Sunday 19th May, Pentecost (Whitsunday)

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the Priory on Pentecost Sunday, the last major festival before we enter six months of Ordinary Time. If you are visiting us today, we extend a warm and special welcome. Please do stay for coffee after the morning service, as we would love to get to know you better.

Pentecost (also called Whitsun) occurs on the 49th day (50th day when inclusive counting is used) after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1–31).  We will light the candles we arranged in the cross during last Sunday morning’s service to symbolise the Holy Spirit coming today. It is the birthday of the Church.

At the Vicarage, we are carrying on as usual and sorting out drawers and cupboards ready for retirement. The Diocese gives me a ‘resettlement’ month when I stop my parish duties but retain the overall responsibility. So, Rita and I will be moved by the removal company on 13th June and then reside in Uffculme. We will return on Saturday, 22nd June, for Lifepath week and attend Gilly Maxim’s Ordination on Sunday, June 30th, at Worcester Cathedral. Please pray for Gilly as she takes this important step. We then return to Uffculme until the 12th/13th of July, ready for our final Sunday on July 14th. Officially, I retire on my 66th birthday on 16th July.

The Friends Choral Evensong is at 6.30pm on 16th June. The interim Dean, The Revd Canon Dr Stephen Edwards, will preach. Please put this date in your diaries and support the work of our hardworking Friends.

Every blessing,

Rod