Dear friends,This Sunday is Mothering Sunday and it is also known as Refreshment Sunday - when we lighten our Lenten discipline before the journey deeper towards the mystery of Holy week to come. This year there is so much going on around us that we probably don't need many self-imposed Lenten disciplines to be prompted to pray, give or fast - the events on our television screens are a prompt in themselves.So, "refreshment" might be about intentionally noticing and giving thanks for all around us that is healing, life giving and loving. On this Mothering Sunday, for many that will include gratitude for mothers and mother figures in our life - I thank God for the gift of maternal love where it is a force for peace and compassion in the world. The beauty of this week of early spring reminds us to be thankful for our Mother Earth too. I encourage you to find one thing to enjoy on Sunday that brings you refreshment, a kindness to yourself that is an experience of God's love for you.The Lent Group continues at the Rectory on Monday 28th March - this week we are looking at how we meet Christ in others (last week's notes are attached with this email).A reminder too that next Saturday 2nd April at 11am at the Village Hall in Brendon we are holding a meeting to explore the future of church life in Brendon. I would ask you to hold this in your prayers as it will be important to recognise that we need God's guidance in taking this forward and that what is going on in one church in the Mission Community significant to all of us.I have spent today at Diocesan Synod - one of the items was an update on the Diocesan response to the crisis in Ukraine. The diocese is partnering with an organisation experienced in refugee support to help individuals who want to offer a space in their homes negotiate the system. If you want to find out more do go to the diocesan website to look at the resources there.Perhaps this Sunday it is appropriate to pray especially for the mothers of Ukraine, and of all places where mothers become the protectors of their children in the midst of violence.God blessSamantha
Dear FriendsOn Monday I spent the day at the Quiet Day Bishop Robert offered clergy. He chose to lead us through the book of Philippians, a choice guided by the fact this was a letter written by Paul at a time of great personal uncertainty – he was probably under house arrest awaiting to know the fate of his appeal to Caesar – and yet, or perhaps, therefore, it is a letter marked by thanksgiving, joy and trust in God’s grace. If you feel the need of something steady you when the current news is heavy to bear it is good to return to. Bishop Robert encouraged us to notice that Paul ends his letter by encouraging his readers to find joy in the world – that we must hold on to the appreciation of all that is good and beautiful even in the midst of deep anxiety. We can feel deep gratitude at the sight of a young child running to her mother as she returns from six years of unjust detention. We can enjoy the sun on our faces, and the green shoots of new life arriving in the lengthening days of spring: letting joy strengthen us to stand and act for all that is loving and compassionate in the face of war.There is a prayer initiative led by the third order of Francisicans creating a wave of prayer for peace each day across many nations – each country praying at a different time so the prayer is constant. If you would like to join in the time for the UK is 8pm (see words sent from Marie Therese (formerly of the Poor Clares Convent in Lynton) at the bottom of the email.On the another concerning issue – can I encourage continued caution in the way we meet with one another in church. As you will be aware the number of Covid infections in our area is high, and this does create pressure on our local health services . We can act with love to support them and protect the vulnerable amongst us by remaining vigilant in our own behaviour.Finishing with a more joyful reminder: there are adjustments to our pattern of services as we end this month – to enable the celebration of Mothering Sunday across the Mission Community, so there is no self led service this weekend at Parracombe but next week, 27th March: self led Mothering Sunday Services at Parracombe at 9am and Martinihoe at 11am9am Holy Communion (BCP) at Brendon11am Mothering Sunday Holy Communion Lynton God bless, Samantha Prayer times across the world: Germany 4 p.m Austria 4 p.m Spain 4:00 p.m Portugal 3:00 p.m Canary Islands 3:00 p.m Costa Rica 8 p.m Colombia 7:00 p.m Nicaragua 8:00 p.m Ecuador 7:00 p.m Guatemala 8:00 p.m Mexico 8 p.m Panama 7 p.m Honduras 6 p.m El Salvador 8:00 p.m Venezuela 6 p.m Uruguay 5 p.m Paraguay 5 p.m Brazil 6 p.m Argentina 5 p.m Chile 5 p.m Italy 4 p.m Ireland 8 p.m UK. 8 pm India 9 p.m Please support us in this initiative. We will pause for a minute each day at the appointed time to pray for world peace, for an end to conflict and for the restoration of tranquility to all people on the earth, and for families to look to God for their safety and to see their salvation. If we understood the tremendous power of prayer, we would be amazed. If you can forward this request to your contacts, we can work a miracle with our prayer.
Dear Friends,In this Sunday’s gospel we hear Jesus’ lament over his own city. In prayer let us echo the lament of those whose cities across Ukraine are in great suffering as we pray for and with them.In prayer let us offer our lament for all the human failure that war represents as we pray for wisdom and compassion to prevail.Across the Mission Community churches are making different arrangements to encourage donations financial and in kind to support the humanitarian efforts to respond to the crisis in Eastern Europe. The government has pledged to match donations made to the Disasters Emergency Committee (which works on the ground through many of the aid agencies that are familiar – the Red Cross, Christian Aid, Cafod) and you may like to make donations directly to that appeal.We began our Lent Group last Monday, and will meet again on Monday 21st March at 5pm at the Rectory to think about encountering Jesus in communion. I am attaching a sheet of content from last week’s session in which we looked at encounter Jesus through the Bible.God blessSamanthaAlso:For all those who have an interest in Brendon Church, there will be a meeting to talk about the future of the church, seeking support to establish a new PCC on Saturday 2nd April at 11am. Do get in touch if you are unable to come but are willing to consider offering support.
Dear Friends,We enter fully into Lent this Sunday with the account of Jesus' temptations in the desert. I haven't been able to record the liturgy and sermon this week, but I attach the texts for you to use at home and through the week if you wish. Given the ongoing war in Ukraine I will continue to base the liturgy I send out through Lent on the prayers for peace offered for the day of prayer last Sunday.I am consulting with church wardens to make it possible for there to be a means of people donating to humanitarian aid to Ukraine in each of our churches. If you have an idea of how this could be done in your church, please have a word with your church warden. The government is pledging to match donations made to the Disasters Emergency Committee so if you want to make individual donations that might be a good way of directing your gifts.We begin our Christ Centred Lent group at the Rectory at 5pm on Monday 7th and I will send out reflections for anyone who would like to follow it at home in time to come.God blessSamanthaThe Reverend Samantha StayteThe Lyn Valley Mission Community
