John  Writes  ………

 As most of you will know, I had the opportunity to go to France recently to visit some of the places that were significant 80 years ago when the allied forces arrived in force on D day. The liberation of Europe was in the hands of these brave men supported by equally brave women.

As a result of their actions we have the privilege of living in a country that has a huge amount of freedoms and a democratic electoral system. Granted it may not be perfect but I think that it is a sight better than the alternatives that we see in other countries around the world.

We now have our general election coming up with a choice of candidates holding a range of political views. I would encourage each of you to exercise your right to vote, which was won by the sacrifice of so many all those years ago.

There seems to be a such lot of negativity and complacency when it comes to our politicians, but it is so important that we each have our say and vote for the person or party that we feel best represents a positive way forward, for our community, our country and our world.

If I was voting for a great leader I would be looking for someone who is honest, wise, peaceful and loving. Someone with a track record of positive and effective leadership. Someone who was spiritual by nature.

The good news is that we already have that leader in the form of Jesus Christ! So let us pray that whoever wins at the next election displays at least some of these attributes.

I was recently at a clergy day and listened to an excellent speaker who debunked a lot of the negative press that we hear about Christianity.

A survey has been undertaken by a recognised company which was first carried out in 2015, this had been repeated in 2022 and the plan is to repeat this every 5 years (obviously the pandemic got in the way in 2020). The results that came from this are really encouraging with non-Christians having a very positive view of practising Christians.

The most important thing that I got from this seminar, is that for too long negative press and TV coverage of Christianity has worn us down into believing that our faith is in a rapid downward spiral. Nothing is further from the truth, with young people particularly open to explore what the Christian faith is all about. We have such good news to share and these statistics should give us confidence to do so. It seems that there are a huge number of people out there just waiting to be invited to find out more.

So, let us step out in confidence prepared to share our story of faith, knowing that the Good News that we have is Good News for everyone, and that so many people are searching for something deeper in their lives.

If you would like to know more about the Talking Jesus report 2022 you can find this at talkingjesus.org or speak to me or Revd. Georgina.

With every blessing

John

On the evening of Thursday 6^th June 2024 Ringing out for Peace for the 80^th anniversary of the D-Day landings took place at St. Mary’s Church, Chard, by their team of bell ringers and visitors at 6.30pm. Rounds and call changes were rung on the bells to mark this special occasion.

If anyone would like to join St Mary’s bell ringing team, you will be welcome, either as an existing bell ringer or if you would like to learn. Please contact the Bell Ringing Secretary on 01460 63496 who will be pleased to hear from you and can give you further information.

At our last meeting we had a fascinating presentation by Pippa and Rob Evans on the building of their straw house here in Chard.

Pippa had for a long time wanted to build a house and her first thought was to make it from wattle and daub, but she decided making the wattle and daub would be too messy and so decided that straw would be less messy.

When she met Rob, it was at their second meeting that she told him she wanted to do this, but it did not put him off, and as husband and wife they started building in 2021, after reading books by Barbara Jones on how this could be done. Then getting plans etc passed. They had no problem getting them passed and so they started with their foundations. Then the wooden frame for the straw. Insulation was very important right from the start including under the floor.

A local farmer gave them a place to keep the bales of straw, and many bales had to be restrung and made the right size. Building with the straw took three weeks. The walls were six bales high, but to fit they had to be strapped with lorry straps to compress them, so the last layer could be fitted tight within the framing. To keep the straw dry they had a six foot overhang on the front and back roof and 3 feet on the side roof.

The roof was covered in cedar shingles. Doors and windows were triple glazed in a wooden frame. The bales were sprayed with lime plaster both inside and out. Building was complete in 2022. They were very pleased with the insulation. Passive houses are rated ‘O’ Modern houses are rated as ‘10’. Their house is ‘2.5’.

Best wishes, Heather Elphick, Branch Leader