NEWS FROM ACROSS THE BENEFICE The Yoxmere Fisherman May 2020 Contents Lectionary.......................................................................................................................3 From the Registers .........................................................................................................3 Reflection ......................................................................................................................4 Poem: "When This is Over" by Laura Kelly Fanucci ....................................................... 5 Meet the Rogers Family …………………………………………………………………...……………………….6 "All Our Hope on God is Founded" by John Kemp …......................................................9 "Prom Praise " and Cantus Firmus Choir ..................................................................... 11 Poem: "It's only for Twelve Weeks" by Ivor Murrell ................................................... 14 WI News .......................................................................................................................15 News from the Schools…………………………………………………………………………......…………… 17 Darsham ...................................................................................................................... 19 Dunwich .......................................................................................................................21 Middleton ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..22 Peasenhall ..………………………….......................................................................................23 Sibton ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………24 Westleton ....................................................................................................................24 Yoxford ........................................................................................................................29 Photos ..........................................................................................................................31 Library Information ..................................................................................................... 35 Church Contact List ……………........................................................................................38 Services ……………..........................................................................................................39 Welcome to the second virtual Fisherman. There is little of the usual content, as the church activities and the wealth of village events that usually take place are not happening in our isolated locked-down life, and there are efficient networks of information available by other means, concerning food supplies (important!) and other sources of help. People are hunkered down in their villages, where community spirit - already very good - has blossomed to a heart-warming extent; there is considerable kindness and co-operation in evidence – together with a generous side-order of humour to help us through such unsettling times. Having an online version of the magazine has its advantages in that we can have as much colour as we like (limited in the printed form) and photos can be seen in a bigger size; also we can sneak in extra pages – or reduce the number - if needed. Do look at the introduction on Pages 6 and 7 to Tim Rogers and his wife and children. Tim has been appointed as the next rector of the benefice, but he and his family are caught in limbo by the present circumstances. He would like people to reciprocate and introduce themselves to him by email, so that would be welcome, from members of the churches and the wider communities. Meanwhile please send your news for the next Fisherman – your lockdown reflections, anything uplifting, informative or lighthearted. And photos, please. Philippa Dent, Editor 2 Bible Readings for May (if you wish to use these at home) 3rd Easter 3 Acts 2:42-end 1 Peter 2:19-end John 10:1-10 10th Easter 4 Acts 7:55-end 1 Peter 2:2-end John 14:1-14 17th Easter 5 Acts 17:22-31 1 Peter 3:13-22 John 14:15-21 24th Easter 6 Acts 1:6-14 1 Peter 4:12-14; John 17:1-11 5:6-11 31st Pentecost Acts 2:1-21 1 Corinthians 12: John 20:19-23 3b-13 From the Registers Funerals Elizabeth May Spencer aged 92 years on Tuesday 24th March at St Peter’s Church Theberton, followed by cremation at Weeley Crematorium Pauline Patricia King aged 83 years on Friday 27th March at St Peter’s Churchyard Westleton; graveside service followed by burial. Leslie Joseph Larnder (Les) aged 87 years on Friday 27th March at St Michael’s Churchyard Peasenhall; graveside service followed by burial. Judith Elizabeth Bater aged 76 years on Tuesday 7th April at St Peter’s churchyard Sibton; graveside service followed by burial Brenda Bent aged 72 years on Thursday 9th April at St Peter’s churchyard Theberton; graveside service followed by burial Elizabeth Alexander aged 72 years on Wednesday 22nd April at Sevenoaks crematorium; service followed by cremation O God, author of the world's joy, bearer of the world's pain; at the heart of all our trouble and sorrow let unconquerable gladness dwell; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. From A Prayer Book for Soldiers and Sailors 3 Reflection Where do we go from here? Like many people I have found the past few weeks a real challenge; our lives have been turned upside down. What had been regular and comfortable has gone, the rules by which our lives have been led have changed out of all recognition, and those changes seem to occur from day to day, leaving us breathless. As many will know, I work as a pharmacist and we have had to adapt the ways we work as the situation has developed, and I soon realised that by looking after the staff and making sure that they were safe and working in a calm environment we could deliver a more efficient service that benefited all. On reflection it strikes me that looking after one another has helped us to help those we are there to serve. I think this is reflected in those about us in our communities. Those who are determined to lead the types of life they led before are the people who seem to be struggling; it is those who have embraced the opportunity to change the way they live who are finding that there are many benefits. Helping others gives us a positive “feel good” factor. We are caring more for those around us, as is demonstrated by the grateful response to our unsung local heroes, the national 8.00pm tribute for those working in key jobs, and the amazing support for the fundraising of Captain Tom. This has given us a deeper understanding of the needs of others. When you meet people on exercise walks there is nearly always a friendly greeting. We are blessed in Suffolk to live in an environment of great beauty, and somewhere where the virus hasn’t taken the hold it has in other areas, but I am convinced that this is due to the love and care that each of us has for our neighbour. I know that this is a hard time for all but I am also sure that it is a time where we can emerge better than we were when we went into it. We have time to change the way we view and feel about life, but more importantly we can see God in this crisis, helping those who are willing to let him in, working through the most unlikely people often in the most unexpected way. Let us take on the best of what we have learned during these last months, and look forward with hope and anticipation to an exciting new beginning. Brian Jolley 4 WHEN THIS IS OVER May we never again take for granted: A handshake with a stranger Full shelves at the store Conversations with neighbours A crowded theatre A Friday night out The taste of Communion A routine check up The school run each morning Coffee with a friend The stadium roaring Each deep breath A boring Tuesday Life itself WHEN THIS ENDS May we find that we have become: More like the people we wanted to be More like the people we were called to be And may we stay that way – Better for each other Because of the worst Laura Kelly Fanucci 5 6 7 Dave Walker CartoonChurch.com THE YOXMERE FISHERMAN Guidelines for Contributors The Yoxmere Fisherman is published for the Yoxmere Benefice, which comprises the Church of England parishes of Darsham, Dunwich, Middleton, Peasenhall, Sibton, Theberton, Westleton and Yoxford. Visitors may find more information about our parishes at www.achurchnearyou.com Submissions should be sent by the 14th of the preceding month, and preferably by email to [email protected] Alternatively, by post to The Editor, Cottage on the Common, Bakers Lane, Westleton, IP17 3AZ. For details of advertising please email Tanya Miley at: [email protected] COMPUTER TROUBLE?? Alex Card of Acecom Solutions in Leiston is able to repair your computer if you can take it to his home. He is also happy to give advice over the internet, as many problems can be resolved in this way. Contact him at: [email protected] 8 All Our Hope on God is Founded Since I wrote about Easter, back at the beginning of March, the world as a whole and our immediate world have changed profoundly and in ways we could never have predicted when we celebrated the New Year. Everyday life has changed out of all recognition. The routine that we all depend on for coping with the daily necessities has suddenly evaporated. We are having urgently to learn new routines and to look out for each other in new ways to an exceptional degree. The uncertainty and anxiety remind me of those days in 1940 when we feared that at any time the church bells would ring out to signal the invasion; or those nights when many of us sat