====== News & Views June 2008 ====== ==== NEW RECTORY ==== After nearly three and a half years, and an agonizing wait these last four months, we hope to be able to move into the New Rectory on the 19th and 20th June – fingers crossed and lots of prayers being said!! The new address is: Cornash Rectory Lambrook Road Shepton Beauchamp TA19 0LP I hope that ‘phone numbers and E’mails will remain the same. As of this move has been delayed from mid April, I will have to move whilst continuing to work; this clearly will lead to some difficulties, as I will probably not have an office space and ‘phone connection may not happen smoothly!!! So I would ask you all to be patient and if you experience any difficulties, please contact the Church Wardens. ==== NUMBER STEADY OR ON THE INCREASE ==== You might have read in the papers recently that there is a report that states that the Christian Churches in Britain will be virtually extinct by 2050; what a load of rubbish! All Christian denominations have reported a decline in their own numbers for several years, but recently they have all reported an increase. If they were so critical of themselves in the past I think it is reasonable to believe them when they report this good news. In our Eight Parishes, I have just completed the annual “census” and I can tell you that none of our churches has seen a decline in numbers this past year – and half of them have seen an increase. If you care to check the service registers, you will see that in most parishes, attendance is better now than it was forty years ago! ==== WONDERFUL NEWS ==== The fund-raising season has got off to a brilliant start, with events at Barrington School May Fayre, Kingstone Church Fete and Dowlish Wake Plant Sale. There were lots of new ideas and all sorts of people from the villages mucked in together to make them work. The weather was fine (that always helps!!), they were all very well attended and the atmosphere was so friendly, happy and neighbourly, it was a real reminder of how great village life can be. Oh, and I nearly forgot, the “fund” raising was successful as well!! **Fr Geoff** ==== CONFIRMATION ==== At Baptism, our parents and god-parents made promises – on our behalf - about bringing us up with some knowledge of the Christian Faith. From the age of about 11years old, individuals can decide to make those promises for themselves; this is called Confirmation. This decision is about accepting the love of Christ in our lives, and taking upon ourselves the journey of life that Jesus invites us on, to explore, discover and grow in his love for us and for our world. Once Confirmed, individuals may receive Communion for the rest of their lives. Anyone is interested in being Confirmed on 28th September, (and in taking part in the four, forty minute study groups leading up to it) please contact the vicar or use the contact box below. {{contact>to=ian|subj=Confirmation}} ==== From the Church Registers ==== 09th April: Evelyn Clarke, ashes interred at Shepton Beauchamp 17th May: Paul Freeman and Sarah Rowswell, joined in Holy Matrimony at Shepton Beauchamp ==== True Story ==== His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. 'I want to repay you,' said the nobleman. 'You saved my son's life.' 'No, I can't accept payment for what I did,' the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel. 'Is that your son?' the nobleman asked. 'Yes,' the farmer replied proudly. 'I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.' And that he did. Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill. Someone once said: What goes around comes around. ====Marriage and Relationships==== (written by children) **IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED ?** It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. -- Anita, age 9 (bless you child) **HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?** There would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there? -- Kelvin, age 8 (I like this kid) **HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?** Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck. -- Ricky, age 10 (He'll be married forever) ====Maybe ….. (sent in by Rob Allen) ==== **Maybe . .** You should do something nice for someone every single day, even if it is simply to leave them alone. **Maybe . .** Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back. Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart; but, if it doesn't, be content that it grew in yours. **Maybe . . .** Happiness waits for all those who cry, all those who hurt, all those who have searched, and all those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of all the people who have touched their lives. **Maybe . . .** You shouldn't go for looks; they can deceive; don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile. **Maybe . .** You should hope for enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enough hope to make you happy **Maybe . . .** You should try to live your life to the fullest because when you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling but when you die, you can be the one who is smiling and everyone around you crying.