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: twoshiresrector@gmail.com 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!
Dear all Today we remember St Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202AD); one of the great early Christian theologians. He was particularly interested in the understanding of God as a Creator God who is constantly involved in creation (and therefore us!), and not a remote being - as was thought the case by the Gnostic movement. Irenaeus significantly advanced theological thought around the idea of the Holy Trinity as Father, Son & Holy Spirit being a relational unity through which we are created and sustained. There is a wonderful children's book by Max Lucado; 'You are special'. It tells the story of how the Wemmicks, fictional wooden characters, are all uniquely made by the carpenter - who knows and loves each of them even though they often misunderstand! Do look it out if you are not familiar with it. St Irenaeus has the following quote attributed to him which speaks also of this unconditional love we experience in our relationship with God: "It is not you that shapes God, It is God that shapes you. If you are the work of God, await the hand of the artist who does all things in due season. Offer him your heart, soft and tractable, and keep the form in which the artist has fashioned you. Let your clay be moist, lest you grow hard and lose the imprint of his fingers" SUNDAY SERVICES - 2 July (4th Sunday after Trinity): 8am - BCP Holy Communion; Forde Abbey. 10am - Holy Communion; St Stephen's, Winsham 10:30am - EMMAUS: A new service for the 1st Sunday of the month at St John's Tatworth. See below. EMMAUS On the first Sunday of the month a new service is starting at St John's in place of the Morning Worship service that has taken place in that slot. It is centred around welcome and hospitality - of coming together in fellowship; hence the title 'Emmaus', which comes from the Gospel of Luke's account of Jesus joining the disciples on the road to Emmaus. From 10:30am people are invited to gather in St John's where there will be food and drink available (free) and people can just 'be' together in a relaxed and social environment. From about 11am we will then have a time of worship which will be centred on thanksgiving, through word, music, and prayer. It will be approximately 30minutes. There will then also be the opportunity for private prayer afterwards. This is very much intended to be a relaxed time of coming together and to which ALL are welcome and supported across all ages. Do please spread the word! JOINT PCC MEETING - DISCUSSING FOCAL MINISTRY. Thank you to everyone who came to the joint PCC meeting last week. It was good to see so many PCC members and to get this important conversation started. As discussed I will now invite the members of the Deanery Leadership team to come and discuss further with us as we embark on our discernment in this area. DEANERY GATHERING (SYNOD) - Thursday 29th June 7 for 7:30pm at South Petherton The next Deanery Gathering is tomorrow from 7pm in South Petherton church looking at rural ministry. All Welcome. This will be Rev'd Anne Kember's last Deanery Gathering before she leaves so please do come and support her. 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: Bob Stacey; Richard Thompson; Sonyia Garland; Terrance Down (funeral tomorrow at Yeovil Crematorium, 10:30); Roger Hannam; Frank Long (funeral 12th July 11am in St John's, Tatworth). A prayer for Trinity 4: Eternal God, comfort of the afflicted and healer of the broken, you have fed us at the table of life and hope: teach us the ways of gentleness and peace, that all the world may acknowledge the kingdom of your Son 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: twoshiresrector@gmail.com 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!
Dear Friends This morning Michelle and I went to our son’s first sports day! The last two were cancelled either due to the pandemic or because of last year’s heatwave, so we were all super excited this morning! It was great to see all the kids taking part in relays, races, and the obligatory egg and spoon race. This latter event was a masterclass in cunning and strategy from many, as they worked out that often the slower you went the more successful the outcome – and if that fails you could try and get away with just holding the egg… It was a great celebration in taking part – and the parental masses and pupils' peers were all enthusiastically cheering everyone, no matter the finishing order. During this season of Trinity, we are following the Gospel of Matthew. Last Sunday we heard the beginning of Jesus’s teaching to his 12 chosen disciples as he sent them out to do missionary work. This Sunday we hear more of that teaching as he highlights some of the dangers ahead. But there is one command that comes up frequently; ‘do not be afraid’. Jesus tells them that they are loved. They are valued – whatever happens. In our daily lives we are constantly lining up on the start line of a challenge before us. And your challenge may not be mine, and mine may not be yours. Just two minutes ago Michelle came out of the study from something she was doing and said ‘you would be much better at this then me’… And constantly I think the same the other way round. Whatever you are facing; pause and hear Jesus’s words. Do not be afraid. And remember that you are equipped, loved and valued and in that there is much joy and celebration – whatever the outcome. SUNDAY SERVICES - 25 June (3rd Sunday after Trinity): 8am - Holy Communion; St John's, Tatworth. Rev'd Michelle 10am - Holy Communion; St Mary's, Thorncombe. Rev'd Philip 6:30pm - BCP Evensong; St Michael & All Angels, Chaffcombe. Rev'd Philip 6:30pm - Service of Light; St Stephen's, Winsham JOINT PCC MEETING - DISCUSSING FOCAL MINISTRY. Tonight at 7pm in the Church rooms at St John's. A reminder to PCC members across the Benefice that there is a joint meeting tonight at St John's, Tatworth, at 7pm to begin the important conversation about Focal Ministry and what this might look like for our family of churches. This is the framework for future parochial ministry that the Diocese are asking all Deanery's to adopt. If you are not on a PCC you are also very welcome to attend - it will be lovely to see you. WILD CHURCH - THIS SATURDAY (24th) - 3pm outside St John's This Saturday it is Wild Church at St John's. ALL WELCOME!! It is a Festival themed Wild Church this month (in the echoes of Glastonbury this weekend!). Songs, activities, food and fun - and tents! Hopefully you won't need your wellies though... MIDWEEK SERVICES Tuesday 27th June at 4pm - Prayer time at St John's. A time of open prayer centred on the Celtic Tradition. Wednesday 28th June at 9:30am - Holy Communion at St Stephen's, Winsham. DEANERY GATHERING (SYNOD) - Thursday 29th June 7pm at South Petherton Advance notice that the next Deanery Gathering is next Thursday at 7pm in South Petherton church. All Welcome. This will be Rev'd Anne Kember's last Deanery Gathering before she leaves so please do come and support her. If anyone would like a lift I have a few seats in my car. 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; 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; 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; Richard Thompson; Sonyia Garland; Terrance Down; Roger Hannam; Frank Long; Tom Hamblin. A Prayer for the 3rd Sunday of Trinity O God, whose beauty is beyond our imagining and whose power we cannot comprehend: show us your glory as far as we can grasp it, and shield us from knowing more than we can bear until we may look upon you without fear; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. 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: twoshiresrector@gmail.com 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!
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 PhilipDear allI'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.BlessingsPhilipThe Reverend Philip ButcherRector - Two Shires Benefice (Tatworth, Thorncombe, Winsham, Chaffcombe & Cricket Malherbie)The Vicarage3 Home FarmTatworthChardTA20 2SH01460 221286PASTORAL EMAILS - please to: twoshiresrector@gmail.comHOME PRAYER & WORSHIP: https://twoshires.wordpress.comRest 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! 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: twoshiresrector@gmail.com 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!
