19TH APRIL 2015
BREATHE Vicar’s Blog
Travel back in time with me. It’s the early 12th century and we’re in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. The Abbey we sit in each Sunday is about to be built, and a young monk and historian named William (see front cover) is writing about the great father of the Abbey, the 7th century monk St Aldhelm. William is frankly daunted by the task; listen to his words: ’I am well aware that I am not equal to such a history. But led by the Holy Spirit who up to now seems to have breathed vigorous life into my sails, I shall skim securely even across the immensity of this sea. (The Deeds of the Bishops of England, p.224) Later, when William is wilting a bit, in chapter 212, he writes this: Now that I have made considerable progress…and as it were reached midsea point, I need still more strength, so that helped by the breezes of not my brain but the Holy Spirit, I may
bring my boat to the shore of silence. He finished the book in the year 1125AD. Now travel back with me to the very early 8th century, the time of Aldhelm and the monks in his Abbey would be singing these words, particularly at Whitsuntide: Veni, Creator Spiritus, mentes tuorum visita—Come Holy Spirit, Creator, visit us. Now travel even further back to the resurrection appearances of Christ. John 20:22 records a particularly odd but extraordinarily significant moment: ‘He breathed on them and said: Receive the Holy Spirit.’ Church is that which Christ breathes upon. Our teaching series in May & June is called simply Breathe. For two months we will explore together the significance of Christ’s breath
A B B E Y D I A RY THIS SUNDAY: April 19th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship & Junior Church, with Baptism
within the church. Pentecost was a moment in history but it is also a dynamic that shapes the church. In our series, which begins May 3rd and will particularly look at texts from Acts and 1 Corinthians, we will consider afresh the person and power of the Holy Spirit, the relationship of the Spirit and Scripture, receiving the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit and what it means to be a community led by the Spirit—what should we look like? Glory! on May 19th will focus on the gift of tongues and interpretation and our 10.30am service on May 24th, Pentecost, will be a new liturgy of Holy Communion with Healing Ministry. So pray one word...breathe!
THIS WEEK EACH DAY 9am Morning Prayer TUES 21st 9.30am Women Alive! WED 22nd 10.30am Communion THUR 23rd 10.30am Time for Chat 7pm Choir Practice FRI 24th 7.30pm BBC Wiltshire Election Hustings SAT 25th 10am The Meeting Place
NEXT SUNDAY: April 26th 10.30am Coffee 11am Festival Communion with Children’s Activities 12.30pm Picnic (BYO) and Bouncy Castle 2-3pm Annual Meeting
ADVANCE April 28th Glory! May 19th Glory! June 19th Riding Lights Roughshod
LU K E 2 4 : 3 6 - 4 8 36
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ 37
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.’ 40
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. 44
He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’
45
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them,‘This is what is written: the Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
Additional Reading: Acts 3:12-19
DISCIPLESHIP 1.
Read Luke 24:36-48; Now read John 20:19-23. What are the similarities/differences? Share what strikes you about this passage.
2.
Summarise what's happened that first Easter Sunday, from dawn to dusk.
3.
Read verses 36-43. Why was it important for the disciples that Jesus was not just a ghost?
4.
If you have internet access - look up the Christian heresies of Docetism and Gnosticism. Why was it important that Jesus was fully human? (hint - see Hebrews 2:14-18)
5.
6.
Read verses 25-27 and 44-48 and discuss together. Luke implies that it is possible to read the Bible with your mind 'closed'. Pray at the end together that the Holy Spirit would 'open your minds'. Whilst we cannot see Jesus’ physically resurrected body like the first disciples, the Holy Spirit bears witness that we are God's children (Romans 8:16). Share a significant God-experiences you have had, and pray for more!
D A I LY R E A D I N G S Monday Psalm 96 Deuteronomy 5:1-22 Ephesians 1:1-14 Tuesday Psalm 98 Deuteronomy 5:22-end Ephesians 1:15-end Wednesday Psalm 105 Deuteronomy 6 Ephesians 2:1-10 Thursday Psalm 146 Deuteronomy 7:1-11 Ephesians 2:11-end Friday Psalm 107 Deuteronomy 7:12-end Ephesians 3:1-13
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.
V I S I O N S U N D AY
REFRESH!
For your diary: on Sunday 26th April we will be having one single service at the Abbey at 11am on our annual Vision Sunday. Coffee at 10.30am, 11am Holy Communion with provision for young people, 12.30pm picnic lunch, 2pm Annual Meeting, including election of churchwardens and new church council members. 3pm Closing Prayer. A bouncy castle normally turns up at some point as well.
The next Refresh! event will be a days’ retreat at The Vine, Mays Farm, Hullavington on Saturday 9th May 9.30am – 2.30pm. The day will be led by Penelope Swithinbank (author & speaker). The cost will be £30 per person which includes lunch and refreshments. There are 18 places available for this event, to book a place please email Sandie.
MARRIAGE COURSE
ELECTION HUSTINGS
Revds Alice & John Monagahan are hosting Holy Trinity Brompton’s Marriage Course. If you (both!) would like to be a part of this please contact them directly. Beginning on May 11th for 7 weeks; cost £10.
On Friday 24th April at 7.30pm, the Abbey is hosting and Election Hustings in partnership with BBC Wiltshire. If you would like to attend and submit a question, forms are available online at BBC Wiltshire or at the back of the Abbey.
12th CENTURY BEAUT Y 21st CENTURY CHURCH
NOTICEBOARD THE KALEIDOSCOPE OF DEMENTIA On Monday 27th April 2015 Louise Morse (writer, speaker and acknowledged expert) will be coming to Malmesbury Abbey to give a talk on unpacking the various conditions that form the kaleidoscope of dementia; life before and after diagnosis and how to gain the best communication and support for all those involved. She will also cover the very latest research on dementia and faith perspectives. The two sessions, at 2.30pm and then repeated at 6.30pm, are open to anybody who feels they would like to learn more about a condition that may affect them or family and friends. Limited places are expected to fill quickly so please book a place via the office on 01666 82666 or office@malmesburyabbey.com or for more information please speak to Mandy Churcher.
ELEC TOR AL ROLL The Electoral Roll of Malmesbury Abbey is the formal list we keep of all those adults who consider the Abbey to be their normal place of worship. Those on the Electoral Roll can vote in our annual elections for churchwardens and church council members, and they are also eligible to stand for election themselves. We are currently updating the list, which is also useful communications data for us, and would really want to encourage everybody who isn’t on the Electoral Roll to fill in a cream form at the Abbey this Sunday. If you are reading this while away on holiday and would like to be added to the roll, please e-mail Sandie, office@malmesburyabbey.com, and we’ll make a note and catch up with the paperwork on your return. Many thanks.
Enquiries 01666 826666 // Box Office 01666 824339 office@malmesburyabbey.com www.malmesburyabbey.com issuu.com/malmesburyabbey
CONTAC T ABBEY OFFICE Monday (10am-12noon) Tuesday-Friday (9.30am– 3pm) Tel: 01666 826666 sandie@malmesburyabbey.com
CAFÉ HOURS Tuesday-Saturday (normal) 9am– 3.30pm Sunday & Monday closed all day clare@malmesburyabbey.com
www.malmesburyabbey.com issuu.com/malmesburyabbey Staff members can be contacted by name@malmesburyabbey.com
12th CENTURY BEAUT Y 21st CENTURY CHURCH