Holy Dusters

because they were travelling at the end of September when the weather starts to deteriorate. Paul warned the crew and the Roman centurion that things could go badly and the ship would be lost. But the centurion was keen to get to Rome, so he insisted that they should carry on.

After fourteen days and nights at sea, being driven by a strong north easterly wind, they were at the end of their tether. On the morning of the fifteenth day, they saw land and did their best to sail into a sandy bay. Unfortunately there was a sand bar and the ship ran aground and started to break up. So they all jumped into the sea and made their way to the beach – and everyone survived.

Once safely ashore, they found that they were on the island of Malta where they stayed for three months until the weather was fit for sailing again.

They left Malta in an Alexandrian ship and, after two or three weeks, arrived in Rome where Paul was again put under house arrest with a soldier to guard him. He lived like that for two years and people were able to visit him quite freely. During that time, he continued to preach the Message of Jesus to all who would listen. And, despite his failing eyesight, he wrote many letters to the churches he had founded and to the key people that he depended upon to continue his work.

In due course he was tried by the emperor, Nero, the last in the line of Caesars. He was imprisoned and subsequently executed, probably beheaded in the manner reserved for Roman citizens.

So ended the life of a great man who had faithfully carried out the work that Jesus had commissioned him to do – against all the odds. Next month: In the power of the Spirit

St Mary the Virgin

Week beginning Monday Aug. 30th Maurelle and Andrea Sept. 6th Christine and Jan Sept. 13th Helen and Jane Mowing & Path Sweeping Richard Vellacott / James Alpe / Tony Parkes / Mark Tarry

St James

Flowers and Cleaning Linda Albin and Kate Allen