The Injustice of Climate Change
THE INJUSTICE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
The Tearfund’s mission is to work through many local churches world wide to release people from material and spiritual poverty. From time to time the Tearfund initiates campaigns related to its mission, combining a call to prayer and an invitation to lobby and petition politicians on the need to prioritise support for the poorest people, who suffer most from the greed of the richest.
On Sunday 6th November we are invited to offer to God the following prayers.
Oh Lord our God: We give thanks for the vision and faith of churches globally, seeking to challenge the injustice of climate change.
We pray that action and prayer on Sunday 6th November will lead to real change: in the lives of individuals and the priorities of governments across the world as they respond to the changing climate.
We pray that you will move in power at the UN climate talks this December, bringing truth, justice and speed into negotiations.
If you would like to petition the Prime Minister before he leaves for the climate talks in December, go to www.tearfund.org/en/get_involved/campaign, scroll down and click on Campaigning Works, scroll down again and click on Current Actions, and follow the instructions leading to a standard Email message to the PM, which you can modify if you wish.
Geoffrey Burnaby, 865432, birchmore1 at talktalk.net
Update from Steve Brine
An update from our MP, Steve Brine
November is birthday month in the Brine household; Emily is four this year (going on 21) and William is now one. What excitement we have in store as the much worked upon birthday and Christmas list is revealed to the bank of Mum and Dad.
Since I last wrote, we have seen the latest twist in the Barton Farm saga with Secretary of State Eric Pickles now saying no to CALA Homes. I think this was a common sense decision and I know it was welcomed by so many residents in the Fulflood area where so much of the Save Barton Farm Group support lies. It would have been totally wrong for the Planning Inspector, let alone a Government Minister, to send in the bulldozers and the future of Winchester now rests with democratically elected councillors of all parties. That is quite right and it is called localism. You can see much more at
www.stevebrine.com/bartonfarm.
More generally, I think we would be deluding ourselves to think Winchester's housing problems have gone away. We do need some more affordable housing to rent and buy in this area and I will continue to engage fully with our council to address this need. We simply cannot turn our back on those who need somewhere to live and bring up their families.
Whatever we as a community decide, it must balance social, environmental and economic factors. That is not easy but doing nothing is just not an option. So, the Barton Farm decision is welcome but it could lead to some difficult choices elsewhere and as I write we wait to see what CALA Homes’ next move will be.
In other news; I have met with a new local organisation ‘Green Win’ to work through the detail of how together we will roll-out the Government’s Green Deal and insulate thousands of homes across our area. You can see more about this on my website. I have visited the Winchester Samaritans, big local employer Denplan and the world famous Watercress Line. I was also really pleased recently to open the new visitor centre at Winchester Prison on Romsey Road. It may not always be popular with some to spend money on prisons but I think it’s hard enough for families when a loved one is in custody and if we can make it more bearable for them when they visit I think we should.
You can see so much more of my work locally - and on your behalf in Westminster – at www.stevebrine.com, you can call 791110 or just pop into the shop on Stockbridge Road.
The Clarendon (Half) Way
Reflections of the Clarendon (Half) Way
Feeling apprehensive, while waiting under the sign of the gloomy Greyhound, as five fresh ‘greyhounds’ arrived at Broughton.
After climbing steeply in the first mile, encouragement from Peter (with 13 miles under his boots) that we were over half-way.
The ‘metronomical’ pace-setting click of Peter’s walking pole on the stony track.
The first refreshment stop on the green at Middle Winterslow after crossing into Wiltshire.
The ideal walking weather and the cheerful companionship of the group.
The unreasonable temptation of boarding the bus waiting for the wedding party at West Winterslow church.
Crossing the wide expanse of an open field with views over a distant valley.
The majestic forest of Clarendon Park.
Llamas! – the unlikely inhabitants of Clarendon Palace.
The uplifting view of Salisbury Cathedral from 2½ miles out.
Nuts, grapes and Bovril sandwiches!
The sense of achievement approaching the open door of Salisbury Cathedral.
Chris Pile
Mothers Union Update
Mothers’ Union News (St Barnabas, St Matthew’s and St Paul’s)
Our September meeting was our Service and AGM. Revd Peter Seal was on his Annual Retreat and not able to lead our service and chair our meeting. We have had another successful year with a mix of meetings. Sadly three of our members have died during the year and one is due to move away. We have recruited one new member.
We finished with coffee and chat and a ‘Bring & Buy’ which raises funds for our MU Projects.
Our November meeting will be at St Paul’s when our speaker is Joss King on ‘The Work of the Lanterns Centre’. Pat Whalley
|
Wed 2nd |
10.30am |
Cathedral Prayers (followed by coffee in the Refectory) |
|
Wed 9th |
11.00am |
Corporate Communion at St Matthew’s |
|
Tues 22nd |
10.00am |
Meeting at St Paul’s - Speaker Joss King ‘The Lanterns Centre’ |
Prayer for November
Dear Lord, be with all who work in Children’s Centres.
May they fulfil their responsibilities to the children in their care
with unconditional love, compassion and wisdom,
in Jesus’ name.
Amen
Peter's Walk - The Clarendon Way
‘Peter’s Walk’ – Winchester to Salisbury on the Clarendon Way
On a cool grey day in early October, I set off with an intrepid band of warriors (Ian Campbell, Jonathan Chapman, David Nicholas) led by Peter to walk the Clarendon Way from Winchester Cathedral to Salisbury Cathedral. I had joined this adventure without giving a thought to what might be entailed! Indeed, my younger colleagues on the march were much amused to hear that the only training that I had carried out was to test, the day before, the strength of the Bovril sandwiches prepared by my wife, Julia. As we set off from the Cathedral promptly at 8.00am, I observed that the last time that I had done anything like this was to take part, fifty one years before, in the Nijmegen Marches (25 miles a day for four days marching in step with my Gordon Highlanders). But then of course there are no hills in Holland!
Soon we were headed up the High Street and out of the City on our way up to Farley Mount and to our first five minute pause. Time enough for a drink and for me to report that my newly purchased pedometer indicated that I had taken 9,456 steps. Back on the march, we were quickly rewarded by the magnificent views, especially to the North, as far as Haydown Hill North of Andover, nineteen miles away. Soon we were dropping down into the lovely village of Kings Somborne and then heading slightly North through Houghton to our half way point at Broughton. Julia Seal met us at The Greyhound with our orders for coffee and drinks. My ginger beer and lemonade was probably a little unwise! Peter declared a twenty minute stop. I reported that I had taken 25,636 steps which everyone agreed was about right. No messing, Peter had us on our way twenty minutes later. The party was now doubled, reinforced by five more companions for the second half – Miranda and Roger McKearney, Chris Pile, John and Natalie Schulz.
Shortly after leaving Broughton, we encountered the first of several steep hills which taxed this old soldier. It was at about this time that I said to Peter that I had been talking too much. Indeed I had much enjoyed chatting with a Senior Pathologist, a Teacher at Kings School, and a BBC journalist – encompassing such different and interesting disciplines from my military background. Peter could see that I was beginning to find the walk a little challenging and he did the talking. He told me of his wonderful experience at a recent Retreat near Bath, when the power and wonder of silence prevailed. Then followed some lovely stories of Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Basil Hume intermingled with others about Anglican leaders from Ramsey to Rowan Williams. It was soon after this that the Clarendon Way follows the route of a Roman Road and we all thought of who might have passed this way before us so many centuries ago.
And then on through Middle Winterslow and a few more hills. In quick succession we then passed a group on Community Payback working in a graveyard and a wedding at West Winterslow. On reaching Pitton, Peter suggested that I might like to drop out to await rescue later. But having come thus far, 39,273 steps, I was not going to give up now. And undaunted, if a little slower, we went on our way, walking now through woods before suddenly coming across Clarendon Palace. A disappointment – just one wall remaining! But we were surprised to see a dozen llamas grazing in its shadows. And then suddenly we arrived at Kings Manor Hill and our first glimpse, three miles away, of that wonderful spire atop Salisbury Cathedral. What an inspiration! There was no going back now and certainly this old Gordon Highlander gained a second wind. And the nearer we got to the Cathedral the more Peter had to hold me back. Within sight of the West Door, Peter wondered whether anyone wished to wait at the nearby New Inn, but we all gathered pace for the last few hundred yards. And so we entered Salisbury Cathedral nine hours and fifteen minutes, and 52,098 steps by my pedometer, after leaving Winchester Cathedral. We were greeted by the wonderful sight of that unique and most beautiful font with the water mirroring the magnificent East window. It had been an uplifting experience – a time to talk, a time to think and a time to walk in good company. I am glad that I had done no training! And I am most grateful for being included in such an adventure. Christopher Van der Noot
(Further reflections from Chris Pile on next page).
PS from Peter - At time of publishing, over £1,000 sponsorship (Gift Aid to be added) has been given towards the Hall Roof Fund. Thank you.