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PARTNERSHIP Vicar’s Blog
Partnership with organisations beyond our walls plays a really significant part in the life of Malmesbury Abbey. Sometimes we work to host large community or civic services, such as working with The Royal British Legion at Remembrance, or Youth Action Wiltshire, this Christmas, or BBC Wiltshire, every Easter. Sometimes our partnership is more dramatic, apparently Christian Skaters UK bring a skate park into the Abbey each year. Sometimes it is ecclesiastical, and an Archbishop turns up for a brisk dip. Sometimes it is artistic and spiritual, such as The Royal Academy of Music performing Messiaen last Maundy Thursday and Springs Dance Company joining us on October 25th. Sometimes it is educational, BBC History in October or Malmesbury School’s ‘Stations of the Cross’ A-level art project.
Found at the heart of partnerships working well is an alignment of values, and this can be no better illustrated by two events coming our way in the next week. Christ says in John’s gospel that he has come that we might have life to the full, in abundance. The work of the gospel is the flourishing of human beings. Our day working with Music for Autism is a day that calls forth that flourishing in the lives of people for whom each day is a phenomenal challenge. Sometimes Music for Autism comes with an orchestra; this year it is jazz with Derek Paravicini, who is a blind autistic savant with an incredible musical gift. At 11am on October 8th his music will connect with, and bring inspiration to, over a 100 young people on the autistic spectrum. Then at 2pm there is a free concert for older people, with a special
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A B B E Y D I A RY THIS SUNDAY: October 4th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship & Junior Church
invitation to people living with dementia and their carers. (We particularly need people to come at 2pm to help with the singing.) And then at 7.30pm the entire church needs to turn up for Derek’s Gala Concert which, as well as being remarkable in itself, funds the work earlier in the day. Please be there. And then on Sunday 11th October, Harvest at the Abbey, we raise our profile as a Tearfund Connected Church and the incredible work of the Kigezi Water & Sanitation Project in Uganda. This Sunday you will have been given an envelope. Fill it with the cost of a meal (not the actual meal.) We give it to Tearfund; they take it to southern Uganda, and human beings flourish. His Kingdom come. Front Cover Photo: Music for Autism 2011. Photo: Tom Price. tomalprice.com
THIS WEEK EACH DAY 9am Morning Prayer TUES 6th 2.30pm Pray for Persecuted Christians (Parish Office) th WED 7 10.30am Communion th THUR 8 11am Music for Autism 2pm Concert for Older People 7.30pm Music for Autism Gala Concert th SAT 10 10am The Meeting Place 7.30pm MAMS Concert NEXT SUNDAY: October 11th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship & Junior Church 6.30pm Harvest Evensong ADVANCE Oct 12th 8pm Admission of Children to HC discussion th Oct 20 Glory! Oct 31st Light Party
P R OV E R B S 4: 1 - 1 2 1
Listen, my children, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2 I give you sound learning, so do n ot forsake my teaching. 3 For I too was a child to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. 4 Then he taught me, and he said to me, ‘Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you. 9 She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.’ 10 Listen, my child, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
Additional Reading: Mark 10:13-16
NEXT SUNDAY: Acts 2:42-47, Loving Kigezi
DISCIPLESHIP 1. Take a few moments to discuss people who have inspired you in your journey of faith. 2. What do you think biblical wisdom is? Have a look at Proverbs 9:10 to help. 3. Read verse 7 and discuss why wisdom is supreme? Why might gaining wisdom be costly? 4. Read verse 12. What are the stumbling blocks that young people face today? How can we help them? 5. ’You may be the only Bible a young person reads.’ How can you be a better witness to the children and young people in your life? 6. Take some time to pray for the young people in our church family and those in our community.
D A I LY R E A D I N G S Monday Psalm 80 Ezekiel 14:12-end Mark 15:1-15 Tuesday Psalm 89:1-18 Ezekiel 18:1-20 Mark 15:16-32 Wednesday Psalm 119:105-128 Ezekiel 18:21-32 Mark 15:33-41 Thursday Psalm 92 Ezekiel 20:1-20 Mark 15:42-end Friday Psalm 88 Ezekiel 20:21-38 Mark 16:9-end
REGULAR GIVING If you would like to give regularly to the mission and ministry of the Abbey as part of your discipleship, please e-mail alan@malmesburyabbey.com. m
P R AY E R S
C O N F I R M AT I O N
Hear the latest news on our fellow Christians who are struggling in their faith in Bhutan, North Korea and Nigeria, and join us as we pray for these and other persecuted Christians on Tuesday 6th October at 2.30pm. For this month we are meeting in the Parish Office and not Eilmer House. More info from Mike Langtree.
The Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Revd Mike Hill, will be with us on Wednesday Nov 4th at 7.30pm for a service of Confirmation. This joyous occasion is an opportunity to confess your faith and be prayed for by the Bishop to be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit. Candidates are normally younger people who were baptized as infants, and also adults, making the Abbey their spiritual home. Please contact Neill or Andrew this week for an informal chat.
TH ANK YO U
LO VE KIGEZ I
Thank you to everyone who supported the MacMillan Coffee Morning in the Abbey on 25th September. We were able to raise ÂŁ270 for this very worthy cause as we supped coffee and ate cake. Thank you to Holly and Dan who made it all possible. Thank you!
On Sunday October 11th we will celebrate Harvest at the Abbey. Our guest speaker at both 10.30am and 4pm will be John Appleton from Tearfund who will be talking about the Water & Sanitation project in Kigezi, which the Abbey supports as a Tearfund Connected Church. Our fundraising challenge, Dinner for Kigezi, kicks off next weekend. Put the cost of dinner or a meal in an envelope, bring it in on the 11th or 18th and we send it to Uganda!
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NOTICEBOARD L I G H T PA R T Y Join us for an evening of games, an inflatable obstacle course, bouncy castle, craft and a tuck shop! This is for everyone in primary school. Saturday 31st October 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the Abbey. Ticket information coming soon.
N E W T E S TA M E N T Q U E S T I O N S ‘Cover Up, Con or Canon?’ will be another In Depth event, being held on 6th October at 7.30 pm in Hullavington Church with Revd Christopher Bryan. Why were some writings about Jesus were excluded from the New Testament? In Depth is a chance to think about a topic quite deeply . It involves an illustrated talk or lecture, followed by questions and answers.
Enquiries 01666 826666 // Box Office 01666 824339 office@malmesburyabbey.com www.malmesburyabbey.com issuu.com/malmesburyabbey
Music for Autism at the Abbey with very special guest
Derek Paravicini (Jazz Piano) Featured on Channel 5’s Extraordinary People and Radio 3’s Music and Autism Series
Ben Holder (Jazz Violin) Hannah Davey (Jazz Soprano) Ollie Howell (Drums)
Thursday 8th October at 7.30pm A gala charity concert to fund free concerts earlier in the day for young people with autism (11am) and people living with dementia and their carers (2pm)
Tickets £10 (or more) from the Abbey Bookshop or on the door