The number of people in prison in this country is currently at an all-time high of 62,300, including 10,900 classed as young offenders. Cambridge's nearest prison, H.M. Prison Littlehey, is in a rural setting near the small village of Perry. The modern building was opened nine years ago and houses 648 prisoners (including 70 'lifers') from all parts of the country. Their sentences range from 18 months to life; 48% are serving 5 years or more. Offences range from burglary, fraud and repeatedly taking and driving away cars, to murder, rape and arson. The prison's mission statement, posted on the wall of the Governor's office, reads: "To serve the public by keeping in custody those committed by the courts. Our duty is to look after them with humanity and help them to lead law-abiding and useful lives in custody and after release."
Littlehey's Governor is Mick Knight, who has been in the Prison Service for 28 years. His approach to his work is professional and caring and he benefits from possessing an exuberant personality. Mick is also a keen trout fisherman, as is evidenced by the tied flies, drawings and carvings of trout distributed around his officeall gifts from prisoners. He told me: "The prison is like a small village. We deal with education, health care, recreation, chaplaincy and employment." But what, I wondered, was his main problem? "We have an increasing prison population and a decreasing budget."
Littlehey provides more than custody for offenders, as the Governor explained: "When a prisoner arrives, an assessment is made (a 'needs analysis' for the individual) which is known as a sentence plan. If there are trends -- if he happens to have a drink or drugs problem, or an anger problem, or a problem relating to a particular type of offence (sex or violence or burglary or fraud) we need to work on that." Of the regime at Littlehey he said: "Bullying is a problem we have in all spheres of society, and a lot of our prisoners would be vulnerable because of inadequacies or offences. They would normally be on protection but because our anti-bullying strategy here is so effective they all work and live in normal locations, and not in protection units. This policy was commented on as a model of good practice by the Chief Inspector." The Governor went on: "The atmosphere here is very different from many other establishments. It doesn't happen by chance and it means everyone is contributing -- staff, visitors, prisoners."
The men are aged from 21 to 70+. Mick comments, "We are unique in terms of the average age of our prisoners. Nationally it is about 28, but at Littlehey it is 46 and the older person brings with him additional healthcare problems." When I visited there was sponsored badminton in the sports hall and there were plenty of prisoners pumping iron in the weight-training room.
The prison has many small industries to make sure the prisoners are usefully employed and are able to develop skills which might help in getting employment later. I saw the braille workshop which assembles 2,000 braille machines a year and repairs machines for the R.N.I.B. Each machine takes three or four days to repair, which is a process that would simply be uneconomic for outside firms. Other industries include footwear (previously made in Spain and Portugal), electrical fittings for Germany, and manufacturing car components. Mick Knight said: "We are looking for full, purposeful occupation for prisoners. We look at work for the private sector, none of which at present comes from established firms outside, so we're not pinching work off Joe Public. There is also provision for education\'d1from learning to read and write to GCSEs, A Levels and Open University courses. Some are also involved in Community Education Awards.
The prison additionally makes talking microwaves for visually impaired people. One of the prisoners involved in this work thoughtfully asked how they knew what they were cooking. This led to the development of a talking barcode reader by the prisoner and a member of staff. The prototype has been tested and shown on 'Tomorrow's World' and, when it is in full production for supermarkets like Tesco and Waitrose (where it will be fitted on the side of a trolley to read barcodes in the aisles and in this way indicate where products are located), it will be assembled at Littlehey.
Of families Mick Knight said: "I have a lot of sympathy for them. Many families are being punished indirectly because standards of living have fallen as earnings have been affected. It's costing them money to visit and it's costing them heartache. You do see kids and wives and mothers distressed. Sometimes prisoners are indifferent to their families. To hell with that, it's just a selfishness: we've got to break through and make them responsible people." Families who live in other parts of the country often save up visiting orders and stay locally for a night or two so that they can make two or three visits together.
Low self-esteem is often seen in prisoners and opportunities have to be taken to build self-confidence. At the 12-day Special Olympics (for those with special needs) in Portsmouth in July, 70 prisoners and 40 staff helped as officials, leaders and coaches for sports workshops. Mick was there and commented: "The behaviour of the prisoners was superb. They were really finding a new dimension in themselves." A few years ago he encouraged a music group amongst prisoners and staff, which was very successful. The band played at outside concerts and raised thousands of pounds for charity.
Mick's final comment was: "Don't think it's easy in here. Think of closing a door which has no handle on the inside and you've no way out for ten or twelve hours. It's your dining room, your bedroom, your living room and your loo. Some people say the building is too good, but I don't get many people volunteering to stay for the weekend!"
The Visitors' Centre always welcomes extra helpers. If you are interested please contact: HMP Littlehey, Perry, Huntigdon, Cambs. PE18 0SR. (01480 812202 ext.336)
With thanks to Mick Knight. Since the interview he has been promoted to Governor of HMP Wandsworth. The new Governor of HMP Littlehey is Clive Morris.
Keep your mind in hell and do not despair . These words of a great spiritual teacher of our century -- Staretz Silouan of Mount Athos -- may seem a little bleak. But they have been often repeated and point to one of the essential insights of the Christian faith. And as well as expressing timeless truth, they have a particular local relevance since one of the holy man's disciples, Sophrony, settled in a secluded part of the Essex coast in our own region of East Anglia and founded a monastic community, based on the teachings of Staretz Silouan, which has become a great centre of the spiritual life.
In his hard life of prayer in a hermitage on the rocky peninsula in north-eastern Greece, the Russian monk Silouan had plenty of leisure to reflect on the hardship, pain and suffering of human life. But he realised that even in the most desolate moments of our existence there is always hope and encouragement. We need never despair. The life of Christ shows us how he struggled with temptation, loneliness and abandonment before finally coming to the glory of the Resurrection.
The month of November contains many reminders of the tragedies of human existence. Near the beginning of the month is All Souls' Day, when we call to mind our loved ones who have died; then there is Remembrance Day, which prevents us forgetting the horrors of war and the sacrifices made by so many; later in the month we share with other churches in praying for all those whose lives are damaged by crime in Prisoners' Week (a fitting conclusion to our series Responding to Crime).
So we are asked to face up to bereavement, violence, war and conflict in our society.
Yet interspersed with these solemn occasions are other days which are filled with glory and triumph. All Saints' Day celebrates the heroes of the Christian faith in every age, including our own; later, at the end of the month, Advent Sunday proclaims the coming of Christ into a dark world.
A usual reaction to pain is to try to overlook it. We don't talk too much about death and the departed are quickly forgotten by all but those closest to them. We want to enjoy our lives as much as possible, and it is only rarely the case that a famine or other disaster truly touches our hearts. We are relieved that poverty is usually out of sight, preferably in a distant country.
The Church's worship in November lets us remove the pretence that all is well. We can remember the dead, reflect on the horrors of war and pray for prisoners and victims. This happens through some rich moments in our liturgy, such as the solemn reading of the names of the departed in the evening worship on All Souls' Day and the two minutes' silence and playing of the Last Post on Remembrance Sunday.
These are corporate acts of great significance in our year, which put us in touch with deep places within ourselves. Through them we find this process a great relief. At such moments we are allowed to bring out into the open thoughts and feelings which are buried in all of us, but which we are not often allowed to talk about. We can share the discovery of Staretz Silouan that this brings hope and not despair. If we can make this discovery for ourselves, then we are on the way to realising the true nature of our faith. The season when winter comes close becomes in reality a season of light, glory and hope.
Catherine Smart, Great St Mary's sacristan, is a magistrate. She spoke to Sheila Cameron about her role in the justice system and about why she does it.
There are over 650 magistrates' courts in England and Wales. Although the bottom rank in the court hierarchy, their function is an extremely important one. All criminal cases start their judicial process in a magistrates' court, the most serious then being referred on to the Crown Court. On the civil side, magistrates deal with a wide range of domestic matters including the recovery of unpaid local taxes and licence applications. They also deal extensively with motoring offences, though for many people these are regarded as barely coming into the criminal category.
For the past three years, Catherine Smart has served as a Justice of the Peace, sitting as a lay magistrate in the Cambridgeshire Petty Sessions area. I spoke to her about her views on the office and role of a magistrate, and about what her greatest concerns were in this sphere.
When asked about the qualities expected of a magistrate, Catherine emphasised the importance of establishing a 'balanced bench' in the selection procedure. Representatives are sought from all walks of life; the balance between men and women, ethnic groups and all trades, industries and professions is regarded as vital. There are, of course, personal qualities to be considered, as well as factors which could disqualify candidates, such as conflicts of interest which might prejudice a case, or personal criminality or bankruptcy. Appointment is made by the Lord Chancellor on behalf of the Queen, and rigorous initial and in-service training is provided to enable magistrates to keep up to date with changes in procedure.
The role of a magistrate, Catherine informed me, is "to administer the law as it stands", whatever an individual's private views may be, or, indeed, whatever one's political allegiance. The selection of magistrates takes political affiliations into consideration in accordance with the principle of appointing a balanced bench. Should anyone have serious difficulties in applying any particular law, there may be no option but for them to resign as a magistrate, and this did indeed happen over the issue of the poll tax.
I was surprised to learn that magistrates are not expected to have an extensive knowledge of the law; their role is to weigh evidence and to make considered judgements. Legal advice is provided by the clerk of the court. At the start of a case decisions are made as to whether an individual should be granted bail, whether the sentencing powers of the court would be sufficient if the case were tried by the magistrates themselves, or whether the case should be referred to the Crown Court, whose powers of punishment are much greater. The magistrates' court can impose a fine of up to £5,000 or a prison sentence of up to six months for a single offence, although the two can be taken together, doubling the penalities. Deciding what punishment would fit the crime is an important step in the process.
For Catherine, there is one area above all which gives her and her colleagues great concern the interface between the law and the need for appropriate treatment for the inadequate and the mentally ill. "You do get cases where you wonder if punishment will really be appropriate for the individual, if they are really ill. On the other hand, they have committed a crime and you can't ignore that fact. And that is difficult." There are illnesses which can be devastating for the individual offender, the victim and the community. Alcoholism and drug abuse might come into this category. On the one hand, a stiff sentence would indicate society's disapproval and might result in someone seeking treatment; on the other hand, it might have little effect on the behaviour of the offender.
In Catherine's view, the need for people to exist safely and peacefully within society is the chief concern of the magistrate. She understands this as having sound scriptural foundations: in Genesis we see God as a God of order. The basic law of the Ten Commandments is taken for granted in the New Testament; we are enjoined to respect civil authority and to live under the rule of law. Catherine sees the modern magistrate as the successor of the elder appointed by Moses who, if things got really rough, could call upon the patriarch's greater authority to sort things out. Law is a social necessity and the need of people to find justice is as great as the need to live in a peaceful society.
Norman Pittenger, the Process theologian and a regular member of GSM, died last summer. His close friends William Hurdman and Nigel Hancock reflect on his life and thought.
| Illustration by Jack Bowles. The Revd William Hurdman is Vicar of St Margaret's, Kings Lynn. |
Norman Pittenger has been a familiar and much-loved figure in Cambridge for the last 30 years, since he retired from teaching at the General Seminary in New York in 1966. Like many Americans, he had a huge affection and respect for British institutions. He was devoted and loyal to King's College, Cambridge, where he frequently took part in the services.
His old clothes and dishevelled appearance were deceptive. His acute mind remained polished to within a few days of his death. During his long life he wrote 90 books. Inevitably there was some repetition, and his constant theme was the love of God for his creation. The prolific writing and the constant theme of love led him to be known as the 'Barbara Cartland of Theology', a title which he didn't mind a bit.
He gained a certain notoriety, but also much gratitude and affection, in 1969 with the publication of his bookTime for Consent, which was a powerful argument for the acceptance of homosexuality as a valid condition, not at all incompatible with Christianity. At the time it was considered so shocking that the Church Times refused to review it. After that book, he was much in demand as a speaker and advocate for the acceptance of homosexuality and was one of the founder members of the Gay Christian Movement (later to become LGCM). Some people thought of him as the elder 'Fairy Godmother' of the gay community. He did much to break down barriers of race, religion and sexuality, and showed that it is perfectly all right to be another kind of person.
He had a special gift for friendship, stretching back to his early days at Oxford, where he was a friend of Auden and Isherwood. Many of his students (quite a number of whom became bishops in the American Episcopal Church) visited him in his simple, almost squalid, rooms in Cambridge, where he would talk for hours on Process thought, on people he had known, on God and on love.
He was humane, liberal, tolerant, forgiving, generous and funny. Possessions meant little to him, but he was always grateful and touched by any affection and kindness he received. Among the few things he kept was a letter from China from Robert Runcie, then Archbishop of Canterbury, saying that Teilhard de Chardin and Norman Pittenger were the two most respected and studied theologians in China.
In one of his last books, After Death - Life in God, Norman quoted some words used at a memorial service for a friend: "Those of us who shared our friend's deep faith in God as love can have confidence that nothing that he did, or said, or wrote, or thought can ever be lost. For we believe that God values and treasures and will keep for ever all those acts and words and books and thoughts, keep them forever in his own everlasting life."
I think Norman would like that to be said of him, and many of us would wish to say it.William Hurdman
| The Revd Nigel Hancock is Priest Vicar at St John's College, Cambridge. |
It was perhaps difficult to realise that Norman Pittenger was a very distinguished theologian and he was valued much more in the United States than in Great Britain. But then Norman was a Process theologian, and Process theology speaks about God and his relationship with the created world and humans in ways rather different from traditional theism. In the 1930s in America four men were writing and thinking about theology in process terms: Bernard Loomer, Bernard Meland, Norman Pittenger and Daniel Day Williams. They began building on the groundwork laid by the philosophers A.N. Whitehead, Hocking, Peirce and Hartshorne. Process theologians maintain that the Process God is closer to the Biblical witness and to Christian experience of God than is the timeless absolute of Greek philosophy, for "the Christian God is concerned with the world, is involved in its suffering and its tragedy. The world, man, and human events make a difference to him. The deepest reality of God is seen not in his detachment or in his power, but in his love." For Norman, the statement 'God is Love' encompasses nearly all that it is necessary to say about God. Norman himself said that Process thought is the only system of thought which significantly incorporates a metaphysic of love: "When I look at the current world scene from a Process perspective, I see the struggle of the Divine Lover with his recalcitrant creatures. I do not see, however, so much moral progress through history, but rather just more subtle ways of sinning."
Norman was proud and pleased that he had produced 90 books. In the King's College Register he particularly cites Christology Reconsidered, God in Process and Making Sexuality Human. The subject of sexual morality is a topic he has frequently written about in the Process context, especially of what for him is a Christian interpretation of homosexuality. A Time for Consent was produced originally to present the case for reform of the legislation concerning homosexual behaviour in the U.K. and to urge more sympathetic attitudes on the part of Christians to the millions of gay people in the community. But this part of his work should not be taken out of the context of his general writings about sexual morality.
When Norman retired from the General Seminary he was presented with a Festschrift, Lux in Lumine. Professor R.A. Norris wrote in the introduction that the essays in that volume were "a tribute to a man of broad and deep scholarship, a theological thinker of exceptional clear-mindedness and honesty, but also, and above all, a tribute to a teacher whose uncanny ability to inform, inspire and liberate the minds of those working with him, has made him the moral creditor of three generations of students..." Those words were written in 1966; they would be equally valid today 31 years on.Nigel Hancock
A memorial service for Norman Pittenger will be held in King's College Chapel on Saturday 8th November, at 2.30pm. The preacher will be the Dean of Winchester, the Very Revd Michael Till.
Free concerts in Great St Mary's were given to tourists and shoppers on Saturday lunch-times during October. The Girls' Choir, directed by GSM's Director of Music Michael Haynes commenced the mini series. Young Instrumentalists from the church followed on the second Saturday. The final concert, of jazz music, was given by Bert Schilperoort and Sam Grimley from Long Road Sixth Form College. Market Music will return in the New Year.
Eleanor Helps (13) and Rosanna Wynn-Williams (12) have been appointed as Great St Mary's Organ Scholars. Eleanor has been playing violin and piano for over 10 years and is taking Grade VIII violin this year. Rosanna has reached Grade VI on piano, clarinet and recorder. Both are members of the Girls' Chamber Choir.
The Organ Scholars receive a small bursary to help with the cost of music and lessons, and they occasionally play before, during or after a service, or conduct during rehearsals.
Great St Mary's has a home page on the Internet. If you have access you can find information about the church, the bells, thechoirand the Friends of Great St Mary's, and the electronic version of Majestas, at http://www.ely.anglican.org/parishes/camgsm/. The site is looked after by John Sturdy, to whom comments can be sent via the Church Office, or directly by email to john@cb1.com.
The Vicar, the Revd Dr John Binns, will preach at the civic Service of Remembrance in GSM on Sunday 9th November at 10.55am.
For All Souls', Sunday 2nd November, there will be a reading of the names of the departed at Evensong. Those in the Book of Remembrance will be automatically included, but extra names can be added before the service.
The Friends of Great St Mary's were founded a year ago at the end of October. So far 84 people have joined and about £5,000 has been raised for the care of the building. Friends' Christmas Cards will shortly be available from the bookstall, price £1 for 3. For membership call 01223 350914.
The Revd John Barr, Curate of GSM from 1989 to 1992 and Chaplain of Girton College from 1990 to 1992 is being licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the Priory Church, Malvern on Sunday 23rd November. His, and Mary Barr's, new address is Priory Vicarage, 7 Clarence Road, Malvern, Worcs. WR14 3EN (Tel) 01684 563707.
Which British seaside resort receives more visitors per year than Greece? What is the unit of currency of Portugal? What is remarkable about Hunstanton? What are the Spice Girls' real names?
Following last year's success, the Great St Mary's Quiz Night will take place again this month, on Saturday 8th November, at 7.30pm, in St Michael's Hall.
Questions will cover topics suitable for all ages and interests, so long memories and PhDs are no special advantage. Teams should ideally have four members. Prizes will be awarded for the best and worst scores.
The entrance fee is 2 pounds per team and drinks and crisps will be served. Organise your team now (alternatively we can put you in a team on the night), and let the Church Office (01223 350914) know you are coming.
The Advent Carol Service is taking place on Sunday 30th November at 8.30pm, with the Choir of Sidney Sussex College.
A closer look at one of GSM's remarkable roof-bosses, by Dr Lynne Broughton. Illustration by Jack Bowles.
On the medieval roof of the nave is a carved pelican, the 'Pelican in its Piety'. It is a symbol of Christ. Various Fathers of the Church, including St Augustine of Hippo, interpreted Psalm 102 verse 6 as referring to Christ. They understood his suffering and death alone on the cross as being foreshadowed by the psalmist's cry: "I am like a pelican in the wilderness." Ancient bird lore, perhaps through misunderstanding the way that pelicans regurgitate food for their young, thought that the pelican feeds her chicks with her own blood. So Christ, who in the Eucharist feeds his people with his own blood, shed on the cross, is doubly likened to the pelican. This is how a twelfth-century bestiary described the bird:
'The Pelican is excessively devoted to its children. But, when these have been born and begin to grow up, they flap their parents in the face with their wings, and the parents, striking back, kill them. Three days afterward the mother pierces her breast, opens her side, and lays herself across her young pouring out her blood over the dead bodies. This brings them to life again.
In the same way, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the originator and maker of all created things begets us and calls us into being out of nothing. We, on the contrary, strike him in the face. As the prophet Isaiah says: "I have borne children and exalted them and truly they have scorned me." We have struck him in the face by devoting ourselves to the creation rather than the creator.
That was why he ascended into the height of the cross, and, his side having been pierced, there came from it blood and water for our salvation and eternal life.'
The Book of Beasts, trans. and ed. T. H. White, New York, 1954, repr. 1984, pp.132-3
The pelican, seated above its nest and pecking its breast to feed the chicks below, became a favourite symbol both in church decoration and in heraldry. It was the sign of the many guilds dedicated in the later middle ages to Corpus Christi, the (Eucharistic) Body of Christ. One of these guilds was co-founder of Corpus Christi College, and thus the pelican came to symbolise that college. The pelican in the roof of Great St Mary's may refer to some involvement of the college in the building of the church, but its religious meaning was predominant. It will generally have brought to mind the love and sacrifice of Christ, present in the church at every Eucharist and in the reserved Sacrament, Christ whom the poet Dante could affectionately refer to as nostro pelicano.
This article forms part of a series describing our Church building.
Martyn Percy, formerly Chaplain of Christ's College, is the first Director of a new Theological Institute. Here he explains what the job entails.
At the beginning of a new academic year, I started a new job at a new institute. The Lincoln Theological Institute originated from Lincoln Theological College, which was founded as an Ordination Training College in 1874. Since 1997, the Lincoln Theological Institute has been a Designated College of the University of Sheffield, specialising in the study of religion and society.
The primary focus of the Institute is postgraduate and postdoctoral programmes of research. The Institute is committed to interdisciplinary study and aims to work on funded projects that benefit society, churches and higher education by applying theological insights to issues of common concern. There are also courses and lectures open to the public, as well as resources for clergy and laity. Our education should never cease. In an ideal world, it is never just about 'getting through' a course or particular stage. It is not a functional activity, but a lifelong process. Moreover, it has a wider purpose to do with individuals and their citizenship, and how society is best able to reflect upon itself and move forward. Education is for the enrichment of lives.
"An education which is not an education of the heart", wrote Aristotle, "is no education at all."
The need to study religion and society is perpetual. Some of the greatest and most damaging conflicts in the world have been shaped and influenced by religion. Yet religion can also bring peace and reconciliation. Church attendance has allegedly declined in Western Europe in recent decades, yet faith in Godbelieving without belongingpersists and continues to flourish. Phenomena from new religious movements to the mass display of 'civic religion' at Princess Diana's funeral seem to counter the proposition that society is becoming more secular. Religion remains an integral part of much of social life and continues to influence and inform a wide range of issues, from healthcare to politics, morality and polity.
The Lincoln Theological Institute for the Study of Religion and Society is a resource for both the academic community and the Church at large. A considerable part of its work will be to develop postgraduate and postdoctoral research projects related to issues in religion and society. Project Directors, Fellows and students will collaborate on a range of issues that will often have a direct bearing on how churches reflect on their work. There will also be publications, seminars and conferences. A taught MA on Religion and Society is also being planned.
We shall miss the congregation and worship at GSM a great deal. Emma and I, and the boys, have very much valued the support and friendship that has been shown to us. We will not forget you in our thoughts and prayers. Please do spare some for us too, as we begin this new chapter in our work and ministry.
Martyn and Emma Percy's last Sunday at GSM is 2nd November. In December Emma will become Vicar of Millhouses in Sheffield.
By John Talbot
The Parochial Church Council met on 17th September and considered reports from the committees about the church's work and organisation.
The Property Committee reported that it had recently received the quinquennial report from the architect. This indicates that a significant amount of maintenance and restoration work is needed over the next 5 years. Some of this is extensive and expensive, and we need to think in terms of a funding target of £50,000 per year. The Committee will give detailed consideration to this report and refer back to the PCC with an operational plan.
The Finance Report was presented. This indicated that we are on target to meet the budget of a £9,500 surplus for 1997. The Treasurer has also recalculated the Parish Share on the basis of the Deanery formula and has revised some of the figures shown on our Annual Return to the Diocese. The result is that, although we can justify our offer of £74,000 for the current year, the PCC agreed to increase the amount to £75,000 as a gesture to assist the Deanery.
In discussion of the Michaelhouse Project it was made clear that two elements need reappraisal. First, the entrance through the Tower, the sketch plan for which was presented, needs discussion with Gonville and Caius in order to arrive at a satisfactory solution which will meet the needs of the College and ourselves. Secondly, we need to ensure that our fund-raising approach is more professionally organised. It is hoped to obtain some expert advice to ensure that our targeting is effective.
A statement was made about the bells. The immediate problems have been resolved and generously paid for by the University. However, there are major longer-term problems which will need to be addressed in the next five years. The full implications will be determined and proposals presented at a later date.
The PCC members were asked to give further thought to the 'Aims' project, with particular reference to the changing needs of the congregation and the community which we serve.
Finally, it should be said that there is a very good working relationship and spirit in the current PCC, resulting in a good rapport and exchange of views and a willingness to take positive decisions, which bodes well for the future of us all.
All events take place in Great St Mary's unless otherwise advertised.
| Saturday 1st November | 1.05pm | Healing Service | |
| Sunday 2nd November Trinity 23 (All Saints) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 11.15am | University Sermon Commemoration of Benefactors, preacher Professor Derek Beales, Professor of Modern History | ||
| 6.30pm | Choral Evensong for All Souls', with the reading of the names of the departed; Preacher Dr. David Girling, reader at GSM | ||
| 8.30pm | Responding to Crime, the Rt Revd Robert Hardy Bishop of Leicester and Bishop to Prisons ``Changing Lenses -- Relational Justice'' | ||
| Saturday 8th | 2.30pm | Memorial Service for Revd Dr Norman Pittenger, preacher: Very Revd Michael Till, Dean of Winchester | King's College Chapel |
| 7.30pm | Quiz Night -- please contact the Church Office if you are coming | St. Michael's | |
| Sunday 9th November Trinity 24 (Remembrance Sunday) | |||
| 10.55am | Service of Remembrance, Preacher Revd Dr John Binns, Vicar of GSM | ||
| 8.30pm | Responding to Crime, Helen Peggs and others, Victim Support, "Crime -- the Victims' Perspective" | ||
| Tuesday 11th | 7.45pm | PCC meeting | Vicarage |
| Sunday 16th November Trinity 25 | |||
| 11.15am | Mattins: Preacher: the Revd Robert Avery, Curate of Great St Mary's | ||
| 11.15am | Family Service | St. Michael's | |
| 6.30pm | A Service of Readings and Prayers for All Saints' Tide | ||
| Sunday 23rd November Trinity 26 | |||
| 11.15am | Mattins, Preacher: the Revd Margaret Widdess, Curate of St Botolph's, Cambridge | ||
| Friday 28th | 8pm | Launch Party for "Out of Africa", a celebration of 140th Anniversary of the Universities Mission to Central Africa | St. Michael's |
| Sunday 30th November First Sunday in Advent | |||
| 11.15 | Mattins, Preacher: the Revd Jeremy Clark-King, Assistant Priest, GSM | ||
| 8.30pm | Advent Carol Service, with the Choir of Sidney Sussex College | ||
| Thursday 4th | 1pm | Eucharist to celebrate the 140th Anniversary of the Universities Mission to Central Africa, Celebrant: the Archbishop of York, Preacher: the Revd James Tengatenga, Lecturer in Theology and Church History, University of Malawi | |
| 5pm | University Lecture given by the Archbishop of York | Senate House | |
Since this is the same from issue to issue, we have included a single copy of it on the site, as our Who's who at GSM page.
Majestas is edited by Robert Avery, Sheila Cameron and David Hollier, and published by:Great St Mary's The University Church, Cambridge CB2 3PQ, Tel (01223) 350914, Fax (01223) 426555.
Please contact the editors at the above address.
HTML conversion by John Sturdy.
The deadline for the December edition of Majestas is 9th November. Please submit copy to the Church Office.
For further details of the parish, including the regular service times, please see theGSM home page.