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Athelney Benefice Weekly Bulletin

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us (Psalm 62:8)

Geese, Sheep and Barnacles

Aristotle was a clever chap. He was taught by Plato and went on to become the tutor for Alexander the Great. He set the scene for a lot of later science and logic, and had a lot to say about being virtuous and ethical too. So much of what we know is based on his principles of reason. Now, I don’t wish to be “that guy”, but Aristotle wasn't perfect; he didn’t get everything right. For one thing, even though he noticed birds getting fatter before they disappeared (or migrated), he reasoned that they simply hibernated in trees. He never travelled far enough or quick enough to see the birds after they had migrated somewhere else. Aristotle, for all his intellect, came to a strange conclusion because the evidence wasn't complete. Other people thought that barnacle geese hatched from barnacles, because of the shape of barnacles feathery "feet".

Goodness me, what on earth was he and those around him thinking?! Was he crazy? Clearly not. He saw the world around him and he tried to make sense of it. We are blessed in knowing so much more about the world and so would never make such silly leaps of reason, would we? For example, at the start of this week the field opposite the vicarage was filled with sheep whereas this morning the sheep were gone and there were hundreds of rooks in their place. I would be considered understandably odd if I suggested the sheep had turned into rooks.

In fact, it wasn't until people started using leg rings on birds that migration was "proved" because recognisable and authentic rings were found in far off locations attached to the same birds! It wasn't until 1891 that barnacle geese were seen hatching their own eggs in Greenland.

Evidence and reason are intertwined, but they are not always obvious. "Evidence" can be shoehorned into a reason (like the barnacle geese) and it is not until better evidence is produced that the old ideas are consigned to the archive.

Where does this leave us with faith and miracles, then? Is it not also about evidence and reason? I've not counted them, but there are dozens and dozens of miraculous events all through the Bible, old and new testaments. Moments like water being turned into wine and dead people like Lazarus being brought back to life. Then there are the times when Jesus banishes demons or heals people of their blindness. What are we to make of that? Are such miracles "just" a matter of not knowing what really happened, of not having sufficient evidence? We might develop good arguments that "prove" there is a physical reason for all this. We might spend a lot of time arguing how Lazarus wasn't really dead, or that the five thousand were fed because suddenly people were shamed into sharing what they had brought. All "reasonable" explanations, I grant you. But what if the miracles are there un-explained because they are used to show the glory and power of God in our lived and the ways in which God holds us in the hollow of "his"hand. What if the exorcism of the Gesarene swine (Mark 5:1-20) is described to show how God can help our mental health? What if the giving of sight to a blind man (Mark 8:22-26) is an illustration of the desire we have to see the truth?

The fact is we simply don't understand how God works in our lives. Miracles are when we are astonished that things have worked out as we hoped but didn't dare expect. Miracles are for us to reflect upon and not to use to prove anything. Faith and proof are uncomfortable bed fellows and the point of miracles is to give us hope and to guide our faith, not to prove that birds hibernate, or where rooks come from. Knowing God is not a formal logical proof but a sense of the joy brought through perfect love.

Worship on 3rd Sunday before Advent

Collect

Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, 2 “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

Hebrews 9:24-28

24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; 26 for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Mark 1:14-20

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” 16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Post Communion

God of peace, whose Son Jesus Christ proclaimed the kingdom and restored the broken to wholeness of life: look with compassion on the anguish of the world, and by your healing power make whole both people and nations; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Pastoral Care

Years Mind

We call to mind parishioners who have died at this time in recent years. Basil Mann, Marjorie Hearn, Jane West, Bernard Lepine, Jean Derham, Jean Fiddian-Green

For those who are sick or in need

Years Mind

We call to mind parishioners who have died at this time in recent years.

Elizabeth Howell, Tim Machen, Felicity Wood

For those who are sick or in need

We hold in our prayers those affected locally and nationally by the Coronavirus: patients, carers, families, and friends.

We pray also for Alan, Alison, Andrea, Andy, Anne & family, Anne, Aoife, Audrey (2), Barbara, Ben, Bill, Brian, Chris & Jean, Dave & family, Diane, Sally, Fred and Di, Jean, Val, Jan and Peter, Di, Diane, Eileen, George, Gill, Hannah, Helen, Janet & family, Jean, John, Joyce, Judith & David, Kay, Ken, Lorraine, Louise, Margaret, Mary, Mignon, Pam, Portia, Primrose, Ralph, Rita, Sheila, Sue & Robert, Susan, Thomas, Tom, Victoria, Zillah … ... and for their families and carers, and all those who are in need but not named. Give thanks for those who have recovered.

Prayers for our schools who are currently experiencing some cases of Covid-19.

If there are people or concerns that you wish to be mentioned in prayer, please tell the vicar or churchwardens.

Notices

The Foodbank(s): for some time the churches of the benefice have supported the Food banks in our area. This is wonderful and greatly appreciated by those in need and those who help those in need. During the lockdowns this support has been especially welcomed. This notice is simply to say thank you for the continued giving, and to ensure everyone is aware that the need remains (indeed, is perhaps greater than ever). In recent months we have taken many boxes of food to the Bridgwater food bank in particular, and have also collected monetary gifts from village events like the Stoke St Gregory Songs of Praise. The harvest contributions from Stoke St Gregory school also were sent to Bridgwater (around 40kg). All the food is given to those who have fallen on difficult times: individuals, couples and families. So, again: thank you. And please do continue to give.

North Curry Calendars: The 2022 North Curry Calendar is now available from the North Curry Post Office (£10). Thanks, again, to Julian Comrie for co-ordinating the production of the calendar, to the judges for choosing the photos and to the photographers form offering them in the first place. Proceeds to the church.

Coffee Wednesdays: The first Active Wednesday happened this week and it was very successful. Between 10am and 1pm many gathered in North Curry church to do, chat, relax (with hand massage) and to eat cake and scones. This is happening every Wednesday through November (to begin with). Please do just drop in and natter if that is all you want to do! Thank you to Anne Williams for having the idea and for making it happen.

Appeal of Bells Postponements: The Appeal of Bells events planned for November—The Quiz and Julian Comrie's talk about "What did you do in the lockdown, Grandpa?" have both been postponed due to covid concerns. This is unfortunate of course, but unavoidable given the risk of infection currently experienced across the region. Both will be rearranged for the new year, and anyone with tickets, please hold onto them as they will remain valid. Thank you for your uncerstanding.

All Saints and All Souls: Last Sunday we had two benefice services. For the first, All Saints, at North Curry was a celebration of the work of those who have gone before us all and now rest in the glory of God. A meaningful and uplifting service, even if the vicar got a few things in the wrong order, a la Eric Morecambe(!). The second, in the evening at Burrowbridge was an intimate and profound time for remembrance and thanksgiving, as we recalled those we love who have gone from our world. We read their names and prayed. We sang and we sat in reflective silence. Both services recall death, and both are times for reflection. It was the first time we have held these services since 2019, and with the pandemic very much in our minds, those who have died remain very much on our hearts.

Installation of a new vicar: Wednesday 17th November at 7pm in Stoke St Gregory. I was licensed as Priest in Charge via zoom on 4th February this year, but installation as Vicar requires a physical presence in church so we have had to wait for covid to relent sufficiently and for diaries to become available. The service will be conducted by Bishop Brian Castle and afterwards the benefice will finally have a Vicar, good and proper! Invitations are being sent out (thank you, Jane White!) and plans are being made for the evening. It is all picking up a head of steam. COVID UPDATE: given the creeping increase in cases we are having to be increasingly careful about numbers in St Gregory's. As things stand, we are fairly comfortable with arranging the congregation at Stoke St Gregory according to social distancing regulations. The church will be "full", so masks will be mandatory. Please remains in your seats and be aware of the concerns of others. The refreshments afterwards in the Williams Hall are cause for more concern since we will be moving about more. Again, masks are mandatory (except when noshing!). Doors will be open to ensure good ventilation, so best wear thick socks.

The zoom broadcast this week will be from the 9.30am Eucharist at Lyng

Each Sunday we endeavour to provide an online Zoom broadcast of our worship from one of the Benefice parish churches. This is a little bit hit and miss because connection is unreliable. Please click on the link below and we will be online (we hope!)