sunday worship cancelled due to corona virus the parish
TRANSCRIPT
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Sunday Worship
Cancelled due to corona virus
Vicar: The Revd. Alec Brown, The Vicarage, Great Budworth Tel: 01606 891324
Curates: The Revd Christina Westwell 42, Runcorn Road Barnton 01606 782743
Revd. Dr. Jenny McKay, Pendell House, 19 Westage Lane,
Great Budworth. 01606 891564
Reader: Mrs Janet Rees, 15, Chapel Close, Comberbach 01606 891366
Churchwarden: Mrs Pauline Ridgway, 16, Pickmere Lane Wincham 01565 733494
Churchwarden: Mrs Margaret Cross, Wadesley House, Dark Lane, Marston 07732324001
P.C.C. Hon. Secretary: Miss Bev Harding, 11, Thistle Close, Pickmere 01565 734880
P.C.C. Hon. Treasurer: Vacant Position
Sexton: Mrs Shirley Humphreys 9 Westage Lane Gt Budworth 01606 891204
Wedding Vergers: Mrs Linda Platt 01606 46425 Mrs Susan Ollier 01565734242
Tower Correspondent: Mrs Shirley Humphreys 9 Westage lane Gt Budworth 01606 891204
Old School booking
secretary: Mrs Pauline Ridgway 16, Pickmere Lane, Wincham 01565 733494
G.B. School Head: Mrs Sandra Finney 01606 891383
Friends of Great
Budworth Church: Mr Geoff Ridgway 16, Pickmere Lane, Wincham 01565 733494
Child Protection Officer: Mrs Mary Clewes, 07931 425360
Parish Magazine Editor: Mr Robert Cross Wadesley House, Dark lane, Marston 01606 48036
Parish Website: www.greatbudworthchurch.co.uk
The Parish Magazine of
Price 50p May 2020
St Mary & All Saints
Great Budworth Serving the villages of Arley, Aston-by-Budworth, Comberbach, Crowley,
Great Budworth, Lower Wincham, Marbury, Marston, and Pickmere.
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Dates for the diary: May
CORONA VIRUS
ALL PUBLIC SERVICES ARE
CANCELLED/ POSTPONED UNTIL
FURTHER NOTICE
Financial outlook
Churches all over are going to struggle keeping their heads above water, and
this includes St. Mary and All Saints.
Weddings postponed, no collections due to no services, no revenue from
church teas, Summer fair cancelled.
Parish Share alone costs us £4860.50 per month! Please continue to give as
normal if you can. Either hold onto your envelopes until we can receive
them, or use online banking. We know this is a difficult time for everybody.
Thank you for your support.
Church closure
In line with guidelines from the Archbishops, the Church is still closed to
visitors and no services are being held in the building. The only services cur-
rently allowed are Committals at Crematoria and graveside burials. Please
do visit the Church website for information, prayer and worship resources
and please contact the Vicar or Churchwardens if you would like to have
the Weekly Sheet e-mailed to you, or if you would like to discuss anything.
Please be assured that you are very much in our prayers at this very chal-
lenging time.
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Sunday Readings for your information
May 2020 Year A
No services due to Corona Virus
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Leave your dandelions alone
When mowing your lawn, avoid cutting your dandelions. That is the advice of the president of the British Ecological Society, Prof Jane Memmott. It will help to save the bees.
She explains: “Dandelions are a fantastic source of pollen and nectar for the early pollinators in particular. If they were rare, people would be fighting over them, but because they’re common, people pull them out and spray them with all sorts of horrible things when they should just let them flow-er. If you leave the lawn to three or four inches, then dandelions, clover and daisies can flower and then you end with something like a tapestry, and it’s much nicer to sit there and watch the insects buzzing about.”
Prof Memmott encourages everyone to get a bee hotel for their garden. “There’s nothing nicer than being sat in a chair with a glass of wine and
Grow your lawns
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has called on people to allow flowers to grow on their lawns, instead of insisting on smooth green surfaces.
The reason is because nearly 7.5million acres of meadows and pastures rich in wildflowers have been lost since the Thirties, thus removing a vital source of food for pollinators, many of whom are now in steep decline.
The nation’s 15 million gardens could help a lot in supporting bees, butter-flies and other bugs looking for nectar.
Not only but also
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From the Vicar
At the time of writing, and with the country’s lockdown having been extend-ed for a further three weeks till 7th May, it clearly won’t be possible to come together, in Church, or in the community, to celebrate and give thanks for VE Day on 8th May. This is a great shame of course, but what we’ve begun to learn from this unprecedented time (did you know, for example, that the last time Easter Services were “suspended” was in 1213, under King John!) is that with imagination and creativity (both human and technological) there are still so many ways in which we can all come together. This ranges from the communal joining together of hands every Thursday evening, for NHS, Social Care and key workers, to the recording of Services for Facebook and the live-streaming of Services, as well as the use of whatsapp groups and video conferencing for keeping in touch and for meetings. Not to forget as well the wonderful and individual artistic talents of some members of our communities, whose NHS “rainbows” of thanks and hope adorn so many of our windows. There is much to give thanks for, especially in the quiet acts of helpfulness and kindness to those in need, even as we lament not being able to gather together, for services in Church and community events. In the full-ness of time though I look forward greatly to a Service of Thanksgiving in Church and a “real” rather than a virtual party! During this month of May we celebrate two of the most important festivals in the Church – the Ascension of Jesus and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles at Pentecost: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” said Jesus to those first be-lievers, and He says the same to us today, gathered as we will be in our homes rather than in church.
And so, for the time being, as I said in my Easter sermon, and have touched on in some of the poems I’ve recently been inspired to write, we need to persevere and to look with hope to the future – for this marathon will come to an end!
May God bless each one of us in this coming month.
The Revd Alec Brown.
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From the Registers
Rest in peace – Keiran Peters, whose burial took place on 8th April and
Robert “Roy” McKay whose committal took place at Vale Royal Crematori-um on 23rd April.
High Sheriff of Cheshire – congratulations to Nick Hopkinson, who became the new High Sheriff of Cheshire on 7th April. The Declarations were to have been made in Church in a special service that evening, but in the end they were made in a Zoom Conference in the afternoon, with a small num-ber of participants (including the new High Sheriff’s Chaplain – the Vicar of Great Budworth!) and with many people invited to observe. It was a mov-ing service and we look forward to Nick’s year of service within Cheshire – more about this to come.
VE Day 8th May, 1945.
Trawling through the Parish archives in the Chester Record Office in Febru-
ary, I came across a few references to VE Day which I thought may be of
interest. In September, 1944 the PCC discussed a letter from the Bishop of
Chester concerning the future return of men and women from the Forces,
and the setting up of a fund to help with this return to civilian life. In April,
1945 the PCC discussed arrangements for Services in the Parish Church
when VE Day was declared – Holy Communion Services at 8 and 9am and
Sung Evensong at 7.30pm. There was no mention of a party! A year later
discussions were held about the War Memorial in the Lych Gate, and it was
agreed that the names of those from the Parish who had died during the
war should be added to the existing memorial. Some 15 years later, inter-
estingly, the PCC discussed a letter concerning the removal of the German
war dead from the Churchyard in Great Budworth to a special German
Cemetery at Cannock Chase in Staffordshire, which was approved (more
about the German POWs at Marbury Hall in the Budworth Bulletin).
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Try a little kindness
When TV presenter and celebrity Carolyn Flack took her life in February 2020 the world was shocked and saddened. How could someone so young, beautiful and successful do such a thing? It seems that the pres-sure of an impending court case, the vitriol she received online, and her own inner pain had become too much for her.
Shortly before she died, she posted, ‘In a world where you can be any-thing, be kind.’
These simple words are a call to our society to become more caring and careful in the way we treat each other. There is too much unkindness about, especially on social media where unkind words are so common and can be so destructive.
Kindness can be defined as the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate. It is shown through our words and by our actions, an every-day sort of quality that is not spectacular but which when we encounter it can lift our spirits.
It is above all a Christian virtue that ought to be demonstrated in great measure within Christian communities. It is a fruit of the Spirit, an atti-tude that is formed within us when the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives (Galatians 5:22). It is an aspect of love for love is patient, love is kind (1Corinthians 13:4).
Why not try a little kindness this week? Do something spontaneously to help another person. Reach out in friendship to someone who seems lonely, if only by phone! Speak some kind words to those around you. You will feel better yourself, and you will be making the world a better place.
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Take Our Hands
Take our hands my dearest Lord Direct our paths to love and life We need your strength and ill afford To let us fall in ways of strife Take our hands my dearest Lord To help us see where love is lost Distressed and weary sounds that chord As people live to count the cost Take our hands my dearest Lord To sunshine pure and new-born hope Where love and truth from you is poured And gives fresh faith for us to cope Take our hands my dearest Lord Direct our minds so we can see That all our deeds we can record Are nothing if they`re not for Thee June Wright
50 years ago, on 8th May 1970 that the Beatles released their final album, Let it Be.
Also 50 years ago, on 22nd May 1970 that the song ‘In the Summertime’ by Mungo Jerry was released. By June it had reached Number One on dozens of record charts around the world.
40 years ago, on 5th May 1980 that Operation Nimrod took place, when the British SAS stormed the Iranian Embassy in London after a six-day siege.
20 years ago, on 3rd May 2000 that Ken Livingstone was elected as the first Mayor of London.
Also 20 years ago, on 12th May 2000 that the Tate Modern art gallery was opened in London.
10 years ago, on 6th May 2010 that the British General Election ended in a hung parliament. A coalition government was formed by the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats, with Conservative Party Leader David Cameron as Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg as Deputy Prime Minister.
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Continued over
Curate`s Musings
Dear friends,
I had a moment this week where I behaved in a way I was completely ashamed of. I shouted at someone. The minute it happened, I was over-whelmed with guilt and hit with waves of self loathing. I spoke with some-one who dealt with me with understanding and compassion which made me feel worse. I apologised to the person and to God. I know I am forgiven but it is taking me time to forgive myself.
It really made me think of the post resurrection appearances of Jesus.
Peter had really messed up. Despite his statements to the contrary, he had denied Jesus not once, but three times. He was not really any different to Judas with his betrayal. He, and most of the disciples had deserted Christ and had been hiding in a locked room
They were living in hard and bewildering times and were afraid. They were not sure what was going on.
When Jesus met with them, he did not berate them or shout, nor did he undertake any form of detailed debriefing sessions analysing where the disciples had gone wrong and how they could improve themselves.
Instead he met them, where they were, made a fire, grilled fish and spoke to them with compassion.
Each of us makes mistakes. Yet God meets us where we are.
We are the broken and flawed people of God who he still works through, using our strengths but also our failings.
Jesus loves us without bounds, forgives without reservation and forms us into something new.
We are God’s. Nothing prevents him from coming to find us and loving us.
I often lay awake …I would like to saying thinking deeply…but honestly just worrying.
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I hate that the places where people have gone to pray and be with God are closed. I know we can be with God anywhere but there is something differ-ent about church buildings that can be balm to our souls.
I grieve that I can’t be with people.
I am heartbroken when I learn that someone I have visited in a local care home has died and I could not be with him, to pray with him and just be there.
I worry that people in our community feel unloved and undervalued because no one has phoned them….if that is any of you then please get in touch. You are loved and you are valued but we are operating in a way we have never done before.
But I know that God is at work. We are hurtling towards Pentecost where we see the power of the Holy Spirit.
So I pray that you will experience the joy of Easter and the excitement of Pentecost.
I pray that you will stay well and stay safe.
I pray that you will be palpably aware that you are loved by God and by us
Love Christina
Ps you are incredibly loved by God.
Your dwelling place
Lord, grant me a simple, kind, open, believing, loving and generous heart, worthy of being your dwelling place.
By John Sergieff, Russian priest, 1829 – 1908
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All in the month of MAY
It was:
200 years ago, on 11th May 1820 that the British Royal Navy sloop HMS Beagle was launched. This was the ship that took the naturalist Charles Darwin on his scientific voyage around the world (1831-36).
Also 200 years ago: on 12th May 1820 that Florence Nightingale was born. This Italian-born British social reformer and statistician saved thousands of lives and became the founder of modern nursing.
125 years ago: on 20th May 1895 that R J Mitchell was born. This British aeronautical engineer designed the iconic Supermarine Spitfire fighter plane as well as several rac-ing seaplanes.
90 years ago, on 24th May 1930 that British aviator Amy Johnson became the first wom-an to fly solo from England to Australia.
80 years ago, on 2nd May 1940 that the 1940 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, were can-celled, due to World War II.
80 years ago, 1940: WORLD WAR II
10th-28th May: In what was called Case Yellow, Germany invaded Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
10th May: Germany dropped its first bombs on England, at Chilham and Petham in Kent.
13th May: Winston Churchill gave his first speech in the House of Commons, saying: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”
14th May: The Home Guard was established, nicknamed Dad’s Army as it was com-prised of volunteers who were ineligible for military service, usually because of their age.
26th May-4th June: The Battle of Dunkirk. Allied forces launched a massive evacua-tion of troops from Dunkirk, France, across the English Channel to England after they were cut off by approaching German forces. Nearly 340,000 soldiers were rescued in a hastily assembled fleet of 800 boats.
75 years ago, 1945: WORLD WAR II
2nd May: The Battle of Berlin ended. Allied victory which led to the surrender of all German forces by 8th/9th May, and the end of the war in Europe.
8th May: VE Day (Victory in Europe) – celebrated as a public holiday.
70 years ago, on 13th May 1950 that the first Formula One World Championship race was held, at Silverstone in England. (This race is also known as the 1950 British Grand Prix.)
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Great Budworth C of E Aided School News
Many thanks Teresa
During these unusual times, our school building remains closed. Some of our pu-pils are still attending school, which is being run jointly with Antrobus CofE Prima-ry school. There, our staff are working together with the staff from Antrobus on a rota to provide care in school for the children of those keyworkers who need it. Those teachers working from home are continuing to provide a wonderful ar-ray of learning experiences for our pupils to enjoy at home. The wonders of modern technology enable school to communicate with children regularly and in turn, the children are able to share the work that they have completed at home with their teacher and friends.
I asked some of our pupils what they most miss about not being able to go to school and every single one said that they missed spending time with their friends. Some also said that they missed their teachers and learning in groups at school. When asked what they are most enjoying about not having to go to school, nearly all said that they were really enjoying spending more time at home with their families as well as having time to do a variety of fun activities such as baking, family cycle rides, walks to the woods, arts and craft activities and learn-ing new things at home.
It is not surprising to discover that our school children miss social interaction most, but enjoy family social interaction most. After all, God created us as hu-man beings to flourish in our relationships with one another as well as in our rela-tionship with Him. Please pray for our staff who are also missing the social nature of working together and the normal face to face contact with the children. Please pray that everyone in our school family stays healthy and that we can all learn new things as we grow in perseverance through this time of trial and difficulty.
Mrs Teresa Nixon
Foundation Governor
Federation of Antrobus St Mark's and
Great Budworth Church of England VA Primary Schools
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High Sheriff’s Declarations Service for Nick Hopkinson, Great Budworth,
7th April, 2020.
Thought for the Day
In a few days time, on Good Friday, Christians across the world will be listening to, or reading, those very familiar words from St John’s Gospel, when Pontius Pilate, the upholder of Roman law and justice in 1st Century Judea, asks Jesus of Nazareth perhaps one of the most profound and enigmatic questions of all time: “And what is truth?” Pilate goes on, as we know, to declare that he finds no case against Jesus, but hands him over nevertheless to be executed and, famously, or infamously, “washes his hands” of the whole business.
“And what is truth?” We look to those in judicial office for the truth, and expect it from them in the conduct of their office and duties. At the same time we acknowledge the sheer complexity of the truth at times – as Pilate himself recog-nized – but the simplicity and absolute honesty of Jesus’ responses to both Pilate and his accusers serves as an invaluable reminder to us all, from High Sheriff to low-ly Chaplain, of what is most important in the conduct of our lives and our roles – and that is honesty and integrity, as well as courage and commitment.
Those of us who have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Nick, in what-ever capacity, know that in our new High Sheriff we have a shining example of all these virtues and qualities, as well as a person who remembers where he’s come from and knows where he wants to go. I have no doubt that everyone watching this service today will want to join with me in wishing Nick, and Lesley, everything of the best for the coming year, with all the challenges and the opportunities that will present themselves (and already are!).
We all wish you well, and may God bless you in all your endeavours in the coming year.
Prayers, Lord’s Prayer and final blessing.
The Revd Alec Brown
Vicar of Great Budworth and Antrobus
Chaplain to the High Sheriff, 2020/21.
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‘He gave us eyes to see them’: early Persian painting of Jonah and whale
The prophet Jonah is mentioned three times in the Gospels when Jesus refers to ‘the sign of Jonah.’ In the Old Testament he was swallowed by a large fish, tradi-tionally a whale, and in its belly for three days and three nights. It is easy to see in that sign a reference to the death and resurrection of Jesus, but the book is also a powerful allegory of life. The prophet runs away from God, only to encounter a storm and possible ship-wreck. He is thrown overboard and swallowed by the whale.
We are living through difficult and anxious days with the coronavirus: we seem to be surrounded by fear and danger, like Jonah. Where, we ask, is our hope and safety amid the storm and threat of breakdown? In his distress Jonah prays to the Lord and places his trust in God. The psalm he utters ends with the words, ‘Deliverance belongs to the Lord.’ As he speaks, the whale spews him on to the safety of dry land.
The story of Jonah is depicted here in this beautiful painting from a 14th centu-ry manuscript from Persia. The whale is friendly and smiling, basking in the ex-panse of blue sea. Jonah is safe: his hope has triumphed, and God has delivered him from danger and possible death. In 1988 Heathcote Williams wrote a long poem called ‘Whale Nation’ in praise of these mysterious, gifted and intelligent creatures. We hunt them, we plunder the seas for them. But they are also our friends and guides, and it is easy to neglect those truths. The book ends with examples of whales and dolphins guiding ships and saving human lives. So, we, in the midst of all that worries and perplexes us, can give thanks to God our guide and Saviour, and pray that He will bring us safely through life.
God in the Sciences
Can Science Prove God Exists?
To risk sounding like a smart aleck seven-year-old, tech-nically speaking you can only prove things mathematical-ly. If you need to know that one plus one equals two, don’t go to a chemistry lab. The natural sciences only deal with things that can be observed and measured. Science has been so successful that it’s tempting to get carried away, valuing science above any other kind of knowledge, but there are other ways of knowing that are equally important. For example, art conveys ideas, experiences or emotions that provoke us to think or do something in response.
In fact, to find answers to any of the really important questions about meaning and pur-pose that affect us throughout our lives, we always have to go beyond science. Some scientific data might help define the question, for example a farmer facing a drought would probably like to know some details about the current weather patterns and the availability of seeds for more hardy crops before she can start asking “What is the point of trying to grow anything at all?” But in the end, she is asking a deeper question – and so are the rest of us when we go through any significant experience in life.
So rather than asking “Can science prove God exists?”, what about: “Are the findings of science compatible with the existence of a purposeful Creator?” For many scientists to-day, the answer to the second question is yes. They have investigated the Bible’s de-scriptions of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and found that they make sense. They have discovered that they can interact with God – especially in prayer – and that this faith has changed their lives.
Professor Christine Done, an Astrophysicist at Durham University, writes, “for me the more we know about the vast, yet intricate and beautiful Universe we live in, the bigger and more awe-inspiring is the God who made it all.”( Thinking About: The Big Bang, https://www.cis.org.uk/resources/thinking/)
Some go even further, making statements like this: “the way the universe exhibits an ordered structure, which is open to science to investigate, points to a mind behind it.” (Revd Dr Rodney Holder, Astrophysicist, in Longing, Waiting, Believing (BRF, 2014)
The question “Can Science Prove God Exists?” turns out to be a category error – trying to use science to answer a non-scientific question. On the other hand, many scientists think there is enough evidence from a wide range of sources to warrant belief in God.
This series is written by Dr Ruth M. Bancewicz, who is Church Engagement Director at The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion in Cambridge. Ruth writes on the positive rela-
tionship between Science and Christian faith.
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Please be assured that during these strange and unprecedented times, the ministry
team are available to help where we can. If you are self -isolating and need shop-
ping or medication delivering, please give us a call. Unfortunately, for the safety of
both parties, we can only drop shopping at the door, and wave through the win-
dow.
We are available by phone or email or Facebook if you want to talk to us. We can
offer a chat or prayer or both. If you have Facebook, have a look at the church page,
@greatbudworthchurch and see Jenny’s blogs, Alec, and Christina leading worship
from their homes or gardens and the team leading prayers
We keep you all in our prayers. Stay well.
The Rev Alec Brown (Vicar) 01606 891324
The Rev Christina Westwell (Curate) 07870 687304
The Rev Dr. Jenny McKay (Curate) 07554 416058
Mrs Janet Rees (Reader Emeritus) 07988 432889
Mrs Margaret Cross (Churchwarden) 07732324001
Mrs Pauline Ridgway (Churchwarden) 01565 733494
Mrs Maggie Earl (Volunteer) 07970 927161
All phone calls etc. will be treated with confidence, but may need to be
shared with somebody else on the team.
If you don’t wish this to happen, please let the person you speak to know at
the time of first contact.
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An Easter walk around a country parish
The sound of birdsong fills the sky,
while all around the insects
hover, buzz and fly,
and, carried on the wind across the valley
the meuwing of the buzzard soaring high and
searching the fields and meadows below,
and the yellow fields of oilseed rape
shine in the afternoon sun,
as dancing butterflies delight the eye
and streams through wooded valleys run
and tell us Spring is come;
so on we press with eager step,
to round each corner and to see
nature’s great hope unfolding
beyond each hedge and tree;
and cows in fields and farmers in tractors and on quads
remind us of our daily bread,
as we give thanks to them and
to our God, by whom we all are fed.
The Revd Alec Brown
Great Budworth
15th April, 2020.
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Women of the Bible
Deborah
Meaning of name Honey bee
Judges 4-5
Deborah can be found in the Old Testament in the book of Judges.
She was a leader of the Israelites, a prophetess and the wife of Lappidoth.
Deborah was a woman who heard God and beloved his word. She was strong and courageous and a mighty woman of faith. She described herself as the Mother of Israel.
Judges 5:7
“Village life in Israel ceased until I, Deborah, arose, arose a Mother in Israel.”
Through her courage, God’s chosen people were stirred up to overcome the foreign oppressors.
The Israelites were being oppressed by the Canaanites. King Jabin and his warrior Sisera were the strongest with 900 iron plated chariots. They had ruled for 20 years.
Deborah held court under the palm trees, several miles North West of Jericho. When Israel was dispirited she did not lose heart. She summoned Barack, a Hebrew from the North, and told him to gather 10,000 men and lead the way to Mount Ta-bor. She informed him that she would deliver the army of Sisera into his hands.
Barack said that he would only do it if Deborah went with him. Hearing of the plot, Sisera led his troops into the Kieron Wadi where his chariots became stuck and pan-ic ensued. The troops were defeated and Sisera killed.
Deborah was the only woman Judge recorded in the Bible and led the people into 20 years of peace and freedom.
Psalm 20:7
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
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The Ven John Barton muses on our present isolation
Life in quarantine
Full marks to Jamie Oliver for his Channel 4 series, ‘Keep Cooking and Carry On’. He showed us how to make tasty meals with basic ingredients and a minimum of fuss.
The pandemic prompted other encouraging responses. One mother in the ‘at risk’ cate-gory said her adult children thought she was immortal until now. Now they ring her every day to see how she’s getting on. An elderly clergyman had offers to shop from two new neighbours whom he hardly knew. The whole nation stopped taking the Na-tional Health Service for granted and started showing gratitude. Telephone, television, the internet and email prevented many from going stir-crazy. Some even tried the cryptic crossword, though newcomers should be warned it takes years to learn its se-crets!
The isolation was tough for many. Isolated families had to get used to each other’s company and foibles for long periods, away from the park or beach. Couples were parted from each other by distance or illness. Those living alone were cut off from visi-tors and communal activities. Churchgoers missed Holy Communion at Easter for the first time. That should help us identify with millions of Christians across the world who have to pray in secret because their neighbours would persecute them if they did so publicly.
Alone-ness, rather than loneliness, can be productive. Albert Einstein valued time alone, when he could “go for long walks on the beach so that I can listen to what is go-ing on inside my head.” Isaac Newton’s greatest discoveries began when he escaped the effects of the bubonic plague, by returning home to the family farm in Lincolnshire. He had time to observe what was going on around him and, yes, that did include watching the famous apple fall.
When the bubonic plague was at its peak, the Reformer Martin Luther wrote: “I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, He will sure-ly find me and I have done what He has expected of me, and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others.”