BOOK REVIEW: The Splash of Words: Believing in Poetry by Mark Oakley (2016, Canterbury Press) Do you enjoy poetry? Then I would heartily recommend this gem of a book. Mark Oakley is Dean of the Chapel of St John's College, Cambridge, but this is no dry, academic volume. On the contrary, I have found it an accessible, absorbing read. This diverse collection focuses on one work by each of 29 poets, spanning several centuries and various spiritualities. A number of 'old favourites' appear (George Herbert, Wilfred Owen and U.A.Fanthorpe, to name but three), as well as others I was delighted to discover. Mark Oakley explores the poems sensitively, with insights into the poets' lives and his own, and relates them to aspects of faith. Each poem/chapter could easily be used as a daily meditation. The title The Splash of Words is Mark Oakley's metaphor likening the effect of a poem to a pebble thrown in water: the initial splash spreads ripples ever wider: slowly, the poem works on us, to transform our perceptions and understanding. Poetry and metaphor lie at the heart of our worship; poetry has the power to convey images and truths which prose cannot. As Mark Oakley says in his introduction to this book, 'It is acknowledged by the world's religions that God is very obviously a poet.' Liz Clark. If you would like to be part of a group to discuss the poems in this book, please get in touch with me on (07940 145057).
Glastonbury Voices Choir resumes in St Benedict's Church on Wednesday 4th September. September Alternate Wednesdays 10.15am - 12.15pm. We hope all our regular singers return and warmly welcome new ones! Sandra Booth tel: (01458) 835067 Reminder: Please see the Vicar if you are interested in the ‘Men’s Breakfast’ next Saturday 7th September, 9am at Wetherspoons in Street! Street St. John's ‘StF’ Chair Appeal: Appeal: Many thanks to all those who have given their generous support to donate funds towards our new flexible seating in our 'soon to be' restored St John's Church. We are now more than half way through the restoration process, so finally in a position to order the essential furniture. Whilst each chair has a cost of £240, we are grateful for whatever financial donations you may feel able to provide. For more details of this appeal, which include donations by instalments if you wish, see the details at the back of either St. Benedict's or St. Mary's churches. We are seeking support and pledges by 15th September please, please to enable the order to be placed, ensuring delivery before our February 2020 opening date. Michael Masters THANK YOU TO all those who came to the Cream Tea on 17th August; to the ladies who baked for us and the gentlemen who cleared away the tables! It was a great success - St. John’s Church Fund benefited by over £200 ! Watch this space for future events. Jessie & Joy *ALSO* thanks to everyone who came to the ‘Coffee Afternoon’ at our home last Monday, 26th August: we raised £123.00 towards the St John’s General Church Fund! Larry & Doris Schenck
Please keep the following people & their families in your prayers: Liz Affleck-Edwards, Steve Brain, Fr. Robert Featherstone, Joan Green, Marie Harris, Valerie Moreton, Rick Pudner, Jean Rooney, Andrew & Sheila ScottEvans & Rosemary Turnbull. for those to be baptised:
JACKSON PALMER [Sunday 1st September, 11am at St Ben’s Church]
HENRY WHITCOMBE [Sunday 15th September, 11.30am at St Mary’s, Meare]
for those to be married:
EMMA TIBBS & GEORGE KING [Friday 6th September, 12noon at St Mary’s, Meare]
Please contact us on: Vicar & Area Dean:
The Revd. David MacGeoch Day off Monday (01458) 834281 07712 862 692 vicarabbeyparish@btinternet.com
Pioneer Minister:
The Revd. Diana Greenfield Day off Monday (01458) 446838 07921 858 094 dmgreenfield@me.com
Benefice Office:
Mrs. Sharon Wilson, Benefice Administrator (01458) 830060 abbeyparishes@gmail.com 3 Church Lane, Glastonbury, BA6 9JQ
Office open this week : Monday - Friday : 9am - 4pm
Please visit your church website to check for recent updates: St John's: St Ben's: St Mary's, Meare:
stjohns-glastonbury.uk www.stbens.ukpc.net is.gd/stmarymeare
Abbey Parishes online diary:
www.apdiary.ukpc.net
This newsletter can be downloaded from the St John's website (News page)
Monday 2nd - Sunday 8th September 2019 TUES 3RD
9am Morning Prayer, St Ben’s Church. 10.30am Holy Communion, St Patrick’s Chapel. 10.30am Holy Communion, St Ben’s Church.
WED 4TH
Vicar not available - at Old Deanery (am) 9am Morning Prayer, St Ben’s Church. 10.15am Glastonbury Voices Choir, St Ben’s Church. 7pm St John’s PCC meeting, St Ben’s Church.
THURS 5TH
9am 10.30am 7pm 7.45pm
Morning Prayer, St Mary’s Church, Meare. Holy Communion, St Margaret’s Chapel. Choir practice, St Ben’s Church. Bell ringing practice, St Ben’s Church.
FRI 6TH
9am 12noon 12noon
Morning Prayer, Abbey House. Soup lunches, St Ben’s Church. Wedding, St Mary’s Church, Meare.
SAT 7TH
2 - 5pm
RSCM exam training day, St Ben’s Church.
SUN 8TH
The Twelfth Sunday After Trinity 8am 11am 11am 5pm
Holy Communion [BCP], St Ben’s Church Shared Service with the URC, St Ben’s Church. Holy Communion Combined Service, St Mary’s Church, Meare Healing Service, St Ben’s Church
Readings: Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33
We are pleased that you are here in our church and we pray that your visit may bring you closer to God’s Love.
St John’s Church
St Benedict’s Church
St Mary’s Church, Meare
Sunday 1st September 2019 St. Benedict’s 8am: Holy Communion [BCP] Celebrant: The Vicar 11am: Holy Communion Combined Service & Baptism Celebrant: The Vicar Homily: Mrs. Di Grenter Collect O God, you declare your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Hymn No’s for the 11am Service in St Ben’s: 15, 442, 158 & 164 Bible Readings for today:
Heb.13:1-8, 15-16; Luke 14:1, 7-14