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Yesterday found me at the 1030 service at Wilton, and a triple baptism for the parish priest, Mark Wood.  I settled into my pew to find we were trying out for the first time a new form of the morning service with a baptism.  The previous Family Style worship left the regular congregation rather wanting for liturgy, and the normal parish Eucharist would not have been accessible for the baptism family and friends.

The service worked well, and the three candidates, a mother, her daughter aged about eight years, and a baby from another family, all performed their words and actions impeccably, and Mark spoke well during the address.  A happy connection for the congregation too, so we wish them and the candidates and families well for the future.

Within the pew notice sheet for the coming week was an interesting event coming up this coming Sunday 1 August.  “Walking with the Poet” is an open afternoon at St Peter’s Fugglestone, in celebration of George Herbert, Rector of Fugglestone and Bemerton from 1630 – 1633.  The event begins at 1500, with a short history of the the Church, and then from 1530 there is an organised walk through the grounds of Wilton House from St Peter’s to St Andrew’s Lower Bemerton, hearing some of his poetry on the way.  After tea at Bemerton, there is a short service of Evening Prayer at St Andrew’s.  Sounds great, and if you’d like to go on this outing please phone the Rector [01722 742571] or the Parish Office on [01722 742393]

After the service and lunch last Sunday I headed out to Milton Lilbourne to conduct a marriage rehearsal for two young people.  The marriage is not until October, but the groom is serving in the Army, and has just come back from Afghanistan, and will need to go back out there until just before his wedding.  It was a moving occasion, gathering the families and running through the service for them.  To be honest he looked too young to be a Royal Engineer recce platoon commander, too young to be risking his life out in that theatre, but I was impressed with his courage and commitment. I realised that for many people, the disruptions of this effort to keep peace in a remote part of the globe, and to give the Afghan people a chance of rebuilding their country will have lasting impact on so many lives.  Please pray for the couple as they prepare, long distance, for their wedding day, and for protection and peace for all those who serve in this way.

Angels with Dirty Faces was a seminal gangster film of the 1930’s, starring James Cagney. I have been recollecting this film as we approach the feast of St Michael and All Angels on 29^th September, commonly known as Michaelmas. In our culture, angels have become popular among authors exploring various forms of spirituality. Because angels occur in the traditions of many religions, they are assumed to be spiritual beings who don’t tie us down to one faith. What appears really important is that they are spiritual not fleshly beings and that they watch over us.

I have a high view of angels. I think that for about five minutes in 1960 my grandmother said I was one. Her view was quickly revised. My principal delight in angels is that we know from Scripture that they are made for worship: they gather in myriads of forms before God’s throne and their reason for being and their only delight is to worship and adore. ‘Glory’ and ‘Hosanna’ are their favourite words as they sing God’s praise. This is our chief association with angels, because we are made for worship, too. The angels know this and they carry their worship to earth not to the great and the good but to shepherds grubby with toil and to tell them that the throne of God has come to earth and is now a manger in Bethlehem for the Messiah has born for us. There can be no allergic reaction to angels feathers, as they fill the empty spaces in our churches praying with us and longing with us that those spaces will be filled with worshippers with flesh, human disciples whom we are seeking to win for Christ.

Jesus refers to the guardian angels who watch over children. It is a happy and reassuring thought that we are all watched over. We all need to know that unconditional love which comes from God. Yet the angel is only a sign or pointer at best. The true guardianship comes not from some independent spiritual creature. The angel has no life except the pure life of God. It is his love which guards and protects us and it is to God’s protection that we commit people in our prayers. Michael the great Archangel is often depicted as a heavenly warrior, defeating Lucifer and all his great army. We are also those who then stand for what is right and good and beautiful even when it is inconvenient or dangerous to do so – not in our own strength but in the power and love of God alone.

The angel Gabriel came to Mary of Nazareth with a message straight from God, with his invitation to be his handmaid in changing the universe forever. His message was the agency of her transformation. We know that the mission to the world is Christ’s, but we are his messengers of transformation and redemption. Let us be angels with dirty faces for Christ’s sake.

An invitation from the Team Vicar in the Nadder Valley Team Ministry, west of Salisbury, brought me to St Editha’s Church in Baverstock this evening.  It was a perfect evening for Evensong, with the setting sun pouring its glory through the west window.  Great hymns including Thy hand O Lord has guided, and Cranmer’s Prayer Book well rehearsed by Jane.  I preached to an appreciative congregation, which included a young Italian Roman Catholic who is here for a month learning English for her Fine Art profession. 

My sermon included what I had discovered about St Editha, and a reflection on the readings which were taken from Genesis’ story of Abraham and Sarah and their hospitality towards the three persons of God; and the passage from Luke where Mary and Martha entertained Jesus.  I concluded by saying:

The call from Jesus to Editha that guided and shaped her whole life, is still the same call that is made to us here today.  A call to bring people together in community whenever we can, to live our lives in a generous and hospitable way, making sure those less well off are offered what they need to have a reasonable standard of living.  To celebrate and give thanks and praise to God for all that is achieved in his name.

 Today we remember Sarah, and Mary and Martha, and Editha—not because they were women, not because they had special gifts and skills, not because they found themselves in the public eye of their day—but simply because they said Yes.  They said Yes, when God invited them to share in living his life, and their lives were changed for the better because of that.

 Celebrate your festival day, and hear the call of Jesus Christ to you this day, and see if in your heart and mind, you might follow Editha, you patron saint, and join her in saying Yes.

 After we had said farewell to the congregation I walked down the path towards the church gate, and looked across at the cluster of graves to the west.  One caught my eye, and on closer inspection it was the family graves of the Venerable Willian Hony, Rector of Baverstock, and Archdeacon of Sarum.  As one of my predecessors I took some interest in him, and have found some details on the parish website:

Early in the 19th century a new rectory was built on the opposite side of the road to the church. It was an imposing Regency residence and replaced the old rectory beside the church which had been burnt down in 1796. It had rarely been home to the Baverstock clergy, who were in the most part absentee rectors. One of the most memorable of the Baverstock rectors was William Hony. He became rector in 1827 and remained until he died in 1875. He additionally became Archdeacon of Sarum in 1847. He made considerable changes to Baverstock during his incumbency. His first task was the dilapidated church. He replaced nearly everything except the walls and these he raised. The parishioners contributed £100 towards the cost, the rector paying the remainder. His next project was to build a school for the children of Baverstock. This was built next door to the church on the site of the old Rectory. Later in the 19th century the children were transferred to a new school at Dinton. The Baverstock school became first a Sunday school and eventually a private house and remains so today.

 Those were the days, and clearly Baverstock has some impressive servants who have offered themselves to Christian witness and I pray that the present day residents might continue in that tradition, as they offer welcome and hospitality to all.

Well the last day dawned for the band of happy pilgrims, and the Team scattered ourselves throughout the parishes for Sunday worship in the morning.  I was detailed to go to East Grafton Church, St Nicholas, another first for me.  It is the most enchanting church, a little miniature copy of St Mary and Nicholas, Wilton, as you can see from the photo. 

I preached, and Rodney Harrison – the Team Vicar presided at a Common Worship service.  It was good to see people from the area there, and I was starting to catch names and faces that I’ve been encountering during the week.  In fact I preached on the subject of encounter, and that when we encounter Jesus, then he joins us on our journey, and then he changes us, and we join him on his journey – or at least I think I said something like that!

After bidding farewell at the door, I took myself over to Chute Causeway, and joined John and Rachel at the Tedworth Downland Ride and BBQ.  There were loads of horses, riders, and happy watchers, as the competitors took themselves along a ten mile fun ride course, and enjoyed the most beautiful scenery.  We stayed behind of course, and chatted and ate, and enjoyed the atmosphere of country people, enjoying country rides.  I was fortunate to gain a seat on a horse, and I think Rachel has some photos.  I used to ride around my country parishes, and it was so nice to be back in the saddle.  I enjoyed myself very much, and will certainly try and get a ride or two from time to time, and in honour of this, I was presented with a bright green rosette – which later confused people who thought I was a green party candidate!  I was certainly hungry, and we consumed, I think between us, one of everything from the BBQ and bar!

Moving on, we team went our separate ways, me to my host and hostess to pack up, say a huge thank you for the marvellous hospitality and generous giving of time and accommodation for this past week.  People are so open and welcoming to pilgrims I find.

Finally, we all gathered at the Crofton Beam Engine site for our closing act of worship – a Songs of Praise, and celebration of our week, with the reading of the winning entries in the poetry competition.  Music was provided by the Phoenix Brass Band, and Rodney compered the worship.  Bishop Stephen gave the final blessing, and as we shared the Peace, the heavens opened and were blessed by a heavy shower which encouraged people to continue their own pilgrimage journey. 

This is not the end of a week’s pilgrimage, but merely the start of another stage of a journey in the parishes and communities that make up the Pewsey Deanery.  Thanks to you all, and may God bless you, and may Jesus be your constant companion and guide, and may the Holy Spirit empower and direct you to serve him, and those with whom you share your lives.

Friday morning – it was 0700, and around 25 men gathered at the foot of Martinsell hill near Wootton Rivers.  Various bits of kitchen kit were unloaded from vehicles and soon we were walking up the hill.  It was a glorious morning, and great views across the Pewsey Vale.  Soon the smell of bacon and sausages was drifting through our conversations, and then tomatoes too were sizzling in the pan.  Baps were filled and hungrily consumed, merely causing the conversations to become drawn out, rather the ceasing.  Well fed, and orange juice, coffee and teas washed down, we sat on rugs or chairs and listened to an inspiring talk from Bishop Stephen about encountering the risen Jesus in our daily lives.  We ended with some helpful prayer. At 0830, a scampering from the working men back down the hill and into their workplaces indicated that it was time for us to pack up and clear off.  A great start to the day; good companions and thoughts for the road.

After a rest day, the team gathered on Thursday morning at Collingbourne Ducis to breakfast together and to celebrate morning prayer.  John and I were particularly interested to see the construction of the new kitchen facilities in the south aisle of the church, and the WC, which has been constructed externally at the west end of the north aisle.  It fits in nicely, and is a modern extension, sympathetically standing alongside the older church.

John and I then exited swiftly to get ourselves down to Rushall Primary school for the day’s pilgrimage.  Booted up, we joined the year 5/6 pupils to begin our walk from Rushall, to North Newnton, then on to Upavon.  At Upavon we were joined by the year 3/4 pupils and walked on to Rushall Church and back to the school.  After an excellent school lunch, we rallied the whole school, including the Reception and year 1/2 pupils to walk to Charlton St Peter, and back again to the school.  It was a great walk, and at around 8 miles or so, the children were quite superb.  Highlights for me were the hospitality we received at each of the church stops, when local parishioners provided refreshments, and facilities; the short reflections and prayers led by John and I; and the wonderful conversations we enjoyed throughout the day, with staff, governors and of course the children.  At the final stop at Charlton St Peter, the churchwarden led us in singing a Taizé chant, and movingly told the 110 or so present, that this was one of the best moments in the life of the parish church.

This is what the week is about – moving and meeting and mixing and making a difference with Christ at the centre of all we do.  The school’s motto? With Christ we can!  Yes!

Worship is central to the Pewsey Deanery Pilgrimage, and each morning we arrive at a different parish to celebrate the new day, a simple morning prayer, and a not so simple breakfast!  It is good to come together and share the stories of the previous day, and to look ahead as each of the team heads out to undertake a bespoke programme of visits and events. 

Last night, at All Saints Burbage, a worship team, led by Rev Robert Grist, and Mrs Harriet Naylor, and others, led us into a beautiful meditative act of worship entitled “Called Together”.  With careful lighting, superb use of cloth materials and music, and pieces of broken driftwood, with each of our names written on them, we were led into a meditation on Luke 5:4-11, the story of Jesus calling the fishermen, and making them not just useful fishermen, but fishers of all people.  Robert and his family wonderfully created a picture of a beach, with waves and seashore, the lake, and a beautiful sky, with sun and clouds.  As the story unfolded additional materials were used to build up the picture in the chancel of the church.  We were invited to place our pieces of driftwood onto the beach and seashore, and then Robert gathered up the fragments and carefully arranged them into a boat, with mast and sails.  That we were now all bound together in a safe boat, with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit directing and filling our lives.

After a while we were invited to come forward and be anointed with oil, as fishers of people, and we took a beautiful cut and shaped Fimo fish from a basket, to remind us that we are all seekers and sharers of the Gospel.  We ended the liturgy with sharing the Peace, and I for one, felt uplifted and inspired by the creative prayer.  It did not seem appropriate to take photos of the display, but thanks Robert, and your team, for a truly helpful act of worship.

You know how it is – on paper nothing really looks exciting but when you are doing it things change.

Saturday started with me in Pewsey church attending the Prayer for the Journey, two hours on patchwork, paint and prayer in preparation for the Ramsbury Team visit to the deanery. It was a glorious two hours lead by Janet Thomas. We used part of the pack put together by her and Rev Deb Larkey for use in the local schools and I learnt a technique of manipulating paint with cling film – you needed to be there to understand. Thank you Janet.

I then took a marriage service in Durrington,which was a delight. Thank you James and Melanie (and their family and friends) for allowing me to share the occassion with you.

On Sunday I took the two services in Durrington – the 8 o’clock one was a quiet reflective service whilst the 10 o’clock was   busier but because the organist was recovering from surgery Val played all the music on her flute which lent an air of reflectiveness to that service as well. Thank you Val. We then had a baptism at 12 noon and Joshua (6 months) spent most of the time looking at us through his large eyes. For this I was ably assisted by Sylvia who will hold the baby as I am frightened that my elbows will lock at the vital moment and the baby will fall – not a good thing! We had many young people who acted as official water temperature testers ( I splashed them with water) and the family and friends of Josuha stayed for about 20 minutes after the service. Thank you to all those who were there for making it such a joyous occassion.

I visited Pitton C of E Primary School today – some 8 miles south-east of Salisbury.  It was a planned visit to say thank you and farewell to the retiring Headteacher, but I’m sorry to hear that he has snapped a tendon and will not be back at school for a little while.  I’ll come again!

But the great delight was the act of collective worship for the school, which was ably led by one of the foundation governors from the local church of St Peter’s.  It was just superb!  Sara had carefully planned the worship; creating a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere in the school hall, subdued lighting, loads of candles in jars, and colourful letters which spelt out the theme – hope.  We had some reflective music as we came in, and everyone was still and attentive.  A PowerPoint with simple clear words, and bright relevant pictures guided us through the opening sentences, the worship song, and the closing sentences.  The address was simply led by Sara, using the year six students who had been reflecting on what they understood hope was, and this was mapped out with flashcards on a board which created a rainbow before the whole school – God’s sign of hope to Noah after the flood.

The year six children also wrote our prayer for the day:

Thank you God.  We have so much to be thank you for here at our school. We think it is the best school in the world.  Thank you for all the people here, for the playing field and for football.  Thank you for our friends and our teachers.  Thank you for our food and water and our break times in the sunshine.  It brings us joy and happiness and we pray that our new headteacher will be as nice as Mr Morgan.  We hope that all the children will be as happy in the future as we have been.  AMEN.

Simply wonderful – well done Sara, and well done Pitton Cof E Primary School.  God is blessing you, and you are a blessing to others.

Well last week was a typical week of shades and kaleidoscope ministry, which was full and fruitful, and one of the reasons I think ministry in the Church of England is still one of the best reasons for getting out of bed in the morning.  Monday morning – Rachel has blogged the morning’s team meeting, and yes, recipes for rhubarb muffins with star anise creme brulée is coming, so watch out!

Lunchtime on Monday was spent with the senior pupils of Trafalgar School at Downton, as I met and chatted with staff and year11 students.  I’ve been invited to present the prizes this autumn, and really wanted to meet the guys and girls before that occasion.  A fascinating visit, and my thanks go to all for making the visit happen.

Tuesday I showed a new curate coming to the Diocese around the house we’ve allocated, and was really pleased to see and hear how thankful both the training minister and the curate are for the care and attention that has been offered to make this happen.  It is such a nice feeling to know that you  can fix somethings!  Tuesday afternoon, night  and Wednesday morning the Rural Deans, Archdeacons and the Bishops were on retreat with the community at Ammerdown, near Radstock.  http://www.ammerdown.org/ This Christian retreat and conference centre is just far enough away to feel you’ve journeyed out of the patch, and has good facilities for prayer, meetings and good home cooked food.  I was responsible for the first two sessions – where I worked with the group in mapping our vocational journeys, and interviewed Bishops Graham and Stephen about their particular vocations, and what sustains them in their ministry.

Thursday, I travelled to London, Stepney episcopal area, to visit the DDO and chat about a particular ordinand we are hoping to place, and also to explore how we might work together to offer our respective ordinands an experience of ministry in a different context.  I do enjoy London, its buzz and vitality, and found the companionship of another DDO helpful and reflective.

Friday was the Bishop’s Staff meeting, and we covered a lot of ground, and again, enjoyed one another’s companionship and reflections on our common life.

Saturday, I was working with potential ordinands in Salisbury, observing them presenting and discussing topics which they had prepared. 

Sunday, I visited Little Bedwyn to preach at the group service with Rev Rodney Harrison the Team Vicar presiding.  The small community straddles the railway and canal. Of particular interest in the church are the differently shaped arches on either side of the nave, and the collection of hand-stitched kneelers. The rear of the church, which also doubles as the village hall, has a map of the parish made for the millennium, with paintings of every building and all the wildlife found in the parish.  It is always good to go and meet new congregations, and I was given a really warm welcome, and used the theme of Vocations Sunday, as well as introduce them to the UniteFC pilgrimage week from 6 – 13 June, when the Ramsbury Team visit the Pewsey deanery.  http://www.unitefc.org/index.html A great morning, a great week, and much to be thankful for.