Work on the TowerWe are delighted to report that at the beginning of September work began on repairs to the bell tower at St Michaels and All Angels Church Wembworthy. This has been possible through fundraising efforts of the whole community over several years particularly that of the Simpson family and the late Christine Smith. In addition to this, repairs are also being carried out to three of the Church windows thanks to a grant awarded by the Devon Historic Churches Trust.Back to Well Before BCPA squeeze on the rota left Wembworthy with no Minister for September and reverting to the earliest Christian tradition of the congregation taking the service before new fangled idea of priests came along. What seemed like A Good Idea At The Time resulted in the Wardens leading a traditional service of morning prayer from the prayer books. “It’s all in the book” turned out to be somewhat optimistic, with “all” doing a lot of work in that phrase. Modern services are much reduced in size, yet retain so much of the Good Stuff. The Reverend Clive Jobbins supplied a sermon, faithfully explained and presented by Michael. Chris and Rob took us all through the text, Old Testament, Psalm and Gospel readings complete with contributions from the congregation throughout.Her MajestySeptember and October were already looking to be busy months for our parish’s churches when the unwanted and sad news of the Queen’s death arrived. The Church in Devon, or at least in our Mission Community, moved swiftly with books of condolence created for every church, additional services, and instructions on bells (full or half muffle) and flags (half mast, depending).Lost In EggesfordA day or two later many of us were heading out across the parish to raise funds for Devon Historic Churches Trust on their annual fun day. Several of us had started the fun early by pacing out a route from St Michael’s to All Saints and back with very little walking on roads. Procrastination combined with the sad events just mentioned meant the maps and instructions for walkers were a bit last minute, but hardly any people got very lost. Monies are still coming in, and the totals will be posted here in due course (and eventually, a poster!). A special thank you to the people who arrived at the church bearing cake, and sending people out and welcoming them back throughout the day.Fundraising with GunsAt the time of writing, the annual shoot run by Alaine Simpson in memory of Eddy and Helen has just taken place in Chawleigh. We hope to have a report on this exceptional fund raiser next month.Harvest in Wembworthy, Plus Double CakeOctober sees the Harvest Festival service in Wembworthy, and this time Reverend Clive will be there in person and not just words and spirit. This is an evening service which attracts people from across the community. The service is on Sunday 2nd October at 6pm. Afterwards there will be cider, juice, home made nibbles and more.The day before, Saturday 1st October, we’re holding a coffee morning in Chulmleigh Town Hall to raise funds for both our churches – Eggesford and Wembworthy. Donations to eat and sell are sought. The coffee morning runs from 9am to 12 noon. There’s a single Coffee and Cake morning in the parish in October, on Tuesday 25th from 10am to 12 noon. Funds from that also go to both our churches.
Fifteenth Sunday after TrinityLuke 16.19-end 1 Timothy 6.6-19For many years I must confess to being one of those drivers’ other drivers like to dislike, even avoid. Yes, I towed a caravan. Up and down the country I would tug the caravan after scouring the maps in an attempt to avoid the very steep hills and also the narrow lanes. It is amazing just how many of the really nice sites are down those narrow twisting lanes. You can almost guarantee meeting another towed caravan as you drive down the lane with yours. Who goes back?I want to look at the passage in the epistle reading from 1 Timothy. He wrote, “We brought nothing into the world, and it is quite clear that we cannot take anything out of it either”. Well, yes, he is quite correct in what he writes. You do not see coffins travelling with a trailer attached. But, as we take our final journey, we are actually taking things with us.First, and foremost, we are taking ourselves. What sort of person have we been? Did we lead our life very much aware of the state of those around us? Did we step out and offer aid and assistance as needs dictated? During our time on earth we had the opportunity to develop our personality. The way we interacted with others. Looking at the rich man in the Gospel reading he had just the same chance to nurture a good relationship with his servants as any of us have of bringing about healthy interactions with others. It is, however, this part of us that we are taking with us on our final journey.We are also taking something else with us. It is our relationship with God. During our life we can interact with God. We can talk with him through prayer. We can make him the deep love of our life. As we build up this relationship with God we can open our hearts to him and invite him into our life. Once we have forged this close bond we can take the final path in the complete conviction that we are going to One who is the friend and lover of our soul.It is interesting that the rich man would appear to have little or no friends in the life to come. They had misused their power and wealth, their position. In the life to come they realised their lot. The only thing the rich man could think of doing was to warn his brothers of the danger into which he had fallen and become trapped. The only method available to him, he thought, was to use the poor man with whom he had developed some form of bond, however tenuous and ill founded, to give some warning. Here, at last, he began to think of others, to consider their future state. At last, he had begun to realise his position and wish to warn others not to tread that same path. Then he heard the fateful words uttered by Abraham.Many are the opportunities and warnings given to us in the Bible. We cannot go through life in ignorance. We cannot claim to know no difference. We are told to accept God into our lives, to develop a good relationship with him based upon faith and prayer. Then, finally, we can take with us something so valuable. It is the utter conviction that we go to One who is the friend and lover of our soul.For now, we can hope that the caravan in front of us will take the next turning!Collect for the Fifteenth Sunday after TrinityGod, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spiritupon your Church in the burning fire of your love:grant that your people may be ferventin the fellowship of the gospelthat, always abiding in you,they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever.
Luke 16.1-13 1 Timothy 2.1-7Many hundreds of thousands of people are making their way to London to try to file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II before her funeral on Monday. Unfortunately, there are going to be huge numbers who will make that journey in vain. Logistically there is not enough time for everyone in the queue to be able to pass the coffin.The passing of the Queen has been felt by millions of people, not just here in our own country, but throughout the world. She was respected and admired by innumerable people. The ‘flame’ that she carried for so many years has now been handed down to her son King Charles III. It is his to carry for the duration of his reign. Sometime next year, at his Coronation, King Charles III will be presented with items of regalia and be anointed with holy oil called chrism. Today’s Gospel reading tells us of a steward, who was a rascal, and his master, who was no less a rascal. It is a lesson in finance. If we were to spend as much time and effort in attempting to gain goodness as we often seem to do in our efforts to gain money and comfort, we would be much better. Our hobbies and pastimes can command far more of our time than does our spiritual wellbeing. King Charles is now being enthroned into a position of high authority. He will be judged by the way that he fulfils this task. He has been preparing for this over many years and we must assume that he has the ability to meet the challenges that will face him. That his reign will be that guided by love.Over the coming days, weeks, months and years many prayers will be offered for him. That he may be granted wisdom and understanding. That he may be given strength to carry out the tasks that will be his to complete. That, unlike the scoundrels and rogues in Luke’s Gospel, he will recognise his responsibilities. Much will be placed upon his shoulders and the world will look at how he performs.The Epistle reading urges us to offer prayers for not only kings but all who are in high position. Our prayers should include thanksgivings and pleas that they should lead a quiet and peaceable life. That they should have a life of godliness and dignity. These are qualities, we are taught, which are right and acceptable in the sight of God.Jesus Christ is our mediator. He stands between God and all of mankind. He gave himself as a ransom that we all might be saved. He has gone on before us to show us the way, the right path that we should tread. Collect for the Fourteenth Sunday after TrinityAlmighty God,whose only Son has opened for usa new and living way into your presence:give us pure hearts and steadfast willsto worship you in spirit and in truth;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever.
Popular Service The September service in Wembworthy will be lay-lead, meaning the popular and heartfelt gathering with the Wardens echoing the first services in the Christian church. No Eucharist but joyful prayer and good singing and music on Sunday 4th September at 10.30am, followed by refreshments. Thirst after righteousness usually involves alcohol, but only coffee and tea this time. Welcome Loaf August’s service in Wembworthy was a celebration of Lammas, also known as Loaf Mass. Traditionally this marked the start of the rye harvest at the beginning of August, but the introduction of the Gregorian calendar and modern farming methods have left Lammas a little out of sync with the harvest. The excellent Chulmleigh Bakery baked us a large cottage loaf, which two members of the congregation, young and rather older took up for blessing by Rev Clive Jobbins. Clive conducted the service with his usual charm and brought about the welcome return of the silver Common Cup and bread for the Eucharist, as well as the passing round of the collection pouch during the final hymn, for the first time since the start of the Pandemic. The after service refreshments made good use of the Lammas bread. Historic Churches We are again taking part in the Devon Historic Churches Trust Fun Day on 10th September, with a sponsored walk to Eggesford Church allowing different options and distances. The plan is for refreshment to be available in all the churches in the afternoon. Bad News September break in the Coffee and cake Tuesdays at either Church. Good News Alaine Simpson is holding her annual Eddy Simpson Memorial shoot in Chawleigh on 25th September from 11 o’clock for the benefit of our church funds. More details the shoot -- highly recommended -- from the Blue Fox Glade website at https://bluefoxglade.co.uk/. Peace, Love and Happiness Tim Satchell
