Dear friends,
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".
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.
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.
Yours in Christ.
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Rector's View - April 2016
Dear friends,
Our Diocese has just welcomed our new bishop of Dunwich, bishop Mike, to assist our diocesan bishop Martin. Bishop Mike's service of welcome and installation was a great occasion and included an intoxicating spiritual mix of hymnody and worship song, with organ, choir, soloist and orchestra. But the music of welcome wasn't confined to the arches of the cathedral, the bells rang out their joyful welcome for the whole of Bury St Edmunds to hear. Bishop Mike encouraged his flock to be bold in proclaiming their faith, to embrace spiritual entrepreneurism, to speak of the benefit, health and strength in serving other's needs, and gathering together to share our faith and praise our God.
So, taking up bishop Mike's call I'm setting out the benefit for health, socialising, and fun in sharing the welcome call to worship, that is the stimulating pursuit of bell-ringing! We have two ringing towers in regular use in our benefice, at St Margaret's Stradishall and St Margaret's Cowlinge. You don't have to have faith or be a regular worshiper, though having an open mind and willingness to use your instruction to celebrate Sunday worship and Christian Marriage is a good start. But let me borrow some further invitation from an excellent website http://www.bellringing.org/fitness/.
You've heard of workouts with dumbbells, now try church bells! Bells are the largest and loudest instrument in the world. But they are also the perfect way to get gentle physical exercise and increase active living for people who are looking for alternatives to conventional sport. Just like the practice of the Christian faith, it's better together!
What's even better is that bell ringing is open to everyone - young and old - and with any level of existing fitness. Whilst bells can weigh up to 4,500kg most are much lighter and are rung using mainly technique rather than strength. The movement of bell ringing often helps many people to stay active longer and increase agility.
As well to enjoy the new friendships an active social life brings! Once you have learned the basic techniques you will always be made welcome when you visit any of the 5,000 other towers in the UK. A warm welcome awaits you at our two towers of Cowlinge and Stradishall, why not give our tower captain a call today:- David Wedgwood - please use the contact details in the footer of the page. (Practice nights mostly Stradishall Fridays 8-9pm, but check first with David.)
And very occasionally even I have a go, so do say hello sometime.
Every Blessing
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
Our Diocese has just welcomed our new bishop of Dunwich, bishop Mike, to assist our diocesan bishop Martin. Bishop Mike's service of welcome and installation was a great occasion and included an intoxicating spiritual mix of hymnody and worship song, with organ, choir, soloist and orchestra. But the music of welcome wasn't confined to the arches of the cathedral, the bells rang out their joyful welcome for the whole of Bury St Edmunds to hear. Bishop Mike encouraged his flock to be bold in proclaiming their faith, to embrace spiritual entrepreneurism, to speak of the benefit, health and strength in serving other's needs, and gathering together to share our faith and praise our God.
So, taking up bishop Mike's call I'm setting out the benefit for health, socialising, and fun in sharing the welcome call to worship, that is the stimulating pursuit of bell-ringing! We have two ringing towers in regular use in our benefice, at St Margaret's Stradishall and St Margaret's Cowlinge. You don't have to have faith or be a regular worshiper, though having an open mind and willingness to use your instruction to celebrate Sunday worship and Christian Marriage is a good start. But let me borrow some further invitation from an excellent website http://www.bellringing.org/fitness/.
You've heard of workouts with dumbbells, now try church bells! Bells are the largest and loudest instrument in the world. But they are also the perfect way to get gentle physical exercise and increase active living for people who are looking for alternatives to conventional sport. Just like the practice of the Christian faith, it's better together!
What's even better is that bell ringing is open to everyone - young and old - and with any level of existing fitness. Whilst bells can weigh up to 4,500kg most are much lighter and are rung using mainly technique rather than strength. The movement of bell ringing often helps many people to stay active longer and increase agility.
- Professional trainers and health experts now recommend bell ringing to &elip;
- improve agility, co-ordination, and reaction times
- tone core abdominal muscles and glutes
- work biceps, quads and calves with minimal force
- develop muscle endurance
As well to enjoy the new friendships an active social life brings! Once you have learned the basic techniques you will always be made welcome when you visit any of the 5,000 other towers in the UK. A warm welcome awaits you at our two towers of Cowlinge and Stradishall, why not give our tower captain a call today:- David Wedgwood - please use the contact details in the footer of the page. (Practice nights mostly Stradishall Fridays 8-9pm, but check first with David.)
And very occasionally even I have a go, so do say hello sometime.
Every Blessing
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Rector's View - March 2016
Dear friends,
The winding road of our Church's year takes us from Epiphany – showing – through Lent – preparation – to Passiontide, Holy Week and Easter, quite a pilgrimage.
So often in Christian faith we can be so focused on personal revelation we diminish the greater life we proclaim, that of our company together in the risen life of our Christ. Many Christian communities come together for Palm Sunday processions to enact this greater presence we share through our common discipleship, following together in the Way of Christ. Palm Sunday is the second of the great processional days of Christ's Church, the first being Christ's Presentation in the Temple – Candlemas for our bearing candles, Palm Sunday for our bearing palms. These processional days frame February through to March and help us reflect on our work through Lent of growing our Easter faith.
Our Diocese is celebrating the installation of our new assistant bishop Mike, a great gathering witnessed his installation as bishop of Dunwich in St Edmundsbury cathedral, and we look forward to our part in his promotion of growth across our Diocese particularly amongst our young. Our demonstration of support for this new ministry among us, shared with our diocesan bishop Martin, reminds us of our common purpose to share knowledge and love of God and of His Son. We demonstrate that knowledge and love through our actions, and in this we are ever better together.
So our Palm Sunday procession, demonstrates our part in Christ's mission, the growth of God's Kingdom on earth as in heaven. As we share in hailing our Christ as King, we grow in our conviction all to play our part in bearing the fruits of God's Kingdom. Some may indeed take on great works, as our bishops Martin and Mike, though ours may be the lesser task, in the personality of Jesus we in our deeds become one, ours is no lesser task in growing God's kingdom than those great leaders of faith we welcome and applaud. Through our service in practical neighbourliness and friendly welcome we too go about our modest work in making real the story of God's love by our simple living, looking for no reward save that of knowing we do our Lord's will, as Ignatius Loyola's prayer puts it. We by our preparing the way, encouraging, applauding, turning to good works, welcome our Christ into our lives and share His Kingdom with those whom we meet this day. As we come to the end of our Lenten journey carrying our palms, we are reminded of our last procession carrying our candles, the light of our lives, and with joy determine to live in that greater light together growing God's kingdom for Christ's risen life today.
Yours in Christ,
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
The winding road of our Church's year takes us from Epiphany – showing – through Lent – preparation – to Passiontide, Holy Week and Easter, quite a pilgrimage.
So often in Christian faith we can be so focused on personal revelation we diminish the greater life we proclaim, that of our company together in the risen life of our Christ. Many Christian communities come together for Palm Sunday processions to enact this greater presence we share through our common discipleship, following together in the Way of Christ. Palm Sunday is the second of the great processional days of Christ's Church, the first being Christ's Presentation in the Temple – Candlemas for our bearing candles, Palm Sunday for our bearing palms. These processional days frame February through to March and help us reflect on our work through Lent of growing our Easter faith.
Our Diocese is celebrating the installation of our new assistant bishop Mike, a great gathering witnessed his installation as bishop of Dunwich in St Edmundsbury cathedral, and we look forward to our part in his promotion of growth across our Diocese particularly amongst our young. Our demonstration of support for this new ministry among us, shared with our diocesan bishop Martin, reminds us of our common purpose to share knowledge and love of God and of His Son. We demonstrate that knowledge and love through our actions, and in this we are ever better together.
So our Palm Sunday procession, demonstrates our part in Christ's mission, the growth of God's Kingdom on earth as in heaven. As we share in hailing our Christ as King, we grow in our conviction all to play our part in bearing the fruits of God's Kingdom. Some may indeed take on great works, as our bishops Martin and Mike, though ours may be the lesser task, in the personality of Jesus we in our deeds become one, ours is no lesser task in growing God's kingdom than those great leaders of faith we welcome and applaud. Through our service in practical neighbourliness and friendly welcome we too go about our modest work in making real the story of God's love by our simple living, looking for no reward save that of knowing we do our Lord's will, as Ignatius Loyola's prayer puts it. We by our preparing the way, encouraging, applauding, turning to good works, welcome our Christ into our lives and share His Kingdom with those whom we meet this day. As we come to the end of our Lenten journey carrying our palms, we are reminded of our last procession carrying our candles, the light of our lives, and with joy determine to live in that greater light together growing God's kingdom for Christ's risen life today.
Yours in Christ,
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
Monday, February 1, 2016
Rector's View - February 2016
Dear friends,
From Christ's boyhood Presentation in the Temple at Candlemas to His Palm Sunday return and Easter Rising again in the Living Temple of His faithful, the natural world too is telling her story of new life in lengthening days anticipating the greening of field and flowering of meadow.
So the story of Christ's infant nativity turns to the story of His new life in the fields of our hearts.
Our Lenten journey sees each day lightening and our own anticipation of summer's warming balm.
Coming to belief for many can too be a slow revelation of first shoots to first fruits. As the realization of love's longing, to come to that blessing of knowledge and love of God can be likened to the glories of those longed for summer days. Lives can be transformed whether through finding strength to endure, or finding release and freedom from all that might hold you back. Finding our faith can be as that new dawn, or as the lengthening day of this Lenten pilgrimage.
A good time then for study and reflection. Perhaps for some of you, a good walk can set the world to rights, for others perhaps a more focused enquiry. I hope again to maintain the Wickhambrook Labyrinth (next to All Saints Church) for just such folk as those whose spiritual journey is better aided by being on their feet rather than their knees.
Should you be exploring your spiritual journey with God perhaps I can help, let me know and our benefice can set up a fellowship group for you to support your growth in faith. Of course you may have links with other churches, do be bold and make this Lent a time to nurture the green shoots of your faith.
May we all find growth in hopeful living.
Yours in Christ
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
From Christ's boyhood Presentation in the Temple at Candlemas to His Palm Sunday return and Easter Rising again in the Living Temple of His faithful, the natural world too is telling her story of new life in lengthening days anticipating the greening of field and flowering of meadow.
So the story of Christ's infant nativity turns to the story of His new life in the fields of our hearts.
Our Lenten journey sees each day lightening and our own anticipation of summer's warming balm.
Coming to belief for many can too be a slow revelation of first shoots to first fruits. As the realization of love's longing, to come to that blessing of knowledge and love of God can be likened to the glories of those longed for summer days. Lives can be transformed whether through finding strength to endure, or finding release and freedom from all that might hold you back. Finding our faith can be as that new dawn, or as the lengthening day of this Lenten pilgrimage.
A good time then for study and reflection. Perhaps for some of you, a good walk can set the world to rights, for others perhaps a more focused enquiry. I hope again to maintain the Wickhambrook Labyrinth (next to All Saints Church) for just such folk as those whose spiritual journey is better aided by being on their feet rather than their knees.
Should you be exploring your spiritual journey with God perhaps I can help, let me know and our benefice can set up a fellowship group for you to support your growth in faith. Of course you may have links with other churches, do be bold and make this Lent a time to nurture the green shoots of your faith.
May we all find growth in hopeful living.
Yours in Christ
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
Friday, January 1, 2016
Rector's View - January 2016
Dear friends,
As our villages echo with the cheery greeting "happy New Year!" we hold in our thoughts and prayers those whose Christmas and New Year has begun amidst flood damaged homes, or temporary lodging, or makeshift shelters in underpass or hedgerow. So many begin this new year in transit, either waiting for arrival or simply seeking escape.
We are all familiar with the Christmas story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem but many are less familiar with their escape to Egypt and their year's in exile before returning to their Nazareth home on hearing news of an end to Herod's persecutions and oppressions. Egypt continues to bear the burden of sanctuary for so many displaced peoples today, may they too look to hear news of an end to the persecutions and oppressions of their homelands.
The stories of Jesus' infancy continue in the Church's calendar throughout January and February, as this new born is acclaimed a new beginning for all peoples. The new beginning offered in this Nazarene migrant took a life time of waiting before the fulfilment for all life of that hoped for good news in Christ's resurrection. Pray there will be good out of today's great migrations, that those whose lives seem trapped in transit will find their new beginning and that their hopes born in transit will mature to offer good news in this day.
The prayer Christ taught his followers has been heard by those of faith and none in Cliff Richard's Millennium prayer sung just a decade or so ago, setting the daily plea of faith, God's Kingdom come, to that perennial greeting to the New Year, Auld Lang Syne. In this coming of God's Kingdom of peace and justice for all we pray ‘lead us not into temptation’ which may also be read, lead us not into trial or hard testing. Jesus warns his followers of trials to come and assures us that God shortens the time of great tribulation as St Paul too assures his readers ‘God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it 1 Corinthians 10:13. So we pray in this New Year, that the time of hard trial, of tribulation, of testing be bought short, for today's migrants, for those who have suffered floods, for those overwhelmed by life's hard testing and temptations. May the day of God's mercy come quickly, at your hand and at mine, may we provide relief for those in need and want, that they may have hope, and be able to share the greeting we offer.
Happy New Year!
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
As our villages echo with the cheery greeting "happy New Year!" we hold in our thoughts and prayers those whose Christmas and New Year has begun amidst flood damaged homes, or temporary lodging, or makeshift shelters in underpass or hedgerow. So many begin this new year in transit, either waiting for arrival or simply seeking escape.
We are all familiar with the Christmas story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem but many are less familiar with their escape to Egypt and their year's in exile before returning to their Nazareth home on hearing news of an end to Herod's persecutions and oppressions. Egypt continues to bear the burden of sanctuary for so many displaced peoples today, may they too look to hear news of an end to the persecutions and oppressions of their homelands.
The stories of Jesus' infancy continue in the Church's calendar throughout January and February, as this new born is acclaimed a new beginning for all peoples. The new beginning offered in this Nazarene migrant took a life time of waiting before the fulfilment for all life of that hoped for good news in Christ's resurrection. Pray there will be good out of today's great migrations, that those whose lives seem trapped in transit will find their new beginning and that their hopes born in transit will mature to offer good news in this day.
The prayer Christ taught his followers has been heard by those of faith and none in Cliff Richard's Millennium prayer sung just a decade or so ago, setting the daily plea of faith, God's Kingdom come, to that perennial greeting to the New Year, Auld Lang Syne. In this coming of God's Kingdom of peace and justice for all we pray ‘lead us not into temptation’ which may also be read, lead us not into trial or hard testing. Jesus warns his followers of trials to come and assures us that God shortens the time of great tribulation as St Paul too assures his readers ‘God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it 1 Corinthians 10:13. So we pray in this New Year, that the time of hard trial, of tribulation, of testing be bought short, for today's migrants, for those who have suffered floods, for those overwhelmed by life's hard testing and temptations. May the day of God's mercy come quickly, at your hand and at mine, may we provide relief for those in need and want, that they may have hope, and be able to share the greeting we offer.
Happy New Year!
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Rector's View - December 2015
Dear friends,
The close of our year is both an anticipation of arrival and a looking back to where we have been. In this we seek to shine light on our lives and discern the path we should take before us for the good.
Amidst the horrors of this year's close, the family of nations too seeks to discern the path to establish stability in justice and peace for all peoples.
The question of Luke's Gospel, who is my neighbour, when put to Jesus the Nazarene too was a question set amidst the upheavals of migrants settling new lands seeking sanctuary. The answer directed toward our individual response to those robbed of their living and hope. The lesson of European history is to uphold this family of nations and call to account any who would inflict harm on their subjects.
Years of failure to address the cry of those subject to hardship and war at the hand of tyrannical rulers has seen a movement of migrants become an exodus. With this mass movement of people again rises that ancient question addressed to the good "Who is my neighbour". The good teacher asked of us to see our neighbour in the one who shows mercy. Through this simple individual action of rescue Jesus' title of Saviour rises as the Daystar across the darkness of the ages to light even our day. May we then find the strength to show the gift of mercy to those whose hope is born in the darkness of night in lands far from home. In this may Luke's gospel of outcast shepherds be seen gathered in awe at God's abiding among us with today's displaced poor, as among that first holy family in their stable shelter.
And may Matthew's gospel, the homage of the wise, offer direction in the quest of our nation's leaders to bear gifts of healing, justice and peace to all peoples as among one family of nations.
Grace and Peace be yours this Christmas.
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
The close of our year is both an anticipation of arrival and a looking back to where we have been. In this we seek to shine light on our lives and discern the path we should take before us for the good.
Amidst the horrors of this year's close, the family of nations too seeks to discern the path to establish stability in justice and peace for all peoples.
The question of Luke's Gospel, who is my neighbour, when put to Jesus the Nazarene too was a question set amidst the upheavals of migrants settling new lands seeking sanctuary. The answer directed toward our individual response to those robbed of their living and hope. The lesson of European history is to uphold this family of nations and call to account any who would inflict harm on their subjects.
Years of failure to address the cry of those subject to hardship and war at the hand of tyrannical rulers has seen a movement of migrants become an exodus. With this mass movement of people again rises that ancient question addressed to the good "Who is my neighbour". The good teacher asked of us to see our neighbour in the one who shows mercy. Through this simple individual action of rescue Jesus' title of Saviour rises as the Daystar across the darkness of the ages to light even our day. May we then find the strength to show the gift of mercy to those whose hope is born in the darkness of night in lands far from home. In this may Luke's gospel of outcast shepherds be seen gathered in awe at God's abiding among us with today's displaced poor, as among that first holy family in their stable shelter.
And may Matthew's gospel, the homage of the wise, offer direction in the quest of our nation's leaders to bear gifts of healing, justice and peace to all peoples as among one family of nations.
Grace and Peace be yours this Christmas.
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Rector's View - November 2015
Dear friends,
As the days darken leaving summer's brightness behind our thoughts turn toward the year's close and we hear tell stories of trial and hope, applauding the endurance and courage of generations past, and remembering the sacrifice of the fallen for Europe's enduring peace.
Once again though we see Europe in the upheaval of mass migration and are reminded of the migrations of our forebears, and their determination to bring healing to the wound of war in building new homes for peoples displaced and returning, and in building that brotherhood of nations whose strength is founded on seeking peace and justice.
Whilst rightly our Remembrance service marks the sacrifice of the nation, and brings us to silence at the appalling loss of war, this remembrance for many brings to mind the stories of those known more personably as friend and family. Before this national remembrance our church's calendar offers us opportunity to think on the lives of our own friends and family who have died, giving thanks for the good of their lives, for the love they shared by which we grew in knowledge and love of God. All Saints Sunday applauds the heroes of our faith, sainted for the bright light of their lives amidst this world's darkness. All Souls' offers for us the remembrance of those whose light we beheld and knew, whose light nonetheless burned bright in our lives.
On the afternoon of All Saints' Day, Sunday the 1st of November, All Saints' Church Wickhambrook will host an All Souls' service from 3pm, during which candles may be lit in memory of our own dear departed. Those to whom the church has ministered to across Bansfield Benefice have been invited to attend, but all are welcome to bring the names of their own loved ones who have died, to hear them read and to light candles. During the Sunday services before All Saints names may be added to our list of departed as well immediately before the All Souls' 3pm service. After the service we will offer refreshments in our Benefice Hall next to the church. In this may we find encouragement and hope in building this day at your hand and mine God's Kingdom on earth as in heaven.
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
As the days darken leaving summer's brightness behind our thoughts turn toward the year's close and we hear tell stories of trial and hope, applauding the endurance and courage of generations past, and remembering the sacrifice of the fallen for Europe's enduring peace.
Once again though we see Europe in the upheaval of mass migration and are reminded of the migrations of our forebears, and their determination to bring healing to the wound of war in building new homes for peoples displaced and returning, and in building that brotherhood of nations whose strength is founded on seeking peace and justice.
Whilst rightly our Remembrance service marks the sacrifice of the nation, and brings us to silence at the appalling loss of war, this remembrance for many brings to mind the stories of those known more personably as friend and family. Before this national remembrance our church's calendar offers us opportunity to think on the lives of our own friends and family who have died, giving thanks for the good of their lives, for the love they shared by which we grew in knowledge and love of God. All Saints Sunday applauds the heroes of our faith, sainted for the bright light of their lives amidst this world's darkness. All Souls' offers for us the remembrance of those whose light we beheld and knew, whose light nonetheless burned bright in our lives.
On the afternoon of All Saints' Day, Sunday the 1st of November, All Saints' Church Wickhambrook will host an All Souls' service from 3pm, during which candles may be lit in memory of our own dear departed. Those to whom the church has ministered to across Bansfield Benefice have been invited to attend, but all are welcome to bring the names of their own loved ones who have died, to hear them read and to light candles. During the Sunday services before All Saints names may be added to our list of departed as well immediately before the All Souls' 3pm service. After the service we will offer refreshments in our Benefice Hall next to the church. In this may we find encouragement and hope in building this day at your hand and mine God's Kingdom on earth as in heaven.
Rev'd Brin Singleton
Rector
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