Fr Christopher Writes There are times when words cannot express what we feel and when that happens we can express ourselves though symbolic actions. After the terrible events in Paris on the 13th of November the shocked and traumatised people of Paris and indeed of France expressed their reactions by lighting votive candles. For Christians the lighting of candles has always been a very powerful symbol, we remember and truly live the words of Our Lord: "I am the Light of the World." In the lighting of candles we not only pray, but our prayers become smaller symbols of the One Light of Christ. In burning candles, our prayers rise up to Heaven day and night: indeed night is turned into day. Lighting a candle is not a prayer in itself but lit as a sign of our prayer it reminds us that when we pray we make a difference. Our prayers bring God’s love into what might be a very dark situation: lighting a candle is a very powerful symbol of that. We might be tempted to think that the smallness of our prayer is insignificant compared to what we might be praying for: but when we pray we have done something which affects our material and physical world, just as lighting a candle brings physical light and warmth
Transcript
Fr Christopher Writes
There are times when words cannot express what we feel
and when that happens we can express ourselves though
symbolic actions. After the terrible events in Paris on the
13th of November the shocked and traumatised people of
Paris and indeed of France expressed their reactions by
lighting votive candles.
For Christians the lighting of candles has always been
a very powerful symbol, we remember and truly live the
words of Our Lord: "I am the Light of the World."
In the lighting of candles we not only pray, but our prayers become
smaller symbols of the One Light of Christ. In burning candles, our
prayers rise up to Heaven day and night: indeed night is turned into day.
Lighting a candle is not a prayer in itself but lit as a sign of our prayer it
reminds us that when we pray we
make a difference. Our prayers
bring God’s love into what might
be a very dark situation: lighting
a candle is a very powerful symbol
of that.
We might be tempted to think that
the smallness of our prayer is
insignificant compared to what we
might be praying for: but when we
pray we have done something
which affects our material and
physical world, just as lighting a
candle brings physical light and
warmth
2
We pray for a moment or two, but however long or short our prayer, the
candle will remain alight for much longer. Our prayers to God depend
not on the intensity of our intentions and thoughts but on the love of
God which is eternal. Our brief moments of prayer resonate in his heart
for ever.
On Sundays it is always a joy to see so many flames burning on the
votive stand, another sign that singly our prayers may seem small and
weak, but added together they make a mighty blaze.
Lighting a candle is a symbol which transcends language and indeed
faith, it expresses our unity and hope for a wold of light rather than
darkness.
The candle in church for the people of France will remain until it is
completely burnt out. It might take some time, but as such it will be
a reminder of prayers and our need to pray for those whose lives will
never be the same again.
Below are some words which are to be found near a votive stand in
Salisbury Cathedral
Ligh�ng a candle is a prayer:
when we have gone, it stays alight, Kindling in the hearts and minds Of others the prayers we have
Already offered for them
And for others, for the sad,
And the sick,
And the suffering,
And prayers of thankfulness too.
Ligh�ng a candle is a parable:
Burning itself out,
It gives light to others.
Christ gave himself for others.
He calls us to give ourselves.
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Ligh�ng a candle is a symbol:
Of love and hope,
Of light and warmth.
Our world needs them all.
Lord Jesus Christ,
For the salva�on of the world you went up to the cross
To give light to the world which was in darkness;
Shed that light on us, we pray,
that we may come to your eternal light,
And, through the merits of your passion,
Enjoy life with you in heaven,
For you are alive and reigning now and for ever.
Amen.
INTERCESSIONS
For over a year now members of the congregation have been doing the
Intercessional Prayers every other week during the Communion Service.
Many of the congregation have said that they find them stimulating and
they enjoy the way each person brings a personal touch to the prayers.
We have 7 people who do this at the moment, together with the choir
who perform 2 beautiful pieces for us, allowing us the time to lift our
own prayers to our Heavenly Father.
If you would like to join us in presenting your prayers, either on your
own or as a group, please talk to Maureen West or Carol Moore.
You need not worry about using the microphone, as Father Christopher
will show you how to use it and let you experiment with the sound
system, before you have to do a Sunday service. This takes a maximum
of 30 minutes, just to test it and see where best to stand etc.
Please give your prayers for the people currently doing the Intercessions
and consider whether you could join us.
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FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS
Holy Communion
“Remember the Lord’s Day to keep it holy.”
At Church At Home
October 367 4
Holy Baptism
“We therefore welcome you into the Lord’s family”
Nov 1st Henry Michael Palmer
Elizabeth Jane Palmer
Nov 8th Millie Rose Adams
Holy Matrimony
“May they live together in love and joy.”
Oct 24th Thomas Ian Webb & Jennifer Joanne Picozzi
Christian Funeral
“May they rest in Peace.””””
Oct 15th Dorothy Winifred Porch
Oct 29th Teresa Daisy Smith
CHRISTMAS CARDS
During December there will be a table at the back of Church to leave
your cards and collect any left for you.
Thank you
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November Meeting
Once again, many Christmas Tables are going to be splendidly adorned
this year, thanks to the ladies of the Mothers Union. At our meeting in
the Hall, it was a hive of Industry - Blood, Sweat and Tears!!
Thanks to Jenny Barnett (and Tony) guiding us all during the session,
some very elegant displays were produced, much to everyone's
amazement.
We were rewarded for our hard work with cups of tea, mince pies and
chocolate cookies, much enjoyed by all.
Jenny and Tony were warmly thanked for providing us with such an
enjoyable afternoon and all their help and guidance. Sally also for the
delicacies she provided.
Members were reminded of the Advent Service to be held here in St
Johns Church on 2nd December at 2pm. Gifts for the Women’s Refuge
will be collected, followed by tea in the Church Hall. Visitors will be
most welcome to join us.
8th December - Coffee & Cake, at the Old Deanery, Wells at 11am
FRIDAY 11th
December -
Christmas Lunch
in the Church
Hall,
12:30 for 1pm.
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Can You Help
I have recently been asked, if the Church has a 'car rota' for people who
would be grateful for a lift to and from church on occasions? I realise
that there are a number of people who already provide lifts but wondered
if there are any car drivers who would be prepared to go on a rota for
other members of our congregation who may request a lift?
I am happy to initiate the drawing up of a rota but would expect the
system to run itself, as I am not able to do so.
Thank you for your consideration.
Events at Midsomer Norton Library in December
Regular FREE events for younger children:
Baby Bounce and Rhyme for under 3’s: Sing along nursery rhymes. Wednesday 2
nd December 10.30-11am.
Baby Bounce and Rhyme Christmas Special Wednesday 16
th December 10.30-11am
Children’s story time: fun stories and crafts for under 5’s. Mondays 11-11.30 am (except Bank Holiday 28
th)
PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE or CALL IN FOR INFORMATION ON OTHER CHILDRENS EVENTS
After Hours Events for adults:
Mendip Storytelling Circle - Warming stories for cold nights -
Thursday 17th December 7-8.30pm. FREE No need to book
Poetry Liaisons and our Joined-Up Writers Group both take a break in December and return in the new year
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LADIES GROUP
Yet again the AGM went smoothly. All officers
were willing to continue in post and were re-
elected en bloc. The accounts were approved.
The provisional programme for 2016 was circulated. The committee have
proposed that, as we have not dined out for a number of years, we do so in
2016. This suggestion was accepted.
When the business meeting finished, we swapped favourite recipes. Pat
Daniels demonstrated hers, after which we all had tasters. One member
took a different angle on the recipe idea which she read out. The group
decided it should be shared. Here it is:
Recipe For A Happy Marriage 4 cups of Love
2 cups of Loyalty
Dash of Faith
3 cups of Kindness
4 cups of Understanding
1 cup of Friendship
5 Spoonful's of Hope
1 Barrel of Laughter
Pinch of Forgiveness (no substitutions)
Dash of Thoughtfulness (not optional)
Take love and loyalty and mix thoroughly with faith
Blend in kindness and understanding, add friendship and hope.
Sprinkle abundantly with laughter. Garnish with forgiveness and
Thoughtfulness.
Bake with sunshine.
Serve daily with generous helpings.
Our next meeting is the Christmas Social to be held at Sally’s on 10th De-
cember. If you were not at the AGM and intend to come to the Social,
please contact Ann or Sally for suggestions as to what you can contribute
food-wise for the evening.
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Local Churches Men’s Breakfast Group
Saturday 12th December 2015
this month is at
St John’s Church, Chilcompton
Help-yourself Breakfast from 8.00am
Start – 8.30am, Finish about 9.30am
Dr Andrew Steele Area Representative for MAF
Talks about the work of the
Missionary Aviation Fellowship
A new series of free coffee concerts begins at Wesley Methodist Hall, Paulton, on Saturday, 9th January, at 10.45-11.30am, with 'The Twentieth Century Clarinet', a recital by Neil Moore (clarinet) and Jacquelyn Bevan (piano). Concerts continue on the second Saturday of each month, the next two dates being 13th February (Palm Court Trio) and 12th March (violin & piano). Tea, coffee and cakes on sale. Donations for the concert welcomed. Details at www.musicianssouthwest.com
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A MEDITATION FOR CHRISTMAS
“Silent night, holy night” we sing in favourite carol, yet Bethlehem was
probably not at all silent. The town was more likely in turmoil because of
Caesar’s decree that all the world should be counted. No doubt, as always,
the cloud had a silver lining, the stress of travel being balanced by old
friendships being renewed and new friendships made in the hustle and bustle
of make-shi3 quarters which others than simply the Holy Family had to put
up with.
The carol, though, refers us to the silence which does lie at the heart of
Christmas. For in all the noise and excitement our God enters our world in a
new and wonderful way as Emmanuel, God with us, God made flesh. You
might imagine that the world would shake and tremor at such a wonder, but
God enters quietly and almost unno�ced into our world, in an out of the way
corner in that busy town.
Elijah wished to hear God speak so God hid him in a cave on a mountain top.
The mountain was shaken by earthquakes, the sky was rent by lightening and
the wind howled around the mountain peak: but God was not in any of this.
Then when the earth had ceased to tremor, the sky no longer sparked and
the wind had faded away, Elijah heard the voice of God, quite than the sound
of silence.
The sound of silence is so easily missed among the noise and bustle of life.
Small wonder that the sound of silence was not heard in Bethlehem amid all
the excitement. No wonder though that it was heard by the shepherds who
were out in the silent hours of the night keeping their lonely vigil, their ears
straining to catch the sound of foxes or other animals on the prowl and who
might threaten their sheep. They heard not the bark of a fox but the flu9er-
ing beat of angel wings.
No wonder the wise men saw the word writ large in a splendid star, for they
had spent many a silent night pursuing their quiet studies, which demanded
calm and s�llness and concentra�on.
Wonderful for us if we follow their example and look for the word of love
made flesh for us now and not just in the quiet forms of bread and wine but
wherever one serves another in love.
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Christmas Charity Giving at St Johns
Over the last few seasons we have used the Green Jars to collect Small
Change during Advent and it has been decided to continue that tradition
this year. All funds collected this way will go to:-
Friends of Young Carers This is a local Charity with its headquarters in Bath. I have taken these
details from the website and if you would like more details please visit
their website.
What young carers say about how caring affects them:
"I care for my mum who uses a wheelchair. Sometimes I stay off school
to look after her and take my brother to school."
"I don’t go out with friends much because it means leaving mum on her
own in the house."
"Sometimes I feel lonely, that I am the only one and nobody understands."
"I give my mum her tea and tablets in the morning. I get upset when she
is sad and don’t want to leave her."
"Everyone in my class is going away on a trip for the weekend with
school. I can’t go because I need to stay with my dad."
There are currently over 400 young carers registered with the Young
Carers Service in this area.
So can I ask you all to support this Charity during Advent in the very
generous way you have before and to pray for the charity and the work
