United Benefice of South Tawton and Belstone

Sunday October 1st Trinity 16                  
8.30am        Holy Communion (Modern) South Zeal
9.30am        Family Communion Belstone
11.00am      Harvest Festival Victory Hall South Zeal Archdeacon of Totnes
11.00am      Harvest Lunch

Sunday October 8th Trinity 17                 
8.30am        Holy Communion (1662) Sticklepath
9.30am        Parish Communion South Tawton
11.15am      Parish Communion Belstone

Sunday October 15th Trinity 18      
8.30am        Holy Communion (1662) South Zeal
10.00am      Benefice Communion South Tawton Dean of Exeter
6.30pm        Taize Service South Zeal

Sunday October 22nd Trinity 19      
8.30am        Holy Communion (modern) Sticklepath
9.30am        Parish Communion South Tawton
11.15am      Parish Communion Belstone
6.30pm        Meditation and prayers for healing Sticklepath

Sunday October 29th Last after Trinity
8.30am        Holy Communion (Modern) South Zeal
9.30am        Family Communion Belstone

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Wednesday 4th October 2pm Bible Study - Rectory

Wednesday 18th October 2pm Bible Study - Rectory

Monday 30th October 7pm
Come and meet our Bishop of Plymouth, The Rt Rev John Ford. Open to everyone interested to learn more of what is happening in our Deanery of Okehampton.
Octogen Theatre, Okehampton

Thursday 16th November Deanery Confirmation
Interested in being confirmed - contact Michael on 849048

RECTORY RAMBLINGS

An elderly priest told me of a visit he made to a couple he had never met. The wife was charming, the husband curt and off hand. The man offered the priest a drink and 'told' the wife to fetch one. There was a lot of opening and closing of cupboards in the next room and then the sound of the front door opening and closing. For twenty minutes the priest attempted to make conversation, relieved somewhat by the sound of the front door opening and closing again. The door to the room opened to reveal the rather out of breath wife carrying a tray upon which every conceivable bottle of spirits had been set. She stepped forward, tripped over the rug and all the aforementioned bottles crashed to the floor many of them breaking. As a row developed between the couple the priest quietly absented himself. He later met the wife some weeks later in the street, they both burst into laughter.

Sometimes we find ourselves unprepared and we have to think and act quickly to rectify a situation. Sometimes we face the consequences of actions that remain with us for ever. After nearly being run down yet again on the blind corner near the Rectory and being a motorist myself, I wonder if I could ever come to terms with being responsible for injury or death if I was even one mile over the speed limit. Would I be prepared for the consequences? We all make choices; I sometimes wonder if we prepare ourselves for the results?

Recently we have closed the Junior Church in the Benefice due to the lack of interest. We are disappointed, that is the consequences of attempting something, and while not failing, at least realizing that energies should be used in a different way or direction.

We wish to be prepared for young people who attend church to be welcomed and catered for and we hope to set up a children's area in St Andrew's. Toys and books are being supplied. We need a table that can be used or adapted for use, by toddlers and the young. If anyone feels they have such an item that we can have please ring me on 849 048. Children should feel welcome, they are the church, not of tomorrow, but of today, and at St Andrew's we are trying to be prepared. I hope someone will help.

Michael

Quote for the month

You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair - Chinese proverb