SUNDAY SERVICES. To receive the expanded colour edition of this magazine via , please send a message to: 8.

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1 Totnes & Bridgetown Parish Magazine, Aug

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3 SUNDAY SERVICES 31July 7 Aug 14 Aug 21 Aug 28 Aug Trinity 10 Trinity 11 Trinity 12 Trinity 13 Trinity 14 Totnes Show TOTNES 8.00 DP JO JO JO JO BRIDGE- TOWN 9.30 Team Service Ashprington a.m. United service at St Mary s JL JL JL TOTNES TOTNES 6.30 BRIDGE- TOWN 6.30 Team Service Ashprington a.m. JO JO JO JO (No Evensong) "The best way to garden is to put on a wide-brimmed straw hat and some old clothes. And with a hoe in one hand and a cold drink in the other, tell somebody else where to dig." - Texas Bix Bender, Don't Throw in the Trowel Cover photo: Roses outside St Mary s, lovingly tended by Kris & Bill Mindang. Kris and Bill tend all the flower beds outside the church and would welcome a bit of help. To receive the expanded colour edition of this magazine via , please send a message to: jachall027@gmail.com 3

4 Dear All, I am now in my eleventh year as incumbent of the Totnes Team and rightly or wrongly, I see ten years as a milestone which provides an opportunity to look back and then forward. In looking back I find I have a lot to give thanks for. In the business of life, weeks blur into months and months into years and I honestly wonder where the time has gone, but on closer inspection it has been a very rich and full ten years. Sharing ministry across first eight and now nine church communities is both a joy and a frustration. It is a joy because wherever I go I find openness, warmth and friendship. Yes, there have been problems to deal with, not least of all in trying to maintain our buildings and pay our way, but the pluses always seem to outweigh the minuses and we have shared some wonderful acts of worship and many special social times. The frustration comes from not being able to share more, but the reality is that I cannot be in nine places all at the same time and I do find it hard that I have what is called, 'an oversight role' rather than a 'hands on task', which I prefer 4 and is what I believe ministry is really about. To be personal for a moment, the last ten years have also seen some highs and lows in my life, and whilst I don't wish to dwell on the lows, I do feel very privileged to be part of communities and parishes that have shown so much care and support when I have needed it. To look to the highs, it was such a joy to share my 25th Anniversary of priesting with you all and your generosity and hospitality to my family and friends was truly amazing. However, the occasion that will remain with me for always was Jane's and my wedding day. Of course I would say this, but the thing that will stand out for us both was the wave of love and support from across the team and communities. We were totally overwhelmed by the huge attendance at our wedding, and the care that had gone in to ensuring every detail was attended to. Looking to my colleagues, apart from Liz Waterson, who had moved to Totnes just prior to my arrival and Tony Gregg who sang in the Totnes St Mary choir, and is a retired head from one of our local schools, I am the longest standing member of the team. Liz is a Reader of much experience and quickly signed up to continue her ministry with me and is a joy to work with. Tony approached me about becoming a Reader and is now

5 a very active and valued member of our team. As for the clergy, they have come and gone, including two wonderful curates and have all been great colleagues. Currently, I enjoy working with Debbie, Gill and Jane and of course, as a welcome addition, Richard, Jane's husband who adds to the Reader ranks, and then two retired priests, Pauline and John. Such a wealth of gifted people, but overriding all that we do together in work is the joy of their friendship, which sadly is not always the case in other staff teams. strive to live by the words of a Buddhist saying, but one that I believe is just as applicable to Christ's call to us, in seeking the path of Salvation: 'Every day enjoyed, makes every yesterday a happy memory and every tomorrow a day to look forward to'. Thank you for truly wonderful first ten years and I look forward to sharing the future together. With every blessing, Julian Many wonderful things to look back on, but what of the future? After ten years I think there was some concern as to whether I might move. The thought did cross my mind, but then I asked myself, did I want to move? The answer was not difficult in that both Jane and I are very happy in the Totnes Team, so we are staying. It was a bit of a surprise to be given a gift to mark the ten years, - a wood carving that hangs for all to see in our hall, but merely confirms that awareness of care and warm of feeling from everyone for which we are so grateful. I cannot tell you what the future holds and because life is what it is, there will be ups and downs. I do have the joy of a new curate starting in September, Steve Jones and the prospect of future building works will always be there. Importantly though, I Sponsorship forms for this very worthy appeal will be available shortly in both our churches. 5

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7 It s just an honest thought Revd Cliff Berdinner The world is in a real old mess, isn t it, or so it sometimes seems, corruption in high places, people smugglers, war, terrorism and at home, child abuse, drugs and crime. Do you ever wonder why God doesn t do something about it, or even wonder if there is a God at all - up there, out there or wherever? In human evolutionary terms it is often thought that human development is going through its adolescent stage and if we think of our world as going through its teenage period, well I think that might explain a lot about the passion, diversity and irresponsibility of some human behaviour. If God Is, and if God listens, does So in this sense we could say that the world will get better as it gets older. A bit like the little boy who, after some Sunday school lessons on the Old Testament moved on to the New, he then told his mother that God certainly got better as time went on! God really care about the mess the world gets itself in? wonder, does God actually listen to our prayers? I vividly remember as a child my mother saying, Clifford, you are not listening to me. I was there, but not very attentive. Experts tell us that as adults we only hear half of what is actually said to us, and that is with our hearing aids in! So is God there but not listening to the world s cries of pain and suffering? Dare I say that sometimes it feels very much like it? When we listen to someone we often give a nod or say a word of understanding but God is ever silent. Whatever our conception of God is, or has been down the years, God is silent - there is no voice. You see, God does not say, Hello, how are you today? Or, I ve got something nice lined up for you. It seems that mankind has always found God s silence difficult. We do not find it easy to sit in God s silence and this is one of the reasons why we fill our worship with music, singing, words and ritual. But of course, none of this gives us an answer to the question, is there a God and what God is like. And this drives us back to the simple fact that our walk with God is a journey of faith and prayer. Now faith can offer us comfort and strength and peace, but then we may But wait a minute, do not our Christian Scriptures tell us that God has spoken to us, that God has broken the silence in the person of Jesus - the Word made flesh who has lived amongst us? I believe that in the man Jesus we see the true reflection of our God. And it is 7

8 in and through Jesus that we can have confidence to believe that we are in God s thoughts much more than God is in ours. But we are not finished yet, for another question comes to mind. If God Is, and if God listens, does God really care about the mess the world gets itself in? Well, if the ministry of Jesus overflowing with love and compassion is a true reflection of God, then yes, God must be a God of love. Having said all this, and that we can see in Jesus the very presence of a loving God, for most of us there will always be much mystery and even uncertainty about many things, or as one lecturer once said to me, You would have thought that God could have made it a bit easier, wouldn t you? But if everything was clear and certain we would not need to believe we would just know. So I think that God s silence will always be there in our lives, and more so at some times than others. So do I find it hard to look on a world in such a mess where violence prevails and life is cheap, and at the same time honestly believe that God has got the whole world in his hand? Yes, I do find it hard, and even though we may find much comfort and peace Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, we will always have to live amid God s silence with many unanswered questions, and seemingly many unanswered prayers - because that is just the way it is and perhaps that is the only way it can be for now. You are always there, For your love reaches everywhere. Above the clouds, Beneath the sea, I know your hand will cover me. Through the darkened starry night. Again at dawn when all is bright. Upon the heavens, or over bridges, Deepest valleys, rocky ridges. You beside me, o so close, Knowing when I need you most. Through different lands of war or peace, Where suffering stirs or riches twist I choose to walk the path you tread. And carry your wisdom where I'm led. To leave your love in every place I rest my head or dine or wait. You keep me safe, watch over me. I choose to put my trust in thee. "Travellers Prayer" by Julie Palmer Liz Waterson writes: I am now saving in earnest to collect money to pay for the Temporary Night Shelter Portacabin which will then go on to become a resource base for the homeless. 900 will be needed to be set aside for the temporary portaloos, because Pastor Mark Hatch has suggested that we may need them for as long as 6 months depending on how quickly it gets cold. You will be pleased to know that we have over 4,000 pledged for the porta cabin but it will need a couple of thousand more to get a new one. (See picture overleaf) 8

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10 Many thanks to everyone who has kindly contributed to the magazine fund some of you have paid well over the 6 per annum requested. It has been truly heart-warming to receive your notes of encouragement and appreciation. The vision of a sustainable and expanding circulation is now taking shape, but there is some way to go yet. If you are one of the majority of readers who, for whatever reason, have not yet contributed, please do so now, using one of the envelopes marked PARISH MAGAZINE - or use your own envelope if you can t find one. You can either hand it to one of the churchwardens or put it in the main collection box. This month s issue is slightly shorter and earlier than usual, owing to holidays. Thank you, as always, to our wonderful editorial and photographic contributors. Julian Hall, Editor Love Yourself Love your neighbour as yourself. Matthew 22:39 God loves you so much that He gave His only Son to save you. Save me from what? you ask: 1) Going through this life lost, directionless, joyless, and unfulfilled. 2) Spending the next life lost and without the joys of heaven He wants you to share. That s how highly God values you. So when you keep putting yourself down, you re rejecting His opinion of you. And to disagree with God is to make yourself equal with Him, or worse, put your opinion above His. Maybe you never thought about it like that before. Actress/singer Ethel 10

11 Waters ministered to great crowds in the Billy Graham crusades. She was born black and poor in a segregated society, but when she found Christ she gained true self-esteem. With a smile that would melt your heart, she told her audiences, God made me - and my God don t make no junk! When you refuse to love yourself, it s impossible to love others or accept that they love you. You become skilled at tuning out compliments and picking up on criticism, because it confirms the negative opinion you have of yourself. As a result, you distance yourself from people and end up lonely without ever knowing why. Maybe your parents failed you, or your spouse betrayed you. You may feel like damaged goods, and seek escape in addictions, or affairs, or a lifestyle of ritual accomplishment. But it doesn t work. Only when you accept that God loves you unconditionally, and decide to love yourself, will you have love to give to others. From UCB's Word for Today, a free publication available in both our churches and throughout the UK. Web Advertising charges Totnes & Bridgetown Parish Magazine Based on A5 pages, 12 monthly insertions Full page Half page Third of page Quarter page Sixth of page Black & white / greyscale (inner pages) Colour (back page only) Circulation: 100 printed copies + approx. 220 sent via . Contact Mr Julian Hall jachall027@gmail.com Tel

12 Remembering Friar Maximilian Kolbe 75 years on The extraordinary Polish Franciscan Friar Maximilian Kolbe, who sheltered 2000 Jewish refugees from the Nazis, died 75 years ago this month when he took the place of a condemned man at Auschwitz concentration camp. child Raymond had a vision of the Virgin Mary, who offered him a white crown (for purity) or a red one (martyrdom). He said he would take both. When he became a monk he was given the name of Maximilian. He settled in the monastery of Niepokalanów near Warsaw, and despite poor health he was an active priest, keen to work for the conversion of sinners, both in Poland and elsewhere, notably Japan. When a prisoner was believed to have escaped from the camp (he had in fact died in the latrine) the Nazis selected ten others to be killed by starvation in reprisal. One of the ten, Franciszek Gajowniczek, began to cry: My wife! My children! Kolbe asked to die in his place, and his request was granted. Gajowniczek survived the camp and witnessed Kolbe s canonisation in Kolbe was born Raymond Kolbe in Poland (then part of Russia). His German father was hanged for his part in fighting for an independent Poland. When still a God s grace distilling The grace of God on you distil, The grace of Christ bedewing fill, The grace of Spirit flowing still Each day and night upon you pour Of this life s share for you in store; O day and night upon you pour Of this life s share for you in store. From Poems of the Western Highlanders ANTHONY STILWELL RESTORATIONS Antique and modern furniture restored and repaired French polishing undertaken Tel :

13 Team Rector, The Reverend Prebendary Julian C OuId , The Reverend Debbie Parsons, Team Vicar Licensed Reader/Safeguarding Officer Liz Waterson , (Childline ) The Reverend John Luscombe , jnluscombe@btinternet.com Licensed Reader, Tony Gregg , Support Group: This group is open to anyone who is suffering from bereavement or any other kind of loss. For full details contact Rev'd Debbie Parsons on TIMES OF SUNDAY SERVICES St Mary's Totnes 8.00 am am pm Alternate 1st Sunday 6.30 pm 3rd Sunday St John's, Bridgetown 9.30 am.. Eucharist Sung Eucharist Compline Sung Evensong Family Communion TIMES OF WEEKDAY SERVICES St Mary's, Totnes 7.45 am Tues, Thurs Early morning prayers 8.30 am Fri, Sat.. Morning Prayer am 2nd & 4th Wed.. Eucharist Major Saints' Days 9.00 am at St Mary's Eucharist 13

14 Churchwardens Martin Harvey martin375.orangehome.co.uk Julian Hall Deputy Churchwarden John Derbyshire St Mary's Totnes David Shearer, Verger Jan Dietz, Director of Music Jane Mountford, St Mary's bookings Jenny Griffin, Church Hall bookings St John's, Bridgetown The Reverend John Luscombe Contact details on previous page Liz Chandler, Organist Tony Stilwell, Bookings Sec Misc. Brian Herrington, Weekly envelope and Gift Aid recorder Rev d Cliff Berdinner Jane Mountford, weekly newsletter Julian Hall, monthly magazine cliffberdinner@gmail.com jane.mountford@googl .com jachall027@gmail.com Submissions for the next Newsletter by 20th of the previous month please. 14

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