From Revd Heather Autumn, so often referred to as a season of mellow fruitfulness… but currently little fruitfulness abounds …those foraging for blackberries and sloes have found a poor crop …vegetable plots have reduced bounty …and those who have watched the Clarkson series will be well aware of just how poor the harvest yields are this year. It begs the question …Is it global warming, climate change or just humanities over demanding expectations and the lack of willingness to share our resources a common factor ? …. each of us will respond in a different way ! Broaching the subject with my son, … he listened and then said ‘Mother !’ I knew by the way he addressed me ..I was in bad stook! He pointed out that parts of the middle ages were just as hot ! Each of you will probably come up with a different reason or concept. The Church of England seeming in tune with our plight addressed the situation by creating a Creation season in the churches calendar.. commencing with the 1st Sunday in September it will last for four weeks. This year ‘s theme is ‘ living water.’ Having seen the aridness of the country side …it seemed particularly apt ! My thought process flashed up Jesus’s comments about being ‘ living water’ In quite a different context … water is generally regarded as the symbol of the Holy Spirit …both in the sacrament of Baptism and the Eucharist … it would seem we might be in in the same situation as depicted in Michaelangelo ‘s painting as to whether God is reaching out to Adam or is Adam taking leave of God ? All creation, human or otherwise is dependant on water …I leave you to decide .. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally has spoken about the significance of Creationtide: 'In the Season of Creation, we turn again to Christ, through whom all things were made and in whom all things hold together. In his incarnation, death and resurrection, God’s love is revealed not only for humanity but for the whole created order. To care for creation is therefore an essential expression of Christian discipleship and an integral mark of the Church’s mission: to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and to sustain and renew the life of the earth. As we follow Christ, we are called to share in his reconciling work, seeking justice, healing and hope for the earth and for all who dwell within it.’ Need I say more ? Whilst I am not into rain dancing, practical as I am ! Revd Jane and the rest of clergy are here to help with that spiritual aridness that can dog our footsteps from time to time. Heather.
By late July, the Church has journeyed deep into the Trinity season. The great festivals of Easter and Pentecost have passed, and the liturgical colour has settled into the restful green of Ordinary Time. While this period may appear quiet to a casual observer, the liturgy for the Seventh Sunday after Trinity offers congregations a profound reflection on divine providence.The traditional Gospel narrative for this Sunday, drawn from the eighth chapter of St Mark, recounts the Feeding of the Four Thousand. This passage contains a striking scriptural harmony: on this seventh Sunday, the narrative details how Jesus took seven loaves of bread, and how the disciples subsequently gathered seven baskets of broken fragments. Within Christian tradition, the number seven denotes completeness, perfection, and the total sufficiency of God.A subtle, practical humour resides within this familiar scene. Despite having witnessed prior miracles, the disciples look upon the vast crowd and ask a characteristically short-sighted question: “From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?”Human nature has altered very little. Modern congregations frequently survey their own modest resources, pressing parochial demands, and personal anxieties, wondering how such limited means can suffice.The Seventh Sunday after Trinity gently corrects this anxiety. Christ accepts the meagre offering, gives thanks, and breaks it. Not only is the crowd sustained, but the remnants exceed the original components. This serves as a vital reminder that when ordinary people offer their small, daily efforts to God, those gifts are multiplied beyond human expectation.As parishes gather in the warmth of summer, the liturgy encourages steadfastness. The pastoral message may occasionally test the patience of the pews, but the Church is reminded that it worships a God of abundance, who meets His people in the wilderness and ensures none are sent away empty.
Give To Go Green is a match-funding scheme from the Church of England helping you double your locally raised donations for carbon-cutting projects.Through a targeted digital fundraising campaign you will be able to engage your community in building a sustainable future for your church and the world around you.If you are interested in applying to be a Give to Go Green participant, watch one of these webinars to find out more Thursday 9 July, 7-8pm If you decide you want to apply, please email the Environment Team in the first instance.
It’s a very British characteristic to talk about the weather. But right now (end of June) it is most definitely the hot topic of conversation (no pun intended.) That’s because the temperatures are through the roof. Meltingly hot. Too much. Something else. Something else which is ‘something else’ is the commitment shown by many to the various voluntary roles they undertake.Friendly, close-knit communities do not happen by accident. They’re built on the kindness and dedication of people who care about people. There are roles without a name which happen under the radar but are invaluable. Like the reliable neighbour who is always there to lend a hand, offer a lift, bring in the bins when we’re away. There are the temporary roles which enlist our help at one-off community events such as concerts or fundraisers. There are those which are more permanent, like running youth organisations, serving as church or parish councillors, editing the parish magazine or putting on a hat which says ‘treasurer’ or ‘secretary’ of a committee. And there are many more besides and we are grateful for each and every one. There is one particular voluntary role within our churches which I’d like to mention now, and it’s that of Churchwarden.What, you may wonder, does the being a Churchwarden involve? (You may wonder the same about the vicar but that’s for another article all together!) It just so happens that the annual ‘Visitation and Admission of Churchwardens’ took place at Dorchester Abbey recently. This is often referred to as the ‘swearing in’ of Churchwardens and is attended both by them and their supporters from across the area. In this year’s welcome, the Archdeacon said: “This is first and foremost an act of worship, in which we give thanks to God for his faithfulness to us and to our churches. It is also an important opportunity for us to give thanks to and for our Churchwardens, and to thank them for their commitment, dedication and sheer hard work in serving our parishes in a thousand and one practical ways.”Among the Churchwardens’ responsibilities named during the service are: “Sharing the administration of the parish and care of church buildings with the clergy. Promoting the mission of the Church, which is pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical, and caring for the property and ornaments of the church.” The Churchwardens solemnly swear to fulfil these duties ‘with the help of God’. This is followed with prayer and a directive to the congregation to welcome their Churchwardens with joy and treat them with love and respect. Plenty of applause follows and rightly so.As someone who is still fairly new in post, I’m aware of just how much responsibility and extra work was required of Churchwardens during the vacancy, and which has continued during my settling in period. To them, the members of our PCCs and all who work so incredibly hard within our churches and across the community, a huge thank you on behalf of us all.With every blessing, Rev’d Jane
