LEAVES FROM THE RECTOR’S DIARY We are opening the nave of Pensford 2 July Spoke at Pensford School Assembly today. A number of children are moving on to church as part of Heritage Open Days secondary education, and I was asked to talk about “Change”. It is something we all have on the 9th September from 11.00am till to face at some time or another, and it is rarely easy. These youngsters are experiencing 4.00pm. Some of you may have visited it at 10 years of age; it’s part of growing up. Now “change” in the Church – that’s another during the restoration and we thought it matter. would be nice to give those interested 7 July Quite a number in the tower at St Thomas a Becket this morning for a Communion an opportunity to see the finished article. Service. Perhaps a service like this once a year helps us to remember that it was a place of OH YES The tower will also be open to visitors. worship. Floods aside, it is very doubtful if the village could have supported two medieval Entrance is free but please bring some churches for much longer. I am not one for closing places of worship, but sometimes it is inevitable. The trouble is that you cannot easily declare a building redundant any more cash to buy tea and cakes which will unless an alternative use can be found for it. Pensford has been fortunate in that the church be on sale with proceeds towards the itself is now a fine domestic residence. Compton Dando’s Fete was not exactly a wash-out tower. Do come along and visit us. – financially it was a great success despite the rain. Fetes and Garden Parties are great Laura, Paul & Joshua Baxter for bringing people together and for raising money, but if meeting a budget relies on these IT IS, events it can be a disaster. Weather dictates. Chew Valley It really is, Yes it’s nearly time 20 July Brown Owl, Great Brown Owl and others, Carol included, took the Brownies, by Wildlife Group to start the annual pantomime train to the Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth. I decided to follow them as far as Exeter and On Thursday 27th September come back with them. The city was en fete, and I joined the crowds on the Cathedral Green Darren Mait in Chew Magna again. Rehearsals will start and enjoyed a Devon Cream tea. About 50 years ago, a Suffolk parson, who had been a vet, Millennium Hall, 7.45pm. Visitors £2.50; early October so if you are moved to Exeter to initiate the ecclesiastical parish of Central Exeter. He was successful in Season ticket available. bringing together and invigorating the life of half a dozen churches in the city centre. They Darren Mait is giving an illustrated talk feeling like a new challenge are still functioning and have an interesting programme of worship and activities. One of the churches, St Stephen’s. re-opened last week after a major re-ordering. It is now a very about the Wildlife to be found on the or would like to help with kids impressive meeting area. Large cities which have a number of medieval churches, like National Trust’s Tyntesfield estate. He Bristol rely do have to rely on innovative change if they are to survive. looks at how the wildlife of Tyntesfield is dancing or scenery or anything 22 July I am helping out at Clutton and Stowey at the moment. Anita the Rector has had managed now and plans for the future. else please call Simon on knee surgery and is shortly to retire, so I officiated at a wedding yesterday and at early The content ranges from protected Communion today. When I go to a church for the first time people are naturally apprehensive species, eg..bats, newts, badgers, to 07880554078 or Alan on about what they are getting. I have also noticed over the years that they always excuse other wildlife found on the estate - birds, 01761 490440 what they perceive to be a small congregation by saying that a lot of people are ill or on glowworms, reptiles, hare, deer, owls, holiday. “I know, “ I respond, “ people are usually fall ill or get away as far as possible when moths etc. Also information on waxcaps they know that I am coming.” and other interesting fungi. 23 July It seemed a good idea to meet some grandchildren “half- way” for a day out. So it Go on, YOU CAN DO IT was that we travelled to Wellington Park near Reading to spend some time with Georgina, Lucy and Glenda, their Mum. It had not dawned on me until I arrived that this was near Stratfield Saye, the home of the Iron Duke of Wellington. No time to look around the house Get Connected with Norton Radstock College though. 28 July A fine day for the Rectory BBQ. A fair few came, but we had too much food. We Learn about using a computer intend to hold a second BBQ on 2nd September 1.00pam - 3.00pm. the internet, email, shop online, view 29 July Songs of Praise on the Millennium Green at Compton drew the usual good number. photographs and much, much more The “music box” gave up at the last moment and Martin was wheeled in with a keyboard. It all went well. Suitable for beginners to learn the basics of using a 5 August Benefice Service at St Leonard’s followed by the Publow Garden Party. The weather was frustrating and the organisers and helpers must have been dismayed. They mouse, keyboard & windows. cheered up when it became known that over £2,000 had been raised. Very inexpensive - £30 for 10x2hr lessons 12 August I sometimes worry that I don’t mention God or Jesus in my diary very often. People must think I am always trotting around the country doing all sorts of things that bear You are able to learn what you want at your speed no relation to what a Rector should be doing. Not so; my God is not neatly wrapped up in At various locations in Keynsham and Radstock Sunday hour long packages called “Worship”. I discover him in what I am involved in doing and in the people I meet, and especially if I am able to be of help when there is a need. Contact 01761 433161 for more details From the Parish Registers of St Mary’s Compton Dando One does what one can message of Christ need to learn the Baptism - A traveller found a small incomparable lesson that he taught by 8th July Eve Theresa BOX bird lying on its back with his own example. He taught first of all From the Parish Registers of All Saints’ Publow its feet in the air. “Bird,” with his life and only then did he preach.” Baptism the traveller said, “Why are Each of us can teach with our lives. One 12th August Layla Gabriella POYNTER you lying upside down like does what one can. Holy Matrimony that?” “I heard the heavens are going to The Bishop of Rouen, St.Victrius who 30th June Nikki George GALLETT and Vicky Louise COUNSELL fall today,” the bird replied. “I suppose”, lived from 330- 407, spoke of his own Service of Thanksgiving the traveller laughed, “you think your calling. “I inspired the wise with the love 17th July Doris Winifred PHILLIPS spindly little legs are going to hold it up.” of peace. I taught the unteachable. I Funeral Service and Burial And the little bird said quietly, “Well sir, explained it to the ignorant. I imposed it 25th July Lorraine Ann LINNEY one does what one can.” on the obstinate insisting on it in season I found this little story in the midst of and out of season.” One does what one Church Fete, 5th August, Bellevue, Publow the Olympic and Paralympic Games. can. We are called like the Olympic We would like to thank Gillian and You all made it a pleasure to hold this Watching athletes facing both triumph athletes to “inspire a generation”. Too Charles Wookey and the whole team event at Bellevue and we are delighted and disaster, I was encouraged to often in the church we “migrate inwards” for the incredibly well organised Church with the excellent result. see that each time a British athlete of as Dietrich Bonhoeffer once observed Fete held at our home and garden on 5th A big thank you must also go to everyone whatever discipline was interviewed, of the church. The Olympic dream is to August. We must admit that we had very who came to support us in wet and whether a medal winner or not, they inspire outwards, and it is at the heart of little idea of exactly what was involved in miserable weather when it must have responded with the phrase, “We are here our calling. putting on an event of this kind, and are been very tempting to stay at home and to inspire a generation.” Their response Our lives, our words, must be the still amazed at the dedication, hard work watch the Olympics. was like that of the little bird, “One does message of Christ, who did not migrate and efficiency of everyone involved. Tony and Liz Heaford what one can.” inwards but came among us to save The Brazilian priest, Dom Helder Camara us from ourselves, our obsessions, Wells Cathedral who was committed to the Christian our injustices and our wrongs. Like St.