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In this edition you can watch a video message from Rebecca, follow the service which took place on the 800th anniversary of the Foundation of Salisbury Cathedral, find details of our virtual Sunday service, social gatherings, our new online discussion group on “Saying Yes to Life”, news of a new free phone line to enable those without internet to reach the Church of England’s resources and more…
Salisbury 800
This week Salisbury Cathedral celebrated the 800th anniversary of laying the foundation stone of Salisbury Cathedral.
You can find out more on their website. Read more….
Coronavirus update
All our churches are now closed in accordance with current government advice.
The latest information can be found on the Church of England website.
Message from Revd Rebecca Harris
View her latest video message HERE
Keep in touch
Look out for new ways to be Church...
Please let us know if you need any help or assistance at this difficult time.
There are many resources available such as a daily prayer on the Church of England website.
Or why not explore our new web pages on Worship at Home. Read more…
Morning Praise and Worship Sunday 3rd May
Dear All
Sunday 3 May Morning Praise and Worship 9.45 for 10.00 am on Zoom.
Please join us for Morning Praise and Worship this Sunday. As we did last week, we shall be opening the chat room at 9.45 am ready for a 10.00 am start. Caroline is leading the service and I shall be the “gatekeeper” as host! Graham will be speaking about the theme “Let the land produce vegetation”.
Please mute your microphone at the start of the service and keep them muted until the end when we shall unmute everyone and have coffee together. We are asking people to mute themselves during the service because of the time lag in the streaming. If we are all unmuted it becomes very noisy and disruptive and quite hard to follow what the leader/speaker is saying. Only those leading, preaching, reading the readings, or leading the prayers will be unmuted for their part in the service.
Afterwards we shall have a break for people to make a coffee and come back to join us for post-service chat and fellowship.
We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. And please pass on the message to any people who haven’t got internet access that it is possible for them to join us on their land line at home, on the numbers publicised.
Looking forward to seeing you! Rebecca
Reflection for the 4th Sunday of Easter
GENESIS 1:9-13: ‘LET THE LAND PRODUCE VEGETATION’:
The book ‘Saying Yes to Life’ had been recommended for use in Lent when we re-examine our faithfulness to our Father God, and then, with his help, tackle those aspects which we need to improve or radically change, especially in terms of whether – how we live our lives and care for his world and each other – pleases our Creator God.
In the beginning God created a perfect world – ‘God saw that it was good’. God began with ‘Let there be light’ which was the pure light of God himself. Then the moisture of the atmosphere was separated from the moisture on the earth; likened to the living water Jesus offered to quench the thirst of the searching soul. The rivers and seas were then separated from the dry land so that all the elements of light, water and fertile soil to sustain life and growing conditions were in place before ‘Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds’ – the necessary food for the insects, birds, animals and human beings who would follow, each unique in their kind and amazing variety.
A rational logical scientific ordered sequence of creation through the wisdom, sensitive control and intentional design of our awesome Creator God who ‘saw that it was good’.
All for the glory and pleasure of God – Father, Son and Spirit – fully involved in the process, laughing in delight, and longing to share it with those they had created in love. Humankind living in harmony with their Creator within a wonderful world entrusted to us to enjoy and look after.
In the garden of Eden there were many trees which were pleasing to the eye and good for food but there were just two trees whose fruit was not to be taken for granted:
The Tree of Life symbolising the gift of eternal life for those who live their lives in perfect harmony with their Creator. Then the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil, symbolising the free-will given by our Creator for us to choose life with God or without him, whilst being made aware of the consequences and therefore being told by our loving God not to eat its fruit.
But our forebears betrayed his trust and chose, in their arrogance, to experience evil in order to compare it with their experience of the goodness of God, ignoring God’s explicit warning and thereby inviting evil into their lives and this world. Paradise lost with us banished from the garden and the company of God so that in our corrupted fallen state we could not eat of the Tree and Life and live for ever. Revelation 22:1-3.
Not only did we cut ourselves off from our Holy God, but creation was cursed and would make us struggle to benefit from it and would harm us in its extremes. Shorter and fragile life spans, decay, disease and death became part of our lives and of each aspect of creation. The seeds of reproduction would now produce the spoiled fruit of corruption whilst the blessing of childbirth would now be accompanied by pain and perpetuate our fallen nature from one generation to another.
This is why the Bible talks of creation groaning and longing for the redemption of humankind; that the salvation and transforming of humankind into a new created being also results in a new heaven and a new earth, a paradise where all evil and its consequences are no more. Romans 8:19-23.
Hence our resurrection bodies in heaven are amazing super models without any of the faults or limitations of those we have now, whilst the new earth will have no weeds, thorns or pests, waste or toilets, viruses or hospitals, deserts, floods or earthquakes. ‘The lion will eat straw like the ox’ – no hunter and prey. Isaiah 11:6-9.
So why bother with what we have now if it is so flawed and to be replaced in any case?
If we can’t redeem and purify ourselves by our own efforts or good works and sharing of resources….
If we can’t redeem creation by our improved stewardship of it; undo all pollution exploitation and desolation resulting from our greed; reverse global warming; restore the ozone layer and the balance and harmony in the natural world entrusted to us….
If only God can save us and this world, what part is left for us to play?
The willing once-and-for-all-time sufficient sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and his victorious resurrection at Easter enabled us to be forgiven, our purity and immortality to be restored and for us to be welcomed into the presence of our Holy God. The only way and gift of salvation has been provided, all we have to do is humbly accept it and then obey the command of the Risen Lord to go and make disciples of all nations, to share his Good News with others who do not yet know him – that’s the part we have to play.
Our loving and Holy Father God holds us responsible and accountable for how we have tried to look after his creation, honoured its Creator and shared its resources with others – that’s the part we have to play.
How many of the tens of thousands of those who have died during (if not all from) this pandemic – died without knowing the Good News of Jesus and the glorious eternal life he offers?
How many have only glimpsed a shadow of the wonder of creation we live in today, but will not experience the wow of the new heaven and the new earth to come?
The pandemic has awakened world governments and us alike to the frailty of life and the fear of death. We have witnessed with sadness the selfish careless action of some contrasting with the self-sacrifice of others caring for those in such difficult circumstances.
The shutting of churches, lockdowns and self-isolation has not stifled the sure hope we have in Jesus or the ability and opportunity to share this with others by telephone, ‘what’s app’, email, letter, ‘zoom’ – sharing our hope in Jesus with family, friends and strangers, even those we chat to (at a distance) in our walks who may not only be separated from each other but also unaware of our God who to longs to love and save them.
The stewardship of those with gardens – despite carrots and tomato seeds being the first to run out at Davies’ – has opened our eyes not to take for granted the wonder of new life of spring blossoms, buds and bright green leaves, ducklings and butterflies, sunshine showers and stars as we lift our eyes to God and enjoy a walk with him in his creation.
Be encouraged, just play your part even if like the chorus it’s ‘You in your small corner and I in mine’. You are not alone – our loving God is with you, clapping and smiling with us as we live out his deep amazing love one day at a time.
Graham Stevensen LLM
Readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter
Psalm 23
The Divine Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
Genesis 1:9-13
9 And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
John 10:1-10
Jesus the Good Shepherd
10 “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Afternoon Tea on Zoom
Tuesday 5 May 2pm
Revd Caroline Husband is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting from 2pm – 2.40pm
For more information please subscribe to our newsletter by visiting our website
Discussion Group: Saying Yes to Life by Ruth Valerio
Tuesday 5 May 2020 7pm – 8.30pm
SAYING YES TO LIFE Discussion Group
For more information please subscribe to our newsletter by visiting our website
Thank you to those who have expressed interest in this group to discuss the above book by Ruth Valerio. I thought we would start next Tuesday evening on Zoom at 7.00 pm. It’s not too late if you want to join us! You can get a copy of the book from Amazon at about £5. It usually arrives quite quickly. If you haven’t got the book by Tuesday, please don’t let that put you off if you want to join us. We can download an interview from the internet and share the discussion questions. However, if you have got the book, please do try to read the introduction and the first chapter before the meeting, if you can.
If you can’t get onto Zoom on your computer device, you can also access this on your landline and the telephone number is included in the instructions.
I’m planning to run this weekly for the next six weeks. It would be great if you could commit to each one if possible.
Look forward to seeing you.
Yours
Rebecca
Wednesday afternoon Zoom social Wednesday 6 May
Rebecca is very sorry that she had a problem with her internet on Wednesday and apologises to those who tried to access the planned Zoom Social.
She plans to hold another one this coming week on Wednesday 6th May from 3 – 4pm
For more information please subscribe to our newsletter by visiting our website
Daily Hope
Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line.
The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind.
“With many in our country on lockdown, it’s important that we support those who are feeling lonely and isolated, whatever age they are.”
Archbishop Justin Welby
Options available include materials also available digitally by the Church of England’s Communications team such as Prayer During the Day and Night Prayer updated daily, from Common Worship, and a recording of the Church of England weekly national online service.
A section called Hymn Line offers callers a small selection of hymns, updated daily. An option entitled ‘Hymns We Love’, provides a hymn and reflection and is based on an initiative by the Connections group.
Need for Face Masks for Chantry Court
I was talking to the manager of Chantry Court Residential Village in Chantry Lane yesterday. While they are all OK, they are short of face masks for their staff when they visit the residents. I wondered whether this is something which we could help them with, at least in the short-term? Can any people with sewing skills make some face masks which we could deliver to tide them over until they get the proper supplies? If anyone is able to help with this, please do get in touch with me. I’m happy to pick them up from you and deliver them, if you are self-isolating. Or you can deliver them yourself by taking them to reception.
There are some patterns available on the internet, if you need one. Or if you find one, do feel free to let us know and we can make it available to others.
See the link below for some instructions about how you could make them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbGCqFJp7r4
Any questions, please get in touch with me.
Many thanks.
Rebecca
Mothers’ Union
Jean Jane from All Saints’ Mothers Union wanted to share this with us.
The theme, for the week beginning Sunday 19th April was Courage. Jean felt that they were particularly appropriate for our time:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
We give thanks today for the courage and witness of Mothers’ Union members who work in dangerous situations and pray that they will know God’s protection from harm and opposition to their mission.
As we meet with adversity, we praise God that he gives us the strength and peace of mind to move forward with courage. We give thanks that no situation is too difficult for him to see us through.
Heavenly Father we pray for children everywhere that they will be enabled to run the race of life set before them with courage, determination and perseverance.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Faith can give us the courage to face the uncertainties of the future. Martin Luther King Jr.
Lord we pray that our faith will be greater than fear and be founded on Christ that we may be able to face with courage whatever lies ahead.
Many of our members have difficult lives and live in difficult situations.
Gracious God, blanket their hearts with peace and fill them with courage for each day as they share the love of Christ through their lives of faithful action.
Lord Jesus in the times of our lives when we particularly need your courage, we give thanks for providing us with miraculous ways to take one remarkable step of faith after another.
Cunard Recipe
At last Sunday’s service Sue Stanley told us she had made Cunard’s recipe for scones and highly recommended them.
You can find the recipe on Cunard’s website.
Why not make them in time for next week’s service and bring them along?!
If you’re particularly proud of them you can share them on Cunard’s website
VE Day Friday 8 May
There were lots of plans for celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on Friday 8 May with a special bank holiday to allow us to enjoy the celebrations on the actual anniversary. Sadly the celebrations will be more subdued.
Wiltshire Council have produced a special pack that you can download with ways to have your own (socially distanced!) celebration at home.
You can download the pack here.
Some members have been thinking about how they will celebrate VEDay 75 – why not share your photos with us for the next edition of the newsletter?!
Westbury Town Council are looking for your help with your pictures from VE Day 1945 or wartime photographs of Westbury. Details below.
Stewardship
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income.”
Corinthians 16:2
The church may be closed but we will still need to pay our Parish Share, utilities and insurance expenses
as well as other unavoidable costs.
Our Parish Share helps to support our three full time clergy who are busy supporting us at this difficult time as well as a number of other functions in the Diocese. As we explained in the February Newsletter there is a shortfall between our regular giving and our expenses. The Current restrictions means that many of our usual fundraising activities will be curtailed. Your support has never been so important.
Please continue to make your offering as usual.
If you usually make a weekly offering in cash please consider setting up a standing order with the bank while our services are suspended. This is the most efficient way to donate.
Alternatively, a cheque can be sent to the Parish Office Church Lane Westbury BA13 3BT.
Make sure you have signed a Gift Aid form too. That way we get maximum support for your donation.
Please follow this link to download the forms. which are available for both Dilton and Westbury PCCs
Or contact Beth Thomas, Treasurer wcw@whtministry.org.uk 07790 870 247 for Westbury PCC and Chris Hill, Treasurer. cprh@divingdog.co.uk Dilton Marsh PCC for Holy Trinity and Brokerswood
Thank you for your continued support.
Resources to enjoy at home
We’ve added a new page to the website called “Worship at Home” and includes a “Book Corner” page – let us know if it’s helpful and share your ideas with us! What are you reading at home?
The Church Times has a helpful resources to enjoy at home on their website.
Daily Reflection at 5pm on Facebook
Have you found our Team Facebook accounts yet? Everyday at 5pm we are posting a Reflection with a reason to be thankful on both the All Saints’ and Holy Trinity Facebook pages.
A daily moment to reflect and give thanks. Why not look out for it?
Do you have something to be thankful? Share it with us!
Morning and Evening Prayer
You can find the words and liturgy for Morning and evening prayer by using the CofE Daily Prayer App or on their website .
Salisbury Cathedral are offering a live reflection at 5pm each day on their website.
Click this link to find the page on the Salisbury Cathedral website
Contact us…
Rev’d Rebecca Harris – Team Rector
teamrector@whtministry.org.uk
01373 822 209
Rev’d Caroline Husband – Team Vicar
teamvicar@whtministry.org.uk
01373 596 104
Rev’d Melanie Otto – Team Curate
melanievotto@gmail.com
01373 858 357
Garth Brocksopp – Churchwarden Holy Trinity & Brokerswood
cgbrocksopp@hotmail.co.uk
01373 822414
Beth Thomas – Churchwarden All Saints’ & Holy Saviour
wcw@whtministry.org.uk
07790 870 247
During this time the office will be closed to the public and Lynne will be working from home.
You can still reach the office via email on office@whtministry.org.uk
