PARISH NEWS St Cuthberts, Wells and St Mary Magdalene, Wookey Hole November 2013 Time to get down to it by Alistair Glanvile I am writing this on a dull, wet dreary day and people who are no longer with us and the ones thinking that it is only the start of the winter. The we are not sure about. Each year we say we months at the end of the year can be very must meet again. Each year there isn’t time. But depressing. Everything in the garden is dying they get a card and a snippet of news. I’m not so and the lawns are covered in dead leaves which keen on round robin details of meals cooked and have to be cleared up and the annual flowers journeys taken but it is nice to be remembered. which have been so good are all being pulled out We can also do the reorganising in our Church leaving bare earth until the replanting starts. I life as well. Make time to read the books on our could get really depressing if I tried but that faith which we have put off reading during the would not be much help. summer. Visit the people who need a friendly So what about the good things about this time? It face and a smile and tidy up our faith and root is a good time to reorganise things in the garden. out the dead bits and plant some new ideas. Like We can get rid of the things which haven’t gardens our lives need a tidy up occasionally thrived. Try new ideas for brightening up dull and the dark days of winter seem as good a time corners and generally make a fresh start. I had a as any. coffee morning for the Children’s Society the I started by saying that this was a depressing other day so that meant that I have a nice clean time of year but when I think of all the tidy house. For a few days anyway! The longer opportunities there are for doing things I’m not nights are good for catching up on reading and sure that there will be time to do them all. But it entertaining friends. I see that the Christmas will be fun trying and with God’s grace we may cards are on sale in St Cuthbert’s and so it’s time even succeed. to go through last year’s list and buy the ones for this year. It is good to remember old friends and Alistair keep in touch although there are always the 1 The Kingdom Season Congregation, were in extremely good voice and As many of you will know, this period in the Church’s year really attempted to raise the between All Saints and Advent is known as ‘The Kingdom roof “with shouts of Season’, and it invites us to reflect on what we believe the exultation”. The evening was church is for. rounded off with very welcome drinks and You will have your own views, but at the heart of my Elizabeth’s refreshments, and a general feeling that Harvest November 2013 response to that question as I look forward to Advent and Christmas is my continuing belief in a God who chose to had been well and truly come and make his home among us. celebrated. Lucy is currently recovering In other words the church is called to be a sign of the God from surgery, and we send who has come to earth to dwell with his people. Our her our love and prayers for a purpose as a church is not only to make better the lives of speedy return to us. individuals, but through them to enable local communities to flourish as well. It is only when a community flourishes that PARISH NEWS PARISH Elizabeth Talbott the individuals who live there can live well, which is why the church is right to be so concerned at the levels of increasing poverty and debt that we are witnessing across the country. Archdeacon Nicola elected ‘Seek the welfare of the city’, God told the exiled Jews as one of the first female representatives through the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah, because in its welfare you will find your welfare. On a recent visit to the to the House of Bishops Halcon Estate in Taunton that is what I witnessed. The church at the heart of one of the most deprived parts of our Archdeacon of Wells, the Ven Nicola Sullivan has been diocese working in partnership with the school, the police, elected as one of eight senior women clergy to serve as social services and other willing partners to enable the regional representatives on the Church of England’s House community to flourish – the Kingdom of God at work! of Bishops. For all its weaknesses and foibles the church is still The creation of the regional roles by the House of Bishops populated by Christian people who quietly go about the means female participation at the highest level in the business of being Christians in their workplaces and Church of England. It demonstrates how much the House communities, transforming them by their patience, kindness and its members value the contribution of women to the and generosity often over long periods of time. May God future of the church. give us grace to continue to give evidence to the Kingdom The move is in direct response to events of November last by seeking the welfare of the communities in which we are year, when General Synod as a whole narrowly voted set. against legislation to allow women to become bishops. The House of Bishops voted unanimously in favour. +Peter Taunton The regional representatives, who take up their roles on 1 December, will play a full part in meetings and discussions, Letter from Wookey Hole bringing a fresh perspective from their own ministry and experience. They will not, however, be able to vote on decisions. Autumn is upon us, and this year we really had something Archdeacon Nicola says, “I am privileged, honoured and to celebrate at Harvest time as we looked back on a excited to be representing the south west region as a beautiful summer and enjoyed a warm golden September. woman in the House of Bishops. This interim arrangement allows for women to make a contribution to the decisions On September 28th we held our second Harvest Supper in and discussions at the highest level in the Church of the Community Hall, a truly village event and a really happy England. and joyful occasion. Everyone contributed: those who brought delicious and varied dishes, the furniture movers, “Following the disappointment at last November’s General the table layers, the hall decorator, and the flower arranger, Synod, this move is a sign of hope and significant change the raffle organisers, the washers up and clearers up. We over the next three years, or until such a time as women were entertained by the weight of the pumpkin guessing may be members of the House of Bishops in their own right. competition organised by Katie Stenhouse, by a brilliant I shall do my best to use my experience in this diocese to brain teasing quiz based on Somerset place names, serve and help shape the national church in the challenges compiled by Elizabeth Rennie, and by our musicians Lucy, and opportunities ahead”. Juliet and Mary Gaunt who brought the evening to a lovely end with a performance and then led a singsong. Rt Revd Peter Maurice, Bishop of Taunton adds, “I welcome this news. The presence and contribution of women will The next day we celebrated Harvest Festival in our change the dynamic of the House of Bishops for the better. beautifully decorated church with much of the flowers and Archdeacon Nicola is at the coal face of ministry and will fruit coming from Wookey Hole gardens and the traditional bring a wealth of experience to this new role at such an sheaves from the Scott Farm. We were joined for Evensong important time for the Church of England.” by St Cuthbert’s Choir, augmented for the Anthem by members of the village choir, and everyone, both Choir and Diocesan press release, 30 September 2 Christian Aid produces spoof film – school and was accepted where he learnt method acting.He did work at the Bristol Old Vic and also got involved with T.V aimed at church youth commercials including one for McDonalds and the advert for “The Age of the Train”. A new film and spoof campaign, Leftovers for Africa, has Dave told us it isn’t easy to get work as an actor and that been produced by the Christian Aid Collective to raise you have to be prepared to turn your hand to other things, awareness of poverty and hunger. also be able to cope with rejections from casting directors. Dave currently appears in a BBC 2 programme “Count The film follows eager entrepreneur Dan Stirling as he tries November 2013 Arthur Strong”, on Saturday evenings, it was previously to encourage people to save their leftover food in charity broadcast on Radio 4. envelopes to send to Africa, in a bid to solve world hunger. The next meeting of the Ladies Club will be held on Christian Aid says: “‘Leftovers for Africa suggests that by Tuesday 3rd November at 7.30pm in the Wookey Hole posting half-eaten food into envelopes and sending it to Community Hall and will be an evening of arts and crafts. hungry people, we can help end world hunger.