News

Message from The Rector

These are the in-between times. In the church calendar we have two Sundays (this week and next) between the end of the Christmas season at Candlemas and the beginning of Lent – Ash Wednesday is on February 17^th. One way and another these feel like ‘in-between’ days too – between the worst of the Covid outbreak and the end of lockdown – between winter and summer (the snowdrops are looking beautiful already). We will reflect a little on ‘in-between-ness’ in our online service, available, as ever, from 10.00 on Sunday morning.

Our Pilgrim’s Together group is hosting something rather special from 7pm on Saturday 6^th. They call it a ‘Did You Know’ Ceilidh … stories and nuggets of golden information, past and present, about our local area.

Tell a story of local interest, provide an interesting fact or 2 about our community, introduce us to our local area past and present…surprise us with nuggets of information, the possibilities are endless…you might want to share a short presentation…

Come along and share, come along and just listen. Enjoy the evening with a glass / mug of something special of your choice. All are welcome! Details of the Zoom link are further down this pew-sheet.

Lent is normally a time for a bit of study and we usually run some kind of Lent Course in our benefice. Though things may soon begin to improve, it is impossible to plan anything that involves gathering in the same place at present. Our Diocese has come up with a variety of possibilities for online Lent courses and I would particularly commend two of them to you.

Living Faith in Suffolk Basics Course

Staring 23 February 2021 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Through Lent Bishop Mike and Barbara Hill (Deputy Warden of Readers) will lead this online course for people who are involved in, or considering, any kind of ministry, whether local (e.g. Lay Elder ministry) or national (e.g. Reader ministry or ordination), as well as those interested in looking more deeply at expressing their faith. The course consists of five sessions: Being Disciples: Being Called: Working Together: Sustaining Ministry: What now?

The courses will run on Zoom: Tuesdays (from 23 February) 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Visit: https://lfis-basics-20210223.eventbrite.co.uk for more information and to sign up to attend the whole course.

Radical Faith: Inspirational Christians Lives for Challenging Times

St Edmundsbury Cathedral will be hosting a series of speakers during Lent looking at five inspirational Christian lives for today’s challenging times and circumstances. Speakers include The Revd Fergus Butler-Gallie author of ‘A Field Guide to English Clergy’ and Liz Dodd, journalist, and home news editor of The Tablet. Full details of the topics and speakers can be found on the cathedral website.

https://stedscathedral.org/events/radical-faith/

And Lent is, of course, preceded by Shrove Tuesday. In the last few years adults and children have enjoyed an afternoon of decorating (and eating!) pancakes at The Dolphin in Thorpeness. This year, fresh from his success at encouraging us to make ‘Jammy Dodgers’, Chris Theobald from ‘The Parrot and Punchbowl’ in Aldringham is going to be hosting an online pancake-making session at 4.30pm. Put the date in your diary, encourage all, especially children, to join in and we’ll put the Zoom details in next week’s pew-sheet.

Finally, a reminder of all that is on offer in the benefice in this coming week.

Sunday 7th Feb – 9.45am	Online (Zoom) Morning Prayer from Friston
From 10.00am	Online (YouTube) Service of the word for in-between times
Tuesday 9th Feb – 10.30am	Online (Zoom) Coffee Morning
Wednesday 10th Feb -10.00am	Online (YouTube) Service of Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer
6.00pm	Online (Zoom) Service of Compline (Night Prayer) from Friston
6.30pm	Online (Zoom) Pilgrim’s Together worship

Anyone is very welcome to be with us for any of these services and events – the necessary links are elsewhere in this pew-sheet.

With love, as ever

Mark

Collect
Almighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth
and made us in your own image: teach us to discern your hand
in all your works and your likeness in all your children;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who with you and
the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever.

First Reading
Proverbs 8.1, 22-31
Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice? The Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of long ago. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth when he had not yet made earth and fields, or the world’s first bits of soil. When he established the heavens, I was there, when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the human race. 

Second Reading
John 1.1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

 

Reflection for 7^th February – Second Sunday before Lent
by The Revd Nichola Winter

It may feel a bit strange hearing these words from the beginning of John’s gospel quite so soon after hearing them at Christmas. But, in some ways, it feels appropriate at this time. It is still quite bleak outside – and bleak inside for many, too, as this seemingly relentless latest lock-down continues. There are welcome signs of lengthening days; the first green shoots of spring are in evidence, but winter can still have a sting in its tail. As I write, snow is in the forecast for next week. But we are reminded that ‘in the beginning was – God…’ ‘God’ that strange, brief word, so often uttered without thought, taken in vain or used as a byword – but, at its most profound level, the word that describes the fundamental origin – ‘the one in whom we live and move and have our being.’ God is there from the beginning; He is the source of life and He comes to be with His creation in all its chaos and calamity.

We’re in a kind of ‘in-between time at the moment.’ The church’s Christmas and Epiphany season has just ended with the celebration of Candlemas but that great message of Christmas still has one last shout as we read the words from John’s gospel. ‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us… and we have seen his glory.’ A promise to hold on to throughout the year – that great promise of ‘Emmanuel’ – God with us.

And accompanying God, at the beginning of creation was Wisdom. Often alluded to in the Old Testament as a commanding presence who summons the people boldly, with confidence and joy, Wisdom is endowed with feminine qualities. She is an alluring presence who builds the house and invites the people to a lavish banquet – the original creative home- maker.

In both readings we are given reassurance and comfort; a reminder of God’s grace and a pointer to the wonders of creation. Take those words from Proverbs:

‘I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race.’

We get a picture of a playful child, ‘rejoicing before him… delighting in the human race.’ With that sense of innocence comes the earnestness of a child at play, where the make-believe world the child inhabits takes all his or her thought, energy and imagination. Play is so crucial for children – indeed for children of all ages. That means you and me. As we grow older, we abandon it at our peril. During the periods of lock-down, we have been encouraged to discover new ways of looking at life, of exploring the world around us – even when our world may have shrunk to just the four walls that contain us. It may well be that we have slowed down the pace of our frantic lives and rediscovered a kinder, gentler pace. God does not create us for frantic, frenetic ceaseless activity. Look again at the words from Proverbs:

‘When he (God) established the heavens I (Wisdom) was there, when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command…’ Wisdom was there – playing, delighting, rejoicing. The sea plays a crucial part in creation, but it is just one aspect of God’s plan for humankind. Chaos and unrest touch the lives of most folk; but Wisdom is there, too. We all have to undertake a journey of some kind – we’ll all encounter rough seas and life’s storms on the way. The way we respond to the signs God sends will determine the outcome of our struggle. May we all find ways to play, to delight and to rejoice.

 

The Saints Series (Heroes of Faith) by Canon John Giles

This week – JANANI LUWUM

Ash Wednesday, 17^th February, will be the 44^th Anniversary, to the day, of the death or martyrdom as it was, of JANANI LUWUM, Anglican Archbishop of Uganda, in 1977, who figures in the list of martyrs in our Common Worship prayer books.

It’s a long way from Aldeburgh, I know, but we are thinking not so much of saints, formally recognised as such, but heroes of faith, with a message for us today. I feel I can’t miss this chance to give all readers who have got this far an account of a deeply influential, first-hand encounter I once had with this courageous and faithful Christian.

When I was Rector of Kidbrooke, SE London, we used to see Jesse Hillman, the Overseas Secretary of the Church Missionary Society on Sundays when he was in England. Jesse and his wife Dorothy ran a CMS Hostel for visitors from overseas in Blackheath. One day Jesse rang and said, “Do come to our weekly Bible Study in the Hostel this week as a rather special visitor will be there”.  I duly went. The visitor was Janani Luwum, in his third year as Archbishop of Uganda. He was a big man from the north of the country and was clearly very tired. He hardly spoke but was asked to bless us at the end of the meeting. I have never ever felt a deeper sense of holiness in a person as he blessed us.

Only a few weeks later Uganda Radio announced that he and two others had been arrested. The following day it was announced the men had been killed in a motor accident. In fact, on the orders of President Idi Amin, Janani had been shot, twice through the chest and through the mouth.

Uganda had had a star-crossed history church-wise. The first missionaries, CMS Anglicans, went in 1877 and were followed by Roman Catholic White Fathers. Alexander Mackay, a Scottish engineer, combined highly practical work building a boat to go on Lake Victoria with preaching a Billy Graham Christian message calling for repentance and personal conversion to Christ. The boy pages of the Kabaka of Uganda were attracted to the new faith as both Anglicans and Catholics, but in a tragic story suffered terribly when the Kabaka, the ruler of Uganda, who had no wish to see the new faith established, had them all burned alive. They are remembered as the Ugandan Martyrs. Yet the churches established themselves and grew. Janani Luwum too, born in 1922, came under the spell of the gospel, and after serving the church as a teacher, was ordained and recognised as a leader of great potential. He was sent to London to study theology, and after two parish posts at home was made bishop of Northern Uganda in 1969, and eventually Archbishop of Uganda in 1974.

Meanwhile there was trouble afoot. Idi Amin had seized power in a coup in January 1971 and rapidly turned into a ruthless dictator. The churches stood in his way and became the only source of opposition. Luwum was arrested when he called a council of Christian leaders to protest at some of Amin’s actions. His courage was immense. His death led to a true Easter moment. 

Jesse Hillman himself, who had flown to Uganda himself to be present at the funeral in person, asked to preach to us in Kidbrooke the Palm Sunday after his return. Janani’s funeral had already been arranged on the assumption that his body would be handed over, which was not to be. The grave was dug but there was no coffin. The service in Namirembe Cathedral went ahead as planned and the huge crowd of mourners poured out to go to the graveside. Over and over the song of the Ugandan Martyrs rang out: “Daily, daily sing the praises/ of the city God hath made”. At the empty grave the mood suddenly changed to joy, for had not Jesus’ tomb been empty. The greeting “Christ is Risen. He is risen indeed” burst out. Easter Joy stayed with the church, inspiring a resurrection in its life.   The congregation that Sunday in Kidbrooke would never forget the story they heard.

We have connections with this story in Aldeburgh. Leslie Brown, Bishop of Ipswich, had himself been the first Archbishop of Uganda. He counselled Benjamin Britten when he was dying, and indeed took his funeral. Clive Young, our Suffragan here till quite recently, was married to Susan Tucker, the daughter of another Ugandan Bishop. Our recent Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, who splendidly entertained all the guests at his enthronement with sandwiches in the grounds of York Minster, rather than disappearing off into a smart hotel with VIPs, had been close to Janani Luwum and was eventually sent to England for his own safety.

Janani’s favourite preaching text was Romans 12.1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” That is just what he did. Thank God for Janani Luwum.

 

Useful information to help during these times 

If you are finding life difficult at the moment and need someone to talk to there are always people available to listen.  You are, of course, always welcome to ring Mark or another member of the clergy team but in addition here are a few helpline numbers that are available
(thanks to Parish Nurse Ali Cherry for the information):

Silverline:  Need help? Call us ANYTIME on: 0800 4 70 80 90

The Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602

Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year.

Suffolk Mind: 0300 111 6000. Offer telephone counselling service for the over 70’s

Daily Hope:   The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 
0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind.

Other useful numbers:

For short term help with tasks such as shopping

Aldeburgh Good Neighbours scheme: 07773 031064

Aldringham Good Neighbours scheme: (covers Thorpeness also): 07521 047843

 

Vaccination Transport Information 

Possible suggestions for transport to Woodbridge for your Covid vaccinations.

• Coastal Accessible Transport (CATs) – 01728 830 516
• Aldeburgh Community Cars – 01728 831 215
• For residents of IP15 postal district Aldeburgh Good Neighbours Scheme (AGNES) – 0777 303 1064

Taxi services willing to help with an agreed charge of between £25 and £30 for the return trip:

• Amber Community Cars – 01728 833 621
• Laurie Henderson Taxis Leiston – 01728 830 101
• Bill Hamilton Limousine Service – 07985 707 023

The Week Ahead
Next Sunday 14^th February
Sunday next before Lent

 

Message from The Rector

Firstly, an apology. It seems that the link to join us for the Tuesday Zoom coffee morning didn’t work for everyone – I’m so sorry. Please do email admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk and we will give you the link.

Then it depends on what kind of a gadget you are using to connect. For some people the link will do all of the work. For others, you may need to enter the Meeting ID and Passcode. They are:

Meeting ID: 822 5695 6551

Passcode: 112626

Or you can go to the Zoom website:

https://zoom.us/join

and enter the ID and Passcode there.

It is also possible to join in on the telephone. Obviously you won’t see everyone, and they won’t be able to see you, but you should be able to hear everyone clearly and they you. You will need to ring any one of these numbers:

020 3481 5240

020 3481 5237

020 3051 2874

… and then, when prompted, enter the Meeting ID and Passcode into your phone.

Unlike the computer video there is, I’m afraid, a cost (the phone-call) but it’s good to know that those without computers will be able to join in if they wish. Please do pass the message on to anyone you think might appreciate it – everyone is welcome to join us for a few minutes or the full hour from 10.30am.

It has been good to hear of how many members of our congregations have managed, one way or another, to receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. But this has also been the week when the number of people who have died with COVID-19 mentioned as a cause on the death certificate has topped 100, 000 – a sobering statistic if ever there was one. Archbishop Justin and Archbishop Stephen have written a ‘letter to the nation’, which is here:

https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/
2021-01/20210126%20Letter%20to%20the%20nation.pdf

In it they say this:

One thing we can all do is pray. We hope it is some consolation to know that the church prays for the life of our nation every day. Whether you’re someone of faith, or not, we invite you to call on God in prayer. Starting on 1 February we invite you to set aside time every evening to pray, particularly at 6pm each day. More than ever, this is a time when we need to love each other. Prayer is an expression of love.

There are some excellent resources for prayer on the C of E website, among which is this beautiful prayer attributed to St Augustine.

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your angels and saints charge over those who sleep.
Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ.
Rest your weary ones.
Bless your dying ones.
Soothe your suffering ones.
Pity your afflicted ones.
Shield your joyous ones, and all for your love’s sake.
Amen.

We are already beginning to think about how, once it is safe to do so, we can come together in prayer for those who are suffering in any way as a result of the virus. Not just those who have caught it but those who, in shielding themselves and their loved ones, have been isolated, frightened or lonely.

This week marks the end of the Christmas season as we celebrate Candlemas and the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. This festival reminds us of the light of Christ, shining in the darkness for the whole world. A light that, however dark things may sometimes seem to us, is a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness to us all. Perhaps, when you pray, you might like to light a candle, just to remind you that God is with you, always.

With love, as ever

Mark

Collect
Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty,
whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple,
in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you
with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

 

First Reading
Malachi 3.1-5
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.

Second Reading
Hebrews 2.14-end
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. 

Gospel Reading
Luke 2.22-40
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,  ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

 

Sermon for 31^st January – Candlemas
by Our Rector, The Revd Mark Lowther

God be in our mouths and in our speaking, God be in our ears and in our hearing, God be in our heads and in our understanding. Amen.

I don’t know about you but I’m really missing a good sing at the moment. Whether you sing as a member of a choir or as a member of the congregation – and however good a singer you are – singing hymns is such a vital part of worship for so many people and, even when we have been able to be together, not being able to sing together just doesn’t seem right. How does the old hymn go – ‘Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?’.

We take our hymns and liturgical music rather for granted, don’t we? Of course, we sing hymns – why wouldn’t we? All being well, and as long as the choir helps us a bit, we sing other things too, psalms and stuff. But take a step back for a moment. Where else, these days, do people who aren’t musicians, sing? Gone are the days of gathering around the piano at home for a sing-song. Mostly gone are the days of people finding an excuse to sing their party-piece. Unless you are a member of a choir the chances are that you might only ever sing in church …. or at a football match.

The bible is full of references to singing and songs. After the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land Moses and the Israelites burst into song. ‘I will sing to the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously.’ After David has killed the giant Goliath ‘the women came out of all the towns, dancing and singing’. The book of Psalms is actually a song-book – in many cases complete with instructions as to how they should be sung. And in the New Testament there are three songs in particular that have become very familiar to us through our liturgy. One is Zechariah’s thanksgiving song at the circumcision of his son John the Baptist – ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who has come to his people and set them free’. Another is Mary’s song when she discovers that she is to be the mother of Jesus the Christ – ‘My soul magnifies the Lord’, and the third is Simeon’s song on seeing Jesus in the temple, the one we’ve just heard in our Gospel reading, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word.’ All three songs are in the first couple of chapters of Luke’s gospel and, of course, we know them best as canticles at Morning and Evening Prayer, the Benedictus, the Magnificat and the Nunc Dimittis. Canticles – from the Latin canticulum, a diminutive of canticum, “song”. Each is so very familiar to so many of us – we’ve sung (or just said) them so many times.

But the fact that Cranmer and his colleagues included them all in the services that they put together for the original 1549 Book of Common Prayer tells us that they have an importance over and above their basic function in the bible. In their different ways they demand to be sung rather than just spoken. ‘Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?’

One of the reasons that we sing in church at all is because singing helps, or should help, to project words. In the days before sound-systems if you wanted to allow everyone to hear a text it helped to sing it. Because, as we all know, if a voice drops at the end of a sentence its often hard to hear what the word is. (And, by the way, that accounts for the old-fashioned clergy-speak that doesn’t inflect a sentence in the same way as normal speech – it’s a sort-of halfway house to singing.)

The canticles are worthy of singing because they contain some essential truths about the Christian faith. The one we heard today, the one that we call the ‘Nunc Dimittis’, is another important stage in the realisation of who Jesus was. An angel told Mary who he would be. Angels told the shepherds who he was, the stars told the Magi who he was, and one star led them to find him. He heard God’s voice at his baptism telling him who he was. And now here’s old Simeon, who had been told that he would not die until he had seen the Christ, realising that he can now die in peace because this child who had come to the temple for his ritual presentation was indeed the Messiah and, (and we miss this bit sometimes because the words are so familiar) he would be a light to lighten the Gentiles as well as being the glory of Israel. In other words, Simeon knew what we also learn from the Magi – that Jesus wasn’t just the Messiah for the Jewish people but was God incarnate for the gentiles too – for the whole world. And so we’re reminded of that – or we should be reminded – every time we say Evening Prayer or sing Evensong.

‘Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?’.

Every day we’re reminded of Simeon’s words – of the nature of the incarnation – of the miracle of God in human form. ‘A light to lighten the gentiles’ indeed – and it’s those words that have given this Candlemas festival its link with light and candles. In many places it’s today that candles are blessed to be used in church throughout the rest of the year. Lights that remind us of that one true light – the light that shines in the darkness and that darkness can never overcome. For her collection called ‘Watching for the Kingfisher’ Ann Lewin wrote a poem called Candlemas Prayer and it goes like this;

*I left my candle burning. Lit from light
Borrowed from another, it stood there
Witness to Christ, Light of the world;
Prayer that light would overcome darkness.
As I left, another lit a candle from my light,
Dispelling gloom with added strength.
Who knows how many joined their light to those,
Or drew fresh courage from their company;
Who knows how many took a step, drawn by the
Light of Christ from darkness to new life.
Lord Christ, set me on fire.
Burn from me all that dims your light,
Kindle an answering flame in lives around;
That darkness may be driven back,
And glory stream into this world,
Transforming it with love.

Amen

 

*Watching for the Kingfisher – Ann Lewin

Canterbury Press 2009

 

Post Communion
Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna, who lived to welcome the Messiah: may we, who have received these gifts beyond words,prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes to bring us to eternal life; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Book/TV/Film Review Club  Have you found a great escape during this lockdown in books, a tv series, or a good film? Are you re-visiting the classics, or reading them for the first time? What box sets are you binge watching? Are you watching The Serpent, The Bay, A Perfect Planet, The Crown? Do share your reviews/recommendations with us. Just send your review to admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk. We would love to hear your suggestions. This week Claire starts with her recommendation of a book quartet ‘My Brilliant Friend’ by Elena Ferrante.

My Book Recommendation –
My Brilliant Friend -The Neapolitan Quartet
by Elena Ferrante

If you are anything like me, a series of books can be a bit off putting.
In normal times, I don’t mind committing to two tops, but anything else disappoints the feeling of the achievement of finishing a ‘good story’.
So, I have surprised myself in that I have been thoroughly engrossed in a quartet book series. Ok, I did watch the first instalment, that has been made into a Sky Atlantic series on TV. Then I was completely hooked
and so intrigued that I carried on with these two girls on their journeys in growing up in an Italian neighbourhood. We are first introduced to Elena and Lila in the 1950s near Naples. The story is about their friendship and how two very different characters with opposite end of the scale hopes, ambitions and education can still revert to their friendship, created as children. We follow their lives right through until around 2004 in the fourth and final book. If you normally like action packed page turners, these books may not be for you. However, I loved Elena Ferrante’s style of writing, and felt like I had walked the streets with her characters in Southern Italy during the 50’s. Also, if you do have Sky, do search for it on Sky box sets for the first two book adaptations, which I highly recommend too.

Claire Turner

 

Useful information to help during these times 

If you are finding life difficult at the moment and need someone to talk to there are always people available to listen.  You are, of course, always welcome to ring Mark or another member of the clergy team but in addition here are a few helpline numbers that are available
(thanks to Parish Nurse Ali Cherry for the information):

Silverline:  Need help? Call us ANYTIME on: 0800 4 70 80 90

The Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602

Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year.

Suffolk Mind: 0300 111 6000. Offer telephone counselling service for the over 70’s

Daily Hope:   The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 
0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind.

Other useful numbers:

For short term help with tasks such as shopping

Aldeburgh Good Neighbours scheme: 07773 031064

Aldringham Good Neighbours scheme: (covers Thorpeness also): 07521 047843

 

 Vaccination Transport Information 

Possible suggestions for transport to Woodbridge for your Covid vaccinations.

• Coastal Accessible Transport (CATs) – 01728 830 516
• Aldeburgh Community Cars – 01728 831 215
• For residents of IP15 postal district Aldeburgh Good Neighbours Scheme (AGNES) – 0777 303 1064

Taxi services willing to help with an agreed charge of between £25 and £30 for the return trip:

• Amber Community Cars – 01728 833 621
• Laurie Henderson Taxis Leiston – 01728 830 101
• Bill Hamilton Limousine Service – 07985 707 023

The weeks of Epiphany at your home  Having put my Christmas tree and candle lights up for December 6th (St Nicholas) when it then came to the twelfth night, I decided to keep the three sets of candle lights on until Candlemas. The candles were left shining from the front of my home and in the garden room at the back. It really makes a brighter evening and have had lovely favourable comments from passers-by. I can recommend to others as it gives a purpose to the weeks of Epiphany.             Mary Sidwell

NOTICES

Food Banks at the East of England Co-op  Foodbanks provide a valuable service to those in need in our communities and have an even more vital role to play as we navigate our way through these unprecedented times. The Aldeburgh Co-op and Solar in Leiston are doing a grand job in collecting food donations, which are collected regularly and distributed. So please look out for the various collection baskets.

Update from the Trussel Trust Organisation Food banks in our network have seen an increase in the number of food parcels given out over the last few months due to Coronavirus, so any donations are much appreciated. You can find out which items your local food bank is most in need of by entering your postcode here – https://www.trusselltrust.org/give-food/ By clicking on the food bank’s name, you can also find out where to drop off your donations. You should also check the food banks website or social media pages for any changes to opening hours or operations as a result of the Coronavirus before dropping off donations – If you would prefer to make a financial donation, then please visit the food bank’s website (under ‘Give help’) or you can donate to the Trussell Trust centrally by contacting our Supporter Care team on 01722 580 178 or emailing supportercare@trusselltrust.org ***There is also a local foodbank run from the United Church in Leiston.  We are investigating if and how we might be able to help them and should have some more news soon. ***

Weekly Benefice Newsletter  If you would like something added to the weekly newsletter that is relevant to the Benefice, please do let Claire know and we will do our best to include it the following week. Whether it be a story to tell, or tips or recipes or a notice to be added to spread the word. Please send Claire your content by Thursday at 4pm if you wish for it to be included in the Saturday newsletter.

How about a walk with James?  As the weather gradually gets better, our assistant curate James is offering to walk and chat for those that might like to. If you feel like getting out and meeting up with James give him a call on 01728 688451 to arrange.

✞ Pilgrims Together on Wednesdays ✞ The Pilgrims worship together every Wednesday. You are all more than welcome to join them via Zoom.   The worship starts at 6.30pm (Zoom call opens from 6.10pm) and the call is then left open after the worship time for people to catch up.  The worship is about 30 minutes long.  We have a different worship sheet each week which goes out on a Monday ahead of the Wednesday.   People are more than welcome to email pilgrimstogether473@gmail.com  to receive a copy or be added to our mailing list. The weekly Wednesday Zoom link is: (this remains the same link every week) Please do email admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk for the link. Update from The Pilgrims A lovely time was had by all those who gathered on Saturday afternoon to Zoom bake Jammie Dodgers together, under the awesome guidance of Chris from ‘The Parrot’! Watch this space for more Zoom baking events! Saturday 6th February from 7pm A ‘Did You Know Ceilidh … stories and nuggets of golden information, past and present, about our local area’ Tell a story of local interest, provide an interesting fact or 2 about our community, introduce us to our local area past and present…surprise us with nuggets of information, the possibilities are endless…you might want to share a short presentation… Come along and share, come along and just listen.  Enjoy the evening with a glass / mug of something special of your choice.  All are welcome! Zoom link to follow nearer the time. Please email Sue Atkinson if you have something to contribute to the evening.

✞ Friston Sunday Services on Zoom ✞ Friston will be holding a live Zoom service for all those who wish to join on Sunday starting at 9.45am.  It will be a Common Worship Morning Prayer.  All are welcome! The meetings start from 9.40am every Sunday morning Please do email admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk for the link.

Tuesday Coffee Morning with Mark & Friends Our regular Zoom coffee morning will be from 10.30am – 11.30am every Tuesday. All are very welcome. Grab your favourite morning beverage and let’s have a good ole chat – just like we used to. Please do email admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk for the link.

The Week Ahead
Next Sunday 7^th February
Second Sunday before Lent

Message from The Rector

This online pew-sheet seems to grow a little each week – which is excellent. When people are unable to meet and chat in the normal ways it is good to have different ways of disseminating information – and a bit of fun too. All contributions are welcome. Claire is doing a magnificent job in co-ordinating it all and we are very much in her debt. She will thank us all, however, if we let her have contributions by Thursday evening. This gives us Friday to compile and check before publishing on Saturday morning.

Our first Zoom Coffee Morning, which took place last Tuesday, was well received and will now become a regular occurrence. Each Tuesday morning, between 10.30 and 11.30, there will be an online gathering to which you are warmly welcome. Stay for five minutes, stay for the whole time, drop at any point during the hour. The link will be the same every week. Please contact admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk for the link.

… and all you should need to do is to click on it and then, when asked ‘enable computer audio’. Should you need the ID or Passcode they are:

Meeting ID: 822 5695 6551

Passcode: 112626

It is also possible to join in on the telephone. Obviously, you won’t see everyone, and they won’t be able to see you, but you should be able to hear everyone clearly and they you. You will need to ring any one of these numbers:

020 3481 5240

020 3481 5237

020 3051 2874

… and then, when prompted, enter the Meeting ID and Passcode into your phone.

Unlike the computer video there is, I’m afraid, a cost (the phone-call) but it’s good to know that those without computers will be able to join in if they wish. Please do pass the message on to anyone you think might appreciate it.

This week has been another busy week for all of those involved in opposing the potential SPR and National Grid substation development in Friston. The Planning Inspectorate has held more Zoom hearings and has been presented with a great deal of powerful evidence, from organisations and individuals, as to why the proposals are wholly unsuitable. The inspectors will be visiting Friston this week and though Covid-19 restricts the number of local people that can be directly involved, the inspectors will, I’m sure, be presented with yet more useful evidence. And they will be visiting Friston church. Please do hold all involved in your prayers.

With love, as ever

Mark

Collect
Almighty God, whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving presence:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness sustain us by your mighty power;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading
Genesis 14.17-20
After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything.

Second Reading
John 2.1-11
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

 

Reflection for 24^th January – The Third Sunday of Epiphany by The Revd Johanna Mabey

Despite the trying times and wet weather, I await some happy news…

Tom and Lynsey, who were my first wedding couple back in 2019, are expecting their first baby very soon. Tom is my Godson and so their wedding was a very special family event.

On that beautiful day two summers ago, covid-19 and social distancing rules had never been heard of. In a magical marquee lit with thousands of fairy lights, we danced, held hands and toasted the happy couple long into the evening. My husband’s headache the next morning was strong confirmation that unlike the wedding at Cana, the wine supplies remained very steady!

As I write this reflection, memories of that happy wedding day remind me more than ever of the potential for joy we have in our relationships and commitments to one another, and how we draw deeply on that joy and have a desire to celebrate it with others.

Perhaps one positive that emerges from our current restrictions is a renewed sense of thankfulness for others and a cherished anticipation of times when we can gather again freely.

Our gospel reading today offers us a glorious way into an account of Jesus being revealed as God’s Son, by starting with a generous and celebratory miracle. It doesn’t help the poor, it’s unnecessary, it undermines the local wine-producing economy, and it slashes the outsider caterer’s profits… but, boy, does God know how to throw a party! According to my maths, 900 bottles of wine from nowhere, and really good stuff too!

It’s a story full of details – the size of the jars, the seemingly harsh rebuke of Jesus to his mother, the humour of the steward’s comment, and the inside track shared by Jesus and the servants. But at the start comes a phrase which signals the importance of the story.

‘On the third day’, says John, there was a wedding at Cana. ‘On the third day’… a thrilling and disturbing phrase for Christian hearers of this gospel, because it speaks of resurrection, the power of God’s life over death, of Jesus the risen Lord. And then at the end comes the punchline, the little verse which changes our whole take on the story: ‘Jesus did this, the first of his signs, and revealed his glory – and his disciples believed in him.’

This isn’t just a story. It’s a sign. It shows Jesus to be who he truly is.

I wonder why this story is at the beginning of John’s gospel, but in none of the other gospels? It seems so trivial compared to healing lepers, curing the demon-possessed, or raising the dead. Perhaps John is telling us that there’s amazing truth in this story for those who have eyes to see it.

‘Standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification’, says John. Jesus takes water meant to make people holy and turns it into wine. Jesus transforms religion into life, life which comes from Jesus, who John refers to later as the water gushing up within us to eternal life, the true vine.

This is a sign as well as a story. It’s not about a wonderworker who makes instant converts or does a trick as a favour for his mother. This Jesus is God’s life for us, the Jesus whose hour to be revealed openly has come on the third day. It’s not just a story. It’s not just a party – not even just a miracle. It reveals to us the nature of God, the God for whom generosity overtakes holiness, the Son of God whose glory is revealed in ordinary things.

Perhaps the simple message of the wedding at Cana, is that we shouldn’t expect to find Jesus just in religious and miraculous experiences. Cana, after all is about wine at a party. There are signs of God and God’s glory all around us if we have eyes to see. Like John, we can find signs of God in unexpected places!

And what about us as simple servants of God?… when we are called ‘to do whatever he tells us’, we need to look out for the glimpses of wine that may flow from the carrying of water that we’ve been involved in.

Those glimpses will encourage and amaze us, and the joy will be cause for thankfulness and rejoicing.

God willing, Tom and Lynsey’s new little life will be here soon… another cause for thanks and joy, and even a glass of some good stuff.

So to finish, may I offer a toast…

Cheers! Good Health! and in Hebrew, L’Chaim! which translated means ‘to life’ or more literally ‘to lives’ because we live in relationship with one another, and most importantly with God.

Amen.

 

Another interesting series from Canon John Giles

Saints of East Anglia – This week – Saint Julian

JULIAN OF NORWICH – 1342 – died sometime after 1416

Julian lived in Norwich as an anchoress, i.e., alone, confined to her single room cell, attached to the older church of St. Julian from which she took her name. The cell had one window into the church, through which she could join in worship, and receive holy communion. A second window opened on to the road outside through which she was able to speak to friends and visitors who came for godly counsel – she had quite a reputation in her day, though she was never canonised. The church is still there, close to the centre of Norwich, not far from the football fans of Norwich City at Carrow Road. Following bombing in World War II her cell has been rebuilt.

She lived through times more calamitous, surely, than anything we know. The Black Death of 1348, which went on for at least five years, with later recurrences in 1360 and 1369, carried away up to half of the population. Norwich was also at the heart of the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, culminating in the Battle of North Walsham, when local peasants and farmers were defeated by forces raised by the Bishop of Norwich, and much slaughter ensued. Imagine local reactions and divisions following such events. Julian, in the midst of them, was presumably trying to concentrate on reconciliation rather than revenge and/or vindication to bring hope and calm into the lives of those around her.

Julian was the first woman known to have written in English, and a contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer, who was born a year or two later than her. She was to write of a “glad and merry” pilgrimage rather different from that of the poet’s pilgrims. What would the two authors have said to one another? I wish we could know.  Sometimes she is called “Mother” Julian, from her insights into the Motherhood of Christ and God (especially Christ). As such she has received much attention from feminist theologians, but her real importance is not so much in what she says about diversity as in her grasp of a Divine Love which allows fallen people to get hurt, while still loving them with tender care and keeping them united with him.

Aged thirty she had fallen seriously ill. Dying she received a series of visions of Christ on the cross, in which she saw Christ carrying in himself the guilt and sin of mankind, (his “noughting”) and neutralising it through forgiveness and love, which for the faithful follower, in full trust, can result not only in comfort and consolation, but in much joy, merriment and mirth, to use three of her own favourite words. She recovered and wrote down what she had experienced in her “Revelations of Divine Love”. Twenty years later she rewrote her account. So, her words, as we read them today, have twenty years of reflection and meditation behind them, giving them greater weight.

Her most famous words are those of cosmic optimism: “All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well”. Against the suffering of Christ on the cross and his identification with fallen human nature as it is, such confidence is welcome, though quoted perhaps just a bit too often, without taking on board the cost of such confidence. More helpful is the way she tackles guilt. Guilt is still for many, and church-goers in particular, the greatest barrier to inner quietness of soul and peace. “I saw not sin” she says, “for I believe it hath no manner of substance, nor no part of being”. Or again “The Lord looks on his servant with pity, and not with blame.  In God’s sight we do not fall; in our sight we do not stand.. Both of these are true. But the deeper insight belongs to God.”  A grounding in the wisdom of Julian can strengthen the roots of faith, and hence commitment and purpose in life’s wider challenges in leading the Christian life.

To take this further you can contact the Julian Centre in Norwich:
  www.juliancentre.org, Tel: 01603 767380.
For reading, try “Julian of Norwich: Enfolded in Love – Daily Readings” @£4.99
from the Centre, now in its fifth edition. Something for Lent perhaps.                                                     
                                                                                                                              John Giles

 

Useful information to help during these times 

If you are finding life difficult at the moment and need someone to talk to there are always people available to listen.  You are, of course, always welcome to ring Mark or another member of the clergy team but in addition here are a few helpline numbers that are available
(thanks to Parish Nurse Ali Cherry for the information):

Silverline:  Need help? Call us ANYTIME on: 0800 4 70 80 90

The Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

 

Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602

Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year.

Suffolk Mind: 0300 111 6000. Offer telephone counselling service for the over 70’s

Daily Hope:   The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 
0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind.

 

Other useful numbers:

For short term help with tasks such as shopping

Aldeburgh Good Neighbours scheme: 07773 031064

Aldringham Good Neighbours scheme: (covers Thorpeness also): 07521 047843

 

 

Vaccination Transport Information

Possible suggestions for transport to Woodbridge for your Covid vaccinations.

• Coastal Accessible Transport (CATs) – 01728 830 516
• Aldeburgh Community Cars – 01728 831 215
• For residents of IP15 postal district Aldeburgh Good Neighbours Scheme (AGNES) – 0777 303 1064

Taxi services willing to help with an agreed charge of between £25 and £30 for the return trip:

• Amber Community Cars – 01728 833 621
• Laurie Henderson Taxis Leiston – 01728 830 101
• Bill Hamilton Limousine Service – 07985 707 023

 

The Week Ahead
Next Sunday 31^st January
The Fourth Sunday of Epiphany/Candlemas

 

 

NOTICES

Food Banks at the East of England Co-op  Foodbanks provide a valuable service to those in need in our communities and have an even more vital role to play as we navigate our way through these unprecedented times. The Aldeburgh Co-op and Solar in Leiston are doing a grand job in collecting food donations, which are collected regularly and distributed. So please look out for the various collection baskets.

Update from the Trussel Trust Organisation Food banks in our network have seen an increase in the number of food parcels given out over the last few months due to Coronavirus, so any donations are much appreciated. You can find out which items your local food bank is most in need of by entering your postcode here – https://www.trusselltrust.org/give-food/ By clicking on the food bank’s name, you can also find out where to drop off your donations. You should also check the food banks website or social media pages for any changes to opening hours or operations as a result of the Coronavirus before dropping off donations – If you would prefer to make a financial donation, then please visit the food bank’s website (under ‘Give help’) or you can donate to the Trussell Trust centrally by contacting our Supporter Care team on 01722 580 178 or emailing supportercare@trusselltrust.org ***There is also a local foodbank run from the United Church in Leiston.  We are investigating if and how we might be able to help them and should have some more news soon. ***

Weekly Benefice Newsletter If you would like something added to the weekly newsletter that is relevant to the Benefice, please do let Claire know and we will do our best to include it the following week. Whether it be a story to tell, or tips or recipes or a notice to be added to spread the word. Please send Claire your content by Thursday at 4pm if you wish for it to be included in the Saturday newsletter.

Friston Christian Website  Emma Steadman (Lay Elder at Friston Church) has created a blog website – www.fristonchristian.com. This includes regular updates and news from St Mary’s, Friston, and daily readings and prayers, where you can contribute with posts and request prayers. Do take a look!

Butterfly Garden – Priors Oak You have probably visited Trudie Willis’ wonderful ‘butterfly garden’ at Priors Oak on the Aldeburgh/Aldringham Road.  Trudie opens it for charity about six times annually and this has included openings for Aldringham church.  Trudie has now published a book about the garden called The Wildlife Garden at Aldeburgh, available from the Aldeburgh bookshop at £7.50. A good read in these ‘covid times’.

Readers For our online services each week we need two readers who can record themselves on their phone, tablet or computer and email the result to Claire or Mark.  If you haven’t done this before and would like to join the list, you would be very welcome.  Please let Claire or Mark know of your interest.

✞ Pilgrims Together on Wednesdays ✞ The Pilgrims worship together every Wednesday. You are all more than welcome to join them via Zoom.   The worship starts at 6.30pm (Zoom call opens from 6.10pm) and the call is then left open after the worship time for people to catch up.  The worship is about 30 minutes long.  We have a different worship sheet each week which goes out on a Monday ahead of the Wednesday.   People are more than welcome to email pilgrimstogether473@gmail.com  to receive a copy or be added to our mailing list. The weekly Wednesday Zoom link is: (this remains the same link every week) Please contact admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk for the link.

How about a walk with James? As the weather gradually gets better, our assistant curate James is offering to walk and chat for those that might like to. If you feel like getting out and meeting up with James give him a call on 01728 688451 to arrange.

Pilgrims Biscuit Making Saturday 23rd January at 2pm Chris from the Parrot will be guiding us in the ways of baking Jammie Dodgers!  Slight change to timing: this will now be an afternoon event so we can enjoy the biscuits as an afternoon treat. The baking will start at 2.00pm (probably around an hour) and then have a break for an hour.  We will then come together with our biscuits and a cuppa and share and enjoy our biscuits! These are the ingredients you will need to have ready: 100g butter 175g caster sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 200g plain flour Jam Please contact admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk for the link. As with all Pilgrim events, ALL ARE WELCOME Please do forward this information to those locally in our community who you think would like to join with us.

✞ Friston Sunday Services on Zoom ✞ Friston will be holding a live Zoom service for all those who wish to join on Sunday starting at 9.45am.  It will be a Common Worship Morning Prayer.  All are welcome! The meetings start from 9.40am every Sunday morning Please contact admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk for the link.

Quidenham Carmel – Carmelite Monastery Many of you are probably aware of the lovely cards that the Sisters of the Carmelite Monastery (Norfolk) sell. They now have a wonderful selection of Monastery garden soaps and balms available to buy. https://folksy.com/shops/MonasteryGardenSoapsandBalms If you prefer to email the order and pay by cheque, you can email with your order soaps@quidenhamcarmel.org.uk

Covid Vaccine Update It has come to the attention of The Peninsula Practice that some people are receiving invitations from NHS England to attend vaccination centres that are, in some cases, a long way from Aldeburgh.  You are, of course, welcome to take up the offer but be assured that you should expect, in due course, to receive an invitation to the local vaccination centre in Woodbridge.  You will recognise this because it will include the reference ‘My Health Book’.

Tuesday Coffee Morning with Mark & Friends Our regular Zoom coffee morning will be from 10.30am – 11.30am every Tuesday. All are very welcome. Grab your favourite morning beverage and let’s have a good ole chat – just like we used to. Please contact admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk for the link.

 

Message from The Rector

Since last week there have been a lot of discussions taking place about what we can do to continue to be a functioning church during the time that we’re not physically together in our church buildings. One idea that has emerged is a weekly Zoom Coffee Morning and we plan to launch that this week. On Tuesday Jan 19^th, from 10.30 to 11.30, anyone is welcome to spend a few minutes, or even the whole hour, as part of a Zoom gathering. Make yourselves a cup of your favourite beverage and join us at any time between 10.30 and 11.30 (clicking on ‘Enable Computer Audio’ when it pops up) and you will find friends to chat to. Please do get in touch via the Aldeburgh Parish Church Website if you would like to join and we will send you the Zoom link.

There’s no agenda, just a chance to get together – it’s the closest we can get to ‘after service coffee’ at the moment.

It is also possible to join in on the telephone. Obviously, you won’t see everyone, and they won’t be able to see you, but you should be able to hear everyone clearly and they you. You will need to ring any one of these numbers:

020 3481 5240

020 3481 5237

020 3051 2874

… and then, when prompted, enter these numbers:

Unlike the computer video there is, I’m afraid, a cost (the phone-call) but it’s good to know that those without computers will be able to join in if they wish. Please do pass the message on to anyone you think might appreciate it.

While we’re not meeting in church, these pew-sheets will also contain some extra things to read. This week Canon John Giles begins a series of articles about some saints who still speak to us over the years and he begins today with Botolph – probably a pretty unfamiliar name but someone with a very strong local connection. John’s piece is further down this pew-sheet and it’s well worth reading – thanks John.

Most of you will have received information about how and where the Covid vaccines are to be administered and for those registered with the Aldeburgh Surgery it will necessitate travelling to Woodbridge. For some, that journey may be difficult. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would appreciate a lift and we will see what we can do.

And finally, some personal news. This coming April, I will be 65 and plan to retire as Rector of the Alde Sandlings Benefice later in the year. My original plan (hatched a while ago) was to stay until the end of August and, having missed it so much last year, have a ‘proper’ Sandlings Summer with the Festival, Carnival, Lifeboat Service etc etc. We simply don’t know at present how normal this summer will be and how many of the regular summer events will be possible, but I would still like to stick to my original time-scale and retire at the end of August, with August 29th being my last Sunday.

Another important part of my decision to stick to this timescale is that our curate, James, will be attached to the benefice until at least June 2022. His presence should help to make the transition as smooth as it can be and I know that, with his dedication as well as that of Nicky, Sheila and Jo – and my wonderful retired colleagues – I will be leaving the benefice in good clergy hands.

I know that I’ll miss this beautiful and inspiring part of the world a great deal, not to mention the many people that I’m now very happy to call friends. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve here. Ro and I plan to do ‘something completely different’ to mark the fact that we will both be retired. We will be renting a house in France (the Minervois to be precise) for a year from the beginning of October – and who knows what may follow.

But August is a long way off and there’s lots to do before then. Onward!

With love, as ever

Mark

Collect
Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new:
transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace,
and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Reading
1 Samuel 3.1-10
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ and he said, ‘Here I am!’ and ran to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call; lie down again.’ So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, ‘Samuel!’ Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call, my son; lie down again.’ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore, Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’

Second Reading
Revelation 5.1-10
Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’ Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation; you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they will reign on earth.’

Gospel Reading
John 1.43-end
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’

 

Sermon for 17^th January – The Second Sunday of Epiphany by The Revd Sheila Hart

It is not insignificant that the central themes of the readings for this Sunday are about the calling of God.

In their effort to cover the main events of Jesus’ life in some sort of chronological order, the Church has chosen to follow the Baptism of Christ with the theme of vocation and the call of God.

As James wrote in his sermon last week, those of us who were baptised as babies will remember nothing about the actual event, apart from that which has been recalled for us through the adults who were present and, perhaps photographs of the event in the family album. Among the promises that were made on our behalf at our baptism is the sense that, not only is baptism the rite of entry into the Church, the Christian family, but that it is also our entry into a life of service and witness in the world, to ultimately be confirmed by us, after a time of nurturing, growth and maturing in our faith, at our confirmation when we affirm the promises made on our behalf at our baptism and pledge ourselves to a life of Christian service through the power of the Holy Spirit.

That is the ideal, but, as we know, it is not always the reality. But it is our hope and prayer for all those whose baptism we have witnessed over the years in our churches.

After Jesus’ baptism, he went through a time of testing in the wilderness and then began his earthly ministry. But what follows our baptism?

For many who are baptised in our churches, there appears to be little that follows baptism as we hardly see most of them in church again and so we can feel that our prayers for them are in vain and perhaps we question the sense in our baptising children at all. But, as Christians we live by faith, not necessarily by sight and, as the saying goes, ‘hope springs eternal,’ so we continue to baptise, and we continue to pray for those who have been baptised and their growth in faith and we are sometimes surprised by what God does with them in later life as a result.

In our readings today, we have examples of God’s call on our lives. Samuel was a much longed for child and one who, as soon as he was weaned was dedicated to God, brought back to the temple at Shiloh and given to Eli the priest to be brought up in the service of God. He was a child when he heard God speak to him for the first time, in the dead of night and before he was old enough to really understand the faith and know God for himself. When he hears the voice of God, he thinks it is Eli who has called, and he runs to him to discover what he wants. Eli, on the third time Samuel comes to him discerns that it is God whose voice the boy has heard and instructs him to go back to bed, and if he hears it again to say, ‘Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.’ We know the end of the story that eventually Samuel is called to be one of the greatest prophets of the Jewish faith.

In our gospel reading we read of the call of Philip and, his bringing Nathaniel to Christ. And in our reading from Revelation, we read of the call of the faithful to life with Christ in glory.

But what about us? How does God call us?

I, like Samuel, had a strong call, or vocation to teach when I was only three years old. I barely remember it, but apparently, I stood in front of my mother and announced that when I grew up, I was going to ‘become a teacher like my daddy.’ Now one could dismiss this as just a little girl who idolised her father having a desperation to ‘follow in his footsteps’ so to speak and wishing to copy him in every aspect of her life. Yet, for me, it was something which became a part of my aim and ambition throughout my early years and my education. I played schools with my dolls and teddy; I taught them to read; from the age of 11 I went to school with my father when I broke up for holidays before he did, to help in the reception class, hearing the children read, under the careful eye of their teacher and I loved it. Ultimately, I went to Teacher Training College and became a teacher.

At the age of 15. I had a call to preach and, having battled for several years with the idea of my being too young to preach, just as Jeremiah did when God called him to go and prophesy to the people of his time, I eventually responded and became a Local Preacher in the Methodist Church.

During that time several people who knew me well challenged me to think about ordained ministry, but it was not until we moved to Suffolk in 2003, that I could ignore the call to ministry, and I was ordained Deacon in 2008 and the rest is history, so they say.

God does not force us to do anything we don’t want to, but he does keep chipping away at us until we can ignore Him no longer.

The Gospel reading is about Philip who, having met Jesus himself, goes off to tell his friend Nathaniel and encourages him to come and meet Jesus for himself. One could interpret this as ‘a call to evangelism’ for Philip. I feel, however, that we are all called to share our faith with our friends and, indeed, this experience of the past year has been a wonderful opportunity to share with those whom we know are finding it tough, how our faith in God is helping us get through this pandemic with hope for the future.

The reading from Revelation gives us glimpse of the ultimate future for those who believe and the hope that is set before us. Isn’t that more than enough to motivate us to share our faith with others?

So, to sum up: We may not all have a specific call to ministry as Samuel did, but we do all have a responsibility to grow in faith and share that faith with our friends and neighbours – not through Bible bashing, but through sharing faith and hope and love with those who really need it. Amen

Post Communion

God of glory, you nourish us with your Word who is the bread of life:

fill us with your Holy Spirit that through us the light of your glory

may shine in all the world.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Another interesting series from Canon John Giles

Saints for Suffolk – This week – Saint Botolph

We all need a break from Covid, and to think what happens post-Covid. Can we learn from the past and so build for the future?  Maybe some Christian heroes from the past (and some not all that long ago) can show us today where we come from, and where we should be going.

First stop: B for BOTOLPH. Go to Snape Maltings. Don’t go shopping; miss out the Plough & Sail; don’t gaze down longingly at the grand old-timers moored by the quay. Instead go through and look out over the marshes to Iken Church.  For there, almost certainly, was the monastery of Saint Botolph, dated round about 654 AD, as mentioned by the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 

We have two solid pieces of evidence: First the stone shaft of the Anglo-Saxon Cross, now to be seen in Iken Church. Such crosses didn’t happen by accident. They marked centres of Christian worship and outreach. Some pretty serious Christian life was going on, on that little knoll from which the present church looks out over the River Alde.

Second piece of evidence: the 7^th Century graves uncovered by the Barber’s Point Dig of 2010, all of which pointed to Christian burial. Just across the river from Iken, those concerned were no doubt part of the Christian community living there.

Behind all that is the figure about whom sadly we know so little, Saint Botolph. He was one of that band of early missionaries who brought the Christian faith to Suffolk and East Anglia, one with Felix, Cedd, and Etheldreda at Ely.  We live in a countryside won to the Faith by these great missionary figures of the past.

Ten years ago, the bones at Barber’s Point were blessed, using an old Anglo-Saxon prayer:

May the blessing of God be with us and those buried here:
May the blessing of the saints be upon us and them,
And the peace of the life eternal;
Unto the peace of the life eternal:
As it was;
As it is;
As it shall be, evermore: O Thou Trinity of grace! With the ebb and with the flow.
O Thou Trinity of grace! With the ebb and with the flow.
Amen.

 

And lastly the poem ‘Iken Church’ by Aldeburgh’s “beloved physician”,
Ian Tait:

‘From the river’s edge
The sunlit tower invites you
To a pilgrimage.

Larks rise to meet you.

Round the tower in flint and stone
Saints wait to greet you.’

We live on hallowed ground. Even in the midst of Covid here is something to remember and celebrate.

John Giles

 

Useful information to help during these times 
If you are finding life difficult at the moment and need someone to talk to there are always people available to listen.  You are, of course, always welcome to ring Mark or another member of the clergy team but in addition here are a few helpline numbers that are available
(thanks to Parish Nurse Ali Cherry for the information):

Silverline:  Need help? Call us ANYTIME on: 0800 4 70 80 90

The Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602

Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year.

Suffolk Mind: 0300 111 6000. Offer telephone counselling service for the over 70’s

Daily Hope:   The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 
0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind.

Other useful numbers:

For short term help with tasks such as shopping

Aldeburgh Good Neighbours scheme: 07773 031064

Aldringham Good Neighbours scheme: (covers Thorpeness also): 07521 047843

 

NOTICES

Food Banks at the East of England Co-op  Foodbanks provide a valuable service to those in need in our communities and have an even more vital role to play as we navigate our way through these unprecedented times. The Aldeburgh Co-op and Solar in Leiston are doing a grand job in collecting food donations, which are collected regularly and distributed. So please look out for the various collection baskets.

Update from the Trussel Trust Organisation Food banks in our network have seen an increase in the number of food parcels given out over the last few months due to Coronavirus, so any donations are much appreciated. You can find out which items your local food bank is most in need of by entering your postcode here – https://www.trusselltrust.org/give-food/ By clicking on the food bank’s name, you can also find out where to drop off your donations. You should also check the food banks website or social media pages for any changes to opening hours or operations as a result of the Coronavirus before dropping off donations – If you would prefer to make a financial donation, then please visit the food bank’s website (under ‘Give help’) or you can donate to the Trussell Trust centrally by contacting our Supporter Care team on 01722 580 178 or emailing supportercare@trusselltrust.org ***There is also a local foodbank run from the United Church in Leiston.  We are investigating if and how we might be able to help them and should have some more news soon. ***

Weekly Benefice Newsletter  If you would like something added to the weekly newsletter that is relevant to the Benefice, please do let Claire know and we will do our best to include it the following week. Whether it be a story to tell, or tips or recipes or a notice to be added to spread the word. Please send Claire your content by Thursday at 4pm if you wish for it to be included in the Saturday newsletter.

Friston Christian Website  Emma Steadman (Lay Elder at Friston Church) has created a blog website – www.fristonchristian.com. This includes regular updates and news from St Mary’s, Friston, and daily readings and prayers, where you can contribute with posts and request prayers. Do take a look!

Butterfly Garden – Priors Oak You have probably visited Trudie Willis’ wonderful ‘butterfly garden’ at Priors Oak on the Aldeburgh/Aldringham Road.  Trudie opens it for charity about six times annually and this has included openings for Aldringham church.  Trudie has now published a book about the garden called The Wildlife Garden at Aldeburgh, available from the Aldeburgh bookshop at £7.50. A good read in these ‘covid times’.

Readers  For our online services each week we need two readers who can record themselves on their phone, tablet or computer and email the result to Claire or Mark.  If you haven’t done this before and would like to join the list, you would be very welcome.  Please let Claire or Mark know of your interest.

✞ Pilgrims Together on Wednesdays ✞ The Pilgrims worship together every Wednesday. You are all more than welcome to join them via Zoom.   The worship starts at 6.30pm (Zoom call opens from 6.10pm) and the call is then left open after the worship time for people to catch up.  The worship is about 30 minutes long.  We have a different worship sheet each week which goes out on a Monday ahead of the Wednesday.   People are more than welcome to email pilgrimstogether473@gmail.com  to receive a copy or be added to our mailing list.

Fun Quiz Night on Zoom  Sue and Richard Bodek have kindly organised a Quiz Night this Saturday 16th from 6.45pm – starting at 7pm. There will be 8 rounds of questions kindly compiled by a number of our Pilgrims members. Halfway through we will have a break to relax and enjoy together, if you wish to, a glass of whatever you fancy (or maybe a mug?) and a nibble on something. Not to be taken too seriously – we will be marking our own answers – and the question compiler’s ruling is final! Prizes – fun, fellowship and a 2-week world cruise [NOT!]’ Please do get in touch with the Pilgrims if you would like to join and they will send you the Zoom link.  A date for your diary  Saturday Morning 23rd January (time to be confirmed) We are delighted that the lovely Chris Theobold, from The Parrot will be joining us to lead us in a Zoom biscuit making venture, followed by a time to share our efforts with each other over a mug of tea / coffee… once they have come out of the oven!  Ingredients list, Zoom link and further details to follow…Or if you would prefer just to come along and enjoy the conversation and watch the Zoom kitchen experience, rather than bake, then you are more than welcome to do that too! As with all Pilgrim events, ALL ARE WELCOME Please do forward this information to those locally in our community who you think would like to join with us.

✞ Friston Sunday Services on Zoom ✞ Friston will be holding a live Zoom service for all those who wish to join on Sunday starting at 9.45am.  It will be a Common Worship Morning Prayer.  All are welcome! The meetings start from 9.40am every Sunday morning Please do get in touch via the Aldeburgh Parish Church Website if you would like to join and we will send you the Zoom link.

The Week Ahead
Next Sunday 24^th January
The Third Sunday of Epiphany

Message from The Rector

Last week, writing my piece for the pew sheet on Thursday 31^st December, I hinted that the ‘foreseeable future’ was not very long these days – and this has turned out to be true. After having consulted the churchwardens of our parishes last weekend I decided that it would be best for all of our churches to close for communal worship. It wasn’t an easy decision, or one taken lightly but the current Covid situation is very serious indeed, and seems to be becoming more serious day by day. And, in the end, do we want to be part of the problem or part of the solution?

Having taken that decision the next thing is to make sure that as many people as possible have access to ways of worshipping and ways of keeping in touch. You will find another attachment with this email listing available online and broadcast services of different kinds. In the benefice we will continue to make online services available from 10.00 on Sundays and Wednesdays. Pilgrims Together continue with their weekly Zoom gatherings at 6.30pm on Wednesdays (details of how to join in are further down the sheet) and, also using Zoom and on Wednesdays, Compline is said in Friston at 6pm. Friston are also going to try a Zoom Morning Prayer at 9.45am each Sunday. It (like the Compline) is open to all – just drop Friston Elder Martin Steadman a line and he’ll send you the necessary details – see notices.

We are also very aware how much people miss the chance for a chat after a service. We propose a new experiment – a weekly Zoom Coffee Morning. Make yourself a cuppa, log on and join in for however long you wish. We’ll begin on Tuesday January 19^th at 10.30am and publish the login details on next week’s pew sheet. All are welcome and we’ll keep the virtual café open for an hour, so if you can’t make 10.30 you can drop in when you are able to.

We are also very aware that there are loyal members of our community who aren’t able to ‘do technology’ and join in online events. Claire had the excellent idea of asking whether some of those people might appreciate receiving a CD of the Sunday service, to play at their leisure. By definition these people won’t be reading this online pew-sheet and we will try and make contact to make the offer. But if you know of anyone who might appreciate a weekly CD please could you let Claire, or I know? And if you, or anyone you know, is in need of any help that you think anyone at church might be able to supply please don’t hesitate to ask. We will always try to do what we can.

With love, as ever

Mark

Collect
Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son,
anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Reading
Genesis 1.1-5
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Second Reading
Mark 1.4-11
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

 

Sermon for 10^th January – The First Sunday of Epiphany/Baptism of Christ by The Revd James Marston

May I speak in the name of the living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

On a snowy January day in 1976 a very beautiful baby boy – me – was baptised in a small village church in west Suffolk. I wore the family’s ageing christening gown. The vicar, too scared to go out in the snow, had to be collected by my father and driven to church – mother laid on refreshments for various friends and family. I was, as it happens, very well behaved and compliant to the proceedings.

It was an event of which I have no memory, not until I started on the path of vocational discernment did I even give it a second thought. Indeed, it wasn’t until I had to prove I was baptised that I asked when, where and why I had been baptised as a child in the first place. I never really got a sensible answer, apparently it was as much more to do with being “the done thing” and “family tradition” than an expression of religious belief, perhaps wrapped up with a nebulous concept of being formally named.

We don’t often think about our baptism – for many of us it was done as a child and is not often a memory we actually hold. Those who get baptised later in life, I imagine, think about it and learn about it in a different way and but for lots of us it is a rite of passage that we are often unaware of.

Baptism remains for many a way of introducing a new child to the community, it is an event which is usually followed by a celebration. It is also a church service in which a child or adult is anointed, and it is special. It marks the beginning of a new life in Christ.

We have heard in our gospel reading today the story of Jesus’ baptism. And event which, when it happened, was extraordinary and perhaps a bit strange, John’s ministry of calling for repentance and baptism by water has little, if any, precedent in religious teaching of the time. And why would the divine need to be symbolically washed of His sins? Why baptise Jesus who has come to fulfil John’s prophecy? Indeed, there is “no hint in Mark’s narrative that John recognised Jesus as the one whose coming he had proclaimed.” ^1*nor is there any hint of why Jesus is baptised at all.

Instead, the story provides the setting for the revelation of the identity of Jesus – emphasised by the descending of the spirit and the voice from Heaven. “You are my son, the beloved, with you I am well pleased.” And the account also provides an important signpost to the doctrine of the triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all present.

But there’s yet more. The baptism of Jesus is the moment Jesus of Nazareth comes out of the shadows of obscurity and begins his ministry. In Mark’s Gospel this is where Jesus is introduced for the first time and Mark is describing a divine epiphany through which Jesus’ life and ministry are to be viewed. And immediately after this episode Jesus prepares for what is ahead of him by retreating into the wilderness and the story of his ministry of healing, exorcism, and teaching continues.

So, what of our own baptism? Today Christian baptism remains a sacramental marker on the journey of faith. “The forgiveness of sins; the gift of the Spirit, the bestowing of a dignity as a beloved Son of God” ^2*– all of these blessings and joys come to us through Christian baptism – even if we don’t remember it or think about it very often.

And it is through baptism that we often begin our own journey of faith and align ourselves with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus himself and, by doing so, the eternal joy of salvation. It is in baptism that we turn to Christ and give our lives over to God to be guided by His hand.

Indeed, it is not by accident that the baptism of Christ is celebrated at the beginning of the year, as baptism marks not only a beginning but it points to the future as well – and that future is, with faith, always one of hope.

Indeed, thinking about our own baptism may present us, as it did Jesus, with not only a renewed sense of vocation but also a renewed hope in the light of the resurrection.

And in these dark days of January 2020 where fear and foreboding reign, the season of epiphany is brought into ever deeper focus as we look for and find signs of joy and signs of hope.

Putting our lives into the hands of God, rekindling our faith and hope, remembering own baptism into the joy and blessings of the incarnation, is something we must hold onto with all our might.

Through prayer, through worship, through community – howsoever curtailed, God is there for us in these troubled times, and our baptism reminds us of that as well.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year

“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied:

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.^3*

Amen.

References

1* – Hooker, Morna D, The Gospel Acccording to St Mark. p45
2* – www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/worship-music/regular-services/sermon-archive/jesus-baptism-and-our-baptism
3* – God Knows, Minnie Louise Harkins

 

850^th Anniversary of the murder of Thomas Becket,
by David Gordon.

Last week marked the 850th anniversary of the murder of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, in Canterbury Cathedral on 29^th December 1170.

Had it not been for Covid restrictions we would probably have held a service in Aldringham church to mark this anniversary, given that it is a most significant event in the history of Aldringham church.

The catholic church, headed by the Pope in Rome, had authority separate from that of the state and King Henry II wanted to change this. He wanted the power!  When he appointed Thomas in 1162, he thought that he had the man to change things and to bring the church under the king’s control.  But Thomas had other ideas. As Archbishop he saw his duty as being to protect the church from any earthly authority. Matters came to a head in 1170 when Henry, in France at the time, lost his temper and said, ‘who will rid me of this pestilential priest.’  Four of his knights took him at his word, travelled back to England and did the deed.

But this was not good news for Henry. People regarded Thomas as a martyr for the rights of the church. Pilgrims started to visit his tomb and the Pope put further pressure on Henry when he declared Becket a saint in 1173. 

And Henry’s enemies took advantage of the situation. Even his wife plotted against him and encouraged their two sons to rebel against him in an alliance with his enemies, the kings of France and of Scotland who launched invasions of his lands. 

Henry decided that he had to make penance for the murder of Becket and in July 1174 he walked barefoot into the city of Canterbury, prostrated himself before Becket’s shrine and spent the night in prayer.

Henry was thus preoccupied and had to send his trusted knights to deal with the Scottish invaders.  The English force of 400 knights was led by Ranulf de Glanvill and the Scots were defeated at the battle of Alnwick (in Northumberland) on 13 July 1174. The very day that Henry was in Canterbury praying.

Now Ranulf was a local lad. Born at Stratford St Andrew, he married a local lass, Bertha, daughter of the lord of the manor of Parham. And with the marriage came a marriage dowry of land at Butley.  Another consequence of the murder of Thomas was the practice of founding monasteries.  And Ranulf founded Butley Priory on his land at Butley in 1171.

The defeat of the Scots started the end of the rebellion and Henry had a great deal to thank Ranulf for!  So, he gave him a present.  A vast tract of land in Suffolk – the manor of Leiston – stretching up the coast from Thorp to Minsmere and inland to Theberton and Leiston.  And it included Aldringham church. So, the advowson of our little church passed to Ranulf. At that time, it was probably more a chapel than a church, likely a modest wooden building. Ranulf immediately passed the advowson to his newly founded priory at Butley and so, very briefly, Aldringham was in the care of Butley priory.

Ranulf decided that he would use Henry’s present to found another monastery and so in 1183 he established Leiston Abbey, not on its present site but in the marshes at Minsmere.  And he gave the whole of the manor of Leiston to the Abbey including the advowson of Aldringham church which was transferred from Butley priory in 1185.

Thus, started a period of 350 years during which Aldringham church was in the care of Leiston Abbey and during which time the present church building was built. This only came to an end with the dissolution of the monasteries by king Henry VIII.

Murdering an archbishop has unexpected consequences!

 

The Week Ahead
Next Sunday 17^th January
The Second Sunday of Epiphany

 

Useful information to help during these times 

If you are finding life difficult at the moment and need someone to talk to there are always people available to listen.  You are, of course, always welcome to ring Mark or another member of the clergy team but in addition here are a few helpline numbers that are available (thanks to Parish Nurse Ali Cherry for the information):

Silverline:  Need help? Call us ANYTIME on: 0800 4 70 80 90

The Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602

Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year.

Suffolk Mind: 0300 111 6000. Offer telephone counselling service for the over 70’s

Daily Hope:   The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 
0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind.

Other useful numbers:

For short term help with tasks such as shopping

Aldeburgh Good Neighbours scheme: 07773 031064

Aldringham Good Neighbours scheme: (covers Thorpeness also): 07521 047843

 

NOTICES

Food Banks at the East of England Co-op  Foodbanks provide a valuable service to those in need in our communities and have an even more vital role to play as we navigate our way through these unprecedented times. The Aldeburgh Co-op and Solar in Leiston are doing a grand job in collecting food donations, which are collected regularly and distributed. So please look out for the various collection baskets.

Update from the Trussel Trust Organisation Food banks in our network have seen an increase in the number of food parcels given out over the last few months due to Coronavirus, so any donations are much appreciated. You can find out which items your local food bank is most in need of by entering your postcode here – https://www.trusselltrust.org/give-food/ By clicking on the food bank’s name, you can also find out where to drop off your donations. You should also check the food banks website or social media pages for any changes to opening hours or operations as a result of the Coronavirus before dropping off donations – If you would prefer to make a financial donation, then please visit the food bank’s website (under ‘Give help’) or you can donate to the Trussell Trust centrally by contacting our Supporter Care team on 01722 580 178 or emailing supportercare@trusselltrust.org ***There is also a local foodbank run from the United Church in Leiston.  We are investigating if and how we might be able to help them and should have some more news next week. ***

Weekly Benefice Newsletter If you would like something added to the weekly newsletter that is relevant to the Benefice, please do let Claire know and we will do our best to include it the following week. Whether it be a story to tell, or tips or recipes or a notice to be added to spread the word. Please send Claire your content by Thursday at 4pm if you wish for it to be included in the Saturday newsletter.

Readers For our online services each week we need two readers who can record themselves on their phone, tablet or computer and email the result to Claire or Mark.  If you haven’t done this before and would like to join the list, you would be very welcome.  Please let Claire or Mark know of your interest.

✞ Pilgrims Together on Wednesdays ✞ The Pilgrims worship together every Wednesday. You are all more than welcome to join them via Zoom.   The worship starts at 6.30pm (Zoom call opens from 6.10pm) and the call is then left open after the worship time for people to catch up.  The worship is about 30 minutes long.  We have a different worship sheet each week which goes out on a Monday ahead of the Wednesday.   People are more than welcome to email pilgrimstogether473@gmail.com  to receive a copy or be added to our mailing list.

✞ Friston Sunday Services on Zoom ✞ Friston will be holding a live Zoom service for all those who wish to join on Sunday starting at 9.45am.  It will be a Common Worship Morning Prayer with Emma and Martin leading.  All are welcome! The meetings start from 9.40am every Sunday morning  (starting 10th January).

9.30am Holy Communion Knodishall Church 9.45am No Service Friston Church 10.30am Holy Communion Aldeburgh Church 11.00am Holy Communion Aldringham Church

Message from The Rector

As the New Year begins, I would love to be able to write to you without feeling that I have to mention Covid-19. But, such is the state of the world, I fear that is not possible. With the encouragement of Aldringham churchwarden Chris Burrell-Saward I have now signed up to the Covid-19 reporting app run by King’s College, London – and, if you have a smartphone, I would encourage you to do the same. By answering three quick questions each day you help to increase the understanding of Covid, how it is spreading in the local area and, as time goes on, to monitor the effectiveness of the vaccines as they are rolled out. (Search your phone’s app store for ‘COVID symptom study’ and look for something with a blue and purple capital ‘C’ that says, ‘Help urgent medical research’.) And you receive information too – and that’s the bit that is currently, locally, rather worrying. A graph of the cases of Covid in the Suffolk Coastal area shows (as I type on Thursday) that there are 828 local cases, up 405 from last week – the cases have doubled in a week. We must be very, very careful. Please remember that this doesn’t just affect ourselves. We can pass the virus on to others before we even know that we have it, if we ever do – almost half of the people who have Covid don’t know that they have.

So, what about coming to church? The decision is, of course, yours and, for the foreseeable future (which isn’t very long!) at least some of the churches in our benefice will remain open. But, being in possession of some local knowledge, the PCC in Friston has, wisely, decided to keep the church closed for the time being. There will be services in Aldeburgh, Aldringham and Knodishall on Sunday 3^rd. I would, however, reiterate what I wrote last week. The first thing that everyone must do is to look after themselves and those close to them. If that means that you don’t feel able to come to church at the moment, everyone understands. There will continue to be services online. We will monitor the situation and make adjustments to our plans should they become necessary but please don’t risk your own health or that of others.

Having said all of that, the future does look better. Two vaccines are being rolled out as fast as is humanly possible. There will come a point when we can relax. 2021 will, I hope and pray, end much better than it begins. The story of the Magi reminds us that the good news of Christ’s birth is for the whole world and for all time. ‘The star shines out with a steadfast ray’. And, confident that light will always overcome darkness, may I wish you the very happiest possible 2021.

With love, as ever

Mark

 

Collect
O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Reading
Isaiah 60.1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 
A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

Second Reading
Ephesians 3.1-12
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 2.1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’ Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

 

Reflection for 3^rd January – The Epiphany
by The Revd Nichola Winter

Over the door of the retreat house at Belsey Bridge is inscribed the legend, ‘Look to him and be radiant.’ It is a version of the words from the passage from Isaiah: Lift up your eyes and look around… then you shall see and be radiant. Your heart shall thrill and rejoice…

After what may have been one of the strangest Christmases we have experienced we will be hoping and praying that 2021 will be a better year for all. This is, perhaps, where the season of Epiphany comes into its own. Our hearts thrill and rejoice as we celebrate the gift of the Christ-child. We mark the gift of a new year. We count our blessings. The days are still short and dark; politically and economically, as a nation and as individuals we may have a difficult journey ahead. We feel ongoing stresses from the implications of Covid-19; local threats from SPR to our community and environment remain – and many are working incredibly hard in an attempt to encourage a more sensible solution. But we are a Christmas people. We follow the star and we have a hope that no-one can take away. Our hearts thrill and rejoice…

Stars play an important role at this time of the year. When I first moved to Friston I was struck by the beauty and clarity of the night sky. Just before Christmas the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn was clearly visible in the evening sky – such a close encounter occurs rarely and there is speculation that when it happened at the time of Christ’s birth it created the biblical light that led the Magi to the stable. In the bible stars are images of mystery. At a literal level they demonstrate God’s awe-inspiring creativity. Symbolically they appear in apocalyptic visions of impending cosmic events that we can barely imagine. Hardly surprising, then, that it is a star that leads the wise to kneel and worship at the crib of the new born king.

We are Christmas people; we need to focus on the positive. Rowan Williams summarised it neatly some years ago when he wrote in the Christmas edition of the Radio Times. He summarised the Christmas story like this:

‘A long journey through a land under military occupation; a difficult birth in improvised accommodation; and alongside these harsh realities, the skies torn open and blazing angelic voices summoning a random assortment of farm labourers to go and worship in the outhouse; or a mysterious constellation in the heavens, triggering a pilgrimage by exotic oriental gurus to come and kneel where the farm labourers have knelt.’

It is a story of culture and cross-culture. But it is a story where boundaries are crossed; the unthinkable becomes reality before it even becomes the thinkable. God’s wonder knows no bounds; it is only our human minds that impose limitations.

Let us rejoice in this Epiphany; this manifestation; this starlit moment. We can raise our eyes from the darkness and see; we can focus on the positive in our lives, bring it as an offering to God and allow him to take what we offer, accept it and make it great for his sake. In the words of that beautiful Epiphany carol, ‘Low at his feet lay thy burden of carefulness; high on his heart he will bear it for thee; comfort thy sorrows and answer thy prayerfulness, guiding thy steps as may best for thee be.’

Then we shall see, and be radiant; our hearts will thrill and rejoice…

 

Post Communion
Lord God, the bright splendour whom the nations seek:
may we who with the wise men have been drawn by your light
discern the glory of your presence in your Son,
the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

The Week Ahead
Next Sunday 10^th January
The First Sunday of Epiphany/Baptism of Christ

9.45am	No Service	Friston Church
10.30am	Service of the Word	Aldeburgh Church
11.00am	Holy Communion	Aldringham Church

 

NOTICES

Food Banks at the East of England Co-op  Foodbanks provide a valuable service to those in need in our communities and have an even more vital role to play as we navigate our way through these unprecedented times. The Aldeburgh Co-op and Solar in Leiston are doing a grand job in collecting food donations, which are collected regularly and distributed. So please look out for the various collection baskets.

Weekly Benefice Newsletter  If you would like something added to the weekly newsletter that is relevant to the Benefice, please do let Claire know and we will do our best to include it the following week. Whether it be a story to tell, or tips or recipes or a notice to be added to spread the word.

Benefice Holy Communion Aldeburgh Parish Church 10.30am

Message from The Rector

This feels a bit odd. I’m writing this a few days before Christmas and you will probably read it just before Christmas. But we are really looking to the first Sunday of Christmas which, this year, brings us the gospel story that ends with Jesus’s naming and circumcision. Anticipation is the name of the game.

Our services will be rather limited over the forthcoming week. There is just one in our Benefice on Sunday 27^th – a service of Holy Communion at 10.30 in Aldeburgh church. And there won’t be a service there on Wednesday 30^th at 10.00. But we hope and pray that there will be services in all of our churches on Sunday January 3^rd as we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany. Here’s hoping that the Magi have a better view of the bright shining star than we have had of the ‘great conjunction’ of Jupiter and Saturn in recent days. Some believe that it was just such a conjunction that was seen in the sky back in New Testament times so perhaps this is another special kind of anniversary year. And maybe the fact that we couldn’t see the two planets as well as we had hoped is just another example of the disappointments that this year has brought us. Hey ho.

2021 promises to end better than it begins, and we give thanks for, and hold in our prayers, all of those working on developing and distributing the vaccines that will eventually release us from our very 21^st-century captivity. So, in the name of him whose life, death and resurrection set us all free, I with you a very happy, healthy and peaceful new year.

UPDATE – STOP PRESS.

It has just been announced that Suffolk will enter Tier 4 restrictions from December 26^th. I don’t propose that we change any of our immediate plans and there will still be services in all of our churches on Christmas Day and the one planned service in Aldeburgh on Sunday December 27^th. But I would ask everyone to take care. Please do read this article from the East Anglian Daily Times:

https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/health/ipswich-hospital-coronavirus-crisis-revealed-6864228

The situation is now more serious here than it has ever been and the first thing that everyone must do is to look after themselves and those close to them. If that means that you don’t feel able to come to church at the moment, everyone understands. There will continue to be services online. We will monitor the situation and make adjustments to our plans should they become necessary but please don’t risk your own health or that of others.

With love, as ever

Mark

Collect
Merciful Lord, cast your bright beams of light upon the Church:
that, being enlightened by the teaching of your blessed apostle and evangelist Saint John, we may so walk in the light of your truth
that we may at last attain to the light of everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ your incarnate Son our Lord, who is alive 
and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. 

 

First Reading
Exodus 33.7-11a
Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp; he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp. Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise and stand, each of them, at the entrance of their tents and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise and bow down, all of them, at the entrance of their tents. Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then he would return to the camp; but his young assistant, Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the tent.

Second Reading
1 John 1
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Gospel Reading
John 21.19b-end
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!’  So the rumour spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?’

This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

 

Sermon for 27^th December – The First Sunday of Christmas by our Rector, The Revd Mark Lowther

I met Jesus once. Or to be slightly more specific, I met a Jesus once. He was a musician who’d come into the BBC studios to be interviewed. He was Spanish. In Spanish-speaking countries Jesus is a not-uncommon name for a boy – it is, after all, just another form of the name Joshua – which comes in at No. 25 of the top 100 most popular boys names in 2020 (down nine places from 2019!). We say Joshua, they say Jesus. And it means ‘God saves.’ Remember Matthew’s account of when the angel visited Mary and told her that her baby would be called Jesus ‘because he will save his people from their sins’. That’s what the name means – and, of course, that’s what Jesus did – he lived up to his name.

Today is the Sunday when, this year, we read about the Naming and Circumcision of Jesus – anticipating the actual Festival on New Year’s Day. And so it’s a day that we approach with an extraordinary mixture of emotions. We anticipate the arrival of a New Year. We mark the passing of an old year – and that is inevitably a mixture of emotions in itself. We celebrate with the Holy Family as they initiate their new-born baby into the faith – as Jewish people had done and continue to do, following the command of God to Abraham (Genesis Chapter 17). We celebrate the naming of the one who saves.

And, I suspect, this new year of all new years, we wonder a bit about what the future holds. New Years seem to be times of uncertainty these days, don’t they? Looking back, I see that three years ago I commented on the fact that, the previous year, we didn’t see either Donald Trump or Brexit coming. And as things are I’m certainly not going to attempt any predictions about the year to come.

So, we approach 2021 with our own mixture of emotions, our own uncertainties about ourselves and those we love and the future of the world. You certainly wouldn’t be alone in being glad to see the back of 2020. But let me make a prediction or two about 2021. Politics will continue to surprise us, people will continue to die and at least one world event will happen that we didn’t see coming. This isn’t, of course, an amazing feat of fortune-telling on my part – it happens every year.
But, but …..

Another rash prediction. There will be times, in 2021, when we will have to pray a lot. We will have to ask God a lot of questions. We will join the generations and generations going back to the time of the Psalmists and even earlier, who find themselves saying ‘Why Lord. Why this? What in God’s name is going on?’ But let me quote a book I may well have quoted before, ‘Unapologetic’ by Francis Spufford. Whatever happens, he reminds us, ‘the churches are (we hope and pray) open, doing their ancient and necessary business, and they will still be open tomorrow, and the day after that …. They will still be offering the hush in which we can bear to find out what we’re like. Christ will still be looking across at us from the middle of the angry crowd. God will still be there, shining.’

As the angel said to both Mary and the shepherds, ‘don’t be afraid’. Love came down at Christmas. Jesus – Joshua – lives. God saves – still and always.

Post Communion
Grant, O Lord, we pray, that the Word made flesh
proclaimed by your apostle John may, by the celebration
of these holy mysteries, ever abide and live within us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

The Week Ahead
Next Sunday 3^rd January/Epiphany

9.30am	Holy Communion	Knodishall Church
9.45am	Holy Communion	Friston Church
10.30am	Holy Communion	Aldeburgh Church
11.00am	Holy Communion	Aldringham Church

 

We Wish You All a
Very Happy Safe Christmas and a
Happy New Year

9.45am Morning Prayer Friston Church 9.30am Holy Communion Knodishall Church 10.30am Morning Prayer Aldeburgh Church 11.00am Christmas Service Aldringham Church

Message from The Rector

I am becoming just a little bit fed up with talk, in the press and elsewhere, of the possibility of Christmas being ‘cancelled’ this year. We know (don’t we?) that it is impossible to cancel Christmas. Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Emmanuel, God with us, Jesus Christ. Covid-19 can stop a lot of things but it cannot stop us remembering and celebrating, even if the celebrations might have to take on a new shape this year. Of course, there is a huge amount that we will miss. It will be a Christmas that will be, I suspect, unlike any other that we have known, and I hope and pray that we will never know again. But however, wherever and with whoever we celebrate it, it will still be Christmas. And if we listen carefully, we will still be able to hear the angels sing.

All of our churches have services over Christmas, but a reminder that if you would like to attend the pre-Christmas services in Aldringham and Friston or the Christmas Day services in Aldringham or Aldeburgh you will need to make contact with the relevant churchwardens to book yourself in. We would hate to have to turn anyone away at the door because the church is full, and numbers are very limited this year.
A summary of the Christmas services that we have planned is as follows.

Aldeburgh
Sunday 20th	10.30am	Morning Prayer for the 4th Sunday in Advent
Weds 23rd	10.00am	Holy Communion according to the BCP
Friday 25th	10.30am	Holy Communion for Christmas Day
Sunday 27th	10.30am	Holy Communion for the 1st Sunday of Christmas
Weds 30th		No Service

Aldringham
Sunday 20th	11.00am	Christmas Service
Monday 21st	6.00pm	Christmas Service
Friday 25th	11.00am	Holy Communion for Christmas Day
Sunday 27th		No Service

Friston
Sunday 20th	9.45am	Morning Prayer for the 4th Sunday in Advent
Tuesday 22nd	6.00pm	A Friston Christmas
Friday 25th	9.45am	Holy Communion for Christmas Day
Sunday 27th		No Service
Knodishall
Sunday 20th	9.30am	Holy Communion for the 4th Sunday in Advent
Friday 25th	9.30am	Holy Communion for Christmas Day
Sunday 27th		No Service

‘Pilgrims Together’ will meet online on Wednesday 23^rd at 6.30pm for a seasonal celebration of carols and storytelling. If you have a Christmas themed story, poem, script that you would like to contribute to the event please email Sue and Eric, and be prepared to have a glass of something and a bite of something at the ready for the occasion.

The Pilgrims also report that on Christmas Day they will be opening a Zoom call from 6pm for anyone who would like to join us for a Christmas Day celebratory catch up. Details, as ever, from Sue and Eric or Gail and Stephen – All are welcome.  

For anyone who is unable, for whatever reason, to come to one of our services over Christmas there will be an online carol service (sound only) on our benefice YouTube channel from Monday. Thanks to all of those from around the benefice who read lessons for it – I’ve added some recorded music from several different sources, and I hope you enjoy the result.

And on behalf of the churchwardens and my clergy colleagues may I wish you a safe, healthy and happy Christmas!

With love, as ever

Mark

Collect
God our redeemer, who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son: grant that, as she looked for
his coming as our saviour, so we may be ready to greet him
when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Reading
2 Samuel 7.1-11,16
Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, ‘See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.’ Nathan said to the king, ‘Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.’

But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’ Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.

Second Reading
Romans 16.25-end
Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever! Amen.

Gospel Reading
Luke 1.26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM THE REVD SHEILA HART   This year has been a strange year for us all and yet we have seen amazing things happen. Even Christmas will not be the same for most of us. However, Jesus is always the same and so may Stephen and I wish you a very blessed Christmas and a hopeful New Year.

Reflection for 20^th December – Fourth Sunday of Advent
by The Revd Nichola Winter

My nephew has told me that he and his wife are expecting a baby, due next April. Inevitably they are thinking about names. Some prospective parents have very decided views about the name. Others find the right name doesn’t actually make itself apparent until the birth is over and they are holding the child for the first time. A name will often say something about the person they hope the child will grow up to be – it may give some hint about character or personality. But the name by which we are known becomes very personal; it becomes a part of our identity.

On this fourth Sunday of Advent we think about names as our thoughts turn to the Virgin Mary, the young girl who says ‘yes’ to God and becomes mother of our Saviour. She is to call him ‘Jesus’, meaning ‘saviour. ‘He will fulfil the promise we read about in the book of Samuel – instead of human beings building a house to take the ark of the covenant – to provide protection for the word of God – it is God himself who is going to provide a kind of house for all humankind – an everlasting means of protection for all people.

Fast forward to the astonishing announcement by Gabriel to Mary: “you will name him Jesus. He will be great…”

Here is the amazing promise – a Saviour, whose Kingdom will outlast the petty human squabbles that continue to this day. A child who will be called ‘the Son of the Most High.’

If you keep an eagle eye on the liturgical calendar, you’ll notice that each of the days from 16th December to Christmas are given a name that begins with the exclamation ‘O’ followed by a different Latin word. These are the days of the great ‘O Antiphons’ and each of the words is followed by a brief verse and different name by which Jesus is known. The names come from the old testament prophecies about the nature and name of the eagerly awaited Messiah. The antiphons have been described as a ‘unique work of art…a special ornament of the pre-Christmas liturgy filled with the Spirit of the Word of God.’ The sequence progresses historically, from before the beginning of creation to that humble birth in a stable. O Sapientia – wisdom – coming forth from the mouth of God (think of the opening of John’s gospel where he describes the very beginning of all creation – God speaks and the word he utters brings forth life) – here we have the wisdom that God speaks. O Adonai – leader of the house of Israel. O Root of Jesse, before whom all kings will be silent and to whom all nations will pray. O Key of David – who opens and shuts, to whom we pray for prisoners and all who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. On the shortest day of the year, 21st December, when the hours of light are at their briefest, we sing O Morning Star – splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness – another plea for the relief of those who walk without light. O King of the nations, O Emmanuel, king, lawgiver and hope – the antiphons continue with an appeal to the Saviour – come and save us, O Lord our God.

The final O antiphon addresses the Virgin and brings us back to today: O Virgin of virgins, how shall this be? For neither before thee was any like thee, nor shall there be after.

Daughters of Jerusalem, why marvel ye at me? The thing which ye behold is a divine mystery.

The antiphons provide a rich source for meditation. For those who enjoy word puzzles, they also make up an acrostic – after the last antiphon has been sung, the singer can look back over the titles that have been invoked and see that the illuminated first letters of each name spell out the words VERO CRAS, ‘Truly, tomorrow I will be there’ – the promise that Christ will fulfil on Christmas Day.

And their nature as ‘antiphons’ is a reminder of something that’s relevant to each one of us. The word antiphon comes from the two Greek words ‘anti’, meaning ‘in return’ and ‘phon’, meaning ‘voice’. Voices, returning words to each other. As the antiphons are sung we have two parties, each responding to the other. As we journey through Advent, with its focus on end times and the return of the one who comes to judge, we find ourselves crying out to God, to the one who comes to bring healing and salvation. We lift our voices in supplication; God responds. But it’s a two-way relationship as well. God calls each one of us – and we respond. As Christians we spend each hour, each day – indeed, our entire lives – responding to the call that comes from God. He knows each one of us; he calls us by name. In the book of Isaiah the Lord says ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’ God understands the importance of a name; he will call us by ours, and his desire is that we will respond. Mary responded – and as a result of that response, we move towards Bethlehem and the birth of a Saviour.

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Saviour: Come and save us, O Lord our God.

God responds, ‘Truly, tomorrow I will be there.’

Post Communion
Heavenly Father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the
mother of the promised saviour: fill us your servants with your grace,
that in all things we may embrace your holy will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Deciphering words in the New Testament
(It’s all Greek to me)

Amen. ‘erkou, Kurie ‘Iesou: Amen. Come Lord Jesus.
(Revelation 22.20)  

The closing words of the New Testament pray fervently for the Return of Jesus Christ.  As the Book of Revelation sees it, Christ’s return would mean a full vindication of those who had remained faithful to Him in the recent persecutions under the Roman Emperors Nero and Diocletian, and a corresponding judgement upon the people and forces responsible.

Though the prayer, ‘Come Lord Jesus’, was never answered by Christ returning physically, it still remains for us today as a real longing and prayer of the Christian heart. We won’t be alone, for the same prayer has been in constant use in Middle Eastern Christian faith ever since the time of Christ.

When you can, do please, as a final Advent exercise before Christmas Day, read the whole of the last chapter of Revelation (ch 22) to get the full resonance of the repeated prayer ‘Come Lord Jesus’. Don’t let the negative bits upset you!   AND DO NOTE the change of meaning in verses 16 – 17 where rather than the “thirsty” (that is us) calling on Jesus to come quickly, it is Jesus, his Angel, the Spirit and the Bride (i.e., the church itself) who call us to Him.  A welcome invitation.

The prayer ‘erkou Kurie Jesou’ is the rendering in Greek of an even more primitive version of the same prayer in Aramaic “marana tha” which comes at the end of Paul’s 1^st Letter to the Corinthians (1Cor.16.22).

It comes again at the end of the Communion prayer in an ancient Instruction manual for Christians in Alexandria known as The Didache. (From probably the first century AD).

So, whether as “Come Lord Jesus” or “marana tha” (for both are equivalent), the church sees Jesus as its Lord, and the only One who by his return can put right the wrongs of the world.

That still holds good today. In the meantime, our calling is to try and build a few more bricks into the walls of the Kingdom. Our inspiration and strength will come from Him whose Birth we are about to celebrate. So let us now go even unto Bethlehem . . . . .   
Happy Christmas all.

John Giles

NOTICES

Aldringham Church Calendar 2021
	The Aldringham church calendar for 2021 is now on sale. You can either collect a copy at any of the services at Aldringham church or contact David Gordon to reserve your copy.
The calendars are £10 each. Free copies have been distributed to the sick and the lonely in the congregation and the rest will be sold to raise money for church funds.
Food Banks at the East of England Co-op  Foodbanks provide a valuable service to those in need in our communities and have an even more vital role to play as we navigate our way through these unprecedented times. With Christmas fast approaching, your donations will make all the difference. The Aldeburgh Co-op and Solar in Leiston are doing a grand job in collecting food donations, which are collected regularly and distributed. So please look out for the various collection baskets.
Weekly Benefice Newsletter  If you would like something added to the weekly newsletter that is relevant to the Benefice, please do let Claire know and we will do our best to include it the following week. Whether it be a story to tell, or tips or recipes or a notice to be added to spread the word. What Christmas stories do you have to share?

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE REVD JOHANNA MABEY Dear Friends, With reports of COVID-19 infections rising, the prospect of more restrictions and a far from normal Christmas, it seems rather incongruous for me to be wishing you all a happy and jolly festive season. This year has felt like a relentless and exhausting barrage of difficulties, challenges, and heartbreak not only for my family but for countless others. I know many of you will empathise through your own experiences. I have needed some time away from active ministry to cope with everything and I am extremely grateful to you, Revd. Mark and the clergy team for the unfailing support and care received. I aim to be back on the rota in the new year! During the darkest of times, this prayer by Thomas Merton gave me great comfort… My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. I hope that 2021 brings happier and better times for us all. God’s blessings for a safe and peaceful Christmas. With love, Please note my new email address: Jo rev.johannamabey@gmail.com

FRISTON CHRISTMAS SERVICE St Mary, Friston, 6pm, 22nd December 2020 Dear Friends – there are just 4 pews seating up to 4 people (in your bubble/household) left available for the Christmas Service at Friston this year.  There will be music, readings, poetry and the Church will – as always – be lit with hundreds of candles and lights.  Unfortunately, due to the restrictions we cannot fill the church as we would normally, and it is NECESSARY to book a pew.  Each pew can take up to 4 people from your household or bubble. All are welcome.  Please contact Carole Edwards, Church Warden. We look forward to welcoming you to a beautiful, atmospheric service to celebrate the coming birth of Jesus.

We Wish You All A Very
Happy Safe Christmas

This year has been so different, hasn’t it. Again, this pandemic has highlighted that we dearly miss seeing all the families that usually come along and attend the various Church services to celebrate this special time of the year with us.

So we thought, what can we do for the children that unfortunately won’t be able to come to the Christingle Service, Christmas Messy Church, and of course our very popular Crib Service (last year we had a record number attend of 440). Ahh, we will deliver them a Christmas bag of goodies. So Revd Johanna Mabey organised and put together 99 bags that were delivered to Aldeburgh Primary School. The teachers were absolutely delighted and thanked the Church.