Dear all

I hope you have all been able to enjoy this spell of warm weather at the moment! I don't know whether I am alone in this, but it seems to me that poppies are doing particularly well this year. We have loads that have suddenly come into flower in our wildflower patches at home, and there are an abundance around the villages - often in unexpected places! Perhaps my favourite 'spot' was a cluster of vibrant red poppies growing around a road drain not far from where we live. Apparently poppy seeds can remain dormant in the ground for 100 years, and still germinate when the conditions are right. Therefore it is possible that some of the flowers you see in the hedgerows, borders and meadows may have come from seeds dropped as far back as 1923!

Of course, poppies also visually remind us of those who have died as a result of war - the red flower now synonymous with Remembrance. Today, being 6 June, is the 79th anniversary of D Day (6 June 1944); the day that hundreds of thousands of troops, sailors and airmen from the allied nations dared to cross the channel to try and decisively end the war in Europe. Thankfully, though at huge human cost, it worked and the following year victory was achieved. We have so much to be grateful for to those brave people, and we hope and pray that that kind of service is never called on again.

Sadly, right now for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine it is. War is again in Europe and the people of Ukraine are trying to repel the invading Russian forces. As the sunshine and flowers remind us of our freedom and safety, let us remember those who gave their lives for that on this day 79 years ago. But also please hold in your prayers all those on today's front line, on both sides, in the east of Ukraine who are knowing a fear right now that thankfully very few of us will ever have to come close to.

SUNDAY SERVICES - 11 June (1st Sunday after Trinity):

8am - BCP Holy Communion; St Stephen's, Winsham

10am - Morning Worship; St Mary's, Thorncombe

1030am - Holy Communion; St Michael & All Angels, Chaffcombe

MIDWEEK SERVICES

Tuesday 13 June 4pm - Time of Prayer - St John's, Tatworth

Wednesday 14 June 11am - Holy Communion - St John's, Tatworth

BARN DANCE! This Friday; 7:30pm; Tatworth Memorial Hall

There is a Benefice Barn Dance in aid of The Red Cross (for Ukraine) at 7:30pm in Tatworth Memorial Hall this Friday, 9th June. Music is by Mitchell & Vincent, with Olive Mitchell calling the dances. All Welcome - no entry fee but donations for The Red Cross welcome.

OPEN GARDEN

Tony Arnold is kindly opening his beautiful garden to the public this Sunday, 11th June. All Welcome to enjoy the garden at Brookside, 21 Langdon's Way, Tatworth. Free Entry with donations being collected to be shared between the Air Ambulance and St John's Church. Refreshments also available. Tony is an expert horticulturalist with a passion for the garden so do come to this exciting opportunity!

CHAFFCOMBE FLOWER FESTIVAL

A big thank you to everyone who helped plan, organise, execute and support Chaffcombe's Flower Festival over the end of May Bank Holiday weekend. It was a huge success all round with a lot of hard work put into it. Well done everyone, and thankyou.

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; Jan Knott; Mary Marsh; Tony Taylor; Margaret Bandy; Dorothy White, Di Nicholls, Hester Down, Stella Hutchison; Oskar Lee; Margaret Shields; Andrew de Pury; Frank Long; Cyril Larcombe; Valerie Palmer, Ron Bone; Lynn Ranson, Keith Legge, Margaret Golesworthy.

We remember all those whom we love but see no longer; particularly at this time: Nan Austin (funeral in St John's on 8th June); Michael Jeanes (funeral held in St Mary Magdalene's on 31st May); Bob Stacey (funeral on 12th June in St Michael & All Angels); Norman Loveridge (funeral at Taunton Crematorium today); Fred Strawbridge; Richard Thompson (Thanksgiving service in St Michael & All Angels on 10th June); Sonyia Garland; Terrence Down; Roger Hannam.

A Prayer for Trinity:

Father, in love you created us;

Christ, by love you redeemed us;

Spirit, through love you sustain us.

We pray that by the power of your love,

that binds you as Three and One,

we may give ourselves in joy and love to you,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

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

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