Today the church remembers King Alfred, King of Wessex and later of all England, who lived between 849 and 899 AD.  Alfred was a Christian King and his faith was very important to him.  It is said that he directed half of all his income to go to religious bodies, and thus founded a number of monastic houses through which education and health care was provided to those in need.  Alfred’s reign was at a time of significant pressure from Viking incursions, and history shows that through Alfred’s victories on the battlefields, and particularly the battle of Edington in 878, the Vikings threat diminished greatly.  After that battle Alfred and the Viking king Guthrum agreed to a peace treaty at Wedmore, Somerset, a condition of which was that Guthrum was baptised into the Christian faith.  This he duly was, along with a number of other vikings, at Aller.  

 

Although never canonized, Alfred is often thought of as a Christian Saint, and his influence and legacy as someone who carried his faith boldly and as a priority that greatly informed his decision making, would certainly sit comfortably with that title.  

 

The collect for today:

 

 

 

This Sunday is the 5th Sunday of the month and so it is a Benefice service.  We will be celebrating All Saints at St Mary’s, Thorncombe, at 1030am.  ALL WELCOME.

 

During the service we will observe All Souls during our prayers.  Traditionally we pray by name for all those people who we love but see no longer.  There will be sheets of paper at the entrance of St Mary’s for people to write (in capitals please) the names of people you would like read out during the service.  You can also email either myself or Rev Michelle directly with names and we will put them on the list for you.