Life at St. James-the-Least The Rectory

St. James the Least

My dear Nephew Darren,
Since your church is a former cinema, I suspect that were the floor to be removed, cigarette ash, sweet wrappings and tickets for the last Charlie Chaplin film would be revealed.

Our marble flooring in the chancel was raised last week to try and find the rat that had died on an underfloor heating pipe. It made its presence so un-ignorable last Winter that it gave me the excuse to use incense.

But we have made an exciting discovery: the long lost crypt containing the tombs of the Lords Stavely, who flourished in this area until a little domestic disagreement with Henry II made the family realise that life in Italy might be pleasanter if they wished to retain their heads.

The stone from their manor house soon became our lady chapel; an example of re-cycling as a euphemism for theft. Inevitably, as soon as we had made the discovery, rumours of vast treasure flew round the parish.

Long before anyone had descended into it, the treasurer had the fortune earmarked for re-wiring the church, the organist decided it should be spent on enlarging the organ, and Mrs. Millington had decided it should keep the flower arrangers in chicken wire until the next millennium-but-one. I confess that even I toyed with the idea of a conservatory with discreet drinks cabinet at the rectory.

Sadly, it was not to be. Our 'treasure' consisted of rows of coffins in various stages of decay, enough bat droppings to keep our Verger's vegetable patch enriched for the coming year and long-lost peppermints dropped by generations of choristers sitting above, as they munched their way through the sermons.

Later, that evening, when the workmen had left, I decided to have one last look. Taking a torch, I descended the stone steps, but lost my footing. The now-broken torch went one way and I another. After floundering round in total darkness and unable to find the stairs to get out, I resigned myself to an uncomfortable night in the crypt until daybreak.

In the early hours, I heard steps on the same stairs and in their torchlight, saw it was someone who must have heard the rumours of treasure and decided to liberate some of it. He, too, tripped, fell and lost his torch and in the total darkness I heard him fumbling about at the other end of the crypt among the coffins.

Intending to be helpful, I shouted out that I'd been trying to get out of here myself for a long time and had never made it, so he may as well give up. But do you know, he found his way out in no time.
Your loving uncle,
Eustace

We are all called

to raise funds to cover the outstanding
work being done in the restoration

of our church of St. John
and ask you to pray every day

as we all work to raise 100,000€

The Prayer of a Fund-Raiser
Heavenly Father,
You are the giver of every perfect gift,

Lord of the universe characterized by
abundance and not scarcity. Help us to see that small beginnings can lead to
surprising results,

what seems like tiny advances

can be stepping stones to great
achievements.
Grant us the capacity to do all our fundraising

as we would all other aspects of the
life that reflects Christ.
Grant us insight to see all donors

as image bearers who have the privilege of
knowing that through their giving

your name will be glorified and people can come
and worship anew in the beauty of this church.
Grant us grace to do our work

with diligence all the while

recognizing that your work is

not dependent on our efforts.
Grant us the vision to allow gift,

grace and gratitude bring us joy in your service.
Grant us faith to see that

the benefit to the donor

and the strengthening of your body
are the foundation of our activities.
Grant us the courage

to be prayerfully attentive to

your work having the conviction
that fundraising is not an end in itself

but an outcome of a life immersed in

your word and teaching.
You sent us the indescribable gift of

your son Jesus Christ to become

poor and walk among us.
We thank you for your guidance

in this new initiative and for the freedom and
privilege to be returning to worship your Son

in our church of St. John.

Have you tried Britain's olive oil?

Do you get hay fever? Then those yellow fields of rapeseed that illuminate the
English countryside each summer may seem a real nuisance. But if you like olive oil, here is some good news; you may at least enjoy the oil that comes from rapeseed. Cold-pressed, rapeseed oil has a grassy 'green' taste. It contains Omegas 3, 6 and 9,
essential fatty acids that reduce cholesterol, keep your heart healthy, your joints moving, and your brain functioning. Rapeseed oil is rich in vitamin E and high in mono-unsaturated fats. It has about half the saturated fat found in olive oil.
Rapeseed oil is one of the very few unblended oils which can be heated to deep-
frying temperatures without spoiling its antioxidants, colour and flavour. It is good for roasting and for use as a table condiment for dipping bread.

The Mission to Seafarers

In towns and cities around the world, men and women seafarers are saying goodbye to their families as they embark on year-long contracts at sea. In ports around the world, seafarers and stevedores conduct the daily rhythm of loading ships bound for far-off lands. In churches around the world, people are gathering to thank God for the important work that seafarers do in order for us to live our everyday lives.
It is too easy to forget the seafarers who bring us so much. We rely on them for our food, our clothes, our petrol and our cars. The shipping industry has changed considerably over the years but the problems seafarers face continue. Seafarers still lose their lives in shipping accidents, suffer the abuse of non-payment of wages and piracy is still a major problem. That is why the support of The Mission to Seafarers can make all the difference to their lives and working environments.
As an international mission agency of the Anglican Church, The Mission to
Seafarers reaches out to the 1.5 million seafarers that man the merchant fleet with a message of love and hope in a harsh and often inhospitable environment.
We are there to support seafarers when they need us most. We work in over 200
ports caring for seafarers of all ranks, nationalities and beliefs. Through our global network of Chaplains, Staff and Volunteers we offer practical, emotional and spiritual support. In our centres, which are inviting places in the middle of dull, featureless docksides, seafarers can make the most of their limited time ashore by replenishing essential items from our shops, celebrating Communion and fellowship in our chapels and, crucially, they can use our telephones and computers to keep in touch with their loved ones thousands of miles away. Please pray for the work of The Mission to Seafarers as it engages with seafarers in ports around the world.

Sea Sunday is on 14 July
For more information visit www.missiontoseafarers.org

Bishop Robert's Message

2019 European Parliament Elections On 3rd June Bishop Robert wrote to Rt. Hon. David Lidington CBE MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, UK Cabinet Minister with overall responsibility for constitutional affairs.
Bishop Robert wrote of his concern of how over 3 million EU citizens are being treated and represented, particularly in the context of Brexit. He states two areas where significant complaints are being raised in his Diocese:-
1. Denial of ability to vote in the UK
2. Postal ballots not arriving in time.
Read Bishop Robert's full letter on the Diocesan website: HERE

O Holy Spirit, whose presence is liberty, grant us that freedom of the spirit,
which will not fear to tread in unknown ways,
not be held back by misgivings of ourselves and fear of others. Ever beckon us forward to the place of your will
which is also the place of your power, O ever-leading, ever-loving

A few observations from The Beacon .......

Cereal just as good as any sport drink...

Next time you return from the gym or a long run or whatever, reach for the
wholegrain cereal and some skimmed milk. They are just as good for you after
strenuous exercise as are the far more expensive sports drinks you can buy.
Researchers at the University of Texas have found that wheat flakes and skimmed milk do just as good a job at rehydrating and re-energising the muscles. Cereal and milk are also equally good at replenishing your blood sugar and insulin levels, and even better at protein production. The milk helped reduce lactic acid levels in the blood – these cause stiffness after exercise.

Let us pray together through May...

Every day we give thanks for the church building of St. John and pray for its complete restoration
Heavenly Father,
We pray / give thanks for:-
1. Give thanks for the fun of holidays and the chance to relax
2. for all those who work in the leisure industry at this busy time of year
3. give thanks for those who work in the public transport system, their service to all
4. for safety while travelling and our respect for others
5. those who are running activities for children during the school holidays
6. your immediate neighbours – their wellbeing
7. 'I will praise you Lord with my whole heart'
8. those who cannot go on holiday
9. those who work as volunteers in charity organisations
10. the beaches, parks and outdoor spaces – so welcome at this time of year
11. for HM government, God's wisdom in their decisions at this difficult time
12. for those who work as vets
13. for patience in hot weather
14. 'You will listen, O Lord, to the prayers of the lowly'
15. Lord, be with all who are trying to raise funds for St. John's restoration project
16. give thanks for the gift of laughter in our lives
17. for the British Association
18. give thanks for the gift of friends
19 for those who care for loved ones confined to their homes through ill health
20. for refugees; for children at risk of exploitation
21. 'The Lord is in his holy temple, He has his throne in heaven'
22. for those suffering fear for the present, fear for the future
23. for the Prayer Circle
24. for young people – their hopes and plans
25. for all who work to bring justice and an end to poverty
26. those who find it hard to pray
27. give thanks for the week-end; a time to rest from work
28. 'the promises of the Lord can be trusted'
29. for our churchwardens, our church council, their dedication on our behalf
30. our locums, and all who prepare and lead our services
31. give thanks for all God's blessings

Lord, thank you for talking to us in our prayers
may we listen and act.
amen