Dear Friends,
I've never been comfortable with being called a 'religious' person. I suppose it's because such a comment suggests that my sole preoccupation and chief joy is taking part in all kinds of onerous, empty rituals, rather than sharing with others, as an ordinary human being, the journey of faith which gives my life meaning, purpose and joy.
You see I was one of those who laughed at the London bendy bus slogan, "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and get on with your life". It made me smile. Why? . . . Because my faith in God is precisely what helps me to stop worrying and get on with my life. I know it doesn't all depend on me, but rather on a God who ultimately keeps his promises, even though I sometimes can't see what He is doing and know I'm making an awful lot of mistakes. That was a situation well known to Jesus' first disciples.
So maybe the message for us this month, as we enter the season
of Lent is "get real" - not "get religious".
I do not believe God is calling you or me to think up some new,
outlandish act of self sacrifice or religious ritual. It might
make us look more pious, but it might also make us become even
more stressed in what, for most of us, are already very busy lives.
I think a good discipline for all of us would be, not to deny
our humanity but to focus on it this Lent because our faith is
based on the life of the man Jesus. He took on flesh (became incarnate)
just to let us know how worthwhile we are and how much we matter
to him.
So, consider carefully - what
do you need to change in your daily live to live more fully, contentedly
as a human being? It might indeed be reading an improving book
or coming on our Lent course; but it might be getting half an
hour's more sleep each night, or sitting still for 10 minutes
a day doing nothing in particular, or spending regular, extra
quality time with a loved one, or having one computer-free day
each week or... or.... have a think, and then try it.
You never know - what started out as a Lenten discipline might
become a regular part of your life.
Using Lent to become even more 'religious' will probably be counter-productive and it could be the death of this faith we hold dear. Whereas focusing on being really 'human' could bring that faith to life in surprising people and places. Have a good Lent.
Your Parish Priest and Friend,
Michael
FROM OUR REGISTERS
Baptisms
We welcome into the family of the Church Mollie Elizabeth Best
Funerals
We extend sincere condolences
to the families and friends of Amy Grace De Seja-Martin, Joyce
Noreen Trickey, Winifred Peggy Newberry, Daniel McLaren
Bishop's Letter
Our bishops' letters have previously appeared in 'Grapevine'. As that is no longer in existence, we are glad to publish the Bishop of Taunton's letter in Voice this month, and hope that we shall normally be able to do so.
A SOBERING THOUGHT
Many of you will have read or
heard about the report 'An anatomy of Economic reality' that was
published just a few weeks ago. In a detailed and startling analysis
it offered a snapshot of an increasingly divided nation where
the richest 10% of the population are more than 100 times as wealthy
as the poorest 10%. The prime minister described the findings
of the report as 'sobering.'
We often approach Lent as a sober season and in a very personal kind of way - 'what will I give up?', 'shall I join a study group?', 'shall I give a little bit extra for a particular charity?' There is nothing wrong in any of these, but I can't help but feel that Lent might also be a sobering time for the church as community.
As a church, we seem to spend
a disproportionate amount of time focussed on what we might call
our 'internal agenda' and forget the reality that the church exists
not for its own sake but for the sake of the world. We are not
just a 'gathered' community, we are also sent, sent to contribute
to the world's becoming what God intends it to be.
So perhaps we might use some time this Lent to reflect on some
gospel imperatives about justice, beginning with Jesus' manifesto
in Luke 4 (17-19), and as we do, reflect on how our lives both
as individuals and as congregations can make a difference for
good in the lives of others. May all of us seek God's grace to
keep a Holy Lent.
+Peter Taunton
(In a notebook of my grandfather's, dating from about 1896, I found a collection of epitaphs. Some are genuine; others, I suspect, are fictitious. I hope those published here may interest and/or amuse! Ed.)
Here lies I and my two daughters,
Killed by drinking Cheltenham waters.
If we had stuck to Epsom salts,
We shouldn't have been lying in these here vaults.
REVISION OF CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL - CREWKERNE WITH HEWISH 2010
Once again it is time for revision
of the Electoral Roll, due to be effected before the Annual Parochial
Church Meeting on Tuesday 20th April, 2010. Applications for
enrolment commence on 7th March 2010 and the last date for applying
will be 4th April 2010.
To have the right to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting
your name must be included on the Electoral Roll and, to be eligible
to apply for this, you must be:
a. Baptised and aged 16 years or over.
b. A member of the Church of England, or of any Church in communion
with the Church of England.
c. Resident in the parish or, not being resident, have habitually
attended public worship here during the last 6 months before the
date of application for enrolment.
Application forms will be available
at the West end of the Church and, when completed, should be posted
to the Electoral Roll Officer or left in the wooden box at the
West end marked Electoral Roll.
Please note that existing members need not re-apply at this time
Lindi Singleton, Electoral Roll Officer, Whitedown Lodge, Cricket
St Thomas, Chard, TA20 4DF. Telephone : 01460 72753 (day) 01460
30027 (evening).
Here lies John Robertson and his wife Janet "And their warfare is accomplished."
The wedding day appointed was
And weddings clothes provided,
But ere the day did come, alas!
He sickened and he die did.
(Bideford)
EASTER FLOWERS
Would you like to make a donation
in memory of a loved one? Easter Lilies and flower money will
be collected by Jennifer Hunt or Robin Reid (as I won't be in
Church to collect). Easter Flowers will be overseen by Catherine
Bacon (the very clever lady who co-ordinated the flower festival).
Decorating for Easter on Sat 3rd April at 9.30am.
Heather Wyatt
MOTHERS' UNION
The Service to celebrate the world wide "Wave of prayer" was held this year at the Rectory, with Janet Gallagher leading the meeting. During the service members read messages from branches all around the world. This was followed by a "Bring and Share" lunch. Many thanks to all who helped to provide the soup, rolls, cheese and puddings etc.
The AGM was held on Tuesday
9th February. Mary Dening and Vivien Stuckey were voted onto
the committee. This was followed by the usual monthly meeting,
the subject being "Food for thought". Ann Cossins demonstrated
her special way of making cheese scones, cooked afterwards in
the hall kitchen and then enjoyed by all. Other members gave
favourite recipes, some for using up left over food - thus, waste
not want not.
The next meeting is on March 9th, when the speaker will be the
Revd Gerry Reilly. The Lady Day Deanery Eucharist is at 10.30
am on Thursday, 25th March, at the Good Shepherd, Chard. The summer
outing will be on Tuesday 8th June - more details to follow later.
Phyllis Wright
Underneath this stone
There lies two children dear,
One buried in Ashburton
The other buried here.
(Brixham)
WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
This year's Women's World Day of Prayer service, "Let Everything that has Breath Praise God", prepared by the women of Cameroon, will be held in the Methodist Church, South Street, on Friday 5th March at 2.30 pm; the speaker will be Mrs. G. Kerton Johnson. All are welcome - brightly dressed to celebrate these colourful women!
CANDLEMAS SERVICE
Once again St Bartholomew's
joined with St Margaret's Hospice to celebrate Candlemas and the
work of the St Margaret's Hospice. However Michael and Sue Scott
from the Hospice team changed the format this year. Firstly the
service took place at 3 pm instead of the evening.
Sue gave a very moving talk on the work the Hospice does to assist
patients and their friends and families either in the hospice
or in their own home, to continue their lives as comfortably as
possible. As Sue said, 'the hospice is not a place of death but
a place of LIFE'.
The second innovation was that we were joined by 17 members of
the Community Church Choir, who not only added their voices to
the hymns sung by us all but also performed a beautiful and joyful
song for us.
The final innovation was tea
and cake after the service, beautifully served by Geraldine Clotworthy
and Liz Baker, with a cake made by Brigitta Clark.
All in all it was a lovely way to spend a winter's afternoon and
made doubly special as we were joined by some members of the Methodist
church as well, a truly ecumenical occasion.
Dorothy Tozer, Churchwarden
Here lies - who came to this city and died for the benefit of his health.
MESSAGE FROM THE FRIENDS
The proposed supper evening
planned for Saturday 6th March has been cancelled. We will try
and organise something later in the year. What we really need
is a few more committee members. We are basically a fund-raising
committee so anyone with any ideas for raising money for the maintenance
of the church building do please get in touch with me on 74290.
We are a friendly committee who do enjoy ourselves while raising
money for the church. If you are not a Friend already but would
like to join the committee - not a problem just get in touch.
Rosemary Prince, Hon. Secretary.
SOUTH SOMERSET PEACE GROUP
On Tuesday 23rd March we are
holding a public meeting when Bruce Upton from Beaminster will
speak about the two years he has just spent in Rwanda for VSO,
with particular emphasis on what it means to live in a post-genocidal
country fifteen years on.
The meeting will be held in the Minster Rooms, Ilminster at 7.30
pm.
All welcome - entry £2 including tea/coffee. Peace Vigil
Saturday 20 March Blake Hall South Petherton 11-12
CREWKERNE & ILMINSTER DEANERY
You are invited to the AGM of
the the Rural Communities Regeneration Group on Tuesday 9th March
at 7.30 pm at the Village Hall, Whitelackington, nr Ilminster.
Gillian Islip, Headteacher of Huish Episcopi primary school, and
the Revd Geoff Wade will speak on "Fostering our community
- working with schools". Bar and light refreshments.
More Info: Rob Walrond 01458 253002 or C. Cavender 01460 52232
Here lies Matthew Mud; death
did him no hurt.
When alive he was mud, and now he's but dirt.
KIDSCRAFT
Saturday, 27th March 2010, 10
-12, in the Methodist Hall.
This is the first of this year's quarterly events for children
to the age of 10 - activities on a biblical theme - to be organised
by the Methodists' new Family Worker. It will be advertised
as a joint Methodist & Anglican venture and more support from
St. Bartholomew's would be greatly appreciated.
Preparation meeting Wednesday, 3rd March, 9.30 am, Methodist
Hall. Please contact the Rector or Robina Colledge (75815).
SING SANKEY EVENING
The Rotary Club of Crewkerne is holding its sixth charity 'Sing Sankey Evening' on Saturday 20th March at 7.30 pm. at the Bible Christian Centre, Haselbury Plucknett.
The evening is open to everyone and The Yeovil Salvation Army Band will provide rousing music for a selection of popular hymns in the Sankey style with further entertainment from the band's male voice choir and Crewkerne's U3A choir "The Golden Songsters". The Reverend Jonathan Morris and Pastor Mark Harris will act as compères.
Entry is free and there will be refreshments; also a presentation and a charity collection for The Friends of Manjushree Vidyapith School and Orphanage in northeast India.
Crewkerne Rotary's Sing Sankey evenings have raised over £4,500 in previous years and are always enjoyable, combining the singing of rousing hymns to a fine Salvation army Band, being entertained, relaxing with refreshments and helping a very worthwhile charity.
Tickets are available from Crewkerne Community office, The Bible Christian Centre or Rotarian Tony Barratt Tel: 01460 73658.
BATH & WELLS YOUTH PILGRIMAGE 2010
Last year's youth pilgrimage
was such a success - we're doing it again! Young people over
14 years-old are invited to embark on pilgrimage across Somerset
during the Easter holidays. Youth Pilgrimage 2010 is a 40-mile
spiritual and physical journey across the beautiful Somerset countryside,
where young people can meet other like-minded peers and explore
issues of God, faith and life together along the way.
Individuals and youth groups are encouraged to join in. You can
read more at www.bathandwells.org.uk/go/youth_pilgrimage or for
more information contact Tony Cook, Youth Adviser on 01749 685133.
HEWISH NEWS
Church of The Good Shepherd, Hewish
Please note that the Annual
General Meeting will be held on Monday March 8th. This will take
place at 7.30pm in the Church; all welcome, especially if you
are new to the area.
Mary Wilson (Church Secretary)
WAYFORD NEWS
All those who attended the Carol Service would like to thank Wendy and Robin Goffe for their hospitality following the service. It was pleasing to see so many there despite the road conditions, which were rather icy, likewise to see those who attended the Midnight service on Christmas Eve. As usual the church was decorated beautifully.
Our services in March are on
Sunday 14th which is Mothering Sunday and on Sunday 21st which
is Passion Sunday , both are at 10.00am.
On Thursday March 11th we are having our Annual Parochial Church
Meeting, which will be held in Court Farmhouse in Clapton at 7.30
pm. All are welcome to attend this meeting. If you wish to join
our electoral roll then please contact Jennie Lawrence on 01460
76613.
Julia Borland
CLAPTON & WAYFORD VILLAGE HALL
Sew, Knit & Natter - Wednesday
3rd March at 10.30 am. All welcome; details from Jill (01460
72837).
Luncheon Club - Friday 12th March, 12 noon; all welcome, but please
book your place by ringing Gale (01460 72142).
Clapton & Wayford Film Society - on Thursday, 4th March, showing
'Burn After Reading'. Doors & licensed bar open & refreshments
on sale from 7.30 pm; film starts at 8 pm prompt. New members
very welcome; membership subscriptions taken any time - details
from Marilyn (01460 77062) or Mick (01460 74849).
Book Launch - Thursday 18th
March, 7.30pm. Local author Anne Mosscrop will be selling &
signing copies of her recently published book 'Weather permitting:
Letters from The Arctic', recapturing her days as an enthusiastic
young nurse working with the Canadian Inuit. All welcome; free
entry; come & enjoy a glass of wine & nibbles. More information
from Anne on 01460 75083.
Mary Wilson (Hall Secretary)
BERKELEY CASTLE
'Family, Castle and Estate in the Middle Ages' - a lecture with
slides by Dr. Bridget Wells-Furby MA PhD. Friday ,19th March
at 7pm in the North Perrott Village Hall. £8 adults----£5
under 18's. Limited tickets include a light supper, and wine or
juice from G.Hoskyns 01460 72883.
Proceeds to St Martin's Church, North Perrott.
CHURCH ON SUNDAY
The following was written by
Christine Daniels on the occasion of Ruth Foster's 80th birthday
celebrations.
Sunday mornings we go to church,
On our special pew we perch,
With great joy the hymns we sing,
And give thanks for everything.
There is Ruth, Joyce and Christine -
Together we make a really good team.
We meet and chat with all our friends
And have a coffee when the service ends.
We moan when the sermon is too long,
Groan when the Trumpet sounds all wrong,
Dislike pregnant pauses and distractions,
Are dismayed at congregational contractions.
We admire the flowers in all their glory,
Enjoy a Readers' Digest story,
Applaud the ringers in the tower,
Cheer when the service ends in an hour.
But Sunday is a special day.
After church we go our way
To relax and enjoy the week anew,
Until Sunday when we are back in our pew.
CHURCH READY TO 'SAY ONE FOR YOU'
A new web-based service from
the Church of England, launched to mark the beginning of Lent,
lets people across the country confidentially share their hopes
and concerns anonymously in the form of a prayer - and also have
those thoughts offered to God by a bishop.
Prayers received via www.SayOneForMe.org will be displayed on
the site and shared with a number of Church of England bishops,
who have agreed to remember the submissions in their own prayers
over the season. The website invites visitors to type in their
prayers - and then click 'Amen' to post them.
The Rt Revd David Walker, Bishop of Dudley, says: "Priests
are well used to having people shout at us 'say one for me'. Whatever
the initial intention of that yell in the street, underlying it
is the fact that people feel a need to pray - especially during
difficult times. The new website is a simple way for us to harness
that desire and engage with people where they are. Of course,
nobody needs a dog collar to be heard by God, but for many people,
knowing that someone else is praying for us gives us the confidence
to make our own prayers, and prayer is often the gateway to hope.
The website allows people to share their prayers anonymously via
their own home computer or even on the move through a mobile device."
Here lies the body of Captain
Tully
Aged one hundred and nine years fully
And threescore years before as mayor
The sword of this city he did bear
Nine of his wives do with him lie
So shall the tenth when she doth die.
(Exeter Cathedral)
To the memory of Emma and Maria
Littleboy
Two Littleboys lie here, yet strange to say
These Littleboys are girls.
IN THE MARCH GARDEN
Oh dear! Things haven't gone
too well this year due mainly to the cold weather and also to
my lack of enthusiasm, not being able to get out into the garden
or greenhouse because I preferred to keep warm indoors. Still
by the time the magazine has been published let's hope the situation
has improved!
The two trees I mentioned earlier have been planted, in spite
of the heavy soil conditions, using plenty of home grown compost
around the roots to prevent rot. Heavy damp soil is detrimental
when planting. So now the minarette gage and the stepover apple
tree are both well supported by stakes for the rest of their lives.
I ought to mention that a stepover tree is exactly what it implies;
one can step over the two horizontal branches being low to the
ground and only six feet total length. I really only bought it
for fun... More about them later in the year.
Last year when in Madeira we
visited a herb garden which, although it was far from being tidy,
had many herb plants, the uses of which were explained in detail,
and was quite interesting. Of course being in a moderate climate
all the year round meant that the plants could be harvested when
desired. Lucky!!! Afterwards tea was provided. As for my herbs
I will have to replace the sage bush as the leaves are now very
small and I will not trust taking cuttings from a sickly looking
plant. The thyme, mint and rosemary are still OK for further use,
thank goodness!
With aconites, crocus and daffodils appearing in some areas, other
than my plot, things are beginning to look brighter and we can
hope now for warmer weather ……
An Irishman glancing out of the window saw a lorry loaded with
turf go past. He turned and said to his friend "I'm going
to do that if ever I become rich" "What's that?"
"Send my lawn away to be mown!"
Trevor Shears
"ST CHAD'S WELL"
I did my ordination training
at Lichfield Theological College, which sadly no longer exists.
The college was right by the Cathedral, where the shrine of St
Chad was until Henry VIII had it demolished. Not far away, a
pleasant walk around the Stowe Pool, was St Chad's Church. By
the church was a notice proclaiming "St Chad's Well".
My reaction was always that I was very glad to hear it!
St Chad's Day is March 2nd, which is why I chose to write about
him this month. He must have been a remarkable man, for he was
only Bishop of Lichfield for three years (669 - 672), yet was
venerated as a saint from the moment of his death. He is the
Patron Saint not only of Lichfield, but also of the RC Cathedral
in Birmingham. Supposedly some of his bones, which vanished from
Lichfield at the Reformation, are preserved there. When I was
at the college it was suggested to the Bishop of Lichfield that
we might organise a raiding party to go to Birmingham and bring
them back to Lichfield. He thought it a good idea, but refused
to give us his blessing!
Chad was a disciple of Aidan,
who sent him to Ireland as part of his education. He was chosen
by Oswi, king of Northumbria, as bishop of York in 664, but for
various reasons there was doubt about the legality of the appointment
(St Wilfrid had already been appointed) and the validity of his
consecration. In 669 Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury, restored
Wilfrid to York and deposed Chad (who accepted this very humbly).
It all sounds a mess, but remember it was only 70 years after
St Augustine's arrival in Canterbury, and England was still divided
into several mutually hostile kingdoms.
Shortly after, however, Theodore reconsecrated Chad to be bishop
of the Mercians. This unusual step was due both to the new opening
for Christianity in Mercia and to the excellent character of Chad
himself, who was recognised as being unusually humble, devout,
zealous and apostolic. Chad's episcopate of three years laid the
foundations of the see of Lichfield - then a vast area stretching
from the Welsh border to the North Sea, and from Northumbria down
to the Thames. One wonder's how much of it he could have visited
in those three years!
Chad died on March 2nd 672 and was buried in the Church of St
Mary. At once, according to Bede, he was venerated as a saint
and his relics were later translated to the Cathedral. Cures were
claimed in both churches. Bede described his first shrine as 'a
wooden coffin in the shape of a little house with an aperture
in the side through which the devout can...take out some of the
dust, which they put into water and give to sick cattle or men
to drink, upon which they are presently eased of their infirmity
and restored to health'.
Almighty God,
From the first fruits of the English nation who turned to Christ,
you called your servant Chad
to be an evangelist and bishop of his own people:
give us grace so to follow his peaceable nature,
humble spirit and prayerful life,
that we may truly commend to others
the faith which we ourselves profess;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
David Newman
Please let me have any contributions
for the April Voice - if possible by e-mail to stbartsvoice@hotmail.co.uk
- by 12 noon on Wednesday, 17th March.
As previously mentioned, there is a need for more people to volunteer
as "collators", to help staple the magazine together
with all the pages the right way up and in the right order. But
in fact more help would be welcome in every aspect of the production
and distribution of Voice - printing, distributing etc. Please
contact me, or Brian Dening (74161) for further information.
Beneath this rustic pile of
stones
Lie the remains of Mary Jones.
Her name was Lloyd, it was not Jones,
But Jones was put to rhyme with stones.
Here lies the mother of children
seven,
Three on earth and four in heaven,
Those who went preferring rather
To go with mother than stay with father.