Dear all
It was wonderful to be together in St John’s on Sunday morning for Rev’d Michelle’s licensing as ‘Associate Rector’ to the Benefice. On behalf of Michelle may I pass on her thanks for all the support she received, and also for the wonderful cake!
Michelle’s licensing formalises her job share with me in carrying out the office of Rector in the Benefice. As many of you know, we have been practicing this for some time now, but it is really good that it is now affirmed and celebrated.
Archdeacon Simon preached a thought provoking sermon at Michelle’s licensing about persistence of prayer and never giving up on God. He made reference to a poem by R S Thomas, and I include it below for your reading.
Folk Tale by RS ThomasPrayers like gravelflung at the sky’swindow, hoping to attractthe loved one’sattention. But withoutvisible plaits to letdown for the believerto climb up,to what purpose openthat far casement?I would have refrained long sincebut that peering oncethrough my locked fingersI thought that I detectedthe movement of a curtain.
He also used a prayer from the 1998 Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops, and I have included it as the closing prayer of this letter. It is an inspirational prayer that reminds us that whatever we might think about the world around us – we are here, now, and it is on our watch that we respond as Christians.
Sunday 23 October (Bible Sunday)
8am – Holy Communion; St John’s Tatworth. Rev’d Philip
10am – Holy Communion; St Mary’s, Thorncombe. Rev’d Terri
6:30pm – Evening Prayer (BCP); St Michael and All Angels, Chaffcombe. Rev’d Philip
6:30pm – Service of Light; St Stephen’s, Winsham. Lay team
Wild Church – 29th October
Wild Church is on again next week – 29th October at 3pm outside St John’s, Tatworth. The theme is Bat and Lights, Burgers and Bites! ALL WELCOME! Here is a link to the poster: Facebook
PRAYERS
Please hold in your prayers all you know who are struggling in any way, in body, mind or spirit. We are asked to pray by name for:Dave Boyland; Terri Boyland; Sheila Clement; Wendy Cotton; Hannah Knott; Jan Knott; Mary Marsh; Tony Taylor; Margaret Bandy; Dorothy White, Tony Meech, Di Nicholls, Hester Down, Stella Hutchison; Sue Goodlet; Oskar Lee
We also remember all those who we love but see no longer, particularly at this time Thomas ‘Stuart’ Jeanes; Monica Parris; and John Cotton. We pray for their families and friends in their mourning.
We give thanks for the gift of marriage, celebrating with Jo Turner and Simon Herrod who were married in Thorncombe on 15 October.
From a prayer card for Lambeth Conference 1998:
Saviour Christ,in whose way of love lies the secretof all life and the hope of all people,we pray for quiet courageto match this hour.We did not choose to be bornor to live in such an age:but let its problems challenge us,its discoveries exhilarate us,its injustices anger us,its possibilities inspire usand its vigour renew usfor your kingdom’s sake.Amen
Blessings
Philip
The Reverend Philip Butcher
Rector – Two Shires Benefice (Tatworth, Thorncombe, Winsham, Chaffcombe & Cricket Malherbie)
The Vicarage
3 Home Farm
Tatworth
Chard
TA20 2SH
01460 221286
PASTORAL EMAILS – please to: twoshiresrector@gmail.com
HOME PRAYER & WORSHIP: https://twoshires.wordpress.com
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