bath & wells: the bath & wells 'grapevine'
may 2008
It’s time to look with
The eye of the Spirit
Thoughts on Pentecost by Bishop Peter Maurice
James, our youngest son, is on his gap year. I can feel the sin of envy knocking at my door. Every time Liz and I open our emails he has added more pictures to his Facebook, and they are incredible. He is travelling the route that so many young people travel today: India, Thailand, Australia and South America. We have pictures of the Taj Mahal, and other wonderful sites, but we also have pictures of the people he has met from so many different cultural and faith backgrounds. They give us a glimpse, at least, of the extraordinary journey that he is on, but what they do not give us, and cannot give us, is the depth of the experience that this ‘journey of a lifetime’ has given him. There is no doubt that he will come back a changed young man.
If anyone had had a camera at the ready on Pentecost Sunday, they might have captured the moment, and even put it on Facebook, had it existed, but the picture would not have been able to convey the excitement and the intensity and the sheer depth of the experience that people felt.
True Gifts
Perhaps that is one of the true gifts of the Spirit, that it gives us that ability to look beyond what it is that we are actually seeing, and to experience it in greater depth. Traditionally, the feast of Pentecost that we celebrate at this time has been called the birthday of the Church, and perhaps it invites us to look at the Church, not so much through the eye of a camera lens, as through the eye of the Holy Spirit, looking beyond what we actually see to what we might imagine God is calling us to become as the Church.
What the camera lens would have seen on the day of Pentecost was a gathering of people. It might also have been able to tell us that they came from a variety of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. It would not have been able to tell us that they did not speak the same language, and yet they understood one another.
Pleasure And Delight
It is what happens when people meet together in the spirit of love as we do, week by week. As we look at the Church, we too need to look with the eye of the Spirit and come to know that the Church can only be a faithful Church when its concern is for the human community as a whole.
When we look through the eye of a lens, it can often appear, perhaps especially to outsiders, that the Church exists primarily for its own members, whereas we are called to be Church for the whole community in which we are set. The quality of our fellowship is to be such that it will take pleasure and delight in having doors that are wide enough to welcome all who come.
Looking through the eyes of the Spirit means that we can be nothing other than an inclusive Church, a community in whom the breath and life of God is evident in all that we say and do. Happy Pentecost.
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Something special’s going on
Lunch breaks have become much more than eating, and even football training takes second place, now pupils and staff of a primary school have welcomed Youth Alpha to their hearts.
A team from Christchurch Local Ecumenical Parish initially attracted 28 Year 6 pupils to Youth Alpha sessions at St. Nicholas Chantry VC School, Clevedon but numbers grew and the youngsters were so reluctant for it to end a weekly lunch time Youth Alpha Drop In was launched.
“We were so encouraged by the support we received from the headteacher, Peter Treasure Smith, and staff,” said Christchurch youth co-ordinator Liz Chetland. “We held a Holy Spirit Day on a Saturday morning and most of the boys gave up their football training for that morning, which spoke volumes.”
And, at the pupils’ request, Liz and her helpers, Wendy Roberts and the parish’s Assistant Priest Revd Clive Jennings, are planning an open youth group on Sunday afternoons at Christhurch to meet before the regular youth café style worship tHE zONE attended by leaders and members from all local youth groups on the first and third Sunday of each month.
Among the comments from the youngsters about what they enjoyed about their lunch time Alpha were: “All of it, every Wednesday”; “Learning about God, doing yes and no games and also all the people that came to Alpha”.
“The deepening relationship with St. Nic’s and Christchurch is very special,” added Liz. “Already Year 5 pupils are asking when the next Youth Alpha is going to start. This was God’s timing, but to see the overflow into not only the school but our Church and community is just so good.”
For details of running Youth Alpha or tHE zONE visit:
www.christchurch-clevedon.org.uk
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THE GENTLE TOUCH
or how the Bishop met Gerald the Giraffe
FEED MY sheep was a command Bishop Peter Maurice took a stage further when he visited Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Wraxall and fed a giraffe called Gerald and a couple of rhinos.
“It was marvellous - they were so gentle,” he said. “It was one of those moments in ministry when it is a real privilege to be invited to do something special.”
The visit coincided with the 70th birthday of the zoo’s owner Anthony Bush and the Bishop opened the Africa and South American sections and a Termite Mountain Playground.
The Zoo, housing over 800 species including also emus, wallabies and camels, is Christian run and uses the animals to teach the faith.
Photos show the Bishop with Gerald the Giraffe and, with a rhino.
PHOTOS:JOHN ANDREWS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amazing – the 24hr Prayer Room
A HOLIDAY read has led to the start of “something amazing” for her town writes Sue Crisfield of St. and St. Paul’s, Shepton Mallet of an ecumenical 24 hour Prayer Room.
Sue was inspired by the book Red Moon Rising*, with its story of a man’s vision leading to an international Prayer Movement, to open one 24 hour Prayer Room in November; then a 48 hour Prayer Room at New Year; and a week long one each for Christian Unity Week and for Holy Week.
The Prayer Room is in the back room of the Baptist Church and has: different areas for different forms of prayer; a Wailing Wall and Praise Wall for people to write prayer and praise; a large cross; creative area; quiet room.
“Once you arrive God’s peace is evident and some people spend many hours praying and resting in Him,” added Sue. “Many do not feel this is their thing but are surprised to find that it is and then return again and again. Time rushes by when you are there.”
Some sign up for set times, others just drop in. School pupils visiting said they felt peace and calm.
All the town’s Churches are represented on the planning group, leading to an increase in unity and willingness to work together for the town.
“We feel this is the start of something amazing in Shepton, particularly reaching people with God’s accepting love,” said Sue.
Next is a 24/7 Prayer Room for Pentecost
*by Pete Greig and Dave Roberts.
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More to litter picking than
litter picking
LITTER CLEARING has become part of regular Sunday morning worship for some of North Worle’s Christian community, who believe their good neighbourliness is “hitting some of the agenda of Changing Lives - for good and Hope 08”.
Teams of litter pickers, graffiti removers, painters and prayers say they are beginning to transform their neighbourhood, thanks to a join initiative by St. Mark’s, Worle Baptist Church and The North Worle Local Action Team.
And Church members involved say that, as well as seeing a physical difference, they are beginning to explore the wider implications of the words ‘service’ and ‘worship’.
Members of the public ask them who they are and why they are doing the clearing and one woman was so delighted the graffiti had been removed from her garage and the building painted she serves tea and biscuits.
The activities have also led to an open discussion in the congregations about the nature of what ‘Church’ is and how to relate to the wider community.
The teams will be evaluating the scheme before the summer.
“What seems to be clear at this point is that, when we engage with the community, put our faith into practice and back everything with prayer, change happens,” said a spokesman.
The pictures show the litter pickers of Worle at their duties
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HAVE FUN – this Christian Aid week
MAKE IT fun, is one of the tips local Christian Aid representative, Elizabeth Perry offers volunteers on the house-to-house collection trail during Christian Aid Week, 11 to 17 May.
“Last year I dressed my dog in a Christian Aid tabard. It made people laugh and made asking for the envelope easier,” she said.
She gives as an example of people helped a Christian Aid partner in Bangladesh helping village women install and use rainwater harvesting tanks. Collectors in the UK raise an average £3.50 each - enough to train 67 more women.
During the week 300,000 people from 22,000 Churches take part in the UK’s biggest house to house collection.
“Poverty is unacceptable and God’s love for the poor and marginalised demands we put our faith into action,” she added.”I hope volunteers enjoy being part of this seven amazing days of fundraising, campaigning and worship. I say a huge thank you to all of you.”
Elizabeth’s other tips for collectors include: go as a group to share the sense of achievement and encourage each other;remember how what you are doing changes lives and is a wonderful witness.
In July Elizabeth will be cycling over 300 miles from London to Paris to raise £3,000 for Christian Aid. She can be sponsored through:
http://www.justgiving.com/elizabethperry1
Picture shows Poppy and friend in Christian Aid kit.
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A Splash of colour
A DELIGHTED congregation gathered round for the dedication by the Vicar, Revd Chris Keys, of a new frontal and wooden cross for a side altar at St. Mary’s, Chedzoy.
The frontal, representing the four seasons, was designed by Avril Johnson and stitched by her, Sue Bellaers and Linda Friend, all from the congregation.
Avril’s husband, Don, made the cross from English chestnut and it echoes the shape of the gold work cross in his wife’s design, the wood’s grain reflecting stitches.
“All agreed the stunning applique frontal has brought a much needed splash of colour to a dark corner,” said churchwarden Malcolm Friend.
The picture shows, l to r, Sue, Avril, Chris, Don and Linda with the frontal and cross.
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WELCOME TO THE TEAM
HELEN HAWTHORNE, about to join the Diocesan team as Internal Communications Officer, brings to the job experience in marketing and PR communications she feels will help her “make a real difference”.
She has worked in marketing for local radio for the past four years, recently as Marketing Controller for Bristol’s GWR FM, and in marketing and PR for a London contemporary art gallery, having studied History Of Art at Manchester University.
“I feel very blessed to have been given this opportunity to play a pivotal role in working towards the aims of the Changing Lives, Changing Churches for Changing Communities mission strategy,” said Helen, a Roman Catholic. “I very much look forward to getting out and meeting the people that live and work to spread Christ’s Gospel.”
Helen is married to Nathanael.
Bishop Peter Maurice said he was delighted she was joining the team and looked forward to working with her.
John Andrews remains Press and Media Officer and Bishop’s Press Officer.
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SAME CAUSE, DIFFERENT ROUTE
A FRIEND’S dog is a vital part of the training routine of Chris Daubney from Compton Dando, who plans to walk from the most southerly to the most northerly point of Ireland in June - 450 miles. His wife, Rachael, drops him off locally and Chris and the dog make their way back home.
Chris, a retired company director, raised over £6,000 in 2006 walking from Lands End to John ’o’ Groats and this time will raise money for the same causes - St. Mary’s, Compton Dando, the village hall and Community Association. He will carry a pack of about 25lbs, use 15 maps and stay in hostels or B and Bs.
Fellow parishioners plan to follow his progress and offer sponsorship on the website:
www.comptondando.org/news
Picture shows Chris in training.
Photo; Ros Anstey
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