Sunday Letter

Benefice of St Mary’s Chard, Combe St Nicholas, Wambrook and Whitestaunton Fourth Sunday of Easter – 25th April Dear Friends In today’s reading from Acts we see Peter as a completely changed man. The disciple who so often seemed to misunderstand Jesus and who denied him three times and who had been hiding with the other disciples after Jesus’ death, is now transformed by the Holy Spirit. He has become a witness to the saving power of the risen Christ, a true Apostle. After celebrating the resurrection at Easter, we now look forward to Pentecost and the coming of the Spirit. Perhaps this mirrors where we are in the lives of our churches. We returned to church on Easter Sunday to proclaim the resurrection, and after a two week break, we return to weekly services this Sunday. It feels as if we too have been holding our breath, waiting for the joy of Easter, and now waiting for the Spirit to fill us again with the joy of fellowship in being together in person. However, as we return to church, we must be mindful that there are those who will not be coming back so soon, or perhaps not at all. We will continue to provide these letters and sheets for them as well as live-streaming services from Chard and Combe. We also need to look to the future. We will have decisions to make about the sustainability of our churches, both the congregations and the buildings. We need to find a way of both honouring our current traditions and all that sustains us now and also making the changes that are needed for the future. I am convinced that one way this will happen is us, as the body of Christ, reaching out to our communities and working for them and alongside them. We can’t really afford to do nothing. Just as Peter was transformed by the Holy Spirit and became a great witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, so we must pray for that same Spirit to fill us and lead us into the future, as fellow witnesses. Below is my Rector’s Report presented for St Mary’s APCM this Sunday. It follows the same theme: “When I wrote my last report in September last year, we did not know that we would soon be back in lockdown for November, and then again from January. We had no idea that our next APCM would be held under lockdown conditions, again. However, here we are and the last year has been difficult, challenging, but also remarkable at the same time. Usually a Rector’s report for the APCM would be looking back over the past year, but things are not ‘usual’ and we need to look to the future as well as back at the past. During the past year both Georgina and I have travelled a steep learning curve in developing our technical skills(!), many of us have become Zoom regulars and we have kept in touch by phone and email. Thanks go to all of you who have kept in touch with others by phone or email and also provided practical help through shopping, collecting prescriptions and other forms of support. We have also, kept in touch with some of you through paper deliveries to your door. I calculated that in the past year we have put 1756 envelopes through your doors. Many thanks go to those who have week by week, delivered these. Ken, John Rollings, Chris and Robin Williams, Sue Milne, Ruth, Georgina and Penny Croucher, thank you. However, happily we are now coming out of lockdown and able to be together to worship. It is wonderful to be in fellowship with you again and we hope to be back to a full rota of services by the end of June. Last year saw the cancellation of all our weddings all of which have now been re- booked for later this year or next year. We conducted only one adult and one child baptism over the past year, and we pray that as we come out of lockdown we will begin to hold others. We have held a number of funerals, with restricted numbers. It has been a difficult time for bereaved families, who have been dealing with their grief as well as organising funerals under Covid restrictions. Some families were unable to be with their loved one at the time of death and this was a cause of further grief. Many of you will be pleased to return to ‘normal’ and to be back in the familiar surroundings of our lovely buildings and our services. But things will have changed, one thing that lockdown has reminded us of is the importance of fellowship and community, but what kind of community or fellowship will that be? We want to be back together, but we must now also be mindful of the future and how we are going to maintain our current communities of faith while looking at how we can make them sustainable for the next five, ten, fifteen years and beyond. We have now installed a live-streaming camera in the church at St Mary’s and we have the capacity to livestream from Combe as well, via our phones. We realised that over last year, the number of people watching our online services grew and often surpassed 100. There are those who have faith, or who are seekers after faith, who will not come to church, but are happy to connect online. It is really important, therefore, that we continue to provide something for them. Over the Christmas period, although physical attendance at our services was down, the number of people watching our livestreams grew and was often over 50. Let us rejoice that we now have the means to reach out to people in this way even though they won’t or can’t be with us in church. Lockdown has also made us more aware of how we need connection and fellowship, and we hope to meet up as soon as we can to share and enjoy one another’s company. We propose to have more Benefice services in the future and also have a Benefice social event on fifth Sundays. Our church buildings have changed and changed again over the centuries as they have been made fit for purpose for each age. What we need to do now, is look at ways we can do that now. As with churches up and down the country, we are at a crucial point. We can choose to do nothing, change nothing, and decline financially and in numbers, or we can be bold and have faith that God has a plan for our future, and take some risks. Our calling as Christians is to be the light of Christ in our community. We need, therefore, to care for one another and also to care for others. We need to recognise that if we are to keep that light shining for the future, that some change is required. Standing still is not an option. Let us trust in our calling and move forward with confidence and hope.” Reminder of our services: At St Mary’s, Chard we will be back in church for a service this Sunday, followed by our APCM. From then on we will be holding a weekly 10.00 am service in church. At Combe St Nicholas, weekly 10.30 am services will also commence again this Sunday. The APCM will follow the service on Sunday 16th May. Services at St Mary’s, Wambrook will recommence with 9.15 am BCP Holy Communion on Sunday 2nd May. Services at St Andrew’s, Whitestaunton will recommence with 6.00 pm Evensong on Sunday 9th May. The APCM will be held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 12th May. Every blessing Ann

Benefice of St Mary’s Chard, Combe St Nicholas, Wambrook and Whitestaunton Letter for this week 18 th April 2021 Fourth Sunday after Easter In the midst of a year that will stand out in history we have also had a week that will stand out in history too. Regardless of what we may feel personally about HRH Prince Philip, there is no doubt that he has achieved and given so much in his life that has helped in the cause to save our planet and creation, and to give young people opportunities in life that they would never have had without the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. He was the longest serving consort in history, alongside the longest serving Monarch in our history, and had achieved an amazing seventy-three years married to Elizabeth our Queen. Often quietly devoted, sometimes putting his foot in it, being a gentle support and above all a person of laughter, well done good and faithful servant. Our thoughts and prayers are with our Queen in this sad time. We are all able to go out now, as before if anyone is finding the prospect of leaving your home daunting, please say and we will come out with you. When we have these larger moments of change it isn’t always easy to make the move. We went to the beach last week for the first time since November, it did feel very strange, but so lovely to hear and see the waves. Plus we are living in history and story this week as we hear in the account of Jesus appearing to the disciples as they eat together with friends their astonishment and fear at seeing him. Acts 3 12-19 –“and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know”. What a wonderful way of speaking “the author of life” the one who came to rewrite the story, to change the story and to make it readable (for the most part) for everyone, to create a narrative that is not dead but alive. We have our Bible to direct and guide us as we read its life-giving story, Jesus is the one through whom it has come to life and the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to understand it. I don’t think I will ever stop being amazed at the way scripture seems to change and new words and phrases jump out at me almost it seems from nowhere. This experience which I am sure you all have had too, allows us to identify with the account from Luke here: “Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you - that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, Suddenly they saw, suddenly the last piece of the jigsaw fitted into place in their minds”, What a privilege it is to be allowed to be part of the story the author of life has given us. Luke 24: 36-48 “While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence”. You see I am not sure I had not noticed before that the disciples also disbelieved, it wasn’t just Thomas, Thomas voiced his disbelief, Jesus could see it in the faces without the words, and he takes a piece of fish to eat. Then they are relieved, then they can hear and receive as he shares with them the way forward in the story. Spring is here, new life is rising, the blossoms are creating fluffy trees, and the birds are gathering nesting materials. As we pray let’s remember those who have worked tirelessly and continue to do so, in finding new ways to combat this virus, testing old drugs and new to save lives, to bring us hope of returning to the new normal soon. Be expectant that God is travelling with you in the difficult and the joyous moments when you can’t see or feel his presence yourself or in others, and when you sense he is holding you close. Be Blessed Rev Georgina

Dear all, As you will expect our weekly letter and readings were set before the announcement . Following the announcement of the death of HRH Prince Philip our thoughts and prayers are particularly with the Queen at this time. Here is a link for the online Condolences book should you wish to sign it, there is also a link on the same page to light a candle too. https://www.churchofengland.org/ Rev George aand Rev Ann

Sunday Letter

Benefice of St Mary’s Chard, Combe St Nicholas, Wambrook and Whitestaunton Second Sunday of Easter – 11th April Dear Friends After last week’s joyful acclamation of ‘He is Risen!’ we come to the events following Jesus’s death and his first resurrection appearances. In today’s passage from John’s gospel we see the risen Christ returning to give his disciples the message of peace. We find the disciples behind locked doors, fearful of what might happen to them at the hands of those who killed Jesus. And then - the risen Christ steps into the room, into the midst of their fears with the first of a three-fold "Peace be with you." ! This first peace is the peace that perhaps comes when our worst fears are not realised; the relief that against all odds, death has not won; the realisation that out of the blood, the nails, the thorns, the beating, and the cross has come new life. Something we need to pay particular attention to as we move out of lockdown into something which will be life, but, we hope it will be life changed and renewed. When Christ shows them his hands and side, the disciples rejoice with the adrenaline rush that follows the miraculous - the crucified one is the risen one. Jesus then speaks a second "Peace be with you", maybe this time it is a "not so fast" kind of peace, a kind of peace that lasts beyond the initial rush, that abides even when we remember the cost and the challenges that still lie ahead. "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." These are sobering words, even when the disciples see the living Christ, as they have also just been shown his wounds. Christ's victory will be theirs as well, but in order to get there, they will need the kind of peace that lasts even when - in the midst of their own blood, thorns, and cross - victory seems a dim and distant possibility. So we too need this second kind of peace when things seem to be hard, when we do not 2 know how we are going to get through a certain situation or how our current circumstances will ever come to an end. The third "Peace be with you" follows a famous exchange with the disciples and Thomas, who was absent during the previous appearance of the risen Christ. As many have noted, although he is famous as "Doubting" Thomas, he asks for no more than what the rest of them, including Mary Magdalene, have already received, and Thomas' words do not seem particularly troubling to Jesus. But perhaps the other disciples are exasperated with him. After all, Thomas has in so many words called them liars to their face. "I won't believe you until I see for myself." However, when we meet the disciples again a week later, they are still all together. Jesus again appears among them, and before anyone says anything, says again, "Peace be with you,". Perhaps this time it is the peace of reconciliation -"peace be among you," the peace that follows when we forgive one another. This task of forgiveness was given to the disciples at Jesus' previous appearance, verse It is John’s gospel that most emphasises oneness and unity among the disciples, a oneness that shows the world that this message of life is true. So, this third peace, within the community, might be the most significant of all. For life in all its fullness cannot be lived unless we live as a community. Jesus does not scold Thomas and, in fact, invites him to satisfy his doubt by seeing for himself. Even if he were to be considered a doubter (as the traditional interpretation understands him), he is welcomed into the peace of Christ before he can either apologise or defend himself. Congregations and communities of faith often do not do well with people who, like Thomas, challenge them with doubt and difficult questions. Christ calls them and us to live in his peace as a way of reaching our own peace with each other. He seems less concerned than we often are about sticking to one interpretation of his life and resurrection. He sends Thomas, doubters, and all of us to continue his work. After all, in the end, it is Thomas ‘The Doubter’ whose response stands as the highest proclamation of Christ by any person in the gospel, "My Lord and my God!". Can we truly do the same? Blessings Ann

Easter Sunday Letter

Benefice of St Mary’s Chard, Combe St Nicholas, Wambrook and Whitestaunton Easter Sunday 2021 Friends On Sunday we come together for worship at St Mary’s and in Combe. It will be good to be together for the most important and precious Sunday of the Christian year. There is much we need to let go of, and much we need to celebrate. Most of all we will gather together knowing that we are children of God’s unfathomable and never-ending love, borne through death on the cross and triumphant in resurrection. After what we have been through in the past year, this seems particularly meaningful. Whatever you are doing on Sunday, may you take some time to focus on the forgiveness and hope that is now ours, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Christians we must carry this hope for others and seek out those places and circumstances where we can offer hope instead of despair, encouragement where there is doubt and light where there is darkness. We can do this because of what happened on Easter day. Jesus bears all our wilful wrongdoing and by his sacrifice and selfless act of forgiveness offers us the chance to begin afresh, not just once, but time and time again. This is not just good news – but the best ever! He is risen indeed. Hallelujah. If you are coming to our service at St Mary’s at 10.00 please bring a flower/flowers to place on the cross outside the church. Ann

Sunday Letter March 28

 

Benefice of St Mary’s Chard, Combe St Nicholas, Wambrook and Whitestaunton

 

Letter for this week 28^th March 2021 Palm Sunday.

We hope that you will be able to join us at some point during Holy Week on the Zoom or in Person on Good Friday for the Stations or to celebrate on Easter Day.

There will be Palm Crosses for you in Church if you would like them, please remember to gel hands before and after taking one.

I remember when Stephen and I visited the Holy Land in 2010 the awesomeness of coming up to the top of the hill on the coach, sadly not walking, and seeing, stretched before us the site of Jerusalem and the glorious colours of the stone and the golden top of the Dome shinning in the sunlight. It all bears little in resemblance to the moment Jesus and his disciples walked over the summit as most of the buildings were not there, however, the second temple would have greeted them over the walls of the city, alongside the olive trees at the mount of Olives. But we caught enough of the sight to be able to identify with what they would have seen.

The coming from Galilee involved rising from the lowest city on earth Jericho 800 ft below sea level to the heights of Jerusalem 3000 ft above sea level in the space of not more than 14 miles. 

And they were coming to celebrate, can you remember the excitement of going to a festival or big event that everyone was heading for? Anticipation rising at what the day would bring? Picture yourself if you can then as the crowd accompanying Jesus, weary from that climb, but knowing they are entering the city with the King. The kingdom is arriving. Jesus instructs for a colt to be brought for him that he may enter the city on its back, not a stallion richly adorned, but a simple colt unridden before. Then the road is strewn with cloaks and palms and branches for him to ride the royal pathway. You don’t do this for just anyone, only an expected King, royalty, Hosanna they shout, blessed be the one who is come. Expectation is in the air, excitement, the King is entering the city.

Over the next few days as the Jews prepare for the Passover, festival time, the place is alive with people come to Jerusalem a festival not to be missed. Most of them will stay outside the city as Jesus did with the disciples in Bethany, probably with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

You may have noted the last sentence of the first Gospel Reading from Mark “Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the disciples”.  The next day scripture tells us Jesus went into the Temple and overturned the money tables.

Within the week there would be a fickle changing of minds for some to shouting Crucify him.

This is such a thought-provoking service on Palm Sunday, as we travel through the narrative. Our King arriving in Jerusalem, our King being misunderstood, our King turning the world upside down. We have joy and excitement as we sing the joyful songs of arrival at the city, yet within the hour we have heard the moving story of Jesus coming to the Cross which cannot but touch our hearts. Our Saviour throughout the narrative shows love and forgiveness for those who have left the path and pays the ultimate price on the Cross, for us, as for the peoples then, and we leave on a sombre note.

But for now, we have the joy and anticipation.

If you get a moment, follow the Art Project in Chard, either with a walking plan and/or on line, details are here: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/hopecommunityartproject  which can be reached without being on Facebook, or the Easter Stations and Trail, plus the glorious knitted and crocheted flowers at Combe St Nicholas Church. 

Be Blessed Rev Georgina

Palm Sunday

Ride on

They’re waving at you.

Ride on.

Some wave to flag you down
like witnesses at a motorway pile-up.
They want to you to fix the injured and dying.
You can cure them.
You can bring the dead back to life.

Ride on.

Some are waving Hello.
They want you to come to their party.
They want to show you off to their friends.
They know some very open-minded Pharisees.
They are sure they will be reasonable about it all
once you explain.

Ride on.

Some wave the team colours.
They want you to stuff the opposition,
they think its time that our guys won.

Ride on.

Some wave business cards.
They want you to endorse their products.
You are hot property for chat shows.
Your position statements will be prepared for you.
You will be dressed by Armani and Calvin Klein
for your limitless media opportunities.

Ride on.

Some wave to warn you.
They want you to take care.
They’d like to re-direct your route
away from likely trouble spots.
They have your best interests at heart.

Ride on.

Some wave in desperation as if
you are their only hope.

Ride on.

Some wave their fists.
You were the wrong answer to their prayers
and their disappointments have blossomed into anger.
You could have sorted the whole bloody mess
and here you are out donkey-riding.

Ride on.

Ride on until
the temple looms in front of you.
Dismount.
Walk the last few steps
towards the tables
where religion is prepared.
Push them all over.
Leave no room for doubt.

Walk on into
the dark garden,
the false kiss,
the clever trap,
the rigged trial,
the beating,
the goading.

Walk on until
there is no more you can do except
hang on,
doing what it was
you came to do
for every one
of them and us.

---

Written in 1997 by Godfrey Rust, revised for Palm Sunday, March 2012.

 

Benefice of St Mary’s Chard, Combe St Nicholas, Wambrook and Whitestaunton

 

Sunday Letter for 5th Sunday after Lent 21st March 2021

Hello everyone,

Spring is definitely my favourite season of the year. A season of hope and new beginnings, the days are getting longer - evenings lighter.

As I walk the dogs these days I seem to have more time to take in my surroundings. At the moment I don’t have to rush to be anywhere by a certain time, unless it’s pouring with rain, of course. Around me I experience the smell of freshly cut grass; the blossom is beginning to come out on the trees in Snowdon Park; the daffodils have been, and still are, a spectacular display. Recently many saplings have been planted in Chard, different varieties tucked up in their tubes until they get stronger. I can see that the fields are changing from their muddy brown of Winter to the bright greens of Spring. In the distance I can just about see some lambs. The bird song early in the morning is wonderful, especially where there is little sound of traffic. I count my blessings that I live in such a wonderful area and try not to take the wildlife for granted.

Some of you may have seen in the local press an article about Wilder Churches. Somerset Wildlife and Diocese of Bath and Wells are aiming to support communities to encourage and to protect biodiversity in churchyards. We will be encouraged to create areas for wildlife if there aren’t any at present and to protect those that we have already. Watch this space!

Jesus compared himself to a grain of wheat planted in the ground. The seed doesn’t literally die when it lies in its wintry grave. But changes come over it, so that it’s no longer recognisable as a seed. Then, in Spring, it emerges in a new form altogether, as a green blade, and eventually an ear of wheat, to be harvested and provide food for the people, and the seed-corn to ensure a prosperous future.

But to do this the seed must die: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

Now the green blade riseth, from the buried grain,                                          Wheat that in dark earth, many days has lain;                                      Love lives again, that with the dead has been;                                                      Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

 

Enjoy this wonderful season and take care,

 

Ruth

 

 

The other sign of hope is that we are going to hold two services on Easter Sunday. At St Mary’s, Chard at 10.00 am and at Combe St Nicholas at 10.30 am.

Georgina and I felt strongly that, as we missed being together last Easter, that we want to give people the opportunity to be together on our most important Sunday of the year.  Both services will be a Holy Communion service.

One of the services will be livestreamed for those who feel they are not ready to return to church just yet.

We are slowly moving towards the light at the end of the tunnel, and we hope that we will see you all before long.

In the meantime, as Ruth says, Spring is here, and the promise of new life is all around us.  God be praised.

Ann

Sunday Letter 14 March

 

Benefice of St Mary’s Chard, Combe St Nicholas, Wambrook and Whitestaunton

 

14^th March 2021 4th Sunday of Lent    Mothering Sunday

 

Well, we are now back where we began last year at the eve of Mothering Sunday the day in the Church calendar when we traditionally remember Mothers in all their glorious and sometimes not so glorious image. The time when groups should be meeting up to prepare bunches of glorious spring flowers and yellow trumpet daffodils to give out in Church and to those women unable to attend. A touch of festiveness in the middle of Lent, taken from us, almost one could say depriving us, separating us, creating a loneliness, bereft maybe of the touch or hug of loved ones, if we had been told as we entered the first lockdown that we would still be here in a year, how I wonder would that have affected us differently, as for sure it would have done. A long journey of faith and fear, joy and sadness, loneliness and new friendships. Rev Katharine was still here with us celebrating alongside Rev Ann, it seems such a long time ago.  Mothering Sunday the day when we identify with Mother God as well as Father God

 

Introduction Over 100 years of Mothering Sunday

In 1913 Constance Penswick-Smith (1878-1938), the daughter of the vicar of Coddington, Nottinghamshire, caught the vision to celebrate Mothering Sunday. Later in 1921 Constance wrote a booklet asking for a full revival of Mothering Sunday, eventually founding The Society for the Observance of Mothering Sunday and spending more than 25 years promoting the celebration of the festival. Thanks mainly to Constance's efforts, Mothering Sunday - which has its roots in the pre- Reformation Church - has been widely observed and re-established across the Church of England, and celebrated in wider society. There are traditions associated with Mothering Sunday in England which date back as long ago as the 16th century. It is told that this was the day when people were encouraged to return to worship in their ‘mother church where they had been baptised. People who usually attended the local parish church, would make a longer journey to the ‘mother church’ or cathedral of the Diocese. Girls in domestic service would bake to show their mothers their new skills in the form of a gift, traditionally a simnel cake. On this day many girls who were in service were allowed time off from domestic chores to visit their mothers and their family.

Today Mothering Sunday is a popular day when Christians choose to use the occasion to think about all things which concern motherhood, in all it’s different forms and ways. We give thanks for the Church as Mother, the Virgin Mary as the mother of Jesus, we remember that God cares for us like a mother and last but not least we give thanks for our own mothers or those who loved us and brought us up as our mother. Mothering Sunday is is a time of special thanksgiving. It is the one day of joy in Lent, when flowers abound in all churches and when people are allowed a time off from the penitential season. It is also known as Mid-Lent Sunday, Refreshment Sunday or Laetare Sunday. The Latin name of Laetare, means rejoice.

 

In the fourteenth century Julian of Norwich, the first woman to write in modern English, experienced and understood the motherhood of God in her visions. Mothering Sunday is a good day to share her vision and recognise that although we are distinguished by our gender, God is not. Instead God is both mother and father to us.

‘As truly as God is Father, so just as truly is he our mother.’ Julian of Norwich. Adapted from “this is Church”

 

For me Mothering Sunday this year strangely enables me to identify more closely with those who have lost or never had a good mother experience, or the ability and desire to be a mother. I believe that is the case for many of us. I don’t own those experiences I have my own mother who I love, but have not seen for over a year now, but the lose of seeing and being has created a vacuum which is going to continue for this year. It will be extremely hard this year I believe to give, or be, how we would otherwise be, there will I am sure be a rawness about this year’s Day.  There will be the lamentation of loss, which is mirrored so deeply in our Gospel reading for us.

That moment in time when Mother Mary, her sister and the two other Mary’s were gathered at the Cross. The fact that they were even there should not be lost on us alongside the lamentation of loss for Jesus as he gave his loving mother Mary over into the care of his beloved Disciple John. Mary is not just a mother, she is a Jewish one mother, she knows that her role is not only to be a loving mother for her children, but also their teacher. In the Gospel John the evangelist places the disciple standing by the mother, his testimony accompanies Mary’s testimony. She is also a disciple that follows her Son to the cross. She is giving her spiritual sons and daughters the example of a firm witness

who follows the Master’s footsteps, even as in her heart surely she remembered the words of Simeon, “and a sword shall pierce your heart”.

Let’s hold the joy and sorrow, lamentation and vision of the new earth and new heaven together in a bobbly ball in our hands and hearts, living in the knowledge that despite what emotions and thoughts rise within us we are held by Mother God through the Spirit.

 

I do like this reflection.

A Fault in the Design?
When God was creating mothers, he was deep in his sixth day of overtime. An angel appeared and said, ‘You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.’ And God answered, ‘Look at the requirement on this order and you’ll understand why. She has to be completely washable but not plastic. Have 180 movable parts, each one replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair. And have six pairs of hands.’
The angel shook her head, ‘Six pairs of hands? That’s not possible even for you, O God.’ ‘It’s not the hands that are causing me problems,’ replied the L ORD. ‘It’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers are supposed to have.’ ‘Are the three pairs of eyes supposed to be on the standard model?’ asked the angel. The Lord nodded gravely. ‘One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, “What are you kids doing in there?” - even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head that sees what she’s not supposed to see but what she has to know about. And of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he does something really silly and reflect, “I understand and I love you.” even thought she doesn’t utter a word.’
‘Lord,’ said the angel gently, ‘get some rest. Tomorrow…. try again.’ ‘I can’t,’ said the Lord. ‘I’m so close to creating something so similar to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick, can feed a family of six on three hundred grams of mince, and get a nine-year-old to stay under a shower for an incredible two minutes.
The angel circled the model of the mother very slowly and sighed, ‘It’s much too soft dear God.’ ‘Soft, yes, but tough too,’ said the Lord excitedly. ‘You cannot imagine what the mother can do or endure.’ ‘Can it think?’ asked the angel. ‘Not only think,’ said the Creator, ‘ it can also reason and compromise.’ Finally, the angel bent over and ran her fingers across the cheek. ‘There’s a leak,’ she said suddenly. ‘I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model. You can’t ignore the stress factor.’
The Lord moved in for a closer look and gently lifted the drop of moisture to his finger where it glistened and sparkled in the light. ‘It’s not a leak,’ God said. ‘It’s a tear.’ The angel looked puzzled, ‘A tear? What’s that for?’ ‘It’s for joy, sadness, disappointment, compassion, pain, loneliness, and pride.’ ‘You are a genius,’ said the angel rapturously.
The Lord looked sombre and said, ‘I didn’t put it there.’
From the book ‘Gatherings’ by Bronwen Wild. The reading “And God created Mothers” by Erma Bombeck is on p18.

 

And I was given this verse this week by Liz, which all of us male and female can use to encourage the youngsters we come into contact with in our daily lives. It holds a positive rather than a negative vision unlike the one the media gives out. Tell the children they are special, what better encouragement can we all give to our young people than that, to build them up in the journey of life.

 

 

 

In twenty years’ time...

People will not ask the children of 2020 if they caught up with their studies.

They will not ask them what grades they made, despite the year off school.

They will ask them with wonder ‘what was it like?’

They will ask them ‘how did you cope?’

‘How did you feel?’

‘What do you remember of those days?”

They will listen in awe to the tales of clapping on doorsteps for the medical workers.

They will sit open-mouthed to hear of daily walks being the only life we saw and how much we missed human contact and gatherings.

They will be amazed to know about empty supermarkets, online concerts, birthdays spent on a screen and a life lived inside.

They will listen, then sit back with amazement and say, ‘Wow. You went through so much.’

So think about what you would like your children to take away from this whole year.

Tell them they are not behind.

Tell them they are not missing out.

Tell them they are extremely special indeed and they will be forever made stronger by this unique time.

Tell them catching up is not even a thing because they have grown so much in so many other ways.

Remind them too of the fun stuff, the family jigsaws, the window rainbows, the zoom bingo.

The feeling of safety and togetherness amidst the chaos.

Let them take that thought with them through life.

Change the narrative now and it will travel far.

Tell the children they are not behind.

They are special.

They are special. By Donna Ashworth

 

Author of History Will Remember Painting by Samantha Shirley

 

And lastly from our Morning Prayer this meditation seems good to share with you. Be Blessed Rev Georgina.

 

A Mediation for Lent

I am not here to pass judgement
or point the finger at anyone.
My name was written in the sand
as one who is forgiven.
Strengthened with hope, impervious to shame,
I will walk freely like the freshness
of the dry lands after rain.

Let light spill out of heaven
through my life,
dispelling mediocrity and silent blame.
Too many people, guilt-stricken, wounded,
walk in regret,
feeling bad about failing,
apologise even for breathing.

Raw belief, a passion for others
grows in me,
encircling each moment
with instinctive prayer.
I will carry the freshness
of the dry lands after rain.
Compassion lives in me again.  By Andy Raine

June's Letter

 

Dear Friends

“For several decades a spiritual awakening among Algeria’s Berber or Amazigh people has been producing the fastest-growing Christian community in the Arabic-speaking region.  Since the network’s first broadcasts in 1996, SAT-7 has resourced this vibrant Church, initially with our Arabic programmes and, since 2012, with broadcasts in the Berber Kabyle dialect.”

This is a quotation from Sat-7’s magazine published a year ago.  

SAT-7 is a UK based charity dedicated to growing Church in the Middle East and North Africa, serving the community, and contributing to the good of society and culture.

Their aim is to provide the churches and Christians of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) an opportunity to witness to Jesus Christ through inspirational, informative, and educational television services.

Algeria was one of the places I visited on Wednesday 10^th February 2021, via Zoom and courtesy of SAT-7.  The Protestant Church of Algeria was first registered in 1974 but had to wait till 2011 for legal recognition.  Then in 2017 the gradual closure of churches began – despite freedom of religion guaranteed by Algeria’s constitution.  This movement to close churches continues. On Wednesday, George Makeen, Programming Manager spoke of the church being strong and growing but much in need of support.

Leaving Algeria I moved on to Lebanon and to Beirut in particular.   Lebanon has been at peace for 30 years, but economic mismanagement and mass protests have put its creaking political system under greater pressure than at any time since the civil war. This is an area I have been interested in for a long time.  It is now just six months since the terrible explosion close to the port.  The SAT-7 office and broadcasting centre was situated near the site of the explosion. Fortunately none of the staff were injured, but they were out quickly, serving food to rescue workers.  The city has been badly hit by the Covid 19 pandemic.  Citizens are being taken to hospital by frantic relatives trying to save lives.  Many are dying in their cars before being admitted to hospital and hospitals have run out of oxygen, yet oxygen is available on the black market!

Next to Iran and the story of Dani a young man who loved and worshipped God through his Muslim faith.  He was a serious and honourable young man, but, like many young people, he began to question his faith.  He felt there was something missing. So he tried various other routes to worship but remained dissatisfied.  His Mother, concerned for her son, placed a book on the table for him to consider.  The book was a copy of the New Testament.  Through an interpreter, he talked about

 

 

 

how his life was changed.   He has trained to take on leadership roles and is working towards assisting other young people to find their way through Christ.

This was quite a visit to the Middle East and left me with many troublesome thoughts. But the most important thing I remember is the amazing joyfulness evident in the lives of these young people, and I would emphasise YOUNG.   Despite all the hardships they suffer every day of their lives, their love for and worship of Jesus is so real.  They were indeed “lights of the world”.

It made me question why, in this country where worshipping God is so easy, requires no effort and certainly no risk to life, is there no joyfulness.   Yes, we are saddened by the closure of Churches, but even when they are open, I do not detect the sort of joyful, light giving pleasure and thankfulness seen among those for whom worship is a risk to life and limb.

We talk of “returning to normal” when we are again free from current restrictions.  But I am not sure I want to return to “normal” as before.  I want to be part of a Christian community which expresses, through daily activities, the light of Christ in a darkened world.  And to show the joyful character of those whose lives are changed.

 

June Foster

Sunday Letter 7 May

 

Benefice of St Mary’s Chard, Combe St Nicholas, Wambrook and Whitestaunton

 

 

7^th March – 3^rd Sunday of Lent

 

Dear Friends

 

‘For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.’

 

The passage from 1 Corinthians which is one of our readings today is one of immense power and also one that speaks to the unique quality of Christianity.

 

I was listening to a fascinating history programme this week, concerning the Egyptian Pharaoh, Akhenaten.  At some point during his reign as Pharaoh he declared that the god, Aten, was the only god, moving away from the centuries old practice of worshipping multiple gods.  He had temples and palaces built to Aten and took the name Akhenaten, meaning ‘the spirit of Aten’.

 

His vision of the only god was of one of great power who demanded worship and absolute obedience.  Aten was, for Akhenaten, a supreme leader and being.

 

All through history gods have been feared and worshipped and sacrifices made to them, but Christianity is unique among religions because we believe that God loved humanity so much that he himself became the ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

 

I personally believe that Christianity is good for our emotional and spiritual well-being because God, in Jesus, completely experienced our brokenness and entered into it so that he might mend us.  He became weak on behalf of all our weaknesses and took upon himself all of our wilful wrongdoing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This may well be looked upon as weak and foolish by many.  But, of course, the story doesn’t end there.  What looks like God’s folly and weakness in Jesus’ death on the cross, is transformed into something else completely through the resurrection.  Through the lens of the resurrection the crucifixion does not look like weakness at all, but the way to freedom and new life.

 

So, our own weakness and brokenness is no longer the end of the story because God himself has taken it all upon himself and offers back to us the chance of forgiveness and transformation. That does not sound like foolishness, but the ultimate wisdom, full of grace and mercy.

 

I enclose with this letter, a letter from June Foster which makes for a fascinating and moving read.  The young people she describes, joyfully worshipping God in places where they put themselves in danger, may be accused by some of foolishness.  But they have the experience and belief in God’s transforming power and strength and that, in my book, makes them very wise indeed.

 

I finish with this lovely poem by Kate McIlhagga:

 

Into the dark world

A snowdrop comes,

A blessing of hope and peace

Carrying within it a green heart:

Symbol of God’s renewing love.

Come to inhabit our darkness, Lord Christ,

For dark and light are alike to you.

May nature’s white candles of hope

Remind us of your birth

And lighten our journey

Through Lent and beyond.

 

 

Every blessing

 

Ann