31S T J A NUA RY 2016
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STARS Vicar’s Blog
Last Sunday I spent five minutes at our larger services talking about the Abbey Roof, a specialist subject of mine, which will be replaced in 2017 using a very long ladder and a lot of tiles. String too, I guess. To recap a little, the Abbey inspecting architect, Izaak Hudson, tells us that to do this very necessary work will cost us £165,000, (2017 prices) and this is obviously an item so large that it can’t come out of our everyday budget. The good news is that if we apply in the next few weeks we have a very real chance of obtaining a government grant of up to £100,000 towards this total. Combine that with some support locally from trusts and we might have the more doable challenge of raising £35,000 from our congregation and local community. This seems not too scary, in fact an achievable price tag for a roof on a 12th century building. And, as I said last Sunday, I really
don’t mind us putting a new roof on a building as long as there is committed prayer and imaginative ministry going on beneath the roof. And I include in the imaginative category both Malmesbury Abbey Skate 2016 and Little Stars, see cover, which Andrew Beebee and the team kick off on Monday February 15th. Soft play and fun for people a little younger and little smaller than myself – although the staff and leadership team at the Abbey didn’t put it quite as nicely as that. Anyway, you’ve been big stars over the Roof Appeal. It seems everybody wants to play their part, and if we all do that we can demonstrate to the government, in our grant application, that there is a green light just waiting to be pushed on this project. Yes, big stars. The response last week was deeply encouraging. Over £15,000 was pledged very quickly,
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A B B E Y D I A RY THIS SUNDAY: January 31st 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm All-age Communion
and bear in mind I actually asked people to bring back their pledge forms this coming weekend, not before they’d finished their coffee. If we each pledge £100, £500 or £1000, in fact whatever is appropriate to what God has blessed you with, we’ll get there. And remember we are not asking for a penny now, but a signed form indicating what you will give to this project on January 1st 2017. Philippians 2:15 encourages the children of God to shine like stars in the world. Thank you; last week I saw a twinkle.
Please return your pledge forms this weekend preferably, or by Sunday February 7that the very latest.
THIS WEEK EACH DAY 9am Morning Prayer MON 1st 8pm Small Group Pastors TUES 2nd 9.30am -12noon Deanery Chapter 2.30pm Prayer for the Persecuted, at Mollie’s rd WED 3 10.30am Communion THUR 4th 10.30am Time for Chat 7pm Choir Practice SAT 6th 10am The Meeting Place NEXT SUNDAY: February 7th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship & Junior Church HOLY WEEK ADVANCE DATES Mar 14th Garden Labyrinth begins Mar 16th Late Night Glory! Mar 19th Ben Holder Quartet & Rosie Archer Mar 21st Anthony Hammond: Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde nd Mar 22 Riding Lights: Crosslight (Passion Play)
LU K E 2 : 2 8 - 4 0 22
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord’), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons’. 25
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.’ 33 The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: ‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ 36
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
Additional Reading: Malachi 3:1-5
DISCIPLESHIP 1. Read Luke 2:22-40 aloud. You might try having different voices for Simeon and Anna. Share a particular word or phrase that stands out for you in the passage and, if you can, explain why it feels significant. 2. Simeon saw the infant Jesus as fulfilling a promise to him personally, but also as part of God's purposes for the world (verses 2932). Do we sometimes get too focused on what our faith means to us personally, and forget to think about God's wider purposes? 3. Simeon saw the human cost to Mary of being the mother of the Messiah (v35). Mary's love and loyalty to her Son brought her joy and sorrow. Who are the people today whose loyalty to Christ is causing them both joy and sorrow? 4. Anna is described as being 'of great age' but still showed hope and joy in the Messiah. What can we learn from Anna about keeping our capacity for hope and joy through life's trials?
D A I LY R E A D I N G S Monday Psalm 1 Genesis 18:1-15 Matthew 27:1-26 Tuesday Psalm 5 Genesis 18:16-end Matthew 27:27-44 Wednesday Psalm 119:1-32 Genesis 19:1-3, 12-29 Matthew 27:45-56 Thursday Psalm 15 Genesis 21:1-21 Matthew 27:57-end Friday Psalm 19 Genesis 22:1-19 Matthew 28:1-15
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
A S H W E D N E S D AY
SMALL GROUPS
Lent, a 40-day season of reflection, fasting and spiritual renewal, begins on Ash Wednesday, February 10th. There will be two services of Holy Communion with Ashing that day at the Abbey, at 10.30am and 7pm. Led by Neill, with a short reflection from Revd Linda Sullivan, this will be an opportunity to re-commit yourself to Christ for the season ahead.
Over 150 people at the Abbey are connected to a Small Group. If you would like to join one, particularly in time for Lent when we are asking all small groups to meet weekly and share a meal together, please contact Neill who will try and connect you to one in the coming weeks.
THE REAL EASTER EGG
W ELCOM E P IZ ZA
It is now possible to order Fair-trade Easter eggs from The Abbey Kitchen and Bookshop. The packaging is illustrated and tells the Easter Story. Please get your order in by the order by end of February. Prices: Original, £3.99 Dark Chocolate, £5.50 Special Edition, £9.99 Please ask Holly Bird for more information.
Small Group Pastors, there is a training session from 8pm-9.30pm on Monday 1st February in the Parish Office.
For those new(ish) to the 4pm congregation there will be a Welcome Pizza at the Abbey at 6pm on Sunday 7th February, shortly after the 4pm service. A chance to get to know a few new faces and meet some of the leadership team. Please contact Rachel Robertson, our 4pm Families Pastor, to let us know if you’re planning to be there: rachelr356@hotmail.com
12t h CE N TU RY B E AU T Y 2 1st CE NTU RY CHU R CH
NOTICEBOARD N E W PA R I S H S A F E G U A R D I N G O F F I C E R As a church we are committed to ensuring children and young people are safe from abuse and their wellbeing is enhanced. Deborah Poneskis is our new Parish Safeguarding Officer for children and young people. Deborah is available for anyone to speak to regarding concerns about a child or young person and will ensure we are working to the very highest standards. She can be contacted on 07903 898609 / safeguarding@malmesburyabbey.com.
L I T T L E S TA R S Little Stars is the Abbey’s new baby and toddler group which will be meeting in the Abbey on Mondays from 10am-11.30am. There will be free-play, craft activities, refreshments, story time and action songs. The group will start on Monday 22nd February (£2 per family).
L I T T L E S TA R S H A L F - T E R M S P E C I A L To launch Little Stars in the community we will be bringing in a Bouncy Castle and Ball Pit for our little people during half term. There will also be free-play, craft activities, refreshments, story time and action songs. Everybody with babies and pre-school children can just turn up and enjoy the fun on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th February, 10:30am-12:30pm (£3 per family). If you have a baby or pre-school child but have older children with you because of half term, they are very welcome to come with you, however please be aware that the space will be set up for younger children. Please pick up a flyer from the back and hand them out to anyone you know who has a young child and start spreading the word about Little Stars! For more information please contact Andrew Beebee, our Children’s’ and Youth Minister: andrew@malmesburyabbey.com.
CONTAC Life on theT edge
ABBEY KITCHEN
Tuesday 9 February 11.00am, Malmesbury Abbey, Gloucester Street, Malmesbury SN16 0AA Listen to the inspiring stories of Rezwana Islam, while enjoying coffee and cake. All are welcome to this free event. 6.30pm onwards, St Mary's Marlborough, SN8 1JQ Tea and coffee served from 6.30pm, and at 7pm a presentation will be given by Rezwana. All are welcome to this free event. Rezwana Islam from Christian Aid 1 2 t h Cshares E N T Ufirst-hand R Y B E Aexperiences UTY 21st Bangladesh of working with partners in Bangladesh, the focus of Christian Aid Week 2016.
CENTURY CHURCH Further details: 023 8070 6969 or email: southampton@christian-aid.org
Christian Aid is a registered charity no. 1105851 Company no. 5171525 The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid
ABBEY OFFICE