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On one of our days out this holiday,  Anita and I found ourselves in Somerset, and heading towards the market town of Ilminster.  Neither of us had visited there before, and we were very pleasantly surprised.  It is a delightful town, friendly, and welcoming to the stranger and visitor.  I was impressed with the range of local shops in the High Street, including a baker, a butcher, a proper chemist, and even a draper [how often do we see that term used today?].

We enjoyed a great cup of tea and a piece of cake in a traditonal tea-room, and then, having picked up some details of some local houses from the estate agents, we walked around the town checking out some possibilities.  The town is largely built of that lovely warm coloured Ham stone. 

The final joy was to call into the Minster Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where the recent alterations and reordering have included a balcony at the west end, and a very nice enclosed glass area, with etched glass doors, to provide a welcome area and “milling” area at the back of the church before and after worship.  As we were leaving a young couple came in and settled themselves into the side chapel, and invited us to join them in a short evening prayer service.

It is good to get out from your own back yard, and to sample what else this wonderful country of ours has to offer.  we must make sure we find the time and the energy to go out and see it for ourselves.

Yes, today was the day that the Parish of Wilton with Fugglestone, and Netherhampton, and the Parish of Bemerton united to provide a connection that took us back to the George Herbert days.  I’m also reading the book entitled, If you see George Herbert on the Road, Kill Him! This aims to make it clear that the idealising of the GH methodology of ministry does nothing to help the contemporary parish priest, whose circumstances are very different indeed than the blessed George’s.

We started at St Peter’s Church Fugglestone, and enjoyed a 20 min talk by The Rev’d Dr John Gosling, sometime former Vicar of Stratford sub Castle, and Director of Continuing Ministerial Development for the diocese. John outlined the history of the church building and its immediate surroundings.  John reminded us that in fact Fugglestone ws the parish church in GH’s day, with Bemerton being the chapel of ease, and later church building.  It is really because Herbert lived in Bemerton, and was buried in the church there that the Bemerton tag seems to have carried more weight.  We then moved out of church and walked around to the main gate of Wilton House, where the Earl had kindly given permission for us to walk though the park and then out onto the Netherhampton Road, before walking through Quidhampton, and onto St John’s Church Bemerton where people stopped for some much appreciated tea and cake.  The group then walked a little further onto St Andrew’s Church in Bemerton, and a service of Evensong completed the journey.  At a couple of stops along our pilgrimage, the Rector of Wilton, Rev Mark Wood read to us from Herbert’s treasury of poetry.

We learned a great deal from our conversations, mostly speculating about the Saxon meanings of our travel route.  Fugglestone apparently mean Mr Bird’s Farm – from Fogel’s Ton, and Quidhampton means something like rubbish dump [don't tell the residents!] from the word quid [filthy]  We can’t be sure of course, but it made for some interesting thoughts as we walked.  The group of 35 or so, seemed to really enjoy each other’s company, and the walk offered some great view points, rarely seen, together with a perfect walking afternoon, with hazy sunshine and temperate breezes.  Perfect!

How right that is and it has been demonstrated over this weekend for me – accompanied by encounters with nature and two small boys.

Friday night we gathered in Pewsey church to welcome Michael McHugh as the new team vicar in that team, the church was packed, the singing was good and the sermon was excellent (thank you John). I caught up with people I had not seen for sometime and enjoyed the chatter. On my drive home I saw a flock of birds flying cross the sky making wonderful patterns as they did.

Saturday saw me having a trip to Branksome St Clements church, very urban, and on the way home from that seven swans flew in formation in front of me.

Sunday and I was at Fittleton @ 9am taking part in a quiet said Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion service. A lovely quiet way to start the day – no birds although we heard them singing. At 10.30 I was at Figheldean with the music group playing – this week they were mostly wind instruments with drums and keyboards, a very nice sound. After the service I spent a long time talking to Patrick and Ivor about all sorts of things including rainbows, birds and whales. They were delightful children and I couldn’t stop smiling at their views on nature and life in general. No birds but later I did sit in my garden with my mother watching a female blackbird gathering food for her offspring, she seemed to not mind how close we were to her and later we saw her offspring in all his glory.

It has been a delightful three days and I enjoyed the differences.

Saturday started with one of those memory flashbacks while doing a simple task.  Shelling peas, and broad beans.  A simple task, but one that connected me with my grandmother, long since promoted to glory, and many happy weekends doing the same simple task, and remarking how beautiful are the beans and the peas, the beans secured within their felt padded pods and yet the pods are marked, spotted and gnarled on the outside.  How is that like being human, or even being a Christian?  Are we attractive on the outside, superficial, yet not so attractive on the inside?  Or perhaps, people we know, work alongside, even even share our lives with, are people with hearts of gold, who are dedicated and  faithful servants of Christ, and yet we fail to get below the surface, so fail to see the glory of God that lies hidden. 

Later in the day, Anita and I drove out to Great Chalfield, that delightful country manor  house between Bradford on Avon and Melksham. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-greatchalfieldmanor I was co-hosting the Wiltshire launch of the Friends of Wiltshire Churches, a fundraising and social arm of the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust, of whom I happen to be the Chairman.  It is a lovely house, so do get along and see it.  The church next door is simply lovely too, and worth a visit.

It was a splendid evening, wonderful canapés, in delightful surroundings, and enchanting company [do you feel you've missed a treat?  Then think about joining the Friends - no don't think - act: http://www.wiltshirehistoricchurches.org.uk/Home.html ]

We had a moment of drama, when one of our distinguished guests collapsed, and as often happens at these events, two doctors and a nurse emerged out of the crowd to take control and reassure our patient.  Within minutes a paramedic  team arrived and I’m pleased to say that our friend is well and ready to bounce back.  The clergy were on hand too, but the Last Rites were far from our thoughts.  It is good to know who your Friends are – sometimes, you only  really know that when times are testing and tough; if you want to be a Friend, then get on and demonstrate it before it is too late.

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.

This month’s interest in parish magazines comes from deepest darkest West Dorset.  The Chalk Stream magazine covers the parishes of Bradford Peverell, Frampton, Stratton, and Sydling St Nicholas.  I was visiting a colleague recently down there who is working in areas of mission and vocation, and it was good to stretch the legs of my 120d.  By the way, if you are ever down that way, the pub at Sydling St Nicholas, the Greyhound, was quiet exceptional, with a good lunchtime menu choice, and excellent food. 

The Chalk Stream [which has a bumper issue for July and August of some 58 pages of news, views and advertisements] offers some interest in the local Dorset bread roll, called the Dorset Knob, produced by Moores the famous family firm.  Each year there is The  “Dorset Knob Throwing and Frome Valley Food Fest”  held at Cattistock on Sunday 2^rdMay 2010. Besides Knob Throwing there were additional fun knob attractions including Knob Painting, a Knob & Spoon Race, Guess the weight of the Big Knob, Knob Darts and a Knob Pyramid. Free parking and other more traditional entertainment were laid on to make this a really enjoyable day out with a difference.  It sounds a fascinating and truly novel local event, and some £4,500 was raised for local community clubs.  The record for throwing these delicious bread rolls, under arm and standing are quite amazing with the three records currently:  Gents:  26.10 metres; Ladies: 20.2 metres; and Under 12’s; 18.5 metres.  Why not tell me about your local novel sporting or social events?

Another article that grabbed my attention was about Lip Reading.  1 in 7 people have hearing impairment, and many result from time with the armed forces or disco customers, with the outcome being a distinct difficulty in hearing consonants clearly – an example being “biscuit” being heard as “big kiss”. A tutor holds classes every Tuesday morning for two hours, in a local parish church centre, where people learn not only how to interpret lip shapes, but also strategies for minimising a sense of exclusion as hearing loss progresses.

How wonderful to have a local resource like this.  Other local events this month included the Evershot Butterfly and Moth Festival; and thoughtful articles included From the Allotment; Bradford Peverell Twinning Association; and many more.  Useful ideas can be found on their webpages: http://www.sydlingstnicholas.org.uk/; http://www.framptondorset.com/; http://www.strattondorset.org/; and http://www.thelocalchannel.co.uk/bradfordpeverell/home.aspx

Well, these past few days have been a whirl of social activities and festivities, as we come together and celebrate good things around the Area. 

Friday evening most of the Team were in Burbage to toast the very successful Pilgrims in Mission week in the Pewsey Deanery.  I was at another social event in the south of the County, as part of the Friends of Wiltshire Churches initiative, which seeks to provide a new source of funding for the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust, of which I am Chairman.  We met at a beautiful house just north of Salisbury in the Woodford Valley, and raised a good sum of money which the Trustees will allocate to churches seeking to maintain and enhance their church fabric.  Check out the site at: http://www.wiltshirehistoricchurches.org.uk/Home.html We are looking for new members, and it’s very cheap to join, and we get so much fun from being a member – think about it?

Saturday morning, I attended the Salisbury Cathedral Open Day, and at 1000 hrs when the cathedral opened its Great West Doors, there were 400 people waiting to go in.  There was a real carnival atmosphere as people saw various exhibitions of the life of the cathedral and diocese, and tried their hands at various workshops.  The museums were open and free too – a great day out.

Saturday evening, we in the Learning for Discipleship and Ministry Team, gathered at our home in Bemerton to celebrate the mid-year and to enjoy one another’s company.  It was a good party, a little cold for outside dining, but a few braved it, and the conversation and laughter went on well into the night.  As I was preparing the outside tables a candle, in a large glass container caught the tablecloth which had been whipped up in the wind – just turn your back for a moment, and the cloth, and table supporting it, was an inferno!  I flipped the cloth onto the ground and smothered the flames – but it is true what the advertisements say – don’t leave naked lights unattended – even for a minute!

Sunday morning and I was attending a service in Pitton school, for both the church and school communities, who were gathering to say farewell to David Morgan, the Headteacher.  The service was quite superb – with a lay member of the church, leading a wonderful act of worship.  We had a dramatic reading of a passage of scripture, which helped us all understand how meeting Jesus transforms people’s lives.  We heard about Jairus, his daughter, an unclean woman, and one of the disciples – brilliant!  We also heard from three members of the Bristol University Christian Union, who were supported by the parish of Pitton last year.  Their witness and testimony of their work within the university and the city of Bristol was truly inspiring.

Back home and after Sunday lunch, the Bemerton Community Group Open Gardens event started, with yes, our home and garden taking part.  We had a steady stream of around 100 people come through – many of whom enjoyed a cup of tea  with us, and walked around the garden, and many good conversations were held.

Late afternoon, and I was back in the cathedral for Vespers, and a service of thanksgiving for the work of our  Foundation School Governors.  Tea with the Dean afterwards, and I came home, fully alive, and full of a weekend’s experiences of saying thank you, and raising both the profile and some money for important aspects of our common life here in this part of Wiltshire.

It’s been one of those weekends where people have made a lasting impression on me.  No great surprise there, for it is people that makes my world a good place to be, and meeting new people, and sharing the good news with them is what gives me a buzz.

The first encounter was as we came to the end of the walk from Winchester to Salisbury on Friday.  I was propping up a fellow walker as we headed down from Winterslow into Salisbury.  A couple of weary walkers had just passed a lady with a small primary school girl in tow, and when we meandered down the lane, they stopped and asked where we were heading, “Salisbury!” we wheezed.  “Where have you come from?” “Winchester!” whistled through our dry lips.  “You’ve walked from Winchester to Salisbury all in one day?  That is really wonderful, well done!!! ” We were nearly completely done, but that kind comment, and the smile and wave from the little girl was all the encouragement we needed to carry on.

Yesterday, I had just washed the MGF and took it up the garage to replenish the fuel tanks.  As I was queueing to pay, a man came up to me and asked if I was the driver of the MG.  Expecting him to say someone had just run off with the wheels, or that I had taken the pump he was queuing for, I tentatively said, “Yes”.  “What a great condition she’s in,” he replied!  “Yes,” I said, “better than the owner today!”  “You’ve kept her in superb condition,” he carried on, “and it’s a wonderful sight to see some one’s pride and joy!”  “Thank you so much”, I finished, and walked back to the car, happy as a puppy with a new bone!

Today, I was at Milton Lilbourne, near Pewsey, as part of the pre-pilgrimage visits to parishes.  I’d preached at the parish communion, and was chatting to people after the service.  One couple introduced themselves, and I asked where they were from.  “Little Salisbury!” they replied.  “Ah, I said, I’m from Big Salisbury!” expecting them to say that the city is a small town sized settlement.  They then went on the explain that Little Salisbury is a hamlet not far from the church.  I’ve been racing around the lanes for about 12 years, and I had never noticed the small sign to Little Salisbury – there is always something new to learn!!

Another couple in church were clearly visually impaired, and they had the most wonderful carer, who carefully guided them around the church to receive communion etc.  I chatted afterwards, and  they live in a home where they receive assistance.  They proudly announced that they were due to be married later in the year, and I was so pleased to chat to them about how they care for one another, and how the carer makes sure they have as much independence as possible.  How wonderful to know that love is deep enough to exceed visual appearances, and that the love within this community build bridges and breaks down barriers.

Like Alan I have had a varied week or so but didn’t take any photos.

It began last Monday (19th) when I joined with the Whitton Team to welcome Simon Weedon  in Holy Cross church Ramsbury and then this Monday (26th) I joined St  James Trowbridge and St Leonard’s Keevil in welcoming Rob Thomas. Both churches looked wonderful in their different ways and offered a welcome to all who attended. The music and singing were good and the food afterwards was very tasty. The services in both were similar except in two details – in Trowbridge we also welcomed Rob’s wife as LLM and the Bishop stayed in the church.

Let me explain the second difference. In both sermons Bishop David asked if the congregations were willing to go outside the church into the community, however in Holy Cross he decided that people needed time to think and so left us for a short period of time and then came back to hear the answer. In both churches the answer was ‘Yes’ – I am positive that the people of Whitton Team will remember Simon’s licensing for several years to come.

Between these two events I went to Rushall church on Sunday, it is a small church set amongst fields. I arrived and parked the car in the nearby field was a flock of sheep and,as with the other churches, found a  church community which was warm and welcoming. When I went into the vestry I looked out on another field with sheep in it – very Thomas Hardy-ish.

It is one of the joys of my work that I go to some many of the churches in this area and I thank those who looked after me, I for one enjoyed the experiences.

Two different services of welcome, in two different churches, but the same warmth and commitment to serve Christ through his church.

On Tuesday evening the College of Canons met for a meeting, and then we gathered in the Cathedral for Evensong, with the admission of some new Non-residentiary Canons and Lay Canons.  I’ve known Salisbury Cathedral for over 30 years, and it never, ever, ceases to inspire, and draw me into it’s sole purpose; to praise Almighty God, in the stones, and glass and woodwork, as well as in song and music and prayer.  We robed, in full choir dress, we processed, the Canons made oaths, and were duly admitted and installed.  It was formal and dignified, and very proper, but we also smiled and sang, and savoured the collegiality and the commitment to serve together.

Wednesday evening, I was at St Michael’s Church, Bemerton Heath.  We gathered in this beautifully simple  building, built in 1957, to welcome and license the Rev Canon Dr Brian Meardon, as an Associate Priest to the parish.  Brian had retired to Salisbury and as often happens, God continues to call into new ministries – and Brian will be specifically an Evangelist with the ministry team in Bemerton.  Around thirty of us gathered in church, no robes, and simple choruses led us into worship.  I licensed Brian using the formal words, and then Simon gave a  reflection on the gifts of the Spirit.  We prayed over Brian and his wife Sue, and sang another chorus, and then enjoyed some tea and cake.

Two services of welcome – quite different, and yet the same – celebrating all that God does for us, and responding in serving him and the community, in any way that we can.