There are several recently published books that I recommend for an enhanced understanding of the connections between nature and health. The books cover different aspects of nature and health that provide a solid foundation on the topic.
Your Brain on Nature (2012) Eva Selhub and Alan Logan
Your Brain on Nature offers scientifically proven, nature-based methods for reducing stress, improving cognitive powers, and boosting the efficiency of exercise.
Forest Medicine (2012) Qing Li, Editor
The goal of Forest Medicine is to present up-to-date findings related to forest medicine research to show the beneficial effects of forest environments on human health. The book is organized into sections focused on evaluation of the forest environment; effects of the forest environment on human health; effects of factors in the forest environments on human health; greens areas and human health: epidemiological studies; and research into forests and human health, including recent trends worldwide. The book includes evidence from both experimental and epidemiological studies and covers recent trends related to forests and human health in Japan, Korea, China and Europe. Forest Medicine can be utilized by the fields of forestry, horticulture, alternative medicine, environmental medicine, preventive medicine, public health and aromatherapy.
Forest, Trees & Human Health (2011) Nilsson, K.; Sangster, M.; Gallis, C.; Hartig, T.; de Vries, S.; Seeland, K.; Schipperijn, J., Editors.
Forests, Trees and Human Health is the outcome of the European Union’s COST Action E39 ‘Forests, Trees and Human Health and Wellbeing’, and brings together work carried out over four years by scientists from 25 countries working in the fields of forestry, health, environment and social sciences. The focus is primarily on European health priorities, but also includes research from other regions including North America. A strength of the book is that it extends across both disciplines and nations, serving as a reference for researchers in forestry, health, natural resource management and environmental policy. Forests, Trees and Human Health is the only unified body of work on this topic.
Green Care: For Human Therapy, Social Innovation, Rural Economy, and Education (2013) Christos Gallis, Editor
Green care is described as the use of agricultural farms and the biotic and abiotic elements of nature for health and therapy-promoting interventions as a base for promoting human mental and physical health, as well as quality of life. This book presents scientific knowledge related to green care, its definitions and theories, and findings to show the beneficial effects of green care on human health and well being. Also discussed are the social, political, economic, and educational aspects of green care.
Biophilic Cities: Integrating Nature Into Urban Design and Planning (2011) Timothy Beatley
Biophilic Cities outlines the essential elements of a biophilic city, and provides examples and stories about cities that have successfully integrated biophilic elements, from the building to the regional level, around the world. Beatley reviews biophilic urban design and planning, describing urban ecological networks and connected systems of urban greenspace, green rooftops and green walls, and sidewalk gardens.


Fall greetings to our HCAC supporters!
Chapter Meeting, Thursday, October 17 6:45 pm,
Harmony Library, Fort Collins
We will view and discuss the film Money-Driven Medicine, which offers a systemic look at the economics underlying – and often undermining -- our $2.6 trillion healthcare system. Here’s Bill Moyers’ comment about the film: "One of the strongest documentaries I have seen in years and could not be more timely. The more people who see and talk about it, the more likely we are to get serious and true healthcare reform."
The film is inspired by Maggie Mahar's acclaimed book, Money Driven Medicine: The Real Reason Health Care Costs So Much, and produced by Academy Award winner Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side; Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room).
The film interweaves the stories of patients and doctors ensnared in the system with insights by thought-leaders such as Dr. Donald Berwick, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Dr. James Weinstein of Dartmouth and bio-ethicist Dr. Larry Churchill of Vanderbilt.
Money-Driven Medicine takes us beyond health insurance reform (the ACA) and lays out the looming policy challenges for the next decade if we are to provide all Americans effective, high quality, patient-centered care while containing costs and reducing wasteful, even risky procedures.
The evening will further your understanding, commitment and motivation to push forward the movement for comprehensive health care reform. Share this information and bring your friends! Popcorn and cider provided.
You also will have the opportunity to sign the HCAC petition for Amendment #12 "The Right to Health Care".
Details here http://www.healthcareforallcolorado.org/initiative_12_parent
See you next week!
October 17, 2013 at 6:45pm - 9:45pm


The work consists of three movements: Rap-Sofia, Hommage à J. S. Bach and Blissful Mood.
Catchy motives, a driving rhythm and colorful figurations through the whole range of the solo instrument characterize the 1st and 3rd mvmt.
The theme of the 2nd mvmt is derived from the 2nd mvmt, Largo, of Bach’s 2nd organ trio sonata BWV 526.
The 3rd movements in the second part quoted the themes of the other two mvmts.
1. Rap-Sofia page 1 (pdf)
2. Hommage à J. S. Bach – page 1 (pdf)
3. Blissful Mood Page 1 (pdf)
The organ part can be equally played with piano, both sound perfect, but in a few passages, where the organ plays with a solo manual, a special piano figuration was required and is additionally notated under the organ part.
Listen to a perfomance with Martin Hilner on Youtube. The difficulty level of the work is advanced intermediate.


Mother of God
The Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary
Key Facts and Ideas
Some Christians and many others have difficulty in understanding the importance of Mary in some Christian traditions. The Orthodox Church neither neglects the Mother of God nor ascribes to her a significance beyond that demanded by the Incarnation and her total response to God throughout her life.
In the annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel she enabled our Saviour to come to earth in her Womb, the Infinite in the Finite. This is the origin of the title "Theotokos" or "God-Bearer" (aka Mother of God). The Third Ecumenical Council at Ephesus in 431 AD saw fit to use this term to settle permanently the implications of the Incarnation for the Person of Christ. He who was born of Mary taking our humanity from her was and never ceased to be true God. To say that Mary is something less than Theotokos is to deny the full meaning of the Incarnation. So, "Theotokos" is a title for Mary that really concerns her Son!
Throughout her life Mary remained in the background but always there supporting, as only a mother could, the infant Church of her Son. On numerous occasions she gathered together the apostles and others, enjoining them to be obedient to her Son. She stood weeping at the Cross with St. John when all others had fled. Tradition records that she held the veneration and respect of the Church until her Dormition (falling asleep, death) and Assumption into heaven at the close of her life. In all of this, like St. John the Baptist, she pointed all to Christ, (as you can see her doing in the icon above).
All of us appreciate people not only through our own perceptions but also through those who know them closely and can speak to us of their own personal knowledge and experience. In this manner we gain a rounded knowledge of the person relatively free from individual prejudices and distortions. Arguably, of all people, Mary knows her Son the best. Why then would we resist learning from her to complement our own direct knowledge of Christ? I know of no good reason. We should learn from the Mother in order to know and love the Son better.
Apart from the Father, (and he differently as incorporeal), nobody knows the Son like the Mother who was totally obedient to her Child.
Do I feel comfortable relating to the Virgin Mary? What stands in the way of this relationship?
1. The Ever-Virgin Mother of God by Fr. George Florovsky
2. The Blessed Virgin Mary by Bishop Alexander Mileant
3. Directory of Links concerning the Theotokos
Your Own Questions Answered Here


THE TRANSLATION PROJECT concerns the translation of Bon tradition texts from Tibetan into Polish. There is a growing number of Bon practitioners in Poland, more and more courses and lectures are being held, thus increasing the demand for access to Tibetan texts. In response to this need, with Jacek Trzebuniak we have started work on the translations.
Jacek Trzebuniak began practicing in the Bon tradition in 2007, studied Buddhism, Tibetan history and culture with scholars at Jagiellonian University (including Prof. Joanna Grela). He also received Bon teachings from masters of this tradition in Poland and abroad (for example in Lishu Institute in India).
First, selected texts from the collection of Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyu will be translated. This is a large collection of dzogchen texts, which in the book edition has around 2000 pages. The main text of this collection is called Kagyu korzhi and consists of 4 parts. These 4 parts include texts such as:
– 12 small tantras
– 6 lamps
– 8 chapters of essential instructions
– 21 nails
So far, the Foundation has collected donations to translate two texts: 12 small tantras and 6 lamps. The texts are now ready and available for download at the bottom of the page.
The next text we will be working on is:
21 nails – for this purpose we need to raise 1 650 PLN
50 PLN from 1 650 PLN
a commentary on 21 nails – for this purpose we need to raise 5 100 PLN
50 PLN from 5 100 PLN
Jacek Trzebuniak with H.E. Menri Polop Trinley Nyima Rinpoche
The possibility to publish these texts depends on the generosity of donors, so please donate to the foundation account (with the note “Donation translation project”). You can donate any amount. We will post information on the progress of the collection on the website.
Finished texts will be available for free download on our website.
Drenpa Namkha Foundation, 5 Malmeda St., 15-440 Bialystok, Poland
Account numer: PL 10 1950 0001 2006 0095 7505 0003
Please write in the title of the transfer: donation – translation project


Army releases comics on inspirational stories of war heroesAugust 29, 2015
Indian Army Releases Amar Chitra Katha & Aan Comics on Inspirational Stories of War Heroes
Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma, Adjutant General of Indian Army released a new series of Amar Chitra Katha and Aan Comics today.
Amar Chitra Katha, India’s favorite storyteller, is presenting a book on inspirational stories of 21 Param Vir Chakra Awardees, as a tribute to the recipients of the highest gallantry award in India. The new 248 page comic narrates inspirational stories of 21 of India’s brave sons who have been awarded India’s highest gallantry award. The all-colour, beautifully illustrated comic tells the story of each hero’s life from childhood to the battle in which they proved themselves victors over incredible odds.
Four Aan Comics were also released today based on the heroics of four war heroes who fought in 1965 Indo Pak war and were awarded Maha Vir Chakra. They were Maj Asaram Tyagi, Maj Bhaskar Roy, Sub Ajit Singh and Sub Tika Bahadur Thapa.
From the numerous wars on India’s borders, to intervention in military crisis abroad, the soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces have displayed their bravery in the harshest and most alien of conditions. They have battled fearlessly with only one objective in their minds – to fight for their objective and not back down. The PVC is India’s highest military honour; awarded to those soldiers who display the greatest degree of valour and self-sacrifice on the battlefield. The MVC is the second highest gallantry award in India, given to those soldiers who display a very high level of valour & self sacrifice in the face of the enemy. The sensitively portrayed stories in the comics take the readers into the heart of the battles they fought and gives an insight into the lives and minds of some of the most courageous men our country has ever known.
- EAM Jaishnkar lays foundation of Sardar Patel Center for Empowerment and Livelihoods near Statue of Unity site in Gujarat
- If need arise, India will send aircraft to bring Indians back from Corona virus hit areas in China: EAM Jaishankar in Gujarat
- ACB nabs 3 including Sarpanch and woman Talati in Central Gujarat red handed taking bribe
- Bharatiya Chitra Sadhna to organize Chitra Bharti Film Festival in Ahmedabad during 21-22-23 February
- 3rd largest global pizza chain Little Caesars enters India through Gujarat with its first vegetarian store
- Reliance Jewels adds to New Year festivities with Bella collection and Special Offers


Search the Collection
You may search or browse the collection. Please keep the following in mind when searching:
• In 18th century literature printers used the “long s” which the OCR software translates as “f”, bear this in mind when searching (e.g. search for “flavery” and “slavery” to get full results).
• There are nearly 800 items, with over 40,000 pages. Keyword searching will search every one of these pages. So if you search for “slavery” you will get a lot of results.
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• Do not use Boolean operators: and, or, not


In this paper I explore the ways in which Alexander of Aphrodisias employs and develops so-called ‘common notions’ as reliable starting points of deductive arguments. He combines contemporary developments in the Stoic and Epicurean use of common notions with Aristotelian dialectic, and axioms. This more comprehensive concept of common notions can be extracted from Alexander’s commentary on Metaphysics A 1–2. Alexander puts Aristotle’s claim that ‘all human beings by nature desire to know’ in a larger deductive framework, and adds weight to Aristotle’s use of the common understanding of the notion of ‘wisdom’. Finally I will indicate how these upgraded common notions are meant to play an important role in the general framework of metaphysics as a science.


Publisher : Del Rey
Released: May 19th, 2015
“Our Dragon doesn’t eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley. We hear them sometimes, from travelers passing through. They talk as though we were doing human sacrifice, and he were a real dragon. Of course that’s not true: he may be a wizard and immortal, but he’s still a man, and our fathers would band together and kill him if he wanted to eat one of us every ten years. He protects us against the Wood, and we’re grateful, but not that grateful.”
The story opens in a village where 17-year-old Agnieszka has been living with her family all her life. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life. In order to keep the Wood at bay, the villagers rely on the help of the Dragon, a powerful wizard. As compensation for his efforts, the Dragon demands a tribute: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years. With the next choosing approaching, she is afraid. Everyone knows that the Dragon will take her best friend, Kasia. But when the Dragon comes, it isn’t Kasia he chooses. Instead he chooses Agnieszka.
Uprooted has quickly become one of my favourite reads of the year. It has everything I could ever want in a book. That being said, I’m finding it surprisingly difficult to write a review for it. I went into this book knowing very little; I actively avoided reading anything about this book after I picked it up. And I think that’s partially why I enjoyed this book so much. I didn’t know what to expect going in, so I really couldn’t be disappointed. And I was definitely not disappointed. This book blew me away. From start to finish, this book held me in its grasp and didn't let go.
I won't go into specific plot details. To give it all away would ruin the experience that is this book. (And boy is this book an experience). But I will say that it was very well done; complicated, dark and twisted in all the best ways. Seriously. What I really loved the most about Uprooted was the feeling it gave me. It’s an indescribable feeling, almost like a nostalgic love. It has all the makings of a familiar fairytale story, something you might have heard as a child. And this book is so well-defined that it produces powerful feelings and strong, clear images in your mind. You can practically feel the evil lurking inside and seeping through the pages.
Another thing I loved was the focus on the friendship between Agnieszka and Kasia. Kasia always seemed to remain her priority at all times; and the strengths and weaknesses of their friendship felt honest and real, especially for their age. And it was a much greater focus than the romance. And I love that. I love books with strong female friendships. But don’t get me wrong, I also enjoyed the romance-y bits. It’s just refreshing to see it take a bit of a back seat.
I have to say this book was such a beautiful, dark fantasy read. It read like a modern fairytale. Great world-building, engaging narrator, and spectacular depiction of magic without dumping too much information. I could easily see this book becoming a classic in the future. If you're a fan of beautifully crafted stories, hideous monstrosities that are all too human, and good triumphing over evil, read it.


I often get asked for recommendations of books, articles or music that have helped me along the way. Here’s a non-exhaustive list in no particular order. I’ll keep updating it as I find more/have the energy to do so.
It’s important to note that I’m not necessarily recommending every word and idea within the books below but I think they have superb insight and much wisdom to offer.
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Brother Lawrence was a 17th century French monk whose brief writings and conversations were compiled into this tiny book. His wisdom on experiencing God in the moment wherever you are has been incredibly helpful to me.
Dying Well by John Wyatt
I got to read an early draft of Dying Well and absolutely loved it. This is a wonderfully practical book about the end of life. John updates the Ars Moriendi, the 15th century ‘Art of Dying’ documents used by the church, gives excellent, practical advice for those at the end of life and their carers, and talks about the hope we have in Christ both for now and the future.
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
Being Mortal was the first end of life related book I read and it helped me to think practically about my own preferences for end of life treatment. I was convinced by Gawande that talking more about death and dying is important given that we all must face it and it is hugely helpful to those around us if we’ve thought through lots of the related issues.
Falling Upward by Richard Rohr
Rohr takes and expands on the old idea of there being two halves of life: the first, the stage of youth where we are confident, often driven by rules and strength, and the second, the wiser, quieter stage which is often attained by suffering of some kind. It seems to be that when we ‘fall’ we are given remarkable opportunities to grow, that what the world sees as failure can lead to a place of fullness, that what seems like a fall down is in reality a fall upward. Ironically, I think the first half of this book is fairly weak but the second half has some wonderful insight and some sparkling prose. I go back and read my highlights from this book when I need reminding that my small, quiet life has purpose and beauty.
I’m not a great listener of music. These are songs that I turn to when I have no more words for prayer. They speak truth and help me to express my feelings to God about things I find hard especially not knowing why hard things happen over and over, and living with such a broken body yet trying to believe that I am wonderfully designed by a loving Father.
‘You Know Better Than I’ from Joseph, King of Dreams
‘He’s Always Been Faithful’ by Sara Groves
‘Wonderfully Made’ by Ellie Holcomb
‘Blessings’ by Laura Story


Check out this exceptionally informative and comprehensive Hip-BoneU video lesson from the maestro of agility, flexibility and dexterity, the great Bob McChesney. A true virtuoso of the trombone, Bob generously shares his extraordinary insight on how to play fast, focusing in detail on the importance of articulation and slide technique. Don't miss this invaluable and insightful lesson from one of the all-time greats.
“John Belushi told me he was going to make me the most famous trombone player since Jimmy Dorsey. I didn’t have the heart to tell him Jimmy was the saxophone player.”
Hip-Bone Music’s bone2pick artist of the month for April is none other than the inimitable Tom “Bones” Malone. Crafting one of the most successful careers in the history of New York brass playing, Tom graciously sits down with Michael to discuss everything from his North Texas State days, his admiration for the great Urbie Green, his early experiences on the road with Woody Herman and Frank Zappa, his tenure as an original member of the Saturday Night Live band, how the Blues Brothers almost didn’t get off the ground and how he recommended Paul Shaffer for the musical director job on the David Letterman show. A great look at a great career that proves the point…nice guys can finish first!
Twelve all-new exercises and tracks with three variations per exercise. Take your playing and your warm-up to the next level with the latest new book in Michael’s groundbreaking warm-up series. Absolute efficiency and maximum results make the new 10 Minute Warm-Up a must have for all brass players. Available for trumpet or trombone.
“This is the ‘NYC street cart, egg and cheese on a roll’ of warm-up routines—quick, satisfying and efficient. These exercises reinforce the daily fundamental practice needed to be a successful and reliable musician.”
—David Krauss Principal Trumpet, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Hip-Bone Music proudly presents our latest Hip-BoneU video lesson featuring the czar of all things altissimo, the great Wayne Bergeron. Wayne discusses in detail how he approaches playing in the upper register and how it relates to overall, high quality brass playing. One of the most in demand and consistent trumpet players in the intense Hollywood studio scene, his recording credits include Green Day, Beyonce, Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Buble, Natalie Cole, Seal, Diana Krall, Gordon Goodwin, The Incredibles, Anchorman and Catch Me If You Can, to name just a few. A Yamaha recording artist, Wayne Bergeron is a Grammy nominated band leader and soloist.
Hip-Bone Music is proud to announce the release of our latest Hip-BoneU online lesson featuring internationally renowned recording artist and LA studio great Mr. Andy Martin. Whether it’s the importance of time and pitch, the ability to listen, quality of attacks, blending with the lead trumpet and lead alto, Andy covers all the aspects of what it takes to be a stellar lead trombone player. Take advantage of Andy’s insight and knowledge and find out what has made him one of the great lead trombone players anywhere in the world.
Crush your next recital with Michael Davis’ newest books Bone Kill and Trumpet Kill. Five suites for solo trombone or trumpet in the style of Bone Man Walking, Trombone Institute of Technology and Michael’s other acclaimed compositions. See product page for video/audio performances and more info.
“Bravo Michael! As a trumpet player and a trombone player, I have played everything you can imagine. Trumpet/Bone Kill will challenge the best of players and develop stamina, flexibility and technique. I highly recommend this book!”
—Chuck Findley LA Studio Virtuoso/International Recording Artist
Arguably the most recorded trumpet player of all time, the legendary and iconic Mr. Chuck Findley sits down with Michael to discuss his concept of sound and how he goes about achieving it on a daily basis. Chuck generously shares his insight and expertise on the use of air, proper breathing, maximizing your sound in all registers and how to deal with perfect pitch. Highlights of Chuck’s astounding career have included the legendary flugelhorn solo on the Carpenter’s mega hit Close To You, George Harrison’s Concert For Bangladesh, years with Johnny Carson and Jay Leno on the Tonight Show and recordings with Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Toto, Joni Mitchell, the Rolling Stones, Al Jarreau, Elton John, Tina Turner and Miles Davis to name just a few. Hip-BoneU is honored to present this lesson from one of the world’s greatest brass players.
Hip-Bone Music’s cutting edge educational video series continues with a dynamic lesson from one of the young lions of the ultra competitive New York jazz scene, Mr. Ryan Keberle. Ryan has achieved international acclaim as both a member of the grammy award winning Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra and as a solo recording artist. His three solo CDs have garnered critical and popular success, culminating in his latest release, Catharsis—Music Is Emotion. A graduate of both the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School, Ryan is currently the director of jazz studies at Hunter College in New York City. His immense talent as an educator are at the forefront in this Hip-BoneU video as Ryan gives a comprehensive overview of trombone playing with focus on physical and mental awareness, sound and articulation, focused listening and musical flow/vocabulary.
Hip-BoneU is proud to announce the release of our latest instructional video featuring the brilliant trombonist Marshall Gilkes. A true virtuoso by any measure, Marshall generously shares his approach to incorporating pedal tones into his playing and writing. He breaks down his approach in basic, fundamental exercises that will enable all of us to improve our use of pedal tones in any type of playing. Marshall demonstrates his technical prowess through his own compositions, as well as those by Michael Brecker and Joshua Redman. An energizing and inspiring lesson by one of the true greats.
A clear and comprehensive approach from one of today’s top jazz instrumentalists on how to approach the most important of all jazz progressions. Internationally renowned solo artist/Vanguard Jazz Orchestra trumpet soloist Scott Wendholt gives us his invaluable insight and approach on how he plays the blues. Scott touches on every aspect of the blues, from solid fundamentals and basics to more advanced harmonic subtleties. A tremendous resource for jazz players of every level.
A dynamic, informative lesson on the art of lead trumpet playing by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra’s lead trumpet player extraordinaire, Nick Marchione. Nick shares his invaluable insight on the fundamentals and subtleties of great lead playing, as well as a comprehensive discussion on great lead players of the past. Currently on tour with Prince, Nick also delves into how this approach carries beyond big band playing and into the world pop/rock music. A must for any lead player on any instrument.
Ready to add the CHA to your brass playing arsenal? What’s a CHA you ask? Check out Nick Marchione’s enlightening instructional video on the Art of the CHA.


Freedom to Read Gala
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 | 7:00 pm - 10:00 PM | Map It
Celebrate the Freedom to Read: A Banned Books Masquerade is a new event hosted by Downers Grove Public Library Foundation in conjunction with Banned Books Week (October 1-7) , which marks the passing of anti-book ban legislation in Illinois.
Guests will experience food and drink, a DJ and live band, raffle and silent auction, guest speakers and more!
All funds raised from the event support the Downers Grove Public Library.
*Please note, this event will be for individuals who are aged 21+.
8102 Lemont Rd.
Woodridge, Illinois 60517


For a brief period between 1913 and 1924, the most sophisticated, mature and visually majestic films were coming from the Scandinavian countries in general and Sweden in particular, a trend that impressed Hollywood so much that the studios started importing artists from the Scandinavian film industries: Victor Sjöström (who became Seastrom in Hollywood), Mauritz Stiller, Benjamin Christensen, Lars Hanson and of course Greta Garbo. One of the unique qualities of this regional cinema was the embrace of the landscape as an essential part of the stories. Where Hollywood filmmakers of the 1910s generally scouted locations near the studios (when they didn’t try to construct their own worlds on studio stages), Sjöstrom, Stiller, and others took their cameras deep into the wilderness and the mountains to find majestic views and epic vistas unseen in other national cinemas, a fitting backdrop for characters driven by powerful psychological and emotional forces. The roots of Ingmar Bergman, whose natural landscapes are much more intimate yet just as expressive and evocative of his themes, can be traced back to the silent era; he cited Sjöström as one of his most important inspirations and influences and paid tribute to his legacy by casting him as the old professor in Wild Strawberries.
Ingmar Bergman’s Wild Strawberries (1957) followed his sunny, airy sex comedy Smiles of a Summer Night (1955), the first Bergman film to catch the international spotlight, and the dark medieval allegory The Seventh Seal (1957), where a knight’s faith is shaken by the death and cruelty of the crusades and the doom of the Black Plague sweeping through his home. Set in the present but tied to a past viewed through the lens of remembrance and dream, Wild Strawberries is more melancholy and introspective than Smiles and more hopeful and self-reflective than the enigmatic Seal. It is also more autobiographical, with details of aging protagonist Isak Borg’s past drawn from Bergman’s own childhood. To what extent Isak or his emotionally closed in son Evald Borg (note the initials EB) represent Bergman himself is open to question (he claimed Evald was based on his father), but such concerns are secondary to the film itself, an often painful drama but one of Bergman’s warmest and most touching films.
Victor Sjöström, an actor and the great Swedish director of the silent era (and one of Bergman’s heroes), plays Isak Borg, a widowed doctor living a quiet retirement in a lovely country home. He was coaxed out of retirement to play the fragile old man being presented with an honorary doctorate in the college town of Lund, and Bergman pays tribute to the director in the opening sequences of the film. Isak has a nightmare where he wanders through a sun-seared yet ghostly village, and the silent movie-like sequence recalls Sjöström’s 1921 masterpiece The Phantom Carriage, with its driverless hearse carrying the corpse of Isak himself through the streets. It’s unlikely that audiences of the time would make the connection, which makes the moment even more touching: a personal gesture from one artist acknowledging his debt to another.
Whoever dies at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve is doomed to drive Death’s carriage for the next year, collecting the souls that pass on and carrying them to the afterlife.
This bit of folklore is the narrative conceit on which The Phantom Carriage rests. It opens as a supernatural tale — part ghost story and part religious fable — but soon reveals itself as a tragedy.
“Send for David Holm,” asks the dying Edit (Astrid Holm, looking saintly in her suffering), a devoted and dedicated Salvation Army sister with consumption. She’s surrounded and worried over by everyone but David (Victor Sjöström), a shameless drunkard who refuses to attend her and remains (ominously and fittingly) in a graveyard to swap stories to his carousing buddies. He drinks to George (Tore Svennberg), the swell of a crook who made David what he is today and the man who told him of the legend of Death’s driver. Both will visit David before the night is over, taking him on a kind of ride through his past, a spin on A Christmas Carol with George as his Jacob Marley and David as a wretch of a Scrooge. His legacy is measured in the misery he caused and the lives he destroyed and he’s forced to watch the cruelty of his life on the eve of his death.
Directed by and starring Victor Sjöström, the father of Swedish cinema, from the novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Selma Lagerlöf, The Phantom Carriage is one of the masterpieces of Swedish cinema and its reputation is well deserved. Where most of the great Swedish classics of the era were sweeping sagas set in the rugged landscape of grand outdoors (such as Gosta Berling’s Saga and Sjöström’s own The Outlaw and his Wife), The Phantom Carriage is an intimate work created in the controlled environment of the studio. Where the sagas were visually muscular and set against vast natural landscapes, this is delicately-crafted, carefully lit and composed and performed with an understated intensity, in particular Sjöström himself as the reprobate David. The once responsible family man changes into a reckless ne’er do well who corrupts his young brother and terrorizes his wife and children and then slips even slips into complete misanthropy as a bitter and vengeful drifter searching every small town to find his runaway wife. When Sister Edit, the idealistic young officer in the Salvation Army posted to a small rural town, determines to redeem David when he comes looking for a bed, he responds with contempt and cruelty. Sjöström’s restrained performance makes David all the more terrifying. His brooding manner and sneering looks communicate quiet disdain and a vicious misanthropic streak (a consumptive, he freely coughs in the faces of the healthy “to finish them off quicker”) until he loses himself in drink, when his anger spills out into violence.
Bardelys the Magnificent
The most anticipated event at any silent film festival is the premiere of a “lost” film, rediscovered and restored. Bardelys the Magnificent, the 1926 swashbuckler starring John Gilbert and directed by King Vidor, was long thought lost for good but for a brief glimpse in Vidor’s Show People. Then a single surviving print, in poor shape and missing a reel, was found in France in 2006. An exhaustive digital restoration was undertaken by Serge Bromberg (of Lobster Films) with David Shepard (of Film Preservation Associates) and others and the results are thrilling. Apart from a very effective reconstruction of the lost reel through stills and shots from a surviving trailer, it looks superb.
This was the last of five collaborations between Vidor, one of the class acts of the silent cinema, and Gilbert, at that time one Hollywood’s greatest stars. Both are at the top of their game; from the opening scenes they walk that fine line between swashbuckler and spoof with sure footing and unflagging confidence. Gilbert is the Marquis de Bardelys, an an infamous womanizer and the kind of character that John Barrymore did well, the arrogant aristocrat lover and rogue. Gilbert plays it with more dry wit and insouciance than Barrymore ever did. He’s helped immensely by the pithy gems of the intertitles written by Dorothy Farnum (this film features the finest and funniest intertitles of the festival and is a reminder of the often overlooked art of silent movie title writing), but his performance sells the lines. Within seconds of the opening images, he’s suddenly engaged in a fencing duel with the husband of his latest conquest (which he treats as rather familiar sport) and ends the scene by reconciling the two and driving them both out the front door, still tossing off dryly witty lines as it has all been a mere inconvenience. The story, adapted from the novel by Rafael Sabatini, turns on a challenge from a rival aristocrat (Roy D’Arcy, looking like an over-coiffed villain from the Richard Lester The Three Musketeers) to woo the stubbornly resistant Roxalanne de Lavedan (Eleanor Boardman), who already rejected the vain aristocrat. Boardman (who soon became director Vidor’s wife) is a modern presence in this costume picture of flamboyant manners. With minimal make-up and a direct, unshowy performance style, she stands in contrast to the rituals and elaborate shows of affection and outrage. It’s not hard to see how the frivolous Bardelys, a man who could marry any woman he wanted to (if, in fact, he wanted to), is smitten and transformed by this unpretentious, unspoiled, unfailingly honest beauty.


Rose Hill Methodist Church has a long and varied history dating back to 1833.
Below is a review of its history, as written by Freda Hoare and Stephen Roper (previous stewards) in 1985 to celebrate its 150th (“sesquicentennial”) anniversary. We hope to add to this in the next few years to include some of our more recent history.
If you’d like to re-use this for any reason, you are welcome to do so, but please first contact our senior steward from here, so rights to reprint can be sought. Happy reading! If you’re interested in our graveyard, please see here for details and photos put together by our Circuit Heritage Officer.
The writing of this celebratory history of Rose Hill Methodist Church gave me such pleasure, some of which I hope you will share as you read it. Looking through the old documents of our church gives one pause to reflect, at times, on how much has changed, and at other times, on how little. People will, I suppose, always be the same.
Two previous histories of Rose Hill have been written. The first, by W.J.S. Bayliss, written in 1935 at the time of the centenary, forms the basis for much of what follows. The second, by F. Bolton in 1960, brought the previous history up to date. The present booklet is more extensive than either of the these and has the advantage of the perspective gained on events by the passage of time. I hope this is enough of an excuse for its writing.
Thanks are due to many people. To Freda Hoare for encouragement and for her writing of the last section, to Kay Fairman and Fred and Doris Bolton for many useful cuttings and to Greta Johnson for her clarification of many points.
© Stephen Roper 1985.
Oxford’s part in the growth of Methodism in the 18th century is well known. Indeed John Wesley paid 56 pastoral visits to Oxford between 1730 and 1790. The main foundation in Oxford was in New Inn Hall Street, opposite the present St. Peter’s College, and is today commemorated by a plaque on the wall. The history of Rose Hill Methodist Church also begins here as the father of its founder Henry Leake is listed as one of the trustees of the old Wesley Memorial Church in 1818.
In the 1920s, Rose Hill itself was a very different place from today. Imagine walking down the high street and out along Iffley Road in those days. At first, little would appear to have changed except for an absence of buses and traffic lights. At The Plain, having passed through the toll gate and gone around the Cape of Good Hope Inn, one would leave the town behind and find fields lining both sides of the road. Crossing the brook on the approach to Iffley, the road turns slightly right, and climbs the bank of Iffley Turn. Right would lead into the village, and left would lead us up to Rose Hill.
The few houses then to be found at Rose Hill were an isolated part of the village of Iffley. The name ‘Rose Hill’ is derived from ‘Rose Bank’, the name given by a Doctor Ireland, to a house which he built for himself on the rise above the village. By 1835. Rose Hill included about 20 buildings in addition to the new Weslyan Methodist Chapel.
Henry Thomas Leake, the founder of Rose Hill Methodist Church, first arrived in Iffley with his mother in 1833. He moved into a house in Church Way, called Rivermead, which remains today almost exactly as it was then. Before moving to Iffley, he presumably lived in Witney as his father is described as “Henry Leake of Witney, Gentleman” in the list of trustees of the old Wesley Memorial Church.
Henry Leake’s association with Methodism seems to have begun before he moved to Iffley. However, the only clues we have about this and the early days of the church at Rose Hill are the remarks made by the founder at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 1886 and recalled by W.J.S Bayliss. Mr. Leake described how on moving to Iffley, he found a group of Methodists holding their services in a Mr. Gordon’s cottage. One Sunday, when a local preacher failed to turn up, he took a service. The group soon outgrew the cottage and after holding their services in a stable for some time, steps were taken to find a chapel site.
The Donnington Trust owned all the available land in Iffley Village, and were unhelpful in providing land for the chapel. This meant looking further afield, and the site at Rose Hill was chosen. Henry Leake personally purchased the site and paid for the construction of the chapel, helped by gifts totalling £30 (£3,837 using cumulative RPI inflation as at 2020) from Methodist friends. Rose Hill was the fifth chapel to be built in the circuit.
The laying of the foundation stone in June or July 1835 took place at 5 a.m. to enable people to go to work afterwards. At the opening of the chapel, the assembled crowd was too large to fit inside, and so they had to adjourn to the waste land opposite. 1835 must have been a busy year for Henry Leake as, in addition to founding Rose Hill, he was a Circuit Steward and was also on trial as a local preacher. Indeed, in the Winter quarter of 1834-5, the plan on which Rose Hill Methodist Church first appeared, Mr. Leake was planned to preach every Sunday!
Despite the impressive attendance at the chapel opening ceremony in 1835, congregations in the early years were smaller than those of today. In 1836, “Iffley Weslyan Memorial Church”, as it was called then, had only two Classes, one led by Henry Leake and one by “Brother Castle”. By the summer of 1837, the chapel boasted five classes, numbering 56 members in all, out of an Oxford total of 368. The circuit at this time consisted of 26 “preaching places”, but only five chapels, stretching from Blewbury in the South, to Chipping Norton in the North.
By 1839, the membership had risen to 63, and in that year, the chapel was conveyed to the Wesleyan Methodists from Henry Leake for a nominal 10s/-. Only in 1843 did “Rose Hill Wesleyan Methodist Church” appear in the circuit schedule book, or record of membership.
In the early years, many members of the congregation could not read and of the few who could, even fewer would have have been able to afford hymn books. So the preacher would read, or if he could not read, recite from memory, two lines of a hymn and these would then be sung by the congregation. It is likely that for a time the only accompaniment was provided by Joseph Shirley on his piccolo assisted by a small group of singers in the gallery at the back of the church. Hymn singing may have been a lengthy business, but this did not hinder preachers who often spoke for an hour or more.
Communion services were rare. For example, there were only four planned in the whole circuit from November 1834 to February 1835. For these early communion services, Rose Hill used a Church of England Prayer Book presented to it in 1839. A collection of Wesley’s hymns was also used, but was obviously superceded at some stage by “Hymns of Light and Life” as, in February 1912, it was decided to replace this with a Sankey Hymnal. The Methodist Hymn book was published in 1933 to mark the founding of the Methodist Union. The supplement “Hymns and Songs” appeared in 1969, and this was followed by “Hymns and Psalms” in 1984.
At the Methodist Conference of 1850, three ministers identified with the Reform Movement were expelled – Revs. Everett, Griffith and Dunn. It seems that this had great implications for Rose Hill. In the 1935 history, W.J.S. Bayliss says “the chapel all but closed as a result of the expulsion of all but three of the members, and many of the leading local preachers, for their sympathies with the three ministers expelled by conference”. There exists however no documentary evidence for this although we do have some idea of what happened. On 26th June 1850, Rose Hill had 17 members, by September 1850, only 8 remained, 9 having been reported as backsliders! By March 1851, only 6 members remained.
The membership of Rose Hill did not rise much during the 1850s despite the leadership of Benjamin Leonard the master of the school, which was on the same site as the chapel. (Edit: The school was called the Cingal School, which then became Single School over time, which inspired the name Singletree). The membership crisis culminated in the sale of the chapel back to Henry Leake in June of 1860 for £125 (£15,299 using cumulative RPI inflation as at 2020). One of the terms of the conveyance was that if no service was held in the chapel for a year, then the Weslyan Methodists should have the option of repurchase. This however never arose because three weeks after buying the chapel, the founder of the church re-opened it as a unit of the United Methodist Free Church. The transfer was completed on 3rd March 1861 when the chapel was conveyed from Mr. Leake to the United Methodist Free Church Trust for £125, the same amount the founder had paid for it some 10 months earlier.
Throughout the 1850s, the finances of Rose Hill seem to have been perilous. In 1854, for example, the chapel was in debt for between £20 and £30 (between £2,232 and £3,348 using cumulative RPI inflation as at 2020). Despite this, an extra collection was held in 1854 for the “Worn-out Ministers Fund”.
Before the chapel at Rose Hill was built, the Iffley Methodists were decided on the need for a burial ground of their own. This came about because of objections raised by the then vicar of St. Mary’s Church, Iffley, to allowing one of the Methodists, a “Brother Dyer”, to be buried in the churchyard.
The earliest recorded burials at Rose Hill date from 1842, although it seems likely that there were internments before this. The graveyard was extended in 1868 with the purchase of a cottage and garden for £50 plus £12 legal expenses (£5,691 plus £1,366 using cumulative RPI inflation as at 2020). The last burials took place in 1962, just before the graveyard was closed in November 1963. Soon after this, most of the headstones were moved against the church garden wall, and the area was turfed to make maintenance easier.
1870 – 1913
By 1869, Rose Hill had 14 full members but also appears to have had two groups that met on Tuesday evenings which had about 30 members in total. Henry Leake still preached occasionally at Rose Hill, and it was he who took the chair at the Jubilee Celebrations in 1886. The events of that year raised £145 (£18,970 using cumulative RPI inflation as at 2020), allowing the graveyard to be enclosed and a new vestry to be added to the church. Sources of income at the Jubilee were seat rents, class tickets, teas and a horsedrawn hoseboat trip to Nuneham.
The village atmosphere at Rose Hill must still have prevailed. In the 1880s, Oxford had grown, but only as far as Magdalen Road. Littlemore, on the other hand, now had its own station on the Great Western Railway branch line from Aylesbury to Oxford.
From 1890 onwards, we have a better understanding of the day to day life of the church as the minute book exists of the Trustees, Leaders and Members meetings. Those of before 1890 were destroyed in a fire at a steward’s house.
Two examples should suffice to give an impression of the issues of the 1890s. The first dates from September 1890. A suggestion was made that someone be appointed to light the fire in the church and to keep it clean. “Mrs. Brooks said she thought Mr. Ewers would let his servant do it”. In 1894, a proposal was made that the time for morning service be changed from 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
It was in the 1890s that R.J. Campbell (“Campbell of Christ”), famous preacher at City Temple and later Chancellor of Chichester Cathedral, preached his first sermon at Rose Hill while still an undergraduate at Christ Church College, Oxford. Campbell was involved with Rose Hill for some time before moving to Brighton. It was R.J. Campbell, together with his friend Mr. Hignott, who presented the organ to the church in 1895.
In 1907, Rose Hill became a United Methodist Church on the amalgamation of the Free Methodists, the Methodist New Connexion and the Bible Christian Church. 1910 saw the death of Miss Jane Barton, the last surviving member at Rose Hill who remembered the days before the chapel building. She was buried in her family vault in the churchyard of St. Mary’s Church in Iffley, with the Methodist Minister of the day conducting the service.
In the same year, there is some evidence of the ambition of the people of Rose Hill. At a meeting on the 1st February, 16 people were present, but elections were made to 32 offices including “leader of string music” and a “soup kitchen committee”. Despite the election of a leader of string music, when the organist asked for the organ to be tuned before harvest, it was felt to be out of the question financially. However, there was to be an accompanying violin. By way of compensation for the organist, at the same meeting “N. Hyde was appointed organ blower for the night service”.
It is impossible to know whether the soup kitchen committee were ever active, but perhaps they were, for in March 1913, the poor fund showed a deficit of 1s/6d due to it being “well used”. In the same year, the usual donation of 10s/- to the infirmary was held back for the relief of the society’s own poor.
Sunday School Outings
In the late 19th Century, one of the most popular Sunday School Outings was a houseboat trip to Nuneham. A day’s outing was necessary as the boat moved slowly being pulled by a horse. Early in the 20th Century, other ideas were tried. For example, in 1910, “the Sunday School treat to Toot Baldon was reported a great success, two wagonettes, a van loaned by Littlemore Laundry and N.W. Weston’s trolley conveying children and their friends”. The following year, a different means of travel was used. The Sunday School travelled by rail from Littlemore to Mr. N. Lindsay’s meadow at Horspath.
1914 – 1930
Little idea is gained in reading the minutes of the various meetings of the impact of the First World War on Rose Hill. However, in August 1915, a steward of the church, N.J. Weston, was reported as having joined the Blue Cross and left Oxford on active service. In July 1917, his death in France was noted, and a resolution was passed to provide some memorial to him.
In 1920, the morning service was dropped due to the small attendances, and with the aid of a group from Wesley Memorial Church, attempts were made to revitalise Rose Hill. Modifications were made on the church buildings in 1921, when gas was connected. Central heating and electricity were added in 1929. Surprisingly perhaps, no water was laid on at the church until about 1923.
By the 1920s, the area around the church was beginning to alter rapidly. The Morris works makes its first appearance on the maps of the area, and consequently, Cowley village had begun to grow. Despite the changes in the area, it was still possible in 1922 to walk from Iffley to Littlemore across fields.
The membership in 1925 was 34 having been boosted by a mission held in November 1924. This consisted of one event each night for a fortnight, and was advertised by handbills, windowbills and lantern advertising.
Discussion of the need for a schoolroom at Rose Hill began in 1928 and led to the purchase of Walnut Tree cottage, at the back of the church in 1930.
Decade of Chance
In 1935, Rose Hill celebrated its centenary in the midst of great social and environmental upheaval. Until the 1930s, Rose Hill itself had preserved its village-like character, but this was soon to disappear.
Throughout the 1920s, the development of the Pressed Steel Works had led to an influx of population to Oxford from the more depressed areas of the country, especially South Wales. This increase in population, together with the condemnation of some 500 houses in St. Ebbe’s and St. Clement’s under the 1910 Housing Act, led the city council to look for building land elsewhere. In 1933, the council bought land at Rose Hill and by late 1934, the first houses on the estate were ready for occupation. Building on Westbury Crescent and the Annersley Road area also dates from about this time.
In March 1935, Rose Hill had 48 members, some of whom met in April of that year to consider plans for the centenary. This initial meeting was very much a circuit celebration. On January 22nd, it is minuted that Gypsy Smith, a famous preacher ofthe day, had sent a telegram to one member of the church agreeing to come for a day of meetings on April 14th. The programme for the day, held at Wesley Memorial Church was as follows:
- An afternoon meeting at 3:30 p.m.
- Tea at 5:00 p.m.
- An evening meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Tea tickets were to be 9d. The collection for the day’s meetings amounted to £79/11s/2d, and tea tickets raised £14/4s/3d. There was a net profit of £63/4s/2d.
The programme for the events of June 1935 was as follows:
- Saturday 1st June – 6:30 p.m. Reunion of “Pasts” and “Presents”.
- Sunday 2nd June – 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m. Preacher Revd. W.P. Austin “on site of the new church if fine”.
- Monday 3rd – 7:30 p.m. Open Air meeting of youth witness on site of new church.
- Tuesday 4th – June 7:30 p.m. Local Preachers’ night, Five minute speeches from 14 “locals”.
- Thursday 6th June – At Wesley Memorial Church:
- 4:00 p.m. Service.
- 5:15 p.m. Tea.
- 6:30 p.m. Hymn singing by a United Choir of Methodists.
- 7:00 p.m. Public Meeting.
- Preachers Rev Luke Wiseman and Revd. W.P. Austin.
- Sunday 9th June – 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday School Centenary Anniversary.
Preachers Rev H.S. Derby and Mr. H.J. Martyr.
The final financial result of the June meetings and services was a net surplus of £1/9s/10d which, together with the surplus of the Gypsy Smith meeting, was transferred to the Building Fund. This has existed for several years since Rose Hill had begun to think about a new building in 1930. Rose Hill was allocated £700, of which £300 was spent on the new site. By 1938, doubts had arisen about the possibility of building a new church and modifications were suggested to the old building. In February 1939, the Joint Trust Meeting (the meeting of the “old” and “new” Rose Hill Trusts) saw the plans for the new scheme drawn up by Stewart and Cripps of Headington. By April 1940 a tender for £1677 for the building had been accepted.
The 1930s was a decade of change, but a familiar note is sounded in November 1938 when the Youth Fellowship were recorded as having collected the N.C.H. envelopes. In addition to the Youth Fellowship, there was an active Christian Endeavour Group, a Boys’ Brigade and a Girls’ Brigade.
There have been two major additions to the church, which in 1935, at the centenary, was much the same as it had been at its founding a century before. The original size can be seen from the ceiling in the back portion of the church today.
The first extension took place in 1940-1 and now forms the chancel part of the church. Before this, the pulpit was facing the front door, with the organ at the side and a vestry to the rear. When the extension was built, the pulpit and organ were moved to their present positions. Funds for the scheme were raised in a variety of ways including a “Round the World Bazaar” held in the school room at Cowley Road on November 6th 1937. On February 2nd 1939, the final choir perfomance took place before the builders moved in, a performance of “David the Shepherd Boy”. Another part of the fundraising was the sale of “stones” and “bricks” in the new building. Donors of £5 or more were entitled to have a installed in the wall, still to be seen round the church walls outside, and those giving 5s/- were allowed a brick. The foundation stone was laid on 11th July 1940 and the extension was opened on 9th April 1942 by Miss Gladys Skipper, a member of Rose Hill, and Mayoress of Oxford.
The sale of “stones” was repeated in 1957 to raise funds for the second major extension, which provided extra accommodation at the rear of the church for youth work. The foundation stone was laid by Revd. Joseph Dowell on November 2nd 1957. In a box under the stone were placed photgraphs of the church, copies of the Oxford Mail and Methodist Recorder, a set of postage stamps, a photograph of a joint silver wedding party held at the church, coins, and a metal Boy Scouts woggle presented at the World Jambouree.
The total cost of this scheme was £4347 (£105,500 using RPI inflation as at 2020) of which £556 was raised locally, £2000 came from circuit funds, £790 from the Joseph Rank Trust and £300 from the Methodist Chapel Fund. In addition, over £600 came from a covenanted donation scheme. The extension was opened by Revd. Joseph Heaven on Saturday May 17th 1958.
The last major change to the interior of the church took place in the early 1960s. In 1960, the organ was rebuilt and a new oak case was dedicated to the memory of W.J.S. Bayliss who died in 1959. He had been a local preacher since 1898 and a trustee of Rose Hill since 1903. The organ itself, which was a gift to the church in 1895, has an interesting history. It is older than the church and was originally in St. Mary’s Iffley Parish Church before it was sold to Paradise Square Baptist Church in 1875, then later moved to Rose Hill Methodist Church.
The 1960s saw the provision of a new light oak communion table, the new communion rail, the removal of the choir stalls and the carpeting of the chancel area. However, the front of the church as we know it today derives much of its character from the many memorial gifts it contains. The pulpit casing, organ screen, lectern, font and flower stands, together with other gifts such as the amplification system, were all donated by former members of the church. Perhaps the most strking of all the memorial gifts is the stained glass windows.
1940 – 1985
The first indications of the Second World War in the minutes of the period are the plans for the blackout of the church in Spetember 1939. Various activities were also stopped until the situation changed, or there was a full moon. In addition, it was decided to have a box in the vestry to supply “comforts” to “our young men who have joined the colours”. By 1943, it is recorded that 30 people appearing on the community roll were on active service. The church also contributed its railings for the war effort getting compensation of £4/14s/4d.
In the anniversary year, the 16 members of the congregation with the longest association with Rose Hill were asked the names of the people they remembered best. What a roll of honour that was! Some names were mentioned by most, some by only one or two. The rest of this section is based on their memories.
Under the ministry of Revd. Joseph Heaven, 1946-1951, there was good lay leadership in every department of the church’s life. There were six preachers in the congregation. A men’s fellowship, 20 strong, met at the Manse and heard a range of speakers – many of whose names are now famous. Women’s meetings were well very attended for some decades. Music was enjoyed – there was a choir of 23 members, and anthems were sung each Sunday. The choir was in much demand around the circuit. There were four organists to share the duties.
Soon after the war, the whole area was canvassed to find out where the church’s future lay, and to discover the whereabouts of every old person, the ages of children and young people, their church allegiance if any, and to give an invitation to all. Involvement in the community became a priority and members of Rose Hill became Justices of the Peace, Local Councillors, Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Rose Hill Community Centre (where Butler House now stands in Ashurst Way), and organised Worker’s Education Association classes, sports facilities and dances. A branch Sunday School was run at the hut. Rose Hill has benefited from being part of the Oxford Circuit and many of our members have held Circuit Office and helped with and supported circuit events.
Records of Overseas Missions giving begin in 1937, when the total was £6/5s/10d. In 1984, the total given was £720, which was reached with the help of the Junior Missionary Association. Interest and enthuiasm have been fostered by devoted workers, who have kept the World Church very much in the minds of the congregation. Home Mission has been similarly supported.
The ministry of the Revd. H. Seymour Tonkin, 1951-1956, marked a period on consolidation and ecumenical links were strengthened. A Girl Guide Company was formed in 1952 (the same year that Rose Hill Primary School was started) and Brownies in 1953, both still going strong (as at 1985), Sunday School Anniversaries were a Sunday and Monday affair; outings to Wicksteed Park or Littlehampton needed two coaches to get everyone in.
During the Revd. Stanley Martin’s ministry, 1956-1963, the Christmas Bazaar was replaced by a Gift Day, amazing for its generosity year by year. The social side was not neglected though, “Birthday Socials” took place bi-monthly, involving everyone. A Young Wives’ group was formed, later to become the Women’s Evening Fellowship. The Men’s Regnal Circle organised lovely Christmas Parties for the elderly folk of the church and neighbourhood. Flower Shows and Garden Parties were great occasions. During the 1950s and 1960s, youth clubs were started as the need arose, Junior Christian Endeavour, Youth Missionary Association and Junior Choirs, all flourished and are fondly remembered by young adults in various parts of the country, and indeed the world.
The life and activity of the church continued steadily during the ministry of Revd. Philip Bate, 1963-1968. New ventures were introduced, including regular weekly visits to Littlemore Hospital to sing and spend time with the patients.
In 1968, the Oxford Circuit staff was reduced, the Westbury Crescent manse was sold, and Rose Hill once again came into the care of the Cowley Road minister – the Revd. Joe Gibbon. During his period of office, the congregation were helped towards a more lively social conscience and the social implications of the Christian Gospel, particularly in youth work, were appreciated and an “open” youth club was formed.
Over the years, worship has changed and developed in subtle ways, with more lay participation, family services and family communion. This was particularly so during the Revd. Frank Bishop’s ministry, 1972-1978.
The Women’s Fellowship has become the Wednesday Fellowship, welcoming men as well as women. Sunday School has become Junior Church. A warm and cooperative relationship with the Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Iffley has been established. Bible Study and Fellowship Groups are meeting. A new Junior Youth Club was started in January 1985. The Revd. Alan Grist, who succeeded Revd. Frank Bishop, is leading us to a greater awareness of the needs of those around us, and the need to face up to the social changes in our world and to react effectively to them.
Throughout the 20th Century, children’s ministry at Rose Hill was thriving. In the 1940s and 1950s, the Sunday School had about 100 children, who would meet for classes in the morning, games in the afternoon, and went on regular day-long outings to places in and around Oxford on Saturdays.
The Boys Brigade (which closed in the 1990s) was also extensive and was one of the biggest battalions in Oxfordshire for several years. They would often process round what is now Temple Cowley shopping centre in dress uniform.
(If anyone has any photos from this time, we’d love to share them on our website. Please send them to Libby).
Each of the former ministers in his taped message for the Gift Day Celebration, “Rose Hill – This is Your Life”, remembered Rose Hill as a very caring fellowship. We gratefully thank God for the caring example of our ministers and their wives. Lines from an 18th Century hymn and a 20th Century hymn express our thankfulness and dedication:
“We’ll praise Him for all that is past,
And trust Him for that’s to come.”
“Then give us courage, Father God,
To choose again the pilgrim way,
And help us to accept with joy
The challenge of tomorrows day.”


Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Internet vs. Books
In the very first chapter of Nicholas Carr's book, "The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains," he expresses to the reader his concerns about the effect that the internet has had and will have on the average person. He believes that it is because of the internet that people are losing their ability to concentrate. According to Carr, the realization occurred when he sat down to read a book. He noticed that his mind wanted to behave the same way that it does when he used the internet: jumping from page to page, checking emails, clicking on links, and googling things. This made him think about how technology we use in day to day life influences the way we think.
Although I agree with Carr's initial point that people have changed the way they think, I do not agree that people have lost the ability to concentrate on a book. When doing research, anyone would go to google instead of going to search through hundreds of books at the library, it is the logical thing to do. One can take in more information in less time when they use the resources presented by the internet. The internet has provided a source of instant gratification for many knowledge seeking minds. However, this does not mean that people have completely lost the ability to focus on a novel. Reading a novel is not a chore, it is something that should be enjoyable. If someone really wanted to read a novel then they would. It is really a matter of what the individual finds more intriguing: the quick gratification of the internet, or the long, suspenseful, and somewhat thrilling experience of reading a novel.


Lighting the Way in Challenging Relationships
By Kathy Truman
Built with a singular purpose across the world, the lighthouse has one job…to remain standing in its place and light the way. Its very design is not only to be firm and steadfast but to endure the hottest of still summer days and the torrent of the most violent winter storms.
In a most unexpected way, the lighthouse has taken on another tremendously important roll. It has become a symbol for the human journey. As the sailor seeks out the lighthouse to guide his or her ship safely in the storm so do we seek out those whose light and character are bright and immovable when our lives face change. The lighthouse has become a symbol of safety, a beacon warning of danger in the face of adversity.
Navigating a true and steady course in relationships is the stuff of maritime legend. We, along with our loved ones, get to actually exercise our agency to choose our paths. In that choosing, what if those whom we care for lose their course, their direction, their will to continue? What if some of them have actually become shipwrecked? Do we resign ourselves to thinking that all is lost? What do we do now?
Come with me as we discover together what a humble lighthouse can teach us about ‘lighting the way’ in our relationships.
LESSONS FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE
- To withstand the storms, stand on the ‘Rock.’
- You are of no help if you are also drowning in the sea.
- Sailors cannot be forced to row and you are not their oar.
- A bright light within is needed to guide them.
- Warn of danger, but do not control.
- Light their way home…
“Is it possible for a book to heal? From the moment I opened ’Lighthouse Principles’ tears came to my eyes. The feeling of being in the presence of true light continued, page-by-page. The energy of this book stands solid, like a lighthouse, inviting readers to find their way through this storm of mortality.” Cristine Price, M.S., Integrative Practitioner and Author
“I was captivated from the first chapter to the last. How I wish I had this knowledge before I raised my children. Lighthouse Principles offers real solutions to real problems. There is hope and safety for all who are weary from the storms of life.” Karleen Byerley
“Speechless! I was rendered speechless reading this book. With tears streaming down my face, I have to say it is inspired by God!” Diana Broadhead, Editor, Red Mountain Publishing
“Each chapter of this book is full of wisdom and insight as Kathy shares her own life’s triumphs and disappointments. This book is a jewel and one I will share with my loved ones.” Lucy Zafiratos
“This book is transformative!” James Broadhead, Business Teacher, Residential Treatment Center for At-Risk Youth
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The Right to Information Act 2005 came into force for its enactment from 12th October 2005 to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority in India. Under the act we are committed to provide following information on this website to every citizen of India. Please follow the links below if you have an interest in obtaining requisite information.
|1||Dr. Prashant Kawar,||Chairman & CPIO|
|2||Dr. Prabha K,||Nodal Officer|
|3||Mr. Deepak Verma,||Member Secretary|
|RTI Proactive Disclosure under Section 4(1)||Download|
|Right To Information Act, 2005||Hindi||English|
|RTI Model Form of Application||Download|
|Right To Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005||Download|
|The Central Information Commision (Appeal Procedure) Rules, 2005||Download|
|RTI Proactive Disclosure under Section 4(b) of the RTI Act|
|Sec.4(b)(i) : The particulars of the organization, functions and duties||Read|
|Sec.4(b)(ii) : The powers and duties of officers and employees||Read|
|Sec.4(b)(iii) : The procedure followed in the decision making process, including channels of supervision and accountability||Read|
|Sec.4(b)(iv) : The norms set for discharge of functions: As per ICAR Rules and Guidelines|
|Sec.4(b)(v) : The rules, regulations, instructions, manuals and records used by employees for discharging functions||Read|
|Sec.4(b)(vi) : The categories of documents held or under control||Read|
Sec.4(b)(vii) : The particulars of arrangement that exists for consultation with, or representation by, the members of the pubic in relation to the formulation of policy or implementation thereof :
The Institute follows the policy formed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. There is provision of discussion with members of the public who are nominated by the council on the Institute Management Committee and the Quinquenniel Review Team.
|Sec.4(b)(viii) : A Statement of the boards, councils, committees and other bodies consisting of two or more persons constituted as its part or for the purpose of its advice, and as to whether meetings of those boards, councils, committees and other bodies are open to the public, or the minutes of such meetings are accessible for public||Read|
|Sec.4(b)(ix) : A Directory of Officers and employees||Read|
|Sec.4(b)(x) : The monthly remuneration of officers and employees and system of compensation||Read|
|Sec.4(b)(xi) : Budget allocations of all plans, proposed expenditures and reports on disbursements made||Read|
|Sec.4(b)(xii) : The manner of execution of subsidy programmes, including amounts allocated, details and beneficiaries : Not applicable|
|Sec.4(b)(xiii) : Recipients of concessions, permits or authorization granted : Not applicable|
Sec.4(b)(xiv) : Details in respect of the information, available or held, reduced in an electronic form.
Sec.4(b)(xv) : Particulars of facilities available to citizens for obtaining information including the working
hours of a library or reading room, if maintained for public use :
For obtaining technical information a technical cell is functional on all the working days.
Also there is a Public Relation Officer who facilitates the interaction of Flower growers with the concerned scientists.
| Sec.4(b)(xvi) : Names, designations and other particulars of Appellate Authority, and Transparency Officer :
As given above
ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research,
Zed Corner, Mundhwa Manjri Road, Mundhwa,