REACHING OUT. .. on behalf of the Benefice Churches of Bradfield St Clare, Bradfield St George with Little Whelnetham, Cockfield, Felsham and Gedding

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1 REACHING OUT... on behalf of the Benefice Churches of Bradfield St Clare, Bradfield St George with Little Whelnetham,, Felsham and Gedding Dear Friends, Issue 57 August 2017 Each month we publish a Dave Walker cartoon in Reaching Out which is usually related to Church activities. I hope that you enjoy them as I do (I normally choose the ones that really make me chuckle!). This month I have chosen a cartoon that is perhaps a bit on the edge as it makes a more serious comment about what we do as a Church. I guess what it is really doing is trying to make us really think about our priorities. The items that have been pointed out in the cartoon do take up our time to a large extent (you ll have to glance at it now it s just below this piece). It s not designed to make us feel guilty which I suspect some might think it is. However, it did make me think about how I spend my time as Rector here (there s probably a few of you thinking the same!). Modern life is often incredibly busy, not only for those in paid work but also for many in retirement (the subject of our Six2Seven on 20 th August). There are many calls on our time and our emotions. We see images of those in need every day on our TV screens, on social media and in our daily newspapers. It can easily become wallpaper surrounding our lives everyone knows it s there but no longer pays it any attention.

2 During this time of August, when there are fewer meetings and we may have time for a break from normal activities, I am going to reflect on my own priorities. I shall do that with the help of scripture, of course, and the passage that I will meditate on is from Paul s letter to the Romans, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12.2). I ll let you know if my meditation bears fruit! I hope that you will have a restful August, hopefully enjoying some sunshine! With all good wishes, Revd Sharon revsharon@btinternet.com or PS It s not too late to sign up for Holiday Club (5-11s). Please contact Christine Stainer on or christinestainer57@gmail.com

3 Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Gather 2017 The annual Diocesan youth celebration, Gather, will be held at the Cathedral on 23 September. Live music will be from The Bean Baker Band. More information is available from the diocesan website on Facebook or via the diocesan twitter account. Tickets can be booked by visiting For more information please Enhancing Worship course: Cathedral St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds A practical course for all who lead worship in Suffolk s churches: clergy, Readers, LLMs, Elders, church wardens and worship leaders. The leaders are Bishop Martin, Ruth Dennigan, Mary Sokanovic, Carl Melville, Philip Banks and Richard Hubbard and topics include: What is worship? Being Anglicans Music and shape Shaping worship for mission Practical worship Thursday evenings at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds: 14 September 21 September 5 October 9 November 16 November plus Saturday 14 October at the Salvation Army Hall, Violet Hill, Stowmarket IP14 1NE am pm. Enquiries to Ruth Dennigan by ruth.dennigan@cofesuffolk.org or phone

4 A Spirituality for Every Day: The Sermon on the Mount A day led by Bishop Mike at St Andrew s Church, The Street, Rushmere St Andrew, Ipswich IP5 1DH. Tuesday 15th August 2017, 10:00 Bishop Mike writes: One of the greatest gifts of Jesus to us is his Sermon on the Mount - but some of the ways we interpret it can seem like bad news in terms of how high the bar is set or what we are required to do. This day looks at Jesus' teaching on the Sermon on the Mount and how it is wonderfully wise teaching, enabling our spiritual transformation, a transformation rooted in the action of actually following Jesus and his teaching in ways which enable us to begin to take on something of his character. The Sermon on the Mount is not about a new and sterner legalism but pointers to what life can become for devoted disciples and apprentices of Jesus. There will be three talks during the course of the day with plenty of room for silence and reflection. This event is free and drinks will be provided. This is part of the ongoing Diocesan prayer and spirituality initiatives aiming to encourage the priority of prayerfulness at the heart of all we do. Enquiries to Caroline Redman by or phone This is a repeat of the event that was run on 16 March in Bury St Edmunds. Bradfield St Clare will be holding its annual patronal service on Sunday 6 th August. Lucyann and James Ashdown will be leading this service of communion with its focus on St Clare of Assisi, refreshments will be served following the service. Benefice tour of the cathedral with evensong and tea We have booked an afternoon tour of the Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds for anyone interested from the benefice, starting at 2pm and ending with evensong and tea, on Sunday 1 st October (note change of date from 10 th September). If you would like to join us then please contact Revd Sharon (revsharon@btinternet.com ) or Sue Tarran (suetarran2@btinternet.com) our benefice administrator.

5 An appeal for refugees in Armenia In recent years, Armenia has received tens of 1000s of refugees from Syria, Iraq, Iran and elsewhere in the region. Many are descendants of those who fled the country during the genocide 100 years ago, but Armenia with a population only 3 million is struggling to cope and urgently needs help. We have 2 opportunities to help this month. Firstly, Village Friends will be meeting on Thursday 17 th August from 2-4pm at the Moat House for their annual Charity Bring and Buy Sale. Organizers have kindly agreed to donate sale proceeds to the House of Esther, a home for refugee families near Spitak, northern Armenia, run by Global Hope. For more details contact Sue Jell on , Lynn Cardale on Secondly, Vince Melkonian, Global Hope s Project Manager in Armenia, will the main speaker at an Open Evening on Armenia, the national situation there and the House of Esther project, on Tuesday 29 th August at 7.30pm, at Sparrows Farm House, Chapel road,. All are warmly invited. For catering purposes, please contact Judy or Malcolm if you can come ( , malcolmgifford@btinternet.com ) or for more information. If you are unable to come to either of these events but would like to send a donation, please contact Malcolm or Judy. The Benefice has generously supported Global Hope s work in the past and we trust this will continue. Thank you so much!

6 You are invited to Afternoon Tea at High Hedges, Bradfield St George, IP30 0AD on Saturday 19 August from 3 5pm in aid of Bury St Edmunds Women s Refuge More details from Christine on Messy Church News The July Messy Church was held on Saturday 15 July. We knew in advance that it clashed with School s summer fair so anticipated that numbers may be reduced. However, 7 children came along, with their adults, and we all had a good time. The theme was The Soldier s Faith: based on Luke 7 v 1-10 in which Jesus heals the centurion s servant and is impressed by the faith of the non-jewish centurion. The activities had a distinctly Roman flavour. They ranged from making Roman helmets and lolly pop soldiers to creating pizzas and playing a Roman game! We finished up by singing My God is so big, so strong and so mighty and reflecting on the story itself. Rev Sharon and Dick also run a Messy Church stall at the school summer fete to raise the profile of Messy Church with the parents and children of School. The next Messy Church is on Saturday 30 September. Please remember Messy Church in your prayers. Thank you Christine and the MC team

7 Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Bike Ride 9 September 2017 Norman Gregory (95) and Norman Kelly (a mere 67) are participating once again in the annual SHCT Bike Ride to raise funds for the charity which provides invaluable support to maintain our beautiful Suffolk Churches. They would be delighted if others in the benefice would join them. 50% of the money raised comes back to our churches to aid with maintenance so choose your church and walk/cycle your way around as many churches as you can! Both Normans have sponsorship forms and a fundraising site for St Peter s. Sponsorship forms can be obtained from: Bradfield St Clare Bradfield St George Lt Whelnetham Felsham Gedding Jill Box, Elmers, Howe Lane, Pat Hipwell, St Clare Cottage, Liz Squirrell, Maypole Farm, Elaine Overnell, 3 Hall Cottages, Irene Cockell, Chantry Cottage, Tim Finn, Smallwood Farmhouse, Smallwood Green, Bradfield St George,

8 Benefice Services August 2017 Sunday 6 th August Transfiguration/St Clare Sunday 13 th August Ninth Sunday after Trinity Sunday 20 th August Tenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday 27 th August St Mary the Virgin/Eleventh Sunday after Trinity 9.30am Communion BCP 11am Communion 11am Patronal Communion 8am Communion 9.30am Benefice Family Service 9.30am Communion 11am Communion 6pm Six2seven 9.30am Patronal Morning Prayer 11am Communion 6pm Evening Prayer Gedding Bradfield St Clare Felsham Bradfield St George Felsham Gedding Bradfield St Clare Bradfield St George Daily Prayer Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 9am 5pm Felsham 5pm Bradfield St Clare 5pm Gedding 5pm Bradfield St George Please note these services may be subject to change for up-to-date service times see the benefice website at