PARISH NEWS St Cuthberts, Wells and St Mary Magdalene, Wookey Hole August 2013 In everything give thanks 1 Thess, 5:18 The Gift of Contentment by Alistair Glanvile We are going on holiday later this year and we tomorrow because tomorrow has troubles have been looking forward to it ever since it was enough of its own. Of course it doesn’t mean that booked last autumn. We had chosen the we shouldn’t plan for the future but it does mean destination, days we could go and the times we that endless worrying will not solve the problems wanted to fly. Great. It’s paid for and all we have or get the job done any quicker. to do is go and enjoy ourselves. Until the phone I remember going on holiday with my mother and call the other day telling us that the airport had saying to her “Why don’t you enjoy the holiday been changed, the days we were going had while we are here instead of waiting until you get been brought forward and the flight times home?” She was starting to grumble and fret but changed from a civilised day time to late night when we got home the holiday would have been and very early morning (3.30 am) ! What were wonderful. She saw the point and started to we to do? Get our money back and forfeit the enjoy the moment. We were in the Crown one holiday or make the best of it? Well, of course, dark dismal morning having coffee and I said to we are still going and will have a great time. As I Maureen “do you fancy a drink?” When I went to write this the sun is blazing and it is just starting the bar to order it the young man behind the bar to get very hot and I am getting fed up with said “Don’t you think it’s a bit early?” It was 11 people telling me how awful it is and how we 30am. I told him that at our age we didn’t have to need rain. It seems to be the thing to do. If in time to wait. We had to seize the moment. doubt get cross and grumble. What a waste of time and energy! What’s the point of all this? It is that we have one life given to us by our creator and we insult him if It has been said that if all the troubles in the we don’t make the most of it. Not in endless world were put in a heap and we were asked to pointless hedonism or in continual grumbling but choose which ones we wanted we would choose using each moment and savouring it. That the ones we already had. If I think we all need a moment will never come again and one day it will gift it is the gift of contentment. In St Matthew’s be too late. Gospel Jesus tells to take no thought for 1 How welcoming is your church? The service began with Bishop Peter entering the Cathedral through the West Doors and responding to questions put to him by a student at the Blue School. How do you feel when you go to a new place for the first time? Probably most of us can remember our first day at Q. Who are you and why did you come here? school, the beginning of a new job or the move away from A. I am Peter, a servant of Jesus Christ. I came in home. Anxiety, nervousness at doing or saying the wrong August 2013 response to a call to live and learn among the people of thing and the longing to find a friendly welcome and smile this Diocese; to serve and lead; to preach and pray. are probably common to most of us. I cannot imagine what it must be like to go to church for the first time … or after a Q. Why have you invited us to be here today? very long time away because it’s always been part of my life. But when I'm on holiday and go to the local parish A. I ask you to be with me as I mark the end of this church I'm reminded that it probably requires great courage particular stage of my Christian journey. We have come and resilience! Why? Because on the whole my experience together to thank God for all that has been during my has been - bluntly - that we Anglicans are not very good at time amongst you, and to pray for God’s blessing on us PARISH NEWS PARISH welcome. all as we continue to respond to God’s call in our lives. I'm spoilt as an Archdeacon ... when I go to a parish usually Q. What word of hope would you want to leave us someone has been briefed to meet me, even carry my bags with? and make sure I get to the vestry and know what I'm doing. When I go to church on holiday (not in this diocese of A. Remember that you belong to the Jesus Society; course!) my experience has been generally dismal -- and in a Jesus society you show wisdom by trusting; collecting books from a group of people chatting to one you handle money by sharing; you handle enemies by another and no doubt thinking theirs is a very friendly loving; and you handle violence by suffering. And in church, no indication as to where to sit ... we all dread the this Jesus society you repent not by feeling bad but by embarrassment of being told we’re in someone else's thinking different ! seat ... and no one cheerily saying, ‘Good morning, welcome, are you a visitor? Good to see you…. Let me Anecdotes and recollections shared by Archdeacon Nicola introduce you to so-and-so.’ Frankly, I wouldn't want to go Sullivan and Peter Maurice, Bishop of Taunton, left us in no back to many of them as the experience felt more like gate- doubt that this “thinking different” involved a huge amount of crashing an exclusive club than worshipping God with my fun and hilarity. Bishop Peter Maurice said Leonard Cohen brothers and sisters in Christ. had sadly concluded that Christianity was too cheerful and this certainly was a rich seam running through Peter Price’s I'm making a plea for us to look at the ministry of welcome. life and ministry. Tears of sadness became tears of laughter This is not a grand initiative to recruit new congregation as we listened to accounts of Bishop Peter’s experiences at members; rather it is offering simple kindness, acceptance Glastonbury and a unique game of “flip the nun” brought and hospitality to another human being. It does not have to out when tensions were mounting in Diocesan meetings! be intrusive or cringe-making. It's better to risk getting it wrong and welcoming someone who you later discover has The video messages from Rowan Williams and Jim Wallis, been coming to church for 40 years, than ignoring the founder of Sojourners in Washington DC testified to the high stranger. The Letter to the Hebrews says, ‘Do not neglect to regard and affection in which Bishop Peter is held across show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have the world for his commitment to peace, justice and entertained angels without knowing it.’ (13:2). Our faith is reconciliation. centred around a welcoming God who delights in all of us joyfully gathering for praise and thanksgiving. Yes, I could Bishop Peter spoke eloquently about his faith and his go on and encourage attractive notice boards, interactive conviction that we need to focus on building and nurturing websites, colourful welcome packs and quality relationships between people and communities, defusing refreshments…. but the first step is small, and yet essential hostility and mistrust with compassion and love. He paid – a warm smile and greeting and ensuring the visitor is not tribute to the enormous support he had received from ignored. colleagues and especially for the unfailing love and encouragement of his wife, Dee. So, if you are away on holiday – try out the local church and see how its welcome rates. If you are in your own church Bishop Peter was delighted to receive various gifts, over the summer weeks, look out for angels in disguise. including a cheque which he quipped would buy them more Archdeacons are easier to spot. than a couple of ice creams. I suspect he was equally delighted by the photograph of himself on the Pyramid Archdeacon Nicola stage at Glastonbury and the luminous statue of Jesus complete with glowing loaves and fishes. That must be a first for a bishop! A Farewell Service For Bishop Peter Price After his final blessing Bishop Peter handed over the In his welcome address in the programme Bishop Peter symbols of office, laying down his crosier, cope and mitre on expressed his hope that we would find the farewell Service the altar as Bishop Peter Maurice led a litany of departure. both moving and memorable. I am certain that all those To the accompaniment of the Monkeys’ “Day Dream packed into Wells Cathedral on Saturday 22nd June felt his Believer”, and as nets of balloons were released, Bishop hopes were well and truly achieved. We were treated to a Peter and Dee walked hand in hand through the Cathedral veritable feast of music, from the Cathedral Choir’s sublime out of the west door and on to their new life in Dorset.