January 2021 The Messenger All Saints, Martock Parish Magazine 40p This month’s letter I have never to my knowledge been afraid of the dark except when I was in Sudan several years ago. I found the African nights very dark and very long. For the first few days I was feeling apprehensive and uncertain in an unfamiliar landscape. We all know the dark can play tricks on our imagination especially when awake at night. I found comfort in my head torch which I slept with and which lit my way when I got up. We in the sophisticated rich world expect light at the flick of a switch but it has not always been so even in my lifetime. In days gone by candles were used to give light. They were practical but also had spiritual importance. On the 2nd February the church celebrates Candlemas. Forty days after the birth of Jesus he is taken by Mary and Joseph to the temple in Jerusalem to be presented to God and for Mary to undergo the ritual ceremony of purification required at that time of women after childbirth. St Luke tells us about Simeon and Anna who recognised in this child Jesus the one from whom salvation would come. “A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory to your people Israel” In pre-Christian times candles were thought to give protection against plague, illness and famine. Tradition tells us that in the Christian church Candlemas was the day that all the candles were brought into the church and were blessed for the year. Today candles are a multimillion-pound industry. They come in all shapes, sizes, perfumes and cost! They are used at dinner parties, in spas, in aromatherapy and various other therapies. In spite of all the merchandising of candles they continue to remain a symbol of something much greater than simply a marketable tool to enable us to relax and feel good. Just as many people felt lost and alone at the time of the birth of Jesus so many today face uncertainty, anxiety and isolation. The church too is facing many challenges not just in terms of structure and organisation and finance but also in faith. Candlemas is traditionally the dawn of the year, the time of germination and of new beginnings. There are many “don’t knows” as we face uncertainty in an unfamiliar landscape. Yet like my headtorch in Sudan and like the candles we will light at Candlemas, Christ remains with us to light the way so we can continue the journey of faith giving glory to God in this new year. Rev. Shirley Smith (Kingsbury Episcopi) Soothe Your Soles Pedicure all in the comfort of your one home. FEET: Removal of calluses and corns, Massage NAILS: Cut, Shape & Buff CUTICLES: Soften, Push back & Nip Qualified Foot Health Practitioner: Maria 07542 505858 The Lord’s Larder needs: Small packets of shortbread - Tins of curry - 80 Teabags - Bottles of squash - UHT milk - Sugar - Toothbrushes - Washing powder - Empty supermarket carrier bags All donations can be left at the back of All Saints’, in the pink and blue trunk or at The George Café (MCF). 01823 276 892 www.mindline.org 8pm-11pm Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun Need someone to talk to? Feeling isolated? Distressed or upset? We listen, support and provide information. We provide a safe place to talk if you or someone you know is in distress. It makes a real difference talking to someone about how you feel. What’s up…. Our new Vicar is on his way! Well finally the wait is over, and in just a few short months we will no longer be a benefice in vacancy– hooray! On 29th November the following message was released by Archdeacon Ann Gell: “Following the recent interviews and the recommendation of the Parish representatives, we are pleased to announce that the Bishop has appointed the Reverend Paul Fillery to the post of Vicar of the Benefice of Martock with Kingsbury Episcopi and Ash. This appointment is subject to a satisfactory completion of the usual statutory checks made on all clergy taking up a new post. Details of a Service of Welcome and Institution will be announced in due course. Please hold Paul and his wife Tracey in your prayers as he prepares to begin a new ministry among us and pray too for his current congregations.” And Paul himself has a sent us a short message ahead of his arrival next year. “Well this is my chance to say ‘hello’ to you all in just a few words, so firstly, I do hope that you are all keeping well and beginning to sense the dawning of a brighter, better New Year. My name is Paul Fillery and I am married to Tracey, and we hope to join you around March-time (along with our lurcher, Finn!), when I take up post as Vicar of Martock, Kingsbury Episcopi and Ash. For many years, I worked as an osteopath in Exeter before being ordained in 2010. I initially worked as a self-supporting priest, and then ceased working as an osteopath in order to serve as priest-in-charge of Sandford Parish, in the mid-Devon Benefice of Crediton. We are really looking forward to meeting you all and getting to know more of our neighbouring county of Somerset. We have been very conscious of God’s leading and timing in this appointment, despite it all happening during a global pandemic! So, I look forward to walking into a new beginning with you all, and discovering together what God has in store for us as a family of churches! Both Tracey and I wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas, and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year! God bless you all. Paul.” Congratulations Paul! We can’t wait to meet you, Tracey and Finn in the spring! From the Bishop... One more step January takes its name from the Roman god, Janus, who is usually depicted as having two faces, looking both to the future and the past. At the start of a New Year it is good to do the same. 2020 will sadly be remembered as the year disrupted by COVID-19. Cracks in our care for each other have been revealed and it has had a disproportionate effect on those already vulnerable or deprived. It showed us that those who are most essential to our needs, those who clean and serve and care, are often those valued least in our economy. However, we also saw extraordinary acts of kindness and compassion, as churches and communities worked together to provide com- fort, support, and practical care. So, what of 2021? The temptation may be to forget what we have learnt, to paper over the cracks, ignore what has been uncomfortable and to seek comfort in the familiar. I hope we don’t. 2020 opened our eyes to the harm caused when people are excluded on the basis of race, ability, gender, sexual orientation or wealth. Jesus calls us to a better way. Jesus broke the bounds of exclusion, refusing to accept the social norms and speaking to Samaritans, women, Gentiles, tax collectors and sinners. He teaches that the first shall be last and the last first. He reconciles humanity to God through his death and resurrection. As we look forward to 2021, we need to think again what it means to follow Christ and to build our lives and communities based on mutual love, respect and service. ‘For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ May we all know the Lord’s leading and guiding as we step out into a New Year. With my warmest greetings, Bishop Peter Hidden Voices Seeks Volunteers Hidden Voices Somerset (HVS) is a local response to Modern Slavery and all forms of exploitation. They are looking for a range of volunteers to help victims of modern slavery and exploitation in Somerset. If you would like to find out more about the project or volunteer, email about the opportunity the Hidden Voices Co-ordinator [email protected]. Historic England grant helps save roof of St. Martin’s Church Historic England, the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate the nation’s historic environment, has awarded St. Martin’s Church, Kingsbury Episcopi, £12,500 from the Covid-19 Emergency Response Cultural Recovery Fund towards the cost of replacing the lead roofing of the Lady Chapel, stolen by thieves in February 2020. Visible for miles across West Moor in the Somerset Levels, the elaborate and lofty 3 stage Hamstone tower of St Martin’s Anglican parish church draws the eye. The church is a Grade 1 listed place of worship that, sadly, has been added this year to the Heritage at Risk register. Built mainly in the C14 and C15, with substantial restoration in the C19, the church was noted by Pevsner for its glorious light. The theft of a substantial amount of lead from the roof, and the subsequent Covid-19 lockdown which adversely impacted the ability of St. Martin’s PCC to co-ordinate repair works, left the church structure vulnerable to further structural deterioration; especially the Lady Chapel ceiling with its medieval elements. The roof repair is being undertaken by Ellis and Co., conservation and restoration specialists, and will expected to be completed by the end of November. The church is an active place of worship for the village, and open to the public for Sunday worship and private prayer every week during Covid-19 restrictions.