St Andrew's, Curry Rivel

(April Curry Rivel News)

Looking for signs of life.

I love all the sunshine we have been having recently! I find myself looking for signs of spring as hungrily as I do when I stand in front of the fridge, looking for something to snack on before dinner. I love seeing the hedgerows and trees bursting with bright green, taking in the sweet smells of fresh growth and feeling the warmth on my skin.

All this hopeful looking for life makes me think back to my teaching days. We all thrive on encouragement, but children quickly see through empty compliments. I remember one young person I taught who called me out on this one day. The truth was empty compliments were as demotivating and insulting to his abilities as criticism. A good teacher can find genuine achievements to praise and commend, however small and seemingly insignificant they may appear. These can be the glimmers of hope that growth is possible, that success will come.

In the church calendar, we are in the season of Lent; reflection, prayer and simplification to humbly prepare ourselves for Easter. This year I am challenged to not wallow in my past failings, but to see glimmers of hope for change and life. Poet Gregory Orr puts it this way: “Not to make loss beautiful, but to make loss the place where beauty starts”. I think this is where my understanding of Easter lies.

The Christian hope is that life came out of Jesus’ death. That there is a hope that broken things can be mended, and reconciliation is possible. The Easter story, which recognises loss, invites us into the place where beauty starts.

On the subject of new seasons, my time as Curate here in the village has come to an end and I will be moving on after Easter. It is sad saying goodbye and we are grateful for the friendships we have made during our time here. I also pray, particularly for my kids, that their sadness in leaving will be a place where beauty starts too.

I leave a blessing from the Northumbria Community with you.

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you wherever he may send you.

May he guide you through the wilderness and protect you through the storm.

May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you.

May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

Rev Mark

(January Curry Rivel News)

Choosing not to enter the race.

I have started running again; it’s that time of year when we’re supposed to commit to being better versions of ourselves. How long will my New Year’s resolution last this year? I have one of those apps on my phone which tells me how well I’m doing. I saw a funny cartoon of two runners looking at their running apps and talking about how quickly they ran, what their heart rate was, and one asked the other if he enjoyed the run. The friend looked at his phone app, then answered, “it doesn’t’ say”!

Growth is one of the characteristics that defines all life. Improving at things can be one of life’s real joys, but I wonder if we let things get out of hand sometimes. The constant pressure to get a personal best in our recreation, to upgrade our tools and toys, and continually grow our work and businesses can put a huge amount of pressure on us. If we are not careful, we can get into an unhealthy competition with ourselves and those around us.

Some of the things which brings us the most joy are not things we can win at. I can’t get a personal best in reading to my daughter at bedtime, can I? Can I win at chuckling to a funny comment I overhear while eating ice cream by the river? What does success look like during coffee with a friend? Put like that, those questions seem bonkers, but why do I get that nagging feeling that I am not enough, or that I’m not winning at life?

Someone once said that the problem with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat! In St Paul’s letter to the Romans, he wrote “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”

I don’t for one minute believe that he was saying that everything around us is evil and that we need to become monks and nuns; but there are some unhelpful mindsets in our culture which I find exhausting and leave me feeling inadequate. Perhaps this year, I need to reframe my thinking. I need to reconsider which areas of life do I need to improve on, and which to be content with. If I choose to be good enough or not upgrade, I may find more capacity to be present with my work and play. I may also have more margins of time and money to spend on what really matters in life, like those I love.

And so, may we find we have enough for all our needs this year. May we also find greater peace and contentment, so that we can give our energy to what is really meaningful in life. May you have a very blessed year! Revd Mark

A light which shines in the darkness

(November 2024 CR News)

The custodial sentences imposed on many of those involved in the recent riots in communities across our country have highlighted, yet again, the issue of criminal justice and the pressures and strains within the prison system. The seemingly ever-increasing size of the prison population; the appalling conditions within many of our older prisons, especially those in our inner cities; the almost total lack of provision for education and rehabilitation and an apparent unwillingness by those elected to Parliament to consider whether the whole of our justice system needs a radical overhaul have all resulted in much media comment.

But one part of the prison system which has not been mentioned is the invaluable role played by those who serve as Chaplains. Prison and restorative justice have been a constant thread almost throughout the whole of my life, beginning with my first visit while still in my teens to what was then called a Borstal. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with chaplaincy teams across the whole of the prison estate.

I’ve witnessed at first hand the extraordinary work done those teams, lay and ordained, of all faiths, working together to witness to God’s love in Christ and caring for all those in the prison system, both staff and prisoners. I’ve often said to those on the outside, if you want to know what true collaborative ministry looks like in practice, look no further than a chaplaincy team. While each member remains true to his or her particular faith, the barriers which often divide people of faith have no part in that shared work of witness and service.

Sadly, all too often, the work of Chaplaincies not just in prison but in all aspects of our human life, in education, hospital, mental health, care homes and many other places, is barely known – that is, until we need their care. But Chaplaincies are the yeast which leaven our society. The light which shines in the darkness. Society, as we long and pray for it to be, would be the poorer without them.

Using Rest to Pray (October CR News)

Tony Horsfall, Assistant Bishop for the Diocese of Bath and Wells, a retreat leader and author, recommends a different type of prayer.

Most of us think of prayer as a very demanding activity, but did you know it can be extremely restful?

One of the great verses in the Bible says this: ‘Be still and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46:10). It suggests we experience God most fully when we are still. When we cease rushing around, pausing for a moment of thought and recollection, we are becoming prayerful, and God is very near. Even a break for a morning coffee can be a moment for prayer, if we slow ourselves down and allow our thoughts to turn towards God.

An essential part of resting is to breathe slowly. Christian tradition has always made a connection between prayer and breathing. You can learn to pray to the rhythm of your breathing, using chosen prayer words to focus. As you breathe in, you might say ‘Abba’, and then, as you breathe out, add the word ‘Father’. Or when breathing in, say ‘Lord, I breathe in your peace’ and as you breathe out, say ‘Lord, I breathe out my anxiety’. Choose words which are meaningful to you, deliberately slowing your breathing so you become relaxed and peaceful.

Perhaps you have a favourite chair where you are able to unwind easily. For a few moments sit and do nothing. Simply become aware of the present moment, reminding yourself you are in the presence of God. As you feel yourself relax, bask in the knowledge of God’s love and acceptance of you. Sense his smile of approval upon you. You don’t have to do anything, just ’be’ for a moment. This too is prayer.

Sometimes we are forced to rest by circumstances ..... illness, disability, growing older and so on slow us down and we can’t rush around like we used to do. Don’t fight against your circumstances. Enter into the place of rest that God is giving you. He loves you for who you are, not for what you do. Turn your thoughts into prayer and offer them to God. You don’t need to advise God as to what He should do; simply hold people before Him, leaving the outcome to Him.

Prayer should be a natural expression of our relationship wit God. Sometimes we have words, sometimes silence is enough. We don’t need to impress God with our fervour. We can relax and be rested, even as we pray.

From the Parish Pump

The Lord is my Shepherd

By Liz Richardson (September 2024 CR News)

Harvest takes place throughout the year. We plant the seed and tend it but it is God who makes it grow. Seeds of the gospel are planted at Messy Church for instance, where people of all ages meet informally and with various activities, crafts and songs based around a Christian message, concluding with a meal provides an enjoyable time for all.

Recently Messy Church visited a farm where we were able to touch lambs in the field- very exciting. The shepherd told us many interesting facts, including comparing his job of caring for his sheep, to our Lord Jesus who loves and cares for each one of us.

The Bible reference being Psalm 23 which will be familiar to many.

The Lord is my shepherd:

I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows

He leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength

He guides me along right paths,

bringing honour to his name.

Even when I walk

Through the dark valley of death,

I will not be afraid,

For you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff

Protect and comfort me

You prepare a feast for me

In the presence of my enemies.

You welcome me as a guest,

Anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

All the days of my life,

And I will live in the house of the Lord for ever

This Psalm was written by David out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance and protection. The New Testament calls Jesus the good shepherd { John 10-11], the great shepherd { Hebrew 13-20], and the head shepherd [ 1 Peter 5-4 }, As the Lord is the good shepherd so we are his sheep ---- not frightened, passive animals , but obedient followers, wise enough to follow one who will lead us in right places and in right ways, This Psalm does not focus on the animal like qualities of sheep but on the discipleship qualities of those who follow.

When we allow God to guide us, we have contentment. When we choose to sin and go our own way, however, we cannot blame God for the environment we create for ourselves. Our shepherd knows the “green meadows” and “peaceful streams” that will restore us. We will reach these places only by following him obediently. Rebelling against the shepherd’s leading is actually rebelling against our own best interest. We must remember this the next time we are tempted to go our own way rather than the shepherd’s way.

Death casts a frightening shadow over us because we are entirely helpless in its presence. We can struggle with other enemies --- pain, suffering, disease, injury --- but strength and courage cannot overcome death. Only one person can walk with us through Death’s dark valley and bring us safely to the other side --- the God of life, our shepherd. Because life is uncertain, we should follow this shepherd who offers us eternal comfort. Jesus promises to guide and protect us throughout our life and to bring us into his house for ever. We must worship God, trust and obey his commands.

When you recognise the good shepherd follow him!

Scott’s Spot – August 2024 - Change

This was Rev Scott's last 'Spot'.

How do you cope with change? What ‘roots you’ when everything around seems uncertain or in turmoil?

As I write the General Election has just taken place and Sir Keir Starmer is now our prime minister. Change has come to our nation. We have a new PM, new government, many new MPs and a new approach to leadership. Regardless of your political affiliation, if you pray, will you do so for Sir Keir, his team and our MPs? As is always the case post-election our expectations are sky-high and their challenges, daunting. So as the Apostle Paul teaches, shall we honour his call that: ‘prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions…’ (1 Tim 2:1)? Their job is demanding, relentless, often thankless, and in our increasingly aggressive culture, one that needs much courage. They need wisdom, good council, stamina, and protection for themselves and their families – perhaps pause for a moment to pray for our new leaders right now.

Removal lorries will not only be visiting Downing Street. By the time this edition arrives, my family and I will have left the Rectory and private tenants moved in. Personal change, and change for our parishes, is also here. After eleven years as your Rector I shall be moving to Long Sutton to take up the part-time roll of Associate Minister for a new seven-parish Benefice that includes Curry Rivel, Fivehead and Swell. This new enlarged Benefice will also include the parishes of Langport/Huish, Drayton, Aller and High Ham, and together we shall be seeking to appoint a new Rector. So a change of role, change of home, change of Benefice, and further change to come as we work to appoint a new leader. And as I prepare to leave, I’d like to take the opportunity to express my thanks to those I’ve served alongside – those who have given so much in maintaining and developing our local Anglican churches both spiritually and architecturally. It has been a privilege to work alongside so many dedicated and sacrificial people, and to see some amazing personal growth. I look forward to continuing this partnership albeit with a different hat.

So in the ‘sea of change’ that I, my family, and our church families find ourselves, how can we face this with hope? Alongside the painful back-drop of international events that unsettle so many, how can Christians face down those potential visitors ‘despair’ and ‘fear’? Well I end this last ‘Scott’s Spot’ pointing to the same figure that I have tried to point to throughout. The figure who stands at the heart of every service I’ve taken; the figure who has sustained me through the challenges of Christian leadership amongst our increasingly secular society; the figure whose promise to “be with you always until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20) I have known personally;

and the figure who, in the face of change is wonderfully (Hebrews 13:8) ‘the same yesterday, today and forever’ – Jesus Christ.

In the beautiful hymn ‘Abide with me’ the writer puts it like this: ‘Change and decay in all around I see, O Thou who changest not, abide with me’ . My final prayer as your Rector therefore is that amongst this world of endless change, you may find enduring hope in the perfect love and unchanging promises of Christ.

Rev’d Scott.

St Andrew's, Curry Rivel

Recent publications in the Curry Rivel News and the Fivehead & Swell - Community Matters magazine.

Services and events in July and August2025