Church

Services

A service of Easter reflections through organ music will be delivered by Paul Cheater at 6.30pm on Monday, April 11 at Litton Cheney Church. Long Bredy Church will hold a Compline service of chanted prayer at 6.30pm on Tuesday, April 12. The Rev Liz Howlett will lead Holy Week reflections, including readings from Julian of Norwich, at Puncknowle Church on Wednesday, April 13 from 6.30pm. A Holy Communion service, including a remembrance of the Last Supper and the stripping of the altar, will be held on Maundy Thursday, April 14, at Swyre Church from 6.30pm. Litany services, including St John’s account of the events preceding Jesus’ crucifixion, will be held at Shipton Gorge Church and Littlebredy Church at 10am on Good Friday, April 15. A Good Friday vigil will be held from noon to 3pm at Burton Bradstock Church. An Easter Saturday vigil will take place at Chilcombe Church at 6.30pm. Join a seaside service run by the Churches of the Bride Valley from 6am on Sunday, April 17 at Hive Beach, Burton Bradstock. Bridport Catholic Church has Mass every Sunday at 10am. The Abbey: Weekday services every Monday-Saturday at 8.30 am – Morning Prayer -The Sepulchre Chapel Every Monday at 9am CW Holy Communion The Lady Chapel Every Monday at 7.30pm –Address and Compline (last service on Monday, April 4 Every Tuesday at 12pm –CW Holy Communion The Lady Chapel Every Wednesday at 10.30am –Holy Communion with Homily –The Lady Chapel (alternates CW and BCP) Sherborne Abbey Palm Sunday, April 10 8am BCP Holy Communion 9.15am Liturgy of the Palms Procession (The Green, top of Cheap Street, then proceed, behind the donkey, to The Abbey) 9.30 am Parish Eucharist 6pm Choral Evensong Castleton Church 11am BCP Holy Communion Lillington Church 10am Morning Service Holy Communion Longburton Church 10am Village Communion St Paul’s @The Gryphon 10.30 am All Age Worship Speaker: The Reverend Oli Fricker Melbury Services Palm Sunday Sunday, April 10 Halstock 10am Holy Communion Melbury Osmond 9.30am Holy Communion Maiden Newton 9.30am Worship Service Cattistock 6pm Evening Prayer Good Friday Sunday, April 15 East Chelborough 11am Castle Hill Melbury Osmond 2pm Hour at the Cross Maiden Newton 9.30am Good Friday Service Easter Sunday Corscombe Sunrise Service 9.30am Family Communion Halstock 9.30am Family Communion West Chelborough 11am Morning Prayer Evershot 10am Family Communion Melbury Osmond 9.30am Holy Communion Frome St Quintin 11am Holy Communion Melbury Bubb 11am Holy Communion Rampisham 11am Holy Communion by extension Wraxall 11.15am Holy Communion Maiden Newton 9.30am Family Service Cattistock 10am Holy Communion Chilfrome 8am Holy Communion Frome Vauchurch 9am Holy Communion

Activities

By: Claire Robinson Mess! As a mum I have long become accustomed to mess. Even though my girls are now embarking on their teen years they still seem to attract it – messy hair, messy rooms, messy desks... When younger there was nearly always a trail of messy chaos behind them wherever they went. I’ve had to become chief constable in charge of clean up operations at home. It’s not unusual to find me issuing orders to pick it up, put it away, tidy, clean and sort. Sometimes I’m listened to, often not but nowadays I believe the man upstairs

Sometimes

By The Rev Deb Smith, Team Rector of Bridport

You may have heard the story about a man who gets too close to the edge of the Grand Canyon, loses his balance, and slips over the edge. Just before falling, he grabs onto a root sticking out from the edge. “Help me!” he screams. “Is there anyone up there? Help me! Save me! Is there anyone up there? A voice answers: “I am the Lord. I can save you. Do you believe in me? “Do you really want me to help you?” “O, yes, Lord, I believe in you, more than you’ll ever know.

at Easter where we clean up for you!

is also casting a watchful eye over our family mess (and I don’t mean the husband as he is an equal mess contributor) I mean God. I don’t mean He’s watching over us with some giant heavenly hoover waiting to pounce on another dropped biscuit, abandoned half eaten sandwich or spilt drink. More that He’s watchfully guiding us as we navigate life’s figuratively messy path. Think arguments, stress, illness, loss, heartache... I’ve faith in His watchfulness on a global scale too. He’s needed more than ever as the chief mess mopper upper with the state of the world being so fragile as we all continue to suffer from the impact of covid, wars and climate change. So as a tiny step towards mess management perhaps attending a Messy Church afternoon with your family might help? Sessions are informal gatherings for any children (under 11) and the adults close to them that involve creativity, celebration and hospitality. The mess encountered at one of these arty, sticky events may be literal for some but listen carefully for the MESSage based around a Bible theme that each session will have at its heart. The Melbury team are excited that it can continue Messy Church sessions again following a gap during covid and will be hosting a Messy Easter session on Sunday, April 10 at 3pm –4.30pm, in St Mary’s, Maiden Newton. Previous Easter sessions have seen over 40 children with their families joining in the fun and learning more about Easter and what made Jesus so special and unique. This year there’s plans afoot for: egg painting, cross decorating, Easter gardens and even the... Rolling Stones. Apologies, no capitals – I mean rolling stones. As always there will be an informal group time towards the end to give everyone the opportunity to hear afresh the Easter story, ably re told with much audience participation by one of the team. And to end – a sandwich tea with plentiful cake eating opportunities for adults and children alike to enjoy together. Don’t worry – we’ll clear up the kids’ mess! Maybe the MESSiah is the MESSenger (or MESSmanager?) you need. Perhaps Messy Church is where you’ll find Him? For more info please contact: Rev Daniel Ingles 01935 891858 revdanielingles@ hotmail.com

faith is all about trusting and letting go

“Please help me.” “OK,” the Lord says. “I’ll save you. Now, let go.” “What?!” “Just let go of that root you’re holding on to, and I’ll save you. You have to trust me.” The man pauses a moment, and then shouts out, “Is there anyone else up there?!” As we continue the journey of Lent, we acknowledge it is so often a difficult path, and sometimes we might even plunge off the road altogether. We want a comfortable life. In our homes, in our work, our communities and in our relationships. It helps us to feel secure. But we should also be aware of the risks of being too comfortable, for settling for a peace that is not deeply rooted. This Lent I guess we have all been thinking of those whose path is not in the least secure or easy. Those fleeing for their lives; living in places of war; those denied an education; the bereaved and fearful and all for whom life is precarious and uncertain. How can we focus only on our own comfort when others, perhaps even our own neighbours, are struggling to keep going? We make our journey together – and I hope wherever we are, we will offer a helping hand to those we can reach and accept the helping hand when it is offered to us, trusting that we travel in the steps of the God who is always walking with us. So, I’m reminded of the old prayer: Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the endings, by paths, as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us, and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.