NEWS
The new service book is here! Colin introduces the new book in an article printed below. He includes an appreciation of the editorial work done by a variety of people, but he himself has been the driving force and co-ordinator of the project and we owe him a huge vote of thanks for the considerable amount of time and effort he has invested in the project.
On 28th May a party of 30 enthusiastic visitors from the Halesworth U3A Church Crawlers group enjoyed an afternoon at Holy Trinity with a talk and tour of the church by Robert, followed by a splendid tea kindly provided by Bridget and Cheryl.
The electronic swift calls in the belfry have been effective at attracting the interest of swifts, which have regularly been seen circling the tower since the end of May. It’s not clear yet whether or not they are using the nest boxes.
The sales table organised by Diana raised an impressive £140.00.
The PCC wishes to extend its gratitude to the members of two visiting groups for their interest in Barsham Church and for their generous donations towards the upkeep of the church. The Halesworth U3A Church Crawlers group kindly donated £225.00 and the Round Tower Churches Society made a similar generous donation of £200.00.
Many thanks to Sarah Jane who raised £134.00 for the Fabric Fund on her recent Market Stall event in Beccles.
Thank you for the 298 items donated to the Beccles Food Bank in May, including much appreciated household items.
FORWARD PLANNING
The Summer Lunch will be at St Bartholomew’s Shipmeadow at 12.30pm on Wednesday 25th June. Tickets cost £12.50 per person and should be bought in advance from Bridget. Please bring your own chairs (and tables if you want them). All food and eating utensils are provided and drinks can be purchased there.
Barsham walk with Cheryl’s church walking group, 2pm Sat 19th July, starting at the church. Just over 4 miles along the lanes and footpaths of Barsham. Tea afterwards at 4pm at the church. All welcome.
Haymaking is likely to be taking place in the week commencing Monday 11thAugust. All helpers welcome. Details and confirmation of date to follow.
Sarah Jane’s next market stalls in Beccles are scheduled for 26th September and 3rd October. She would welcome donations of any unwanted household items in good condition.
Long-range diary dates (with details nearer the time): Sat 6th Sept at 2pm, Barsham Church: Dr Barry Darch’s talk on the Redes of Beccles. Sat 13th Sept: Ride & Stride. Sun 28th Sept: Harvest Festival Evensong and village hall supper. Thu 18th Dec: Christmas Carol Service.
THE NEW SERVICE BOOK – An Introduction by Colin Harris
Evensong on our Patronal Day, Trinity Sunday, will witness the introduction of the new service book which will be used for the first time in Barsham Church following a complete revision of both music and liturgy, and it is fervently hoped that all congregants will find its use a pleasant and helpful experience. The book is composed of three sections, Holy Communion, Evensong and Psalms, each introduced with title and photograph. This has been very much a collaborative initiative over many months which has culminated in what I hope will prove to be a useful guide and aid to worshippers in Most Holy Trinity Church for many years to come.
To simplify the service book, the harmonising staves have in most instances been removed, leaving only the notation of the melody which in turn enables the Nicene Creed, the Paternoster and Gloria to fit more neatly on fewer pages. A number of minor corrections have also been effected; who for instance was aware that for decades we had so dedicatedly sung what we believed to be the Ancient Three-Fold Kyrie not realising it was in fact a Nine-Fold rendition? Additionally, a larger font size
has been employed throughout the book for ease of reading. Occasionally, in an attempt for perfection, a degree of pedantry occurred with the many alterations of pointing in the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, and requests for the substitution of some colons with ellipses! The final section contains a selection of some of the best loved psalms which may be used not only in services, particularly Evensong, but also for those desirous of quiet reflection and contemplation.
I must pay tribute and extend my thanks to all who have contributed so much to the service book’s creation, especially Peter Gascogne for his utmost patience and his technical expertise in producing the printed format for both music and narrative, to Canon John Fellows who advised on ecclesiastical matters, and to our organist David Bunkell for his unequalled musical and liturgical knowledge which have so importantly shaped this book. My thanks also to members of the PCC and the working party, who so rigorously and thoroughly proofread the abundance of stages through which this book has evolved. My gratitude to Robert Bacon for his splendid photographs which so delightfully enhance the book and appropriately introduce each section.
Finally and most importantly of all, my sincere thanks to the kind and generous donor who not only suggested the project but also funded this venture, and wishes to retain their anonymity.
JULY DIARY
Sunday 6th July – Second Sunday after Trinity. 11am Sung Eucharist (BCP). RevdJonathan Olanczuk.
Sunday 13th July – Third Sunday after Trinity. 11am Sung Eucharist (BCP). Revd Canon John Fellows.
Sunday 20th July – Fourth Sunday after Trinity. 11.15am Sung Eucharist (BCP), Barsham. Revd Desmond Banister.
Sunday 27th July – Fifth Sunday after Trinity. 11am Sung Eucharist (BCP). Revd Graham Naylor.
Church correspondent: Robert Bacon 07867 306016, [email protected]