One 2 Three
Patrick Sherring
Fr. Mark North, Vicar from St. Thomas’ Brentwood talked about the church, about the Anglo Catholic tradition and the regular and special services. The chapel by the High Street was originally built as a place of worship and hospitality for pilgrims making their way to Canterbury Cathedral to visit the shrine of Thomas a Beckett. The ruins today are due to destruction in the reformation. In the mid 19th century the centre of Brentwood was part of the historic parish of South Weald. As the town developed, there was a desire for a separate parish with a church. The original church only stood for about ten years due to defects in the building. Fr. Mark noted, “they must have had some cowboy builders back then”. The new, much larger church, was built in the Anglo Catholic tradition which was emerging at this time. This tradition sought to recapture the catholic heritage of the church in England. There was also motivation to bring beauty and a glimpse of heaven to people living in poor conditions, particularly in Victorian cities. Worship is focussed on the altar and the celebration of the mass. Music is also an important part of the services. At St Thomas’ there is a choir of fifteen school children and fifteen adults. Fr. Mark commented that they are always looking for new singers. He also talked about a yearly pilgrimage to Walsingham in Norfolk, where the shrine contains a reconstruction of the Holy Family’s house in Nazareth and there is a particular devotion to Mary. More information about the church can be found on the webpage and also on Facebook by searching for St. Thomas’ Brentwood. There will be a wide range of services over the Christmas period. On Friday 17th between 5-8pm there will be carols sung by the Christmas tree outside the church. Jacket potatoes with chilli will be served to keep everyone warm.
The interior of St. Thomas of Canterbury church, Brentwood.
Playlist
Jason Mraz – Have it all
Brentwood School Big Band – Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Boyce & Stanley – Bread of life. Chosen by Fr. Mark. This track reminds him of taking the youth group to Walsingham when he was a curate.
Choir of SS Peter – Ave Maria, O maiden mother. Mark commented that this was one of his favourite hymns. It is from within the Anglo Catholic tradition.
Elton John – Someone saved my life tonight. Mark said he was an Elton John fan. He feels that this track is a reminder of the profound impact the words we say can have on others.
Friday Teaser
Tina Turner in 1966.
Tina Turner in 1988.
Tina Turner in 2021.
Tina Turner celebrated her 82nd birthday. We hear the classic 1966 track – River deep mountain high.
Nicole Appleton celebrated her 47th birthday. We heard the 2000 UK no 1 from All Saints – Pure shore.
John Molo is a drummer, most well known for being a member of Bruce Hornsby and the Range. He celebrated his 68th birthday. We heard the USA no 1 and UK no 15, The way it is.
We had a closely fought competition with three answers that were just one year old. Chris in Harlow scored one point. Patrick in Ingatestone scored two points. Fr. Mark astonished himself by also scoring two points. Consequently he and Patrick were joint winners today.
Enya – Journey of the angles – Patrick in Ingatestone was unsure if Enya had ever recorded any Christmas music. This track comes from her album of original Christmas material released in 2008 – And winter came. The album was Top 10 in twenty one countries and sold over three million copies.
Lisa Harman – Nothing simpler than a smile. Title track from her album released this year.
Chart this week in
No 1. Dave Edmunds – I hear you knocking. This week was part of the track’s six week run at number one.
No 3 Neil Diamond – Cracklin Rosie
No 20 Edwin Star – War.
Next week my guest is Revd. Stuart Hull. He will be talking about his e-book, The Crimson Script. he will also talk about the process of publication and other e-books he feels should be wider known.
I will also be with your presenting live on Christmas Eve 1-3pm and Boxing Day 1-4pm.
