The NIB Neatishead, Irstead and Barton Turf Parish Magazine THE BENEFICE OF St BENEDICT The Parishes of Ashmanhaugh, Barton Turf, Beeston St Lawrence, Horning, Irstead and Neatishead Rector: The Rev’d David Smith 01692 630216 [email protected] From your Parish Priest It has been encouraging to see an increase in church weddings in the benefice, and it has been a privilege to get to know our wedding couples as they have prepared for marriage, and married life together. The words of the preface, read at the beginning of the marriage service, explain both to the couple and to the congregation the Church’s understanding of Christian marriage. The promises taken, the vows made, represent so much more than just a legal contract, and reflect a life-long commitment. On the wedding day, the focus is, of course, on the bride and groom, celebrating the beginning of their married life together. But the marriage service also has a message for the wider church community. In explaining marriage, the preface tells us that “Marriage is given that as man and woman grow together in love and trust, they shall be united with one another in heart, body and mind, as Christ is united with his bride, the Church”. The Church of course is the people, all of us, and our relationship with Christ is here likened to the marriage relationship. This idea implies that the Church - that’s you and me - is united with Christ in all aspects of our being – heart, body, and mind. It’s echoed in the wonderful Gaelic poem which was translated to become the hymn St Patrick’s Breastplate: Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. (St Patrick’s Breastplate, Mrs C F Alexander 1899) Notice too that the marriage service emphasises the dynamic nature of the relationship, as they “grow together in love and trust”. The Church’s relationship with Christ needs to be similarly dynamic and progressing; our relationship with Christ, and with each other, needs always to be moving onward and deeper in love and trust. Towards the end of the marriage service, the prayers are not just for the newly married couple, but also for their community: “May the hospitality of their home bring refreshment and joy to all around them; may their love overflow to neighbours in need and embrace those in distress” As Christ shares himself with his church, and we draw strength from his love, so we too are called to share that hospitality with the community which surrounds us, so that they too may share in that refreshment, that joy and that love. That is the Church’s calling; that is our calling. With every blessing. David ISSUE NO: 493 MAY 2019 St Michael and All Angels, Barton Turf May I thank all those who contributed their time to take part in the church cleaning, their help is much appreciated. Following our APCM held on 24th March you will see the accounts and the church warden’s report pinned up in the porch of the church. If you were unable to attend the church for the meeting do have a look at the relevant documents. The church will be closed on Thursday 2nd May as it is being used as the polling station for the local elections. The next coffee morning is on Saturday 18th May between 10am and 12noon. Come and have coffee and a scone and enjoy a good chat. Produce stall and book stall also available. Finally, the fete is on 1st June, see separate notice, hoping for better weather! Barbara Pilcher Barton and Irstead Fete Saturday 1st June - 2pm Please note that all telephone numbers have the prefix 01692 Book Stall - Books required, also DVDs and CDs. If you have any books you would like to donate, please contact Michael Brandon-Jones on 535065. Bottle Stall - The success of the bottle stall is very much dependent on your kind generosity with the donation of bottles of any content such as beverages, whether alcohol or otherwise, cookery items and toiletries. We even had a bottle of dog shampoo one year! As in previous years the following have kindly agreed to act as points of collection/collectors for the bottle stall, Pennygate – Lynne Wall 536479, Barton Turf – Barbara Pilcher 536132, Hall Road – John Seeley 630776, and Irstead – John Russell-Wells 630301. David Murrells 631427 Bric -a-Brac - When you are spring cleaning please bring your unwanted items to Barton Hall. We always need good quality bric-a-brac. Items may be put in the first stable as usual. If any items need collecting please get in touch with Barbara Pilcher 536132 Cake Stall - Crumbs! It’s bake-a-cake time again. If you could make one for the cake stall we’d be really pleased. Scones or other goodies, jams, chutneys or preserves most welcome too. Items can be handed to any of those listed or brought to the stall on the day. Irene Thompson 536625, Wendy Price 536183, Tina Clinch 536890, Susan Lamb 536240. Thank you. Gail Murrels,631427 Plant Stall - Please think of us when you are sowing your seeds and splitting your plants. Anything would be gratefully received. Dolly Newcombe, 536354 Teas - Any offers of traybakes for the tea stall will be gratefully received. Please ring Yvonne Kendrick 630261 Toys - If you have any toys that you no longer require we would be pleased to receive them for the fete. We can collect if necessary. Please phone either Tina Clinch on 536890 or Barbara Pilcher on 536132. We would be grateful for any help on the Friday evening for setting up – 6pm or 10am Saturday morning if weather on Friday inclement. Help also clearing up after the fete would be gratefully received. We now hope for good weather! Barbara Pilcher St Peter’s Patronal Festival Fete Saturday 29th June at Neatishead School 2pm – 4.30pm If you are able to offer tray bakes for the refreshments please contact Caro How on 01603 784952 Cakes and preserves for the cake stall please telephone Jackie Simpson on 630639. Bottles and items for the tombola please contact Pauline Simpson on 630674. There will be all the usual games and stalls including a raffle, bric-a-brac and books/toys etc. Details of who to contact and where to bring items will be made known in June’s edition of NIB but please start collecting and saving them now. Offers of help on the day would also be extremely welcome. Pauline Simpson, 630674 Sunday 5th May Ordination Neatishead Baptist Church invite you to join them on Sunday 5th May at 10.30am for their morning service which will include the ordination of their pastor, Ian Bloomfield. The service will be led by Revd. Beth Powney, Regional Minister. 2 Life Explored – Discover the Greatest Gift in the Universe Life Explored is an informal seven-week course, for anyone who is looking for contentment and happiness in life. You don’t need to know anything about the Bible, and you won’t be expected to pray or sing. You can ask any question you like, or you can just sit and listen. Want to know more? Information is available on our website, www.neatisheadbaptist.org.uk/life, or you can email [email protected], phone David on 630216 or Ian 501094, or just turn up! Every Wednesday 1st May – 12th June, at Neatishead Baptist Church. Arrive 7.15pm onwards for tea/coffee and cake, the 1 hour sessions will start at 7.30pm. Ian Bloomfield St Swithin’s, Ashmanhaugh Firstly, I hope that you all enjoyed the many and varied services over the Lent and Easter period in all the churches of our benefice. There was certainly something for everyone. Having made a plea earlier in the year we have been very fortunate to have received some wonderful donations from our parishioners for the flowers at St Swithin’s. So please may I say a very heartfelt thank you. On the subject of flowers we are organising a Flower Festival this year in conjunction with the village hall committee. It will be held over the weekend of 20th/21st July so I hope as many of you as possible will be able to drop in. This is in lieu of the village fete, which we are not doing this year. Finally, I have been volunteering for the last 15 years at the East Norfolk Riding for Disabled Group. This group is 40 years old this year and they are running a special campaign seeking businesses, schools, individuals, or clubs to raise £40 for the group. I cannot tell you how much the children and adults gain from these sessions both physically and psychologically. Certainly, as a volunteer, it is one of the most fulfilling things that I do. If you or your organisation feels they can help please could you either contact me or Mrs Susan Thompson on [email protected]. Many thanks. Anne Mulhall, Church Warden, 01603 784874 [email protected] Barton Turf Methodist Church Barton Turf Methodist Church anniversary service will be held on Sunday 12th May at 3pm, lead by The Martham Singers. We will be pleased to see you. Sheila Yaxley St Benet’s coffee morning The April coffee morning was quiet due to the St.