22/06/2014 MALMESBURY ABBEY & ROBERTS BERRY FARM
HOSPITALITY THAT INVITES PEOPLE CLOSER STABILITY THAT DRAWS PEOPLE DEEPER CREATIVITY THAT LIFTS PEOPLE HIGHER
Vicar’s blog: down on the farm To those of you reading this in an Abbey on Sunday morning. We are delighted that you’re joining us for worship at Malmesbury Abbey today, led by Revd Canon Douglas Holt. Unfortunately 150 of us have just left the building for the weekend to have a Church Weekend Away on a farm in Grittleton (see front cover.) Two members of our congregation, James and Ruth Cole, very kindly offered us the use of their farm this weekend (we’re only a few miles away, you might be able to hear us singing.) So on Friday night we set up our tents and unpacked our BBQs and we were joined by Bishop Lee for a celebration, a talk on hope for this life, followed by an open mic session of variable quality. Then on Saturday we had a day of teaching on the end-times, our eternal hope, from Revd Paul Langham from Christchurch Clifton; followed by a barn dance (with dancing of variable quality.) As you are reading this, on Sunday morning, we are celebrating Holy Communion out in the fields at 10.30am followed by coffee and a Hog Roast. If you leap in your car you are very, very welcome to join us for lunch at SN14 6AT. For those of our regular congrega-
tions who were unable to make the trip to Grittleton, we miss you and hope you can make it next time. To those of you reading this in a field. Well done; we made it. I have conducted far too many weddings when the bride and groom have been drenched in the pouring rain to take any credit for praying for such wonderful weather; but I am truly grateful to the Lord for both the blessing of Roberts Berry Farm for our weekend and the beautiful weather that is accompanying it. There are 1001 reasons that we’ve gone away together, but for me two stand out. The first is that we get stuck. It is entirely possible at some point in our Christian journey to realise that the passions and growth that accompanied our earlier years have slowed, and also to be at a bit of a loss as to how to rekindle things. Going away to a fresh and inspiring environment can get us unstuck in our worship of God, our understanding, and our experience of God. The second reason is connecting with each other. God builds the church as 150 of us queue for the same shower. Aren’t you glad you came... www.malmesburyabbey.com
Abbey Diary THIS SUNDAY: June 22nd 8am BCP Holy Communion 10.30am Simple Holy Communion 4pm NO SERVICE CHURCH WEEKEND AWAY FRI 20th 7.30pm Bishop Lee SAT 21st 9.30am, 11.30am & 4pm Paul Langham SUN 22nd 10.30am Festival Communion 12 noon Hog Roast EACH DAY 9am Morning Prayer TUES 24th 9.30am Women Alive WED 25th 10.30am Holy Communion THURS 26th 10.30am Time for Chat 4pm Evening Prayer 7pm Choir Practice FRI 27th 9.30am Creative Response SAT 28th 10am Healing in the Streets NEXT SUNDAY: June 29th 11am Festival Communion with Children’s provision July 2nd July 15th July 28/29 Aug 3rd Sep 13th Oct 7th Oct 17/18 Oct 31st Nov 18th Nov 30th
Music for Autism WOMAD at the Abbey Holiday at Home New Wine Archbishop in Malmesbury Confirmation at the Abbey BBC History Weekend glo in the dark Junior Church party Glory! Advent Sunday
Abbey//Romans 6:1-11 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning, so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Additional Reading: Matthew 10:24-39
Farm//Matthew 5:1-16 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 4
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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 ‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 10
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You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 ‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Additional Reading: Psalm 121
small group resource + 1. Read Matthew 5:1-12 twice with a few minutes of silent reflection in be-
2. 3. 4. 5.
tween. Then share together which of Christ’s Beatitudes speaks most significantly to you today and why. Now take some time to read the seven beatitudes found in the Revelation— Revelation 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14. What does the word ‘Blessed’ mean? What would these seven beatitudes have meant to the first Christians that read and heard them? Which of the Revelation beatitudes speaks most powerfully to you? Pray together; pray for God’s blessing on our church and community.
daily readings MONDAY Psalm 98 Zephaniah 3 Rev 14:1-5
TUESDAY Psalm 137 Isaiah 21 Rev 14:6-13
WEDNESDAY Psalm 82 Joel 3 Rev 14:14-20
THURSDAY Psalm 145 Ex 15:1-18 Rev 15:1-4
FRIDAY Psalm 75 Exodus 40 Rev 15:5-8
Refresh Breakfast The Refresh Breakfast this year will take place on Saturday 5th July, 9-11am in the Abbey. Come and enjoy a wonderful breakfast (bacon roll & sweet pastries + veggie alternatives) and hear some amazing testimonies from some of the ladies in our church. Keep a look out for Invitations which will be available shortly at the back of the Abbey and via email. Spaces are limited so please make sure you book a place with Sandie on 01666 826666 or office@malmesburyabbey.com
Ordination Celebration at Whole Hog On Saturday 28th June at 10.30am Linda Sullivan is being ordained Deacon in the Church of England. On Sunday 29th June at 3.30pm Revd John Monaghan is being ordained Priest in the Church of England (John is currently a Deacon.) Both these ordinations take place at Bristol Cathedral. All are very welcome to support Linda and John at these services. On Sunday 29th June at 8pm all are invited to the Whole Hog for a celebration with John & Linda.
PCC Meeting The PCC met on Saturday 17th May and began with Holy Communion and a welcome to our new members, Sam Saunders, Jane Henderson and Sue Kirby. Some key points for your information: Neill has been asked by the Bishop to continue as Area Dean of North Wiltshire until 1st June 2017. The Bristol Diocese goal this year is to encourage everyone to share their faith with a non-Christian person (starting this Pentecost). The hope is that 10,000 people across the diocese will share their faith and they will be given a wristband to show they have done this. Neill is meeting with Trinity College Bristol to help deliver four or more lectures on theology in the Abbey during 2015; the St Aldhelm School of Theology. Ways are being explored as to how our Healing in the Streets ministry can be broadened to compliment the healing ministry with pastoral care such as offering coffee, hospitality and ministry to the market stall holders and creative arts and worship. Three applications for mission funding were granted Alice Langtree (Through the Roof - Moldova, £600), Rachel Petrie (Navigators - Kenya, £200), Dave Bankhead (Great Lakes Mercy Ministries - Rwanda, £230). Our Focus was on the redevelopment and renaming of Le Flambé. Architect Stuart Richmond joined the PCC to share ideas about possible options. Key points were enhanced disabled access, Junior Church friendly spaces and improved meeting rooms for hire.
Contact ABBEY OFFICE Mon &Tues (9.30am-12noon) Weds, Thurs ,Fri, (9.30am-2.30pm) 01666 826666 www.malmesburyabbey.com sandie@malmesburyabbey.com Staff members can be contacted by name@malmesburyabbey.com NORMAL CAFÉ HOURS Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 9am-4.30pm Wednesday: 12noon-4.30pm Sunday: Closed all day clare@malmesburyabbey.com
Concert for Seniors—July 1st, 2pm The 2pm Concert on July 1st at the Abbey (see inside back cover) is open to all seniors with free admission. This concert has a String Quartet, some lovely songs, community singing and a cuppa afterwards. All are welcome, and a particular welcome is extended to people with dementia and their carers.
Ride & Stride 2014 The annual Wiltshire Historic Churches Ride and Stride takes place this year on Saturday 13th September (same day as the Archbishop’s visit, but you could ‘Ride and Stride’ and be back in plenty of time for the baptisms!). Please contact Lesley Wilson for more details and sponsor forms.
12th CENTURY BEAUTY 21st CENTURY CHURCH