St Giles Church, Oxford

Parish News

St Giles Church by Sandy Crole

June 2017 Free

(but donations gratefully received)
 PARISH CONTACTS
Vicar: Canon Andrew Bunch, 01865 510460
The Vicarage, Church Walk, Oxford OX2 6LY vicar@churchwalk.eclipse.co.uk
Associate Priest: Revd Tom Albinson 01865 515409 or 07426 948251
tomalbinson@gmail.com
Lay Minister: David Longrigg, 23 Norham Rd, Oxford OX2 6SF 01865 557879
Benefice Manager: Henrietta Mountain-Ritter 01865 512319
10 Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HT beneficemanager@st-giles-church.org
Churchwardens
Maureen Chu 01865 726011 maureenchu1@gmail.com
Joanne Russell 01865 760788 joannerussell1@me.com
Acting Treasurer: Rod Nixon treasurer@st-giles-church.org
Organist: Andrew Patterson andrew.patterson@finemusic.co.uk
Choir Director: Nicholas Prozzillo choir@st-giles-church.org
PCC Secretary: Sarah-Jane White sarah-jane.white@ihs.ox.ac.uk
Captain of the Bells: John Pusey johnguypusey@hotmail.com
Church Flowers: Mary Whitlock stgilesflowers@gmail.com
Benefice Secretary: Anne Dutton secretary@st-giles-church.org
Twitter @StGilesOxford
Instagram stgileschurch
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ChurchStGilesOxford
Website www.st-giles-church.org
________________________________________________________________
WEEKLY SERVICES AT ST GILES
Sunday: 8:00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
10:30 am Holy Communion
6:30 pm Evensong (BCP)
Monday: 5:30 pm Evening Prayer
Tuesday: 5:30 pm Evening Prayer
Wednesday: 12:30 pm Eucharist
5:30 pm Evening Prayer
Thursday: 5:30 pm Evening Prayer
Friday: 1:15 pm Taiz Worship
5:30 pm Evening Prayer
Saturday: 5:30 pm Evening Prayer

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The newsletter is free, but if you wish to put a donation in the wall safe
to help towards production costs this would be much appreciated.
Please send any items for inclusion in the June newsletter to
secretary@st-giles-church.org by Monday 19th June 2017.

Contents June 2017

Well-known hymns (4) Holy, Holy, Holy! Page 3
Sermon preached at the funeral of Revd Stuart Brand Page 4
Bellringing News John Pusey Page 6
Intercessors Required! Betty Couldrey Page 8
Recipe Corner: Elderflower Cordial Stella Boswell Page 9
The Art of Faith: Paintings by Eularia Clarke Page 9
th
A Special Day at St Giles: 7 May 2017 Maureen Chu Page 11
Concert Review: Titanic House Band Jean Darke Page 13
Reflections on Lent Bible Study Tim Myatt Page 15
St Giles Magazine 100 Years Ago: Revd Henry de Brisay Page 15
Dates for your Diary June 2017 Page 16
WELL-KNOWN HYMNS (4) Holy, Holy, Holy! (NEH 146)

T HE hymn was written by Reginald Heber (17831826) while he was

serving as vicar of Hodnet, Shropshire. Its lyrics speak specifically
of the triune God, having been written for use on Trinity Sunday. It
quotes the Sanctus of the Latin Mass, and also paraphrases Revelation
4:111. Heber uses the symbolism of three repeatedly: God is holy,
merciful and mighty; he is perfect in power, in love and purity; he is
worshipped by saints, cherubim, and seraphim; and he is praised in
earth and sky and sea.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson felt it was the worlds greatest hymn. It truly
does call us to worship our God, falling down before him with those
who sing in Revelation 4:8, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come. John Bacchus Dykes composed the
tune Nicaea for this hymn in 1861: the name is a tribute to the First
Council of Nicaea which formalized the doctrine of the Trinity in 325.

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 Revd Stuart Brand (1st February 1930-21st April 2017)
Sermon preached at the Requiem on 9th May 2017, at St Margarets
When I was training for ordination, we were asked for a definition of
the role of a priest. There were two which have stuck in my mind A
priest is . A bowl for
other people to be sick
into or The instrument
through which the Holy
Spirit plays music.
There are some priests
who might like to reject
the first and welcome
the second but the
truth is that when you
find a good priest both
are found to be true. It was my experience of Stuart that he knew the
reality of both extremes and he lived it. He knew that for the Gospel to
be true, then he had to do his best in honouring both: for The Word
was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.
Stuart got his hands dirty in the life that he lived with us, after all he
was an engineer! He knew that all systems need attention if they are
to keep going and sometimes this requires rolling up your sleeves and
getting stuck in to fix things. This is what you will have seen in matters
practical, pastoral and priestly with Stuart. If there was a problem, he
would step forward if he saw the need. When I was ill early one
Sunday morning he took the load even though he was over 80.
When people were angry and frustrated he was the one who took the
flak. In the dark at Timawr, he fell whilst alone and hurt himself but
he carried on. Stuart was resilient life had trained him to accept
difficulties and find the way forward. There may have been some ripe
language that went with this approach but the twinkle in his eye
returned as the giggle of God welled up within.
I think what Stuart realised is that God is to be experienced in life. As
you approach life and all its issues and strive to deal with them with
love, you never know how things are going to work out. But the aim is

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to engage with the process and enjoy the ride as God leads you in a
prayerful approach which is anchored in reality.
A few years ago, we went on a pilgrimage along the Thames pathway
and Stuart came too, for part of the way. Yes it taxed him, he didnt
walk the whole path but he participated. And that is what he saw as
necessary with all life, if we want to experience God. It is not about
finishing; it is about being involved and doing your bit and encouraging
others.
Stuart chose the Jacobs ladder for the celebration of the 60th
anniversary of his priesting and we had it again today as it seems to
speak of the way Stuart saw life. In this world, we are in a transition
zone between Heaven and earth and the only way of trying to climb
the ladder is to make sure it is connected to both. Dealing with the
reality of living is an essential prerequisite for knowing God: we cannot
know God without being involved in the happenings of this world. Yes,
this is a mucky business, it can be vile to deal with, it can seem to break
us. But it is only when we know this reality that we have the chance of
real growth. The top of the ladder rests in heaven; our sense of this
connection with heaven gives direction to the struggles we engage with
it helps us to define our path.
The second reading about the nature of heaven speaks of the vision
that sustains faith. A vision of how life can be when love permeates all.
In such circumstances, life is golden it shines with a gentle warm
inner light a light which Stuart shared with us when we had him
amongst us.
There is no doubt that Stuart was and is loved dearly by those who had
the opportunity to get to know him and share time with him. It wasnt
a gushy love, but it was a love which could easily bring Stuart to tears
for he wasnt shy or ashamed to share his real thoughts and feelings.
His attitude to life was to fully honour the person that God had made
him to be nothing more or less than Stuart, the engineer turned
priest. To have done anything less or to have striven to try and be
more than he was would have been an insult to God, who had brought
him into being. Stuart was a gift to us; he showed us what living a life
of faith looks like when you take it seriously for then life is full of
living, with laughter and fun stirred in.

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His time on earth was a gift; his death could be his final blessing to us
if we are prepared to reflect on his life, and see what love looks like
when lived. Stuart was taught to recite those verses from John when
he returned to the vestry after Holy Communion - but it seems to me
that he did more than recite them in his mind. The Word was made
flesh and dwelt amongst us its not rocket science. In the words of
the song, All you need is love, and then Heaven is connected to earth
and Death is but the doorway between the two.
God bless you Stuart on your continuing journey, and thank you for
travelling with us, for part of the way.
Andrew Bunch
__________________________________________________________
Bellringing News
(1) Letter received from Revd Dr Michael Lloyd, Principal, Wycliffe Hall:
... Thank you for the fascinating introduction you gave to bell-ringing
for me and my students [on 16th February]. We all learned a huge
amount - and it was lovely to see what a diverse but supportive
community you ... are. It will have been really important for the
Ordinands to have seen bell-ringers at work - it will have prepared them
for valuing what they offer and ... supporting them in any church they
minister in which has bells. So thank you very much indeed for your
time and patience with us - it was enormously appreciated.
With many thanks, again, and every good wish, Michael
(2) Niki Stojkovic
An account has already been published in this newsletter [November
2016] of how the St Giles ringers taught an Austrian visitor Niki
Stojkovic to ring English-style bells in just four days of intensive
training, last July. The dissertation which Niki submitted as part of his
school-leaving exams has now been formally examined, and he has
obtained the highest available grade, both for the written dissertation,
and for presenting it in person on 8th April before a committee of
examiners. Using more or less Nikis own words:
The results of the presentations and the studies have been revealed! I
was graded with a 1 (Sehr Gut), that might be an A in GB, which is the

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best achievable mark, for the study as well as for the presentation! I
was told that I had probably delivered the days best presentation, and
that especially the Bell Ringing part was enjoyed by the examiners.
I even had an audience of about 30 pupils from lower forms joining us,
because my geography teacher had told her pupils to join us during
their afternoon PE classes. I was delighted to have the audience, who
made the presentation and the oral exam afterwards more lively
(especially by laughing at funny stories I experienced during my GB
stay).
I had convinced the teacher supervising my dissertation to join me in
Bell Ringing, and after having practised with her for about two weeks,
we rang Plain Hunt on four Bells (Austrian Cow Bells) as part of my
presentation. Then I asked the examiners to join me in rounds and
called changes. This was a gorgeous moment (but sadly no
photography was permitted). We had an enjoyable discussion about
sociological aspects of English Bell Ringing, and also talked about its
historical development and its connections to political transitions under
King Henry VIII.
Congratulations to Niki! I shall be surprised if English ringers dont hear
more of him in future.
If anyone would like to see copies of Nikis English-language Abstract
and Foreword (or of the whole 50-page study, mostly in German),
please send a request to me at <johnguypusey@hotmail.com>
(3) St Giles bellringers were well represented at the half-yearly
meeting of the Oxford City Branch of the Oxford Diocesan Guild, at St
Thomas the Martyr Church, on Saturday 13th May. Five of our
members (plus one former member) represented St Giles in a Branch
striking competition, ringing call changes, and were placed second out
of seven competing bands. It was an enjoyable afternoon, with the
Stallpits mobile ring of miniature bells (which had also visited St Giles',
last July) available for ringing in the churchyard, in addition to the light
ring of ten bells in St Thomass tower.
No less than four ringers from St Giles were elected as new members of
the Branch and the Guild: Sophie Kovarik, Philippa Adrych, Ella Bentin,
and Paulina Fishman; and this also marked the fact that, after a few

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weeks or months of learning, these four
have all reached the point of being ready to
ring for services on Sundays - when we
should therefore now hear larger numbers
of our bells being rung. The presence of
these new members - all in their twenties -
also means that we should be able to offer
a more lively atmosphere to welcome and
encourage further new recruits. More
recruits will certainly still be needed,
because unfortunately it is unlikely that any Rachel Norris and Ella Bentin
of the new members will be staying in trying out the mini-ring
Oxford for more than a year or two.
(4) The bellringers intend to ring St Giles bells for BBC Music Day on
Thursday 15th June, for about half an hour, starting at 7 pm, in response
to an invitation recently published in the weekly Ringing World. Last
year, bells rang out for BBC Music Day from 200 church and cathedral
towers in the UK, and this year's event is intended to be even larger.
BBC Music Day Producer, Rebecca Sandiford, says: Church bells are a
wonderful symbol of community cohesion, and since BBC Music Day is
all about uniting people through music, bellringing is going to provide a
fantastic unifying moment. This year wed like to make this even more
special by inviting ringers around the globe to join us, ringing at 19:00
local time, to show how the power of music can unite people across the
generations and around the world. In our response to this invitation,
we have said that we shall also regard the ringing on this occasion as
marking the start of St Giles fund-raising for Project 900.
John Pusey, Captain of the Ringers, St Giles Church
Tel: 01865 723645; Text/Mobile 07969 608484
__________________________________________________________
Intercessors Required!

W E ARE in urgent need of some new Intercessors. The more we

have the less often each person has to do it! If you are
interested, please talk to Catherine Hilliard, who takes over my role
with the July to December list. And how about some more men
joining? We only have Hugo Brunner at the moment! Betty Couldrey

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 Recipe Corner Elderflower Cordial Concentrate
Ingredients
20-25 large elderflower heads (6 oz of close-cut flowers)
50 g (2 oz) citric acid (very important)
2 lemons, washed and thinly sliced
2 lb sugar
2 pints cold water
Method
Put all ingredients into a large bowl. Stand for two days, stirring
occasionally. Strain through a fine cloth and put into a bottle. Freeze,
or keep in fridge.
I multiply the ingredients by four, which makes 9 small bottles, which
I freeze. I used teaspoonful of metabisulphate to preserve.
I put more water on the sludge left after straining, which I stir and
strain and use at once.
Good Luck! Stella Boswell

__________________________________________________________
The Art of Faith: Paintings by Eularia Clarke

T HOSE of you who have seen the Methodist Art Collection may have
come across two paintings by a relatively unknown artist called
Eularia Clarke, who was painting religious works during the 1960s.
Some have likened her work to Stanley Spencer (she was taught by his
brother, Gilbert) but her work owes just as much to Fra Angelico,
Giotto, Breughel and Byzantine Art as it does to Spencer.

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With a sense of the spiritual from an early age, Eularia decided to
become a religious artist at the age of 16 after a visit to San Marco in
Florence. Sadly most of her pre-1937 work no longer exists. She then
had a break of 20 years while she raised her children as a single parent,
supporting them as a music teacher. After being received into the
Catholic Church in 1959 she was inspired to paint again after a
pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1960.
Over the next 10 years (until her early death at the age of 56) she
painted over 90 canvases of religious subjects setting them all in the
modern day
because she
wanted to bring
home the fact
that the gospels
are still with us,
all around us in
our daily lives,
and not
something from
history or just for
Sundays.
At a time when
most religious art
(certainly
Catholic art) was
very traditional,
her paintings shocked. Unlike Spencer they have a raw, earthy quality
to them. Eularia was not afraid to show emotion in her characters.
Some might say they are a far more feminine vision of the gospels than
the more refined Spencer.
Why are they not better known? Eularia rarely sold any of her work,
despite requests for it. She never saw it as purely art but as a way of
sharing a vision of the gospels and didnt want it to end up on private
walls.
When she died her children took charge of the Collection and,
uncomfortable with their mothers spirituality and the fact that they

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had a religious artist in their midst, it was stored away for over 40
years. Her grandchildren have now taken charge of the Collection and
are seeking to fulfil Eularias wish that it be seen as widely as possible.
The exhibition at St Giles is the first public exhibition since her death,
with nearly 50 of the paintings on display in the church, at The Oratory
and at The Quaker Meeting House. You can find much of Eularias work
at www.eulariaclarke.com
Exhibition: 3rd-23rd June (closed Sundays). Admission free.
St Giles and The Oratory are open 12 noon to 6:00 pm.
St Giles is closed on Wednesday 21st June.
The Oratory is closed on Saturday 17th June.
For opening times at The Quaker Meeting House
please check at St Giles first.
Rebecca Sherlaw-Johnson, Eularias granddaughter and biographer, is
giving a teatime talk about Eularia at St Giles Church on Saturday 10 th
June at 4 pm. Admission is free.
The Art of Faith: a day reflecting on faith with the paintings of Eularia
Clarke led by Revd Georgie Simpson and Canon David Mahy is on 21st
June, 10 am-4 pm at St Giles Church. 15 (concessions available). To
book, please contact: Revd Georgie Simpson info@ocsg.uk.net or
07803 031977.
__________________________________________________________
A Special Day at St Giles: 7th May 2017 The Fourth Sunday of Easter
CLAIRE WOODS- A MARK OF APPRECIATION
AFTER 15 years of loyal
service; beautifying the church
with wonderful flower
arrangements, Claire Woods
has passed the baton to Mary
Whitlock. Throughout the
church year Claires lovely
displays were always a joy to
the eye, and a focus for
reflection. At Festival times,
especially St Giles Fair, the

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flowers made a tremendous impression in the church, and added to
the pleasure of so many occasions.
As a mark of our gratitude and affection, we were pleased to
acknowledge the dedication with which Claire carried out her duties by
presenting her with a bowl made from wood retrieved from a Horse
Chestnut tree felled in the churchyard in 2016. The Vicar, who carved
the bowl, also mentioned Michael Woods, late husband of Claire, who
was very involved in the restoration and care of the churchyard in past
years.
Many Thanks and Loving Wishes to Claire.

CHOIR SUCCESS

The Vicar presented five Choirboys with music certificates:

Freddy Chelsom Grade 6 Music Theory
Max Rutterford Grade 5 Music Theory
Max Gregory Grade 2 Music Theory, with Distinction
(An outstanding 97%)
Rafael Pollack Joyce Grade 5 Music Theory
Benjamin Grnlie Grade 6 Piano with Distinction
Gus Collier Grade 2 Piano
Very Well Done, boys! And also special thanks to Nicholas Prozzillo for
his dedication, enthusiasm, and inspiring leadership in the burgeoning
music life of the church.

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 YOUNGER MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION

Florence and James listened

attentively, and made a
representation of the theme of
the service
Well Done!

So - a busy time for the Vicar after the Service.

Maureen Chu
__________________________________________________________
Concert Review: Titanic House Band

O N SATURDAY 6th May, we were delighted to have a return visit by

the Titanic House Band, who gave their services free to help raise
funds for Project 900. The capacity audience showed their
appreciation of the bands obviously joyful, toe-tapping (certain
dignified congregation members could be seen dancing at the back!)
music-making by a standing ovation and a reluctance to have the
concert end.
The Titanics are a 16-strong band based on the long-time tradition of
Dutch college bands, the instrumentation made up of strings, brass,
woodwind and keyboard, providing a pleasing sonority, and in this case
enhanced further by a vivacious female vocalist. The programme
consisted of the odd classical item added to a wide ranging repertoire
of refreshing arrangements (by the bands leader) of well-known
standards, i.e. ballads, swing numbers, and even a newly-
orchestrated Beatles oldie. The singer provided a witty commentary
on the various numbers, and the oboe player - Richard Bailey, owner of
the popular family-run Daisies Flower Shop in Jericho - rendered a
singularly poignant and haunting solo with sensitive accompaniment by
the band (see picture).

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This concert is one of the successful Music at St Giles Spring/Summer
Series, which has hitherto raised money for the Choir Academy, but in
this case is raising funds for Project 900. Our next concert 3rd June -
will be an exciting organ recital by our choir director Dr Nicholas
Prozzillo Nicholass recitals are always enhanced by an accompanying
talk on the work to be performed. We conclude the Summer series on
24th June with another wonderful big band light-hearted family
concert: Nine Lives - the Oxley/Graham family band, which is largely
made up of brilliant teenage musicians, most of whom play at least
three instruments (!), and also sing delightfully. The band is led by
world-renowned guitarist Pete Oxley, who runs the famous The Spin
jazz club in Oxford. The programme will again, as with the Titanics,
range from classical to popular - not to be confused with pop! - and
will provide another light-hearted and relaxing family fund-raising
evening.
STOP PRESS:
PLEASE TAKE A LOOK at the jazzatstgiles.com website, and the exciting
programme set up for the FIFTH(!) Autumn jazz series which in 2016,
raised nearly 6,000 all told for War Child and Save the Children, and
which, in addition to those two charities now especially associated with
us, will this year also raise funds for Project 900. Please continue to
support us and come along!
Jean Darke

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 Reflections on Lent Bible Study

O UR small group mainly met in the church on a Tuesday evening

after Evening Prayer. This time and location was intended those
who have to be at work until 6 pm, while also keeping the evenings
free. It had the added benefit of falling at the same time as occasional
organ and singing practice, which meant that our reflections were
often accompanied by wonderful music!
While the group was light hearted and friendly, we struggled with some
of the darker Biblical passages, especially John 11:17-43, and our
discussions around death and loss. However, I hope that by sharing
personal experiences and understanding we were able to help each
other and develop our own faith and trust. Honest and open were
perhaps the touchstones of the group.
Coming together each week helped to regularise our study, focus our
minds on the universal experiences discussed, and enjoy developing
and sharing understanding and faith. This Lenten preparation, I hope,
draws us closer together, and closer to God. Tim Myatt
__________________________________________________________
100 Years Ago St Giles Parish Magazine, June 1917
Memorial to the Rev H D de Brisay: An appeal will shortly be circulated
for contributions or promises of gifts towards the cost of renovating
the Chancel of St Giles Church as a memorial to Mr de Brisay. It will be
remembered that he was not only a constant attendant at the Church,
but also for forty years gave regular assistance in the services as a
voluntary Curate. The stained glass in the East window was given by
him in 1894, in memory of his daughter [Emily], and part of the work
contemplated is the completion of this window. But besides his work
for St Giles, Mr de Brisay rendered great service to the causes of
Religion and of Education in Oxford City and Diocese. He was for 25
years a Diocesan Inspector; for 15 years Chairman of the Oxford School
Board; and also for a long time Chaplain of the Training College for
School Mistresses at Felstead House.
Henry Delacour de Brisay (5th December 1831-2nd August 1916) was born at the parsonage at
Brightwell Baldwin, the only son of the Revd John Theophilus de Brisay and his wife Harriette
Frances Wilson. Henry and his wife, Jane Amelia de Brisay, and their eldest daughter, Jane
Marguerite de Brisay are buried in St Sepulchres Cemetery, St Giles section: Row 4, Grave B25.

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 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Wednesday 31st May Visit of the BVM to Elizabeth
12:30 pm Eucharist at St Giles
Saturday 3rd June The Martyrs of Uganda 1885-7 and 1977
12 noon-6 pm The Art of Faith exhibition at St Giles
until 23rd June (closed 21st June)
7:30 pm Organ Recital at St Giles: Nicholas Prozzillo
Sunday 4th June Day of Pentecost
7:45 pm Priest and Pints at The Anchor
Saturday 10th June
4:00 pm Talk on Eularia Clarke at St Giles
Sunday 11th June Trinity Sunday
Thursday 15th June Day of Thanksgiving for Holy Communion
7:00 pm Ringing for BBC Music Day at St Giles
8:00 pm Sung Eucharist at St Margarets
Wednesday 21st June
10 am-4 pm Day of Reflection and Prayer at St Giles
Saturday 24th June The Birth of St John the Baptist
7:30 pm Concert at St Giles: Nine Lives -
The Oxley/Graham Family Band
Sunday 25th June The Second Sunday after Trinity

Sunday Readings at 10:30 am Holy Communion

4th June 2017 (Day of Pentecost Whit Sunday)
Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:26-end; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; John 20:19-23
11th June (Trinity Sunday)
Isaiah 40:12-17, 27-end; Ps 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-end; Matt 28:16-20
18th June (The First Sunday after Trinity)
Exodus 19:2-8a; Psalm 100; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8
25th June (The Second Sunday after Trinity)
Jeremiah 20:7-13; Psalm 69:14-20; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39

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