Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
St Mary’s Church Newick
A Worshipping Community - Sunday 16th August 2020
Dear Friends,
Just as the heat of the last fortnight has been challenging too many of us, we have two rather challenging encounters
in our scripture this week, and I am not at all envious that James is speaking to us on this passage at his final service
for Newick on Sunday.
The Pharisees sometimes define themselves by what they’re not rather than what they are – drawing lines around
who’s ‘in’ and who’s ‘out’.
Their offence at Jesus’ words stops them from learning and growing spiritually. It can be easy to step into the ways
of the Pharisees, but we need to constantly remind ourselves to walk in the footsteps of Jesus instead!
The story of the Canaanite woman can be tricky to interpret but it shares the thematic link of food and belonging
with the other half of the passage. While the Pharisees are blinded by their offence over trivial things, a Gentile
woman sees clearly who Jesus is, and Jesus wants the disciples to learn from her.
The Canaanite woman’s mention of the scavenging dogs may refer to a theme in God’s relationship with the people
of Israel: alongside the injunction to enjoy and be thankful for God’s bounty, there was always a command to leave
something for the marginalised. Nothing, neither the grain in your fields, nor the olives on your trees (see Leviticus
19.9; Deuteronomy 24.20), was yours unconditionally.
Good husbandry with a controlled surplus resembles what we have noticed this spring and summer in lockdown.
Our over-tended environment needed to get back into balance with nature for the sake of the climate and the
eco-systems that sustain it. We Covid-19 garden enthusiasts were enjoined to leave briars alone to provide food and
habitat for insects, birds and other creatures. Hedgerows have bloomed with native wildflowers where mowing and
hedge-cutting have just not happened. Beds in parks and public gardens where formal carpet bedding was the norm
have been sown with wild-flower seeds to the delight of bees and butterflies. The environment thrives on benign
neglect!
But in our communities, it seems, increased controls, necessary in an epidemic, have produced increased tensions. As
we reach mid-August, UK schools start to return, Scotland first. Debates over the relative merits of centralised
efficiency and localised pragmatism flare up and turn to fierce arguments. There is distressing turmoil around the
‘exam’ results which will determine the futures of this year’s school-leavers. Some localism has entered the
government public health agenda, although, as local bodies take on more contact tracing, ministers still seem to deny
that central control is reduced. It can appear that governments’ demands for centralised systems are driven by a
self-regarding thirst for control and conformity, often followed by a laissez-faire panic. Concern to look good,
comparable with the Pharisees’ concern with externals, is followed by a hasty retreat from adverse consequences.
In the story of Matthew 15.10-28, Jesus releases his healing, declaring a new perspective. With anxiety levels so high,
can his sensitive choices point us to the same thoughtful adjustments in human affairs, as in our relations with nature?
Benign neglect won’t help here. We need to replace self-regarding controls with outwardly focused care. BAME
people, so disproportionately affected by Covid-19, are fearful, as are the unemployed. Many disadvantaged
students, penalised by carefully constructed algorithms, are perplexed and angry. Many local public health officers,
teachers and Head teachers, are frustrated.
How can we restore calm and a sense of proportion and bring healing to our communities?
Who may be speaking into our community from a new perspective?
How can we make sure we hear and value the voice of the ‘outsider’?
Perhaps we need to accept, for ourselves, as the New Testament Jewish people did, that it is not good to try to
control every aspect of life.
Then we wait, patiently, for better aspects of ‘new normal’ to emerge, just like those flowers!
Have a good week, stay well, stay cool & stay safe
Paul
St Mary’s Newick Newsletter
14th August 2020
Our Prayer for Growth
God of Mission Who alone brings
growth to your Church,
Send your Holy Spirit to give
Vision to our planning,
Wisdom to our actions, and power to our witness.
Help our church to grow in numbers,
In spiritual commitment to you,
And in service to our local community,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOOD BANK DONATIONS
As a Church, we support FSW, the Family support charity helping children
and families in Sussex.
Our particular support is giving food – cans, pasta etc to the Uckfield
branch of FSW to distribute through their food bank. The current Covid
pandemic is causing a sharp increase in the demands on the foodbank –
there is real suffering, hurt and hardship out there.
Ron and June Perou collect donations in the porch at the Church each
Sunday and deliver them to the food bank.
If you have a chance to pick up an extra item at the supermarket or are
able to add an additional item to your online delivery please be assured
that they will be very gratefully received.
A lot of small donations make a big difference
https://www.familysupportwork.org/
Please remember those on our prayer list who are unwell.
Please pray for: Becky Andrew, Rosemary Begbie, Beryl Campion-Smith, Joan Carlton,
John Hart, Joy Hay, Mike Hawkes, Fiona Hawthorne, June Herron,
Lizzie James, Spike MacGuire, Christina McCann, Adrian,
Andrea & Amber Pariss, Gemma Peacock, Gerry Smith,
Martin & Pat Tardiff, Dave Tolhurst, Danielle Tora, Toni Warrilow,
Sean Watson, Mick Weeding, Allen Whitmore, Nasima Wright
If you would like to receive prayer or know someone who would, please contact Rev Paul Mundy on 01825 723186.
We continue to pray for all of our NHS, Care workers and Key workers.
Please keep PCSO Rose Stainer and her family in your prayers and pray to keep her safe in her job.
Please can we remember to hold Nightingales and St Peter and St James Hospice
in our prayers at this time as they are receiving greater number of residents.
We pray for our Newlyweds Rachel Styles and Greg Taplin, may their day be blessed
and their future an amazing adventure of Joy, Love and connection with God.
We pray for the soul of Gwilym Roberts and for his funeral on Monday 17th August at Streat Church.
‘Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him’
Please pray for Wendy, Matthew, Annabel and all the family.
NEWICK GOOD NEIGHBOURS
Following the support given through the pandemic via Newick Community Response,
there is now a permanent group of volunteers set up via Newick Good Neighbours, who
will be there to continue to support those in the community who need help with
shopping, prescription collections and so on.
If you need a little help please contact [email protected]
Over the past 2 weeks I have written about the way we have fed caterpillars, slugs, snails, pigeons, blackbirds and
mice, this week has found us sustaining horse flies and midges, all in our house are complaining about being
bitten, hopefully this threat will improve as the weather changes!
I want to pay a tribute to James, Lucy and family who are moving on to Seaford and have been outstanding in
their love and care for their flocks, especially with their on line worship sessions. They will be so much missed but
with busy and exciting times ahead. The relationship between the two churches of Barcombe and Newick goes
back a long way, I first met James when I was involved with the youth group held in the Barn Centre years ago
which benefitted my own children and many others and the success of these recent years has been a blessing to
both Churches.
It's certainly a time of change in the midst of very challenging times but with Clergy of the calibre of James, Lucy
and Paul, the Church of England is very blessed!
Best wishes, Patsy x
BARN CENTRE NEWS
The Barn Centre Committee is keen to make the building available for use
and hire now that lockdown restrictions are easing. We are therefore
hoping to re-open the Barn for small group activities from 1st August.
Up to eight people plus tutor will be allowed to meet in the Cart Lodge
for activities such as Tai Chi, Yoga, Dance, Pilates and Art.
Further details will be available shortly.
Sue Balloch - [email protected]
SUNDAY 16TH
AUGUST SERVICE
The service on the 16th is the leaving service for James, Lucy and family. If you are joining us at St Marys Newick
please click HERE to register. The service will also be live streamed on the St Mary’s Facebook page.
Please take a look at www.newickchurch.org
Notices & Newsletters https://newickchurch.org/newsletters-notices/
Church Services https://newickchurch.org/services/
APCM Forms https://newickchurch.org/apcm-annual-parochial-church-
meeting/
Events https://newickchurch.org/events/
Youth News https://newickchurch.org/august-sunday-club/
Donations https://newickchurch.org/donations/
Newick -Automated External Defibrillators https://tinyurl.com/y8uopqgv
PETROL PUMP
WISDOM
If you have been out and about and would like to share a photograph of the village/village life/summer scenes
please send it to me at [email protected]
If you would like to add anything to the newsletter or any details on the newsletter to be updated or amended
please email [email protected]
Newick Memory
Moments Café
All meeting are suspended but help and advice can be found at
http://knowdementia.co.uk/moments
Lady Vernon Trust
“Lady Vernon Trust” For information about grants for educational purposes for
young people up to the age of 25 years please contact Linda Farmer 01825
722061 or email [email protected]
Newick Trust
Relieving Poverty in Newick. For financial support in times of crisis.
Contact Geoff 01825 722512
Newick Good Neighbours
Following the support given through the pandemic via Newick Community
Response, there is now a permanent group of volunteers set up via Newick
Good Neighbours, who will be there to continue to support those in the
community who need help with shopping, prescription collections and so on.
If you need a little help please contact [email protected]
Worship at St Mary’s, Newick, During COVID19
What To Expect!
Before you arrive
We ask you to consider your own risk of attending an indoor gathering. While we will be taking a number of
steps to keep you safe, we cannot make this risk-free. You might want to look at the NHS guidance on whether
you are at higher risk of coronavirus and be guided by their
advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk/whos-at-higher-risk-
fromcoronavirus/
We ask you NOT to attend the service if you have: A new cough: A temperature: Lost your sense of smell or
taste.
You may want to bring your own hand sanitiser, although some will be available
You are welcome to wear a mask/face covering. Please remember that face coverings protect others from your
germs – they are not very good at protecting you from other people’s germs. They are not a replacement for
good social distancing, hand hygiene, and self-isolating if you have symptoms when you arrive.
When you arrive, we will take some contact details. These will be kept for 3 weeks after the service and given
to Track and Trace if someone from the service later tests positive for coronavirus. They won’t be used for any
other reason and if they are not needed for this purpose, they will be securely disposed of after 3 weeks.
The welcomer will let people into the building in households/bubbles. You will be asked to sanitise your hands
on arrival, then go immediately to a seat in church.
The seating in church will be arranged in ones and twos at 2m intervals from each other. We ask you to go
straight to your seat and remain there for the duration of the service.
Gentle music will be playing to help you pray as you wait for the service to begin.
The doors will remain open during the service to allow some ventilation so you may notice it is a little cooler
than you expect.
During the Service
The words you need for the service will be on a paper order of service on your seat or projected onto the
screen. If you receive a paper copy (8:00 am) this will then be your personal copy. Please take it home with
you after the service and bring it back next time.
The service will be livestreamed on our Facebook page, but those watching at home will only be able to see
those on the chancel step e.g. the priest, someone leading the prayers etc. To ensure we include those
worshiping at home, some elements of service (e.g. a reading, the prayers or a sermon) may be given by
someone at home. You will be able to listen to the audio of this.
Due to risk of aerosol spread, there will be no singing during the service.
We ask that when you are saying the responses that you speak quietly and prayerfully – again to reduce risk of
droplet spread.
During distribution of communion, only bread will be distributed. The priest will wear a mask and wash their
hands before distribution. The bread will be distributed from the chancel step, please remain standing to
receive. Please form an appropriately distanced queue and return to your seat avoiding others. You might want
to use your hand sanitiser (if you have brought some) before receiving communion.
If you do not want to receive communion for any reason, that is absolutely fine – just place your hands across
your chest and the priest will pray a blessing instead or remain in your seat.
At the end of the service
After the priest has processed out, the welcomer will ask people to leave a row at a time.
Please wait for the welcomer to ask you to leave.
Please take any orders of service home with you.
Please do not stop to chat while leaving the building. Once out of the building you are welcome to talk in small
groups of not more than 6 in the churchyard.
Please do not block other people’s exit from the building.
Please remember to stay 2m apart from people from other households.
If you test positive for coronavirus up to three weeks after the service, please let us know.
On Monday a group of 26 Owls and Palm Club families met at Knockhatch Farm for a socially distanced day of fun
in the sun (extreme sun!). We very much made the most of the activities that were open and the half-price ice
creams. A few of us braved the heights of the ‘Wave runner’, all enjoyed the rowing boat lake, Dragon Castle and
Dino Safari Simulator ride, amongst other entertainments. The animals delighted us all, especially the beautiful Owls,
who braved the heat for a treat to amaze us with their graceful flights. As it was Evangelina’s 11th birthday, we got to
embarrass her with some off-key public singing, although her girl-racer tactics on the Go-Karts helped her get over
this! Yes, it was hot, yes the shade was limited but we made the most of it and had FUN!
Dear all,
How are you all? Wow, has it been hot this week! I have found myself sitting out in the garden at 1:30am for the
last three nights trying to cool down. Although sleep deprivation is catching up on me, it has been special to see the
stars, marvel at the bats flying silently overhead and watching out for our visiting hedgehog. It has also been a
chance to cry out to God for His mercy and protection. Psalm 91:1-4 has come to mind: “I will say to the Lord, “He
is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust”.
As I’m off camping in Cornwall next week (probably in the rain!), this week’s video and craft is actually linked to 23
August, focusing on Matthew 16:13-20, which is when Jesus asks his disciples “Who do people say I am?” It’s a good
question to ask each other, “Who do you say Jesus is?” Here is the link for the video:
https://youtu.be/oXLxmx2w5ww
I was so hot filming it, I could barely think, so please excuse any mumblings! I did crop it in places but it then made
the recording a bit odd, but hey-ho. Too hot to re-record! The key craft did turn out to be fun though, so if you can
find enough redundant keys, it does make a very effective wind chime (just make sure you knot the keys near
enough to each other to chime).
There are still some of the attached activity sheets in the Barcombe, Fletching, Newick Church
porches (with free rainbow pencil). As I’ve missed this Sunday’s, which has two sheets for
some reason, you may want to have a go at those with your children. All three Churches are
named after St Mary, so this week’s one about the wonderful song that Mary sang about
being pregnant with Jesus is appropriate and full of joy, “His mercy flows in wave after wave
on those who are in awe before him” (Messenger Luke 1:50). I also like this as a jumping
with joy craft but haven’t had a chance to make it yet: Jumping bunny
https://www.creativelittleexplorers.com/jumping-bunny-cup-craft/
I mentioned last week two fab competitions and managed to persuade my younger son to take some pictures of
our front garden for the first (below) and have entered them in the teenage category.
Images of Harvest
The Arthur Rank Centre Photography Competition 2020
It’s being run by the Arthur Rank Centre, a Christian charity set up to support
rural communities.
There are different age categories and the deadline is Monday 31st August.
The link is: HERE
Photos cannot show any identifiable human faces, names or logos.
BIBLE STORY MINECRAFT COMPETITION
Finally, if you or your family members are into Minecraft, the Bible Society has also launched a Summer
competition, deadline 24 August. Click HERE for details.
From Rev’d James (Barcombe)
Dear Lovely People,
This is an invitation to Church for 23rd August 10:30am service.
It will be live on Facebook too - so if you're not going to be physically coming then you don't need to do anything
with this email! (St Mary’s Church, Barcombe Facebook).
If you are coming, please click on the link below, you should then click on the 10:30 button and confirm and put
your name and email in and there's a box in case you can think of anything extra to say.
If you are booking for your bubble, please can you say how many of you will be in that group.
We are trying to work out whether we need to have the service outside or inside, so that's why it would be handy
to know if you're actually coming.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
Else I might see you at the Drive By on the mini-roundabout between 3:00pm and 4:00pm. (Barcombe)
Much love
James
PS: This isn't a ticketed event; it’s just to give us a sense of how many. So there will be a few folk who don’t get this
email and who still rock up, that's fine, but it would really help us if you could do the click thing if you're coming.
Thanks xx
Ali’s August Sunday Club
There are 5 Sundays in August!
Sunday 2nd
August
Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus feeds the 5000+
Activity: You will need
500g flour, 1 packet yeast, 1tsp salt, 1tbsp sugar
2tbsp oil, 240ml water
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/eaS595w6W6U
Sunday 9th August
Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus walks on water
Activity: Raft making (lollipops/corks/stick/paper/glue)
https://www.facebook.com/saintmarysnewick/videos/726794544773767:
Sunday 16th August
Luke 1:39-56
Singing and Jumping for Joy
Activity: Jumping bunny
https://www.creativelittleexplorers.com/jumping-bunny-cup-craft/
Sunday 23rd August
Matthew 16: 13-20
The Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven
Activity: Key art (have you got any spare keys lying about? I’ve got loads!)
Sunday 30th August
Matthew 16: 21-27
God’s Plan
Activity: Map art (have you got any old maps lying about? Atlases?)
