tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83859563108833080772024-03-13T02:32:08.840+00:00Bansfield BeneficeThe Bansfield Benefice is the collective name for the Parishes of Cowlinge, Denston, Lidgate, Ousden, Stansfield, Stradishall and Wickhambrook in the Diocese of St Edmundbury and Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom.Bansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-19081842007963137892020-05-22T22:59:00.000+01:002020-05-24T10:57:32.347+01:00Catching the Fire: Online Celebration of Mission Across the Diocese 4pm on Pentecost Sunday<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main link for the streamed Diocesan Service on Pentecost Sunday (31st May 2020) is </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/stedscathedral/live" style="background-color: white; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/stedscathedral/live</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This and other places where you can get the livestream can be found at </span><a data-lynx-mode="hover" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.light-wave.org%2Fcatchingthefire%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0LApgSYHrz3D7auD54jZe-1yrUAAHBI4eP3r0vf5bDteSjkWuFCjkYs8k&h=AT0-b6uL-8vGnDMQvn3ciBaqkCyOrW155tvkiu9ap3BWOlAHJ0AVskCMjfyju8_c876uq-lktlzKOBdO2Yvhyvxg7j_A_S6pMNxW6USnBeYj9OKS2yLoD-WvVU2VTmiaeJAoEouiUkX6CKUOMzkBFQdTdA" href="http://www.light-wave.org/catchingthefire?fbclid=IwAR0LApgSYHrz3D7auD54jZe-1yrUAAHBI4eP3r0vf5bDteSjkWuFCjkYs8k" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background-color: white; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;" target="_blank">www.light-wave.org/catchingthefire</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHILDREN’S MATERIALS: There will be opportunities for children to engage in activities during the service.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every blessing,</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sally Gaze, Archdeacon for Rural Mission</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich</span>Bansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-1688084160864925402020-05-01T19:20:00.004+01:002020-05-01T19:20:57.451+01:00First months as RectorI’ve been asked to reflect on my first two or three months as rector of Bansfield Benefice. I must say, I didn’t particularly feel like doing so because it’s not much of a job at the moment, with the churches being locked and my only good conversations being on the phone, but I suppose it’s important to reflect on difficult times as well as good ones.<br /><br />My new role began in early February with the Bishop making me rector at a special service that was described by a friend as “great, really brilliant - a fine combination of the moving, contemplative and enjoyable.” Then followed five enjoyably hectic weeks of meetings, events (Stansfield parish lunch, Cowlinge village hall pancakes), visiting those who can’t get to church - basically on the go full-time for the first few weeks, in the expectation of reducing to my notional half-time hours thereafter. Those weeks were busy, interesting and fun.<br /><br />Then came the sudden instruction for social-distancing in church services and the good-humoured adaptation to it by the congregation, thinking this was to be the new normal for a few months … quickly followed by the shift to churches being closed except for private prayer … then within days the heavy, heavy disappointment of churches closed altogether.<br /><br />I don’t have a specifically Christian ‘angle’ on all this. Like many people I speak to, I’ve been aware how fortunate I am to have a garden and access to countryside for dog-walks, easy access to the supermarket and plenty of things to get on with at home; so fortunate to live alone at a time when many experience irritating or even violent relationships in their home.<br /><br />So I didn’t notice the loneliness creeping up on me; the lack of motivation to make phone calls, write emails, attend to admin tasks, DIY or gardening. I was lucky, I told myself; of course I’m ok.<br /><br />It was only when another lovely face-time chat with my son left me feeling sad for the rest of the day, that I realised I deeply miss the actual physical presence of other people and a hug from family or friend. There’s no substitute for that. Some of us simply live with this lack, this absence, for now. <br /><br />I’m glad I’ve admitted to myself that it’s hard, because this admission honours the value of physical companionship and stops me lying to myself that it doesn’t matter. It does matter, I must treasure it, and I hope I never take it for granted again.<br /><br />Here’s a prayer I’ve used at a time of bereavement, and I find it helpful now in this different loss, where the loss of physical presence, the absence of a hug, is pressing in. It’s best said outdoors.<br /><br />O God, though you are unseen, <br />let me see you all around;<br />though you are silent, <br />let me hear you in the birdsong and the trees;<br />though you are untouchable, <br />let me feel your touch in those who care about me;<br />though you are unknowable, <br />O God, let me know your presence<br />amidst the mystery of loss.<div>
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Revd Eve Bell</div>
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Rector Bansfield Benefice</div>
Bansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-22325208072222515272020-04-12T16:21:00.000+01:002020-04-12T16:21:32.712+01:00Easter Lockdown MessageWhat’s been increasingly heavy on my heart this lockdown period is the reported upswing in instances of domestic violence facilitated by the increased stress of the current situation and the increased opportunity to express anger in secret violence. I can’t imagine how trapped I’d feel if I couldn’t escape, especially with no idea how long the lockdown will last.<br /><br />I dislike the term ‘domestic violence’. Somehow the word ‘domestic’ makes it sound almost homely and minimises the reality of what happens. When I worked in prison, the correct words were used: assault, grievous bodily harm, rape, murder - words that convey the reality of crimes committed against your own family, though even these terms fail to convey the shattering betrayal of the trust we all need in our closest relationships.<br /><br />I’m fortunate enough never to have experienced it first-hand myself, but have heard many personal stories from friends, colleagues, relatives and prisoners, male and female, starting with my friend and work colleague Tracy, when we were young adults. She returned from a week’s sick leave supposedly due to a very heavy cold, but told me she’d had to wait at home a week to let the bruising fade away on her face sufficiently to be covered by make-up. Something done in secret, that makes the recipient feel they, too, need to keep it shamefully hidden as if they share the blame, often because they’ve been told it IS their fault: that if their personality, behaviour or body was nicer, better, prettier, the violence wouldn’t have erupted.<br /><br />I don’t know if there’s something we, the Bansfield church community, could or should be doing to support those trapped in this way, in addition to caring about it and praying for them. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.<br /><br />What I DO know is that the Easter message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates that God values the whole human person, mind and body. The pattern of Jesus’ resurrection is asserted as the pattern for all human beings; and, because it was as easy then as it is now for people to suppose there’s at best a dis-embodied after-life, the resurrection stories repeatedly stress the sheer solid body of the risen Christ, complete with hands, feet and digestive system. I like the phrase in one of Peter’s speeches where he says God raised Jesus and allowed him to appear ‘to us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead’. Sure enough, a body free from the same limitations as before, but nonetheless a real eating, drinking body (Acts 10.40-41).<br /><br />This speaks to me of God not just caring about people’s psychological damage but also loving those battered, shamed, even murdered bodies of the lockdown period; not letting them be snuffed out permanently as if their bodies ultimately didn’t matter, but raising them to new, safe, life - both in this life, if the wider community has the will to ensure it, and in the resurrection life of the world to come.<br /><br />Despite the seriousness of this message, I do wish you all a very Happy Easter! I do miss you an awful lot!<br /><br />Eve<br /><br />Eve Bell<br />Rector, Bansfield BeneficeBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-75557645098237124832020-03-01T19:10:00.000+00:002020-05-01T19:13:00.659+01:00Eve Bell our new Rector - InstallationFinding someone new to fill the position of Rector is never an easy task, but at 7.30pm on Monday 3rd of February in Wickhambrook church the process was completed. The Institution, Induction and Installation of Reverend Eve Bell as Rector of the Bansfield Benefice was a joyous occasion bringing together many people: Mike, Bishop of Dunwich; David, Archdeacon of Sudbury; Stuart, Rural Dean of Clare; Joe, Dean of the Cathedral; Clergy who have helped out over the last two years; Clergy from the Catholic, Methodist and United Reform church and parish representatives from the seven churches of the benefice. Family and friends were also present, parishioners and Parish Council representatives from the seven parishes and Miss Towns, the headteacher of Wickhambrook Primary Academy, all helping to swell the throng in the church. But this evening, the star was Eve, beaming away and enjoying every moment of her big night.<br />
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The church was warm, always a good start, with candles adorning the sills of the windows to give extra atmosphere. The flower arrangements gave the final touch to the visual splendour of the church. Clergy were in their finery and specially printed souvenir service books distributed. All was now in place for the service to begin. Ken Ireland, our organist for the evening, introduced the processional hymn, a cue for the entourage of cross bearer, Clergy, fourteen wand-bearing parish representatives, the Archdeacon, Bishop and Eve to process to their seats. The service itself was a lovely affair steeped with symbolism demonstrating the importance of the role of Rector in our parishes. The language of the service and choice of hymns, all sung with gusto, added to the occasion. The final act of the installation was the presentation of “Cure of Souls” within our seven parishes, and thus we had our new Rector. The service concluded with the recessional hymn and then a chance for the assembled throng to meet, congratulate and chat with Eve our new Rector. To facilitate this a reception was laid on after the service boasting many types of finger food served with wine or soft drinks. The food was lovingly prepared by a band of wonderful helpers and the wine kindly donated by a generous benefactor which all served to round off a perfect evening. If you would like to see photos taken on the evening, Sam Sykes’ photos can be viewed via the benefice website -<a href="https://www.bansfieldbenefice.org.uk/press/bell-rector.html">https://www.bansfieldbenefice.org.uk/press/bell-rector.html</a><br />
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At the beginning of the article I mentioned this process of installing a new Rector is never an easy one and in our case this took two years to complete. To keep the seven churches of the Bansfield benefice going all that time and to liaise with the diocese on many occasions created a lot of work for a number of individuals. I would like to thank on behalf of the benefice all those who helped and kept the benefice going during this interregnum, but would like to single out Hugh Douglas-Pennant for special mention for the many hours of work he put into this process. Without Hugh’s dedication the process would have been much more difficult. Well done Hugh - extra House points to Stansfield!Bansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-39058029018958162962017-12-26T00:00:00.000+00:002018-01-02T09:19:02.541+00:00Interregnum - our roadmap to a new incumbentDear Reader<br />
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The Bansfield Benefice is now in interregnum. [Interregnum Definition: "An interval between the periods of office of two incumbents in a parish."]<br />
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The Bansfield Benefice which consists of the churches of Cowlinge, Denston, Lidgate, Ousden, Stansfield, Stradishall and Wickhambrook went into Interregnum on the 26th December 2017 when Rev'd Brin Singleton moved on to his next post at Haughley with Wetherden and Stowupland.<br />
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What does the interregnum mean for us here in the Bansfield benefice? We will continue to have regular services in the benefice and Occasional Offices (baptisms, weddings and funerals). We will lose the midweek service in the benefice and reduce to one Holy Communion service on a Sunday which will be held on rotation throughout the benefice churches at 10am. Services will be taken by visiting clergy resident in the Diocese or by clergy beyond under special license from the Bishop. The same will apply to Occasional Offices.<br />
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During interregnum all the services can be found as usual on the website under <a href="http://www.bansfieldbenefice.org.uk/services/">Services</a>.<br />
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For anyone wanting to contact us with regard to a religious matter or Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals please see our <a href="http://www.bansfieldbenefice.org.uk/benefice/contact.html">contact page</a> for details.<br />
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We will all be working hard during interregnum to make it as short as possible but the whole process will probably take between six and twelve months.<br />
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For all updates please see <a href="http://www.bansfieldbenefice.org.uk/benefice/interregnum/">http://www.bansfieldbenefice.org.uk/benefice/interregnum/</a></div>
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On behalf of the Bansfield Benefice. </div>
Bansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-41066482883187730652017-12-01T00:00:00.000+00:002017-12-01T00:00:21.308+00:00Rector's View - December 2017Dear Friends<br /><br />So it’s about… ? Well the Christmas advertising campaigns are upon us again in our journey through Advent searching for that special Christmas gift or preparing for that best Christmas ever. The Cavalier Carver, The Mince Pie Maverick and the Double Dipper entice us to feast with Lidl. An elf racing through the snow to retrieve the misplaced present for Argos. Geoffrey the Giraffe helps Santa for Toys R Us. Kevin the carrot looks for love for ASDA’s Imaginarium Christmas workshop, M&S and Paddington Bear, Debenham’s and Cinderella. All trying to convince us of what they do best.<br /><br />The Christian story holds that each of us is special, for we each bear God’s likeness. God’s purpose is fullness of life for each of us, that we should be our best ever. And to convince us of this God chose to live with us in one called Jesus God’s Son. You can hear the Church’s campaign at a church near you with help of our more usual cast of angels, shepherds and kings. Last year’s statistics revealed 2016 to be a record year for Christmas attendance at services in cathedrals, the highest figure since records began. A one year rise of 5%, meant that 131, 000 people came to cathedrals to worship last Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. These figures were echoed across parish services as the church embraced the challenge to do what we do best, tell the story of God’s love. The Christmas campaign is just the beginning, throughout the year Christians put God’s love into practice in providing tidings of comfort and joy to those who most need it, that all should know fullness of life.<br /><br />A blessed and happy Christmas to you all, be assured of our warm welcome to you should you choose to share the Christmas story with us this year.<br /><br />Yours in Christ,<br /> Brin.<br /><br />Rector at Bansfield<br /> #GodWithUsBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-54174787584412542792017-11-01T00:00:00.000+00:002017-11-24T16:44:23.903+00:00Rector's View - November 2017Dear Friends<br /><br /> This year’s Remembrance Service will be held Sunday 12th November 10am at St Peter's Ousden, and I hope many of you will be able to join our remembrance, our laying of wreaths, our reading of names, and our two minutes silence. Many of you may be able to recall the story of your own ancestor’s wartime service, whether newly researched or past on within the family from generation to generation. The hope that such remembrance would ensure the preserve of peace is lost to us, conflicts continue the world over and still today those who serve their country in the armed forces will gather to remember colleagues in arms lost in battle. Please give generously to the work of the Royal British Legion at this time that they may fulfill their pledge of lifelong support to the armed forces community and their families.<br /><br /> Our service of All Soul’s will be held Sunday November 5th 3pm at All Saints Wickhambrook, here we remember and give thanks for the lives of our own dear departed. This too will be marked by the reading of names and includes the opportunity to light candles in prayer. Invitations have been given to those to whom we have ministered through this year but the service is open to any who would like to join us and share our commemoration. If you would like to attend then please do give me a call and let me know the names of those you would like to be remembered. We will offer refreshments after in the Benefice Hall.<br /><br />I look forward to meeting as many of you as may be able to join our season of remembrance, and pray we may yet find the course of peace in the lives of the nations and peace in the lives of our families’ friends and loved ones.:-<br /><br /> Almighty Father,<br /> whose will is to restore all things<br /> in your beloved Son, the King of all:<br /> govern the hearts and minds of those in authority,<br /> and bring the families of the nations,<br /> divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,<br /> to be subject to his just and gentle rule; Amen.<br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-14749608112042577672017-10-01T00:00:00.000+01:002017-10-01T00:00:14.006+01:00Rector's View - October 2017Dear friends,<br /><br />The power and destruction of this year's hurricane season reminds us to offer thanks for the blessing of our relatively mild weather. And through October we remember to give thanks for the blessing of the seasons in Harvest Thanksgiving. It is a good practice to count our blessings, even in the darkest of circumstance, for in counting the good of our lives we may rise from despair to hope and remember to offer hope to others in their need. By seeking out those things to offer thanks for we re-align our lives turning away from those things which bring harm toward those things which bring good.<br /><br />In giving thanks for the produce of the land we remember creation's gift to provide for our need that we may provide for the needs of others. Through good stewardship and accountability we may ensure and protect the blessing of creation. So we value energy sources that have potential to stabilize climate change, we value working practices that make for a safer working environment for those working on the land, we value the food we buy making amends for unsustainable restrictive markets and food waste. All this through counting the good and turning from the bad. So we pray for and offer aid to those rebuilding lives and homes at this time as we offer our Harvest prayer:-<br /><br />Lord of the harvest,<br />with joy we have offered thanksgiving for your love in creation<br />and have shared in the bread and the wine of the kingdom:<br />by your grace plant within us a reverence for all that you give us<br />and make us generous and wise stewards of the good things we enjoy;<br />through Jesus Christ our Lord.<br />Amen.<br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-55612213225172277272017-09-01T00:00:00.000+01:002017-09-24T21:46:21.714+01:00Rector's View - September 2017Dear friends,<br />
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Returning from vacation I thought to check the state of our benefice’s grass cut Labyrinths, one behind All Saints' Church Wickhambrook, the other at All Saints' Stansfield. After three weeks rain and sun to my dismay they seem beyond recovery and I began musing the phrase about not letting the grass growing under your feet. Well it turns out there is a song inviting the lesser known wisdom just to let the grass grow "Let the grass grow under your feet, 'til it grows knee deep. Let the bright day amble along, 'til it ends in sleep. A man's life is very quickly over, make time pass by wandering through the clover … "<br />
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This from a 1957 musical "Free as Air" (from the some writing stable that gave us "Salad Days"), among the opening numbers it evokes days of rest and holiday island idyll, indeed letting the grass grow.<br />
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Well I may have to accept an end to this year's Labyrinth season, but will look out for opportunity to reinstate them next year. Many of us will be returning from our rest and time away to difficult or challenging circumstance. Perhaps with the onset of mobile devices many felt unable to take a break from daily stresses. I hope your time away has at least helped with perspective, but if you're still looking for inspiration in returning to daily demands and challenges, here's the wisdom of Niebuhr' Serenity prayer to reflect on:-<br />
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O God and Heavenly Father,<br />
Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed;<br />
courage to change that which can be changed,<br />
and wisdom to know the one from the other, through Jesus Christ our Lord,<br />
Amen.<br />
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Grace and Wisdom to you.<br />
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Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />
RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-89421512895548680282017-08-01T00:00:00.000+01:002017-09-24T17:57:56.933+01:00Rector's View - August 2017Dear Friends<br />
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I hope August offers you rest and recreation, or at least fond memory of the same. It seems an age past that folk enjoyed sending and receiving postcards, sharing the view, "wishing you were here". August brings fond memories of holidays by the sea, and one treasured holy memory of visiting the shores of Galilee. This was long before the advent of the 'selfie' and so I rely on tourist postcards and Holy Land tourist guide to re-capture the moment, but for that I'm thankful to see more of the view than of me.</div>
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Across the generations we take pictures of those important to us whom we have befriended and loved, who helped us and looked after us in our travels. Jesus' followers offer their collected remembrances of his loving words and deeds in the narration of the Gospels, not speaking of self, but only of he whom they came to treasure, to revere and call Holy of God. His followers of this age have just been looking through the photo album of the Gospels, with its word pictures of Jesus' holy days by the sea, the sea of Galilee. Jesus had stepped into a boat, and perhaps having looked along the shore and seen a sower trudging ceaselessly across the fields, he told the story of the sower. Those who heard this story were completely dependent on the success of harvest, their lives had no room for recreation in each day's search for daily bread, perhaps some had only just left the field for the work of the sower to begin.</div>
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The path, rocky ground and thorns upon and among which the seed was scattered reminds us that our lives too can fall on hard times, and become diminished in competition with the thorns of this age.<br />
Yet Jesus' story teaches us that God still looks for a harvest from the field of our lives whatever our circumstance. That harvest being that we be among the picture snaps of other's lives as befriended and loved, for the help we offered in looking after their needs helping them to grow in hope.</div>
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May this summer see your portrait in your harvest of good works among today's postcards of social media photo pages by those who come to count you for friend for your sure help and support in their need. <br />
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Yours in Christ. <br />
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Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />
Rector</div>
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P.S. Do take a look at the The Blackheart Orchestra tour visit to All Saints church 3rd September 7:30pm <a href="http://www.bansfieldbenefice.org.uk/events/blackheartorchestra.html">http://www.bansfieldbenefice.org.uk/events/blackheartorchestra.html</a> <br />
If you’re planning on seeing them, do let me know.<br />
Recently featured in Prog Mag TeamRock + <a href="http://teamrock.com/feature/2017-06-29">http://teamrock.com/feature/2017-06-29</a></div>
Bansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-89924859060759246822017-07-01T00:00:00.000+01:002017-07-21T19:30:40.061+01:00Rector's View - July 2017Dear Friends<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bansfieldbenefice.org.uk/events/blackheartorchestra.html">http://www.bansfieldbenefice.org.uk/events/blackheartorchestra.html</a><br /><br />Last July we were, as today, changing our nations course and pondering the result of an election, what this might mean for Europe, for Britain, for England, for us. And I wrote of the Gospel story of the Gerasene demonic whom Jesus released from his anger and violence that he be in his right mind.<br /><br />Our prayer from the day of Pentecost – the day of judgement – is that we should have a right judgement in all things, our Christ's call to all God's children being that we should find righteousness with God. So too for our election, pray we, against the fear anger and violence of these times, may find release and rightness of mind, that our purpose in government and responsibilities as citizens may continue to pursue righteousness for all peoples.<br /><br />July's Gospels see the good news of God's action in the world revealed in the unity of the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And we have seen such good shown by Manchester and London's response to the evil of the past months, gathering together in displays of unity support and compassion for the grieving and injured. So may we seek to display our unity in these coming days, working together for the common good of all peoples, one family across the generations creeds and ethnicities of our Great British family. <br /><br />Yours in Christ. <br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />Rector<br /><br />P.S. Do take a look at the The Blackheart Orchestra tour visit to All Saints' church in September via our website links. If you're planning on seeing them, do let me know. As to their name, well I'm reminded of the great man in black Johnny Cash singing his observations of this life's trials and struggles "I'd love to wear a rainbow every day, And tell the world that everything's OK, But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back. Till things are brighter, I'm the Man In Black."Bansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-80925300765852308602017-06-01T22:37:00.002+01:002017-06-01T22:39:26.738+01:00Rector's View - June 2017<style>
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</style> Dear Friends<br />
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<a href="https://www.thykingdomcome.global/">https://www.thykingdomcome.global/</a><br />
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Summer welcomes us to explore our great outdoors once more, to venture beyond the usual haunts of dog walks and well-trodden pathways. As you perhaps look forward to journeys afar, do enjoy our open-garden season (11th June Ousden, 24th June Cowlinge), fetes (22nd July Stansfield) and carnivals (8th July Wickhambrook), as well look out for our churchyard paths - labyrinths at Wickambrook and Stansfield (and the Cathedral Labyrinth, Exploring Prayer Day 1st June).<br />
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The Church's Festivals of Pentecost and Trinity explore spiritual insight, guidance and revelation in every age. The creation story of Genesis reminds us to fulfil our purpose to steward earth's garden paradise, and increasingly we are becoming alert to the damage we are inflicting on our environment. Our combined attrition on our world's resources seems unstoppable yet take example from the visionaries of our day, we can change, and we can amend our ways. I was inspired by a recent broadcast which looked at humankind's impact on the environment from space, and the disappearing snow and ice fields of Mount Kilimanjaro. A local runner trains on the slopes of this mountain, and where once he would run through rivers and streams, as the forests around the mountain have been cut down, so the streams and rivers have slowed and dried as the ice and snows of the mountain top disappear. And yet, thanks to the vision of a local diocese, whose bishop leads regular pilgrimages of his flock into the cleared fields to plant trees, local streams have begun to run again.<br />
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Here we have a story of hope, one visionary action can inspire and lead us to change our course. The story of Pentecost, inspired those who had followed Jesus and witnessed His crucifixion to live His risen life, and the good news of new life in Christ has been broadcast throughout all the world.<br />
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We can change, we can look to life in all its fullness, the lesson of Creation's story revealing God's blessing in creation. Be refreshed in these blessed days of summer, and be inspired to believe we can change direction and become good stewards of this garden earth. <br />
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Yours in Christ. <br />
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Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />
RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-58186820299356860162017-05-01T00:00:00.000+01:002017-05-01T00:00:00.266+01:00Rector's View - May 2017Dear friends,<br /><br /><a href="https://www.thykingdomcome.global/">https://www.thykingdomcome.global/</a><br /><br />Our Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is inviting Christians around the world to pray as one for people to know Jesus Christ, you might like to check out ideas for this wave of prayer through using the link above. One interesting question on the webpage asks "How do you talk to God? Do you find somewhere quiet and private and whisper, or do you climb a mountain and shout into the clouds?"<br /><br />May's celebration of Ascension might be encouragement to us to shout into the clouds! And ongoing crises, international tensions, our incapacity to secure peace, care for our world or feed our poor, gives us plenty to rail against. Yet whilst the direction of our prayer is indeed Godward, it is we who speak the prayer and if we don't pray we are not in touch with our own wants or needs nor able to do for others as we would have them to for ourselves, that golden rule of Christian discipleship. As God surely hears us, so should we listen to what we say and in speaking of our hopes, in speaking of our thanks, we, in God given grace, find strength to make our prayer a reality both for ourselves and for others.<br /><br />The daily prayer of Christian discipleship as the text of our website link <a href="https://www.thykingdomcome.global/">https://www.thykingdomcome.global/</a> is derived from Jesus' Judaic heritage, the Kaddish prayer, "May He establish His Kingdom during your life and during your days, and during the life of the whole household of Israel, even speedily and in a near time!" Attentive to Jesus' call on His disciples to be doers of His Word and teachings, we might helpfully add – the Kingdom at your hand and at mine, quickly and speedily may it come". So our prayer helps us to realise that hope, God's Kingdom come in our day, even at our hand. Voicing that prayer we determine with God's help to make it real, a kingdom of peace and justice for all, for the blessing of this world's poor.<br /><br />Do join our global wave of prayer however you feel able from this Ascension Day, 25th May.<br /><br />Yours in Christ.<br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-85933971443697680892017-03-31T00:00:00.000+01:002017-03-31T00:00:34.215+01:00Rector's View - April 2017Dear friends,<br /><br />Mothering Sunday, Palm Sunday through Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter offers every good reason to join in and share the passion, the drama and renewal of the Christian Hope.<br /><br />Jesus calls on all peoples, all of us God's children, to hear His living word of Hope risen again, whatever dark shadows may hinder our steps, His light rising over the near horizon lifts the spirit and warms the heart to find hope in our need, and His healing of renewal within the fold of His people.<br /><br />A warm welcome awaits all who would join our worship at this time, whether to delight in Mothering or Mother Church, to process in the unfolding drama of the Passion or to share the rejoicing of all things Easter Morn, to hear again the cry of joy:-<br /><br />Alleluia, Christ is Risen!<br />He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia!<br /><br />No longer do we need to stumble on alone in our darkness, by Christ's Spirit we may find strength to race toward the dawning light to brighten our lives amidst Creation's garden and know fullness of life.<br /><br />This gift of grace we share, that others too may find hope.<br /><br />Please remember this world’s poor, the hungry the homeless, the grieving, not only by your prayer, but also by deeds of compassion and charity.<br /><br />And a Blessed Easter to all.<br /><br />Yours in Christ.<br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-80289594462289871342017-03-01T00:00:00.000+00:002017-03-01T00:00:34.123+00:00Rector's View - March 2017Dear friends,<br /><br />March brings anticipation of Easter's new beginning by this season's lengthening days, so named Lent. Today's consumer society knows little of preparation when everything can be sourced from your local convenience store, yet ensuring this daily 24/7 supply still requires planning and preparation. With ‘disposable incomes’ still in evidence amidst our high streets, clearly the thought of doing without so that everyone may share all the more in the feast day to come, is counter cultural.<br /><br />Even the Church in her Lenten preparation for the Easter Festival to come, prefers these days the more culturally normative ‘taking up’ of some personal challenge. Giving up our indulgences to make room for that truly personal journey of finding value in our faith is often dismissed, and so we lose something of promoting community life in bearing the suffering of the life in whom is our faith, our Christ. Our Christ called us to follow, in discipline, discipleship, putting aside all things by which we fall short of the mark, another counter-cultural term - sin. By acknowledging our falling short, our sin, we are able to turn our lives around, being penitent, to follow the one who bore the marks of suffering for our new start, our redemption.<br /><br />None of us enjoys confessing our falling short, this is a society all about proclaiming our strengths, we are selective even to the extent of a few ‘alternative facts’ about our job histories and careers, after all who will employ someone who talks about their mistakes.<br /><br />Well the Easter story is all about the love of our heavenly Father, to call out to us again and again, and when we find strength to speak of our mistakes, will speak to us in the living Word of His Son, that we in Him may live anew. The heavenly Father's forgiveness is 24/7, prepared and planned in the story of Jesus' "forty day" wilderness journey against this world's temptations. However unfashionable or even unfathomable to the modern ear is our calling to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow the course of our own forty days. No flowers then decorate the church, chocolate, alcohol, sweets, indulgences set aside, fast days – Ash Wednesday, Fridays, Good Friday - study, good works taken on. So as winter's bare field, as the plough may turn the soil, we turn our lives bare, that the Son's lengthening days may warm our hearts, to share the good of this life with all people, as is our loving Father's purpose in creation, fullness of life.<br /><br />Yours in Christ<br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-91626927250912170772017-02-01T00:00:00.000+00:002017-02-01T00:00:15.273+00:00Rector's View - February 2017Dear friends,<br /><br />Amidst all the uncertainties of our changing world, European and Transatlantic alliances undermined and under threat, we look for surety and trust in all that is familiar and known to us.<br /><br />The story of our faith has ever sought to remind creation's children of the Creator's sure and loving purposes for us. That whatever the uncertainties and trials of the day to day, creation provides of her plenty and of her good, where we match our work to her trust.<br /><br />The raging of winter's storms abates, and in the sunburst's calming display we look to returning days of promise ahead, that we may regroup and defend against all that the winter's shock has undermined and destroyed.<br /><br />God's promise to us in scripture, as in creation's turning of the seasons, is ever to call us back to His loving purpose, whatever storms undermine our sureties and trusts, God waits on our return, His love rises amidst the winter of our hearts in sending us the risen life of His Son, our teacher, our Salvation, our Christ.<br /><br />The Good News of our Gospel has recounted the wilderness call to renewal made by John the Baptist. In his day the people looked to restore the golden age of days long past, John's teaching caught the mood of the people looking for their new day, yet he chose to redirect their search to one in whom his trust was sure.<br /><br />Jesus asked those who looked his way "what are you looking for". Just as we question our sureties and trusts realizing our need for wisdom and teaching, we, as Jesus' first disciples, are invited to "come and see" and follow Jesus' word through the momentum of this unfolding year.<br /><br />The lesson of Jesus' teaching is that in Him we can rebuild our lives and look to that fullness of life which is God's promise. The disciples trusted to Jesus' call, as still by the discipleship of our baptism and confirmation we may find our hope of new beginning, trusting to the work of our faith, that we may be blessed to grow in knowledge and love of God.<br /><br />Yours in Christ<br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-90759064822623210442017-01-01T00:00:00.000+00:002017-01-31T21:03:28.478+00:00Rector's View - January 2017Dear friends,<br />
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At the turning of the year we raise our thoughts to new beginnings, a new diary and a new page, unsullied and pristine, nothing missed or passed by. The tattered pages of last year's diary though, before being stored away, can offer guidance to the coming year and help us set our course.<br />
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The calendar of our Church's year too encourages us to review as we hear afresh the story of God's love through the pages of scripture and the lives of the Saints.<br />
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Our television screens also seem awash with reviews of the year applauding the achievements of the great and the good. And among the festivals of the Saints which saw out our year we have the lesson at the close of St John's Gospel that should all the things Jesus did be written down, the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. So we who follow Christ are encouraged to enliven His coming among us in the living pages of our lives.<br />
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The festival of St John is set between the commemoration of the martyrdom of St Stephen and that of the Holy Innocents, and we are reminded that whilst we review the lives of the great and good they too as we, are amidst a world of great trial and suffering. God set the course of His love in Jesus into this world, and asks that we who follow Jesus’ Gospel enliven Christ's love that our lives be among the good news of Jesus’ living. This may mean being prepared to turn the pages of our lives to new beginnings or offering again our friendship to those missed or passed by.<br />
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New Year's day marks the naming of Jesus, the name given Joseph by the angel bearing God's Word as Joseph dreams "You shall name him Jesus, for he will save his people."<br />
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May our dreams this New Year bear the name of our Christ that we become part of the unfolding story of God's saving love for all peoples.<br />
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Yours in Christ <br />
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Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />
RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-78251663111193307272016-12-01T00:00:00.000+00:002016-12-01T00:00:16.300+00:00Rector's View - December 2016Dear friends,<br /><br />Another year of crises and the principalities of this age continue to raise turbulent echoes to advent journeys of long ago. Still we hear biblical narrative translated into today’s reports of displaced persons.<br /><br />Here an abridged BBC report on the migrant crises:-<br /><br />"The authorities have detailed plans to compel the dispersal of the populace to orientation centres for the processing of applications.<br /><br />Across the country orientation centres have been created: in former barracks, disused hospitals and training-centres, and of out-of-season holiday villages, those who say they have family there are expected to go.<br /><br />The planning is thorough, the intentions are good, but there are many imponderables".<br /><br />And from the biblical text:-<br /><br />"And in those days a decree went out that all the world should be registered. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also, … He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn".<br /><br />So we might ponder on those born in today's travail, whether they may offer the world hope of such peace and salvation as raised light that first advent.<br /><br />And as we rehearse again our Saviour's birth, might we ponder such journeys as we have faced at the compulsion of this world, to whom did we turn, for compassion mercy and lodging.<br /><br />And to a world beset with rival claims to sovereignty authority and power may we uphold the light of those rulers truly wise, who seek to offer gifts of sacrificial service and of loyalty to the healing of division.<br /><br />May this world be blessed by the gift of God's Love.<br /><br />Grace and Peace be yours this Christmas.<br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-5603445632788347102016-11-01T00:00:00.000+00:002016-11-01T00:00:22.462+00:00Rector's View - November 2016Dear friends,<br /><br />We are looking forward to hosting our Advent Saturday Workshop 26th November at All Saints Wickhambrook from 12 Noon. We will be opening our new Labyrinth with our afternoon workshops and the evening's screening of the Estevez movie "The Way" starring Martin Sheen. Through the afternoon we will be discussing three episodes from the film which relate to our own life stories, and the stories of the Gospel, and sharing our own walk together in the way of the Labyrinth, the way of prayer.<br /><br />"The Way" tells the story of the 800 kilometre journey across Spain to Santiago de Compostela. We'll begin and end with some pilgrim fare – a ploughman's lunch to begin and a fish and chip supper to close the afternoon, ready to settle down to the evening's screening of the complete movie. If you’re interested in sharing our stories, our own live "movie blog", then do give me a ring.<br /><br />November's story of Remembrance marks not only our nation's remembrance of the First World War, 100 years on, but also our own in marking All Saints and All Soul's day. This year's Remembrance Service will be held Sunday 13th November 10am at St Margaret's Cowlinge, and will mark the story of a local family. Three Bitten brothers along with cousins, Ransomes and Starlings, seven in all, are named among the fallen on St Margaret's War Memorial, and their relatives have arranged to mark their centenaries this year by sharing in our laying of wreaths, reading of names, and two minutes silence, and I have invited a family member, the reverend Mark Janes a Baptist minister to preach for us and share their story.<br /><br />Our service of All Soul's offers the lighting of candles in prayer at the reading of the names of our own dear departed. If you would like to attend our service and share in this then please do give me a call and let me know the names of those you would like remembered. Our All Soul's service will be held Sunday November 6th 3pm at All Saints Wickhambrook with refreshments served after in the Benefice Hall.<br /><br />I look forward to meeting as many of you as may choose to share both the story of faith's pilgrimage and the remembrance of those who have died, whether the fallen of War or our own dear departed. In our telling and remembrance we turn the path of our lives away from this world's darkness toward the light of this world's hope, that we may build peace, peace in the lives of the nations and peace in the lives of our families’ friends and loved ones.<br /><br />Yours in Christ<br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-10206186107195132052016-10-02T22:24:00.002+01:002016-10-02T22:24:22.668+01:00Rector's View - October 2016Dear friends,<br /><br />As the year's seasons draw to a close in Harvest festivals, the Church marks the remembrances of November. Our national Remembrance Sunday service is this year 13th November 10am at St Margaret's Cowlinge. Our All Souls' remembrance service will be held the week before on 6th November 3pm at Wickhambrook All Saints'. All who wish are invited to this service at which we read the names of those who have died, whose funerals have been ministered by myself since last years' service, or any who have experienced bereavement who wish for their loved ones to be remembered in this way. Throughout October lists will be available to sign after each morning service in church, though you may like to ring the Rectory, so you can be sure to add the names of your departed loved ones to those we will name in our service. After the service we will gather in the Benefice Hall next to the church for refreshments and opportunity to chat.<br /><br />Harvest both for the working of the field and the works of our faith crowns the year with her glory and signals the time to prepare for next year's growth. In our discipleship of faith those who follow the Way of Christ are called to grow faith wherever the seed is scattered. As the Church's year is crowned with the festival of Christ the King the Sunday following marks the Advent of our Christ as the church with all the world prepares for the celebration of the story of Christ's birth.<br /><br />All Saints' Wickhambrook will be telling the story of faith's pilgrimage, we invite all who may to an afternoon workshop by way of our live "Movie Blog", not via the web but held at All Saints Wickhambrook the Saturday before Advent Sunday, that is the 26th November from 12 Noon. We will be looking at the Emilio Estevez film "The Way" starring Martin Sheen. "The Way" tells the story of the 800kilometre journey across Spain to Santiago de Compostela. We then will view the stories of the lead characters, and share their pilgrimage in walking our own Way of pilgrimage, that is our newly mown Labyrinth now in All Saints' churchyard. We'll begin and end with some pilgrim fare – a ploughman's lunch to begin and a fish and chip supper to close the afternoon. Then in the evening we will be screening the complete movie. If you're interested in sharing our stories do give me a ring.<br /><br />Yours in Christ<br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-3948798158062962692016-09-01T00:00:00.000+01:002016-09-01T00:00:23.322+01:00Rector's View - September 2016Dear friends, <br /><br />Our little union of nations continues her sojourn through the years into an uncertain future as we struggle once more with what it is to be, not a part of, but apart from Europe, tracing and retracing the path of our history. For many folk the journey of our lives too can be one of changed directions and retraced steps. <br /><br />And I am reminded again, as we approach the height of the holiday season, of the journeys our forebears once made from all across the nation states and nations of Europe, lesser or greater, folk of high rank or low, yet common to a deeper path of unity and loyalty in faith. So they shared their journeys along the Way under the Stars following the direction of the heavens even to the ends of the earth, across from all points East to farthest West till at Cape Finisterre, the pilgrim, gazed westward across the Atlantic to be reminded by the stars of the night sky in the pointing finger of the Milky Way, of the journey we all ultimately share when at the end of the journey of our lives we find our place amidst the heavens. At the drama of this revelation the pilgrim was bounden to return across the same Europe they had trod before back again to their own lands as the fields of their labours called them home. Such journeys offered the pilgrim transformative Holy days, strength, hope, and vision for whatever uncertainties their futures would face, for they had experienced a trial common to all pilgrims met along the Way, through which they could recognise their greater sharing together in this pilgrimage of life. <br /><br />Still today is this same pilgrimage made, open to those of faith or none, the pilgrimage itself predating discipleship in the Way of Christ. Among the parishes of Bansfield Benefice, beginning with All Saints' Wickhambrook we will be establishing little echoes of this journey in our churchyards. And at the beginning of Advent this year, All Saints' Church will launch this "Way of Prayer", or "Labyrinth", with an afternoon workshop and an evening screening of the Emilio Estevez film The Way, featuring Martin Sheen. The Way was a lifetime's ambition for Father and Son team Estevez and Sheen, as they sought to evoke in film something of this great journey across Europe to Santiago de Compostela and beyond. <br /><br />Our screening day will be open to all, whether of faith or not and I will include more details in future newsletters. But for now I pray you all may experience in your holidays, times to offer strength hope and vision for the journey of our days ahead. <br /><br />Yours in Christ <br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br /> RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-86636652964722165152016-08-01T00:00:00.000+01:002016-08-01T00:00:07.218+01:00Rector's View - August 2016Dear friends,<br /><br />Our little union of nations continues her sojourn through the years into an uncertain future as we struggle once more with what it is to be, not a part of, but apart from Europe, tracing and retracing the path of our history. For many folk the journey of our lives too can be one of changed directions and retraced steps.<br /><br />And I am reminded again, as we approach the height of the holiday season, of the journeys our forebears once made from all across the nation states and nations of Europe, lesser or greater, folk of high rank or low, yet common to a deeper path of unity and loyalty in faith. So they shared their journeys along the Way under the Stars following the direction of the heavens even to the ends of the earth, across from all points East to farthest West till at Cape Finisterre, the pilgrim, gazed westward across the Atlantic to be reminded by the stars of the night sky in the pointing finger of the Milky Way, of the journey we all ultimately share when at the end of the journey of our lives we find our place amidst the heavens. At the drama of this revelation the pilgrim was bounden to return across the same Europe they had trod before back again to their own lands as the fields of their labours called them home. Such journeys offered the pilgrim transformative Holy days, strength, hope, and vision for whatever uncertainties their futures would face, for they had experienced a trial common to all pilgrims met along the Way, through which they could recognise their greater sharing together in this pilgrimage of life.<br /><br />Still today is this same pilgrimage made, open to those of faith or none, the pilgrimage itself predating discipleship in the Way of Christ. Among the parishes of Bansfield Benefice, beginning with All Saints' Wickhambrook we will be establishing little echoes of this journey in our churchyards. And at the beginning of Advent this year, All Saints' Church will launch this "Way of Prayer", or "Labyrinth", with an afternoon workshop and an evening screening of the Emilio Estevez film The Way, featuring Martin Sheen. The Way was a lifetime's ambition for Father and Son team Estevez and Sheen, as they sought to evoke in film something of this great journey across Europe to Santiago de Compostela and beyond.<br /><br />Our screening day will be open to all, whether of faith or not and I will include more details in future newsletters. But for now I pray you all may experience in your holidays, times to offer strength hope and vision for the journey of our days ahead.<br /><br />Yours in Christ<br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-26895629006156879782016-07-01T00:00:00.000+01:002016-07-01T00:00:00.179+01:00Rector's View - July 2016Dear friends,<br /><br />As I write, the hopes and dreams of peoples and nations are held in the hand of an electorate, as also the sports arena sees a procession of winners and losers.<br /><br />Who ultimately will be the victor though may be a matter of debate and even take years to be seen, as our global village struggles, in an age of biblical challenge, pandemic, climate change and displaced persons, to understand such cross-generational biblical questioning, as from the defensive plea of Genesis, "Am I my brother's keeper"?, to the teaching of the Gospels, "Who is my neighbour", to Jesus' own recognition of the hour before him in his first miraculous act, "What concern is that to you and me, my hour is not yet come".<br /><br />Well for Christians our concern is modelled on the Acts of Jesus Saviour, our Christ, who chose to make the hour of our need, his hour, sharing our joys and sorrows, ultimately sharing our mortality, giving his life to save his followers and his nation. As they struggled to understand what he had done for them, they understood his Word lived on in their deeds, the Acts of the Apostles, as today, the Acts of Christian peoples throughout the world revealing Christ's continuing presence, his risen life, amidst our hours and days.<br /><br />Among Jesus' many encounters is that of the hour he met the Gerasene demonic, a man out of his mind, beset by illness and ostracized by society. The Gospel story mirrors his fate with that of the Judaic peoples of his day, occupied by Rome's Legions, for the Gerasene is held captive in chains and himself occupied by a legion of demons. His violence imprisoned him and society placed guards against his entry for protection. Jesus liberated him from the possession of these legions, sending them to their end via a herd of unclean swine, livestock of the Roman occupation. No wonder the reaction of the Gerasene people's was one of fear, sending Jesus and his followers back from their shores. The healed Gerasene, now in his right mind, wanted to follow Jesus after his own liberation across the waters to this hoped for sovereign Judea, but Jesus asked him to stay amidst the Decapolis, the ten cities of Rome's federal state, and "declare how much God has done for you".<br /><br />So are we called today to speak of the good we see, to offer release to those who look for liberty, and to make the hour of their need our own. In this is ultimately our victory, that our shores should offer hope and freedom from fear, that our lands, our global village should know the good as that righteousness of God's Kingdom come.<br /><br />Yours in Christ,<br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-7281056218709598632016-06-01T00:00:00.000+01:002016-06-01T00:00:01.077+01:00Rector's View - June 2016Dear friends,<br /><br />June offers some great occasions to share the fellowship our Benefice offers to her villages, beginning with the Denston Gala Concert 4th June – I hope you've got your tickets, we eagerly anticipate a feast of music and refreshment, St Nicholas Church is looking forward very much to hosting this special event. And then 19th June we host our Benefice Summer Barbeque with thanks to our generous hosts the Town family at Aspen House Stansfield, this will include our 11:30am Tent Communion service where we will delight in sharing the meal of Christ's presence and confirming our fellowship together with refreshment and barbeque through to the afternoon. If you're looking for a Sunday to say hello and find new friendship among the fellowships of our benefice this would be a great Sunday to join us, do look for tickets in advance if you're able, though you can buy on the day. And at the close of the month we enjoy a traditional parish Patronal festival at St Peter's Ousden for a 5pm service of Readings and Hymns. So three events to mirror our turning of the church's seasons to Trinity, bringing to mind the fellowship of Heavenly Father, Blessed Son and Holy Spirit.<br /><br />Our Sunday worship closes with the word of blessing "The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord". It is good news not only to be assured that we are indeed blessed in Spirit by the love of Father and Son, but also that our knowing God passes all understanding. Faith is beyond the certainty of proof. We know God not through book study nor through courses of learning, though these may help, but through the love of family and those we may meet. Those whose discipleship in baptism is to follow the Way of Christ, are called to share their knowing God in the good news as Jesus proclaimed of God's Kingdom on earth as in heaven. And everyone carries the hope of better days, the Christian gospel (good news) is carried in the hearts of ordinary people of faith as you or I, who look for the good in all things.<br /><br />If you are looking for the good, then make that first step of faith, to seek out the Christian family and ask one of our number to share with you their hope in God, Father Son and Holy Spirit.<br /><br />Yours in Christ.<br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385956310883308077.post-36603262236989337452016-05-01T00:00:00.000+01:002016-05-01T00:00:06.833+01:00Rector's View - May 2016Dear friends,<br /><br />From Xanadu to Utopia, from Metropolis to Matrix's Zion, these films illustrate our continuing desire to look to paradise, such universally held visions of faith lead us to go beyond the understated hope that "things can only get better" to ponder what if things were the best they could be – perfick! Whether you hear 'Pop' or 'Ed' here (Darling Buds of May or Shaun of the Dead!) underlines our failure to realise the best we could be, looking for God's Kingdom on earth seems ever through human history fraught with the dream turning to nightmare. Yet the worse things get, the greater the hope of our prayer "On earth as in Heaven".<br /><br />John Lennon's vision seems to sidestep the failings of world faiths in seeking to realise God's Kingdom come. "Imagine there's no heaven,.. no hell below us, above us only sky, imagine all the people living life in peace". Yet the dream of the Christian faith in heaven's New Jerusalem is also that of heaven and earth passed away Revelation 21, a city without any Temple, for God is seen to dwell among mortals, all are blessed in knowledge and love of God.<br /><br />Such is the call of our Archbishops, Justin Welby and John Sentamu, that amidst the suffering of worldly conflicts, amidst the pain of our daily living, those of faith and those of none should raise the hope of a new better day. Christian's express this in the daily prayer "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven." The Churches of Bansfield Benefice will be sharing this prayer, as across the nation, in the week before our celebration of Pentecost (15th May) when God's Spirit was seen anew among Jesus' disciples. The promise of faith in this Pentecost event is that God's Spirit is given to all who would turn and follow Christ, as witnessed by His Church to this day. And so in the week before Pentecost, All Saints Church Wickhambrook will be open for prayer each evening up to 9pm. There will be prepared a special display for people to see, to meditate, to pray. Candles may be lit, and a member of the church will be present (from 7:30pm) ready to help and encourage if needs, cards with the text of the Lord's Prayer will be ready for use. I hope many will be drawn to turn anew toward the Way of Christ in looking for the Kingdom at hand this day, at your hand and at mine.<br /><br />Yours in Christ.<br /><br />Rev'd Brin Singleton<br />RectorBansfield Beneficehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05734525107075114514noreply@blogger.com0