Dear Friends,We have reached "good shepherd" Sunday - the Sunday in Easter-tide when we hear Jesus explain that he is the good shepherd who the sheep follow because they know his voice. A memory from when I came for interview here is a conversation with the then Rural Dean who had come to North Devon from the urban Midlands. He said for him one of the great blessings of being here was the way that the gospel came alive in this rural context. The imagery of sheep and shepherd is vivid here, it is woven into our normal lives. Now I can echo that - I will never forget conversations with the children at Parrcombe school when they explained to me skills needed of a shepherd, while I was majoring on the love of the shepherd for the sheep they were very quick to highlight the need to be "strong and firm because sometimes sheep are stubborn"; and their admiration for the shepherds of the Christmas story who looked after sheep without the aid of quad bikes. So when we listen to Jesus choosing the character of a shepherd to show what he is like maybe it is also a Sunday to give thanks for the culture in which we live here, shaped by living close to the land and the skills of tending to the daily needs of the creatures we depend on. Let's hold in our prayers all those who have been through and maybe are still in the long days and nights of lambing. As we think about this week's gospel may those around us deepen our insight into the God who calls us all into safe pastures.God blessSamantha
Dear Friends,Happy Easter-tide.This Sunday we are given the lovely story of two despondent disciples walking away from Jerusalem on Easter evening, only to be joined by a curious stranger who helps them talk through their disappointment and then helps them see God's mysterious presence in it all. Enthused by his company, they invite him to stay with them, only to discover in the breaking of bread together, that he is Jesus. He was with them in their sadness and their great joy. May retelling this story help us find his presence with us in all that we experience too.Many thanks for all the messages and kindnesses I have received in the last few weeks, both in response to the news of my new appointment, and of my spectacularly badly timed Covid 19 infection. I finally had a negative test result on Thursday so will be able to take services this week 9am Brendon11am LyntonI am, though, still very much in recovery so having to take things rather more gently than I like!A huge thank you also to everyone who enabled most of the Easter services to take part as planned, which I know were well attended and much appreciated. God blessSamantha
Dear Friends,Throughout this Lent I have been aware that the last time we were in Lectionary Year A was the year we were experiencing the first lockdown. My sermons through Holy Week that year were helping us reflect on how to mark these holy days at home. I was looking forward to something much closer to a normal pattern this year - so many more of us now able to come together to experience the story in community.As it turns out, with spectacularly bad timing, I have tested positive for Covid this morning, so my journey through these days will again be in solidarity with all those in our world who are not free or able to gather with others in worship.I am working with colleagues to make sure that as many of the planned services can go ahead.Currently I can confirm that the following will definitely take place: Maundy Thursday (today) 7pm LyntonGood Friday 2pm LyntonEaster Vigil (Saturday) 8pm LyntonEaster Day 11am Lynton and 11am MartinhoeI hope that I can find clergy to lead those planned for Countisbury, Parracombe and Trentishoe on Easter Day too and will keep you informed as soon as I can.Holding you all in my prayers, I have copied the words of a hymn below which remind me of what lies at the heart of the mystery of these remarkable days.God blessSamantha Love is His word, love is His way, feasting with men, fasting alone, living and dying, rising again, love, only love, is His way. Love is His way, love is His mark, sharing His last Passover feast, Christ at His table, Host to the Twelve, love, only love, is His mark. Love is His mark, love is His sign, bread for our strength, wine for our joy, 'This is My body, this is My blood,' love, only love, is His sign. Love is His sign, love is His news, 'Do this, 'He said, 'lest you forget all My deep sorrow, all My dear blood,' love, only love, is His news. Love is His news, love is His name, we are His own, chosen and called, family, brethern, cousins and kin. Love, only love, is His name. Love is His name, love is His law. Hear His command, all who are His: 'Love one another, I have loved you.' Love, only love, is His law. Love is His law, love is His word: love of the Lord, Father and Word, love of the Spirit, God ever One, love, only love, is His word.
