The church is OPEN for private prayer during daylight hours.

Every Thursday evening at 5.30 there is a short Service of Evening Prayer in St Mary’s Linton

For more information please

Like us on Facebook: St Mary’s Church, Linton

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Pew Sheets

19^th October

18^th Sunday after Trinity

Collect

God our judge and Saviour, teach us to be open to your truth and to trust in your love, that we may live each day with confidence in the salvation which is given through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings

Old Testament Jeremiah 31. ^27-34.

New Testament 2 Timothy 3. ^{14 thru}4. ^5.

Gospel Luke 18. ^1-8.

A juggler seems to defeat gravity as he demonstrates his skill. Of course, anybody can keep six balls going all day, but what about bottles or other odd items he juggles with so deftly? Hours of practice make entertainment for people who cannot juggle two vegetables for the Sunday feast! But on stage he is like all skilled performers, a lonely figure and nobody can help him. As a campaigner for the ordination of women to the priesthood, I feel delighted that our efforts have been fruitful in so many ways but I wonder Just how skillful our new Archbishop will be in her juggling act, usually known as the Anglican Church, and the loneliness on that wide stage. History is always in the background of an Anglican Archbishop’s life. Think of all those territories which woke up one day to find themselves members of an Empire, together with notable refuseniks, those mainly English people who lived in North America but who rebelled some 250 years ago. Admittedly that was more to do with taxes than religion. Yet, despite all those joyful celebrations of freedom when the British went home, many people remained united in the Christian Faith which came originally together with the rest of the mechanics of colonization. Perhaps for the first time when Bishop John Henry Hopkins of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont (then still regarded by some as a member of a colony in revolt against their king) in 1851 wrote a letter urging the Archbishop to convene a meeting of the bishops of the Anglican Church because of issues of concern to the whole Communion, a much wider view of our Church arose. His intervention was followed by the Canadian Anglicans. Typically, perhaps of the Family, at the first meeting of the Lambeth Conference which took place in 1867, the Archbishop of York declined to attend and the Vicar of Lambeth refused to allow the bishops into his church. Sarah becomes the head of a Communion which, like the Early Church, is sure to fall out, as Paul did often with his contemporaries, whom he loved. Of course, the juggler will return tomorrow with his act and his loneliness, while we contemplate a lonely man on a cross, for which there will be no tomorrow as you, Sarah and I understand it. Brian

Services next Sunday 26^th October – Last Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
The Lea	Children’s Church	10.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Mattins	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	All Age Communion	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

WESTON Quiz and Ploughman’s Supper, October 24^th, Weston Village Hall, doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. £5 per person, teams of up to 6, Raffle, bring your own drinks. To book debsparishsecretay@outlook.com or Linda 01989 562818

WESTON. ALPHA YOUTH GROUP, An informal group to chat, to explore Christianity and to eat cake. Weston Village Hall, Thursday September 25^th,

5pm – 6.30pm for Anyone aged 11 – 18.

UPTON BISHOP. Murder Mystery Frid 7^th November @ Millenium Hall. An evening of detective work while you eat your Supper, Solve the mystery of The Body in the Library. Actors and chefs as well as diners required! Book your place 07496685960 Entrance and Supper £15. BYOB. Proceeds to Church Heating Fund.

LEA SHOE BOX APPEAL. “Sorry to mention it, but Shoe-box time is coming around again. on-line boxes, www.samaritans-purse.org.uk click on the Shoebox Appeal, Operation Christmas child section and they’ll walk you through it. Please let me know if you do an online box, so I can include. Any questions 01989 750808.

UPTON BISHOP NO LEGO CAFÉ UNTIL AFTER CHRISTMAS

WESTON: “Join us for our Autumn series of Bible studies led by David and Ewan as we explore the Pastoral letters of St John. We meet at 2.30 pm. On the Thursday dates below at, Penyard Rise, WUP HR9 7PH. You and your contribution will be most welcome.

23^rd October 1 John 1 v 5 to 22 13^th November 1 John 2 v 3 to 14

27^th November 1 John 2 v 15 to 29 11^th December 1 John 3 v 1 to10

Christmas break

Please note if any date changes we’ll let you know. Tony Mary Pitt 07534510614.

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Margaret Minnet (AI)

Please pray for all who have died, Mr William Victor Gardner (WuP)

Rev David Howell: 07903 790049 email: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

Rev Ewan Gillings: 07568 515628 email: revgillings@gmail.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

Website: www.ariconium.church

12^th October

17^th Sunday after Trinity

Collect

Almighty God you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you: pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself, and so bring us at last to your heavenly city where we shall see you face to face; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Jeremiah 29. ^{1, 4-7.}

New Testament 2 Timothy 2. ^8-15.

Gospel Luke 17. ^11-19.

The miracles and parables of Jesus teach different aspects of the Kingdom of God. Today’s Gospel is a familiar story of the healing of ten lepers. These people were treated as social outcasts. They were considered to be unclean, having contracted the disease through no fault of their own – innocent, yet condemned to be outside the city limits according to the Law (Numbers 5.2-3). There was total ignorance of the cause of a disease that cannot be communicated by touch. Although it still exists, it is totally curable in the modern world.

How many people today are condemned through no fault of their own? The list is immense – those born with Aids or infected whilst being treated for something else. Men, women and children who are physically, sexually or mentally abused or exploited to provide cheap products for consumption by the comparatively affluent western world. Those who are lonely or addicted to alcohol, drugs and gambling, are in a similar position socially to the ten lepers – and many more can be added. They called out to Jesus for mercy and he responded. He was not repulsed, nor did he lay down any conditions for them to receive his help. He cured them all, without exception – not even reversing the result for those who appeared ungrateful.

In this, and in all his teachings, Jesus is saying, ‘This is what the Kingdom of God is like!’ If we, as his followers, really want to be part of that Kingdom – then we must act in the same way. No ifs, or buts or laying down of conditions – welcoming to all, whoever and whatever they may be. it’s a really tough call! Martin.

Services next Sunday 19^th October – 17^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Family Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Village Praise	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Morning Worship	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

WESTON Quiz and Ploughman’s Supper, October 24^th, Weston Village Hall, doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. £5 per person, teams of up to 6, Raffle, bring your own drinks. Email debsparishsecretay@outlook.com or ring Linda 01989 562818 to book your table.

WESTON. ALPHA YOUTH GROUP, An informal group to chat, to explore Christianity and to eat cake. Weston Village Hall, Thursday September 25^th,

5pm – 6.30pm for Anyone aged 11 – 18.

UPTON BISHOP PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO LEGO CAFÉ UNTIL AFTER CHRISTMAS

WESTON: Join us for a new series starting 09^th Oct looking at the New Testament letters of St John. Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd & 4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181 All Welcome

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Margaret Minnet (AI)

Please pray for all who have died, Mr William Victor Gardner (WuP)

Rev David Howell: 07903 790049 email: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

Rev Ewan Gillings: 07568 515628 email: revgillings@gmail.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

Website: www.ariconium.church

05^th October

16^th Sunday after Trinity

Collect

O Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear the prayers of your people who call upon you; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil them; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Lamentations 1. ^1-6.

New Testament 2 Timothy 1. ^1-14.

Gospel Luke 17. ^5-10.

It is impossible to exaggerate the value of faith. They are very fortunate people who are born into a religious faith and who with the passage of the years find their faith increasingly strong and sustaining. To processes a confident faith is a tremendous blessing. Only faith can answer the most profound questions of life. Without faith, there is no reason for anything and nothing is in its proper place. Life is unintelligible and unbearable without God. Faith gives meaning to life. Faith also gives vision, a life without vision is like a night without stars. But we mustn’t expect faith to clear up everything. Just because we believe doesn’t mean that we have all the answers. But we don’t need to know all the answers. Faith is trust, not certainty. Our faith doesn’t shield us from the hard knocks of life or death. Faith keeps us going in difficult times.

We need to fan into a flame the spark of faith we got in baptism, it’s not enough to keep the faith we must grow in it. Faith grows through prayer and contact with the believing community. It is hard to be a believer on one’s own. This is where community comes in, the community is a support group for believers. But great as faith is, it is not enough in itself, we need love too and love is even more powerful than faith, while faith makes all things possible. Love makes all things easy. David

Services next Sunday 12^th October – 17^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Mattins	8.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Bible Brunch	10.30 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Communion Service	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

WESTON. ALPHA YOUTH GROUP, An informal group to chat, to explore Christianity and to eat cake. Weston Village Hall, Thursday September 25^th,

5pm – 6.30pm for Anyone aged 11 – 18.

UPTON BISHOP. Murder Mystery Frid 7^th November @ Millenium Hall. An evening of detective work while you eat your Supper, Solve the mystery of The Body in the Library. Actors and chefs as well as diners required! Book your place 07496685960 Entrance and Supper £15. BYOB. Proceeds to Church Heating Fund.

UPTON BISHOP PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO LEGO CAFÉ THIS WEEK DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE HALL – THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER LEGO MORNINGS UNTIL AFTER CHRISTMAS

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Margaret Minnet (AI)

Please pray for all who have died,

Rev David Howell: 07903 790049 email: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

Rev Ewan Gillings: 07568 515628 email: revgillings@gmail.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

Website: www.ariconium.church

28^th September

15^th Sunday after Trinity

Collect

God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit upon your Church in the burning fire of your love: grant that your people may be fervent in the fellowship of the gospel that, always abiding in you, they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Jeremiah 32. ^{1-3a, 6-15.}

New Testament 1 Timothy 6. ^6-19.

Gospel Luke 16. ^19-end.

ANNIVERSARIES.

We have a fondness for noting anniversaries, whether birthdays or other notable occasions. Round figures exercise their own particular appeal. So it was this year with the 80th anniversaries of the ending of the Second World War, 8th May for Victory in Europe and 15th August for Victory in Japan. By the time we got through these wars we were left with great quandaries, namely total war and peace by deterrence. We had had the bombing of civilian targets and the onset of nuclear war. We are still pondering over whether things are better or worse. We were of course encouraged by the thought that in each case the “right side” won. As time passes we are left with the prospect that all sides in a conflict now could be nuclear armed and the outcome of a war would be unthinkable, and not worth it. This is, of course, the basis of deterrence and so far it has maintained a fragile peace while we celebrate those precious anniversaries. We cannot dis-invent nuclear weapons and in any case “conventional” warfare is grim. We find ourselves holding a situation which is pretty horrid whatever way you look at it. We should be able to settle our differences in a more sensible way; that is up to our political leaders of course. Tough talking and brinkmanship bring their own risks, but so also do weakness and caving in. Meantime we muddle through and the more nothing happens the more we are successful and we can continue to celebrate all those anniversaries, including birthdays, that punctuate our lives with moments of colour and joy. What does God want of us? Peace and tolerance obviously and a readiness to compromise and come to terms. There is a risk in this of course but there is also the challenge of skilled negotiation and the guidance that we seek from God. So we can take heart. Let honesty and principle be our guides and God our advisor, so that we can step into the future with boldness and confidence. Let us not forget to pray for guidance and peace. Robin Noble

Services next Sunday 05^th October – 16^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Morning Worship	11.15 a.m.
The Lea	Harvest Service	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Harvest Service	6.30 p.m.
Linton	Harvest Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Harvest Service	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

LINTON The next evening of music at Linton Church is October 4^th at 7pm. We welcome back Simon Pickard, along with Karen Jones and Rachel Tedd who make up Ypotryll. You will hear singing, accompanied by psaltery, dulcimer, rebec, harp and other instruments, attempting to recreate the medieval sound world, with just the occasional anachronism! Free admission & interval drinks as usual!

WESTON. ALPHA YOUTH GROUP, An informal group to chat, to explore Christianity and to eat cake. Weston Village Hall, Thursday September 25^th,

5pm – 6.30pm for Anyone aged 11 – 18.

UPTON BISHOP LEGO CAFÉ. Every 1^st Sat @ 10.30am Millennium hall.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd & 4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Margaret Minnet (AI)

Please pray for all who have died,

Rev David Howell: 07903 790049 email: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

Rev Ewan Gillings: 07568 515628 email: revgillings@gmail.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

Website: www.ariconium.church

21^st September

14^th Sunday after Trinity

Collect

Almighty God, whose only Son has opened for us a new and living way into your presence: give us pure hearts and steadfast wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Jeremiah 8. ^{18 thru}9. ^1.

New Testament 1 Timothy 2. ^1-7.

Gospel Luke 16. ^1-13.

Today’s Gospel reading gives us much to ponder. On the surface the story seems quite simple. We know there are at least two types of criminals. One is so inept that he becomes the first to be suspected when a crime is committed. The other is clever enough to escape detection until, as in the parable, his master does a quick and obviously unexpected audit. The Manager knows that the game is up! But we see how his mind works. He knows he is not the only one being a criminal. The first on the list is the Boss himself. Obviously, he has been overcharging his customers. The Law of Moses forbids usury, defined as charging interest of any sort. Psalm 15 for example applauds the man who lends his money without usury. In the parable therefore, the Manager is quick to work out how to protect himself when he’s fired. He expresses concern for being caught but without offering any form of guilt or regret. What the Manager is urging his potential employers to do is to write off the hidden usury which the Boss has got away with when overcharging his customers. This has the unexpected consequence of restoring the Boss to a moral state, since now he will not be guilty of usury. Both master and man are people of “This generation”, not the children of light. We think of people of our own age when we talk of “Our generation”. But the word has another meaning. When Jesus speaks of “A generation of vipers” (Matthew 3 v.7) he means that they have been generated or brought into being by vipers and share their characteristics. But, harking back to one of the creation myths, God created light, and we are called to belong to that creative generation. The best solution to the meaning of the whole parable is in the last verse. No man can serve two masters. It is an attack upon those Pharisees who are supposedly experts in the religion of Israel, but who can find ways for wealthy people, like the Boss to evade the charge of usury and get away with it. Although they interpret the Law of Moses and even set good examples in public, they serve both avarice and the Law, yet in the end avarice is the real master they willingly serve. Brian

Services next Sunday – 28^th September – 15^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Harvest Service & Soup Lunch	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Children’s Church	10.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Mattins	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	All Age Communion	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

WESTON. ALPHA YOUTH GROUP, An informal group to chat, to explore Christianity and to eat cake. Weston Village Hall, Thursday September 25^th,

5pm – 6.30pm for Anyone aged 11 – 18. (More info in the email circular)

UPTON BISHOP LEGO CAFÉ. Every 1^st Sat @ 10.30am Millennium hall.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd & 4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Margaret Minnet (AI)

Please pray for all who have died, Stephen Burns (AI),

Rev David Howell: 07903 790049 email: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

If you’d like to contact Ewan Gillings, his details are, revgillings@gmail.com

Phone 07568 515628. 3 Redwood Close, Ross-On-Wye, HR9 5UD.

We would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to Ewan as he joins our Benefice.

14^th September

13^th Sunday after Trinity

Collect

Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Old Testament Jeremiah 4. ^{11-12, 22-28.}

New Testament 1 Timothy 1. ^12-17.

Gospel Luke 15. ^1-10.

Today, 14th September, is also Holy Cross Day.

We had a dear family friend, who led Sunday School for over 50 years.

The children were taught to make the sign of the Cross, ‘Head to chest, left

to right. This is the sign for which we fight!’. It is the badge that marks out a local Church building for the majority of denominations and yet some regular members find the graphic representation of a crucifix too difficult to cope with.

A God who is not with us in all the lows and highs of our existence would be of little use. It is in the apparent weakness of the Cross, that we see his greatest strength. St.Paul tells us that the Jews demanded signs, but clearly, they did not understand the visual signs in Jesus’ miracles, nor the spoken signs in his parables. The Christian Church is to preach Christ crucified – which was a stumbling-block to the Jews who regarded it as a curse. The Greeks – academics and philosophers – saw it as folly, and everything seemed to them to have gone horribly wrong. We are told that to those who are called, it is the power and wisdom of God – for the foolishness of God is wiser than that of mankind and his weakness is stronger than ours. The strange sign that we can make head to chest etc. becomes relevant when we contemplate the power of the Resurrection.

Martin.

Services next Sunday – 21^st September – 14^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Family Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Village Praise	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Morning Worship	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.

IMPORTANT NEW CONTACT DETAILS FOR REV. DAVID!!

Mobile number is 07903 790049 / Email is: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

Forthcoming Services & Events

UPTON BISHOP. Afternoon Tea with the Cheltenham Silver Band, Sat 13^th Sept 4.30 pm @ Millennium Hall, Free entry – donations for refreshments please.

WESTON. ALPHA YOUTH GROUP, An informal group to chat, to explore Christianity and to eat cake. Weston Village Hall, Thursday September 25^th,

5pm – 6.30pm for Anyone aged 11 – 18. (More info in the email circular)

LEA SHOE BOX APPEAL. “Sorry to mention it, but Shoe-box time is coming around again ! (I’m sure it comes earlier every year!). All the churches have leaflets available, or you could do an on-line box, www.samaritans-purse.org.uk and click on the Shoebox Appeal, Operation Christmas child section and they will walk you through the process! Please do let me know if you complete an online box, so I can include it in my returns figures, thank you. If you have any queries or questions please just ring me on 01989 750808. Thank you and bless you for thinking of an impoverished child, I know how much these Shoeboxes mean to them and the thought that someone they don’t know is thinking of them.”

UPTON BISHOP LEGO CAFÉ. Every 1^st Sat @ 10.30am Millennium hall.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd & 4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Margaret Minnet (AI)

Please pray for all who have died, Stephen Burns (AI),

Rev David Howell: 07903 790049 email: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

If you’d like to contact Ewan Gillings, his details are, revgillings@gmail.com

Phone 07568 515628. 3 Redwood Close, Ross-On-Wye, HR9 5UD.

We would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to Ewan as he joins our Benefice.

07^th September

12^th Sunday after Trinity

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray and to give more than either we desire or deserve: pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of 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.

Readings

Old Testament Jeremiah 18. ^1-11.

New Testament Philemon. ^1-21.

Gospel Luke 14. ^25-33.

We measure people’s commit to a cause by the sacrifices they are prepared to make for it. We cannot hope to be genuine followers of Christ without making sacrifices.

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. He knew that suffering, rejection, and death awaited him at the end of that journey, But it seems that some Galilians regarded it as a victory march of the Messiah. In no uncertain terms. Jesus disillusioned them.

Knowing that his disciples would have to face similar challenge, Jesus spoke about the cost of discipleship He didn’t literally mean hating one’s father and mother. The word ‘hate’ is a Semitic expression. Love less would be nearer to what Jesus had in mind. He was telling his disciples that they must be ready if needs be to sacrifice the dearest things in life. In certain rare circumstances they might have to choose between him and their own close relatives.

The two short parables make the point of discipleship is a serious calling. It could mean persecution and even death in this as in any other sphere of life (such as business and politics) one shouldn’t walk into it blindly. One must calculate the cost before setting out and see if one has what it takes.

David

Services next Sunday – 14^th September – 13^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Holy Communion	8.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Bible Brunch	10.30 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Communion Service	10.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell Friday 19^th September	Harvest Service & Supper	7.00 p.m.

IMPORTANT NEW CONTACT DETAILS FOR REV. DAVID!!

Mobile number is 07903 790049 / Email is: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

UPTON BISHOP LEGO CAFÉ. Every 1^st Sat @ 10.30am Millennium hall.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd & 4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Margaret Minnet (AI)

Please pray for all who have died, Stephen Burns (AI),

Rev David Howell: 07903 790049 email: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

If you’d like to contact Ewan Gillings, his details are, revgillings@gmail.com

Phone 07568 515628. 3 Redwood Close, Ross-On-Wye, HR9 5UD.

We would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to Ewan as he joins our Benefice.

31^st August

11^th Sunday after Trinity

Collect

O God, you declare your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Jeremiah 2. ^4-13.

New Testament Hebrews 13. ^{1-8, 11`5-16.}

Gospel Luke 14. ^{1, 7-14.}

This Sunday’s service is, it’s fair to say, something a little different from the usual. And whilst the phrase “Well Blessing at Aston Ingham” might sound like a throwaway line conjured up in a writers’ meeting for The Archers, this Sunday’s service is – rather than simply an anachronism or a rural quirk – actually a reminder of what it means to be “the Church” in our little corner of the world.

The history of Well Blessings is, as you might have expected, not something on which there has been vast swathes of recent literature – sadly, neither was it ever covered at theological college. Yet the history of them is, in fact, rich and significant. In the Middle Ages, there were hundreds (if not thousands) of Holy Wells dotted the country, most of which were dedicated to a particular (usually local) saint, through whose intercession pilgrims could receive healing, or whatever it was that they happened to be petitioning for. Holy Wells such as the one at the Shrine in Walsingham still receive a regular stream (pardon the pun) of pilgrims who venture there, seeking answer to their prayers.

Well Blessings have also traditionally coincided with customs such as Well Dressings, in particular in the Peak District – though, closer to home, the Malvern Well Dressing Festival in May this year attracted a strong 60 entries. Wells, of course, were a vital part of community life before the introduction of mains water – and the church’s part in what was (quite literally) the life of the village was an important one. Wells – and the devotions, prayers, thanksgivings, and venerations that grew up around and as a result of them – were a witness to the way in which the life of the church permeated, at every level, the daily lives of the parishioners.

In the modern world, of course, much of this has changed. Yet it is a great joy for us all to be able to gather together, as a Benefice, to engage in a form of worship and thanksgiving to God which has been taking place in little villages like ours for hundreds of years. Dŵr Cymru may have the aqua hegemony nowadays, but there is still a crucial role for the church to play in gathering local people together to give thanks for the gifts that God has given us in our little corner of the world. God bless. Ewan

Services next Sunday – 07^th September – 12^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Morning Worship	11.15 a.m.
The Lea	Family Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Evensong	4.30 p.m.
Linton	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Mattins	10.30 a.m.

IMPORTANT NEW CONTACT DETAILS FOR REV. DAVID!!

Mobile number is 07903 790049 / Email is: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

UPTON BISHOP LEGO CAFÉ. Every 1^st Sat @ 10.30am Millennium hall.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd & 4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Margaret Minnet (AI)

Please pray for all who have died, Stephen Burns (AI),

Rev David Howell: 07903 790049 email: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

If you’d like to contact Ewan Gillings, his details are, revgillings@gmail.com

Phone 07568 515628. 3 Redwood Close, Ross-On-Wye, HR9 5UD.

We would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to Ewan as he joins our Benefice.

24^th August

10^th Sunday after Trinity

Collect

Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble Servants; and that they may obtain their petitions make them to ask such things as shall please you; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Jeremiah 1. ^4-10.

New Testament Hebrews 12. ^18-end.

Gospel Luke 13. ^10-17.

I am sorry that today’s subject is rather dark, but it so happens that a dear and close friend has recently been touched by it. The suicide is that of her daughter, an only child in her late 50s, herself the mother of two grown men and grandmother to two small girls.

This lady had been harbouring the temptation to self-harm increasingly for a number of years. Each time she suffered attacks she recovered, until now, and the struggle has greatly damaged relationships within the family. We are desperately saddened by this turn of events but there is little we can do except offer to support and console our friend as best we can.

It used to be the case that suicide was regarded as a sin and subjects were denied Christian funerary rites. Nowadays we are more enlightened, I hope. We do not take the view that threats of suicide are used in attempts to manipulate others. The temptation to take one’s own life is an illness in which the state of the mind becomes unbalanced – a serious illness, often fatal as in this case. It should always be taken seriously. The medical profession does its best to engage in the struggle and understand it, but often although their intervention appears successful the result is still the same. These persons should not be dismissed as manipulators and certainly not as sinners. They are ill. Sometimes the illness is so severe that the outcome is an untimely and tragic death affecting many people in the immediate family, the wider family and the circle of friends.

If you encounter such a situation the response should be to take it seriously and to support the affected people with understanding and love.

And pray.

Your prayer might or might not result in continued life but you will certainly support the family, especially those within it who are close to you. Your support will be invaluable. Robin Noble

Services next Sunday – 31^st August – 11^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	ARICONIUM BENEFICE WELL BLESSING SERVICE @ ASTON INGHAM	10.30 A.M.
The Lea
Hope Mansell
Aston Ingham
Linton
Upton Bishop

IMPORTANT NEW CONTACT DETAILS FOR REV. DAVID!!

Mobile number is 07903 790049 / Email is: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

LINTON. St Mary’s, Linton are holding their annual Dog Show and Cream Teas on Bank Holiday Monday 25th August from 3pm at Linton Village Hall. Parking available. Contact Charlotte c.newton365@btinternet.com to reserve a table or just turn up on the day. No need to bring a dog!

UPTON BISHOP LEGO CAFÉ. Every 1^st Sat @ 10.30am Millennium hall.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd & 4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Margaret Minnet (AI)

Please pray for all who have died, Stephen Burns (AI),

Rev David Howell: 07903 790049 email: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

If you’d like to contact Ewan Gillings, his details are, revgillings@gmail.com

Phone 07568 515628. 3 Redwood Close, Ross-On-Wye, HR9 5UD.

We would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to Ewan as he joins our Benefice.

17^th August

9^th Sunday after Trinity

Collect

Almighty God, who sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your Church: open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Isaiah 5. ^1-7.

New Testament Hebrews 11. ^{29 thru}12. ^2.

Gospel Luke 12. ^49-56.

I suppose I was about ten years old and I had toothache. In those days dentists extracted the tooth to cure the problem. A knife, just like that carried by my friend Roy, was my reward for bravery. As a farmer’s boy, I used my knife to cut string and sharpen sticks. Nobody set about removing my knife for any reason Tragically,I do not know why some months ago a

fifteen-year-old child took a hunting-knife to school and used it to kill a lad of his own age. The victim’s parents urged that a means of detecting knives should be set up in schools. This may be understandable but it sounds like a last resort rather than a cure for the sickness which is eagerly fed by evil individuals on all sides. As in so many of social problems the malaise is regularly analysed, not resolved. The suggested cure seems to require action from someone else. Usually it is the school, due to the lack of proper moral instruction offered to children today. This seems odd since children spend the majority of their lives outside school! In prison the staff are tasked with reforming such young offenders. They have grown up in a State which lays claim to do a multitude of unrealistic and unachievable things because it lives by one short-term political theory or another which may be changed and disassembled every five years. The trumpet always sounds for what we will gain, never for what of significant value we will lose. It is as if, in that famous encounter with God, Isaiah had cried “Here am I Lord! Send someone else!” Has the family structure so obvious in

Jewish and Islamic communities in Britain, been lost to the rest of us over the last eighty years? The family gets in the way of that social engineering which has eased out Christianity in order to create some ideal State anticipated every five years. The urgent desire for a spiritual dimension is demonstrated by the popular but hopelessly fantastic space travel fiction. Its ignorance of the laws of physics is as profound as its refusal to accept the ultimate reality of the peasant Holy Man who has transformed the world and showed us the real and eternal at once. Without Christ the end of the matter is rule by Despot and the slow death of a State. Brian

Services next Sunday – 24^th August – 10^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Parish Communion	11.00 a.m.
The Lea
Hope Mansell	Mattins	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	All Age Communion	10.30 a.m.

IMPORTANT NEW CONTACT DETAILS FOR REV. DAVID!!

Mobile number is 07903 790049 / Email is: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

UPTON BISHOP LEGO CAFÉ. Every 1^st Sat @ 10.30am Millennium hall.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd & 4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Margaret Minnet (AI)

Please pray for all who have died, Stephen Burns (AI),

Rev David Howell: 07903 790049 email: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

If you’d like to contact Ewan Gillings, his details are, revgillings@gmail.com

Phone 07568 515628. 3 Redwood Close, Ross-On-Wye, HR9 5UD.

We would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to Ewan as he joins our Benefice.

10^th August

8^th Sunday after Trinity

Collect

Almighty Lord and everlasting God, we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of your laws and the works of your commandments; that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Isaiah 1. ^{1, 10-20.}

New Testament Hebrews 11. ^{1-3, 8-16.}

Gospel Luke 12. ^32-40.

Immediately before today’s Gospel passage, Luke records Jesus telling his hearers not to be anxious.

Anxiety can produce many problems – tears, bad temper, frustration, bad language, a rise in blood pressure, and even ulcers, to name but a few. In a word, it is ‘counterproductive’.

One possible opposite is for us to be uncaring and unconcerned. It saves us all the above, but doesn’t help anyone else. It can become self-centred and self-sufficient – importantly ‘non-Christian’. So, where does that leave us? There is a very productive alternative and that is, ‘Concern’. Anxiety and worry are destructive, but concern is productive. It clears the mind, gets down to the roots and enables practical action to be taken. It helps others and does not destroy the helper – rather, it often enriches the helper.

My late Grandmother, who lived with us as I was growing up, had many wise sayings. Rather than getting wound up, she would dismiss a tricky situation with, ‘It’s only for life – any longer and I’m not staying!’ Things will pass away – everything as we know it – with the exception of God’s Kingdom.

We are at a point between our Lord’s departure back into Heaven and his promised return – which will come at a time when we least expect it. We need to be ready and if we are, there is nothing to be anxious about.

‘Do not be afraid little flock, it is your Father’s pleasure to give you the Kingdom!’ Martin.

Services next Sunday – 17^th August – 9^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Family Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Village Praise	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Patronal Festival Evensong	5.00 p.m.
Upton Bishop	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.

IMPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS FOR REV. DAVID!!

As of the 12^th June the landline to the Vicarge will no longer be Valid. TO CONTACT DAVID FROM THIS DATE, SEE BELOW DETAILS

Mobile number is 07903 790049 / Email is: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

Forthcoming Services & Events

LINTON. There will be a Full Choral Evensong 17^th August, 5pm at St Mary’s Linton as part of their celebration of their Patronal Festival. There will be a short illustrated talk entitled ‘A Trip to Jerusalem’ by Charlotte Newton at 3.30pm and Tea & Cake at 4pm. Everyone Welcome.

LINTON. St Mary’s, Linton are holding their annual Dog Show and Cream Teas on Bank Holiday Monday 25th August from 3pm at Linton Village Hall. Parking available. Contact Charlotte c.newton365@btinternet.com to reserve a table or just turn up on the day. No need to bring a dog!

UPTON BISHOP LEGO CAFÉ. Every 1^st Sat @ 10.30am Millennium hall.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd & 4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Margaret Minnet (AI)

Please pray for all who have died, Stephen Burns (AI),

Rev David Howell: 07903 790049 email: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

If you’d like to contact Ewan Gillings, his details are, revgillings@gmail.com

Phone 07568 515628. 3 Redwood Close, Ross-On-Wye, HR9 5UD.

We would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to Ewan as he joins our Benefice.

03^rd August

7^th Sunday after Trinity

Collect

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of your great mercy keep us in the same; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Hosea 11. ^1-11.

New Testament Colossians 3. ^1-11.

Gospel Luke 12. ^13-21.

One of the (many) things I hadn’t realised about “growing up” was quite how expensive it was to set up and furnish a house. When I was preparing to leave Oxford and move to Herefordshire, and I was busy rushing here there and everywhere to make sure that I had all the bits I needed ahead of the move, I was amazed at just how much money could be spent on things that are, really, quite dull – it’s easy to spend £3000 on a sofa, or £1500 on a fridge or, if you really want, £250 on a toaster and kettle set(!) On the face of it, today’s gospel reading may seem to encourage us, in the words of Viv Nicholson, to “spend, spend, spend.” Certainly, we should be careful not to accrue money for the sake of it. But we must also be careful not to fill up our barns, in the words of the parable in Luke, with the “grain and goods” of modern society. There are two important passages to remember when we think about how we use and treat the money that we have, however little or much it may be. Firstly, 1 Timothy 6:10 – “the love of money is the root of all evil.” It’s important to note here that money itself isn’t the issue – it’s the infatuation with it that is the problem. Secondly, Psalm 24:1 – “the earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and all those who dwell in it.” Our money, our possessions, are not our own, but are gifts from God, which we have been given temporary stewardship over. We have these resources so that we might better resource the people of God, that we may likewise be conduits of the generosity and love that the Lord has shown to us. We should use the gifts that we have been given so that we, in the final words of our gospel reading, may live lives that are “rich towards God.”

Rev’d Ewan Gillings

Services next Sunday – 10^th August – 8^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Mattins	8.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Bible Brunch	10.30 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Communion Service	10.30 a.m.

IMPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS FOR REV. DAVID!!

As of the 12^th June the landline to the Vicarge will no longer be Valid. TO CONTACT DAVID FROM THIS DATE, SEE BELOW DETAILS

Mobile number is 07903 790049 / Email is: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

Forthcoming Services & Events

WESTON: Summer Song Concert. Soprano Lori Weber accompanied by Sammy Martin, host, A programme of songs with a summer theme, across a variety of genres and ages. Saturday 2^nd August @ 7.30 p.m. Tickets £10 available from Linda 07847 335903 or lmarydunn@sky.comBar & Refreshments available.

Sunday 17th August

UPTON BISHOP LEGO CAFÉ. Every 1^st Sat @ 10.30am Millennium hall.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd & 4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Margaret Minnet (AI)

Please pray for all who have died, Stephen Burns (AI),

Rev David Howell: 07903 790049 email: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

If you’d like to contact Ewan Gillings, his details are, revgillings@gmail.com

Phone 07568 515628. 3 Redwood Close, Ross-On-Wye, HR9 5UD.

We would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to Ewan as he joins our Benefice.

27^th July

6^th Sunday after Trinity

Collect

Merciful God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as pass our understanding: pour into our hearts such love toward you that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Amos 8. ^1-12.

New Testament Colossians 1. ^15-28.

Gospel Luke 10. ^38-end.

Loved ones far away

We have recently had the experience of a visit by a family from the USA. This was no ordinary family: it consisted of a daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren. To see them and share activities with them for a few weeks has been a great blessing, for which we are very grateful. The trouble with a return match would be the cost of a travel health insurance even if it could be obtained at all. So we made the most of the visit that was possible, and it gave us much joy. But like all good things the visit had to come to an end. We are left with our memories and our pictures. We also have our reinvigorated prayers as we hold our dear ones before God for his blessing and protection. This brings me to reflect on today’s Gospel reading which, among other things, gives us what we know as the Lord’s Prayer. What a prayer it is. It covers so much, a whole way of life and a relationship with God. Its simplicity is beguiling but the standards are very great. We are expected to forgive as much as we expect to be forgiven. I am especially taken by the relationship upon which the whole prayer is based – family. We approach God as father. This tells us of caring, giving, loving and in the end sacrificing for the sake of the children. Jesus is telling us that God’s love for us is along the lines that our own family experience reveals. Daily bread, forgiving, being forgiven; these are the features by which we walk hand in hand with God our heavenly father, whose values are encouragingly earthbound. Love propels our families: let it also propel our relationship with God. Robin.

Services next Sunday – 03^rd August – 7^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Morning Worship	11.15 a.m.
The Lea	Family Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Evensong	4.30 p.m.
Linton	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Mattins	10.30 a.m.

IMPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS FOR REV. DAVID!!

As of the 12^th June the landline to the Vicarge will no longer be Valid. TO CONTACT DAVID FROM THIS DATE, SEE BELOW DETAILS

Mobile number is 07903 790049 / Email is: revdavidhowell@icloud.com

Forthcoming Services & Events