ESBVM

Our 2008 AGM was held in Edlington, Doncaster, at St Kentigern’s Orthodox Church during November. Our Officers were re-elected and agreed a programme of ten events for 2009. We had sent out 4 Branch newsletters and 2 Notices in the year, in addition to the 3 Society Newsletters. Hopefully this policy will keep our members in touch, and provide a source of information on Mariology, and encouragement in their day to day approach to Ecumenism.

Membership remains static at 25 with another 20 members living in Greater Yorkshire. We expect to arrange at least one event each year which will enable all Yorkshire members to come together. Meeting some of them at Lastingham last year was thoroughly enjoyable.

Our programme for 2009 commenced in January when we were again invited to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with Fr Alan Watson’s congregation at Dunscroft St Edwin, near Doncaster. During Mass, we heard an inspired sermon on Our Lady by the Rev. J. Stokoe, the Vicar of nearby Edlington. It was encouraging to speak to our members and friends in the congregation of around 80, as we enjoyed the legendary hospitality of what has been the anchor event of our Annual programme for some past years. With grateful thanks to Fr. Alan Watson and to Tina Harper, who offers us much splendid support each year.

On Tuesday 19th May, we had a ‘Quiet Day’ at Whirlow Grange Ecumenical Centre in Sheffield. Commencing at 9.45am and ending at 3.45pm., the day included a Eucharist, and a guided programme of Readings, Prayer, and Meditation. An opportunity to relax and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this lovely centre. Lunch will be provided and there is a charge for the day. For information and to book please ring the Secretary on 0114.2682984.

On Saturday the 13th June. Pilgrimage to St Anne in the Grove.Parish Church, Southoram, near Halifax, by kind invitation of the Vicar, Rev. Guy Jamieson. We especially hoped that our Yorkshire members and those interested in the Society would join us for this Ecumenical day commencing with ’The Angelus’ and Mass at 12 Noon, and concluding at 3.30pm with the Society Office.

St Anne’s has an appealing history which spans both sides of the Reformation. It has a Walsingham Chapel and there are some small but beautiful stained glass windows of St Anne with Our Lady on the South side of the building. Lunch was to be provided by the good ladies of the parish.

In August, we continued a very busy programme with what has become for us, an Annual ‘Assumption’ Pilgrimage to the Anglican parish Church and Shrine of Our Lady, at Egmanton in North Notts.

A group of 20 members participated in the day of worship starting with The Angelus, and followed by Solemn Mass. The Chief Celebrant and Preacher was Fr Alan Townsend from Birmingham, who is well known to Society members. After a delectable lunch provided by the ladies of the village, our small group returned to the parish church to recite the Rosary and prayers. In the afternoon we joined the procession into the village with the Statue of Our Lady, returning to the church for Benediction, and a delicious afternoon tea before leaving for home. To complete our spiritual programme, we said evening prayers, on the return journey, sang hymns and received a final blessing from Fr Brian Coleman, the Vicar of St Oswald’s church in Sheffield, who had accompanied us for the day.

In September we returned to the beautiful village of Lastingham in North Yorks, for an ecumenical pilgrimage to St Mary’s Anglican Church. (founded by St Chad, as a Celtic Monastery in AD 654). The Orthodox Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Fr George, parish priest of St Columba and St Kentigern church in Edlington, Doncaster, assisted by our Chairman, Fr Dennis. After this, we listened to a `talk by the Rev. Peter Howard, a retired Methodist Minister from York, entitled ‘How Blessed is Our Lady.’ We had met Peter and his wife Kathleen earlier in the year at Mount Grace Priory, an encounter which led to his accepting our invitation to speak. Both have been members of the Society since its earliest days, and we much enjoyed their company. We also welcomed a Society member, Luisa Duffy from Robin Hood’s Bay. Luisa is a member of the Melkite Rite, and she was joined by two colleagues whom we met and chatted with later on, at the local hostelry. Thanks are due to Fr Alastaire Ferguson, the Vicar of St Mary’s for his invitation to visit, and for his most kind welcome.

Our Steering Committee met also in September to review branch policy and activities, with particular attention to Membership which is fairly dormant, and to events for 2009. It was agreed to seek new members as a particular priority, and to cancel some of our more distant activities, attendances at which had suffered due to increased travel costs. It was agreed to continue sending our Branch Newsletter to interested members in Greater Yorkshire in light of the valuable contacts we have already made there.

By the time this report is published, we will have attended the Advent ecumenical Service at St Oswald’s Church in Sheffield, and our AGM on the 10th December held at the Orthodox Church in Edlington, Doncaster.

Future events include a visit to Dunscroft St Edwin’s Anglican Church near Hatfield in Doncaster on Monday 26th January at 7.30pm. to celebrate the ‘Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity’. We have an invitation from The Vicar, Fr Alan Watson and our members at the Parish Church, to join them for Mass at 7.30pm. There will be hospitality afterwards and the opportunity to meet members and fellow Christians. We are pleased to welcome Fr. Alan back to full health once more after a long illness, coupled with our thanks to him for his continued support for the Society.

In March, we will join with the Mothers at St Oswald’s Anglican Church In Sheffield, in their ‘Lenten Meditation’. The service will conclude with a Eucharistic Celebration. We continue to enjoy the company and hospitality always offered at this event and invite all our members and friends to join us for this introduction to ‘Holy Week’.

In May we are planning a Day Retreat at Mirfield in West Yorks, details later.

On Saturday, 13th June we have an opportunity for all our Yorkshire members to meet up. The Rev. Guy Jamieson, Vicar of St Anne in the Grove, Anglican Church at Southoram near Halifax, has invited us to visit for an ecumenical Pilgrimage in honour of Our Lady. We are looking forward together with Father to a day in which we will enjoy a Eucharist, Rosary, Benediction, Hymns and Prayers. Food will be on offer together with some lovely Yorkshire (West Riding) hospitality.

The South Yorkshire branch was very active throughout 2007. In May, it joined in an Orthodox celebration of the divine liturgy and a pilgrimage to Harpham in East Yorkshire, birthplace of St John of Beverley, who became Bishop of Hexham in 687, being later translated to York as Archbishop in 705, from which he retired in 714, dying in 721. He founded a minster at Beverly, the present building being constructed around his tomb. After the Orthodox eucharist at Harpham, the party travelled to Beverley where they heard the Minster choir rehearsing for evensong in this beautiful setting.

After this, five new members joined the Society.

In the Autumn, there were no less than four events.

In September we joined the Orthodox pilgrimage to Lastingham in North Yorkshire, to celebrate ‘The Nativity of Our Lady’. A monastery was founded there on the edge of the Moors, in 654, by St Cedd. A leaflet was kindly provided by our Chairman outlining the Divine Liturgy, which proved to be very useful to the members of our group of 16. In addition, the Vicar, Fr Ferguson, welcomed us and spoke briefly about the history of the Crypt and the Church of St Mary. We later travelled to nearby Pickering in superb weather, where members relaxed in various ways. Some visited an interesting ‘open day’ exhibition in the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, and to see the famous wall paintings of the 15th century, now fully restored. The return journey was enlivened by enthusiastic singing of hymns of Our Lady, and the reciting of the Rosary.

In October, a group of 14 made a pilgrimage to the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Egmanton near Tuxford, and just off the A1. This was led by Fr Kevin Smith, and attended by almost 100 pilgrims.

The Liturgy included The Angelus, Solemn Mass and Sermon. After lunch provided by the ladies of the village, we followed on with a solemn Magnificat, a procession into the village, and Benediction in the parish church and Shrine of our Lady, to conclude a most enjoyable ecumenical pilgrimage.

Also in October, we were invited to a talk in Sheffield entitled ‘Mary Grace and Hope in Christ’. This was given by Bishop Malcolm MacMahon of the RC Diocese of Nottingham, and he gave a stimulating insight into progress and the problems of ARCIC, of which he is a member. After the talk, group discussions followed by a Plenary Session, completed an excellent, informative and lively event. Bishop John Rawsthorne of the Diocese of Hallam, who chaired the meeting, had previously welcomed us and made mention of ESBVM before the talk. We made a number of ecumenical contacts, at this gathering.

Our AGM was held in November at the Orthodox Church of Saints Columba and Kentigern, in Edlington, Doncaster. Fr Dennis, our Chairman, led us as we prayed the Society’s Office. Our officers presented reviews on previous events, on our Finances (healthy), and on the input of a small ‘steering group’ which had been set up to recommend future Branch Strategy with particular regard for membership and activities. One early recommendation was to print a ‘Membership Leaflet’ more suited to Branch needs and local requirements. This has now been implemented, and has proved useful in publicising the Society, and in recruiting new members.

Our Officers were re-elected for another year, after which there was a short break for refreshments.

Our Chairman then gave an interesting talk on ‘The Mystical unity of the Church’, with emphasis on what we should be doing, and how we might work towards the unity for which Christ prayed. This was followed by a discussion on the current problems, with the view expressed that unity would only really move forward when it to become stronger at local church level. The meeting closed after over two hours of enthusiastic participation by those who attended what was in effect, a comprehensive and positive review of our Branch and its activities.

In the second week of Advent, we joined with the Mothers’ Union at St Oswald’s for an Advent devotion Beyond the Corridors of Grace, produced by our Treasurer, Merelina. This was a delightful service of readings, prayers and hymns, supported by organ, cello and piano music. Over fifty people attended, the Society being well represented. Over £100 was raised for a mother and baby home in Ghana.

Our plans for events in 2008 are as follows

Monday January 21st – Dunscroft St Edwin’s Church. Near Doncaster

To celebrate the ‘Week of Prayer for Christian Unity’. We have an invitation from Father Alan Watson and our members at St Edwin’s to join them for Mass at 7.00pm. Refreshments afterwards and an opportunity to meet members and other interested parishioners. Rev. Fr. Richard Power, Vicar of Moorends, will preach.

February – Sheffield. 26 years under Mary’s mantle. Talk by Sister Ruth Bleakley OCV. Details later.

Tuesday March 11th – Mass at 12.45 including the Liturgy of Anointing, at St Marie’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Sheffield. This will be followed by refreshments, then a talk and short tour of the cathedral. This should be of historical interest, both marian and ecumenical.

Saturday May 10th – Pilgrimage to Mount Grace Priory and The Lady Chapel at Osmotherley in North Yorks. The Society Office in the restored Monks’ Cell at Mount Grace. At 12 Noon. Vigil Mass at the Lady Chapel 3.30pm. Refreshments afterwards. Tea in Thirsk on return. A special Invitation will be sent to individual members residing in North Yorkshire. We thank Fr Hilary Alflatt for setting up this event.

Saturday July 19th – Pilgrimage to Crowland Abbey near Peterborough.

August – Pilgrimage to Egmanton near Tuxford. Shrine of Our Lady.

September – Pilgrimage to Lastingham in North Yorks. Orthodox Eucharist. Visit to Pickering afterwards.

October – Sheffield. Talk, ‘The Methodist approach to Mary’. Provisional.
November – Branch AGM. To be arranged.

Tuesday December 16th – 2.00pm. Advent Service, St Oswald’s. Abbeydale Road, Sheffield. Invitation from the Mothers Union and our members at St. Oswald’s Anglican Church.

Nearly 1,200 people attended a special service at Westminster Abbey on Friday January 18th to celebrate the centenary of the week of prayer for Christian unity. Christians from many traditions were led in a service of commitment by the Dean of Westminster Abbey, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Armenian Primate and representatives of the Orthodox, Korean and other Churches of Great Britain participated. Apart from the Abbey choir, Armenian and Gospel choirs also sang. The epistle was read in Korean by a minister from New Malden’s United Reform Church.

The Salvation Army Commissioner, Elizabeth Matear, gave the sermon on this year’s theme “Pray Without Ceasing”, saying that Jesus said we must always pray, “Through prayer we come together,” she said, “Prayer is dialogue ,not a one way street.” The Cardinal commended her for expressing “so beautifully” that we must never give up on praying and working for unity. “God’s power sustains us,” he said “on our ecumenical pilgrimage, deepening unity.” He led a prayer of commitment over Dr David Cornick of the United Reform Church, newly appointed General Secretary for Churches Together in England, with the Archbishop of Canterbury at his side, giving thanks that “the triune God has drawn our churches closer together in faith and life, witness and service.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury before giving the Dismissal spoke of the importance of recogniisng and giving thanks for the unique gifts of other believers.

American priest, Fr Paul Watson, founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and English vicar, Rev. Spencer Jones , conceived the idea of the January week of prayer in 1908. In 1934, Abbe Paul Couturier gave renewed impetus to the week of prayer for the unity of all Christians which inspired the World Council of Churches and was enshrined in the life of the Catholic Church at Vatican II.

Fr William McCloughlin OSM,General Secretary of The Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary, ESBVM council member Sr Teresa Burke, a Sister of Charity of St. Paul, and Atonement Friar, Fr Michael Seed ,the Cardinal’s ecumenical advisor, an Anglican sister and a young evangelical lay man from Sword of the Spirit were amongst those reading prayers of intercession. Following a prayer of commitment said by everyone,affirming “that what unites us is stronger than what separates us” the Lord’s Prayer was recited in many languages.

Introducing the final prayer and sign of peace the Archbishop of Canterbury said that we should give thanks for the unique gifts of other believers and be open to receive them.

The following day a special day of prayer was held at the Abbey and Fr Mark Woodruff, of the Society for Ecumenical Studies, and ESBVM Council member, gave an inspiring talk about the history of the ecumenical movement. Various workshops were held including one on praying with Icons with an Orthodox priest and two led by Fr Bill McLoughlin and members of the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The afternoon session was particuarly well attended and extra chairs had to be found. At midday the Society’s Ecumenical Office was recited and sung by the youth choir from the Servite Church, Kensington and London and All Saints school, Blackheath led by Mr Ben Saul, Director of Music. The day concluded with Evensong sung by the Abbey choir.

On Tuesday 23 January, several members accepted the kind invitation to attend a mass with the intention of praying for the unity of all Christians. This invitation came from Fr. Alan Watson , vicar of St Edwin’s, Dunscroft, near Doncaster.

The beautifully celebrated Mass was attended by about forty people. In addition to Fr. Alan’s congregation, representatives were present from the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Methodist churches. After Mass, there was a time for fellowship and an excellent buffet supper.

Our AGM was held on the 31st October at St Oswald’s Anglican Church in Sheffield. Our secretary, John Harrison, reported on the past year’s activities which included two pilgrimages to the Shrine of Our Lady at Egmanton, support for a pilgrimage to Ladyewell, and two presentations given by Sr. Ruth, on ‘Holy Grandmothers’, and the Shrines at Walsingham. John confirmed his retirement as our Secretary for 18 years.

Our re-elected Chairman, Fr. Dennis, thanked John warmly for his many years of work for the Branch and then made a presentation to him on behalf of the members. The meeting closed with the Ecumenical Office of Mary.

Refreshments were then served, courtesy of our lady members, and we enjoyed a pleasant ecumenical chat. With 18 members plus Father Alan Watson (Anglican) who has just joined us, we hope to continue our activities, and have already made an excellent start.

A group of 11 accepted an invitation to join the congregation at Ss. Columba & Kentigern Orthodox Church, Doncaster, where we had Vespers, followed by Mass, to celebrate the Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple. We enjoyed the rich orthodox Liturgy (some for the first time), and the warm welcome and hospitality extended to us. We returned home fortified by a lovely buffet, after a holy and spiritually uplifting evening. Grateful thanks to our hosts.

The first of our programme of events for the new year takes place on the 23rd January 2007, in the’ Week of Prayer for Unity’. We have been invited to join the congregation at St Edwin’s Anglican Church, Dunscroft, near Doncaster, where the Vicar, Rev. Alan Watson, will celebrate Mass at 7.30pm. In addition, we have set out a full programme of activities through to September 2007, details of which may be had from the Secretary or the Chairman.