NEWTON POPPLEFORD Sidmouth Devon EX10 0ER G M.O.T
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St Luke St Gregory the Great St John the Baptist Newton Poppleford Harpford (BCP) Colaton Raleigh "Normal" Sunday services are unlikely to be happening for some while yet. A Sunday service on 'Zoom' is held at 10.00am each Sunday mainly for the congregations of Mark's 'patch' – the parishes of Newton Poppleford, Harpford, Colaton Raleigh and Tipton St John with Venn Ottery – though anyone with internet access is welcome to join in. Email Mark Ward to receive the link to join in. Easing of Restrictions. We are expecting the next step of easing restrictions on May 17th, but this is subject to the data on infection rates etc. In any event, we will not see anything like 'normal service' until at least midsummer. In addition to the On-line services, we will continue with attended simple said services at 11.00am on Sundays in St Luke's Church with limited numbers Post - Easter brings Ascension Day, Pentecost (Whit Sunday) and Trinity Sunday Of course, services in church will have to follow the safety rules – hand sanitising on entry and exit, social distancing and wearing of face covering. No singing is permitted, so it won't be 'returning to normal' in May. At present, chairs are set out at 2 metre distancing, so there is only space for some 20 people (depending on how many come as couples or family groups). You'll be welcomed if you do come, but please obey any instructions from the steward, and don't be disappointed if there is not enough room to fit you in safely. Colaton Raleigh Church is open for private prayer a couple of mornings a week – Tuesdays from 10.00am to 1.00pm, and Fridays from 2.00pm to 5.00pm – please respect the safety and distancing rules. St Luke's Church website is at www.newtonpopplefordchurch.org.uk The Vicar is the Reverend Mark Ward on 01395 568390, [email protected] also at www.facebook.com/revmarkward. Please respect the Vicar's day off which is Tuesday. Rector for Otter Vale Mission Community is currently vacant, – contact parish office 01404 812062 St Luke St Gregory the Great St John the Baptist Church Contacts Newton Poppleford Harpford Colaton Raleigh Churchwardens Haylor Lass 568786 Brian Bartlett 568718 Nick Higgins 568074 Jaclynn Baker 567665 John Russell 579986 Alan Hulse 567064 Funerals Admin Sandra Duffin 567665 Hon. Secretary vacancy Jane Bartlett 568718 Susan Tyrrell 568166 Hon Treasurer John Slade 567152 Hendrik Vollers Brian Turnbull 567339 Capt. of Ringers Bob Pearce 568628 David Pester 446043 Safeguarding Jaclynn Baker 567665 Mark Ward 568390 Mark Ward 568390 Prayer Coordinator Audrey Callis 568742 Musical Director Flower team organiser Flower co-ordinator Ruth Lass 568786 Lorraine Frost 567521 Gill Townshend 567460 Holy Baptism, Holy Matrimony, Funerals, Sick Communions at all three Churches Please get in touch with one of the churchwardens who will liaise with the Team clergy. May 2021 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR Imagine a large estate owned by a wealthy landowner. The land is farmed, and the landowner wants it to be farmed well so that How to Give Glory to God the land is kept fertile and beautiful, livestock are healthy and strong, crops are harvested and Whilst Putting Out the Bins the farmers and workers are thriving. So the On the night of the Last Supper Jesus prayed landowner appoints a steward. with his disciples. In his prayer he said to his Day by day the steward represents the owner. heavenly Father: The steward ‘rules’ over the estate. He has a lot “I have brought you glory on earth by of power and authority, but that power and completing the work you gave me to do.” authority have to be used to further the overall [John 17: NIV 1984] aims and purposes of the landowner. His role is In his book ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ the to represent and serve his own master. Christian writer Rick Warren poses the question: If the steward loses sight of his true role and How can I bring glory to God? begins to serve himself or imagine that he knows He then quotes these words of Jesus’ and goes better than the landowner, the whole estate will on to say: suffer. ‘Jesus honoured God by fulfilling his purpose on A similar example could be the owner of a earth. We honour God the same way. When business deciding to appoint a managing anything in creation fulfils its purpose, it brings director. The owner wants the business to glory to God.’ produce good things, to grow, to be profitable and to care for its customers and staff. Like the You will see that this immediately raises another steward, the managing director is given power question: What is our purpose on earth? Or, to ‘rule’ over the company. But she has to using Jesus’ words: What is the work that God remember that her power and authority is given has given us to complete? to her from the owner and is to be exercised To answer this we can turn to the very according to the owner’s values and goals. beginning of the Bible. Genesis, the first book If the managing director begins to imagine that of the Bible opens with that wonderful the company is really hers and that the description of God as Creator. Having customers and staff are there to serve her, it will populated the sky with flying creatures, the sea become a very unhappy organisation. with swimming creatures and the land with walking, crawling and slithering creatures, God Sadly, the story of human history is that, as said: representatives of God on earth and stewards or mangers of the creation which belongs to him, “Let us make human in our image, in our we have made a real mess of things. We have likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the used our power for our own ends rather than sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, for God’s good purposes. over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” [Genesis 1:26 NIV 1984] But whenever we choose to exercise whatever power we have as rulers who are servants, we Biologically we homo-sapiens are closely related bring glory to God. So next time you find to other creatures on earth. But the Creator has yourself doing the very lowly servant task of given us a special honour and with it a special separating empty tins, milk cartons, cardboard, responsibility. Of all the creatures on earth scraps of food and the rest into different bins, human-beings are to be the image and likeness hold your head up high, for you are being a of God. Because the earth and everything in it God-like human ruling over the earth, a was created by God, it all belongs to God, but representative of God bringing him glory. we are called to be his representatives. And the task we are given is to rule. So what does it Mark mean for us to rule? Let me offer you two pictures: Parish Magazine NP, H & CR May 2021 After 12th April you may have had your hair cut, visited a non-essential shop, or met up with 6 people outdoors (suitably distanced) – the next step of restriction easing is due on 17th May, but this cannot be confirmed yet. The School – Term has started again after the Easter holiday for all pupils and subject to covid-safety restrictions; – parents and friends should look at the school website for updates. The Tennis Club is back in action – subject to the rule of 6. Young People's football training on the Playing Field on Saturday mornings. The Cricket Club are hoping for a full summer season at the Newton Poppleford Playing Field. … lots to get out and about for The Wednesday Wanderers are back on Wednesday mornings to get that and enjoy in our glorious spring vital fresh air, exercise and raising of the spirits – subject to the rule of 6. countryside ... The Otter valley Association (OVA) cancelled all walks and talks. See their website www.ova.org.uk for the latest details. Planning for a talk on Zoom at the AGM on May 11th, and getting some walks going – see the website. The Village Halls at Harpford, Newton Poppleford and Colaton Raleigh and the NP Playing Fields Pavilion remain closed. The Pavilion Lunch Club hopes to re-start on Friday 21st May, subject to restriction easing. Colaton Raleigh Village Hall plans to re-open from 21st June, all being well. Probus Club had a several of its monthly talks by Zoom, which had limited success, though no coffee could be served. They plan a spring break until they are permitted to meet again in person for a belated AGM. … bluebells in the woodlands and hedgerows … it’s a good Most music and theatre performances, have already abandoned plans for time for walks . reopening in April/May .... Looking forward to June/July. planting out the garden . The Parish Council has information on its website: or dancing with garlands. www.newtonpopplefordpc.co.uk If you hear of any other clubs or organisations starting up again, even in a small way, or on-line, do let me know. It's encouraging good news for sharing in this magazine. Haylor Lass 01395 568786 vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv … not forgetting those less Welcome fortunate than us – respond WE are pleased to welcome all new generously to the red e- residents to the villages. We wish envelope. Christian Aid week you every happiness in your new 10th~16th May – see cover homes.