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July and August are the months of High Summer when the year tips over
into its second half. Usually it is a time for holidays, relaxation and
hopefully a little much needed personal space. So Summer can be an
opportunity to uncover our constant need for recreation: using the word in
its best meaning of renewal.
The longing to be made new runs deep within and is a primary motive for
both worship and prayer. But, if we face the truth, worship and prayer
often become frayed at the edges because too often they are crowded into a
weekly timetable which is top heavy with other concerns and priorities.
Perhaps summertime can provide time, space and renewed energy to do some
thoughtful sorting out.
For instance, one glorious summer day, a couple of years ago, I went to
Mells in Somerset to visit the place where the famous poet Siegfried
Sassoon is buried (near to Mgr Ronnie Knox and the Anglo-Irish novelist,
George Birmingham). Those who knew Sassoon remember how in conversation he
usually veered from one extreme to another. He could be virtually
tongue-tied with unfinished sentences hanging in the air and such repeated
hesitancies that no one really understood what he was saying. On other
occasions he could be so talkative that no one else could get a word in
edgeways! Doctor Rivers, who nursed him after he was invalided out during
the war, said of him, 'he had a penchant for monologue rather than
dialogue'.
The phrase stuck with me. Sometimes it is something similar which
frustrates our worship and our prayers. Either we stumble and mutter to
little consequence or we say far too much and finish up getting nowhere.
During the long days of summer, it might be worth sitting quietly for a
while to ask ourselves which happens more frequently to us, especially in
prayer - monologue or dialogue? Certainly for worship and prayer to be
fulfilling and satisfying we have to train ourselves to move away from
monologue and into a deeper and deeper appreciation of dialogue. It can be
hard discipline since a daily hazard for every Christian is to settle for
talking to ourselves instead of waiting on God and the perennial temptation
for the Church is to become self obsessed instead of being open to the
movement of the Spirit.
Once we spot these temptations, though, we might also notice that,
however sorely such things must try the divine patience, God's forbearance
is total. He never interrupts our chatter and self concern, as it were.
God's way of revealing himself is much more likely to be through silence
and stillness and in moments of watching and waiting. That always sounds
odd in a world where activity and achievement are so over-valued. However,
remember how summer leads to harvest and similarly how true worship and
prayer lead to disclosure and recognition.
After a long struggle, Sassoon came to Belief and in a note he wrote
alongside his poem Renewals he says, then his most often repeated words
were from the psalms - Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).
Familiar words to hold onto and treasure for all who need new strength.
Fr Paul
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Does it seem as if everything stops during the summer? Once you've had
your break in the foreign sun, you are back home and you've watered the
garden and walked the dog are you at a loose end? Don't despair, because
the bible studies continue all the way through the Summer and into the
Autumn. So if you sometimes say 'Oh yes I'm sorry to miss the BS but I've
got to go somewhere else at the same time' perhaps you'll be free to join
us at some point this July or August. We are looking at some 'I am'
passages and unwrapping these sayings of our Lord from St John's gospel. We
also have two guest speakers during this period, Fr Michael Cozens on 16
July and Fr Peter Brown on 13 August. They will be speaking about
'Spiritual Direction' and 'The Call to Ordination' respectively.
If you would like to come but have a problem with transport please
contact me. We start at 8pm and finish by 9.30pm.
Thursday 3 July
Wednesday 16 July Spiritual Direction
Thursday 31 July
Wednesday 13 August The Call to Ordination
Thursday 28 August Study to be led by Fr Tim Raphael
Wednesday 10 September
Thursday 25 September
Sue Read, Ministry Leadership Team
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I would like to say a big thank you to all who contributed so generously
to the cost of my robes. I was presented with them at 8 o'clock and 11
o'clock at St Mary's and at 9.30 at St Nicolas' - all on Sunday 8 June. For
the benefit of those who were unable to be there: the money collected paid
for my Cassock, Surplice, Cassock-Alb and red Stole. I shall be wearing all
but the Cassock-Alb for the Ordination service on Sunday 29 June. I pray
that the Holy Spirit makes me worthy to wear them and worthy to serve you
all for many years to come.
I would also like to thank you for the prayer support you have given to
both Shirley and myself over what, at times, has been a tough three years.
The power of prayer is something I am becoming increasingly aware of and, I
feel sure, it helped us through immensely.
I am also getting cards and presents. I feel overwhelmed and will do my
best to thank you in the best possible way - serving you in this wonderful
Benefice of Prestbury and All Saints.
Thank you and may God bless you all.
Peter Brown (gosh it will be Fr Peter by the
time you read this)
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Greenbelt
Friday 22 - Monday 25 August, Cheltenham Racecourse
What Is ?
If you haven't been before, Greenbelt is a massive Christian creative
arts festival drawing contributors and festival goers of all ages from
around the world. There is music, seminars, theatre, worship, a focus on
world issues, a friendly and relaxed atmosphere and it is on our doorstep!
What Is There This Year?
A highlight is Umoja the South African show described by the Daily
Telegraph as 'A spectacle with heart and collective triumph' (performing
Saturday and Monday). Music includes London Community Gospel Choir
(Monday), Willard Grant (Monday), Aqualung (Monday), Quench (Friday) and
throughout, the superb Martyn Joseph. Speakers include Steve Biko's son, on
his father's struggle against Apartheid. Seminar subjects include 'The New
Age', 'The Sermon on the Mount', 'Making Work Meaningful' and 'Cloning'.
The Sunday communion service (10.30am) is always a highlight, creative and
uplifting with so many thousands together. I suggest getting a programme
when you go on site to make the most of all the options, do log on to
www.greenbelt.org.uk if you
can.
Who Is Not There This Year?
Sharon and Andy will not be at Greenbelt this year. This means that the
Parish will not be able to provide a supervised residential at Greenbelt. I
know young people are making their own arrangements to attend the festival
and we pray that it would be a fantastic time!
What Are The Ticket Arrangements?
It is possible to buy weekend tickets (details on website). As local
residents, it is possible to buy day tickets at a reduced rate on site (£15
adults, £10 child, £11 young people) or even evening tickets which are £10
for adults etc (bring proof of address).
So are you going to make the most of this fantastic opportunity?
(for more info:
www.greenbelt.org.uk or contact Andy Macauly)
Andy Macauly
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We have been busy with the usual ringing for services and weddings. Two
Sunday nights in May had no Evensong at St Mary's, so we were able to have
those evenings off. A group of over 20 ringers from Essex came to ring for
the 6.30 service on 18 May. They were visiting the area to ring at as many
towers as possible and were staying in a hotel on Cleeve Hill.
We had a well-attended Branch Practice at Prestbury on 24 May, at which
we were iven a talk by Mark Davies, a particularly talented Cheltenham
ringer, about the theory behind method ringing. Over 20 branch members
listened with interest and we tried some of his ideas to give his voice a
rest.
We entered a band of six ringers for the annual branch striking
competition, held this year at Childswickham on Saturday 14 June. We were
placed fifth out of nine, which we regarded as a good effort. The
competition was won by the Charlton Kings ringers.
We rang a successful quarter peal of Plain Bob Major for evening service
on Sunday 15 June, which we dedicated to Cyril and Sheila Beer on the
occasion of their wedding anniversary. We had missed their special one last
year.
At the time of writing, we are looking forward to joining the other
members of the Cheltenham Branch in ringing for a Civic Service at
Gloucester Cathedral on Sunday 22 June.
Hope you continue to enjoy hearing our ringing throughout the summer!
Jenni Scruton
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At long last we are now in a position to host another of our successful
activity days in St Nicolas' Church. As on previous occasions we hope to
invite 100 children from around the Benefice to a day of fun and
fellowship. The theme this time is set around Moses and a variety of
workshops have been devised to explore this particular period from the Old
Testament - the life of the Israelites during their escape from Egypt and
their time through the Exodus.
As always, an event of this size needs your support, both prayerfully
and physically. If you would like to help in this important outreach please
contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
Linda Biggs
See pictures, reading and a poem from
Jonah the Groaner (15 July 2000)
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Thirty-two years ago, when we were struggling to come to terms with
'decimalisation', Alan and I befriended a young Japanese man, who, whilst
travelling the world, lost his passport and travellers' cheques on arriving
in London. He was told by the Embassy that he had to get a job in England
whilst his duplicate passport was sorted out and he was sent to an hotel in
Stow on the Wold, rather a far cry from Tokyo where he had been brought up!
We took him under our wing and became good friends. He has since visited us
twice for holidays and one of his daughters has also stayed with us.
Having heard so much about their culture we decided in 2000 to visit
Japan and see for ourselves the Land of the Rising Sun. We had a wonderful
three week trip and were accompanied for most of the time by either our
friend or by one of his family or work colleagues. This proved to be
invaluable, as everything is written in Japanese and Chinese symbols and it
would be very difficult to find your way around if left to your own
devices. They showed us many shrines and temples. Temples are used in the
Buddhist religion and shrines are used for the Shinto religion. Both are
very ornate, built mainly of wood, but gilded and decorated very ornately.
At the entrance to either you would find an incense burning urn or a trough
of water, with which you purify yourself before entering. You would also
remove your shoes as it is a great insult to the Japanese to wear shoes in
temples, shrines or houses. Imagine how this cuts down on housework with no
dirt from outside being trodden into the house!
Japanese houses are small and mainly built of wood. They generally
consist of two rooms downstairs and two rooms upstairs plus a bathroom. The
bathroom is a very important feature as it is not used in the same way as
in the west. Firstly, the Japanese spend about fifteen minutes showering,
taking great care to ensure that they have removed all dirt and grime.
Then, once they are spotless, they get into a Hot Tub, which all the family
use, as, after all, they are already clean. The object of the hot tub is to
relax and let your pores open and enjoy the heat - the hotter the better.
All the family can use the same tub and water and often will all get in
together and discuss the day's happenings. How very civilised and everybody
talks to each other and knows the highs and lows of all the family members.
Food is beautifully presented and eaten with chopsticks, called hashi.
Young babies have a ceremony of the chopsticks, when they are first put on
to solids and Mother feeds them with their own chopsticks. Many babies are
also presented to the Sumo (meaning wrestler) and it is thought to be a
great honour if the Sumo can make the baby cry. This will give the child a
long and happy life! Whilst in Japan we ate many strange things, including
raw fish, eel, seaweed, pickled pigs' guts, rice, noodles and other
delicacies. In three weeks, we all lost weight and had no ill effects from
the different styles of food eaten. Water is very safe to drink and they
make saki wine from rice, which is similar in taste to whisky and can be
drunk hot or cold.
We met many Japanese people, who all want to practise speaking English.
Although I have a limited knowledge of the Japanese language, not many
people wanted to hear me speak Japanese, they were far more interested in
my English accent. We visited the equivalent of the Houses of Parliament.
They call their House of Representatives the Diet House and the members are
called Diet men. We met one diet man who invited us for lunch in the
members' only dining room of this most impressive building.
Kimono is the traditional dress for Japanese women, but now normally
only used for special occasions, like weddings and University graduations.
The materials used are beautiful and made of silk with many ornamental
objects, like belts and bows etc. An everyday kimono is called a Yukata and
I was very privileged to be fitted for my own, which has just arrived.
Perhaps I will wear it to Church one day and surprise you all! On the other
hand, perhaps not!
The weather in September and October, when we visited, was very warm and
sunny. During July and August they have monsoons and the air is very humid.
We have just visited for a second time, in April/May, and the weather then
was very warm and sunny. We saw some of the much publicised Cherry Blossom,
which is beautiful and is highly regarded by the Japanese. They have days
off from work just to look at the cherry blossom because it is an important
part of their life. Their culture is very different from our western life:
there is virtually no crime; no graffiti; everyone is honoured to have a
job, no matter how trivial; and they are a kind and generous nation.
If you wish to know more, I have many items of interest and do give
talks about my experiences. Please ask if this article has been of any
interest to you.
Marion Beagley
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Flame in the Mind. A Journal of Spiritual Passion by
Michael Marshall
This book was praised by the Archbishop of Canterbury (whose Lent book
for 2003 it was) for its use of the turbulent Christian journey of St
Augustine as an encouragement for us to 'view the spiritual life as an
ongoing and dynamic journey'. While I found much of the book relevant and
searching, I was aware that I became less involved and less happy with the
approach. I am sure that this is as much a lack in my appreciation of his
method as a failure in the author but there is no doubt that looking back
now its impact was limited. Apart from the book not being amenable to daily
reading, I failed to respond to the premises behind the personal reflection
questions at the end of each chapter, probably because those premises
failed to connect with my own experience. What I do remember (rather
perversely!) from the book were the quotations from other writers which had
the effect of leading me back to consider reading or re-reading the works
of such as C S Lewis, Dorothy Sayers, T S Eliot, William Temple and Julian
of Norwich and of course, The Confessions of St Augustine himself.
John Elliott
Nathan the Wise by Gotthold Lessing (a new version in
English by Edward Kemp)
The story is set in Jerusalem in 1192 with Muslim forces occupying,
Christian forces invading and Jews just living there, among them Nathan,
respected by all sides for his wisdom.
The audience not only laughs and weeps with the actors, but also gasps
in disbelief at the outrageous statements - all the more shocking as we
recognise our own unvoiced prejudices.
Boy meets girl, but is Nathan's beautiful daughter Jewish or Christian?
Is the handsome young Crusader Christian or Muslim? Does it matter? There
are deep thoughts here, such as when Nathan asks Saladin: 'Which is more
important - that I am a Jew and you a Muslim or that we both are men?' or
when the Christian monk says that the orphaned child 'needed love rather
than Christianity'.
Written in German in 1779, this plea for religious tolerance is starkly
relevant today. It has been playing in the Minerva Theatre in Chichester,
Sussex, since May, and there are still a few performances in early July and
August. Details from the Chichester Festival Theatre Box Office 01243
781312 or www.cft.org.uk
Frances Murton
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Memories - Minehead Easter 2003
Singing hymns in the Big Top with 4000 people in the congregation.
Animated interactive bible readings with audience participation. A group of
people with physical and mental disabilities waving large flags during the
singing as their contribution to the worship of God. 'Faith at Fifty'
seminar (and I was one of the youngest people there!) where the message was
don't 'marginalize' older members of our churches; people over a certain
age still have a lot to offer; the speaker was 65 and showed no signs of
stepping down from active service. Being fascinated by the signers for the
deaf who interpreted throughout every major meeting talks, readings,
prayers, songs and even instrumental music. 'Deaf Awareness' workshop,
where a young woman gave her testimony in Sign Language, which had to be
interpreted into spoken English for those of us who couldn't understand.
'Encountering Islam' seminar - understanding a little more about the
Islamic faith and how to preach the Gospel of Christ without being
offensive. An evening being talked through a Passover meal by a Messianic
Jew and seeing how obviously the Christian Eucharist is embodied within
that ritual - the second of three pieces of wafer is broken and hidden, the
third cup (of redemption) is the one Jesus referred to as his blood, the
fourth cup (of praise) is the one he did not drink from. Browsing for well
over an hour in the Christian bookshop in the concourse, and an afternoon
just walking along the beach. Being integrated into the group from Emmanuel
Church, Rowanfield, because they know my daughter. Having all my meals
cooked for me by my daughter and her friend. The Easter morning service at
7.30am, with hot cross buns at the end to take home for breakfast. Rushing
late to the Big Top one evening, stopping on the way to sit quietly for a
few minutes in Butlin's tiny chapel listening to the singing in the
distance, then continuing to the Big Top at a gentle walk. Praying with
friends, praying with complete strangers. And much more. Ask me about it.
The theme of the week was the 'Mission of God', and everything was
portrayed as an underground map with stations. The title of the week was
'Shepherd's Bush to King's Cross' - and we read about Moses. Think about
it.
www.springharvest.org.uk
Frances Murton, your Magazine Editor
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Surprising? It shouldn't be; you can find anything on the net if you
know where to look. Here are two sites I've come across.
The Mothers' Union provides a prayer for each day of the week,
changing monthly. The selection is fresh and approachable, and definitely
not just for mothers! Look at
www.themothersunion.org/spirituality.asp
Sacred Space leads you gently through a short meditation on a
selected Bible passage for the day. An oasis of quiet for anyone who spends
a lot of time on the computer. Not just for Jesuits!
www.jesuit.ie/prayer/
Do you know others? It would be good to hear of them.
Beryl Elliott
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The total raised in the House-to-House Collection has now
risen to £4,941.47. Apart from the St Mary's Sunday School
shoe-shine there were no special fund-raising efforts this time, as the St
Nicolas' Celebration occurred just before Christian Aid Week. This makes
the final total particularly gratifying. Many thanks to all of you who gave
so generously, collected, counted and helped with transport.
Please will more people consider helping next year? We
try to give collectors a 'patch' that suits them and no-one needs to do
more than 40 houses, though some offer to do more and some fewer. If you
can spare just 2 hours you can make a difference.
Gill Ashman & Paddy Spurgeon
Children's Society
I have taken over from Margaret Holman as Box Holder
Secretary. I will be collecting and opening the boxes during the month of
July. Box holders, could you bring your boxes to church or contact me so
that I can make arrangements to collect them.
Ruth Rudge
Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust 
Annual Sponsored Ride and Walk - Saturday 13 September 2003
The 21st Sponsored Ride/Walk will take place on Saturday
13 September. Churches and chapels of all denominations will be open across
the diocese between 10am and 6pm, so you can plan your route through the
town or across the countryside, visiting as many or as few as you like. If
you are unable to participate, then please consider sponsoring someone
else. Half the money raised goes to our own churches, the other half to the
Trust to help any church in the diocese.
Further details are available from Bob Lyle or Nigel
Woodcock or Brian Wood.
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Rockers' Garden Party
Our annual Garden Party will be hosted by Fr Stephen
Gregory at Prestbury Vicarage, Tatchley Lane, on Thursday 3 July from 2pm
to 4pm. Older brothers and sisters are welcome to come along after school
and join in the fun. (If it is wet, we shall have our normal short service
in St Mary's church.)
Frances Murton
St Mary's Bakestall
The next one will be on 20 July for contributors with
surnames G-M and the profits will be added to the £26.20 raised in June,
which was not enough for the herd of goats we hope to buy for East Africa
through World Vision.
There will, as usual, be no bake stall in August.
Margaret Waker & Linda Matthews
Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir
Thank you to everyone for the support for last month's
concert. We raised the splendid total of £2055 from which there are no
expenses. A really wonderful effort, and all we had to do was sit and
enjoy! Many thanks.
Marion Beagley
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Many of us feel it would be helpful to understand more
about the major religions of the Middle East. Consider joining others from
around Gloucestershire at an evening meeting in Gloucester in September
entitled 'The Children of Abraham at Prayer and at War'. The speaker
is the Revd Christopher Lamb, whose considerable and far-flung experience
includes six years in Pakistan with CMS, nearly ten years involved in the
BCMS theological project for other faiths, and seven years as inter-faith
relations secretary for the Board of Mission. Put the date in your diary,
and book soon.
Venue: St Lawrence Church Centre, Barnwood, Gloucester.
Date & Time: Thursday 25 September, starts with coffee at 7pm, ends at 9pm.
Tickets: £3, available from 28 June, from Revd Bill Brown, Cirencester
(01285 641761)
Beryl Elliott
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I would like to thank all those who have contributed so
far towards the Romanian Orphanage Project fund over the past few weeks. To
date more than £400 has been raised! That is a splendid sum and it will be
invaluable in enabling us to spend time at the Orphanage helping them
create a better environment, giving them the support and love that they
have missed. We will be contributing in many practical ways as well as
providing 'quality' time for them. The visit takes place in August and when
I return I will be able to provide a full report of the work we have been
able to do as well as a display of pictures and photographs. The Orphanage
project is an ongoing undertaking and I hope I will be able to go out to
Romania again in subsequent years. Again thank you so much for your very
generous support and interest in this venture. It is greatly appreciated.
George Shvedov
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