Recently, Celia and I had a few days’ holiday in Edinburgh. We tramped up and down the Royal Mile, saw the castle, visited the Museum of Scotland and I climbed Arthur’s Seat. The highlight, though, was probably the Royal Yacht Britannia, moored in the Edinburgh docks after a lifetime’s service to the late Queen and the royal family. It was a fascinating mix of country house leisure and strict protocol, scarcely updated since the 1950s when it was built. There were at least four different bars on board, to prevent different ranks from relaxing together, which might threaten discipline. Spirits were only available to the officers.In the Army and Royal Air Force, chaplains (or padres) are given an honorary lower officer’s rank. One thing I like about the Navy, though, is that the padre automatically assumes the rank of the person he or she is talking to. To a humble rating, you’re another humble rating. To a vice-admiral, you’re another vice-admiral.To me, this chimes in with the Christmas story we celebrate every year. God left the splendour of heaven to take on human flesh, to live and suffer and die alongside us, in whatever condition we find ourselves in. He took on the rank of the people he was with. “I didn’t come to be served, but to serve,” said Jesus, “and to give my life as a ransom for many.” This was the example he left us, and that he expected us to follow.This is the last Village Voice, and the last of my monthly reflections. We’re so grateful to Rosemary Swift for editing it, and to Dorothy Wiles before her, and of course to the many distributors. You can continue to find news of Barmston Church on our website, www.achurchnearyou.com. You can also search for and like ‘Barmston All Saints Church’ on Facebook.Services in Barmston Church will continue to follow the same pattern:First Sunday of the month – Holy Communion at 9.30 amSecond Sunday of the month – Family Service at 4.00 pmThird Sunday of the month – Holy Communion at 9.30 amFourth Sunday of the month – No serviceFifth Sunday of the month (if there is one) – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.We’d love to see you there, and you can be sure of a warm welcome.
There’s always plenty of music at Christmastime. The shops blast out favourites old and new. Every advert on the TV is accompanied by sleigh bells. Children practise ‘Little Donkey’ for the school nativity. And adult choirs dust off their copies of Handel’s Messiah or ‘Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree’ and try to squeeze in extra rehearsals before their December concerts.There was music at the first Christmas too. Not so much in crowded Bethlehem, with Joseph and Mary desperately trying to find somewhere to stay the night. Nor in Herod’s palace in Jerusalem, where news of a newborn king was the last thing anyone wanted to hear. But out in the fields, to bemused shepherds, a host of angels singing, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’Come and join in the with the angels’ song at our annual Carol Service, taking place at 3.00 pm on Sunday 22nd Dec. There’ll be a warm welcome, and mulled wine and mince pies afterwards.Service times this month are as follows:Sunday 1st Dec – Holy Communion at 9.30 am (Advent Sunday)Sunday 15th Dec – Holy Communion at 9.30 amSunday 22nd Dec – Carol Service at 3.00 pm, followed by mulled wine and mince piesOur weekly services on Sundays at Emmanuel in Bridlington are at 11.00. They are livestreamed on our Facebook page and are available shortly afterwards on YouTube.
As I write, the trees are losing their beautiful autumn foliage and are looking barer and barer. It’s a melancholy sight and reminds us that winter is fast approaching. The other day I heard someone describe ageing as being like a tree in autumn. The leaves gradually disappear, he said, revealing the essential structure of the tree that has been hidden all summer.I found this intriguing. We only ever hear of old age in negative terms, with frequent conversations about creaking bones, hospital tests and long waits for operations. Should we instead perhaps be thinking of our characters, more and more evident as the gloss and fuss of youth falls away? And if what’s left is less than beautiful, shouldn’t we be doing something about it?As always, you’re warmly welcome to all our services at Barmston Church. Service times this month are as follows:Sunday 3rd Nov – Holy Communion at 9.30 amSunday 10th Nov – Family Remembrance Service at 4.00 pmSunday 17th – Holy Communion at 9.30 amAnd do please come to our Craft Fair on Sat 23rd Nov, 10 am – 2 pm. It’s in aid of Barmston Church but will be held at Emmanuel Church, Cardigan Road, Bridlington. Crafters can book a table for £10. Drinks, snacks and light lunches are available to all.Our weekly services on Sundays at Emmanuel in Bridlington are at 11.00. They are livestreamed on our Facebook page and are available shortly afterwards on YouTube.
I once rang an insurance company and the phone was answered straight away by a helpful human being. I was amazed. My usual experience – and I’m sure it’s yours too – is to be kept on hold for ages, while a computer reassures me that my call is important and may be recorded. Then I have to select various options and type in my account number, all of which information I have to repeat to the underpaid call centre worker who eventually answers. It’s no wonder I put off those calls as long as possible!If prayer is just communication with God, I sometimes find myself similarly reluctant to make the call. It’s not because I have to wait on the line or might not get through – it’s often that I just don’t feel like it, or don’t know what to say. At such times, I find just simple thank-you prayers are the way to get started. Saying thank you is such an easy thing to do, and there’s such a lot to thank God for when you think about it – the beauty of the natural world, our families, the roofs over our heads, our food, health, safety…Harvest Festival is the annual season of thanksgiving – for the crops safely gathered in, for the world we share, and for everything God gives us. Do come along on Sun 13th Oct at 4.00 pm to sing a few favourite Harvest hymns and add your thanks to God our Father. And of course you’re warmly welcome to all our services at Barmston Church. Service times this month are as follows:Sunday 6th Oct – Holy Communion at 9.30 amSunday 13th Oct – Harvest Family Service at 4.00 pmSunday 20th Oct – Holy Communion at 9.30 amOur weekly services on Sundays at Emmanuel in Bridlington are at 11.00. They are livestreamed on our Facebook page and are available shortly afterwards on YouTube.
