Beacon Villages
Under Cosdon Beacon Dartmoor Devon UK
 Benefice of South Tawton with Belstone Services February 2006
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Crown Him With Many Crowns |
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JUNIOR CHURCH South Zeal Methodist School Room Junior Church meets on the 2nd and 3rd Sunday of every month in term time. From 9:30 am to 10:30 am Phone: Elspeth 01837 82220 or Michael 01837 849048 |
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All WelcomeStories- Music- Drama- Fun |
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Tues 7th 7.30pm Bible Study Rectory Tues 28th 7.30pm Bible Study Rectory Sat 4th Mar 10am-4pm Quiet Day for Lent Church House Tuesdays 7pm Short led meditation in St Mary's South Zeal in Lent |
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FROM THE REGISTERSHoly Baptism - Thomas Edmund Higton |
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Rectory Ramblings February 2006 Chester the labrador and I. sometimes on our daily walk, cross the bridge that spans the A30 just outside of South Tawton. There are times when I am amazed by the volume of traffic, always I am surprised by the speed at which some drivers feel it is safe to travel. As a boy the Clifton Suspension Bridge, designed by the great Isambard Kingdom-Brunel, was often my route from home into Bristol. Not having a scientific or mechanical mind I remain in awe of such marvels of design and construction. Bridges of course vary, some stretching for great distances built of steel and concrete, others made of rope spanning narrow gorges, swaying with each step made by a traveler. Some bridges are made to last and under constant repair and maintenance, others may be temporary, placed in a certain position, for a particular time and function, before being dismantled and used elsewhere. Bridges span a space between places; they help us make a journey; they are sometimes threatening. There was much spoken of the bridge to the Isle of Skye and the possibility that it would destroy the island's romantic individuality and affect the area's natural beauty. Building bridges has become a phrase in modern language and often refers to 'the building up of human relationships and the possible repair of broken ones at individual, community, and sometimes international levels. Bridges built between people need firm foundations of communication which can often include the language of apology, where hurts have previously been inflicted, and words of affirmation that build up rather than criticise others. Building such bridges is never easy for it calls for humility and the self- awareness to recognise where we have been the cause of hurt and breakdown. God in Jesus is the supreme bridge builder. In becoming a human being, God reaches out to all of us and spans the gap between the human and the divine. God's bridge to us is constructed with concern and love and the wish to be in relationship, and his bridge-building shows us how much we are valued and treasured. Bridge-building is a risky business and stepping onto the bridge may call for determination and courage but it can be argued that it is better to take a chance than always to stare into the chasm of what might have been. Michael Quote of the month - 'People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges. ' JF Newton POSTSCRIPT We would like to emphasis that the entrance to the Rectory at South Tawton is extremely dangerous and anyone visiting should exercise extreme care. If parking, please do so well away from the dangerous corner. We are continuing with our application to the appropriate authorities to make the entrance safe, not only for ourselves but for visitors. Michael and Rosaleen |
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