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15 T H M AY 2 0 1 6

JARS OF CLAY Vicar’s Blog

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One of the most helpful images found in St Paul’s writings comes in 2 Corinthians 4:7. Paul is saying that God’s radiant light shines within the darkness of our lives; a light found in the face of Christ. And then comes St Paul’s ‘but.’ ‘But we have this treasure in jars of clay.’ We get worn. We crack. We break. We leak. The world we live in, the lives we lead, make quite sure of that. But nevertheless, and isn’t nevertheless a profoundly good word for capturing something of the essence of Christian perseverance, nevertheless, treasure is found within us. Last week, the Sunday after the Feast of the Ascension, I spoke quite understandably on the Ascension of Christ; but then I went on to talk about perseverance and prayer. Now I like it when I get positive feedback from my brothers and sisters; ‘great word!’ ‘Nice sermon, vicar!’ Who doesn’t like a bit of

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encouragement? But last Sunday was a little different. What you all thanked me for, over and over again, and many of you even took the time to write, was not my attempts at eloquence, my copious references to scripture, or my slightly idolatrous worship of Leicester City. Go Foxes. What you liked was that I said that I had struggled, and am struggling. That the last 12 months had been tough because of my mother’s illness, that I often find large groups of people difficult and need to withdraw, and that sometimes, often even, I have no idea at all what to pray for my mother. The jar, has felt well cracked and leaky, but the treasure has still been there. And do you know what? You all get that; you really do. That’s what you said, over and over, with words of great compassion and empathy. Life

    A B B E Y D I A RY PENTECOST: Sunday May 15th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship &

Junior Church

THIS WEEK EACH DAY 9am Morning Prayer MON 16th 10am Little Stars WED 18th 10.30am Communion THUR 19th Music in Country

Churches set-up 7pm Choir Practice FRI 20th 7.30pm Nash Ensemble SAT 21st 11am Emma Kirkby 7.30pm English Chamber Orchestra

NEXT SUNDAY: May 22nd 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship &

Junior Church 6.30pm BCP Choral Evensong

(Saint Aldhelm)

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has thrown each of us different circumstances, and jars get worn and damaged. We often misread the New Testament with an unhelpful layer of individualism. St Paul does not say ‘I am a jar of clay,’ he says ‘we are jars of clay.’ And it is together that we carry an indescribable treasure to the world. And so to Pentecost, this Sunday. We don’t just celebrate an event in Jerusalem, although of course we do celebrate an event in Jerusalem. We rejoice together that our God is merciful, that he knows that we leak, and he replenishes us. ADVANCE DIARY

25th May 7.30pm Community of St Aldhelm launches 22nd June Music for Autism 24th June African Children’s Choir 27th June Lifepath begins

AC TS 2 : 1 -21 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs – we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!’ 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’ 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.’ 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: ‘Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Additional Reading: John 14:8-17

DISCIPLESHIP

D A I LY R E A D I N G S

Monday Psalm 126 Joshua 1 Luke 9:18-27

Tuesday Psalm 132 Joshua 2 Luke 9:28-36

Wednesday Ps 119:153-end Joshua 3 Luke 9:37-50

Thursday Psalm 143 Joshua 4:1-5:1 Luke 9:51-end

Friday Psalm 144 Joshua 5:2-end Luke 10:1-16

If you would like to give regularly to the mission and ministry of the Abbey as part of your discipleship, please e-mail [email protected]

R E G U L A R G I V I N G

1. Over a meal if possible, discuss together your experiences of worship together on Sunday and share what has particularly remained with you from our teaching. 2. The church was ‘together in one place.’ (Verse 1.) What are the communal spiritual disciplines that bring you together with others, and what one thing could you do to get better at that in the next six months? 3. Read Acts 2:14-21, paying particular attention to Peter quoting the Joel prophecy. (Joel 2:28-32). Which verses does Peter seem to be implying are being fulfilled in that moment; which verses less so? Do you see the Crucifixion or End Times in this passage? 4. ‘All people.’ ‘Signs on the earth below.’ What is the significance of these two short phrases for the church today? 5. The last word in our passage – ‘saved.’ Are you saved from something, or saved for something?

L E E B A R N E S M. I . C . C .

A F R I C A N C H O I R P R I N C E O F WA L E S

1 2 t h C E N T U R Y B E A U T Y 2 1 s t C E N T U R Y C H U R C H

At Pentecost, this Sunday 15th May at 4pm, our visiting speaker is the Revd Lee Barnes. Many will know Lee from his time here as Abbey curate. He is now the Vicar of St Stephen’s Bristol and Holy Trinity, Hotwells. Lee will be speaking on the Spirit-filled life. All are most welcome, from all our Abbey congregations, to come and hear Lee speak.

Tickets are still available for the concerts next weekend, brought to the Abbey by Music in Country Churches. Friday 20th at 7.30pm, The Nash Ensemble (£8-£28.) Saturday 21st at 11am, Emma Kirkby (£8). Saturday 21st at 7.30pm, The English Chamber Orchestra (£8-£40). Further details on the flyer. Tickets available on the door for the first two concerts, but best to buy the day before for the Saturday concert as it will sell out.

We would be delighted if you could consider hosting some of the African Children's Choir on Friday 24th June after the concert, until Saturday 25th June late in the morning. Eight homes are needed to host different groups of chaperones and children. If you can help out, please speak to Becky Saunders, or e-mail [email protected].

Malmesbury Abbey is delighted to be welcoming His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to the Music in Country Churches concert on the Saturday 21st May. (Now you see why we painted the railings!)

All are warmly invited to purchase a ticket for the concert, which raises funds for both the Abbey and Tytherton Kellaways Church, or simply to be outside the Abbey at 7.25pm to welcome the Prince as he arrives.

NOTICEBOARD

On Wednesday 25th May at 7.30pm, St Aldhelm’s Day, The Community of St Aldhelm launches for its first year, led by Catherine Price, the community’s Lay Prior. A pioneering event in the life of the Abbey and the Diocese of Bristol. The intention of the community is to allow, for those who feel it will be helpful spiritually, the ancient practice of a monastic rule of life, centred on prayer and community, to inform our day to day discipleship. Thoughtful discipline, not legalism. Three things to do if you’d like to explore this further:

• Contact Catherine Price to let her know what you’re thinking and to ask any questions. [email protected]

• Start considering what your personal Rule of Life might look like; see the next page.

• Join us for that simple service of Holy Communion & Dedication as the Community of St Aldhelm begins; led by Revd James Pettit, the official visitor to the Community.

C O M M U N I T Y O F S T A L D HE LM

A B B E Y G U I L D

C H R I S T I A N A I D W E E K

On Sunday 15th May we have a Christian Aid Week Service at the URC - 6:30pm. House to House collections will be taking place during the week. Finally we have the Market Cross Stall on Saturday May 21st when plants and produce will be available. If anyone is making a cake for the stall, please could they bring it along on the day. For more information on any of the Christian Aid week events during the week please contact Dick Gray.

A RULE OF LIFE

T H E C O M M U N I T Y O F S T A L D H E L M

Each member of the Community of St Aldhelm undertakes to draw up, in consultation with Catherine Price, our Lay Prior, a personal Rule of Life, giving practical application to the ideals set out below, as is appropriate for his or her unique circumstances over the next 12 months. The Common Rule Rule One: We commit to saying Anglican Morning Prayer each day, either in the Abbey at 9am, or at other times with others elsewhere, or alone. Rule Two: We commit to a second period of personal or shared prayer and Bible reading each day. Rule Three: We commit to prioritising Sunday worship, and to receive Communion if it is our custom to do so. Rule Four: We commit to meet regularly with other members of the community to eat together and share fellowship Rule Five: We commit to lives of holiness, kindness and simplicity, and to make ourselves accountable to others. Rule Six: We commit to serving God in mission with holy imagination. Rule Seven: We commit to a day of rest at least once a week, where possible. The Personal Rules Up to three personal rules can be added, and these might relate to spiritual reading, physical exercise, work, family life etc.