Pew Sheet – 28th May 2023

The Rector writes  ’Today is the day of Pentecost…

a truly wonderful high holy day in our liturgical year… some people call it the Church’s Official Birthday and it is  a fact that on that day, the disciples gathered in one place really came together as one Body as never before.  I have included on the back page a wonderful Pentecost Sonnet by the lovely Anglican Priest/Poet Malcolm Guite, have a careful read of it when you get a moment during the week. I love that Poets can express in words so much of what is, for most of us, just a feeling or a fleeting thought.  I suppose Art in general is like that isn’t it? –  a few brushstrokes or well chosen words and you are all of a sudden transported to a different world, to a different understanding of something quite ordinary.   Anyway, back to prosaic matters, I’m in the Holy Land  from Friday 2nd June until Saturday 17th June (which is the day of the Diocesan Synod in the Celtic Ross Hotel, Roscarberry and I’m thankful that I will just about make it!).  I’m very grateful to the clergy team from Carrigrohane Parish who are available for pastoral emergencies while I am away. Contact the Revd Robert Ferris 085-1800720 if such an emergency arises.  

The Diocesan Secretary is providing cover for the Morning Prayer Services on Sundays 4th and 11th. At the time of writing, I have no idea who this will be so good luck and play nice !  

There is a Service this coming Wednesday 31st May but please note that there will be NO Wednesday Service on 7th and 14th June’  

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The Rector has often mentioned her favourite living poet, Ayodeji Malcolm Guite, who is an Anglican Priest, a Poet, Singer-Songwriter, and Academic. He writes the weekly ’Poet’s Corner’ in the Church Times.

Here he is in his own words… 

           Drawn from ‘Sounding the Seasons’, my cycle of sonnets for the Church Year, this is a sonnet reflecting on and celebrating the themes and readings of Pentecost. Throughout the cycle, and more widely,

I have been reflecting on the traditional ‘four elements’ of earth, air, water and fire. I have been considering how each of them expresses and embodies different aspects of the Gospel and of God’s goodness, as though the four elements were, in their own way, another four evangelists. In that context I was very struck by the way Scripture expresses the presence of the Holy Spirit through the three most dynamic of the four elements, the air, ( a mighty rushing wind, but also the breath of the spirit) water, (the waters of baptism, the river of life, the fountain springing up to eternal life promised by Jesus) and of course fire, the tongues of flame at Pentecost. Three out of four ain’t bad, but I was wondering, where is the fourth? Where is earth? And then I realised that we ourselves are earth, the ‘Adam’ made of the red clay, and we become living beings, fully alive, when the Holy Spirit, clothed in the three other elements comes upon us and becomes a part of who we are. So something of that reflection is embodied in the sonnet

Today we feel the wind beneath our wings
Today  the hidden fountain flows and plays
Today the church draws breath at last and sings
As every flame becomes a Tongue of praise.
This is the feast of fire, air, and water
Poured out and breathed and kindled into earth.
The earth herself awakens to her maker
And is translated out of death to birth.
The right words come today in their right order
And every word spells freedom and release
Today the gospel crosses every border
All tongues are loosened by the Prince of Peace
Today the lost are found in His translation.

Whose mother tongue is Love in every nation.

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Music Notes 28-05-2023

 

Hymns at St Mary’s

 

531      Where love and loving-kindness dwell

310      Spirit of the living God

314      There’s a Spirit in the air

305     O Breath of Life

 

 

 

Our final hymn today was written by Bessie Porter Head (1850-1936).  She was the youngest daughter of Tobias Porter who managed a firm of flour millers in Belfast. Little is known of her early life but we know that worked with the South Africa General Mission for several years around 1897.

 On her return to England she wrote articles for the Mission’s magazine on the deepening of the spiritual life and on the work of the Holy Spirit.

 Bessie married Albert Head who was chairman of the Keswick Convention, a non-denominational and evangelical meeting held each year in July from 1875. The Convention published a hymn book in 2000 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of its

foundation. Bessie Porter wrote many poems and hymns on spiritual themes and ‘Breath of Life’ is one of her most popular lyrics paired with the wonderful ‘Spiritus Vitae’ tune – also written by a woman, Mary Jane Hammond.

 Bébhinn 087 228 5965

Update on Bicentennial Events

HELP STILL NEEDED !   20 people from our link parish of Perton in the Diocese of Lichfield are joining us for the Flower Festival in July (14th—16th) so if you have a spare room and would like to host one of the Perton parishioners,  please contact the Rector.

Bicentenary Quilt

The final deadline Sunday 2nd July 2023.

I know there are some people still working away on their squares so If you want it included in the quilt please get it to me on or before Sunday 2nd July, this is the absolute final date, no squares can be accepted after this as I have lots of work ahead to get the quilt put together and finished.  Once I start this work I cannot make room for any other squares so please finish your fabulous contributions and don’t be disappointed.  And many thanks for all the wonderful squares received so far and I’m looking forward to the last few too.

Happy creating  Millie Kingston 

We are holding a Scrap Metal Collection over the next few weeks to raise funds for the Parish.  So have a clear out of your shed,  garage and attic!  If you require your scrap metal to be collected then we can arrange to collect if from your home/business.

Call  Henry Forbes on 0872035000 for information on where to drop it off or if you need it collected.