General Chat

Cynthia - I hope you don't mind me butting in here with this supposedly light-hearted composition I plan to submit for our parish magazine due out at Christmas. I'm sure the readers of this thread will point out anything I've said that might lead to my excommunication or worse. Here goes!
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Amongst the various items discussed at the Parish Pastoral Council meeting held a few weeks ago was the worrying dearth of youngsters & young families attending our churches. One might conclude that the Pied Piper of Hamelin had marched through the area.

There was an old rule of thumb much loved and adhered to by adults of a bye-gone generation that suggested young children should be seen and not heard. Few, it should be said, took that idea more to heart than the Catholic Church. The only noise expected to be made (the collection plate excepted) during Mass was to respond to the priest in the way laid out in the Mass booklet.

For the few carefree youngsters who might have taken a more freestyle approach to proceedings on the Altar, there were special rooms – still are in some churches – into which those likely to make irritant noises during Mass were corralled like sheep.

Some foolhardy inexperienced parents were brave enough to take a chance on their little treasures maintaining a job-like silence during ceremonies. But they then ran the risk of having to take the ultimate walk of shame down the side aisle with a screaming child wriggling from their grasp while the priest would halt proceedings temporarily just to heighten the tension & embarrassment.

Talking during Mass was up there with stealing the altar wine in terms of sin – but, it seems, no more. One church in London I used to attend made a point of reminding parents that there were crayons and sheets of paper in front of the altar in case any of the younger participants need a temporary diversion.

Apparently, this church isn't on its own in this more liberal approach to children – other churches have been doing so for years – although I’ve not witnessed it in Devon yet.

The sheets of paper supplied – it must be said – had a religious theme to them, but little people just want to colour inside and outside the printed lines; some very young ones may not recognise Christ’s face from Goosy Goosy Gander on TV, and they're as likely to give Him a purple face as a flesh-coloured one. No harm!

Nobody really minds the odd yelp out of a little person during Mass – at least outside of the consecration – and bringing them along is the only way that young parents themselves can get to go in the first place.

Equally, after arriving at church, what's the point of enclosing yourself & offspring in a soundproof room away from the main body of the Church? You might as well stay at home and tune into a Mass on local radio.

So setting out the crayons is a good idea – assuming the little ones stick to colouring in the pages rather than parts of the church’s ancient & precious fabric. There is little wrong with a little bit of noise during Mass anyway; God did not intend anyone to sit like automatons, speaking only when spoken to – and certainly healthy two year olds were never put on this earth to sit still for very long.

Small steps for sure, but ones in the right direction – and maybe the next generation will turn Mass attendance into an art form as well as regular occurrence. Please God, it will happen!

Sometimes wonder what religion the Angles and Saxons were converted from.

I'm not Catholic, but I know the Hail Mary consists mostly of the scripture in the Gospel according to St Luke.

Isn't it funny how church bells rung for a few minutes before a service or to celebrate a wedding sound wonderful, yet constant ringing of them can drive you mad. I hope you have a reasonably peaceful day Pat.

I do think it is sad, though, when someone buys a house next to a church and then complains about the bells or the clock, with the result that the church is silenced.

It sounds as though your church anniversary weekend went very well Cynthia. I hope you have recovered from your exertions.

Still thinking of Kandj and her OH and hoping that there are some signs of improvement at last.

The bells, the bells!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last night that awful clanging we get here, it was 4 x 20 minutes from 6 pm - 9 pm this morning the same, 7 am to start a service 7.45 am to finish, 8.30 am start to 9. 30 finish. More to come today.

It's St Luke's Day here and guess who's patron saint of the village?

They'll be stalls out in the main street, school children off school and we'll have traffic jams all day and evening going through the village.

Even the older locals don't like today - OK if you have children as there are a couple of rides set up, they enjoy themselves but there's only so much religious items, nuts and niff naff that you can buy.

It was different years ago when people traveled to their villages on saints days if they lived away from there. Families got together. Now they all have cars so doesn't mean so much. The young aren't so religious and the stalls aren't full of special foods now it's mainly cheap tat. Shame but as they say - that's progress.

Off out for a couple of hours, then back and hiding away until tomorrow. Need to get the car back in the drive by midday as we sometimes get cars parked up our street from lunchtime until very late even though we're about half a mile from the action.

Only 1 day a year :-)

Good morning :-)


We continue to give thanks.......

We thank you for the mystery of creation:
for the beauty
that the eye can see,
for the joy
that the ear may hear,
for the unknown
that we cannot behold filling the universe with wonder,
for the expanse of space
that draws us beyond the definitions of our selves.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning - from the walking dead :-)


An excellent weekend at church culminating at our Celebration Service last night. It was something my OH and I had put together and I lead the presentation which involved 10 children. It all went really well and I received so many thanks - it was almost embarrassing. Well worth it though. :-D


God of all blessings,
source of all life,
giver of all grace:

We thank you for the gift of life:
for the breath
that sustains life,
for the food of this earth
that nurtures life,
for the love of family and friends
without which there would be no life.
We thank you Lord....Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I spent a fair amount of time, on and off, at church yesterday. Those who visited really seemed to enjoy looking at the old photos and re-living happy memories.
Today, we have the Annual Enrolment Service for our Boys' Brigade company and this evening, we are having a Celebration Service - so 'tis all go!!! :-D


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Grant, we beseech you, merciful Lord,
to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that they may be cleansed from all their sins
and serve you with a quiet mind;
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.
Amen.


The gospel reading is from St. Luke and tells the story of the persistent widow.....never give up praying.


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


This weekend our church is celebrating its 150th anniversary. I was there last night helping to set things up......lots and lots of photographs recalling past events. Today the building is open for people to look around and tomorrow we are holding a special celebration service in the evening. Busy....busy...

For today.......this is a prayer for all churches, not just mine....

On this our special weekend, we pray for our church…….


O God our heavenly Father,
Make the door of our church wide enough to receive
All who need human love and fellowship and a Father’s love,
And narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and uncharitableness.
Here, may the tempted find help and the sorrowing receive comfort.
Here may the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent
Assured of your mercy
And here may all your children renew their strength in you and go on their way rejoicing,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Cx :-)

My thoughts are with Kandj. Sending her love <3

My thoughts and prayers are with Kandj at this time x

Just to say that Kandj is facing difficult times at the moment so she is not sure when she can next post. We send our love and prayers to her as she struggles to balance so many things bless her.

Good morning :-)


I agree and, sometimes Dermot, I think we take too much for granted - we expect so much and, when It doesn't happen, we complain. People demand their human rights without facing their responsibilities. Unlike our parents, we don't really know what it is to 'do without' and many war time slogans come to mind. Our children's generation is probably more ungrateful than ours - and so it goes on. :-)


For today:

Father, clear my sleepy head and fill my mind with expectation
Awake my slow body and energise my heart with love in action.
Ignite my spirit and set this day on fire with promise.
Make the ordinary extraordinary.
Engage me, show me your kingdom alive
Help me to see that every waking moment
Is full of promise because of you.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Ingratitude is an integral part of society. Ask people if they are ever ungrateful, they will probably reply, “Of course not!” However, this attitude is so ingrained in their lives, they cannot openly admit or even realise that they are ungrateful.

If you live in America or any other nation descended from ancient Israel, you live in one of the most abundantly blessed lands in the world. The USA enjoys plentiful food, shelter, electricity, running water, wealth, air conditioning, heating, transportation, sanitation, and many other blessings. Let's take a moment to look around and fully take in all of the many blessings.

However, these lands are also filled with chronic grumblers and complainers. Although there are countless blessings, there seem to always be numerous things to gripe about - be it traffic, the economy, food prices, problems at work, difficulties with family, desire for additional material possessions, ill health, or even Presidential elections.

Never before in the history of man has the world shown this horrible characteristic of ingratitude as it does today! The Bible records the experiences of another nation - the ancient nation of Israel - who also constantly complained and murmured. No matter what God did for them, it was never enough.

(A short excerpt written by David C Pack & published in ‘The Real Truth’ magazine.)

Good morning :-)


An honest and brave comment David......and I think many will identify with you. Being able to still say 'thank you' after such a journey is heartening. Thank you.


Dear God, we hear of peace only as a dream;
a dream we would love to be part of,
a dream we long to have in our hearts, in our neighbourhoods,
in our countries, in the world.

We pray that we may experience that peace
that passes all understanding,
we pray, O God, that we may experience You,
the Peace of the world.
Amen.


Cx :-)

David - what an honest & thought-provoking comment.

I think you have just described most of mankind since The Garden of Eden incident.

Hello every one. On reflection I've spent more than half my life struggling with the consequences of wrong decisions, unwise choices. Been often scared to decide and circumstance has chosen for me. Making so many unhappy because of my foolishness. Being weak when people looked to me. So often disregarded because of a track record of folly.
Yet despite so much recklessness on my part, here I am saying THANK YOU, AMEN

Good morning :-)


I really do not like putting the central heating on.......it reminds me of winter :-(


Working up towards our Anniversary weekend........I think my laptop is about to explode with all the info on it :-D


For today:


In the beginning there was just potential;
the seed within the packet, soil’s nutrients,
sunshine’s warmth, rain clouds gathering.
And within the tiny seed all that is our daily bread encoded,
primed and ready should it be planted and allowed to grow.

Creator God: Thank you


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


After 'one of those nights', I am ready for sleep :-D


For today:

In the beginning there was nothing,
and out of nothing you fashioned a universe so vast,
so unimaginable that we can only sigh with amazement
when we stare upwards on a star-lit night.
And within this universe you positioned the earth and populated it,
provided for it and designed for it to be a place of beauty.

Creator God: Thank you.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Two baptisms and total chaos :-D The church was absolutely packed and we had to get chairs out to make sure everyone had a seat. Despite the crowd, the behaviour was better than usual - and that was the adults! :)

The start of another working week......


You Walk Beside Me
(a short prayer for a good day at work)

Lord, You walk beside me
You are always there.
Come into my workplace
Go with me everywhere.

Lord, Your hand will guide me
Your light will show the way.
Come into my thinking
Journey with me today. Amen.


Praying all are well. Cx