee,chocolate and bananas to include a wide range of dried and fresh fruits, nuts,wine, cotton, jewellery and gold, and of course sugar, even footballs, all bearingthe Fairtrade mark.The Fairtrade Foundation believes in a different way of doing business. It’s a waythat puts the poorest in the world first by tackling poverty and injustice throughfairer trade giving them a better deal for the work they do. Fairtrade is agrassroots movement stretching around the world uniting producers andconsumers, communities and individuals.So what is Fairtrade?Being Fairtrade certified, bearing the now familiar Fairtrade mark (logo), basicallymeans not only that the producers are paid a fair price for their products but alsothat the Fairtrade Premium, an extra investment in developing communities andbusinesses, has been paid. This results in the producers receiving a recognisedpayment for their hard work and receiving extra to help with improving the healthcare, education and development of the communities in which they live. Also,producers have a democratic say in decision making, women included, andfarmers get rights under Fairtrade such as decent wages and being allowed to joinunions. Many chemicals frequently used in intensive farming are forbidden onFairtrade certified farms protecting humans and the environment.Fairtrade Fortnight 2014 – 24th February to 9th March. Theme: THE POWER OFYOU.The main focus of Fairtrade Fortnight 2014 is on one key product – bananas.Bananas have been recognised as a Fairtrade product since they first appearedon shop shelves in 2000. Over 1.2 billion Fairtrade bananas are sold in the UKeach year. Even so, only 1 in 3 bananas sold in British shops are fairly traded.There is a serious problem at the heart of the banana business so this yearFairtrade fortnight will launch a special campaign in an attempt to transform thebanana industry to ensure the millions of struggling banana farmers and workersget a fair deal. The campaign to “Make Bananas Fair” is the next part of theFairtrade Foundation’s three year initiative to Make Food Fair.Page 11

Page 12

Each year at the end of February and the beginning of March, Fairtrade fortnightis an opportunity to raise the profile of Fairtrade locally in shops, schools,churches and businesses. The Malvern Fairtrade group has, since its inception atthe turn of the century, organised events, displays, food tastings and promotionswithin Malvern. This year the CEO of Traidcraft, Mags Vaughan, will be visitingMalvern and will give a talk at Great Malvern Priory on Thursday 6th March at7.30 pm followed by light refreshments. The Fairtrade group is delighted that shehas agreed to speak about Traidcraft and the Fairtrade movement and lookforward to seeing you at this meeting, open to all.Mary Wetherall– o0o –Bishop’s CertificateOn Wednesday 13th November 2013 a small but select band from the Priory - RayHussey, Irene Lacy, Helen Ladd, Jean Morris and Steve Thomas - attended thepresentation of the certificates for completing 32 weeks of dedicated study for theBishop’s Certificate.The Presentation took place in the Chapter House at Worcester Cathedral and thecertificates were presented by the Right Reverend Christopher Mayfield, AssistantBishop in the Diocese, during a service of Evening Worship. A good number ofPriory members attended to support the candidates on this special evening. Thiswas an uplifting experience for all taking part.We would like to thank all those who have encouraged and supported us duringthis course.Jean Morris and Ray HusseyPicture: John LacyPage 13

CRIDLAN & WALKERGt Malverns’ Oldest Established BusinessORGANIC BUTCHERStockists of South African ProductsDeli, rotisserie, chickens, hot beef and pork daily229 WORCESTER ROAD, MALVERN LINK WR14 1SUTel: 01684 573008www.cridlanandwalker.comSolicitors and Commissioners for Oaths133, Barnards Green Road, MalvernFreephone 0800 e Cover most Aspects of the LawOpening Hours: 0900 – 5,30pm MON – FRI Out of hours: Saturday Mornings by appointmentPage 14

TEARFUNDWebsite: www.tearfund.orgTearfund is one of the aid and mission agencies that we in the Priory support.February is “Tearfund’s month”, when we particularly think of its work.Tearfund is a Christian international aid and development agency working globallyto end poverty and injustice, and to restore dignity and hope in some of theworld’s poorest communities. Its vision is to see 50 million people released frommaterial and spiritual poverty through a worldwide network of 100,000 localchurches.Tearfund was born in 1968. The terrible famine in Biafra, caused by civil war inNigeria, inspired compassionate Christians to send gifts to the EvangelicalAlliance for famine relief. Having no department to administer such offerings, TheEvangelical Alliance Relief (TEAR) Fund was inaugurated under the leadership ofthe late Revd. George Hoffman. Cliff Richard gave his first fundraising concert forthe cause in the Royal Albert Hall in 1969.Tearfund operates in more than 50 countries around the world. As well as beingpresent in disaster and recovery situations through response teams, it speaks outon behalf of poor people on the national and international stage by petitioninggovernments, campaigning for justice and raising the profile of key poverty issueswherever possible.Tearfund works particularly in Africa, Asia, South America and in the UK,focussing on some of the biggest challenges facing the world, such as poverty,disaster relief, education provision, climate change, hunger, gender discrimination,corruption in government, healthcare, HIV/AIDS, vulnerable adults, poor sanitationand inadequate clean water supplies. It is recognised for its professional expertisein development, disaster response, disaster risk reduction and advocacy.Inspired by the example and teaching of Jesus, Tearfund recognises that peoplehave deeply interconnected material and spiritual needs, and seek to meet thoseneeds by working through local church partners. Churches are at the heart of theircommunities – full of dedicated, resourceful people who want to make a long-termdifference.Nearly 50 years of experience have shown Tearfund that people are not justmouths to feed, and that the causes of poverty are complex. When local churchesare mobilised and equipped to help their communities, the results are not justsurvival, but transformation. And when the local church operates as part of theglobal church, its capacity and influence are a mighty force for change. This,surely, is a challenge to us in Malvern Priory as we enter 2014: supportingTearfund helps us to be aware that we are the local church operating as part ofthe global church. There is a mission field here in our own town, in our own streetsand on our doorsteps, and there is a mission field in the wider world, which wecan pray for and give to through Tearfund.Sarah ChappellPage 15

Page 16

Priory PeopleRene Jackson 1923 – 2013Rene was born in Cardiff. Her mother was from NorthernIreland and her father from South Wales and she was veryproud of her Irish and Welsh roots. She was a bright girlwho loved learning and at school excelled beyond heryears, taking her Highers 2 years early and, had it not beenfor the financial constraints put upon the family by theDepression of the 1930s, she would have undoubtedlygone to university.After leaving school she worked in Cardiff Public Librariesbefore joining the WAAF – Women’s Auxiliary Air Force - in 1943. She wasaccepted for the Met Office and was stationed at Moreton-in-Marsh. Here she metJohn Kerslake whom she married in 1946. They lived for a time in post-warGermany as part of the occupation forces. After returning they lived in NorthYorkshire where John was killed in an RAF flying accident and Rene became awidow in 1948, aged 24, 6 months before her daughter was born. She never hidwhat a terrible time it was for her but she didn’t want to be defined by it either.Happily, Rene remarried in 1951 to Eric Jackson and they were married for almost40 years until Eric died leaving Rene a widow for the second time at the age of 67.Rene fulfilled many ambitions during her lifetime. At 41 she went to college inCardiff and completed a 3-year course to become a teacher. Once she startedteaching she became one of the very first cohort of students of the OpenUniversity where she completed the longed-for degree. She continued with studyof one kind or another throughout her long life and never lost her curiosity or loveof this amazing universe. Rene became a Bereavement Counsellor for Cruse andalso volunteered with the St Richard’s Hospice at Home.Rene was an accomplished pianist; as a child she taught herself but tookopportunities later in life to learn from others. Whilst teaching she organisedschool concerts and productions such as Jonah Man Jazz, Holy Moses, CaptainNoah and his Floating Zoo and of course the schools’ version of Joseph and hisAmazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat. She sang in Church choirs wherever shelived and was first call as an accompanist for all manner of events.Rene attended church regularly throughout her life until recent years whenphysical problems made it so difficult for her. In earlier days she helped with youthgroups in Stourport and Redditch; she sat on PCCs; she was a sidesperson andlater Churchwarden at St Phillips in Redditch and an enthusiastic member of theMothers’ Union. She attended Priory services, joined a House Group, assistedwith the Prayervine and kept abreast of Mothers’ Union activities until her healthproblems overtook her. She took the Christian view of fellowship very seriouslyand was able to bridge any gaps caused by age, gender, race or class by beinginterested in the individual whoever they were. She read voraciously aboutPage 17

Whatley Recordon SolicitorsYour local lawyerswith a positive approach to help youFriendly ExpertiseWelcoming Town Centre Offices12, Worcester Road, MalvernTel (01684) 892939Page 18

matters of faith and lent volumes to anyone who showed any interest! She was agreat communicator and had friends of all ages.Rene moved to Malvern in 2005 to be near family and in 5 years had 4 majoroperations. She moved to Perrins in April 2012 where she continued to offer alistening ear to residents and carers alike until the last few weeks when her healthdeclined rapidly and she died having said her fond goodbyes to her family andfriends.Gwyneth Adams– o0o –Mothers’ Union NewsThe Mothers’ Union Exhibition in the Priory from 11th to 25th January, entitled“Together We Grow”, was a great source of interest and encouragement tomembers, congregation and visitors. After some hectic last-minute preparationsand most generous help from the Custos team, we were ready to roll. During thefortnight members met whenever possible for midday prayers, including the dailyWave of Prayer which unites members around the world. Diocesan Mothers’Union visitors Liz Green, President, and Gwen Taylor, Dudley Vice-Presidentwere among those who were welcomed by Priory members.It may surprise some that membership of this Christian charity is open to all - menand women, single and married. The organisation raises 60% of its 2 millionannual budget through the subscriptions and donations of individual members, sonew members are always welcome. For more information, see the excellent newwebsite, www.mothersunion.org, or contact Dorothy Knights on 01684-561358.Jill Crofton–o0o–“Why Christianity Makes Sense – C.S. Lewis on the Meaning ofLife.”On December 2nd a large audience in the Priory was treated to an enthrallinglecture by Alister McGrath, Professor of Theology at King’s College, London. ProfMcGrath is the leading authority on C.S. Lewis, and author of a recentcomprehensive biography of him. This was the last of Prof McGrath’s many publiclectures on C.S. Lewis in the 50th anniversary of his death.Prof McGrath noted C.S. Lewis’s connection with Malvern, and how unhappy hehad been at school here. It was at Malvern College that C.S. Lewis became aconfirmed and aggressive atheist. His subsequent experience in the trenches, inWorld War I, confirmed him in his atheism. Yet seeds of doubt were beginning. HePage 19

began to experience a tension between a dull “rationalism”, and the rich,mysterious world of belief.In 1925, through reading the Classics, and encouraged by his friend J.R.R.Tolkien, C.S. Lewis began to discover the depth and richness of faith – first a faithin God, and subsequently faith in Jesus Christ. He came to realise how“monumentally dull” and austere atheism is. He described the experience (in“Surprised by Joy”) as of “God moving in on him”, and he eventually gave in – as“the most reluctant convert in England.” He found that the story of God enteringthe world in Christ is the story that makes sense of all other stories.Prof McGrath went on to describe the 3 faces of C.S. Lewis:1. The literary scholar. As a Don at Oxford, and later Cambridge, he was abrilliant lecturer, helping students to see English literature in a new and freshway; allowing “the clean breeze of the centuries to blow through” them.2. A Christian apologist. His much acclaimed book “Mere Christianity” arosefrom 4 broadcast talks with the BBC. He learned to speak the language ofordinary people; to enable Christianity to be, as it were, a lens that bringsthings into focus. “I believe in Christianity” he said “as I believe that the sunhas risen – not because I see it, but because I see everything by it.” Itmakes sense of things.3. A fiction writer. The Chronicles of Narnia probably brought him most fame.He wanted to express Christianity in a way that was interesting to, andunderstandable by, children. As an apologist he believed that you don’t winpeople by telling them things, but by showing them. The story comes beforethe theology. And so Aslan is a “type” of Christ. To encounter Aslan was tofind who you really were. So with Christ.Lewis’s “The Problem of Pain”, his first book, is a rather academic study ofsuffering. His marriage, somewhat late in life, to Joy Davidman, and hersubsequent death from cancer, led to C.S. Lewis’s enormous grief, and pain, anddesolation. And so, in “A Grief Observed”, he deals again with suffering, but thistime with much more feeling and intense emotion. Through suffering and faith hefound hope, and through his writings he has helped countless others also to findfaith, and to find hope. The words of St Augustine of Hippo were so true for C.S.Lewis, as they are for us: “You (God) have made us for Yourself, and our heartsare restless until they find their rest in You.”Prof McGrath’s lecture can be found on the Priory website. His biography of C.S.Lewis, “C.S.Lewis, a Life”, is available in the Priory shop or from the LytteltonWell.David WebsterPage 20

Who’s Who in the PrioryMeet Lynne and Paul KokerWhen and why did you come to Malvern?Paul: We came in July 2002.Lynne: I got a job at QinetiQ and Paul worked in Cheltenham. We had beenliving in Kidderminster with long commutes, so this solved the problem.Why did you come to the Priory?Lynne: We’d decided we’d shop around. St Matthias' is our parish church, but itwas too high. We tried St Andrews' but it was death by PowerPoint! The Priorywas our Goldilocks (i.e. just-right) church. We felt so at home and were impressedby the wide range of services and the number of children; it seemed that someonewas doing a lot of work. I was impressed and still am. After a few weeks wenoticed that no one sat in the front seats, so we did.Paul: The Priory was similar to our church in Kidderminster.How would you describe your relationship with God?Paul: I was confirmed only in my forties. I am not from a religious family, no oneshowed much interest. I started going to church with Lynne. I went on an Alphacourse because I wanted to be confirmed. I wouldn’t describe m

different ways. In her fascinating book Quiet (published by Penguin in 2013), Susan Cain points out that "our lives are shaped as profoundly by personality as by gender or race. And the single most important aspect of personality is where we fall on the introvert-extrovert spectrum" (Introduction, page 2).