THIS OLD BOAT

THIS OLD BOAT

This boat is laid up at West Bay ( where the TV series Broadchurch was filmed) in West Dorset.

West Bay is situated on the world heritage "jurassic coast"

The boat  is a photographers dream as it's position provides the opportunity to photograph it from many angles.

The 5W 's - Wonderful Wandering Walk in Wayford Woods

Wayford Woods is an  out of the way place in somerset, not a place you would just happen upon.A tranquil place, the silence is only broken by beautiful bird song and the sound of the occasional train. Paths go hither and thither, up and down adding an air of mystery. Oh how i wish I had worn wellies,they are a good bet for footwear at the moment. The colours there at this time are wonderful, from deep red rhododendrons to white with a hint of pink with carpets of bluebells everywhere. Tree buds are bursting forth, fresh vibrant green ferns are uncurling and the clear stream flows beside the path making a melodious tinkling sound according to my husband.
There is a secret, the little doors in the trees but don't tell the children before you take them. There is even a playground for the fairies. HAVE FUN

x

Easter Sunday Sermon

 Christ is Risen

 He is risen indeed

 Alleluia,alleluia

Last Sunday we heard of jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem with the crowds voices ringing with the words “Hosanna to the son of david”. on Thursday we remembered our lords last meal with his disciples and on Friday we read the passion according to Matthew where the words Hosanna changed to the “crucify him, crucify him” and now here we are on The day following the crucifixion a day that was a black for the followers of Jesus. Not yet realising fully the truth of the resurrection, their hopes lay in ruins, Jesus the man who performed miracles ,who healed the sick ythe man who chose not to  run away and save himself. he chose humiliation he chose nails and the cross  he chose death to save us, to bring us back to God, healing our sins.

 the disciples they were on their own. Their Lord was dead. All that they could do for him now was grant him a decent burial, so the women went to work preparing embalming spices with which to anoint the body.

Among the women were Mary the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. With others they had travelled with Jesus on his journeys, taking care of his day-to-day needs. They had followed him to the cross and stood beside him through the long day of his dying, and had clung together as they shed tears of bitter grief.

According to some historians, Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany were one and the same. It is commonly believed that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute - though in fact no mention of this is found in any of the Gospels. She had been delivered by Jesus of 'seven devils' - though this could also have applied to ma ny that he encountered. Whatever the facts, it seems certain that Mary Magdalene had found forgiveness and new life in Jesus, that she loved her Lord and had served him faithfully.

Now, heartbroken, early on the morning of the third day while it was still dark , Mary goes to the tomb to discover that  the stone has been rolled away.  The body she had come to tend is gone, so she does what I think we would all do and she runs for help, but to be honest the disciples that come don’t seem to provide much support, they looked saw that the body had gone and left. then  I n despair, through her tears  asks the man standing outside to tell her when' i t has been taken.

At first she does not recognize his voice. may be her grief is so overwhelming that her senses are dulled, she is confused. It is only when he says her name “mary” that the she realizes to whom she has been speaking to all the time.

How many times have you walked along the street and uttered the words “oh ,sorry I didn’t recognize you”

I read a story the other day

a 6 yrs old girl was drawing a picture one day. her teacher said “what are you drawing”.the little girl said”I am drawing a picture of God”. The teacher was surprised and said”but do you know what god looks like”. the little girl carried on drawing and said “they will in a minute”

this morning morning prayer included the Song of Christ Glory

Christ Jesus was in the form of God, •

but he did not cling to equality with God.

  He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant,

and was born in our human likeness.

 Being found in human form he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him,

 and bestowed on him the name above every name,

 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth;

  And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father

Chris took on human, he became one of us.

 we, you and I are made in God’s image, so would recognize God if you meet him in      Bridport, of course you would.

He is in you, he is in the person sat next to you, in acts of kindness you receive, he is in the person who supports you in times of difficulty,

Isaiah  41.13  reading from the message

That’s right. Because I, your God,

 have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
 I’m right here to help you.’

The wonderful church at which I exercise my priestly ministry 

Holy Trinity Church, Bothenhampton, Dorset

Holy Trinity Bothenhampton was Edward Prior's first church.
He undertook an extensive study of local churches
and developed a sophisticated analytical approach
to designing the building, and a philosophy that sought
to build appropriately for its religious function.
The roof was the most radical feature of the church,
later forming the model for the great roof at Prior's
masterwork at St Andrew's Church, Roker.
Elements of Richard Norman Shaw's influence remain,
particularly in the porch but Prior's knowledge and
 love of Early English church architecture in particular
dominate.
Prior was careful to use local materials,
selected with skill and handled with craftsmanship.
He was also able to develop furnishings and decoration
 to provide a holistic design for the church and its fittings.
At Bothenhampton Prior designed the font, the altar rails,
the choir stalls, and chest, the doors.
The altar table was designed with William Lethaby
and executed by Augustus Mason.
All the furnishings were in English oak.
Lethaby designed the
altar front in gesso, with intertwined wild roses, leaves and stems.
A wrought iron chancel screen was added in 1895

The Wonderful Jurassic Cliffs at Burton Bradstock, Dorset

These photographs were taken at the Hive Beach at
 Burton  Bradstock in West Dorset. They form part of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast.

Good Friday

 The day is near, the time has come

Bread is broken, Wine is drunk

The deal is done, Fate has been sealed

Sealed with a kiss, the sign of love, no less

How times have changed, how people change

From cries of love, to cries of hate

The awaited one came, they couldn’t see

He healed, taught love but, still they did not see

Now time has passed, they’ve had their chance,

they chose their path

Hand are washed, backs are turned

The cross stands high, one of three, for all to see

Bang, bang, bang,

Nails,

one, two and three

The crown of thorns, to crown a king

Spills blood for sins He came to bear

The sky, it darkens

Father

Forgive , forgive, forgive

It’s over

BUT NOT THE END

Was Mary the first feminist.

“Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

Was Mary the first feminist and yes, Martha is vacuuming but did she want to sit a the feet of Jesus as well? and go against convention.

Why this picture, well it brings the story to today,

In Jesus time Martha would have been brushing and d today we use a vacuum, but that is where it ends. We still behave the same, always busy, distracted by the tasks of every day life.

Martha is distracted, preparing a meal for Jesus and his followers. she didn’t have the use of the mod cons we have to today ,the microwave or freezer. she couldn’t prepare the meal in advance given the hot climate. food had to be prepared and eaten straight away.

Can you imagine Martha getting more resentful as she works hard and Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, listening to his every word. I wonder is it because she wishes to be sat with Jesus or is it because as a female it is Mary’s duty as a woman to also look after the hospitality? Also Mary had crossed an imaginary line, she was behaving like a man. In that culture the house was divided into male space and female space, and male and female roles were clearly defined and this line shouldn’t be crossed. Mary had crossed it and Martha wasn’t happy. She was so upset that she demanded the Jesus make her sister help with the work.

His reply “Martha dear, you are fussing far too much and getting yourself worked over nothing” But  to Martha it wasn’t nothing, to Martha hospitality was important. After all, it was Jesus in their home and you feed your guest.

What is the first thing we do, we offer and cup of tea or coffee and maybe a biscuit or cake.I wonder would you want Jesus to turn to Mary and say “get up and help, do something”

The second part of Jesus’ reply “one thing only is essential and Mary has chosen it. It is the main course and won’t be taken from her”

Mary had chosen to listen, to take time to hear the words spoken by her guest, to hear his teachings, to contemplate on his words. Mary had gone beyond the business of serving to the service of contemplation.

Martha represents the active, women those who visit, extend hospitality, those who dedicate their time being Gods outward present, leading by example.

Mary a contemplative, stands for all those women who, when they hear Jesus speaking about the kingdom of God, know that God is calling them to listen carefully so that they can speak of it too. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus as his student, as   a would- be teacher and preacher of the kingdom of God.

Both active and contemplative are both important. Without, the first we wouldn’t eat and without the second we wouldn’t worship.

We should work hard ,but not too hard and should remember to to enjoy life that hes been given to us by the grace of God,too feel our place in the spirit. We should do the things we are called to do, no matter how difficult they are. At the centre of of this Mary/Martha or as I read  ying/yang is Jesus our Lord and Saviour – the person we should  spend time with when we can stop ourselves being  busy, for Jesus the reason we live life the way we do.

So was Mary one of the first feminist, I think she should be considered so. She crossed the line; she sat as the men did at the feet of the teacher,as a pupil to learn , as a would be teacher and preacher of the kingdom of God.

So what would you do, would you be doing the vacuuming or would leave it for another day and sit at the feet of Jesus. I know what I would do. Are you a Mary or a Martha?