ELEVEN SAYS 290 – AUG SEPT 2021.Pdf
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2021 ELEVEN SAYS 11 THE NEWSPAPER OF THE BRAMERTON GROUP OF CHURCHES COVERING 11 PARISHES ISSUE 290 Little things really do matter . In late June, I found myself sitting in Norwich Cathedral The girls’ choir would be singing for us which meant on a rather grey and chilly day. You may remember that someone, somewhere, was rehearsing them. that we had some beautiful weather early on, but by Perhaps they would have to learn new pieces which that point in the month, just when the Bishop had they would be singing through at home. And who was invited us to come and spend our pre-ordination retreat preparing their robes and shining their shoes? The in his garden, it had turned rather cooler. In fact on that organist would have been practising their part for the particular day we were sitting huddled in a marquee as day too, endlessly repeating phrases until they were the wind blew through it, sending papers and vases of perfect. Stewards would have signed up for duty and flowers flying. We said Morning Prayers together and would be familiarising themselves with the plans so then we were invited to find some space for meditation. that they could offer help to guests and participants. In the past I have looked for a quiet spot in the garden There was so much care and attention going into these but faced with light drizzle I decided to take up the kind things, many of which, on their own, might seem offer of the cathedral and seek some peace there. Of insignificant, but a single thing missed would stick out course, it wasn’t entirely peaceful. The cathedral is like a sore thumb. open to visitors and so there is a constant flow of people through the building, but that wasn’t all. The Little things matter. Like the tiny pieces of glass in the day before a weekend filled with not just the usual cathedral’s windows, when they are taken together services, but also three ordination services, there was they can become beautiful creations, even though a lot of activity from the staff and volunteers to get each piece, set on its own might mean nothing. In the everything ready. same way the things we do and the care we have for each other, our friends, families and neighbours, builds I found myself a seat up into something amazing. Even if it doesn’t feel that in the main body of way at the time, the contributions we all make are the building, planning important. This has never been more true than it is to reflect on the now. beautiful stained glass windows and yet I You might feel that what you do doesn’t matter. I found myself watching wonder how many supermarket workers have said they as they carefully ‘just work on the checkouts’ or ‘just stack shelves’ for prepared the instance, or how many hospital porters said they are cathedral for the big ‘just cleaners’. And yet in the last year and a half, events. It wasn’t just people like them have been hailed as heroes for the normal cleaning keeping things going. and polishing, there were also vergers It is too easy to only notice the glamorous or exciting puzzling over seating jobs but, without the people working in the background plans. Usually, they to support them, things would fall apart. We are all part would just have to of God’s glorious creation, individual pieces in a plan where the senior church leaders would sit. In brilliant picture filled with colour and light, but unless all these covid restricted days, the congregation had to be the pieces are there, whether at the centre or filling in mapped out too. There was also a team arranging the around at the edges, the picture is incomplete. You most enormous floral displays. In a building that size, a matter. normal display would be completely lost so they were creating arrangements on a grand scale that almost Rev Cate Turner needed a ladder to arrange. Thank you message from Cate: Thank you to everyone for your prayers, cards and gifts on the occasion of my It made me think about all the other people working in ordination to the priesthood and my first Mass in June. It the background, preparing things that, come the was a wonderful weekend and I was delighted that so many excitement of the day, could easily be overlooked. of you were able to join the services either online or in There was so much to be done; from writing the person. I was completely overwhelmed by your kind service, choosing the music, preparing the sermon, to donations towards my communion set. It is simply beautiful printing the service sheets and putting them on seats. and something that I will not only make good use of but will also treasure. Thank you. You may send contributions and photos by post (addresses on back page) or by email to [email protected] 2 Dippy on tour - yes he’s finally arrived! The Dinosaur Family of Dinotown After some by Stephen Gibling delays due Available from: to the 29th April 2021 pandemic, Dippy the Nightingale Books, £5.99 Diplodocus will be at ISBN: Norwich 9781838751753 Cathedral Genre: Children's / for the next Teenage fiction & 3 months true stories / from 13th July to 30th About The Book October. Choristers welcome Dippy to Norwich Cathedral This is an entertaining, fun All of us will have the chance to see this wonderful story which has a dinosaur that has been travelling (with help!) around the message. It's aimed at children that understand how UK for the last 3 years. hurtful bullying can be. However, it shows that it's not only hurtful for those that are bullied but also what happens Andy Bryant (Canon for mission and pastoral care at the when the bully eventually realises how wrong it is. It Cathedral) writes: highlights what's good in people irrespective of what they “Having a dinosaur in the Cathedral will bring some fun have to endure. into our lives and after the last 18 months we all need The fun characters in the story show us what good can some fun. But behind this fun is a serious purpose. come out of an act of help and kindness and that To be in the presence of a dinosaur puts our own lives in sometimes it's the bully that actually needs help. Being the perspective. Here (at the cathedral) we often speak second in a series of stories with a message it gives the proudly of our 900 years of history, but as we think of the reader an insight into how a slight change in behaviour will 150 million years ago, that this diplodocus roamed the help everyone. earth, it places human existence in a fresh light. About The Author - This is my second outing into writing a The extinction of the dinosaurs also brings a new focus children's book. Following my first, The Plastic People of on the climate emergency we are all facing. Plastic Town, I must admit it's a very enjoyable journey. With more to follow in the series, I hope that you will look We also hope Dippy’s presence will help demonstrate forward to the next instalments as much as I am writing that faith and science have an important creative them, because deep down, I'm a kid at heart, but then relationship.” again aren't we all! There will be various workshops, activities and trails to follow, a great fun way for families and children to spend time exploring and learning together. I do hope you can come along to see Dippy and also take the opportunity to explore our beautiful cathedral at the same time. Rev. Mandy My Dog Jet My dog is quite a character, As all dogs seem to be, He checks my perfume daily, To see if I smell of me. Sometimes he does not approve, And runs far up the garden, He has a sneeze and all because, I wore Elizabeth Arden. His favourite smell is Estee, And he cuddles on my knee, The expense is pretty awful, For my dog's fan-tasy. How can you price a pot of love, A nose beneath your arm, We're both well past our sell-by date, So not much time to charm. Meg Grey 3 Rockland Benefice Update Thurton Benefice Update We hope you are keeping well and looking forward to the Cate’s Ordination: It was a great joy to be present at new season! May I offer a very warm welcome to our Norwich Cathedral on Saturday 26th June as Cate was summer visitors. Our churches are open daily and offer a ordained as a priest. She celebrated her First Mass at St place for quiet reflection and a sense of the long history of Peter & St Paul Church at Bergh Apton the next day which our villages and their connection with God and the wider was followed by refreshments in the churchyard. Thank world. You are very welcome to join us at our services and you to everyone who worked so hard to make it a very events. Details of our services can be found on the Group special day for Cate, her family and all of us. service plan on the back of Eleven Says, and updates will appear on the Rockland FaceBook page and village Church Services: At the time of writing there is still some websites wherever possible.