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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.

Today my sermon was on Martha and Mary, the fact that they create a whole – doing and being – which we as disciples ought to consider. There is a place for both types of activity and we ought to find the right balance which may well be different for each of us and, unlike Martha, we ought not to complain when others don’t seem to be pulling their weight.

On the way home it occurred to me that I ought to practice what I preach – I need to find the time to be and do – so I start this blog entry with an apology to Alan who has certainly been Martha and I have been Mary, he has very generously not reminded me that it has been a long time since I blogged.

I did think of doing it when we were on Pilgrimage in the Pewsey Team but I couldn’t get on line where I was staying and I didn’t think of other ways I could do it. Then I thought that I would do a retrospect blog but time went by. Then there was my retreat (brilliant with woodpecker and rabbit joining me on various occasions) and the ordinations in the Cathedral where I had the privilege of laying my hands on two people (thank you Ann and Jenny). Again time went by and it seemed to late to do anything. So this blog is also a big thank you to all those who have cared for me, invited me to events, been with me in various meetings and have been generous hosts.

During  the coming week I will blogging most of  my morning thoughts for BBC Radio, the idea came from driving around this wonderful countryside in which we live. I hope to continue to find the time to be and contribute to the blog as part of that being time.

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.

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.

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!

Time is flying by in the Pewsey Deanery Pilgrimage – Unite FC.  Since we last blogged, the team has been out and about and I’m able to blog the events I have attended, and it has encompassed the whole of life’s journey.

Tuesday morning we gathered in St John the Baptist, Pewsey for breakfast and morning prayer, and then I headed out solo to Collingbourne Ducis Primary School.  The buildings are relatively new there, and it was lovely to see the children learning in a very spacious and well planned environment.  I visited classes, and met teachers, and saw a wonderful presentation on pilgrimage by the school, who have produced art panels showing the Christian pilgrimage through life.  A buffet lunch with Governors and staff completed my visit.  Check out the school for yourselves at: http://wiltshire.schooljotter.com/collingbourne

I then had to hotfoot it to Great Bedwyn, to join Bishop Stephen and Rachel at the Primary school for a special collective worship and blessing of the school’s sensory quiet garden.  Again the buildings were relatively modern, and the children very excited about the prospects of the Bishop amongst their number.  +Stephen spoke about being able to know when we were pointing in the right direction, and that we often need friends to help us turn around and travel in the right direction.  The school sang two hymns really well, and read some excellent poetry.  Another site for you to explore: http://www.greatbedwyn.ik.org/

Rachel and I then left the Bishop to bless the garden, and we headed south to Burbage where we joined the staff and residents of Seymour Court, an assisted living accommodation for older people.  They were relaxing after lunch, and we joined them for a cup of tea and biscuit, and found the conversations easy and fun.  Rachel in particular had a belly aching time of laughter and we were privileged and inspired to hear their stories, and chat about their life achievements.

Then the weather closed in and the rain came down, and we heard that the planned motorcycle ride to Poole Quay has been postponed – and my photo opportunity to sit astride a Triumph Sprint will have to wait!

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.

Trinity Sunday found me back in the parishes where I’ve been enjoying a parish pastoral visit.  Today was the turn at St Francis’ Church, on Castle Road.  It was a real mixed bag, eye opener, and privilege to be able to spend the morning there.

At 0800, we had a traditional Prayer Book Communion service, which was led by a retired priest.  Mike took such care over the whole service, and offered a helpful reflection after the Gospel.  Small number in the congregation, but very much appreciated by all.

At 0930, we had Morning prayer.  Here we had a robed choir and organ accompaniment, and a Daily Prayer style of liturgy.  An innovation was a set of responses and tones for the psalms which had been written by a former organist and a Franciscan brother.  They were very good, and the congregation and choir belted out the hymns and psalms.  I did notice that the reasonably sized congreation was very much older and female in composition, probably down to widowhood or non-church attending men. I preached a sermon on the Trinity, suggesting that community and living in the presence of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit would bring the church as a credible and sought out place to be in today’s society.  More coffee!

At 1100, we had an informal worship, with a baptism.  The service was led by Paul, the Vicar, and accompanied by the music group that I met at the Awakenings! event blogged previously.  This service was much more in the style of worship songs, informal prayer, and full of families.  It was well taken by Paul, and he has a great style for interviewing guests [me!] and inviting people to participate.  We had a moving and inspiring testimony from a young man.  The sermon slot was me again, but I must admit that getting into the notes, I felt that the delivery needed to be much more focused on those actually here in church – so I abandoned the notes and tried to engage the congregation more appropriately.  Not sure what I did achieve!!  Then more coffee, and some great conversations with the congregation, who contained some potential ordinands, and some who have started training.

The pastoral visit events will go on, but do check out their website [http://www.st-francischurch.org.uk/] to see events such as the Picnic in the Park [3 July] Rockey’s Plaice Holiday club [24-27 August] and many other great events.  I’m looking forward to toddler worship next on my visit programme.  Thanks to you all.

Today saw Anita and I out at the delightful parish church of St Lawrence at Stratford sub Castle, where I was to preach and preside at the Parish Communion.  I was greeted by the equally delightful Gale, the curate, suitably wearing a Pentecost red clerical shirt [no I'm not that fashionable!]  It was a good service, even though I say so myself!  Beautiful weather, a comfortable number of worshippers, and the sermon seemed to hit the right note for many of the flock. 

What really came home to me during the service, was the sight of people’s hands.  At the Altar rail, I was struck by the careful way people held open their hands to receive the sacrament; and hands old and new, worn and ready for work, tanned and playful, 50 year old wedding band hands, and engagement ring hands shiny and bright - all open and expectant, and receiving the bread of life.  A powerful image, and I trust that people felt empowered by word and sacrament to put their hands to work, and their hearts set to love their neighbours and friends enough to share the good news that Jesus is alive, and his spirit is moving within us and through us, changing the world.

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.