ST.LAWRENCE CHURCH,
WARKWORTH
THE ANGLICAN PARISH OF WARKWORTH, NORTHUMBERLAND
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Sunday Thursday |
Dear Friends,
After I write this letter for the Pelican, my next task is to prepare for the funeral service of my next door neighbour Clara Grey. Apart from the last few weeks in hospital in Alnwick, Clara has been one of the fittings and fixtures of Warkworth for over 95 years. When she was on good form, she would tell of the goings on of the townsfolk past and present, often clasping a finger to her lips when she got a bit close to the bone! She loved nothing better than a pleasant summer’s day, when she would stand at her door waiting to spot a fresh visitor or two and share with them, her love for the history of this place. The tourist season will never be the same again!
Looking ahead in the diary, on Sunday August 10th, we shall be celebrating St.Lawrence’s day with our usual services, plus a special Songs of Praise service at 6pm in the evening when we hope all the ‘Friends of Warkworth Church’ will come and join us. Further details and invitations will be posted out soon.
Apart from being the patron saint of Librarians, St.Lawrence the Deacon, was deeply revered in the life of the early church because of the way he stood up to the authorities and refused point blank to hand over the wealth of the Church. When he was asked to give up the treasures of the church, he promptly went and sold all the gold and silver and gave the money to the poor. Then he lined up all the beggars and outcasts that he could find, stating that here were the treasures of the Church. Not surprisingly, he was put to death for his cheek and insolence. He is reputed to have been roasted alive on a griddle and legend has it that he asked to be turned over when the first side was done! Hence, he also became known as the patron saint of Cooks and Comedians.
The present financial climate of increasing energy and food costs, coupled with falling house prices will certainly present us with a challenge in the coming months. The story of the death of St Lawrence is a timely reminder to us all , that it is people who matter not money or wealth. They are the treasures we need to hold on to and value.
Revd. Canon Janet Brearley
Vicar of Warkworth and Acklington
1 July 2008