st peter’s church burnley · all the children are orphans; many do not know exactly how old they...
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Parish MagazineParish MagazineParish Magazine
February 2020February 2020February 2020
St Peter’s Church BurnleySt Peter’s Church BurnleySt Peter’s Church Burnley
This magazine is FREE, but donations towards the cost of production may be placed
in the wall safe by the porch door. Gift Aid envelopes available.
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2
RECTOR OF THE UNITED BENEFICE OF ST PETER & ST STEPHEN:
Revd Patrick Senior [email protected] 07804 646420
CHURCH WARDENS:
Mr Stewart Hacking .. .. .. .. 438224 Mrs Sandra Davies .. .. .. .. .. .. 434763
DEPUTY CHURCHWARDENS:
Miss Carol Pike .. .. .. .. .. .. 434719 Mr Jason Walsh .. .. .. .. .. .. 01254 822127
PCC SECRETARY/ELECTORAL ROLL OFICER
Mr Alan Roadley .. .. .. .. .. .. 07588 556640
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC: Mr Philip Tomlinson .. 777132 VISION CHAMPION: Mr Alan Roadley .. .. 07588 556640 SAFEGUARDING OFFICER: Mrs Christine Hacking .. 438224
ST PETER’S C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL (Headteacher)
Mrs Catherine Greenwood .. .. .. .. 426873
SUNDAY SCHOOL (DJS): Mrs Meena Tomlinson .. 777132
MOTHERS’ UNION: Mrs Carol Waddington .. 452382
FRIENDS OF ST PETER’S: Mrs Heather Slater .. .. 432775
FLOWER GUILD: Mrs Alice Binns .. .. 789632
CATERING & KITCHEN MANAGER / LUNCH CLUB:
Vacant
BELFRY: Mr Richard Parker .. .. .. .. 619906
MAGAZINE EDITOR:
Mrs Pam McGrath: [email protected] 760256
Who’s W
ho a
t S
t P
eter’s?
3
On 20th November, I was asked (in my role as Chair of Governors) to act as
host when the Bethany Choir from Tanzania visited to sing and talk to the
pupils of St Peter's.
I was treated to an inspirational morning - their music was amazing and their
stories were moving.
All the children are orphans; many do not know exactly how old they and a
guess is based on their size when they arrive. The children do not have access
to electricity or any of the modern amenities that our young people take so
much for granted (TV, Smartphone, laptop) so they fill their time with song and
dance as they do their chores.
They showed pupils how they carry heavy canisters of water for several
kilometers on their head, walking around the church with ease with the heavy
canisters perfectly balanced. Our own pupils could carry a far smaller one for
more than a few steps - and that was with 2 hands firmly holding on!
The children led by their teacher Jesca who is a former orphan of the project,
also spoke movingly about their faith and how their christmas and easter treat
is to have a bottle of soda with their meal.
The project is always in need of support and, having met the children and been
moved by their faith, I would encourage anybody to get involved and help
change their lives.
Carol
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5
Candlemas on February 2nd is technically the end of the Christmas/
Epiphany season. Forty days from Christmas, it marks the Jewish Ritual
of the Presentation of the Christ child in the Temple, as recorded in the
Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, v22-40. For us it seems like Christmas was
ages ago, yet as we annually live the events of Jesus life, this episode
deserves our attention.
I remember when I was training to be a Vicar at Bristol Trinity
Theological College, having to devise an Act of Worship for Candlemas.
We started by acting out the arrival of Mary and Joseph coming to the
Temple at one end of the Chapel and hearing the familiar words of
Simeon as he praised God in the Nunc Dimittis. Simeon blessed them
and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and
rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that
the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own
soul too.” In the chapel, we then made a dramatic move as we then had
the congregation turn around and were faced with the Good Friday
Cross bleakly standing in the shadows. Even at this moment in Jesus life,
the cross was already on the horizon.
As we move into February, we may easily miss Candlemas, yet it
redirects our year, as by the end of the month we have Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday on February 25th/26th leading us into the start of
Lent.
In preparation for Ash Wednesday, it is traditional in many churches to
collect the Palm Crosses from the previous year to make ash for Ash
Wednesday. This year please would you bring your old Palm Crosses to
Church by February 23rd to be made into ash for the following
Wednesday.
As we read the words of this story again, we are reminded that faithful
people waited and worshipped to see the Messiah, and as we continue in
their example, let us also be consistent in our worship and our
awareness of God at work in the world today.
In this issue
Page
2 Bethany Choir
3 Who’s Who at St Peter’s?
5 Patrick’s Pitch
6 CAP in Burnley
7 Some Forthcoming Events
8 Sunday School
Lunch Club
Children’s Society
9 From the Churchwardens
10 February in the Book of Remembrance
11 Mary Derbyshire
Flower Rota
12 Prayer 2020
14 ABC
15 Men’s Social
Who Do We Recommend
16 St Peter’s School
18 Vision Viewpoint
The Journey
19 Christian Resources Exhibition
Faith Discussion Group
20 Ancient & Modern
21 Electoral Rolll
22 Children’s Page
23 Memories of Christingle
24 Fun, Food, Faith & Friendship
Please ensure that all copy for the MARCH
magazine is sent to Pam no later than
15th February.
Items can be handed to the Wardens, or
emailed to: [email protected]
2020 Scripture Prayer
EPHESIANS 3v16-end
16 I pray that out of his glori-
ous riches he may
strengthen you with
power through his Spirit in
your inner being, 17 so that
Christ may dwell in your
hearts through faith. And I
pray that you, being
rooted and established in
love, 18 may have power,
together with all the Lord’s
holy people, to grasp how
wide and long and high and
deep is the love of
Christ, 19 and to know this
love that surpasses knowl-
edge—that you may be
filled to the measure of all
the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to
do immeasurably more than
all we ask or imagine, ac-
cording to his power that is
at work within us, 21 to him
be glory in the church and
in Christ Jesus throughout
all generations, for ever and
ever! Amen.
Patrick
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6 7
It’s beginning, after a year of planning and
fundraising, we now have a CAP worker starting
this inter-Church Ministry this month. On February
2nd at 5.30pm at St Leonards Church, Padiham,
Bishop Philip will commission John Graver as the
CAP worker for Burnley and Padiham, to bring
Debt relief and advice to people in our area. I hope
you will want to be at the service and support this
outreach that will change lives. If you are unaware
of the impact of CAP, look on YouTube and see
the many stories there, and invite John to preach at
your Church.
Its not all about John Graver doing the work, we all have a part to play:
Praying – there will be a monthly prayer meeting at St Stephen’s Church on
the second Sunday evening of the month, time to be confirmed. At this we will
hear about the work, and pray for those involved.
Be-Friending – Each Church is encouraged to provide a number of Be
Frienders to accompany John on his visits, to be a friendly face and local person
to the clients. As we don’t know where they live its hard to say who will be
used, but the commitment will be initially for 3 or 4 meetings and to help them
engage in local Church activity. As John is new to the area, the Befrienders will
need the Vicar/Minister’s recommendation. For those interested, John Graver
will lead training on February 19th, 7.30pm at St Leonards - no commitment will
be required on the night.
Giving – Many local Churches and businesses have provided financial support
for three years initially, this is an answer to prayer, but it is hoped that many
individuals may wish to financially support this directly with the CAP HQ in
Bradford as Life-changers, or the local centre in Burnley based at St Leonard’s
Church.
John will be preaching at the 10.30am Service at St Peter’s on February 9th and
St Stephen’s on March 1st. He is available to preach on other Sundays and can
be contacted on 01282 723580/07940 89770, or email:
We look forward to seeing how God blesses this ministry and changes lives for
the better.
Patrick Senior
Area Dean and Rector of St Peter’s and St Stephen’s
T 0780 4646 420. E [email protected]
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8 9
Sunday School News
We are continuing to look at St
Paul's letters to the Corinthians.
Although we only study a couple
of verses a week it is good to
focus on St Paul's messages.
We will be looking at God's
values, how the Holy Spirit helps
us and how God makes us grow.
For the final week in February we
will return to the Gospel for the
Transfiguration of Jesus.
Within our amazing group of
children they have many life
experiences they can share; their
questions and faith in a God who
loves them make it a privilege to
be with them.
Many thanks to Sharmaine and
Georgina who so willingly and
competently help out.
Meena
February Lunch Club
is on 6th & 20th
Anyone over 60 is welcome to the Lunch
Club.
Home-cooked main course and pudding, served at 12
noon
Tea/Coffee and Biscuits served
Hello Everyone!
We have just enjoyed a Christmas season of well attended Church
services with some wonderful music sung by our Church choir. Thank
you so much to Philip, the Director of Music, and to the members of
the Church choir who performed the various pieces of music
beautifully. It was a joy to sit and listen to your music.
We are now dealing with the winter weather and looking forward to
the 23rd March when we will all put our clocks forward (Spring
forward) and look towards lighter nights and hopefully some spring
sunshine. There are signs of this - snowdrops are flowering in the
Churchyard!!
We are all very sorry to hear of Barbara Tranmer’s death. Barbara
died at home, peacefully, and we would like to convey our very sincere
sympathy to Barbara’s family.
We at Church are moving forward with the thoughts that our building
work will probably commence within the next couple of months which
means “the NewZealand” has to be cleared in preparation. If you have
anything stored there, will you please consider arrangements for
clearing this space. When the work is completed we will enjoy a new
and extended kitchen with up to date toilet facilities.
Ash Wednesday is the 26th February, the start of Lent 2020.
Take care everyone and looking forward to seeing you in Church.
Stewart and Sandra
A few members of the congregation
have boxes for the Children’s
Society which are an ideal way of
giving to charity by putting in your
loose coins after shopping. Andre
has looked after this for many years
but the number with boxes has
fallen over the years. If any one
would like a box please see Andre""
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February In the Book of Remembrance at St Peter’s
2nd John Swinnerton, Albert Edward Potts
5th Daisy Matthews, William Henry Matthews, Brian Jessop
7th Benjamin Yates, Amelia Smith, Peter Charles Kaltober
8th Every Holt Parker
9th Harold Green, James Greenwood
10th Amy Rae, Alice Boothman, Emily Smith, James Saul,
Francis Gordon Shoesmith
12th John Edward Chapman, Edwin Baker, Norman George Altham,
John Alfred Smith
13th Martin Patrick Macdonald
14th Edith Ann Baker, Fred Hargreaves
16th Louisa Jobling
17th Leonard Thomas Perry
18th Annie Pollard, Elspeth Parker Grant
19th Mary Wright
20th Caroline Pollard, John Barritt
21st Pauline Mabel West, Margaret Noel Payne, Margery Law
22nd Annie Tomlinson, Douglas Frederick Clavell-Bate,
Gwendoline Doris Baker
23rd Muriel Foulds
24th John Sagar, Ann Jobling
26th Jennie Beet
27th Jane Layfield, Arthur Fielden
28th George Edward Caton
“I am the resurrection and the life The one who believes in me will live,
even though they die.”(John 11:25)
FLOWER ROTA FOR FEBRUARY
Sanctuary Towneley
2 February Vacant Vacant
9th February Vacant Vacant
16th February Mrs E Jessop Vacant
23rd February Vacant Vacant Alice
It was with sadness that we
heard of the death of
Mary Derbyshire, our friend and co-stitcher.
Mary died on December 11th 2019
at 95 years of age.
She was an accomplished needlewoman,
an expert on Ruskin embroidery.
Mary had a lively mind, interests in
music, particularly opera, and literature
We loved to hear of her life
experiences and adventures.
She is missed.
St Peter’s Church Needleworkers
In Memory of Mary Derbyshire
Di Holden
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12 13
https://www.hopetogether.org.uk
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15
MEN’S SOCIAL INFORMAL SOCIALISING & SUPPORT
Well, since I last wrote, we’ve sampled the slightly refurbished Brun Lea and
barring some football commentary which makes conversation a little harder,
there doesn’t seem much to worry about. Our next meeting there will be on
Monday March 9th. Why not February? Because on Tuesday 18th
February we have:
ST. PETER’S CURRY NIGHT!
Once again at Shimla Spice, Church St. ALL are welcome (it’s a gender neutral
event!) but you must let me know please if you intend to come. By the time
this is published, there should be more details available, either in Church or
from me. It’s always been a good night out so far, and I’m sure it will be again.
Alan 07588556640
14
At our first meeting of the year,
our discussion centred around the
'Follow the Star' daily Christmas
reflections, which are reflections
for each of the twelve days of
Christmas, beginning on Christmas
Day.
We read Matthew 2:1-8. The
question we discussed was 'Where are you on your journey with
God?' We found that this is not
easy to answer. Like the wise
men, we too are on a journey; a
journey of faith to a glorious
end. We all thought that we were
at different points on that journey.
The wise men set off and followed
the star to find Jesus. In the same
way, we need to trust in God to
show us the way, believe in his plan
for us and know that God is
working in us. It is God's will, not
ours that is important.
We discussed how it is not always
easy to be a Christian - loving
everyone and following the
example of Jesus. We have our
dislikes and disagreements but we
should overcome these with love.
We had a lively discussion about
Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38–42)
and concluded that all people's
talents are equally valued. No-one
is better than anyone else. We
were reminded of St Paul's words
in 1 Corinthians 12 about the
unity of the members of the
church in one body. We thought
about our different talents and
skills that we use in the service of
God and how we talk and listen to
God as we go about our daily
lives.
We realised that we had come full circle to the beginning of our
study - we all bring our different
attributes as we come together as
Christians and support each other
in our journey of faith.
Thanks to Meena for leading our
group.
Everyone is welcome to join us on
Thursday mornings, 10:00 am at
St. Peter's.
Joanne
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17
Courage ‘Be strong and courageous; do not be
frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your
God is with you wherever you go.’ (Joshua 1.9)
“If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to
succeed.” (David Viscott)
Do you need courage to make a start on something new?
Deuteronomy 31.6: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not
be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you
go.
2 Timothy 1.7: For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but
gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Spiritual: Jesus lived in the assurance that his Father God would provide all that he needed. This gave him the courage to face even the
cross. At our school, the words from the book to Timothy guide the
way we approach any challenges that face us.
Moral: Learning from Jesus, we recognise that taking a moral stand or
tackling a challenge will require courage but we also know that we can
pray for God’s strength and his help.
Social: As a community, we explore the Christian belief that almost
anything is possible because God is for us. We therefore encourage one
another to reach our God-given potential and participate in artistic,
sporting and cultural activities that take us outside of our comfort zone.
Cultural: As a Church of England school we take inspiration from
those who have been uncompromising in standing for justice and have
been true to their Christian
faith in the face of persecution.
We celebrate individuals such
as William Wilberforce and
Elizabeth Fry who through
courage and perseverance have
influenced the political and
social life of Britain, and those
such as Martin Luther King,
Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson
Mandela who have also
powerfully informed our values
and culture.
16
At St. Peter’s School this term we are focussing on the Christian value
COURAGE. During collective worship we talk about courage together.
Being courageous can mean different things to different people. For
example, one person may think it easy to speak in front of a large
audience, whilst another would need to find lots of courage to do this.
Everyone faces challenges from time to time, and we have to find
courage to overcome them.
As a school family we have talked about our Courage Acrostic:
Courage is…
Carrying on when things are difficult
Overcoming fear
Understanding and facing a challenge
Risking being out of your comfort zone
Always believing in God’s promises
Going for a goal
Empowered by encouragement
We have also reflected upon the following quotes and questions. You
may wish to reflect on them yourselves:
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at
the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher.
Can you remember a time when you thought I’ve just got to keep trying?
“Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of it.” (Mark Twain)
Everyone feels scared sometimes. Have you ever overcome your fears
and achieved something that you’re proud of?
“A person cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose
sight of the shore.” (Andre Gide)
When did you last step outside your comfort zone to try something
new?
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- THOUGHTS ON VISION 2026
18
What’s that you ask? Think of a huge
exhibition or fair full of Christian and
Church related stalls with experts to
talk to on a vast range of subjects.
That’s more or less what it is. Find
out more by searching online for CRE
Exhibitions (don’t just Google “CRE”,
you’ll get something quite different).
You’re all going to now aren’t you?
I went to one in Manchester last year
and left wishing for more and also
wishing I’d planned in advance,
because there was so much to do and
see. The nearest one to us this year is
at Stoneleigh, near Coventry on 4th
and 5th March. I wasn’t planning to
visit, but if you fancied a day out and
wanted to share the cost of travelling
I could be persuaded. So please do
speak to me if you think it would
interest you.
Alan 075 8855 6640 [email protected]
19
FAITH
DISCUSSION
GROUP INTELLIGENT, FAITH-BASED
CONVERSATION AND
FRIENDSHIP
We have a meeting (first of the year) on
Monday 3rd February at Graham and
Sandra’s house. I’ll let you know the
date and venue of the next meeting
when it’s decided! If you want to know
more about these sociable gatherings do
speak to me either in person or by using
the contact details below.
During the past 12 months the timing of
the meetings has been somewhat
erratic, with some long gaps in between
on occasion. There’s a lot of other stuff
happens in this Church! But I’m aiming
to try and get back to a more consistent
monthly pattern this year. At some
point later this year, we will have been
gathering for ten years. On our 5th
Anniversary we had a special celebration
at Bishop Philip’s house, so I’m hoping
to do something special again. What will
happen in the next ten years? Who
(apart from God) can tell? Maybe it will
be time for me to step back and for
somebody else to gently move the
group on. In the meantime, there’s
another year of lively discussion about
all things faith related ahead of us. Come
and be part of it. Alan
07588556640 [email protected]
The Journey
We had our First Ladies Craft Day at
the end of November to provide a
quiet, thoughtful space before the
busyness of Christmas. We focussed
on the journey of the Wise Men to
find Jesus and our Journey with Jesus.
We had various crafts to help us
think about journeys and the
Christmas Story, including: stars,
angels and wisemen. Ruth Hassall
brought this time to an end with an
inspiring talk about our differing
journeys, saying we are all journeying
together to the same destination
which is to meet with Jesus.
It was a ladies event, but we were
joined by three men for
lunch........which was Shepherd’s Pie as
they had not been included in the
event. We said it was an alternative
Christmas Dinner. There was a
complaint that we did not have Angel
Delight for pudding - We can’t get it
right every time! Perhaps next time.
The lunch was excellent and the
atmosphere was lovely with many
conversations and a lot of laughter,
perhaps too, the beginning of new
friendships and support networks
among the ladies.
There were 26 people there with
nearly half joining us for the first time.
If you missed it we are thinking of
doing another one around Easter and
would love to see you there.
Joan
Since there’s maybe rather a lot of my stuff in the magazine this month I’ll keep
it very short. I’m currently thinking and praying about how we continue to take
Vision 2026 forward this year. That is, how do we keep growing in numbers, in
discipleship, and in engagement with the people who don’t yet come to
Church or even know anything about us.
Your input and ideas are important to me. So if you think we are on the right
track, thank you. If you don’t think we are going in the right direction, or have
other ideas, do speak to me and share your thoughts.
If you have no idea what is happening or what we are doing to make Vision
2026 happen, then ask me! Just like politicians, we won’t all agree. Unlike
politicians, we can hopefully have a debate and remain friends!
Alan Roadley,
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Christian Aid collections in this area because it wasn’t a great experience.
We’ve enough issues of our own. On the other hand, would Jesus have looked
the other way? Would he have got so wrapped up in his own world that he
hadn’t time or energy to help his neighbours? I think not.
We could consider a small donation as a Church to a neighbouring community
facility. We could consider a personal donation; it’s too easy to remember the
high profile charities and forget the needy on our doorstep. We could
remember the forgotten corners of our parish in our prayers. Or we could
think a little bigger. I don’t have any easy answers, but I hope by sharing what I
learned looking around the area I can raise a little interest in our very near
neighbours.
Alan Roadley
20 21
ELECTORAL ROLL
Did you know that as well as being PCC Secretary, I am also the Electoral Roll
Officer? Maybe not. Maybe you’re baffled as to what the Church Electoral Roll
is? Don’t worry, it’s nothing to do with voting for MPs or Councillors. It is to
do with being able to vote for or stand for membership of the Parochial
Church Council (PCC), which is our Church’s main governing body. Only
those who are listed on the Electoral Roll are eligible to hold official posts, or
to be members of the PCC. Being listed entitles you to speak and vote at the
Annual Church meeting.
Of course, you can still participate in other Church activities without being on
the Electoral Roll, but as it costs nothing, and entails no more work than filling
in a very simple form every three years, why wouldn’t you? The number of
people we have on the Roll does affect our representation at higher levels than
the Parish, has some financial implications, and may affect how easily we can
attract new clergy if required.
So If you are not listed and would like to be, see me or one of the Churchwar-
dens and we’ll give you a very simple form to complete. You need to be at
least 16 years old, baptised, and either live in the Parish OR have “habitually
worshiped” here for at least six months. And you can be on the Electoral Roll
of more than one Church.
Alan Roadley. PCC Secretary and Electoral Roll Officer
Ancient and Modern
No, not the hymn book, but an
“Ancient” building with modern
problems, and I’m not talking about
St. Peter’s. It might surprise you that
within a very few minutes walk of our
Church there is another historically
important building. If you head back
towards town along Church St, stop
and look up Lindsay St and note the
last building on the left hand side,
with its roof taller than the others.
What you are looking at is Foresters
Hall, once a meeting place for
members in Burnley of the Ancient
Order of Foresters. This building has
at least two connections with St.
Peter’s. A former Rector, William
Thursby, provided the land on “very
generous terms” and gave other
assistance. The hall opened around
1877, and was quite a grand building
with a fine interior in its day. The
other connection with our Church is
that long-time member Mrs. Brenda
Rochester has been involved in the
care and restoration of this building
for many years. If you want to know
more about the Ancient Order of
Foresters, who have been around
since at least 1790, Brenda is the
person to see, as she has lots of
material.
But whilst the past history of the area
is very interesting (how many of you
know about the “Rope Walk” at the
end of Lindsay Street?) I am also con-
cerned with 2020. At the end of last
year I spent some time with Brenda
not only looking around the Hall, but
the area in general.
For some years now, thanks to people
including Brenda, the Foresters Hall
has been used as a Community Centre,
offering services in a very deprived
part of Burnley. But it has come to a
point where the roof requires a lot of
repairs, and it wouldn’t be unfair to say
that the interior could do with a lot of
refurbishment and updating too. And
it’s the old story, lack of funds and too
few volunteers.
The surrounding area also has many
issues. A lot of the properties are
owned by landlords who aren’t too
fussy, and see a large turnover of ten-
ants. There is drug dealing, issues with
litter and vandalism. A few people
from this multicultural community are
trying to improve things and trying to
retain Foresters Hall not only as one
of Burnley’s historic buildings but as a
community facility as well. But it’s not
an easy task.
All of this is not just within our parish,
but as good as on our doorstep. With
all of our commitments, financial and
time, it’s not easy to see what we
could do.
We gave up many years ago doing
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23 22
Memories of our Christingle Service
2020
Read the story of Mary and Martha in Luke Chapter 10, verses 38-42, then colour in the picture.