Benefice Newsletter - September 2020
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THE BEACON SEPTEMBER 2020 You are the light of the world.
A farewell to Walbury Beacon Benefice Since it’s airing 37 years ago in February 1983, the series finale of the award-winning show M*A*S*H entitled “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen”, remains the single most watched episode and TV event of all time with more than 125 million viewers. Set during the Korean War, M*A*S*H followed the daily exploits of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital unit located 3 miles from the front lines of the war zone. Amid the horrors of war-wounded soldiers, sniper bullets, bombs and incompetent Army guidelines-the doctors and nurses relied on humour, hijinks and hearts of compassion to keep sane. And through their common experience, the members of the 4007th became a close-knit family and community. In the episode “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen,” the community finally receives some long- awaited good news-war is over and they can return home to their families and friends! It is a cause for joyful celebration and sad goodbyes. The doctors and nurses soon realize that “going home” means their current relationships will end as they depart for various destinations in the States. And who can blame them for feeling and acting this way? Many of us, me included, can identify with their anxiety, pain, sadness and reluctance toward saying the two words that acknowledge the end of a particular relationship in a certain setting. Saying “good-bye” to a friend or mentor, or to a Benefice can be extremely difficult-once the words are spoken, a person then has to learn how to live without the other in their daily midst. That type of dramatic change can be scary. The twelve disciples likely experienced some fear and anxiety when Jesus announced a huge change while having dinner with them in an upper room. I imagine there were some shocked faces, a few tears and twittering hands among the disciples as they listened to their teacher talk of betrayal, arrest and crucifixion. Jesus doesn’t let them dwell long in their fear of what will happen to them and he assures the disciples that they will not be abandoned: “When the Spirit of truth comes, (says Jesus) the Spirit will guide you into all the truth; for the Spirit will not speak on its own, but will speak whatever it hears, and the Spirit will declare to you the things that are to come.” While Jesus’ words of assurance and promise of the coming Spirit may not make a departure less difficult, the words do give hope in the midst of change. Jesus’ words lift the heavy weight of finality that is often felt when someone says “good-bye.”And the presence of the Spirit allows time for both parties who depart from one another to reflect on the sacredness of that moment of change. Remember also a similar parting message by the Apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica: “we appeal to you, brothers and sisters,* to respect those who labour among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. These are my final words to you all. May God Bless you and Farewell. Mark **************************************
SURPRISES 1. Four months on 2. Sort and care 3. Take control And I find Memories Of each nook I can be strong Precious to share On cat patrol Where I was blind Hoping to please And really look
4. Not so wild 5. I don't need 6. Take my time What is that? To go 'out' Not the bus Blooms undefiled Just yet I plead Find peace sublime The bees attract While there is doubt Instead of fuss
7. More patient 8. Accepting 9. Thank you Lord Hopefully Who they are For your care And tolerant Maybe guiding Living your Word With family Them from afar Help us to share.
M J.G. August 2020
Poetry and prayer spring from one source in our hearts soul-seed that is Love (Sister Michaela.C.S.CL)
VIEW FROM MY WINDOW IN LOCKDOWN This month from Pauline Pettitt and Judith Wilson
Nassy Fesharaki (Poem entitled 'Of Pigeons')
READING MATTER WHILST CONFINED TO BARRACKS? I decided to re read my library and started with the Palliser novels of Trollope. It would seem that humanity has not changed that much from Victorian times. The books abound with adventurers, fortune seekers, money lending, investors, risk takers and of course politics - which does not seem to have changed at all!! I then turned to John Cowper Powys, having read Weymouth Sands as a young teenager - thank goodness I didn't get to Glastonbury Romance until years later! For relief am re reading one of my three biographies of Prince Rupert! So what treasures are being read in the rest of the benefice? Share your favourites. *********************************************************
CHRIS NICHOLL Those of us who knew him are saddened to hear of the death of Chris. We have many happy memories of his and Annie's time in KIntbury. Their open house in the Old Vicarage for any church activity, study groups, social gatherings, childrens' plays and bonfire parties to name a few were a source of fun and fellowship. The Rev'd Martin Gillham sends this tribute.
Before he left the Benefice Matthew regularly visited Chris in Brendoncare. I first met Chris when he was attached to Great Bedwyn Church. It was at an Alpha meeting and he ended the meeting with an apology because he had not realised that I was a Reader. We saw each other latterly and I visited him when he went into care. He, like many of us in illness and difficulty, questioned his faith and vocation but was always happy to discuss it. He fully participated in the Home Communion A kind, gentle and thoughtful man. (Matthew) ************************************************* V.J. DAY Sadly we were unable to arrange a commemoration of the 75th anniversary. A British Legion member has laid a wreath on the Kintbury war memorial. We remind ourselves of the words of the Kohima Epitaph:
'When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, SEPTEMBER Two of our Benefice Patronal Festivals take place in September. At St. Mary, KIntbury and St. Mary Hamstead Marshall; St. Michael Enborne and St. Michael, Inkpen. The two churches dedicated to St. Michael were consecrated on the same day. Most churches dedicated to the Archangel are situated on a hill and ours are no different. Michael fought the devil..and perhaps a suitable patron for Enborne standing on a battlefield. Whilst Inkpen is truly a church for All Angels, with its many representations and beautiful situation.
Hamstead Marshall was originally a field church under Kintbury until it was granted it's own priest. In Kintbury a Statue of the Virgin was mentioned in pre reformation wills when money was left to burn candles before it. It was the 20th century before a statue was again placed in St. Mary's. The original was vandalised and the present one a generous gift from Peter and Anne Hutley, comes from the marian shrine in Medjugorje
Rublev icon of St. Michael Statue of St. Mary
On 4th September we commemorate Birinus - Founder our Diocese. In the 7th century Birinus was consecrated bishop in Milan and sent to Britain to continue converting Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. The original plan was to penetrate well into the interior of the country But Bede records that ‘on arriving in Britain and coming to the nation of the West Saxons, he found all to be confirmed pagans and thought it more useful to preach the word there.' In AD 635 the Christian Oswald of Northumbria, wanted to marry the daughter of Cynegils, King of the West Saxons, and came to Dorchester to visit him. He found Cynegils receiving instruction in the Christian faith from Birinus. Birinus baptised Cynegils ( probably in the nearby River Thame), with Oswald standing as godfather. The two kings then granted land to Birinus in Dorchester for the establishment of his episcopal see and cathedral church. Birinus thus became the first Bishop of the West Saxons. He died about AD 650, buried in Dorchester and canonised soon after. The Abbey became a pilgrimage centre. IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME . . . . PART 1 In my sermon on 9th August in Inkpen, I described how I had read and re-read the Gospel, Matthew’s version of Jesus walking on the water, with a continual feeling that I was missing the point. And that I had eventually applied some of the literary/linguistic learning from my training – and then felt that I was very much closer to grasping the point of Matthew’s story. I didn’t go into the detail of my approach, as I wanted rather, to share the understanding I felt I had achieved – surely the point both of all that training – and of preaching a sermon. I thought some of you might be interested - (and most of you probably won’t!). Chiasm – or chiastic structure – is a literary format much used in the ancient near-eastern world, which spilled over into classical and New Testament Greek. It is frequently found in the Old Testament, usually for emphasis – but as we rarely use it, we generally don’t recognise it – and so we often, quite literally, miss the point. Chi is Greek for the sound represented by the letter ›‹. Thus “The Sabbath was made for Man › not Man for the Sabbath. [a] The Sabbath was made In this well-known and clear example, the centre › forms the turning point of Jesus’ statement. As I read the Gospel for that day, its chiastic structure suddenly leapt off the page at me – and I could suddenly see the point. Here’s the reading – I’ll leave it with you this month to play with for yourself – and analyse it chiastically next month. And we’ll see if you agree with me! Matthew 14. 22-33 .**************************************************
ENBORNE On August 23rd the Benefice Service was held once again at Enborne ,our first Service for 5 months It was a most occasion shared by Parishioners from all Parishes in the Benefice and our own Parishioners. The Service had something of the ALPHA and OMEGA about it .It was Mark's final Service at Enborne. He led the worship in the way we have become accustomed ,that is to say with Reverence lightened by a sense of humour. The Sermon was Richard's first, hopefully the first of many. Richard preached with eloquence and a sense of authority explaining the Readings one of which had been given by his wife of Six weeks. Holy Communion was celebrated by Tim in a way which impressed us all. After the Service it was a pleasure to chat with old friends some of which had not been seen for almost 6 months. The Zoom congregation too appreciated the recording and our grateful for that provision.Roger Pope was delighted with the Service and for those who had so lovingly cleaned the Chuch so that the Service could take place John King
'Thou visitest the earth and waterest it. Thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God which is full of water.' NOTICES CHURCH SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER 6th September 8.30am Holy Communion Inkpen 10.30am Holy Communion West Woodhay 6.30pm Compline Inkpen 13th September 10.30am Holy Communion Inkpen 6.30pm Evensong Enborne 20th September 10.30am Holy Communion Kintbury 27th September 8.00am Holy Communion Kintbury 10.30am HolyCommunion Combe ******************************************** CONTACT For parish matters please contact your churchwarden in the first instance Combe: Mrs Katharine Astor: 01488 668284 & Mr David Russell: 01488 668229 Rev.d Tim Wood: 01488 669261 E. revtimothywood@gmail.com Jenny Veasey: 01488 657911 E. jennyveasey@hotmail.co.uk END THOUGHT Honey in the mouth won't help bitterness in the heart (Yiddish: taken from Garden Proverbs: Terry Berger) Items please to: Penny at ian_fletcher43@btinternet |
Praise to thee O Lord for all creation, Give us thankful hearts that we may see, All the gifts we share and every blessing, All things come of thee (Look at the World' by John Rutter)
