O To be in England Now that April’s there, And whoever wakes in England Sees, some morning, unaware, That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf, While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough In England-now! (From “Home-Thoughts From Abroad”, Robert Browning, English poet and playwright, 1812-1889) Whilst not wishing time away, there is something of a relief felt when the last vestiges of winter have passed and Spring is in full flow. Nature has been gearing up for a month or more, preparing for this explosion of growth and new life.The churchyard has been a picture since the snowdrops flowered in January, succeeded by primroses, aconites, narcissi and daffodils in March. Now the trees are leafing and the bluebells emerging, along with frenetic activity amongst the insect world and the nesting birds. There is much to do and longer days to work with. Malcolm Bardsley is busy arranging the re-surfacing of the driveway, which is very welcome news! The churchyard will be allowed to flourish again this year, with paths cut to tended graves. It will be interesting to see the variety of wild flowers increasing as the vigour of grasses is diminished by the Yellow Rattle (planted as plugs last year) and the addition of “Bee Bombs”, scattered earlier this year.As Lent moves towards Easter, we thank Father Malcolm Griffin for his excellent series of Lent Masses, each one exploring the work of an English poet. These have been well attended and most informative. Rev’d Tony Norton will lead our Good Friday Devotions, combining with Father Malcolm’s final Lent Mass. On Easter Saturday the flower team, led by Diana, will decorate the church with lilies, in preparation for Easter Sunday’s celebration of the Resurrection. Please donate to the fund for lilies, perhaps in remembrance of a loved one no longer with you, or simply to enjoy their beauty and significance of purity, hope and life.Congratulations go to Nony Ollerenshaw on the celebration of her 100th birthday in March. Nony had a lovely get-together after church on the Sunday to mark the occasion with her friends at Barsham, as well as a big family party the night before. What energy! “You’ve gotta dance like there’s no one watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like there’s nobody listening, and live like it’s heaven on earth.” (William W Purkey, Emeritus Professor of Education, North Carolina, 1929-) Spring, and the first full crop of dandelions gone To smoke, the lawn lumpish with goldfinches, Hunched in their fluffs, fattened by seed, Alight in the wind-bared peduncular forest. (From “Earth Meditations, Robert Wrigley, American poet, 1951-)February collections amounted to £995. The February sales table raised £95, thanks to Cheryl. Barsham church has received thanks from Water Aid for a donation of £130 raised by the Christmas Card Tree, which was organised by Sarah Jane. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:Sunday 7 June: TRINITY EVENSONG- 6.30pm, followed by refreshments and nibbles.Wednesday 17 June 12.30pm – SUMMER LUNCH, Shipmeadow Church, by kind invitation of Nick and Jenny Caddick.Sunday 27 September: HARVEST EVENSONG- 5.30pm, followed by HARVEST SUPPER in the VILLAGE HALL at 7pm.Sunday 20 December: CAROL SERVICE – 3pm, followed by mince pies and mulled wine.(Editor notes an ongoing theme of food and drink!)Pat and Neville Smith have kindly invited us to enjoy their beautiful orchid meadows again this year, in early June. Details of date and time will be in next month’s newsletter.Finally, thank you for your patience and compliance with all the measures put in place to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. We are managing to be sensible, and to take precautions, without losing our feeling of community. Let us all pray for those who have succumbed to the virus, and the marvellous medical staff who care for those afflicted. “Not every issue is a problem…Not every worry is a concern. Not every closed door is a rejection and not every thwarted plan is a disaster… The important thing is not to waste a second of your precious given life Contemplating the things that you cannot change and that do not need to be changed.” (From “After the Party”, Lisa Jewell, British author, 1968-) Church correspondent: Cheryl Coutts 01502 714655/cherylcoutts468@btinternet.com
February Diary-2020. Sunday 2nd February –CANDLEMAS-Presentation of Jesus in the Temple- 11am Sung Eucharist (BCP). Sunday 9th February-3rd before Lent-Septuagesima-11am Sung Eucharist (BCP). Sunday 16th February-2nd before Lent-Sexagesima-11am Sung Eucharist (CW) with incense.Sunday 23rd February- Last before Lent-Quinquagesima-Transfiguration Sunday-11am Sung Eucharist (BCP). Monthly sales table.Wednesday 26th February-ASH WEDNESDAY.Friday 28th February- LENT MASS-10.30am. Sunday 1st March-1st Sunday in Lent-11am Sung Eucharist (BCP).Wednesdays 10am-Holy Communion-Bungay Holy Trinity (CW).
Sunday 5th January-2nd Sunday after Christmas –EPIPHANY SUNDAY-11am Sung Eucharist (BCP). Monday 6th January-EPIPHANY.Sunday 12th January-1st Sunday after the Epiphany-BAPTISM OF OUR LORD-11am Sung Eucharist (BCP). Friday 17th January-CONCERT-SuAnLo Trio-7pm. (see separate entry)Sunday 19th January-2nd Sunday after Epiphany-11am Sung Eucharist (CW) with incense.Sunday 26th January-3rd Sunday after Epiphany-11am Sung Eucharist (BCP). ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Sunday 2nd February-Presentation of Jesus in the Temple -11am Sung Eucharist.Wednesdays 10am-Holy Communion (CW) at Bungay Holy Trinity.
December Diary-2019. Sunday 1st December –1st Sunday of Advent - 11am Sung Eucharist (BCP). Sunday 8th December- 2nd Sunday of Advent-11am Sung Eucharist (BCP). Sunday 15th December-3rd Sunday of Advent -11am Sung Eucharist (CW) with incense. Sunday 22nd December- 3pm CAROL SERVICE- No morning service. Followed by mulled wine and mince pies.Wednesday 25th December-CHRISTMAS DAY-10am Sung Eucharist (BCP). Sunday 29th December-1st Sunday after Christmas -10.30am Benefice Service, Bungay Holy Trinity Church. Sunday 5th January 2020-2nd Sunday after Christmas-11am Sung Eucharist.Wednesdays 10am-Holy Communion (CW) at Bungay Holy Trinity.
