Dear Friends,We are currently betwixt Easter and Pentecost. You may have heard of each of those festivals perhaps being more familiar with Easter! However, in between Easter and Pentecost there is the Ascension. This special day records the moment when we talk about Jesus being raised to heaven. He has spent 40 days being risen and reassuring his disciples, helping them to understand that their connection to him is changing. Before Easter, Jesus was with them in a geographical, physical and timely way, but after the resurrection he is with them in new ways such as in the stories where he suddenly appears! It reminds me of the game we used to pay with our little ones ‘peekaboo!’The Ascension is the moment when Jesus is raised up to be with His Father. From this moment, Jesus is no longer steadfastly visible as himself. Jesus goes, or if you like disappears so that the disciples can get on with the things that Jesus has taught them. He is giving them responsibility and authority to go out and be the good news to their communities. This is our commission too. As baptised believers we are to be good news to our communities. But community doesn’t begin and end when the village stops, the community might be the church, or the school, your social groups or your workplace. The Ascension reminds us that Jesus has gone to be with His Father, but we are empowered to be the hands and feet, the heart and voice of Jesus to the people we meet and the places we belong to. And, as we encounter one another may we also encounter Christ in our midst through the loving actions, kind words and thoughtfulness of each other.Grace and peace,Rev’d Caroline
In the days leading up to the Easter Trail the ‘Children’s and Families’ team met. We still had quite a lot to do and many of us were feeling under the weather – incidentally the weather was forecast to be a washout for the whole Easter weekend. But we carried on in faith, believing that God wanted us to join in with his plan to love, bless and spread the message of Easter to our community. On the day, Holy Saturday, the sun shone down and team from far and wide came together to serve each other and the community. There was a steady stream of visitors to church, including many who would not usually come to church, and children and families were filled with joy and excitement as they set out on their journey around the village to learn about the Story of Easter. Many of the people stayed for refreshments, chats and crafts – there was a buzz at Holy Trinity Church with children playing and parents chatting over a cup of tea and also those young and old calmly enjoying the crafts resting in the presence of God. There was also a theological discussion about the differences between the old and new testaments and how the stories of old all point towards God’s desire to restore the people to himself and bring them back into relationship with him. And there, of course, was lots of love, care and prayer surrounding the whole morning. We were able to help to: love, bless, and bring the Easter message to around 52 children and adults in our community and this couldn’t be possible without all of you who helped to make it happen. We would personally like to thank: Ellie and Steve; Stan and Diana; James; Lynn; Sonya; Sarana; Tess and Garth; Caroline and Cliff. And all those who prayed for the event including: Enid; Jocelyn; Penny. And anyone else who gave their support! Ephesians 3 vs 20 – 21 ‘Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.’ We are very much looking forward to joining the ‘Eco Church’ team later this year in July for the Eco Day! Yvette and Matt Croft; ‘Trailblazer’ organisers
This year our Patronal Festival (Trinity Sunday) falls on May 26th.As we celebrate 180 years of ministry and mission in Dilton Marsh we would like to install a Nave Communion table, a matching lectern and if possible, some new altar cloths. We also have an aspiration to begin the repairs and decorating works in the chancel. This is a special year for the church, and we would like to invite members to make a contribution by offering a one-off financial gift. We will hope to have table, lectern and cloths installed ready for our special celebratory service in September when Bishop Andrew will bless these items and our church as we prepare to Make Jesus known in the next 180 years! The cleaning and decorating project may take a little longer as we will also need to apply for external funding. More information will follow, as well as a consultation on which altar, which cloths after the APCM on April 14th. Please do come along and have your say. We will be pleased to receive the financial gifts at the Patronal Festival service on May 26th.Grace & peaceRev'd Caroline
Our meetings for March included attending the World Day of Prayer at West End Baptist church. The service had been compiled by the women of Palestine and although it had been written four years ago (this is because each country has to prepare well in advance of its turn on the rota), it was very relevant to the situation in Palestine today and all that women face on a daily basis. It was a very moving reminder of all that people endure in the land where Jesus walked.On March 7th we met at Jocelyn's house and welcomed Rev'd Joanna Naish, who told us about her experiences on a pilgrimage to Iona, whilst raising funds for the Mothers' Union. No ordinary pilgrimage, as she completed the journey by cycling from Tisbury to Iona! Quite a feat of endurance both physically, mentally and spiritually. Much preparation was needed. Rev'd Joanna, with photos and some amusing anecdotes, told us all about her journey. Some determination was required with challenging hills and weather. The hospitality and encouragement of friends and strangers made the challenge a very spiritual experience. As a thank you we gave her a copy of Holy Trinity's '100 Reflections' booklet, compiled during Lockdown. We also made a collection to send to MU 'Make a Mothers Day'. Included in this donation was the money raised at our recent Soup Lunch. The morning ended with prayers and we thanked Jocelyn for her hospitality.Our April meetings are: Thurs 4th April at 10 Greenacres, the home of Maureen Torry, where a speaker from the White Horse Medical Centre will tell us about her work. Weds 24th April 10am at West Lavington Village Hall for the MU Spring Gathering. We hope to see all of our members at these events.Enid Holbrow.
