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 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 This Sunday we celebrate the Pentecost; the arrival of the Holy Spirit on and in the disciples gathered in Jerusalem, where they had been waiting and praying since Jesus' Ascension to heaven 10 days earlier. The Acts of the Apostles describes it as: "Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" Acts 2:2-4 They could not have known what they were waiting for; what they were expecting; but I am fairly sure it wasn't what transpired! It is not meek and mild; it is dramatic and sudden - and no doubt initially terrifying before becoming something of great joy. The poet T S Eliot uses the experience of Pentecost as a central theme in his major poem, Little Gidding, and particularly in part 4 below: The dove descending breaks the air With flame of incandescent terror Of which the tongues declare The one dischage from sin and error. The only hope, or else despair Lies in the choice of pyre of pyre- To be redeemed from fire by fire. Who then devised the torment? Love. Love is the unfamiliar Name Behind the hands that wove The intolerable shirt of flame Which human power cannot remove. We only live, only suspire Consumed by either fire or fire. Like the scripture; there is nowhere to hide with the text, and it sets out a stark choice - literally described as a choice of pyre or pyre! Not exactly comforting words... And yet, on deeper exploration we do find comfort - indeed hope and love. The Spirit of Pentecost is a spirit of enabling; of equipping; of having the strength, faith and courage to live lives in faith even in the most difficult of times. Jerusalem was not a safe place at all for those earliest Christians - it would need something dramatic to inspire them as they faced great personal danger. And indeed as we will discover as the story unfolds, they are so inspired that they go out with boldness and with joy. We all find ourselves troubled on a regular basis, and we are often faced with making difficult decisions for ourselves, for others, or in relation to things we have a responsibility for. Eliot boils our turmoils down to an existential choice where we stand at the crossroads of those moments and can find hope and love, rather than despair. Both ways may appear like fire, but one is the fire of new life and possibility - the other the fire of destruction. Jesus promised the disciples that they would never be alone, and he makes the same promise to us. We do receive the Holy Spirit - who fills us all with the fire of love and hope wherever we find ourselves. Let that fire burn and sustain you in new life. SERVICES Pentecost Sunday - 28th May 8am - Said Holy Communion; St John's Tatworth; Rev'd Michelle 10am - Holy Communion; St Mary's, Thorncombe; Rev'd Philip 6:30pm - Hymns & Pimms! A Songs of Praise service for the Chaffcombe Flower Festival; St Michael's & All Angels, Chaffcombe; Rev'd Philip 6:30pm - Service of Light; St Stephen's, Winsham; Lay Team Sunday 4th June 8am - BCP Holy Communion; Forde Abbey 9:30am - Breakfast at St John's; leading into APCM at 10am and Thanksgiving Service at 11am. Rev'd's Philip & Michelle. All Welcome. 10am - Holy Communion, St Stephen's, Winsham. Rev'd Judith 12pm - Baptism at St Stephen's, Winsham. Rev'd Philip Bible Study - Easter to Pentecost The next bible study evening is tonight at 7:30pm here in the Vicarage. This week we are looking at Acts 2 - The Pentecost. The Vicarage is at 3 Home Farm, Tatworth, TA20 2SH. To find us it is by far the easiest to park at St John's church, cross the road and walk down School Lane (road opposite the church) about 50metres - Home Farm is the driveway on the left. IN BLOOM! The 27th - 29th May sees the return of the Bienniel Chaffcombe Flower Festival. There is a full programme of events across the 3 days at various venues in the village. 6:30pm on Sunday 28th May - Hymns and Pimms! All Welcome at St Michael & All Angels. 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: Ken Johnson (funeral held in St John's on 9 May); Tony Meech (funeral held in St Stephen's on 11 May); Jackie Scott (funeral held in St John's); Nan Austin (funeral in St John's on 8th June); Michael Jeanes (funeral 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 on 6th June); Fred Strawbridge; Richard Thompson (Thanksgiving service in St Michael & All Angels on 10th June); Sonyia Garland. A Prayer 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 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 Tomorrow (Thursday 18 May) is Ascension Day. It marks 40 days from Easter Day and is celebrated by many Christians as the day that Jesus ascended into heaven. The story of the Ascension is found in three places in the Bible; The Gospel of Luke, The Acts of the Apostles, and the Gospel of Mark. It is clearly an important event, and one of very few, if any, that occur in both a Gospel and a subsequent New Testament book. As such it is really a pivot point - it is the point in the story of the beginnings of the Christian faith that Christians had to fly 'solo', so to speak. The Acts of the Apostles takes the story of the Ascension and continues it into 'what happens next'. Jesus has told them to wait in Jerusalem for the arrival of the Holy Spirit, which he tells them will arrive 'not many days from now' (Acts 1:5). This they do, waiting and praying, and preparing, for something that they have no idea about. All they know is that the Holy Spirit is coming. Standing from this side of history we know that that period turned out to be 10 days. The day of Pentecost coming 10 days after The Ascension. Jesus' followers, gathered as requested in an upper room in Jerusalem, were suddenly surrounded and filled with the Spirit and from that point, and not before, began their new ministry. As we echo those days over the coming 1 1/2 weeks spend some time in prayer discerning where God may be working in your life. Don't look for the expected, but rather be prepared for the unexpected. Spend time with the difficult things, and in the difficult places, and open your hearts and minds to God's wonderful works. You may like to access these resources for this period: Thy Kingdom Come 2023 | Thy Kingdom Come SERVICES Ascension Day Ascension Day is on Thursday 18th May. We will have a special evening service of Holy Communion at 7pm in St Mary Magdalene to celebrate The Ascension. All Welcome. The APCM for Cricket Malherbie will be held from 6pm before the service. Sunday 21st May 10am - Morning Worship with APCM - St Stephen's, Winsham; Rev'd Philip 10am - Holy Communion - St John's, Tatworth; Rev'd Judith 6:30pm - Service of Light - St Mary's, Thorncombe BIBLE STUDY EVENINGS - Easter to Pentecost The next bible study evening is tonight at 7:30pm here in the Vicarage. This week we are looking at Acts 1:13-26 The Vicarage is at 3 Home Farm, Tatworth, TA20 2SH. To find us it is by far the easiest to park at St John's church, cross the road and walk down School Lane (road opposite the church) about 50metres - Home Farm is the driveway on the left. Next week the bible study is on Thursday 25th May at 7:30 and will be looking at Pentecost. IN BLOOM! The 27th - 29th May sees the return of the Bienniel Chaffcombe Flower Festival. There is a full programme of events across the 3 days at various venues in the village. 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; Bob Stacey, Lynn Ranson, Keith Legge, Margaret Golesworthy, Sonyia Garland. We remember all those whom we love but see no longer; particularly at this time: Ken Johnson (funeral held in St John's on 9 May); Tony Meech (funeral held in St Stephen's on 11 May); Joan England (funeral held in St John's on 5 May), Jackie Scott (funeral held today in St John's); Nan Austin (funeral in St John's on 8th June); Michael Jeanes (funeral in St Mary Magdalene's on 31st May); Bob Stacey (funeral arrangements to be confirmed); Norman Loveridge (funeral at Taunton Crematorium on 6th June); Fred Strawbridge. A Prayer for Ascension: Risen Christ, you have raised our human nature to the throne of heaven: help us to seek and serve you, that we may join you at the Father’s side, where you reign with the Spirit in glory, 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 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 The Gospel reading today is John 15:1-8; 'I am the vine and you are the branches'. I include it in full below and I invite you to spend some time today, or this week, with those words. This is a time of year when things growing outside seem to go into overdrive - you can almost see the grass growing; especially with the intermittent rain, humid air, and warm late spring sun. Suddenly our hedgerows have erupted into cow parsley, 'sticky weed', and all other manner of lush green vegetation. Roses are budding up with flower heads, and summer bulbs are poking through the soil. Everywhere you look there is green. Indeed, talking to someone the other day who was in the UK for the very first time, their overriding impression was 'your country is so... GREEN!' And so it is! In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus tells us to 'see how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?' (Matt 6:28-30) There wasn't much green on show at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, but there was an abundance of just about everything else! What a spectacle the Coronation was! It was a marvelous occasion, full of grandeur, pomp and ceremony as befitting this most significant of moments; and yet also full of moments of deep sacredness and vulnerability that pointed so vividly to the meaning and solemnity of a Coronation. Anybody who followed the Coronation service can be in no doubt that whilst the service was a celebration and heralding of our new king - it was also the recognition, and celebrating, of the role of Monarch as servant to the ultimate King - Jesus. Charles' first words in the ceremony were in response to the greeting of a chorister, "Your Majesty, as children of the Kingdom of God we welcome you in the name of the King of Kings" The King: "In his name, and after his example, I come not to be served but to serve." The first part of the Coronation itself was the annointing, which saw the King first being de-robed, stripped down, to his shirt, and then privately annointed. This was a moment of intimacy and vulnerability, and as Archbishop Justin explained in an interview, the most sacred moment between the King and God. It is in essence akin to those words from John 15. A recognition that we are connected to the true vine, and part of that preparedness for fruitfulness is embracing our vulnerability. As we tend our gardens, enjoy the spring flush all around us, reflect on that, and the words below, as analogous to our own lives in God. Yes we need to discard the areas that are passed, but so to do we have to prune and tend to those areas that are life giving - which does require an element of vulnerability and will no doubt hurt - but from that new life will flourish. “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. (John 15:1-8) SERVICES - Sunday 14 May 8am - BCP Holy Communion; St Stephen's Winsham 10am - Morning Worship; St Mary's, Thorncombe 10:30am - Holy Communion; St Michael & All Angels, Chaffcombe Ascension Day Ascension Day is on Thursday 18th May. We will have a special evening service of Holy Communion at 7pm in St Mary Magdalene to celebrate The Ascension. All Welcome. CORONATION WEEKEND It was a wonderful weekend and thank you to everyone who organised, helped with, attended, supported in any way, anything that happened across our communities. If you weren't able to follow the Coronation service, or would like to look at it again - here is the link to the words of the service along with commentary. 23-24132 Coronation Liturgy Commentary_02 May.pdf (churchofengland.org) BIBLE STUDY EVENINGS - Easter to Pentecost, Thursdays from 27 April to 25 May The next bible study evening is tomorrow (Thursday 11 May) at 7:30 here in the vicarage. All welcome, and you do not need to have come before! This week we are looking at Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:1-11 (The Ascension). The Vicarage is at 3 Home Farm, Tatworth, TA20 2SH. To find us it is by far the easiest to park at St John's church, cross the road and walk down School Lane (road opposite the church) about 50metres - Home Farm is the driveway on the left. WILD CHURCH Wild Church is back on Saturday 13th May at 3pm outside St John's. ALL WELCOME! This week we will be going for a gentle nature walk and returning to St John's for refreshments. TODDLERS As many of you know, we have a successful Baby & Toddler group that meets every Friday at St John's, Tatworth, from 10 - 11:30am. We would dearly love to expand the team that helps with that, and so if you feel you may be able to offer regular help with that group - in any way - then please do have a chat with either myself Rev Michelle and we would be delighted to explore that with you. MUSIC! The Yorkshire Mixtures are performing in aid of the Ukraine Nightingale Charity in St Mary's Church, Chard, at 7pm on 16th May. Billed as 'from Mozart to Mama Mia', tickets are £12 and available from Dave Bostock Smith. IN BLOOM! The 27th - 29th May sees the return of the Bienniel Chaffcombe Flower Festival. There is a full programme of events across the 3 days at various venues in the village. 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; Bob Stacey, Lynn Ranson, Keith Legge, Margaret Golesworthy, Sonyia Garland. We remember all those whom we love but see no longer; particularly at this time: Jean Dodd (funeral held on 2 May), John Scrannage (funeral in St John's on 4 May); Ken Johnson (funeral in St John's on 9 May); Tony Meech (funeral in St Stephen's on 11 May); Joan England (funeral in St John's on 5 May), Jackie Scott (funeral in St John's on 17th May); and Nan Austin (funeral in St John's on 8th June). Finally, here is a prayer for us all in response to the Coronation: Gracious God, in company with our King, we rededicate ourselves to your service. Take our minds and think through them, take our lips and speak through them, take our hearts and set them on fire with love for you and your kingdom; that here we may have your peace, and in the world to come may see you face to face; 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!
