General Chat

Good morning :-)


Something associated with this time of year is the beautiful Passion Flower.

Even the history of this striking flower is rich with reverence. Called "Espina de Cristo" (Christ's thorns) by Spanish Christian missionaries who first discovered it in South America, each part of the flower holds symbolic meaning in recognition of the crucifixion story - the passion of the Christ.

Five sepals and five petals refer to the ten faithful apostles (excluding Judas and Peter).

Three stigma represent the three nails that held Christ to the cross.

Five anthers represent his five sacred wounds.

The tendrils of the flower are said to resemble the whips used in the whipping.

The filaments, which can number in excess of a hundred depending on the flower, depict the crown of thorns.

This powerful symbolism has led to the inclusion of the Passion Flower among the ornamentation of various churches, such as in stained glass window designs, altar frontals and lectern falls.

Lord, as we marvel at the beauty of this flower, may we be touched by the symbolism of your passion and pain. Amen.

Cx :-)

I think a lot of churches these days are much more geared up to children, though your church seems to be quite exceptional Cynthia. I also like the fact that church buildings are used for much more than just once a week services.

I am sorry to hear that your hubby is not too well again Kandj. I hope the antibiotics kick in quickly. Care for him but take care of yourself as well.

Today my thoughts are with all who are suffering mental problems. May they receive support and comfort.

Good morning :-)

Loved that article Dermot, although I think it should be pointed out that many churches draw a huge amount of young families into their midst. We get a fair few, but we do realise that it is often to do with getting into school etc. However, whilst they attend, we hope and pray that a seed may be sown.

We are an officially 'child friendly' church and have a diocesan certificate to prove it :-D

We have the toilet facilities necessary - changing station etc and a whole host of toys which can be played with in the meeting room which is at the back of church.

Each pre-schooler is handed a bag which contains crayons, books and a lacing card and a picture to colour.

We simply ask that parents keep their children from playing in the chancel and sanctuary areas - apart from the fact that these are spaces which are much respected during worship, there are also sharp corners, steps and lit candles to contend with.

On with today......

We have now entered the last two weeks of Lent…..known as Passiontide. This begins on Passion Sunday (yesterday) and ends on Holy Saturday.

The Passion of Christ is the story of Jesus Christ's arrest, trial and suffering. It ends with his execution by crucifixion. The Passion is an episode in a longer story and cannot be properly understood without the story of the Resurrection.

The word Passion comes from the Latin word for suffering. The Passion is a story about injustice, doubt, fear, pain and, ultimately, degrading death. It tells how God experienced these things in the same way as ordinary human beings.

During the next two weeks we will look at some of the aspects of this holy season.

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever.

Amen.

Amongst the various items discussed at our local Three-Parish Pastoral Council meeting held in October last year was the worrying dearth of youngsters & young families attending our churches. One might conclude that the Pied Piper of Hamelin had marched through the area.

There was an old rule of thumb much loved and adhered to by adults of a bye-gone generation that suggested young children should be seen and not heard. Few, it should be said, took that idea more to heart than the Catholic Church. The only noise expected to be made (the collection plate excepted) during Mass was to respond to the priest in the way laid out in the Mass booklet.

For the few carefree youngsters who might have taken a more freestyle approach to proceedings on the Altar, there were special rooms – still are in some churches – into which those likely to make irritant noises during Mass were corralled like sheep.

Some foolhardy inexperienced parents were brave enough to take a chance on their little treasures maintaining a job-like silence during ceremonies. But they then ran the risk of having to take the ultimate walk of shame down the side aisle with a screaming child wriggling from their grasp while the priest would halt proceedings temporarily just to heighten the tension & embarrassment.

Talking during Mass was up there with stealing the altar wine in terms of sin – but, it seems, no more. One church in London I used to attend made a point of reminding parents that there were crayons and sheets of paper in front of the altar in case any of the younger participants need a temporary diversion.

Apparently, this church isn't on its own in this more liberal approach to children – other churches have been doing so for years – although I’ve not witnessed it down here in Devon yet.

The sheets of paper supplied – it must be said – had a religious theme to them, but little people just want to colour inside and outside the printed lines; some very young ones may not recognise Christ’s face from Goosy Goosy Gander on TV, and they're as likely to give Him a purple face as a flesh-coloured one. No harm!

Nobody really minds the odd yelp out of a little person during Mass – at least outside of the consecration – and bringing them along is the only way that young parents themselves can get to go in the first place.

Equally, after arriving at church, what's the point of enclosing yourself & offspring in a soundproof room away from the main body of the Church? You might as well stay at home and tune into a Mass on local radio.

So setting out the crayons is a good idea – assuming the little ones stick to colouring in the pages rather than parts of the church’s ancient & precious fabric. There is little wrong with a little bit of noise during Mass anyway; God did not intend anyone to sit like automatons, speaking only when spoken to – and certainly healthy two year olds were never put on this earth to sit still for very long.

Small steps for sure, but ones in the right direction – and maybe the next generation will turn Mass attendance into an art form as well as regular occurrence. Please God, it will happen!

Good morning :-)


Awww.... so sorry to hear that your husband isn't too well again kandj.......don't worry about those weeds, you need your energy to look after yourself as well.

Yes, the link was an April Fool's joke as far as our church is concerned, but the practice of baptising babies in such a fashion is commonplace in Russia and elsewhere. I looked at several such videos and watched open mouthed as the babies were 'dunked' in quite a violent fashion. :-0

The Collect for today....

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


The gospel for today tells the wonderful story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.


Take care all. Cx :-)

Hello all

Hubby not well at all, back to more antibiotics poor love. Hope they kick in soon.

Cynthia I looked at your mass baptism link, noooooo, just far too cruel to baby!!
An April Fool joke I hope???

This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice
and be glad in it. Psalm 118;24 of the King James Version.

A bright dry day here, the garden weeds are calling me outside,I need some energy

Blessing to all reading this today xxx

Good morning :-)


This is a new day that God has made

Rejoice and celebrate.
Enjoy it, God is with you
May you have blessings in
everything you do and say.

Have a great day, to look at your family
and thank God for them.
See how God is helping them
in whatever they need.

Make it a day full of light and harmony
on the whole family,
with opportunities to share
even by phone or skype
keep in good loving relationships.


On another note, we have a very large number of baptisms at our church as I am sure some of you will have realised.

Recently, the PCC discussed the possibility of introducing a new system similar to the one shown in the following link. We can but try.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne6JCpuvMWw


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Good to see you kandj....... <3


Lent is a time to take time to let the power
of our faith story take hold of us,
a time to let the events get up
and walk around in us,
a time to intensify our living unto Christ,
a time to hover over the thoughts of our hearts,
a time to place our feet in the streets of
Jerusalem or to walk along the sea and
listen to his Word,
a time to touch his robe
and feel the healing surge through us,
a time to ponder and a time to wonder….
Lent is a time to allow
a fresh new taste of God!
Perhaps we’re afraid to have time to think,
for thoughts come unbidden.
Perhaps we’re afraid to face our future
knowing our past.
Give us courage, O God,
to hear your Word
and to read our living into it.
Give us the trust to know we’re forgiven
and give us the faith
to take up our lives and walk.

- Ann Weems

Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Thank you for Jesu lover of my soul link. One of my favourite hymns Cynthia.

Little children passing here this morning carrying home made Easter decorations
of chicks and lambs and colourful eggs. All excited and happy faces for school.

"Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there."
(Clarence W.Hall)

A smile on its way to whoever is needing one today. xx

Good morning :-)


As we move slowly through Lent, we begin to think about what lies ahead..

What Easter means to me....

• A fresh start.
• A clean start.
• Forgiven pasts.
• True Love that lasts.
• A Holy embrace.
• A face to Face.
• Man’s peace restored forevermore.
• Love far and wide for me, His bride.
• The Saviour Divine,
• Forever mine.
• No longer blind, now Christ I see.
• That’s what Easter means to me.

- Jennifer Walker


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



During the season of Lent, this hymn is often sung…..the language may be archaic but the sentiments are prayerful…and comforting.



Jesu, lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters toll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, till the storm of life is past:
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on thee;
Leave, ah! Leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed, all my help from thee I bring,
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of thy wing.

Plenteous grace with thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound,
make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of thee;
Spring thou up within my heart, rise to all eternity.


To hear it, please click on this link..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFaiiPv-Q6I



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)




During these days of Lent, we have seen definite signs of spring arriving.


God, give us eyes to see
the beauty of the spring,
And to behold Your majesty
in every living thing –
And may we see in lacy leaves
and every budding flower
The Hand that rules the universe
with gentleness and power –
And may this Easter grandeur
that spring lavishly imparts
Awaken faded flowers of faith
lying dormant in our hearts,
And give us ears to hear, dear God,
the springtime song of birds
With messages more meaningful
than man’s often empty words
Telling harried human beings
who are lost in dark despair –
‘Be like us and do not worry
for God has you in His care.

- Helen Steiner Rice.


Hope all are well. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



As we work through another week of Lent, we turn to the aspect of prayer through poetry.

Yesterday we thought about mothers……here a mother thinks about her children.


A Mother's Prayer

Lord, give me strength just for today
To lead my children in your way;
Oh, give me wisdom, Lord, and grace
To show to them your precious face!

And help me, Lord, to teach them, too,
The things of Christ so rich and true,
Just let them see in me, dear Lord,
Your holiness in life and word.

Keep me from sinning with my tongue,
From harsh, quick words that might have stung
Their tender hearts that trust me so
And watch to see which way I go.

Dear Father, keep my thoughts so pure
That they will always know for sure
My Lord has lead me all the way,
Lord, grant my prayer just for today.


Love to all. Cx :-)

Hello all.

Joining Emma saying thanks for a lovely Mothering Sunday prayer.

Gentle hugs to all who are feeling sad or upset on this Mothers' Day. xxx

Lovely prayer Cynthia thank you x

Good morning :-)


Today is Mothering Sunday - a day when we remember not only our mothers, but also our parish (mother) church. Lots of mums and children will be attending services all over the country today.

A Pray for Mothering Sunday.

Thank you God for the love of our mothers:
Thank you for their care and concern;
Thank you for the joys
they have shared with us;
Thank you God for the
pains they have borne for us;
Thank you God for all that they give us
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Thinking of our mothers, both those long gone and those still with us.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, reading about vision in your morning posting had me singing this hymn
All are welcome to join in............

Be thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought through the day and the night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Ongoing thoughts and prayers for the injured victims and grieving families
following on from Wednesdays Westminster attack. xxx

Good morning :-)


Today we take a last look at a Christian charity as we ponder on the giving aspect of Lent.


World Vision is the world’s largest international children’s charity.

Our story began in 1947 when Dr Bob Pierce, an American evangelist and war cor-respondent, took a life-changing trip to China and Korea. Amid the incredible pov-erty, one girl’s need tore at his heart.

Her name was White Jade. Bob gave her guardian his last five dollars to support her upbringing and keep her enrolled in school. He sent another five dollars every month. But he wanted to do more.

Please click on the link if you would like to know more……

http://www.worldvision.org.uk/


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Today, in our looking at various Christian charities in the spirit of giving during Lent, I have found one which is fairly local to me but there may, of course, be similar charities across the country....


Mustard Tree – combating homelessness and poverty in Greater Manchester.

Mustard Tree was named by its founder, Dave Smith, who was inspired by one of the parables told by Jesus. It is found in Matthew chapter 13, verses 31-32.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and be-comes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

‘We adopt a non-judgmental approach and treat all who come as equally valuable, regardless of race, faith, sexuality, gender or social standing.’

If you would like to find out more, please click on the link…..

http://www.mustardtree.org.uk/


We continue to remember the tragic happenings in Westminster and pray for all those involved.

Cx :-)

Another senseless act of violence, may they all rest in peace.

My thoughts are with those who are fighting to survive their injuries.

My thoughts and prayers to all family and friends at this time.