News

Message from Revd Sarah du Boulay

Dear Friends, 

As I continue to settle into the vicarage, I am constantly realising that I haven’t yet found certain items from the move. Things which are clearly not everyday, necessary items, but ones which nevertheless are important at a particular time and for a particular job. I wondered whether there is a deep theological application for this, and if there are some aspects of our faith which we need as daily disciplines to feed and nourish us, and others which are more of an occasional act of worship? 

Then I decided I was overthinking things and went back to searching for my milk jug. 

This week I am at Aldringham, and next at Knodishall in the morning, before leading Evening Prayer at Aldeburgh in the evening. Do let me know what aspects of worship you find most helpful – I’d be very interested.

With continued prayers,

Sarah

 

Collect
Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,
that in their vocation and ministry
they may serve you in holiness and truth
to the glory of your name;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading
Genesis 18.1-10a
The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, ‘My lord, if I find favour with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.’ So they said, ‘Do as you have said.’ And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, ‘Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.’ Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said to him, ‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ And he said, ‘There, in the tent.’ Then one said, ‘I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him.

Second Reading
Colossians 1.15-28
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Gospel Reading
Luke 10.38-end
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’

Sermon preached by The Revd Johanna Mabey at
Aldringham 3^rd July 2022

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.

When you travel, what sort of packer are you?

I’m a methodical, neat sort of packer – and I start the packing process at least a week before any trip – and I must confess, I find it very hard to travel light.

I lay everything out, and check outfits and shoes co-ordinate and that all items are interchangeable – I have something for every weather eventuality – you never know when it might rain or turn chilly – I pack and un-pack and then re-pack – I decant my favourite shampoo and toiletries into little travel bottles, I make sure I have every possible ointment, sunscreen and medicine that might be required, the whole process takes ages – and when I used to have to do the same for my three children when they were little, I often got to a point when I seriously questioned whether all the effort and stress was actually worth it – far easier to stay home and go nowhere!

But of course, it always was worth it – and we had some very happy family holidays together.

In our Gospel reading today, Jesus wants the seventy to pack nothing…
no money, no bag, no spare sandals – nothing – just what they happen to be wearing. 

Jesus says they are to be dependent on the kindness of strangers.

Hmmm – I’d be in trouble – at the very least I’d probably stuff some underwear and toiletries into my pockets and hope He wouldn’t notice!

These followers are sent out as lambs among wolves; they will find out just who their friends are. Their friends are the ones who will welcome them, whether they are known to each other or not.

The disciples are to enter a home and declare peace to those who inhabit it. And even though in ancient Palestine hospitality is highly valued, not everyone will welcome those who bring peace. 

There are some homes and some communities in which peace is spurned because it may mean giving up power over others or it may be perceived as weakness. 

If the residents are unwilling to hear the words of peace, then the disciples will move on to some other place where peace is welcomed.

Jesus tells the seventy to receive whatever hospitality is offered.

That’s odd – when you think about it.

Because we expect to be told to share hospitality, not to receive it.

How happy are we when someone thanks us for a nice meal or is grateful to have a place to stay?

When the worshiping community extends hospitality to the visitor, the stranger, the person on the margins, the immigrant, the outcast… that community finds itself warmed and renewed by the act of giving.

And yet, receiving is also a gift to oneself and to the giver.     

So, there’s a deeper meaning here to Jesus’ words. There’s a vulnerability, and an open-ness to the giving and receiving of hospitality – and that can be uncomfortable.

There’s also quite a contrast between Jesus’ instructions on how to receive hospitality, and his instructions on what to do if you aren’t welcomed.

When receiving hospitality, he seems to be saying accept whatever you’re offered, don’t complain; don’t look for somewhere better to stay.

But if you aren’t welcomed, well, then, make a show of it.

Peace and protest. Jesus instructs his followers to bless the houses they enter, to offer them peace – but if you’re not welcomed, make a show of your protest.

I wonder whether this is a helpful reminder to us as well, especially in our politically and culturally fraught times.

Jesus instructs his disciples to make open and public demonstrations of their rejection, to shake the dust from their sandals as the other gospels describe it.

There may be a time and place for peace but there also seems to be time and place for protest.

But remember, such protest could be directed at us, if we refuse to welcome those who knock on our doors.

Whether there is hospitality or not, Jesus instructs the disciples to proclaim, “The kingdom of God has come near!”

It’s good news… the nearness of God’s reign, signs of which can be seen in the offering and receiving of peace, shalom, and the offering and receiving of hospitality.

But God’s reign is not only blessing, it’s also judgment – and for those who refuse to receive and give peace, those who refuse to give and receive hospitality, the nearness of God’s kingdom may mean an upending of their world.

Ultimately all these instructions seem a very long way from 21^st century Britain.

Just as we would never go on a trip without extra clothes, shoes, no money, or other supplies, we are also quite unlikely to knock on a stranger’s door to ask for hospitality or to offer them peace.

And when there’s a knock on our door, and we open it to discover a Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness missionary, we are unlikely to welcome them in!

Still, these instructions challenge us – to reflect on how we follow Jesus and how Jesus is calling us to follow him, to reflect on the welcome we offer and the welcome we receive, to remember that the Kingdom of God is near, a reality that is both promise and judgment, and finally, to remember that among the gifts we receive as followers of Jesus, especially when we obey his teaching, is the great gift of joy.

May God’s joy fill our hearts and open us to the possibilities of welcoming and being welcomed… and to offering and receiving peace.

Amen.

Post Communion

Grant, O Lord, we beseech you,
that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered
by your governance, that your Church may joyfully serve you in all
godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Next Week
Sunday 24^th July
Sixth Sunday after Trinity

Somewhere over the rainbow

This week’s photo is from Eloise Mabey. This photo is almost a double rainbow taken after a recent storm across the sea at Aldeburgh. What amazing colours. Thank you, Eloise.

Do share your photos with us of our local area of beauty.

Church of England and Diocese Online Worship There are many online services you can view from the Church of England and our cathedral. Here are some links below. Church of England website https://www.churchofengland.org/ prayer-and-worship/church-online/weekly-online-services Church of England Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ thechurchofengland/ Church of England YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCLecK8GovYoaYzIgyOElKZg St Edmundsbury Cathedral Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ stedscathedral

Youth Club – We need your help! The Youth Club is back! 7pm to 9pm on Monday evenings during term time for 10–14-year-olds. We are thankful that the Youth Club is as popular as ever. We really need some more volunteers to help on these evenings. There is a rota in the west porch that you can add your name to, if you can help, or you can contact Fran Smith at admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk

Weekly Benefice Newsletter If you would like something added to the weekly newsletter that is relevant to the Benefice, please do let Claire know and we will do our best to include it the following week. All requests by 4pm on Thursday please

Food Banks at the East of England Co-op Foodbanks provide a valuable service to those in need in our communities. The Aldeburgh Co-op and Solar in Leiston are doing a grand job in collecting food donations, which are collected regularly and distributed. So please look out for the various collection baskets.

Pilgrims Together on Wednesdays on Zoom The worship starts at 6.30pm (Zoom call opens from 6.10pm) and the call is then left open after the worship time for people to catch up.   People are welcome to email pilgrimstogether473@gmail.com  to receive a copy, be added to our mailing list or the Zoom links. Pilgrims @ The Meare Thorpeness Sunday 17th July Pilgrims @ The Meare: Outside F2F Worship Gathering 10 am (Bring your own chair!) Celtic style worship of the Iona Community, Sundays in July, and August, on the grass next to the Boating Lake just beyond The Meare Cafe. Saturday 6th August Community Breakfast and Local Ramble starting 9.30 @ The Parrot As before, a delicious breakfast bap and coffee / tea combo for £6.50 is on offer at the Parrot, before we head out to explore local paths.  Come just for breakfast and a catch-up with folk, come for just the ramble or come and enjoy both. (You don’t need to book in advance, you can decide on the morning.)  To help with timing, if coming only to ramble then we generally head from The Parrot around 10.30am. Please do invite friends along.

Alde Sandlings Benefice Fun Days in August This August we will have two Friday markets on the  5th and 26th 10am – 2pm.  The proposed stalls are as follows:  BBQ, Vegetables, Plants, Fruit and Flowers, Cakes and Savouries, Jams etc, Craft Stalls, General Bric a Brac. Tombola and Games.   All the churches in the Alde Sandlings are invited to have their chosen stalls to raise funds for the churches.  Please contact admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk if any church members of the Alde Sandlings Benefice would like to have a stall.  Toys, prizes for the tombola, jewellery, scarves, and good quality bric a brac needed. Cakes and produce too (please bring on the day)

Bring and share lunch – 31st July at Aldeburgh As you all know we are having a Benefice service on the 31st July, 10.30am at Aldeburgh to say farewell to Revd Sheila Hart as she retires from active ministry. This will be followed by and bring and share lunch in the church hall straight afterwards. You will find a notice on each of your noticeboards in church asking if you would like to contribute with a dish etc, i.e. meat/fish, salads of all variations, savoury (quiches etc) and desserts. If you could please add your name and exactly what dish you are bringing that would be most appreciated, or of course email admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk

Services this Sunday for The Alde Sandlings Benefice

Aldeburgh Aldringham Friston Knodishall	10.30am 11.00am 9.00am 9.00am	Sea Sunday Service Morning Service Holy Communion Morning Prayer

Message from Revd Sarah du Boulay

Dear Friends, 

I hope you have all had a good week. 

My welcome to the benefice continues, and I would like to thank everybody for all your kindnesses and support during my first week on ministry here in Alde Sandlings.

I’m sure you understand that there is a lot for me to understand and diarise, so I need to ask for your continued patience. If you contact me, I WILL respond, but it might not be within the first 24 hours – please bear with me!

I’m looking forward to worshipping with Friston this Sunday, and Aldringham the next, so I hope to meet some new faces at both.

With continued prayers,

Sarah

Collect
O God, the protector of all who trust in you,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy:
increase and multiply upon us your mercy;
that with you as our ruler and guide
we may so pass through things temporal
that we lose not our hold on things eternal;
grant this, heavenly Father,
for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading
Deuteronomy 30.9-14
The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.

Second Reading
Colossians 1.1-14
I Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 
In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the  whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow-servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit. For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.


Gospel Reading
Luke 10.25-37
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

 

Sermon preached by The Revd Sarah du Boulay at
Aldeburgh 3^rd July 2022

On Thursday, Bishop Martin told you that I am persistent. He also told you that I am here to love you, and to serve you. That shows a generous and worryingly insightful awareness of my character from our Diocesan Bishop. I wanted to take this opportunity to offer you an insight into some of my theology of ministry as well.

I believe with all my heart that our faith is simple. God loves us. And we are called to accept and absorb that love. We are then called to reflect that love back out into the world. That’s it. God invites us into his loving embrace; we accept; and then we invite others in alongside us.

There is a poem which I have loved for a long time, which, when I was priested, became very important to me. I keep a copy on the inside cover of my liturgical books, and pray over it before every service that I lead – I did so today. It is a well known poem, which many of you will know, and I wanted to share it with you. It is called Love (III) by George Herbert:

LOVE bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,
            Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
    From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
            If I lack’d anything.

‘A guest,’ I answer’d, ‘worthy to be here:’
            Love said, ‘You shall be he.’
‘I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
            I cannot look on Thee.’
Love took my hand and smiling did reply,
            ‘Who made the eyes but I?’

‘Truth, Lord; but I have marr’d them: let my shame
            Go where it doth deserve.’
‘And know you not,’ says Love, ‘Who bore the blame?’
            ‘My dear, then I will serve.’
‘You must sit down,’ says Love, ‘and taste my meat.’
            So I did sit and eat.

Of course, the character of Love is in fact God – God is love and love is God. That is simple. God always has his arms opened wide to us, bidding us welcome, inviting us in. All we have to do is accept that invitation. Knowing we are unworthy. Knowing that it is God himself who has paid the price for our sin. Knowing that we are entirely reliant on God’s mercy and forgiveness and love.

Love bade me welcome. All I had to do was to say ‘yes’.

It strikes me that this resonates strongly with the stories of both St Peter and St Paul. St Paul – a great sinner – persecutor of early Christians – heard God’s call, and said ‘yes’. He absorbed God’s love and he reflected it back out. St Peter too – literally heard the call of Jesus, and said ‘yes’. He followed Christ, absorbing his love, and reflecting it back out into the world. Both these men exercised their ministry courageously, wisely, and faithfully. Both men did not always get it right. Both men relied entirely on God’s invitation and forgiveness of their sins. Both men faced great opposition. Both men prayed fervently. Both men were rescued, both physically and spiritually by God. Both men literally gave their lives for their Lord and Saviour.

Love bade them welcome. Their souls drew back. And yet, all they had to do was to say ‘yes’.

Yesterday I was fortunate to be at the Priesting service at the cathedral. We were celebrating the ministry of 13 men and women who had all accepted God’s invitation and said ‘yes’ to it. Funnily, the Gospel reading was the same as today, and the preacher reflected that in saying ‘yes’ to God, Peter became the rock on which the church was built. He may have been the rock, but I want to remind us all that we are all individual stones in the structure. We are all called, at different times and in different ways, to love God and to love our neighbours.

This is true for all followers of Christ – past, present and future. It is our calling right here and right now, throughout the whole of this benefice. We may not hear. We may not understand. We may hear and understand, and still draw back, through fear or self doubt:

LOVE bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,
            Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
    From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me…

God constantly has his arms opened wide to us. He is always inviting us. He persistently loves us. God wants us to be loved, and to love in return. It really is that simple.

So our challenge, I think, as a benefice, is to work out how we respond to this call. Keeping our eyes firmly on God. Loving God and loving our neighbours. How are we going to say ‘yes’? How are you going to say ‘yes’?

Post Communion
Eternal God,
comfort of the afflicted and healer of the broken,
you have fed us at the table of life and hope:
teach us the ways of gentleness and peace,
that all the world may acknowledge
the kingdom of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

This week’s photo is supplied by Mary Sidwell

Mary has kindly shared her peaceful moment from last week with an early morning paddle between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness, with just the sound of a shore lark singing overhead. We can almost hear it!!

 

NOTICES

✟ Church of England and Diocese Online Worship ✟ There are many online services you can view from the Church of England and our cathedral. Here are some links below. Church of England website https://www.churchofengland.org/ prayer-and-worship/church-online/weekly-online-services Church of England Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ thechurchofengland/ Church of England YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCLecK8GovYoaYzIgyOElKZg St Edmundsbury Cathedral Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ stedscathedral

Youth Club – We need your help! The Youth Club is back! 7pm to 9pm on Monday evenings during term time for 10–14-year-olds. We are thankful that the Youth Club is as popular as ever. We really need some more volunteers to help on these evenings. There is a rota in the west porch that you can add your name to, if you can help, or you can contact Fran Smith at admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk

Weekly Benefice Newsletter If you would like something added to the weekly newsletter that is relevant to the Benefice, please do let Claire know and we will do our best to include it the following week. All requests by 4pm on Thursday please

Food Banks at the East of England Co-op Foodbanks provide a valuable service to those in need in our communities. The Aldeburgh Co-op and Solar in Leiston are doing a grand job in collecting food donations, which are collected regularly and distributed. So please look out for the various collection baskets.

Friston Classics on the Green Thursday 14th July from 3pm Bring your veteran, vintage car or bike (all vehicles in production before 1970) or just bring your friends and family. Tea, coffee, cakes and scones in the Village Hall, pop-up bar and barbecue on the Village Green and food and drink at the Old Chequers. Village Green reserved for classics and Blue Badge holders only. Public parking in Grove Road – not on the main roads please. Entrance is free but we need your donations please.

✞ Pilgrims Together on Wednesdays on Zoom ✞ The worship starts at 6.30pm (Zoom call opens from 6.10pm) and the call is then left open after the worship time for people to catch up.   People are welcome to email pilgrimstogether473@gmail.com  to receive a copy, be added to our mailing list. Pilgrims @ The Meare Thorpeness Sunday 10th July Pilgrims @ The Meare: Outside F2F Worship Gathering 10 am (Bring your own chair!) Celtic style worship of the Iona Community, Sundays in July, and August, on the grass next to the Boating Lake just beyond The Meare Café. Pilgrims Together Saturday 16th July Community Good News Faith Cafe @ The Outside Inn, Parrot Pub 9.30 – 10.30 A time for conversation, a hot drink, and a croissant.  A time to share and offer our thoughts and stories. Acts of kindness within the Outside Inn and taken out into the outside world.

Alde Sandlings Benefice Fun Days in August This August we will have two Friday markets on the  5th and 26th 10am – 2pm.  The proposed stalls are as follows: BBQ, Vegetables, Plants, Fruit and Flowers, Cakes and Savouries, Jams etc, Craft Stalls, General Bric a Brac. Tombola and Games.   All the churches in the Alde Sandlings are invited to have their chosen stalls to raise funds for the churches.  Please contact admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk if any church members of the Alde Sandlings Benefice would like to have a stall. Toys, prizes for the tombola, jewellery, scarves, and good quality bric a brac needed. Cakes and produce too (please bring on the day)

Bring and share lunch – 31st July at Aldeburgh As you all know we are having a Benefice service on the 31st July, 10.30am at Aldeburgh to say farewell to Revd Sheila Hart as she retires from active ministry. This will be followed by and bring and share lunch in the church hall straight afterwards. You will find a notice on each of your noticeboards in church asking if you would like to contribute with a dish etc, i.e. meat/fish, salads of all variations, savoury (quiches etc) and desserts. If you could please add your name and exactly what dish you are bringing that would be most appreciated, or of course email admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk

Next Week
Sunday 17^th July
Fifth Sunday after Trinity

We are delighted to welcome our new priest in charge of the Alde Sandlings Benefice, the Revd Sarah du Boulay

The licensing and installation service took place on Thursday 30^th June, led by the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, and the Archdeacon of Suffolk. The church was filled with people to witness this special service. Then refreshments and THE CAKE were served in the church hall.
Many congratulations Sarah, and a huge welcome from us all.

Message from Revd Sarah du Boulay

Dear Friends,

I write this as your newly licensed Priest-in-Charge, and what a time we have already had! I want to thank everybody involved in Thursday’s service from the bottom of my heart. It was simply super, and you did yourselves, me, and most importantly God, proud. If this is any indication of the things we can achieve together, we’re in for an awfully big adventure.

I also want to thank James for holding the fort since Mark left. I know he has worked extremely hard for you all, and has already been an invaluable support to me, as has our entire team.

In the next few weeks and months, I am looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible; to nurturing those relationships persistently and lovingly; and beginning to understand how we are to carry out God’s mission here in Alde Sandlings.

This Sunday I will be at Aldeburgh church to celebrate the patronal festival, and next week at Friston. Do come and say ‘hello’ if you have the chance.

Finally, my regular rest day will be Friday, together with the last Saturday of every month. If you need me, you now have my email and my telephone number.

With continued prayers,

Sarah

 

Collect
Almighty God,
you have broken the tyranny of sin
and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our
hearts whereby we call you Father:
give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service,
that we and all creation may be brought to the glorious
liberty of the children of God;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading
Isaiah 66.10-14
Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her,
all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy,
all you who mourn over her that you may nurse
and be satisfied from her consoling breast;
that you may drink deeply with delight
from her glorious bosom. For thus says the Lord:
I will extend prosperity to her like a river,
and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm,
and dandled on her knees.  As a mother comforts her child,
so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice;
your bodies shall flourish like the grass;
and it shall be known that the hand of the Lord
is with his servants, and his indignation is against his enemies.

Second Reading
Galatians 6. 7-16
My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbour’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads. Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.  See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Gospel Reading
Luke 10.1-11, 16-20
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.” ‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’ The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’

 

 

Readings for Patronal Festival of St Peter & St Paul

First Reading
Zechariah 4.1-6a, 10b-end
The angel who talked with me came again, and wakened me, as one is wakened from sleep. He said to me, ‘What do you see?’ And I said, ‘I see a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it; there are seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. And by it there are two olive trees, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.’ ⁴I said to the angel who talked with me, ‘What are these, my lord?’ Then the angel who talked with me answered me, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ I said, ‘No, my lord.’ He said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts. For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel. ‘These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.’ Then I said to him, ‘What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?’ And a second time I said to him, ‘What are these two branches of the olive trees, which pour out the oil through the two golden pipes?’ He said to me, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ I said, ‘No, my lord.’ Then he said, ‘These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.’

Second Reading
Acts 12.1-11
About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, ‘Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.’ He did so. Then he said to him, ‘Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.’ Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.’

Gospel Reading
Matthew 16.13-19
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’

 

Sermon preached by The Revd James Marston at
Aldeburgh 26^th June 2022

Luke 9.51-end

We are, as I said at the beginning of the service, in ordinary time. It is a phrase, it seems to me, which is almost never apposite and leaves the Church of England sounding rather dull – not an accusation it particularly needs.

To even hint that proclaiming the gospel is ordinary seems to devalue the extraordinary message of our faith – to say that God exists and loves us and promises us eternal life in a world such as ours doesn’t seem ordinary to me at all.

This week, for the first week in several months, I seem to have had a little less to do. No funeral or wedding, no big service to get ready for, no major drama and no PCC meeting. I have had time to cook some cheese scones and even polish my little blue car.

I have also had time to think a few days to stand back and pause away from the maelstrom. And even if I don’t always practice what I preach taking a moment or two for thinking and reflecting is something we all need to make sure we do.

This is because taking a moment away from the coal face of life grants us the clarity and insight we sometimes need.

It strikes me that ordinary time, if it means anything, ought to give us the opportunity to reassess, critique and refresh. To take stock is no bad thing.

And I wonder if today’s gospel reading couldn’t have come at a better time. As we prepare for a new priest it strikes me that alongside the excitement of having someone to lead us, is perhaps a tiny bit of apprehension. What is she going to do? What might change?

Those questions will answer themselves in time and it is often the case that 99 percent of the things we worry about never happen. Or at least never happen in the way we think they might. Indeed, as Mahatma Ghandi once said: “There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever.”

And as a quick aside Mr Gandhi also said: “An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” A useful reminder for any clergyman, I’m sure.

Not worrying is easier said than done of course, and worry is something, I’m afraid, that often influences far too much what we do and what we say.

For Jesus to say ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God. ‘was, in those days something rather shocking. The obligation to bury one’s father was regarded as a holy and binding duty of a son, to say it was secondary to the call of Jesus to follow Him and proclaim the kingdom of God was a significant challenge to those early disciples.

Indeed, it begs the question, of course, to all of us – how ready are we to drop everything and follow Him?

This passage from Luke reminds us that to journey with Jesus means not looking back and not worrying about things which hold us back – whatever they may be.

My challenge to you this week is to try to take few moments to think about what holds you back in your faith? What are you worrying about that you not need worry about? What stops you following his call on your life?

The Christian journey is informed by the past, but the focus is on the future. Are we ready to follow him wherever he leads us? Is our church community ready to look forward?

These are questions for us all to consider perhaps especially at a time like this.

And Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’

Amen

Post Communion
O God, whose beauty is beyond our imagining
and whose power we cannot comprehend:
show us your glory as far as we can grasp it,
and shield us from knowing more than we can bear
until we may look upon you without fear;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Next Week
Sunday 10^th July
Fourth Sunday after Trinity/Sea Sunday

 

This week’s photo is supplied by Robert Farquharson

Wow! A view of The Alde & Ore Estuary, that many of us will never see from the sky. So, thank you so much for sharing this with us Robert.
If you manage to capture a moment of beauty in our local area,
do share your photos with us.

 

A Message from Reverend Sheila Hart It is now nearly 10 months since I was diagnosed with breast cancer and, although I have recovered well from the operation and radiotherapy, I have done some hard thinking and praying about my future ministry. I have had conversations with the clergy, the Archdeacon and with Reverend Sarah and I have decided that the time has come for me to retire from active ministry and seek Permission to Officiate in my home benefice of Saxmundham with Kelsale cum Carlton. I have loved every minute of my time serving in Whinlands and subsequently Alde Sandlings Benefice and I have considered it a huge privilege to serve you all for 14 years. I have made many friends in all the congregations and will miss you all but, as they say, ‘all good things have to come to an end’ and I believe now is the time for me to leave you all officially. My final service will be the Benefice Service at Aldeburgh on July 31st which will be conducted by Reverend Sarah and be followed by a Bring and Share lunch in the church hall so that I have time to speak to you all after the service. This does not mean that you will never see me again as I have already told Sarah that I am willing to be available to take the odd service in the benefice when I am available. With my very best wishes and love for the future of the benefice and I look forward to seeing as many of you as can be with us on July 31st at Aldeburgh. Sheila

✟ Church of England and Diocese Online Worship ✟ There are many online services you can view from the Church of England and our cathedral. Here are some links below. Church of England website https://www.churchofengland.org/ prayer-and-worship/church-online/weekly-online-services Church of England Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ thechurchofengland/ Church of England YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCLecK8GovYoaYzIgyOElKZg St Edmundsbury Cathedral Facebook Page https://www.facebook. com/stedscathedral

Youth Club – We need your help! The Youth Club is back! 7pm to 9pm on Monday evenings during term time for 10–14-year-olds. We are thankful that the Youth Club is as popular as ever. We really need some more volunteers to help on these evenings. There is a rota in the west porch that you can add your name to, if you can help, or you can contact Fran Smith at admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk

Weekly Benefice Newsletter If you would like something added to the weekly newsletter that is relevant to the Benefice, please do let Claire know and we will do our best to include it the following week. All requests by 4pm on Thursday please

Food Banks at the East of England Co-op Foodbanks provide a valuable service to those in need in our communities. The Aldeburgh Co-op and Solar in Leiston are doing a grand job in collecting food donations, which are collected regularly and distributed. So please look out for the various collection baskets.

Sunday 3rd July 3pm The Marenzio Singers at St Mary’s Friston In a concert to celebrate Suffolk and Summer, this vocal quintet will sing music from the sixteenth century to the present day: English and French madrigals, modern part songs including movements from Alan Bullard’s ‘A Summer Garland’ and American close harmony songs, all linked by piano interludes and spoken introductions. Tickets £10 at the door on the day which includes a glass of sparkling wine after the concert. All proceeds going to the charitable projects of the Festival of Suffolk and the work of St Mary’s Church

Friston Classics on the Green Thursday 14th July from 3pm Bring your veteran, vintage car or bike (all vehicles in production before 1970) or just bring your friends and family. Tea, coffee, cakes and scones in the Village Hall, pop-up bar and barbecue on the Village Green and food and drink at the Old Chequers. Village Green reserved for classics and Blue Badge holders only. Public parking in Grove Road – not on the main roads please. Entrance is free but we need your donations please.

Pilgrims Together on Wednesdays on Zoom The worship starts at 6.30pm (Zoom call opens from 6.10pm) and the call is then left open after the worship time for people to catch up.   People are welcome to email pilgrimstogether473@gmail.com  to receive a copy, be added to our mailing list or for the Zoom links. Pilgrims @ The Meare Thorpeness Sunday 3rd July Pilgrims @ The Meare: Outside F2F Worship Gathering 10 am (Bring your own chair!) Celtic style worship of the Iona Community, Sundays in July and August, on the grass next to the Boating Lake just beyond The Meare Cafe. Saturday 16th July Community Good News Faith Cafe @ The Outside Inn, Parrot Pub 9.30 – 10.30 A time for conversation, a hot drink and a croissant.  A time to share and offer our thoughts and stories. Acts of kindness within the Outside Inn and taken out into the outside world.

We are delighted to welcome our new priest in charge of the Alde Sandlings Benefice, the Revd Sarah du Boulay
The licensing and installation service took place on Thursday 30^th June, led by the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, and the Archdeacon of Suffolk.  The church was filled with people to witness this special service. Then refreshments and THE CAKE were served in the church hall.
Many congratulations Sarah.

Message from Revd James Marston

Excitement is mounting across the benefice as our new priest prepares to be among us in just a few days.

Rev’d Sarah arrives with much goodwill and a warm welcome from all our churches. Rev’d Sarah has moved into the vicarage in Aldeburgh and arrives in post at her licensing service on June 30. I expect she will be busy getting to know us all over the coming weeks and months. I know Rev’d Sarah is hugely excited to be coming here as she takes this big step in her ministry journey.

With every blessing,

James

 

Collect
Lord, you have taught us
that all our doings without love are nothing worth:
send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that
most excellent gift of love,
the true bond of peace and of all virtues,
without which whoever lives is counted dead before you.
Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading
1 Kings 19.15-16, 19-end
Then the Lord said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was ploughing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, ‘Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.’ Then Elijah said to him, ‘Go back again; for what have I done to you?’ He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

Second Reading
Galatians 5.1, 13-25
For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

Gospel Reading
Luke 9.51-end
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village. As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’

 

Sermon preached by The Very Revd Christopher Lewis at
Aldringham19^th June 2022

Luke 8.26-39 – First Sunday after Trinity

The Gospel is a strange story: Jesus; the crowd; the man with his demons; the herd of swine. In these parts we ought to be familiar with herds of swine as they seem to be all over the fields, each pig-family with a plastic house. This morning, we are fortunate that the account is told by Luke, because of the fascinating way in which he paints pictures of Jesus and his message.

What was going on? Jesus and a crowd; in strange circumstances, he heals a man with serious mental illness. As in the world of today, there is disease and death, the unclean and the demonic …and here is Jesus confronted by it. What does he do? He talks to the man and heals him. The miracles of Jesus were all ‘miracles of the kingdom’, or in other words, evidence of God’s sovereignty breaking into a confused and difficult world and putting it right. The manner of change in this case is the calming of a deranged mind: a man with a morbid preoccupation with graves, abnormal strength, insensitivity to pain and a refusal to wear clothes. The cure was accompanied by a violent and obstreperous convulsion which caused a nearby herd of pigs to stampede in panic

Not surprising that the onlookers were frightened. They shared the common belief that there was an affinity between unclean demons and unclean beasts, so that was how the occasion was experienced and reported. The fact that there were pigs at all, shows that they were in Gentile not in Jewish territory; this was a message for the world.

It is hard at first to see quite what we learn from this Gospel reading, as the world in which we live seems different, at least in the way that crowds behave. Or is it? In the last few years, we have certainly become used to the fact that the world is full of disease and confusion and there have been crowds turning out all the time. Fighting disease has led to some successes, but also has led to chaos of a kind which it would have been hard to foresee.

As we know, plagues and diseases of very strange kinds have been features of every age. What the crowd experienced then and what we have experienced in Covid, is nothing new. Homer’s Iliad, drawing on ancient oral tradition and written down in the 8^th century before Christ, gives an account of the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon during a war against the Trojans. A daughter of a priest was captured in battle.

The god Apollo sends a plague as punishment and the daughter is returned. That was mythology, but much has been very real: Black Death, Cholera, so-called Spanish ‘flu.

The idea that madness or indeed plagues are a punishment from God or the gods, goes right through history and is still the pattern for some, although gradually medical science has developed and has shown that the causes are more predictable and treatable than was once believed. That contrast between the interpretations of medical science and those of religion has led to all kinds of disputes right up until modern times. Some religious people have poured scorn on the sciences, for the religious have sometimes claimed that it is God alone who understands and acts, whereas science is secondary. There are contemporary Christians who have said that if you have enough faith in God, then you do not need a vaccination. Then there have been Muslim Imams who have said that the deaths of people with Covid are to be treated as deserved by those who are not believers, and then on the other hand that Covid provides an immediate route to paradise for those who are true converts to Islam.

Add to these confused reactions the fact of the sinister matter of blame. At times in history, there has been blame of religious groups as if they are responsible for what is happening. During the Black Death pandemic, Jews were said to be poisoning drinking water, and in revenge many Jews were killed for being behind the plague.

So the matter of disease is full of complexity. In particular the question to be asked is: how do we face what seem to be vast and unfathomable threats thrown up by the very world which we have been given to live in? Is this part of some obstacle course which we are challenged (by God) to navigate; is it part of the inevitable growing pains of God’s creation; is it an accident which we should have foreseen and coped with; is it a test of our ability to behave as one world rather than as separate rival nations? That last question about separate and rival nations is especially painful, as rich countries are much more able to cope with pandemics than the poor. That has been true of Covid and while Covid goes on, vast numbers die and have died every year from malaria and ebola, with rich nations only fairly recently making major efforts to tackle those very African plagues.

What should our response be? The answer is to respond to Jesus in a modern context with our knowledge as it is today. We can look to his teaching to the people of his day and to his mission to face up to suffering and then to heal, whatever the circumstances. In taking these steps we have a new challenge and joy which is to see that our faith can walk hand-in-hand with a longing for (and the support of) scientific advance. Thank

God for vaccines. Thank God also for Bill Gates: for his money of course, but more for his warnings and guidance which were largely ignored in 2017, but will now be heeded more seriously. One role of our faith is to listen to prophets and make sure that the truth is heard. Governments have sadly close horizons with their wish for votes, but those with faith in God can have a much longer view of the future of the world.

It is not easy. Why is the world as it is? Why does it not seem to get better – to be more healthy, more just, fairer? Global warming should be easily sorted because it is plainly all our fault. But these plagues and diseases are less obvious in their origins. What of earthquakes, tsunamis and ebola?

The only answer is to reflect on the life of Jesus and follow him. There is no doubt that if we responded to God more completely and followed in Jesus’ path of bringing love and help to those who suffer, then our futures would be more hopeful. There was the man towards the end of the account, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. He asked to be with Jesus but Jesus said that he was to return to where he had come from and was to tell those at home how much had been done for him by God. Jesus showed the way and that way was first to look to God and then lovingly to oppose suffering. He says the same to us.
Amen

 

Post Communion
Loving Father,
we thank you for feeding us at the supper of your Son:
sustain us with your Spirit,
that we may serve you here on earth
until our joy is complete in heaven,
and we share in the eternal banquet
with Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Next Week
Sunday 3^rd July
Third Sunday after Trinity

 

Solstice Sunset at Aldeburgh
Thank you to Eloise Mabey for this stunning shot.
If you manage to capture a moment of beauty in our local area,
do share your photos with us.

 

NOTICES

Licensing and Installation of Reverend Sarah du Boulay at 7.30pm on Thursday 30th June 2022 at the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Aldeburgh The Churchwardens wish to invite everyone to the licensing by The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, and the Installation by The Archdeacon of Suffolk of the Reverend Sarah du Boulay as Priest-in-Charge of The Alde Sandlings Benefice. There will be refreshments in the Church Hall after the service Can you contribute with a plate of food? We need small finger food – sandwiches, sausage rolls, cheese straws, savoury tartlets, sausages, crisps, and cakes. To prevent vast quantities of the same item, there will be a list in the west porch at Aldeburgh Parish church that you could add your name and food item that you would like to contribute with. Perhaps each church in the Benefice would like to do the same, or please do let Sandra Saint know or Claire at admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk

✟ Church of England and Diocese Online Worship ✟ There are many online services you can view from the Church of England and our cathedral. Here are some links below. Church of England website https://www.churchofengland.org/ prayer-and-worship/church-online/weekly-online-services Church of England Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ thechurchofengland/ Church of England YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCLecK8GovYoaYzIgyOElKZg St Edmundsbury Cathedral Facebook Page https://www. facebook.com/stedscathedral

Youth Club – We need your help! The Youth Club is back! 7pm to 9pm on Monday evenings during term time for 10–14-year-olds. We are thankful that the Youth Club is proving to be as popular as ever. We really need some more volunteers to help on these evenings. There is a rota in the west porch that you can add your name to, if you can help, or you can contact Fran Smith at admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk

Weekly Benefice Newsletter If you would like something added to the weekly newsletter that is relevant to the Benefice, please do let Claire know and we will do our best to include it the following week. All requests by 4pm on Thursday please

Food Banks at the East of England Co-op Foodbanks provide a valuable service to those in need in our communities. The Aldeburgh Co-op and Solar in Leiston are doing a grand job in collecting food donations, which are collected regularly and distributed. So please look out for the various collection baskets.

Sunday 3rd July 3pm The Marenzio Singers at St Mary’s Friston In a concert to celebrate Suffolk and Summer, this vocal quintet will sing music from the sixteenth century to the present day: English and French madrigals, modern part songs including movements from Alan Bullard’s ‘A Summer Garland’ and American close harmony songs, all linked by piano interludes and spoken introductions. Tickets £10 at the door on the day which includes a glass of sparkling wine after the concert.

Friston Classics on the Green Thursday 14th July from 3pm Bring your veteran, vintage car, or bike (all vehicles in production before 1970) or just bring your friends and family. Tea, coffee, cakes and scones in the Village Hall, pop-up bar and barbecue on the Village Green and food and drink at the Old Chequers. Village Green reserved for classics and Blue Badge holders only. Public parking in Grove Road – not on the main roads please. Entrance is free but we need your donations please.

✞ Pilgrims Together on Wednesdays on Zoom ✞ The worship starts at 6.30pm (Zoom call opens from 6.10pm) and the call is then left open after the worship time for people to catch up.   People are welcome to email pilgrimstogether473@gmail.com  to receive a copy, be added to our mailing list or for the Zoom links. Pilgrims @ The Meare Thorpeness Sunday 3rd July Pilgrims @ The Meare: Outside F2F Worship Gathering 10 am (Bring your own chair!) Celtic style worship of the Iona Community, Sundays in July and August, on the grass next to the Boating Lake just beyond The Meare Cafe.

We present the new Mr & Mrs West. Revd Johanna Mabey led the wedding ceremony on Saturday 18th June. Many congratulations to you both.

Services this Sunday for The Alde Sandlings Benefice

Aldeburgh   Aldringham Knodishall	8.00am 10.30am 11.00am 9.00am	Holy Communion Service of the word Holy Communion Holy Communion

Collect
O God, the strength of all those who put their trust in you,
mercifully accept our prayers and, because through the
weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing
without you, grant us the help of your grace, that in the
keeping of your commandments we may please you both in
will and deed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

 

First Reading
Isaiah 65.1-9
I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask, to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am’, to a nation that did not call on my name.  I held out my hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and offering incense on bricks; who sit inside tombs, and spend the night in secret places; who eat swine’s flesh, with broth of abominable things in their vessels; who say, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you.’ These are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all day long. See, it is written before me: I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will indeed repay into their laps their iniquities and their ancestors’ iniquities together, says the Lord; because they offered incense on the mountains and reviled me on the hills, I will measure into their laps full payment for their actions. Thus says the Lord: As the wine is found in the cluster, and they say, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it’, so I will do for my servants’ sake, and not destroy them all.  I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah inheritors of my mountains; my chosen shall inherit it, and my servants shall settle there.

Second Reading
Galatians 3.23-end
Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Gospel Reading
Luke 8.26-39
Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs.  When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me’— for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He said, ‘Legion’; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.

 

Sermon preached by The Revd Johanna Mabey at
Friston 12^th June 2022

Romans 5:1-11

John 16:12-15

May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.

Trinity Sunday falls on the Sunday after Pentecost and is one of the few feasts in the Christian calendar that celebrates a doctrine rather than an event.

It’s also notorious as the day which preachers shy away from because it’s a tricky doctrine to try and unravel.

I think it was an in-joke at vicar school that incumbents would try to off load the Trinity Sunday sermon onto their poor inexperienced curates – and so we were told to watch out for that in our first few years.

The Holy Trinity is complex and impossible to fully explore in the context of a short sermon – which you’ll be glad to know, this one is…

But that said, it seems odd that we try to avoid the doctrine…

After all, we articulate the Trinity many times a day in the liturgy: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you; and so on.

Many different images have been used to try and explain the mystery of God as three in one and one in three – for example;

The fact that water can also become ice and steam….

The three leaves of the shamrock on one stalk….

I’ve even heard it described as a 3-in-1 dishwasher tablet,

where each colour of the tablet has a distinct role, while being properly interconnected with all the others.

You may find that a rather earthy and uninspiring image, but I don’t think it’s a bad attempt to describe something beyond our vocabulary.

Of course, trying to box the Trinity into something we can logically manage kind of misses the point.  Our frames of reference won’t explain God neatly.  By definition, hoping in God involves an acceptance that He is infinite and we are not.

The author C S Lewis said that a doctrine never seemed less real to him than when he had just been defending it.

I was reminded of a scene in his famous children’s story, ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’… the great Lion (Aslan) has died: and early the next morning 2 young girls, Susan and Lucy meet him alive again:

Aslan has risen from the dead. 

This newly risen Aslan doesn’t first deliver a great, rousing speech to inspire them or perform a mighty act of power to impress them; instead, he says, quite simply, “Children – children – catch me if you can”.  Then he leaps into the air; round and round they go, the children chasing after him; Aslan dives between them – then tosses them into the air, catching them in his huge velvet paws.  Suddenly: he stops – all three of them roll over and over in (as the book says) “a happy, laughing heap of fur and arms and legs”. 

It’s a glorious scene where every movement is certainly spontaneous and free, yet exhibits the precision of a well-prepared, minutely choreographed dance.

Here in this chase, I think C. S. Lewis provides us with an image of what life with the risen Jesus can be like – if we respond to his invitation to join him in the dance… it is a life of delight, almost we might say, of playfulness, a life of overflowing love – fullness, and joy.

Perhaps Trinity Sunday isn’t about trying to bend our brains around difficult doctrine.

The English Anglican mystic, Evelyn Underhill, wrote ‘If God were small enough to be understood, he wouldn’t be big enough to be worshipped.’

Perhaps this Trinity Sunday as the priest and poet Malcolm Guite observes, we are all simply invited:

To sing the chord that calls us to the dance,
Three notes resounding from a single tone,
To sing the End in whom we all begin;
Our God beyond, beside us and within.

Amen.

Post Communion
Eternal Father, we thank you for nourishing us
with these heavenly gifts: may our communion strengthen
us in faith, build us up in hope, and make us grow in love;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Revd Johanna Mabey has kindly shared a photo of Aldeburgh church, from her evening walk this week.
What a moment to capture the vapour cross above the church. Thanks Jo!

 

NOTICES

✟ Church of England and Diocese Online Worship ✟ There are many online services you can view from the Church of England and our cathedral. Here are some links below. Church of England website https://www.churchofengland.org/ prayer-and-worship/church-online/weekly-online-services Church of England Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ thechurchofengland/ Church of England YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCLecK8GovYoaYzIgyOElKZg St Edmundsbury Cathedral Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/stedscathedral

Licensing and Installation of Reverend Sarah du Boulay at 7.30pm on Thursday 30th June 2022 at the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Aldeburgh The Churchwardens wish to invite everyone to the licensing by The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, and the Installation by The Archdeacon of Suffolk of the Reverend Sarah du Boulay as Priest-in-Charge of The Alde Sandlings Benefice. There will be refreshments in the Church Hall after the service Can you contribute with a plate of food? We need small finger food – sandwiches, sausage rolls, cheese straws, savoury tartlets, sausages, crisps, and cakes. To prevent vast quantities of the same item, there will be a list in the west porch at Aldeburgh Parish church that you could add your name and food item that you would like to contribute with. Perhaps each church in the Benefice would like to do the same, or please do let Sandra Saint know or Claire at admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk

Youth Club has Returned The Youth Club is back! 7pm to 9pm on Monday evenings during term time for 10–14-year-olds. We really need some more volunteers to help on these evenings. There is a rota in the west porch that you can add your name to, if you can help, or you can contact Fran Smith at admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk

Weekly Benefice Newsletter If you would like something added to the weekly newsletter that is relevant to the Benefice, please do let Claire know and we will do our best to include it the following week. All requests by 4pm on Thursday please

Food Banks at the East of England Co-op Foodbanks provide a valuable service to those in need in our communities. The Aldeburgh Co-op and Solar in Leiston are doing a grand job in collecting food donations, which are collected regularly and distributed. So please look out for the various collection baskets.

Friston Open Gardens Sunday 19th June 11.30am to 5.30pm Enjoy a walk around the village exploring a rich diversity of residents’ gardens, many hidden from view from roads and footpaths; visit our medieval church and take time out to relax with light refreshments in the Village Hall. Find the cottage which offers a glass of fizz!  Tickets £5pp from the Village Green or Village Hall admits to all gardens.

Sunday 3rd July 3pm The Marenzio Singers at St Mary’s Friston In a concert to celebrate Suffolk and Summer, this vocal quintet will sing music from the sixteenth century to the present day: English and French madrigals, modern part songs including movements from Alan Bullard’s ‘A Summer Garland’ and American close harmony songs, all linked by piano interludes and spoken introductions. Tickets £10 at the door on the day which includes a glass of sparkling wine after the concert.

Pilgrims Together on Wednesdays on Zoom The worship starts at 6.30pm (Zoom call opens from 6.10pm) and the call is then left open after the worship time for people to catch up.   People are welcome to email pilgrimstogether473@gmail.com  to receive a copy, be added to our mailing list or for the Zoom links. Pilgrims @ The Meare Thorpeness Sunday 3rd July Pilgrims @ The Meare: Outside F2F Worship Gathering 10 am (Bring your own chair!) Celtic style worship of the Iona Community, Sundays in July and August, on the grass next to the Boating Lake just beyond The Meare Cafe.

Next Week
Sunday 26^th June
Second Sunday after Trinity

Services this Sunday for The Alde Sandlings Benefice

Aldeburgh Aldringham Friston Knodishall	10.30am 11.00am 9.00am 9.00am	Festival Holy Communion Morning Service Holy Communion Morning Prayer

Collect
Almighty and everlasting God,
you have given us your servants grace,
by the confession of a true faith,
to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity
and in the power of the divine majesty to worship the Unity:
keep us steadfast in this faith,
that we may evermore be defended from all adversities;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

 

First Reading
Proverbs 8: 1-4,22-31
Does not wisdom call and understanding raise her voice?
On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out:  “To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all who live. “The Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of long ago. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, when he had not yet made earth and fields or the world’s first bits of soil. When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master worker, and I was daily his delight, playing before him always, playing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race.

Second Reading
Romans 5: 1-5
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.  And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Gospel Reading
John 16 12-15
Jesus said: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.  ^“He will glorify me because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

 

Sermon preached by The Revd Johanna Mabey at
Aldringham 5^th June 2022

Pentecost Jubilee

May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.

What a weekend… I expect like me, many of you have been glued to the tele watching the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Her Majesty the Queen.

Isn’t it wonderful to be able to have all these large gatherings and the state pomp and circumstance once again!

The sin of pride aside… I think we do these things better than any other nation on the planet.

And thanks to dear old Paddington, we now know what the Queen keeps in her famous handbag!

We gather this morning to celebrate and give thanks for our Queen’s long reign on Pentecost Sunday – the festival of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the Church.

God’s breath, energy, and spirit give a direction to our lives.

The gifts of love, joy and peace are the gifts of the spirit.

As we heard in our first reading, these gifts enable communication and understanding between people who don’t speak the same language…people from different cultures and traditions, people who have a huge capacity to be divided and live in enmity.

Our rejoicing today is set against a backdrop of much division, uncertainty, challenge and suffering in our world.

The world’s a place of continual change.

But for me, and many, the Queen has quite simply always been there. A constant in our lives, and in the life of our nation.

70 years ago, Britain was a very different place to the Britain of today.

Sir Winston Churchill was Prime Minister again, of a country still dominated by the impact of the Second World War.

Although food rationing wouldn’t end for more than another year, Constance Spry and Rosemary Hume created Coronation chicken to help the celebrations. In Joe Lyons’ Corner Houses, Welsh Rarebit cost 4 pence (4d) and a meat pie cost 7 pence (7d).

In the Hit Parade, itself less than a year old, the American Frankie Laine topped the charts for nine consecutive weeks with ‘I Believe’.

The major items of foreign policy were to do with the Korean War, Operation Ajax in Iran, the emergencies in Malaya and with the Mau Mau in Kenya.

One Queen, but so far in her reign, there have been seven Archbishops of Canterbury,14 British Prime ministers and 170 Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth Realms.

The conflicts and opportunities of our world have changed over the past seven decades, but the Queen has been steadfast, and she has shown a remarkable capacity to grow and change with us.

She has shown a benevolent neutrality, tolerance and understanding in her communications and her values.

As for any family and any community, the 70 years of our Queen’s reign haven’t all been gloriously free of personal or family difficulty. Perhaps those occasions have deepened our sympathies and affection for the Queen and our gratitude for her devotion to duty and service.

God doesn’t do anything by accident. The fact that the Jubilee and Pentecost are being celebrated at the same time signpost us to the thread and continuity of the Queen’s deep Christian faith and her commitment to others.

The Christian commitment to others, which is part of the wisdom of all religions, is necessary for people to flourish.

It’s the same instinct that’s brought communities together up and down the country, and indeed around the world to celebrate and give thanks to the Queen for these past 70 years.

Today we give thanks for everything and, as at her Coronation,
but if anything, with even deeper affection and gratitude,
we pray and acclaim: God Save The Queen!

Let’s say it together,
God Save The Queen.
Amen.

Post Communion
Almighty and eternal God, you have revealed yourself as Father,
Son and Holy Spirit, and live and reign in the perfect unity of love:
hold us firm in this faith, that we may know you in all your ways
and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory, who are three
Persons yet one God, now and for ever.

 

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR FLOWER TEAMS

I am sure many of you will agree how beautiful our churches looked for the Jubilee weekend. Thank you so much for all your work and talent shown with these displays.

Here are some photos of just a few of the displays from

Aldeburgh and Aldringham churches

Next Week
Sunday 19^th June
First Sunday after Trinity

NOTICES

Licensing and Installation of Reverend Sarah du Boulay at 7.30pm on Thursday 30th June 2022 at the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Aldeburgh The Churchwardens wish to invite everyone to the licensing by The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, and the Installation by The Archdeacon of Suffolk of the Reverend Sarah du Boulay as Priest-in-Charge of The Alde Sandlings Benefice. There will be refreshments in the Church Hall after the service Can you contribute with a plate of food? We need small finger food – sandwiches, sausage rolls, cheese straws, savoury tartlets, sausages, crisps, and cakes. To prevent vast quantities of the same item, there will be a list in the west porch at Aldeburgh Parish church that you could add your name and food item that you would like to contribute with. Perhaps each church in the Benefice would like to do the same, or please do let Sandra Saint know or Claire at admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk

Youth Club has Returned The Youth Club is back! 7pm to 9pm on Monday evenings during term time for 10–14-year-olds. We really need some more volunteers to help on these evenings. There is a rota in the west porch that you can add your name to, if you can help, or you can contact Fran Smith at admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk

Church of England and Diocese Online Worship There are many online services you can view from the Church of England and our cathedral. Here are some links below. Church of England website https://www.churchofengland.org/ prayer-and-worship/church-online/weekly-online-services Church of England Facebook page https://www.facebook.com /thechurchofengland/ Church of England YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCLecK8GovYoaYzIgyOElKZg St Edmundsbury Cathedral Facebook Page https://www.facebook.c om/stedscathedral

Weekly Benefice Newsletter If you would like something added to the weekly newsletter that is relevant to the Benefice, please do let Claire know and we will do our best to include it the following week. All requests by 4pm on Thursday please

Food Banks at the East of England Co-op Foodbanks provide a valuable service to those in need in our communities. The Aldeburgh Co-op and Solar in Leiston are doing a grand job in collecting food donations, which are collected regularly and distributed. So please look out for the various collection baskets.

Friston Open Gardens Sunday 19th June 11.30am to 5.30pm Enjoy a walk around the village exploring a rich diversity of residents’ gardens, many hidden from view from roads and footpaths; visit our medieval church and take time out to relax with light refreshments in the Village Hall. Find the cottage which offers a glass of fizz! Tickets £5pp from the Village Green or Village Hall admits to all gardens.

Pilgrims Together on Wednesdays on Zoom The worship starts at 6.30pm (Zoom call opens from 6.10pm) and the call is then left open after the worship time for people to catch up.   People are welcome to email pilgrimstogether473@gmail.com  to receive a copy, be added to our mailing list or for the Zoom links. Saturday 18th June Good News Faith Cafe @ The Outside Inn, Parrot Pub 9.30 – 10.30

After two years of postponed weddings, we are delighted to say love is definitely back in the air at The Alde Sandlings Benefice.

Our first wedding kicked off on May 7th with the lovely Ryan and Rebecca. Revd Johanna Mabey led the service.

Many congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs Vincent

Services this Sunday for The Alde Sandlings Benefice

Aldeburgh Aldringham Friston Knodishall	8.00am 10.30am 11.00am 9.45am 9.00am	Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Morning Prayer Holy Communion

Collect
God, who as at this time
taught the hearts of your faithful people
by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
grant us by the same Spirit
to have a right judgement in all things
and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;
through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading
Genesis 11.1-9
Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, ‘Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.’ And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.’ The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. And the Lord said, ‘Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.’ So, the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore, it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

Second Reading
Acts 2.1-21 
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’ But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.  Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.  And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist.  The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Gospel Reading
John 14.8-17
Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

 

Sermon preached by The Revd James Marston at
Aldeburgh 29th May 2022

John 17:20-26

May I speak in the name of the living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

This week, the seventh Sunday of Easter marks the end of Eastertide and prepares us for Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit that we recall next week.

This Sunday also co-incides with what I am now referring to APCM-tide. Today is the final annual parish church meeting of four of them across the benefice and I invite all of you to stay for it, if you so wish, taking the somewhat uncharitable view that if I have to be here then so should you.

Indeed, as I relaxed on my day off this week after a light luncheon of fresh bread served with Cypriot halloumi on a bed of crispy salad with balsamic glaze, I was thinking about APCM’s and The Queen popped into my mind.

Her Majesty said at her Ruby Jubilee, now 30 years ago, that 1992 was a not a year she will look back on with undiluted pleasure. It is true that APCM-tide might not enthuse diluted pleasure amongst clergy, but they do provide a moment in which to take stock and reflect on the past year.

For me the last year has been one of learning and discovery, for you one of waiting and anticipation for a new incumbent, whose arrival is now just around the corner.

This is indeed an exciting time for our benefice and one which marks the start of a new chapter of the history of these four churches.

I know Reverend Sarah is an unknown quantity for many of you, but I and one or two others know her, and I know how excited she is to be coming here in just a few weeks’ time as she takes this big step in her ministry journey.

How will you welcome Reverend Sarah?

Aside from the pomp and ceremony of the licensing service at the end of June, I can tell you that reminding her of your name when you speak to her for at least the first year will help.

How will our community help her adjust to our little foibles and idiosyncrasies?

I have said many time that if I had a pound for every time I’ve heard “that’s the way we’ve always done things” I’d be able to afford a house on Crag Path. Yet often, with a little exploration, the way we’ve always done things

is not often the hard wired immovable tradition we might think it is.

How willing will you be to change and be evolution needed to keep our church moving forward in the love of Christ?

I hope you’ll back Reverend Sarah in her calling and role all the way.

And a final question to consider, what can you do to ease her path and show her your love?

I can tell you that the patience and gratitude you so often exercise and express to me and to others goes a long way.

I’ll leave those thoughts with you and remind you that Aldeburgh church has been for many years been a place of training for curates, so I have no doubt you know what you’re doing when it comes to welcoming and supporting a new incumbent.

Today’s gospel reading is also a reminder.

A reminder that Jesus, through his life, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension saves us by bringing us into relationship with God. Jesus becomes one of us in order to point us to God and in order that we have may have a relationship with God through him.

John’s understanding of Christ, his Christological insight, is perhaps, at its most clear in the passage where Jesus prays:

“I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

This prayer for all believers reminds us too that Christ is here among us and that we make up the body of Christ at all times, not just on a Sunday morning at half past ten.

By being the body of Christ, by worshipping, by feeding our souls with prayer and the Eucharist we nourish our faith in order to reflect it back to those around us, so, as Jesus put’s it “the world may believe.”.

So as Jesus prays for us believers to reflect his glory and live in him, the challenge this week and for all our lives is simply this.

To live the message of Easter, to love God with all our heart, mind and strength, to put Him first in all we do.

To go from Sunday worship in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Amen

Post Communion
Faithful God, who fulfilled the promises of Easter
by sending us your Holy Spirit
and opening to every race and nation
the way of life eternal:
open our lips by your Spirit,
that every tongue may tell of your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Notices

Dates for your Diaries Festival Service at Aldeburgh June 12th 10.30am Holy Communion Service Our New Priest in Charge Revd Sarah du Boulay Licensing Service Thursday 30th June at 7.30pm at Aldeburgh. You are all invited to welcome Sarah. Refreshments will be served immediately after the service.

Youth Club has Returned The Youth Club is back! 7pm to 9pm on Monday evenings during term time for 10–14-year-olds. We really need some more volunteers to help on these evenings. There is a rota in the west porch that you can add your name to, if you can help, or you can contact Fran Smith at admin@aldeburghparishchurch.org.uk

✟ Church of England and Diocese Online Worship ✟ There are many online services you can view from the Church of England and our cathedral. Here are some links below. Church of England website https://www.churchofengland.org/ prayer-and-worship/church-online/weekly-online-services Church of England Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ thechurchofengland/ Church of England YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCLecK8GovYoaYzIgyOElKZg St Edmundsbury Cathedral Facebook Page https://www.facebook. com/stedscathedral

Weekly Benefice Newsletter If you would like something added to the weekly newsletter that is relevant to the Benefice, please do let Claire know and we will do our best to include it the following week. All requests by 4pm on Thursday please

Food Banks at the East of England Co-op Foodbanks provide a valuable service to those in need in our communities. The Aldeburgh Co-op and Solar in Leiston are doing a grand job in collecting food donations, which are collected regularly and distributed. So please look out for the various collection baskets.

Friston Open Gardens Sunday 19th June 11.30am to 5.30pm Enjoy a walk around the village exploring a rich diversity of residents’ gardens, many hidden from view from roads and footpaths; visit our medieval church and take time out to relax with light refreshments in the Village Hall. Find the cottage which offers a glass of fizz! Tickets £5pp from the Village Green or Village Hall admits to all gardens.

Pilgrims Together on Wednesdays The Pilgrims worship together every Wednesday. You are all more than welcome to join them via Zoom.   The worship starts at 6.30pm (Zoom call opens from 6.10pm) and the call is then left open after the worship time for people to catch up.   People are welcome to email pilgrimstogether473@gmail.com  to receive a copy, be added to our mailing list, or for the Zoom links. Saturday 18th June Good News Faith Cafe @ The Outside Inn, Parrot Pub 9.30 – 10.30 A time for conversation, a hot drink, and a croissant.  A time to share and offer our thoughts and stories. Acts of kindness within the Outside Inn and out into the outside world.

Next Week
Sunday 12^th June
Trinity Sunday