The LINK CHURCHWARDEN Vacant TREASURER Mrs Heather Roughton, 15 Rose Cottage, Hewood, Thorncombe, TA20 4NR

Home , Ilton, Tatworth, Winsham

THORNCOMBE CHURCHWARDEN Vacant The LINK CHURCHWARDEN Vacant TREASURER Mrs Heather Roughton, 15 Rose Cottage, Hewood, Thorncombe, TA20 4NR. T: 01460 220593 E: [email protected] PCC SECRETARY Mrs Heather Roughton (details as above) SAFEGUARDING Mrs. P Barnes.T:01460 30847, E: [email protected] OFFICER WINSHAM CHURCHWARDEN Mr Peter Saunders, Oakgates, Court Street, Winsham, Chard TA20 4JE. T: 01460 432991 E: [email protected] CHURCHWARDEN Mrs Chloe Besley, 3 Fore Street, Winsham, TA20 4DY. T: 01460 30032 E: [email protected] TREASURER Mrs Chloe Besley (details as above) PCC SECRETARY Mrs Kim Holt, Heron Cottage, Bridge, Winsham TA20 4HR; 01460 30302; [email protected] SAFEGUARDING Mr Peter Saunders, Oakgates, Court Street, Winsham, Chard TA20 4JE. OFFICER T: 01460 432991 E: [email protected]

TATWORTH COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (TCYC): A club for children 11+ at St. John's Church Hall on Friday in term time 7– 8:30pm.(Last Friday of the month only for now) Contact Daphne Carslake for more information 01460 67945 BABY & TODDLER GROUP—a group for children from 0 to preschool age. Meet in St. John’s Church Hall every Friday in term time 10am -12 noon. BABY & TODDLER CONTACTS—Monica. 221356 , Jan 220499 or Daphne 67945 REGULAR GIVING SCHEMES: The Parish Churches depend on regular financial support. There are many ways this can be done. Please ask the treasurer of your parish about weekly covenanting envelope schemes or for further information on how to cove- nant a gift (thereby making it more valuable to the church). PRIVATE FUNCTIONS: Tatworth Church Hall is available for private bookings: £20 per session (a session is morning, afternoon or evening); £10 per session for regular bookings. Contact Mrs Jan Knott, T: 01460 220499. BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS, FUNERALS, HOME COMMUNIONS FOR THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND BY ARRANGEMENT WITH REVD. PHILIP BUTCHER, 01460 221286 SUBSCRIPTIONS AND ADVERTISING IN THE LINK: Subscriptions—c/o Mrs Jan Knott, Hillside House, Wreath Green, Tatworth, TA20 2SN. T: 01460 220499 E: [email protected] The Monthly Magazine of Advertising: Daphne Carslake E: [email protected]. St. John the Evangelist at Tatworth (TA20 2SH) St. Michael and All Angels at Chaffcombe (TA20 4BJ) COPY FOR THE LINK SHOULD BE SENT TO & St. Mary Magdalene at Cricket Malherbie (TA19 OPW) Mrs. Monica Mason email [email protected]. Tel. 01460 221356 (Part of TWO SHIRES BENEFICE) Please submit copy to the above, or leave in St John’s Church, Tatworth in the box provided by the 11th of the month before publication. Open to all at the editor's discretion. Every effort is made to ensure items are correct. Any views expressed are not necessarily those of the PCC or the editor. June 2020 55p Printed by CBC, Crimchard, TA20 1JT. [email protected] (Suggested Minimum donation) TWO SHIRES BENEFICE MINISTRY TEAM Chaffcombe, Cricket Malherbie with Knowle St. Giles, RECTOR Revd. Philip Butcher, The Vicarage, 3 Home Farm, Tatworth, TA20 2SH. Tatworth, Thorncombe and Winsham T: 01460 221286, E: [email protected] DAY OFF: MONDAY Benefice Contact – Please contact Revd. Philip Butcher, 01460 221286 ASST. PRIEST VACANT CORONAVIRUS (HFD) All forms of public worship in all churches in the Benefice are ASST. PRIEST Revd. Judith Abbott, Braytons, Wreath Green, Tatworth, TA20 2SN. suspended until further notice. This is as directed by the (SSM) T: 01460 220689 E: [email protected] Archbishops of Canterbury and York on 17 March 2020. RETIRED PRIEST Revd. Terri Boyland, 62 Linkhay Orchard, South Chard, TA20 2QS. WITH PERMISSION T: 01460 221010 E: [email protected] TO OFFICIATE READERS Mrs Mary Dewar, 11 Watermead, Tatworth, TA20 2QN. T: 01460 221268 E: Mrs Diana Kershaw, 7 Church Street, Winsham, TA20 4HU. T: 01460 30273 E: [email protected] CHAFFCOMBE CHURCHWARDEN Mr Stan Robinson, Cornerways, Chaffcombe, TA20 4AW. T: 01460 239121 E: [email protected] CHURCHWARDEN VACANT

TREASURER Mr. Geoffrey Lucas, 76 Moorlands Park, Martock. TA12 6DW T: 01935 824700 E: [email protected] Also TWO SHIRES BENEFICE treasurer PCC SECRETARY Mrs Jean Liddiatt, 38 Halcombe, Chard, TA20 2DT. T: 01460 64553 E: [email protected] SAFEGUARDING Mr Stan Robinson, Cornerways, Chaffcombe, TA20 4AW. OFFICER T: 01460 239121 E: [email protected] CRICKET MALHERBIE CHURCHWARDEN Mrs A E Hinkins, Manor Cottage, Manor Farm, Cricket Malherbie, TA19 0PW. T: 01460 52783 CHURCHWARDEN Mrs. Jane Helliar New House Farm, Cricket Malherbie TA19 0PL Tel: 01460 52929 E: [email protected] TREASURER Mrs A E Hinkins (Manor Cottage, Manor Farm, Cricket Malherbie, TA19 0PW. T: 01460 52783 PCC SECRETARY Mrs Jane Helliar, New House Farm, Cricket Malherbie, TA19 0PL. T: 01460 52929, E: [email protected] SAFEGUARDING Mrs Jane Helliar, New House Farm, Cricket Malherbie, TA19 0PL. OFFICER T: 01460 52929, E: [email protected] TATWORTH CHURCHWARDEN Mrs Jan Knott, Hillside House, Wreath Green, Tatworth, TA20 2SN. T: 01460 220499 E: [email protected] CHURCHWARDEN Mrs Monica Mason, The Hollies, Loveridge Lane, Tatworth, TA20 2SE. T: 01460 221356 E: [email protected] TREASURER c/o Mrs Jan Knott, Hillside House, Wreath Green, Tatworth, TA20 2SN. T: 01460 220499 E: [email protected] PCC SECRETARY Mrs Monica Mason, The Hollies, Loveridge Lane, Tatworth, TA20 2SE. T: 01460 221356 E: [email protected] SAFEGUARDING Mrs Jan Knott, Hillside House, Wreath Green, Tatworth, TA20 2SN. OFFICER T: 01460 220499 E: [email protected] EDITORIAL The LINK - 2020 The June edition of The Link will not be printed due to the dangers of Annual Subscription £6.60 delivering paper copies by our hardworking delivery team. But will again be We invite you to renew your LINK subscription for another year or take one sent by email and put on the web site out for the first time. https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11251/ Please complete the form below and return with your remittance to your It will also be on face book with a Link to the website. distributor. Many thanks for your understanding. If you are a new subscriber, or live outside the Parish, please return to a Thank you all for your continued support of The Link, and many thanks to Ken Churchwarden or a PCC member. If paying by cheque, please make payable Johnson for proof-reading The Link for me. to St John the Evangelist Church. I hope that the content for this month will make interesting reading. If you have any content that you would like to include, please forward the copy to me by 11th June and I will seek to add it to the next edition in July. NAME: E: [email protected] tel. 01460 221356 ADDRESS: Monica Mason Disclaimer The LINK accepts no liability for: • Any claims made by the advertiser • Any error or omissions in the advertisement as submitted by the advertiser POSTCODE: TELEPHONE: • Any legal action as a result of the advertisement Any opinion expressed in articles in The LINK may be those of the author but not necessarily those of the editorial team. PASTORAL LETTER from Reverend Judith

Promote your business The wind blows where it wills At the end of May we celebrated Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit to Reaching your local people, by advertising in The Link the first disciples (Acts 1); there are metaphors of fire and wind to describe this momentous event, words struggling to express the dynamic presence of Costs for adverts are now God. And this wasn’t a one-off event; it was an indicator of what Christian 1/8 page costs £26 for 12 editions faith is always to be – Spirit-inspired, empowered by God and 1/4 page costs £42 for 12 editions transformational.

1/2 page costs £76 for 12 editions Earlier, Jesus had already used the wind as an analogy of the Spirit, when he Full page costs £142 for 12 editions told Nicodemus (John 3) that the wind blows where it wills; you can’t see where it has come from or where it is going. Modern day weather forecasting

means we might have a bit more of an idea than that, but Jesus was With Colour describing a spiritual mystery, and Nicodemus was already wrong-footed by 1/2 page costs £117 for 12 editions the logical impossibility of being born again.

Full Page costs £220 for 12 editions There is something very unsettling about the wind; it makes children excited or edgy in the playground, whips up waves, tosses trees, bends stalks of grain. Potentially, it flattens buildings and devastates crops. There may be a wild Contact Daphne Carslake, Email [email protected] exultant energy in it, and there is also a danger.

June 2020 Page 3 For Nicodemus, Jesus’s targeted analogies were profoundly unsettling. Perhaps he had thought he had his religious beliefs all worked out, adhered to, doctrinally sound, devotionally uplifting. Then Jesus blows a hole through it all and issues a call to something much more radical, improbable and disorientating.

Faith becomes much less comfortable when what is required is an abandonment to the uncertainty of the Spirit of God who cannot be formulated or controlled. In these months, the world has had a new experience of a virus that seems to travel where it will, unseen except by its disastrous effects. Governments, scientists and medics have struggled to understand it and get it under control and meanwhile, all have needed to live with uncertainty about handling the YEW TREE COTTAGE threat and what the future is going to be once it has been eliminated.

The wind can be destructive. But it can also power wind turbines, and those RESIDENTIAL HOME tall white-armed posts on the hills bring good energy and power to communities and farms. Similarly, viruses can be destructive to other life Hornsbury Hill, Chard, Somerset, TA20 3DB forms as we know only too well; but in a balanced order of creation, they also keep bacteria in check, preventing other hazards from developing. Yew Tree Cottage is a small privately owned established Home, registered

In times of great stress and uncertainty such as our own, we most readily call for providing excellent quality individual care to both the elderly and those on God as our Rock, our safety in danger, our comforter in grief, our strength suffering with dementia in luxurious rural surroundings. in weakness, our protector against fear. All of this is very good and right – and We provide: there is more. Permanent residential care Following Pentecost this year, in such strange times, we have the particular Respite, long and short stay challenge of seeking the transformative presence of the Spirit, and of Day care responding in faith when a new work of God emerges in the world and in the This unique Home can accommodate a maximum of five residents. Owned Church. It may well be that a powerful wind has blown open the spiritual doors and managed by Sarah-Jane Ambridge, who is a Registered General and of the Church even while the sturdy wooden doors are locked, and the Spirit is blowing in new ways of communication and worship. We have seen and been Psychiatric Nurse with many years’ experience, and her team of highly humbled by the work of the Spirit in neighbourhood and community responses trained staff. and in sacrificial caring for the sick. In terms of the environment, we must pray with eyes opened by the beneficial consequences of less aviation and road For further details and personal recommendations please contact us traffic that there will be a new determination to prevent ongoing damage to directly or through our website. creation and climate. We may long for a return to beloved buildings and liturgy, but we must also keep the doors open and place ourselves outside in Email: [email protected] the world around us. Tel: 01460 64735 As for our own faith, and the unexpected encounter with the living God, here Mob: 07714 899324 are the last two verses of a poem that makes me smile, then blink. www.ambridgeestates.co.uk

Page 4 June 2020 It’s called The Bat. (This bat is not carrying Corona Virus!) 26 Holyrood Street

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To make your booking or for further information please Recognise the one who stands beside you contact: Mrs Jan Knott 01460 220499 ‘Stay alert’ is the message as we ‘ease out of lockdown’. We know that for some there is little ease as we begin to re-engage with a world that is still fearful of Covid-19 and uncertain about its future. The requirement to ‘stay alert’ is to encourage us to watch out for signs of the virus and protect Promote your business ourselves and others as necessary. Reaching your local people, by advertising in The Link We’ve just celebrated Pentecost, often recognised as the birthday of the This space costs £42 for 12 editions. Church. Jesus’ message to his followers as he left them to return to his Father was that they were to ‘stay alert’, not to guard against something fearful to Contact Daphne Carslake come but rather to be watchful for the Spirit that would free them from fear. It didn’t mean that there weren’t still physical dangers to face but rather that their spiritual lives should grow in boldness. Email [email protected]

June 2020 Page 5 We have seen much courage exhibited throughout this crisis to date. Key work- ers who have continued to serve us day by day even whilst most of us have re- mained at home. The NHS has quite rightly been applauded and appreciated at this time and there are so many more.

I’ve been especially impressed by our schools and their teams who have largely been open throughout this period to be provide care for key worker families and vulnerable children. Even at weekends and during this past half term holi- day they have been tirelessly supporting their local communities. Staying alert to the needs of our young, they have shown their commitment and care. I want to express my huge gratitude to them!

As we move into June we may be seeing more children returning to schools having been home-schooled for a time. This will not be without fear for some and a need to be especially alert to physical dangers. Whatever the situation we find ourselves to be in at this point, we are reminded that we have a Com- forter, an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who strengthens and encourages our faith even at times of doubt and anxiety.

Whether still at home and isolated or beginning a return to wider community life, may you find yourself being alert for and recognising the one who stands alongside you, the Spirit, who is friend, guardian and comforter.

With every good wish

Bishop Ruth

ON WITH TRINITY

AFTER the varied Church Seasons since November: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost: we settle down to the 20-plus weeks after Trinity, 4 of which fall in June. A time for reflection on the Big Events of the Calendar, a time to fit in the LIFE of Jesus between the Birth, Death, Resurrection and Ascension.

Our Creed skips His LIFE: not so, the Church: an indication, hopefully, that His LIFE is ongoing IN His Church. We are not in a history class or a historical novel. Our Church life is a live event; lives being changed “from glory to glory”, as our faith grows. Faith is fed and watered by our Services, our Fellowship, our Sacraments, our communication with one another, and with God the Father through Jesus by the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Page 6 June 2020 That’s Trinity life; that’s Christian life! It’s living in Community, meeting,

greeting, knowing and caring for each other; and extending that care beyond our immediate environment to the world-wide Body of Christ.

Christianity in action goes on day in day out. All Christian charities say they depend firstly on the PRAYERS of their supporters. That means US! And all of us can pray. Stop at: “Give us this day our daily bread”, in the Lord’s Prayer, and reflect on whichever part of the world is in the news, or comes to mind. And intercede – that means simply holding it up before the Throne of Grace, and asking for God’s POWER to come to that area: to change it, to feed it, to convert it to the Faith which proves itself in loving action, as the Letter of James tells us. We may be prompted to action: writing a letter to our M.P., or even reaching for our cheque-book. Any action we take will be rewarded, as Jesus tells us, “pressed down, running over”, as the grace we ask for in a problem area comes to us also, even as we ask.

That’s a living Church, a Trinity Church; as we acknowledge God as all-seeing, all-powerful, ABLE to intervene; as we use the POWER of the Name of Jesus – “Ask IN MY NAME” – is His specific instruction; as we see the Holy Spirit at work in our world, in our lives.

These long “non-event” weeks of Trinity become eventful as we watch. PRAY for the nations of the world; PRAY for our cities, our economy; PRAY for the ecological mess we’ve created to be turned around (and that means us play- ing our part – no more full kettles for one cup of tea!). PRAY for those among us who are sick, all those struck down by the Corona virus, their loved ones, all the front line people who have disregarded their own safety to serve others, whether that be in hospitals, care homes, care in the community, those keeping the deliveries going, the rubbish collected, the politicians, civil serv- ants and scientists working day and night to get a solution to the problems we and other nations are facing.

Let’s ALL pray for His healing. Above all, pray for family, friends, neighbours, who need the PEACE which comes from knowing Jesus, sent by the Father, present among us by His Holy Spirit. Let’s BE Trinity people!

Mary Dewar

June 2020 Page 7 TWO SHIRES BENEFICE SERVICE ROTA JUNE 2020 The Archbishops have let us know that all public worship in Church of England churches is suspended indefinitely There will be no public worship in any church for the time being. For the avoidance of any doubt, that means that there will be no services held in the Benefice until further notice.

READINGS FOR JUNE 2020

Date 1st Reading 2nd Reading Gospel June 7th Trinity Sunday Genesis 1:1- 2 Corinthians Matthew 28:16- 1st Sunday after 2:4a or 13:11-13 20 Pentecost Isaiah 40.12- 17, 27-31 June 1st after Trinity Genesis 18:1- Romans 5:1-8 Matthew 9:35- 14th proper 6 15, (21:1-7) 10:8, (9-23) 2nd Sunday after or Exodus Pentecost 19.2-8a June 21st 2nd after Trinity Genesis 21:8- Romans 6:1b- Matthew 10:24- proper 7 21 or 11 39 3rd Sunday after Jeremiah 20.7 Pentecost -13 June 3rd after Trinity Genesis 22:1- Romans 6:12- Matthew 10:40- 28th proper 8 14 or 23 42 4th Sunday after Jeremiah 28.5 Pentecost -9 July 5th 4th after Trinity Genesis 24:34 Romans 7:15- Matthew 11:16- proper 9 -38, 42-49, 58 25a 19 5th Sunday after -67 or Pentecost Zechariah 9.9 -12

St Sofa’s Our Parish Church stands empty With praise she does not ring; We worship at St Sofa’s now But still her people gather round Since Covid came to stay To pray, and praise, and sing! We don’t dress up or do our hair But still we come to pray! The virus is a nasty thing Yet it has helped us see Our Vicar is a clever chap The church is NOT a building A Zoom with his IT But folk like you and me! And so we sit down ev’ry week And meet up virtually! By Nigel and Carol Beeton Copyright Parish Pump

Page 8 June 2020 Christians and the bubonic plague of London ILTON BUSINESS PARK H.L. WOOLCOTT Nr. Ilminster (Prop. S.G. Cockram) The Reverend Richard Peirson was one of the exceptions. Most of the other 5 Mins A303, Good access for M5 – 10 mins J35 clergy in the City of London had fled the Great Plague in 1665, but Peirson SMALL AND LARGE General Builders stayed behind to look after the parishioners of St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, WORKSHOPS/MODERN Est. 1930 where he was Rector. The parish was densely populated and the pandemic was catastrophic. The church’s register records 636 burials that year in the month STORAGE UNITS of September alone, with 43 interred in one day. AVAILABLE TO LET Houses of infected people were marked with a red cross on the door, with Popular Business Park Competitive rates, Secure site, occupants kept inside for 40 days. Handcarts were pulled along the city streets Gated Access, 24hr CCTV to cart away the bodies; the drivers’ cries of “Bring out your dead”, became 565 sq. ft – 12,000 sq. ft etched in the memories of subsequent generations. Relatives were banned T: 01460 52019 M: 07968 758168 from attending funerals. E: [email protected] www.ilton-estates.co.uk SPECIALISTS IN The official count numbered 68,596 deaths in London alone, but other BUILDING MAINTENANCE estimates suggested two or three times that number. Bubonic plague – for that is what it was – was incurable. Poor people were fatalistic about it but T: 01460 239295 complained that even their ‘spiritual physicians’ had abandoned them. Clergy M: 07970 660981 of the Church of England were often supplanted by non-conformist preachers.

E: [email protected] It wasn’t just the St Bride’s Rector who put his life in jeopardy by staying at his post. While most wealthy people, along with King Charles II and his court, escaped the plague-ridden city, Churchwarden Henry Clarke also chose to remain at the church. When he succumbed to the illness, his brother William

took over. William survived for a fortnight.

Plague cases continued to occur sporadically at a modest rate until mid-1666. That year the Great Fire of London destroyed St Bride’s Church and much of the City of London. It was rebuilt to a design by Christopher Wren, but almost obliterated once more in 1940 during World War II before being restored yet again.

Today’s Rector, Canon Alison Joyce, says that compared with her predecessor Richard Peirson, she has it easy. Like everyone else, she is confined by the lockdown rules to her Rectory next to the church. But her pastoral work continues, and she collates sermons and archive music to create a Sunday webcast service. Alison writes, “these days it is a ministry of telephone calls, emails and Facetime. I offer such practical help and support to the vulnerable as I can . . . I keep a candle burning before our main altar and continue a ministry of prayer.”

Alison says she is surprised when people regard the faith as a kind of celestial insurance policy against bad things happening to them. The first followers of Jesus knew that in dedicating their lives to following the crucified and risen Christ, their discipleship would take them into the very heart of darkness, not away from it. She adds, “Hope is no hope at all unless it can engage with utter despair and meaninglessness.” (Copyright Parish Pump) June 2020 Page 9 JUNE GARDENER - Welcome to Summer “Interior & Exterior Climate change Specialist” With climate change gardeners must be prepared for very varying and warmer weather conditions in summertime and extremes of frost in the winter months. Free Estimates We may experience torrential downpours as well as a longer scorching days in [Without Obligation] the summer months so temporary shelter for our more delicate plants will be S.J.S. required and increased watering even for trees .Last year has brought OAP Rates casualties not evident until this year with many gardeners getting shocks when PAINTING & beloved trees failed to flower and died ,myself included! South Chard (01460) DECORATING 220028 We should not beat ourselves up over climate change as life must go on, but 24 Hour Answering Service should each try our best to follow good environmental advice from professional horticultural research. The UN conferences are involving many countries and governments in taking decisive urgent action to reduce greenhouse warming gas emissions from fossil fuels and currently some livestock farming methods. International research is required to try to collect carbon and hydrocarbon emissions at source, but this may take much time yet. Governments and Julie populations will have to work closely together for drastic changes in lifestyles in the next ten years to hold temperature rises by cutting parts per million Julie Butterfield MOBILE Tel. 01460 66740 carbon emissions urgently. Science will win the battle but there is an immense 1, Cranway Cottage HAIRDRESSER challenge ahead. Forton, Somerset Mob. 07779 254120 Regular garden maintenance in summer is a must. I find a daily check early in TA20 2LZ the morning helps to commit to memory those many jobs I ought to be doing! Whether they actually get done is another matter! Watering should be done daily as soon as soil starts to dry out. Add organic mulch (manure, compost or leaf mould) to flower beds and water retaining crystals to containers and baskets. Water crystals in containers will keep plants in good shape if you are away.

Lawns appreciate a high nitrogen liquid feed after the long months of winter and should be watered during long hot dry spells. Raise the height of mower blades and remove collection box to leave grass cuttings to protect new growth from burning at peak temperatures and to add back nitrogen. This should help your grass try to remain green.

Stock up on fertilisers. The snow and heavy rains of winter will have leached away many of the main nutrients required by your plants. I recommend tomato food (high in potassium) to boost flowering and phosphorus which will strengthen roots and stems, particularly if you are growing vegetables.

Ericaceous plants will react very favourably to iron and manganese liquid proprietary feeds. Its sometimes called ‘sequestered iron’ and is the vital food required for acid-soil loving plants.

Page 10 June 2020 Prune large shrubs and dig out any unwanted suckers. This will promote fresh growth but also give light and space for a healthier garden. Deadheading flowers past their sell by date will often trigger a fresh flush of flowers and prevent the plant from going to seed. If you are willing to give it a go, herbs are easy to grow from seed, although grow them in containers or they will take over. Cut, trim dry and eat on a regular basis. Don’t you just love summer!

A kitchen garden if you have some space will provide a regular source of salad vegetables, just keep on sowing and picking. Tomatoes can be planted out but will do much better under glass. Root crops grow well in a raised bed out of reach of the dreaded carrot fly. Leguminous peas and beans do not require a rich soil, they produce their own nitrogen nodules, but some manure around the roots is beneficial. Brassicas like some lime, manure to produce good rich humus soil and if possible, soil depth again with raised beds is welcome.

Greenhouses should be checked for over-wintering pests, red spider mite in particular. A thorough soapy sponge down works well. Allow plenty of air circulation and dampen the floor on very hot days.

A final tip – do not compost diseased plant material, or any protein or fat food waste. Any garden science queries contact me [email protected] Lets try and keep our spirits up . Tony Arnold MCIHORT. Author Science for the Gardener Book Book Available direct signed copy from the buy section of the website www.scienceforthegardener .com

June 2020 Page 11 GOD IN THE SCIENCES

A Scientist Reflects on God’s Heart for the Suffering Country Butchers

It’s difficult as a scientist to hear information that is fascinating, but which Quality Meat at Fair Prices also involves so much suffering for other people. I worked for a time in a leukaemia research lab. We had to let other people’s pain drive our research also, Home Made Pies and Sausages without it crippling our ability to concentrate on our work. But, writing this Tom Foley and his staff provide a warm welcome to customers, old and new. under lockdown, I have found myself – as a biologically-educated bystander – All meat is sourced locally and supplied by Snells avoiding looking into the science of COVID-19 because the reminders of its 20 Holyrood Street, Chard, TA20 2AH. Tel: 01460 62282 impact on people’s lives are everywhere that I look.

One of the ways I have been managing my own feelings during the pandemic is THINKING OF A CELEBRATION ? by digging deeper into what God has revealed to us about His character, letting that fuel my faith, my prayers, and my actions. For more academic SETTING UP A NEW GROUP ? NEED A MEETING ROOM ? types like myself, study – particularly of the Bible – can be one of the primary THINK ways we connect with God and hear from Him. It’s not wrong to be comforted by books, so long as the contents turn our eyes upwards and outwards. TATWORTH MEMORIAL HALL REGISTERED CHARITY 304651 First of all, God hears: “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted’ (Psalm SPECIAL RATES FOR PARISH RESIDENTS 34:18a). In Jesus God took on human form, and He showed us His heart for the world. When His friend Lazarus died, He wept (John 11). God is “the Father of contact Nick to discuss your requirements on 01460 220339 compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3).

Human sin has affected the whole of creation, and I believe this is largely the direct impact of our mismanagement of creation and mistreatment of each ROGER LILLINGTON other. COVID-19 may well be another animal’s friendly virus, pushed by human MECHANICAL SERVICES activity into causing havoc in bodies where it doesn’t belong. Diagnostic Repairs But God’s world remains good. It is still fruitful, praising Him, as Psalm 19 describes. Even pictures of a deadly virus can seem beautiful – especially to a Servicing biologist! These good things are hints of the promised “new heavens and new earth” mentioned in the New Testament. One day “creation itself will be MOT Work liberated from its bondage to decay” (Romans 8: 21), and for everyone who follows God, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21: 4). Body Work & Welding

Behind the debates about suffering is sometimes the assumption that God Vehicle Air Conditioning doesn’t care. My experience is that God does care deeply, and He invites His Church to care for those around them – especially the most vulnerable. He is with us, He hears us and grieves with us, He helps us and promises a better All major credit cards accepted future.

This series is written by Dr Ruth M. Bancewicz, who is Church Engagement Director at The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion in Cambridge. Ruth writes on the positive relationship between Science and Christian faith. Copyright Parish Pump SOUTH CHARD

Tel: 01460 221860 or 07966 478920

Page 12 June 2020

TATWORTH & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

2020 Events.

In the light of the uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus epidemic; it was considered prudent to cancel all Society events up to and including the 30th September 2020.

Further future events will be considered as the epidemic develops.

The next scheduled event will be the monthly evening meeting on Thursday 08th October 2020 in Tatworth Memorial Hall, TA20 2QA, featuring Michael Jordan on the subject of Plants - Lore and Legend.

The period of 'lockdown' provides one with the time to urgently consider Nominations for the post of Chairman as from 01st January 2021.

We would also like to hear from anyone interested in becoming a member of the Society's Committee. Contact number for any of the above: 01460 /

B.GIBBS 220221.

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And the thorns threaten, Private Chapel of Rest Planted in the love of the Father And the storms around life’s garden Providing a 24 Hour Service You can grow, dear one, blow - Dignified and Professional Care You can grow. Your roots will hold, And hold secure, The Manse, 28 Fore Street, Chard, TA20 1PT Watered by the spring of the Spirit Because you’re planted in the love of Tel: 01460 66100 His fruit you’ll show, the Father. Email: [email protected] His fruit you’ll show. By Daphne Kitching www.bgibbsfuneralservices.co.uk Copyright Parish Pump Proprietor: Mr Barry J. Gibbs Dip. FD NAFD

June 2020 Page 13 SOURCE UNKNOWN; QUOTED BY BEAR

GRYLLS IN HIS DEVOTIONAL "SOUL FUEL":

"A water-bearer in India had two large pots, hung on the ends of a pole slung across his neck.

One of the pots was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. The other was cracked. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot always arrived half full.

The broken pot was embarrassed and miserable. One day, when the water-bearer was filling it up from the stream, the pot spoke: "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologise to you. I have only been able to deliver half of what you give me because of this crack in my side; I leak all the way back to your house, making extra work for you."

The water-bearer smiled. PAUL RUDKIN ELECTRICAL SERVICES "Haven't you noticed the flowers that are growing only on your side of the path? Domestic, Commercial & Industrial Installations I've always known about your crack, and so I planted flower seeds on your side Full electric heating installation available, using fully controllable, economical modern of the path, heaters. Free surveys on request. Fully trained to install smoke alarm systems to BS5839 standard not the other. Portable appliance testing ~ Periodic testing and inspection You've watered them every day without realising it." Moving home? Pre-purchase electrical inspection Lesson: We don't need to be perfect for God to use us. We just need to be available. Tel: 01460 30463 Mob: 07976 702975 Email: [email protected] Emergency call out available

Submitted by Rev. Terri Boyland Promote your business Promote your business With less false dependence on our own worthiness (less of us ) and a greater awareness of our need for His help and presence (more of Him) Reaching your local people, by Reaching your local people, by we create enough space to receive the Light of God. advertising in The Link advertising in The Link Our flaws and hurts allow Christ to shine through us, and they become a way for His love to reach others. This space costs £28 for 12 This space costs £28 for 12 Submitted by Rev. Terri Boyland editions. editions. Contact Daphne Carslake Contact Daphne Carslake

Page 14 June 2020 4th June St Petroc, the founder of

Padstow

If you would like to be in Cornwall this summer in search of peace and quiet, Petroc is the saint for you. Especially if you used to find Pad- stow a bit too crowded for your liking! He would have sympathised.

This 6th century abbot is Cornwall’s most famous saint. Petroc set sail from South Wales, landed at Haylemouth, and founded a monastery at Lanwethinoc – now called Padstow, after him (Petroc’s Stow).

Padstow must have been popular even in those days, because about 30 years later Petroc, in search of some peace and quiet, moved on to build another monastery at Little Petherick (Nanceventon). Here he must have decided to try some 6th century equivalent of ‘Fresh Expressions’, because he engaged with his local community by building a mill and a chapel.

In time, Petroc began feeling crowded again. So he tramped off to the remote wilds of Bodmin Moor, where he lived as a hermit – until some 12 monks turned up to join him. Firmly, Petroc kept them all housed in a monastery on a hilltop, while he enjoyed his private space in a cell by the river.

But even here Petroc was not alone. One day a terrified stag came rushing through the woods, pursued by the hunt. Petroc flung open the door of his cell, and the panting animal took refuge. When the huntsmen arrived on the scene, they did not dare to argue with the famous holy man, and went their way. The stag’s gratitude made him tame, and Petroc would come to be portrayed with a stag as his special emblem.

Petroc was buried in the monastery in Padstow but in c.1000 his shrine and relics, including his staff and bell, were translated to Bodmin. Here they have stayed ever since, except for a short, unplanned trip to Brittany in 1177, when they were stolen and carted off by a naughty Canon of the Church. Henry II intervened, and everything but a rib of Petroc was eventually returned.

June 2020 Page 15 Here and There and Locked Down by Stir Crazy (Guess Who!!) I was extremely interested to hear that Numatic International Ltd of Chard, makers of the famous Henry vacuum cleaners, have switched to making face visors for hospitals as part of PPE equipment. At present they are producing 5000 a day but plan to increase this to 15000 a day. They are also Promote your business loaning their Scrubber Driers, free of charge, to a number of hospitals. What a marvelous contribution to the task of beating Corona Virus. Reaching your local people, by advertising in The Link Prouse Flues and Fires is a friendly fami- Welcome to a battered, but still beautiful world Bethany Michelle ly business. We can provide a service from Lucinda Butcher. What a beautiful name Bethany is, reminding us of the days start to finish, starting from free quotation/ when Jesus seemed to be able to find some moments of peace and quiet This space costs £42 for 12 home visit, to installation of your chosen among friends. Across the road Poppy arrived about two weeks ago. Perhaps editions. stove and any building work which may be they’ll end up in the same class in due course. Contact Daphne Carslake required. I heard the dawn chorus some two weeks ago. According to the Email Prouse Flues and Fires is fully HETAS scientists its all about claiming territory but it sounds so out of this world. registered covering flexible liners and twin- [email protected] Barleymows Farm Shop is still delivering their range of produce, or wall rigid flue systems. For more infor- you can order and collect. It is interesting that members of Chard British mation go to Legion are doing the delivering. A big thank you to them www.prousefluesandfires.co.uk or ring 07500434841 The Church still needs our money (doesn’t it always) but now more than ever when all fund-raising events have been stopped. Wouldn’t it be good if we did not need any more such events and the Social and Fund-Raising committee could become the Outreach Committee, helping Phillip take the Christian message out to society. Which is what the Church is all about, if anything. P O W E R Samuel Pepys complained that the sermons were becoming too short. Some were lasting no more than three quarters of an hour. Clearly, he didn’t have to go home and cook the Sunday dinner. S H O E S

Keeping five-year old’s socially distancing if they return to school in June will be like herding cats, as they say. QUALITY SHOE REPAIRS

I do wish the BBC would stop their staff from referring to people as “you guys”. It sounds as if they’ve been watching too many old Westerns. KEY CUTTING LEATHER GOODS Strictly speaking, the only guys were the guisers who, in disguise, went round the villages, and well to do homes, performing their Mummers plays. These SHOE CARE ACCESSORIES often-had characters like St. George and a Turkish knight who ended up doing battle together. St. George always won. So now you know. Stir Crazy 35 FORE STREET CHARD

Page 16 June 2020 Tel: 01460 62676 JUNE 1940 – a month to remember

Tim Lenton looks back on the power of Churchill’s speeches.

June 1940 – 80 years ago – was a dramatic month in the Second World War, and one which saw two of the most memorable speeches in English.

As the evacuation of Allied Forces from Dunkirk was completed, recently appointed Prime Minister Winston Churchill told the House of Commons on 4th June: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”

Surprisingly he did not broadcast it to the nation: it was not recorded until 1949, “for posterity.” When he spoke, the French had not surrendered, and the idea that “in God’s good time” the USA might conceivably have to ride to the aid of a ‘subjugated’ England actually depressed as many people as it invigorated.

Two weeks later, on the 18th June, with the battle in France lost, Churchill did address the country directly with a rallying call in what must indeed have seemed a very dark hour. “The Battle of Britain,” he said, “is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilisation.” He concluded by saying that if Britain were to last a thousand years, people would still say, “This was their finest hour.”

With summer here, and doors and Peace man to wife allied, windows open, this may prove a Mother and bairns to guide, timely prayer! And peace of the Christ above all.

Peace between neighbours Bless, O Christ, bless my face, My face bless every face, Peace between neighbours near, Christ, bless mine eye with grace, Peace between kindred here, Mine eye give a blessing to all. Peace between lovers dear, In the love of the King of us all. From Poems of the Western Highlanders Copyright Parish Pump Peace man with man abide,

June 2020 Page 17 TATWORTH W.I.

According to the Energy Helpline notice that I received today, 27.9 million extra cups of tea and coffee have been drunk every day since lockdown began i.e. 7.6 billion cuppas during lockdown. Although Tatworth W.I. members will have contributed to this grand total, they have also been keeping themselves occupied in other ways as well.

Every day amusing items such as cartoons or videos from friends, relatives and members are sent to secretary, Rosemary Davis who passes them to other members via email, together with communications from the National Federation of W.I’s and the Somerset Federation and also any news from Chard, where she lives. Although the whole W.I. programme planned for the first part of 2020 has been cancelled, members are trying to keep in touch with each other as much as possible. The Annual Meeting should have taken place in May and there is no provision in the constitution to postpone or cancel the meeting, so President, Sue Cheese is preparing a pack for every member, containing the minutes of the last Annual meeting, the reports of the president, committee and treasurer as well as the financial statement. The pack will also enclose a form for completion by each member for queries she may want to raise and to agree the statement which when all agree can then be sent to the Charity Commission at the proper time. The old committee has agreed to continue until an election can be held. In this way it is hoped that everything can continue as smoothly as possible. SPECIAL OFFER TO READERS OF THE PARISH MAGAZINE Sue has also set members a very hard quiz, Jessica has educated us with a series of "Horrible Histories" and another member sent out a Quiz about the names of "Towns and Villages of Somerset" Eileen Southall got all the answers to this so I think has access to a very good local map. Marguerita Bond

Below are the answers to the questions that Sue asked in the May issue of The Link.

1 The average lead pencil can draw a line thirty five miles long before it runs out

2 It was a convenient place to dry a coat or mantle

3 Aspidistras are pollinated by a small snail

4 The full title of the book is "The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, mariner, who lived 8 and 20 years all alone in an uninhabited island on the coast of America near the mouth of the great River Orinoco. Having been cast on shore by shipwreck where all the men perished."

5 The average amount of gold in a cubic mile of water is 8600lb

TATWORTH WI QUIZ 11 Look out (7) To do this quiz you may need a map of 12 You have got to look for value (9) Somerset 13 Clean sweep on the farm (10) 14 A short legged pig (3.3) Find the Somerset Towns and Villages 15 Brown Sphere (7) for each number. 16 Cat’s crossing place (10) (Answers will be in July Edition ) 17 Trees in the valley (12) 18 Walt is furious (8.5) 1 Kittens Bed (7) 19 The monarch has got the hump 2 A Dogs Territory (7) (5.5) 3 Pit Top (8) 20 Azure Brake (4.6) 4 Relative inside a measurement (7) 21 Prickly bird (11) 5 Monastery Money (10) 22 Looks for the tablets (9) 6 Rubbish with some value (8) 23 A place for musicians (Broadway) 7 A fishy footballer (8.8) (8) 8 Ruddy Knoll (7) 24 Buzzards hilltop (9) 9 The dogs leash is twisted (5) 25 In a spin (5) 10 French duck’s cemetery (85)

HORRIBLE HISTORY FOR YOU (MORE FROM WI)

There is an old Hotel/Pub in Marble Arch, London, which used to have some gallows adjacent to it. Prisoners were taken to the gallows (after a fair trial of course) to be hanged. The horse-drawn dray, carting the prisoner, was accompanied by an armed guard, who would stop the dray outside the pub and ask the prisoner if he would Like ''ONE LAST DRINK''. If he said YES, it was referred to as ONE FOR THE ROAD. If he declined, that Prisoner was ON THE WAGON. So, there you go ...

June 2020 Page 19 Terry Waite - on coping with lockdown

Terry Waite spent four years in solitary confinement in Beirut. He says: “In isolation, it is easy to become introspective and depressed. All of us, when we The link are honest and examine ourselves critically, will discover things about ourselves of which we are not especially proud. I had to learn how to grow a greater acceptance of myself and work towards a deeper inner harmony. Advertiser “…. Today in lockdown, it’s important to keep yourself well. Don’t slob around all day in pyjamas and a dressing gown. Dress properly and develop a routine. It’s important to have a structure – get up at a certain time, eat regular meals TERRY MASSEY and so on. Kate Langridge INTERIORS qualified needlework/art teacher BA Hons FENCING “If you have faith, then that will give you resources to draw on”, especially if SOFT FURNISHINGS – Curtains, Blinds, Supplied & Erected Tel: 01460 220141 you know some hymns, psalms and prayers by heart. “When I was captured, Cushions, Bed Linen, etc. they were there to call on.” Free consultations and advice FREE ESTIMATES Copyright Parish Pump WENTER COTTAGE, HOLWAY, TATWORTH Don’t overdo the exercise Tel: 01460 30682, Mob: 07817 313972 Email: [email protected] During this period of staying so much at home, how much exercise is good?

According to immunologists, regular bouts of moderate-intensity exercise can help build our resistance to infection. “Regular moderate exercise ensures that our lymph, which is the circulatory system of our immune cells, keeps flowing,” says Dr Jenna Macciochi, of the University of Sussex.

Regular moderate exercise can also improve our sleep, help control weight, and prevent muscle loss. Some experts suggest that mild to moderate is for 20 – 45 minutes up to three times a week. However, avoid exerting to exhaustion, which decreases your immunity. Copyright Parish Pump

Crime up and down

There are four crimes on the rise during lockdown: domestic abuse, the online Garden Maintenance grooming of children, commercial property theft and coronavirus-related frauds. “ Efficient, Friendly, Honest Nearly all other offences have declined, including murders, robberies, and Hard Working” domestic burglaries and assaults. Copyright parish pump

Page 20 June 2020 Word Search June 2020

Coronavirus has turned our world upside down. But God is still there, and we can call on Him, as Psalm 91 (vs 1-6) reminds us…

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Dwells shelter most high shadow almighty refuge fortress trust save snare deadly pestilence Somerset Sight cover We are a local independent charity based in Taunton, but covering the whole feathers of Somerset. The charity has been established since 1919 and we celebrated wings our Centenary last year when we also proudly won the Queen’s for Award for faithfulness Voluntary Service. Our Volunteer Visiting service has been established shield throughout the county since 1997 and now has in excess of 250 volunteers and rampart fear is growing all the time so we are always looking for more volunteers. terror Due to the current situation with Covid19 all of our volunteers have been night phoning, not only their own beneficiary but also others who have been arrow referred to us from various agencies. Many of those who have had phone calls plague would just love to have a volunteer Visitor of their own and we have now got destroys many people in your area who would benefit from this support therefore we are seeking more volunteers.

Page 28 June 2020 June 2020 Page 21 TATWORTH FORTHCOMING EVENTS CHAFFCOMBE NEWS

All forthcoming social & fundraising events for June, July and CHAFFCOMBE VILLAGE HALL COFFEE August are now cancelled due to coronavirus. MORNINGS Corona Virus - Somerset Wildlife Trust has Saturday 13th June - Afternoon Quiz cancelled the May 6th Bluebell walk in Saturday 4th July - Summer Fete Chaffcombe Park Woods. Saturday 18th July - Quiz Night After careful consideration the Volunteers, Thursday 30th July - Children Society Coffee Morning who run the coffee mornings, have agreed to the cancellation of the May 6th Saturday 16th August - Teddy Bears’ Tea Party Chaffcombe Coffee Morning. Let's hope normal life will resume as soon as possible, in which case the coffee mornings will start again in Oct, as they always do, after a long summer break. Crossword for June 2020 CLUES Across ST MARY MAGDALENE, CRICKET MALHERBIE 1 See 23 Across 3 Where the thief on the cross was told he would be, with Jesus (Luke 23:43) June 13th Dog Training Demonstrations, Open Gardens & (8) Cream Teas NOW CANCELLED 8 Invalid (4) th 9 Blasphemed (Ezekiel 36:20) (8) July 18 6pm BBQ & Quiz 11 Adhering to the letter of the law rather than its spirit (Philippians 3:6) (10) September 20th 11-15am Harvest Service & lunch 14 Shut (Ecclesiastes 12:4) (6) Sponsored walk, September Singers Concert, Cherry 15 ‘This is how it will be with anyone who — up things for himself but is not Blossom Walk Dates to be confirmed. rich towards God’ (Luke 12:21) (6) 17 Mary on Isis (anag.) (10) We all send our best wishes to all our friends in the Benefice, hoping everyone 20 Agreement (Hebrews 9:15) (8) is staying safe and know that you are all being held in our thoughts and 21 Native of, say, Bangkok (4) prayers at this time 22 Deaf fort (anag.) (5-3) 23 and 1 Across ‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of — to work it and take — of it’ (Genesis 2:15) (4,4) For further details contact Audrey 01460 52783 or Jane 01460 52929

Down 1 Struggle between opposing forces (Habakkuk 1:3) (8) The following organisations have cancelled their meetings 2 James defined this as ‘looking after orphans and widows in their distress and until further notice keeping oneself from being polluted by the world’ (James 1:27) (8) 4 ‘The one I kiss is the man; — him’ (Matthew 26:48) (6) Bible Study T & F Movies 5 ‘Be joyful in hope, patient in — , faithful in prayer’ (Romans 12:12) (10) Kents Fellowship Tatworth Good Companions 6 St Columba’s burial place (4) 7 Swirling current of water (4) Prayer & Care Group Tatworth Horticultural Society 10 Loyalty (Isaiah 19:18) (10) Silent Prayer Tatworth WI 12 ‘God was pleased through the foolishness of what was — , to save those Tatworth Flower Club who believe’ (1 Corinthians 1:21) (8) 13 Camp where the angel of the Lord slew 185,000 men one night (2 Kings GOOD COMPANIONS 19:35) (8) 16 ‘There is still — — — Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet’(2 Samuel 9:3) We would like to remind all our members that we are thinking of them, missing (1,3,2) our meetings and we hope it won't be long before we can meet up again and 18 David Livingstone was one (4) enjoy our trips. Anne would like to remind you that she is always at the end of 19 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (1,1,1,1) the phone if you would like to chat. Stay safe! Stella

Page 22 June 2020 June 2020 Page 27 St James the Least of All

On the tribulations that await a curate in his first parish… The Rectory St James the Least My dear Nephew Darren

So, your bishop is dropping hints that you should begin to consider a move to having your own parish – ‘not forever in green pastures’ comes to mind. Do not be too hasty to leave; remember that a curate can do no wrong, but a vicar can do no right. That means that as soon as you get your own parish, you will be held accountable not only for everything that goes on inside the church, but also for the goal average of the local football team and the state of the economy. And if it rains for your first Summer Fete, you will be told reproachfully that this never used to happen when ‘the former vicar was here’.

As you begin to ponder this momentous decision, allow me to give you a few pieces of advice. It will be assumed in the parish that every new incumbent is bound to be worse than his predecessor. The greatest compliment I ever received when leaving a parish came from an elderly parishioner: “I've known six Rectors of this parish; you weren't the worst.”

Naturally the church you go to will have asked for a married man between 30 and 35 with a wife who will not have her own job but who wants to devote her entire life working for the parish - and it will be a definite advantage if she is a brilliant organist, professional caterer and fully computer literate. They will expect you to have two children, one of whom should be of primary school age, so he can attend the local Church school, where you will naturally wish to be chairman of governors and coach of the football team.

They will want you to have exceptional talents for attracting young people - but for young people who enjoy the sorts of Services that the present May Word Search Solution congregation prefer - and you should have the ability to stop a baby crying during Matins with the briefest of glances. They will want you to bring ‘a breath of fresh air’ into parish life without changing anything. They will hope you will shun holidays, preach short sermons and be able to run a tight jumble sale.

Your CV is a little thin. If you could acquire a wife and family within the next six months, become an expert flower arranger and qualify as a football referee, chartered accountant and trained electrician and plumber, it would prove very helpful. If in addition, you learned how to service photocopiers, had a mini-bus available for church outings, were an heir to a family firm producing a single malt whisky and could provide reliable horse racing tips, your choice of parishes would be endless.

On the other hand, my advice would be to stop attending all meetings where you know the bishop may be present; out of sight, out of mind. Have your phone disconnected, your letterbox sealed and only appear in public wearing dark glasses and a false beard. Keep your head down, lay low, hold on to the charmed life of being a curate for as long as possible. Life will never be better.

Your loving uncle, Eustace

Page 26 June 2020 June 2020 Page 23 The Ven John Barton considers the merits of a Did he recall their alarm because Jesus, asleep in the stern, appeared to be dream of reassurance… unconcerned at the very moment when divine assistance was most needed? Did Jesus calming the storm of Covid-19 not his coronavirus-induced distress match theirs? The BBC ‘Today’ programme that was broadcast on Good Friday included an interview with Hylton The Gospels relate that Jesus woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Murray-Philipson, a survivor of Covid-19. He had "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. Is that been on a ventilator in Leicester Royal Infirmary, what Hylton experienced, too? He says it was. “reduced to the state of a baby”. Copyright Parish Pump The programme presenter, Nick Robinson, invited him to describe memories of his time in intensive care. When he said one of the images he had, in a moment of great distress and struggle, was of Jesus calming Learning to trust in times of trouble the storm on the Sea of Galilee, and he would like to think this was Jesus coming to him and helping him in his hour of need, Robinson suggested A friend, writing about the challenges she is facing, says: "We never cease to this was partly because of the powerful drugs he had been given, “which have invitations to trust, do we?" I tend to agree. Almost every day we face play tricks with the mind”. circumstances that we cannot control, and for which the only way to find peace is to trust in the loving wisdom of our faithful God. Later, Robinson apologised and said he didn’t mean to demean anyone’s faith. But what he had said also betrayed ignorance. While it is true that Yet trust is never easy. It seems easier – and more natural – to worry or to be pain-killing drugs can cause hallucinations, these side-effects are rarely afraid. It’s as if we feel we ought to be anxious, as if we really must fret about pleasant. It is not uncommon for patients to become agitated, anxious, things. Not to do so would be to not care. It’s our duty to carry the weight of confused and even prone to violence. Their physical pain will have been the world on our shoulders. reduced, but that may have been at the necessary cost of mental But is it? disturbance; the overriding experience being more like that of a storm, than of a sea being calmed. Jesus seems to offer us an alternative. He says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.” (John 14:1) He offers Himself to us as Back in the 1960s, it became fashionable for some groups to promote the someone who is trust worthy, one who is absolutely reliable and who will see use of illicit drugs because of the temporary sensations they us through. We are invited to entrust Him with our concerns, and to hand over induced. John Lennon of the Beatles said he had “such an overwhelming to His care the things that trouble us. feeling of well-being, that there was a God, and I could see him in every blade of grass. It was like gaining hundreds of years of experience in 12 In his book Ruthless Trust, the writer Brennan Manning says: “Sometimes it hours.” may mean more to God when we say, ‘I trust you’ than it does when we say ‘I love you.’” When things are going well, the sun is shining and the sky is blue, it In his new book, ‘Morality - Restoring the Common Good in Divided is easy to love God. But when the storms are blowing, and the clouds are dark, Times’, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks chronicles the devastating long-term effects it takes a very special kind of faith to say, “I don’t understand God, but I do of leisure drugs. He includes cannabis, which he calls a ‘gateway drug’, trust you.” because most of those who become serious addicts later, began with it. This kind of faith delights the heart of God. Every trouble we face presents us So what was it that Hylton Murray-Philipson actually experienced, when with another invitation to place our trust in Him. he was at death’s door in that hospital intensive care unit? He knew the by Tony Horsfall biblical story of seasoned fishermen, fearful of their lives because a sudden squall threatened to swamp their boat. Copyright Parish Pump

Page 24 June 2020 June 2020 Page 25