Dear Friends,My goodness! What a twenty four hours we have just come through. I hope that everyone has been safe and well throughout, and that the loss of power has not caused too much distress. If anyone is dealing with damage to property, I hope it can be swiftly resolved. Our gospel this week couldn’t be more timely: Jesus stilling the storm. I pray that we will each know God’s presence bringing us the calming that we might need after a tough day. In the story the disciples experience Jesus in different ways – asleep, powerfully commanding the elements, and then drawing them into conversation and reflection. For our Lent reflections this year, I would like to offer a space to look at how we experience Christ: A Christ-Centred Lent. For those who are able to gather to share this together I an inviting you to meet with me for an hour beginning at 5pm on most Mondays in Lent (7th March – 11th April omitting March 14th) at the Rectory in Lynton; for those who cannot make that time I will send out reflections to be used in your own way. We will be looking at: meeting Christ in scripture, Communion and each other, and then reflecting on Christ at the centre of the diocesan priorities: growing in prayer, making new disciples and serving with joy. A reminder that Lent begins on 2nd March – there will be a service of Holy Communion with the imposition of ashes for those who wish it at 10.30am at St Mary’s Lynton.Please note that we have adjusted the time for the monthly Holy Communion Service at Lynmouth – it will now begin at 9.15am.God blessSamanthaFairtrade fortnight begins this weekSunday 20th February:9.00 Parracombe Family Worship self-led service9.15 Lynmouth Holy Communion11am Lynton Holy CommunionI have just read the North Devon Council guidance for the weekend - suggesting we still need to take care when out and about - please don't take risks to come to church
Dear All,Good morning and apologies for emails two days running - but in view of the adverse weather forecast there have been a number of apologies for the meeting I advertised yesterday and the Rural Dean and Lay Chair have taken the decision it is wiser to postpone the meeting.Thank you to all who replied yesterday with interest - this is an opportunity for me to ask people to consider becoming the Deanery Rep for your church - there is a chance to test out what it is all about at the rearranged meeting here on 3rd March, or to put in your diaries the advance date of 16th June when the Archdeacon will now be speaking (the meeting will be at Bratton Fleming) - see message below.THE MEETING TOMORROW, THURSDAY 17TH FEBRUARY HAS BEEN CANCELLED.This is due to the bad weather and high winds that we are having at the moment.The meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday 3rd March at St. Mary Lynton. Details for this meeting will follow.Please can you contact everyone that you know that might have been attending the meeting tomorrow evening and tell them that the meeting has been cancelled.Not everyone looks at their emails each day and for some we do not have an email address or a current contact details.Archdeacon Verena will now be coming to a Deanery Synod meeting on the 16th JuneApologies for the short notice. MaureenLay chair
Dear Friends,I am forwarding to everyone this invitation from the Rural Dean and Lay Chair of the Deanery Synod (apologies to those of you who receive these emails in distant places!). I also appreciate that it is quite last minute, but as we have been able to find very few Deanery reps across the Mission Comminity I would encourage anyone who is interested and able to hear the Archdeacon speak to us, and to have an opportunity to meet her to consider coming - I've managed to bring the Deanery Synod as close to us all as possible - at St Mary's!all bestSamantha Our deanery synod AGM is on Thursday 17th February (this Thursday) and will start at 7pm. It is to be held at St. Mary's Church in Lynton. Parking is available in the nearby public car park. We will be welcoming Archdeacon Verena to speak to us, and this will be followed by small group discussion. All members of our congregations are welcome to attend, and we would encourage every church to find someone to represent them if it is possible. While anyone can attend, only elected representatives will be able to vote for the items which are part of our AGM meeting. We will take care to maintain social distancing, and encourage masks to be worn for anyone who can. Papers for the AGM will be sent to deanery synod reps very soon, watch this space. Many thanks, Rosie RosieRevd Preb Rosie AustinTeam Rector, Shirwell Mission Community
Dear Friends,The hours of daylight are certainly lengthening and in this morning's sunlight here the birdsong and signs of spring are evident.Its a reminder that we are now in the "before Lent" (the word lent is related to "lengthen") Sundays (Ash Wednesday is on March 2nd) and this is a good time to say that if you are coming to church in the next couple of weeks and would like to bring back any Palm Crosses that you have (from last year or before) to be burnt for this year's ash - now is the time to bring them!Jesus is certainly stretching us in today's gospel, challenging the assumptions about what being "blessed" looks like, even as he brings healing to those around him. In the gospel reading many gather around him seeking that healing and they receive from the power of his presence. Whether you are in church this weekend, meeting him in the word, the sacrament and the company of his brothers and sisters, or at home meeting him, and united through him with all who pray, may his power go out to you to heal and bless you in whatever you are experiencing at this time.The lengthening days are also carrying us towards half term - please keep our schools in your prayers as they come to the end of a very tough half term, and also let's pray for all those who are re-opening business ready for a new season.God blessSamanthaIf you have not recieved the February Mission Community newsletter and would like to, please email Sam at lynvalleymissionoffice@gmail.com giving permission for her to add you to her contacts list for this monthly update on dates for serviecs and events.
