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Advent 2020

Comet above church

We are indebted to Josie Sturgess-Mills, professional photographer, for sending us this magnificent photograph of St Nicholas, Hilfield with the comet.

Photo taken on June 20th

Dear Friends

We are now entering Advent the season of preparation for Christmas which, because of Covid is shaping up to be a most extraordinary festival this year. There will be fewer church services, Carols can’t be sung in church, fewer – if any parties, people are fearful of what is around the corner and there is a general downbeat atmosphere. The media seem to be concentrating on their concerns that families should think twice before getting together this year, and of course that is a sensible thing to do. We do need to be cautious in getting together. Unfortunately, when the media concentrate of family get togethers they forget a number of things. Firstly, it is a fact that for many who have no family, or perhaps have recently lost a life partner or for whom family life is so painful that such get togethers are quite problematic, and consequently many can feel very alone at this time of year anyway. Secondly although many talk of gaining or re-gaining the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ in terms of family getting together, giving presents, etc in fact that is only one of the consequences of the true Spirit of Christmas and not the Spirit itself

Christmas as celebrated by the Christian Community is not simply a festival that revolves around families nor is its primary importance as a festival for children. It is of course true that many families and friends do use the time to catch up with each other and there is no denying that children do enjoy the time of year with its promise of presents and fun together. It will be hard if they are deprived of that this year. But perhaps this year of all years, it would be best to remind ourselves that Christmas is actually a festival that celebrates hope. Hope for the human race. A time when we can look at the troubles all around us and know that God is on our side and that no matter how bad things may become, we are not alone and that there is always hope.

1218Advent1

Yours

Tony Gilbert

Rector Three Valleys Benefice

Advent Collect from the Bisop of Salisbury

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that, on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you In the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Three Valleys Team Ministry

For details of future services, please go to the Services page; for reports on what has happened, please go to the Recent Events page and we hope that there will soon be items on the Forthcoming Events page.]

"....Despite the announcements about re-starting our services in church, it is still far from clear what we will be able to do. Communions are likely to prove problematic for some time to come. The clergy team has met and discussed what we think will be possible and have the following suggestions. As you may know we propose to start gradually with only three services for each Sunday in the first month, one in each of the three components of the benefice. We propose to hold our first services on Sunday 12th July by which time I expect we will have received full guidance from the diocese. We would like to hold these first services in Folke for the WHV, Yetminster for the Wriggle Valley and Thornford for the Gifle Valley. These services will start at 10:00am. There will also be an electronic service for those who prefer not to expose themselves to any possible risk of a social gathering."

Some churches are now open for Private Prayer.

For up-to-date arrangements, as we receive them, please go to the Arrangements for opening churches page.

The Reverend George Moody is now writing a new blog called The Rectory Window (therectorywindow.blogspot.com) based on Mark's gospel. It will appear on an occasional basis.

If you would like to subscribe please click here for instructions.

See the Three Valleys Team facebook page as well for more information and to watch live-streamed services.

Three Valleys Facebook

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A PRAYER FOR ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS

Keep us, good Lord,

under the shadow of your mercy.

Sustain and support the anxious,

be with those who care for the sick,

and lift up all who are brought low;

that we may find comfort

knowing that nothing can separate us from your love