The only recognized authority for the facts of Saint Benedict life is book 2 of the Dialogues of Saint Gregory 1. He was born of a noble family of Nursia and sent to Rome to be educated. Shocked by the behaviour of Rome he ‘retired’ as a young man to Enfide ((modern Affile) to live as a hermit. He isolated himself in a mountain cave and he daily hauled food up . The food was provided by the monk Romanus. When the fame of his sanctity spread he was encouraged to become an abbot at one of the monasteries. Here, because of his asceticism (self denial) and tales of being a miracle worker, he attracted disciples. He set up 12 monasteries around the place. He then abandoned the area - stories of jealousy and an attempt on his life. He moved to southern Italy, towards Naples and established the famous abbey of Monte Cassino. It was here that he wrote his famous * Rule of Saint Benedict* which contained precepts for his monks. Although known by his name it was influenced by the writings of John Cassian, and showed close affinity with the Rule of the Master. Even if this is the case Michael David Knowles in ‘Britannica Online Encyclopedia’ says *It was the Rule of St, Benedict, derived from various and disparate sources , that provided for the monastic way of life a directory at once practical and spiritual that continued to force after 1500 years. It was further developed to offer hospitality, medical, educational and agricultural skills to the world. Apparently Saint Benedict was never a priest. * He is a patron saint of Europe. Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia wikipedia Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

John was an English Anglican, Baptist, then Mennonite minister and a defender of the principle of religious liberty. He attended Christ’s College, Cambridge where he became a fellow in 1594 and was ordained for ministry in the C of E the same year. He became a Puritan preacher, then a Separatist pastor, which led to exile in Amsterdam. He became a se-baptist (baptised himself)(c,1609) and set up the first Baptist church(1612) in Britain… He believed in believer’s baptism by immersion not infant baptism. In February 1610 he and other church members wrote to a Mennonite community in Waterland to join their movement. The group earned the name General Baptists because they claimed that Christ died for all men rather than for the elect only. See notes also on Mennonites. The Hodder & Stoughton Book of Famous Christians Wikipedia

St.Crispin and St. Crispinian’s Feast Day is October 25th. They were probably missionaries from Rome who preached during the day and worked as shoemakers at night. They are the patron saint for cobblers. They were martyred by being deheaded on the orders of emperor Maximian. The official who was tormenting them committed suicide first - he had been infuriated because the brothers had already survived downing and boiling. I have included a short word search. Source Saints Over 150 Patron Saints for Today editor Elizabeth Hallam

50 years after *The Chronicles of Narnia *by C.S. Lewis were published Natalie Gillespie wrote her book Believing In Narnia. Believing in Narnia is the author’s interpretation of and commentary on the C.S. Lewis’s set of 7 books. The author’s audience is meant to be older children/ young teenagers but all those interested in the Christian faith will find the commentary useful and thought provoking. The book has been divided into 7 keys. Key 1 shows the symbols she has used for the book. Key 2 is a two page summary of each of the 7 books - excellent Key 3 looks in detail at many of the good and bad characters (80 pages) Aslan, the lion is compared to the life of Jesus (7 pages) Each of the Pevensie children are given several pages) (see contents page) Key 4 looks at the props and their meaning (36 pages) - excellent Key 5 looks at the places visited (8 pages) Key 6 looks at further reading Key 7 is a brief biography of C.S. Lewis’s life The 7 books make more sense when the commentary is also used. The book gives you the impression that Natalie Gillespie first of all enjoyed reading the books as a child, then enjoyed sharing them with her children. The book is dedicated to Joshua and Justin, two of her children, and there are passages where they ask questions and Natalie gives them an explanation. The opening chapter This Book is for Brave Kids ONLY! (see contents) explains the book beautifully. Other authors have also written about the Chronicles

Classes often have a 'starter' for the day. This can be How many words can you find in _________ On a special Christian festival why not take the name(s) as the starter. This could be looked at 4 ways:- 1. Creating a list. 2. Placing the words in a 3x3 or 4x4 square. 3. Creating a simple crossword with clues. 4. The teacher/parent creating a crossword for the children to solve using the answers given. The starter would be a combining of R.E. with an English spelling exercise.

We celebrate St. Luke, the evangelist, on October 18th. I have found a picture and written a a brief history of St. Luke. I have included the collect for the day. There is also a short crossword and word search -answers provided.

Saint Chad was a prominent Anglo Saxon Churchmen who became abbot of several monasteries. Bishop of Northumbrians and subsequently Bishop of Mercia and the Lindsey people. He was the brother of Cedd who also became a saint. Theodore, the new archbishop of Canterbury, was impressed by Saint Chad’s humility. The Venerable Bede said that the two years Chad worked as bishop in Mercia were decisive in christianising Mercia. Apparently he walked nearly everywhere but was eventually persuaded by Theodore to travel on horseback. Read about how seven days before he died a guest visited him to fore warn him. Saint Chad died during a plague. I have included information about the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St. Chad in Birmingham. Saint Chad is the patron saint of the Catholic archdiocese of Birmingham. Sources used The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander & catholicireland. Note wikipedia has a great deal of information about him.

The Venerable Bede was born in about 672AD and lived to the age of about 62. At the age of 7 he was entrusted into the care of Benedict Biscop who in 674AD founded the the monastery of St. Peter at Wearmouth. The monastery moved to Jarrow in 682AD where Bede spent the rest of his life. Aged 19 he became a deacon, aged 30 he was promoted to priest. The Venerable Bede, also known as Saint Bede, is widely regarded as the greatest of all the Anglo-Saxon scholars. He wrote around 40 books dealing with theology, history. observations on nature, music and poetry. His most famous work is * Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum translated from the Old English means *The Ecclesiastical History of the English People. It was completed in 731 AD and was the first work of history in which the AD system of dating was used. It is still a key source for the understanding of early British history and Christianity. He died in his cell on May 27th, 735AD The inscription on his shrine read Hac sunt fossa Bedae venerablis assa Here are buried the bones of the venerable Bede. He was the first of a long line of great English Historians. Sources used BBC British History * The Church’s Year* by Charles Alexander

Saint Edmund, King of East Anglia, also known as Edmund the Martyr was England’s original Patron Saint. Aged just 15 in 856 Edmund became king of East Anglia. He rules his kingdom well and spent times restoring churches and monasteries destroyed in previous wars. In 870 the Danes invaded his kingdom, marching on Mercia. Edmund fought them at Hoxne, about 20 miles from Thetford, and was defeated. After the battle the Danish leader, Hingwar, demanded the king to hand over his treasure and accept the position of vassal. The king accepted the terms on the condition Hingwar would become a Christian. What happened next is uncertain. The Danes/Vikings destroyed any contemporary evidence of his reign. Writers later then produced fictional accounts of his life. Fact or Fiction? Edmund may have been killed in battle. It is uncertain where he actually died. OR, according to pictures depicting his death, this angered Hingwar so much that he had him tied up to a tree, shot at with arrows and was then beheaded. King Edmund became Edmund the Martyr. Taking the story even further Edmund’s head was thrown into the forest. The searchers hearing the sound of ethereal wolves calling out in Latin ’ Hic Hic Hic’ - in English ’ Here ,here ,here ’ found his head. Hingwar is referred elsewhere as Ivar the Boneless. Fact - Edmund’s bones in 902/3 remains were moved to Beodricsworth - modern Bury St. Edmunds where King Athelstan founded a religious community to care for his shrine aaaaand it beacame a place of national pilgrimage. ( read ‘Beodericworth’ paragraph) Where are the remains now ? ( read Where is St. Edmund?) King Edmund was a Christian king. He sacrificed his life because he refused to renounce Jesus Christ as his saviour.

Saint John was one of original twelve disciples Jesus chose to be an apostle. He was probably a disciple of John the Baptist first. John along with the other eleven spent a great deal of time with Jesus. He with older brother James and Simon Peter were part of of an inner circle. He is known as the ‘disciple Jesus loved’ because that is how he describes himself in the gospel of John. After Christ’s resurrection he was ‘number two’ to Peter. They are mentioned together on a number of occasions. He is recognised as the author of the Gospel of John, the epistles of John and the book of Revelation. Revelation begins with him saying he is on the island of Patmos ( ch.1 v.10), where it is believed he was being held prisoner for being a follower of Christ. He may have died a martyr. Sources suggest he lived until he was 90+ I have included, in full, all the Biblical references to John. Plus information from Wikipedia and Britannica

Father Ernest Urban Trevor Huddleston was an English Anglican bishop, He was the Bishop of Stepney in London before becoming the second Archbishop of the Province of the Indian Ocean. He is best known for his anti-apartheid activism (1956-96) and his book Naught for Your Comfort. He became president of the Anti-Apartheid Movement in 1981. Trevor was born in Bedford, England. He was educated at Lancing College (1927-31), Christ Church Oxford and at Wells Theological College. On Michaelmas. 27th September 1936, he was ordained a deacon. 1937 ordained a priest. Clifford Woodward, Bishop of Bristol presided over both. He served as a curate at St. Mark’s Swindon for 2 years. In 1939 he joined the Community of the Resurrection (CR), an Anglican religious order. September 1940 he sailed to Cape Town. 1941 he took his vows. In 1943 he went to the CR mission station at Rosettenville (Johannesburg, South Africa). His task was to continue the work of Raymond Raynes. Raymond had been nursed back to health by Trevor and recognized him as his successor. Over the next 13 years in Sophiatown he developed into a much loved priest and anti-apartheid activist. His nickname was Makhalipile (dauntless one). In 1949 elected Provincial of CR In 1955 the African national Congress (ANC) bestowed upon him the rare Isitwandwe award in recognition of his anti-apartheid activities. He was particularly concerned about the Nationalist Governments decision to bulldoze Sophiatown. He established the African Children’s Feeding scheme, which still exists. He also raised money for the Orlando Swimming Pools - the only place black children could swim until post 1994. Many South Africans lives were changed by Trevor. He was close to O. R. Tambo, ANC President during his years in exile (1962-90). Together they hosted many conferences, protests and actions. He met a young, ill Desmond Tutu when visiting a hospital. In 1955 he was asked by CR to return to England. He returned in 1956 and published Naught for Your Comfort which was based on his personal experiences in South African anti-apartheid. He worked as the master of novices at CR’s Mirfield house in West Yorkshire for 2 year. He then worked at the Prior in London. 26th June 1959 he and Julius Nyerere(JN) addressed the founding meeting of the Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM). He became vice-president (1961-81). Became Bishop of Masasi (Tanzania) where he worked and reorganized the mission schools to be run by the independent government of JN.(1960-8). Back in the UK he became Bishop of Stepney. In 1978, after 10 years in England, he was appointed Bishop of Mauritius and Archbishop of of the Province of the Indian Ocean. April elected president of AAM ( 1981-94) 1995 Patron for Action for Southern Africa (ASA) replaced AAM Knighted 1998 Bishop Trevor of Sophiatown died at Mirfield, West Yorkshire on 20th April 1998. His ashes were taken to Sophiatown. AAM S.A. History Online

John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus. He baptised Jesus in the River Jordan. All 4 of the gospels look at the life of John the Baptist - notes used from Luke His parents were Zachariah, a priest, his mother was called Elizabeth. Zachariah was chosen to burn incense in the temple. While in the temple the angel Gabriel appears to tell him that, although he and his wife are quite old, they are going to become parents, and he is told the baby is to be called John… He does not believe and is struck dumb and can only communicate by writing on a slate. Luke ch 1 v 5-22 Elizabeth becomes pregnant and the baby kicks for the first time when Mary, the future mother of Jesus, visits her. Luke ch 1 v 39-56 After John is born his parents take the baby to be circumcised. Zachariah picks up the slate to write ‘John’ and his voice is restored. Luke ch 1 v 57-79 We now move forward approximately 30 years. John, dressed in camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, is baptising people in the River Jordan calling on them to repent of their sins, saying he is the foreunner of the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit. Luke ch 3 v 1-18 Jesus goes to be baptised by John. John reluctantly baptises saying he is unworthy. A dove appears and a voice says You are my son whom I love; with you I am well pleased. Luke ch 3 v 21/2 John later tells his disciples to follow Jesus, the long awaited Messiah. John speaks out against Herod Antipas’ illegal marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife and is imprisoned Luke ch 3 v 19-20 Herod holds a party and after seeing. his wife’s daughter Salome dance offers the daughter anything she wants. After speaking with her mother she asks for the head of John on a plate. Reluctantly he agrees, Luke ch 9 v 7-9 I tell you among those born of women, there is no one greater than John. Jesus Luke ch 7 v 27 Sources used The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander The Nativity (Life) of John the Baptist New Living Translation Bible - John the Baptist notes

John was an English Anglican priest and poet who was one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement. Keble College, Oxford was named after him. In 1806 he won a scholarship to Corpus Christi College Oxford. He excelled in his studies and achieved a first-class honours in both English and Latin in 1810. He was ordained in 1816 and became a curate first to his father at Coln St. Aldwyns and then curate in Eastleach Martin in Gloucestershire. He became a fellow at Oriel and was a tutor there between 1817-23. On the death of his mother in 1823 he returned to live with his father and two surviving sisters in Fairford, John anonymously published The Christian Year - a book of poems for Sundays and feast days of the Christian year, It appeared in 1827 . The authorship soon became known and in 1831 he was appointed to the Chair of a Poetry at Oxford. The book was very successful - by 1873 when the copyright expired 375,000 had been sold with 158 editions. ( For more of his writings read Other writings) 14 July 1833 he delivered his famous Assize Sermon on National Apostasy. It gave the first impulse to the Oxford Movement, also known as the Tractarian movement. The movement resulted in the establishment of Anglican religious orders for both men and women. ( See notes on Oxford Movement) In 1835 his father died, he married Charlotte Clarke and he became vicar at Hursley in Hampshire. Here he stayed until his death in 1866. John was a brilliant scholar, but self effacing, he was much sought after for his spiritual guidance. Sources Wikipedia The Hodder & Stoughton Book of Famous Christians

William was born during the reign of Elizabeth 1 (1558-1603) and beheaded during the reign of Charles 1 (1625-1649). William was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by Charles 1 in 1633. and was a key advocate of his religious reforms. He was a highly effective parliamentarian and a key adviser ad policy-maker. He was bishop of Bath and Wells, then London before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury i in 1633 He was a firm believer in episcopalianism -the rule by bishops.* Laudianism refers to liturgical practices designed to enforce uniformity within the C of E as outlined by Charles 1. He was accused of Arminianism - favouring doctrines of the historic church prior to the Reformation. He was opposed to Calvinism. The Long Parliament of 1640 accused Laud of treason. Impeached in the the Grand Remonstrance of 1641 and was imprisonment in the Tower of London. In 1644 he was brought to trial which ended without a verdict. Parliament took up the issue and eventually passed a bill of attainder , under which Laud was beheaded on Tower Hill on 10 th of January 1645. He was buried in the chapel of St. John’s College, Oxford. This was towards the end of the First English Civil War (1642-6) Charles 1 towards the end of his life admitted he had put too much trust in William and warned his son not to rely on anyone else’s judgment. William was born in Reading, Berkshire. Source Wikipedia.

Sergius also known as Sergiy Radonezhsky, Serge of Radonexh and Sergius of Moscow was a spiritual leader and monastic reformer of medieval Russia. In the village of Varnitsa he received the baptismal name of Bartholomew in honour of the Apostle Bartholomew. H e was an intelligent boy but had a problem with reading. His biography states that a spiritual leader gave him some holy bread (prosphora) to eat and then he was able to read. He was:- Abbott of Radonezh Miracle Worker of all Russia Russian Monastic Reformer Teacher of the Faith The memory of Segius has lived on thanks to the unique manuscript entitled The Life of St, Sergius of Radonezhs written by the famous hagiographer Pachomius the Serb. The original script is housed in the National Library of Russia. He is remembered in the C of E witha commemoration on 25th September.

Saint Piran was a 5th century Cornish abbot and saint, possibly of Irish origin. He is the patron saint of tin-miners and generally regarded as the patron saint of Cornwall. He was reportedly executed by Theodoric or Tador, King of Cornwall in 480 AD. His feast day is popular in Cornwall.The largest St. Piran’s Day event is the march across the dunes to St. Piran’s cross which 100s of people attend, generally dressed in black, white and gold, and carry the Cornish flag. Daffodils also feature in celebrations in Truro.

Saint Clare was an Italian saint and one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi. He inspired her to form the Order of Poor Ladies - a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition. Aged 12 her parents wanted her to marry a young wealthy man. She protested and sought the help of Francis. On 20th March 1212 she had her hair cut short and had her rich gown replaced by a plain robe. Cutting her hair was a symbolic act showing she was no longer bound by the laws of man or society but rather she followed the will of God, She was then placed with Benedictine nuns in San Paula, near Bastia. Her parents and Monaldo- Clare’s uncle and head of the family, did not accept willingly what had happened. Catarina, her sister, who changed her name to Agnes, joined her. - this caused a tremendous uproar. They finally relented when Clare threw aside her veil to reveal her cropped hair that they left her in peace. ( For more detail read* Life in the convent*) The sisters remained with the Benedictines until a small dwelling was built next to the church of San Damiano. Their lives consisted of manual labour and prayer. The nuns were barefoot, slept on the ground, ate no meat and observed almost complete silence.town of Assisi were attacked For a short time the order was directed by Francis. In 1216 Clare reluctantly accepted the role of abbess at San Damiano. Clare was a shy person and did not like giving orders and referred to herself as a mother, handmaid or servant rather than an abbess, She took care of Francis during his final illness (he died in1226). 1240/1 the monastery at San Damiano and the town of Assisi attacked and successfully defended as Clare prayed to Christ, present in the Blessed Sacrament. Clare wrote the rules for Rule of Life which meant they followed a rule of strict poverty. This was the first set of monastic guidelines written by a woman. In her later years she had a long period of poor health. She died on11th August 1253 at the age of 59, one day having her Rule approved by Pope Innocent 1V. Her last words, to herself, are reported to be Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for He who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be You, O God, for having created me. After her death the order was renamed the Order of Saint Clare. (Read Legacy) Source Wikipedia

Charles Harold Dodd was a Welsh New Testament scholar and influential Protestant theologian. 1912 ordained He was a Congregational minister for 3 years in Warwick before going into academia. 1915 Yates lecturer in N.T. at Oxford 1930 Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and exegesis at the Victoria University of Manchester 1935 Norris-Hulse Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge 1946 elected fellow of the British Academy 1949 emeritus at Norris-Hulse 1961 appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour He directed the work of the New English Bible translators from 1950. He wrote over 30 books and 5 Journal articles ( See Works). C.H. Dodd died in Goring-on- Thames. aged 89. He is known for promoting ‘realized eschatology ’ - the belief that Jesus’ references to the kingdom of God meant present reality rather than a future apocalypse. Source Wikipedia

Samuel was an evangelist and Presbyterian minister. He ministered in Hanover County from 1748-1759 followed by a term as the fourth President of Princeton University. He was one of the first non-Anglican preachers in Virginia and one of the earliest missionaries to slaves in the 13 Colonies. A child of deeply religious parents he was named after the prophet Samuel. Unable to afford to send their son o college he was tutored by Rev. Samuel Blair at Faggs Manor, Pennsylvania. Presbytery of New Castle licensed him to preach in 1746. In 1747 he travelled south to minister to minister to religious dissenters against the Anglican church. He eventually led 7 congregations in 5 counties despite frail health from tuberculosis. When his wife Sarah died from a miscarriage in 1747 he too believed he was near death so he threw himself wholeheartedly into his preaching ministry. He advanced the cause of religious and civil liberty. He helped found the Presbytery of Hanover and served as the first moderator. He advocated the educating of slaves , including teaching them to read. Slavery became a major focus of his ministry. You know I have shown a tender concern for your welfare, ever since I have been in the colony and you may ask my own negroes whether I treat them kindly or no, from 1755 sermon by Samuel. In 1753 he took the dangerous trip to Great Britain with Gilbert Tennent, a fellow minister, to raise money for the College of New Jersey. They stayed for 11 months. Samuel and preached 60 sermons, and together they raised £4,000 .(equivalent to $230,000 today) through church collections. In 1759 the college asked him to be their president. He became the fourth president of what is now known as Princeton University. On New Year’s Day 1761 he preached his last sermon quoting Jeremiah 28 v16. 1 will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shall die.* Almost prophetically Samuel died one month later, on 4th February, from pneumonia. Samuel accomplished much despite his relatively short life. He was one of the major contributors to the Great Awakening - a series of religious revivals which caused America to break away from the Church of England.

Robert was an English philanthropist and Anglican layman. He was a pioneer of the Sunday School movement although he did not start the first Sunday School. The original schedule for schools -as written by Robert was The children were to come after ten in the morning, and stay till twelve; they were then to go home and return at one; and after reading a lesson, they were to be conducted to church. After church, they were to be employed repeating the catechism till after five, and then dismissed with an injunction to go home without making a noise. He inherited a publishing business from his father and in 1757 he became proprietor of the Gloucester Journal. In 1758 he moved the business to Robert Raikes’ House. He was interested in prison reform, specifically with the conditions in Gloucester gaol and saw that vice would be better prevented than cured. He saw schooling as the best intervention. The movement began in July 1780 in the home of Mrs Meredith and with a school for boys in the slums. The best available time was Sunday- the boys were working 6 days a week in the factories. The teachers were lay people. The text book was the Bible. Later girls also attended. He used his newspaper to publicise the schools and bore most of the cost himself in the early years. Despite controversy and disputes, in the early years, Sunday Schools -some called the schools* Raikes’Ragged School* grew at a phenomenal rate in Great Britain. 1788 - 300,000 children 1831 - `.1,250,000 1910 - 5,500,000 These schools preceded the first state funding schools for the general public. They are seen as the forerunners of the currwnt English school system The money of phianthropist Robert Raikes was not wasted.