In the midst of a year that will stand out in history we have also had a week that will stand out in history too.

Regardless of what we may feel personally about HRH Prince Philip, there is no doubt that he has achieved and given so much in his life that has helped in the cause to save our planet and creation, and to give young people opportunities in life that they would never have had without the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. He was the longest serving consort in history, alongside the longest serving Monarch in our history, and had achieved an amazing seventy-three years married to Elizabeth our Queen. Often quietly devoted, sometimes putting his foot in it, being a gentle support and above all a person of laughter, well done good and faithful servant. Our thoughts and prayers are with our Queen in this sad time.

We are all able to go out now, as before if anyone is finding the prospect of leaving your home daunting, please say and we will come out with you. When we have these larger moments of change it isn’t always easy to make the move. We went to the beach last week for the first time since November, it did feel very strange, but so lovely to hear and see the waves.

Plus we are living in history and story this week as we hear in the account of Jesus appearing to the disciples as they eat together with friends their astonishment and fear at seeing him.

Acts 3 12-19 –“and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know”. What a wonderful way of speaking “the author of life” the one who came to rewrite the story, to change the story and to make it readable (for the most part) for everyone, to create a narrative that is not dead but alive. We have our Bible to direct and guide us as we read its life-giving story, Jesus is the one through whom it has come to life and the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to understand it.

I don’t think I will ever stop being amazed at the way scripture seems to change and new words and phrases jump out at me almost it seems from nowhere. This experience which I am sure you all have had too, allows us to identify with the account from Luke here: “Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you – that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, suddenly they saw, suddenly the last piece of the jigsaw fitted into place in their minds”, What a privilege it is to be allowed to be part of the story the author of life has given us.

Luke 24: 36-48 “While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence”. You see I am not sure I had not noticed before that the disciples also disbelieved, it wasn’t just Thomas, Thomas voiced his disbelief, Jesus could see it in the faces without the words, and he takes a piece of fish to eat. Then they are relieved, then they can hear and receive as he shares with them the way forward in the story.

Spring is here, new life is rising, the blossoms are creating fluffy trees, and the birds are gathering nesting materials. As we pray let’s remember those who have worked tirelessly and continue to do so, in finding new ways to combat this virus, testing old drugs and new to save lives, to bring us hope of returning to the new normal soon. Be expectant that God is travelling with you in the difficult and the joyous moments when you can’t see or feel his presence yourself or in others, and when you sense he is holding you close.

Be Blessed Rev Georgina

Friday April 16th Memorial service for HRH the Duke of Edinburgh – 6.00 pm at St Mary’s.  Bookings only. It will be livestreamed on Facebook – details below.

Please log in from 5.50 pm onwards.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4360858437322126

The Church of England has opened an online condolence book following the announcement from Buckingham Palace of the death of HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.

If you wish to sign the online Book of Condolence please click here

In today’s passage from John’s gospel, we find the disciples behind locked doors, fearful of what might happen to them at the hands of those who killed Jesus. And then – the risen Christ steps into the room, into the midst of their fears with the first of a three-fold “Peace be with you.” ! This first peace is the peace that perhaps comes when our worst fears are not realised; the relief that against all odds, death has not won; the realisation that out of the blood, the nails, the thorns, the beating, and the cross has come new life.  Something we need to pay particular attention to as we move out of lockdown into something which will be life, but life changed and renewed.

When Christ shows them his hands and side, the disciples rejoice with the adrenaline rush that follows the miraculous — the crucified one is the risen one. Jesus then speaks a second “Peace be with you”, maybe this time it is a “not so fast” kind of peace, a kind of peace that lasts beyond the initial rush, that abides even when one remembers the cost and the challenges that still lie ahead. 

 “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” These are sobering words, even when the disciples see the living Christ since they have also just been shown his wounds. Christ’s victory will be theirs as well, but in order to get there, they will need the kind of peace that lasts even when — in the midst of their own blood, thorns, and cross – victory seems a dim and distant possibility.  So we too need this second kind of peace when things seem to be hard, when we do not know how we are going to get through a certain situation or how all our struggles will ever come to an end.

The third “Peace be with you” follows a famous exchange with the disciples and Thomas, who was absent during the previous appearance of the risen Christ. As many have noted, although he is famous as “Doubting” Thomas, he asks for no more than what the rest of them, including Mary Magdalene, have already received, and Thomas’ words do not seem particularly troubling to Jesus. But perhaps the other disciples are exasperated  with Thomas. After all, Thomas has in so many words called them liars to their face. “I won’t believe you until I see for myself.”

However, when we meet the disciples again a week later, they are still all together. 

Jesus again appears among them, and before anyone says anything, says again, “Peace be with you,”.  Perhaps this time it is the peace of reconciliation–“peace be among you,” the peace that follows when we forgive one another. This task of forgiveness was given to the disciples at Jesus’ previous appearance, verse   It is John’s that most emphasises oneness and unity among the disciples, a oneness that shows the world that this message of life is true.  So, this third peace, within the community, might be the most significant of all. For life in all its fullness cannot be lived unless we live as a community.

Jesus does not admonish Thomas and, in fact, invites him to satisfy his doubt by seeing for himself Even if he were to be considered a doubter (as the traditional interpretation understands him), he is welcomed into the peace of Christ before he can either apologise or defend himself. Congregations and communities of faith often do not do well with people who, like Thomas, challenge them with doubt and difficult questions. Christ calls them and us to live in his peace as a way of reaching our own peace with each other. He seems less concerned than we often are about sticking to one interpretation of his life and resurrection. He sends Thomas, doubters, and all of us to continue his work.

After all, in the end, it is Thomas ‘The Doubter’ whose response stands as the highest proclamation of Christ by any person in the gospel, “My Lord and my God!”.

Rev Ann

Dear friends,

We move from ‘Hosanna’ to ‘Crucify’, and then to ‘Hallelujah, He is Risen!’.

This season of the church year encompasses so many aspects of faith and human experience that it challenges and blesses us on all levels.

Are we hopeful, snatching at good news, seeing but not altogether getting the picture? The Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday holds a poignant balance of confidence and apprehension, for the story is not yet over. Are we grieving, in pain, desolate, ashamed, or guilty? The Crucifixion speaks to our distress and offers forgiveness.   Do we rejoice, feel overwhelmed by joy and wonder, and yet need to understand further?  Easter morning comes with an almost incredible statement of new life in the Resurrection of Jesus.

As a Deanery, we are blessed in many ways and I hope that each one of us can speak of some particular blessing in our parishes and projects. We are also challenged to look at things afresh, and to apply faith to new and emerging situations. One major change is that we are now working in partnership with Crewkerne Deanery, so our boundaries are extending as we welcome this collaborative ministry with laity and clergy over the combined area from Haselbury Plucknett to Pitminster.

Also, we are all very aware of the urgent need to address matters of climate change and eco-responsibility, globally and locally and our responsibility to protect the lives of others by the way we live as Christians and in our stewardship of church buildings and land.

God’s love includes all of us, so we are also beginning a discussion on matters of faith, sexuality, and gender, connecting with the Church of England report ‘Living in Love and Faith’.

Beneath, and of foundational importance, there is each parish and all who live therein.  As times change, we look forward to seeing more lay leadership at parish level, along with anticipated changes in clergy deployment.

In all of this, we do indeed need a Saviour, and the essential confidence of Resurrection as we walk onwards.

May God bless and guide each of us through the Easter season, in the name of Jesus our Risen Lord,

Friends

On Sunday we come together for worship at St Mary’s and in Combe.  It will be good to be together for the most important and precious Sunday of the Christian year.  There is much we need to let go of, and much we need to celebrate.

Most of all we will gather together knowing that we are children of God’s unfathomable and never-ending love, borne through death on the cross and triumphant in resurrection.  After what we have been through in the past year, this seems particularly meaningful.

Whatever you are doing on Sunday, may you take some time to focus on the forgiveness and hope that is now ours, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

As Christians we must carry this hope for others and seek out those places and circumstances where we can offer hope instead of despair, encouragement where there is doubt and light where there is darkness.

We can do this because of what happened on Easter day.  Jesus bears all our willful wrongdoing and by his sacrifice and selfless act of forgiveness offers us the chance to begin afresh, not just once, but time and time again.  This is not just good news – but the best ever!

He is risen indeed.  Hallelujah.

 Ann