The Benefice of Harden, , ,

Letter from Liz

Bank holidays have always felt rather special, so as I am writing this during the bank holiday weekend, it’s good to be able to share some of this special time with you. As a child, they were always weekend’s when we could spend longer together as a family and then, as an adult, they gave the treat of a longer weekend. Some would enjoy trips out to the seaside or into the country whilst others preferred to stay at home.

Apparently, we owe our statutory bank holidays to John Lubbock, the first Baron of Avebury who drafted the Bank Holiday Bill in 1871, although dates changed over the years and only settled into the present format in 1971. According to a Library Blog, he also tried to teach his poodle to read! The bank holidays seem to have been of more widespread benefit!

This bank holiday was originally held on Whit Monday, which varied from year to year, but in 1971 it was fixed as the last Monday in May by a further act of parliament.

Whitsun was the celebration of Pentecost, the birthday of the church when the church celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit to energise and enable people to continue the work of sharing the Gospel in the world. Another very special day – a day to remember what happened to those first followers of Jesus, but also a day when we can recommit ourselves to sharing the good news and praying that the Holy Spirit will fill our lives so that we are empowered to do so.

In days gone by, there were Whit walks to mark the occasion, with many children having new clothes to wear. Certainly, it felt like a special day. And we can look forward to a special day this coming Sunday when hopefully, as many of us as is possible can join together for the Pentecost service at 10am via Zoom

1 or the phone. It will be so special to join with friends from around the benefice on such a significant day.

It is good to have special days in our calendar, but over recent weeks, it has also become increasingly obvious that small things can also make a day special. Seeing the rosebuds unfurl, having a chat with a friend, being in contact with a member of the family, feeling the sun on your face – so many things which can make the difference to a day and make it feel special.

A song which we sing in family services has the line, “Thank you Lord for this new day, right where we are.” When we have not been venturing very far afield, we have been given the time to notice and appreciate the blessings right where we are. As our eyes, senses and hearts are open to those blessings, let’s give thanks to our Lord, the source of such blessings? And as we acknowledge those blessings may we also feel that every day is special in some way or another?

May you be blessed with something special in each new day, right where you are - and may you share something special with those around you by being channels of God’s love.

God bless Liz

Midweek worship led by Richard: Almighty God, Unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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The Word of God

Acts 20:28-38 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Reflection This is the story of St Paul saying goodbye to his friends as he leaves by ship to go to Rome. He and they believe it will be the last time they will see each other and it is a very emotional goodbye.

It is usually goodbyes that are especially difficult. A goodbye is a parting, a losing, it is an understanding of change and that is always difficult.

At this time of year, we remember how the disciples also said goodbye as Jesus ascended into heaven. This was their second goodbye after the traumatic events of the crucifixion. That had been a first goodbye, overturned by the glory of the

3 resurrection. I sometimes wonder if this second goodbye was even harder than the first.

For us goodbyes are also very difficult at the moment, we can’t give or receive a hug or a kiss. Mind you, hellos are just as tricky, if not more so. There are many people who we haven’t been able to say hello to for many weeks now and even when we have seen people, we have had to keep our distance to Stay Safe.

At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, we see Matthew’s recollection of the Ascension story and in it are Jesus’ final words of promise: “Behold I am with you, even to the end of the age.”

With Jesus there is no hello and no goodbye, he is always with us. Sometimes we forget him, or ignore him, even try to get away from him, but that is never truly possible. As he promised, he is always with us.

So, may you know his constant presence and may it make your heart sing!

Prayers Think of people you have said hello or goodbye to recently Think of people you have not seen for some time Reflect on Jesus’ promise: “I am always with you” Pray that you may know his presence more and more. The Prayer of St Richard of Chichester: Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, For all the benefits which thou hast given me, For all the pains and insults which thou hast borne for me. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, May I know thee more clearly Love the more dearly, And follow thee more nearly. Amen.

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We conclude with the Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth, as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen

And the Lord bless you and keep you, The Lord make the light of his face to shine upon you, The Lord be gracious to you and give you his peace. And the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be upon us And all those on our hearts, now and for ever. Amen.

Information: PENTECOST SUNDAY: Hopefully you are aware that this Sunday, 31 May, Pentecost Sunday we are going to be having a service on the Zoom Platform. We hope everyone will be able to be part of the service whether they are online or not. If you have not been contacted already to make sure you can join in, then please contact Richard (01535 273758) and we can make sure you are not missed out!

Zoom Benefice Prayers There will be a Zoom Prayer meeting tomorrow, Thursday28 May at 11am. We will meet together on Zoom to pray for individuals, our communities, our country and the needs of the world. If you would like to join to pray on Zoom please contact Richard: richard.burge@.anglican.org

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Discussion Groups: We are starting some small Zoom discussion groups. You will be able to join by computer or by phone. There are going to be groups at a variety of times through the week. Thanks to those who have already shown an interest to be part of a group like this. If you would like to join in the discussion please let Helen know so that we can determine how many groups we need: [email protected] or 0788 848830

Follow our Benefice Facebook Page. Search for: “Harden, Wilsden, Cullingworth, Denholme Benefice”

There are lots of uplifting things in our Facebook community and there will be more regular features in this time when we cannot meet as we normally do!

Community Support Centres To help with these difficult times of self-isolation and social distancing Council have set up a Neighbourhood Support Service and have identified, and are supporting, points of contact in our villages. Everyone in our community is asked to keep an eye on their neighbours (from a distance), particularly those without internet access. If they need help then let them know about the service or the service know about them. In Harden, the Congregational Church is the contact point and to access the service phone Helen on 07932 156 337 or 01535 271221. In Wilsden the service is being coordinated from the village hall by Jane Callaghan and Kelley Sutcliffe. Ring Jane on 07986 294 757 In Cullingworth, the New Village Hall is the contact point and to access the service phone 01274 431000 In Denholme the service is being coordinated by Denholme Assist. Ring them on 01274 019179 If you live outside the two villages and need help then the telephone number of the Bradford Met Centre is 01274 431000. It is the same number if you wish to become a volunteer for the Community Support Centre in your community.

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The clergy, ministry team and pastoral team are also ready to respond to calls for help and support, whether it be for food, prayer or a chat.

Join us for our Live-Streamed Services on Facebook: Weekdays: 8am Morning Prayer 5pm Evening Prayer 9pm Night Prayer Sunday: 6pm Evening Prayer with Address

We have set up a dedicated email for prayer requests. Please let people know about it! Any requests can be sent to: [email protected] and we will be able to get people praying for the things on people’s hearts and minds.

Our churches are as busy as ever in serving our congregations and our communities, but as we are not meeting together in church, we are not able to take our usual collections! If you are able to make donations electronically or can send us a cheque, then this will help our cash flow and enable us to continue our good works.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York encouraged us to light a candle and put it in a window. “It will be a sign of solidarity and hope in the light of Christ that can never be extinguished.” Now that the nights are so much lighter, we suggest lighting a candle each evening from 8.30pm to 9.00pm

Tonight, it is our Benefice Quiz. Suzy is setting the questions this week! If you’ve played already then we’ll send you the invitation or if you would like to join in for the first time just let Helen know at: [email protected]

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