Reflection for 12.1.26 from Paul Smith. “The day before yesterday, as I was walking around the cloisters, all the brethren sat together, grouped like a most lovely garland. And I gazed on them, as Adam must have gazed on the leaves and the tree and the flowers and fruits amid the delights of Paradise. And in the whole of that throng, I could not find one that I did not love, and by whom I was not loved. And I was filled with such great joy that is surpassed the delight that this world could give. For I felt as if my spirit was transfused into all of them and their affection was reciprocally flowing into me.. And I felt I could sincerely say with the prophet – ‘behold how good it is for the brethren to dwell together.’”St AelredToday in the church calendar is the day when we commemorate St Aelred of Rievaulx. He lived from 1110 to 1167. He was born in Hexham in Northumberland where his father was a married priest and the Vicar of Hexham. It was he who supervised the rebuilding of the abbey after the raids by the Vikings. Aelred was a dreamy, emotional boy and had a good education. When he was 14 he met David, the future king of Scotland who was visiting Hexham. As a result he joined the Scottish Court and soon became steward of the royal household because of his attractive and friendly personality. However, this court life left him deeply unsatisfied and he left and travelled south into England and decided to join the monks in the abbey at Rievaulx in North Yorkshire. (We can still see the ruins of Rievaulx near Sutton Bank between the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.) The monks of Rievaulx were part of the very severe Cistercian Order, a total change from Court life in Scotland. As a monk he experienced Jesus as a warm intimate friend who was by his side every minute of the day Maybe this was because Aelred was a warm friendly person, very popular amongst the other monks. He was well known for his friendly nature and his advice was sought all over northern England and southern Scotland. It was not long before he was made the Abbot of Rievaulx, in charge of a large and complex community which serviced the whole area of North Yorkshire. Besides his advice being sought from all over the county, he wrote two books which are still read: The Mirror of Charity and Spiritual Friendship, an excerpt from which is at the top of this paragraph. Simple courtesy and friendship is so important in day-to-day church life.A prayer.Grant to your people, almighty God, a spirit of mutual affection, that following the example of your servant, Aelred of Rievaulx, we might know the love of Christ in loving one another; though the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Common Worship: Collects and Post Communions, material from which is included here, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000
What’s on in TCMC Dates for your Christmas Diary5th December 5pm-7pm Candles on the Lake Kenwith Castle6th December 10am St Mary’s Coffee Morning-The Royal, Bude Street, Appledore3pm Community Carol Service St Margaret’s10th December to 3rd January Christmas Tree Festival St Margaret’savailable to view when the church is open12th December3pm Ignatian Contemplation Holy Trinity13th December10am Christingle Making St Mary’s2.30pm Christmas Quiz St Margaret’s14th December3pm Christingle Service St Mary’s3pm Christmas Carols with Appledore Band Holy Trinity3.30pm Messy Church Abbotsham Village Hall16th December2.30pm Vintage Christmas St Mary’s Church Hall17th December7pm Recital by Heart and Voice Ensemble St Margaret’s19th December3pm Ignatian Contemplation Holy Trinity21st December9.15am Family Church St Mary’s10am 9 Lessons and Carols St Margaret’s10.30am Morning Worship Holy Trinity10.30pm Morning Worship-9 Lessons and Carols St Helen’s10.30am Holy Communion-9 Lessons and Carols St Mary’s5.30pm Carols@Thirsty St Helen’s22nd December7pm Torchlight Service Appledore St Mary’sDecember 24th – Christmas Eve3pm Carol Service Holy Trinity3pm Crib Service St Mary’s4.30pm Crib Service St Margaret’s9.30pm Bethlehem Communion St Helen’s9.30pm Bethlehem Communion St Margaret’sDecember 25th – Christmas Day10am Christmas Day Service St Margaret’s10.30am Christmas Day Service Holy Trinity10.30am Christmas Day Service St Mary’sDecember 28th10.30am Team Service Holy Trinity
