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September
From IT to an Equal Tee! 
August
"If anyone is thirsty, let Him come to me and drink"
July
"— in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God". Philippians 4v6b
June Editorial
The Bishops Letter
After they prayed,
the place where they were meeting was shaken."
Acts 4 v31
Alleluia, Christ is risen - He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Easter Week
"—with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them –"
John 20vl9b
(they) fell down on their faces before the throne and worshipped God--
Father, I want to be. by R.L.W.
Alleluia, Christ is risen - He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
"If anyone is thirsty, let Him come to me and drink", john7 v 36b
September
From IT to an Equal Tee!
Dear Friends
Many of you will have heard of the radical change in career that numerous people have been taking over the past few years. One of the most popular changes being from something well paid and possibly office based to becoming a Plumber. Well I too have made that change and fortunately started the move before all the hype caused the massive demand on training facilities that now exists.
It was about three years ago I started to train as a plumber and I have not looked back since. However taking such a leap of faith, leaving a very well paid job in IT, going back to college and becoming self-employed was something that I could not have done in my strength alone. I had known for some years that my lifestyle was not right for me, my family, or God. As I had not the courage to make the change I prayed, and prayed, and prayed. We are told to persevere for those things that are important but not easily reachable and I believe that my perseverance and belief that God would answer my prayers, somehow, brought me to the unusual experience that happened between 8th and 11th March 2003.
Each night, as I shut my eyes to go to sleep, I suddenly experienced a great sense of excitement about the Christian faith. Nothing else was in my thoughts and although the room was dark I could sense a whiteness that came with the excitement. The experience was so intense I had trouble getting to sleep for the 3 nights and the sensation stayed with me until I eventually fell asleep. At 9.30 am on 11th March 2003 I picked up the phone and resigned from the IT company in which I had a stake and a good salary. It’s difficult to explain but I know that my hand was being guided and supported as I made that call. I resigned with immediate effect with no alternative means of income. The unexpected result of taking such dramatic action was to leave me in a position of strength with the IT company where I could work on an ‘as and when’ basis, giving me flexibility and time to sort out the long-term plan. This flexibility now meant that I could attend college and further my plumbing training and gain professional qualifications as well as be with my family more.
Although having no intention at the start of last year to actually take on plumbing work I was faced with requests from people I knew to undertake work for them and as it was the kind of work I was able to do, I did it. As a result the workload grew through recommendation and the news spreading that I was now working as a plumber. Much work has come through Marwood and Heanton Churches and I am very grateful to those who showed faith in my ability.
Training this past academic year has been quite tough compared to the previous year. The syllabus has been very intensive with eleven multiple choice exams to be taken throughout the year, one final exam, about thirty practical assignments to complete, a portfolio of work to deliver and on top of this I have taken three extra courses and exams (at Wiltshire college) to enhance my knowledge and qualifications.
Despite the difficulties that can go with the job I much prefer it to sitting behind a computer each day. I go home every night (eventually) and see my family, no more staying away in hotels each week. Also, having grateful customers and being thanked for doing a good job is something I was not terribly used to in the I.T. industry. Those of you with computers will know that no matter how much effort you put in the computer will sometimes always do it’s own thing!!
But more significant than all this, was, and is, God’s call on my life. Not just to “live the story” as the UK Bible Society put it, but to serve God in a tangible way, possibly to lead in a Church (a daunting thought for someone like me!) or some other role God has in mind for me. What I do know is that God is very much at work in my life, and my family’s. He wants me to make a difference, to help bring others into His fold, to encourage and support those, like me, who can be troubled by so many unanswered questions and the difficulties we face in life. And strangely enough I’ve found becoming a (public) Christian brings it’s own challenges even in the “civilised” western society we live in. There are many who disbelieve, as we know, but what I have been surprised by is some of my friends and family who have become so aggressive against the faith, and me, when I have introduced my Christian beliefs into a conversation. We know from biblical history, and current day thinking and events in other parts of the world, that life as a Christian can literally cost you your (human) life. I do hope that my friends and family who disagree with me don’t ever feel that strongly!! But nonetheless a challenge to rise to, as I would very much like my friends and family to join me in God’s kingdom when the time is right. So perseverance (which when you think about seems to be synonymous with Christianity) is needed once more!!
I’ll finish by leaving you with the following thoughts. What may seem impossible or overwhelming in life (like a major career change) may not be so if we invite God’s help through prayer and those things in life that we give so much value to, and hold us back, are often so worthless. Something that Jesus is reported to have said, although it apparently does not appear in the Bible, is “this world is a bridge to be passed over, do not build your house on it”. I use this simple, but significant, phrase to remind myself of what is, and is not, important in life. So many of us want to hold a tight grip on what we cannot take with us and also try and spend our life obtaining all sorts at the expense of knowing God. It is often said that we are born with nothing and can take nothing with us but that is not strictly true. The one (and only) thing that you can take with you to the grave, and beyond, is your relationship with God. What else can be more important?
With Love in Jesus
Tony Liddon
Dear Friends
As I sit writing this, we are having the first rain since our "mini" heat wave.
Yesterday I couldn't get the extension together on my hose to reach the far parts of my large garden. I'm really quite glad I'm getting some help for the thirsty plants.
We have personal heat waves as well - that cause us to need the refreshing water of God's Holy Spirit. Like the plants we can become dry if we do not give ourselves time and space to be refreshed. That is why I always suggest that we have a break from regular weekly meetings and PCCs etc. during the month of August.
Much has happened both locally in the churches and nationally, politically and, for some people, personally. Let us use this "break" time to spend more time relaxing, spending more time with God and each other, and above all allowing God to speak and minister to us. Jesus wants to meet with us, as the song "To the river" goes; "He is calling, He is waiting; Jesus longs to meet you there".
Like me, many of you may have relatives and friends staying and it's important that we have quality time with them. Some of us may need time to reflect on God's calling on our lives.
Today I have received a letter from my Moslem sister in Malaysia, asking me if she made a whopping mistake when she converted to Islam to marry a Moslem 20 years ago. She is asking loads of questions, which will be a real challenge to answer. I need time to do that as her eternal life is at stake.
So whatever your particular dryness is that needs the water of God's refreshing Spirit, come to Jesus and ask for it. He promises that whoever believes in Him streams of living water will flow from Him as the Spirit works in his life.
Think what a difference it would make to our part of the world if our lives were alive, growing and blossoming rather than being spiritually parched, dry or even dead from lack of the living water of Jesus Christ.
May you experience a time of refreshment during this month so that you feel ready and able to be all that God wants you to be in the future months.
Dear Friends,
There is a great story in the Old Testament in the book of Nehemiah Chapter 4 where he sets out to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after their return from exile. The people make great progress much to the anger of their neighbouring enemies who then ridiculed their efforts and threatened to put a stop to the rebuilding. Guards were posted day and night but the Jews began to be disheartened with this continual threat and the amount of work that needed still to be done.
Nehemiah then decides to arm his workmen. Those who carried materials carried them in one hand and a sword in the other. Those who built wore a sword in their belts. He also posted families to guard the areas where their kinsfolk were working and then at night time they stayed in the city to watch and guard against attack. A trumpeter was on post all the time to call people to any place where an attack was threatened.
All the while Nehemiah prayed to God and reminded the people that He would fight for them. There were continued taunts, threats and letters from their enemies but in 52 days the walls were built and their enemies lost confidence and were afraid.
So what has this story to do with us in the Communities of Heanton and Marwood ?
The main thing that the Church needs to do is to rebuild, maybe even to begin to build, its relationships with those who live around us. This needs vision and commitment on the part of those who are the Church - the body of Christ. It also means giving time and using the gifts God has given us to enable the work of the vision to develop.
I know that there are those among you whose time is limited or who are physically unable to help but Jesus never did any of His fathers WORK without prayer and neither can we. I am well aware that we have our watchmen - our intercessors - and as Nehemiah knew - we cannot do with out you. Your work of interceding often goes unnoticed, but I want to encourage all you who pray, as you are so important, for the rebuilding cannot happen without you.
The opportunities are there. God is providing openings, but our enemy the devil does not like this and he uses every means that he can, spiritual and secular, to prevent God's work being done. Those of us who are actively engaged in trying to build need you to pray along with us and for us; for more workers and resources; for better communication between us so you know what to pray, and a belief that God is in it all with us.
It might take rather longer man 52 days and it will need the time, talents and gifts of all of us. "Not by power, nor by might, but by my Spirit", said the Lord at the time of the rebuilding of Jerusalem and we need to remember this for ourselves as we work out His vision for the communities.
With love in the Lord Jesus,
Dear Friends
On Sunday, May 8th a letter from the Bishop of Exeter was read out in all the churches of the Diocese. Its purpose was to outline the Diocesan policy, 'Moving on in Mission and Ministry' (MOiMM). This policy is central to church-life within the Diocese and so it is important that we understand what it will mean for us.
But firstly, why the need for new policy?
The Church of England, along with many other denominations, has reached a time of crisis. It has to either change or die. The existing way of church life is no longer viable because of the considerable reduction of people committed to the Church and Christian faith. There is no longer sufficient money, ordained ministers or people in general to run the church as it has been for so many years. MOiMM propose a change that involves two central directions:
1. Mission Centred
The existing pattern of ministry is one where church-goers simply receive the services of the Church organisation and clergy. This however is not the role that God intended Christians to adopt. In the last month we have celebrated Ascension Day and Pentecost. On Ascension Day Jesus went to His Father in heaven, leaving the work that He had begun to His followers (Acts 1:1-11). At Pentecost the followers received the Holy Spirit by whose power they would do that work, (Acts 2:1-21) work we now refer to as mission.
For me, the definition of mission can be found in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians.
'All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation' (2 Cor 5:18-19)
Reconciliation (restoring relationship with God) is then the principle mission of the church. We, as Christians, are to live out a personal relationship with God and help others also to find that relationship. To do this the church has to connect with the community it is supposed to be serving. Christian leaders have a crucial role to play in this. Firstly they are to take responsibility for themselves to avoid the temptation to simplycontinue to do everything for everybody. Secondly they are to affirm those they lead to find and pursue their own particular ministry among the people with whom they regularly engage. Many Christians, willing to serve God, are removed from the very places He has called them, in order to serve the church organisation. With fewer people now available, just keeping the church going is an all-consuming task. Which leads me to the second focus of MOiMM.
2. Community cooperation
At present we find local clusters of small churches independently doing the same work. Such replication is costly on time, money and people, an extravagance that we can no longer afford. Instead we have to be prepared to work with and alongside one another. Inevitably our identity as a church community will change, but we can pray that our new identity will be better; welcoming the diversity that different traditions will offer. If we fail to take this risk and close ranks to preserve what we have, the outcome is certain death. Jesus said 'whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it' (Mattl6:25). In Heanton and Marwood, I believe we are already becoming a mission community, working together with one another and with other local churches, but we still have further to go.
At the centre of everything has to be prayer to seek God's vision, 'Many are the plans in a man's heart but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails' (Prov 19:21). We and other local churches, have started praying together in this way.
I believe that God rejoices over the cooperation, unity and move towards mission that is emerging. It is entirely possible that He has either allowed or even brought about the current crisis in order to restore His Church to that which He intended it to be.
Yours in Christ
Steve
Dear Friends
This month we celebrate the birthday of the Church. This season of the Church's year is called Pentecost, and we remember the time when all the disciples - 120 of them - were together in one place when they experienced the power of God's Holy Spirit coming upon them. The amazing result was that 3,000 people heard God's word preached in a language that they could understand and asked to be baptised and they became followers of Jesus Christ.
From then on we read of the disciples meeting regularly together, caring for each other, learning of Jesus and praying. And when they prayed miraculous things happened. People were healed, baptised, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and spoke of Jesus, when, only 40 days previously they had been hiding behind locked doors for fear of their lives.
Can prayer really make that sort of difference?
I believe it can. That is why we shall be coming together this month on our usual evening of prayer -on the third Sunday- with other Christians in the community and their ministers. We hope Heanton and Marwood will be joined by the URC and Methodists, Pentecostals, Roman Catholics and Christians from RMB Chivenor and from Calvary Chapel, Woolacombe on May
15th at 6.00 pm, in Wrafton Church Hall.
What a Pentecost we could have! What a birthday celebration!
There will be a time of worship followed by both silent and spoken prayer. Whether the place will shake, I guess will be more to do with what God does in us than what we do for God, so - as the song - 'let's do it'. It could begin to make a real difference to our community.
Whether you are a regular worshipper at a church or not, you are all very welcome. Many people who do not come to church, pray. Prayer is the one thing the devil can't abide us doing, as it means we are communicating with the One who has already beaten him by His death on the cross and His resurrection.
And who knows what the outcome will be? We don't - but God does - and He says that none of His words fall to the ground fruitless but will accomplish what He purposes and the task He gives it.
About six weeks ago a group of leaders were praying about how the work of the Church should move forward. We believe that God showed us that He wanted us to spend more time in prayer, both as individuals and as Churches.
The next morning I awoke to these words ringing in my ears; "What if we became a praying community?" I shared this with other Church leaders in the area and all have responded with enthusiasm - hence our Pentecost Prayer meeting.
I pray that all who read this, will be challenged to become part of this birthday celebration.
With love in Jesus,
Dear Friends
From Easter to Pentecost (Whitsun), the words above are said almost every time we meet for worship. This is the Gospel we have, Jesus died but is risen. He is no longer dead but alive. "Go and tell" were the words that Jesus told Mary Magdalene when He met her in the garden and consequently she was the first to preach the Gospel!
This is the good news that Easter brings to us, but when people are bereaved they often can't see beyond the tomb and Jesus' disciples found it just as difficult to believe as many people today still do
But look around you. What do you see? The bulbs and seeds that once looked dead and were buried have come to life. No longer do they look like they were when they were buried, but with different bodies, with a beauty that belies how they looked when they were planted. Look at the daffodils, crocuses and anemones. What colour, what pleasure they give, how different they now look - enhancing our gardens and perfuming our living rooms.
And this is what St Paul was saying when he wrote about the resurrection to the Church in Corinth. The body that we have in our resurrection life will be different from the one we have here on earth. "What you sow does not come to life unless it dies".
(I Corinthians 15v36)
We do not have to die physically to experience new life, although when we do die those who have trusted Jesus in their lives will experience this
What we need to take on board is, that if we choose now to die to our old ways of life and instead follow Jesus, and all that such a
commitment means, we can begin to lead a new life now! Think of the freedom and beauty of the dragonfly or butterfly when it is set free from its pupa. How would you like to have that same sort of beauty and freedom in your life here on earth? Well Jesus offers it, and its free. He's paid the price for us already on the cross. The symbolism of Baptism, going down into the water and coming up out of it, is about dying to our old life and being raised into a new life. Easter was the traditional time for baptisms for this reason. Because many of us have been baptised or christened as babies we have to make our own decision to experience this new life for ourselves as adults. If you want to do this then you could use this prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me enough to die for me. I am really sorry for the ways I have sinned by hurting other people and putting myself first before you. Please forgive me and come into my life to make me new person. Help me to die to my old ways and instead to live a new life following you. Amen
Alleluia - Christ is risen! He is risen indeed - Alleluia!
I woke up to a dark, murky, foggy morning and I couldn't see anything on the Base except a few pin pricks of light appearing. Gradually I began, to see other lights and! realised that they were along a road - making the way through clearer.
For the disciples - the day Jesus died was one of darkness through which they could not see. What now? Where in this gloomy and dark situation could they go? Hiding away seemed the only sensible answer - grieving and deep in their own misery. Sometimes in life we fed that everything is going to be all right and then "whoom" - all seems to close in and shut down on us-and we can't see the way through.
The experience of Palm Sunday, with all the razzmatazz, rejoicing and acceptance of Jesus must have seemed a light in the darkness of the impending persecution and death that Jesus had prepared the disciples for. They had probably dreaded going into Jerusalem and yet conversely they had indicated that they would go with-, their Master, even if it meant they would die with Him.
Now - after the happy procession into the city and an evening rest in Bethany, things may have felt a little less threatening. And yet - in less than a week they were hiding "for fear of the Jews" -because Jesus had been humiliated and killed, and they were afraid that they might be next.
How often do we hide away when things are not going right for us; when things seem to be happening that are out of our control; when we are in fear of our job, our lives through sickness, a relationship, or our own ability to cope? It is often then that it seems a fog envelops us and there are no pin pricks of light to show us the way. But if only we look hopefully, they are there. When Jesus stood in that room full of fearful disciples, three day after His crucifixion and burial, they must have experienced at least a vague hope that all would be well That appearance was one of many that gradually led them out of darkness into the glorious light of resurrection, until they all reached a point where they were prepared to go and proclaim the truth of "light out of darkness" to the world
That Easter hope is this truth for us also. It points a way through the enveloping murk and fog of fear and pain we sometimes experience.
So what is Easter to you? Chocolate eggs and bunnies? Spring flowers and holidays? Or the basis of your faith that speaks of the resurrection hope; available to all who believe that what happened to Jesus on Good Friday and Easter Day, are times of celebration for the most wonderful promises and plans of hope that God has for the world, both in this life and beyond.
I pray that this Easter, the empty tomb will speak to you of that new life and hope, as you ask Jesus to come to where you are.
With love in our risen Lord
Dear Friends
These words are found many times in our bibles, in both the Old and New Testaments o often referring to many people, sometimes to only one. Have you ever done this? If you haven’t I’m pretty sure you’ll be doing so in heaven when the time comes! Our God is an awesome God and how we respond when we meet with Him will often depend on what is in our hearts at the time.
Think of the other things the bible tells us that people did when they worshipped God.
Miriam and David both danced before the Lord. David’s wife didn’t like it much but he was praising the Lord with his whole being, as was Miriam when the Israelites got through the Red Sea. The Psalms refer to people dancing, shouting praise, singing and playing numerous types of instrument as they worshipped God.
Isaiah recognised he was as unclean - unworthy and sinful - as the people he lived amongst. Ezekiel fell down on his face as he saw and heard a vision from God.
The transfiguration of Jesus caused Peter to blurt out the first thing that came into his head, and he wanted the experience to last. When the Holy Spirit came upon people at Pentecost they all starting speaking in languages they had not learned as they praised God. Paul writes in his letters that people should lift up holy hands and all bring their contributions of prayers, songs, psalms and prophecy to their Church meetings.
Finally in the book of Revelation we read of numerous occasions when the people from all nations, tribes and tongues in heaven, fall down on the faces, are silent in worship, or praise God loudly; and one day that will be our experience too.
During November we have the opportunity to join in a variety of types of worship. Prayer Book Communion and Morning Prayer; Common Worship for Communion and Morning Worship, Service of the Word, Baptism; there will be Weddings in the modern form and Remembrance Sunday; also all-age worship, our monthly evening Celebration and that lovely service of Taize, with silence and candles on Advent-Sunday.
What a feast and what a wonderful variety we can experience in preparation for the variety that we will one day experience in heaven!
But worship is not just about what we do when we meet on Sundays. It is about meeting with God giving Him worth at all times and in all places. It is about our intimacy with him, getting close to him, that enables us to live each day for Him and that then enriches our worship on Sundays or when we meet midweek.
Many people prefer one type of service to another and that is why each week there are services that are different, so that all people can learn to worship in ways that are not their particular choice, knowing that the next week they will be able to enjoy the style of worship that they prefer. That is what it means to belong to the family of God.
As long as we come together desiring to give God praise and worship that is genuine, it doesn’t matter whether it is traditional or modem, quiet or lively. What matters is that, whatever our age or preferences, we bring of ourselves and give of ourselves, so that as we meet with God we can receive from Him with open hearts all that He longs to give us for the week ahead.
However, I pray that you will desire to meet daily with the God of eternity who looks into our hearts rather than at what style of worship we are engaging in.
Dear Friends,
Rather than write a letter this month I thought I would let you ponder on some words written by two Christians - now home with, the Lord.
Archbishop Oscar Romero was the Roman Catholic archbishop of San Salvador and spoke out against liberal theology and of the oppressive dictatorial regime of the time. He was assassinated in 1980 while he was celebrating Mass at a hospital
Roger, my husband, often wrote short pieces of poetry or prose, many in the form of prayers, of which this is one of many which I hope to publish before the end of the year:
Both pieces speak into our present desire to allow God to minister through-us.
A reflection on ministry
It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view.
The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete,
which is another way of saying that
the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that should be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No programme accomplishes the Church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about. We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything,
and there is a sense of liberation in realising that
This enables us to do something,
and to do it well.
It may he incomplete,
but it is a beginning,
a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter
arid do the rest.
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between
the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders,
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future that is not our own.
Archbishop Oscar Romero
Father, I want to be.....
walking in Your way,
listening to "Your voice,
strengthened by Your power,
surrounded by Your love,
embedded in Your truth,
filled with Your Holy Spirit
forgiven by Your grace
worthy of Your trust,
healed by Your wounds,
fed from Your Word,
clothed, with Your righteousness,
washed in Your Blood,
protected by Your armour,
fit for Your Kingdom,
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
R.L.W.
RECTOR'S NOTES
"Getting to know you, getting to know more about you—"
Feasting and partying was a challenge thrown out to those of us at New Wine by Michelle Guiness, a Christian Jew. She pointed out that the Jews were always feasting to celebrate what God had done in their fives and that Jesus Himself spent a good deal of time eating with others and telling stories about banquets. It's midnight and I have just bidden goodbye to the last of some of our 20s-30s, who met together at the Rectory to do just that Not many of the group who came knew each other They were from both Church families, and there were others who had been invited who wanted to come but couldn't They left deciding to meet each month and my thanks go to Nick and Jo Wood who organised it all.
I have prayed for many years that God would bring this age group among us, for after all it is from this age group that the future leaders of the church will emerge. Now I'm seeing answers to that prayer. Between the two churches we have 20 -30 contacts either attending church or enquiring about our faith. But it needn't be only this age group that meet together. In fact it doesn't have to be an age group at all. Those who belong to housegroups have their social evenings and those who don't | could gather a few people from church around them for coffee, ! lunch, tea or supper and, as long as someone else organises it, | the Rectory could occasionally be available. This is a brilliant way of getting to know each other, and including non- Christian friends, especially those you don't know so well, and this comment was repeated many times by some of you who I came to the small group meetings in the summer. Generally Marwood and Heanton are good at feasting, but perhaps not so good at getting to know others who we don't meet other than at church; and what an easy way to invite friends to meet other Christians. So why don't you consider this way of getting to know each other, and Steve and I will do our best to join you if this is what you would like (as long as we and you don't talk church business).
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