St John the Evangelist

Weekly Parishes Update 15th June 2023

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Dear all

I was walking the dogs on Dartmoor the other day on the way back from my parents. It was a beautiful day and as we walked up a small cleave, I had been aware of a number of Brimstone butterflies flitting up and down the hillside. They are very good fliers and it is incredible how much ground they can cover in a small amount of time. I noticed a pair of butterflies very close to each other and suddenly they were together and appearing to 'dance' in the air - turning fast circles around each other. It was a wonderful sight of flashing yellow over the top of the green gorse. Vibrancy and energy from two tiny creatures suddenly became the focal point in a vast landscape. Here is one of the photos I took - a bit blurry because they are moving so fast!

We have just entered the long season of Trinity. The Holy Trinity is the core understanding that we have as Christians of the nature of God as being Father, Son and Holy Spirit; fully present in all three individually and collectively; and it is that union into which we are called to be part of - and are charged to bring others to. As Jesus tells us; "go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matt 28:19)

But the Trinity is not a 'thing'. It is a union, a relationship. C S Lewis speaks of it in his wonderful work 'Mere Christianity' and goes as far as to call it a dance: "In Christianity God is not a static thing… but a dynamic, pulsating

activity, a life, almost a kind of drama. Almost, if you will not think me irreverent, a kind of dance"

The Brimstone butterflies reminded me of this - a movement of joy, of love and of colour. As you look around you, what reminds you of God's presence in the everyday? Where do you see that colour and energy?

SUNDAY SERVICES - 18 June (2nd Sunday after Trinity):

10am - Family Service; St Stephen's Winsham.

10:30 - Holy Communion; St John's Tatworth. Rev'd Philip. SEE NOTE BELOW!

6:30pm - Service of Light; St Mary's Thorncombe

ST JOHN'S TATWORTH - new service time and Sunday School

Further to the work that the PCC have been carrying out, and the discussions that we had at St John's APCM recently, the main Sunday service time at St John's is now 1030am.

On the third Sunday of the month (i.e. starting this Sunday) we are also starting a Sunday School. This will meet from 1015am in the Church Rooms at St John's and includes food, fun and activities related to that Sunday's theme. All ages welcome.

MIDWEEK SERVICES

Wednesday 21 June 9:30am - Holy Communion; St Mary's Thorncombe. Followed by coffee morning.

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, Lynn Ranson, Keith Legge, Margaret Golesworthy.

We remember all those whom we love but see no longer; particularly at this time: Nan Austin; Bob Stacey; Norman Loveridge; Fred Strawbridge; Richard Thompson; Sonyia Garland; Terrance Down; Roger Hannam.

A Prayer for the 2nd Sunday of Trinity

Faithful Creator,
whose mercy never fails:
deepen our faithfulness to you
and to your living Word,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Blessings

Philip

Dear all

I'm just dropping you a line with an addition further to my e-letter earlier this week.

It has come to my attention that Tom Hamblin, formerly of Tatworth, has sadly passed away and his funeral is at Henley Road Cemetery, Reading, on 21st June. Tom will have been familiar to a number of Tatworth church goers in particular, as he often led or preached at St John's during his time here. We remember Tom in our prayers and his family at this sad time.

Also, whilst dropping a line - please note again the new time of the service at St John's this Sunday - 1030am Holy Communion.

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: [email protected]

HOME PRAYER & WORSHIP: https://twoshires.wordpress.com

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!