Rees Howells (1879-1950) was born in Brynamman in Carmarthenshire, Wales on 10th October 1879 Aged 12 he left school and worked in tin and coal mines. He went to the USA for better financial benefits. In the USA he met a Jewish Christian called Maurice Solomon who was following the Messiah and he read a book written by Professor Henry Drummond. Between them they influenced Rees to become an Evangelical Christian. On his return to Wales he was affected by the 1904-5 Welsh Revival. He then went with his wife to Africa as missionaries. He was led down the path of intercession for many years before seeing the Revival across Southern Africa between 1915-20. On his return to Britain he felt called by the Holy Spirit to start a Bible College - his inspiration was the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinoiis.In 1924 he founded the Bible College of Wales at Glyderwen House, Swansea. During WW11 God used Ree and the young people with him in a mighty way. They helped shape international events and the destiny of nations through their prayers. This company of faith filled believers became intercessors fully committed to be part of the solution Rees was director of the college until his death in 1950. His son, Samuel Rees Howells, took over - he led the college for 53 years until his death in 2003. The college is now called Trinity School of Ministry. It is a religious training centre in Rugby, Warwickshire. ( Read ‘Trinity School of Ministry’) Rees Howells became well known as an intercessor, after his death, following Norman Grubb’s successful book Rees Howells Intercessor (1952) a biography of Rees life. Every great leader in their of faith has to learned one universal lesson: there are no short cuts. These kinds of leaders are not made in a day but on a daily basis. Rees Howells was no exception to the rule, and he was lead by the Holy Spirit to build a life of faith learned through experience, Source used Wikipedia

David Ray Wilkinson (1931-2011) was an American Christian evangelist and author best known for his book The Cross and the Switchblade (1962). David was born on 19th May 1931 in Indiana. he is was born into a family of preachers. In his testimony he says he was baptized with the Holy Spirit aged 8. He began to preach when he was 14. After high school he entered Central Bible College, Springfield in Missouri which was affiliated to the Assemblies of God. In 1952 he was ordained a minister. In 1953 he married Gwendolyn Rose ‘Gwen’ Carosso. He served as pastor in small churches in Scottdale and Philipsburg in Pennsylvania. Early in 1958 he saw photographs in Life Magazine of 7 teenagers who were members of a gang called ‘Egyptian Dragons’ in New York. He went to the court to speak to them but the judge ejected him. Someone took a photo of him leaving and he became known as the Bible preacher who had interrupted the gang trial. Soon after he began a street ministry to young drug addicts. In 1958 he founded Teen Challenge from a small office in Staten Island, New York (NY). (Read ‘Our story-Teen Challenge’) The Cross and the Switchblade book and film tells how he moved to N Y and changed the lives of the ‘Mau Maus’ teenager gang leader Nicky Cruz and his friend israel Narvaez, after they had heard him preach. The book was a best seller - 50 million copies were sold. The 1970 film stared Pat Boone. ( Read the challenging book- I did- see Amazon advert) In 1967 he founded Youth Crusades an evangelistic ministry aimed at teenagers who were restless and bored. His goal was to prevent them becoming heavily involved with drugs, alcohol or violence, On 22nd September he founded World Challenge - which sort to promote and spread the Gospel throughout the world. He claimed in 1986 the Holy Spirit, while in NY called him to raise a ministry in Times Square. He founded and became pastor of the non-denominational Times Square Church. In 1989 the Hellinger was leased to the Times Square Church for $1 million per year, on a 5 year lease. (Read about ‘Mark Hellinger Theatre’) On the 27th April, 2011 David, aged 79, died in Texas when his car crossed into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a tractor -trailer. His wife was also serious injured. At his funeral speakers, including leadership of the church Wilkerson had founded and his relatives, honoured the evangelical pastor for a life ‘well- lived’ through personal testimonies and songs rejoicing that he in now in heaven, It was all about Jesus Christ, Carter Conion, senior pastor of Times Square Church, said of Wilkerson’s life HIs wife, Gewndolyn, died a year later on 5th July 2012 from cancer, aged 81. Source used Wikipedia

Donald Henry Frere Gee ( 1891- 1966 was an English Pentecostal Bible teacher. He wrote the book Wind and Flame which is the story of Pentecostalism in Europe in the 20th century. He was called ‘The Apostle of Balance’. One biographer described him as pastor, author, conference speaker, editor and ecumenist (unity seeker). Donald was born on the 10th May 1891 in London. Seth Joshua, the Welsh revivalist, held an evangelistic meeting at Finsbury Park Congregational church in October 1905. Only 3 were saved, Donald was one of them. At a Pentecostal meeting he met Pastor Saxby who was pastoring a divided church. Donald spent 7 years under the influence of this pastor who was a shining example of his office. He joined a Baptist church with his mother in 1912. He was baptised in the Holy Spirit in March 1913. It was under this ministry he made his first attempt at testifying and preaching. When war broke out in 1914 and in 1916 he registered as a conscientious objector and worked on a farm in Buckinghamshire. He was a social outcast - he worked to the point of utter physical exhaustion He is now married with 2 children. Their house was used for ‘Tarrying’ meetings where believers sought and received the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. After the war the family returned to London. He would cycle 10 miles to preach in some Pentecostal fellowship. . In June 1920 they moved to Scotland. He had a congregation of 12. He stayed eventually,as pastor, for 12 years. (After year 1 he fled to London for a fortnight, then returned.) His ministry in Scotland prospered. The church bought Bonnington Toll Hall. 1924 Met with others to form the Assemblies of God In Great Britain and Ireland - on executive presbytery 1925-63. 1928 he is invited to go to Australia. After praying he accepts. Over 10 months he also visits New Zealand, America and Canada. On his return he now resigns from Bonnington Toll Hall and uses it as a base. The next 23 years he travels the world. Invitations pour in from across the world. 1931-3 saw him travel to 12 countries annually. He then became joint editor of Redemption Tidings magazine - it needed the ‘gifting’ of the teacher. During WW11 (1939-45) he constantly travelled in Britain encouraging fellowships. In 1947 he was chosen to edit the *World Pentecost *magazine Aged 60 he became the unpaid Principal of the new Assemblies of God college at Keneley (1951-62). He was able to leave his mark upon the students. In 1962 he retired from all his positions and responsibilities except writing for magazines Donald, the Apostle of Balance, died in a London taxi on 20th July 1966. A gifted writer has laid down his pen. An eminent Bible expositor will teach no more. A distinguished editor has vacated his chair. A renowned author has concluded his last volume. A veteran leader has left our ranks. A great warrior has fought his last battle. Our friend Donald Gee has fallen asleep John Carter at Donald’s funeral

William Frederick Padwick Burton (1886-1971) was born in England. Willie, as he was known, enjoyed a privileged childhood - his mother was from English aristocracy, his father a ship captain. His parents dedicated him to God’s work in Africa even before he was born. He brought up in evangelical Anglican church and was confirmed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. As a youth he was not interested in spiritual things. He attended good schools in england and travelled the world. He excelled at cricket and tennis and became an accomplished artist. Realising art would not pay the bills he studied electrical engineering at st. Lawrence college, Ramsgate. In 1905 he came under deep conviction of sin at a R.A. Torrey Evangelistic campaign in London. A few days later he experienced salvation. He immediately contacted missionary societies to no avail. For the next 8 years he worked for an engineering firm (he invented a dynamo) and looked after his aging parents. He established a habit of daily rising early and spending 2 hours of more in Bible study. In 1910 he heard about Pentecostal revival. So with a friend he decided to investigate their claims that Biblical spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues, healing and prophecy were still available to be believers. They met almost every night for the entire year. That year he finally received the baptism of the Holy Ghost at the Preston Pentecostal Convention The Holy Ghost was poured upon him and he began to praise God in tongues. (He also had a third set of teeth - recorded in scientific magazine.) 1911 he stepped out in faith. He quit his engineering job and became a ‘tramp preacher’. For 3 years he walked across the English countryside preaching in homes and on village greens. 1914, just after WW1 started, he arrived in South Africa. He spent the first year preaching at various mission stations in South Africa and then travelled to the Congo with Jimmy Salter in 1915. They were based in Mwanza in Northen Katanga. Those early days were spent fighting malaria, encountering cannibal tribesman, learning the language and mapping. Willie married Hettie Trollip in 1918. 1919 the Congo Evangelistic Mission (CEM) was formed, co-founded by Willie and Jimmy, but it became known as ‘Burton’s Mission.’ He was their first field director and was in favour of indigenous (local) leadership of the church. CEM (1919) - Zaire EM (1971) - Central African M International (May 2014) Willie employed his significant giftings as a builder, engineer, teacher and artist to advance the gospel. He authored 26 books which included Congo fables and proverbs. The Pentecostal Evangel published 90 of his articles - he was read on both sides of the Atlantic. He raised money by selling his paintings and ink drawings of Congolese landscapes and life. By the time he went to the Lord the CEM had grown to almost 2,000 churches. Willie was a larger-than- life figure in the history of African Pentecostalism

John Charles Ryle was an English evangelical Anglican bishop. He was a writer, pastor and an evangelical preacher. He was the first bishop of Liverpool (1880-1900). He was born in Macclesfield on 10th May 1816. He was the eldest son of John Ryle, a private banker and M.P. for Macclesfield (1833-7). He was educated at Eton and Christ Church college,Oxford. He graduated with an BA in 1838. He excelled at rowing and cricket. In 1937 he was struck down with a serious chest infection. For the first time in 14 years he turned to his Bible and prayer. One Sunday, when he was late for church, he heard these words from Ephesians ch.2 v 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it the gift of God. He was converted through hearing the Word of God, without comment or sermon. He earned a First in Classics at Oxford. He turned down the college fellowship he was offered. He decided he wanted a career in politics and went to study law in London. The smog of London, over a period of 6 months, caused a recurrence of his chest problem. His father’s bank crashed in 1841. He now had no money so he entered the ministry of the Church of England. He took holy orders. 21st December 1941 he was ordained by Charles Sumner , the Bishop of Winchester. He became curate at Exbury, Hampshire (1841/2). In 1843 he was preferred to the rectory of St. Thomas, Winchester. In the following year he exchanged for Helminghan, Suffolk (1843-61). He moved to the Stradbroke where he initiated its restoration ((1861-9). In 1869 he was made rural dean of Hoxne. 1872 he became honorary canon of Norwich. He was then the ‘select’ preacher at Cambridge and Oxford for several years. In 1880 designated dean of Salisbury and on 19 April advanced to the newly created see of Liverpool (1880-1900). John was described as having a commanding presence and being vigorous in advocating his principles, albeit with a warm disposition. It was while he was at All Saints in Stradbroke he became nationally known for his straightforward preaching and firm defence of evangelical principles. He believer in the return of the Jews to their own land. ( See information about the* Balfour Declaration*) He wrote a number of books (see ‘Published works’) He married 3 times, his first 2 died young. John became the first bishop of Liverpool on the recommendation of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. His 20 years there time resulted in churches and mission halls being built to reach the expanding urban areas of the city… He is credited with having strong success evangelizing the blue collar community. He retired in 1900 aged 83. He died on 10th June,1900, a month after his 84 birthday. He is buried at All Saints Church, Chidwall. Liverpool. His successor, Francis Chavasse, described him as a man of granite with the heart of a child. Sources Wikipedia

Edmund ‘Terry’ Hodgson was a British Pentecostal missionary in the Belgian Congo, Africa from 1920-1960. He served his Lord and the church as a preacher, teacher, doctor, dentist, carpenter, hunter, father and friend. Ultimately In 1960 he gave his life as a martyr for the Gospel of Jesus. Terry was born in Preston, England. He left school aged 13 to work as a delivery boy for a baker. His employer asked him if he attended Sunday school. He replied ‘Yes’. He then asked, ‘And do yo love the Lord Jesus?’ This got him thinking. Later he knelt down with his employer and committed his life to the service of Jesus. Aged 14 he became an apprentice cabinetmaker - he would become a skilled carpenter. He mixed with students at a Pentecostal Bible school and met a missionary who worked in the Belgian Congo. He was baptised with the Holy Spirit and promised to think about going to the Congo. He enlisted in the British Armed Forces during WW1 (1914-18). He was called ‘Holy Hodgson’. He was a crack shot. He moved into no-man’s land and was injured -he lost his trigger finger as a result. Back in the UK he built up a successful restoration furniture business. The missionary from the Congo returned - ‘Well, Teddy, what about the Congo?’ He wrestled with the thought, He finally surrendered to God - he never looked back. In 1920 he sailed to the Congo. He then walked 150 miles through mosquito infested swamps. After 9 months of pain and nearly blinded he called out to God ’ Lord, either heal me or take me to heaven.’ The next day he got out of bed, packed his bags and began working in the villages He had limited skill in the Kiluba language but he had an overwhelming love for these people that words seem to simply flow from his mouth. The lads who had helped him build his house laughed because they could now understand him! He stayed for 40 years visiting villages. he had many hair raising experiences. He learned to shoot with his middle finger. He killed over 60 marauding lions. He buried two of his wives.He refrained from sending his 5 children back to the UK. In 1946 he wrote an article describing a great revival which lead to baptisms of well over a 1000 souls. ( See article- go Wikipedia for clearer copy.) In 1960 the Congo declare independence. The atmosphere changed dramatically. The missionaries found themselves contained in a small area in Kamina by rebels. He was joined by Elton Knauf and his wife from New Zealand. Knauf felt he had left Lulungu in a rush without leaving supplies and money for the hospital workers. They decided to take the back road. When they arrived they were confronted by rebels singing ’ We want no words from the white man’s God’. They tried to negotiate. They demanded to march with them. Christians from the village kept a safe distance. They watched in horror as the machetes were raised and Terry and Elton were hacked to pieces in front of their eyes Terry served God as both Apostle and Epistle. .

Jim and Elisabeth Elliot are 2 of the most influential people in the history of missions. Their lives reflect total devotion to Christ and to the message of the gospel. Their stories of perseverance, suffering and even death have inspired many to go reach unreached peoples. Madeline Pena Jim decided to go with 4 friends to convert the Huaoriani people of Ecuador. It cost all 5 their lives. Their plans were preempted by the arrival on January 8th 1956 of a large group of about 10 Huarorani Warriors who killed all five of them. What I had not realised when I wrote my Acua 5 information for TES was what his wife, Elisabeth did following his death. Elisabeth went back to the Aucas tribe in 1958 with their 3 year old daughter Valerie. She stayed with them for 2 years. In 1960 the tribe accepted Christ as their Lord and saviour. Checking back on the notes I used last time I read about the Acua 5 *Books have been written about them in numerous biographers most notably Elisabeth Elliot. Elisabeth indeed wrote 3 books which chronicled her husband’s martyrdom Shadow of the Almighty, Through Gates of Splendour and The Savage My Kinsman. Elisabeth passed away in 2015. See also Acua 5 Source used Wikipedia

Kensington Temple is a Pentecostal Church in the Notting Hill area of London, England. Its former ministers include George Jeffries, Eldin Corsie, Wynne Lewis and Colin Dyer. The present church building was founded as Horbury Chapel in 1849 and used by the Hornton Street Congregational church in 1849. George Jeffireys, who birthed the Elim Pentecostal denomination, purchased the building in 1930. This became the Bible Pattern Church Fellowship, Elim’s flagship church, becoming Kensington Temple Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1935. George chose the name of the church. The building reverted to the Elim Church in the early 1960s. The church as it is known today was founded in 1965 by the Elim minister Rev. Eldin Corsie. The congregation grew under Corsie to 600. Under the next minister, Rev. Wynne Lewis the congregation became several .(He later became Elim’s Church General Superintendent . Since the 1980’s Kensington Temple, nicknamed by its members as ’ KT’ has planted 150 churches across London. Colin Dye became Senior Minister at KT in 1991. Soon after he experienced a new and powerful anointing on his life as the Lord released revelation gifts of prophecy, words of knowledge and healing. in various missions across the world he began to see signs and miracles accompany his ministry and rejoiced to see dramatic church growth, He founded the International Bible Institute of London which is one of the nation’s premier centres of training for the ministry. He is being used by God to build on the successes of the past to take the church forward into the 21st century Source used Wikipedia

Saint Simon and Saint Jude share the same feast day - 28th October. Simon the Zealot, or Simon the Canaanite, or Simon the Canaanean is one of the most obscure among the apostles of Jesus. He appears in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) and the Book of Acts each time there is a list of the 12 apostles without further detail Simon ( also called Peter) then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee). John (James’s brother), Philip, Barthlomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector) James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus. Simon ( the zealot) Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him) . NLT Study Bible Matt 10 v 1-4 Luke 6 v14-16 Mark 3 v13-19 Act 2 v13 Simon may have belonged to the strict group of Pharisees who called themselves the Zealots. Saint Jude was known under various names. In the list of 12 apostles above he is identified as Thaddeus. Elsewhere he is called Jude of James, Jude Thaddaeus, Judas Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus. He is sometimes identified with Jude , the brother of Jesus but is clearly distinguished from Juda Iscariot, the apostle who who betrayed Jesus. In the Roman Catholic church he is the patron saint of desperate and lost causes Most versions of the New Testament in languages, other than French or English, refer to Jude and Judas by the same name this makes Identification difficult. He in not thought to be the author of the epistle of Jude! (Read ‘Identity’) They are both listed in Acts ch 2 when the Holy Spirit fell upon upon the eleven and the other believers (about 120) at Pentecost. They are not mentioned again. It is said that St. Simon might have been martyred in Persia and that St Jude was martyred at the same time.

Alfred the Great was the king of th e West Saxons from 871-886 and king of the Anglo-Saxons c.886-899. He is venerated as a saint by some Christian traditions. The Anglican community venerate him as a Christian hero with a feast day or commemoration on 26th October. He is often depicted in stained glass windows in C of E parish churches. Alfred was the youngest son of King AEthelwulf. Three of his brothers AEthelbald. AEtheberht and AEthelred, reigned in turn before him. After ascending the throne he spent several years fighting Viking invasions. In 878/9 he had a decisive victory at the Battle of Edington. (He did not win all the battles) With the Vikings he created Danelaw in the North of England. He saw the Viking leader. Guthrum converted to Christianity. He became the dominant ruler in England Alfred had a great love of the church. As a child he had made the difficult journey to Rome to be blessed by the Pope. As king he now turned to rebuilding of civilisation and religion among his people. The Danes had destroyed nearly all th churches and schools in the land. He restored communications with Rome and invited scholars and monks from the Europe and Ireland to come and help in the revival of learning in England. He encouraged the building of churches, monasteries and schools. Alfred studied and translated into Anglo-Saxon the Psalms. He also translated from Latin into Old English certain works that were regarded at the time as providing models of ideal Christian kingship and ‘most necessary for all men to know.’ From his followers he won the title ‘Protector of the Poor’. Bishop Asser of Wales was set the task of writing the king’s biography - he emphasised Alfred’s positive aspects. He presented Alfred as the embodiment of the ideal, but practical, Christian ruler. By the time of the Reformation Alfred was seen as a pious Christian who promoted the use of English rather then the Latin He was given the epithet as ‘the Great’ by writers in the 16th century not by his contemporaries. He reigned for 30 years. He died aged just 50.King Alfred was never canonised (although HenryV1 asked Pope EugeneIV in 1441 to canonise him). History Today published an article The Most Perfect Man in History- I have enclosed most of the article. I desire to live worthily as long as I lived, and to leave after my life, to the men who should come after me, the memory of me in good works Alfred’s translation of passage from* Consolation of Philosophy* by Boethius Source used Wikipedia

L’ Abri is an evangelical Christian organisation founded by Francis Schaeffer and his wife Edith in Huemoz-sur-Ollon, in Switzerland, on 5th June 1955. Francis August Schaeffer (1912-1984) was an American evangelical theologian, philosopher and Presbyterian pastor. He was the first student to graduate and first to be ordained in the \bible Presbyterian Church (1935). Edith Rachel Merritt Schaeffer (nee Seville) was a Christian author. They married in 1935. When they moved to Huemoz there was no assurance that it would be successful. They opened their alpine home to curious travellers and as a forum to discuss philosophical and religious beliefs. Word of mouth in the summer of 1955 soon led to an increasing stream of visitors, averaging 31 visitors a week. Distribution of Francis’ lectures also helped to raise awareness of their work As is grew the L’Abri organisation began to own and operate several buildings in Huemoz 4 types of people visited - short term guests students who divided their time between study and communal work, workers who participated in discussions and the work of of hospitality, members who were part of the decision making process. The L’Abri day revolves around communal meals, often used as an opportunity for formal open discussion, and students are encouraged to pursue interests in art, music and literature. (Read 'Mode of operation) Francis died in 1984 of hymphoma on 15th May 1984, in Rochester, Minnesota but his wife Edit continued to be associated with the L’Abri organisation. Edith died, at home in Gryon, Switzerland, aged 98 nearly 30 years later, on 30th March 2013. Edith 30 years ago founded The Francis Schaeffer Foundation to receive her husband’s papers and annotated books for scanning and subsequent study. This is run by her son-in-law Udo Middleman - he is also an associate pastor in Hoemoz. The ministry has continued to grow. l’Abri has operations in a number of different countries staffed by workers who encourage visitors to study and consider their religious and philosophical beliefs. Since 2011 l’Abri has residential ‘Study Centres’ in the USA , Canada, South Korea, Australia, the UK, the Netherlanders and Sweden as well as the original centre in Switzerland. It also has non -residential ‘Resource centres’ run by friends of the organisation in Brazil and Germany Today the L’Abri houses are to be found in various parts of the world and continue to offer people a place to stay when they travel. I have included information about both Schauffers and the books they wrote Source Wikipedia

Saint Helena was the mother of Roman emperor Constantine the Great, She was born outside of the noble classes, a Greek, possibly in the Greek city of Drepana, Bithynia in Asia Minor. Saint Helena ranks as an important figure in the history of Christianity, and of the world, because of her influence on her son, Constantine. The parents of Constantine1 were Helena and emperor Constantius 1. There is uncertainty to whether they were actually married. Some scholars suggest they were joined in a common-law marriage, a cohabitation in fact but not in law, or whether they were joined in an official marriage, on the grounds that the sources claiming an official marriage are more reliable. Constatius1 divorced Helena before 289. Helena and her son were dispatched to the court of Dicletian at Nicomedia, where he son grew to be a member of the inner circle. When Constantius1 died in 306 Costantine 1 was proclaimed Augustus of the Roman Empire. Following her son’s elevation Helena in 312 was brought back to public life, returning to the imperial court, She was appointed Augusta Imperatrix which gave her unlimited access to the imperial treasury in order to locate the relics of the Christian tradition. According to Eusebuis her conversion to Christianity followed her son becoming emperor. In 326-8, when Saint Helena was in her 80s , she under took a trip to Palestine. She had heard an old legend that the True Cross - the cross Jesus was crucified , plus the other two, were buried near where the crucifixion actually happened… With great pomp she went to Palestine. She founded a church at Bethlehem, another upon the Mount of Olives. In Jerusalem, according to Eusebius, she had a temple to Venus or Jupiter destroyed. They them chose a site to excavate and found three crosses. Wanting to know which was Christ’s a sick woman was brought to the site. On touching the third cross she was healed. (Read The True Cross and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre) Sozomen and Theodoret claim that Saint Helena found two of the nails of the crucifixion - one was placed in her son’s helmet the other in his horse’s bridal. In 327/8 she left Jerusalem and took large parts of the True Cross back to Rome which were stored in her palace’s private chapel. Saint Helena died around 330 and was buried in the Mausoleum of Helena , outside Rome, on the Via Labicana. Constatine1 later founded the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The invention of the Cross is celebrated on 3rd May. Source used Wikipedia

Rogation days are days of prayer and fasting in Western Christianity. The word rogation comes from the latin verb ‘rogare’ which means to ask. This reflects the beseeching of God for the appeasement of his anger and for the protection from calamities - for example a poor harvest. The Christian major rogation replaced a pagan Roman procession known as Robigalia where a dog was sacrificed to Robigus, the deity of Agricultural disease, to stop their crops getting wheat rust. So -called major rogation is held on 25th April.The minor rogations are held on Monday to Wednesday before Ascension Thursday. Rogation days date back to Mamertus, Bishop of Vienne in 470. who ordered processions at the time of many volcanic eruptions. Rogation Day ceremonies are thought to have arrived in the British Isles in the 7th century. In the old Sarum texts (1173-1200) processions were initially led by a dragon representing Pontius Pilate who was followed by a lion, representing Jesus, followed by images of saints. In later processions the lion went first. Many heavy torches were present - bought jointly by the church and parishioners, Beating the bounds happened in the Middle Ages. The procession used to move around the parish boundaries so the young people might know where they lay - this was before detailed maps. Sometimes important spots were impressed on the boys by bumping them on the ground or beating them! The practice of beating the bounds has continued in a few places to the present day, simply as an old custom. Rogation Days are observed in the Roman Catholic church with processions and the Litany of the Saints, Sources used The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander Wikipedia

The Annunciation also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Annunciation of Our Lady or Annunciation of the Lady The Annunciation of Mary is when the Archangel Gabriel visits Mary to say that she is going to have a son, who she was to call Jesus. * (See Luke ch. 1 verses 26-38) Mary is surprised because she asks, How can this be I do nor know a man? She is still a virgin who has only recently become betrothed to Joseph. The angel replies with these words The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Gabriel goes on to explain that her cousin Elizabeth, in old age, is going to give birth to a son. (This son is John the Baptist) Mary says Behold the maidservant of the Lord!. Let it be to me according to your word. Gabriel then departed. This is how Mary learned that she was going to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Brief information about Mary and the Archangel Gabriel included. Sources The Bible Wikipedia

Candlemas(s) is a Christian festival also known as Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Feast of the Holy Encounter.*** Candalmas(s) commemorates the presentation of Jesus, as a baby, at the Temple in Jerusalem - Luke ch.22 verses 22-40 ( see notes). This would have happened after the traditional 40 day period of purification of the mother. In the Biblical story Simeon picks up the baby in his arms. When he said theNunc Dimittis he included the phrase a light for revelation to the Gentiles .* It is for this reason that this event is called Candlemas. Many Christians consider Jesus as ‘the light of the world’ so it is fitting that candles are blessed on this day. A candle-lit procession precedes the mass. Many Orthodox Christians celebrate the event by bringing beeswax candles to their local church so they can be blessed to be used in the church or home. Crepes are eaten at Candlemas in such places as France. The idea of Candlemas is believed to have started in the 4th century, with the lighting of candles coming in the 5th century. In the USA and Canada it is also *Groundhog Day. *

Epiphany means ‘revelation’, ‘manifestation’ or ‘showing forth’ - it was the revealing of Jesus to those who were not Jewish - the magi, 3 kings, or 3 wise men were Gentiles. January 6th is the feast day January 6th originally was used to celebrate the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. When Jesus received the Holy Ghost it was manifested to the people. The 3 kings are part of the Nativity plays, along with the shepherds, which are part of the birth story of Jesus. Tradition suggests that they arrived days following Halley’s Comet, maybe weeks after, the birth of the baby Jesus. Tradition has named them as Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar and they brought gifts of gold (kingship), frankincense (godship0 and myrrh (for burial0. In orthodox churches Epiphany is also known as The Feast of the Holy Theophany and is important as Christmas. Special cakes are eaten in Spain, France and Mexico. This is also the time that some children from Spain and Italy receive their Christmas presents from the 3 Magic Kings. (Read Epiphany, the Feast of The Three Kings) ( Winter swimming is even mentioned!!) January 6th is also Twelfth Night when the Christmas decorations normally are taken down. Sources used Wikipedia Church Dates for Children by Tony Batchelor

Lent looks at the 40 days leading up to Easter. We think of Jesus spending 40 days fasting in the wilderness before he began his earthly ministry. The word ‘lent’ is the shortened form of the Old English word ‘lencten’ which means spring season. It starts on Ash Wednesday. The day before Ash Wednesday is Shrove Tuesday which is celebrated as Pancake day or Mardi Gras. On this day, the day before fasting begins, the rich, fatty food are eaten up - the last day of ‘fat eating’ or ‘gorging’, in readiness to start fasting. Pancakes are tossed then eaten. On Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, the palm crosses distributed the previous year at the Palm service, are burnt and the ashes places on people’s foreheads during the service. Lent is a penitential season and many people fast - they cut out/cut down or abstain from eating. It could also include abstaining from drinking alcohol or smoking. it could include praying more, reading more Bible studies instead of watching a favourite television programmes. (Read ‘Fasting and abstinence’) I have included list of other 40 days mentioned in the Bible. Source Wikipedia See also Pancake day & Shrove Tuesday Easter

The British nationality Act of 1948 gave citizens of the UK and Colonies status and the right of settlement in the UK. This resulted that between 1948=1970 nearly half a million people moved form the Caribbean to Britain which faced sever labour shortages after WW11. These immigrants were later referred to as the Windrush generation. because many of them had come to the UK on the ship called HMT Empire Windrush. The only official records of many ‘windrush’ immigrants when they had originally come to the UK were the landing cards which were collected when they disembarked from ships in UK ports. Over subsequent decades these cards were routinely used by British immigration officials to verify dates of arrival for borderline immigration cases. Any one from the Commonwealth, who arrived before 1973 was granted an automatic right to remain, unless they left for more than 2 years. For the next 40 years anyone in that category were never given or asked to provide documentary evidence of their right to remain. In 2009 landing cards were earmarked, by the Labour government , for destruction, as part of a broader clean up of paper records. It was implemented in 2010 by the incoming coalition government. Whistleblowers and retired immigration officers warned managers there would be a problem- these cards were the only record of their arrival. Theresa May was Home Secretary when the hostile environment policy was introduced in October 2012. The idea was to reduce UK immigration figures promised in the 2010 Conservative Manifesto. (See hostile environment policy) In 2018 we had the Windrush scandal. People were wrongly detained, denied legal rights,lost jobs or homes, passports confiscated, denied medical care, threatened with deportation. At least 83 cases cases were wrongly deported -many of those affected had been born British subjects and had arrive in the UK before 1973. These were part of the 'Windrush generation. Since then a hardship scheme has been set up by the Home Office Those classified as illegal immigrants were to be compensated scheme. Very little of the £200 -£570 million set aside has been paid up -just £46,795 ( See Hardship scheme) On 19th March 2020 the Windrush Lessons Learned Review concluded that the Home Office showed an inexcusable ’ ignorance and thoughtlessnes’ and what had happened had been ’ foreseeable and avoidable’. (See W L L Review) November 2020 the Equality and Human Rights Commission said the Home Office had broken the law by failing to obey public-sector equality duties by not considering how the policies affected black members of the Windrush generation. Dexter Bristol and Paulette Wilson are 2 examples of how the ‘Windrush generation’ were seriously let down.

Word search England’s squad v France 2024 A list of phrases and a vocabulary for those wanting to write a report on a rugby match - differentiated easier sheet included. Poetry Aid Word search Rugby Vocabulary List Clip Art

Saint Agatha of Sicily (c.231-251 AD) is a Christine saint. She was born in Catania or Palermo in Sicily. According tot the 13th century Golden Legend by Jacbus de Voragine, Agatha, aged 15, from a rich and noble family made a vow of virginity. She rejected the amorous advances and persistent proposals of marriage to the Roman prefect Quintianus. This was during the persecutions of emperor Decius so he reported her to the authorities for being a Christian. In the first place, to force her to change her mind, He imprisoned her in a brothel but Agatha never lost her confidence in God. He tried again. On being rejected he had her imprisoned and tortured - this included cutting off her breasts with pincers. He then sentenced her to be burnt at the stake but an earthquake saved her from that fate. Although her martyrdom is authenticated there is no reliable information concerning her death. She may have died in prison aged just 20. She is buried at the Badia di Sant’Agata, Catania. Her patronage is wide -these are examples. She is the patron saint of breast cancer patients and earthquakes She is the patron saint of Catania, Malta, Molise, San Marino, Gallipoli and Zamarramala. The tradition of making shaped pastry on the feast of St Agatha-5th February, such as Agatha breads or buns Breasts of St. Agatha is found in many countries. Saint Agatha of Sicily is one of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs of Christian history. She is one of several martyrs who are commemorated in the Canon of the Mass.