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Coffee Morning – Weds 4th September from 10.30 in aid of our Church

CHAFFCOMBE COFFEE MORNING

WED 4th SEPTEMBER 10.30 – 12.00

THIS TIME TO RAISE MONIES FOR

ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS CHURCH,

CHAFFCOMBE

PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY

Times: 10.30 – 12.00

Who: All are welcome. Young and old, parishioners and visitors. Homemade cakes, tea/coffee available for a generous donation.

For information: The Link or www.chaffcombe.com (Chat Page – Facebook) or Mary on 01460 64592

Philip’s Final Message

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Dear friends
Today, 31 July, is the final working day for Michelle and I in the Benefice.  Publicly it was on Sunday at our final service in Thorncombe.  We have been so moved by all the cards, sentiments, hugs, and gifts that we have received from you or on your behalf over the past few weeks – thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  It has been such a privilege to minister in these wonderful parishes, and our time here will always be close to our hearts.
Today is also the day that the Christian Church remembers Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (more commonly known as The Jesuits) in 1540.  He died on this day in 1556.  Those of you who used our online services during the pandemic may recall that we occasionally used a spiritual exercise known as The Examen.  This is a technique from Ignatius and part of what is referred to as ‘Ignatian Spirituality’.   The Examen invites us to reflect on each day using a 5 step process.  If you follow this link you can read more about it and perhaps try it out!  How Can I Pray? – Daily Examen – IgnatianSpirituality.com
There is a lovely prayer attributed to Ignatius that I share with you and feels particularly appropriate as we part ways today:

‘O my God, teach me to be generous
to serve you as you deserve to be served
to give without counting the cost
to fight without fear of being wounded
to work without seeking rest
and to spend myself without expecting any reward
but the knowledge that I am doing your holy will.
Amen’

 
We are proud of all the church families in the Benefice, and indeed the whole church family that IS the Benefice!  You are wonderful and both Michelle and I feel certain that God is already working on calling your next vicar(s) to you.  Keep praying and trust God.  And remember He is with you always.
A quote from Ignatius:

‘Whatever you are doing, that which makes you feel the most alive… that is where God is.’
 
With all our love and with every blessing,
Philip & Michelle

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

Next monthly walk to clear footpaths – POSTPONED

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NEXT MONTHLY WALK
Tuesday 6th August at 10.00 a.m. Weather permitting of course!
Our next walk:
Chaffcombe Village Walk Tuesday 6th August at 10.00am
Village Hall – Knapps Lane (E) – Sprays Hill – Cricket Lane (E) – Knowle Green (W) – Cycle Track (S) – MillHouse/Deardens – Chaffcombe Lane – Village Hall
We may need to do some cutting back en route and expect to be attacked by pesky brambles which are growing profusiously at the moment, so be prepared!This route my be changed if weather conditions dictate and we may need to do a bit of clearance work en route.
I hope you can join me and enjoy some good views
It is likely to be muddy in parts and there may be some cutting back to be done so be prepared.
Those who are setting out from the village on foot first off can of course finish at the village en route, no compulsion to do the full round.
Hope this appeals to you and that you will be able to come, possibly clad for light rain showers.
Please wear suitable footwear as it may be very slippery and muddy!!!! All of our walks are voluntary and walkers walk with us at their own risk. No liability is accepted. We try to arrange these monthly walks along our footpaths to clear the overgrowth on the footpaths and enjoy the scenery and each others’ company. More volunteers are needed if we are to continue to keep our footpaths walkable. If you have any secateurs etc. Please feel free to bring them along – suitable gloves are advised if you are helping in this way. Dogs are welcome but must be on a lead.
Hope you can join me for a bit of gentle walking and talking
Best wishes Anthony Gray, Chaffcombe Parish PPLO 01460 65392
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Church Service – Sun 30th June

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Dear all

Today the Christian Church remembers Irenaeus (130AD – 200AD), Bishop of Lyons and Theologian.  It is hard to overestimate the importance of Irenaeus to the Christian faith.  He is often thought of as the last living link to the Apostles, being a student of Polycarp who himself was associated with St John.  Indeed it is hard not to see the words of John coming through in Irenaeus’s text on the Trinity, which was truly groundbreaking thought at the time as our established theology of the Trinity did not really formalise until Augustine in 415AD and later the Athanasian Creed (c600AD).
Irenaeus on the Trinity (180AD):
‘This is the rule of our faith, the foundation of the building, and what gives support to our behaviour:

God the Father uncreated, who is uncontained, invisible, one God, creator of the universe; this is the first article of our faith.

And the second is: The Word of God, the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who appeared to the prophets according to their way of prophesying and according to the dispensation of the Father. Through him all things were created. Furthermore, in the fullness of time, in order to gather all things to himself, he became a human being amongst human beings, capable of being seen and touched, to destroy death, bring life, and restore fellowship between God and humanity.

And the third article is: The Holy Spirit, through whom the prophets prophesied, and our forebears learned of God and the righteous were led in the paths of justice, and who, in the fullness of time, was poured out in a new way on our human nature in order to renew humanity throughout the entire world in the sight of God.’
 
I love that first sentence, describing our faith as the ‘foundation of the building, and what gives support to our behaviour’.
God is our foundation, and it is through that living, evolving, relationship that we build our lives – lives given to us freely.  There are times when that goes well, and times when it is more challenging!  How we respond, how we do what we do, must always be rooted on the foundations of who we are.  Created, loved, cherished, by God.
SERVICES & EVENTS COMING UP IN THE BENEFICE:
Saturday 29th – Sunday 30th June – FLOWER FESTIVAL – St Mary’s Thorncombe:
On the theme, “All the changing scenes of life”, St Mary’s are holding a flower festival in aid of the upkeep of this wonderful church.  Please do come along and support it!  We look forward to seeing you all!
Sunday 30th June:
10am – BENEFICE SERVICE – St Mary Magdalene, Cricket Malherbie.
Further ahead:
6 July – Wild Church BBQ, 3pm St John’s, Tatworth
13 July – Cricket Malherbie BBQ & Quiz, 6pm
28 July – Benefice Service, 10am at St Mary’s, Thorncombe (Rev’ds Philip & Michelle’s final service)
Prayers
We hold in our prayers all those we know who are ill or struggling in any way, and we are asked to pray by name for the following.  If you would like to add someone, or yourself, to this list, then please do get in touch.
Margaret Bandy, Mary Marsh, Louise White, Ann Jarvis, Di Nicholls
In memoriam:
We remember in our prayers all those whom we love but see no longer.  Particularly at this time we remember Jim Craft and all his friends and family in their time of mourning.
The Collect for St Irenaeus:
 
God of peace,
who through the ministry of your servant Irenæus,
strengthened the true faith
and brought harmony to your Church:
keep us steadfast in your true religion,
and renew us in faith and love,
that we may always walk in the way that leads to eternal life;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
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
 
Rest Days – Mondays (Tuesdays where following a bank holiday)
For non-urgent enquiries please allow up to a week for responses.
Mornings are best times for phone contact!
 

Next Village Walk to clear footpaths – Tuesday 4th June

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Pentecost Service

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Dear all

This Sunday is Pentecost – 50 days from Easter Day and the day we celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit.  It is often referred to as the Birthday of the Church.  Following the arrival of the Holy Spirit on the gathered Apostles in Jerusalem they went out and began to spread the word publicly about the Good News of Jesus, thereby beginning the first mission of the Christian Church.  That ‘passing on’ of the truth of Christ still continues to this day, over 2000 years later.
It is easy to be downhearted about declining numbers in church services and wonder whether we are vainly following a dying faith.  We are not.  It is always an amazing thought to think that the Christian faith started with the simple obedience and trust of a handful of ordinary people gathered in a single room waiting patiently for ‘another helper’ as promised to them earlier by Jesus .   
 
‘If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.’ (John 14:15-16)
 
And when we look at the global Christian Church we see that far from decline; Christianity is still growing and outpacing population growth.  The Good News of Jesus is not just surviving, it is thriving – but perhaps not in the way that we are used to.  Those first disciples / apostles did not know what they were waiting for.  They did not know what to expect.  There was no established tradition – they simply watched, waited and prayed.  And then responded.  That is all we are asked to do too.  Listen out for the Spirit, receive it with joy, and go where it blows.
Pentecost Sunday – 19 May
8am – You are invited to join Michelle and I in the vicarage garden at 8am for an informal Pentecost service followed by breakfast.  All welcome – but it would be helpful to have some idea of numbers so that we know what food to get in!  Our address is at the foot of this email.
10am – Morning Worship at St Stephen’s, Winsham
10:30am – Holy Communion and APCM; St John’s, Tatworth.  Sunday School have an outing to Axe Valley Wildlife Park.  Rev’d Michelle is organising so if there are families who would like to go along and have not already been in contact with Michelle, then please do drop her a line.
Prayers
We hold in our prayers all those we know who are ill or struggling in any way, and we are asked to pray by name for the following.  If you would like to add someone, or yourself, to this list, then please do get in touch.
Margaret Bandy, Dave Boyland, Ann Jarvis, David Arnold, Mary Marsh, Louise White.
In memoriam:
We remember in our prayers all those whom we love but see no longer.  Particularly at this time we remember Alastair McArthur, Sheila Holloway, Andrew de Pury, Anne Hooper, and all their friends and families in their time of mourning.
Collect for Pentecost:
Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,
ignite in us your holy fire;
strengthen your children with the gift of faith,
revive your Church with the breath of love,
and renew the face of the earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Blessings to you all
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
 
Rest Days – Mondays (Tuesdays where following a bank holiday)
For non-urgent enquiries please allow up to a week for responses.
Mornings are best times for phone contact!
 

Ascension Day and Services for 19th May

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Dear friends

Today is Ascension Day – the day that we celebrate Jesus’ return to Heaven and the start of the 10 day period to Pentecost and the arrival of the Holy Spirit.  It is both a goodbye and a hello – because it is a moment of unification, a moment when Jesus goes ‘universal’ precisely because he is no longer physically present.  It is a paradox that, like the disciples who find themselves staring into empty space, we have to understand that in the absence is also the presence.  I love this poem from R S Thomas which sits in this space and cleverly weaves around the absence and the presence in both spirit and secular (using science) and thereby demonstrating that God is there in all places.
The Absence
It is this great absence
that is like a presence, that compels
me to address it without hope
of a reply. It is a room I enter

from which someone has just
gone, the vestibule for the arrival
of one who has not yet come.
I modernise the anachronism

of my language, but he is no more here
than before. Genes and molecules
have no more power to call
him up than the incense of the Hebrews

at their altars. My equations fail
as my words do. What resources have I
other than the emptiness without him of my whole
being, a vacuum he may not abhor?

Ascension Day Communion Service – Tonight, 7pm in St Stephen’s, Winsham; all welcome!
SERVICES THIS WEEK AND NEXT:
Thursday 9th May – as above
Sunday 12th May
8am – BCP Holy Communion; St Stephen’s, Winsham
10am – Morning Worship; St Mary’s, Thorncombe
1030am – Holy Communion; St Michael & All Angels, Chaffcombe
Tuesday 14th May – 9:30am Morning Prayer; St John’s, Tatworth
Wednesday 15th May – 9:30am Holy Communion; St Mary’s, Thorncombe; followed by coffee morning
Sunday 19th May  – PENTECOST
8am – Outdoor early service for Pentecost – Vicarage garden, 3 Home Farm, Tatworth; followed by breakfast
10am – Family Sevice; St Stephen’s, Winsham
1030am – Holy Communion and APCM; St John’s, Tatworth
Prayers
We hold in our prayers all those we know who are ill or struggling in any way, and we are asked to pray by name for the following.  If you would like to add someone, or yourself, to this list, then please do get in touch.
Margaret Bandy, Dave Boyland, Ann Jarvis, David Arnold, Nicola Cunningham, Mary Marsh
In memoriam:
We remember in our prayers all those whom we love but see no longer.  Particularly at this time we remember Alastair McArthur, Sheila Holloway, Andrew De Pury, and all their friends and families in their time of mourning.
Collect for Ascension Day:
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ
to have ascended into the heavens,
so we in heart and mind may also ascend
and with him continually dwell;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen
With every blessing
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
 
Rest Days – Mondays (Tuesdays where following a bank holiday)
For non-urgent enquiries please allow up to a week for responses.
Mornings are best times for phone contact!

Proceeds of Coffee Morning held on 1st May

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Very many thanks on behalf of us & Somerset Wildlife Trust for running the Coffee Morning on Wed 1st May 2024.   We were very pleased to find there was such good support and that in the total the amount of £185.35 was raised.   This will boost funds to help with management of SWT Blackdowns Nature Reserve and relaunch of the Private and Community Nature Reserve Network.

 

Several people supported the event from out of area.   26 people enjoyed the walk in Park Wood with a splended display pf Bluebells, Ramsons and other Spring flowers.   It was a bit slippery in places after the evening’s rain but only 1 slip.  Early Purple Orchids and Herb Paris put on a good show in Pouletts Wood to add interest to the walk.   Being cloudy, butterflies weren’t on the wing but it was a fine day in many ways.

 

A very Big THANK YOU from Valerie and John

Next Village Walk to clear footpaths – Tuesday 7th May

Dear all
I am planning a walk after the May Day holiday heading south of the village and over the A30 to Wreath Farm as follows:-
Chaffcombe Village Walk Tuesday 7th May at 10.00 am
 
Village Hall – Summer Lane – Whitemore Hill (taken at a very gentle pace ) – new track past the Clock Tower – track south to A30 – A30 west  –  Up timber staircase and across fields to Wreath Farm – Wreath Lane – A30 west – The Drift north – Avishayes Lane west – Paintmore Lane – Chaffcombe Lane back to village
Now that ploughing and planting are well under way I want to check that footpaths across fields have been reinstated, but just in case we may be crossing muddy and wet fields so good footwear is advised. We may need to do some cutting back.
Hope that this appeals and you would like to come
Best wishes
Anthony Gray Chaffcombe Parish PPLO

Anthony Gray

18 Barberry Drive

Chard

Somerset TA20 1HR

tele 0146065392

e-mail anthony.gray37@outlook.com

CHURCH SERVICES – 28TH APRIL AND 5TH MAY

Dear all

It has been a little while since my last e-letter, for which many apologies and is purely down to sparse desk time since Easter!
This Sunday (tomorrow) brings around one of my favourite Bible readings – John 15:1-8.  Here it is:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
 
Many years ago I was on a retreat day in Exeter Cathedral being led by the then Bishop of Exeter, +Robert Atwell.  This was the passage that he used as the theme for the day, and preached on three times (not the address each time!) during the day.  It was brilliant and it has stuck with me.  But what was really striking was that he was able to get into the heart of the meaning of the passage because of his own deep spiritual understanding of what it was to care for a plant.  For before he was in public ordained ministry +Robert was a monk and his key responsibility in the monastery was in the garden.
One of the things that this passage lays bear, and will be immediately obvious to anyone who is involved in horticulture, is that in looking after plants for their optimum health does not just require removal and pruning of the bits that are no good – but very often also cutting back, or doing other seemingly ‘countercultural’ things, to what is essentially healthy plants!  I remember +Robert describing how he had to severely prune back some healthy vines because if he had not done so the whole plant was at risk of dying.  It did not feel right at the time, but come the following year and onwards the plant was even healthier and more fruitful.
We can apply this passage to so many areas of our lives – particularly when we are feeling overwhelmed.  What is fruitful?  What is not?  Where do I need to apply my metaphorical secateurs?  Am I brave enough to contemplate cutting back things that might feel ok – but actually could be even better with some TLC?
Perhaps spend some time with this passage, reading it through a few times in some quiet space – alert to the words and phrases that jump out to you.  What is God saying to you?
SERVICES THIS WEEK AND NEXT:
Sunday 28 April:
8am – Holy Communion; St John’s, Tatworth
10am – Holy Communion and APCM; St Mary’s, Thorncombe
6:30pm – BCP Evening Prayer; St Michael & All Angels, Chaffcombe
Tuesday 30 April:
9:30am – Morning Prayer; St John’s, Tatworth
2pm – APCM; St Mary Magdalene, Cricket Malherbie
Sunday 5th May:
8am – BCP Holy Communion; Forde Abbey
10am – Holy Communion & APCM; St Stephen’s, Winsham
1030am (for 11am worship) – Emmaus Service, St John’s, Tatworth
Tuesday 7th May:
9:30am – Morning Prayer, Tatworth
Wednesday 8th May:
11am – Holy Communion; St John’s, Tatworth
Thursday 9th May:
7pm – ASCENSION DAY SERVICE – St Stephen’s, Winsham
Prayers
We hold in our prayers all those we know who are ill or struggling in any way, and we are asked to pray by name for the following.  If you would like to add someone, or yourself, to this list, then please do get in touch.
Margaret Bandy, Dave Boyland, Andrew De-pury, Ann Jarvis, David Arnold, Nicola Cunningham.
In memoriam:
We remember in our prayers all those whom we love but see no longer.  Particularly at this time we remember Billy Edwards, Keith Portsmore, Alastair McArthur, Sheila Holloway, and all their friends and families in their time of mourning.
Collect for this Sunday:
Risen Christ,
your wounds declare your love for the world
and the wonder of your risen life:
give us compassion and courage
to risk ourselves for those we serve,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
With every blessing
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
 
Rest Days – Mondays (Tuesdays where following a bank holiday)
For non-urgent enquiries please allow up to a week for responses.
Mornings are best times for phone contact!
 

Cancellation of Garden Party and Plant Sale

Garden Party and Plant Sale
CANCELLED DUE TO THE LATE ARRIVAL OF SPRING
As you have probably all noticed, spring is a bit overdue this year and as a result our gardens are largely having late-winter sulks in the cold and damp. The long-range weather forecast doesn’t offer much hope of a sudden change to warm sunshine in the next few weeks either, so conditions are far from ideal for planting out new stock.
Accordingly we have decided to cancel our garden party and plant sale, planned for 18th May.
But we are undaunted and will try again in the future….
Geraldine Wills

NEXT VILLAGE WALK TO CUT BACK FOOTPATHS

Dear all
I am planning a modest walk for next Thursday to be taken at a gentle pace in the hope that the weather and ground underfoot will improve.
Please note that this month it will be Thursday not Tuesday!
This is what is planned:-

Chaffcombe Village Walk Thursday 18th April 2024 at 10.00am

 

Village Hall – Chaffcombe Gate – Cricket Lane (E)  – Ashton – Knowle Green – Woodhouse Farm – along track to Mill House – along dam  – Chaffcombe Lane (E) – Village Hall

We may need to do some cutting back en route and we must expect parts to be muddy and boggy.
If you would care to join me I would be pleased to see you again
Best wishes
Anthony Gray Chaffcombe Parish PPLO

Anthony Gray

18 Barberry Drive

Chard

Somerset TA20 1HR

tele 0146065392

e-mail anthony.gray37@outlook.com

COFFEE MORNING AND BLUEBELL WALK

CHAFFCOMBE COFFEE MORNING

WEDNESDAY 1st MAY
CHAFFCOMBE VILLAGE HALL
10.30 – 12 NOON
FOLLOWED BY A BLUEBELL WALK AT PARK WOOD LWS at 11.30 a.m.

IN AID OF SOMERSET WILDLIFE TRUST

bluebells

Bluebells in Chaffcombe

 

Come and enjoy a cuppa + cake and a chat with your friends and then enjoy a walk to see the bluebells. (Some steep slopes, could be wet, wear suitable footwear and clothing). Dogs are not allowed.

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Join us for the Annual Chaffcombe Village Bluebell Walk!

Date: Wednesday, May 1st

Time: 11.30am
Meet at the village hall at 10:30 am for delicious home-made cakes and coffee.
The walk departs the village hall for Park Wood at 11:30 am.
Experience: Witness a breathtaking display of bluebells in bloom – a true feast for the eyes!
Donations: Welcome at the hall or on the walk, all going to the Somerset Wildlife Trust.
This is a fantastic opportunity to:
Enjoy a leisurely walk through the beautiful countryside.

Learn about the local wildflowers and the importance of their conservation.
Socialize with fellow villagers and nature enthusiasts.
Support the Somerset Wildlife Trust in their vital work to protect our natural heritage.
Don’t miss out on this delightful spring event!
Please contact us should have any difficulty in distance walking.
Contact marybutler10@outlook.com for more information.

Poster to pass around.

Poster for the bluebell walk.

Agenda for Annual Parish Meeting

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972

NOTICE OF ANNUAL PARISH MEETING FOR CHAFFCOMBE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT:

The Annual Parish Meeting for Chaffcombe will held at
Chaffcombe Village Hall on Monday 15th April 2024 at 7.30 p.m.
The business to be transacted at the Meeting will be as follows:

1. Report of the Chairman of the Parish Council covering the
activities of the Parish.

2. Minutes of the Parish Meeting 2023.

3. Public Voice.

Mary Butler
Chairman Chaffcombe Parish Council
7th April 2024

Proceeds of Coffee Morning – Weds 3rd April

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Our Coffee Morning held on Weds 3rd April made a profit of £185.10 which has gone towards the purchase of items for our Village Hall kitchen.   Thank you to all of you who came and especially to the 17 walkers who came along.

 

Our next Coffee Morning will be on Weds 1st May and this one is in aid of Somerset Wildlife Trust and at 11.30 a.m. there will be a bluebell walk in Park Wood with the Godsmarks.

 

See you all then.     Best wishes

Mary Butler

 

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