Worship
The service rota for October is shown below, this includes a new initiative for Brampton, where a Family Service will be held in the Village Hall at 4pm on the first Sunday of each month.
The annual Service of Light for All Souls will be held in Shadingfield Church at 3pm on Saturday 31st October.
(Please inform the Rector if you wish to attend so that social distancing can be maintained 01502 - 714786)
Our churches will remain locked for the time being, however, some will be open for private prayer on the days shown below:-
Sotterley - Fridays (11.00am - 12.30pm)
Weston - Tuesdays (11.00am - 12.30pm)
Shadingfield - Wednesdays (11.15am 12.30pm)
The Benefice YouTube Channel continues and you will find worship, songs and readings there together with other items of general interest. Please go to:-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZRnb801h63ezGW0vXu8VXQ
The weekly Pew Sheet is being distributed by email, if you would like a copy please contact the Rector - revphilm@btinternet.com
Rector's Reflection
Trinity 16 - Sunday 27th September 2020
At Morning Prayer on Wednesday we had Psalm 34.
I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me: let us exalt His name together.Psalms 34: 1-3
Under normal conditions I would say, ‘Yes, absolutely!’ But now, after seven months of restrictions, with the probability of another six months ahead of us, with all the anxiety and insecurity and feelings of helplessness …
At this time I feel more like joining the Psalmist in saying:
Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? Psalms 10: 1
How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a [COVID] land? Psalms 137: 4
Or with the writer of Ecclesiastes:
"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." Ecclesiastes 1: 2
But Psalm 34 doesn’t paint a rose-tinted picture. It acknowledges that we all face hard and difficult times.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The Psalm tells us that God is always ready and willing to be by our side, that ‘The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and He delivers them’.
This time has been difficult and challenging and will continue to be so. But Psalm 34 is an encouragement, a reminder to us, that God is with us, He listens to our prayers; He does, and will continue to, surround us with His love.
And therefore:
I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me: let us exalt His name together.
Rev Phil
Benefice Notice Board
Roving Coffee Morning
Roving Coffee Morning
Roving Coffee Morning
We are having virtual coffee mornings via "ZOOM" whilst covid 19 restrictions are on place.
Please contact Reverend Miller for joining details :-
Safeguarding
Roving Coffee Morning
Roving Coffee Morning
The Parishes within the Benefice have adopted the House of Bishops' "Promoting a Safer Church" document, and have signed onto a Safeguarding Policy Statement.
Should you have any concerns regarding Safeguarding issues, please refer to:-
The Reverend Philip Miller on 01502 714786, or either of the Safeguarding Trainers:-
Mrs Ann Hastings-Payne on 01502 711621 or Mr George Fisher on
01502 714534
You may also refer to the Diocesan web link shown below:-
www.cofesuffolk.org/concerns-and-contacts
Waveney and Blyth Deanery Synod
Waveney and Blyth Deanery Synod
Waveney and Blyth Deanery Synod
The next Deanery Synod will be via Zoom on Thursday 12th November at 7.30pm.
Please contact George Fisher - ye.fishers@btinternet.com for joining details nearer the time.
Benefice Council
Waveney and Blyth Deanery Synod
Waveney and Blyth Deanery Synod
Meeting dates will be announced when covid restrictions allow