Sunday, June 8, 2014
Trinity Sunday Benefice Confirmations with Bishop David at Stradishall church
On Trinity Sunday - 15th June at 11am - Bishop David will be joining us at Stradishall church to confirm two candidates from the Bansfield Benefice. We hope to see you there for this important time in both candidates' spiritual lives.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Rector's View - March 2014
Dear friends,
Many may share bemusement at the mood talk of 'green shoots of economic recovery' and wonder why if 'we're all in it together' we're not, the parties of power still pouring blame on past failings with little attention to those of the present.
Our calling in faith through Lent to Easter, is to look honestly at our own failings and in reforming the foundation of our lives allow the waters of blame to flow away. It is as that great Easter hymn has it ‘in the fields of our hearts' that the 'green blade riseth'.
Through Jesus’ own journey from His childhood presentation in the Temple (Candlemas) to His triumphal return entering again Jerusalem's Temple (Palm Sunday), the mood talk was all about forgiveness and reconciliation. Stories He told such as the Prodigal son - he whose Father has love for both the prodigal and the faithful son, the Lost Coin - joy at finding the lost, and the Good Samaritan - those hated and blamed who yet perform good works, enabled His followers to make new friendships and beginnings.
Our new beginning in faith this Easter will celebrate the resurrection with our 6am Dawn Eucharist (thanksgiving). Just as His birth saw the gathering of the faithful at the Midnight hour, so again we gather to celebrate the time of His rising again.
I do pray whatever new start you look for, you may find it early in this life's day, that all the more may share your rejoicing.
May Lent's reward bring Easter's joy.
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
Many may share bemusement at the mood talk of 'green shoots of economic recovery' and wonder why if 'we're all in it together' we're not, the parties of power still pouring blame on past failings with little attention to those of the present.
Our calling in faith through Lent to Easter, is to look honestly at our own failings and in reforming the foundation of our lives allow the waters of blame to flow away. It is as that great Easter hymn has it ‘in the fields of our hearts' that the 'green blade riseth'.
Through Jesus’ own journey from His childhood presentation in the Temple (Candlemas) to His triumphal return entering again Jerusalem's Temple (Palm Sunday), the mood talk was all about forgiveness and reconciliation. Stories He told such as the Prodigal son - he whose Father has love for both the prodigal and the faithful son, the Lost Coin - joy at finding the lost, and the Good Samaritan - those hated and blamed who yet perform good works, enabled His followers to make new friendships and beginnings.
Our new beginning in faith this Easter will celebrate the resurrection with our 6am Dawn Eucharist (thanksgiving). Just as His birth saw the gathering of the faithful at the Midnight hour, so again we gather to celebrate the time of His rising again.
I do pray whatever new start you look for, you may find it early in this life's day, that all the more may share your rejoicing.
May Lent's reward bring Easter's joy.
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
Monday, February 17, 2014
Children's Society donations
This year our combined Christingle service (£79) and Children's Society boxes (£510) have raised £589 for the Children's Society. Thanks to all those who helped arrange these events and contributed.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Cathedral visit
Churches Together are planning an outing to the Cathedral in Bury St. Edmunds on Thursday 13th March at 2pm.
We meet at the Cathedral for a guided tour, followed by tea and cakes. The cost is £7 each.
Everyone is welcome.
Following the time at the Cathedral, Fr. Antony Foreman will also show us round the ruins of the Abbey.
For more information email contact@bansfieldbenefice.org.uk
We meet at the Cathedral for a guided tour, followed by tea and cakes. The cost is £7 each.
Everyone is welcome.
Following the time at the Cathedral, Fr. Antony Foreman will also show us round the ruins of the Abbey.
For more information email contact@bansfieldbenefice.org.uk
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Christingle Service Sunday 2nd February
Dear All
Please do come and join us for our annual Benefice CHRISTINGLE SERVICE with a collection for the Children’s Society.
http://www.bansfieldbenefice.org.uk/services/special/christingle.html
Bring yourselves, children and grandchildren. There will be lots of fun both with making the Christingles from oranges, candles, dried fruit and sweets as well as music, activities and songs.
When and Where...
On Sunday 2nd February at 4pm. All Saints Church, Wickhambrook
Do come and enjoy making your Christingle and singing songs.
If you have a collection box, please bring it to the service.
See you on Sunday 2nd February at 4pm.
Please do come and join us for our annual Benefice CHRISTINGLE SERVICE with a collection for the Children’s Society.
http://www.bansfieldbenefice.org.uk/services/special/christingle.html
Bring yourselves, children and grandchildren. There will be lots of fun both with making the Christingles from oranges, candles, dried fruit and sweets as well as music, activities and songs.
When and Where...
On Sunday 2nd February at 4pm. All Saints Church, Wickhambrook
Do come and enjoy making your Christingle and singing songs.
If you have a collection box, please bring it to the service.
See you on Sunday 2nd February at 4pm.
Rector's View - February 2014
Dear friends,
The Story told by the Church through February begins in the first Sunday of February with the Presentation of Jesus the first born son in the Temple, and just forty days after his birth the Gospel sets the scene for us of Mary Joseph and Jesus meeting with Simeon and Anna, these Temple faithful.
Simeon sees in Jesus a light for all peoples, and prophet Anna's praise speaks of Jesus' work to redeem Jerusalem – from Luke's Gospel, chapter 2 verse 22.
There are many journey's begun in the story of Jesus’ Nativity. Last month I was pleased to journey south to another rural group of parishes to see the beginning of a new ministry for one of my theological college colleagues and his family.
It was an unexpected delight to find myself sharing my pew with two other colleagues from the same college, and then after the service to meet up with three more, as well hear news of those who had influenced us all so much – our teachers.
As we shared our news my mention that benefice's in our Diocese commonly had groupings of half a dozen parishes or more was greeted with some surprise.
The new benefice priest when placed in their stall offered the call to worship which was received enthusiastically, it was most affirming for all of us that our gathering in worship is still so highly valued.
Of course you will all be familiar with rapid change for the Church of England's mission and ministry, as retirements among the baby boom generation of clergy comes about. Of course today's generation still give themselves in vocations, as my college re-unions reminded, it is just that there are fewer from whom to raise the call. No longer then may Anglicanism's focus for local mission be expected with the priesthood, but with the local fellowship themselves. Not a Parson in every place but a person of God, as those faithful Simeon and Anna, so today's to speak of light and redeeming.
Anna saw in Jesus the redeeming of Jerusalem, Simeon the people's light, so in this day the redeeming life and light for our peoples may be seen in the priesthood of all believers, all who follow would Christ.
I pray our churches with their fellowships may truly be guiding lights for our journeys of life and that the brightening of our season may reveal that light for all who look to share their story with ours.
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
The Story told by the Church through February begins in the first Sunday of February with the Presentation of Jesus the first born son in the Temple, and just forty days after his birth the Gospel sets the scene for us of Mary Joseph and Jesus meeting with Simeon and Anna, these Temple faithful.
Simeon sees in Jesus a light for all peoples, and prophet Anna's praise speaks of Jesus' work to redeem Jerusalem – from Luke's Gospel, chapter 2 verse 22.
There are many journey's begun in the story of Jesus’ Nativity. Last month I was pleased to journey south to another rural group of parishes to see the beginning of a new ministry for one of my theological college colleagues and his family.
It was an unexpected delight to find myself sharing my pew with two other colleagues from the same college, and then after the service to meet up with three more, as well hear news of those who had influenced us all so much – our teachers.
As we shared our news my mention that benefice's in our Diocese commonly had groupings of half a dozen parishes or more was greeted with some surprise.
The new benefice priest when placed in their stall offered the call to worship which was received enthusiastically, it was most affirming for all of us that our gathering in worship is still so highly valued.
Of course you will all be familiar with rapid change for the Church of England's mission and ministry, as retirements among the baby boom generation of clergy comes about. Of course today's generation still give themselves in vocations, as my college re-unions reminded, it is just that there are fewer from whom to raise the call. No longer then may Anglicanism's focus for local mission be expected with the priesthood, but with the local fellowship themselves. Not a Parson in every place but a person of God, as those faithful Simeon and Anna, so today's to speak of light and redeeming.
Anna saw in Jesus the redeeming of Jerusalem, Simeon the people's light, so in this day the redeeming life and light for our peoples may be seen in the priesthood of all believers, all who follow would Christ.
I pray our churches with their fellowships may truly be guiding lights for our journeys of life and that the brightening of our season may reveal that light for all who look to share their story with ours.
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Rector's View - January 2014
Dear friends,
How we long…
Life in all its fullness John 10.10, that this year be the gateway to pastures new John 10.9. For many life is no grazing in lush pasture, the pasture may be far from sight, the way denied or hidden.
We long for sure footing, sure company and guide.
For many, faith provides if not the release to lush pasture, then the hope of drawing nearer its reward each day. The pilgrim's progress faces both reward and adversity, it is our guide who lifts us when we fall and sets our footing sure.
Our Bishop's remind us of our Good Shepherd, our guide who is our Way, our Christ, by carrying that sign of pilgrimage the Shepherd's Crook, Crosier, and reminds us of the Light of our Way by wearing the flame of Christ's presence the Holy Spirit, seen in the Bishop's Hat, Mitre.
So it is that all who are promised to faith in baptism are encouraged to be received by our Bishop in the great assembly, the sheepfold of faith, to publicly witness to their faith in Christ, and receive by the Bishop's hand the Spirit's gift, that is knowledge and love of God's presence in Christ.
Among all this New Year's resolutions many will simply be hoping for better things, life in all its fullness. If any long for the gateway to pastures new, that is faith in Christ, sure footing, sure company and guide in His Way, please do be in touch with me, whether baptised or not. Our Bishop David will visit our Deanery the evening of June 15th this year and will baptise and confirm all who hear God's call to follow the Way of faith in Christ, the promise of life in all its fullness.
Maybe for you 2014 will be the beginning of a new pilgrimage in faith.
Yours in Christ
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
How we long…
Life in all its fullness John 10.10, that this year be the gateway to pastures new John 10.9. For many life is no grazing in lush pasture, the pasture may be far from sight, the way denied or hidden.
We long for sure footing, sure company and guide.
For many, faith provides if not the release to lush pasture, then the hope of drawing nearer its reward each day. The pilgrim's progress faces both reward and adversity, it is our guide who lifts us when we fall and sets our footing sure.
Our Bishop's remind us of our Good Shepherd, our guide who is our Way, our Christ, by carrying that sign of pilgrimage the Shepherd's Crook, Crosier, and reminds us of the Light of our Way by wearing the flame of Christ's presence the Holy Spirit, seen in the Bishop's Hat, Mitre.
So it is that all who are promised to faith in baptism are encouraged to be received by our Bishop in the great assembly, the sheepfold of faith, to publicly witness to their faith in Christ, and receive by the Bishop's hand the Spirit's gift, that is knowledge and love of God's presence in Christ.
Among all this New Year's resolutions many will simply be hoping for better things, life in all its fullness. If any long for the gateway to pastures new, that is faith in Christ, sure footing, sure company and guide in His Way, please do be in touch with me, whether baptised or not. Our Bishop David will visit our Deanery the evening of June 15th this year and will baptise and confirm all who hear God's call to follow the Way of faith in Christ, the promise of life in all its fullness.
Maybe for you 2014 will be the beginning of a new pilgrimage in faith.
Yours in Christ
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
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