General Chat

My fellow parishioners are all looking forward to re-establishing contact with our Parish Priest who, it would seem, has adhered to the much published 'lock-down' rules & regulations during these long few months.

His apparent inability to enquire about his 'faithful' congregation by phone, for example, during all this time is discouragingly sad to say the least..

Good morning :-)


Round and round the garden…..


The Rose

Roses have been a part of Christian symbology since the 11th century. In Christian symbolism, the red rose stands for the blood shed by Jesus on the cross; it has also become a symbol for earthly love, a tradition which continues today especially on St. Valentine’s Day and other romantic occasions.

The white rose may represent the Virgin Mary, and thus virginity, or fertility and passion. In the middle ages a crown of white roses was worn by virgins, as it illustrated innocence. Mary is known as the "mystic rose" or the "rose without thorns" among some Christians, because of her role as the mother of Jesus Christ.

Like other plants, a rose, especially one that is still alive, can also carry overtones of growth, renewal. The thorns of a rose represent on how nothing is perfect – thus the saying "Every rose has its thorn". In actuality, the thorns are prickles that are used to cling onto other vegetation or to protect itself.

From the hymn ‘Crown Him with Many Crowns’ vs 2

Crown him the virgin's Son,
the God incarnate born,
whose arm those crimson trophies won
which now His brow adorn;
fruit of the mystic rose,
as of that rose the stem;
the root whence mercy ever flows,
the Babe of Bethlehem.


Cx :-)

Eusebius records that Pilate committed suicide out of remorse for his part in Jesus’s execution. But the Ethiopian church believes the former prefect was martyred and has canonized him and declared June 25 as his feast day.

Good morning :-)

Many congratulations to your granddaughter Vera - she has done well. <3


David, take a look at John Chapter 5. The Day of Judgement could certainly be construed as a 'frightening' time for many. When you read the story of Jesus you realise that he came to encourage, support and teach us that if we trust in Him, we need not fear death. <3

Round and round the garden…..

The Lily

The white Madonna lily is the most recognized symbol for the Virgin Mary and Christian churches are generally festooned with them at Easter. Christians hold the lily as a symbol of chastity, innocence, purity and piety and they are mentioned several times in the bible.

It is said that the white petals represent Mary’s flesh and the yellow pollen covered stamens is her soul. According to Christian tradition, the lily was born from the tears of regret from Eve when she left the Garden of Eden.

The lily features in many Christian paintings and are widely used at both weddings and at funerals. They are associated with 30th wedding anniversaries.


“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ...”



Cx :-)

Hello all

Very strange David. Time alone will tell methinks.

Vera, Congratulations to your granddaughter. She must have worked really hard to achieve a 1st and I'm sure that you are all over the moon at her result.

Another interesting topic. I love my garden and find the flowers therapeutic especially at this strange time

In 1994 while working a night shift alone I saw my own Mother in the back seat of a car inside a locked garage that I had locked. This after being present at her death in Hospital, disposing of her clothes and furniture and house, arranging and attending her her funeral. It scared me, big time.
Now it says in the Bible that at some time in the "near" future all graves are going to open and that the occupants will be granted eternal life or sent to Hell.
Is this massive grave opening going to seem like something from a horror story ? :-S

You’ve chosen another interesting theme this week Cynthia. Thank you.

I love the stories behind the flowers. I remember there being something in the news a few years ago about Leonardo da Vinci’s “Madonna of the Carnation” and wondering what the symbolism of the flower meant. I intended to google it but it went right out of my head. Now, thanks to you, I have at last found out.

Flowers are a great blessing and can be very therapeutic. I have been so grateful for our small garden during lockdown and have felt so sorry for anyone coping without access to outside space.

We have much to be thankful for today. We have just heard that our eldest granddaughter has been awarded her degree and has achieved a First, so we are very proud grandparents :-(

Good morning :-)


Round and round the garden.......

The Orchid – an interesting story.

These flowers represent the blood of Jesus Christ from the Gethsemane garden and Calvary. In one of the legends of early Christianity, it relates how a monk stole the hand of a statue depicting the Jesus child. While hiding the monk in the mountains, he lost the way and, before dying of exhaustion and hunger, he buried the stolen treasure. The following year, in the place where the monk had hidden the precious object an orchid had sprung up, a flower whose roots reproduced exactly a child's hand.

The flower symbolism associated with the orchid is love, beauty, refinement, many children, thoughtfulness and mature charm. Orchids are associated with 14th and 28th wedding anniversaries.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

As I have looked through Twitter and FB etc., I have been heartened at the number of online church services and how they have adapted their worship. One church (in Canada!) has the vicar leading a service and there are maybe 3 or 4 of his choristers with him. They keep to all the social distancing rules and sing the hymns. They have lovely voices too!

Many church musicians are chomping at the bit ready to begin rehearsals again. They do say that being in a choir is very beneficial to your health :-D


Round and round the garden…..


The Daffodil

The daffodil is acknowledged as the resurrection flower and is seen more than ever around Easter. It declares the path of Christ through death and resurrection. The sight of the daffodil would summon people to church.

It has also been said that the trumpet shape of the flower represents Gabriel’s trumpet calling for rebirth and new life; and the petals represent life after death. The stamen is said to portray Christ’s kingship.

In France, the daffodil is a symbol of hope and, along with the leek, it is the emblem for Wales and for the Marie Curie nurses. The daffodil is also associated with 10th wedding anniversaries.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Cx :-)

Cynthia ............... OH said that their choir mistress and pianist (no organ) has apparently taped or recorded some music and posted it online (I think on FB), so that people can sing the hymns to music at home.

Hello all

Thank you for Tell Out My Soul. I am now singing along with this traditional hymn.

Our church service had no hymn singing and was shorter than usual too just like your husband Sylvia.

I pondered about going along yesterday although I desperately wanted churches to be opened. I guess self isolating for the last 15 weeks made me hesitant.

I loved being back in church with the small church family and I'll look forward to next week now.

Good morning :-)

Sylvia, I am seeing lots of comments from organists and choristers who are really, really wanting to get back to the music side of things.....they are very frustrated! It's understandable your OH feels the same.

Glad you made it to church yesterday kandj.

Only one of our churches has opened so far and they streamed the service on their FB page yesterday. It was well done, well thought out and was good to watch. They had a soloist and some music but no hymns as such. Only a few wore masks and everyone was dotted around the building. It is a church which has been there since the 1100's and this is the first time (I think) that it has ever been closed for worship in all those years.



During lockdown, I know that many of you have spent time in your gardens, especially in the good weather. It’s interesting to read of the various meanings attached to flowers and plants, including some religious meanings too. Let’s wander around our gardens, however small or large they may be, and pray as we tend the plants….

The Carnation
Christian artists often adorned scenes of the Madonna and Child with a red carnation, signifying the Virgin’s love of Christ and as foreshadowing of his crucifixion. This is how they became associated with motherly love.

Carnations are given on 1st anniversaries as a sign of love and commitment. They’re the second most popular cut flower after roses.

This hymn, based on the words of the Magnificat, is associated with Mary.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children's children and for evermore.


Cx :-)

OH was back earlier than usual, no singing at all.

He said there were about 30-35 people there, which is not far off the usual number ...... the church holds a maximum of 120.

He said it was "OK", just a lot of talking ............ he loves church music! :-D

Hello all

I also went to church this morning. I wasn't sure whether to go to this opening service. the first one for 15 weeks but I'm pleased that I did. It just felt "right" even though everything seemed very strange as all government rules were set in place to keep us safe.

OH has gone to church this morning .............. first opening since march.

No singing, spatial distancing, masks to be worn.

I'll find out later how it went. The minister is very new, she was inducted just before everything closed down

Good morning :-)

I have just watched a FB live streaming from one of our local churches and I realise, yet again, how much I miss being part of a congregation.......



The Collect (special prayer) for today:


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.




Gospel
Matthew 11.16–19,25–30

16 ‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another,
17 “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.”
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; 19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’

25 At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

Cx :-)

Hello all

I clearly remember how shocked/horrified I was in school to be told that David Livingstone's heart was buried under a tree in Africa yet his remains were taken and buried in Westminster Abbey!!??

Have a happy/peaceful day today by remembering all the things that we are grateful for in our daily lives.

Keep well, stay safe everyone.

Good morning :-)

Livingstone moved south again, obsessed by his quest for the Nile sources and his desire for the destruction of the slave trade, but his illness overcame him. In May 1873, at Chitambo in what is now northern Zambia, Livingstone was found dead, kneeling by his bedside as if in prayer.

In order to embalm Livingstone’s body, they removed his heart and viscera and buried them in African soil. In a difficult journey of nine months, they carried his body to the coast. It was taken to England and, in a great Victorian funeral, was buried in Westminster Abbey on April 18, 1874.

“You can have his body, but his heart belongs in Africa!” – David Livingstone

Cx :-)

Hello all

Sylvia, the Anglican priest is a true Christian man.

Vera, belated Happy Birthday to your granddaughter.

David Livingstone was an inspirational missionary.

Happy weekend to everyone. Stay safe.

Good morning :-)


David Livingstone......

When he returned to Ujiji on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika on October 23, 1871, Livingstone was a sick and failing man.

After nothing was heard from him for many months, Henry Stanley, an explorer and journalist, set out to find Livingstone. This resulted in their meeting near Lake Tanganyika in October 1871 during which Stanley uttered the famous phrase: 'Dr Livingstone I presume?'

Stanley brought much-needed food and medicine, and Livingstone soon recovered. He joined Stanley in exploring the northern reaches of Lake Tanganyika and then accompanied him to Unyanyembe, 200 miles (320 km) eastward. But he refused all Stanley’s pleas to leave Africa with him, and on March 14, 1872, Stanley departed for England to add, with journalistic fervour, to the saga of David Livingstone.


Cx :-)