Dear Friends, Yesterday I received the first of my Covid 19 vaccinations. I found it an unexpectedly moving and profound experience. As I received it I had an awareness of the connective web of endeavour that we are all a part, and found myself praying and giving thanks for the sacrificial determination of the scientists who have developed the vaccine (knowing only too well from friends what long hours and demand lab work calls for), giving thanks for the cheerful volunteers who around me whose warmth and kindness really mattered, praying for the people I will never meet, but for whom access to vaccines is not as easy as this is for us, in countries where life is much harder too, and above all opening myself to the recognition that we are all one in this corporate effort to make our communities safer from disease by developing immunity ourselves. Six hours later it was clear that I was going to be one of those who experience the possible feverish side effects of the vaccine quite fully! Today then, I am still recovering so it seems wise to get the prayers and liturgy for Palm Sunday out to you all without trying to record a video. I am sorry to disappoint those for whom this has become an important part of worship at home, and if, over the weeknd I am able to, I will try to send a recording out later. As Holy Week unfolds I will be sending short reflections out too God bless Samantha The Reverend Samantha Stayte The Lyn Valley Mission Community
Dear Friends,As this weekend we enter into Passiontide when we turn with Jesus towards Jeruasalem and the Cross, it is timely to be able to let you know that St Mary's Lynton will host services for Palm Sunday and Holy Week: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and Easter Day (all details in the attached service list) It is profound to look forward remembering the events at the heart of our faith together in church, in a way that we were not able to last year. As we have become accustomed, we will need to modify our serviecs to keep each other safe, and we keep in love and prayers those who will feel more able to worship freely at home, but it seems fitting that we return to corporate worship in time to enter into the mystery of Easter. Other churches in the Mission Community are planning to open for private prayer on Easter Sunday, Revd Jean will lead the treasured Easter Dawn serviec in the churchyard at Countisbury, there will also be an Easter Day service at Parracombe, and I will give further details of re-opening for worship in our other churches in due course.This week we also mark the anniversary of the first full lockdown, and Tuesday March 23rd will be a national day of reflection. We are being encouraged to keep silence at midday, or to light a candle in the evening. I will open St Mary's Lynton for an hour from 11.30-12.30 for private prayer and I have attached a form of prayer you might want to use, with some intercessions for that day. This is a day to hold in our prayers those who have died, and to make contact with those who have suffered bereavement and loss in the last year; as well as giving thanks for and to all who have made our lives better, kinder and safer this year. Who might you make a gentle call to, or write a letter to, saying you are thinking of them? In such little acts, we share love and compassion.Our journey with Jesus into passiontide is a reminder that we do not offer compassion in our own strength alone, neither do we suffer alone, ever, even when that is what it feel like. Jesus opens his arms on the cross to draw everyone to himself - in our own struggles, and in our reaching out to others, may we feel his loving presence and strengthening embrace.God blessSamantha(Please see Liturgy for Day of Reflection and programme of services for Holy Week and Easter accompanying in News and Notices.)
Diocese of Exeter Easter Competition We're really excited to be holding our second Easter art competition and this time grown-ups can enter too! All you need to do is take a photo or make a 60 second video on the theme "Bursting With Life" and email it to mandm@exeter.anglican.org along with your name, age (if under 18) and a sentence about your photo or video by Monday 12 April. There are categories for u11s, u18s & adults, with delicious Easter Egg prizes for the winners. All work must be your own and any people you feature need to give their permission. The winning entries will form an online art exhibition. Please share this with your church and school communities as we'd love as many people as possible to take part. Happy snapping!!
Many Blessings on this Mothering SundayMothering Sunday is also known as “Refreshment Sunday” when we take a break from the Lenten disciplines and enjoy a celebration before travelling closer to Holy week and Easter. I hope in the midst of all this blustery weather you are keeping safe, and are able to find a lightness of life this weekend.I know that there are lots of emotions caught up in this Mothering Sunday: let’s hold in our prayers all young families who have had a challenging year, all who know the sharpness of bereavement at this time, all who would like to have children, and all who have difficult family relationships, and all who are separated from loved ones because of the pandemic; at the same time as giving thanks for the real importance of mothering at the heart of our society, as a gift that is often undervalued and yet is so vital to community wellbeing, giving thanks for our own mothers and sharing joy with all families whom make this a happy celebration.In my sermon I have alluded to vigils that were to have taken place this evening (Saturday13th) in memory of a young woman murdered this week in London and in protest against violence against women. They are not able to take place because of Covid restrictions, but I encourage you to take a moment of quiet at sunset (or about 6pm) to pray for all who suffer from gender based violence, and for a world in which our mothers and sisters, our nieces and daughters are always treated with full respect. (Since writing this I have also discovered that the organisers are inviting people to stand at their doorstep with a candle or light or torch at 9.30pm)Today I want to take the opportunity thank all who take on mothering and leadership roles in our churches (and communities) – without whom we could not function as congregations; and to remember with thanksgiving all those women who have tended to church life in generations past, on whose faith, commitment and generosity we still depend.Have a happy weekend, God bless, Samantha.
