Dear friends
It often seems that parental skills are most put to the test by dealing with sibling rivalry - or put simply; jealousy! There are certain things in the house that Michelle and I know that if used WILL cause jealousy to erupt. An example would be at breakfast. One of our childrens bowls is pink. We have identical ones in yellow, red, blue, green etc... But if the pink one is used for one child then the other will complain bitterly that they haven't got it. Somehow they have attached a greater sense of 'value' to that bowl over the others - even though the structure and content is identical!
We may chuckle at such things, but actually if we reflect on our own lives we will soon be able to find similar examples where we sense an injustice, or imbalance, when either none exist - or if it does it really isn't worth the argument. It is so easy to 'look over the fence' and perceive things as better on the other side and detach yourself from the equation of that logic. In our church lives we can often feel that pressure from what we see elsewhere and equate attractiveness in a different place, in a different context, with a shortcoming or even absence of Spirit at home. Which is ludicrous when you think about it.
In Henri Nouwen's excellent daybook 'Bread for the Journey' he writes this entry for today:
'Jealousy arises easily in our hearts. In the parable of the prodigal son, the elder son is jealous that his younger brother gets such a royal welcome even though he and his loose women swallowed up his father’s property (Luke 15:30). And in the parable of the labourers in the vineyard, the workers who worked the whole day are jealous that those who came at the eleventh hour receive the same pay as they did (see Matthew 20:1-16). But the Father says to the older son: “You are with me always and all I have is yours” (Luke 15:31). And the landowner says: “Why should you be envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:15).
When we truly enjoy God’s unlimited generosity, we will be grateful for what our brothers and sisters receive. Jealousy will simply have no place in our hearts.' (Nouwen; Bread for the Journey, 1997, HarperOne)
SERVICES - Sunday 9th July - Trinity 5
8am - BCP Holy Communion; St Stephen's, Winsham - Rev Judith
10am - Morning Worship; St Mary's, Thorncombe - Lay team
10:30am - Holy Communion; St Michael & All Angels, Chaffcombe - Rev Philip
MIDWEEK:
Please note that due to Frank Long's funeral next week there will be no service of Holy Communion in St John's on Wednesday 12th July.
The next midweek communion will be on 19th July at 9:30am in St Mary's, Thorncombe.
WILD CHURCH
The next Wild Church is at 3pm on 15th July outside St John's, Tatworth. It is our summer BBQ!! It is also the final one of the term and we will publish 2023 / 24 dates in due course. ALL WELCOME. It would be helpful to have a ballpark idea of numbers coming for catering purposes, and also of any dietary requirements. No cost, donations only.
CRICKET MALHERBIE BBQ & QUIZ
The annual BBQ and Quiz at St Mary Magdalene, Cricket Malherbie is also on 15th July; from 6pm! All Welcome and come and test your knowledge in this renown quiz! Please bring chairs if possible.
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; Wendy Cotton; Jan Knott; Mary Marsh; Tony Taylor; Margaret Bandy; Di Nicholls, Hester Down, Stella Hutchison; Oskar Lee; Margaret Shields; Andrew de Pury; 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: Terrance Down; Roger Hannam; Frank Long (funeral 12th July 11am in St John's, Tatworth); Reg Fawcett (funeral 18th July 3pm in St Mary's, Thorncombe); Cynthia (Tup) Gummer.
A prayer for Trinity 5:
Grant, O Lord, we beseech you,
that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered
by your governance,
that your Church may joyfully serve you in all godly quietness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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: [email protected]
HOME PRAYER & WORSHIP: https://twoshires.wordpress.com
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