The Vicar writes ...
... in the parish magazine each month with a topical message to all our Barton Chime readers.
September's message is about "Bread".
July-August's message was about "... beside the seaside".
June's message was about "Open Gardens Weekend".
May's message was about "Thanks".
April's message was about "Spring."
March's message was about "Guidance on the way".
January/February's message was about "Candlemas Day".
December's message was about "Christmas Stamps".
November's message was about "Remembering".
October's message was about "Challenge to Love".
September's message was about "Serving and Sharing".
July-August's message was about "Changing Lives".
September
BREAD
We now tend to offer our thanks for Harvest ‘when all is safely gathered in’ but there is however a significant point in coming to God with first fruits, as we find in the Old Testament. September is a time when we think towards these services either at the end of the month or the beginning of October.
Let’s think about the loaf of bread. If we let our imagination and thoughts move about a little we can see how the loaf of bread can represent all we do today. The farmer and his colleagues may produce the grain, but many others are involved before the bread gets to the table, in food production and distribution to say the least. We could see how doctors are involved as they care for those who help make the bread in any way, and teachers as they help educate the farmer’s children. Just have a think and you will see how practically every occupation is supportive in some way. It may be the postman who brings the farmer his letters ‘and the bills’ or people who are involved in the leisure industry which again can be supportive in free time – have a think about that. The loaf of bread represents all the work of man and is presented to God in thanksgiving for the continued gift of creation, necessary to us all, in all we do.
Recently our Sunday readings have been focused on Jesus’ words ‘I am the Bread of Life’. We all know we need food to live. Christians clearly know that we also need spiritual understanding and support in our life - a different kind of Bread, which Jesus can supply. Jesus shared many meals with his friends which would include bread. He said when you have a meal and break bread - remember me. He said he was a broken bread - in remembrance of his body broken on the cross, so that we can come closer to God through the forgiveness of sins. It is also in remembrance of Easter Sunday when his resurrection gives us hope and understanding about life eternal - so he wanted us not only to remember to him in breaking the bread but to share it as well as we all share the benefit of the love he gives us.
I hope you will be able to share in all aspects of giving thanks at Harvest services at Dunstall on Sunday 27th September and Barton and Tatenhill on Sunday 4th October.
Sunday 27th September at Barton Parish Church is when we also join in the national ‘Back to Church Sunday’ - if you have not been able to come to church for a while, why not use this as an opportunity to worship again with others - you will be most welcome.
May God bless you all
Tony
July-August
I do like to be beside the seaside
There is so much connected with our faith that relates to the sea. The congregation all sit in the Nave of the Church. If you look at the Chancel arch in front and then the arch at the West End, mentally connect them together – turn it upside down and you can see we are all sitting in a boat! The word Nave itself having a nautical connection. It is not unusual to refer to us being on the ‘Sea of Life.’
Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
o'er the world's tempestuous sea;
guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
for we have no help but thee;
yet possessing every blessing,
if our God our Father be.
On Sea Sunday, which is Sunday 12th July, we think of those who ‘go down to the sea in ships’ our fishermen, those who travel the world transporting merchandise, the Royal Navy, all whose livelihood is connected with the sea. We ask God’s protection for them and their families. We pray for the work of the Mission to Seafarers and the Royal National Lifeboaat Institution.
Jesus called fishermen, very ordinary people, to be the first to help spread the Good News he came to bring. He used a boat as a kind of pulpit to preach to people on the shore. When his friends were terrified in a storm on the Sea of Galilee he brought peace. There are many narratives in the gospels which relate Jesus with the sea.
The early Christian Symbol for Jesus was a Fish.(Greek – Ichthus - using the letters of this Greek word for fish a Greek acrostic formed – meaning Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour)
There is much in the gospels which points to the sea. Perhaps then as the nave suggests we should think more of us making a journey on the Sea of Life under the constant protection of Jesus like the disciples confronting the storm on their journey – He can bring guidance and peace ...
I hope you will have a pleasant break during the summer, whether it is at home or away on holiday – perhaps you will be going to the sea.
May God bless you all
Tony
June
OPEN GARDENS WEEKEND
There are 18 gardens this year. Each one so different, each being an expression of God in creation together with the God-given skills of the gardeners. This year you will find other skills for you to appreciate. Country Crafts will be demonstrated in the village, dry stone walling, basket making, weaving, wood turning in some of the gardens and paintings in church. So many people are involved, everyone contributing to a great and enjoyable fun weekend. My special thanks to you all.
Central to our festival weekend is our Parish Church which stands as a silent witness to our Christian Faith and understanding. In our gardens and in our skills we see all that God gives us. In our fund raising we share with those in less fortunate situations. This in itself is central to our weekend. Over the past ten years Open Gardens ‘working for charities’ has raised over £75,000. This year we will be supporting again the Staffordshire Children's Hospice – the Donna Louise Trust because of its recent lack of means there is a danger of cut back in some of its care for children who need specialist support. We also support Shelterbox again – these provide instant provision and shelter for those caught up in disasters, you may have seen them in use in the Italian earthquake, this prompted our help in 2009. Toy Box supports street children in South America, when we realise the lives these children are exposed to every day and we think about growing up in Barton we cannot but be concerned. These three charities along with the Parish Church will benefit from Open Gardens this year and reflect our Christian concern for the needs of others.
Have a marvellous weekend – you deserve it! Don’t forget to bring your friends and please offer your help if you can.
Last year at the end of June we gave thanks for Barton Parish Church serving the community for 475 years - now it is one year older! On Sunday 28th June, we keep the 476th Anniversary of Consecration with a Festival Communion Service at 10.30am. I hope you can come.
May God bless you all
Tony
May
MANY THANKS
I have received so many cards that there is not enough space in the Vicarage to display them. Thank you for them, for the visitors, for those who have brought meals, for the drivers ( which I will still need for a while). It has been a most supportive experience.
A special word of thanks for all who have taken on extra church responsibilities and the visitors who have taken services. You will see me gradually becoming more involved again.
In the period since 11th March there have been two other happenings. The church is common with many in the area was entered by force through a painted window, the vestry areas were ransacked and there was some theft. Extra precautions have now been installed against intrusion, advice on this matter being given by the police at the beginning of the Annual Church Meeting in the Church Hall at the end of April. I much regret that this overnight forced entry, which was discovered by a churchwarden on Sunday morning, caused the 8am service to be cancelled. Grateful thanks to all involved in the cleaning up exercise which enabled the 10.30am to take place as usual.
And a very different happening - an Order in Council brought the three parishes of Barton-under-Needwood, Dunstall and Tatenhill into one united benefice on 1st April. (They were separated on 22nd July 1881). The three parishes continue of function with their own Parochial Church Councils but under the care of one incumbent.
In all these happenings in various and different ways we look to God for our help and support. On Thusday 21st May, we hear the words from the Mount of the Ascension - “Lo I am with you always to the end of the age”. On 31st May - Whitsunday – or Pentecost – we are reminded how God is always with us – through the gift of the Holy Sprit.
When we are out in the car on a bright Summer Day we hardly notice the cats’ eyes in the middle of the road. What a difference if it is foggy, our lives can depend on them – the headlights pick up the glow to guide us on our way. God in his Holy Spirit is here with us, around as all the time, but we do not always think about that. When we need his help he, like the cats eyes, is there to guide us, all we need to do is to direct our attention to him – put on our headlights – he is waiting to respond.
You might like to reflect on that thought as we approach Ascension Day and Whitsunday being assured God in his Holy Spirit is ever there to guide and support us.
May God bless you all
Tony
April
SPRING
Spring is lambing time, together with eggs, rabbits and hares they feature on Easter Cards. Easter is of course a time of celebration – a time of great joy. Have you noticed how excited young lambs are prancing about in the fields – a real joy to be living.
You may know these words
All in the April evening April airs were abroad; The sheep with their little lambs Passed me by on the road.
The sheep with their little lambs Passed me by on the road; All in the April evening I thought on the Lamb of God.
We can learn from the things around us.
You may recall in the Book of Exodus how the children of Israel escaped from Egpyt and went on to cross the Red Sea. Before they left, the Feast of Passover was celebrated for the first time. Central to the meal was the sacrificial lamb, becoming a symbol of their deliverance from slavery. The Gospels help us to understand that Jesus brought us deliverance from sin by his death on the cross on Good Friday and hope of life eternal through his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Jesus, ‘the sacrificial lamb’ for us on the cross and Jesus the Lamb of God triumphant on Easter Sunday. To fully appreciate the real joy of the Easter message we need to share in the starkness of Good Friday. I hope you will be able to share in the keeping of Good Friday and the happiness of Easter Sunday and the joy of the Lamb of God triumphant.
All in the April evening, April airs were abroad; I saw the sheep with their lambs, And thought on the Lamb of God.
At the Christmas Carol Service we experienced a Nativity Play with a difference written by David Yardley. He has written an Easter Drama for Barton Parish Church. I hope you will be able to support the choir and their friends in the presentation – Easter Praise and Easter Drama – on Easter Sunday 12th April at 6.00 pm with Easter hymns we all enjoy singing.
The Churchwardens of all our churches join me and Jill, our Reader, in hoping you will have a joyful Easter.
May God bless you all
Tony
March
GUIDANCE ON THE WAY
The car stops and the window comes down, the driver says “Hi Mate, can you show us the way – I don’t think the Sat Nav is working, this is BE13 isn’t it?” Perhaps you reply “I don’t know where BE13 is, but this is DE13, this doesn’t seem to be the way you are looking for.”
Knowing the way is quite important and having the right guide is equally important. Christianity is called the way or ‘new way’ in the Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 9, verse 2 and other verses)
Jesus said ‘I am the Way … ’ St John Chapter 14, verse 6.
Following the Way of Jesus is our guide through the journey of life and he is himself the guide.
Lent gives us the opportunity to pause and consider how Jesus is in fact our guide. The Journey of Life is sometimes thought of like a voyage over the sea. A very popular hymn takes that theme – Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us o'er the world's tempestuous sea; guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us, for we have no help but thee; yet possessing every blessing, if our God our Father be.
At the funeral of the last veteran who served in both the First and Second World War, Bill Stone, who was 108 (he was a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy) - this reflection on the Psalm 23 was read.
Perhaps you would like to reflect upon yourself as we all think again about the things of God and our relationship to him and our journey through Life, in the season of Lent.
The Lord is my pilot, I shall not drift He lighteth me across the dark waters; He steereth me in the deep channels. He keepeth my log. He guideth me by the star of holiness for his namesake. Yea though I sail mid the thunders and tempests of life, I shall dread not danger, for thou art near me. Thy love and care, they shelter me. Thou preparest a harbour before me in the homeland of eternity. Thou anointest the waves with oil, my ship rideth calmly. Surely sunlight and starlight shall favour me on the voyage I take, And I will rest in the port of my God forever. (The Lighthouse Keeper’s Prayer - Captain J.H. Roberts 1874)
Jesus is our Guide, but we are his guide for others. On Mothering Sunday think particularly about those who have the special care of guiding their children.
May Christ be with us, guide us in the direction we take day by day, and in the way we help guide others for him. Amen.
May God bless you all
Tony
January/February
CANDLEMAS DAY
A close look at some diaries will tell you that February 2nd is Candlemass Day, it might even say Quarter Day in Scotland. Quarter days have fallen into misuse in recent years, they are traced back to the four dates in each year on which servants were hired, and rents and rates were due. They fell on four religious festivals roughly three months apart and close to the two solstices and two equinoxes. Although not so in England, Candlemass was one in Scotland.
February 2nd is also a day associated with traditional observations of the weather, about midway between the shortest day (December 21st) and the first day of Spring (March 21st).
If Candlemass day be sunny and bright Winter will have another flight If Candlemass day be cloudy and grey Winter soon will pass away
or another version If Candlemass day be fair and bright Winter will have another flight If Candlemas day be shower and rain Winter is gone and will not come again
But it is a religious festival. It is forty days after Christmas, the end of the season of Christmas and Epiphany and in many churches the crib figures stay displayed until this date. It commemorates the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary which according to Jewish custom would take place forty days after the birth and the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. All of which is recorded in Saint Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 2, verses 22 – 40.
Why the candles? The old priest, Simeon, who saw Jesus when he was brought into the temple recites the words Nunc Dimittis – Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to your word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people, Israel.
The great thing about this passage is that it reminds us that Jesus has come for all people, the Gentiles, not just to the people of Israel. Candles are lit and held at many celebrations of Holy Communion on that day to mark the fact that Jesus is a light to all people – hence the word Candlemass.
So although Candlemass is a Quarter Day and can perhaps help foretell the weather. It is rooted in the scripture and reminds us that in living our lives guided by Jesus the Light of the World, we are to share his message of love and hope with all we meet.
Thank you for all the greetings you sent me at Christmas it was most kind. My best wishes for the year 2009.
May God bless you all
Tony
December
HE'S BEHIND YOU!
Have you noticed all the pantomime characters are the baddies, there is no Cinderella or Aladdin, no fairies not even a magic goose? Every panto story has a principal character who comes up against countless difficulties before reaching the happy ending – and living happily ever after. The baddies are there to make all the problems, they are not the most popular characters and receive all the ‘boos!’ In the end they never succeed – evil is overcome by good, with the help no doubt of the good fairy. The whole event is a great outing with parents and children coming away exhausted, cheering on Cinderella, Dick Whittington, or Robin Hood, screaming at the dame and definitely against the baddies. All this taking place at Christmas time the season of Pantomime.
Mary and Jesus on the religious stamps are saying much the same. They clearly represent peace and love, all that is good. Jesus came into the world to challenge all who are not working for that aim. He is indeed the King of Love and the Prince of Peace but he is also the servant king who came alongside us all, helping us to understand true love. Jesus shows us how to live our lives, how we can overcome evil through the good he shows us. What better to celebrate at Christmas each year – and it is good to enjoy stories which actually reflect the same message.
Before Christmas we have Advent. Advent can be looked at in a number of ways. We look to the coming of Christmas again. It is a time of waiting for the festive day – a time to pause and think about what it all means. We agree evil is overcome by good – we should stop and ask what good things are we actually doing each day? How do we contribute to the good of all we meet – that is what Jesus wants us to do – that is what he came into the world to help us understand – and in doing this we come closer to reflecting the love of God in our lives.
The Churchwardens and Jill, our Reader, join me in hoping you and yours will celebrate a truly joyful and holy Christmas.
May God bless you all
Tony
November
REMEMBERING
November is a month of remembering, We give thanks for the lives of saints known and unknown on 1st November. On All Soul’s Day, our thoughts are especially with family and friends now departed. Come Remembrance Sunday we are thinking of all who have died in time of conflict, be it in World Wars or since. Then there are children that we remember at the beginning of this month. We have much in mind, the children who will receive the Christmas Shoe Boxes, full of small Christmas gifts, in places of the world where this may be their only Christmas present. These all come to church on 2nd November. On Sunday 16th November we have a visit to help focus our attention and prayers on the work of the Children’s Society.
All this ‘remembering’ is very right and proper but let us pause for a moment and recall; we are individuals; we are all unique; we are all known personally to our God. So when we think of groups of people, let us not loose sight of the fact that although there are thousands in the groups I have mentioned, each has a personal relationship with God and for those no longer with us, that relationship is in the world to come.
Advent Sunday comes at the end of the month and points us to Christmas. Jesus comes into the world for each of us.
I invite you to put The Chime down for a moment. Pause, remember Jesus is really close to each and everyone. Be still and quiet and think of one thing you wish to thank Jesus for, he is close and ready to listen – think of one thing you would like to share with him, he is waiting to hear. Now recall that everyone is just as close to him.
I hope this might help us to personalise our prayers when we inevitably pray for many people at one time.
Perhaps you would like to repeat this form of prayer another day.
May God bless you all
Tony
October
CHALLENGE TO LOVE
There are lots of ways of expressing love. We give presents, some small, some large and varying in cost, as a token of love at a birthday, Christmas or special occasion - they often bear the tag ‘with love’. We also show our love in our care and concern for family, friends and for each other. Perhaps we see this expressed especially in the bringing up of children, and this is another way of showing love. We share our values with children and help them learn the ways of life mainly through watching the way those around them live - this expresses our love. We can also show our love in sharing our faith - when a child comes to be baptised, parents and godparents have decided it is right to share their faith in this way and promise to share their faith as their child grows up.
This time of the year we have Harvest Thanksgiving Services. We give thanks for the love and care God shows us in providing the fruits of the earth in their seasons. We also think of ways we can share with others. Often this will have to be financial, as the best way to help those living in impoverished countries. This is good and proper.
I ask you alongside this - “Do we share our faith too with our friends and those we meet ?” This is the call of the Christian message, not to keep it to our private practice - but to show Jesus in the way live, the values we have and our understanding of why Jesus came to live with us and help us to know that this life leads to the life eternal. This is challenging for many people - but it is the challenge Jesus brings to us.
The athlete at the games took up his challenge for the love of what he was doing and for the good of all!
May God bless you all
Tony
September
SERVING AND SHARING
One of the features of the celebration was of course the 475 wheelbarrows which were flower-bedecked throughout the village. In his address at the Festival Service Jon Rose, who was a Reader here some years ago, talked about the wheelbarrows. He spoke of wheelbarrows needing someone to push them. We all need help from one another in our lives and in our witness to Jesus and our commitment to the faith.
The 475 wheelbarrows were indeed a great feature of the Open Gardens Festival this year, in themselves representing the 475 years of service to the community. It was a fabulous weekend with so many visitors and so many involved in helping to make sure it was all a great success. First, thank you so very much to everyone who was involved. The aspect of supporting others is in itself the feature of the Festival, it was fantastic to discover at the Presentation Evening that £10,000 had been raised. This will support The Children’s Society, the Children of the Andes, The Donna Louise Trust as well as our schools and church. You will find the full details on the opposite page - again thank you to everyone who contributed in any way.
Sharing also involves sharing our faith. On the last Sunday in September (28th September), together with hundreds of churches throughout the country, the main aspect of the day will be to make the services especially welcoming to those who perhaps have not prayed in company with other people for some time. We all know we can say our prayers anywhere, we do not have to be in a church. There are many places where we can feel especially close to God. Places like churches, and being in company with others can also be very helpful and supportive ways to share worship and prayer. I hope everyone will think about sharing this worship and if you have not been to church lately then perhaps this ‘Back to Church Sunday’ will encourage you.
May God bless you all
Tony
July/August
CHANGING LIVES
This month we keep the Feast Day of Saint James, the Patron Saint of our Parish Church at Barton. He was called by Jesus and we learn from the gospels that it completely changed his life. (Saint Matthew Chapter 4 verses 20 - 22).
This year we are celebrating 475 years of our Tudor Church consecrated in 1533, with the 475 wheelbarrows representing the years the Parish Church has served the community. Not everyone has the moment changing experience of Saint Paul and Saint James. However over those years many people will have come particularly close to God through their prayers and thoughts in our Parish Church and been lead to guidance of the way their lives might travel - we give thanks for that. This embraces our stewardship of the building to be a place where the inheritance of faith and closeness to God may help every generation.
When you are made a Prebendary (or Honorary Canon) as I have been this year it makes you think. People say to me sometimes why did you become a ‘Vicar’ or when did you think about becoming a ‘Vicar’. Well, I did not have a Damascus experience. I have shared with many people that I can clearly trace my feeling that I should train to be priest came from about the time of my Confirmation, (incidentally at another Parish Church of Saint James). This is when we pray that the Holy Spirit will come afresh into our lives as we take on for ourselves the promises which were made for us at our Baptism. Many will have had similar experiences in their lives and it is sometimes helpful to share them. Our Parish Church stands as a base for us and future generations to come close to God and seek his guidance, his love and his help.
We keep Saint James Day on Friday 25th July, with Holy Communion at 9.45a.m. and on Saint Jamestide Sunday 27th July at 8a.m. and 10.30a.m.
The Bishop is coming for a Confirmation Service in October. If you would like to know more about Confirmation please ask me.
I hope you will have a pleasant break during the summer, whether it is at home or away on holiday.
May God bless you all
Tony